Curse of the Jade Lily: A McKenzie Novel (Twin Cities P.I. Mac McKenzie Novels, 9)

This is the first David Housewright novel I've read. I loved the characters and the story line so much I'll be ordering more of his books. I found his writing style and his character McKensie's sarcastic wit very entertaining. I couldn't put this book down. I haven't been this enthusiastic about a book in a long time. I'm surprised that I am just now discovering this writer. He's great!

I discovered David Housewright and his wonderfully resourceful signature character, Rush McKenzie, several years ago and his books are now among my top ten most desired. I have been surprised by the lack of national recognition and attention for a great character and author. Rush is a complicated character who gave up a career in law enforcement to accept an insurance settlement that made him an instant multi-millionaire. Now he lives a life doing what he chooses especially doing "favors" for those in need--favors that necessitate his police experience and his superb intuitive reasoning skills.

Rush is asked by the firm who paid him his settlement to act as a go-between between a museum (and its insurance company) and thieves who have stolen a priceless artifact called the Jade Lily and now want to ransom it back for insurance money. Rush reluctantly jumps into the fray and soon finds the price ratcheted up when one of the thieves is found murdered. Rush deals with a museum board hiding as many secrets and skeletons as one could ask for and soon discovers others willing to obtain the Jade Lily by any means including bribery, theft, and more violence such as an old adversary, Heavenly Petryk, a state department official, a crooked cop, and a foreign national. McKenzie follows his instincts and the trail of the thieves and killers that leads to a somewhat contrived conclusion where all the baddies are gathered as he succinctly indicts each one for some responsibilty--not your typical McKenzie wrapup but one that satisfies, nonetheless.

As in all Housewrights works, the writing is tight, suspenseful, and most importantly, believable. The plot is a little convoluted with twists, turns, and double crosses but through it all, McKenzie stays focused--even after being nearly killed in a bomb explosion. Another touch of humor is provided by an unlikely ally that accompanies Rush in his pursuit after being wounded. McKenzie is fun to follow as his mind works to out-think his opponents without the restraints of police regulations and as he listens to his "inner voice" which unerringly leads him to make good decisions. His relationships with the love of his life, Nina, and his best friend, police commander Bobby Dunston, seem to anchor each of his adventures as their characters and interactions grow more comfortable in each subsequent novel. I unequivocally recommend David Housewright and his McKenzie novels to fans of the mystery/thriller genre.

First time I've read ths author. Being originally from the Twin Cities, I could relate to the locations mentioned in the book. His mention of Mancini's Char House in St. Paul, the best steakhouse I've ever experienced, was a neat touch.

Vincent Donnatucci of the Midwest Farmers Insurance Group hires PI Rushmore McKenzie to perform a buy back. Thieves have stolen the infamous Jade Lilly from the City of Lakes Art Museum in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (The Jade Lilly has been rumored to have killed its owners ever since its creation over two-hundred years ago.) The museum has agreed to buy back this cursed sculpture from the thieves. McKenzie will deliver the money to the artnappers and retrieve the Jade Lilly. Unfortunately, other criminals want it and the buy back turns bloody.

Trouble has a way of finding Rushmore McKenzie in David Housewright's fun noir, "Curse of the Jade Lilly." A strange assortment of quirky characters; a cold, winter setting; plenty of murders and attempted murders; a fiery explosion; and an Agatha Christie-like denouement make this novel a fast-paced, must-read mystery for the summer. While his long-time squeeze, Nina Truhler, is dealing with a reality show, the "Ghost Show", at her supposedly haunted nightclub, McKenzie finds himself trudging through falling snow, dead bodies and criminals who all want the Jade Lilly.

The attractive, macho Rush McKenzie (who keeps insisting he needs to workout more at the gym) finds himself surrounded by beautiful women, some good, but most are bad. One of them, a beautiful blond thief with a heavenly body, is Heavenly Petryk. She and McKenzie share history; Nina understandably hates her. Another beauty is a reporter, Kelly Bressandes, who hounds McKenzie for an exclusive interview. There are other wicked ladies but I won't mention them. The thieves choose McKenzie to perform the buy back because he has a reputation of being reliable, likeable and honest.

Rushmore McKenzie is also soft-hearted. For example, he keeps his Christmas lights burning well into January to honor the tradition started by his dead mom and continued by his father who is now also deceased. I keep my Christmas tree shining brightly until after St. Valentine's Day. However, it's not a tradition; I'm just too lazy to take it down.

A crippled ticket scalper, Chopper, loans McKenzie the use of his bodyguard, Herzog, a large, Ving Rhames look alike who hates cops. Together, this oddball pair travels about the twin cities, endeavoring to learn the identities of the artnappers while providing ghetto-style comic relief. The tension mounts when a racist calls Herzog the N-Word and bodies go flying. As I stated before, this complex novel, with subplots aplenty, has a unique assortment of characters and everyone is guilty of something. It is up to McKenzie to straighten up this accursed, soap opera-like noir.

I enjoyed "Curse of the Jade Lilly" even more so than Housewright's previous novel, "Highway 61" ([[ASIN:031264230X Highway 61: A McKenzie Novel (Mac Mckenzie)]]), which was a wild ride unto itself. I think it was the cold setting, zany characters and Agatha Christie-like denouement that sent "Curse of the Jade Lilly" over the top for me. As for the curse, I don't believe in evil, possessed objects. I only believe in the curses that are created when greedy men lust after them. However, the reader will feel cursed, or cheated, if he/she doesn't read this artful noir.

If stolen art appeals to you, then I highly recommend the following novels: Carson Morton's historical "Stealing Mona Lisa" ([[ASIN:031262171X Stealing Mona Lisa: A Mystery]]), Brian M. Wiprud's ultraviolent, comedic "Buy Back" ([[ASIN:B005ZOALAK Buy Back]]) and S. J. Rozan's highly political "Ghost Hero" ([[ASIN:0312544502 Ghost Hero: A Lydia Chin/Bill Smith Novel (Bill Smith/Lydia Chin Novels)]]). All of them have been published by Minotaur.

Joseph B. Hoyos

I really love David Housewright's writing style, and the characters he has created. I always look forward to his new book coming out. If you haven't read any of his items yet, pick one up!

Love this novel. It is classic noir. McKenzie is a great character and is well developed. I plan on reading others in this series.

Curse of the Jade Lilly, my first experience with David Housewright and as a result of having read this novel I've ordered some of his earlier works. Thoroughly enjoyed this book. Fast moving, humourous and well written. Looking forward to more!

Such an underrated author. Mackenzie is a great character. These are great stories.