Secrets: An Ike Schwartz Mystery

Ike Schwartz Mystery #2

by Frederick Ramsay

Waldo Templeton was, at best, a mediocre organist. He was also careless, so his killer was able to follow him to the sanctuary of Stonewall Jackson Memorial Church in Picketsville, VA, and dispatch him. Then the Vicar's secretary follows Waldo to an early grave.
The Vicar, the Reverend Blake Fisher, sent to Picketsville when his ambition overcame his common sense, had had enough trouble in Philadelphia. He did not need a corpse behind his altar. He did not need his gun to be stolen, and he definitely did not need the local police breathing down his back as a suspect in a double murder.
Aided by the computer wizardry of his newest deputy, Sam (Samantha) Ryder and the country wisdom of Billy Sutherlin, Sheriff Ike Schwartz must sort through false leads, the unsolicited helpfulness of a politically connected parishioner and missing counseling files belonging to Blake's predecessor. Then the Vicar himself becomes the killer's third target....
Secrets is the sequel to Ramsay's first novel, Artscape, featuring Sheriff Ike Schwartz.

Genres: Mystery

289 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2005

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

[Kate Vale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second in the Ike Schwartz mysteries series, this tale of murder and mayhem in a church introduces an interesting Episcopal priest who plays a key role in solving this who-dun-it.

First to die is a guy the FBI has been chasing and lost, then a vengeful parishioner and almost, but not quite, Father Fisher, too. Fortunately, he lives to see another day and may even marry the new organist. I'll have to see about that in a sequel.

Fun, ecclesiastical additions and some fascinating commentary on scripture all combine to make for a good read.

[Janci · Rating 5 out of 5]

This man says what I'm thinking.

[Cathy Cole · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was simple serendipity that led me to read books in two different series which used the exact same devise: letting a different character be the narrator instead of the main character of the series. In one case, it was very successfully done. In the case of Secrets, the results are less favorable.

Sheriff Ike Schwartz is the heart and soul of this series, and I fell in love with him when I read the very first book, Artscape. I wanted more Ike when I picked up Secrets, and I have to admit that I spent most of the book looking forward to the few times he appeared. It's not that Blake Fisher is a weak character; he most definitely is not, and seeing things through his eyes as he becomes immersed in a murder investigation is interesting. It's also fascinating to see how he reacts to his banishment, and how his attitudes towards the church, the church hierarchy, the parishioners, and his own desires gradually begin to change. His metamorphosis is well and thoughtfully done.

The mystery is also a strong one that took me a while to piece together, but I was never able to overcome the paucity of scenes in which Ike Schwartz appeared. As I turned the last page, I was left with the thought that shaking up the point of view was a good idea that should've been done a book or two further along in the series. Never fear though-- I'll be heading back for another visit with Ike. He's too good to ignore!

[Grey853 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Secrets is the second in the Ike Schwartz series. I didn't like this as well as the other two I've read. It had way too much Vicar and not enough Ike. In fact, it was hard to see Ike as the main character since over half the book is told from the Vicar's point of view. When I read a book in a series, I really prefer reading it from the main character's point of view.

When the local church's organist is murdered, a whole series of events occur that lead to not only another murder but an attempt on the Vicar's life. The FBI gets involved when prints are sent out and it turns out that the organist is not who he said he was. Was he a blackmailer or worse?

We do get some nice sections where Ike deals with the loss of his wife as his relationship with Ruth progresses. We also have some nice development of the character of Sam who is a computer wizard deputy.

Overall though, I hope the future books deal more with Ike and not the secondary characters involved in the case.

[LJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

SECRETS (Police Procedural-Virginia-Cont) – G+
Ramsey, Frederick – 2nd in series
Poisoned Pen Press, 2005- Hardcover
When Sheriff Ike Schwartz is called to the murder scene of Waldo Thompson, the organist at Stonewall Jackson Memorial Church, things become much more complicated that one would expect. Waldo turns out to not to be Waldo, the Church's minister has a past he's trying to overcome, the secretary is a gossip and troublemaker, and the FBI come to town.
*** Ramsey has created some interesting characters of whom I'd like to see more, but he offsets that with a bit too much spent expressing his views on academia, intellectuals, politics, religion and fat men in Speedos.

[Meg Trager · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm betting you won't guess whodunnit! An Episcopal clergyman at the center of a mystery may sound like an unusual choice, but it sure works in this well crafted story. Beginning as an apathetic ecclesiastical caretaker, Blake becomes our hero with generous assistance from Sheriff Ike Schwartz, Picketsville's ivy league educated sheriff with a CIA background. Beyond a compelling story, you're going to find some pithy cultural and relational recommendations ... they're made to Blake's congregation but they work for everyone. A great read!

[Jess · Rating 3 out of 5]

fluffy but a nice read

[Carey Tynan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this series because the protagonist and his friend are complex grown-ups, not flat cardboard cutouts created just to move the story along.
Next up #3 - Buffalo Mountain.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very readable...like reading mysteries set here in good 'old Virginia.
..

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: An Ike Schwartz Mystery

[Cheryl Dannheim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a little slow at the beginning for me, but as I continued on, I became more intrigued.

[Tom · Rating 2 out of 5]

Boring, preachy & predictable. No more from this author

[Evonne Edgington · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't like as well as the first one.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. Really enjoy these characters

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable book, will read more of this series; I call this a police procedural cozy.