Silent Suspicion

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.

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

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.

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!