Choker

Ike Schwartz Mystery #5

by Frederick Ramsay

Nick Reynolds, his pilot’s rating barely a month old, drops off the radar at night over the Chesapeake Bay. Investigating agencies call it another tragic pilot error accident. No trace of the plane is found in the Bay’s murky waters. Ike Schwartz, erstwhile sheriff of Picketsville, on vacation, is approached by Charlie Garland, an old CIA friend, to look into the disappearance. The missing pilot was engaged to Charlie’s niece and the family is not dealing well with the lack of closure. More importantly, Nick, just before his disappearance, had placed a call to Charlie moments leading him to conclude something more than pilot error might be involved in the disappearance. Ike accepts the assignment as a favor to Charlie and also because vacations do not work for him. Ike’s wide-eyed entry into a simple missing person’s case catapults him into an international thriller á la Robert Ludlum with intimations of terrorism that might threaten the nation and its leaders. Clandestine operations, angry watermen, and out of place dredging spoil complicate Ike’s efforts to unravel the mystery.

Genres: Mystery

279 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 2009

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

[Richard · Rating 2 out of 5]

You can have too many stories in one book. This one has a second tale that adds nothing to a pretty good yarn that hits all the current hot buttons: stolen ship-to-ship missiles, secret plots, Homeland Security, the retired spy who is the only one who can possibly unravel the plot and save the world.

There is even a little romance; again two unrelated stories that is one too many. Oddly enough, the title could be from more than one source. It is unclear which one is the important one.

Although this is Mr. Ramsay's fifth novel about Ike Schwartz, it is the first one I have read. I will check out one of the others as soon as possible.

This is from the Poisoned Pen Press in Scottsdale, AZ which I have not heard of before, either. Perhaps this sort of a lighter end-of-the-world tale is their niche.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't always agree with the characters political/religious leanings but all the same I like the characters and the plots enough to keep reading.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

>>Audiobook
Read by Lloyd James
8.5 hrs

[Kathy Davie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fifth in the Ike Schwartz mystery series revolving around a retired CIA agent who now works as a sheriff.

My Take
It was a good storyline (a "4") that was shot down by three things: Ramsay has no clue about male-female relationships and their interactions; the inconsistency in so many things; and, how incredibly stupid his characters were, which rated a "2".

There was nothing in the interactions between Mary and Blake that made me think she was open to marriage. As for Ruth and Ike, well, their conversations never rang true.

The inconsistencies included CIA agents who had to be led by the hand (I wondered if they could fight their way out of a paper bag); everything is all hurry-up, hurry-up until it's more convenient to slow everything down; SEALs who don't know where to sit in a beached boat; cops and a reverend who have a hard time putting two and two together; and, those are just the highlights of what I remember (since I didn't take my usual notes).

I'd also like to know why Ike knows all about proper swearing, but neither he nor any of the CIA guys indulge in it. It leads me to suspect that Ramsay's Ike Schwartz series is intended to be a Christian novel.

There's nothing wrong with that, except where it impedes the sense of realism.

[Kate Vale · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like up-to-the-minute scary mysteries with an international falvaor and one that reads as if it is portending what MIGHT happen tomorrow, this is the book for you.

It involves a former CIA operative turned small-town cop who's asked for a favor, a priest who uncovers what he thinks is a satanic cult among local high-schoolers, and a crotchety waterman pissed at the government and anyone else he thinks has killed his fishing and crabbing waters in Chesapeake Bay.

It also involves horrendous killing machines and how they could be used to make 9/11 look like an amateur turkey shoot. In today's political climate, the story rings all too true and thus even more spine-tingling.

[Dawn Gribble · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the characters and the story overall. The second storyline was unnecessary as it didn’t contribute anything g to the story.

[Carl Brookins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a dandy thriller. Author Ramsey spends a fair number of words thanking experts and vetting some of the essential elements of a decent terrorist plot. He sets things up in an animated and tense fashion, bringing forth several key elements that are necessary to anchor the threads of the main plot. Then he throws in some trouble back home in the Shenandoah Valley with parallel warnings.
This is the fifth in Ramsey’s thoughtful series featuring ex-CIA agent Ike Schwartz. He’s continuing his tenure as sheriff of Picketsville, Virginia, but in this novel he’s on vacation, a vacation interrupted by his CIA buddy, Charlie Garland, who needs a personal favor. With great reluctance and some god-natured raillery, Ike agrees to try to locate a missing pilot, betrothed to Charlie’s niece. The pilot disappeared over a piece of Chesapeake Bay where most of the action takes place.
The author has developed a fine set of characters in the folks of Picketsville. They are varied in their personas and have a wide range of characteristics on which to hang many stories. This one, however, deals primarily with the very modern and global proposition of international terrorism.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Picketsville, VA sheriff Ike Schwartz is on vacation on the Chesapeake Bay when an old CIA contact Charlie asks him to investigate the disappearance of a small plane and its pilot. As Ike narrows in on the spot where the plane disappeared, he becomes aware that this was no accident. Terrorists are involved, who pose a threat to major population centers if Ike cannot figure out what they are doing. Meanwhile, back in Picketsville, Ike's assistant suspects that there's a cult of Satanists centered in the local high school. As seems to be a current trend, not one I like, the two plot elements have no connection, unless Ramsay, an Episcopal priest, means to make a comment on evil. But it's always fun to touch base with the rough-hewn Ike and his college president girlfriend Ruth.

[Mary Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A novice pilot disappears on the night of July 4 & Ike Schwartz, sheriff of Picketsville & ex-CIA agent happens to be vacationing in the area. A huge can of worms explodes with lots of action & deception.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ex-CIA agent assists friend to find cause of plane crash of his neice's fiance. Very detailed about the process of the search with little violence. Somewhat laid back in approach. Recognition of skills of local people.

[Lorlee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good enough for a mystery -- didn't really need the second story line about the satanism. The author is a former minister so I guess that is why it is there, but the main storyline would have carried the book.

[Eileen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I agree with Richard Lollar's review. I too questioned the need for a second theme. The first theme was great and I felt the main hero was over played as the only man who could save the U.S.

[Kitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ex-CIA agent is called in by the current CIA to save "life as we know it". This post-9-11 world has terrorists and backwoods fishermen. Only OK.

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed because I am familiar with the setting of the tale; fun read

[Elaine Briggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read. I'd like to read more of this series.

[Harlequin Books]

Miniseries: An Ike Schwartz Mystery

[Sara Herring]

very good