Fear the Reaper: A McKenzie Novel

Mac McKenzie #23

by David Housewright

After taking down a man wielding an AR-15 a small town winery, Rushmore McKenzie has to find out who, if anyone, was the shooter's target before he, or someone else, tries again.

Once a police detective in St. Paul, Minnesota, Rushmore McKenzie, after becoming an unexpected millionaire, now is an unlicensed private investigator, doing the occasional investigative favor. Off on a weekend getaway to northwestern Wisconsin, McKenzie, with a group of five, including his childhood friend and current police detective Bobby Dunston, stop off at a local winery. When a man walks up carrying an AR-15, which he raises, props the butt against his shoulder, and sights down the barrel - but before he can do anything, Bobby Dunston yells 'gun' and he and McKenzie take the man down.

The would-be shooter was arrested, and normally, that would be the end of it. But Wisconsin is an open carry state and the police can't prove that the gunman was intended to do anything. But it does appear that he might have been looking for one specific target. And, if so, that person is not out of danger. Now, before the gunman is released, McKenzie decides to find out who was the real target and why, before it is too late.

Genres: Mystery

302 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 23, 2026

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

[Bam cooks the books · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good addition to the long-running Rushmore McKenzie series based in the Twin Cities. A gunman enters a winery in rural Wisconsin where McKenzie, his wife and friends, including Commander Bobby Dunston of the St Paul Police, are enjoying a drink. Because the gunman hesitates with the rifle to his shoulder, McKenzie and Bobby are able to quickly disarm him. The Sheriff is called and the man taken away.

The DA later releases the gunman because he 'is a law-abiding citizen practicing his Second-Amendment rights who only raised his weapon because he felt he was being threatened.' But Sheriff Caine has her doubts and she enlists McKenzie to help her investigate as a 'favor.' Watching the security video, both believe the gunman was there to shoot one person and that's why he hesitated--to locate that person. If so who among the twenty-some patrons there that day was his intended victim? No one admits to knowing the gunman; is one of them lying?

This is more of a character-driven mystery than a suspense-thriller and there is interesting cast of characters: McKenzie learns some astonishing things about these supposedly everyday people, living in America's heartland, where they espouse family values. Good grief. I figured out who was the intended victim but there were a few more twists to that story than I realized. A light and entertaining read for summer escapism. I jumped into this series with the previous book and have now read five of the books. This one could be read as a standalone without much trouble but I can highly recommend the series.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc via NetGalley.

[Marta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy belated publication day!! 6/23/26🥳

7.5//10: 3.75⭐️’s rounded up to 4⭐️’s.

Well, thank goodness jumping into the series at book #23 wasn’t an issue!! And it made me curious and interested in reading the previous books. I do love a good, long series!

Unlicensed MN private investigator, Rushmore McKenzie, is enjoying an afternoon at a small winery in rural WI with his wife, his best friend and his wife, and his best friend’s parents, with whom they are staying. All of the sudden there is a man standing there with an AR-15 pointed at, well, that is the question. Was it going to be a mass shooting or was there a specific target(s)? Before anyone is hurt, McKenzie and his best friend take down the would be shooter and prevent tragedy.

Finding out about McKenzie’s former law enforcement experience and how he helps his friends with some investigations now, the sheriff of the county asks for his help to find out exactly who the intended victims were. Because of WI open carry law, the shooter was released with minimal charges because he did not shoot anyone and no one was hurt. There are some interesting WI laws, check out statute 944.16(2), for example!

I was so happy that I had minimal confusion joining this party so late. It doesn’t always work that way with series, but this one, at least this particular book, it wasn’t an issue and now I have a new series to hopefully get into! Hooray!

Despite the numerous characters, I had a relatively easy time following along, which is honestly a bit shocking to me! The confusing parts came with locations. All of the counties and little towns or whatever they were called, I kind of gave up on trying to figure that out and just went with it. There was one thing that was bothering me, but I didn’t go back to earlier in the book to see if I got mixed up (which is probably the case) so I had to let it go. Me being me, I may still go back and check if it sticks in my head. There was also an error with the name of something, but perhaps that will be fixed. Just a typo I think since it was correct every other time.

Speaking of names…..Terrible Timmy’s Terrific Wine Club was said sooooo much. This is a personal preference, but for annoying repetition sake, I would have preferred it to be shortened to Timmy’s or Terrible Timmy’s sometimes. That is super nitpicky of me, but it became rather annoying after the first few times hearing the full name. We all would have known what he meant!

McKenzie might have more internal thoughts and conversations with himself than I do. His ‘inner voice’ was almost its own character!! Some of the thoughts were pretty entertaining though.

Pretty solid and fun book. Glad I decided to give it a go.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the arc of this book. All thoughts are my own.

Book to be released June 23, 2026

Rating posted: 5/3/26
Thoughts posted: 5/5/26
Reposted for publication day(a day late🤦🏼‍♀️): 6/24/26

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rushmore McKenzie is a retired police officer, retiring after coming into a ton of money. He’s away on a trip in Wisconsin with friend when they stop at a winery. A man opens the door to the winery, puts an AR-15 on his shoulder while looking down the barrel. Before he can do anything, McKenzie and a friend, a police detective, tackles the guy. What ensues then is an investigation into what this guy was doing there, who his target was. The guy is arrested, but since Wisconsin is an open carry state, he’s released. So who was his target, and will they figure it out before that person loses their life?

When I see the title Fear the Reaper, I’m expecting a ton of suspense, a thriller ride. But it was none of that. In fact, it was rather boring at times. The investigation that ensued after the initial incident takes FOREVER and the book is only 302 pages.

I haven’t read the other books in this series but I didn’t really feel like I was missing anything, so I did appreciate that. I also did like the bit of action that was written at the end. I just needed more in the middle. It’s a classic investigation book, but the execution for my tastes, just didn’t work for me.

If you like straightforward police procedurals, this is the book for you!

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reading through this series, you are familiar with Bobby, McKenzie's BFF. You've heard stories about them growing up and all the chaos they've created and been through. But this time around we get to met Bobby's parents and they are a hoot, especially Patty! I loved how she treated McKenzie, like her own, how she loved seeing him work, wanted to help and McKenzie had to talk her down. Even funnier when she found herself in an altercation and called McKenzie for help.

The little job McKenzie ended up working was interesting. I found I didn't have a clue until things were revealed, which is unusual for me. There were so many choices for the "bad guy" it was hard to choose. Even as McKenzie worked, I kept flip flopping on who I would pick as he discovered things. What was crazy is all the seedy things he discovered. I'm glad the truth came out in the end and that the innocent person was protected.

[Dana K · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Minotaur Books for gifted access via NetGalley. All opinions below are my own.

Lately, I’ve had a habit of picking up a random mystery series midway, and I’ve had relatively good luck with it. This is no exception. Catchy title, great cover and intriguing blurb will convince me to dive into a series no problem. And I think you can easily do that with this one. Mackenzie is a former cop who keeps getting dragged into investigations, that’s really all the backstory you need to know.

InIn this case, he happens to be visiting family with his wife having a night out at a unique wine bar when a man with an assault rifle appears. He and his companion, also a cop, spring into action, saving everyone’s lives. But then the DA lets the suspect off claiming he never hurt anyone. In anger, Mackenzie is drawn into figuring out just what was behind the act.

Lots of suspects with secrets in this small town, I enjoyed the ride, trying to figure things out with Mackenzie.

[Get Your Tinsel in a Tangle · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a very specific kind of chaos that comes with jumping into book twenty three of a long-running mystery series because every returning character arrives with the energy of someone the reader is supposed to applaud for, while I’m sitting there trying to quietly figure out who has unresolved trauma, who used to date who, and whether I accidentally skipped six divorces and a boating accident somewhere along the way. But Fear the Reaper weirdly makes that fun. It drops you directly into the mess with enough confidence that eventually you just accept Mac McKenzie has apparently been solving crimes for eighty-seven years and everybody in Minnesota either owes him a favor or has cried in front of him once.

This man cannot even go wine tasting normally. That’s the real tragedy here. Mac is on a little Wisconsin getaway with friends, trying to enjoy himself at a winery with the aggressively whimsical name Terrible Timmy’s Terrific Wine Club, which already sounds like the kind of place where somebody definitely says “flight” too many times while explaining pinot noir. Then a guy walks in carrying an AR-15 and suddenly the whole afternoon pivots from “cute regional wine stop” to “active threat assessment.” Mac and his friend Bobby take the guy down before anything happens, except because this is Wisconsin and open carry laws exist in ways that continue to make my blood pressure spike, authorities can’t immediately prove the man intended to hurt anyone.

Which means Mac starts digging. And buddy, EVERYBODY in this town has secrets. The second Mac starts asking questions, this thing unfolds into one of those deeply messy small-town situations where every answer creates six more uncomfortable conversations. Affairs, resentments, lies, sketchy family dynamics, weird little grudges people have apparently been nurturing since the Bush administration. Half these people need attorneys and the other half need couples counseling. There’s this incredible running feeling that absolutely nobody is being fully honest, including people who probably think they are.

What really worked for me is Mac himself because he has exactly the kind of low-key exhausted charisma I want in a mystery protagonist. He’s funny without feeling like the book is trying too hard to perform funny at me. His internal narration has this dry observational quality where you can tell he genuinely likes people even while recognizing they consistently make terrible choices. And after twenty-three books, there’s something deeply comforting about a character who already knows who he is. No tortured lone wolf routine. No “I drink whiskey and alienate everyone who loves me” detective nonsense. He’s just a smart, decent guy who keeps accidentally wandering into crimes because apparently the universe refuses to let him relax.

The Midwest setting also absolutely carries this book. David Housewright understands that small-town Midwestern energy is basically politeness stretched over layers of gossip, passive aggression, casseroles, and deeply buried emotional warfare. Everybody’s friendly. Everybody’s smiling. Everybody also knows exactly which neighbor had an affair in 2009 and who got weird at the VFW fish fry. The book captures that beautifully. There’s this constant tension between “nice people” and “people capable of incredibly bad decisions,” which honestly is the sweet spot for mystery novels.

I will say, there are A LOT of characters. Like enough characters that at one point I felt like I needed one of those giant detective boards covered in photographs and red string while Charlie Day screamed in the background. But somehow it still mostly works because the pacing keeps moving and Mac’s narration smooths over any moments where you briefly lose track of who belongs to which deeply dysfunctional social orbit.

Also, the repeated use of “Terrible Timmy’s Terrific Wine Club” started becoming its own psychological event by the midpoint. Every time the full name appeared again I felt like I was trapped in a regional commercial written by a man who owns too many novelty suspenders. It circled all the way back around to funny for me. By the end I was genuinely delighted every time that absurd name showed back up.

What surprised me most is that underneath all the procedural stuff and small-town chaos, the book actually has a pretty grounded emotional core. Mac approaches people with empathy, even when they’re making absolute train wreck decisions, and that gives the whole story warmth without turning sentimental. The book understands that people wreck their lives in very human ways. Loneliness. Pride. Fear. Bad timing. Terrible instincts around exes. You know, the classics.

The mystery itself kept me engaged even when I guessed a few turns early because honestly the real appeal became spending time with Mac while he slowly untangled everybody’s nonsense. And for a first entry into a twenty-three-book series, that feels like a huge win. By the end I completely understood why readers keep coming back to this character. He feels lived in. Comfortable. Like somebody you’d actually want to sit next to at a bar while he told you about the dumbest case he ever worked.

Fear the Reaper landed at 3.5 stars for me. A genuinely fun mystery with strong character work, chaotic small-town energy, and one very patient detective trying to solve crimes in a region where everyone is emotionally committed to making things harder than necessary.

Whodunity Award: For Making Me Deeply Suspicious of Anyone Casually Suggesting a Relaxing Winery Weekend in Wisconsin

And huge thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC, because apparently my ideal reading experience now involves murder investigations, emotionally complicated Midwesterners, and a retired detective who absolutely deserves one uninterrupted vacation but is clearly never going to get it.

[Daniel · Rating 3 out of 5]

This review originally published in Looking For a Good Book. Rated 3.5 of 5

Former St. Paul police detective, Rushmore McKenzie, is on a weekend getaway with his wife and a group of friends, including Bobby Dunston, a current police detective. They are in northern Wisconsin having drinks at a local winery when a man carrying an AR-15 walks onto the winery property and starts to point his weapon at all the people on the patio. McKenzie and Dunston react the way you hope police would – rushing the man and disarming him just as a burst of shots fire harmlessly into the sky.

The local sheriff applauds the quick action of the two men, but the local DA and judge remind the men that Wisconsin is an open-carry state and since he hadn’t fired his weapon, he had every right to carry it onto the business and they the two men could (and perhaps should) be arrested for assault.

The sheriff, being busy enough with other work and in just a little over her head, asks McKenzie to help do some investigating – why was the man sent there (as determined by a text on his phone) and who was he meant to shoot? The investigation takes a dark turn when the AR-15-carrying man is killed and McKenzie is arrested for the murder.

I read a lot of books (100-200 per year) so I don’t always remember the details of every book. Even books/authors/series that I really enjoy – I may not remember some of the finer details. I say this because I really have come to like the Rushmore ‘Mac’ McKenzie novels. This is the 8th book in the series that I’ve read and it’s the 23rd in the series. … And something struck me as quite odd….

I don’t remember McKenzie having so pronounced an internal monologue. It started very early, in the first few pages, when someone mentioned that the incident happened so fast that they didn’t know what was happening or if it was even real.

“Yeah, a lot of eyewitnesses are like that” McKenzie’s inner voice says. And when one of the witnesses says that he felt the gun was pointed right at him, that inner voice says, “”That should strengthen the sheriff’s case.” Though at the time he had no reason to think it needed strengthening.

Sometimes that inner voice really goes on.

Refusing to answer questions is smart, my inner voice told me. You wouldn’t do that, either. But refusing to contact an attorney – does he believe someone will come riding to his rescue?

I’m not going to list them all, but suffice it to say that I don’t remember McKenzie talking to himself this way, this much, and I think I would remember because I found it distracting. I actually wondered if this book was ghost-written by someone else. The most awkward moment to read of the inner voice’s talking was near the end when McKenzie, as the first person narrator of the book notes:



Kressler hesitated as if she was searching for the perfect word. Sheriff Caine supplied it for her.
Unsubstantiated conjecture,” she said.



And the inner voice tells McKenzie: Actually, that’s two words. Since he’s a First Person narrator, did we need the voice correcting him? Couldn’t he have just said that on his own?

As you might expect in a detective mystery, McKenzie digs into the backgrounds of all the people who were at the winery and might be either the targets, or the person behind the text sending the shooter to the winery. These people turned out to be quite interesting. From unlikely millionaires to swingers, we get some characters who are fun to read about.

The mystery was interesting with the appropriate red herrings, but some of the side stories got wrapped up a little too easily for me.

I’ve been a fan of author David Housewright and the Mac McKenzie books I’ve read, but this is my least favorite because it didn’t feel like a Mac McKenzie novel. It felt like an imposter. But maybe I’m just not remembering the McKenzie books – it’s been ten months and 100+ books since I last read one, after all.

Looking for a good book? Fear the Reaper is the 23rd book in the Mac McKenzie series by David Housewright. McKenzie seems to be talking to himself a bit more, but he’s still got some serious investigative skills and puts them to good use.
I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

[Srivalli (Semi-Hiatus) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.7 Stars

One Liner: An entertaining read

Rushmore McKenzie was once a police detective, but is now an unlicensed PI thanks to a windfall that made him a millionaire. His investigations are mostly favors to people he knows/likes. On a weekend getaway to Wisconsin, McKenzie and his five buddies (including his best friend and police detective Bobby Dunston) stop at a winery, only to witness a man arrive with an AR-15 aimed at a barrel. Mckenzie and Bobby take him down. Since the state allows people to carry firearms, it is hard to prove that the gunman intended harm. However, McKenzie feels that the guy was targeting a specific someone, and that person has to be warned before they could end up dead.

The story comes in McKenzie’s first-person POV.

My Thoughts

I jumped into the series with the previous book (#22) and rather liked how it blends cozy mystery with thriller and suspense elements. It has dark themes, but the MC is such a softie that the narration softens the edges.

While I still don’t think I’ll go back to read all the previous books, I do intend to check out the first three and continue with the new releases.

In this book, the MC and his family (extended family in his friend’s family) are in Wisconsin when an event triggers a request for his assistance. This book has less action and more dialogue. There are quite a few people to talk to, and each could have been the intended victim or related to the actual suspect.

Despite the repeated conversations, the book is far from boring. The MC’s POV is humorous, witty, insightful, and easy to read. He is not a hardened PI, though he has seen a lot of crime. He retains his softer side and a sense of compassion that makes it refreshing to read. Not a hero with a tragic backstory, drinking himself into oblivion. Whatever he suffered and saw didn’t dim his empathy and love for life. (That said, I still had to remind myself that he wasn’t as old as his voice makes him to be. He is 46 or so.)

There is enough detail for this to work as a standalone. I really enjoyed his interactions with his friend’s parents (they treat him like their son). The MC’s wife has a limited role in this one since the setting changed.

The mystery has many threads that unravel as the MC meets the potential victims. There are enough possibilities to keep us guessing for a long time. However, we also get clues to help us put things together and guess the who, what, and why in the last quarter before the reveal. I don’t want to reveal much, but let’s say that the relationships are a mess (almost felt like I was on the Reddit AITA page, lol).

There’s an epilogue to sum up the rest and tie up the loose ends about other characters. I like that it has more of a cozy vibe than a thriller vibe (as in, no weird twists).

To summarize, Fear the Reaper is a short and quick mystery, an interesting book that also acts as a reflection of the social scenario without being judgmental. Naturally, I will read the next book in the series.

Thank you, Ana Couto, NetGalley, and St. Martin's Press (Minotaur Books), for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

#NetGalley

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, David Housewright, St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Having discovered this series last summer and promptly bingeing my way through it, picking up this latest ARC from David Housewright was an easy decision. The Mac McKenzie novels have become a dependable treat, blending sharp mysteries with a protagonist whose easy charm and investigative instincts make every outing worthwhile. This newest instalment proves that even after so many adventures, Housewright still knows how to keep things fresh.

Retired from the St. Paul PD, Rushmore “Mac” McKenzie has settled comfortably into life as an amateur private investigator, taking only the cases that interest him. A getaway to rural Wisconsin with friends seems like the perfect chance to relax—until a stop at a local winery takes a startling turn. When a man appears carrying an AR-15 and seems poised to take aim, Mac and his friend Bobby Dunston intervene before disaster can strike. Yet with no shots fired and Wisconsin’s open-carry laws muddying the waters, the incident quickly becomes far more complicated than it first appears. Pulled in by the local sheriff to help determine the intended target, Mac soon finds himself peeling back the layers of a community filled with secrets, where every answer seems to raise new questions.

Housewright’s greatest strength remains his ability to keep the narrative moving at an effortless pace. The story unfolds with confidence, balancing brisk plotting with just enough reflection on Mac’s past adventures to reward longtime readers without alienating newcomers. That said, while this could be read as a standalone, the full richness of Mac’s world is best appreciated by starting at the beginning of the series.

Mac continues to shine as a protagonist—steady, sharp, and endlessly likeable. Returning characters add warmth and familiarity, while the newly introduced players provide intrigue and texture without ever overwhelming the central mystery. The ensemble feels natural and helps ground the story in a world that series readers have come to know well.

The plot itself is cleverly constructed, building steadily through a series of twists, misdirections, and revelations that culminate in a satisfying and well-earned climax. Housewright has a knack for crafting mysteries that are both accessible and layered, and this novel is no exception.

Another strong addition to the Mac McKenzie series, this is a thoroughly engaging mystery that once again reminds readers why Housewright remains such a reliable voice in crime fiction. I’m already looking forward to whatever adventure Mac stumbles into next.

Kudos, Mr. Housewright, for another entertaining piece.

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

[Lori L (She Treads Softly) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fear the Reaper by David Housewright is a very highly recommended investigative mystery. This is an excellent addition to the series but can easily be read as a stand alone novel. Rushmore McKenzie was once a police detective in St. Paul, Minnesota, but now does occasional investigations as an unlicensed PI after becoming an unexpected millionaire.

Rushmore along with his wife and good friend, Bobby Dunston, St. Paul head homicide detective, are visiting Patty and George at their retirement home on the Minong Flowage in Wisconsin. The group heads to Terrible Timmy’s Terrific Wine Club at Patty's insistence. While there a man stands and begins to point an AR-15 at the crowd. Bobby and Rushmore immediately take the suspected shooter down before he shoots and restrain him until law enforcement arrives.

Since the police department is small, the local sheriff asks McKenzie if he would be willing to help to further investigate who was the intended target. Complicating matters are Wisconsin's open carry laws, so, since no shots were fired, the charges against the gunman are minimal. McKenzie accepts the assignment and sets out to interview everyone who was at the wine bar again. Security footage helps point out anyone who was acting in a questionable manner, but once he starts questioning people, all manner of secrets and hidden activities come to light.

The writing is masterful in this fast-paced, well-plotted series. I was engrossed in the complicated plot from start to finish. All the clues uncovered are logically followed up along with all lines of inquiry. McKenzie may be questioning everyone who was present, which represents a lot of characters, but the logical investigation helps keep all the various characters separate as distinct individuals. There is so much going on in the group of suspects that it seems that if he want to, McKenzie could probably uncover several more crimes along the way. Everyone seems to have secrets they are keeping and want to keep hidden, which creates a complicated, intricate tangle of clues and potential motives.

McKenzie is a wonderful character who can be very personable, funny, and relatable, but he can also read the room and body language at the same time. He is a fully realized character, with strengths and weaknesses. Reading previous novel in the series will provide a richer experience because you will know his background and former cases, but this can still be appreciated as a standalone because enough background on his character is provided.

Fear the Reaper is an excellent choice for everyone who enjoys intricate investigative mysteries along with those already following the series. Thanks to St. Martin's Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2026/0...

[Erin Clemence · Rating 4 out of 5]

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

Expected publication date: June 23, 2026

After coming into a fortune, police detective Rushmore McKenzie retired from the force, occasionally doing investigative favours for friends and former colleagues. While on a weekend getaway with his wife, Nina, a man with an assault rifle walks into a winery but, before the shooting begins, McKenzie and his childhood friend, Bobby, manage to stop him. Although the danger was averted for now, McKenzie is called in to help investigate to find out who the target was, and why, before it’s too late.

“Fear the Reaper” is the twenty-third book in the Rushmore McKenzie series of novels by author David Housewright. Personally, Housewright wasn’t on my radar until book twenty-one, “Man in the Water”, but I’ve read, and enjoyed, every one since.

The series is your typical police procedural, with a retired or former police detective who is looking for a quieter life and ends up embroiled in a small town’s murder mystery, and there are quite a few similar novels in this genre. What stands out for Housewright’s series is the main character, as it is pretty difficult to forget someone named Rushmore McKenzie.

This story in particular had a lot of moving parts and characters. To help me, I actually created a seating chart, as one would at a wedding, to keep track of what characters were where and all of their relations and associates that may have been connected in some way to the shooter. Once I was able to keep track of the who’s-who, the story was easy to follow.

“Reaper” is well-written and flows well, and it isn’t necessary to read any of Housewright’s previous novels in order to keep up with McKenzie’s adventures.

McKenzie is a strong protagonist who is easy to cheer for and relate to, and his humility and charm make him very likable. His relationship with his wife, Nina, is adorable, enviable, even, and I am so glad that she was able to make a few appearances in this newest iteration.

Taut, suspenseful and gritty, “Reaper” is an edge-of-your-seat mystery with a standout protagonist and I am looking forward to seeing McKenzie again in book twenty-four.

[carol. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Housewright surprised me. Not because the mystery was good and the writing entertaining–I’ve read enough of his books to expect a good tale–but because he built an experience of Wisconsin that was both believable and yet unfamiliar. I was born and raised in Wisconsin and consider it full of contradictions, with an unhealthy addiction for brandy old-fashioneds and cheese. The state has a long history of being a vacationland for people from Illinois, but I never thought about Minnesota also needing a vacationland. I suppose those suffering from temperance and midwestern-nice somewhere to drink and be unreasonable.

In Mac McKenzie’s latest adventure, he’s left St. Paul to visit close family friends Patty and George at their retirement home on the Minong Flowage. While visiting a local winery tasting room, a man carrying an AR-15 walks in and lifts his gun. Mac’s best friend Bobby—head of the Homicide and Robbery Unit back in St. Paul—immediately recognizes the danger and the two manage to take him down. Unfortunately for everyone involved, Wisconsin is an open-carry state (of course), which complicates matters considerably. But the shooter turns out to be only the beginning of the mystery, because as we all know, everyone has something to hide.

“The deputy stood. I held the AR-15 for him to take. ‘You might want to secure this,’ I told him. He took the rifle, holding it like it was an umbrella.
‘Geez,’ he said.”

The county deputies are clearly out of their league. Though Mac is a long ways from his days as a police detective in the Twin Cities, he’s lost none of his instincts and is soon officially aiding the investigation. In true northern Wisconsin fashion, this will involve long drives to get from unincorporated small town to equally small town–strangely, he does not mention any dead deer on these drives. As such, the story behaves more like a police procedural than the standard PI mystery of irritate someone–get into a fight–irritate someone–get in another fight. (Well, there’s a little of that too, but mostly officially).

“She tossed the shotgun at me. I caught it with both hands and racked a shell into the chamber. Just like they do in the movies.”

I enjoyed it a great deal, and if I didn’t quite believe the ending, it’s because it exceeded my personal threshold for Midwestern values. Perhaps the New York transplants are to blame.



Many thanks to St. Martin’s Publishing Group and NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. Of course, all opinions are my own. Quotes subject to change in final editions.

[Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are secrets and then there are deep secrets, some of which the general population would rather not know about. This small Wisconsin town is much more complicated than it appears on the surface. You can't trust the face value of any these individuals, without digging a little deeper.

Rushmore "Mac" McKenzie and his friends are ready to enjoy a little evening of musical entertainment and some local wine. Instead of a relaxing evening, Mac and his friend end up taking a gunman down who has entered the wine bar with a rifle. Though they are heroes, the case is much more complex due to state laws, and prosecutor who is up for re-election. As such, the gunman is released.

Mac is a retired law enforcement officer from the St. Paul Police Department who is enjoying his shot at amateur sleuthing. After a go ahead from the local sheriff to dig a little deeper, he is bound and determined to find out why this young man came in with a rifle and did not immediately start shooting.

This author has a great talent for multi-layered mysteries. There are many layers and many would be suspects (victims), but the biggest question is why did someone send the gunman inside this wine bar to kill an individual? When he starts investigating, he finds a little more than he bargained for.

This is only my second book by this author in this series, and I really need to go back to the beginning because I really like Mac. He talks to himself a lot, or maybe I should say he silently has thoughts to himself. That, in and of itself, is enough to make me like him, as he tries to decide how to approach someone or a subject matter by his own internal debate system. He is likable, determined and basically like a dog with a bone once he sinks his teeth into what he is investigating. He will find answers, one way or another. But on the other side, he is not stone cold. He has empathy for the people he is talking to, which is just another part of what he makes him so darn likable.

If you enjoy a solid mystery with many layers and a little police procedural along the way, I would highly recommend this book. It was a pleasure to read, even though there are deaths along the way, simply because Mac and all of the side characters add light to the story.

Thank you to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Tessa Talks Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fear the Reaper is book #23 in the Rushmore McKenzie series, but it was my first time meeting McKenzie. Thankfully, I didn’t feel like I’d walked into a party where everyone already knew the inside jokes. I could follow the story just fine, even without reading books 1–22. That’s always a relief when jumping into a long-running series. My TBR does not need another 22-book homework assignment whispering at me from the corner.

What I enjoyed most was how this book blends cozy mystery, thriller, and suspense. The setup is tense from the start: McKenzie and his friend Bobby stop a man carrying an AR-15 at a winery. No one knows his intent. From there, the mystery focuses less on what happened and more on what almost happened. Who was the possible target? Has the danger truly passed?

There are darker themes, especially because the story reflects real social fears. I appreciated that it never felt preachy or heavy-handed. It approaches the situation with curiosity and concern rather than judgment, which kept the story timely yet never overwhelming.

McKenzie was the real highlight. His POV is witty, insightful, and easy to read. He has seen crime and ugliness, but never becomes the brooding, emotionally wrecked PI drowning in bad decisions and worse whiskey. Instead, he retains empathy and humor. He genuinely seems to enjoy life, which I found incredibly refreshing.

Honestly, he’s kind of a softie—not in a weak way, but in the best way. His compassion softens the story’s sharper edges and brings a warmth I didn’t expect. I loved that, no matter what he has endured, he has not lost his ability to care.

This is a short, quick mystery with enough substance to make you think. It moves well, keeps steady suspense, and features a main character who is seasoned but not hardened. I may have started at book #23, but McKenzie made such a good first impression that I’d happily spend more time with him.

[Emerald Maple · Rating 5 out of 5]

It can be rough coming into a series at book 23 but David Housewright does a great job of filling in McKenzie's back story where needed and his relationship with any recurring characters. This is very readable as a standalone novel.

You would think that after so many shootings, a man pointing a semi automatic at a patio full of guests enjoying an afternoon at a winery would result in major charges. But it is an election year in an open carry state and they can't prove who the gunman intended to shoot since Bobby and McKenzie stopped him before he got a shot off.

The local sheriff however, isn't happy to stop at a minor ticket for the gun and talks McKenzie into putting his expertise to work and find out who could have been the target. You would think that in a sleepy town, few people would be a target. But they all have secrets and history.

Fear The Reaper follows McKenzie as he eliminates the suspects, finding out who knew they would be at the winery and why someone could want them dead. There are some early clues to who is behind the plot to kill a guest but the investigation starts balls rolling that can't stop as secrets come out for others who feared he was there for them.

It is well paced with plenty of suspects/potential victims and McKenzie is enjoyable as a lead character. I did suspect the victim but not the reasoning behind it. The debate over open carry laws does come up several times but not in a preachy/comprehensive way, more just explaining the DA's choice of charges and the other guests reactions to that.

Note: don't read this one while hungry, McKenzie's semi-adoptive mother is constantly making cakes and snacks hoping to get information from him and it left me wanting sweet stuff.

Thanks to Minotaur Books for the advance copy for review through Netgalley

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was, a fantastic read. The twenty-two that came before were too.

In this novel, McKenzie is with Bobby, his childhood friend and they are staying at Bobby's parents house in northwestern Wisconsin. They go out to have a glass at Terrible Timmy's Terrrific wine bar. They are enjoying conversation and some soft music when a man pops up on the veranda with an A-15 rifle and raises it as if to shoot someone or, all of them? Bobby yells out and he and McKenzie take the guy down. The man is arrested and yet released the next day because Wisconsin is an open carry state and no proof he was going to shoot anyone. Yikes!

Bobby has to get back to the cities and McKenzie stays to "consult" with the police in finding out who this man was there to shoot and who knew the people would be at Terrible Timmy's. . Thus the fun begins as McKenzie begins to detect. What a great cast of possible murderers and yes, some them do seem to have a motive and some are out and out liars. McKenzie, in his usual charming fashion gets to work "consulting."

I have enjoyed every McKenzie novel because they always have intriguing storylines, they always have some laughs and they are mostly set in the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St., Paul. Always familiar places. This story turns out to be set in an area that my in-laws retired to (for ten years) on Lily Lake in Webb Lake. We spent many weekends there. Both the place and the lake were mentioned in this book as well as Danbury, Hinckley, Spooner, Siren etc. It was a much enjoyed surprise for me.

This series of books are so good that I may need to go back to #1 and start reading them again.

I would like to thank Minotaur and NetGalley for this ARC. I am most grateful.

[Julia Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

Fear the Reaper follows Rushmore McKenzie, an unlicensed private investigator and former St. Paul police detective, who finds himself pulled into another investigation after helping stop an armed man at a small-town winery. With questions surrounding whether there was a specific target and if the danger is truly over, McKenzie sets out to uncover the truth before it's too late.

This was my second book by David Housewright and I continue to really enjoy his writing style, especially with McKenzie as a main character. I think he honestly carries a lot of the story for me. I really enjoy his personality and the humor throughout the book, and that was a big reason why I found this so hard to put down. I especially flew through the second half and was always wanting to pick it back up.

That said, I did struggle with the amount of characters introduced throughout the story. I found myself having to reread sections to remember who people were and how everyone connected, which pulled me out of the flow of the mystery at times. There were also some repetitive moments where parts of conversations felt very similar and could have been summarized rather than repeated multiple times. I also had a handful of smaller moments throughout where certain choices or details just felt a little off to me.

Overall though, despite my frustrations, I still had a really enjoyable reading experience. I didn't see the ending coming, and while this wasn't a perfect mystery for me, McKenzie and the humor kept me invested enough that I was always excited to keep reading. I'll definitely read a other McKenzie novel.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Toni Osborne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Mac McKenzie Mystery book # 23

If you are a classic P.I. fan you will enjoy this one. I assure you even if it’s you first experience reading works by this author you will fit right in and not be lost, I know I did, I stepped right in and I enjoyed every moment, although reading this installment piqued my interest for the previous ones….

While visiting his friend in Minong Flowage Mac and his friend dropped in at local winery tasting room for some chat and wine when a man barged in carrying an AR-15. Bobby an officer in the Homicide Unit immediately recognizes the danger and the two sprung into action to take him down. Unfortunately, Wisconsin is an open-carry state…. Their actions started a whole new ball game…Afterall what appears to be a mass murder attempt may be something else……you have to read this book and see what develops…..enjoy.

I enjoyed this story a great deal. It is a fast paced and quick read filled with suspense. I like Mac, he is bad-ass so determined no matter what the cost to himself to do the right thing and along the way he entertains us. There are a lot of people populating this story it may be a bit confusing at times to place them, don’t worry you will do so.

This is a very engaging story giving us a few twists and turns some I could guess others not so much but what I liked the most is how Mac untangled the mystery and how the story is intercepted with Mac’s” inner voice” …pretty entertaining. Boy the man loves to express his thoughts out loud…fun book. I could go on but I will spare you.

My thanks to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur for this ARC

[Sharon Grow · Rating 5 out of 5]

Former, now retired St. Paul, Minnesota Police Officer Rushmore McKenzie is drawn once again into a case by his friend, Commander Bobby Dunstan. He doesn’t need to work as he has more money than he will ever need, thanks to a trip he took while on a vacation. If you are unaware of how he came into this windfall, you should read his first book, A Hard Ticket Home (one of my all-time favorites). He, along with his wife Nina, Bobby and his wife Shelby are attending a wine party at Terrible Timothy’s Terrific Wine Event when an armed man arrives. Fearing that they are facing a mass shooting, they take him down and hold him for the police. They learn that the man will be released on bail, as Wisconsin is an open carry state and he had only pointed the gun, not shot anyone. In his interview with the local sheriff, Rushmore is drawn in, reluctantly, to assist the case by questioning those who were at the event. Information has led the authorities to believe that the man was not planning a mass shooting, but may have agreed to a contract killing. If so, who at the event was his target? Knowing that if he was fulfilling a contract, the person is not safe as another killer might be hired. As Rushmore proceeds with contacting the various attendees, he is drawn into the lives of a local bar tender, several couples, including a brother and sister, a man and his wife, and the gunman’s sister. Will Rushmore be able to solve the case before more lives are lost? I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fear the Reaper
By David Housewright

This is the latest in a series dating back to 2004 starring Rushmore "Mac" Mackenzie. Having not read earlier books in the series, I can only say that Mac id s retired cop from the St. Paul Police Department – although he is only in his early forties. For the backstory, you might want to consider going back to the beginning and reading the previous 22 volumes (which I am tempted to do!).

This story begins with Mac and his wife Nina sitting on the veranda of Terrible Timmy's Terrific Wine Club with his best friend from childhood, Bobby Dunsten and his wife Shelby and Bobby's parents, Patty and Gene Dunsten. Mac considers all of these people family. They are enjoying a leisurely Friday afternoon when a man appears carrying a semi-automatic rifle threatening the patrons. Mac and Bobby manage to take him down and wrestle the rife away, preventing what they suspect would have been a mass shooting.

But things are not always what they seem. It turns out that this was not a mass shooting but an assassination attempt. The problem being that there had been some 23 people on the veranda, and figuring out who the intended target was becomes Mac's job. This turns out to be a complicated situation – and for the reader, the twists and turns will keep you guessing!

I really enjoyed this book, even when I didn't have all the background from the whole series. If you are familiar with the series, I expect you will love this one.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC.

[Alyce Gibson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Number 23 in the Rushmore McKenzie (Mac) series opens with Mac enjoying a glass of wine with his wife and close friends in a little winery in rural Wisconsin. They're all staying at a nearby cabin in cottage country. Before they can enjoy themselves too much, in walks a man carrying an assault rifle. Both Mac and his friend Bobby are police trained. They instantly take down the armed man preventing a blood bath? A murder? No one is exactly sure what the perpetrator's plan was. He's refusing to talk and thanks to Wisconsin's open carry law, and the fact he hadn't clearly pointed the weapon at anyone, he is let off on bail. The local sheriff is unable to investigate further thanks to political tensions but she's aware of Mac's penchant for investigating, and asks if he would mind sifting through things to figure out the motive and target. As happens with Mac's investigations, things become complicated real quick.

This book can be read as a standalone. Housewright is very good at providing the necessary information for the recurring characters so you are not left fumbling around trying to determine who they are and what role they play in Mac's life. That being said, it's a wonderfully entertaining and well written series. I highly recommend readers explore the other books. They are well worth it. I give this book a 4 out of 5 stars.

Thank you to the author, David Housewright, the publishers Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for this unbiased review.

[Auđur · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion. This was my first time reading a book by David Housewright, and I didn’t realize it was the 23rd in the series until halfway through! Luckily, Housewright does a great job inviting you in, even if you’re late to the party. 😊

The book starts with McKenzie enjoying a day at a winery with his wife, family, and friends when a man bursts in with an AR-15. McKenzie and a friend act quickly, but it leaves you wondering, was the attacker after mass murder or a specific target? And then we’re off to the races.

You meet plenty of characters, but Housewright ensures they’re distinct. My favorites were Gene and Patty, my kind of people! Every time they appeared, they made me smile 🥰 This is a solid, slow-paced, character-driven procedural thriller. I can see why fans have followed McKenzie for 23 books, he’s a great character. 😊

Now, one small critique 🫣 when McKenzie interviews people from that night, he repeats the same explanation to each person. I found myself wishing his editor had nudged for more varied phrasing. At times, it felt like we were having the same conversation because McKenzie was using the same wording. Still, it’s a brief moment and doesn’t take away from how good the book is overall. I recommend giving this one a try, I think fans of the series will be very pleased 😊
3,7*

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you St. Martin’s Press for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley! All opinions are my own.

As soon as I saw the author was a fellow Minnesotan, I knew I had to read this book! The excitement was well worth it; the story is a gripping whodunit with a complex cast of characters to unpeel.

The book perfectly balances a fast pace with a slow unfolding that kept me hooked. If it weren't for needing a night's sleep, I would have finished it in a single sitting! While the large cast could have been difficult to track, the author did a great job of recapping and pulling the reader along without interrupting the flow.

A beautiful web of backstories and connection crafts a unique set of characters, unlike I’ve read in some time. Realistic banter makes them immediately relatable, and the creative reveals - whether it be a newspaper clipping, local gossip, or an overheard conversation - keep the thriller format feeling fresh.

Even though the story takes place primarily ‘next door’ in Wisconsin, the author captures our sister state perfectly, from the dialect and rural life to the notable landmarks and the importance of the indigenous community.

Previously unfamiliar with this author, I am now itching for more from this series! The main character is funny, genuine, and exactly the type of person I would want to hang out with IRL.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once a police detective in St. Paul, Minnesota, Rushmore McKenzie, after becoming an unexpected millionaire, now is an unlicensed private investigator, doing an occasional investigative favor. Off on a weekend getaway to northwestern Wisconsin, McKenzie, with a group of five, including his childhood friend and current police detective Bobby Dunston, stop off at a local winery. When a man walks up carrying an AR-15, which he raises, props the butt against his shoulder, and sights down the barrel. Before he can do anything, Bobby Dunston yells 'gun' and he and McKenzie take the man down. The would-be shooter was arrested, and normally, that would be the end of it. But Wisconsin is an open carry state and the police can't prove that the gunman was intended to do anything. But it does appear that he might have been looking for one specific target. And, if so, that person is still in danger. Now, before the gunman is released, McKenzie decides to find out who was the real target and why, before it is too late. Will he find out?

This is one of the most complex mystery novel that I have ever read. It is a gritty and well written mystery. This is an excellent mystery.

Disclaimer: I received an arc of this book from the author/publisher from Netgalley. I wasn’t obligated to write a favorable review. The opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[Molly C · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3.75 stars* Jumping into the middle of a long series was definitely a choice. But this book was worth it. I was able to catch on pretty quickly because the author did a great job filling in their backstories through conversations instead of dumping all the information at once.

The story was cleverly put together with lots of twists and turns that kept adding to the mystery. It was like a spider web—there was a lot going on, a lot of different locations, and a lot of characters to remember. There were a few times I had to stop and think about who someone was, but everything started coming together as the story went on. And just when you think you knew who the victim and suspect where, something would happen and you’d start second guessing your original idea.

The relationships between the characters were the best part - they were messy, to say the least! Everyone seemed to have secrets, complicated pasts, or connections that made you question what was really going on.

Even though I started in the middle of the series, I never felt completely lost. I will be going back and reading some of the previous stories to learn more about the MC!

I did receive an arc of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. Thank you!

[Alicia Garcia-Webster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Get ready for a classic mystery with a gaggle of motley characters, all (seemingly) with alibis, so whodunnit? What is fun about Fear the Reaper is that the lead investigator on the case, Rushmore McKenzie, is such an affable guy, that the suspects can't help but trust him and confide in him. He is so calm and disarming that I think that they forget they are being interrogated for crimes that have been committed, and that he is using his charm in order to ferret out any secrets that they are attempting to hide. It was also refreshing to me to read a book that was not out to scandalize me, but merely to entertain me. Let that be a lesson to authors who think that they have to rip the scab off every single wound that they come across. Respectful and non-offensive does not have to mean boring if you are a good writer, as David Housewright clearly is. At any rate, Fear the Reaper is a fun time, and even though I had ideas as to the "who" as I went along, I never did figure out the "why" until it was explained at the very end. So the mystery was, in fact, a mystery.**I received this ARC in a Goodreads giveaway for free, but all opinions are my own.

[Karen Parisot · Rating 5 out of 5]

McKenzie, his wife Nina, and two other couples are visiting a local Wisconsin winery known as Terrible Timmy’s Terrific Wine Club when a lone man armed with an automatic weapon shows up. He and his best friend tackle the would be killer and the next thing you know local Sheriff Caine has enlisted the former cop turned private eye to figure out who the target was. We get to know some of the Wisconsin geography as he drives his beloved mustang up and down the roads between one small town and the next. He’s got quite a list of possible targets and quite a lot of interviewing to do, but our hero is more than up to the task. I loved his interactions with Patty Dunston the woman who practically raised him. She is a force to be reckoned with and has a heart of gold. I’m practically drooling just thinking of all the wonderful desserts she made. McKenzie is an amazing character. I loved McKenzie’s inner voice and his self deprecating sense of humor. I also liked the way he and the Sheriff eliminated the suspects one by one. An all around excellent mystery. 4.5 stars

[Suzette · Rating 5 out of 5]

David Housewright delivers another outstanding entry in his long-running series with Fear the Reaper. This novel is a testament to why his books have such a loyal following. The characters are exceptionally well-crafted, feeling both familiar and fresh for returning readers. They have depth, wit, and authenticity that make every interaction engaging.

The plot is tight and wonderfully paced, keeping you turning the pages long into the night. Housewright masterfully balances suspense with clever twists, ensuring the story remains unpredictable yet satisfying. The dialogue is sharp and natural, revealing layers of personality and tension without ever feeling forced.

Fans of the series will be thrilled with how Fear the Reaper continues the tradition of high-quality storytelling, and new readers will find themselves instantly captivated. If you enjoy crime fiction with rich characters, smart writing, and a plot that refuses to let go, this is a must-read.

Five stars, without hesitation!

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC through "NetGalley" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

The story begins with McKenzie and friends visiting a wine operation. While there, an individual named Tucker entered the patio and was carrying an AR-15 for when McKenzie and his friend Bobby tackle Tucker to prevent his killing any one. Tucker was arrested and later the D.A. filed a misdemeanor charge since Wisconsin was an open carry state so he was released. McKenzie then decided that he would start interviewing all of the parties to try and determine who the target was. Once he was able to discover it, then he would have a better idea who was responsible.

Follow McKenzie as he meets with all of the people who were in the winery when the event happened. Learn the different stories he was told and find out why Tucker was killed and how McKenzie was arrested for it. Learn what finally was the last piece of the puzzle when everything fell in place.

The ending is well done and sums it up nicely. This is definite worth reading, don't miss out!

[Cathie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you for NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an eARC of this book. This was a wicked quick read!
Rushmore McKenzie is a retired police officer who is on a weekend getaway in Wisconsin. He is part of a group of five, including his friend, Bobby, who is a current police detective, that stops off at a local winery. While there, they intercept a man wielding an AR-15 before any shots can be fired. McKenzie ends up being hired by the local Sheriff’s office to assist with the investigation into why the gunman was at the winery. When the gunman winds up dead, McKenzie is then thrust into an investigation as to why he was killed.
Even though this is the 23rd book in this series and I haven’t read the other books in the series, I didn’t feel like I was missing much. There were a LOT of characters in this story which was a bit confusing, at times. However, I thought it was well done and I couldn’t put it down and read it in 4 days!