The fourth novel in the next great detective series.
Grady Huff, a wealthy and insufferable pain in the neck, killed his cleaning lady and confessed to the crime. No jury in the world could find him innocent and no amount of money can convince Mackenzie August to work for his defense. That is, until Veronica Summer's fiancé arrives in Roanoke and joins the prosecution...
Darren Robbins has more on his mind than just convicting Grady - he's come to collect Veronica. And he's come to settle things with Mackenzie, a reckoning that will certainly spill violence into the streets.
Listen to Aces Full today, the fourth book in your favorite mystery series.
This is another great story in the Mackenzie August series, set in Roanoke, Virginia. In this one, Mack is hired by a defense attorney representing Grady Huff, a rich, spoiled young man accused of murdering his cleaning woman, Juanita Yates. Huff has admitted killing her and is in prison awaiting trial. Mack doesn’t want to help Huff, but he agrees to take the case when he learns that federal prosecutor Darren Robbins will be trying it. Not only is Robbins corrupt, but more importantly, he is the fiancé of Veronica “Ronnie” Summers, the woman Mack loves. Mack welcomes a showdown.
Since Huff admits to the killing, Mack’s task is to come up with mitigating evidence. He comes to suspect that the killing may have been a crime of passion, which could mean a lighter sentence. “A beautiful lonely girl. A rich ugly lonely guy. Romance. Then homicide.” But Huff has little interest in helping his own cause. “I was struck with a realization as I watched him gloat, sailing cleanly past logic and reason. It was a realization I should have reached earlier. Grady Huff liked being in prison. The incarceration and the upcoming trial and its insinuations filled him with self-importance. He felt like he was someone to be reckoned with, perhaps for the first time in his life. He felt like the friends he didn’t have were gossiping about him with overtones of approval.”
Mack is a very principled man—some folks, like Ronnie Summers and Mack’s friend U.S. Marshal Manny Martinez, suggest he’s too principled. But his principles don’t prohibit him from maintaining mutually beneficial relationships with local organized crime figures like drug kingpin Marcus Morgan. When the daughter of Marcus’s associate Carlos is kidnapped by human traffickers, Mack willingly agrees to orchestrate a rescue.
Both the Huff investigation and the trafficking rescue operation generate lots of action, making this a fast and absorbing read. Mack’s complicated but evolving relationship with Ronnie adds another dimension to the story and to Mack’s persona, as do his close family life, his religious faith, and his friendship with Manny.
As I’ve said in my reviews of earlier books in the series, I enjoy the banter between Mack and Manny, who often remind me of Spenser and Hawk in Robert B. Parker’s books. A sample: “‘Next time you pack for a shootout without telling me? I shoot you myself.’ ‘I apologize for not inviting you to get killed tonight by Mexican coyotes. Will never happen again. You big baby.’ ‘You and me, we are Mack and Manuel. We work together. Like the candy, M & M. Everyone calls us that,’ he said. ‘No they don’t.’”
Even though Mack’s self-regard often remains over the top, and his “dialogues” with Kix can be annoying (see my previous reviews), I’m a Mackenzie August fan. As a lifelong New York Mets fan, though, I may have trouble forgiving Alan Lee for this bit of dialogue, in which Mack tells Ronnie that he supports her going to therapy: “‘I’ll be a Ronnie fan no matter what, even if you go to New York Mets fans for advice on sexual healing.’ ‘No one is that stupid.’ ‘Amen.’” I agree, I guess, but still.
I didn't realize how much I'd enjoy this book series when I first heard about it (just a few days ago), but I can't get enough of Mackenzie August's character. His wit and humor are right up my alley, and the numerous biblical references keep things interesting.
The author, Alan Lee, actually includes a message for the reader at the end of this book explaining the parallels between this novel's story and an event from the Old Testament, which I found fascinating. (Don't read that message before you read the book, or you will encounter a major spoiler!)
As I mentioned in my review of book one ("August Origins" aka "Sophomore Slump"), I opted for the audiobook versions of these stories. I love Scott Ellis's portrayal of the characters - especially Mackenzie. Ellis is able to deliver the dialogue with the perfect amount of charm and humor to make sure Mack doesn't come off as overly cocky, and I love it. …But now I face a dilemma: Do I purchase the eBook versions of books 5 through 8 so that I can continue the narrative, or do I wait for the audiobook versions to eventually become available? (If I do opt for the eBooks, I can tell you right now that I'll be hearing the characters in my head with Scott Ellis's voice!)
Mack's roommate and friend, Manny, is also in Alan Lee's other book series, for which there are two audiobooks available - Supremacy License (Manny #1) and Wild Card (Manny #2). I have, of course, already purchased those as well, despite the fact that Lee's suggested book reading order is as follows:
August Origins (Mackenzie #1) Desecration of All Saints (Mackenzie #1.5) Second Secret (Mackenzie #2) Flawed Players (Mackenzie #3) Aces Full (Mackenzie #4) Only the Details (Mackenzie #5) Supremacy License (Manny #1) Good Girl (Mackenzie #6) Wild Card (Manny #2) These Mortals (Mackenzie #7) Paradise Royale (Manny #3) Bad Aim (Mackenzie #8) Last Teacher (Mackenzie #0 - Prequel) Martinez (Manny #4) Sunken Graves (Stand-alone mystery/thriller)
Since I've already botched the order by reading Last Teacher, and by inadvertently skipping Desecration of All Saints (since I hadn't heard of its existence until I was finished with book two), I might continue the chaos by diving into the Manny audiobooks next! (If anyone knows a reason why I shouldn't do that, please let me know ASAP!)
Proving an idiot innocent - can it be done when he's confessed to the crime...and revels in the attention? If that's not enough,. Mac's going to be facing one of his nemeses - the deadly Darren Robbins, who wants Mac's woman back and Mac to pay the ultimate price. Handled with the usual quick wit I've come to look forward to in this series.
The drama in this book was off the charts. The last of Ronnie’s secrets and challenges is tackled in this book. Mack is threatened with death multiple times, he has gotten deeper in with the villainy under world. Both helping and hurting that world. A little girl is saved, a mom is shot, a con artist is killed and other things. The characters come alive on the pages the good and the bad, and even some of the villainy guys are lovable.
Allen Lee thank you for writing these mysteries... I hope there are many more by you for this reader to read.
( Format : Audiobook) "Guys like me..." Private detective Mackenzie August navigates his way through drug dealers and sex workers, plus their gang bosses, with humour and panache well beyond this mere mortal's imagination, and is hired to save an offensive, oafish rich bore from the death penalty for a murder to which he has readily admitted. Written in the first person throughout, Mackenzie is moralistic in his own way, funny, conceited, slick talking and very capable, surrounded by colourful characters, swooned over by women, especially one, admired or hated by men on both sides of the law, and extremely good at what he does. He even has Pex, the child with whom he can bounce imaginary conversations and feelings.
Why has it taken me so long to discover Alan Lee? The author has, through this book, shot right to the top of my just read detective writers. And in Scott Ellis, Mackenzie has the perfect voice as narrator: always smooth, a pleasure to listen to, with fine intonation, individual and appropriate voicings and pace perfect. Mr.Ellis becomes August, the PI in an excellent performance.The
I was so very fortunate in being freely gifted with a complimentary copy of Aces Full, the 4th in the Mackenzie August series, by the rights holder at my request. Thank you so much. I loved it and am now looking to embark on a catch up of the earlier books in the series. For anyone who enjoys the whole private detective genre, especially those with great writing, witty dialogue, excellent and compelling scenarios, fabulous characters who, nevertheless seem to ring true and, in audio, superb narration - look no further. This is the book for you.
I resisted Kindle Unlimited for years - and then I Alan Lee's standalone Mackenzie August novel "The Desecration of All Saints" and I gave in. I'm the last two days I've more than made up my money's worth reading the adventures of...
I have my favorites - my action heroes include Jack Reacher, David Wolf, Noah Wolfe, Jesse McDermott and many mmore, but Mackenzie "Mack" August is now at the top of the heap and I expect he'll remain there for some time. The biggest separator between him and the rest?
Humor. Whether it's a dialog between August, the former CUP officer - LAPD detective - school teacher turned private eye, and his best friend Manny, or the delightful device of his imagined conversations with his infant son, Kix, the unfolding relationship with Ronnie Summers, the.woman he loves but won't have sex with, or even short conversations with casual strangers, the unexpected turns of his dialog continually have me laugh out loud.
Aces Full is the fourth book. For a full appreciation, read them like a series. There are a number of ongoing threads that might not be clear if you start here. But I'm pretty sure that if you like one of the previous ones, you'll become as enamored as I am.
I am enjoying this series by Alan Lee. In this fourth book (fifth if you start with the prequel, which I recommend) Mackenzie confronts his romantic nemesis, Ronnie's fiance from DC that she doesn't love but is forced to obey. She comes into her own in this book, and the investigation Mack does for a new character, an attorney defending an assinine rich malcontent accused of murder to which he readily confesses, is an interesting subplot that leads to another underworld conference meeting at a high stakes poker game. I enjoy the secondary characters, the wit, the vocabulary and literary references, and the way this ongoing tale continues to advance. Thumbs up!
I love the sidekick U.S, marshal Manny, but a Puerto Rican would not use Chicano street slang, and sometimes Lee blends all Latino culture in an unsophisticated way. In an earlier book, Mack suggested his command of Spanish was limited, but in this one, without Manny around, he easily tramslated all of a conversation with two Latino thugs who never used English. A small inconsistency, but noticed.
Grady Huff is going to swing. The rich, insufferable man killed his cleaning lady and confessed to the crime. Everyone thinks he is guilty.
But Mackenzie August is asked to investigate the case by Huff's defense attorney. And he gets even more interested -- and committed to winning -- when Veronica Summer's federal prosecutor fiancé comes to Roanoke to assist the prosecution.
The fourth book in this exciting regional mystery series continues to impress. The characters and the plot are clever and consistent. Alan Lee has delivered a winner with August, a large man with an even larger vocabulary and collection of relevant quotes.
Mack continues to live by his honor code, to love Ronnie and to come to cross purposes with organized crime. But he also continues to impress as a featured player in this outstanding series.
The series is great (this includes The Last Teacher, which I read first). I have not read The Desecration of All Saints which is marketed as a "standalone with Mackenzie August" and probably falls into the timeline as 1.5, but plan to. I didn't want to read it and be pulled away from the evolution of the character arcs in the deliberately written timeline, which is undoubtedly the best part of the series. I care about these characters, the good and bad traits, the nobility and flaws, and most of all their growth. Having said all that, this one was the weakest thus far. All of them ask for acceptance of some slight stretching of credibility and coincidence but this one seemed to ask for more than usual. The story seemed a little thin also, and the reasoning behind the choice of one of the main secondary characters at the end contrived.
Alan Lee has such a quirky way of writing his characters dialogue and inner thoughts that, even though the subject matter of this book, and the previous 3 MacKenzie August books that I've read is dark and serious - organised crime, murder and prostitution, I've laughed out loud several times. I find the imaginary conversations MacKenzie has with his one year old son particularly amusing - and on occasion, near to reality as I remember from my own experience with babies of that age. This is gangsters, flexible law people and and good guy with an adorable baby. And his father and amazingly handsome friend, US Marshal, Manny Martinez, star of The Supremacy Licence.
I found Alan Lee and the Mackenzie August phenomenon searching for another author to read while waiting for John Sandford's next book to be published. Alan Lee has a sui generis style that at once conjures up the snappy and snarky dialogue of gumshoe detective stories while giving it an entirely fresh and entertaining newness. His characters are interesting, entertaining, and completely unique. These are books that make you slow down your reading of the last chapter to make it last just a little bit longer.
I’m usually one to write reviews. As I mentioned in a review of a prior book in the series I bought these books as a box set listed as “if you like Janet Evanovich” heading. I found that the humor was definitely there. Three things stuck out though. First, the characters are more true to life (not flighty like Stephanie Plum though that’s part of her charm; second, Mackenzie has values not often found today, and lastly Mr. Lee touches on things that are happening today. I can’t wait for the next book & have already ordered it.
Mackenzie August, wisecracking PI and self-professed hunk, gives and takes more beatings as he investigates a fatal shooting where the killer has confessed. He also wants to help the glamorous Veronica Summers extricate herself from her fiancé - not for personal reasons, of course! These really are fun books, I love Mac’s enlightened approach, his use of big words to annoy the baddies, his conversations with his toddler, and his care and concern for those around him. 🎧 Scott Ellis deftly manages the humour and thesaurus required to narrate these novels - he multiplies the fun factor.
The writer mixes up a wicked brew of a story. We not only find ourselves in the middle of a nasty murder case but we are caught in the middle of a love affair that's technically hasn't started. This was so so good,there are glimpses of old black and white detective movies ,that bring to the edge and push you right of the cliff. The humor is just great,and rolled.in like a runaway train .Not to mention I am improving !y vocublary by leaps and bonds. The series and every installment is like discovering something new on a road trip.
Another volume in the August series, replete with good humor and extensive vocabulary. Unfortunately, the quality of editing has slipped. There are four errors that indicate spell check was used instead of proofreading. In addition, the author doesn't realize there is no independent safety on Block pistol. The safety is integrated into the trigger. The same is true of most revolvers. If there is a separate safety on a revolver, it is usually integrated into the grip. Despite these errors, the protagonist is a great character.
I can't remember the last time I had so much fun reading a book series. I adore the main character and the secondary characters. The plots are fun and fast paced. While I do let a combination of Minecraft and Netflix suck my brain much of my down time I greatly look forward to my time with Mackenzie August. Only a few books left in the series. I hope author Alan Lee still finds Mackenzie inspiring and the end is not as close as I think. (The Netflix reference was for Mr. Lee. 😊)
Inebriated with the exuberance of his own verbosity, our hero charms his way into another set of problems, resolving same via wit, pugilism, and stunningly good looks. No character of Shakespeare was this tech-savvy, the epics of Homer lacked the humor, and no romcoms have femmes this fatale.
The only bad thing about this review is that I have finished the book.
This is a really good series. There are some authors who you will buy their books as soon as you see them. This is one of those. All of the characters are developed nicely, especially Mac and Ronnie. Good action throughout. Good story line. Highly recommended.
I don’t write many reviews because I’m usually lazy. But I LOVE this series!! I’m in love with all the characters and their drama! Please keep writing about Mackenzie and Ronnie and all the solid characters in these exciting stories!! Gosh my vocabulary has increased as well. 😊😉
I discovered Alan Lee on Kindle, and am ashamed to admit I've been spending too little for all the enjoyment his books have provided. Folks that reader detective novels are passionate about the story as well as the characters, and Alan delivers! Thank you, sir, and please keep at it!
Some people binge watch, I'm binge reading the MacKenzie August series
Alan Lee's MacKenzie August serious is addictive. I can't get enough and am on to volume 5, Only the Details. What a wonderful series of novels with a perfect combination of a continuing story with great characters and original plots in each new volume. Bravo!!!
The characters development is right out of Nelson DeMille John Corey series Great plot which holds your attention while you fall in love with Mackenzie
OMG! I never saw it coming! Each book gets better and better. I love this series. You have got to read this series! It has mystery, action, romance , great cast of characters and an ending you will not believe! I can’t wait to read the next book in this series.
Witty writing- crisp notes and erudition - and even a little acceptable theology- fun and well written - poignant in parts - and psychologically true to trauma and shame - kudos and fun
This just doesn't get old. I love the characters and the interactions and the humor and the action. There are so many things going on, but easy to keep track, and a surprise ending. Love this.
Mackenzie August, a wordsmith, who uses sarcasm as a tool is a kick butt detective with conflicted values. His complicated life is full of excitement and moral dilemmas.
This series just keeps getting better and better. Hard to concentrate on actual work that needs to be done. I won't give details like many reviewers. Why spoil the fun? Support this writer. He is worthy of your time.
Best Series ever! Manny absolutely cracks me up. And Marcus? Such a great and good "bad" guy. Love his dryness. Seriously, the characters in this series are so perfect and unique. Mr. Lee better live for a VERY long time and continue this series well into Kix's adulthood.