Customer Reviews

Silent Conspiracy

5 star:		(48)
4 star:		(18)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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!"

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.

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.

Riveting! Humorous! Full of Life!! I enjoyed Mr. Meadows' thriller tremendously. It is a compelling saga of intrigue and mystery. I like the interplay between Linc and Julie. As one who considers Detroit my home, it's refreshing to see the city presented in a favorable light. I can just hear the cars zipping down the Lodge.

Mr. Meadows' style will certainly improve as he continues to bring us the Lincoln Keller mysteries.

Are you ready for a new face in the world of mystery novels? "Silent Conspiracy" by Lee E. Meadows introduces Lincoln Keller, private investigator and former police officer. He shares an office with his brother Jefferson, a bounty hunter, whose mannerism magnifies itself as a person you do not want to reckon with, but becomes an excellent backup for his brother Lincoln. Detroit, described by some as Motown and others the Motor City, is the backdrop of "Silent Conspiracy". Author Lee Meadows brings Lincoln to life in a way that you really want to know this person. This novel takes you into the plot of finding a muscial group named The Sentiments whose careers were destined to top the musical world with their harmony and songs. The group for unknown reasons suddenly disappears after giving a performance at Johnny's Lounge one night in 1955. That faithful night would change their lives forever. Forty years later, Erotica Tremaine, who wants to know what happened to the group for the sake of her husband, hires Lincoln Keller. The investigation and mystery begins. Mr. Meadows takes you, through Lincoln Keller, along his journey in finding out what actually happened to five young men who's singing careers looked promising. The minute Lincoln starts his investigation, the events that lead up and after that night in 1955, is a sure page-turner for any mystery reader. You will become consumed in wanting to know what actually happened in the alleyway outside Johnny's Lounge, that you would be amazed at the final outcome. I consider the novel not being straightforward but very in-depth, descriptive, as well as intriguing. Mr. Meadows very effectively describes the era of social acceptance and what was not accepted to set the string of events leading up to and after the night in 1955, forty years later. What absorbs you most in this novel is how well Mr. Meadows describes Detroit, each character, their surroundings and the events leading up to the explosive ending. No words are wasted; every adjective, pronoun, verb, and noun is placed in text to give you an excellent imaginative view of a mystery that will surely make you want to read more of Lincoln Keller. Mr. Meadows' outstanding ending gives you an opportunity to see closure in so many lives and situations. A must read for sure. Move over Magnum P.I., Lincoln Keller is a name to watch for and read.

Silent Conspiracy by Lee Meadow was required reading for my BookClub. Though, an avid mystery reader, I must admit that it took me much longer than expected to get into the storyline. The initiative narrative was detailed and came off slightly boring and as such the book did not start off with a bang or a WOW...however...I stuck with the book and as the plot thickened the characters and the storyline became more engrossing.

Silent Conspiracy is the first in the series of Lincoln Keller mysteries... Silent Conspiracy is a suspenseful novel about the mysterious disappearance of the Five Sentiments, a popular singing group who has been missing for 40 years. Lincoln Keller, the private investigator is hired by the beautiful Erotica to find the group. Erotica is determined to grant her dying husband this last wish to reunite with his friends once again. Lincoln goes on wild goose chases and is able to discover more in 24 hours than most folks have found out about the Missing Sentiments in years...credibility wavered here. Along the way, Lincoln meets a cast of characters who want him out of the way as it appears that someone wants to let sleeping dogs lay. Enough clues are given along the way that soon the pieces of the puzzle begin to fit together and a strong mystery reader is able to figure out the villains before the story ends.

Once I got past the first 50 pages, I was hooked and as such I give Mr. Meadows 4 Stars for his first mystery novel attempt. Though parts of the plot may stretch the limits of credulity and dialogue seems a little flat in places, Silent Conspiracy is still a wonderfully crafted, intriguing and suspenseful thriller with a dash of Music and African American History for spice.

When Lee Meadows asked our online book club to consider, SILENT CONSPIRACY, I welcomed the idea immediately since we had no mystery novel on our reading list. As I previewed the book, I hoped that it was filled with all the deception, intrigue, murder, and passion that makes mystery novels exhilarating to read. Well, I'm proud to say that he didn't let me down. In fact, his novel provided me with all the above ingredients and more! This was an interactive novel for me from start to finish. The sights and sounds of Detroit were so vivid that I felt as though I was right there riding 'shot-gun' in the front seat of detective Lincoln Keller's 1987 Chevy Nova. The inclusion of historical events like McCarthyism and the senseless killing of Emmitt Till was nicely done because it gave me a better understanding of the social injustices & problems that served as a backdrop to the 40 year old missing persons case Lincoln Keller was trying to solve. Each lead or clue that he uncovered had my brain working overtime to the point that I was looking ahead for the answers. Lee Meadows debut novel is simply -- a great mystery!

Just finished "Silent Conspiracy" and really enjoyed the literate, sexy and thoughtful main character, Lincoln Keller. The story has what every mystery reader enjoys...a great plot and surprise ending. Linc is also the type of character that women wish existed in real life. I think I'm in love. Can't wait for Mr Meadows' next effort.

I came about this book from the best source...directly from the author! I am an avid mystery reader. After browsing an African American Mystery Authors site, I had written about my desire to find more mysteries by African American authors. I was greatly surprised to receive a note from Mr. Meadows regarding his book, and gladly accepted his offer for a free copy.

Well, after reading Mr. Meadows' first effort, I'm now eagerly awaiting his next work (which he says should be out in June or July). From the start, the characterizations are on target and realistic. The interweavings of murder and music are unique, and I received a music history lesson to boot! And it fulfilled my craving for being totally, utterly held in suspense until the very end. It captured everything I desire in a good mystery.

I'm glad to know there is another name I can look for in the mystery aisle.

I could not put this book down. I am the founder of the book club SWER (Sistah's Who Enjoy Reading), and everyone in the group (after hearing me rave about it) wants their own personal copy. I usually read horror stories, but after I read Lee Meadows "Silent Conspiracy", I think I am going to become a mystery reader too. The characters were so believable. They made me feel as if I was part of the Keller family. I can't wait until I see the book made into a movie. Mr. Meadows, please hurry with the sequel, I am on pins and needles wanting to know what you have in store for Lincoln Keller next