Customer Reviews

Blessed Are The Merciless (A Lucas Holt Mystery)

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Rev. Lucas Holt is an unusual detective: An Episcopalian priest
with a penchant for babes, beer and rough language. Operating out of Austin, Texas (perhaps an unsuspected crime mecca), this decidely humanistic cleric stumbles onto a vicious murder scam--
a hit service which enables disgruntled seniors to cash in on their ungrateful adult offspring. With expert help from some slick slimeballs of course. Fortunately, the Rev relies on more than divine guidance to solve these murders: an eager and able team of diversified experts whose talents have been assessed by the great state of Texas. Thanks to his years as Penitentiary chaplain, Holt has acquired his own private God Squad, who answer to a higher authority than the stymied APD.

Author Meyer--himself a cleric--seems anxious to show off his knowledge of prison jargon; the book (or series, if such it proves) could be improved by providing a glossary of Big House lingo. He also displays his carnal knowledge with gusto; one wonders if he secretly delights in flaunting explicit scenes and titillating inuedos for vicarious pleasure. Perhaps he is
cleverly pandering to the lowest common denominator of his reading public; or merely following the sage advice of his editor. Devotess of clerical mysteries may be surprised at
the the Rev's promiscuity and verbal vulgarity.

Vacillating between two attractive women every other chapter, Austin's gift to broads on both sides of the law is liberal
with the family jewels. Yet at his 43rd birthday he becomes uncomfortably aware of his own mortality--male midlife crisis. More to the point, he realizes that perhaps singlehood is no
longer the best lifestyle, but where to find a woman willing to commit: a cop, a politician or a former madam? Possibly there will be an engagement in a third novel. The plot development is excellent, as we find ourselves increasingly embroiled in foul schemes; Meyer provides a delightful rogues' gallery--former inmates united to help the Rev in his underground pursuit of justice. This mystery has one slight flaw however: it places much emphasis on local color, with almost slavish dedication to reproduce the streets of Austin faithfully. There are also a few loose ends which left me dangling. The best part of this novel, though, is decidedly the complex but loyal interactions among the members of the God Squad. I challenge readers to find the fragile but valid theme, hidden between the 266 pages of this mystery. A theme which may be a subtle plea to Society at large to give a second chance to those who have paid their debts.

In this book Mr. Meyer's writing style develops over his
first work, The Saints of God Murders. There is much more
character development and the plot is witty and original.
Anyone with any close dealings in a church will be able to
identify with some of the main church "characters." I
recommend this series!