Rushmore 'Mac' McKenzie is asked by a friend for a favor - look into the murder of a real estate developer in a nearby community and help prove the innocence of the friend's friend. The evidence against the woman (Jeanette Carroll) is overwhelming but Jeanette doesn't seem too worried, and yet she won't offer up an alibi for where she was at the time of the murder. McKenzie promises to look into it, but he won't try to get the woman off is he thinks she's guilty. But upon meeting the woman, just like his friend, he believes in her innocence.

But two more bodies are soon discovered in the same location, including that of Jeanette's husband who had been missing (and presumably had run off with another woman) years earlier. And then Jeanette disappears, leaving her passport, driver's license, and credit cards in a pile on her table. Her guilt seems all but convicted now, yet Mac still believes that there is something else going on and that she didn't commit the murders - at least not that of the real estate agent. Of the others, he wants to know more.

McKenzie sets off to track the now disappeared Ms. Carroll and discovers a much more interesting history than he ever expected.

This is the 20th book in the Mac McKenzie series and there's a reason a series lasts this long ... it's just plain good.

If you don't already know Mac, you don't get much background on him (a passing paragraph suggests why he's able to spend his time helping others) but it's probably all you need to enjoy the book. Like most detective mysteries, what's key here is 1) the protagonist, 2) the mystery, and 3) the supporting cast. In all three of these things, author David Housewright has excelled.

McKenzie has been a great character for some time now (I'm not sure how many of these books I've read, but I've reviewed 5 to date) and I've seen some real growth to this character. Although you won't know it if you haven't read some of the other books, I think the relationship he has with Nina has grown through the course of the books, and while her role is minimal here, it feels very authentic.

The character of Jeanette Carroll seems most challenging - how do you make the reader truly like and believe someone when all the evidence and everything they do seems to point to them as guilty? In large part, the reader has to truly trust in the protagonist and trust in his 'gut' feelings about a person. But you also have to give the reader a good reason to trust the guilty-looking character, and Housewright really delivers with Ms. Carroll.

But the mystery here is exceptional. The twists and turns in the plot are quite serpentine and it's a lot of fun going on this investigative journey with McKenzie. All the clues are in the book and we discover them as Mac does.

There were tiny little moments that I found bothersome. I'm hardly an English teacher and my own use of the language would make a teacher cringe, but when I read incorrect pronoun use in a major published novel, I can't help but wonder who's editing these. Two such incidents popped out at me here: "Harry agreed to meet Swenson and I..." (it should be "Swenson and me") and "You and her were dancing in the gazebo." (It should be "You and she...".)

Looking for a good book? In a Hard Wind by David Housewright is a near perfect blend of character and story. This 20th book in the Mac McKenzie series is a truly delightful read.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

Just when you're nodding your head and think you know where this is going- it goes sideways. This is a clever- very clever- mystery with terrific characters that very much kept me guessing. Mackenzie agrees to do a favor for a friend and look into the case of Jeanette Carroll, who has been accused of killing and burying a developer who has purchased the land behind her house. All the neighbors have something to say, not only abut Jeanette (who is generally beloved) but also about the victim and it's those statements that lead Mackenzie to at least part of the answer. But then, just after the charges are dropped, Jeanette disappears and Mackenzie starts off after her. Housewright makes good use of the Minnesota setting and communities (coffee!) and incorporates COVID smoothly (masks, vaccinations) and naturally. But best of all, is MacKenzie, who maintains a good relationship with his former colleagues in law enforcement, isn't afraid to take on a bully (and crime figure) and who is just plain dogged. I've only read a couple of books in this series and I honestly don't understand why I haven't read them all. This will be perfectly fine as a standalone and I'm sure fans will greatly enjoy it as well. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. Great read that kept me turning the pages.

In a Hard Wind by David Housewright

Characters: 5/5
Plot: 5/5
Pace: 5/5
Suspense/Thrill: 5/5

This is the third book I have read and reviewed from this author, I have come to love the POV McKenzie and his ways of finding the truth. I can honestly say that this one , this one is spot on a 5/5 stars. If I could rate it higher I definitely would.

Ther was not much in the way of a blurb so I pretty much went with my gut.on this one and am so happy I did. Obviously this is a series from this author and I did not in any way think that it could not be a stand alone novel. Rushmore McKenzie has a lot of work to do. In his quest for answers he is thrust into a mystery so full of layers that he must try to understand and figure out the truth. Could his client actually be guilty of murder?

This book contains everything you will need to have an evening full of murder, suspense, thrills, twists and turns. The pace is perfectly planned and will keep you engrossed and entertained from page one until it’s finality. The author is great about leaving a few hints here and there but ensuring the ending will surprise you. This is one hell of a ride you don’t want to miss.

Release date June 27, 2023

Thank you to NetGalley as well as the author and Macmillan publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my unbiased and honest review.

This is the first book I have read by this author and I did not realize it was part of a series. This could be by it was not a page turner for me. It is a well written book however just wasn’t what I was expecting.

Thank you to the publisher St Martin’s Press, and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For a person from Minnesota it’s a fun, surreal, adventurous ride through Mn. His stories are enticing and not predictable.. certainly the same mystery solving enjoyment would not be limited to the Midwest. This is a great, easily recommended to friends read. Loved it.

Being from Minnesota the description caught me eye. Must admit this is the first book I've read by this author, so may be why I struggled a bit with this one. A good thriller, and worth the read, just wasn't what I expected.

I've read this series from the beginning and I think this is one of the best ones.

McKenzie is asked by an old friend to help another friend. When a developer is found dead, his client is the suspect. When even more bodies are found, the suspicion is ratched up a notch. McKenzie's client goes on the run with evidence this has happened before. The book is full of great flashbacks that tie everything together. The characters are well developed and I thought the ending was excellent. It would be easy to give spoilers in this review and I don't want to do that. Read it for yourself.

This book was interesting. I really appreciated the excepts from the police reports in this one – that’s always fun to come across. This book was an interesting thriller and had plenty of suspense. This was my first book by this author and I had high hopes, but I was underwhelmed. I can really understand why so many people love this series, but overall it just didn’t work for me. I didn’t find that my interest was held enough to really care about any of the characters.

This one is out June 27th!

Thank you to the publisher St Martin’s Press, @stmartinspress, @minotaur_books, and Netgalley @netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

David Housewright's McKenzie series is the gift which keeps on giving. The McKenzie novels never fail to entertain and I'm happy to report In a Hard Wind is the best one yet. McKenzie is caught up in a mystery with more layers than he could have imagined. But, in his quest for answers, McKenzie is able to peel away the layers and paint the portrait of truth which has eluded the authorities. We're reminded McKenzie is very good at what he does and so is his creator. Housewright has few peers in terms of his perfectly paced stories. McKenzie is such a likeable character and the series remains one of the most entertaining out there. The pages will fly past you as you lose yourself in the engrossing mysteries of In a Hard Wind. Thanks to St. Martin's Press & Minotaur Books for the advance reading copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins for the opportunity to read In a Hard Wind by David Housewright - one of my all-time series by one of my favorite authors, and one who never disappoints. McKenzie rocks. And this is the best one yet.

This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. The characters are realistic, and the story moves quickly. Spend an evening with this novel and determine who is guilty.

Great book! Wow! Great crime thriller! This book had suspense, intrigue, action, murder, mystery, thriller, great detective work and a great who done it that keeps you guessing till the end! The storyline was very interesting and kept me glued to my Kindle! I highly recommend reading this book as it was well worth reading! Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!