I'm thrilled to have you meet the McKenzie sisters! When Samantha St. Claire approached me about writing a book in the McKenzie Sisters Mystery series with her, my thoughts went back and forth between eagerness and apprehension. It was close enough in genre to most of my other westerns, yet fresh enough to intrigue me. Samantha's vision for the series, and her excitement for these unique sisters, was infectious.
I felt an immediate kinship with Cassandra, and in truth I did not think I could do justice to Rose (good thing, because Samantha told her tale beautifully). It wasn’t until I switched the setting of the story to Durango, where I lived on a small ranch in my youth, that I really understood Cassandra and her motives. I spent months researching the area as it would have been in the 1890s, which was more difficult than I had expected, and it took a bit of help to unearth some of the more stubborn historical facts.
What a delight it was to revisit wonderful memories of frolicking in the hills outside of Durango, riding horses through the mountains near the ranch, and traveling north by rail along the river to Silverton. Cassandra’s story became mine and made me see that my love for living in the past through words began much sooner than I ever realized. I hope you enjoy reading Cassandra’s tale of adventure, mystery, and a delightful touch of romance in The Case of the Copper King. And don't miss Rose McKenzie's book, The Case of the Peculiar Inheritance!
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"An absolutely delightful mystery adventure that will keep you guessing till the last chapter! The Case of the Copper King is a must to read if you love western mysteries with a touch of romance and lots of twists and turns." —Nicole Laverdure
The Case of the Copper King
by MK McClintock
Clever and feisty Cassandra McKenzie engages her newest assignment for the Pinkerton Agency with a knack for deception and a blade in her boot.
Smart, skilled, and unafraid to get her hands dirty, Cassandra grudgingly takes on a new assignment in one of Colorado’s busiest mining towns, where murder and theft draw her deep into a puzzle of lies, quarries, and forgery.
When the mysterious and handsome Quinn Morgan is enlisted to help solve the case, she reluctantly accepts his presence for an undercover scheme meant to draw out the crooks and retrieve the stolen money before they end up buried in a mountainside. Will their talents be enough to untangle truth from deceit before they run out of time?
Ride the rails to Durango at the turn of the century with Cassandra McKenzie, a woman cunning enough to solve the toughest cases in some of the Rockies most rugged and beautiful places.
Immerse yourself in The Case of the Copper King, a stand-alone novel in the delightfully entertaining McKenzie Sisters Mystery series.
A few teasers from different scenes . . .
Casey snapped the book closed and lowered it to her lap. “Are you always this obnoxious?”
He grinned unrepentantly. “Considering how we met, and your attire at the time, asking your Christian name does not seem an obnoxious question.”
This time, her blush heightened the color from her neck on up. Quinn decided blush was a becoming color on Miss McKenzie.
"My plan was better.”
“Your plan was going to get you killed.”
“How is this an improvement?”
Quinn’s gelding blew and snorted, eager to continue moving. “If you die, it won’t be alone.”
"What are you doing here?”
“A question for a question, and you have already asked yours. Who am I? Cassandra McKenzie. How odd you should forget so soon.” Casey started for the open door, but a few steps away from freedom, she turned around. “It behooves me to warn you that if you are following me, the chase will not end well—for you.”
Don't miss Rose's story!
"This intrepid heroine kept me guessing till the end and made me laugh out loud! Rose is the epitome of the perfect heroine that I love to follow. She’s colorful, amusing, ingenious, and brilliant. I loved the setting Colorado 1899 and the atmosphere with a delightful blend of humor and adventure." —Books & Benches, Top Pick
The Case of the Peculiar Inheritance
by Samantha St. Claire
Witty and irascible Rose McKenzie tackles Denver’s criminal cases with a woman’s intuition and a loaded Smith and Wesson tucked in her skirt pocket.
Eager for adventure beyond her scientific experiments, Rose accepts her uncle’s challenge to become Denver’s first female private detective. When a wealthy woman employs her to track down a burglar, Rose zealously applies her unique investigative talents to prove she can handle any job. After two more home invasions turn violent, Rose races to find the perpetrator before another innocent shows up on a slab at the city morgue.
With the stakes raised, Rose employs the help of her friend, the attractive Dr. Taylor Whitman, to lure the perpetrator out of hiding—with Rose as the bait. What Rose fails to foresee is the complexity of the crime, involving more than one perpetrator tasked with silencing her. Will her cunning be enough to unravel the clues before it’s too late?
Step into Denver’s bustling city streets at the turn of the century with Rose McKenzie, a spirited private investigator, and a woman brave enough to undertake any case.
Don’t miss The Case of the Peculiar Inheritance, a stand-alone novel in the delightfully entertaining McKenzie Sisters Mystery series.
Each book takes place in a different Colorado location but they happen around the same time. They are stand-alone novels and can be read in any order.
It's not as harsh as it sounds. In truth, Cassandra and Rose McKenzie are all about family and sisterhood, and they respect and appreciate each other’s many differences. They are also both honest to a fault, and anything Casey would say behind Rose’s back she’d also say to her directly . . . well, most of it.
Of course, Quinn is the only one she’d dare say these things to because she knows he can keep a secret.
1. “Rose blows things up—a lot. I’m not even sure she knows what she’s doing half the time, but at least she hasn’t burned the house down yet.”
2. “I can’t understand why a smart and sensible person like my sister would ride around on one of those bicycles. Denver is safer when Rose opts to walk.”
3. “You’d never get me to admit this to Rose, but I once added baking soda to one of her experimental concoctions. The results were fascinating.”
4. “I love my sister, and she’s great company, but my favorite thing about going home to Denver is the big, beautiful bathtub in my dressing room.”
5. “I can’t swear to this, but I’m certain Mrs. Pennyworth likes me better. After all, I’ve never set fire to the curtains.”
The Case of the Copper King
The Case of the Peculiar Inheritance
Updated: Mar 13
You haven't met Cassandra "Casey" McKenzie yet, but you will soon when she makes her debut in The Case of the Copper King. I'm going to help Cassandra out since she'd probably lie her way through each of these questions. You'll know what I mean once you get to know her.
Are you an only child?
Cassandra: Yes
MK: No, you're not. Cassandra: I am right now.
MK: You're not on a case.
Cassandra: Then yes, I have a sister.
MK: Great, next question.
Cassandra: What about you?
MK: What about me?
Cassandra: Are you an only child?
MK: We're not talking about me.
Cassandra: Maybe we should.
MK: Moving on . . .
Do you have any pets?
Cassandra: Sometimes
MK: How do you sometimes have a pet?
Cassandra: My sister, Rose, has a dog. Sometimes I'm around the dog. You should know this.
MK: This isn't for me. It's for them.
Cassandra: Who is them?
MK: Them. The readers.
Cassandra: Readers of what?
MK: Never mind.
Do you like to cook?
Cassandra: Not especially. Mrs. Pennyworth is a wonderful cook.
MK: Who is Mrs. Pennyworth? Cassandra: I thought you met her when you talked with Rose.
MK: I didn't talk with Rose. That was another author. Well, I kind of did.
Cassandra: Mrs. Pennyworth thinks I take too many risks. You really should tell her I don't.
MK: What does this have to do with cooking?
Cassandra: It's more interesting then asking if I like to cook.
You can cure one disease. Which one would you cure?
Cassandra: Stupidity
MK: That's not nice, but I agree with you.
Cassandra: I meet a lot of stupid people.
MK: You're a Pinkerton.
Cassandra: I don't think that makes sense for them.
MK: Them who?
Cassandra: Them. The readers. By the way, what are they reading?
Where do you live?
Cassandra: Colorado
MK: Can you be more specific?
Cassandra: All over.
MK: Gee, that's helpful.
Cassandra: Now I know where Quinn gets his sarcasm.
MK: Quinn? Don't you mean you?
Cassandra: I haven't a sarcastic word in my arsenal. Mrs. Pennyworth, now, she's one for it. Dry as week-old bread, that one.
MK: I'm going to tell her you said that.
Cassandra: I sometimes live in Denver, and the rest of the time I am wherever the next case takes me.
MK: You're cooperating now so I won't tell Mrs. Pennyworth.
Cassandra: Yes. Yes, I am.
What is your weapon of choice?
Cassandra: I am not going to answer that.
MK: Why not?
Cassandra: If I tell, then people will know what to expect.
MK: You aren't going to hunt down any of the readers. It's safe to talk in front of them.
Cassandra: How do you know? Have you met them all? Can you say for certain none of them are working for the man I'm currently trying to find?
MK: Hmm. Good point.
Cassandra: I'm glad you are coming around to my way of thinking.
MK: I didn't say that.
Cassandra: You meant it.
MK: I think we should invite Quinn next time. He's the more—
Cassandra: I'm pretty sure you don't want to finish that sentence.
MK: I'm pretty sure you're right.
Cassandra: Quinn would be nice to have around, though. What is your weapon of choice? MK: It's far deadlier than yours.
Cassandra: *laughs*
MK: I'm serious.
Cassandra: What is it?
MK: A pen. You know, like the "pen is mightier than the sword."
Cassandra: I do not think Lytton would appreciate your use of the phrase.
MK: Lytton?
Cassandra: Edward Bulwer-Lytton wrote it.
MK: Huh. I did not know.
Cassandra: What were we talking about?
MK: Quinn. We were talking about Quinn. How did you two meet? Cassandra: *smiles*
MK: You're not going to tell us, are you?
Cassandra: I believe you already have.
MK: That's in the book. This is here.
Cassandra: Weren't we talking about weapons? I favor a Colt.
MK: Fine, they can read about it in the book. Jeez, you're a lot of work. Thank goodness for Quinn.
Meet Cassandra and Quinn June 22, 2021!
That's not all!
Cassandra and Quinn aren't the only ones you'll be meeting. Cassandra's sister, Rose, and the charming Dr. Taylor Whitman, will have their own mysterious adventure to share with you. Learn more >
