What do you think?
Rate this book
"Ike Schwartz outing combines high-tech detection with routine sleuthing" ― Booklist Ruth Harris, Sherriff Ike Schwartz's fiancée, is involved in a near fatal automobile accident. But Ike is convinced the crash was rigged. Even though he is embroiled in a close election, has no jurisdiction over the investigation, and can find no support in the usual law enforcement community, he places himself on leave and goes rogue to investigate and seek the person or persons responsible for putting Ruth in a coma. Help arrives from unexpected and irregular sources. Old friends in the covert community step up and his loyal staff in Picketsville provide undercover assistance. The journey leads Ike to state's rights organizations, then to several zealots and dissident academics before it finally ends at home in Picketsville.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 2007
11 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
Frederick Ramsay
22 books19 followersDr. Frederick Ramsay was born in Baltimore, the son of a respected teacher researcher and scientist. He graduated from Washington and Lee University in Virginia and received his doctorate from the University of Illinois. After a stint in the Army, he joined the faculty of the University of Maryland, School of Medicine, where he taught Anatomy, Embryology and Histology; engaged in research and served as an Associate Dean. During this time he also pursued studies in theology and in 1971 was ordained an Episcopal priest.
Leaving academia, he tried his hand at a variety of vocations. At one time or another, he served as a Vice President for Public Affairs, worked as an insurance salesman, a tow man and line supervisor at Baltimore’s BWI airport, a community college instructor, and substitute. Finally, he accepted a full time position as a clergyman.
He is now retired from full-time ministry and writes fiction.
Dr. Ramsay is the author of several scientific and general articles, tracts, theses, and co-author of The Baltimore Declaration. He is an iconographer, an accomplished public speaker and once hosted a television spot, Prognosis, on the evening news for WMAR-TV, Baltimore. He currently lives in Surprise, Arizona with his wife and partner, Susan.
Leaving academia, he tried his hand at a variety of vocations. At one time or another, he served as a Vice President for Public Affairs, worked as an insurance salesman, a tow man and line supervisor at Baltimore’s BWI airport, a community college instructor, and substitute. Finally, he accepted a full time position as a clergyman.
He is now retired from full-time ministry and writes fiction.
Dr. Ramsay is the author of several scientific and general articles, tracts, theses, and co-author of The Baltimore Declaration. He is an iconographer, an accomplished public speaker and once hosted a television spot, Prognosis, on the evening news for WMAR-TV, Baltimore. He currently lives in Surprise, Arizona with his wife and partner, Susan.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
August 27, 2019
This mystery with a political slant started out strongly. The plot dragged from middle to end. Lastly and most important, the characters were not developed enough to drive the narrative.
July 4, 2011
From Goodreads: Ruth Harris, Sherriff Ike Schwartz’s fiancée, is involved in a near fatal automobile accident. But Ike is convinced the crash was rigged. Even though he is embroiled in a close election, has no jurisdiction over the investigation, and can find no support in the usual law enforcement community, he places himself on leave goes rogue to instigate and seek the person or persons responsible for putting Ruth in a coma.
His efforts attract help from unexpected and irregular sources. Old friends in the covert community step up, covert help from his loyal staff combine to help. It is a journey which takes him first to State’s Rights organizations, then to zealots and dissident academics before it finally ends at home in Picketsville.
Along the way Charlie Garland connects with Eden Saint Claire, his father manipulates the re-election campaign, and the folks at the Crossroads Diner cheer him on.
7th in a series.
______________________________
The first time I ever saw the above synopsis, I was intrigued, and so I requested a copy through Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley. I then put the novel on the back burner because my TBR pile is huge and Rogue wasn’t releasing for a while, so I read other novels. I came back to this novel not too long ago, in anticipation of Rogue’s release today, and I made a mistake in not rechecking the synopsis through Netgalley, but by relying on Amazon and Goodreads to remind me of the synopsis. Now, before I go any further, let me state that I’ve never had the following problem before and I’m still not sure how it even happened, but I have emailed Poisoned Pen Press about this and am still awaiting their reply.
So, I looked at Goodreads as I marked the novel as “Currently Reading,” and this is the synopsis I saw:
Ike Schwartz and Ruth Harris had to delay a vacation in Las Vegas because at the last moment, Ruth was required to go to Scone Island, Maine to settle an estate. But that task is soon complicated by one, and then another suspicious death. First, a long term resident slips off a cliff. Was he pushed? Then the woman, who found the body, is, in turn, discovered on a foot path dead from an apparent heart attack, but also with a not easily explained head wound. Ruth finds herself briefly cast as a person of interest in the last death. When things seem to be slipping out of hand, Ike arrives just in time to witness the discovery of a third body—Simon Weiss. Weiss had come to the island to purchase properties with an eye to turning it into a high-end resort. His tactics and personality so alienated the residents that it is no surprise his body is found under the community pier, with a very professionally placed bullet hole in his forehead. As his plans were allegedly financed by the New York mafia, it seems obvious who ordered the hit. This brings the FBI into play, to the distress of the local police. With an array of suspects, motives, and even the island’s history to confound the investigation, Ike, with the aid of local Deputy Sheriff, Tom Stone, and the able, if quirky, assistance of Ruth, unravel these three deaths, but not without heavy costs to villains, residents, and their children.
You’ll note that the above synopsis is not the actual synopsis for Rogue. In fact, in all my research, I couldn’t find any book that matched the above synopsis—though I hope there is one because I really want to read it… But anyway, the above synopsis is what I expected to be reading about. I began the novel and yes, both Ruth and Ike were present, but there wasn’t a Scone Island, a botched trip to Las Vegas, or murders abounding. In fact, Ruth was in the hospital in a coma, and I was confused. I kept reading, but 20% of the way through the novel I stopped, thinking I had made a mistake somewhere along the line and was reading the wrong novel—something I thought was Rogue, but actually wasn’t. So, I checked my Kindle and found that I was in fact reading Rogue. Then I checked Amazon and found the exact same synopsis as the one on Goodreads, so I figured that I just hadn’t read far enough into the novel to get to the Scone Island section. I read a little further, then thought to double check Barnes and Nobel’s website. Well, I was shocked to find that the real synopsis, the one all the way at the top of this page, was on Barnes and Nobel, and it matched, exactly, what I was reading about in Rogue. Barnes and Nobel also lists a different cover for the book than what I was seeing on Netgalley, Amazon, and Goodreads.
Completely confused, I finally went to back to Netgalley and double checked the synopsis. Lo and behold, their synopsis matched the one on Barnes and Nobel, and though the cover is different, the actual synopsis is the one at the top of this page about Ruth’s car accident. Interesting. Of course, my curious self wanted to know what happened, and while I haven’t yet heard back from Poisoned Pen Press, I went back to Goodreads and did some digging.
What I found: Out of the five editions on Goodreads, four had the wrong synopsis attached. All editions had the exact same cover, except one, which had the title of Scone Island across the top with the same picture—I wouldn’t have noticed at all had I not been already been looking for discrepancies. Interesting. If you ask me, I think the cover of the lighthouse would be perfect for the Scone Island novel—but it doesn’t really fit Rogue at all. So, I am wondering if perhaps there is a book, or will be a book coming out soon, called Scone Island that will deal with the synopsis I found on Amazon and Goodreads, and perhaps there was a mix-up concerning release dates and covers? As I’m a librarian on Goodreads, I did change the synopsis to the correct version and I also removed the faulty cover so at least now Goodreads is correct, but there is nothing I can do for Amazon except hope that the powers that be fix it soon.
Now, I’d love to say that the above events have no bearing on my thoughts of the novel in question, but I’d be lying if I said that. I was so frustrated throughout the entire process above, waiting and waiting for the Scone Island portion of the novel to begin, that I ended up really disliking the novel as it wasn’t what I expected it to be, quite literally. To be fair, Ramsay is a wonderful writer and the novel was suspenseful and mysterious, but as it wasn’t what I expected, I think that clouded my overall intake of the novel...
To read my full review (7/5):
http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...
His efforts attract help from unexpected and irregular sources. Old friends in the covert community step up, covert help from his loyal staff combine to help. It is a journey which takes him first to State’s Rights organizations, then to zealots and dissident academics before it finally ends at home in Picketsville.
Along the way Charlie Garland connects with Eden Saint Claire, his father manipulates the re-election campaign, and the folks at the Crossroads Diner cheer him on.
7th in a series.
______________________________
The first time I ever saw the above synopsis, I was intrigued, and so I requested a copy through Poisoned Pen Press and Netgalley. I then put the novel on the back burner because my TBR pile is huge and Rogue wasn’t releasing for a while, so I read other novels. I came back to this novel not too long ago, in anticipation of Rogue’s release today, and I made a mistake in not rechecking the synopsis through Netgalley, but by relying on Amazon and Goodreads to remind me of the synopsis. Now, before I go any further, let me state that I’ve never had the following problem before and I’m still not sure how it even happened, but I have emailed Poisoned Pen Press about this and am still awaiting their reply.
So, I looked at Goodreads as I marked the novel as “Currently Reading,” and this is the synopsis I saw:
Ike Schwartz and Ruth Harris had to delay a vacation in Las Vegas because at the last moment, Ruth was required to go to Scone Island, Maine to settle an estate. But that task is soon complicated by one, and then another suspicious death. First, a long term resident slips off a cliff. Was he pushed? Then the woman, who found the body, is, in turn, discovered on a foot path dead from an apparent heart attack, but also with a not easily explained head wound. Ruth finds herself briefly cast as a person of interest in the last death. When things seem to be slipping out of hand, Ike arrives just in time to witness the discovery of a third body—Simon Weiss. Weiss had come to the island to purchase properties with an eye to turning it into a high-end resort. His tactics and personality so alienated the residents that it is no surprise his body is found under the community pier, with a very professionally placed bullet hole in his forehead. As his plans were allegedly financed by the New York mafia, it seems obvious who ordered the hit. This brings the FBI into play, to the distress of the local police. With an array of suspects, motives, and even the island’s history to confound the investigation, Ike, with the aid of local Deputy Sheriff, Tom Stone, and the able, if quirky, assistance of Ruth, unravel these three deaths, but not without heavy costs to villains, residents, and their children.
You’ll note that the above synopsis is not the actual synopsis for Rogue. In fact, in all my research, I couldn’t find any book that matched the above synopsis—though I hope there is one because I really want to read it… But anyway, the above synopsis is what I expected to be reading about. I began the novel and yes, both Ruth and Ike were present, but there wasn’t a Scone Island, a botched trip to Las Vegas, or murders abounding. In fact, Ruth was in the hospital in a coma, and I was confused. I kept reading, but 20% of the way through the novel I stopped, thinking I had made a mistake somewhere along the line and was reading the wrong novel—something I thought was Rogue, but actually wasn’t. So, I checked my Kindle and found that I was in fact reading Rogue. Then I checked Amazon and found the exact same synopsis as the one on Goodreads, so I figured that I just hadn’t read far enough into the novel to get to the Scone Island section. I read a little further, then thought to double check Barnes and Nobel’s website. Well, I was shocked to find that the real synopsis, the one all the way at the top of this page, was on Barnes and Nobel, and it matched, exactly, what I was reading about in Rogue. Barnes and Nobel also lists a different cover for the book than what I was seeing on Netgalley, Amazon, and Goodreads.
Completely confused, I finally went to back to Netgalley and double checked the synopsis. Lo and behold, their synopsis matched the one on Barnes and Nobel, and though the cover is different, the actual synopsis is the one at the top of this page about Ruth’s car accident. Interesting. Of course, my curious self wanted to know what happened, and while I haven’t yet heard back from Poisoned Pen Press, I went back to Goodreads and did some digging.
What I found: Out of the five editions on Goodreads, four had the wrong synopsis attached. All editions had the exact same cover, except one, which had the title of Scone Island across the top with the same picture—I wouldn’t have noticed at all had I not been already been looking for discrepancies. Interesting. If you ask me, I think the cover of the lighthouse would be perfect for the Scone Island novel—but it doesn’t really fit Rogue at all. So, I am wondering if perhaps there is a book, or will be a book coming out soon, called Scone Island that will deal with the synopsis I found on Amazon and Goodreads, and perhaps there was a mix-up concerning release dates and covers? As I’m a librarian on Goodreads, I did change the synopsis to the correct version and I also removed the faulty cover so at least now Goodreads is correct, but there is nothing I can do for Amazon except hope that the powers that be fix it soon.
Now, I’d love to say that the above events have no bearing on my thoughts of the novel in question, but I’d be lying if I said that. I was so frustrated throughout the entire process above, waiting and waiting for the Scone Island portion of the novel to begin, that I ended up really disliking the novel as it wasn’t what I expected it to be, quite literally. To be fair, Ramsay is a wonderful writer and the novel was suspenseful and mysterious, but as it wasn’t what I expected, I think that clouded my overall intake of the novel...
To read my full review (7/5):
http://bookvacations.wordpress.com/20...
January 21, 2018
Another Ike Schwartz mystery that nearly kills Ruth, Ike's fiancee in a car accident his is certain was deliberate. While she's in a coma, Ike begins the painstaking task of finding out who and why, but the number of possible suspects increases, even as the number of murders also climbs. Is even Ruth's mother a suspect? Maybe, or maybe not, even though her ex-husband with Alzheimer's has written her out of the will in favor of leaving everything to Ruth. But will she recover, or slide into a vegetative state and then die?
Ike fears the worst even as he clings to hope that Ruth will emerge from the coma and answer the last of his questions. Another intriguing escapade for Ike Schwartz and his quirky officers and dispatcher to solve.
Ike fears the worst even as he clings to hope that Ruth will emerge from the coma and answer the last of his questions. Another intriguing escapade for Ike Schwartz and his quirky officers and dispatcher to solve.
June 10, 2012
The author of this novel has a strong background in rural America, particularly in the Upper Midwest. It shows in many of the nuances that affect the progress of this story. The novel is replete with icons of small towns, some of which are isolated from the mainstream.
The book is set in the tiny Upper Peninsula Michigan town of St. Adele where once again we ride along with one of the most reluctant and phlegmatic lawmen we are likely ever to encounter. His name is John McIntyre and he is the town constable. He didn’t want the job in the first place and he can think of a hundred things he’d rather be doing and places he’d rather be than the sun-blasted hay field of former conscientious objector, Ruben Hofer.
Hofer has been murdered, that’s plain to see. His head was blasted open by a rifle shot while he sat on his tractor raking hay. It is almost immediately clear that the man’s family is one likely source of murderous intent. Hofer was not a nice man. He drove his two teen-aged sons in cruel and oppressive ways; and his eleven-year-old daughter, Claire, has already been pushed to warped and dangerous attitudes about life. His wife is morbidly over-weight and only the youngster, Joey, constantly playing with his make-believe farm in the yard outside the kitchen of the school-house-turned-family-home, seems almost normal.
Author Hills continues to invest her stories with an array of intriguing characters although I got a little tired of the sheriff’s on-again-off-again almost incompetent investigation. Moreover, the two teen-agers do not become distinct characters in this book until very late, which I found to be a weakness.
Nevertheless, the story is informed by very real human emotions and conflicts and the author’s handling of the religious, political and historical elements of the book tell us she has done careful research. The book is, as is true of all her books, well-written.
February 15, 2015
Sheriff Ike Schwartz is running for reelection when his fiancee Ruth is involved in a DC car crash which puts her into a coma. Ike immediately shoves aside politics and glad-handing to investigate the cause of the crash. The more he digs into the incident, the more he is convinced that it was no accident. Was Ruth targeted because of her current position with the Department of Education by those who oppose federal control over textbooks? Or was it because of Ike's past as a CIA agent? Ike aims to find out and calls in many favors from past connections while ignoring the usual protocol and jurisdictional boundaries, hence "going rogue." His longtime friend and former colleague at the CIA lends a hand and tries to keep Ike from going completely out of bounds. Meanwhile, Picketsville, Ike's rural Virginia jurisdiction, is the scene of several murders which may or may not be linked to each other and to Ruth's accident. Theories abound, as do red herrings, but Mr Ramsay plays fair with the reader as he guides you toward the solution.
This is the first of the Ike Schwartz mystery series that I have read. Happily for me, Ramsay does a good job of including enough of the characters' backstories to bring the reader up to speed. Chapters are short and keep the reading pace flowing. The police procedural aspect, local color and mayhem are combined to make for a good mystery. I think I need to take another trip to Picketsville soon!
This is the first of the Ike Schwartz mystery series that I have read. Happily for me, Ramsay does a good job of including enough of the characters' backstories to bring the reader up to speed. Chapters are short and keep the reading pace flowing. The police procedural aspect, local color and mayhem are combined to make for a good mystery. I think I need to take another trip to Picketsville soon!
February 24, 2012
An entertaining and worthy addition to the author's series. Sheriff Ike Schwartz, having lost his wife to terrorist murder, while an active agent of the Central Intelligence Agency, is still in recovery mode, although finally moving toward marriage with the president of a small local university in Pickittsville. Virginia. The sheriff is an unlikely choice to be sheriff of this small community and he's facing a tough and imminent election.
Rachel Harris, president of the university and Ike's fiancee, has taken a temporary job with the US Department of Education, a position that brings her into conflict with a number of states rights crazies. When she has an accident on a dark and rainy night in D.C., the local cops assume it's just an accident. Ike isn't so sure and Rachel is in a coma so she can't comment. That's the set-up.
Ramsey always write clean clear prose with sharp, precise character-driven dialogue that moves the plot with alacrity. This story is darker than earlier entries in the series as Ike confronts the possibility that he may lose his love. The plot is more convoluted than earlier books and occasionally seems to lose focus. In spite of that, this is a highly enjoyable nicely resolved crime novel.
Rachel Harris, president of the university and Ike's fiancee, has taken a temporary job with the US Department of Education, a position that brings her into conflict with a number of states rights crazies. When she has an accident on a dark and rainy night in D.C., the local cops assume it's just an accident. Ike isn't so sure and Rachel is in a coma so she can't comment. That's the set-up.
Ramsey always write clean clear prose with sharp, precise character-driven dialogue that moves the plot with alacrity. This story is darker than earlier entries in the series as Ike confronts the possibility that he may lose his love. The plot is more convoluted than earlier books and occasionally seems to lose focus. In spite of that, this is a highly enjoyable nicely resolved crime novel.
March 9, 2011
While this is the seventh book in Frederick Ramsay's Ike Schwartz series, this is the first book that I have read. Now I wish I had read the first six first as I really enjoyed this novel. I enjoyed the story, the characters and the setting. It was very enjoyable getting to know the characters that inhabit Picketsville in Virginia! Highly recommend this book!
January 13, 2019
Very good author. I like this story line. I rated the book a four rather than a five only because at a time when conservative and liberal nasty opinions of each other take up way too much time daily on TV in real life, what would have been an excellent book had to include strong political influence that I personally felt took away from the story. Other than that (which is my own opinion) the author and book are excellent.
November 28, 2018
This was a Harlequin gift from their suspense collection. It was an okay novel about Ike's wife who was in a coma after an attempted murder. There are other murders too. Ike is stumped but gets friends to help. The guilty party is a total shock but the story itself was much to involved with too many details and not enough action.
June 2, 2019
Detective series the first i am reading from this author . When Sheriff Ike Scwartz girlfriend is left for dead,the rush to rule it an accident does not sit well with him so he embarks on his own personal sleuthing mission, where he turns up multiple bad guys all gunning for a big payoff.
Ike has to work fast to catch the bad guy before the trail goes cold or all the hay leaves the barn.
Ike has to work fast to catch the bad guy before the trail goes cold or all the hay leaves the barn.
June 9, 2017
These are such good books and the ones on audio have a really good narrator.
Good characters and interesting plots.
Good characters and interesting plots.
February 20, 2019
Mystery. First one of this series that I have read. Might go back for the rest.
August 9, 2020
This was a disappointment, it had none of the snap of "Secrets". I'll try one more of the series, if it is this drab I'll take a pass on Ike Schwartz.
March 15, 2025
Police procedural with quirky characters from a small town. Ike’s fiancé is almost killed in a hit and run. He sets out to figure out who and why.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2011
"Rogue" by Frederick Ramsay is a delightful mystery addition to my long list of favorites! While I wish I hadn't started so late into the series, it is a case of better late than never.
This 6th installment of the Ike Schwarz series centers around Ruth, Ike's fiancee. At the beginning of the book, Ruth is the subject of an apparent murder attempt, a hit and run in Ike's car. Ike pulls out all the stops to find the person responsible for the attempt while at the same time running for re-election of sheriff, stopping a hay theft ring, and staying strong for Ruth's recovery.
There are so many things to love about this book. First, I would have to say that the two main characters, Charlie and Ike, are so delightful. Funny and warm, with just the right mixture of gruffness and sarcasm. Their sense of humor was my favorite part of the book. I felt as if I were right there with them trading witty banter (although they are much wittier than me!). The plot was another really enjoyable part of this book. I have read hundreds of mysteries and it is often so difficult to find something new. However, this book was relevant and cutting edge.. Perhaps because I am a teacher, I found the motive of 'murder because of textbook adoption' to be hilarious, disturbing and chilling all at the same time.
My only complaint would be with the last chapter. Everything fit together just a little too neatly for my tastes. Other than that, it is truly the best mystery I've read in a long time.
This may be my first visit with Ike, but it won't be my last. I hope this is just the start to a very long relationship.
This 6th installment of the Ike Schwarz series centers around Ruth, Ike's fiancee. At the beginning of the book, Ruth is the subject of an apparent murder attempt, a hit and run in Ike's car. Ike pulls out all the stops to find the person responsible for the attempt while at the same time running for re-election of sheriff, stopping a hay theft ring, and staying strong for Ruth's recovery.
There are so many things to love about this book. First, I would have to say that the two main characters, Charlie and Ike, are so delightful. Funny and warm, with just the right mixture of gruffness and sarcasm. Their sense of humor was my favorite part of the book. I felt as if I were right there with them trading witty banter (although they are much wittier than me!). The plot was another really enjoyable part of this book. I have read hundreds of mysteries and it is often so difficult to find something new. However, this book was relevant and cutting edge.. Perhaps because I am a teacher, I found the motive of 'murder because of textbook adoption' to be hilarious, disturbing and chilling all at the same time.
My only complaint would be with the last chapter. Everything fit together just a little too neatly for my tastes. Other than that, it is truly the best mystery I've read in a long time.
This may be my first visit with Ike, but it won't be my last. I hope this is just the start to a very long relationship.
Read
July 8, 2008The Kingdom Where Nobody Dies, by Kathleen Hills, B-plus. Narrated by Lloyd James, produced by Blackstone Audio, downloaded from audible.com.
The Hofers were a German family new to the small town. They were of German origin, which was not looked upon positively since it was just after WW II and sentiment against Germans was still high. Mr. Hofer did not seem to be a sociable man and the family kept to themselves. Claire and her brothers hated their father. Then one day, as she was sitting in her secret tree, she heard shots. She didn’t hear them as shots but as loud cracks. She took dinner in a bucket to her father. She could see the tractor moving oddly, going toward and even through a fence. Then the priest and Deputy MacIntyre interceded and sent her home. Mr. Hofer had been murdered. The main thing that the sheriff and his deputy felt from the beginning was that no one was sorry to have Mr. Hofer gone. His wife, vastly over-weight, seemed relieved that he was gone. The children made no effort to hide that they hated their father. And then the sheriff and Deputy McIntyre found that Mr. Hofer had lived in the town before in a conscientious objector encampment during the war. Did someone in his family murder him, or were there townspeople from the past who harmed him? This was an extremely interesting and rather odd book. The Hofer family will remain in my memory for quite a while.
The Hofers were a German family new to the small town. They were of German origin, which was not looked upon positively since it was just after WW II and sentiment against Germans was still high. Mr. Hofer did not seem to be a sociable man and the family kept to themselves. Claire and her brothers hated their father. Then one day, as she was sitting in her secret tree, she heard shots. She didn’t hear them as shots but as loud cracks. She took dinner in a bucket to her father. She could see the tractor moving oddly, going toward and even through a fence. Then the priest and Deputy MacIntyre interceded and sent her home. Mr. Hofer had been murdered. The main thing that the sheriff and his deputy felt from the beginning was that no one was sorry to have Mr. Hofer gone. His wife, vastly over-weight, seemed relieved that he was gone. The children made no effort to hide that they hated their father. And then the sheriff and Deputy McIntyre found that Mr. Hofer had lived in the town before in a conscientious objector encampment during the war. Did someone in his family murder him, or were there townspeople from the past who harmed him? This was an extremely interesting and rather odd book. The Hofer family will remain in my memory for quite a while.
November 2, 2011
A welcome addition to this enjoyable series, this sixth Sheriff Ike Schwartz novel starts out in a frightful manner. Ruth Harris, Ike’s fiancée, is critically injured in a car collision in Washington, D.C. She’s in a hospital with multiple injuries and in a coma. The local police dismiss the accident as an ordinary mishap, but Ike investigates the scene and determines that it was a deliberate act of violence, and undertakes to find the culprit.
Unfortunately, the local police are of no help, and Ike is facing a reelection contest in a week. The mayor forbids him to use his office or staff in his efforts, so he takes vacation time. Aided by his buddy, Charlie Garland, the mysterious CIA agent, and covertly by friends and staff members, he follows his instincts, first looking at State’s Rights group zealots (Ruth was chairing a Federal government committee reviewing textbook standards), and then dissident academics. Three murders take place in Picketsville, complicating the efforts.
The novel measures up to the standards of its predecessors: a well-written mystery with a well-drawn cast of characters. Who can ask for anything more? So it is a relatively simple task to recommend it, as with its forerunners.
Unfortunately, the local police are of no help, and Ike is facing a reelection contest in a week. The mayor forbids him to use his office or staff in his efforts, so he takes vacation time. Aided by his buddy, Charlie Garland, the mysterious CIA agent, and covertly by friends and staff members, he follows his instincts, first looking at State’s Rights group zealots (Ruth was chairing a Federal government committee reviewing textbook standards), and then dissident academics. Three murders take place in Picketsville, complicating the efforts.
The novel measures up to the standards of its predecessors: a well-written mystery with a well-drawn cast of characters. Who can ask for anything more? So it is a relatively simple task to recommend it, as with its forerunners.
June 8, 2014
Ike's fiancee Ruth Harris is in a serious car crash and is in a coma. Ike is convinced that the accident was no accident. He goes on overdrive to find the culprit regardless of the fact that he's in a very tight election for sheriff back home.
With his CIA contacts, he investigates the crash. His main premise is that Ruth was targeted because of her work on the US Department of Education committee about textbooks. Fringe groups wrote threatening letters. Because of his tunnel vision, he misses some more obvious suspects closer to home.
Overall, I prefer the books that have all the lovely humor and banter between Ike and Ruth. That's hard to pull off when Ruth isn't conscious until the end of the book. Plus, I miss Sam, the computer hacker, from the earlier books.
At any rate, I'm glad Ruth wasn't killed off and Ike won the election by default since his opposing candidate was as crooked as an S-hook.
With his CIA contacts, he investigates the crash. His main premise is that Ruth was targeted because of her work on the US Department of Education committee about textbooks. Fringe groups wrote threatening letters. Because of his tunnel vision, he misses some more obvious suspects closer to home.
Overall, I prefer the books that have all the lovely humor and banter between Ike and Ruth. That's hard to pull off when Ruth isn't conscious until the end of the book. Plus, I miss Sam, the computer hacker, from the earlier books.
At any rate, I'm glad Ruth wasn't killed off and Ike won the election by default since his opposing candidate was as crooked as an S-hook.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 16, 2011
Sheriff Ike Schwartz's fiancee Ruth lies in a coma after her car hit a utility pole. But Ike is sure that it wasn't an accident, that someone targeted Ruth, probably because of her work at the Department of Education. He disregards his re-election campaign and the local mayor's complaints to concentrate on investigating the crash, even though it occurred in nearby Washington, out of his jurisdiction. Fortunately, Ike has friends, not least his former employers, the CIA. Meanwhile, there are problems in the college Ruth is on leave from, starting with a missing truck and escalating rapidly to murder.
December 23, 2011
Beautifully written mystery set in post WWII Michigan. Much of the story is told from the perspective of children in a very dis-functional family situation. Where can children go for help with a situation is impossible? Law, church, neighbors, community ... or? John McIntire again seems to function at his own semi-retired, slow pace. Under this exterior is a brilliantly sensitive mind looking for the feelings, reasons and motives that really work. The father is a new and delightful character... hope to see more of him later. Thank you!
November 15, 2017
Ike Schwartz the sheriff of county's fiance Ruth Harris is critically injured in an automobile accident. Ike believes that the accident was rigged, but it occurred outside his jurisdiction and he can get no hope of assistance from other law enforcement agencies he decides to do his own investigation. Despite facing an election, he takes a leave of absence from the SO and does the rogue investigation himself.
January 10, 2016
Childhood is the kingdom where nobody dies. Edna St. Vincent Millay 1934 This is a pensive coming of age story set in Northern Michigan. It was at times difficult to follow, jumping from person to person for periods of each chapter. The descriptions of Michigan's Upper Peninsula was refreshing and accurate. I questioned some historical facts and learned others. The behavior of the two youngest was improbable at times. A rather dark story but engaging.
May 18, 2008
Our library recently added 4 of this author's books. I thought I would like the series since they are set in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, an area my husband's family loves. However, I don't think the author succeeded in creating the right atmosphere. I enjoyed this book - I found the characters interesting - but found the other 3 books by this author boring.
August 12, 2008
Good characters. I will see if I find more John McIntire mysteries. Poor rural family trying to survive after their father is shot. John McIntire's quest is to find out who shot the father, whom nobody really liked, including spouse & children. Many suspects. The killer is a big surprise. The little daughter is a devious little creature (not the killer!)
April 5, 2011
set in the upper peninsula of Michigan, rural tiny town, agricultural area. Incredible poverty and rough unhappy setting. Family stuck to itself pretty much. Survival a major issue, not too many bright spots there or much future hope. Father murdered. Investigating brought out secrets from the past.
September 16, 2011
It took me a while to get used to the rather bleak style, but by the end I really enjoyed it. More a study of rural life in the 40's than a murder mystery. I will read more.
September 18, 2024
It was good. I will probably read all the others in this series now.
June 14, 2012
very good , and interesting to the people of Michigan, the people are so real , i can picture the little girl just as she discribes her . I never seen the twist coming at the end , very good
July 1, 2012
Lousy. The good characters are all good, the bad characters are all bad, the author assumes that the readers know all the characters from previous books. Lat of the Ike Schwartz mysteries.
March 30, 2013
Another solid Ike Schwartz mystery.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews