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Impulse
Frank Smith, famed writer of murder mysteries, boards Southwest Airlines heading from Phoenix to Baltimore. His goal is his 50th class reunion at Scott Academy, but behind him he leaves the highly suspicious disappearance of his wife into apparent thin air four years ago and the relentless quest of Officer Ledezma whose impulse is that Smith has killed her and buried the body.
But another mystery awaits Frank at Scott--a mystery 25 years old. A group of young boys walked from the campus into the woodsand disappeared. What could have happened to them? Who better than he to probe the mystery? In doing so, he not only relives his own boyhood when his father was the upright head of Scott's English Department, but that of the classmates of the missing boys, some of whom are back at Scott now for their 25th.
Warm yet suspenseful, rich with a floodtide of emotions and packed with little nuggets of pure gold characterizations, Ramsay explores the role of impulse on many levels.
But another mystery awaits Frank at Scott--a mystery 25 years old. A group of young boys walked from the campus into the woodsand disappeared. What could have happened to them? Who better than he to probe the mystery? In doing so, he not only relives his own boyhood when his father was the upright head of Scott's English Department, but that of the classmates of the missing boys, some of whom are back at Scott now for their 25th.
Warm yet suspenseful, rich with a floodtide of emotions and packed with little nuggets of pure gold characterizations, Ramsay explores the role of impulse on many levels.
- GenresMystery
245 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2006
2 people are currently reading
46 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.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 1, 2019
Frank Smith, famed writer of murder mysteries, is attending his 50th class reunion at Scott Academy. Twenty-five years ago at Scott, a group of young boys walked from the campus into the woods -- and disappeared. Frank is asked to look into the now long cold mystery. While Frank is in Baltimore investigating the disappearance of the boys, Detective Ledezma is in Arizona investigating the highly suspicious disappearance of Frank's wife into apparent thin air four years ago. Officer Ledezma is convinced that Smith has killed her and buried the body.
Ultimately, the story proved to be interesting but it took me the first third of the book to actually get into it. The main character, Frank, is not very likable early in the book. He has confrontations with his daughter who, though suspicious as to Frank's involvement in her mother's disappearance, wants a large favor from Frank. He also has run-ins with the school and his former classmates over their treatment of his brother and his own history at the school. The school administration is scheming to get Frank to leave a large "gift" to the school. Detective Ledezma is running a lazy - almost inept - investigation into Frank's wife's disappearance. Once Frank's investigation into the boys' disappearance begins, the story gets much better and I warmed up to Frank a bit more.
Rating: 3.75
Ultimately, the story proved to be interesting but it took me the first third of the book to actually get into it. The main character, Frank, is not very likable early in the book. He has confrontations with his daughter who, though suspicious as to Frank's involvement in her mother's disappearance, wants a large favor from Frank. He also has run-ins with the school and his former classmates over their treatment of his brother and his own history at the school. The school administration is scheming to get Frank to leave a large "gift" to the school. Detective Ledezma is running a lazy - almost inept - investigation into Frank's wife's disappearance. Once Frank's investigation into the boys' disappearance begins, the story gets much better and I warmed up to Frank a bit more.
Rating: 3.75
April 17, 2015
I really enjoyed this though at times it felt preachy regarding the status of seniors in our society. It was refreshing for a mystery to have older protagonists, but it'd have been better if a point was not made of it I think. I would read another by this author. Also, this was a great narrator, R.C. Bray.
January 7, 2009
IMPULSE (Trad. Mys/Ama. Sleuth-Frank Smith-Maryland/Arizona-Cont) – G+
Ramsay, Frederick – 3rd book
Poisoned Penn Press, 2006, US Hardcover – ISBN: 1590582837
First Sentence: Frank Smith stepped to one side at the top of the escalator.
Four years’ ago, the wife of Arizona mystery author Frank Smith went for a walk and disappeared leaving Frank the number one suspect.
Frank’s father had been a teacher and Frank a resident student at Scott Academy in Maryland. He has never been back but decides to return for his 50th class reunion. Because it is assumed Frank is wealth, he is targeted by the fun raising chairman for a large donation.
Instead he accepts a challenge to solve the mystery of four boys who went into the school’s woods 25 years ago and were never seen again.
It is rather refreshing to have protagonists who are 60+ and more cerebral than daring. Frank Smith and his friend Rosemary are wonderful characters who enable the author a platform on which to talk about aging and our perceptions of older; i.e., experienced, adults but without being preachy about it.
I particularly enjoyed Rosemary’s conversations with her inner self. Frank’s daughter was realistically portrayed, if a bit annoying and spoke to children’s often unrealistic view of their parent’s financial status while treating them as children. As for the other characters, they were a lot of them; they were stereotypical.
The book is well written and plot interesting. The POV changed frequently which did cause come confusion. While I enjoyed the book, I kept thinking my mother would love it as there is no violence, sex or profanity.
Ramsay, Frederick – 3rd book
Poisoned Penn Press, 2006, US Hardcover – ISBN: 1590582837
First Sentence: Frank Smith stepped to one side at the top of the escalator.
Four years’ ago, the wife of Arizona mystery author Frank Smith went for a walk and disappeared leaving Frank the number one suspect.
Frank’s father had been a teacher and Frank a resident student at Scott Academy in Maryland. He has never been back but decides to return for his 50th class reunion. Because it is assumed Frank is wealth, he is targeted by the fun raising chairman for a large donation.
Instead he accepts a challenge to solve the mystery of four boys who went into the school’s woods 25 years ago and were never seen again.
It is rather refreshing to have protagonists who are 60+ and more cerebral than daring. Frank Smith and his friend Rosemary are wonderful characters who enable the author a platform on which to talk about aging and our perceptions of older; i.e., experienced, adults but without being preachy about it.
I particularly enjoyed Rosemary’s conversations with her inner self. Frank’s daughter was realistically portrayed, if a bit annoying and spoke to children’s often unrealistic view of their parent’s financial status while treating them as children. As for the other characters, they were a lot of them; they were stereotypical.
The book is well written and plot interesting. The POV changed frequently which did cause come confusion. While I enjoyed the book, I kept thinking my mother would love it as there is no violence, sex or profanity.
December 3, 2025
pretty meh book. nothing really stood out. quick read. not necessarily lazy writing, but not captivating. i wasn’t super drawn in by the two promised mysteries. probably wouldn’t recommend reading—could’ve done without. would give it a 2.5 stars if i could but since it was so mediocre i’m rounding down to 2 stars.
July 16, 2017
Engaging and interesting, not a great read. The underlying premise is that people sometimes do terrible things on a whim or impulse. The liked the main characters, but Frank seems to have a bad relationship with both son and daughter, perhaps born of little communication.
June 8, 2019
For a fiction story it read like a non-fiction book. Because of that a bit more chilling than normal fiction.
February 6, 2014
Have you ever just jumped in and done something
out of pure impulse? Right. That’s the title of the book. Most of our impulsive behavior or utterances are inconsequential, at least as far as we know. But sometimes things go awry. Sometimes impulse leads to destruction, ruined lives, decades-long bitterness.
Here’s a novel that operates effectively on two separate planes. Here we have distinct plot lines separated by twenty-five years and two thousand miles. Frank Smith is a successful mystery author. He lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Recently his wife of many years Here’s a book that should grab you. Especially if you’ve ever in your life done something has disappeared. No body, no evidence of stolen credit cards in use. No possible sightings. Nothing. Who do the police look too? The impulse of course is the husband. A prime suspect, he had the most to gain in various ways. He’s a mystery author. He’s studied crime and is an insider. But he can’t be charged, at least not yet, because there is zero evidence to get a warrant.
While this scenario is playing out, Frank goes to his twenty-fifth class reunion. The school is private Scott Academy outside of Baltimore, Maryland. It’s Smith’s first time back tgo the campus, even though his brother went to the same academy and his father taught there. Smith feels the residual bitterness rising anew when he walks back on a changed campus. His impulse is to can the whole thing and go home. He doesn’t and at an early cocktail party discovers the nasty impulsive actions that lead to his brother’s ejection from the school.
Impulsively, others at the reunion decide to approach the minor celebrity Smith has become for help solving a school mystery. Twenty-five years ago four young schoolmates disappeared from the campus never to be seen or heard from again. What happened? Smith reluctantly agrees to review the case files. What happens then becomes the body of this novel as it moves rapidly and effectively through plot number two.
Author Ramsey is well-equipped by education to handle this story and it shows. It shows in the meticulous pacing, the gradual unwinding of the disappearance, even as the other plot tightens. The language is excellent, the scenes nicely evoked. Readers will walk with Smith through the difficult pieces of his life and feel his nervousness his satisfaction, his anxiety. The scenes with his grown and married daughter and her troubles add nice counterpoint to the main themes. This is an excellent novel with an important message served up in a very enjoyable manner.
out of pure impulse? Right. That’s the title of the book. Most of our impulsive behavior or utterances are inconsequential, at least as far as we know. But sometimes things go awry. Sometimes impulse leads to destruction, ruined lives, decades-long bitterness.
Here’s a novel that operates effectively on two separate planes. Here we have distinct plot lines separated by twenty-five years and two thousand miles. Frank Smith is a successful mystery author. He lives in Phoenix, Arizona. Recently his wife of many years Here’s a book that should grab you. Especially if you’ve ever in your life done something has disappeared. No body, no evidence of stolen credit cards in use. No possible sightings. Nothing. Who do the police look too? The impulse of course is the husband. A prime suspect, he had the most to gain in various ways. He’s a mystery author. He’s studied crime and is an insider. But he can’t be charged, at least not yet, because there is zero evidence to get a warrant.
While this scenario is playing out, Frank goes to his twenty-fifth class reunion. The school is private Scott Academy outside of Baltimore, Maryland. It’s Smith’s first time back tgo the campus, even though his brother went to the same academy and his father taught there. Smith feels the residual bitterness rising anew when he walks back on a changed campus. His impulse is to can the whole thing and go home. He doesn’t and at an early cocktail party discovers the nasty impulsive actions that lead to his brother’s ejection from the school.
Impulsively, others at the reunion decide to approach the minor celebrity Smith has become for help solving a school mystery. Twenty-five years ago four young schoolmates disappeared from the campus never to be seen or heard from again. What happened? Smith reluctantly agrees to review the case files. What happens then becomes the body of this novel as it moves rapidly and effectively through plot number two.
Author Ramsey is well-equipped by education to handle this story and it shows. It shows in the meticulous pacing, the gradual unwinding of the disappearance, even as the other plot tightens. The language is excellent, the scenes nicely evoked. Readers will walk with Smith through the difficult pieces of his life and feel his nervousness his satisfaction, his anxiety. The scenes with his grown and married daughter and her troubles add nice counterpoint to the main themes. This is an excellent novel with an important message served up in a very enjoyable manner.
March 10, 2013
Frank Smith is a reasonably successful mystery writer, thanks to a TV series based on one of his novels, but that was a few years ago. As we meet him, we learn he is about to attend his fiftieth high-school reunion, the first time he has attended any of his reunions.
The boarding school he attended has bittersweet memories. His brother, a victim of bullying while also attending, had committed suicide and several of those that were responsible for the name calling would be there. Perhaps enough time had passed to see his way past their mean-spirited game playing by now. The school also had a tragedy when four students from that same year went missing, never to be seen again. Plus his daughter lived back east in Baltimore and he could visit with her and not contend with the rigors of the reunion if it was too much for him.
He was leaving Phoenix with a heavy-heart because he was becoming too familiar with mystery investigations. A local detective was investigating Frank in the disappearance, and supposed murder, of his wife, who disappeared on an evening stroll about four years ago.
Now this novel fits in with a rediscovered mystery genre, that of the old codger being the protagonist. One could easily imagine Andy Griffith in the starring role here. It is pleasant writing, with plenty of thought provocation, foreshadowing, and red-herrings. Of course Frank is challenged to do what the cops had not been able to do, deduce what happened to the boys that went missing fifty years ago. With his now-widowed childhood sweetheart helping—much to the horror of his daughter—Frank puts the pieces together on the missing boys, his geriatric love life, and finally faces what has happened to his wife.
The plot gradually edges along as bits and pieces fall into place culminating in a sobbing confession to finally make sense of mystery so long in the making.
The boarding school he attended has bittersweet memories. His brother, a victim of bullying while also attending, had committed suicide and several of those that were responsible for the name calling would be there. Perhaps enough time had passed to see his way past their mean-spirited game playing by now. The school also had a tragedy when four students from that same year went missing, never to be seen again. Plus his daughter lived back east in Baltimore and he could visit with her and not contend with the rigors of the reunion if it was too much for him.
He was leaving Phoenix with a heavy-heart because he was becoming too familiar with mystery investigations. A local detective was investigating Frank in the disappearance, and supposed murder, of his wife, who disappeared on an evening stroll about four years ago.
Now this novel fits in with a rediscovered mystery genre, that of the old codger being the protagonist. One could easily imagine Andy Griffith in the starring role here. It is pleasant writing, with plenty of thought provocation, foreshadowing, and red-herrings. Of course Frank is challenged to do what the cops had not been able to do, deduce what happened to the boys that went missing fifty years ago. With his now-widowed childhood sweetheart helping—much to the horror of his daughter—Frank puts the pieces together on the missing boys, his geriatric love life, and finally faces what has happened to his wife.
The plot gradually edges along as bits and pieces fall into place culminating in a sobbing confession to finally make sense of mystery so long in the making.
December 8, 2019
This was a reasonably well-written little mystery although I felt like I was hearing way too much about old age. Being of the age where I would soon be having my own 40th high school reunion, maybe the subject was just a little too close. You know, "wrinklies" and love in your 60's. I was shrugging it off like an irritation.
So this man, Frank Smith, a mystery writer, goes back to his old school for his 50th reunion. He has some real problems with his old school, holds them responsible for his brother's suicide, but he goes back and stays with his daughter who lives in that city. His daughter is constantly questioning him about the time he comes home and wheedling for money and suspicious that other people are after his money. He eventually has to go stay in a hotel. He meets up with an old friend, a woman he used to play with back when they were little kids. A relationship seems to be developing, although they mostly fall asleep after they eat. But Mr. Smith has a big problem back home, he is suspected in his wife's disappearance 4 years ago.
But while Mr. Smith is in town for the reunion he is asked to help solve a mystery of 4 boys gone missing 25 years ago on the school grounds. So he solves this mystery and in the meantime the mystery of his wife is solved. Happy endings (if you can ignore what actually did happen to the wife), even the daughter may get some money to send the kids to her father's alma mater.
The book is called "Impulse" because we explore the fact that people do impulsive stupid things all the time and some of these impulsive acts have catastrophic results.
So this man, Frank Smith, a mystery writer, goes back to his old school for his 50th reunion. He has some real problems with his old school, holds them responsible for his brother's suicide, but he goes back and stays with his daughter who lives in that city. His daughter is constantly questioning him about the time he comes home and wheedling for money and suspicious that other people are after his money. He eventually has to go stay in a hotel. He meets up with an old friend, a woman he used to play with back when they were little kids. A relationship seems to be developing, although they mostly fall asleep after they eat. But Mr. Smith has a big problem back home, he is suspected in his wife's disappearance 4 years ago.
But while Mr. Smith is in town for the reunion he is asked to help solve a mystery of 4 boys gone missing 25 years ago on the school grounds. So he solves this mystery and in the meantime the mystery of his wife is solved. Happy endings (if you can ignore what actually did happen to the wife), even the daughter may get some money to send the kids to her father's alma mater.
The book is called "Impulse" because we explore the fact that people do impulsive stupid things all the time and some of these impulsive acts have catastrophic results.
June 3, 2014
This is a stand alone novel, not part of the Ike Schwartz series. Frank Smith is a successful mystery writer in his 70s. Four years ago his wife went for a walk and never returned. The police think Frank did away with her for the massive insurance policy they'd taken out recently.
During his 50th year reunion Frank reconnects with a woman he once knew. Together they investigate the disappearance of 4 boys 25 years ago.
While I liked the character of Frank, I found the novel very disjointed with many different points of view and story lines. Plus, the fact that Frank, who's not a detective, is able to figure out the mystery of the missing boys so easily didn't seem plausible.
During his 50th year reunion Frank reconnects with a woman he once knew. Together they investigate the disappearance of 4 boys 25 years ago.
While I liked the character of Frank, I found the novel very disjointed with many different points of view and story lines. Plus, the fact that Frank, who's not a detective, is able to figure out the mystery of the missing boys so easily didn't seem plausible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2017
I listened to the audiobook from the library. I really liked this one. There were two mysteries solved, and the dialogue and timing were just right. The characters were flawed and human. Recommended.
Want to read
April 11, 200804/11/08 rec via poison pen press
October 23, 2008
Way too much time spent telling the reader what a bummer it is to get old. The story held promise but the book never delivered.
April 11, 2013
Thoroughly enjoyed the audio book!
June 19, 2013
Really engaging. Solid. Funny too, especially for mature readers.
March 24, 2015
Two mysteries enfold the day to day reality of an author known for his murder mysteries. Interesting story with many true to life characters.
July 30, 2015
Working my way thru the Sheriff Ike Schwartz series. Great Mystery book.
November 2, 2015
cool ending fabulous setting I love the curmudgeonly main character
April 10, 2016
An odd little book, but I liked it.
March 20, 2013
Real nice to read a good mystery without foul language. A pleasure to read.
October 20, 2014
The book was just very disjointed and I did not sympathize with the main character.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews