Deadly Illusions

Greg McKenzie Mysteries #3

by Chester D. Campbell

Molly Saint hires new PI's Greg and Jill McKenzie to check into her husband's background, then disappears. It starts them on a tangled trail of deceit. Complicating matters further, Greg gets drawn into a troubling police investigation stemming from the assassinatiion of the Federal Reserve Board chairman at a Nashville hotel. The case resurrects old problems with a Murder Squad detective and his colleagues among Nashville's finest. The deeper the McKenzies dig, the more deadly illusions they face. After threats, break-ins and another murder, the charade ends in a shocking showdown.

Genres: Mystery, Ebooks, Suspense, Fiction, Contemporary

285 pages, Paperback

First published March 14, 2004

About the author

Chester D. Campbell was born in Nashville, TN in 1925, smack in the midst of the "Roaring Twenties." Though too young for such at the time, he had visions of roaring "off into the wild blue yonder." After more than a year and a half of non-roaring during World War II, he left the service as an Aviation Cadet and studied journalism. His first taste of mysteries came early in his newspaper career when he read two novels by Horace McCoy. Over the next 42 years, he spun words as a reporter, freelance journalist, political speechwriter, advertising copywriter, magazine editor, and public relations pro. He kept his dream of creating mysteries alive and took up novel writing on retirement. He has currently published five Greg McKenzie Mysteries and two books featuring PI Sid Chance. He has added three Post Cold War thrillers and a standalone suspense story . The Greg McKenzie character had his origins in Campbell's Air Force experience. After serving as an intelligence officer in the Korean War, he remained in the Air National Guard, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. He and his wife, Sarah, live in Nashville, TN.

Reviews

[Elle]

This was pretty fabulous. It had plenty of twists and turns, and was certainly filled with danger. The plot was fast-paced and kept you reading in order to find out what happens next.
Also, I love this older sleuthing couple.

[J.R.]

When Molly Saint asks Greg and Jill McKenzie to investigate her husband Greg is reluctant, thinking she may be over-reacting. The couple has just opened their private investigation firm and taken on a client he feels has a more valid claim on their time. But, with a little prodding from Jill, he relents.

It isn’t long before Molly’s disappearance, other events and the discovery she and Jill are related put a more serious emphasis on the case. The twists leading to a nail-biting climax make for a fast, entertaining read.

This is the third entry in the Greg and Jill McKenzie series. It isn’t necessary to have read the earlier books to enjoy this one. But, if you’re looking for a series featuring engaging senior sleuths, you’ll find them equally worth your time.

The McKenzies are well-drawn, likeable characters and I’ve enjoyed reading about their adventures.

[Patricia Gligor]

In "Deadly Illusions" by Chester D. Campbell, Molly Saint hires private detectives, Greg and Jill McKenzie, to check into her husband's background because his recent behavior has caused her to fear for her life. But, before the couple can report back to her, Molly disappears. Their investigation and the search for their missing client lead Greg and Jill into situations where they fear for their own lives. I highly recommend this novel.

[Mjuneb]

Missing Fammily

A mysterious woman, visits Jill and Greg at their P.I. office. She requests they look into her husband’s activities because she is afraid of him and needs a divorce. After they move quick one night, Jill learns Molly is her adopted niece and is even more determined to find them and help Molly. Things become more complicated when a hit man starts looking for the missing couple as well.
The excitement builds to an unfortunate conclusion reminding all gun owners remembering the old adage, “Never pick up a gun unless you intend to use it.”

[Michelle]

Good book

You people should just read this book yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourself and I really enjoyed reading this book very much so. Shelley MA

[Jaden Terrell]

I've read all of Chester D. Campbell's books. DEADLY ILLUSIONS is part of his private detective series featuring husband and and wife team Greg and Jill McKenzie. Others have described the plot, so I'll just note that Greg and Jill have recently hung their shingle as private investigators and find that their simple "background investigation of a spouse" has become a search for a missing woman--their client, Mollie Saint.

The story is told in Greg's voice. Greg and Jill are senior sleuths, both of retirement age. Their relationship is refreshingly comfortable, and they work well together. That's not to say there are no conflicts in the book. The conflicts arise from the case and the secrets Greg and Jill uncover. It's easy to see this couple is committed to each other and to doing the right thing, even when the right thing gets very dangerous.

Greg is a gentleman, a gallant hero who treats his wife like the treasure she is but doesn't back down from a villain.

Not only are the characters like old friends, the writing is polished and professional, a benefit of Campbell's years as a journalist. DEADLY ILLUSIONS is a classy mystery. Don't miss it.

[Susan]

I would probably give this book a 3.5 rating.

Although this was the third book in the series, and it kept referring back to previous novels which I haven't read, I was still able to understand what was going on.

This series is about Greg and Jill McKenzie who have just opened a detective agency. They are asked by Mollie Saint to investigate her husband, and that investigation leads to the investigation of the assassination of the Federal Reserve Board chairman.

I really liked the plot, the writing, and the characters. The characters were quite true-to-life.

There were a few things I didn't like. For example, Greg and Jill caused a man to be murdered, and it didn't seem to be any big deal to them. There was no sex, but there was some swearing.

[Joan]

The last few books I have read have been free or very cheap ones I downloaded for my kindle. They have apparently been self-published because they have been amateurishly-written and poorly-edited with weak plots. Deadly Illusions was a great relief from that quagmire. This book is well-written, well-edited, and unusually interesting. It is a joy to read a book written by someone who knows the language well enough to express thoughts precisely and to convey exact meanings.

[Stacei]

great story

Book 3 of the Greg Mckenzie Mysteries. This is great as a stand alone, but it helps tie up some details if you read them in order. Greg and Jill have officially opened a Private Investigator firm. They are a retired couple turned PI's who can't stay out of trouble. Everything they do leads to 2 more. This is a great book and had many twists and turns. It is interesting how the story unfolds. Highly recommend this book and the others in this series.

[Alfredia Haynes]

Loved it

Loved it

Just found a new favorite author. I loved the husband and wife teaming up to start new careers as pi's at a later in life timeframe. Loved the references to the middle Tennessee area that I am familiar with. Also appreciated that the book was very well written successfully without a lot of foul language that has become so prevalent.

[Krista]

I read this book first, even though it's Book 3. Now I want to read the first two.

[Lynn]

This is the first Greg (& Jill) McKenzie I've read ----good writing, plot, characters ..... if you like Robert B. Parker, you should probably like!

[Janet]

very good

[Sandra Mudd]

Deadly Illusions

I always time spent with Greg and Jill. This team was no exception. Mr. Campbell tells a good story, as usual.

[Edith E. Metheany]

Deadly Illusions

I would recommend this to anyone interested in mysteries.
Kept my attention from beginning to end

Well written, and most of all not a dirty book!

[judi navarre]

Great book

Great book fast reading I would recommend the book to everyone to read I'm going to order another book by the author

[Connie Bredernitz]

Awesome

Another great read. Mr Campbell has quite a talent for storytelling,with just the right amount of details and descriptions. Awesome!

[Jennifer]

This was my first book by this author. I enjoyed the book. I will try and read more of his series.

[Book Him Danno]

A neatly written mystery novel that primarily takes place in and around Nashville Tennessee. The main character is a retired Air Force Office Of Special Investigations (AFOSI) Agent. As a retired AFOSI Agent how could I not read this story? I thought it was a well told story without any major flaws and it followed a logical sequence. I would read other books in this series.

I have rated this book 4.25 stars.

I obtained this book from Amazon in Kindle format.