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Ike Schwartz Mystery #1
Artscape
Ike Schwartz thought he could return to his hometown and ditch the demons that pursue him. More than anything, he wanted to blot out the pain and anger that came when his wife of less than a month was gunned down in a CIA foul-up. So he buried himself as sheriff in rural Picketsville, Virginia, a community indistinguishable from any of the hundreds of small towns that hang like beads on Interstate 81 running from Pennsylvania down to Georgia.
Aside from its Civil War history, Picketsville's only real claim to fame is Callend College, a private women's school located just within its corporate limits. The college is notable, in turn, for housing one half of the billion dollar Dillon art collection, carefully secured in an underground bunker originally built in the late 1950s as a super bomb shelter.
It's bad news for both Dr. Ruth Harris, the newly hired president of the college, and for a shadowy group whose services have been contracted by Middle Eastern fanatics--The New Jihad--when the collection is scheduled to be removed to New York. The plan is to steal the half billion dollars worth of fine art and statuary, and ransom it back for millions.
With the closure of the facility imminent, the operation must be moved forward, which, in turn, creates unanticipated risks and problems. And everyone dismisses Ike Schwartz as a stereotypical rural sheriff. He is, however, a man with uncommon skills, a tough hide, and a notable past--all of which make an arresting first novel.
Aside from its Civil War history, Picketsville's only real claim to fame is Callend College, a private women's school located just within its corporate limits. The college is notable, in turn, for housing one half of the billion dollar Dillon art collection, carefully secured in an underground bunker originally built in the late 1950s as a super bomb shelter.
It's bad news for both Dr. Ruth Harris, the newly hired president of the college, and for a shadowy group whose services have been contracted by Middle Eastern fanatics--The New Jihad--when the collection is scheduled to be removed to New York. The plan is to steal the half billion dollars worth of fine art and statuary, and ransom it back for millions.
With the closure of the facility imminent, the operation must be moved forward, which, in turn, creates unanticipated risks and problems. And everyone dismisses Ike Schwartz as a stereotypical rural sheriff. He is, however, a man with uncommon skills, a tough hide, and a notable past--all of which make an arresting first novel.
249 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
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.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
January 21, 2018
First of the Ike Schwartz mysteries in which we are introduced to small town cop--and former CIA agent--Ike and the president of a woman's college, Ruth, whose prickly reaction to Ike leads to more than he was expecting, especially after a multi-million dollar art collection is stolen. Ike rightly concludes it is a professional job, but how is he to convince others of that?
How he figures out who did it, how and why makes for a charming introduction to several quirky characters I hope will reappear in subsequent additions to this series.
How he figures out who did it, how and why makes for a charming introduction to several quirky characters I hope will reappear in subsequent additions to this series.
May 29, 2018
Book #1 of a new series for me. I have not read this author in the past and went back to the beginning of the series. I like the writing and the plot, wo will be looking forward to reading more of this series.
Ike Schwartz thought he could return to his hometown and ditch the demons that pursue him. More than anything, he wanted to blot out the pain and anger that came when his wife of less than a month was gunned down in a CIA foul-up. So he buried himself as sheriff in rural Picketsville, Virginia, a community indistinguishable from any of the hundreds of small towns that hang like beads on Interstate 81 running from Pennsylvania down to Georgia.
Aside from its Civil War history, Picketsville's only real claim to fame is Callend College, a private women's school located just within its corporate limits. The college is notable, in turn, for housing one half of the billion dollar Dillon art collection, carefully secured in an underground bunker originally built in the late 1950s as a super bomb shelter.
It's bad news for both Dr. Ruth Harris, the newly hired president of the college, and for a shadowy group whose services have been contracted by Middle Eastern fanatics--The New Jihad--when the collection is scheduled to be removed to New York. The plan is to steal the half billion dollars worth of fine art and statuary, and ransom it back for millions.
With the closure of the facility imminent, the operation must be moved forward, which, in turn, creates unanticipated risks and problems. And everyone dismisses Ike Schwartz as a stereotypical rural sheriff. He is, however, a man with uncommon skills, a tough hide, and a notable past--all of which make an arresting first novel.
Ike Schwartz thought he could return to his hometown and ditch the demons that pursue him. More than anything, he wanted to blot out the pain and anger that came when his wife of less than a month was gunned down in a CIA foul-up. So he buried himself as sheriff in rural Picketsville, Virginia, a community indistinguishable from any of the hundreds of small towns that hang like beads on Interstate 81 running from Pennsylvania down to Georgia.
Aside from its Civil War history, Picketsville's only real claim to fame is Callend College, a private women's school located just within its corporate limits. The college is notable, in turn, for housing one half of the billion dollar Dillon art collection, carefully secured in an underground bunker originally built in the late 1950s as a super bomb shelter.
It's bad news for both Dr. Ruth Harris, the newly hired president of the college, and for a shadowy group whose services have been contracted by Middle Eastern fanatics--The New Jihad--when the collection is scheduled to be removed to New York. The plan is to steal the half billion dollars worth of fine art and statuary, and ransom it back for millions.
With the closure of the facility imminent, the operation must be moved forward, which, in turn, creates unanticipated risks and problems. And everyone dismisses Ike Schwartz as a stereotypical rural sheriff. He is, however, a man with uncommon skills, a tough hide, and a notable past--all of which make an arresting first novel.
October 26, 2022
An interesting new series (for me). Ike Schwartz, one time CIA operative, has retired from the Agency and gotten elected Sherriff in the small town in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, the town where he'd grown up many years earlier. The local women-only college happens to house an extremely valuable art collection, stored in an on-campus bunker with a highly sophisticated alarm system. A group of Middle Eastern terrorists decides to steal the collection and ransom it back to the owner for a very large amount of money. They engage a mafia boss to put together a team and steal the collection. They do the job, and eventually the local sheriff gets involved in solving the crime. That's when the story really takes off. Along the way, Ike gets involved with the president of the college (rather too easily, I thought).
January 26, 2024
I rate this a 4 star in enjoyability, a 2 in originality.
Several Action/Mystery tropes are present.
-The hero with a tragic past, trying to move on.
-The hero meets someone who they dislike and argue with, only to soon (and SO SOON) find themselves in a relationship with said person.
-a good person is forced to do something illegal, because of their present circumstances.
Also, figuring out who orchestrated the heist is very easy. There isa curve ball early on, but I figured it out soon after.
But the story is good and very entertaining.
Former CIA agent Ike Schwartz is now the sheriff in his hometown in Virginia.
A priceless art collection from the local college is brazenly stolen....
Ike finds himself butting heads with the college president, as he investigates the case.
Well written, though we've seen these elements many times before.
Several Action/Mystery tropes are present.
-The hero with a tragic past, trying to move on.
-The hero meets someone who they dislike and argue with, only to soon (and SO SOON) find themselves in a relationship with said person.
-a good person is forced to do something illegal, because of their present circumstances.
Also, figuring out who orchestrated the heist is very easy. There isa curve ball early on, but I figured it out soon after.
But the story is good and very entertaining.
Former CIA agent Ike Schwartz is now the sheriff in his hometown in Virginia.
A priceless art collection from the local college is brazenly stolen....
Ike finds himself butting heads with the college president, as he investigates the case.
Well written, though we've seen these elements many times before.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 22, 2019
I liked it a little more than 3 stars, less than 4. Small town Virginia sheriff turns out to have some amazing credentials. Striking president of the local women's college is just strident enough to be interesting, which eventually Sheriff Ike Schwartz agrees with. Then there's the heist of a major art collection from the bunkers under the college, complicated by the disgusting hobbies of a local security guy. Once the action gets rolling, it's a highly engaging story. Emotionally truthful, if a little far-fetched in a few premises. It does take about 30% of the text to get it up and rolling however, which, a half dozen titles in the series later (see the review of Scone Island that will happen as soon as I finish reading it), is still true. (Have fun with that sentence.)
April 10, 2020
Right before the shutdown I made a trip to the library to stock up on books. (Some people stock up on toilet paper, I stock up on books) I had wanted to catch up with Ramsay's Jerusalem series but the new ones were gone so I picked this one up instead.
I'm so glad I did as I thoroughly enjoyed this first Ike Schwartz mystery! The cast of characters was an interesting one and I enjoyed this suspenseful case as it played out. Characters like the ex-agent with the broken heart, the crook with the heart of gold, the feminist college president and of course the CIA friend who is far deeper than he appears could have been a cliche but Ramsay made it all fresh and quite compelling.
Very entertaining! I am just sorry now that I didn't get the next two in the series while I was there!
I'm so glad I did as I thoroughly enjoyed this first Ike Schwartz mystery! The cast of characters was an interesting one and I enjoyed this suspenseful case as it played out. Characters like the ex-agent with the broken heart, the crook with the heart of gold, the feminist college president and of course the CIA friend who is far deeper than he appears could have been a cliche but Ramsay made it all fresh and quite compelling.
Very entertaining! I am just sorry now that I didn't get the next two in the series while I was there!
March 16, 2017
I enjoyed meeting Ike Schwartz, the small town police chief with a very interesting background and experience. This was fun book and the mystery interesting. The story has good characters and great twists and turns. Ike solves the mystery as we get to know about his world and his past. I look forward to further books in this series.
March 11, 2017
-Finished 03/29/2014. Sheriff Ike Schwarz once again has a case that involves his old CIA compadres and the FBI. The University has hired a temp professor of art to teach iconology. He has brought part of the inventory of his DC shop with him because his wife is suing for divorce. One of the icons has a microchip attached to the eye of the Virgin Mary and is the target of CIA, Mossad, and jihadists. One of the jihadist is killed & he was the fiance of the artist's wife. Then one of the feds was also murdered in DC. Of course Ike with Sam's assistance is at the heart of the sting that captures a whole bunch of bad guys from all the factions.
February 11, 2014
This story took me a while to get into. Told from different points of view, different time perspectives, jumps back into the past - a little confusing until you get the hang of it. And just when you think the story is over, more stuff happens.
Ike Schwartz, former CIA agent, has retired from the Agency after a personal tragedy and is now settling down in a quiet, collegiate town and resigning himself to a life of boredom and routine traffic stops - despite his father's personal ambitions for him. Ruth Harris, a former social rebel (read: feminist) turned academic powerhouse, has just been hired as President of the all-women's college in town. Much to her dismay, the good ole boys in charge of the town (and therefore the college) have decided to move the college's main asset, an eclectic collection of art, from the college bunker where it is housed to New York City. But before the move can take place, a terrorist group calling themselves the New Jihad hijacks the collection and holds it for a $5 million ransom.
So without giving away plot points, let me just say: there are a lot of sub-stories: 1) Ike's past and why he left the CIA; 2) the blooming love story between Ike and Ruth; 3) the taking of the art collection; 4) Ike's hunt for the treasure before it is destroyed; 5) the computer expert who is ex-FBI but gets caught up on the wrong side of the law; 6) the feisty kidnapped hostage who touches his heart; and 7) the puppet master who pulls all the strings when it comes to getting the collection back where it belongs. Intrigued? You should be.
This is a good read that held my attention (once I got into it) and although most of the loose ends are tied in a neat bow before the book ends, I could see the author writing another book to continue the story of Ike and Ruth (and some other secondary characters). And I would pick it up and read it.
Ike Schwartz, former CIA agent, has retired from the Agency after a personal tragedy and is now settling down in a quiet, collegiate town and resigning himself to a life of boredom and routine traffic stops - despite his father's personal ambitions for him. Ruth Harris, a former social rebel (read: feminist) turned academic powerhouse, has just been hired as President of the all-women's college in town. Much to her dismay, the good ole boys in charge of the town (and therefore the college) have decided to move the college's main asset, an eclectic collection of art, from the college bunker where it is housed to New York City. But before the move can take place, a terrorist group calling themselves the New Jihad hijacks the collection and holds it for a $5 million ransom.
So without giving away plot points, let me just say: there are a lot of sub-stories: 1) Ike's past and why he left the CIA; 2) the blooming love story between Ike and Ruth; 3) the taking of the art collection; 4) Ike's hunt for the treasure before it is destroyed; 5) the computer expert who is ex-FBI but gets caught up on the wrong side of the law; 6) the feisty kidnapped hostage who touches his heart; and 7) the puppet master who pulls all the strings when it comes to getting the collection back where it belongs. Intrigued? You should be.
This is a good read that held my attention (once I got into it) and although most of the loose ends are tied in a neat bow before the book ends, I could see the author writing another book to continue the story of Ike and Ruth (and some other secondary characters). And I would pick it up and read it.
July 2, 2012
Ike Schwartz has retreated to his hometown in sleepy Virginia to 'semi-retire' from the FBI and serve as the local sheriff. Normally, nothing exciting happens around town but when a multi-million dollar art heist occurs at the local college with 2 kidnapping victims and a murder, Ike knows he has to dust off his skills and put his private pain behind him.
Local college president Ruth has no intentions of turning over the case to bungling local law enforcement. Soon, sparks are flying between the two as they race to solve the case before the FBI takes over and before the college loses a lot of needed funding.
This book is first in a series about Ike and Ruth. I decided to read this because I had actually read a later book in the series and loved it and wanted to start at the beginning. Honestly, I was a little disappointed. The later books in the series are much more well-written and engaging and this one seems like an early first draft. With that being said, I did actually like the book. It is a light-hearted mystery that a lot of cozy fans will enjoy. The background romantic tension and history of Ike is interesting. The book is told from a variety of viewpoints, which threw me a little, but helps keep the action plugging along.
Don't judge the whole series by this first attempt-keep reading. They get much better!
Local college president Ruth has no intentions of turning over the case to bungling local law enforcement. Soon, sparks are flying between the two as they race to solve the case before the FBI takes over and before the college loses a lot of needed funding.
This book is first in a series about Ike and Ruth. I decided to read this because I had actually read a later book in the series and loved it and wanted to start at the beginning. Honestly, I was a little disappointed. The later books in the series are much more well-written and engaging and this one seems like an early first draft. With that being said, I did actually like the book. It is a light-hearted mystery that a lot of cozy fans will enjoy. The background romantic tension and history of Ike is interesting. The book is told from a variety of viewpoints, which threw me a little, but helps keep the action plugging along.
Don't judge the whole series by this first attempt-keep reading. They get much better!
July 31, 2007
I agree with the rule of 50 as a general principle. The Rule of 50 is reading 50 pages before deciding that a book is not for you. The exception is that if you are over 50, subtract your age from 100 and that’s the number of pages you slog through before you put it down.
I’m sorry but I only made it to page 33 before deciding that I really could not go any further in this first novel by an unknown writer. The characters are trite and flat. The sheriff; a psychologically damaged, ex-CIA agent still dealing with his Jewish heritage and small town roots. The all-women’s college president, claiming to be a reformed Marxist but calling the sheriff a fascist for his suggesting that her students have a picture ID (I didn’t know there was a college that didn’t issue a picture student ID). And the terrorists planning the crime (including a disassociated FBI agent) – It’s so blatant from the first chapter that they did a dry run. I know it’s going to get into FBI vs. CIA and I just can’t do that anymore. Before page 25 it’s announced that they have an inside connection. Just to be fair, I’ve skipped around in the later chapters and it doesn’t get any better. I’m still trying to decide how this made the Reader’s Favorite list at the library. I’m also looking for even one metaphor.
I’m sorry but I only made it to page 33 before deciding that I really could not go any further in this first novel by an unknown writer. The characters are trite and flat. The sheriff; a psychologically damaged, ex-CIA agent still dealing with his Jewish heritage and small town roots. The all-women’s college president, claiming to be a reformed Marxist but calling the sheriff a fascist for his suggesting that her students have a picture ID (I didn’t know there was a college that didn’t issue a picture student ID). And the terrorists planning the crime (including a disassociated FBI agent) – It’s so blatant from the first chapter that they did a dry run. I know it’s going to get into FBI vs. CIA and I just can’t do that anymore. Before page 25 it’s announced that they have an inside connection. Just to be fair, I’ve skipped around in the later chapters and it doesn’t get any better. I’m still trying to decide how this made the Reader’s Favorite list at the library. I’m also looking for even one metaphor.
July 26, 2016
After reading the synopses to Frederick Ramsay's books, I downloaded two titles to my Kindle because they certainly sounded like the sort of books I enjoy reading. Unfortunately both titles languished there until I happened to attend an author event for his latest book featuring Ike Schwartz (Drowning Barbie). After being completely charmed by his knowledge and wit, I came home and dialed up Artscape.
The mystery is a good one, and I relished the details of how the group of thieves planned to circumvent all the college security measures and steal the collection. Ramsay's writing style made for vivid mental visuals as the chapters flew by. More importantly, the characters-- in particular Sheriff Ike Schwartz, college president Dr. Ruth Harris, and a young female college student-- came to life. Plenty of sparks fly in the early scenes between Schwartz and Harris, and I liked how Schwartz dealt with Harris' razor-sharp tongue and preconceptions. Both characters are complex, and I am really looking forward to future meetings between the two.
This is one series that I really want to follow, and I would recommend that you do, too, if you like well-written, fast-paced mysteries with excellent characterization.
The mystery is a good one, and I relished the details of how the group of thieves planned to circumvent all the college security measures and steal the collection. Ramsay's writing style made for vivid mental visuals as the chapters flew by. More importantly, the characters-- in particular Sheriff Ike Schwartz, college president Dr. Ruth Harris, and a young female college student-- came to life. Plenty of sparks fly in the early scenes between Schwartz and Harris, and I liked how Schwartz dealt with Harris' razor-sharp tongue and preconceptions. Both characters are complex, and I am really looking forward to future meetings between the two.
This is one series that I really want to follow, and I would recommend that you do, too, if you like well-written, fast-paced mysteries with excellent characterization.
August 25, 2007
ARTSCAPE (Police Procedural-Virginia-Cont) - G
Ramsay, Frederick – 1st in series
Poisoned Pen Press, 2004- Hardcopy
Ike Schwartz has returned to his hometown of Picketsville, Virginia and become its sheriff. Picketsville is also the home of Callend College, which houses a valuable art collection. When the collection is stolen, the head of college security found murdered and two students kidnapped, it's up to Ike to solve the crime and it quickly becomes clear he's more this just a small-town sheriff.
*** The plot would have done better with fewer characters and less mixing of Ike's past and present; hopefully, we'll have moved past that in the next book. Ike is an interesting character, if a tad too perfect, but that's being picky. Ruth, the president of the local college is very well drawn. The story doesn't quite know whether it's focus is the art theft or spies, which dilutes the effectiveness of both. Still, it is interesting, suspenseful, and progresses well. I can't say it was great, but it was good enough that I'll read the next.
Ramsay, Frederick – 1st in series
Poisoned Pen Press, 2004- Hardcopy
Ike Schwartz has returned to his hometown of Picketsville, Virginia and become its sheriff. Picketsville is also the home of Callend College, which houses a valuable art collection. When the collection is stolen, the head of college security found murdered and two students kidnapped, it's up to Ike to solve the crime and it quickly becomes clear he's more this just a small-town sheriff.
*** The plot would have done better with fewer characters and less mixing of Ike's past and present; hopefully, we'll have moved past that in the next book. Ike is an interesting character, if a tad too perfect, but that's being picky. Ruth, the president of the local college is very well drawn. The story doesn't quite know whether it's focus is the art theft or spies, which dilutes the effectiveness of both. Still, it is interesting, suspenseful, and progresses well. I can't say it was great, but it was good enough that I'll read the next.
October 27, 2015
The prestigious Dillon art collection, housed at Callend College, a private woman’s college in rural Virginia, is about to be moved in its entirety to New York City. This unexpected news forces the thieves who’ve targeted the collection to change their plans; now they’ll need to strike long before the original July 4th holiday date they’d chosen for their assault on the underground vault where the collection is secured with a state of the art security system. Despite a hitch or two in their plans . . . and a state of the art security system . . . the daring for-hire thieves manage to empty the vault and make off with the entire collection.
Can Sheriff Ike Schwartz find the thieves and recover the collection? And who hired the thieves in the first place?
Engaging characters and an intriguing plot help build the suspense in this likeable tale. Beneath his laid-back demeanor, Ike is decisive, tough, and capable; readers are likely to find themselves rooting for the sheriff as he matches wits with the professional thieves and the mastermind behind the crime.
Recommended.
Can Sheriff Ike Schwartz find the thieves and recover the collection? And who hired the thieves in the first place?
Engaging characters and an intriguing plot help build the suspense in this likeable tale. Beneath his laid-back demeanor, Ike is decisive, tough, and capable; readers are likely to find themselves rooting for the sheriff as he matches wits with the professional thieves and the mastermind behind the crime.
Recommended.
January 22, 2016
There is this small rural community where an alumni returns after attending Harvard, Yale Law School and several years as a CIA agent overseas. When his wife is killed he leaves the CIA, returns to this rural roots, runs for and is elected sheriff. Town houses an all girls college and at the college a multi million dollar art treasure. The art was donated by some wealthy goober, who houses the art in a multi floor bunker built during the A-Bomb scare years.
The treasury is stolen and the sheriff and his rural staff begin their investigation. Really big goobers push for the FBI to become involved at which point the big chees FBI says to an agent go to this town and make sure you slow down the investigation. The CIA probably stole the art for their own purpose and we do not want to get into a tussle with them.
The absurdity of the direction led me to close my kindle and write this piece. The book is the first in a series and my last. The story is never flushed out, many characters are not developed, and absurdly stupid is not my cup of tea. the end
The treasury is stolen and the sheriff and his rural staff begin their investigation. Really big goobers push for the FBI to become involved at which point the big chees FBI says to an agent go to this town and make sure you slow down the investigation. The CIA probably stole the art for their own purpose and we do not want to get into a tussle with them.
The absurdity of the direction led me to close my kindle and write this piece. The book is the first in a series and my last. The story is never flushed out, many characters are not developed, and absurdly stupid is not my cup of tea. the end
May 29, 2014
After reading the latest in the series, Drowning Barbie, I decided to go back to the beginning. In Artscape Ike is back in his hometown in Virginia acting as sheriff. We pick up three years after he's left a 12 year career in the CIA. We gradually learn about how his wife was killed and how he quit after that failed mission.
In the present Ike meets Ruth Harris, president of the local women's college. They do not hit it off right away. In fact they're opposites in philosophy. Once an art heist takes place, they have to work together despite their differences to find how what really happened.
I enjoyed how Ike proves he's not some small town hayseed and solves the case. I also liked how well he and Ruth go together.
There are some issues with going back and forth in time along with shifting points of view, but overall it's a very good book.
In the present Ike meets Ruth Harris, president of the local women's college. They do not hit it off right away. In fact they're opposites in philosophy. Once an art heist takes place, they have to work together despite their differences to find how what really happened.
I enjoyed how Ike proves he's not some small town hayseed and solves the case. I also liked how well he and Ruth go together.
There are some issues with going back and forth in time along with shifting points of view, but overall it's a very good book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 15, 2010
I've read an awful lot of mysteries in my life and have suffered through the complete range of detective novels - from dithering females who blunder, despite themselves, onto a solution to the crime to hard-boiled, alcoholic detectives who have seen it all and don't really care to see any more.
I enjoyed these characters. They are not fleshed out as would be in a one-off book and perhaps I've read too many series but I enjoy not knowing the complete psychological make-up of a character in the first two chapters. Or first book.
An ex-CIA, Jewish sheriff in a small southern town finds himself trying to solve the disappearance of an entire art collection from a state-of-the-art facility set on a college campus.
I enjoyed these characters. They are not fleshed out as would be in a one-off book and perhaps I've read too many series but I enjoy not knowing the complete psychological make-up of a character in the first two chapters. Or first book.
An ex-CIA, Jewish sheriff in a small southern town finds himself trying to solve the disappearance of an entire art collection from a state-of-the-art facility set on a college campus.
November 16, 2013
This was a very well written mystery, filled with some very well drawn characters. I was entralled with the back stories almost as much as the active investigation. I hope there are further developments with Ike and his associates.
August 24, 2012
I really enjoyed reading this book, because I liked the people! The writing is good, and the plot had some interesting twists. I learned some things about security systems, and I love it when I learn new things! I'm looking forward to the next in the series.
July 30, 2015
Great mystery. Sheriff Ike Schwartz is a smart, likable person. The book draws you in and holds you to the last page.
I shared this book with my husband. We both agree this is a GREAT mystery/book.
I shared this book with my husband. We both agree this is a GREAT mystery/book.
December 21, 2015
2005 249 pages
For a local Phoenix author, not bad, not bad. This is the first of many books this aughtor has written. will try another.
what i did not understand is the last 30 ish pages going back over days of being with the FBI and the killing of his wife. did not need to be in story
For a local Phoenix author, not bad, not bad. This is the first of many books this aughtor has written. will try another.
what i did not understand is the last 30 ish pages going back over days of being with the FBI and the killing of his wife. did not need to be in story
January 17, 2016
This book took more than 50 pages to get into….more like 150. I kept putting it down, but finally found myself enjoying it. It is one thing to change POVs in different chapter, but changing them several times in one chapter gets very confusing.
July 23, 2012
I liked some of the phrasing and the writing wasn't bad, but I just never got into the characters much - even though one was named Ruth Harris!
October 10, 2012
I have discovered a new to me series because of an offer of a free ebook. I liked the unusual character of Ike and the very different premise of the books.
June 17, 2013
Slow start but looking forward to the rest of the series. Regional cop with a Fed background. Good mix.
July 29, 2016
This was okay. A little contrived and awkward in spots. I'm willing to try the next in the series to see how things progress
September 19, 2014
Really liked this book, Ike is a great character.
May 25, 2008
Mom liked this more than I did. The plot was OK, but the typography drove me crazy.
April 21, 2017
Good book. Will buy a copy for my mom.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews