Frederick Ramsay Secrets

Secrets

Frederick Ramsay

Poisoned Pen, Jul 2005, $24.95

ISBN: 1590581881

The robbery several months ago of 500 million dollars worth of fine art from Callend College for Women made national news. Picketsville, Virginia locals were interviewed and many in-spots like the diner and its customers were on the news. For instance so-so Stonewall Jackson Memorial Church organist Waldo Templeton appeared smiling on TV sets across the nation.

However, that proved to be a mistake as the classic butterfly effect occurs; someone enters the church and kills Waldo as the victim ironically touches Sanctuary. Church secretary and all around busy body Millicent Bass finds the body. As she and her posse of friends hysterically and inadvertently contaminate the crime scene, Sheriff Ike Schwartz struggles with a motive. Due to a note the deceased had inside his shirt pocket, Ike focuses on the relatively new vicar, Reverend Randolph Blake Fisher, Jr., who arrived after a scandal back in his previous church in Philadelphia. The killer next murders Millicent assuming that her nosiness gave away information in the church's personnel files. Still leaning towards Blake as the culprit, Ike revises his opinion when the murderer tries to kill the vicar.

With regional police procedurals like this one Frederick Ramsay will not remain a secret to readers. The pleasant story line provides the audience with a captivating local group that shows the congregation's loyalty with the naming of the church. Ike is tremendous as he hones in on Blake, who has a history of trouble with his flock while also struggling with the ladies devastating the crime scene. Fans will take delight with this fine mystery in which the chief and the readers will wonder what Blake is hiding.

Harriet Klausner