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Mac McKenzie #18
What Doesn't Kill Us: A Mac McKenzie Novel
Rushmore McKenzie has been shot and lies in a coma, while the police and his friends desperately try to find out what McKenzie was doing and who tried to kill him
Rushmore McKenzie, former St. Paul police detective and unexpected millionaire, does the occasional, unofficial private detective work - mostly favors for friends. He’s faced kidnappers, domestic terrorists, art thieves, among others, and had a hand in solving some of the most perplexing mysteries of the Twin Cities. But this time, his prodigious luck and intuition may have finally failed He was shot in the back by an unknown assailant and lies in a coma.
His childhood friend, Lt. Bobby Dunston of the St. Paul Police Department, assigns his best detective to the case while other figures - on both sides of the law - pursue the truth. What was he investigating, what did he learn that so threatened someone that they tried to kill him? What does a sketchy bar in the wrong part of town, the area’s prominent tech millionaire family, drug dealers, investment bankers, and a mysterious woman who left an unknown package for McKenzie all have in common? The answer to that might be what stands between life and death.
Rushmore McKenzie, former St. Paul police detective and unexpected millionaire, does the occasional, unofficial private detective work - mostly favors for friends. He’s faced kidnappers, domestic terrorists, art thieves, among others, and had a hand in solving some of the most perplexing mysteries of the Twin Cities. But this time, his prodigious luck and intuition may have finally failed He was shot in the back by an unknown assailant and lies in a coma.
His childhood friend, Lt. Bobby Dunston of the St. Paul Police Department, assigns his best detective to the case while other figures - on both sides of the law - pursue the truth. What was he investigating, what did he learn that so threatened someone that they tried to kill him? What does a sketchy bar in the wrong part of town, the area’s prominent tech millionaire family, drug dealers, investment bankers, and a mysterious woman who left an unknown package for McKenzie all have in common? The answer to that might be what stands between life and death.
334 pages, Paperback
First published May 4, 2021
162 people are currently reading
3308 people want to read
About the author
David Housewright
43 books412 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 110 reviews
April 14, 2025
I am on a series binge of David Housewright’s Mac McKenzie collection, of which this is the eighteenth 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. A shooting leaves Mac in the hospital and many around him rushing for answers. The truth could be essential to understanding Mac’s recent work, and who he has offended. The answer could show whether others will also be in danger. Housewright sends readers on an adventure and exciting search for answers.
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 as an unlicensed PI and helping those worth his while.
No case has been too daunting for him and he has seen it all. All that is put in question when he is shot by an unknown assailant and left for dead. He is rushed to the hospital and lies in a coma with his friends and family holding vigil around his bedside.
While he is no longer a member of the St. Paul Police Department, he has connections and a best friend in Lt. Bobby Dunston. The case takes priority and Lt. Dunston puts a seasoned detective on the case to find the shooter, though many others are also searching for the truth. Questions arise to determine what Mac might have been doing to get himself shot and whose toes might have been tread upon. Answers will have to wait for Mac to wake up, though there is no guarantee that he will.
As things progress, clues come to the surface and more questions emerge. A sketchy bar on the wrong side of town and a tech billionaire with something to hide play a part in understanding Mac’s story. An unknown woman who arrived to deliver a package to Mac might also have clues that make the case come together, but nothing is yet clear enough. Lt. Dunston is running out of patience and the answers could be a literal matter of life and death for Mac McKenzie. Housewright intensifies this series with this novel that takes things in another direction.
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 offers up a narrative that takes things in a different direction. Things are edgy and the story proves to be different than the previous novels. Mac McKenzie delivers a great deal of backstory and development in this piece, which has been eighteen novels in the making. Others show their softer side, as well as determination to help the protagonist in his stuggles. Plot points are well placed to add some intensity to the story, while also creating surprises for series fans to enjoy. I have been entertained by all the nuances in the collection and David Housewright has yet to fail me.
Kudos, Mr. Housewright, for a different direction that takes readers to the same great place!
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June 13, 2021
First Sentence: I was shot in the back at close range by a .32-caliber handgun yet did not die, at least not permanently.
Rushmore "Mac" MacKenzie is a former cop now spending his time doing unofficial private investigations for his friends, some more law-abiding than others. It all starts when his friend Deese takes a genealogy-site DNA test and learns his father is not his father. But is that what led to Mac being shot in the back? Now lying in a medically-induced coma, it is up to Mac's friends to do a favor for him to track down his would-be killer.
What a unique premise. While the solving of the crime is left up to his diverse and fascinating assortment of friends with incidents shown from their perspective, the story is told, by post coma, by Mac. This gives a somewhat out-of-body feel to the narration. The book does mention COVID-19, although it was clearly written at the very beginning of the pandemic.
Housewright has compiled a fascinating collection of characters. Many are recurring characters that add to the overall series. Some, such as Detective Shipman, are new and add a touch of vinegar to the story. That Nina, Mac's wife, confesses being jealous of Shelby, the wife of Mac's best friend, is perfectly written and exemplifies how women almost never realize their own worth or successes.
The story segues into various relevant topics are insightful and add a layer to the story beyond the basic investigation. Rather than being intrusive or slowing the pace, they add a layer of significance.
Housewright is an eminently quotable author. Whether talking about emotional pain—"It reminds me of that old Skeeter Davis song. I wake up in the morning and I wonder why everything's the same as it was."—or referencing Shakespeare to impart a facial expression—"I need you to do something for me," she said. The way Smith and Jones glanced at each other yet again somehow reminded Shipman of Shakespeare's Richard III – I am not in the giving vein today."—or a t-shirt meme—"YOU MATTER unless you multiply yourself by the speed of light squared…then you energy."—his words are relatable.
Unconventional twists are sometimes so cleverly done as to make one smile. The story of Deese and the unintended result of taking the DNA test is one that could serve as a caution. But there is also a well-done twist that circles the plot back to the motive.
"What Doesn't Kill Us" is a well-done, non-stop read. This may not be Housewright's best book, only due to the plethora of characters which can be confusing, but it is certainly an entertaining one.
WHAT DOESN'T KILL US (PI-Rushmore MacKenzie-Twin Cities-Contemp) – G+
Housewright, David
Minotaur Books, May 2021, 345 pp.
Rushmore "Mac" MacKenzie is a former cop now spending his time doing unofficial private investigations for his friends, some more law-abiding than others. It all starts when his friend Deese takes a genealogy-site DNA test and learns his father is not his father. But is that what led to Mac being shot in the back? Now lying in a medically-induced coma, it is up to Mac's friends to do a favor for him to track down his would-be killer.
What a unique premise. While the solving of the crime is left up to his diverse and fascinating assortment of friends with incidents shown from their perspective, the story is told, by post coma, by Mac. This gives a somewhat out-of-body feel to the narration. The book does mention COVID-19, although it was clearly written at the very beginning of the pandemic.
Housewright has compiled a fascinating collection of characters. Many are recurring characters that add to the overall series. Some, such as Detective Shipman, are new and add a touch of vinegar to the story. That Nina, Mac's wife, confesses being jealous of Shelby, the wife of Mac's best friend, is perfectly written and exemplifies how women almost never realize their own worth or successes.
The story segues into various relevant topics are insightful and add a layer to the story beyond the basic investigation. Rather than being intrusive or slowing the pace, they add a layer of significance.
Housewright is an eminently quotable author. Whether talking about emotional pain—"It reminds me of that old Skeeter Davis song. I wake up in the morning and I wonder why everything's the same as it was."—or referencing Shakespeare to impart a facial expression—"I need you to do something for me," she said. The way Smith and Jones glanced at each other yet again somehow reminded Shipman of Shakespeare's Richard III – I am not in the giving vein today."—or a t-shirt meme—"YOU MATTER unless you multiply yourself by the speed of light squared…then you energy."—his words are relatable.
Unconventional twists are sometimes so cleverly done as to make one smile. The story of Deese and the unintended result of taking the DNA test is one that could serve as a caution. But there is also a well-done twist that circles the plot back to the motive.
"What Doesn't Kill Us" is a well-done, non-stop read. This may not be Housewright's best book, only due to the plethora of characters which can be confusing, but it is certainly an entertaining one.
WHAT DOESN'T KILL US (PI-Rushmore MacKenzie-Twin Cities-Contemp) – G+
Housewright, David
Minotaur Books, May 2021, 345 pp.
July 18, 2021
Eighteen books in and David Housewright found a way to keep the Rushmore McKenzie series fresh. Just put McKenzie in a coma and let old friends lead the story. The mystery at the center of this novel is good, not great, but it is in the telling that Housewright excels herein. It doesn’t hurt that the appearances of old friends helps to repay veteran readers for their investment in the series. The Rushmore McKenzie story is about more than one book.
The cast of characters includes the very familiar, such as Nina Truhler, now McKenzie’s wife, and his oldest of friends Bobby and Shelby Dunston. Recurring characters Chopper and Herzog make early and frequent appearances, moving the investigation forward in critical ways and then adding their own spin to a rational denouement. Jean Shipman is back as Bobby’s number one detective; she still doesn’t like McKenzie but she does her job more than dutifully (and receives some unexpected rewards in the process). A slew of formerly one-off characters who have benefited from McKenzie’s generous nature re-appear (Riley Muhlenhaus and Heavenly Petryk to name just two), and it is a testament to Housewright’s endurance that it doesn’t take much prompting to remember these players even 18 books into the series.
This is a good read for anyone, but for folks who have been following McKenzie from the beginning it will have added attraction. It’s like going to your childhood home after a long time away and feeling great comfort at the familiar.
Of all the folks in
McKenzie’s world, Chopper and
Herzog get things done.
The cast of characters includes the very familiar, such as Nina Truhler, now McKenzie’s wife, and his oldest of friends Bobby and Shelby Dunston. Recurring characters Chopper and Herzog make early and frequent appearances, moving the investigation forward in critical ways and then adding their own spin to a rational denouement. Jean Shipman is back as Bobby’s number one detective; she still doesn’t like McKenzie but she does her job more than dutifully (and receives some unexpected rewards in the process). A slew of formerly one-off characters who have benefited from McKenzie’s generous nature re-appear (Riley Muhlenhaus and Heavenly Petryk to name just two), and it is a testament to Housewright’s endurance that it doesn’t take much prompting to remember these players even 18 books into the series.
This is a good read for anyone, but for folks who have been following McKenzie from the beginning it will have added attraction. It’s like going to your childhood home after a long time away and feeling great comfort at the familiar.
Of all the folks in
McKenzie’s world, Chopper and
Herzog get things done.
July 12, 2021
This is the story of how the friends of McKenzie investigate his shooting. McKenzie is a former policeman who is now rich. But he still does investigative favors for his friends. What was he investigating the night he was shot, and for whom? The answer involves an extremely troubled family from the rich side of Minneapolis. The plot is twisty. The story is really well done considering that the “star” of the series spends most of the book in a coma but still manages to lend us his thoughts throughout...so, the reader knows he will eventually awaken without brain damage spoiling a major plot point. It was good to see his friends ...and some not so much friends...gather to help find the shooter.
March 28, 2021
Thanks to #StMartinsPress. #NetGalley and #DavidHousewright for the opportunity to read and review the latest "McKenzie" mystery in return for a fair and honest review.
It must be said, first, that I will read almost any book by Mr Housewright - especially the McKenzie books. And this one was certainly a rollercoaster ride!
McKenzie has been shot in the back,and is in an induced coma (having effectively died once or twice) while on his way to meet a subject in his latest investigation - which involves DNA, Opioids, the Stock Market, Artificial Intelligence and other felonies too numerous to mention.
So, a number of his friends, associates, frenemies (I'm talking about you, Jean Shipman) and people for whom McKenzie has done 'favours' in the past all decide to investigate on his behalf (most known to each other, but each one taking different tacks, which eventually lead to the same conclusions, and an almost-hilarious - if not for the peril involved - final standoff.
Most of the book is written from the post-recovery viewpoint of said Rushmore McKenzie (and we do know from the beginning that he survives, so this is not a spoiler), interspersed with the perspectives of everyone who's involved in the investigations.
Most of the mystery revolves in McKenzie's friend Dave Deese discovering through a DNA test that his father was not his father, and his request to McKenzie to find his relatives. And boy, what relatives they turn out to be.
This can certainly be read as a standalone novel, but knowledge of some of McKenzie's previous escapades would definitely help in deciphering the various players and their motivations (although hints and explanations are dropped throughout).
Highly recommended.
It must be said, first, that I will read almost any book by Mr Housewright - especially the McKenzie books. And this one was certainly a rollercoaster ride!
McKenzie has been shot in the back,and is in an induced coma (having effectively died once or twice) while on his way to meet a subject in his latest investigation - which involves DNA, Opioids, the Stock Market, Artificial Intelligence and other felonies too numerous to mention.
So, a number of his friends, associates, frenemies (I'm talking about you, Jean Shipman) and people for whom McKenzie has done 'favours' in the past all decide to investigate on his behalf (most known to each other, but each one taking different tacks, which eventually lead to the same conclusions, and an almost-hilarious - if not for the peril involved - final standoff.
Most of the book is written from the post-recovery viewpoint of said Rushmore McKenzie (and we do know from the beginning that he survives, so this is not a spoiler), interspersed with the perspectives of everyone who's involved in the investigations.
Most of the mystery revolves in McKenzie's friend Dave Deese discovering through a DNA test that his father was not his father, and his request to McKenzie to find his relatives. And boy, what relatives they turn out to be.
This can certainly be read as a standalone novel, but knowledge of some of McKenzie's previous escapades would definitely help in deciphering the various players and their motivations (although hints and explanations are dropped throughout).
Highly recommended.
September 26, 2021
I've been giving this series a pretty steady four stars but they've really been better than that. Not that this one is better than the others but they have been more like 4.5 stars.
McKenzie is doing another favor for a friend. This one seems pretty straightforward. A favor that seems "what could go wrong?". A friend of his has taken a genealogy DNA test and discovers he has relatives who aren't his relatives. Talk about delicate. He wants McKenzie to pretend he's the friend in order to communicate with some of these 'relatives' to see if he can discover the story behind how his DNA is a match for people NOT of his relatives, or at least the relatives he grew up thinking were his relatives.
That's the simple beginning. The novel picks up with McKenzie standing outside a St. Paul bar (not the best neighborhood) waiting for someone. While he's waiting, McKenzie is shot in the back. The rest of the story is about the investigation to determine who shot McKenzie and why. Along the way, characters from many of McKenzie's past favors come into play to offer an assist in the case. It's kind of a reunion of past efforts converging on St. Paul and Minneapolis once hearing about what happened.
There are plenty of possible suspects and plenty of assists coming from multiple directions. In the end, they all converge on the same location where the real shooter is uncovered. The shooter and motive were a surprise but in the end made sense ... in a strange way.
A very enjoyable read and very different in approach by the author as the various characters uncover McKenzie's actions and information that led him to being standing outside that bar. Clever.
Housewright is easy to read, clever, and fun. Will have to wait another year for the next one.
McKenzie is doing another favor for a friend. This one seems pretty straightforward. A favor that seems "what could go wrong?". A friend of his has taken a genealogy DNA test and discovers he has relatives who aren't his relatives. Talk about delicate. He wants McKenzie to pretend he's the friend in order to communicate with some of these 'relatives' to see if he can discover the story behind how his DNA is a match for people NOT of his relatives, or at least the relatives he grew up thinking were his relatives.
That's the simple beginning. The novel picks up with McKenzie standing outside a St. Paul bar (not the best neighborhood) waiting for someone. While he's waiting, McKenzie is shot in the back. The rest of the story is about the investigation to determine who shot McKenzie and why. Along the way, characters from many of McKenzie's past favors come into play to offer an assist in the case. It's kind of a reunion of past efforts converging on St. Paul and Minneapolis once hearing about what happened.
There are plenty of possible suspects and plenty of assists coming from multiple directions. In the end, they all converge on the same location where the real shooter is uncovered. The shooter and motive were a surprise but in the end made sense ... in a strange way.
A very enjoyable read and very different in approach by the author as the various characters uncover McKenzie's actions and information that led him to being standing outside that bar. Clever.
Housewright is easy to read, clever, and fun. Will have to wait another year for the next one.
August 13, 2021
Another great addition in the escapades of Rushmore McKenzie, or just McKenzie, as he insists to be called. McKenzie is a former St Paul Detective, now he is an unofficial PI. He only gets involved when a friend, (any friend) asks him for help on some personal problem. He doesn’t get paid for his services, he just likes to help his friends. (He also is a millionaire, many times over). He is very good at his job, but even so he usually manages to get physically hurt on these cases. This new case involves helping a very close friend, David Deese. McKenzie gets shot in the back and is in the hospital fighting for his life.
McKenzie is a very likeable guy with a great sense of humor. I especially like when his inner voice talks to him, which by the way is quite frequently.
McKenzie has been with Nina for many years and I was happy to see they finally got married (between the end of book 17 and the start of this book).
I was fortunate some years back when I was searching for local Minnesota authors and David Housewright’s name came up. I have been a devoted follower since and read, and enjoyed, all the books in this series, (18, to be exact).
David, thank you for sharing your talent with us and also putting bits of humor in the story. I live in Minneapolis, so who knows maybe we’ll run into each other someday.
McKenzie is a very likeable guy with a great sense of humor. I especially like when his inner voice talks to him, which by the way is quite frequently.
McKenzie has been with Nina for many years and I was happy to see they finally got married (between the end of book 17 and the start of this book).
I was fortunate some years back when I was searching for local Minnesota authors and David Housewright’s name came up. I have been a devoted follower since and read, and enjoyed, all the books in this series, (18, to be exact).
David, thank you for sharing your talent with us and also putting bits of humor in the story. I live in Minneapolis, so who knows maybe we’ll run into each other someday.
March 22, 2021
I would give this book an actual rating more closely to a 3.75. Overall, I liked the who done it, mystery scene. I had my suspicions on who I thought it was and was completely wrong so I guess that was a good thing. However, there were a lot of characters in this book, almost too many to keep track of. It was sometimes hard to know or remember who was who and some people really didn't seem like they needed to be there. There were also times where the chapters were way too wordy with information that seemed to just fill the background with noise. The last couple of chapters just seemed like reveal all with way too much of a build up. I did like the perspective of the way the book was told though. A more concise read would have been nice to see.
April 22, 2021
WHAT DOESN’T KILL US by David Housewright is Book #18 in his Rushmore McKenzie series. I had not read the previous books in the series, but I had no trouble reading the new novel as a stand-alone. This one is fast-paced and full of suspense. I didn’t want to put it down. McKenzie is a retired St. Paul police detective who is now a millionaire. Although no longer on the force, McKenzie occasionally does some unofficial private detective work as favors to his friends and in so doing, he has a reputation for discretely solving some pretty tricky mysteries in the Twin City area. But delving into these mysteries can be risky when dangerous people are trying to keep their secrets buried. At the start of this story, McKenzie has been shot in the back in a seedy part of town and now lies in a coma. What was he doing there, what was he investigating and who tried to kill him? In a race against time, the police, led by his childhood friend, Lt. Bobby Dunston, and many of McKenzie’s other “friends” try to find the answers to those questions. A lot of the story is narrated from the unique viewpoint of McKenzie himself post-recovery, but intertwined with that are the perspectives of many of the other characters trying to solve the case. I thoroughly enjoyed this well-told and entertaining book and I will definitely go back to pick up some of the earlier books in the series. Don’t miss this one when it comes out on May 25.
October 9, 2021
Maybe three and a half stars--not the best book in the series. Very unusual in that McKenzie is shot in the back on page one and spends the entire book in a medically-induced coma. I assumed he would eventually come to, get out of the hospital, and single-handedly deal with the shooter, but I was wrong. All the other characters, most of whom have appeared at least once in earlier novels, his friends, colleagues, admirers, and even enemies, all participate to solve the crime. All of this is narrated by McKenzie, who apparently wrote the book after he interviewed them about what they had each done. The motivations are extremely complicated, and the plot when finally revealed is implausible. But the telling is very entertaining on every page, and there is a lot to learn about everything from the stock market to the opioid epidemic.
March 14, 2021
Rushmore MCKenzie is a retired cop from MN that falls into a precarious situation while helping a friend. I loved all of the MInnesota references that were prevalent throughout the book. I found the writing style of this mystery a bit choppy and more cumbersome than necessary. The jumping to different character perspectives was unnecessary and distracting, and sometimes even juvenile. Thanks to Goodreads for the early read.
September 12, 2021
Originally posted on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
What Doesn't Kill Us is the 18th PI procedural mystery featuring McKenzie written by David Housewright. Released 25th May 2021 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 352 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately; it makes it so easy to find information with the search function.
This is a departure for this series because it's told in first person retrospective. McKenzie himself has been shot and is unconscious and in a coma for most of the book. Though it's the 18th book in the series, it works pretty well as a standalone and the author is adept enough to give enough background without overloading readers with unnecessary detail.
The plotting is well crafted with several subplots including solving McKenzie's shooting, the criminal underworld, and a well connected ultra-rich tech fortune family complete with infighting and inheritance disagreements. McKenzie is an inveterate favor-granter to his friends and this time he's gotten himself mixed up in something that's nearly gotten him killed.
The whole book felt like a visit with characters the fans of the series have been following for almost 20 years. I did appreciate that the author didn't leave the "did he die or not" plot element hanging, he resolved it from the first page, with McKenzie himself narrating. There's plenty of dramatic tension to be found throughout and I also liked that the supporting ensemble of characters get a starring role in this book.
Recommended for fans of PI procedurals. The language is R rated. There's some light sexual content, but nothing on page. There is some violence and blood.
Four and a half stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
What Doesn't Kill Us is the 18th PI procedural mystery featuring McKenzie written by David Housewright. Released 25th May 2021 by Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 352 pages and is available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately; it makes it so easy to find information with the search function.
This is a departure for this series because it's told in first person retrospective. McKenzie himself has been shot and is unconscious and in a coma for most of the book. Though it's the 18th book in the series, it works pretty well as a standalone and the author is adept enough to give enough background without overloading readers with unnecessary detail.
The plotting is well crafted with several subplots including solving McKenzie's shooting, the criminal underworld, and a well connected ultra-rich tech fortune family complete with infighting and inheritance disagreements. McKenzie is an inveterate favor-granter to his friends and this time he's gotten himself mixed up in something that's nearly gotten him killed.
The whole book felt like a visit with characters the fans of the series have been following for almost 20 years. I did appreciate that the author didn't leave the "did he die or not" plot element hanging, he resolved it from the first page, with McKenzie himself narrating. There's plenty of dramatic tension to be found throughout and I also liked that the supporting ensemble of characters get a starring role in this book.
Recommended for fans of PI procedurals. The language is R rated. There's some light sexual content, but nothing on page. There is some violence and blood.
Four and a half stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
November 3, 2024
library ebook that i requested 10 31 2024
mckenzie was leaving a bar when the person he was supposed to meet didnt show. he was shot by the door in the back and the bullet lodged by his heart
they repaired the damage , but put him in a coma to heal
so far the story is while he is in a coma. hes married to nina, who owns the jazz club. her daughter is in college
his friend the cop is investigating. the man he knows in a wheel chair is too
then they find out a friend of his asked him to help find his birthday. he thought his dad had passed but when he did a dna test (which he didnt tell anyone he did) he found out his mom must have had a affair. another complication is his dads will left the business to his children and since hes not really his son....which apparently no one knew...
the cop who didnt want to work on his case was spoken to by her boss, mckenzies best friend. he cant work on the case himself as hes too close to it. he gave it to his best detective , which is her. so now she is doing her best to solve it
they are slowly bringing mckenzie out of the coma
they are getting closer to solving who shot him. the uncle who needs a transplant or will die in 2 weeks (they think mckenzie is the relative, its really his friend hes working for), the mom that is taking drugs (who was at his lobby) the two student cousins, who were questioned but still dont know all the pieces
his friend told his sister they dont share the same dad, she wants to keep the will the same
they found out the drug dealer shot him, he wanted to be with the girls druggie mom but she didnt want to. he held her hostage against the police but mckenzies friends came to the rescue
he woke up from the coma. nina was relieved but mad at him too, she doesnt want him doing favors for friends (we know how that will turn out!!)
really good book but i like it better when hes not in a coma!
mckenzie was leaving a bar when the person he was supposed to meet didnt show. he was shot by the door in the back and the bullet lodged by his heart
they repaired the damage , but put him in a coma to heal
so far the story is while he is in a coma. hes married to nina, who owns the jazz club. her daughter is in college
his friend the cop is investigating. the man he knows in a wheel chair is too
then they find out a friend of his asked him to help find his birthday. he thought his dad had passed but when he did a dna test (which he didnt tell anyone he did) he found out his mom must have had a affair. another complication is his dads will left the business to his children and since hes not really his son....which apparently no one knew...
the cop who didnt want to work on his case was spoken to by her boss, mckenzies best friend. he cant work on the case himself as hes too close to it. he gave it to his best detective , which is her. so now she is doing her best to solve it
they are slowly bringing mckenzie out of the coma
they are getting closer to solving who shot him. the uncle who needs a transplant or will die in 2 weeks (they think mckenzie is the relative, its really his friend hes working for), the mom that is taking drugs (who was at his lobby) the two student cousins, who were questioned but still dont know all the pieces
his friend told his sister they dont share the same dad, she wants to keep the will the same
they found out the drug dealer shot him, he wanted to be with the girls druggie mom but she didnt want to. he held her hostage against the police but mckenzies friends came to the rescue
he woke up from the coma. nina was relieved but mad at him too, she doesnt want him doing favors for friends (we know how that will turn out!!)
really good book but i like it better when hes not in a coma!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 28, 2021
Rushmore McKenzie is shot in the back.
He dies — for a short time, at least.
He remains in an induced coma while his friends and police hunt for the shooter.
This is not the first time McKenzie has been shot. It has happened in pervious adventures.
McKenzie is a retired St. Paul police detective. He retired early because he came into a potful of money — lottery winnings? Wise investments? Nowadays, he does “favors” for friends.
This time, he is doing a favor for his friend Dave Deese. He impersonates Deese (kinda) as he follows a DNA-ancestry trail in search of Deese’s “real” father.
Obviously, he steps on some sensitive toes. Toes tender enough for someone to shoot him.
Days later, while McKenzie is still in a coma, a stranger meets McKenzie’s wife Nina and warns her to back off: “He was warned and now you’re being warned — keep your big mouth shut.”
In one of the pleasing moments of the story, Nina punches the Bad Guy directly in the chops.
Pow! Nice reaction.
Incidentally, this is the first novel I have read since Covid-19 arrived on this planet that even alludes to the virus: “People hear flu and they immediately think coronavirus.”
Another thing. McKenzie has lived and worked in the St. Paul, Minnesota region all his life. I wonder if he has ever met a couple of other well-known Mid-western crime fighters — Lucas Davenport or Virgil Flowers.
Hey, it is possible.
If you are a fan of Rushmore McKenzie, you will enjoy seeing him again in this installment. If you are not already a fan, why are you waiting? Hie-dee-hoe off to your local bookstore and buy a copy of this book.
Go!
He dies — for a short time, at least.
He remains in an induced coma while his friends and police hunt for the shooter.
This is not the first time McKenzie has been shot. It has happened in pervious adventures.
McKenzie is a retired St. Paul police detective. He retired early because he came into a potful of money — lottery winnings? Wise investments? Nowadays, he does “favors” for friends.
This time, he is doing a favor for his friend Dave Deese. He impersonates Deese (kinda) as he follows a DNA-ancestry trail in search of Deese’s “real” father.
Obviously, he steps on some sensitive toes. Toes tender enough for someone to shoot him.
Days later, while McKenzie is still in a coma, a stranger meets McKenzie’s wife Nina and warns her to back off: “He was warned and now you’re being warned — keep your big mouth shut.”
In one of the pleasing moments of the story, Nina punches the Bad Guy directly in the chops.
Pow! Nice reaction.
Incidentally, this is the first novel I have read since Covid-19 arrived on this planet that even alludes to the virus: “People hear flu and they immediately think coronavirus.”
Another thing. McKenzie has lived and worked in the St. Paul, Minnesota region all his life. I wonder if he has ever met a couple of other well-known Mid-western crime fighters — Lucas Davenport or Virgil Flowers.
Hey, it is possible.
If you are a fan of Rushmore McKenzie, you will enjoy seeing him again in this installment. If you are not already a fan, why are you waiting? Hie-dee-hoe off to your local bookstore and buy a copy of this book.
Go!
June 14, 2021
What Doesn’t Kill Us is the 18th installment in the P.I. Rushmore MacKenzie series and a real surprise. Early in the book, Mac is shot and spends the majority of the book in a medically induced coma while his friends and associates do the detecting. This gives us several separate investigations tracking the various threads that take them far afield while circling back with delicious synchronicity.
His best friend is police Lt. Bobby Dunston who absolutely cannot lead the investigation so he assigns his partner, a woman decidedly not fond of Mac. But there are the people he has done favors for in the past and they are returning the favor with brilliance and diligence. It is a delight to see how the disparate investigations following different trails all end up at the same place. Frankly, there is a hilarious, nearly slapstick denouement. I loved it.
I love Mac and it almost feels disloyal to love a book where he is unconscious through most of it, but I loved What Doesn’t Kill Us. It was a delight to see his friends take up for him. I loved how some of the less-than-legitimate friends were just as effective as the cops. So I love camp and I love capers and this felt like both and with Mac narrating the entire story in the past tense, there was no real sense of jeopardy to temper our enjoyment of the caper.
I received an e-galley of What Doesn’t Kill Us from the publisher through NetGalley.
What Doesn’t Kill Us at St. Martin’s Press | Macmillan
David Housewright author site
From the Grave by David Housewright review
Darkness, Sing Me a Song by David Housewright review
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpre...
His best friend is police Lt. Bobby Dunston who absolutely cannot lead the investigation so he assigns his partner, a woman decidedly not fond of Mac. But there are the people he has done favors for in the past and they are returning the favor with brilliance and diligence. It is a delight to see how the disparate investigations following different trails all end up at the same place. Frankly, there is a hilarious, nearly slapstick denouement. I loved it.
I love Mac and it almost feels disloyal to love a book where he is unconscious through most of it, but I loved What Doesn’t Kill Us. It was a delight to see his friends take up for him. I loved how some of the less-than-legitimate friends were just as effective as the cops. So I love camp and I love capers and this felt like both and with Mac narrating the entire story in the past tense, there was no real sense of jeopardy to temper our enjoyment of the caper.
I received an e-galley of What Doesn’t Kill Us from the publisher through NetGalley.
What Doesn’t Kill Us at St. Martin’s Press | Macmillan
David Housewright author site
From the Grave by David Housewright review
Darkness, Sing Me a Song by David Housewright review
https://tonstantweaderreviews.wordpre...
January 22, 2022
So when I see this series of books on the shelf the "reviews" are always how fun and witty and funny he is "
A few years ago I succumbed and read one. I was boredhGe and thst pretentious arrogant Nina bored m and the story dragged snd dragged. Also .apparently every female who looked at him was 1 gorgeous 2 wanted him .As annoyingly cliched as it gets .
So I ignored until I said this week, let's try again bec books were scarce in the library that I wanted .
Verdict ? UGH
1 Nina is still an arrogant twit
2 even unconscious he us still annoying and thinks he knows better than all then js confused why ge gets hurt/attacked
.3once again every damnfemaje is gorgeous and wanted him .HUH?
Can't stand ANY character except perhaps Bobby
1 I think Mckenzie is as boring conscious as he is unconscious
2. shipman is 1 a resentful moron NOT the best investigator 2 thinking about dating every time a guy looks at her rhen gets bad T them when they flirt typical modern hypocrite "modern femi nist"which this female can't stand.
oh and it dragged and bored could been 1/3 shorter if Geraint insisted in writing useless meandering thoughts and whines and asides that DONT move the plot (ie like ijiot shipman whining and flirting every 2 minutes)
O ky way I got though is by skipping pages .oh and the ending. wS nkt clever ir shocking
Final verdict? double ugh as it reads as if written fior the 12-13 year old crowd . learnt my lesson Will never try again .
A few years ago I succumbed and read one. I was boredhGe and thst pretentious arrogant Nina bored m and the story dragged snd dragged. Also .apparently every female who looked at him was 1 gorgeous 2 wanted him .As annoyingly cliched as it gets .
So I ignored until I said this week, let's try again bec books were scarce in the library that I wanted .
Verdict ? UGH
1 Nina is still an arrogant twit
2 even unconscious he us still annoying and thinks he knows better than all then js confused why ge gets hurt/attacked
.3once again every damnfemaje is gorgeous and wanted him .HUH?
Can't stand ANY character except perhaps Bobby
1 I think Mckenzie is as boring conscious as he is unconscious
2. shipman is 1 a resentful moron NOT the best investigator 2 thinking about dating every time a guy looks at her rhen gets bad T them when they flirt typical modern hypocrite "modern femi nist"which this female can't stand.
oh and it dragged and bored could been 1/3 shorter if Geraint insisted in writing useless meandering thoughts and whines and asides that DONT move the plot (ie like ijiot shipman whining and flirting every 2 minutes)
O ky way I got though is by skipping pages .oh and the ending. wS nkt clever ir shocking
Final verdict? double ugh as it reads as if written fior the 12-13 year old crowd . learnt my lesson Will never try again .
February 26, 2022
This book wasn't bad, but it wasn't good in my opinion. It's kind of just, average.
I did go in expecting this to be a typical crime / mystery novel, and I can't say I was wrong. It's hard to make a novel like this not typical because there is so much similar content in the genre, which makes it hard to be original. I can't fault the author for using popular tropes that have been tried and true.
I personally couldn't figure out the mystery myself, so I see that as a good thing because I am a big fan of the mystery genre and have been sleuthing for years. I had hunches, but nothing that led to me predict the ending entirely.
I do feel my experience was less great because I have not read the previous books. I wouldn't say it's necessary to read them to understand this installment, but I would say it would be helpful. There are a LOT of characters to keep track of, I'm sure they've appeared in previous books so readers of the series would have no trouble with this. However, if you just jump right in, I feel it can be quite confusing and hard to keep track of everything, names got a bit jumbled in my head.
There were also some moments where I felt like I was reading filler, not a ton, but there was definitely a few things that I wouldn't consider important. While I was interested in the mystery, some of these parts felt stretched.
Overall an alright experience, it was about what I expected, an average crime/mystery/thriller. If you like this genre, or the other books, I'm sure you'll have a good time reading this.
I did go in expecting this to be a typical crime / mystery novel, and I can't say I was wrong. It's hard to make a novel like this not typical because there is so much similar content in the genre, which makes it hard to be original. I can't fault the author for using popular tropes that have been tried and true.
I personally couldn't figure out the mystery myself, so I see that as a good thing because I am a big fan of the mystery genre and have been sleuthing for years. I had hunches, but nothing that led to me predict the ending entirely.
I do feel my experience was less great because I have not read the previous books. I wouldn't say it's necessary to read them to understand this installment, but I would say it would be helpful. There are a LOT of characters to keep track of, I'm sure they've appeared in previous books so readers of the series would have no trouble with this. However, if you just jump right in, I feel it can be quite confusing and hard to keep track of everything, names got a bit jumbled in my head.
There were also some moments where I felt like I was reading filler, not a ton, but there was definitely a few things that I wouldn't consider important. While I was interested in the mystery, some of these parts felt stretched.
Overall an alright experience, it was about what I expected, an average crime/mystery/thriller. If you like this genre, or the other books, I'm sure you'll have a good time reading this.
April 22, 2021
What Doesn't Kill Us (Twin Cities P.I. Mac McKenzie 18) by David Housewright is a pretty good book. It's told in a kind of skewed first person narrative as if McKenzie is telling the story the way it was told to him after it all happened (it's nowhere near as confusing as that sounds).
Basically the book starts out with McKenzie getting shot by an unknown person (or persons) and ending up in a coma. While he is in the coma various people from his past, some of whom are not exactly friendly towards each other, work together and separately to find out what happened. A shadow investigation of McKenzie's original investigation. It has a sort of nuanced theme of how one life can touch many others and make a difference.
I've read a few others in this series over the years but I haven't read them all or followed it that closely so I wasn't familiar with all the characters who showed up to help solve the mystery. It didn't really matter too much, I was able to follow along without any issues.
I enjoyed it. I would recommend it to fans of middle-of-the-road mystery/crime fiction - meaning neither cozy nor hard-boiled and easily digestible.
It's got some four-letter words and a few sexually suggestive moments but it should be suitable for most readers. I would give it a PG-13 just for a smattering of language (not excessive but more than once or twice).
***I received a digital ARC of this title through NetGalley
Basically the book starts out with McKenzie getting shot by an unknown person (or persons) and ending up in a coma. While he is in the coma various people from his past, some of whom are not exactly friendly towards each other, work together and separately to find out what happened. A shadow investigation of McKenzie's original investigation. It has a sort of nuanced theme of how one life can touch many others and make a difference.
I've read a few others in this series over the years but I haven't read them all or followed it that closely so I wasn't familiar with all the characters who showed up to help solve the mystery. It didn't really matter too much, I was able to follow along without any issues.
I enjoyed it. I would recommend it to fans of middle-of-the-road mystery/crime fiction - meaning neither cozy nor hard-boiled and easily digestible.
It's got some four-letter words and a few sexually suggestive moments but it should be suitable for most readers. I would give it a PG-13 just for a smattering of language (not excessive but more than once or twice).
***I received a digital ARC of this title through NetGalley
May 25, 2021
I was hesitant to read this because it's a well-established series that I've never read but I'm glad I was introduced to it. I was never lost in the mystery but I could sense there were many things that would've been better had I read previous books. There were a lot of characters to keep track of, another symptom of a long-running series, but in there were some very intriguing characters.
When the main character, former St. Paul police detective Rushmore McKenzie, is shot right away and in a coma, I wondered if this were a chance for the series to spin off a new lead but that wasn't the intention and most of the book is written after he's recovered. It's simply a way to swing into the seedy characters his friends and rivals will encounter while he's in a coma. It felt like a collection of detective and cop "types" all investigating for McKenzie in their own way... as if the author enjoys portraying the profession on a skill or technique level. They're all trying to find out who shot their pal and he's still wondering how his childhood friend's DNA test and the relatives he was asked to find weave into this moment.
The characters were interesting, although again... there were a lot of them. The plot had a few twists that I saw but not too early to be boring. This is a solid mystery and I'm sure a great series. Thank you Minotaur Books for giving me a sneak peak at this great new book!
When the main character, former St. Paul police detective Rushmore McKenzie, is shot right away and in a coma, I wondered if this were a chance for the series to spin off a new lead but that wasn't the intention and most of the book is written after he's recovered. It's simply a way to swing into the seedy characters his friends and rivals will encounter while he's in a coma. It felt like a collection of detective and cop "types" all investigating for McKenzie in their own way... as if the author enjoys portraying the profession on a skill or technique level. They're all trying to find out who shot their pal and he's still wondering how his childhood friend's DNA test and the relatives he was asked to find weave into this moment.
The characters were interesting, although again... there were a lot of them. The plot had a few twists that I saw but not too early to be boring. This is a solid mystery and I'm sure a great series. Thank you Minotaur Books for giving me a sneak peak at this great new book!
April 22, 2021
What Doesn't Kill Us (Twin Cities P.I. Mac McKenzie 18) by David Housewright is a pretty good book. It's told in a kind of skewed first person narrative as if McKenzie is telling the story the way it was told to him after it all happened (it's nowhere near as confusing as that sounds).
Basically the book starts out with McKenzie getting shot by an unknown person (or persons) and ending up in a coma. While he is in the coma various people from his past, some of whom are not exactly friendly towards each other, work together and separately to find out what happened. It has a sort of nuanced theme of how one life can touch many others and make a difference.
I've read a few others in this series over the years but I haven't read them all or followed it that closely so I wasn't familiar with all the characters who showed up to help solve the mystery. It didn't really matter too much, I was able to follow along without any issues.
I enjoyed it. I would recommend it to fans of middle-of-the-road mystery/crime fiction - meaning neither cozy nor hard-boiled and easily digestible.
It's got some four-letter words and a few sexually suggestive moments but it should be suitable for most readers. I would give it a PG-13 just for a smattering of language (not excessive but more than once or twice).
***I received a digital ARC of this title through NetGalley
Basically the book starts out with McKenzie getting shot by an unknown person (or persons) and ending up in a coma. While he is in the coma various people from his past, some of whom are not exactly friendly towards each other, work together and separately to find out what happened. It has a sort of nuanced theme of how one life can touch many others and make a difference.
I've read a few others in this series over the years but I haven't read them all or followed it that closely so I wasn't familiar with all the characters who showed up to help solve the mystery. It didn't really matter too much, I was able to follow along without any issues.
I enjoyed it. I would recommend it to fans of middle-of-the-road mystery/crime fiction - meaning neither cozy nor hard-boiled and easily digestible.
It's got some four-letter words and a few sexually suggestive moments but it should be suitable for most readers. I would give it a PG-13 just for a smattering of language (not excessive but more than once or twice).
***I received a digital ARC of this title through NetGalley
May 28, 2021
McKenzie’s Friends Solve His Almost Fatal Shooting
Former police officer and current millionaire Rushmore McKenzie sometimes works as an unofficial investigator. In this guise he’s helped solve some of the most difficult crimes in the St. Paul area. He is currently working a case. Standing outside a rather seedy bar on Rice Street he’s shot in the back. While he’s in a coma and recovering, his childhood friend, Lt. Bobby Dunston leads the police investigation into the shooting. McKenzie’s friends and frenemies from many different areas also try to find answers to the crime.
The pace is fast and there are plenty of twists in this story. McKenzie in recovery tells much of the story from his point of view. Many of his friends who are also trying to solve the crime are also given a chance to tell what’s going on from their perspective. I particularly enjoyed this split between McKenzie and his friends, who are interesting characters in their own right.
Although this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. Since the book has a great deal of action, the author doesn’t rely on backstory. All the characters are well developed so the need for backstory is limited.
If you enjoy police work with quirky characters and an engrossing plot, this is a good one.
I received this book from St. Martin’s Press for this review.
Former police officer and current millionaire Rushmore McKenzie sometimes works as an unofficial investigator. In this guise he’s helped solve some of the most difficult crimes in the St. Paul area. He is currently working a case. Standing outside a rather seedy bar on Rice Street he’s shot in the back. While he’s in a coma and recovering, his childhood friend, Lt. Bobby Dunston leads the police investigation into the shooting. McKenzie’s friends and frenemies from many different areas also try to find answers to the crime.
The pace is fast and there are plenty of twists in this story. McKenzie in recovery tells much of the story from his point of view. Many of his friends who are also trying to solve the crime are also given a chance to tell what’s going on from their perspective. I particularly enjoyed this split between McKenzie and his friends, who are interesting characters in their own right.
Although this book is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone. Since the book has a great deal of action, the author doesn’t rely on backstory. All the characters are well developed so the need for backstory is limited.
If you enjoy police work with quirky characters and an engrossing plot, this is a good one.
I received this book from St. Martin’s Press for this review.
May 24, 2021
If you have never read a mystery narrated by a man in a coma, then here is your chance. This mystery was wonderful, witty and guided by the delightful Rushmore McKenzie. McKenzie (he does not like his first name) is a retired St. Paul detective. He retired immediately before he brought in a criminal that he had apprehended thereby receiving the reward…which made him a very wealthy man (that was a great story too). He is a very good man with many friends and is always doing “favors” for those in need; which is what he was doing when he was shot in the back. After surgery he is placed in a coma and tells one heck of a story. His loyal friends, both legal and not quite legal, are trying to find out who shot him and why. An amazing and unique mystery with a cast of interesting characters including his wife of four months, Nina Truhler, owner of Rickie’s Jazz Club, who just wants someone to “promise” that he will be okay. I love the way the author wraps everything up at the end, with no questions left unanswered. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
May 26, 2021
“I was shot in the back at close range by a 32-caliber handgun yet did not die, at least not permanently. I did not see who shot me. I did not know why I was shot.”—from What Doesn’t Kill Us
This is the story of how the friends of McKenzie investigate his shooting. McKenzie is a former policeman who is now rich. But he still does investigative favors for his friends. What was he investigating the night he was shot, and for whom? The answer involves an extremely troubled family from the rich side of Minneapolis.
The plot is twisty and moves through some uncomfortable family and workplace dynamics. But all are in the past so probably not triggering for most readers. The plot turns were done really well. My only issue was that there were some awkward narrative moments. The point-of-view is first person by McKensie, who is in a coma. So, the reader knows he will eventually awaken without brain damage spoiling a major plot point. Still, I recommend What Doesn’t Kill Us for its twisty-turny endlessly compelling tale. 4 stars!
Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
This is the story of how the friends of McKenzie investigate his shooting. McKenzie is a former policeman who is now rich. But he still does investigative favors for his friends. What was he investigating the night he was shot, and for whom? The answer involves an extremely troubled family from the rich side of Minneapolis.
The plot is twisty and moves through some uncomfortable family and workplace dynamics. But all are in the past so probably not triggering for most readers. The plot turns were done really well. My only issue was that there were some awkward narrative moments. The point-of-view is first person by McKensie, who is in a coma. So, the reader knows he will eventually awaken without brain damage spoiling a major plot point. Still, I recommend What Doesn’t Kill Us for its twisty-turny endlessly compelling tale. 4 stars!
Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.
July 28, 2022
Rushmore McKenzie, former St. Paul police detective and unexpected millionaire, does the occasional, unofficial private detective work--mostly favors for friends. He's faced kidnappers, domestic terrorists, art thieves, among others, and had a hand in solving some of the most perplexing mysteries of the Twin Cities. But this time, his prodigious luck and intuition may have finally failed him: He was shot in the back by an unknown assailant and lies in a coma.
His childhood friend, Lt. Bobby Dunston of the St. Paul Police Department, assigns his best detective to the case while other figures--on both sides of the law--pursue the truth. What was McKenzie investigating, what did he learn that so threatened someone that they tried to kill him? What do a sketchy bar in the wrong part of town, the area's prominent tech millionaire family, drug dealers, investment bankers, and a mysterious woman who left an unknown package for McKenzie all have in common? As time slowly begins to run out, the answer to those questions might be what stands between life and death.
His childhood friend, Lt. Bobby Dunston of the St. Paul Police Department, assigns his best detective to the case while other figures--on both sides of the law--pursue the truth. What was McKenzie investigating, what did he learn that so threatened someone that they tried to kill him? What do a sketchy bar in the wrong part of town, the area's prominent tech millionaire family, drug dealers, investment bankers, and a mysterious woman who left an unknown package for McKenzie all have in common? As time slowly begins to run out, the answer to those questions might be what stands between life and death.
Read
January 21, 2023In WHAT DOESN'T KILL US, retired cop Rushmore McKenzie is shot while doing a favor (i.e. unofficial private detective work) for a friend. While he's in a coma, his friends try to figure out who tried to kill him.
Author David Housewright still incorporated McKenzie's voice -- little asides from him as well as narrative describing his actions prior to getting shot. Throughout, the book jumps from scene to scene to scene, covering a variety of perspectives.
I liked how many characters Housewright jammed in; this is book 18 in the series but was my first so everyone was new to me. Some of his style fit right with my taste (reusable coffee pods, local IPAs, recycling) while some of it didn't (use of the word "f**ktard," some of the characterization particularly the women and Black characters).
I'm not sure I'll pick up any others in this series, but I did stick with this one to the end to see how the story would unravel.
Thank you to Minotaur and NetGalley for a free e-arc of this title.
Author David Housewright still incorporated McKenzie's voice -- little asides from him as well as narrative describing his actions prior to getting shot. Throughout, the book jumps from scene to scene to scene, covering a variety of perspectives.
I liked how many characters Housewright jammed in; this is book 18 in the series but was my first so everyone was new to me. Some of his style fit right with my taste (reusable coffee pods, local IPAs, recycling) while some of it didn't (use of the word "f**ktard," some of the characterization particularly the women and Black characters).
I'm not sure I'll pick up any others in this series, but I did stick with this one to the end to see how the story would unravel.
Thank you to Minotaur and NetGalley for a free e-arc of this title.
May 19, 2021
Mac narrates much of this story from the perspective of what he's been told about how his friends- and frenemies- investigated his shooting. A former St Paul police officer, he now does private investigations (and favors) and one of them got him shot in the back. Why was he near the club? Well, he didn't tell anyone and he ends up in a coma. An odd couple- Lt Bobby Dunston and Thaddeus Coleman, a criminal- start off the investigation both public and private and both enlist others to help them. I'd only read a couple of the preceding novels so I'm sure some of the nuance in these characters was lost on me but they are well drawn and, unlike some in the genre, believable. Housewright makes good use of his setting (it's almost another character). There's some humor, some twists, and the storytelling is good. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Fans of the series will be pleased with this installment and new readers will look for Mac again.
March 22, 2021
You can never have too many friends. That's never been more true than in the latest marvelous McKenzie novel by David Housewright. The wonderfully wacky 'What Doesn't Kill Us' is further proof this series keeps getting better. Our hero, Rushmore McKenzie, spends the majority of the novel in a coma and a colorful cast of characters works hard to determine who was responsible for his plight. This series has always featured wit and this new addition has plenty of it to go around. It also has one of the funniest crime scenes I've ever read. Trust me, you'll know it when you read it. Let's just say it's an uproarious example of why criminals get caught. Housewright knows how to hook the reader from the start and never let go. This is a brilliant addition to a great series. Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, & NetGallery for my advanced reading copy!
March 23, 2021
WHAT DOESN'T KILL YOU
David Housewright
McKenzie won the lottery, took early retirement from the police force, and helped his Dad before he died. Does P.I. work mostly for friends now.
Been married only 4 months, now laying in an induced coma.
What was he doing on Rice Street to be shot in the back.
He didn’t tell Nina his wife, saying it would be an embarrassment for the person he was doing the favor for. Finding out about McKenzie he calls and his story comes out, and the mess he thinks he is in.
McKenzie has a lot of friends that step up and start doing their own investigation . How the outcome will be gives us much mayhem among this protocol like a television cop story. Well done and interesting characters
Given ARC by Net Galley and St Martin Press for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
David Housewright
McKenzie won the lottery, took early retirement from the police force, and helped his Dad before he died. Does P.I. work mostly for friends now.
Been married only 4 months, now laying in an induced coma.
What was he doing on Rice Street to be shot in the back.
He didn’t tell Nina his wife, saying it would be an embarrassment for the person he was doing the favor for. Finding out about McKenzie he calls and his story comes out, and the mess he thinks he is in.
McKenzie has a lot of friends that step up and start doing their own investigation . How the outcome will be gives us much mayhem among this protocol like a television cop story. Well done and interesting characters
Given ARC by Net Galley and St Martin Press for my voluntary review and my honest opinion
May 30, 2021
Rushmore McKenzie isn't the one doing the diligence because he has been shot in the back and is in dire straits in the ICU. But everyone from his wife to all those who worked with or love and/or owe him one are doing everything they can to trace his steps for the past few weeks to find the Why, Who, and more. McKenzie was a St Paul police detective, but now is a sometime PI and is wealthy. The investigation takes them into the world of big business, weird families, high class drug rings, and more (like learning about liver transplants). In the previous book I felt like I was missing something but this one fills in any blanks and is very real and enjoyable. World class storytelling!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
March 30, 2025
Someone shot Private Investigator Mac McKenzie in the back when he stepped out of a blues club one night. That’s not a spoiler; it’s part of the first paragraph.
The rest of the book focuses on efforts by cops and others in McKenzie’s field to figure out who shot him and why.
This wasn’t a terrible plot, and it certainly went by quickly. I started it during an evening meal and finished it minutes ahead of 11 p.m. on a leisurely Saturday night.
Since McKenzie spent the book in a coma, you didn’t hear much from his inner voice, and that took some of the sheen off the book. It’s a decent albeit somewhat forgettable mystery, and I’m looking forward to getting to the next book in the series probably in late April or early May.
The rest of the book focuses on efforts by cops and others in McKenzie’s field to figure out who shot him and why.
This wasn’t a terrible plot, and it certainly went by quickly. I started it during an evening meal and finished it minutes ahead of 11 p.m. on a leisurely Saturday night.
Since McKenzie spent the book in a coma, you didn’t hear much from his inner voice, and that took some of the sheen off the book. It’s a decent albeit somewhat forgettable mystery, and I’m looking forward to getting to the next book in the series probably in late April or early May.
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