This Blessed Plot

Lennox Kemp #9

by M.R.D. Meek

Attorney Lennox Kemp's reputation for falling over dead bodies had begun to precede him --

Rich and poor. Lennoz Kemp knew they all had their peculiarities. Chasing errant husbands could be both irritating and frustratign. And rude, unwashed - and broke - Mr.s Sorrento didn't make the job any easier. On the other side of the tracks and just as seamy - although disguised behind fine crystal and patrician smiles - were the Courtenays. Twins Vivian and Venetia were rich, reckless and probably quite ruthless. They needed Kemp to oversee the legalities of rather bizarre plans for their massive inheritance.

It's only when the paths of these clients cross that Kemp discovers he's unwittingly become a bit player in an elaborately staged performance of greed, deceit and murder...and that the next body that falls may be his own.

Genres: Mystery

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

About the author

Margaret Reid Duncan Meek also publishes as Alison Cairns.

Reviews

[Donna LaValley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Since it had only 191 pages, I decided to finish it. Maybe if I'd read the previous books of this series featuring British lawyer (previous investigating sleuth) Lennox Kemp, I might have liked it more. Without that, obviously recurring characters lacked depth and likeability. I couldn't buy into them nor the dynamic of their relationships with Lennox.

Two plots from opposite ends of the class spectrum intertwine and become one. Into his office walks this -- not a dame, but a "sloven" with thick dreads that hide her face. She's very unconcerned with her 2 young children as she reports her missing husband, "Lucky" Sorrento. A dead man who turns up seems to be the Lucky guy. Meanwhile, two icky tall blond icy-eyed moneyed-class (are they too fond of one another?) twins Finally inherit the estate of their uncle Silas, who hung on until 90 - so inconvenient. He is Vivian, she is Venetia, last name Courtenay (of the Manor). Both are ne'er do wells, but she at least has acting talent. Lewis Proby, Venetia's husband, sort of, is a dark horse in the race to uber wealth. Meanwhile, an American "tourist" named Carlos Ember Rossi turns up on a hiking tour to see his ancestral village. He's a nice sort, very polite, not your average American, and when he misses an appointment with the local historian/ genealogist, it too is mysterious.

The story has subterfuge, a dungeon (sort of), lavish parties including a masquerade ball, and the expected conflict of big development on green lands that ought to stay green. Too bad they are privately owned.

I liked the educated vocabulary (effulgence, acerbic, incontrovertible, grandiloquent), inclusion of English laws from past to present, and the fact that all the plot points came together. It was not a bad book - just not my "cup of tea" at this time!

[CarolineFromConcord · Rating 2 out of 5]

Such a disappointment from an author I have liked a lot! An unsatisfying amalgam of rabbits pulled out of hats and, at the same time, obvious plot devices. The book panders to a low taste for landed gentry with long pedigrees and lots of money. The characters are stick figures. And, although it is central to the action, there is no reason at all for lawyer Lennox Kemp to feel attracted to the snooty young heiress who has an inexplicable interest in him.

The story: Kemp interviews a Legal Aid referral with two children who says her husband has disappeared and is not supporting her. Then that bit of plot goes on the back burner while Kemp gets drawn into the development plans of the snooty heiress and her twin brother, who have recently come into their inheritance. They live in a mansion with a restored but unused Elizabethan wing and legends about kidnapped prisoners. They throw extravagant parties with fireworks and masquerades. There is something odd about them.

I certainly was surprised by one plot twist, but on looking back, I felt that the proper groundwork had not been laid. You are supposed to lay groundwork.

The literary references were heavy-handed.

[Eugene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Three stars for the competency of the writing. The story, while of some interest - as limned by a writer as capable as Ms. Meek - is essentially sordid, for both the “haves” and the “have nots” who feature equally in the tale.
Having now read most of the Lennon Kemp mysteries, I’ve still not found a way to connect with this main character; he isn’t really a “personality” in the way one usually conceives of them, and it does detract from enjoying the books regardless of any intrinsic merit they possess. The climax is a bit of a dribble…there is an ending, but it’s not particularly satisfying, at least to this reader.
There’s one more in paperback (which I have), the last few are hardcover only and not that easily obtained, so I’ll likely let that be my last visit with Mr. Kemp…

[Haz · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was filled with racist, sexist and classest undertones from start the finish. The racist slurs and microaggressions were completely uncalled for and in no way essential to the character development or plot. The sexist and classes remarks throughout were hard to read and again brought nothing to the storyline or characters. The plot was uninspiring and not fully comprehensible.

[Hemavathy DM Suppiah-Devi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good start, although the mystery doesn't really get going until about three quarters into the story. I did figure out the plot and the identity of the murderer(s) way before Kemp did though. It wasn't hard to do.

[Margaret]

I did not like this as well as A Mouthful of Sand. Lennox Kemp, attorney/amateur detective, did not seem quite on the ball in this one, distracted by Venetia. Still, it was a quick read and a nice way to spend an afternoon :)

[Maureen · Rating 2 out of 5]

While the" who-done-it" was a reasonable story, the dialogue was stilted and antiquated. I could not relate to or like any of the characters. Maybe because this was a later book in the series and I missed the preliminaries. Don't waste your time. There are too many good books to read.