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Mac McKenzie #5
Madman on a Drum
Homicide cop Bobby Dunston's daughter has been kidnapped, taken in broad daylight on a city street in the middle of September. The kidnappers demand a million dollars and force Dunston to get the ransom from his friend McKenzie. It soon becomes apparent to the two of them that one of the kidnappers is childhood pal Scottie, a once aspiring drummer now gone astray, and that the kidnapping is payback for "crimes" committed in their past.
McKenzie, former cop and now unlicensed P.I., handles the ransom drop-off and the child is returned safely. But Scottie is found dead - brutally murdered - and someone has taken out an open contract on McKenzie, using his own money to pay for it. Dodging attempts on his life from assassins of all shapes and sizes, McKenzie now has precious little time to uncover the mastermind behind it all if he's going to survive.
290 pages, Paperback
First published May 13, 2008
104 people are currently reading
238 people want to read
About the author
David Housewright
63 books413 followersA past president of the Private Eye Writers of America, David Housewright has published 28 crimes novels including In A Hard Wind (June 2023 St. Martin’s Minotaur) and has contributed short stories to 15 anthologies and other publications. He has earned an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America, a Shamus nomination from the PWA, and three Minnesota Books Awards. A reformed newspaper reporter and ad man, he has also taught writing courses at the University of Minnesota and Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis. His name and face were recently added to “Minnesota Writers on the Map” by the Minnesota Historical Society and Friends of the St. Paul Public Library.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
April 5, 2025
I am on a series binge of David Housewright’s Mac McKenzie collection, of which this is the fifth book. Housewright tackles the adventures of Mac ‘Rushmore’ McKenzie, an amateur private investigator from St. Paul, Minnesota. This series engages the reader from the outset, as Housewright has Mac working on the kidnapping of a childless for ransom. Tensions run high and time is of the essence, while Mac feels targeted himself. Housewright has me eager to keep reading this series!
While Mac McKenzie has been keeping busy, he is shocked to learn that a former colleague needs his help. Homicide cop Bobby Dunston begs for help when his daughter has been kidnapped in the middle of the day. The kidnappers put a massive ransom on her head and require Dunston reach out to Mac to pay it, knowing that he’s good for it. After working some leads, Mac discovers one of the kidnappers is a childhood friend who has gone astray. Scottie was once a talented drummer but appears to want Mac to pay for ‘crimes’ from their childhood!
After receiving directions, Mac handles the random drop and the girl is returned unharmed. However, Scottie’s body is found, brutally murdered, sending a clear message to Mac. As someone begins trying to target Mac, it becomes apparent this was all a means to lure the former St. Paul detective out into the open. Mac might be the target of a former criminal he put away, seeking to stay one step ahead of the action.
Mac will have to stay off the radar and target those who want him dead, or face guaranteed extermination. While few worry about Mac’s life, he has a handful who would be saddened by his passing, which fuels the need to strike first. Mac McKenzie uses this to make his move and can only hope he has enough time to shake things loose. Housewright dazzles once more in this novel that reveals much about Mac McKenzie’s personal side.
While I received the latest novel as an ARC, I chose to go back and read the entire collection for context. Housewright builds a strong foundation once more by presenting a solid narrative. There is little time to rest, as the story clips along. Characters remain edgy and keep the reader wondering, with Mac McKenzie’s backstory slowly making its way to the surface. The plot handles a number of great surprises while teasing with progress to keep the series on point. Housewright never loses the pace of this series and has me eager to keep reading!
Kudos, Mr. Housewright, for a sobering addition to the collection.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
While Mac McKenzie has been keeping busy, he is shocked to learn that a former colleague needs his help. Homicide cop Bobby Dunston begs for help when his daughter has been kidnapped in the middle of the day. The kidnappers put a massive ransom on her head and require Dunston reach out to Mac to pay it, knowing that he’s good for it. After working some leads, Mac discovers one of the kidnappers is a childhood friend who has gone astray. Scottie was once a talented drummer but appears to want Mac to pay for ‘crimes’ from their childhood!
After receiving directions, Mac handles the random drop and the girl is returned unharmed. However, Scottie’s body is found, brutally murdered, sending a clear message to Mac. As someone begins trying to target Mac, it becomes apparent this was all a means to lure the former St. Paul detective out into the open. Mac might be the target of a former criminal he put away, seeking to stay one step ahead of the action.
Mac will have to stay off the radar and target those who want him dead, or face guaranteed extermination. While few worry about Mac’s life, he has a handful who would be saddened by his passing, which fuels the need to strike first. Mac McKenzie uses this to make his move and can only hope he has enough time to shake things loose. Housewright dazzles once more in this novel that reveals much about Mac McKenzie’s personal side.
While I received the latest novel as an ARC, I chose to go back and read the entire collection for context. Housewright builds a strong foundation once more by presenting a solid narrative. There is little time to rest, as the story clips along. Characters remain edgy and keep the reader wondering, with Mac McKenzie’s backstory slowly making its way to the surface. The plot handles a number of great surprises while teasing with progress to keep the series on point. Housewright never loses the pace of this series and has me eager to keep reading!
Kudos, Mr. Housewright, for a sobering addition to the collection.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
August 7, 2008
MADMAN ON A DRUM (Unlic. Invest-McKenzie-St, Paul, Minnesota-Cont) Ex
Housewright, David – 5th in series
St. Martin’s Minotaur, 2008, US Hardcover – ISBN: 9780312370817
First Sentence: They kidnapped Bobby Dunston’s daughter in the middle of a bright September afternoon off a city street that I had traveled safely maybe a thousand times when I was a kid.
Former St. Paul cop Rushmore McKenzie returned from the force in order to receive a $1M finders fee on embezzled funds. His friend, and investment manager, has increased his wealth five-fold. The daughter of his best friends, and of his heart, has been kidnapped.
The kidnapper is asking for $1M saying they can get it from McKenzie. Finding the kidnapper is not the end of the case, but the beginning of greater threat on the life of McKenzie and those to whom he is close.
For me, Housewright should be in the ranks of Rankin, Connelly, Craig, Parker and others. In some ways, I like his protagonists more than some of the others.
McKenzie is macho, yet flawed. His sense of humor lightens the story and can get the character into trouble. I was particularly taken with McKenzie’s explanation as to why he still puts his life at risk and helps people.
Housewright is skilled at including local flavor and history to his locations, explanations of the Minnesota justice system and a myriad of other details that are fascinating and instructive without ever intruding on or slowing down the plot, action and suspense of the story.
The story was gripping; one of those I started at 3 p.m. and finished at 1 a.m. because I couldn’t stop until I was done. The suspense built with each new twist. The violence can be brutal, but so are the bad guys. It was Housewright’s best book yet; an excellent read
Housewright, David – 5th in series
St. Martin’s Minotaur, 2008, US Hardcover – ISBN: 9780312370817
First Sentence: They kidnapped Bobby Dunston’s daughter in the middle of a bright September afternoon off a city street that I had traveled safely maybe a thousand times when I was a kid.
Former St. Paul cop Rushmore McKenzie returned from the force in order to receive a $1M finders fee on embezzled funds. His friend, and investment manager, has increased his wealth five-fold. The daughter of his best friends, and of his heart, has been kidnapped.
The kidnapper is asking for $1M saying they can get it from McKenzie. Finding the kidnapper is not the end of the case, but the beginning of greater threat on the life of McKenzie and those to whom he is close.
For me, Housewright should be in the ranks of Rankin, Connelly, Craig, Parker and others. In some ways, I like his protagonists more than some of the others.
McKenzie is macho, yet flawed. His sense of humor lightens the story and can get the character into trouble. I was particularly taken with McKenzie’s explanation as to why he still puts his life at risk and helps people.
Housewright is skilled at including local flavor and history to his locations, explanations of the Minnesota justice system and a myriad of other details that are fascinating and instructive without ever intruding on or slowing down the plot, action and suspense of the story.
The story was gripping; one of those I started at 3 p.m. and finished at 1 a.m. because I couldn’t stop until I was done. The suspense built with each new twist. The violence can be brutal, but so are the bad guys. It was Housewright’s best book yet; an excellent read
March 17, 2020
Rushmore McKenzie -- don't use his first name, please -- got very wealthy when he quit the police force, because he apprehended an embezzler and as a newly-minted private citizen he was able to keep the full reward from the insurance company. But he can't get away from helping people out now and again, especially when they need it and few others can provide it, as in 2008's Madman on a Drum.
Although his longtime friends Shelby and Bobby Dunston have the FBI on their side when their oldest daughter Victoria is kidnapped they also need McKenzie, because the kidnappers want money and the Dunstons are a law enforcement family of modest means. McKenzie has the money and agrees to deliver the ransom, but before the funds are assembled he does some digging to try to figure out who the kidnappers are. Some initial leads uncover some of the mystery but not all, so McKenzie must risk delivery of the ransom to get the little girl back.
For most of its length Drum ticks along fairly well as a gumshoe procedural as McKenzie and a parole officer try to track down an ex-con involved in the abduction. It begins to drag, though, as Housewright uses his story to preach a sermon about how hard prison time sometimes creates re-offenders rather than curbing them. It's not that the idea is untrue or that it couldn't be a good hanger for a detective story plot, it's that Housewright decides to shoehorn it in as lectures from different characters for paragraphs at a time, and then hit the reader over the head with it through the story resolution.
The finale manages to do two seemingly opposite things at once: Come out of nowhere yet be utterly unsurprising. Housewright generally tries to make his stories more mysteries than straight procedurals, with clues to a final denouement scattered through the story. But the preachy tone and clumsy endgame make this madman's Drum a bummer.
Original available here.
Although his longtime friends Shelby and Bobby Dunston have the FBI on their side when their oldest daughter Victoria is kidnapped they also need McKenzie, because the kidnappers want money and the Dunstons are a law enforcement family of modest means. McKenzie has the money and agrees to deliver the ransom, but before the funds are assembled he does some digging to try to figure out who the kidnappers are. Some initial leads uncover some of the mystery but not all, so McKenzie must risk delivery of the ransom to get the little girl back.
For most of its length Drum ticks along fairly well as a gumshoe procedural as McKenzie and a parole officer try to track down an ex-con involved in the abduction. It begins to drag, though, as Housewright uses his story to preach a sermon about how hard prison time sometimes creates re-offenders rather than curbing them. It's not that the idea is untrue or that it couldn't be a good hanger for a detective story plot, it's that Housewright decides to shoehorn it in as lectures from different characters for paragraphs at a time, and then hit the reader over the head with it through the story resolution.
The finale manages to do two seemingly opposite things at once: Come out of nowhere yet be utterly unsurprising. Housewright generally tries to make his stories more mysteries than straight procedurals, with clues to a final denouement scattered through the story. But the preachy tone and clumsy endgame make this madman's Drum a bummer.
Original available here.
November 28, 2023
Someone kidnaps Bobby Dunston’s daughter. Bobby is a cop, and his friend, Rushmore (Mac) McKenzie is an unlicensed private investigator in the twin cities. He and Bobby have been friends for years, and it is to McKenzie that Bobby turns when things go bad. The kidnapping of his daughter is no exception.
It isn’t long before the ransom call comes in. An electronically disguised voice demands a million in cash, and the voice asserts that McKenize has access to that kind of money. McKenzie’s private wealth isn’t publicly known, and they deduce from the call that the kidnapper is someone who knows both Bobby Dunston and McKenzie.
It’s not a spoiler when I tell you that McKenzie raises the money, they pay the ransom, and the kidnappers release the girl. The book gets far more complex and interesting when someone puts out a fifty-thousand-dollar contract on McKenzie’s life after the girl is back at home with her parents.
This is an unusual book in that you assume early that the kidnapping story is the main purpose of the book. It’s not, and you won’t see the solutions until the author wants you to.
It’s not necessary to read this series in order. It may help a tiny bit, but you can plunge into this without feeling the confusion that sets in when you view a play or TV program already in progress.
It isn’t long before the ransom call comes in. An electronically disguised voice demands a million in cash, and the voice asserts that McKenize has access to that kind of money. McKenzie’s private wealth isn’t publicly known, and they deduce from the call that the kidnapper is someone who knows both Bobby Dunston and McKenzie.
It’s not a spoiler when I tell you that McKenzie raises the money, they pay the ransom, and the kidnappers release the girl. The book gets far more complex and interesting when someone puts out a fifty-thousand-dollar contract on McKenzie’s life after the girl is back at home with her parents.
This is an unusual book in that you assume early that the kidnapping story is the main purpose of the book. It’s not, and you won’t see the solutions until the author wants you to.
It’s not necessary to read this series in order. It may help a tiny bit, but you can plunge into this without feeling the confusion that sets in when you view a play or TV program already in progress.
January 25, 2020
Well, this one didn't go where I expected. The title is taken from The Ballad of Reading Gaol, and the plot starts off with the kidnapping of a little girl on page one. All the expectation was that however the kidnapping resolved, McKenzie would get his revenge on the kidnapper, Jack Reacher style. Then half-way through the plot takes a sharp, completely unexpected and yet plausible turn, and we are in whole new territory. This series is carefully written, each one a meditation on some aspect of private-eye manly heroics, and each newly interesting in its own way. Here McKenzie makes a macho mistake, and he learns to rue the day, if not necessarily to improve. The final revenge is far more nuanced than I expected.
June 25, 2023
This is the fifth book in the Rushmore McKenzie series by Minnesota author David Housewright.
Housewright knows the Twin Cities so well, and I feel like I'm riding along with McKenzie as he's doing the ransom drop after his best friend Bobby Dunston's daughter is kidnapped. It's McKenzie's million dollars, of course. Bobby doesn't have that kind of money. After the drop things take a hard left when it becomes obvious someone is trying to kill McKenzie. I love the characters in this series, I adore the setting of St. Paul/Minneapolis, and I'm already looking forward to #6. Oh, and who took out the hit on McKenzie? Not the ending I expected, and I love that!
Housewright knows the Twin Cities so well, and I feel like I'm riding along with McKenzie as he's doing the ransom drop after his best friend Bobby Dunston's daughter is kidnapped. It's McKenzie's million dollars, of course. Bobby doesn't have that kind of money. After the drop things take a hard left when it becomes obvious someone is trying to kill McKenzie. I love the characters in this series, I adore the setting of St. Paul/Minneapolis, and I'm already looking forward to #6. Oh, and who took out the hit on McKenzie? Not the ending I expected, and I love that!
July 23, 2024
Another positive entry in the Mac McKenzie series. This story is personal, as a former friend from childhood turns on McKenzie and Bobby Dunston. They kidnap Bobby's daughter and demand 1 million in ransom. The 1 million isn't an issue for McKenzie really; but the vile act is. McKenzie once again dodges attempts on his life, threats to his relationship with his girlfriend, and stresses on friendship with Bobby to bring their former friend to ultimate justice. Yet, we then find the story runs even deeper and further into McKenzie's past, and an old nemesis. Layers of story and thrills fill these pages; a very good read.
August 20, 2025
This one got to me right from the start. I hated what happened to the Dunston girls and how if affected those that McKenzie calls family. Of course Bobby would call him for help and of course McKenzie would do what he could to help, the least of which was money.
From there it was a huge cat and mouse game, McKenzie determined to figure out who was behind things and the bad guys wanting to get away free. There were twists I didn't see coming and McKenzie fought hard on many levels. In the end, the bad guys got theirs, but there was a price to pay along the way. I don't think McKenzie will feel any morsel of safety any longer, despite the bad guys all being taken care of.
From there it was a huge cat and mouse game, McKenzie determined to figure out who was behind things and the bad guys wanting to get away free. There were twists I didn't see coming and McKenzie fought hard on many levels. In the end, the bad guys got theirs, but there was a price to pay along the way. I don't think McKenzie will feel any morsel of safety any longer, despite the bad guys all being taken care of.
December 25, 2020
A quick, easy and enjoyable read. It was definitely delineated into two parts, the kidnapping and the hit. The kidnapping was very suspenseful and the hit was about action. Both parts come together in a less than climatic ending, but still entertaining. McKenzie, our hero, actually needed more help in this novel, which made things a bit more believable. I'd think a independent series with his buddy, the PI, Schroeder would be great. Overall, David Housewright has given us a strong, engaging series that is definitely worth reading.
March 24, 2021
Bobby Dunston's oldest daughter, Victoria, is kidnapped & McKenzie is demanded to pay the ransom for her return....
Both Bobby & McKenzie recognize the voice of the kidnapper from their childhood & McKenzie goes after him only to find him murdered... Someone is one step ahead of McKenzie and it seems as he is being set-up at every move by someone on the inside.
I figured out who was behind the kidnapping but not who was actually doing the killing...
It was a riveting read, but once again I skimmed most of the redundancies & long narratives.
Both Bobby & McKenzie recognize the voice of the kidnapper from their childhood & McKenzie goes after him only to find him murdered... Someone is one step ahead of McKenzie and it seems as he is being set-up at every move by someone on the inside.
I figured out who was behind the kidnapping but not who was actually doing the killing...
It was a riveting read, but once again I skimmed most of the redundancies & long narratives.
July 11, 2019
Fifth in the McKenzie series. Someone has kidnapped the older daughter of his best friend, Bobby Dunston. They want a million dollars for her return and only McKenzie has access to that kind of money. They play it carefully with the FBI but things that seem to point to what is happening going very wrong and becoming more confusing and dangerous.
Another good story with enough twists to keep you going.
Another good story with enough twists to keep you going.
August 28, 2020
Well done! I love Housewright’s attention to detail. Whomever we meet, wherever he takes us, his descriptions are precise and interesting. This starts out with a kidnapping of McKenzie’s best friend’s daughter, ...i almost didn’t want to read it, because it is a child abduction. What seems to happen in all his adventures, as soon as McKenzie solves one dilemma, waiting around the corner is another one. Danger follows him everywhere. Well done!
March 1, 2020
McKenzie’s best friend homicide cop Bobby Dunston’s daughter has been kidnapped for ransom. The FBI gets involved and off course McKenzie can’t keep his nose out of it, especially when they suspect the kidnapper was a mutual childhood friend. Good action with lots of tangled involvement and a few surprising twists and turns. A very good addition to the series.
October 5, 2025
Thank you, David Housewright and to your protagonist, Rushmore McKenzie for saving me from the effects of The Signature of All Things.
Madman on a Drum was fun to read. Rushmore McKensie has a droll wit and an unrelenting desire to defend and protect his fellow human beings, especially those he loves.
Madman on a Drum was fun to read. Rushmore McKensie has a droll wit and an unrelenting desire to defend and protect his fellow human beings, especially those he loves.
November 29, 2023
This was a great read. Victoria, Brian's daughter gets kidnapped and McKenzie is who they want to deliver the money. They think they know who is involved, but it is very convoluted and complicated. Bodies are falling and McKenzie now has a hit out on him.
I enjoyed this one immensely.
I enjoyed this one immensely.
October 8, 2024
Like the 4 before this, I hated to put it down. I know I've found a great book/series when I am not reading and I find myself thinking about the book and anxiously awaiting the moment I can get right back into it! I have already purchased the next one in the series and have started it!
June 10, 2025
First time reader but will be looking for more Housewright novels. This was a McKenzie novel number 5 in the series. McKenzie a former cop with the St. Paul Police turned unlicensed PI is after the man who kidnapped his goddaughter. A very satisfying entertaining well written story. enjoy.
December 13, 2017
Good read, maintained a brisk pace from start to finish.
February 21, 2018
McKenzie sure has a way of getting himself in trouble. Nothing new or spectacular here but that's OK. It is alright to settle in with an old friend now and again.
November 20, 2018
This was another great read. The twists are fantastic.
May 24, 2020
Easy read!
Fun to read about neighborhoods now changed by urban development! A small trip down memory lane - clever dialogue and easy action.
Fun to read about neighborhoods now changed by urban development! A small trip down memory lane - clever dialogue and easy action.
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May 31, 2021This is the book my mom had checked out when she died, so I read it. It is set in the Twin Cities about a kidnapping and murder of the kidnapper. I didn't find it very interesting or compelling.
April 3, 2022
Even though I live in the vicinity that these stories are written, I learn something new each time. The stories are intense, the mysteries compelling and it is so hard to put the book down.
April 12, 2022
McKenzie helps his best friends when their daughter is kidnapped. But is it really about the kidnapping or about McKenzie? His best work that I’ve read so far. Great twists.
September 5, 2022
This was a great, fun read. Interesting, well developed characters and thought provoking dialog.
February 9, 2023
Another entertaining story. Nothing extraordinary, just, sort-of, a relaxing 'who done-it'. Although, the 'who done-it' in this story seemed out in left field.
April 6, 2023
St Paul former police officer Mac McKenzie is wealthy due to financial rewards of a previous case which sometimes makes him a target. His friends daughter is kidnapped and he covers the ransom.
May 5, 2023
Books are decent but I’ll finish the series when I run out of other books. The series isn’t as engrossing as I’d like them to be. 2.0 audio.
October 17, 2023
Another satisfying read in the McKenzie series from David Housewright.
November 14, 2023
Love this series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews