The Mackenzie Dossier

By: John Holt

Narrated by: Steve Campbell

Length: 14 hrs and 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Across the bottom of the screen the ticker tape announced in large black letters 'Governor Reynolds Murdered'. Apparently his body had been discovered earlier that morning, lying in his garage. He had been shot twice. One shot to the upper chest, the other hitting his shoulder. 'Police believe that the weapon used was a 38 revolver,' the reporter said. Kendall froze. Anthony Shaw had also been killed by a 38 calibre bullet. Kendall was not quite sure of what it all meant. What connection was there between Anthony Shaw, and the State Governor, and the business mogul, Ian Duncan. And what about Senator Mackenzie? Where did he fit in? And who or what was Latimer? Only a short while ago Kendall was a small time private detective , a Private Eye, investigating an insignificant little murder with no clues, no witnesses, and no motive. In fact, no nothing. Now he had so many pieces of a puzzle he didn't know how they fitted together. He didn't even know if they all came from the same puzzle.

©August 2012 John Holt (P)2018 John Holt

Swing and miss.

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

No..... I was bored it is too long with a weak plot and undeveloped characters.

What was your reaction to the ending? (No spoilers please!)

Nothing in this book was compelling for me.

What about Steve Campbell’s performance did you like?

He is a good narrator but of course is limited to the material he has to work with.

Do you think The Mackenzie Dossier needs a follow-up book? Why or why not?

No at least not for me.

Any additional comments?

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

If Columbo and Shawn Spencer had a kid

As things go, I really prefer the Bumbling, but not so bumbling detectives over most brainy types. Of course, for me Sherlock Holmes is the exception. But I'll take Columbo over Poirot any day. Kendall is my kind of detective. He acts like he hasn't got a clue, while in reality, he has known whodidit all along.

Fair warning, you never wonder whodunnit, as you get to see the crime take place, a'la Columbo. However, you do get to see how Kendall figures it out for himself, since he isn't psychic. That is where the fun lies. I did find that Holt got a lottle (not a little but a lottle) wordy during some of his descriptions. Wordy to a point where you know that there is a chip of paint scratched off of the underside of a table, for example (that didn't happen, I don't want to post spoilers). You get the idea. Very verbose. The story is paced well, and it is fun to watch Kendall figure things out.

Steve Campbell plays a fun role narrating, and does a fantastic job bringing the story to life. I swear you can hear him improve as he goes along. I think he was getting a good grasp on the characters and flow of the story. He was enjoyable to listen to and kept the story on point, it never lagged.

Even though I did receive a promo code for this review it in no way influenced my considerations of the material, and in fact, inspired me to be more honest. In fact, getting a code generally makes me harsher as a reviewer as I am more often concerned what someone like Me will decide based on my review.


If this review helped, please press the YES below. Thank you immensely!!!

Not a mystery but a good listen

There is no real mystery here. We know very early on who the (super icky!) bad guy is. Kendall, the main character and the private detective, spends the whole book uncovering clues, and more murders, to get to the big reveal.

I liked the listen, even if there was no real suspense. It was an intelligent thriller and a bit of a scary thought if any of these events ever happened in real life.

Love the narration! The main character is strong and capable and exudes "Don't even try it." The narrator really made that work.

A good old fashion detective story.

John Holt Has written a story of corruption, deceit, and powerplay. The Mackenzie Dossier is an old Fashion detective story.

There is no corse Language in it, or sex scenes. Although there is some violence it does not go into great details.

So if you don’t like books with guts and gore in it. This book could be for you. This book is not the types of books I normally read but I have enjoyed it.

Narrator Steve Campbell Does a wonderful job bringing the characters alive with their own individual voices.

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher free of charge for a honest, unbiased review.

Riveting!

Well-written! Held my attention all the way through.

Steve Campbell did an excellent job narrating. Knew his characters well.

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

A Good read / listen

It is a great story, a bit of a slow burn that keeps cranking up the tension. The story line of a powerful man who seeks more at any cost, and a PI who is not very competant. Realistic characters and equally realistic abilities produce a classic mystery/thriller.
Performance by Steve Campbell is good and keeps you "turning the pages". Well balanced.
I received a free copy of this audiobook at my rquest, and voluntarily leave an unbiased review.

I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more from this author - I highly recomend this book for anyone who enjoys this genre.

A winding and bumpy ride !

This books grabs you at the very beginning and doesn't let go. Just when you think you have figured out where you are headed there is a twist. The characters are well developed and interesting and the story just doesn't quit. I definitely recommend this book.
"I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review

Removed, cancelled, erased, deleted, dead.

Mr.Holt's story, The Mackenzie Dossier, is one which could easily translate to an epic type T.V. short series. It has the wide open spaces, beautiful with woods, streams and fishing, prime land but zoned not for housing but agriculteral, a mysterious fenced enclave which seems to hold nothing but which has been labelled 'top secret' and no-one is permitted to approach, which suddenly appeared outside of the pleasant small town of Rosemont just where a popular picnic area used to be. There is the self made, multi millionaire industrialist, influential and power hungry, the curious small farmsteader who, with his family, has lived in the area for several generations, a nosey small town reporter, a small blue car, a Governor with secrets, a senator with expectations of a future in the White House - and all of the behind scene manipulation to make people, and one person in particular, powerful and in control. Total control.
Then there is Kendall, a small town private eye, engaged to look into the unexpected killing of a surveyor, by his mother and brother. An investigator who doesn't know where to begin. But as incidents escalate, he finds himself right in the middle of something very big.

This is not a mystery in the accepted sender - we, the readers, can deduce what is going on from the beginning, but for the people within the story it is an unknown to unravel. The book is quite long, however - too long. The earlier sections move slowly and a lot of words are spent on establishing the nature of one of the main protagonists through repititious conversations where one such would have been sufficient. Once passed this, however, the story increases in pace and unfolds neatly.

The narrator, Steve Campbell, goes through a similar transformation. His well modulated voice is pleasant to hear from the beginning but it isn't until later that he begins to bring the characters to life with his interpretive vocal renderings, making the book itself more satisfying.

This is a book for conspiracy theorists and those who feel that the electoral process could be flawed, as well as those with a fondness for clueless private detectives and ordinary people in tune with their homesteads. Overlook the rather slow beginning and stilted conversations there, and it is a good read.

Politics at its worst!

Tom Kendall is a bumbling sort of “Private Detective” hired by the mother and brother of a murdered man to find his killer. He unwittingly finds himself up against Ian Duncan, a powerful, and manipulative man, who is planning to put a man of his choosing in the White House. The plot was interesting enough, but it moved along very slowly, with Kendall being a little too unbelievable.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.

Expected more

I really like the idea behind this book and it seemed promising. However, it didn't turn out that way. It was very slow to get started and continued that way throughout. It also just dragged on at times. I felt like some parts could have been left out. Every time I started getting interested in The book, it would start dragging on again.

The characters seemed a little underdeveloped. Most of the time, sentences ended with a question like "you understand?" Or " you see? " Parts of the story didn't seem plausible. The private detective acted like nothing anybody told him would help with his investigation.

There is no mystery in this book. The reader is told from early on who done it. The narrator was ok I guess. He actually seemed to improve throughout the book.

I was given this book for free at my request in return for my unbiased review.

How much of this story is true?

John Holt the author is amazing, he can take any fiction and make you think that it’s a true story.
In fact I wouldn’t be surprised at all with all the corruption in this world that this story or stories similar to this have happened many many times!
And as usual choosing Steve Campbell for narration was an excellent choice, he aced it!

This audiobook is absolutely fully recommended for all.



In exchange for an honest review I’ve received this audiobook.

The Mackenzie Dossier

A very interesting story and had an understandable plot especially looking at today's politicians. It is fiction but it feels like it will happen IRL.

Really is this fiction or based on a true story.

This was such a different story by John Holt and I found it very difficult to separate truth from fiction it just sounded so much like something that could happen. Yes it is a fiction story but so well written and narrated that it makes sense. I just got wrapped up in the political intrigue.

I was given a free copy by the author but this in no way impacted my review.

Totally immersive.

Mr Tom Kendall is a real character; so real that sometimes I actively disliked him, found him slightly irritating. All that aside, I mostly have to admit to liking him. The Author is very good at bringing the reader fully into each scene, bringing our attention to details that we might otherwise miss. He creates characters that are memorable, individual and believable, and as the story moves along he weaves his characters together, giving it the feel of a TV series. If this is ever made into a series I'm sure viewers will be tuning in in regular anticipation of each episode.
Power, greed, friendship, trust, manipulation, and murder; what more could a reader want? and especially when Steve Campbell's excellent narration brings it all to life.
This isn't my usual reading taste, but I'm glad I read it. Bravo Mr Holt. Bravo.

. Political Story

Not a bad listen at all as always great story and good narration as well

Great Detective in a compelling story. Reccomended

Private detective Kendall tackles a mysterious murder in an American town and uncovers corruption at the highest level.
This story will whet your appetite for more of the series
The narration is a perfect fit to the story - well read.

A Good Story

I enjoyed listening to this book.

Well paced . A story that involves trying to exploit a small town , its people and the land while trying to stay under the radar Murder , greed and a need for power dominate Dirty politicians. A detective seeks out the truth.

Good book to start series

Loved the book I also Kendalls laid back attitude to work and life absolutely great

Good book

I enjoyed this book. it is a political crime novel. I enjoyed the story and narrating by Steve Campbell. John Holt did not disappoint with this book.

Fabulous

Enjoyed everything from storyline to narrater felt I was next to him great job 10/10 can’t wait for next book