The Rich and the Profane

The Rich and the Profane finds Lovejoy Antiques, Inc., in a spot of bailiff trouble and the rascally sleuth himself hoping for a free dinner -- and maybe more -- from a luscious lass who wants him to coach her in shoplifting a cheap Edwardian necklace. A more likely source of income may be her aunt, the steely-eyed Mrs. Crucifex -- whose brother, the Reverend George Metivier, has reputedly gambled Albansham priory into deep debt and wants Lovejoy to assess the value of its antique treasures. Sticky-fingered Lovejoy enlists his low-life friend Gesso to break and enter, but Gesso, after bungling the priory burglary, disappears. So does Prior George, Whom Lovejoy suspects of foul play. Trailing him, and one really hot painting, to the Channel Islands involves sidestepping the local law by posing as a show-biz impresario, checking out the local talent -- in every sense. Soon, just staying alive becomes a juggling act.