Holy Smoke, Frederick Ramsay
Holy Smoke, Frederick Ramsay
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Holy Smoke
A Jerusalem Mystery

Author: Frederick Ramsay

Narrator: Robin Field

Unabridged: 8 hr 39 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Published: 02/14/2013

Synopsis

Jerusalem's deadly secrets are emerging from the smoke. The year is AD 29, and Jerusalem chafes under the Roman Empire's continued presence and oppressive rule. In spite of that unpleasant fact, life goes on-but not for everyone. People die, some because it is their time, others by misadventure. One death in particular brings the city's daily routine to a halt. A badly burned body is found behind the veil of the holy of holies-the temple's inner sanctum and the most sacred space on earth for the Jews. No one except the high priest may enter this place and he only once a year on the Day of Atonement. This is no casual violation, and the authorities are in an uproar. Rabban Gamaliel of the Sanhedrin, the ranking rabbi in all Judea, is drawn into solving this delicate mystery while dark agents with unholy interests plot to seize control of much of the trade in certain highly profitable imports from the east and west. Loukas, the physician, plays Watson to Gamaliel's Sherlock as they slowly unravel the tangled web of intrigue and murder, but not before more bodies, both literal and figurative, show up. All the while Yeshua, the radical rabbi from Galilee, continues to annoy the high priest and smoke-holy smoke-rises from the sacrifices in the temple. "Entertaining...Ramsay earns high marks for the series' premise."-Publishers Weekly

About Frederick Ramsay

Frederick Ramsay was born in Baltimore and received a doctorate from the University of Illinois. After a stint in the army, he joined the faculty of the University of Maryland School of Medicine. He is also an ordained Episcopal priest and an accomplished public speaker. In addition to the Ike Schwartz mysteries, the Botswana mysteries, and the Jerusalem mysteries, Ramsay is the author of scientific and general articles, tracts, and theses and coauthor of the Baltimore Declaration. He lives in Surprise, Arizona, with his wife and partner, Susan.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Judy & Marianne from on March 24, 2013

Originally posted at: [URL not allowed] Holy Smoke is set in 29 CE. A murder victim is discovered in a sacred place in the temple. Who could have left the body or, indeed, was his death a result of his mere presence in this holy and restricted area? The Sleuth (a Rabbi named Gam......more

Goodreads review by Bethany on September 21, 2024

So much better in theory than the actual book was written. After about 40% I skipped to the last 20 minutes and knew everything I needed to know. I love the idea of the characters but maybe jumping in on the second in the series, I've missed some connections between them that would've brought more d......more

Goodreads review by Patricia on April 02, 2013

Ramsay's latest novel takes the reader to Jerusalem in the year 29 C. E. A badly scorched body is discovered behind the veil of the Holy of Holies. The Holy of Holies is the Temple's inner sanctum and a sacred place for the Jews. Only the High Priest may enter and only once a year on the Day of Aton......more

Goodreads review by Laura on March 25, 2013

Holy Smoke is the product of burning sacrificial animals. Frederick Ramsay explains the history and ritual of Holy Smoke in the most interesting way: in the midst of a mystery. Holy Smoke is the final book in a trilogy set in Jerusalem in the year 29 C.E. Gamaliel, the highest-ranking Rabbi in Judea......more

Goodreads review by Rose on August 13, 2014

I enjoyed the historical slant in this book and how Fred Ramsay weaves real people into a mystery set during Jesus' life. His development of the setting and how religious events played into the mindset of the day added a lot to the story. He does a good job of explaining the politics of the times--R......more

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