Frederick Ramsay - ROGUE

           A SHADOW REVURB
       
As Arizona swelters through another monsoon season I can think of nothing cooler and more enjoyable than dipping into the latest Fred Ramsay novel. In this sixth outing for sheriff Ike Schwartz(no relation), we find the usual Ramseyan collection of small town characters that inhabit Picketsville, Virginia at their pithy best.  For those of you who have followed Ike from "Artscape", the first in the series, this latest chapter includes all the strengths of the past five books.  Ramsay is a master of bringing Southern idioms and outlooks to life.  For those of you new to the series Ike Schwartz is an ex-CIA agent whose wife was killed in a botched operation.  To heal himself he returns to his small Virginia hometown and is elected sheriff where nothing much happens for three years. After a robbery at the local college he must marshal all his dormant skills to solve a crime while, at the same time, getting involved with the school president, Ruth Harris.

Fred will sign at
The Poisoned Pen tonight,
August 8th, at 7pm. 

          In the newly released "Rogue", Ruth Harris, now Ike's fiancee, is involved in a terrible car crash and is in a coma and near death.  Suspecting that this was no accident Ike places himself on leave(despite being in the middle of a re-election campaign) and goes outside his jurisdiction to find the people responsible.

          To tell anymore would ruin the unique chain of events that lead to a very satisfying conclusion.  Fred Ramsay has the knack for combining serious crime, folksy dialog, and extremely likable characters.  Give the series a try and you will want to spend more time in Picketsville.


                                         STEVE SHADOW SCHWARTZ



To see all Frederick Ramsay titles available from The Poisoned Pen Press, click here. 

Also stop by The Poisoned Pen Press' very nice new website and take a look around. (Click image)