Book Review: Silent Conspiracy

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Silent Conspiracy     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Lee E. Meadows
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Ethnic   Private Investigator   Historical
Proctor, Dec.1999 $24.95, 273 pp.

At the dumpy Artie’s Bar & Grill in Detroit, Erotica Tremaine hires sleuth Lincoln Keller to investigate what happened to a musical group, the Sentiments. In 1955, on the verge of fame and fortune, the quintet simply disappeared after a gig at the then popular Johnny’s Lounge. Erotica explains that she needs to do this for her older but wealthy husband. Although he does not understand why Tremaine is interested in a forty-year plus old music group, the fee is good and Linc accepts the case.

Linc begins his inquiries by talking to older small business proprietors who were open in the early fifties. He turns to an associate for research on the Net and to his on again off again police detective lover. All roads lead to silence as if the five individuals just vanished from the planet. Linc knows there can only be two major reasons for such a disappearing act. One is the law while the other is someone dangerous believes you know something incriminating. However, Linc has just started and this case is becoming more personal especially after hearing a rare record of the group that his deceased father possessed.

SILENT CONSPIRACY is a remarkable African-American mystery starring a great detective and a strong secondary cast that provides a sense of community to the tale. The story line is electrifying as readers accompany Linc on each step in his investigation into the pre-Motown music scene in Detroit. Lee E. Meadows has written a marvelous novel that will leave fans wanting more Linc stories.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner