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Anything Once
In Anything Once, Isabel Ostrander delivers a thrilling tale of courage, disguise, and deception set against the backdrop of early 20th-century America. When a spirited young woman takes it upon herself to unravel a web of lies and criminal plots, she finds herself in a game of cat and mouse with dangerous adversaries. Ostrander, known for her vivid characters and fast-paced storytelling, crafts a protagonist who defies social expectations and risks everything to uncover the truth. With scenes ranging from shadowy streets to high society salons, the novel captures the energy and mystery of its time. Anything Once is a gripping reminder of how far some will go for justice—and how the most unlikely heroes can rise when danger strikes.
68 pages, Paperback
First published April 10, 1920
About the author
Isabel Ostrander
144 books2 followersIsabel Egenton Ostrander (1883–1924) was a mystery writer of the early twentieth century who used, besides her own name, the pseudonyms Robert Orr Chipperfield, David Fox, and Douglas Grant. Christopher B. Booth is sometimes (falsely) credited as a pseudonym of hers.
She was born in New York City to Thomas E Ostrander and Harriet Elizabeth Bradbrook. Her Ostrander pedigree goes back to seventeenth century Kingston, New York.
(wikipedia)
She was born in New York City to Thomas E Ostrander and Harriet Elizabeth Bradbrook. Her Ostrander pedigree goes back to seventeenth century Kingston, New York.
(wikipedia)
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
February 20, 2015
Douglas Grant was one of the pseudonyms of Isabel Ostrander, who made her name as a mystery/thriller writer, and so when I started to read this short book it was a crime novella that I expected. Instead I got an utterly charming romantic tale.
High-born New Yorker Jim Abbott has accepted a bet from his friends: he must get from Buffalo to NYC with almost zero money and tight restrictions on his behavior, the rules of the bet being such as to test his conjecture that the folks of Upper New York State are as kindly as those anywhere else in the country. All goes . . . well, not exactly swimmingly but at least passably until he has a rude encounter with someone's bull. He's rescued by a teenage runaway, Lou, who is fed up of being abused by the family into whose untender care her orphanage placed her. Together the two make it to NYC via a stint in a circus, the saving of a baby's life and much more; by the time they get there this oddly matched couple realize their future is going to be together.
Even though it was written nearly a century ago, this is a wonderfully readable tale. Recommended.
High-born New Yorker Jim Abbott has accepted a bet from his friends: he must get from Buffalo to NYC with almost zero money and tight restrictions on his behavior, the rules of the bet being such as to test his conjecture that the folks of Upper New York State are as kindly as those anywhere else in the country. All goes . . . well, not exactly swimmingly but at least passably until he has a rude encounter with someone's bull. He's rescued by a teenage runaway, Lou, who is fed up of being abused by the family into whose untender care her orphanage placed her. Together the two make it to NYC via a stint in a circus, the saving of a baby's life and much more; by the time they get there this oddly matched couple realize their future is going to be together.
Even though it was written nearly a century ago, this is a wonderfully readable tale. Recommended.
September 28, 2022
"Anything Once", written by Isabel Ostrander under the pseudonym Douglas Grant, is a little-known gem of a novella mixing romance, realist literature and a touch of adventure.
It's a wholesome story, short enough to be read in one sitting, but long enough to get the reader to care deeply for the characters, to marvel at their growth arc, and to miss them once the book ends.
I was especially surprised by the not-so-subtle feminist undercurrent that underlies this story, particularly refreshing as this was originally published over 100 years ago.
Last but not least, this novella can be read for free, courtesy of the Gutenberg Project, as it's in the public domain. I'm definitely glad I stumbled upon it today!
It's a wholesome story, short enough to be read in one sitting, but long enough to get the reader to care deeply for the characters, to marvel at their growth arc, and to miss them once the book ends.
I was especially surprised by the not-so-subtle feminist undercurrent that underlies this story, particularly refreshing as this was originally published over 100 years ago.
Last but not least, this novella can be read for free, courtesy of the Gutenberg Project, as it's in the public domain. I'm definitely glad I stumbled upon it today!
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews