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Mac McKenzie #8
Highway 61
Mac McKenzie returns with a too-personal case that leads him up the legendary Highway 61 in the latest in David Housewright's awardwinning series
Rushmore McKenzie is a former cop, current millionaire, and an occasional unlicensed P.I. who does favors for friends. Yet he has reservations when his girlfriend's daughter asks him to help her father Jason Truhler, the ex-husband of McKenzie's girlfriend, and a man in serious trouble. En route from St. Paul to a Canadian blues festival on Highway 61, he met a girl, blacked out, and awoke hours later in a strange motel, with the girl's murdered body on the floor. Slipping away unnoticed and heading home, he thought he'd got away―until he started getting texts with photos of the body and demands for blackmail payments he couldn't pay.
McKenzie soon finds that Truhler was set up in a modified honey trap, designed to blackmail him. But Truhler's version wasn't exactly the truth either. And McKenzie now finds himself trapped in the middle of a very dangerous game with some of the most powerful men in the state on one side and some of the deadliest on the other.
Rushmore McKenzie is a former cop, current millionaire, and an occasional unlicensed P.I. who does favors for friends. Yet he has reservations when his girlfriend's daughter asks him to help her father Jason Truhler, the ex-husband of McKenzie's girlfriend, and a man in serious trouble. En route from St. Paul to a Canadian blues festival on Highway 61, he met a girl, blacked out, and awoke hours later in a strange motel, with the girl's murdered body on the floor. Slipping away unnoticed and heading home, he thought he'd got away―until he started getting texts with photos of the body and demands for blackmail payments he couldn't pay.
McKenzie soon finds that Truhler was set up in a modified honey trap, designed to blackmail him. But Truhler's version wasn't exactly the truth either. And McKenzie now finds himself trapped in the middle of a very dangerous game with some of the most powerful men in the state on one side and some of the deadliest on the other.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published June 7, 2011
106 people are currently reading
273 people want to read
About the author
David Housewright
65 books415 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 62 reviews
April 8, 2025
I am on a series binge of David Housewright’s Mac McKenzie collection, of which this is the eighth book. Housewright explores the life of Mac ‘Rushmore’ McKenzie, an amateur private investigator from St. Paul, Minnesota who is always eager to help those close to him. When he is approached to help a man who is being blackmailed for murder, Mac is dubious, which only fuels his determination when all the stars align. Powerful men will do whatever they can to stymie the truth, even with Mac McKenzie standing in their way.
Mac ‘Rushmore’ McKenzie came into a significant amount of money years ago, which led to his abrupt retirement from the St. Paul PD. Now, he’s working an an unlicensed PI and helping those he deems worth his while. Mac may have met his limits when his girlfriend's daughter asks him to help. Jason Truhler, the girl’s father, finds himself in serious trouble and can find no one else to help.
Jason recounts a story about a trip to a blues festival on Highway 61. His time in Thunder Bay, Ontario included meeting a girl and blacking out, only to find her murdered body on the hotel floor the next morning. While Jason was able to get out and return to St. Paul, his horror was only beginning. He started to get texts and photos, demanding that he pay a sizable blackmail each month.
Mac reluctantly begins helping, only to learn that this was a complex honey trap in a larger scheme. As Mac delves deeper, his safety is in question and those around him could face significant retribution. It would appear that there are powerful forces all the way up the political ladder in Minnesota involved in this game. Mac will have to play his hand carefully or face serious retribution. Perhaps the most violent novel in the series to date, but also the most energetic. Housewright is finding his pace and pushing the limits.
While I have the latest novel in the series as an ARC, I wanted some context and so am binge reading the entire collection. Housewright delivers a solid narrative, adding exciting antics throughout. He provides his protagonist with much to do in a small community, expanding things when Mac ventures into Canada as well. Characters are gritty and qite dark throughout, adding a new angle for Housewright to explore, while also likely alarming series fans as well. The plot provides the reader with quite the adventure on which things turn repeatedly. The surprises are plentiful and Housewrght sure knows how to push things out of their comfort zone. I am eager to see where things are headed, as this novel surely took things in a new direction.
Kudos, Mr. Housewright, for tapping into a much darker side of Mac McKenzie and those around him.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Mac ‘Rushmore’ McKenzie came into a significant amount of money years ago, which led to his abrupt retirement from the St. Paul PD. Now, he’s working an an unlicensed PI and helping those he deems worth his while. Mac may have met his limits when his girlfriend's daughter asks him to help. Jason Truhler, the girl’s father, finds himself in serious trouble and can find no one else to help.
Jason recounts a story about a trip to a blues festival on Highway 61. His time in Thunder Bay, Ontario included meeting a girl and blacking out, only to find her murdered body on the hotel floor the next morning. While Jason was able to get out and return to St. Paul, his horror was only beginning. He started to get texts and photos, demanding that he pay a sizable blackmail each month.
Mac reluctantly begins helping, only to learn that this was a complex honey trap in a larger scheme. As Mac delves deeper, his safety is in question and those around him could face significant retribution. It would appear that there are powerful forces all the way up the political ladder in Minnesota involved in this game. Mac will have to play his hand carefully or face serious retribution. Perhaps the most violent novel in the series to date, but also the most energetic. Housewright is finding his pace and pushing the limits.
While I have the latest novel in the series as an ARC, I wanted some context and so am binge reading the entire collection. Housewright delivers a solid narrative, adding exciting antics throughout. He provides his protagonist with much to do in a small community, expanding things when Mac ventures into Canada as well. Characters are gritty and qite dark throughout, adding a new angle for Housewright to explore, while also likely alarming series fans as well. The plot provides the reader with quite the adventure on which things turn repeatedly. The surprises are plentiful and Housewrght sure knows how to push things out of their comfort zone. I am eager to see where things are headed, as this novel surely took things in a new direction.
Kudos, Mr. Housewright, for tapping into a much darker side of Mac McKenzie and those around him.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
May 13, 2017
I am delighted to have discovered David Housewright. His latest novel, Highway 61, kept my attention the whole way through, and Housewright's action scenes are edge of the seat. I am still reeling from the car chase!
Housewright's hero is an interesting study of a man who uses his wealth to help others on a very personal, self endangering level instead of donating to unknown, untouchable people on the far side of a charity organization.
I would recommend Housewright and this book to anyone who likes well written mysteries, political thrillers, and a lot of excitement. I plan to read more of this writer's books.
Sasscer Hill
Author of "Full Mortality."
Housewright's hero is an interesting study of a man who uses his wealth to help others on a very personal, self endangering level instead of donating to unknown, untouchable people on the far side of a charity organization.
I would recommend Housewright and this book to anyone who likes well written mysteries, political thrillers, and a lot of excitement. I plan to read more of this writer's books.
Sasscer Hill
Author of "Full Mortality."
June 21, 2011
The more I read this series, the more I like it. After walking away from being a cop to be a rich man instead, McKenzie still wants to do good. He manages to do this by "doing favors" for people who need help. I enjoy Housewright's wry sense of humor and the fact that he doesn't let his hero get too full of himself. I love the Minnesota setting, but I'm happy to read about rather than experience those long cold winters. I'm looking forward to the next book.
October 4, 2022
4.5 stars! First time I've read anything from this author and I absolutely loved it. I grew up off of Highway 61 most of my life so reading all the places in this book was fun. Housewright is very descriptive in his writing which made picturing the scenes that much clearer. I'll be reading more!
July 22, 2017
I found this one a little different than the others. I discovered that I often learn something, however in this one there were many more interesting facts. The other difference was a lot more laughs. I haven't laughed this much since he was dating the ex-girlfriend, and sure enough he made reference to her. Nina's ex dupes him into this one after her daughter goads him and knows he's an easy mark to get on her good side. That's my interpretation. Either way he should have listened to Nina to not get involved with the bum. I might have even been satisfied if he listened to his wise lady the end. Now that would be an interesting twist if he didn't get involved. But that's not Mac's way, and he's even busier than when he was a cop.
December 15, 2017
Good read, David Housewright doesn't disappoint. A number of plotlines were juggled in this title, but wrapped up well and entertained.
April 13, 2021
McKenzie is asked by Nina's daughter, Erica, to help out her father who is being blackmailed (only Erica does not know why her father needs help).
Erica's father & Nina's ex is a conman being conned by a young prostitute he met online. He took her to a Jazz Festival in Thunder Bay, Canada... The last thing he remembers is they were drinking & getting high and then he wakes up to find her dead, throat slit, on a different hotel floor than where they were staying and instead of checking for a pulse, he bolts without reporting the crime to the police.
While investigating the hotel room, McKenzie's car is tagged by the "Two Joes" with a large amount of cocaine, which McKenzie finds and disposes of.
Turns out Erica's father is being blackmailed for the death of the prostitute and has set McKenzie up as a mule for the drugs w/ the two Joes.
When McKenzie finds out the girl is still alive it leads to a hunt for her & the database she stole from the online Madame by several killers working for different factions all with different interests....
All throughout the story as the many layers of deceit of Erica's schmucky father become revealed, it is evident why Nina divorced him, leaving one to wonder why McKenzie continues to help him.
Intense, fast paced & an engrossing read; however, as I'm beginning to like the characters in this series less & less, which is why this gets 3 stars
Erica's father & Nina's ex is a conman being conned by a young prostitute he met online. He took her to a Jazz Festival in Thunder Bay, Canada... The last thing he remembers is they were drinking & getting high and then he wakes up to find her dead, throat slit, on a different hotel floor than where they were staying and instead of checking for a pulse, he bolts without reporting the crime to the police.
While investigating the hotel room, McKenzie's car is tagged by the "Two Joes" with a large amount of cocaine, which McKenzie finds and disposes of.
Turns out Erica's father is being blackmailed for the death of the prostitute and has set McKenzie up as a mule for the drugs w/ the two Joes.
When McKenzie finds out the girl is still alive it leads to a hunt for her & the database she stole from the online Madame by several killers working for different factions all with different interests....
All throughout the story as the many layers of deceit of Erica's schmucky father become revealed, it is evident why Nina divorced him, leaving one to wonder why McKenzie continues to help him.
Intense, fast paced & an engrossing read; however, as I'm beginning to like the characters in this series less & less, which is why this gets 3 stars
May 7, 2024
If Jason Truhler’s daughter hadn’t asked Rushmore (Mac) McKenzie to help her dad, he’d never have done it. Jason went to a blues festival in Canada, and someone scammed him hard-core. He had a predilection for underage girls, and a girl looking underaged seduced him at the music festival. Back in her room, they get woozy and bluesy, and soon they’re sharing a bed. Truhler has no memory of it. When he awakens, the girl lies on the floor, her throat gashed, and blood everywhere.
He slips back across the border with the cops none the wiser, and not long after that, the blackmail calls start coming in. McKenzie is sure the girl duped Truhler. He reluctantly agrees to find out who’s responsible for the fiscally crippling blackmail. But taking that case pits him against soleless convicts and even more evil politicians and men of privilege who don’t want information leaking about their hidden proclivities.
This is a hot-action book that involves wrecked cars, high-speed chases, multiple gunshots and more. Meanwhile, when he gets a spare second to think, McKenzie worries that he’s straddling the line between being a good guy who does favors for friends and someone entirely different and less desirable. In short, this is well worth your time, and it will go quickly. You’ll likely finish it if you start it, and you’ll enjoy it.
He slips back across the border with the cops none the wiser, and not long after that, the blackmail calls start coming in. McKenzie is sure the girl duped Truhler. He reluctantly agrees to find out who’s responsible for the fiscally crippling blackmail. But taking that case pits him against soleless convicts and even more evil politicians and men of privilege who don’t want information leaking about their hidden proclivities.
This is a hot-action book that involves wrecked cars, high-speed chases, multiple gunshots and more. Meanwhile, when he gets a spare second to think, McKenzie worries that he’s straddling the line between being a good guy who does favors for friends and someone entirely different and less desirable. In short, this is well worth your time, and it will go quickly. You’ll likely finish it if you start it, and you’ll enjoy it.
August 20, 2019
A middle-aged man in Thunder Bay, Canada for an outdoor concert meets a young woman and they decide to go to the concert together. There is much music, talk, and some drinking. Maybe too much drinking the man thinks. When the man comes to, he is obviously in a motel room (a cheap one) and not the room he had rented. The girl is not in the bed next to which raises some concern. If it isn't her room, then why is he there? On the floor, though, between the bed and curtained window he find the girl in a pool of blood. Her throat appears to have been slit and by the amount of blood she appears to have bled out. The sight of it makes him queasy and very afraid. He doesn't actually check to see if she is dead. She just has to be. He flees back to Minneapolis leaving the scene in a panic.
Later, he receives messages that evidence exists showing him and the dead girl. A picture is sent. It shows him in bed, the girl on the floor in blood. He is being blackmailed. He pays but soon it becomes too many times. He contacts McKenzie. Why McKenzie? He is the father of Erica, the ex-husband of Nina, McKenzie's love. And Erica is desperate to help her father.
And, another 'favor' begins.
Later, he receives messages that evidence exists showing him and the dead girl. A picture is sent. It shows him in bed, the girl on the floor in blood. He is being blackmailed. He pays but soon it becomes too many times. He contacts McKenzie. Why McKenzie? He is the father of Erica, the ex-husband of Nina, McKenzie's love. And Erica is desperate to help her father.
And, another 'favor' begins.
May 23, 2024
Solid crime writing ... selling points for the series (based on one novel):
Likable main character with a solid back story (although by book 8 if there's no background, somebody failed);
Plot has sufficient twists to keep things interesting;
Good pacing.
Things to not like:
As happens in genre series, by this point the main character is developing an aura ... things just come a little too smoothly. It's like readers should be scoring the detective on style points, not whether the crime gets solved. The best example I can offer is Jim Butcher, whose Chicago-based magician Harry Dresden is scuffling along the first few books and can pretty much go toe-to-toe with an elder god by 8-10 books in. This feels a little like that. Mac will solve the case; the only question is how.
Otherwise pretty unremarkable ... at no point did I stop reading and go "wow," no huge insights into the human condition, does not try to impress a new world view on the reader.
I dunno, I feel like I'm damning with faint praise. It's well-written if not ground-breaking?
If you want to read a series of crime novels set in Minnesota, this is one of them? Ouch.
3-3.5 stars
Likable main character with a solid back story (although by book 8 if there's no background, somebody failed);
Plot has sufficient twists to keep things interesting;
Good pacing.
Things to not like:
As happens in genre series, by this point the main character is developing an aura ... things just come a little too smoothly. It's like readers should be scoring the detective on style points, not whether the crime gets solved. The best example I can offer is Jim Butcher, whose Chicago-based magician Harry Dresden is scuffling along the first few books and can pretty much go toe-to-toe with an elder god by 8-10 books in. This feels a little like that. Mac will solve the case; the only question is how.
Otherwise pretty unremarkable ... at no point did I stop reading and go "wow," no huge insights into the human condition, does not try to impress a new world view on the reader.
I dunno, I feel like I'm damning with faint praise. It's well-written if not ground-breaking?
If you want to read a series of crime novels set in Minnesota, this is one of them? Ouch.
3-3.5 stars
August 27, 2025
I'm very invested in this series and love the First Person POV as well as the noir feel of the writing, so I was fully ready to give this book five stars - until the final few chapters. Then it all went to hell. Get this: Mackenzie is in a standoff in a parking lot with two notoriously unscrupulous bad guys. He shoots one, but the other has him at gunpoint and is throwing every threat in the book at him. End of chapter.
THEN THE NEXT CHAPTER OPENS WITH MACKENZIE TURNING THE REMAINING BAD GUY OVER TO A RIVAL CROOK!!! What?? How?? Who knows; it's never explained. Mackenzie comes out smelling like a rose as always, even though he has to call in a favor from the governor, whose wife he conveniently knew from school. Now, I don't mind a few semi-superhuman moves. Disarming someone who has a gun in your face? Unlikely, but not impossible. BUT for heaven's sake, any writer worth his sale will explain how it's done.
Up until that point I enjoyed the story, and I still like Mackenzie for always allowing himself to get roped into helping people in dire straits (there's a few unexpected turns in this book in that respect) and I will probably continue to read the Mackenzie series, but another blunder like that and I'm done!
THEN THE NEXT CHAPTER OPENS WITH MACKENZIE TURNING THE REMAINING BAD GUY OVER TO A RIVAL CROOK!!! What?? How?? Who knows; it's never explained. Mackenzie comes out smelling like a rose as always, even though he has to call in a favor from the governor, whose wife he conveniently knew from school. Now, I don't mind a few semi-superhuman moves. Disarming someone who has a gun in your face? Unlikely, but not impossible. BUT for heaven's sake, any writer worth his sale will explain how it's done.
Up until that point I enjoyed the story, and I still like Mackenzie for always allowing himself to get roped into helping people in dire straits (there's a few unexpected turns in this book in that respect) and I will probably continue to read the Mackenzie series, but another blunder like that and I'm done!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 19, 2023
Another top-notch read in the McKenzie series. It's not anywhere as good as most of the other 7 that I've read (in order), still an engrossing read. Maybe I'm spoiled and have too high expectations for this series? There's no real mystery in this one, just a page turning thriller with some humor and class.
My biggest problem was that there were a few situations that stretched the believability of this novel for me. One was the Joes, as reckless as they were portrayed especially in the closing pages, how did they survive in the mean streets for so long? It also was a little annoying that nothing actually was accomplished by the end. Perhaps that's realistic, but a bit of a bummer. Still David Housewright's writing and his development of McKenzie steals the show and covers any shortcomings real or perceived.
My biggest problem was that there were a few situations that stretched the believability of this novel for me. One was the Joes, as reckless as they were portrayed especially in the closing pages, how did they survive in the mean streets for so long? It also was a little annoying that nothing actually was accomplished by the end. Perhaps that's realistic, but a bit of a bummer. Still David Housewright's writing and his development of McKenzie steals the show and covers any shortcomings real or perceived.
January 2, 2025
This book was special for me because several scenes took place on the East Side of St. Paul where I grew up, even referencing my old high school. In this story Mac (former cop, current millionaire) gets a call from his girlfriend's teenage daughter asking if he'd please help out her father who is in trouble with some very bad people. Big trouble.
Rushmore MacKenzie (Mac) is one of my favorite characters and this is a favorite series of mine as well, this book being #8. Housewright's books have wonderfully drawn characters, humor, action, violence, and it all happens in my home state of Minnesota.
Rushmore MacKenzie (Mac) is one of my favorite characters and this is a favorite series of mine as well, this book being #8. Housewright's books have wonderfully drawn characters, humor, action, violence, and it all happens in my home state of Minnesota.
March 17, 2020
I am on my second of a ten book Mac McKenzie reading binge (after reading all in the series minus #4 up to this point) and enjoying it very much. To me David Housewright’s main character McKenzie fits very comfortably personality wise between Lee Child’s Jack Reacher and Steve Hamilton’s Alex McKnight. Highway 61 has plenty of fast-paced excitement, suspense and even a little humor as McKenzie continually struggles with his conscience to solve this latest mystery.
June 3, 2024
I like the writing, McKenzie, an unlicensed private investigator and former cop, who became a millionaire, does a 'favor' for his girlfriend's daughter and becomes a bit of a vigilante in the process by withholding important information and evidence from the police. There are car chases, shootouts, deceptions, murders and twists and turns, all to make it interesting and a fast paced engrossing read.
October 29, 2025
I have mixed feelings about this one, mostly because I hated how McKenzie got taken advantage of and found myself feeling much the same that he did at the end for the supposed bad guys. Nothing was cut and dry, it wasn't a clear case of right and wrong, especially when those that were really wrong just got that slap on the wrist and others paid the price when they weren't the bad guys. It felt like McKenzie was very disillusioned at the end, which is how I felt.
November 23, 2025
I am a fan of David Housewright. His writing is clean and the stories fun to read. I LOVE the Mac McKenzie series. McKenzie is the perfect man. I don't know if he is good looking or not but in my mind he is. He is also a great blend of tough guy versus nice guy. Each novel i have read from this series has been a fun read and this one wasn't an exception.
September 26, 2019
Let's just say that, in the end, justice is served. It's a pleasure to read this prose, especially the lovely descriptions of Minnesota. I also enjoy the relationships that develop among various characters. Lots of violence, though ...
March 2, 2022
I absolutely love David Housewright's writing, one of my favorite local authors. . His last book didn't thrill me, so I read an older one I hadn't read and I'm back to loving it. So good, humor, mystery and he always keeps me guessing.
February 14, 2023
Always fun to read a thriller set in your town! This one kept me on the edge throughout. A little dark for me, but as it was my first read by this author, I'm going to read more of his books. Loved the suspense.
January 29, 2018
Love that these books take place in Minnesota.
July 12, 2018
The more I read this series the more I like it. Love the characters each and every time, how McKenzie talks out his reason with himself. Every book so far has not failed me.
January 10, 2019
This is another great read. I liked that McKenzie struggled with his conscience through the entire story. It makes him seem very real and as always entertaining!!
February 8, 2019
Not as straight forward as his other books
March 4, 2019
Not all bows are tied. That’s a good thing.
December 26, 2020
I did not like the Mac character at the start of the book, but eventually he grew on me and this turned into a pretty good read.
October 5, 2021
This book is set in Minnesota. That alone is so different. It involves an online prostitution ring. What I like about the book is that the private eye McKenzie has a great sense of humor.
February 2, 2022
Read a book set in MN is always a delight to me.....not that I want to think about the fact that murder can happen in my home state....
August 15, 2022
MacKenzie is asked by Nina’s daughter to help her father out. It becomes convoluted with drugs and arson and a madam.
May 31, 2023
Minnesota
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews