Plain Heathen Mischief

by Martin Clark

Of The Many Aspects of Mobile Home Living, Martin Clark’s first novel, the New York Times Book Review wrote, “Like Nick Hornby in High Fidelity and Thomas McGuane in Nothing But Blue Skies, Clark has produced an oddly stirring portrait of a man in existential disarray.” Which–noted Malcolm Jones in Newsweek–“made me laugh so hard I fell off the sofa.”Plain Heathen Mischief ups the existential ante, as Joel King, a defrocked Baptist minister, finds life even more bedeviling once he’s served six months for a career-ending crime he might not even have committed. Now his incommunicado wife wants a divorce, the teenage vixen of his disgrace is suing him for a cool $5 million, a fresh start in Montana offers no hope for ex-cons of any religious persuasion, and the refuge provided by his sister turns as nasty as his parole officer.Talk about a crisis of faith. On the upside, a solicitous member of Joel’s former congregation invites him into a scam that could yield some desperately needed cash, and soon the down-on-his-luck preacher is involved with a flock of charming con men, crooked lawyers, and conniving youth.In a feat of bravura storytelling, Martin Clark ranges from the cross to the double cross, from Virginia to Las Vegas, from jail cells to trout streams, as he follows his Job-like hero through dubious choices and high-dollar insurance hustles to a redemption that no reader could possibly predict. Wildly imaginative, at times comic, at times profoundly sobering, and even more audacious than his wonderfully idiosyncratic debut, Plain Heathen Mischief is a spiritual revelation of the first order.

Genres: Fiction, Audiobook, Novels, Mystery, Southern, Contemporary, Book Club

418 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 27, 2004

About the author

Entertainment Weekly called Martin Clark “hands down, our finest legal-thriller writer.” The New York Times stated that he is “the thinking man’s John Grisham.” The Winston-Salem Journal declared that he has set “the new standard by which other works of legal fiction should be judged,” and David Baldacci praised him as “a truly original writer.” A retired circuit court judge from Patrick County, Virginia, Martin is a cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Davidson College and attended law school at the University of Virginia. When he was appointed to the bench in 1992 at age thirty-two, he became one of the youngest judges in the history of the commonwealth. His novels have appeared on numerous bestseller lists, and the audio version of The Substitution Order was a number one national bestseller. Additionally, his novels have been chosen as a New York Times Notable Book, a New York Times Editors’ Choice, a Washington Post Book World Best Book of the Year, a Bookmarks Magazine Best Book of the Year, a Boston Globe Best Book of the Year, a Book-of-the-Month Club selection, a finalist for the Stephen Crane First Fiction Award, and the winner of the Library of Virginia’s People’s Choice Award in 2009, 2016 and 2020. Martin received the Patrick County Outstanding Community Service Award in 2016 and the Virginia State Bar’s Harry L. Carrico Professionalism Award in 2018. His wife, Deana, is a photographer, and they live on a farm with dogs, cats, chickens, guinea fowl and three donkeys.

Reviews

[Tooter · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another 4-star entry from Martin Clark. Even more so than his equally strong The Legal Limit, Plain Heathen Mischief is as much a morality play as it is a novel. Both stories center on basically good people who early on make one truly bad decision, and then spend the rest of the book trying to make things right. The main difference is that in Mischief, the protagonist – Joel King – is a complete fish out of water, a life-long man of the cloth thrown overnight into the “real world;” and as such, most of his naive and ham-fisted efforts to resolve his situation only make things worse.

Based on the title, cover design and back cover reviews, I was expecting this book to be funnier than it was – kind of like one of Donald Westlake’s “Dortmunder” stories. However, in a lot of ways the book was more like one of Westlake’s “Parker” novels, sad and gritty, with the only real similarity between King and the immortal Dortmunder being how consistently badly his plans play out once put into action. However, “not funny” is by no means a slight; it just made the book more of a surprise, as I was expecting one thing, only to discover it was something a little different.

Stylistically, Clark writes like a true Southern Virginia gentleman, taking his time, savoring the atmosphere, observing and sharing the smallest details, and remaining generally polite to even his most loathsome characters. A “big city” writer might have told the same story in 100 less pages, but in my opinion this slower pacing works well in delineating the various threads of his story, all of which pretty much weave back together by the end. Indeed, the book plays out much like one of Joel’s fishing expeditions, where focus, commitment and – above all – patience are critical to appreciating the full experience.

According to his final acknowledgements, Clark is a committed Christian as well as an author, but he should by no means a mere “Christian author.” His religious background simply qualifies him to expound intelligently on a number of theological issues in his work, much like his judicial background allows him to present a very convincing legal element in his books, and his life experience in southern Virginia lets him paint a photo-realistic picture of his stories’ settings.

I’m already looking forward to his next book, The Substitution Order, and I hope Clark’s popularity continues to spread as he breaks out of the “regional author” category and achieves the national recognition he truly deserves.

[Larry Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book takes place mostly in Roanoke, Virginia, where I currently live. Clark gets the details just right. The mega church, the spoiled girl from suburbia, even the old mall. So many Roanoke things factor into the story that you might think it is of regional interest only. It’s not. Clark is a fine writer who creates interesting characters and plausible plot lines. I loved it.

[wally · Rating 3 out of 5]

just finished this one, seven nineteen pee em, the night of the 5th of january 2018, good read, three stars, i liked it, kindle, not a library loaner. third now from clark martin fillmore for me...really enjoyed the first one, forget the title...has that southern gothic feel to it...and the last two are different, wouldn't call them southern gothic and i enjoyed this one the least of the three i've read, for what that's worth, still an enjoyable story. didn't thin everything was wrapped up tight with a bow by story's end...or, not to my liking. the way of the world, hey? and in this one...considering it now, it is the people on the fabled "good" side whose portrait isn't as flattering as...we'd like it to be...and that's the way of the world, too...so what? art mimicking life? as opposed to what...say like in some other stories where one get's the feeling that some would like life to begin imitating art? or something. i dunno. tired of all this damn snow....paper says we have 39" on the ground, 'bout 180" for the year so far. ding! al-damn-ready. and there you go. have another from clark martin fillmore lined up.

[Stephen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Martin Clark is a circuit court judge in Virginia who goes to the local Presbyterian church on Sunday. His second novel "Plain Heathen Mischief" represents a sort of confluence of his judicial experience and his experience of the Grace of God in his life. The protagonist is a defrocked Baptist minister who goes to jail for crossing a sexual boundary with a teen-aged girl in his congregation. His rationalization and self-deception are cautionary. Clark's criminal characters are humourous without being reduced to cartoons. Surprises wait on the last pages. Clark's first book "The Many Aspects of Mobil Home Living" was a New York Times Notable Book for the year 2000 and a Book-of-the-Month Club selection.

[Scott Sanders · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not generally a fan of so-called "lawyer" novels, but this book was far different. The writing was quite strong and the characters were excellent. Fully developed to the point where I couldn't stop reading. Definitely a page turner by a fine writer who I plan to read a lot more of. My only negative critique would be that things tended to tail off towards the end, and there was a bit of explanation. But that was minor in an otherwise excellent read.

[Mel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still pondering as of this date...

[Mari Stroud · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wondered if Mr. Clark was a Christian as a I was reading this book, and thought it was fairly remarkable if he was able to view Scripture from the outside and then deliver that much research without it ringing as false, as a sham's show every bit as much as Joel, Edmund, and Sa'ad. Then I read the Author's Note at the end and discovered that he *is* a Christian, in which case it's even more remarkable that he can write such a cadre of capital-letter Sinners with such compassion and depth. (The legacy of LeHaye and Jenkins, its stinks where it lies.) Joel is a former minister. Joel is also an utter fuck-up who thought that it was appropriate to put his hands upon a seventeen year-old girl, and then gets snotty when people look at him askance afterwards. These are separate facts that have no bearing upon each other. Reading Clark weave this occasionally craven, occasionally noble, completely human character was a delight, though Joel's sister, Sophie, will probably always be my favorite. (I commend Clark for playing with storytelling conventions and snookering me into thinking that Sarah was a viable love interest for Joel because he was *trying* to be better, when 1) she's married, 2) she's not interested, and 3) getting the prize at the bottom of the cereal box really isn't the point of a redemption story.)

MILD SPOILER: My only caveat with this book is the implication at the end that Christy is in danger of rape for falsely accusing someone of sexual misconduct (of which he was far from innocent), as if that's comparable to Joel going to Club Fed for nine months. However, the book ends with nothing more than a bad chill going up Christy's spine, so I'm going to assume that a moment of foreboding is a sign intended to warn her off of the con-woman lifestyle the same way that the red tie was supposed to be a warning to Joel at the beginning if he hadn't been too thick to take it.

[Judy Vasseur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very Good. Funny. Better than his first book. Manages to be both hair brained and deeply human.

[Brett · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not really sure why all these words were supposed to be a book?

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

A minister's fall from grace after sleeping with a teen girl... He makes every bad decision that one can possibly make (and that everyone can see from miles away).

[Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

Eh,...

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good writing, interesting characters and story arc, and the exploration of issues of faith and morality held my attention. Yet at the end of the novel all I can say is...meh.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

LONG! Another novel with more characters than were necessary. There was a decent plot besides the length, though for me, still an unsatisfying read.

[Martha Steele · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mostly good, but I was disappointed by the ending.

[eli · Rating 4 out of 5]

i got more into the book as it went along which frankly is probably the intention. i enjoyed martin clark’s style, the pacing is pretty good, and there is just so much happening in the almost-400 pages of this that somehow keeps itself straight. joel is a guy you spend the whole book rooting for even though he sucks because he’s just so stupid you can’t help it. definitely an interesting read

[Laura Belgrave · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plot: Fallen Baptist minister seeks redemption.
Theme: God allows copious mistakes and still loves you.

Okay. Maybe it's not as simple as all that, but in truth, I expected more humor and less proselytizing. All the elements are there: Priest who gets too close to a young girl and is not only booted from his church, but sent packing to prison; insurance scam artists who suck the priest into their orbit after he's released from jail and is caught in the harsh realities of finding a new life; naivete; betrayal; justifications to accomplish a goal; a hard-headed sister who just doesn't buy the whole religious concept in its most simplistic terms. Well and good. And most of what's really going on here is played point and counterpoint between the fallen minister and his sister.

But where I struggled? The not-so-subtle push of religion. Then again, I understood where that was coming from when I read the author bio at the end. (The beauty of the Kindle is that downloaded novels automatically open with the story, not with publisher blurbs or anything else. In other words, there's nothing to distract or influence your take on a story.)

Anyway, the read was entertaining. I'll give it that. And I read it through over a few days. That makes it a three-star in my book. And, because I'd previously read Clark's The Many Aspects of Trailer Park Living, I'll probably read whatever he might write next. But for me . . . this was a let-down.

[Joe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Joel is a preacher who steps down due to a sex scandal that he may or may not be guilty of committing. After spending six months in jail he finds himself divorced, working two odd jobs, living in his sister's basement, and unable to get ahead.

When ex-parishioner Edmund approaches Joel with a sure fire insurance scam to make some quick cash, Joel accepts but nothing goes as planned. Each new turn of events finds Joel digging himself deeper and deeper into the criminal world with twists and turns and double crossings around every corner.

Plain Heathen Mischief is a well written I-can't-put-it-down page turner of a novel. Yet when I finished it, the overall story was anti-climatic. It could have (and probably should have) been grittier and darker. Instead it's more of a character study redemption tale about a man who loses and regains his faith.

Clark is really good at creating well rounded, extremely interesting, and believable characters (Christy the "victim" of the sex scandal is one of the best) but ultimately Clark does nothing with them.

In any case, it's definitely worth a read.

[Eric_W · Rating 3 out of 5]

Plain Heathen Mischief is just plain fun. The Rev. Joel King has just been released from prison following his guilty plea for molesting a young girl in his parish what actually happened comes out later.) Reviled by the community and his wife, now suing for divorce, he is taken under his wing by Edmund Brooks. Joel, unable to find work, is courted by Brooks, into an insurance scheme. In the meantime Christy Darden, the underage girl he supposedly had sex with, is suing the church for several million dollars. Joel, attempting to protect his church, and feeling guilty as sin, meets with Christy, only to discover that she is part of a larger insurance scam created by Brooks that used Joel as the fall guy. The whole mess becomes complicated as Joel attempts to con the con men but becomes snared in a quagmire of his own making. It’s very funny with serious overtones.

[Alistair · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pity the Reverend Joel King of the First Baptist Church, Roanoke, Virginia. He's lost his congregation, his chhurch and his wife - and gained 9 months in jail, the price paid for an indiscretion with a teenager. Now out of the slammer, divorced, jobless and living in the basement of his sister's house, Joel exists on faith alone. Until he accepts (against better judgement) a job offer from his friend Edmund that crosses the the line of legality. This is the first step on Joel's rapid descent into a world of lying, cheating, betrayals and scams. It's a lot of fun following Joel's attempts to stay one step ahead of scheming teenagers, friends who'll stab you in the back and the Feds.

[Eric Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book! Martin Clark has blown me away. This was not a barn burner thrill a minute ride, but more of tea kettle slowly heating up. The author is a sincere Christian and it shows. His protagonist has his faults but loves his Maker. Bad choices and decisions seen to follow him but he doesn't lose faith or heart. My life has been a bit chaotic with the world going nuts and trying to find a new career path and this novel was such a beautiful escape! Five solid stars and I've already places a hold on The Jezebel Remedy. Can't wait till it comes in!

[Carianne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both of the Martin Clark novels intrigued me because of the excellently drawn characters. and because the first was set in my hometown of Stuart, Virginia. Interesting note, both of the protagonists in his books refuse to accept responsibility for the poor choices they have made. And while circumstances force them to deal with their poor choices, they never seem willing to accept their own responsibility.

[Nicole · Rating 2 out of 5]

I almost moved it to my "abandoned for now" pile when I was a third of the way into it then it finally had an interesting plot twist so I plodded through. It had a satisfying end, but I found it hard to empathize with the main character and it really could have done with some heavy handed editing.

[Mike Pope · Rating 4 out of 5]

A hapless-seeming minister finds himself involved with some unsavory characters after being defrocked and serving time for a sex scandal. Occasionally hilarious (tho not quite a romp), it's an entertaining journey toward redemption. Although there are many characters who are bad people, you can tell that the author fundamentally likes them all.

[Joy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It is an interesting look at the life of a pastor who is accused of having sex with a minor. He ends up hanging out with scam artists. I thought the scams were interesting and something I never would have known about. The main character is a bit unsympathetic.

[Recca · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first time to read a novel by Martin Clark. Plain Heathen Mischief is the story of Joel King a Baptist minister who makes really bad decisions. This book is funny and sad. It has good people and not so good ones. Lots of twists and turns to keep you entertained.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shows that those "called by God" are sometimes worse than the rest of us but that they can learn from their own mistakes in believing what God has in mind for them. Dispite the theme, the book is hilarious!

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book left me thinking...not sure WHAT it left me thinking: it was either a very charitable scathing indictment of christianity or a strangle perverse affirmation of christianity. either way, an alright read.

[rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

part old-fashioned caper novel, part psychological study. i really enjoyed this.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining read with a number of interesting twists. A bit preachy at times but a likeable, if naive, main character