August Origins

Mackenzie August, Book 1

By: Alan Lee

Narrated by: Scott Ellis

Length: 5 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's Summary

 For fans of Robert Parker, Robert Crais, and Sue Grafton.

Mackenzie August is a private investigator, and the first client at his new office is a knock out. Trouble is, she's also the Sheriff...

A dangerous criminal has moved into Mackenzie's hometown, and to help identify him the Sheriff wants Mackenzie to accept a job teaching at an inner city high school. He'll be a bull in a china shop, so to speak. A china shop full of angry gang members...

Read book one of the Mackenzie August mystery series today! 

©2016 Alan Lee Janney (P)2018 Alan Lee Janney

Fun mystery thriller.

Would you listen to Sophomore Slump again? Why?

Yes......... it is a fun read with realistic characters and a great narrator.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Sophomore Slump?

Do not like to give anything away but suffice to say this is a enjoyable series with fun
and quirky characters.

Which scene was your favorite?

N/A

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yes... it is entertaining with sarcasm and a great deal of wit.

Any additional comments?

This book was given to me for free at my request and I provided this voluntary review.

I loved, loved, loved, loved this book!!!!!

Where has Mackenzie August been all my life???!!! I LOVED this listen sooooo much!!!!

Mackenzie August is a retired-cop-turned-school-teacher (are you smiling yet?) who lives with his still-got-it-going-on Dad, and a studly Hispanic ex-cop-turned-marshal best friend. (I know you're smiling now.) He's the father of a Gerber-baby-runner-up named Kicks. He's charismatic and snarky wrapped in a hunk suit. All day. Every day.

This story was insanely good. Insanely. Good. It's a crime mystery with drugs, church, and wayward women thrown in for good measure. Seriously, this book is so good.

The narrator was up to the task. He made Mackenzie tough with a side of tender. He added the right amount of snark and wit that made this story flow. He was incredibly believable when delivering the Hispanic character. I cannot say enough good words about the narration.

Seriously, stop reading this review. Go bathe in the wonder that is Mackenzie August. Then thank the book gods that there will be a book two.

A very witty book

This book had me laughing and wanting to here more, the witty comments, had me laughing. All the characters where well done by the narrator.. A must listen to book.

Interesting , Topical and Funny!

I found this to be a much more interesting "read" than so many detective novels. Mackenzie August is a former police detective who is teaching school in his hometown while raising a toddler on his own and living with his dad who is quite a character. He is a caring individual but does not suffer fools gladly and as a former football player has the physique that keeps his classroom bullies from stepping out of line. The story concerns a missing schoolgirl and a sudden preponderance of street drugs. He wonders about the involvement of his students in both crimes and does some sub rosa investigation on his own. A possible romance also adds interest but all the characters are well drawn. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and it kept me entertained while I did miserable dirty chores which I hardly noticed as a result!!

Fun start to the series!

Sophomore Slump by Alan Lee is Book 1 in the Mackenzie August series and it definitely got off to a good start. Mackenzie is full of wit and sarcasm, which I found pretty enjoyable to listen to. Be warned-if you don't like language, then this may not be the book for you, as there is quite a bit of bad language throughout the book. Anyways, the book was pretty fast paced and kept me entertained pretty much the whole way through. There were a few parts that didn't seem to move quite so well, but overall if this sounds like a story that you'd like to listen to, I'd go ahead and take a chance on this one.

I thought that Scott Ellis did a good job with the narration. His voice was perfect for the amount of wit and sarcasm that Mackenzie August has. He definitely brought the characters to life well. I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher for an honest review.

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Don't Judge This Book By It's Cover

This story takes place in Roanoke, VA and it was so easy to see myself back there since my college days at Radford U and traveling to Valley View Mall on the weekends. I love the main character, Mackenzie, who is a retired cop, turned private eye, to a high school teacher to help the local authorities find out more about the drugs that are taking over the city and young ladies that are missing. I loved the sense of humor and wit that the author has throughout the book, just wished the narrator played it up a little more, however, the narrator did a great job with the different characters and was on point with tone. I am looking forward to Book 2

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Witty sarcasm!

Well-written, holds your attention throughout!

Scott Ellis does a great job narrating. Knows his characters well.

I was given a free review copy of this audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Humorous with diverse and quirky characters

Scott Ellis does a remarkable job of voicing the rather diverse and quirky cast of nicely drawn characters in this humorous modern detective mystery. With a double major in criminal justice and English, and an unapologetic sense of humor, Mackenzie is uniquely suited for this undercover assignment. It makes for a delightfully funny and entertaining listen. The mystery is wrapped up satisfactorily in the end, but one wants to hear more from these characters. This looks to be a promising series.

NOTE: I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Excellent Audible Performance by Scott Ellis

Another humorous tongue-in-cheek adventure with the most unlikely school teacher/PI/vigilante ever written about. The story does take a serious look at the disaster drugs have caused to families and communities. It is an entertaining read that I really enjoyed. The Audible performance by Scott Ellis was spot-on.

There’s a New Teacher in Town!

MacKenzie August is a retired detective, schoolteacher and private investigator. He lives with his Dad and best friend Manny, who just happens to be a US Marshall that strangely likes to sleep on the floor. Oh, did I forget to mention that Mac has a very funny toddler named Kicks. Yes, they are the perfect all-American family! Alan Lee writes with just the right amount of wit and sarcasm mixed in with action and suspense. Scott Ellis is a great narrator; he really brings the authors characters to life in what I bet is exactly the way Alan Lee wanted them represented. The local sheriff enlists Mac’s help as an undercover English teacher to provide information on a drug ring operating in the local high school… Mac turns out to be a very good teacher to the surprise of the grumpy principal. I really enjoyed this audiobook and I think you will too.

I received this audiobook from the author at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

"Show some respect.That's Mr.That Teacher to you."

'A single dad living with his father' in a big house in Roanoke, Virginia, Mackenzie August doesn't sound like the typical P.I. And he isn't. Yes, he's an ex-detective, but also a teacher. He's attractive, been celibate for two years, has a gorgeous lady offering her all and is very tempted, but... He's caring and considerate but enjoys a fight and is quite happy to permanently dispose of the bad guys. He likes to give the usual snappy or sardonic responses, and can be funny, especially when chatting with Kix, his two years old son. Not always nice - but interesting.

The story itself? Yes, it's all right - an attempt to locate a new 'Mr.Big' known as the General, rumoured to have recently come to the area and stimulating gang recruitment, turning Roanoke into drugs central. Needs a good punch of suspended disbelieve but with great characters and fast action it's quite fun, if predictable. And taken as the whole package, with an excellent narration by Scott Ellis, a very enjoyable book. I'm looking forward to book two.

Loved it!

I really enjoyed reading this book, every minute of it. The witty humor and sarcasm made me laugh many time throughout the book. The only negative is the shortness of the book. I will read it again, and again.