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McKenna's Guy
From Edgar, Barry, and Shamus Award finalist Mike Lawson comes McKenna’s Guy, a fast-paced thriller full of secrets, lies, and betrayal.
When an intruder with murderous intent breaks into Roger Smith’s modest home one night, the big brute gets more than he bargained for, ending up a bloody corpse staining Roger’s carpet.
Washington, DC, Detective Grace Lillinthal is summoned to the crime scene and marvels at the outcome. Why would anyone want to kill gray-haired Roger Smith? He’s the picture of respectability—a widower devoted to his family, an amateur painter, and a civil servant who works at the Government Printing Office. When asked why he’d be a target, a clearly shaken Roger claims to be baffled.
But instinct tells Grace there’s more to Roger’s story, and when she learns that Roger—after killing his home invader and before calling the police—phoned John McKenna, she knows she’s onto something. John McKenna is a disreputable character of the first order. He’s the gregarious, larger-than-life owner of a local bar that’s a notorious den of thieves.
After one hired assassin fails, another’s bound to show up. The clock is ticking for Roger and McKenna to find out who wants Roger dead and why—and suspects abound. Stubborn Grace is as determined to dig up Roger’s secrets as he is to keep them hidden, and soon the investigation becomes a relentless game of cat and mouse. Even if Roger doesn’t consider himself a criminal, as chaos takes hold of his world, survival requires that he think like one.
When an intruder with murderous intent breaks into Roger Smith’s modest home one night, the big brute gets more than he bargained for, ending up a bloody corpse staining Roger’s carpet.
Washington, DC, Detective Grace Lillinthal is summoned to the crime scene and marvels at the outcome. Why would anyone want to kill gray-haired Roger Smith? He’s the picture of respectability—a widower devoted to his family, an amateur painter, and a civil servant who works at the Government Printing Office. When asked why he’d be a target, a clearly shaken Roger claims to be baffled.
But instinct tells Grace there’s more to Roger’s story, and when she learns that Roger—after killing his home invader and before calling the police—phoned John McKenna, she knows she’s onto something. John McKenna is a disreputable character of the first order. He’s the gregarious, larger-than-life owner of a local bar that’s a notorious den of thieves.
After one hired assassin fails, another’s bound to show up. The clock is ticking for Roger and McKenna to find out who wants Roger dead and why—and suspects abound. Stubborn Grace is as determined to dig up Roger’s secrets as he is to keep them hidden, and soon the investigation becomes a relentless game of cat and mouse. Even if Roger doesn’t consider himself a criminal, as chaos takes hold of his world, survival requires that he think like one.
272 pages, Hardcover
Published July 7, 2026
About the author
Mike Lawson
30 books466 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.
Pen name: M.A Lawson
Michael Lawson was raised in Pueblo, Colorado and attended college at Seattle University, receiving a degree in engineering. On leaving college he went to work for the US Navy as a nuclear engineer, spending approximately thirty years working for the Navy's nuclear power program. Some of this time was spent in Washington D.C. but most was spent at a large naval shipyard in Bremerton, Washington.
At the shipyard he managed a number of different organizations related to overhauling nuclear powered submarines, cruisers, and aircraft carriers, ending up as a member of the government’s Senior Executive Service
To date he has published 12 books starring Joe DeMarco, a fixer for a corrupt politician and three books in his Kay Hamilton series under the name of M. A. Lawson: He has won the Friend of Mystery Award twice and is a five time nominee for the Barry Award.
He lives in the Pacific Northwest.
Pen name: M.A Lawson
Michael Lawson was raised in Pueblo, Colorado and attended college at Seattle University, receiving a degree in engineering. On leaving college he went to work for the US Navy as a nuclear engineer, spending approximately thirty years working for the Navy's nuclear power program. Some of this time was spent in Washington D.C. but most was spent at a large naval shipyard in Bremerton, Washington.
At the shipyard he managed a number of different organizations related to overhauling nuclear powered submarines, cruisers, and aircraft carriers, ending up as a member of the government’s Senior Executive Service
To date he has published 12 books starring Joe DeMarco, a fixer for a corrupt politician and three books in his Kay Hamilton series under the name of M. A. Lawson: He has won the Friend of Mystery Award twice and is a five time nominee for the Barry Award.
He lives in the Pacific Northwest.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
October 1, 2026
3.5 stars
Washington, DC resident Roger Smith is 65-years-old and looking forward to next year, when he'll retire from his job at the Government Printing Office (GPO) and get his pension. A long-time widower, Roger anticipates having time to spend with his daughter and her family, and pursue his painting hobby.
Roger's quiet life is upended when he hears someone enter his home in the middle of the night. Roger slips out of bed, gets a baseball bat, and hides behind his bedroom door. When the intruder slips in and shoots the bed multiple times, Roger slugs him with the bat and inadvertently kills him.
Before calling the police Roger contacts his neighbor, ex-convict/bar owner John McKenna, and asks him to line up a criminal defense lawyer.
Homicide detectives Grace Lillinthal and Bryan Maxwell arrive at Roger's house, and Grace - knowing Roger is claiming self-defense - is taken aback to see defense attorney Philip Hogan. After Lillinthal hears Hogan was sent by John McKenna, she gets suspicious and sets out to discover what's really going on.
Lillinthal knows McKenna's bar is a hangout for lowlifes and thieves, and McKenna has a reputation for facilitating criminal activity.
From Roger's perspective, there's plenty he doesn't want Detective Lillinthal to discover.
Twenty years ago, Roger lost his beloved wife Marie to cancer. After the long expensive battle, Roger owed almost $45,000 on credit cards; was behind on his mortgage, gas, water and garbage bills; and couldn't afford his daughter Lily's tuition for journalism school.
In the difficult circumstances, Roger thought about his neighbor John McKenna, a bar owner who could 'fix you up' if you needed a fence, or a money launderer, or someone who could disable alarms, or someone who'd sell you a gun, etc.
Roger's job at the GPO gave him access to passport blanks, and McKenna once asked Roger if he'd make a fake passport for his nephew, who was in the sights of the police and a Mexican cartel. Roger refused at first, but financial troubles made him change his mind.
Since then Roger and McKenna have been in the fake passport business, and Roger has been making one fake passport per year, for a fee of $50,000 each time. Now it looks like a fake passport recipient fears exposure, and sent a hitman to kill Roger.
And that's what Roger's hiding from Detective Grace Lilinthal.
After the hitman tries to kill Roger, Roger consults with his 'passport partner' McKenna, who's the target of an assassin as well. Roger and McKenna agree to figure out who's after them and do something about it.
This is the beginning of an intricate cat and mouse game that involves assassins; the police; the CIA; the FBI; Montreal; Canadian Mounties; China; criminal gangs; and murder.
While Roger and McKenna are dealing with assassins, Detective Lillinthal is doing her best to arrest them for SOMETHING - though she's not sure what.
This is a entertaining story featuring the lighter side of crime. Read it for the shivers and laughs.
Thanks to Netgalley, Mike Lawson, and Blackstone Publishiong for an ARC of the book.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Mike Lawson, and Blackstone Publishing for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Mike Lawson has long proven himself a formidable voice in the crime thriller genre. Whether through his acclaimed Joe DeMarco series or his standalone works, Lawson consistently delivers compelling mysteries wrapped in sharp storytelling and relentless suspense. With this latest novel, he ventures into darker and more intricate territory, crafting a story that is equal parts investigation, psychological puzzle, and slow-burning cat-and-mouse game. The result is a clever, addictive thriller where every answer only uncovers a deeper mystery.
When Roger Smith survives a violent attack in his own home, killing the intruder in apparent self-defense, it should be an open-and-shut case. Yet Washington, DC Detective Grace Lillinthal quickly senses that something does not add up. Smith appears to be an ordinary widower and civil servant with no obvious enemies, but his decision to contact a notorious lawyer before calling the police raises immediate questions. As Lillinthal digs deeper into Smith’s past, she becomes convinced that he is hiding something significant. Meanwhile, Smith himself is desperate to uncover who wants him dead before another attempt is made on his life. What follows is an engrossing battle of wits as investigator and suspect circle one another while an increasingly dangerous truth threatens to emerge.
Lawson strikes an impressive balance between investigative determination and pure mystery. The novel thrives on its ability to keep readers guessing while steadily advancing the plot through sharp detective work and carefully planted clues. Every lead opens a new avenue of intrigue, and every revelation raises fresh questions. The pacing is excellent throughout, moving seamlessly from an intriguing opening to a powerful and satisfying conclusion where nothing is quite as it first appears.
Roger Smith and Grace Lillinthal make for exceptional central characters. Smith is a fascinating protagonist whose vulnerability and intelligence keep readers invested even as suspicions mount around him. Lillinthal, meanwhile, is tenacious, insightful, and refreshingly persistent, refusing to accept easy answers. Their parallel pursuits of the truth create a compelling dynamic that drives much of the novel’s tension. Around them, Lawson assembles a strong supporting cast that enriches the story and adds further layers to an already complex narrative.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its unpredictability. Lawson carefully controls the flow of information, revealing secrets at precisely the right moments and never allowing the story to become comfortable or predictable. Just when the reader thinks they understand the larger picture, another twist emerges to complicate matters. The tension steadily escalates, the stakes continue to rise, and the mystery deepens with every chapter.
As with so many of Lawson’s previous works, this is a novel that becomes nearly impossible to put down once it gains momentum. Intelligent, suspenseful, and expertly constructed, it showcases a veteran storyteller operating at the top of his game. Fans of crime fiction, investigative thrillers, and character-driven mysteries will find much to enjoy in this gripping and highly entertaining read.
Kudos, Mr. Lawson, for another stellar read.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at: http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Mike Lawson has long proven himself a formidable voice in the crime thriller genre. Whether through his acclaimed Joe DeMarco series or his standalone works, Lawson consistently delivers compelling mysteries wrapped in sharp storytelling and relentless suspense. With this latest novel, he ventures into darker and more intricate territory, crafting a story that is equal parts investigation, psychological puzzle, and slow-burning cat-and-mouse game. The result is a clever, addictive thriller where every answer only uncovers a deeper mystery.
When Roger Smith survives a violent attack in his own home, killing the intruder in apparent self-defense, it should be an open-and-shut case. Yet Washington, DC Detective Grace Lillinthal quickly senses that something does not add up. Smith appears to be an ordinary widower and civil servant with no obvious enemies, but his decision to contact a notorious lawyer before calling the police raises immediate questions. As Lillinthal digs deeper into Smith’s past, she becomes convinced that he is hiding something significant. Meanwhile, Smith himself is desperate to uncover who wants him dead before another attempt is made on his life. What follows is an engrossing battle of wits as investigator and suspect circle one another while an increasingly dangerous truth threatens to emerge.
Lawson strikes an impressive balance between investigative determination and pure mystery. The novel thrives on its ability to keep readers guessing while steadily advancing the plot through sharp detective work and carefully planted clues. Every lead opens a new avenue of intrigue, and every revelation raises fresh questions. The pacing is excellent throughout, moving seamlessly from an intriguing opening to a powerful and satisfying conclusion where nothing is quite as it first appears.
Roger Smith and Grace Lillinthal make for exceptional central characters. Smith is a fascinating protagonist whose vulnerability and intelligence keep readers invested even as suspicions mount around him. Lillinthal, meanwhile, is tenacious, insightful, and refreshingly persistent, refusing to accept easy answers. Their parallel pursuits of the truth create a compelling dynamic that drives much of the novel’s tension. Around them, Lawson assembles a strong supporting cast that enriches the story and adds further layers to an already complex narrative.
One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its unpredictability. Lawson carefully controls the flow of information, revealing secrets at precisely the right moments and never allowing the story to become comfortable or predictable. Just when the reader thinks they understand the larger picture, another twist emerges to complicate matters. The tension steadily escalates, the stakes continue to rise, and the mystery deepens with every chapter.
As with so many of Lawson’s previous works, this is a novel that becomes nearly impossible to put down once it gains momentum. Intelligent, suspenseful, and expertly constructed, it showcases a veteran storyteller operating at the top of his game. Fans of crime fiction, investigative thrillers, and character-driven mysteries will find much to enjoy in this gripping and highly entertaining read.
Kudos, Mr. Lawson, for another stellar read.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at: http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
July 8, 2026
Roger Smith works at the Government Printing Office, paints watercolors on weekends, is devoted to his family, and has been quietly forging passports on the side for twenty years because apparently that's just who Roger is and he made his peace with it a long time ago. Not glamorous crime. Not a cartel. Just a very tidy little federal document fraud situation he's been maintaining with the calm energy of a man who has genuinely decided this doesn't count as long as he keeps it tasteful. He was planning to wind it down anyway. Retire. Go full watercolors. And then someone sent a hitman to his house and the hitman ended up dead on Roger's carpet instead, which was not the retirement plan but here we are.
What I was completely unprepared for was how fast I decided Roger deserved to be fine. He's technically a criminal who has been committing federal crimes for the entire adult portion of his life and the book never pretends otherwise, but there's something about the watercolors and the family devotion and the sheer tidiness of the whole operation that makes you look the other way about it, and the fact that Roger killed the hitman himself and then called John McKenna before he called the police tells you everything you need to know about who Roger actually is underneath the civil servant performance he's been doing for two decades. That man has layers. Concerning, federally actionable layers.
McKenna is the kind of person who owns a bar that the entire city apparently understands is operating as a front for various unspecified chaos, and he carries himself with the energy of someone who has never once been caught off guard and would very much like you to know that. Not warm exactly, but magnetic in that specific way where you don't fully trust him and genuinely cannot stop watching him, and the dynamic between him and Roger works precisely because it shouldn't. A gray-haired watercolor enthusiast and a bar owner with a citywide reputation for mayhem, figuring out how to function together while someone keeps sending assassins after Roger, is genuinely most of the fun here.
And then Detective Grace Lillinthal arrives at the crime scene, takes one look at Roger being very cooperative and very shaken and very carefully not saying anything useful, and decides with her whole entire chest that this man is lying to her face and she is going to find out about everything if it takes the rest of her professional life. Grace is not the villain. Grace is just extraordinarily good at her job and constitutionally incapable of letting evasion slide, and she spends the whole book being professionally pleasant while absolutely dismantling every careful thing Roger tries to build around himself. I loved her unreasonably. She deserved so much better than the runaround she kept getting and she knew it and kept going anyway, which honestly makes her the most relatable person in this entire book.
The pacing is what really sells it because Lawson moves fast enough that you don't have time to stop and decide whether you should be rooting for Roger, which feels completely intentional and I respect the manipulation. The writing is clean and occasionally very dry in that way where the joke just lives inside a sentence without announcing itself, and watching Roger improvise his way through escalating disaster while technically insisting he is not a criminal is a delight for the entire runtime. Some of the side characters are thinner than the leads but the book is sprinting and you're sprinting with it and honestly the Roger and Grace cat and mouse situation is interesting enough to carry everything else comfortably.
Three and a half stars, had a genuinely great time, still thinking about a man who forges government documents and paints watercolors on weekends like those two facts have never once met each other in his brain and never will.
Whodunity Award: For Making Federal Document Fraud Feel Like A Completely Reasonable Life Choice That I Support Fully And Without Reservation
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC, read it at an irresponsible hour, zero regrets, would absolutely do it again.
What I was completely unprepared for was how fast I decided Roger deserved to be fine. He's technically a criminal who has been committing federal crimes for the entire adult portion of his life and the book never pretends otherwise, but there's something about the watercolors and the family devotion and the sheer tidiness of the whole operation that makes you look the other way about it, and the fact that Roger killed the hitman himself and then called John McKenna before he called the police tells you everything you need to know about who Roger actually is underneath the civil servant performance he's been doing for two decades. That man has layers. Concerning, federally actionable layers.
McKenna is the kind of person who owns a bar that the entire city apparently understands is operating as a front for various unspecified chaos, and he carries himself with the energy of someone who has never once been caught off guard and would very much like you to know that. Not warm exactly, but magnetic in that specific way where you don't fully trust him and genuinely cannot stop watching him, and the dynamic between him and Roger works precisely because it shouldn't. A gray-haired watercolor enthusiast and a bar owner with a citywide reputation for mayhem, figuring out how to function together while someone keeps sending assassins after Roger, is genuinely most of the fun here.
And then Detective Grace Lillinthal arrives at the crime scene, takes one look at Roger being very cooperative and very shaken and very carefully not saying anything useful, and decides with her whole entire chest that this man is lying to her face and she is going to find out about everything if it takes the rest of her professional life. Grace is not the villain. Grace is just extraordinarily good at her job and constitutionally incapable of letting evasion slide, and she spends the whole book being professionally pleasant while absolutely dismantling every careful thing Roger tries to build around himself. I loved her unreasonably. She deserved so much better than the runaround she kept getting and she knew it and kept going anyway, which honestly makes her the most relatable person in this entire book.
The pacing is what really sells it because Lawson moves fast enough that you don't have time to stop and decide whether you should be rooting for Roger, which feels completely intentional and I respect the manipulation. The writing is clean and occasionally very dry in that way where the joke just lives inside a sentence without announcing itself, and watching Roger improvise his way through escalating disaster while technically insisting he is not a criminal is a delight for the entire runtime. Some of the side characters are thinner than the leads but the book is sprinting and you're sprinting with it and honestly the Roger and Grace cat and mouse situation is interesting enough to carry everything else comfortably.
Three and a half stars, had a genuinely great time, still thinking about a man who forges government documents and paints watercolors on weekends like those two facts have never once met each other in his brain and never will.
Whodunity Award: For Making Federal Document Fraud Feel Like A Completely Reasonable Life Choice That I Support Fully And Without Reservation
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC, read it at an irresponsible hour, zero regrets, would absolutely do it again.
September 2, 2026
Thank you @blackstonepublishing @librofm #partner for the gifted copies of this book!
Sometimes I start wondering about myself. Do I read too much darkness because here I am rooting for the bad guy and hoping he gets away with everything! McKenna’s Guy was such a fun and addictive read for me. You know those books where you KNOW you probably shouldn’t be cheering for the person breaking the law…but you can’t help but do it? Welp. That was me the entire time. 😂
The book kicks off with Roger asleep in his home when he hears someone breaking in. He grabs a bat to defend himself and ends up unaliving the intruder. Roger phones a friend and that phone call changes everything leading to quite the domino effect. I thought this premise was a unique one. Taking the most unsuspecting innocent looking person and then finding out who they really are was half the fun. I certainly did not guess what was going on behind the scenes!
I loved how addictive this was. It kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next. I needed to know more about Roger and his connections. McKenna’s guy truly kept me wondering. My favorite part was just watching the very unexpected lawbreaker tip toe around while the very smart, very dedicated investigator didn’t stop looking. I just felt very loyal and supportive in my character choice in this one the entire way through!
I listened to this book on audio and the performance was wonderful! 🎧 I’m always happy when the audiobook adds to the experience and I think that this one did exactly that! Bravo to Donald Corren!
This was my first Mike Lawson book and I will definitely be back for more. This just felt like a fresh thriller that was unique in my eyes. Thank you Blackstone for this book and...Go Roger Go.
Sometimes I start wondering about myself. Do I read too much darkness because here I am rooting for the bad guy and hoping he gets away with everything! McKenna’s Guy was such a fun and addictive read for me. You know those books where you KNOW you probably shouldn’t be cheering for the person breaking the law…but you can’t help but do it? Welp. That was me the entire time. 😂
The book kicks off with Roger asleep in his home when he hears someone breaking in. He grabs a bat to defend himself and ends up unaliving the intruder. Roger phones a friend and that phone call changes everything leading to quite the domino effect. I thought this premise was a unique one. Taking the most unsuspecting innocent looking person and then finding out who they really are was half the fun. I certainly did not guess what was going on behind the scenes!
I loved how addictive this was. It kept me wanting to know what was going to happen next. I needed to know more about Roger and his connections. McKenna’s guy truly kept me wondering. My favorite part was just watching the very unexpected lawbreaker tip toe around while the very smart, very dedicated investigator didn’t stop looking. I just felt very loyal and supportive in my character choice in this one the entire way through!
I listened to this book on audio and the performance was wonderful! 🎧 I’m always happy when the audiobook adds to the experience and I think that this one did exactly that! Bravo to Donald Corren!
This was my first Mike Lawson book and I will definitely be back for more. This just felt like a fresh thriller that was unique in my eyes. Thank you Blackstone for this book and...Go Roger Go.
September 10, 2026
This really isn't a mystery because you know from the start who all the "bad guys" are. But I was drawn into this book so quickly and was compelled to continue reading just to see what was going to happen to Roger Smith. The story started on an upswing and never stopped that same bang-bang-bang pace from beginning to end. I haven't read any other Mike Lawson novels but if this one is any indicator of his other works, then I'm his newest fan!
[footnote: I see that ALL of his other books are about a guy named Joe DeMarco. After reading some of the reviews, maybe I'll wait for his next stand-alone book, assuming there is one. This one was very cleverly done so I hope he liked writing about something other than DeMarco.]
[footnote: I see that ALL of his other books are about a guy named Joe DeMarco. After reading some of the reviews, maybe I'll wait for his next stand-alone book, assuming there is one. This one was very cleverly done so I hope he liked writing about something other than DeMarco.]
March 18, 2026
Enjoyed this. Maybe the start of a new series?
Full review here: https://civilianreader.com/2026/04/22...
Full review here: https://civilianreader.com/2026/04/22...
September 14, 2026
I've long been a fan of Lawson's DeMarco series. This appears to be a new standalone book. Spoilers ahead.
I like Lawson's writing because it's easy to read and follow, I can get into the book right away. The writing flows easily, there aren't any switching POVs, throwing the reader into the middle of an event without an explanation or other plot devices which some authors love and which make following the plot much harder.
This book follows Roger Smith who's your nondescript senior (close to retirement age) working at the GPO (Government Publishing Office). He has a secret. Due to unforeseen circumstances, i.e. his wife's cancer treatment bills, which put him into serious debt, and after her death, his daughter's college tuition, he had to turn to crime. As the foreman of the passport publishing department, he started making and selling forged passports for McKenna, who was a criminal middleman. Smith only did it when he had to and he made sure that none of the recipients were immoral criminals.
However, just as he was about to retire, the past came back to haunt him. Unbeknownst to him, McKenna had started to blackmail his former fake passport clients, also due to his own monetary problems. One of his old clients, who had his own connections, hired a killer to silence both Smith and McKenna. Instead, Smith manages to kill the assassin and this starts off the whole chain of the events of the book.
The plot deals with how Smith (who's the protagonist and "good" guy of the story) figured out how it all happened and how he eventually solved the issue. The whole book reads like a movie script or caper, where the story is revealed a little at a time. The story is also written in a lighthearted style where inept cops or criminals bumble, whereas the good guy sails through it all. As Smith is the good guy, he ends up unscathed and all the bad guys get their just desserts.
The book is a light, fun read and despite its length, I finished it within 2 days. Though this seems to be a standalone book, I wouldn't mind if Lawson made it into a series.
I like Lawson's writing because it's easy to read and follow, I can get into the book right away. The writing flows easily, there aren't any switching POVs, throwing the reader into the middle of an event without an explanation or other plot devices which some authors love and which make following the plot much harder.
This book follows Roger Smith who's your nondescript senior (close to retirement age) working at the GPO (Government Publishing Office). He has a secret. Due to unforeseen circumstances, i.e. his wife's cancer treatment bills, which put him into serious debt, and after her death, his daughter's college tuition, he had to turn to crime. As the foreman of the passport publishing department, he started making and selling forged passports for McKenna, who was a criminal middleman. Smith only did it when he had to and he made sure that none of the recipients were immoral criminals.
However, just as he was about to retire, the past came back to haunt him. Unbeknownst to him, McKenna had started to blackmail his former fake passport clients, also due to his own monetary problems. One of his old clients, who had his own connections, hired a killer to silence both Smith and McKenna. Instead, Smith manages to kill the assassin and this starts off the whole chain of the events of the book.
The plot deals with how Smith (who's the protagonist and "good" guy of the story) figured out how it all happened and how he eventually solved the issue. The whole book reads like a movie script or caper, where the story is revealed a little at a time. The story is also written in a lighthearted style where inept cops or criminals bumble, whereas the good guy sails through it all. As Smith is the good guy, he ends up unscathed and all the bad guys get their just desserts.
The book is a light, fun read and despite its length, I finished it within 2 days. Though this seems to be a standalone book, I wouldn't mind if Lawson made it into a series.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
McKENNA’S GUY by Mike Lawson
Published: July 2026 by Blackstone Publishing
Absolutely Loved this Novel: Graded A
Action starts out with a burst of surprise and action, as Roger Smith awakens to a home invasion in progress, while lying in bed, about to fall asleep. Is this a random occurrence? He stealthy arises from bed, grabs a baseball bat from under the bed, and awaits behind the door. The intruder stealthily opens the bedroom door and pumps multiple bullets into the bed. Roger in reflex mode he swings the bat at the assailants head with remarkable success and kills the “thief” or “assassin.” The narrative soon reveals Roger to be a rather unassuming government employee and elderly grandfather. With concise prose and straightforward narrative suspense is relentlessly ratcheted up to explore the ramifications of Roger’s partnership with the charismatic crime fixer John McKenna. Explored will be the driving force how a fundamentally decent man will find himself involved in the world of McKenna.
Lawson avoids unnecessary subplots and useless romantic tangles as he develops escalating tension and suspense as he slowly reveals hidden secrets to account for character motivation. Especially important will be loyalty and family.
….Not since I’ve devoured the crime novels of the master, Donald E. Westlake have I enjoyed the crisp, clear, and concise narrative of an author with such straightforward unique characters and unusual ability to build a relentless suspense. The forged partnership between our everyman character of Roger Smith and the crime fixer of John McKenna is amazing means of exploring the possibility of crime being useful and understandable in the face of overwhelming pressures.
Forget about unnecessary subplots and conspiracies, delve into the intricacies of loyalty and family. Dialogue and humor is the driving force to grab the reader’s attention is this page-turner. I hope Lawson continues writing such outstanding standalone’s. Thanks to Blackstone Publishing for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.
to be published at DeadlyPleasuresMysteryMagazine...
Published: July 2026 by Blackstone Publishing
Absolutely Loved this Novel: Graded A
Action starts out with a burst of surprise and action, as Roger Smith awakens to a home invasion in progress, while lying in bed, about to fall asleep. Is this a random occurrence? He stealthy arises from bed, grabs a baseball bat from under the bed, and awaits behind the door. The intruder stealthily opens the bedroom door and pumps multiple bullets into the bed. Roger in reflex mode he swings the bat at the assailants head with remarkable success and kills the “thief” or “assassin.” The narrative soon reveals Roger to be a rather unassuming government employee and elderly grandfather. With concise prose and straightforward narrative suspense is relentlessly ratcheted up to explore the ramifications of Roger’s partnership with the charismatic crime fixer John McKenna. Explored will be the driving force how a fundamentally decent man will find himself involved in the world of McKenna.
Lawson avoids unnecessary subplots and useless romantic tangles as he develops escalating tension and suspense as he slowly reveals hidden secrets to account for character motivation. Especially important will be loyalty and family.
….Not since I’ve devoured the crime novels of the master, Donald E. Westlake have I enjoyed the crisp, clear, and concise narrative of an author with such straightforward unique characters and unusual ability to build a relentless suspense. The forged partnership between our everyman character of Roger Smith and the crime fixer of John McKenna is amazing means of exploring the possibility of crime being useful and understandable in the face of overwhelming pressures.
Forget about unnecessary subplots and conspiracies, delve into the intricacies of loyalty and family. Dialogue and humor is the driving force to grab the reader’s attention is this page-turner. I hope Lawson continues writing such outstanding standalone’s. Thanks to Blackstone Publishing for providing an Uncorrected Proof in exchange for an honest review.
to be published at DeadlyPleasuresMysteryMagazine...
July 24, 2026
That old Rod Stewart song says, “Some guys have all the luck / Some guys have all the pain.” Well, Roger Smith has both. The pain starts when his wife gets cancer and her treatments put him so far into a financial hole he can’t dig himself out. As a foreman at the Government Publishing Office, he has a niche skill, but he can’t see any moneymaking opportunities for that skill—printing passports.
The luck comes into play when Roger becomes McKenna’s Guy. McKenna is an unscrupulous fixer who’s as good at fencing stolen goods as he is at helping grifters, frauds, and felons disappear. He convinces Roger to print phony passports with bogus names good enough to get his clients out of the country before they can be sentenced to long prison terms. For that service, Roger will be paid handsomely, enough cash to pay off his debts and give his family everything they need. For a couple of decades, it works without a hitch…until a former client puts a hit out on both Roger and McKenna. Then, Roger has to depend on quick thinking and good old dumb luck to survive.
If Mike Lawson writes a book, I’m going to read it. Some have been better than others, but this one is at the top of the better list. I’m a dedicated fan of Lawson’s Joe DeMarco series, and though Joe does not appear in this one, there are echoes of those books in it: Washington, D.C. setting; hapless, legally challenged but good-hearted government employee; corrupt middle-aged drunk pulling strings in thoroughly unsavory ways. And of course, there’s murder and mayhem. I don’t see how Roger Smith could be lucky enough to sustain his own series, but if Lawson finds a way, I’m going to be first in line to read it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for providing a digital ARC for review.
The luck comes into play when Roger becomes McKenna’s Guy. McKenna is an unscrupulous fixer who’s as good at fencing stolen goods as he is at helping grifters, frauds, and felons disappear. He convinces Roger to print phony passports with bogus names good enough to get his clients out of the country before they can be sentenced to long prison terms. For that service, Roger will be paid handsomely, enough cash to pay off his debts and give his family everything they need. For a couple of decades, it works without a hitch…until a former client puts a hit out on both Roger and McKenna. Then, Roger has to depend on quick thinking and good old dumb luck to survive.
If Mike Lawson writes a book, I’m going to read it. Some have been better than others, but this one is at the top of the better list. I’m a dedicated fan of Lawson’s Joe DeMarco series, and though Joe does not appear in this one, there are echoes of those books in it: Washington, D.C. setting; hapless, legally challenged but good-hearted government employee; corrupt middle-aged drunk pulling strings in thoroughly unsavory ways. And of course, there’s murder and mayhem. I don’t see how Roger Smith could be lucky enough to sustain his own series, but if Lawson finds a way, I’m going to be first in line to read it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for providing a digital ARC for review.
Want to Read
April 16, 2026McKenna’s Guy by Mike Lawson is a sharp, fast paced thriller that blends mystery, tension, and layered intrigue. With a compelling premise and a steady build of suspense, the story keeps readers engaged through twists, secrets, and morally complex characters. A gripping read for fans of crime and investigative thrillers.
July 28, 2026
I have enjoyed a number of Mike Lawson’s conspiracy driven thrillers featuring political fixer Joe DeMarco, and enjoy his glimpses into the darker side of American politics. With his latest stand-alone novel he ventures into Elmore Leonard territory with a gritty tale about crooks and killers, and a determined investigator who is trying to work out what is going on.
When an intruder with murderous intent breaks into Roger Smith’s modest home one night, he gets more than he bargained for and, unluckily, ends up dead. Washington, DC, Detective Grace Lillinthal is summoned to the crime scene and marvels at the outcome. Why would anyone want to kill grey-haired Roger Smith? He is the picture of respectability: a widower devoted to his family, an amateur painter, and a civil servant who works at the Government Printing Office. The shaken Smith claims to be baffled why he would be a target. But instinct tells Grace that there is more to Smith’s story, and when she learns that Smith, after killing his home invader and before calling the police, phoned the infamous John McKenna, she knows she is onto something. McKenna is a disreputable character of the first order. He is the gregarious, larger-than-life owner of a local bar that is a notorious den of thieves and is also a well known as a criminal fixer.
While Grace tries to work out what is going on, Smith and McKenna also desperately rack their brains to identify who would want them dead and whether another killer is on the way. Not surprisingly, Smith is not as innocent as he seems and the death of his would-be killer sets in chain a series of plots and counterplots that lead to more killing and mayhem.
McKENNA’S GUY is an enjoyable crime story that moves along at a good pace. Lawson skilfully juggles the various elements of his plot, bringing the different strands together in a tense and somewhat unexpected ending. The highlight of the book are the well sketched characters, mainly crooks, who drive the story along. Apart from Grace, none of the characters are on the side of the angels, although it is hard not to like the engaging Roger Smith who gets increasingly out of his depth. There is also an enigmatic female hired killer who steals the book when she makes an appearance towards the end. A solid, entertaining read.
See full review at: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/n...
When an intruder with murderous intent breaks into Roger Smith’s modest home one night, he gets more than he bargained for and, unluckily, ends up dead. Washington, DC, Detective Grace Lillinthal is summoned to the crime scene and marvels at the outcome. Why would anyone want to kill grey-haired Roger Smith? He is the picture of respectability: a widower devoted to his family, an amateur painter, and a civil servant who works at the Government Printing Office. The shaken Smith claims to be baffled why he would be a target. But instinct tells Grace that there is more to Smith’s story, and when she learns that Smith, after killing his home invader and before calling the police, phoned the infamous John McKenna, she knows she is onto something. McKenna is a disreputable character of the first order. He is the gregarious, larger-than-life owner of a local bar that is a notorious den of thieves and is also a well known as a criminal fixer.
While Grace tries to work out what is going on, Smith and McKenna also desperately rack their brains to identify who would want them dead and whether another killer is on the way. Not surprisingly, Smith is not as innocent as he seems and the death of his would-be killer sets in chain a series of plots and counterplots that lead to more killing and mayhem.
McKENNA’S GUY is an enjoyable crime story that moves along at a good pace. Lawson skilfully juggles the various elements of his plot, bringing the different strands together in a tense and somewhat unexpected ending. The highlight of the book are the well sketched characters, mainly crooks, who drive the story along. Apart from Grace, none of the characters are on the side of the angels, although it is hard not to like the engaging Roger Smith who gets increasingly out of his depth. There is also an enigmatic female hired killer who steals the book when she makes an appearance towards the end. A solid, entertaining read.
See full review at: https://murdermayhemandlongdogs.com/n...
September 11, 2026
Roger Smith had retired for the night in the bedroom of the suburban Washington home DC he formerly shared with Marie, his beloved late wife. Marie kept a baseball bat beneath their bed as the pair’s protection against intruders. It had gone unused for years until this night when alarming sounds approaching his room prompted Roger to retrieve the bat and hide behind the bedroom door.
The intruder sprayed the bed with gunfire. Knowing that he would eventually be discovered, Roger sprang from behind the door. With all of his might, the diminutive skinny man, landed a blow.
Checking for a pulse then concluding that the blow killed the intruder but instead of calling the police, Roger called John McKenna, his neighbor. Roger knew he needed a lawyer.
Roger and McKenna had done business together spanning 20 years. Each man had a full time occupation in addition to off the books jobs.
Roger, 65, nearing retirement, worked in Government Publishing Office making passports. His side job was designing greeting cards.
John McKenna, owner of financially troubled bar that catered to an aging clientele, and ex-con and go-to guy for criminal remedies, approached Roger for help. He needed a fake passport for David Miller, a client who murdered a member of a criminal Armenian family that bent on revenge. Roger never would have helped his neighbor with what was clearly illegal but Marie had cancer and Roger needed the money for her treatment. Thus began their arrangement.
Why would anyone want to kill Roger?
Relentless investigator, Lillinthal, was determined to find out.
A really good story.
The intruder sprayed the bed with gunfire. Knowing that he would eventually be discovered, Roger sprang from behind the door. With all of his might, the diminutive skinny man, landed a blow.
Checking for a pulse then concluding that the blow killed the intruder but instead of calling the police, Roger called John McKenna, his neighbor. Roger knew he needed a lawyer.
Roger and McKenna had done business together spanning 20 years. Each man had a full time occupation in addition to off the books jobs.
Roger, 65, nearing retirement, worked in Government Publishing Office making passports. His side job was designing greeting cards.
John McKenna, owner of financially troubled bar that catered to an aging clientele, and ex-con and go-to guy for criminal remedies, approached Roger for help. He needed a fake passport for David Miller, a client who murdered a member of a criminal Armenian family that bent on revenge. Roger never would have helped his neighbor with what was clearly illegal but Marie had cancer and Roger needed the money for her treatment. Thus began their arrangement.
Why would anyone want to kill Roger?
Relentless investigator, Lillinthal, was determined to find out.
A really good story.
September 14, 2026
McKenna's Guy is my first foray into Mike Lawson's work. I read a lot of mysteries and thrillers -- my favorite type of junk food for the brain. There was something unique in this one that I really enjoyed: I found myself rooting for a villain. I wanted him to get away with it.
The story opens when our main character is startled awake when he hears someone braking into his home. He grabs a bat and in the end kills the intruder in an effort to defend myself. Roger calls a neighbor (McKenna) and the police. That call to the neighbor spirals as it is quickly obvious that he is too-well-known by the police and that alone makes Roger a suspect.
A young female police officer is like a dog with a bone. Even when others in the department are ready to close the case, she remains convinced that there is more to the story and that Roger needs to be caught. And, Roger is determined to hide his back-story. And while I knew I should be rooting for the young, smart, dedicated cop, that isn't what happened. I wanted her to fail. I wanted to know the entire backstory for Roger, but even when the indicators grew stronger and stronger that he wasn't the innocent guy he wanter her to believe that he was, I continued to hope he would find a way out of the mess.
I credit the author. He found a way to make me root for the bad guy, and to hope that Roger returns in future books.
Thank you @BlackstonePublishing for the #gifted book!
The story opens when our main character is startled awake when he hears someone braking into his home. He grabs a bat and in the end kills the intruder in an effort to defend myself. Roger calls a neighbor (McKenna) and the police. That call to the neighbor spirals as it is quickly obvious that he is too-well-known by the police and that alone makes Roger a suspect.
A young female police officer is like a dog with a bone. Even when others in the department are ready to close the case, she remains convinced that there is more to the story and that Roger needs to be caught. And, Roger is determined to hide his back-story. And while I knew I should be rooting for the young, smart, dedicated cop, that isn't what happened. I wanted her to fail. I wanted to know the entire backstory for Roger, but even when the indicators grew stronger and stronger that he wasn't the innocent guy he wanter her to believe that he was, I continued to hope he would find a way out of the mess.
I credit the author. He found a way to make me root for the bad guy, and to hope that Roger returns in future books.
Thank you @BlackstonePublishing for the #gifted book!
October 1, 2026
Wanting a break from a long-term project and tired of the alternative task of reading short story anthologies that wait on my shelves, I happily found Mike Lawson's latest, with the fetching title "McKenna's Guy". The thing is, when I think of buying a crime book like Mr. Lawson writes, I quickly think of several mystery bookstores, one of which is Murder by the Book in Houston, TX. Texas is far enough away that the geographical cloud in my head also includes the Pacific Northwest, where Mr. Lawson resides. And so, I wondered, as I waited for Murder by the Book to send me Lawson's latest, if he had contrived to involve the store's owner, McKenna Jordan, in one of his tales. Alas, no, Ms. Jordan has been spared this time even though, however you cut it, she is a pretty cool lady with a very cool name. But on to the book---
There are a scad of crime writers out there. I have been honored to read many, but by no means a majority. One reason is that when I find an author who delivers, I tend to follow. Mr. Lawson is about 25 novels into his career, and I have read them all. He has the gift of setting the hook; of getting one to think, 'and then, and then?' So it is here, as McKenna the Thug's mild-mannered printer guy narrowly and by luck avoids being the victim of a hit man. What follows is loads of fun.
Recommended.
There are a scad of crime writers out there. I have been honored to read many, but by no means a majority. One reason is that when I find an author who delivers, I tend to follow. Mr. Lawson is about 25 novels into his career, and I have read them all. He has the gift of setting the hook; of getting one to think, 'and then, and then?' So it is here, as McKenna the Thug's mild-mannered printer guy narrowly and by luck avoids being the victim of a hit man. What follows is loads of fun.
Recommended.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m a long-time fan of Mike Lawson’s Joe DeMarco series. But, McKenna’s Guy is departure. It’s a well-written, action-packed book filled with new characters and an interesting plot.
It involves an unassuming employee of the Government Printing Office who, years before, agreed to make fake passports (only one or two a year) for a hefty sum of money. Finally, just as the scheme is winding down and Roger has decided to retire from the business, everything goes sideways.
I enjoyed McKenna’s Guy but I couldn’t help but compare it to the series that I’ve always enjoyed. This most recent book seemed rougher and a little more edgy. This isn’t a bad thing. It was just different than Joe and his (mostly) more easy-going manner and his I-have-a-plan strategies. McKenna’s Guy didn’t seem to have a plan at first, but as the book developed it became apparent that there was a plan, even though it had to be fairly flexible. As a result, there were some unexpected detours that added to the enjoyment of the story.
All it all, it was a good read and a nice change of pace. For me, it was 3.5 stars bumped up to 4. NetGalley provided an advance reader copy.
It involves an unassuming employee of the Government Printing Office who, years before, agreed to make fake passports (only one or two a year) for a hefty sum of money. Finally, just as the scheme is winding down and Roger has decided to retire from the business, everything goes sideways.
I enjoyed McKenna’s Guy but I couldn’t help but compare it to the series that I’ve always enjoyed. This most recent book seemed rougher and a little more edgy. This isn’t a bad thing. It was just different than Joe and his (mostly) more easy-going manner and his I-have-a-plan strategies. McKenna’s Guy didn’t seem to have a plan at first, but as the book developed it became apparent that there was a plan, even though it had to be fairly flexible. As a result, there were some unexpected detours that added to the enjoyment of the story.
All it all, it was a good read and a nice change of pace. For me, it was 3.5 stars bumped up to 4. NetGalley provided an advance reader copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A professional assassin breaks into 65-year-old Robert Smith’s house in the D.C. suburbs, only to be killed by Robert with a baseball bat his deceased wife encouraged him to keep under the bed. A clear case of self-defense, but seasoned D.C. police detective Grace Lillinthal wants to figure out what Robert is up do that lead him to be a target of assassin. Smith seems innocuous, working for the Government Publishing Office and designig artistic greeting cards in his basement. Turns out that Smith has had a side-business going for twenty years with his neighbor, criminal fixer and ex-con, John McKenna, to forge one passport a year for $50,000.
Smith and McKenna have no idea what prior client could be targeting them and why, and fear that another assassin may be sent their way. They launch their own investigation running in tandem with Lillinthal.
A non-stop thriller ensues with connections to a celebrity chef, a Canadian crime syndicate, and another killer arriving in D.C. Smith proves a compelling anti-hero and Lillinthal proves an intuitive, dogged detective.
Highly enjoyable!
Thanks to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy.
Smith and McKenna have no idea what prior client could be targeting them and why, and fear that another assassin may be sent their way. They launch their own investigation running in tandem with Lillinthal.
A non-stop thriller ensues with connections to a celebrity chef, a Canadian crime syndicate, and another killer arriving in D.C. Smith proves a compelling anti-hero and Lillinthal proves an intuitive, dogged detective.
Highly enjoyable!
Thanks to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for an advance reader’s copy.
August 21, 2026
McKenna’s Guy hooked me right away with that opening scene—Roger Smith calmly dealing with a home intruder who clearly picked the wrong house, then making a phone call to the last person you’d expect. The mystery around Roger is what kept me turning the pages. He seems like the definition of respectable: a widower, amateur painter, devoted family man, and civil servant at the Government Printing Office, yet Detective Grace Lillinthal immediately senses that he’s hiding something. I really enjoyed watching her pick apart his carefully constructed story while the threats against him kept escalating.
John McKenna was another highlight. His larger-than-life personality and reputation as the owner of a bar frequented by criminals added a great contrast to Roger’s buttoned-up image, and their connection raises even more questions about Roger’s past. The pacing stays tight as Grace closes in, another assassin enters the picture, and Roger is forced to confront the fact that surviving may require him to start thinking like the criminal everyone assumes he is. Fast, twisty, and full of secrets without getting bogged down in unnecessary detail.
John McKenna was another highlight. His larger-than-life personality and reputation as the owner of a bar frequented by criminals added a great contrast to Roger’s buttoned-up image, and their connection raises even more questions about Roger’s past. The pacing stays tight as Grace closes in, another assassin enters the picture, and Roger is forced to confront the fact that surviving may require him to start thinking like the criminal everyone assumes he is. Fast, twisty, and full of secrets without getting bogged down in unnecessary detail.
September 5, 2026
✦ Book Review: McKenna's Guy by Mike Lawson
✧ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰʀᴇᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋ, @BlackstonePublishing
➊ 𝚂𝚈𝙽𝙾𝙿𝚂𝙸𝚂
Roger Smith appears to be an ordinary sixty-five-year-old government employee until a professional assassin comes after him and discovers Roger isn't quite as helpless as expected. Detective Grace Lillinthal begins investigating why anyone would want Roger dead, uncovering connections to his longtime associate John McKenna and a secretive operation involving forged passports. The deeper she digs, the less ordinary Roger's life begins to look.
➋ 𝚃𝙷𝙾𝚄𝙶𝙷𝚃𝚂
I liked the pacing of this one. It moves quickly, doesn't spend much time wandering around, and kept me interested in figuring out what was really going on with Roger. Roger himself was easily the more interesting character for me, particularly as more of his background and connections came to light. Detective Grace Lillinthal felt a little shallow by comparison, and I would have liked more development from her to balance the two sides of the story. Still, the fast pace and mystery made this an entertaining read. Probably closer to a 3.5 for me, but I'm comfortable rounding it up to four.
✧ ᴛʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰʀᴇᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋ, @BlackstonePublishing
➊ 𝚂𝚈𝙽𝙾𝙿𝚂𝙸𝚂
Roger Smith appears to be an ordinary sixty-five-year-old government employee until a professional assassin comes after him and discovers Roger isn't quite as helpless as expected. Detective Grace Lillinthal begins investigating why anyone would want Roger dead, uncovering connections to his longtime associate John McKenna and a secretive operation involving forged passports. The deeper she digs, the less ordinary Roger's life begins to look.
➋ 𝚃𝙷𝙾𝚄𝙶𝙷𝚃𝚂
I liked the pacing of this one. It moves quickly, doesn't spend much time wandering around, and kept me interested in figuring out what was really going on with Roger. Roger himself was easily the more interesting character for me, particularly as more of his background and connections came to light. Detective Grace Lillinthal felt a little shallow by comparison, and I would have liked more development from her to balance the two sides of the story. Still, the fast pace and mystery made this an entertaining read. Probably closer to a 3.5 for me, but I'm comfortable rounding it up to four.
July 25, 2026
McKenna’s Guy is a smart, fast-paced thriller that kept me flipping pages late into the night. Lawson writes in a clear, unpretentious voice, weaving a suspenseful plot with deadpan humor that made me laugh out loud (“The bartender sighed, acting as if Roger had asked him to dig a ditch with his bare hands…” and “She looked like a bowling ball with feet”).
The story opens with a bang, literally. Roger, 65, has lived alone since his wife’s death years ago, working a quiet job at the Government Printing Office and living for his daughter and grandchildren. Then an armed night-time intruder fires five shots into his empty bed, and Roger, who’s been hiding behind his bedroom door, kills the man with his late wife’s baseball bat. That’s just the opening move in a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game that pits him against a hired killer, a suspicious D.C. homicide detective, and a cast of colorful, well-drawn characters. The final twist is a knockout. Highly entertaining, I couldn't put it down.
The story opens with a bang, literally. Roger, 65, has lived alone since his wife’s death years ago, working a quiet job at the Government Printing Office and living for his daughter and grandchildren. Then an armed night-time intruder fires five shots into his empty bed, and Roger, who’s been hiding behind his bedroom door, kills the man with his late wife’s baseball bat. That’s just the opening move in a high-stakes cat-and-mouse game that pits him against a hired killer, a suspicious D.C. homicide detective, and a cast of colorful, well-drawn characters. The final twist is a knockout. Highly entertaining, I couldn't put it down.
July 12, 2026
Not a Joe DeMarco by any means (which I prefer). Just average 2.5 to 3 for me for this standalone book.
Someone breaks into Roger Smith's home one night and sheer luck saved him. Roger's an average, boring worker at the Govt Printing Office so why would someone try to kill him? His first call is to a friend McKenna who is a bit shady and this puts him in investigating Det. Grace Lillinthal's crosshairs. Although the death of the intruder is justified, Grace thinks there's something Roger is hiding -especially when she finds that he called McKenna.
Seems Roger has had a side hustle with McKenna for the last 20 years due to crushing debt and someone had sent the assassin to take care of them! This attempt isn't the last and Grace needs to convince Roger to tell his secret before the next assassin succeeds since Roger's survival is more luck than skill.
Someone breaks into Roger Smith's home one night and sheer luck saved him. Roger's an average, boring worker at the Govt Printing Office so why would someone try to kill him? His first call is to a friend McKenna who is a bit shady and this puts him in investigating Det. Grace Lillinthal's crosshairs. Although the death of the intruder is justified, Grace thinks there's something Roger is hiding -especially when she finds that he called McKenna.
Seems Roger has had a side hustle with McKenna for the last 20 years due to crushing debt and someone had sent the assassin to take care of them! This attempt isn't the last and Grace needs to convince Roger to tell his secret before the next assassin succeeds since Roger's survival is more luck than skill.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Absolutely terrific.
Lawson's Roger Smith is an interesting, character is just about as charismatic as they can come,
while still being a criminal at heart.
Smith works for the GPO and manages a lucrative, albeit, criminal side business.
When a hitman breaks into his home and tries to murder him in the dead of night, he knows he needs to take
action to protect himself and to prevent his business from coming to light.
A really intriguing tale that has you rooting for Roger from page one, as he evades another killer sent after him and tries to avoid the criminal entrapment of a persistent detective.
Hated for it to end.
Lawson's Roger Smith is an interesting, character is just about as charismatic as they can come,
while still being a criminal at heart.
Smith works for the GPO and manages a lucrative, albeit, criminal side business.
When a hitman breaks into his home and tries to murder him in the dead of night, he knows he needs to take
action to protect himself and to prevent his business from coming to light.
A really intriguing tale that has you rooting for Roger from page one, as he evades another killer sent after him and tries to avoid the criminal entrapment of a persistent detective.
Hated for it to end.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Roger Smith is an unusual character to be rooting for; however, from the tremendous opening chapter, we are swept along on his adventure with a dedicated police detective on his trail. The novel is hard to put down and this reader definitely lost sleep while immersed in this story. The book is written in a style that warrants your attention and introduces us to shady characters and situations with many surprises culminating in a totally unexpected conclusion.
I highly recommend this novel for anyone who enjoys this genre and thank NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this exciting book prior to its publication.
I highly recommend this novel for anyone who enjoys this genre and thank NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this exciting book prior to its publication.
July 18, 2026
Excellent story of a single Father trying to makes ends meet while keeping his moral code, sort of.
Roger Smith is trying to raise his daughter while the debt from his wife's unsuccessful treatment buries him. Roger works for U.S.government in DC publishing various loads of documents as well as having access to blank passports which passes through his purview. Uh oh. A neighborhood friend with some sketchy connections approaches Roger with a proposal to make a fake passport. Can this save Roger from financial ruin? Maybe.
well written with a multitude of interesting characters as well as some luck and crazy shit. Enjoy.
Roger Smith is trying to raise his daughter while the debt from his wife's unsuccessful treatment buries him. Roger works for U.S.government in DC publishing various loads of documents as well as having access to blank passports which passes through his purview. Uh oh. A neighborhood friend with some sketchy connections approaches Roger with a proposal to make a fake passport. Can this save Roger from financial ruin? Maybe.
well written with a multitude of interesting characters as well as some luck and crazy shit. Enjoy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Kindled. Thank you to Blackstone and NetGalley for the download.
Super simplistic writing. A one-note plot. Two well-drawn main characters, but the rest of the humans racing around this fast-paced book verged on stereotypical, and not always in a nice way.
Regardless of these criticisms, I flew through this book, enjoying each and every scene, even while rolling my eyes at various points. Never read a Lawson book before but I can see the appeal. Easy on the brain. Action galore. Nothing too gruesome. People to root for. Popcorn read at its finest.
Super simplistic writing. A one-note plot. Two well-drawn main characters, but the rest of the humans racing around this fast-paced book verged on stereotypical, and not always in a nice way.
Regardless of these criticisms, I flew through this book, enjoying each and every scene, even while rolling my eyes at various points. Never read a Lawson book before but I can see the appeal. Easy on the brain. Action galore. Nothing too gruesome. People to root for. Popcorn read at its finest.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a fun non-DeMarco story from Mr. Lawson. Roger Smith was an interesting character who seemed to surprise me quite a bit. I liked his approach to events as they unfolded - reminded me a little of Joe DeMarco actually. And McKenna was a little like John Mahoney - not really that likable yet you're kind of rooting for him. I liked how this one wrapped up. Nothing out of the ordinary, but a nice quick read.
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
Thanks to Net Galley and Blackstone Publishing for this ARC. #McKennasGuy #NetGalley
3.5 stars, rounded up to 4.
Thanks to Net Galley and Blackstone Publishing for this ARC. #McKennasGuy #NetGalley
August 23, 2026
Roger Smith is a quiet widower and Government Printing Office worker, nearing retirement.
One night someone breaks into his house with the intention of killing him. But the would be assassin ends up dead instead.
Washington, D.C. Detective Grace Lillinthal shows up and is immediately suspicious of Roger, when she finds out he first called John McKenna, a local bar owner with a suspicious past.
Soon the cat and mouse game is on. Who wants Roger (and maybe also McKenna) dead?
And what is it that Roger and McKenna are hiding?
This was a lot of fun, and was very quickly paced.
One night someone breaks into his house with the intention of killing him. But the would be assassin ends up dead instead.
Washington, D.C. Detective Grace Lillinthal shows up and is immediately suspicious of Roger, when she finds out he first called John McKenna, a local bar owner with a suspicious past.
Soon the cat and mouse game is on. Who wants Roger (and maybe also McKenna) dead?
And what is it that Roger and McKenna are hiding?
This was a lot of fun, and was very quickly paced.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Loved the Roger Smith character. Joe DeMarcoe, the author’s famous protagonist from a fantastic series is a legend, but we have another entertaining personality. Smith kills a home invader, but that’s only the beginning, Who, why, and when will it happen again makes go an excellent story. I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and voluntarily provided an honest review.
July 21, 2026
When criminals fall out… A hitherto successful scheme to create false identities for criminal fugitives unravels due to greed; a series of deadly misunderstandings ensues. The plot is a bit creaky - and unnecessary since Roger could have gone right to Plan B as soon as he was questioned by police - but Lawson is a good writer of thrillers. . As always, the lesson to criminals and people with secrets is not to start killing people when you feel threatened. Sit tight!
September 11, 2026
This is my 15th Lawson book. The majority of them has had Joe DeMarco as the protagonist . This book is independent of DeMarco but also takes place in DC. Lawson's style of writing is similar to Jack Webb's Sgt Joe Friday of Dragnet fame. The style flows easily covering all the loop holes and twists/turns of the plot. You care about all the characters and this page turner was consumed in two days. A strong 4.0 rating. Looking forward to Lawson's next creation.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a fast paced, quick read, and I hope the beginning of a new series. I love Mike Lawson's Joe DiMarco series and Detective Grace Lillinthal would be a great protagonist for a new series. The characters came to life off the page and the pacing was perfect. Highly recommended
Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing, Inc. for an advanced reader copy.
Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing, Inc. for an advanced reader copy.
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