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brianlokker's review against another edition
4.0
This is the second book in the Mackenzie August PI series, and like the first, it’s very entertaining. In this one, Veronica “Ronnie” Summers, the beautiful lawyer with whom Mack is in love, asks Mack to handle an investigation for her father, Calvin Summers. The job involves tracking down the identity of an informant who was responsible for sending Calvin to prison for tax evasion. Mack is reluctant to work for Calvin because Calvin makes it clear that if he succeeds, the informant will be in danger. But he agrees to take the case because Ronnie asks him to do it.
As he learns more about Calvin’s business dealings, he begins to see that tax evasion may not be Calvin’s only criminal offense. Calvin’s associates include some very unsavory characters, including mobsters. But Mack doesn’t break promises to clients, and he has promised Calvin that he’ll find the informant. So he pursues the investigation, all the while being unsure of what he’ll do when he learns the informant’s identity.
The book is fast-paced, and the “whodunit” aspect of the story is only one of its strengths. Colorful characters and humor abound. Mack is portrayed as an attractive guy whose opportunities for sex and romance can be at odds with his principles and sense of himself. He has a great relationship with his toddler son, Kix, and has “conversations” with him in which Kix plays the role of Mack’s conscience. He also has a good relationship with his dad and with his friend Manny, a U.S. Marshal. They joke that Manny is either Tonto to Mack’s Lone Ranger or it’s the other way around.
The book is set in Roanoke, Virginia, and in largely rural Franklin County to its south. The author weaves in some social commentary about the life choices available to poor people in the area. At one point, Mack says a local attorney recommended that he read Hillbilly Elegy to get some understanding of the culture of poverty in “Redneck Appalachia.” If I met Mack, I’d also recommend Deer Hunting with Jesus (which I read just before this book) for the same purpose.
Now that I’ve read the first two Mackenzie August books, I think I’m hooked on this series. My only complaint is one that I seem to have about quite a few books these days: the need for better copy-editing or proofreading. (Maybe I notice it a lot because I’ve worked as a professional editor.) The most egregious example here is a comment Mack makes to Ronnie about what clearly should be a “mnemonic device” but instead is written as a “pneumonic device.” That criticism aside, though, the book is very enjoyable and I recommend it.
As he learns more about Calvin’s business dealings, he begins to see that tax evasion may not be Calvin’s only criminal offense. Calvin’s associates include some very unsavory characters, including mobsters. But Mack doesn’t break promises to clients, and he has promised Calvin that he’ll find the informant. So he pursues the investigation, all the while being unsure of what he’ll do when he learns the informant’s identity.
The book is fast-paced, and the “whodunit” aspect of the story is only one of its strengths. Colorful characters and humor abound. Mack is portrayed as an attractive guy whose opportunities for sex and romance can be at odds with his principles and sense of himself. He has a great relationship with his toddler son, Kix, and has “conversations” with him in which Kix plays the role of Mack’s conscience. He also has a good relationship with his dad and with his friend Manny, a U.S. Marshal. They joke that Manny is either Tonto to Mack’s Lone Ranger or it’s the other way around.
The book is set in Roanoke, Virginia, and in largely rural Franklin County to its south. The author weaves in some social commentary about the life choices available to poor people in the area. At one point, Mack says a local attorney recommended that he read Hillbilly Elegy to get some understanding of the culture of poverty in “Redneck Appalachia.” If I met Mack, I’d also recommend Deer Hunting with Jesus (which I read just before this book) for the same purpose.
Now that I’ve read the first two Mackenzie August books, I think I’m hooked on this series. My only complaint is one that I seem to have about quite a few books these days: the need for better copy-editing or proofreading. (Maybe I notice it a lot because I’ve worked as a professional editor.) The most egregious example here is a comment Mack makes to Ronnie about what clearly should be a “mnemonic device” but instead is written as a “pneumonic device.” That criticism aside, though, the book is very enjoyable and I recommend it.
ladya's review against another edition
4.0
I love Mac. He's hilarious, a total gentleman, and a great son, father and friend. Looking forward to more of his adventures for sure.
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