Ashes of Aries [Mass Market Paperback]

Martha C. Lawrence (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 18, 2002

When Matthew Fielding, the four-year-old son of a San Diego telecommunications mogul, turns up missing, the psychic skills of P.I. Elizabeth Chase are requested. The stakes are raised soon after Elizabeth begins her investigation when a wildfire breaks out in Rancho Santa Fe, the secluded community where Matthew and his family-and Elizabeth's own parents-live. Aided and abetted by the Santa Ana winds, flames rage out of control, consuming thousands of acres and dozens of homes.

Before the ashes can be cleared away, another fire blazes through everything in its path. Are the kidnapper and arsonist one and the same? Will Elizabeth be able to find the clues she needs in the dying embers around her? It's a race against time itself as man and nature combine to wreak destruction on Elizabeth's community and keep a little boy lost forever.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In her fifth astrological adventure (after 2000's Pisces Rising), psychic PI Elizabeth Chase faces an unusual and riveting mystery that will give pause to even the most ardent skeptics. When San Diego telecommunications mogul Frank Fielding's four-year-old son, Matthew, disappears, the Fieldings ask detective Bruce Loebman to call in Elizabeth for help. But before the unconventional sleuth, whom Loebman reluctantly consults, has a chance to focus on the case, a wildfire, fueled by the Santa Ana winds, ravages the exclusive community where the Fieldings live, destroying property and thousands of acres of land. When another fire breaks out, she discovers that it's the work of an arsonist who may also be Matthew's kidnapper. Dismissed by doubting Thomases, Elizabeth steps up her own investigation to find the little boy before it's too late. Her two Ph.D.s from Stanford and her prior psychic successes aren't necessary to make her a plausible, likable heroine, but they don't hurt. Her work with her shaman-mentor, the Luiseno Indian Sequoia, only adds to her credibility, as he teaches her to harness power from the natural world around her that the author describes so well. Lawrence effectively combines the earthly and the inexplicable in this fascinating page-turner, and its dramatic ending will delight committed fans as well as attract new ones. (Sept. 17)Anthony awards.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal

Psychic private eye Elizabeth Chase employs her particular skills to locate a kidnapped four-year-old San Diego boy and an arsonist responsible for a nearby terrible wildfire. Could arsonist and kidnapper be one and the same? A fine series.
Copyright 2001 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Minotaur Books; First Edition edition (November 18, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312980418
• ISBN-13: 978-0312980412
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,538,223 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Suspense Never Stops, September 25, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Ashes of Aries (Hardcover)

The suspense never stops in this mystery starring psychic private investigator Dr. Elizabeth Chase. With the clock ticking, Elizabeth must use all of her detecting skills and psychic gifts to find a kidnapped child and an arsonist willing to sacrifice lives, homes, and countryside to wreak revenge. An engaging protagonist, an atmospheric setting, compelling characters, and a taut mystery combine to make this a great read. Although the fifth book in the series, it nonetheless stands alone as a page turning thriller.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lawrence's finest, strongest effort yet!, September 25, 2001

By 

J. Russell "motorpsiclist" (Florida) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Ashes of Aries (Hardcover)

Ashes of Aries is a paranormal mystery thriller that will not disappoint!

Lawrence's writing in this, her fifth novel in the Elizabeth Chase mystery series, is literally as smooth as butter. She presents the story in such a manner that it captivates you and you're not aware of any stylistic maneuvers, a sure sign of a pro at work!

Elizabeth Chase continues her growth at all levels of life: emotional, spiritual, psychological, and physical.

The characters are vivid and true to life, once again with that dead-on-target dialogue for which Martha Lawrence has got to become famous! (After all, none other than authorial luminary Sue Grafton said to reserve a spot for Lawrence on the best seller list!)

I took "Ashes" with me to read while I waited on a brake job. This story had me so addicted that after I left the garage I kept it beside me on the front seat, and when traffic was backed up and I had to wait at red lights I would read! I got home and hurriedly finished the book, and I have to say it's even stronger than her previous efforts, a thoroughly pleasing read and a wonderful escape!

Once again Lawrence handles the tricky psychic angle with honesty and without dogma and "too pat" answers. (Being a professional psychic myself, I'm somewhat of an authority on that subject!)

I can't recommend "Ashes" highly enough, and I can't wait for the sixth in the series!!

Excelsior, my friend!

John.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not Her Best, April 6, 2002

By 

Carmeleen Varley (Kirkland, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ashes of Aries (Hardcover)

I completely enjoyed this series so far but, although this one is very readable, it never got off the ground for me. I would have preferred more about the kidnapping and much less about the fires. Kind of a lazy effort, I thought, particularly the ending which had me shaking my head in disappointment. Hope the next one is better.