Silent Conspiracy [Library Binding]

Lee E. Meadows (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1997

An exciting mystery-thriller novel full of suspense and intrigue, set in Detroit, MI, amidst the Motown music community. Lincoln Keller, hired to find a sensational singing group of the 1950's, is brutally plunged into the dark side of the city while experiencing the gentle, compassionate side of a community in mouring.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Lee Meadows' mystery thriller 'Silent Conspiracy', is a 'I don't want it to end' type of book." -- George Grant: Editor/Publisher of the Black Caucus of the American Library Association Newsletter

A polemic on the race issue! Meadow's book is well worth reading, as it is almost a spiritual pantheon to old Detroit and presents the city in such a style that any reader would mourn for the sweet old days when a five man vocal group could shift from a church choir to national recording artists. -- Gary Warren Niebuhr, The Mystery News

Keller's savvy, street smart manner is a good read. What makes Meadows' novel 'Silent Conspiracy', so enjoyable is the witty dialogue, fine writing and the African American flavor that pervades the work, with an attention to historic and cultural detail that displays an excellence. If you like mystery, you will love Lincoln Keller. -- Anthony Davis Jr., staff writer for 'The Blazer'

Lee Meadows has created a delightful mix of plot and suspense. I am looking forward to Lincoln Keller's next case. It's a winner that I highly recommend for libraries. The reader will not be able to put it down. -- Shirley Johnson: Enoch Pratt/Baltimore Public Library

Lee Meadows proves that he can write ground breaking mysteries and hold his own in a league of talented writers. Silent Conspiracy is the quintessential debut of an author whom we well all come to admire. -- Janell Singleton: Editor of Gifted Voices Magazine

Mystery pays homage to Detroit! If you have not been there, Lee Meadows, through the eyes of Lincoln Keller, provides a grand tour of Detroit, escorting the reader through a city known for its automotive prowess and music. The descriptions of neighborhoods, streets and other city landmarks will have you feeling right at home. I can't wait for the next Lincoln Keller case. -- Charles Hallman, staff writer at The Minneapolis Spokesman/St. Paul Recorder

The racial prejudices and injustices of the time are related in a matter-of-fact tone and give clues in bringing the case to a close. I had the impression that the author was having fun with the main character. IT WAS MUSIC! -- Karen, with 'The Poisoned Pen' Bookseller

Product Details

• Library Binding: 273 pages
• Publisher: Proctor Publications (March 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1882792386
• ISBN-13: 978-1882792382
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 6.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (68 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,794,679 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Intrigue in familiar places in the hub of Detroit city., July 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Silent Conspiracy (Library Binding)

Silent Conspiraty is the debut novel of Dr. Lee Meadows, a native Detroiter and graduate of Michigan State University, who also taugh my first graduate course. He is a gifted specialist in organizational behavior and development. And when I learned that he had a penchant for mystery writing, I understood how he excelled in the mysterious arena of the workplace.

Silent Conspiracy is an enjoyable novel about the mysterious disappearance of the Five Sentiments, a popular singing group who suddenly disappeared without a trace thirty years earlier. And Lincoln Keller, the private investigator was hired by vivacious Erotica,to find the group. She was determined to grant her dying husband this last wish to reunite with his friends once again.

I've never been a great lover of mystery thrillers. And I read this novel with the critical eye that he developed in me at MSU. I learned something new about Lee: He can really write! I breezed through Silent Conspiracy and even peeked ahead a few times because the suspense was too much.

It was easy reading and full of drama.As a frequent visitor of the Motor City (aka Motown) I recall every street that Lincoln travelled. When he exited the Lodge Freeway,I was in the car with him listening to the jazz station on the radio.

The main setting is the endearing "hood" that so many of us have come to know and love. Quite naturally the major hub was the barber shop,located on the corner of Chene and Theodore, east of I-75. There was Johnny's lounge, where everybody knew his name. And you know there was a church in the mix. As a matter of fact, Lincoln had several encounters with the church secretary; the protective keeper of hidden truths and the pastor's ear.

And Night Life is a dude I met long time ago. He was that muscular, mean-looking fella that lived down the street we crossed to stay out of his way. But Lincoln Keller kept running into Night Life or his henchmen. And Lee's transfer of wit and cleverness was reflected in Lincoln's character succinctly. That's how he managed to stay a few steps ahead of Night Life, MOST of the time!

But Lincoln encountered great difficulty in keeping gorgeous Erotica at bay, much to his chagrin. Little did he know how intricately the web of deception was weaved around the mysteries that continued to unfold.

Now that's the review of an avid reader, who, before Silent Conspiracy, walked past the mystery section of the bookstore. I highly recommend Silent Conspiracy not only because I know the author, but because it's a good mystery.

"Hey Lee! When's the sequel going to print? I can't wait to see what happens!"

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 1001 Images of yesterday's dilemma., December 28, 1999

By 

Gregory P Jourdan -The Tender Warriors Book Club (Suisun, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Silent Conspiracy: Lincoln Keller Mystery (Hardcover)

Silent Conspiracy is a book that speaks of the enrapturing music of yesterday, and the dilemma of injust times for black people. Love our music hate our people. Fortunately, it spoke to how far we have come in collectively wanting to right past and current wrongs. The shifting between characters and their motives was written exceptionally well. To reminisce about times when music was melodious and harmonically joyful, was wonderful for me. The parallel of sinister elements in both Detroit and Oakland was interesting and educational. Oakland is my hometown and the comparison of neighborhoods and characters of both cities was interesting and enlightening. Lee Meadows developed his story and his characters with adept and captivating proficiency.Family, friends, and communities united, hopefully, will be a continuum in his future writing endeavors. Excellently done Lee, thanks for the intrigue,education and reflections on current and past times.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A NEW FAN, March 19, 2001

By 

Michelle D. Mcgriff "Author" (Portland, OR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Silent Conspiracy (Library Binding)

I wanted to get my review in on this book before moving on to rave about the second! I happened upon this author in my search for an African American P.I. Boy did I find one in Lincoln Keller... and an entertaining one at that. I'm hooked! The smart banter and quick wit of the author transcends into the characters and I had a smile on my face every time I picked the book up(even before opening the pages). I have always enjoyed a good 'Mickey Spilane type' narrative and I was not left lacking in this novel. The storyline of the 'Sentiments Search' was kept lively with twists and turns... of course being a mystery buff from way back...I expected them and rode with them like a champ! GOOD JOB... You'll be hearing from this new fan again...With more HIGH marks I'm sure! Great reading... I recommend Linc to everyone looking for a good P.I.