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Mac McKenzie #2
Tin City
Mac McKenzie is rich. So rich that he's left his job as a Twin Cities police officer and spends his time doing favors large and small for friends. So when an old Marine buddy of his father's calls with a request Mac takes the time to help him out. And it is one of the stranger favors he's ever been the elderly Mr. Mosley, a beekeeper, wants Mac to find out why his bees are suddenly dying in droves.
Mac does some digging and before long turns up a hornet's nest of trouble in the person of Frank Crosetti, a new neighbor on the property abutting Mosley's bees. What started out as an innocent investigation into some unregulated pesticide quickly turns lethal. Crosetti sticks around long enough to make some very specific threats, then disappears into the wind leaving behind a vicious rape, a lifeless body, and a very angry McKenzie bursting for someone to blame.
With only the faintest of trails to follow and a suspicious group of federal agents gunning for him, Mac dives underground, taking only a stash of cash and a small arsenal with him on his undercover mission. Before long Mac's deep in the forgotten corners of Minneapolis sniffing for any sign of Crosetti, unable to rest until he gets results. Combining engaging humor and wit with action-packed storytelling, Edgar Winner David Housewright's second Mac McKenzie novel is clever, compelling, and thoroughly enjoyable.
Mac does some digging and before long turns up a hornet's nest of trouble in the person of Frank Crosetti, a new neighbor on the property abutting Mosley's bees. What started out as an innocent investigation into some unregulated pesticide quickly turns lethal. Crosetti sticks around long enough to make some very specific threats, then disappears into the wind leaving behind a vicious rape, a lifeless body, and a very angry McKenzie bursting for someone to blame.
With only the faintest of trails to follow and a suspicious group of federal agents gunning for him, Mac dives underground, taking only a stash of cash and a small arsenal with him on his undercover mission. Before long Mac's deep in the forgotten corners of Minneapolis sniffing for any sign of Crosetti, unable to rest until he gets results. Combining engaging humor and wit with action-packed storytelling, Edgar Winner David Housewright's second Mac McKenzie novel is clever, compelling, and thoroughly enjoyable.
293 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 1, 2005
278 people are currently reading
432 people want to read
About the author
David Housewright
66 books417 followersA 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
April 2, 2025
I decided on a series binge of David Housewright’s Mac McKenzie collection, of which this is the second book. Housewright headlines this collection with a former detective from the St. Paul PD and all he encounters. A great addition in this police procedural series will keep the reader engaged throughout. Housewright presents a story in which an old man’s murder opens up many questions for the protagonist and adds action from there. Housewright has me intrigued and I am committed already!
Mac ‘Rushmore’ McKenzie has more money that he needs and spends his time helping others, which stems from his former job as a Twin Cities PD detective. After an old Marine friend of his father’s reaches out for help, Mac cannot turn him down, however, the request is quite unique. Mosley is a beekeeper and wants to know why his bees keep dying in large numbers.
While Mac is poking around, he comes upon Frank Crosetti, a neighbour whose property connects to Mosley’s. Mac soon discovers that Crosetti is anything but neighbourly and has a sordid past, one that could explain some darker antics. What begins as an investigation into pesticide soon gets lethal after Mosley turns up dead and another woman is raped for voicing her concerns. All Mac can do is patiently wait for someone to blame, though he is boiling over inside!
After learning that a rogue group is trying to cover up their plan, Mac goes off the beaten track, but refuses to stand down. The key to it all is finding and grilling Crosetti, but Mac could end up putting his life on the line to get answers. All this to avenge the death of a beekeeper and help a woman who only wanted to share the truth. Housewright offers up another great thriller than is sure to keep the reader flipping pages well into the night!
I found this series when I was handed an ARC of the latest novel. I chose to read from the beginning, which ensures an exciting adventure. Housewright crafts a solid follow-up novel with a narrative that holds its intrigue from start to finish. Characters stay gritty and Mac McKenzie has a strong backstory developing, as well as constant progress. The plot surprises help push things along and leave me eager to learn more in this series. David Housewright is a great writer and I am eager to see where things are headed.
Kudos, Mr. Housewright, for an electrifying second novel in this series.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Mac ‘Rushmore’ McKenzie has more money that he needs and spends his time helping others, which stems from his former job as a Twin Cities PD detective. After an old Marine friend of his father’s reaches out for help, Mac cannot turn him down, however, the request is quite unique. Mosley is a beekeeper and wants to know why his bees keep dying in large numbers.
While Mac is poking around, he comes upon Frank Crosetti, a neighbour whose property connects to Mosley’s. Mac soon discovers that Crosetti is anything but neighbourly and has a sordid past, one that could explain some darker antics. What begins as an investigation into pesticide soon gets lethal after Mosley turns up dead and another woman is raped for voicing her concerns. All Mac can do is patiently wait for someone to blame, though he is boiling over inside!
After learning that a rogue group is trying to cover up their plan, Mac goes off the beaten track, but refuses to stand down. The key to it all is finding and grilling Crosetti, but Mac could end up putting his life on the line to get answers. All this to avenge the death of a beekeeper and help a woman who only wanted to share the truth. Housewright offers up another great thriller than is sure to keep the reader flipping pages well into the night!
I found this series when I was handed an ARC of the latest novel. I chose to read from the beginning, which ensures an exciting adventure. Housewright crafts a solid follow-up novel with a narrative that holds its intrigue from start to finish. Characters stay gritty and Mac McKenzie has a strong backstory developing, as well as constant progress. The plot surprises help push things along and leave me eager to learn more in this series. David Housewright is a great writer and I am eager to see where things are headed.
Kudos, Mr. Housewright, for an electrifying second novel in this series.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
February 25, 2014
I tore though this one.
Pretty much perfect mystery book. Suspenseful with good twists and turns, a really easy read, great characters with true depth, a very observant first person narrator, the hero is a heroic in a totally believable way. The author does a great balancing act of combining a dark story with fun. St. Paul makes for a great setting that has been so far underused. 5 stars.
Pretty much perfect mystery book. Suspenseful with good twists and turns, a really easy read, great characters with true depth, a very observant first person narrator, the hero is a heroic in a totally believable way. The author does a great balancing act of combining a dark story with fun. St. Paul makes for a great setting that has been so far underused. 5 stars.
November 15, 2010
An odd, but fun, detective story set in Minneapolis/St. Paul. Or actually, it is set mostly in Hilltop, MN. This was a lot of fun. Gangsters and rogue FBI agents, oh my!
August 5, 2010
This is the kind of book one inhales rather than reads. I finished it in two days. Something between a cozy and a thriller, there is action, humor, a little romance, a likeable but flawed detective, quirky characters, and local color. I picked this book for our Norwood Young America book club, because part of the action is centered here. I am also familiar with St. Paul, the Merriam Park Library, the University of Minnesota St. Paul campus area, have worked all over Minneapolis, and in Chanhassen, so the local flavor was a delight. This was the 2nd book in the series about Mac McKenzie but it stands alone very well. I am going to go back and read the first book now.
Book description: Mac McKenzie is rich. So rich that he's left his job as a Twin Cities police officer and spends his time doing favors large and small for friends. So when an old Marine buddy of his father's calls with a request Mac takes the time to help him out. And it is one of the stranger favors he's ever been asked: the elderly Mr. Mosley, a beekeeper, wants Mac to find out why his bees are suddenly dying in droves.
Mac does some digging and before long turns up a hornet's nest of trouble in the person of Frank Crosetti, a new neighbor on the property abutting Mosley's bees. What started out as an innocent investigation into some unregulated pesticide quickly turns lethal. Crosetti sticks around long enough to make some very specific threats, then disappears into the wind leaving behind a vicious rape, a lifeless body, and a very angry McKenzie bursting for someone to blame.
With only the faintest of trails to follow and a suspicious group of federal agents gunning for him, Mac dives underground, taking only a stash of cash and a small arsenal with him on his undercover mission. Before long Mac's deep in the forgotten corners of Minneapolis sniffing for any sign of Crosetti, unable to rest until he gets results. Combining engaging humor and wit with action-packed storytelling, Edgar Winner David Housewright's second Mac McKenzie novel is clever, compelling, and thoroughly enjoyable.
Series info:
#2 of series
See: A Hard Ticket Home
Book description: Mac McKenzie is rich. So rich that he's left his job as a Twin Cities police officer and spends his time doing favors large and small for friends. So when an old Marine buddy of his father's calls with a request Mac takes the time to help him out. And it is one of the stranger favors he's ever been asked: the elderly Mr. Mosley, a beekeeper, wants Mac to find out why his bees are suddenly dying in droves.
Mac does some digging and before long turns up a hornet's nest of trouble in the person of Frank Crosetti, a new neighbor on the property abutting Mosley's bees. What started out as an innocent investigation into some unregulated pesticide quickly turns lethal. Crosetti sticks around long enough to make some very specific threats, then disappears into the wind leaving behind a vicious rape, a lifeless body, and a very angry McKenzie bursting for someone to blame.
With only the faintest of trails to follow and a suspicious group of federal agents gunning for him, Mac dives underground, taking only a stash of cash and a small arsenal with him on his undercover mission. Before long Mac's deep in the forgotten corners of Minneapolis sniffing for any sign of Crosetti, unable to rest until he gets results. Combining engaging humor and wit with action-packed storytelling, Edgar Winner David Housewright's second Mac McKenzie novel is clever, compelling, and thoroughly enjoyable.
Series info:
#2 of series
See: A Hard Ticket Home
March 22, 2022
Have you ever picked up a book out of a donation pile and been delighted to find it’s a gem when you read it? Well, this isn’t one of those books. I can easily see why I found it there. It was just terrible. The story was ridiculous and full of clichés. The dialogue was laughable. I can’t believe this is the second in a series. I only continued with it because I’m using it in a couple reading challenges and I didn’t want to cheat. However, this will definitely be going right back in that donation bin the next time I go. I’d be embarrassed to lend it out or even give it away. I’ll wear a mask when I put it in the bin.
July 20, 2012
I liked it, but nothing more. On the back of my edition of Tin City, David Housewright got quite a few high praising reviews. I think they were over-exaggerated.
The story starts by introducing Rushmore "Mac" MacKenzie, a young retired cop that got lucky after busting a high-bounty criminal. He's a pretty nice guy as I got to know, who enjoys to help his friends out for whatever reason they need. This was cool with me, until I started to see his wise-alecky nature.
Tin City was written in a first-person perspective, and man you it was annoying to see his thoughts in italics every other page. He always makes some sort of stupid thought or is always admiring some random girl he sees. I'd imagine it wouldn't be so bad if it was in third-person, but being in first allowed me to see everything going on in his head, which wasn't exactly what I enjoyed about this book.
My last turn down was that there were many characters in the book that were given a quick intro, talk for a few lines, and then never talked to again later. I realize after that Tin City is part of a series apparently called the "Mac MacKenzie Mysteries", and that most of the characters had more of a better appearance in the previous novels, but that's no excuse for introducing a bajillian of people and assuming that the reader already has foreknowledge about the characters.
I admit, however, that Tin City is a pretty good story on a semi-rogue cop. The author showed MacKenzie as a relatively smart fellow, and I like that about police thrillers. There were several exciting parts of the book. I admit there have been better plots in this sort of genre but Tin City did a good job keeping standards.
I'd recommend it if you're into cop thrillers. Otherwise, there are probably other books that you'd enjoy more than Tin City.
Visit my personal blog at Thriving For Fun.
The story starts by introducing Rushmore "Mac" MacKenzie, a young retired cop that got lucky after busting a high-bounty criminal. He's a pretty nice guy as I got to know, who enjoys to help his friends out for whatever reason they need. This was cool with me, until I started to see his wise-alecky nature.
Tin City was written in a first-person perspective, and man you it was annoying to see his thoughts in italics every other page. He always makes some sort of stupid thought or is always admiring some random girl he sees. I'd imagine it wouldn't be so bad if it was in third-person, but being in first allowed me to see everything going on in his head, which wasn't exactly what I enjoyed about this book.
My last turn down was that there were many characters in the book that were given a quick intro, talk for a few lines, and then never talked to again later. I realize after that Tin City is part of a series apparently called the "Mac MacKenzie Mysteries", and that most of the characters had more of a better appearance in the previous novels, but that's no excuse for introducing a bajillian of people and assuming that the reader already has foreknowledge about the characters.
I admit, however, that Tin City is a pretty good story on a semi-rogue cop. The author showed MacKenzie as a relatively smart fellow, and I like that about police thrillers. There were several exciting parts of the book. I admit there have been better plots in this sort of genre but Tin City did a good job keeping standards.
I'd recommend it if you're into cop thrillers. Otherwise, there are probably other books that you'd enjoy more than Tin City.
Visit my personal blog at Thriving For Fun.
December 9, 2020
McKenzie is my new favorite series. Tension, humor, and interesting relationships are the core of any series that draws me in. David Housewright has all, and more.
September 26, 2020
I'm a fan of this series and this author, but this entry is not the best. Too much coincidence, too much of Mac's near-magical ability to get just the information he needs for the next step (but only the next step) in the solution of the mystery. The characters are vivid, as usual, but a bit too stereotypical. The best part was Mac's wise-guy sense of humor.
June 26, 2025
This was a tough one for Mac, he takes some hard hits, becomes a different person, literally and figuratively, which helps with the actions he took while helping, even if it was only in his own head. He found out what was happening and so much more, but along the way, there are big scars that will leave huge marks. It will be interesting to see what changes happen for him.
January 12, 2026
The second in a series of Minnesota based books. This one mentioned the county I live in and the cities and businesses I’m familiar with. The storyline is also great.
July 13, 2017
Quickly falling in love with this series. Mac is an endearing hero who has a compulsion to do good and right wrongs, an ex-cop's knowledge and skills, and the financial means to pursue his "hobby" of pursuing bad guys. Unfortunately, things go wrong early in this one and Mac blames himself for awful crimes committed against two people he cares about. His determination to atone leads to him needing to go undercover as he is mysteriously placed on an FBI list as a person of interest. This case is tough on him emotionally, and there are some sad outcomes for good people, but this is a solid, well-written series. It's not hard to fool me, but the surprise twist in the case near the end was pretty good; other people probably saw it coming even though I didn't. You can't help but root for Mac and his inherent honesty in his ability to assess situations and consequences clearly, w/o sparing even himself. This series is a keeper! (Thanks, Elizabeth)
August 25, 2007
TIN CITY (Unlicensed Investigator-Twin Cities, MN-Cont)- VG
Housewright, David – 2nd in series
St. Martin's Minotaur, 2005- Hardcover
Mac McKenzie retired from the police force in order to receive a $3 million reward and now spends his time doing favors for his friends. Mr. Mosley, a beekeeper and second father to Mac, asks him to look into the reason why his bees are dying. What starts as a simple favor turns violent, deadly and involves the FBI and the Mafia.
*** Mac is one of my favorite characters; he's likable, loyal, ethical, and conscious of the price of violence, and there is violence. The story is tight, suspenseful, has great dialogue and grabs you from page one. Simply put, Housewright is a excellent writer who has created a great series. Start at the beginning and enjoy.
Housewright, David – 2nd in series
St. Martin's Minotaur, 2005- Hardcover
Mac McKenzie retired from the police force in order to receive a $3 million reward and now spends his time doing favors for his friends. Mr. Mosley, a beekeeper and second father to Mac, asks him to look into the reason why his bees are dying. What starts as a simple favor turns violent, deadly and involves the FBI and the Mafia.
*** Mac is one of my favorite characters; he's likable, loyal, ethical, and conscious of the price of violence, and there is violence. The story is tight, suspenseful, has great dialogue and grabs you from page one. Simply put, Housewright is a excellent writer who has created a great series. Start at the beginning and enjoy.
December 12, 2022
Someone or something is killing old Mr. Mosely’s honeybees. He’s the guy who looked after Rushmore (Mac) McKenzie after his dad died. Mac feels bad as the book begins because he hasn’t paid much attention to the old man in recent months. So, when Mosely calls asking for help, Mac agrees to drop by.
A lovely, young graduate student in entomology agrees to investigate the deaths. But the investigation stirs up other sinister things. Ere long, someone murders old Mr. Mosely. Naturally, that pushes Mac’s revenge buttons, and off he goes to find a killer.
I enjoy this character immensely. He’s not perfect; he’s not always laudably intelligent. But he’s fun to read about, and the action that fills the books in this series is attention holding for sure.
A lovely, young graduate student in entomology agrees to investigate the deaths. But the investigation stirs up other sinister things. Ere long, someone murders old Mr. Mosely. Naturally, that pushes Mac’s revenge buttons, and off he goes to find a killer.
I enjoy this character immensely. He’s not perfect; he’s not always laudably intelligent. But he’s fun to read about, and the action that fills the books in this series is attention holding for sure.
November 22, 2013
This is a bit unusual but fun. McKenzie has struck it rich and has left the police force. He now spends his time “doing favors” for people he likes. When his father’s friend, Mr. Mosley asks him to figure out what is killing Mr. Mosley’s bees, McKenzie goes to work. Unfortunately, things go wrong very quickly, when the student McKenzie hires is shot at while she is collecting samples by the side of the road. Shortly afterward, Mr. Mosley is murdered. This book has almost everything, the Mafia, the FBI, rape and murder and it will keep you turning pages until you reach the surprising ending.
June 8, 2015
Could Jim Rockford have been the inspiration for Rushmore McKenzie? A Los-Angeles-based private investigator type turns up in Minneapolis and Saint Paul, Minnesota. While this novel tilts between a cozy and a thriller and the settings and locations around the Twin Cities make for informative reading, Kasey Musgraves describes trailer park living better.
November 28, 2009
Very Good; Continuing character: Rushmore McKenzie; when an old friend of his is murdered and the wife of his lawyer raped, McKenzie goes after NY gangsters who've relocated to Minnesota
June 14, 2017
I like these mysteries because they are set in MN and the characters are fairly likable.
July 8, 2017
Fast paced and entertaining. McKenzie is a man's man and all-around good guy, except for dead bodies showing up wherever he travels.
November 7, 2017
Mac is a great character, but too many FBI, mafia, civilians, who is on what side, convoluted.
February 20, 2021
Enjoyed the first in the series but this one got into liberal politics. I don't read for political views, enough of that on TV. DNF and off the author list.
May 14, 2021
Lots of sophomoric banter between FBI agents and supposed mafia gangsters. Back book cover invoked Raymond Chandler and Robert Parker. That is plain wrong. No.
March 20, 2022
Fast-paced with lots of action and a charming protagonist
June 30, 2023
Fun read ! Enjoy Minnesota based books.
April 7, 2019
I've heard Housewright do author-events a couple of times and he's one of the most entertaining authors to hear speak (Jess Lourey is the undisputed best.) Housewright is a 'pantser' and proud of it: he has many amusing stories about his plot lines that dead-end, run-amok, become unsustainable, etc. Ha-ha, no matter how much he practices his craft, he doesn't get any better.
The make-it-up-as-you-go style shows here. The basis for the plot--a guy got killed--starts with a very common contrivance, namely, that the police are inactive/unconcerned/busy. Otherwise the cops solve the case and there is no story.
As Mac investigates, the plot twists come as they do from 'pantsers': randomly and without much sense. If you can keep suspending your disbelief, the book provides an exciting ride, as Mac confronts gangsters, cops, and shady characters.
But Mac's investigation isn't satisfying. He's not just smart, he's omniscient. If it would be convenient to know what the bad guys are saying, then Mac goes to a guy who supplies CIA-grade listening devices. If it would be convenient to know the associates of one bad guy, then Mac taps a friend in the police to make unauthorized use of the police database (again, too bad the police don't investigate murders--they could discover the same easy facts.)
If the bad guys are going to shoot at Mac, he's packing his gun. If they're just talking tough, he doesn't have his gun. Every step feels like paint-by-numbers: Mac always makes the correct choice, always draws the correct inference, no matter how ridiculous, (a shoe print! they wear shoes! I saw a shoe store on main street, therefore the bad guys used to be in the shoe business.)
What we want in a mystery is a detective who uses his brain, who draws conclusions from skimpy evidence that are plausible, and thus solves a crime that others would not be able to solve. At the highest level, a mystery allows the reader to draw inferences from the evidence a moment or a page before the detective, giving the reader the feeling of being a detective. Sadly, Housewright achieves very little of this.
The make-it-up-as-you-go style shows here. The basis for the plot--a guy got killed--starts with a very common contrivance, namely, that the police are inactive/unconcerned/busy. Otherwise the cops solve the case and there is no story.
As Mac investigates, the plot twists come as they do from 'pantsers': randomly and without much sense. If you can keep suspending your disbelief, the book provides an exciting ride, as Mac confronts gangsters, cops, and shady characters.
But Mac's investigation isn't satisfying. He's not just smart, he's omniscient. If it would be convenient to know what the bad guys are saying, then Mac goes to a guy who supplies CIA-grade listening devices. If it would be convenient to know the associates of one bad guy, then Mac taps a friend in the police to make unauthorized use of the police database (again, too bad the police don't investigate murders--they could discover the same easy facts.)
If the bad guys are going to shoot at Mac, he's packing his gun. If they're just talking tough, he doesn't have his gun. Every step feels like paint-by-numbers: Mac always makes the correct choice, always draws the correct inference, no matter how ridiculous, (a shoe print! they wear shoes! I saw a shoe store on main street, therefore the bad guys used to be in the shoe business.)
What we want in a mystery is a detective who uses his brain, who draws conclusions from skimpy evidence that are plausible, and thus solves a crime that others would not be able to solve. At the highest level, a mystery allows the reader to draw inferences from the evidence a moment or a page before the detective, giving the reader the feeling of being a detective. Sadly, Housewright achieves very little of this.
December 7, 2023
with a number of authors, notably John Sandford, choosing my home state of Minnesota as a setting for their stories, it's really clear that Mr. Houswright grew up in the Twin Cities. I find his characters and his dialogue very believable and I know his protagonist is chasing someone down, say, University Avenue in Saint Paul that prey and quarry won't turn the corner and suddenly be on the Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis. I am a fan of audio books and I appreciate that John Sandford's books are all available on DVD from the library, but damned if it doesn't break the spell when his narrator constantly mispronounces Cretin Avenue and refers to fishermen catching "CRAP-eez" instead of "CROP-eez". (I've made the crappie comment before and either John Sandford doesn't read my reviews or he truly is a mean bastard.)
As for Tin City, this is the second book in Housewright's McKenzie series about a former St. Paul cop who quit the force to collect on a reward. The reward was big enough that his hero, McKenzie, is free to go around doing favors for friends that turn into life-threatening confrontations with bad people. I'd read a number of other titles in this series before Tin City and I'm not sure if I like this one the best so far, but it would make a good intro to the series of twenty-five. One warning, it is heavier than the other books in that it deals with rape.
February 22, 2025
REVIEW OF DNF AUDIOBOOK; FEBRUARY 21, 2025
Why Aborted: involves really boring activities which make this as bad as those cozy domestic mysteries for women I stay away from. Instead of dead bodies I got dead bees. And it just goes on and on with Mac involved in neighborhood business better left to busybodies. Conversation revolves around this, too, and really, it was such a yawn for me.
I was hoping for a cozy crime series featuring a male protagonist - so that I won't have to deal with knitting, sewing, cooking and other women's work - and, preferably a homicide cop or ex-cop so he'd have reason to get involved in solving the murders.
So, I got the ex-cop in Mac and I got a rich one so I don't have to deal with a broke, bitter, angry alcoholic - just me, a hot rich detective and a murder to solve. I got the first two but not the third, which kinda defeats the purpose of picking ab murder mystery series.
Looks like I will have to stick to police procedurals but I'm having trouble finding another detective series like Harry Bosch or Lucas Davenport.
Why Aborted: involves really boring activities which make this as bad as those cozy domestic mysteries for women I stay away from. Instead of dead bodies I got dead bees. And it just goes on and on with Mac involved in neighborhood business better left to busybodies. Conversation revolves around this, too, and really, it was such a yawn for me.
I was hoping for a cozy crime series featuring a male protagonist - so that I won't have to deal with knitting, sewing, cooking and other women's work - and, preferably a homicide cop or ex-cop so he'd have reason to get involved in solving the murders.
So, I got the ex-cop in Mac and I got a rich one so I don't have to deal with a broke, bitter, angry alcoholic - just me, a hot rich detective and a murder to solve. I got the first two but not the third, which kinda defeats the purpose of picking ab murder mystery series.
Looks like I will have to stick to police procedurals but I'm having trouble finding another detective series like Harry Bosch or Lucas Davenport.
January 30, 2018
This second outing was easily as good as or a bit better than the first. I really enjoyed it, and read it in two days. It is a real page-turner and an easy read. It is a great mystery as well as a thriller, with elusive bad guys. I didn't guess the ending, but was tickled with the unexpected twists and turns, including a rogue FBI agent and a mafia don. I've already put #3 on my Kindle. Housewright can really plot and can put the action on paper in a fast but straight-forward way...I found myself holding my breath sometimes. The ending, like that of #1, is well done, and is a real ending with no cliffhanger. Many other authors could learn a lot from Housewright - an author does not need a cliffhanger to get readers to move on to the next in the series. All you need is a great main character and a good plot for each outing. We absolutely find that here.
December 1, 2019
I just discovered this wonderful author about 6 weeks ago and have read two books in the Mac McKenzie series and two book in the Holland Taylor series. I'm enjoying getting to know the two P.I.s, but I must admit that so far I get their backstories confused because Mac and Taylor seem very similar, as is the tone and style of both series. I will master this as I go along - I'm just old!
Not a complaint at all, as I am thrilled to have found two new series calibrated with just the right amounts of grit and cozy. They aren't predictible and have interesting plots, humor, and characters I want to know better. It helps that I am a Texan who knows next to nothing about the Minneapolis-St. Paul area outside of what I learned on the Mary Tyler Moore show, so I enjoy the setting as much as everything else!
Tin City (based on a hidden-away trailer park that is a city in its own right) is a darn good read!
Not a complaint at all, as I am thrilled to have found two new series calibrated with just the right amounts of grit and cozy. They aren't predictible and have interesting plots, humor, and characters I want to know better. It helps that I am a Texan who knows next to nothing about the Minneapolis-St. Paul area outside of what I learned on the Mary Tyler Moore show, so I enjoy the setting as much as everything else!
Tin City (based on a hidden-away trailer park that is a city in its own right) is a darn good read!
July 24, 2025
A THOROUGHLY enjoyable read! This is fast becoming one of my favorite series, written in the first person POV to add to the experience by making the reader privy to main character Rushmore McKenzie's thought process, always a huge selling point for me. The story begins with McKenzie agreeing to help an old friend discover why his beehives are experiencing an unusual die off, but quickly mounts as he stumbles onto something far more dangerous, illegal, and deadly. McKenzie is an engaging protagonist, his motives are relatable and realistic, and his ability to think on his feet moves the action - and there is plenty of action in this story -along at the perfect pace. The ending was unexpected but wrapped up nicely and logically. Will be starting another book from this series immediately - McKenzie is addictive.
June 21, 2019
The first of this series that I read was #3. I liked it a lot, especially the main character (McKenzie) and setting (Twin Cities). This book, written earlier, is not quite so distinctive but still offers a good mystery story. The author makes it abundantly clear why the McKenzie is so fond of an old beekeeper. I liked the author's defense of trailer park denizens and insights into the songwriting business, both courtesy of an attractive woman who almost steals McKenzie's heart. The scenes involving some of the mob figures that populate the book are perversely enjoyable, told with a little humorous twist. My only complaint is that the story both tried to cover too much ground and dragged a little.
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