Ashes to Ashes (Paperback)

~ (Author)
Key Phrases: mausoleum key, jeweled casket, Lillian Stewart Carl, John Forbes, Miss Reid (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Review

A myriad of things that go bump in the night -- not your common romance, but then, who said romance should ever be common? -- Heartland Critiques, 1991

A real page-turner of a story -- the reader is drawn into the mystery as well as the love story that unfolds. -- Ohioana Quarterly, 1991

Gothic fans will be overjoyed -- all the trappings of that subgenre but the setting is decidedly modern. -- Rave Reviews, 1991

This is a fantastic mystery in more ways than one -- a novel of gradually intensifying tension. -- Fosfax, 1991

Product Description

Rebecca comes to a replica of a Scottish castle in Ohio to catalog a collection of historical artifacts. But she's not wanted there, either by her Scottish co-worker or by the ghosts of the past.

"Fans will be overjoyed!" —Rave Reviews

"Not your common romance, but then, who said a romance should be common?"—Heartland Critiques

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: IUniverse (June 9, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0595094481
• ISBN-13: 978-0595094486
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #776,734 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More mystery surrounding Mary, Queen of Scots., December 19, 1999

By	Linda E. Shields (Calgary, Alberta Canada) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Ashes to Ashes (Paperback)

While sifting through the antique treasures of the replica of a Scottish castle in Ohio, historians Michael and Rebecca discover two plots one ancient one modern, both linked by the death of a child and both deadly to those involved. Followed by the equally good Dust to Dust and Garden of Thorns.

5.0 out of 5 stars Still as Good, Still as Intense as Ever, May 4, 2008

By	Karen Holtz "NJ Book Girl" (Woodside, New Jersey) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

When Rebecca Reid, a historian working on her doctorate, is offered a job evaluating the estate of James Forbes, she can't help herself, she has to go, despite the protests of her clinging fiancé. Forbes' estate includes an exact replica of a Scottish castle in the middle of Ohio that is chock-a-block full of Scottish treasures and collectables, plus Rebecca knows that Forbes owned the Erskine Letter, a letter that may very well prove that Mary, Queen of Scots' son had been switched at birth. What a coup that would be for her Ph.D. dissertation. And as a bonus the job would give her some time away from that fiancé who she's no longer so sure about.

However when she arrives the castle seems haunted. Something is stalking the halls, tossing around dishes, messing with the lights, but when valuables start vanishing, Rebecca suspects more than just ghosts. Her quest to find out just what is going on is further complicated by a couple of gorgeous guys - Michael Campbell, a Scottish professor on the scene to decide which of Forbe's treasures would go home to Scotland and which would go to the historical society and Eric Adler, the handsome executor of the Forbes estate. It's not long before she breaks her engagement as she attempts to solve both the mystery of the vanishing valuables and the mystery of which gorgeous guy is the guy for her.

I couldn't put this book down and that's saying something, because I first read ASHES TO ASHES several years ago, then bought it again in eBook format after my hardcover went south somewhere about three years ago. I have it again now in paperback and it's still as good, still as intense as ever. I just loved this book and I think you will too.

5.0 out of 5 stars Within the Castle, the Spirits of the Past Live On...., August 19, 2003

By	Silmarwen (Huntington Beach, CA United States) - See all my reviews

When historian Rebecca Reid heard about the chance to help catalog Dun Iain's treasures, she jumped at the chance. After all, how often does a historian get to visit an exact replica of an ancient Scottish castle in the middle of Ohio? She knew that James Forbes, the castle's owner who had just passed away, owned the Erskine letter - a letter which just might prove that Mary, Queen of Scots' son was switched at birth for another woman's. It was just what she needed for her Ph.D. dissertation. It also gave Rebecca a chance to get away from Ray, her cloying fiance, whom Rebecca was slowly falling out of love with.

When Rebecca arrived at Dun Iain, she immediately was embroiled in old feuds and shadows of the past. Nothing could have prepared her for the ghostly presences that stalked the halls clunking loudly up and down the stairs, throwing dishes in the kitchen, turning on and off lights in rooms, moving crystal bottles from floor to floor. And nothing could have prepared her for the living people at Dun Iain: Michael Campbell, the Scottish professor sent from the museum to separate out the Forbes' family treasures and decide what would go to home to Scotland and what would stay with the historical society; Eric Adler, the charming, handsome executor of the Forbes estate; Dorothy, the eavesdropping busybody of a housekeeper who had been cleaning Dun Iain for thirty years of more; Steve Pruitt and his girlfriend Heather who always seemed to be in the wrong place at the wrong time; James Forbes, who, even after death refused to leave his beloved castle and stumped up and down the corridors and stairways; and Elspeth, James' beautiful mother, who threw herself from the 5th story window when she lost her daughter...

When priceless treasures turn up missing and Rebecca and Michael keep getting involved in mysterious "accidents", Rebecca is forced to admit that the ghosts aren't the only spooky things at Dun Iain. Eric is quite charming and she does enjoy their evenings together, but there is something holding her back from going all the way. Michael alternates between exasperating and loveable, but he may be stealing valuables to fund his own schemes. She wants to believe the best of everyone, but she knows that her time is running out...

This was a great book by Lillian Stewart Carl, full of romance and intrigue and priceless treasures lost and found. It is an updated version of a Gothic romance, with the heroine feeling lost and alone and plenty of handsome men around to choose from. All of the characters were well drawn and absolutely fascinating, whether hero or villain, all of them had shades of gray in their characters. I am looking forward to reading the sequel - Dust to Dust. Definitely worth your time to check out this author!