About the Book:
After taking down a man wielding an AR-15 a small town winery, Rushmore McKenzie has to find out who, if anyone, was the shooter's target before he, or someone else, tries again.
Once a police detective in St. Paul, Minnesota, Rushmore McKenzie, after becoming an unexpected millionaire, now is an unlicensed private investigator, doing the occasional investigative favor. Off on a weekend getaway to northwestern Wisconsin, McKenzie, with a group of five, including his childhood friend and current police detective Bobby Dunston, stop off at a local winery. When a man walks up carrying an AR-15, which he raises, props the butt against his shoulder, and sights down the barrel - but before he can do anything, Bobby Dunston yells 'gun' and he and McKenzie take the man down.
The would-be shooter was arrested, and normally, that would be the end of it. But Wisconsin is an open carry state and the police can't prove that the gunman was intended to do anything. But it does appear that he might have been looking for one specific target. And, if so, that person is not out of danger. Now, before the gunman is released, McKenzie decides to find out who was the real target and why, before it is too late.
Once a police detective in St. Paul, Minnesota, Rushmore McKenzie, after becoming an unexpected millionaire, now is an unlicensed private investigator, doing the occasional investigative favor. Off on a weekend getaway to northwestern Wisconsin, McKenzie, with a group of five, including his childhood friend and current police detective Bobby Dunston, stop off at a local winery. When a man walks up carrying an AR-15, which he raises, props the butt against his shoulder, and sights down the barrel - but before he can do anything, Bobby Dunston yells 'gun' and he and McKenzie take the man down.
The would-be shooter was arrested, and normally, that would be the end of it. But Wisconsin is an open carry state and the police can't prove that the gunman was intended to do anything. But it does appear that he might have been looking for one specific target. And, if so, that person is not out of danger. Now, before the gunman is released, McKenzie decides to find out who was the real target and why, before it is too late.
My Review:
This novel is down the line in the series but the first for me. The hero is now a private citizen and I found his explaining this to every one he interviews a bit repetitive. There are many suspects and there are many characters in the novel too. Many of the characters have had interactions in the past and that was confusing. As the novel progresses, the small town secrets come to light. I appreciate the pacing which keeps one reading, even when the situation is quite complex. This is a good mystery for readers who like a persistent investigator making his way through a web of small town secrets and connections.
About the Author:
A past president of the Private Eye Writers of America, Housewright is best known for his Rushmore McKenzie and Holland Taylor detective novels as well as other tales of murder and mayhem in the Midwest. He earned the Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for "Penance" (1996) as well as three Minnesota Book Awards for "Practice to Deceive" (1998), "Jelly's Gold" (2010) and "Curse of the Jade Lily" (2013). A reformed newspaper reporter and ad man, Housewright also taught at the University of Minnesota and Loft Literary Center in Minneapolis. He was recently added to “Minnesota Writers on the Map” by the Minnesota Historical Society and Friends of the St. Paul Public Library. All of Housewright's novels have been printed in trade paper and can be found on Kindle. Most of his McKenzie novels are also available as audiobooks. Housewright has a volume of short stories called "Full House" and wrote "Devil and the Diva" with Renee Valois.
Minotaur Books, 302 pages.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book from the publisher. My comments are an independent review.
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