Road to Folly

by Leslie Ford

Decorator Diane Baker travels from Philadelphia to visit old school chum Southern belle Phyllis Lattimer. Phyllis and her husband Rusty Lattimer own genteel Darien Plantation, which is adjacent to run-down Strawberry Hill Plantation; owned by the destitute Reid family. Tension and old family secrets run high between the two families, as murder waits in the shadows. RM

Genres: Mystery

248 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1940

About the author

Leslie Ford is the nom de plume of Zenith Jones Brown , who also wrote as David Frome and Brenda Conrad.

Reviews

[iasa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A short little mystery, quaint and charming but not without it's early 20th century flaws. I've not read much of Leslie Ford's work but she does manage to create an atmosphere without being overly complicated.

[Rick Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

This setting of genteel plantation estates reminds me of Rebecca (Daphne du Maurier). As in that story, there are long-kept family secrets which no one talks about; which are gradually revealed.

As soon as arrogant Phyllis was introduced, I knew she was to be a victim. I liked the comparisons of the two side-by-side estates, one lavish, one becoming decrepit. The story is presented through the eyes of third-party Diane Baker, and this is an effective way to move the story along.

There are two murders, and the victims are left with a mass of Spanish moss over their faces. I was not sure if that is the murder method or not, it was not explained. I haven't seen Spanish moss but it seems an odd way to do away with someone.

There is a jarring contrast with the Black servants - they are always spoken to politely and respectfully in person, but when they are not present they are referred to by using the n-word. Hypocrisy at its best.

[M Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of Ms. Ford's best. As always, the observations of the local social mores (1938 Charleston, SC this time) are acute and delicious. This time, however, Ford foregoes her usual maddening protagonist Grace Latham and sleuth Colonel Primrose and we're much better off because of it. Additionally, the murder(s) occur at digestible pace and Ford neglects her usual trick of having the investigators neglect an important clue because of some urgent development.

All in all, an excellent cozy beneath the hanging moss.

And, of course, the domestic servants are referred to using the vocabulary of the time. You know what I mean.

[Mary Stenvall · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved all of Leslies Ford's books. Sadly, they were written at a time when social commentary and ethnic descriptions shoved her off the popular list. They were not meant as racial remarks as much as common language at the time they were written.