Jelly's Gold-David Housewright

Jelly's Gold
David Housewright
Minotaur, May 12 2009, $24.95
ISBN: 9780312370824

Rushmore “Mac” McKenzie retired from the St. Paul police department, but unexpected wealth allows him not to work to supplement his pension. He does investigative jobs as a private investigator for friends or if a case sounds interesting.

Graduate students Ivy Flynn (see TIN CITY) and her boyfriend Josh Berglund peak Mac’s interest with the information they found on a 1933 bank heist of gold bars perpetuated by Frank “Jelly” Nash, who died soon afterward in the infamous Kansas City Massacre; the loot was never recovered and thought to be hidden somewhere in the Twin Cities. As the two students and Mac follow clues, they are aware others seek the gold too; some dishonest and some lethal.

The latest Twin Cities P.I. Mac McKenzie investigation (see DEAD BOYFRIENDS and MADMAN ON A DRUM) is a fabulous thriller with a super historical subplot that interweaves with the present Mac adventure. The Depression Era comes alive through a rogue’s gallery of infamous criminals including Frank “Jelly” Nash, a real person, as David Housewright paints a picture of corrupt city encouraging the notorious to “vacation” in town. Mac’s present day inquiry holds up quite well as he and his two youthful partners follow clues uncovered in archives and interviews while dodging some modern era goons. JELLY’S GOLD is an excellent Twin Cities investigation.

Harriet Klausner