Customer Reviews

Silent Suspicion (Lincoln Keller Mystery Series)

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Move over John Shaft, here comes Lincoln Keller! Lee Meadows' second novel, Silent Suspicion, is a must-read, especially if you took in the Shaft movie this summer and wants to read about a Black private eye. Keller isn't a sex machine with all the chicks, or some mean cat, but a private detective with all the human pecularities that most of us have. He's hired to solve an eight-year-old murder, a case that even the Detroit Police have given up but not the victim's family. Even Keller's reluctant to take the case because of the difficulties of finding clues for such an old case. But he takes it, and the case takes him for a ride, which is appropriate for being in Detroit, the Motor City and backdrop of both this novel, and Meadows' first successful effort, Silent Conspiracy, in which he introduced Keller, a former pro football player and traffic cop, solved a 20-year-old missing persons case. He's no Shaft, but you'll find Keller smart, witty and resourceful. Also, you'll love his brothers, whom Keller relies on, as well as a female computer brain, who the private eye uses as his personal electronic yellow pages. Meadows definitely is making noises with his second effort, and I'd believe you will too after reading Silent Suspicion.

Charles Hallman is a writer for Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder, a weekly based in Minneapolis, Minn.

Have you ever begin reading a book and all of a sudden realize you can't put it down? Welcome to the club. "Silent Suspicion" a Lincoln Keller Mystery, by Lee E. Meadows has done it again. "Silent Suspicion" goes beyond being a must read; it takes you totally by surprise with much suspense and intrigue as Mr. Meadows has so skillfully done in his latest book. Lincoln Keller or Linc as he is called by most is hired by Judge "War Zone" Henderson to investigate the murder of his sister-in-law, Deborah Norris. A freelance journalist, Deborah was described as being a free spirit, prankster, and caring person. Unfortunately, eight years ago brought Deborah's intriguing journalism career to an end. Although her unsolved murder is assumed to be robbery motivated, Judge Henderson feels there is more to his wife's sister's death. Recommended to Judge Henderson by Lincoln's brother Jeff, the bounty hunter, he reluctantly takes the case. The mystery begins. From the very start of his investigation, Linc begins meeting people that become directly and indirectly involved in Deborah's death which also includes another unsolved traffic accident that has taken the lives of two teenagers coming from a high school prom, also eight years ago. His investigation takes him to Winston, who now lives in Deborah's former apartment and was once her secret lover, to her two friends, Sharron, who idolized and took Deborah's death very hard, to MiShaun who envied, admired and relied on Deborah's strength in helping her face her battle with alcoholism. MiShaun, who would do anything to get ahead, becomes a major player in the mystery surrounding her friend's death. Lincoln's twists and turns investigation takes him to Trevor Stallings, looking to become mayor of Detroit to his brother, Pernell Stallings, who is a ticking time bomb kept in check by his brother, to other characters making this story one that literally keeps you on the edge of your seat. You become absorbed in trying to figure out along with Lincoln how this basketful of characters all fit in the puzzle of Deborah's murder. What you will find is another amazing mystery novel that Mr. Meadows has so craftily put together. What stands out also in this story is the Keller family members, their various personalities, and undying willingness to help brother Linc at a moment's notice. The twists, turns and overall dynamics of the story line are wonderful. I will also interject that the ending and I mean the actual ending will put tears in your eyes to the point of eagerly waiting for his next novel. Mr. Meadows has indeed done it again.

In this second in series, Lincoln Keller and his brothers get involved in another crime from the past. A young reporter died eight years ago and no her father, a prominent judge, wishes to find out the circumstances surrounding her death. The story is surprisingly political, but with a finesse that kept it moving well. A great book that is deep and adventerous, it kept the pages turning as fast as I could read them! After Meadow's first book, Silent Conspiracy, I could not wait to read what Keller was into next. The levels in this story never cease to amaze me. Truly a wonderful read!

I took Lee Meadows latest novel, Silent Suspicion to my yearly writing critique meeting at Sea Ranch, California. What a wonderful read! The Keller brothers are once again the most interesting people in contemporary fiction. Perhaps because I'm a political scientist as well as a children's mystery writer that I really enjoy the brothers. Mr. Meadows' gift for bringing the reader into the lives of Michigan people is fantastic. I miss not knowing more about some of the "main" characters but believe that I will learn more in future books. Mr. Meadows has done a wonderful job in having the reader care deeply for a character who is dead when the book begins and becomes more and more alive. Deborah appears to have been a young woman one would want as a friend. As a friend one would want Lincoln to help her family as much as possible. I also loved the "swarmy" characters that people Mr. Meadows' novels.

Wayne County Circuit Judge Warren "War Zone" Henderson hires private detective Linc Keller to investigate the murder of his sister-in-law eight years ago. The victim Deborah Norris was a rising freelance journalist until the bullet ended her life. Before accepting the case, Linc tried to convince Warren he was wasting his money because the trail is cold, the police have strong evidence that a robbery occurred, and he has little experience with homicides. Warren counters him by saying he needs fresh eyes, a "draw play" to fool the police. He also has the glowing recommendation of Linc's brother. Warren and his wife need closure now.

Linc reviews the file Warren provides him and begins to make inquiries. As he digs deeper, Linc finds deception at every turn intended to keep him from solving the case. When he started, Linc felt he was wasting the former NFL defensive star's money. He believed a random robbery turned ugly cost Deborah her life. However, with the amount of trickery he receives on all sides, the sleuth wonders if someone needed the reporter silenced, perhaps before she broke a story.

SILENT SUSPICION, the second Linc Keller mystery, is a great urban who-done-it that substantiates why Lee E. Meadows debut book (see SILENT CONSPIRACY) is a bestseller. Linc is an exciting inner city sleuth who retains the freshness in his second outing. The support cast provides depth to the novel as well as an inside look into the Motor City. The entertaining story line is filled with red herrings (just ask Linc) and twists and turns that add to the overall pleasure. Mr. Meadows is quickly becoming the Lincoln Continental of urban mysteries.

Harriet Klausner

Have you ever begin reading a book and all of a sudden realize you can't put it down? Welcome to the club. Silent Suspicion: A Lincoln Keller Mystery, by Lee E. Meadows will definitely keep you from putting this book down. Mr. Meadows has done it again. "Silent Suspicion" goes beyond being a must read; it takes you totally by surprise with much suspense and intrigue as Mr. Meadows has so skillfully done in his latest book.

Lincoln Keller or Linc as he is called by most is hired by Judge "War Zone" Henderson to investigate the murder of his sister-in-law, Deborah Norris. A freelance journalist, Deborah was described as being a free spirit, prankster, and caring person. Unfortunately, eight years ago brought Deborah's intriguing journalism career to an end. Although her unsolved murder is assumed to be robbery motivated, Judge Henderson feels that there is more to his wife's sister's death.

Recommended to Judge Henderson by Lincoln's brother Jeff, the

mysterious bounty hunter, he reluctantly takes the case. The mystery begins. From the very start of his investigation, Linc begins meeting people that become directly and indirectly involved in Deborah's murder which also includes another unsolved traffic accident that has taken the life of two teenagers coming home from their high school prom, also eight years ago. His investigation takes him to Winston, who now lives in Deborah's former apartment and was once her secret lover, to her two friends, Sharron, who idolized and took Deborah's death very hard and is now Winston's love interest, to MiShaun who envied, admired and relied on Deborah's strength in helping her face her battle with alcoholism. MiShaun, who would do anything to get ahead, becomes a major player in the mystery surrounding her friend's murder. Lincoln's twists and turns investigation takes him to Trevor Stallings, looking to become mayor of Detroit one day by starting with a seat on the city council to his brother, Pernell Stallings, who is a time bomb kept in check by his brother, to other characters making this story one that literally keeps you on the edge of your seat.

You become absorbed in trying to figure out along with Lincoln how this basketful of characters all fit in the puzzle of Deborah's murder. What you will find is another amazing mystery novel that Mr. Meadows has so craftily put together. What stands out also in this story is the Keller family members, their various personalities, and undying willingness to help brother Linc at a moment's notice. The twists, turns and overall dynamics of the story line are wonderful. I will also interject that the ending and I mean the actual ending will put tears in your eyes to the point of eagerly waiting for his next novel. Mr. Meadows has indeed done it again.

Reviewed by Kalaani

Ex-Raider, Ex-Cop turned Private Investigator, Lincoln Keller is back in Silent Suspicion overturning plots and notorious deeds of deceit. This time around Linc is hired by high profile Judge Warren "War Zone" Henderson and his wife, Sylvia to investigate the eight year old unsolved murder of Deborah Norris (Sylvia's sister). Deborah was a freelance journalist who was murdered during what appeared to be a robbery, but the Hendersons do not accept that explanation. Since the case is unsolved, it is still considered an open case by the Detroit Police Department and this causes Linc some apprehension because the presiding detective is Lieutenant Nick Knackton. Knackton and Linc have a long standing beef which is fueled by his jealously over Linc's involvement with Detective Candy Malone. All of these factors combine to make an engrossing mystery.

When Linc first took the case, he thought that it was pretty clear that Deborah's death was a robbery turned bad and expected that he'd do a little investigation and bring it to a close in two days with the same conclusion that the police had made. However, after spending little more than 24 hours on the case, Linc felt there was more to the story then just a robbery gone bad. As Linc gets deeper into the investigation, he encounters past friends and acquaintances of Deborah Norris who seem to have something to hide. A myriad of characters enter the story who are far from girl and boy scouts.

Political cover-ups, adultery, blackmail, and crime rings are just a few of the obstacles that Linc encounters as he digs into the past. Along the way, readers are reintroduced to some of the characters from Meadows' previous book, Silent Conspiracy, namely, The Keller Brothers, Julie, Night Life, and Tank among others. Silent Suspicion is as compelling as Meadows' earlier book and it will leave readers thirsty for another Lincoln Keller mystery. Silent Suspicion is a 4 on the RAW Scale.

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Silent Suspicion is an awesome action packed mistery that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat, non-stop. Dr. Lee Meadows is a gifted writer with the ability to bring characters to life. Once you start reading, you can't stop! I found this mistery to be exciting, entertaining and relexing. I feel lost and empty without Linc and his brothers after completing the book. I can't wait for "Silent Rage" to hit the bookstores, the preview of chapter one is greatly appreciated and gives me something to anticipate in the near future. Dr. Meadows, I'm proud of you and your on going excellence!

Silent Suspicion is an awesome action packed mistery that will keep the reader on the edge of their seat, non-stop. Dr. Lee Meadows is a gifted writer with the ability to bring characters to life. Once you start reading, you can't stop! I found this mistery to be exciting, entertaining and relexing. I feel lost and empty without Linc and his brothers after completing the book. I can't wait for "Silent Rage" to hit the bookstores, the preview of chapter one is greatly appreciated and gives me something to anticipate in the near future. Dr. Meadows, I'm proud of you and your on going excellence!

Silent Suspicion was one the best murder mystery books that I have ever read. The mystery of the story had me so involved and anxious that I really wanted to cheat and go to the back of the book. However, I refrained and weathered the storm of intrigue and let "MR. LINC" do his thang and investigate and eventually solve the eight year old murder of Deborah Norris. I found all the characters entertaining in their role as the plot thickened. With the finger of suspicion pointing at so many I couldn't figure out whodunit...I LOVED THE INTRIGUE. Mr. Meadows, the "EPILOGUE" was da BOMB. Totally unexpected, very real, touching and a GREAT ending....LOVED IT. MAY YOU BE BLESSED CONTINUALLY IN YOUR WRITING CAREER! I look forward to reading "Silent Rage"