An enjoyable book. I have not read this author but will find other books. Plot is interesting with good characters. There are enough plot twists that I did not figure out who did it. Good ending wrapping up the story.

This was my first introduction to this author and I was impressed by the importance he places on setting. I could almost feel the oppressive heat, was aware of my inner drive to drink water, and more than once, felt like my arms and legs were covered in sand and dirt from excavating. Providing readers with enough detail to help them visualize the setting without burdening them with unnecessary detail isn’t easy, but David Housewright has struck a perfect balance.

I was also impressed by his captivating narrative which beautifully captures the passion paleontologists have for their work and their groundbreaking discoveries. I was unaware of the ethical dilemmas and political clashes that arise when ancient relics become a coveted commodity and eagerly turned pages as battle lines were drawn over the ownership of a rare skeleton. Housewright reeled me right in with this intriguing premise and I was soon Googling plaster jacketing and trying to authenticate the ‘lick test’ for bones!

Rushmore McKenzie was a fascinating male main character and I can see why this series is so popular.

I was gifted this copy by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

Whoa! What a ride. I think McKenzie is an adrenaline seeker. An intricate plot and great characters make this a fun read. Even a little educating about dinosaurs. While this is book 23 in the McKenzie series, it is the first book I've read. The enjoyment was not dimmed because I hadn't read the other 21 books. And now I've found 21 books to read!.

The bones in question belong to an ankylosaurus, found on private land in Montana by a young paleontologist. She's part of a team made up of scientists and students from the University of Minnesota, Macalester College, and the Minnesota Science Museum, and the remarkably complete skeleton is destined for the museum. But there's a thriving market among people who have more money than they can ever spend to personally own such fossil remains, and once the skull is excavated, encased in protective plaster, and placed on a pickup truck to transport it to the museum, some thieves appear and steal it. It's the job of an independently wealthy former cop who has a hobby of solving crimes for causes he adopts to find out who took the skull and recover it before the rightful owner - an elderly man who is dying - can see it displayed in the museum. This involves sorting through a number of suspects, locating the stolen skull, and then getting it back through complicated and eventful sleight of hand.

I enjoyed the book and its cast of academics as well as its twisty plot. I haven't followed the series closely, but of all the volumes I've read so far, this is my favorite. I am apparently one of the rare readers who finds the protagonist, Rushmore McKenzie, slightly annoying. He has the wise-cracking swagger of the classic PI but I find him a bit too smug. That said, this is a long-running series that has a dedicated fan base who love reconnecting with the recurring cast of characters, so don't mind me.

How wonderful to be, once again, in the world of McKenzie and at home turf in Minnesota.

McKenzie is asked to assist in finding a stolen dinosaur head. Yep. Angela, his saving angel from his desert wanderings is at the U of M studying to be a paleontologist. She discovered a rare dinosaur on a dig with others from Minnesota and the night before it was to be brought back to the Science Museum, it was stolen. Truck and all. Angela asks him to do her a favor and help them find it.

One always knows that where McKenzie goes, danger follows as well as laughs. This book is no different in those respects.

Very creative story line and as usual, all the favorite characters in McKenzie's life was there. I only wish I hadn't read it so fast, but I surely did enjoy it.

A big thank you to St. Martin's and Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this early read.

Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley

Seven years ago, Rushmore McKenzie was drugged and left to die in the Great American Desert; he was rescued by Angela Bjork who, at that time, seemed like an angel to McKenzie. Now Angela comes to Rickie’s to ask for a favor. She’s working on her doctorate in Paleontology as well as working as part of the research faculty. In that capacity, she’d participated in a dig in Montana . . . and found an ankylosaurus skull.

And then it was stolen.

=========

This tale, the twenty-second in the author’s Twin Cities P.I. Mac McKenzie novels, works well as a standalone with sufficient backstory for readers who are new to the series. The complex mystery is sure to fascinate readers who've enjoyed McKenzie's earlier exploits as well as new readers.

Well-defined characters [and dinosaurs!], a strong sense of place, and a captivating plot all work together to pull readers into the telling of the tale from the outset. McKenzie’s background as a homicide detective is certainly a plus here; the science provides an added dimension to the story.

The unfolding story holds a few surprises for readers as McKenzie and company seek the stolen dinosaur bones. On the black market, the value of the ankylosaurus skull is in the millions of dollars and the thieves are likely to do almost anything to keep it.

Readers of the series as well as those who enjoy mysteries [and dinosaurs!] will find much to appreciate in this unputdownable tale.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from St. Martin’s Press / Minotaur Books and NetGalley
#ThemBones #NetGalley

Rushmore McKenzie was a police detective until he left the force and collected a major reward in a case. Now a millionaire, McKenzie acts as an occasional private detective as a favor to friends. In this case, McKenzie is doing a favor for a friend who once saved his life. A dinosaur skull she discovered has been stolen. McKenzie agrees to try to find the skull and the thief.

I have read all of the books in the McKenzie series and love the character. It took me a bit to get into this one because it starts with the back story of the discovery and theft of the skull. It is important to know the players in the game, but when I read a book for the main character and it takes a bit for him to go into action it slows me down. Once McKenzie is on the case, the pace picks up and I was invested in the story. As usual, Housewright gives us an enjoyable ride with McKenzie as he uses his contacts from the police and the criminal world to get the job done.

I would recommend all of the McKenzie books to anyone who loves a good mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read and review "Them Bones" the 22nd book in David Housewright's entertaining McKenzie series. I have read a number of the books, and each one is unique in it's premise.
McKenzie, once a homicide detective, now through a series of unlikely events, is a retired millionaire. But occasionally, for friends, he will do some unofficial private detective work. His wife of many years, Nina, runs a bar where McKenzie can be found most nights, when not working a 'case'.
Angela Bjork, a doctoral candidate and young woman whom McKenzie helped in previous years, was out on a dig site in Southeastern Montana, when she found a skeleton of an Ankylosaurus. And no sooner than when the skull was removed and placed on a truck then they were attacked, the truck and skull stolen. Worried that nothing is being done to find the stolen skull, she turns to McKenzie. Worth millions on the black market, the chance to recover it becomes fainter by the day.
McKenzie decides to take the case, and the hunt is on. And it leads him in various directions - ultimately to Canada where he employs a little (actually a lot of) deception in order to unmask the criminals.
I found this one a little dry (there's only so much archeological discussion my brain can handle), but McKenzie's dry wit and determination to get to the bottom of the mystery helped negate that.

really enjoyed this book. It was an Indian Jones type adventure - fun and exciting with clever twists and turns to the plot. And who doesn’t love dinosaurs! The science added to the book made it even more interesting.

The characters were well-crafted, bringing depth and authenticity to the story. I enjoyed the strong female characters as well as the male lead. He reminded me a little of James Bond. The inner dialogue from the main character added to his character and helped the plot.

I could see this book becoming a movie - it had all the right parts to be a thrilling adventure movie with lots of action scenes. If you are looking for an easy, action packed book then this is for you!

Them Bones has a fast-paced and interesting plot. A group of university students and professors are working an archeological dig in Montana when a dinosaur skull is discovered. Its shocking theft, with the resulting investigation and search introduces us to Rushmore McKenzie, a retired policeman and occasional private investigator. There are plenty of twists and turns, as well as a number of unsavory characters involved. McKenzie is a sharp and appealing protagonist.

The first chapter was somewhat confusing, combining the narrative of Professor Angela Bjork with McKenzie's narrative. But McKenzie soon emerges as the lead in the ensuing chapters. I enjoyed the author's inclusion of McKenzie's inner thoughts about the people and situations that he encounters. I hadn't realized that this book was part of a series, but will likely read more of the McKenzie novels.

Excellent addition to the series As Rushmore and his crew provide an engaging chase story in pursuit of stolen dinosaur bones.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins for the opportunity to read Them Bones by David Housewright. Another Rushmore adventure with the lovely Nina and their extended family and eclectic eccentric group of friends and acquaintances. I love this series!