Frederick Ramsay

Reviewers for Mystery News are asked to assign ratings from 1 (the lowest) to 5 Quills – with the highest rating reserved for books that are “must reads.” I seldom give a 5-Quill rating, but I gave one to Impulse, Frederick Ramsay’s third mystery, the first I’d read. One of my favorite types of mysteries involve the solving of old crimes – and that’s what Impulse is all about. Plus the story was so compelling that I couldn’t put it down. The character of Frank Smith, a famous crime writer suspected of murdering his wife, is a somewhat rare commodity in mystery fiction – a hero in his 60s. In my review, I wrote: “I cannot think of another 60-something mystery hero who is as realistically and lovingly portrayed as he is. It is unfortunate many older characters are either written for laughs, or as stereotypical old geezers or pathetic nursing home residents.  Frank is a living, breathing older gentleman who is smart, interesting and very attractive.” Dr. Ramsay’s first two mysteries featured Sheriff Ike Schwartz; both of them were also well-reviewed. If you’re looking for a good, new author, Frederick Ramsay is a name to jot down.

 

Books

  • (2006) Impulse See Review

  • (2005) Secrets

  • (2004) Artscapes

Profile

 

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.

 

Photo and profile from author's website. Used with permission.

 

Website: http://www.frederickramsay.com/