Dead Boyfriends

Mac McKenzie #4

by David Housewright

Right up until they put him in jail, McKenzie thought the cops were kidding. After all, he did them a favor by stopping a rookie cop from roughing up a distraught woman at a murder scene. But the next thing Mac knows he's in jail, missing an important date with his girlfriend and reliving nightmares he thought he'd finally left behind - and he's vowing payback for all of it. If that means sticking his nose into a crime investigation, well, he's done it before.
Only, what appears to be a straightforward case of a cheating boyfriend, his alcoholic girlfriend and an opportune baseball bat proves far more complicated than the police are willing to accept. More disconcerting, as he investigates, Mac finds himself again fighting the influence of a shadowy figure who controls more of what goes on in the Twin Cities than a rational voter would believe. And then there are the unidentified thugs who kill a witness and rough up him and his female lawyer-ally. Soon Mac realizes that the truth of this sordid crime may be as hard to find - and as hard to live with - as the justice he seeks.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Suspense, Crime, Detective

288 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2007

About the author

A past president of the Private Eye Writers of America, David Housewright has published 28 crimes novels including In A Hard Wind (June 2023 St. Martin’s Minotaur) and has contributed short stories to 15 anthologies and other publications. He has earned an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America, a Shamus nomination from the PWA, and three Minnesota Books Awards. A reformed newspaper reporter and ad man, he has also taught writing courses at the University of Minnesota and Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis. His name and face were recently added to “Minnesota Writers on the Map” by the Minnesota Historical Society and Friends of the St. Paul Public Library.

Reviews

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I decided on a series binge of David Housewright’s Mac McKenzie collection, of which this is the fourth book. Housewright tackles the adventures of amateur private investigator, Mac McKenzie, in and around St. Paul, Minnesota. This series engages the reader from the start, as Housewright has Mac working to uncover the truth behind the death of a man found rotting in a house with his partner, too drunk to notice and now sitting in jail for his murder. Housewright has me eager to see how this series will progress.

Mac McKenzie was sure it was all a joke until he was tossed in jail. When he came upon a cop beating a woman at a murder scene, Mac was sure his counsel to stop would be appreciated. However, he failed to weigh common sense against the heat of the moment. His time tossed behind bars sends shivers up his spine and has him missing an important date with his girlfriend, who is highly dismissive of it all when he is freed and arrives to spin a yarn.

With nothing else to do and a girlfriend who has moved on, Mac agrees to help the lawyer representing the woman he saw being attacked. She’s being charged with the murder of her boyfriend, who had been laying in the house for over a week. The loose-lipped woman admits she was drunk out of her mind and may not have noticed he was dead, not helping to counter her apparent guilt. The case is daunting, but Mac is never one to shy away from a challenge.

When Mac pokes through the story presented, he discovers that there are some in the Twin Cities who want to run things in their own image, even if it means putting the innocence up to fall for crimes around town. Fighting the people in the shadows, Mac seeks to get to the truth and save anyone who is being targeted. Now, it will take a valiant effort to save a woman’s life and her lawyer’s reputation, all with a sordid past that could reveal truths long thought buried. A thrilling addition to the series so far!

After receiving the latest novel in the series as an ARC, I chose to commence a series binge from the outset. Housewright builds a strong foundation with a well-constructed narrative. Characters stay gritty and Mac McKenzie’s backstory is always being pushed for the reader to discover. The plot is well developed counters surprise with progress to keep the series on point and the story enticing. All this has kept me wanting more in a police procedural/mystery genre filled with options. David Housewright is keeping the reader entertained!

Kudos, Mr. Housewright, for a great novel that has me reaching for the next soon!

Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/

[Jon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another solid entry in this series, set where I live in the Twin Cities of Minnesota. Several passages were laugh-out-loud funny, and the detective only got beaten up once, far less than usual. Some genuine ethical problems, deftly explored, and I was completely mystified until the big reveal at the end. Here is an example of the writing, which may have more resonance if you already know the area. The detective has just finished interviewing a person of interest in Anoka and is moving on to another in Woodbury:

Woodbury, located southeast of St. Paul, was nearly an hour's drive from Anoka. Yet more than distance separated the two cities. Anoka was old, with a history and traditions that stretched back to 1680. Woodbury, on the other hand, was brand-spanking new--I had a Carl Yastrzemski autographed baseball that was older. It wasn't even a city when Yaz won the Triple Crown in 1967, yet it was now home to over sixty thousand residents. The private street where she lived served a quintet of estates [Mac couldn't bring himself to call them houses] that somehow all bordered on different holes of the Prestwick Golf Course.

Yep. Sounds like Woodbury to me. And I have a Yastrzemski autographed baseball too.

[Dick Aichinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fourth in the McKenzie series. I just plain like this series. McKenzie is a former St. Paul cop who quits in order to get a very sizable reward that makes him wealthy. To stay busy, he helps his friends and assorted others who come into play.

In this story, he is lost on his way to buy a dining room set. He encounters a woman running up to his car, covered in blood and talking about her boyfriend being dead. The scene is gruesome and confusing. While trying to intercede on behalf of the woman, McKenzie gets off balance with a young cop. I only gets worse. When he is asked to help the woman he encountered (and who has been arrested for the murder), his life once again is thrown out of wack.

What I like about these is the way Housewright tells the story. He throws in little snippets of information. And, at the end you say 'huh', that's who did it. There are always twists in these stories that keep you paying attention even when McKenzie is distracted by love interest problems.

They might not be considered great writing like some authors, but the stories are great.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

love this guy

[Pamela Allen · Rating 5 out of 5]

His best so far in this series.

[Brandi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy that there are plenty of characters in this series. You never know how it will end up.

[Johnnie Gee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have enjoyed all of the McKinsey’s books. David Housewright writes the type of stories I enjoy.

[Billy Beasley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and this is another very good one.

[Tom Stadler · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid entry in this series. I'm really enjoying this author's work.

[Jeff Proell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Story. Loved It!

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I guessed part but not the end. I like Mac more and more.

[Joan Skinner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good page turner from this author!

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good series

[Tom Wallace · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the writing. I like the character. I am reading the series in order and you would think the guy would be a little more aware, someone is always sneaking up on him and beating him up.

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series and its funny, irreverent, resourceful hero—Rushmore (Mac) McKenzie, who dives headlong into dangerous territory to rescue whomever he believes needs and deserves it most. It always gets him into trouble, causing him to risk life and limb and suffer enough physical damage that it makes the reader—and his long-suffering paramour Nina—despair of him reaching middle age. He’d better, because his adventures are always exciting, with plenty of action, a steady unpeeling of the layers that wrap each case in questions and red herrings, and ever more insights into this appealing, multi-faceted and endearing hero. One special thing about this author is that although he has Mac solve many of the crimes, bring criminals to justice, and accomplish most of what he sets out to do, the results can be complicated and not necessarily “happy ever after” for all the characters. And Mac himself remains a complex character, still looking to make peace with his past and put to rest his own ghosts. But now that I’m thoroughly hooked, the best news for me is there are many more books in the series yet to read.

[P.J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very enjoyable read! I thoroughly enjoy a well-written first-person detective novel , and Housewright's Rushmore Mackenzie series is just that. The protagonist is a likable character with a penchant for helping people to alleviate the tedium of being a wealthy former cop, and he posseses the necessary skills and connections to achieve results. In this story, Mackenzie is drawn into the murder of a ne'er do well whose alcoholic girlfriend is accused of killing him in a stupor. The woman's attorney enlists Mackenzie's help, but he quickly uncovers other aspects to the case involving both gangsters and corrupt politicians, meanwhile trying to salvage his romantic relationship with his longtime girlfriend Nina. The characters are engaging and well written but it's the first-person perspective that keeps me coming back to the series. I am already reading the next novel in the Mackenzie series and would very strongly recommend the series.

[M. Sprouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fine offering from David Housewright's, Mac McKenzie series. I'm reading these in order and this is my fourth. All are very well written and thoroughly captivating. McKenzie is that private detective that doesn't give up even when maybe he should. The mystery here is well done, but it's Mckenzie's character that is the real draw.

My only mild complaint was that McKenzie's girlfriend, Nina, did not do him right in the novel. I know she's a babe, but our tough guy crumpled like a cheap suit. I would have liked McKenzie to have been a little stronger. I do know that I've done similar things, but this guy represents our alter ego. What would it have hurt to have a couple more books where he has some adventures with other women before finding his way back to Nina? Just something to think about Mr. Housewright. Oh, and everything else about this book... good job!

[Kimberly Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

When answering an add for a vintage dining room table, McKenzie gets lost and finds himself stopping to help a woman who is sitting on a curb sobbing; inside the house is the body of her boyfriend, bashed in the head & bled out.

When the cops arrive, the young rookie slaps the woman around attempting to get a confession, so McKenzie intervenes....

The DA, running for Senate, plans to make an example of the woman.... until one of her other violent ex-boyfriends turns up & gets nasty.... and then McKenzie uncovers a string of dead ex-boyfriends, who somehow died of a combination of alcohol & carbon monoxide poisoning.

I did not figure out who murdered the current dead boyfriend, but I did figure out who killed the others,

Again a riveting story with many a place to skim over.

[that’s_what_she_read · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wish i'd have known this book was part of a series. Im annoyed with myself for not reading them in order now. Not a bad book however, wouldn't recommend reading them on a night shift in a prison (not because its overly scary just reading about several murders whilst surrounded by convicted criminals alone did concern me slightly). In a strange way it was an interesting contrast to find a trail of murdered men rather than women. I enjoyed the twists and wasn't expecting the ending. Cilia was definitly my favourite, I love a crazy woman infact I might have preferred it f she killed them all. I will definitely look into reading another of the same series, maybe start from the beginning this time.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a big fan of this series featuring Rushmore (Mac) McKenzie, a wealthy former St. Paul police detective who now does "favors" for friends. These favors inevitably get him into trouble (he ends up in jail here by page 3) and even though he's a tough guy, he also usually gets his ass kicked at some point. This is #4 in the series, and the favor is for an attorney whose client is in jail, accused of killing her live-in boyfriend with a baseball bat. I love Housewright's sense of humor (there are always a couple laugh-out-loud moments), but he also touches on some serious social issues. Lots of twists and turns, and while I did have a piece of the puzzle figured out, I didn't get all of it.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one didn't start out well for McKenzie and seemed to go downhill from there. Sure McKenzie figured out what happened with the first dead guy, but there was so much else going on. Could he believe the stories he was told about other dead guys? And there was the one guy who helped him in the past, once again behind the scenes pulling strings, can he trust him now? And finally the whole Nina situation...I get where she is coming from, hated how things made McKenzie spiral a bit.

It will be interesting to see where things go from here.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my. I have no idea how the author comes up with these situations. I live in Anoka County so I found the things taking place there pretty funny. Well, maybe funny is not the correct word, you will have to read the book to see what I mean.

The ending was really not what I was expecting and it really leaves you wondering how McKenzie can walk away from some situations. I am really enjoying this series.

[Adam Haan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the better books in this series (so far). A good part of the action in this book takes place in the Anoka / Coon Rapids area of Minnesota. Since that's where I live, it made it even more interesting. Housewright has an ability to work a little comedy into his mysteries. The main character finds himself in ridiculous and funny situations sometimes. Very enjoyable!

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm enjoying this series, and this episode is good. I love the title/concept because it turns the common mystery convention of girlfriends being killed on its head. What kept me from assigning four stars is the somewhat boring repetition of McKenzie's history and his lack of investment in his ongoing relationship with Nina--although the two do reunite in the end.

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. McKenzie stumbles across a suspected murder scene with a distraught, drunk woman and an abusive rookie cop only to end up helping her attorney G.K. Bonalay solve the mystery. The story is not what I would call exciting, thrilling or suspenseful, but it’s a decent mystery with several potential suspects and many possible motives.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my first time reading a David Housewright book and I enjoyed it a lot. Mac is a former cop who's kind of a PI and kind of a guy who wants to help. He comes to the rescue of a young, obviously drunk woman being smacked around by a police officer and intervenes. Lots of humor and Mac is a very likable guy. I'm excited to read more.

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another Mac book, this time he gets involved in a case because the small town Minnesota cops are violent and jump to conclusions. Sound familiar? We have so far to go when it comes to how we allocate dollars related to keeping the peace. In any case, the woman who is accused of killing her boyfriend seems innocent except that all her bad boyfriends seem to end up dead. Coincidence?

[Simi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series of books set in the Twin Cities. This book’s only flaw - and it is extremely niche - is that there is a mention of someone’s eye having been scratched out and relatively immediately replaced by a glass eye. Unfortunately if you know any oculoplastic surgeons they will inform you of how improbable this series of events is.

[Annette Meier · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure this one came to a satisfactory conclusion . . . it leaves you scratching your head and wondering if the mystery was solved and/or was justice achieved . . . hmmmmm . . . made the story all the more interesting.

[Eric · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoying these early volumes of the series. Unlike some other series, I like that Housewright doesn't become ponderous, but rather keeps the story moving quickly and directly. Good misdirection, as I didn't see the culmination of the story until very late.