Holy Smoke

Jerusalem Mystery #3

by Frederick Ramsay

The year is 29 C.E., and Jerusalem chafes under the Roman Empire's oppressive rule. A badly scorched body is found behind the Veil of the Holy of Holies - the Temple's inner sanctum, the most sacred space on earth for the Jews. No one except the high priest may enter this place and he only on the Day of Atonement. This is no casual violation, and the authorities are in an uproar. Gamaliel, the rabban of the Sanhedrin, is the ranking rabbi in all of Judea. Now he must solve this delicate mystery while dark agents with unholy interests plot to seize control of much of the trade in certain highly profitable imports. As the tangled web of intrigue and murder is slowly unraveled, Yeshua, the radical rabbi from Galilee, continues to annoy the high priest, and holy smoke from the sacrifices rises from the Temple.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical, Fiction

250 pages, Hardcover

First published February 3, 2013

About the author

Dr. 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.

Reviews

[Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.com/bo...

Holy Smoke is set in 29 CE. A murder victim is discovered in a sacred place in the temple. Who could have left the body or, indeed, was his death a result of his mere presence in this holy and restricted area?

The Sleuth (a Rabbi named Gamaliel) wastes no time considering other-worldly interference. He refers to the local doctor for forensic information on the body and pursues a logical course in unraveling events. His character is clear and well-written, but without great any great feeling. At no point do you wonder how events will impact him as an individual, or if our hero is changing because of his endeavors. It just doesn’t seem to matter. He does engender some admiration. There is satisfaction in following his train of thought. Conversations are convincing.

The pace never picks up, although more events (and deaths) occur. They are presented as a ever-increasingly complex series of problems, with inter-church/political causes and possibly ramifications – all in a precise and complex, yet not confusing manner. Gamaliel’s pursuit reveals his cleverness…but not much more. We believe the importance of solving the mystery, but never really care.

Holy Smoke is a well-designed story with clear, readable style…but I never felt much for any character throughout. It is very much plot driven, and not reliant upon the reader’s attachment to characters involved. The cover is completely wonderful, and quite possibly the most dramatic part of the whole work.

[Bethany · Rating 2 out of 5]

So much better in theory than the actual book was written. After about 40% I skipped to the last 20 minutes and knew everything I needed to know. I love the idea of the characters but maybe jumping in on the second in the series, I've missed some connections between them that would've brought more depth to the story. Or maybe not, maybe they are just two characters talking back and forth to one another.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

not for everyone, but

Some readers might find the philosophical banter at the expense of the story obnoxious, but it was perfect for me!

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ramsay's latest novel takes the reader to Jerusalem in the year 29 C. E. A badly scorched body is discovered behind the veil of the Holy of Holies. The Holy of Holies is the Temple's inner sanctum and a sacred place for the Jews. Only the High Priest may enter and only once a year on the Day of Atonement.

The body is discovered when a cord is sticking out from the veil of the Holy of Holies. It had been discussed that a cord should be tied around the high priest's ankle when he entered on the Day of Atonement but this had never been put into practice. The first item of concern is how to get the body or whatever is attached to the cord out from behind the veil. This is finally accomplished and the body attached to the cord is unrecognizable due to severe burns.

Gamaliel, the Rabban of the Sanhedrin is the ranking rabbi in all of Judea. Gamaliel is drawn into solving this mystery but before he reaches a conclusion, another burnt body is found. This time the body is in a shop and not the temple. Gamaliel gets Loukas, the physician, to join him in trying to figure out whose body was burned and left in the Temple and why.

It is no big surprise to find out that the murders are a part of a war beginning between the countries that supply hul gil to the shops in Jerusalem. Hul gil is opium derived from the poppy and some of the opium is much more potent than other varieties. Gamaliel and Loukas are followed and narrowly escape injury as they seek out answers.

The author has served on the University of Maryland School of Medicine faculty and is an ordained Episcopal priest. Ramsay has written a number of books. "Holy Smoke" is the third in a trilogy set in Jerusalem.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy Smoke is the product of burning sacrificial animals. Frederick Ramsay explains the history and ritual of Holy Smoke in the most interesting way: in the midst of a mystery. Holy Smoke is the final book in a trilogy set in Jerusalem in the year 29 C.E.

Gamaliel, the highest-ranking Rabbi in Judea and his friend Loukas, a knowledgeable and trusted physician find themselves in the mist of murder and intrigue. A body is found in the holiest place in the Temple. This is no ordinary murder - the charred body is a sign from an angry God or someone managed to dump a body in the place considered the most sacred place on earth for Jews without getting caught.

The mystery widens out into the far corners of Jerusalem. If God didn’t kill the victim, the murderer could be lurking in plain sight. Will Gamaliel and Loukas solve the mystery before becoming the next victims?

Ramsay keeps you guessing until the very end of his well crafted mystery.

See more of this review and others on my blog: lauramhartman.wordpress.com

[Dina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the Eighth Veil (the first book in this series) on the recommendation of Maggie Anton, the author of the Rashi's Daughters series and Rav Hisda's Daughter. Anton said that although the author was not Jewish, he had an amazing understanding and knowledge of Jewish life 2000 years ago.

This book is not only a good read, but also taught me a lot about the role of the Rabban, life in Jerusalem at the time, and the rise of hul gal (opium) in the region.

I highly recommend the book.

[Rose · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the historical slant in this book and how Fred Ramsay weaves real people into a mystery set during Jesus' life. His development of the setting and how religious events played into the mindset of the day added a lot to the story. He does a good job of explaining the politics of the times--Roman, Jewish, Assyrian.

The reason I rated it a 3 stars instead of 4 is that his frequent use of contemporary words threw me out of the story at various times.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a very interesting mystery. I found it extremely confusing at the beginning. I was greatly helped by reading the glossary and author notes. I love that there was a map. There is an earlier book/s in the series which I have checked out of the library. I recommend this if you have a knowledge of the Bible. You will recognize some of the historical figures.

[Kiwi Carlisle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love a good historical mystery, but I am not convinced this is one. It's tremendously self-conscious, always trying to draw our attention to "peripheral" events of the period such as a troublesome rabbi named Yeshua, or prematurely discovering Schrödinger's paradoxical cat in the guise of a piece of fruit. It's clever, but doesn't quite work.

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a well-written and intriguing mystery set in the time of King Herod in Jerusalem. It was a new setting for me and I enjoyed how it filled out what I'd read about that era. The author lets you figure out the clues along with the main character, so you're neither kept in the dark nor bored.