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Troy Stoker, M.D. #1
American Jackal
Psychiatrist, Troy Stoker, M.D., bursts onto the psychiatry thriller landscape when his high-profile patient, the lieutenant governor-elect's wife, makes a simple mistake that could cost her everything, including her life, and brings her face to face with an American jackal.
In this confrontation with corruption, Ann Higgins stumbles into the underworld life of a high-ranking South Dakota statesman; and she catapults her psychiatrist, Troy Stoker, M.D., into the conflict. When her chilling discovery threatens to devastate a politician’s secret dominion, Ann ends up dangling from a makeshift noose and fighting for her survival, while plunging Dr. Stoker even deeper into the battle of minds, muscles and new tech.
Dr. Stoker enlists Errol Rivera, a fellow physician and military attaché to help unravel the mystery and take on the challenges set before them. Together Stoker and Rivera use their brilliant intuition, psychiatric savvy and military skills to pursue the veiled, corrupt politician and hunt down his criminal pack.
Still, Stoker is unaware that his Cuban-born, patriot friend, Rivera, is much more than a doctor with a hero’s past. At his command, Rivera unleashes an elite band of warriors who engage their training, guts, technology and weaponry to confront the corruption.
Hold on and jump into this gritty thrill ride as the new hero, Troy Stoker, M.D., emerges in an explosive new political and psychiatry thriller, American Jackal.
Who's Troy Stoker? He's a psychiatrist . But, to understand who Stoker is now, it helps to understand who he was as a rookie army medic circa 1992.
“I don’t give a damn if it’s an order or not an order. It’s just the right thing!” Stoker thought about his dilemma. “Let’s pull this jeep right up in front of his cozy little sunshade. You take over this wound! I can take an officer’s reprimand, but I can’t live with this man dying.”
Forty-five seconds later, the driver skidded the jeep to a stop right in front of the radio operator’s sunshade. “Call back that helicopter!” yelled Stoker as the driver jumped back to the patient and took over the first aid. “This man is about to die!”
“I can’t!” protested the radio operator, as he watched corporal Stoker jump out of the jeep with bloody hands. “I have orders from the general to—” Stoker’s gory hand reached for the radio and the operator lurched back in fear.
Stoker took over the radio and hit the transmit button. “Deathstalker, this is Medic Alpha Six. Over.”
A moment later, the pilot responded to Stoker’s call. “Medic Alpha Six, this is Deathstalker.”
“Roger,” Stoker said. “I’m a medic with an Airborne Ranger in critical condition, requesting you turn that helicopter around. I need medevac and I need that doctor. Over.”
“Standby, Medic Alpha Six,” came the pilot’s reply. Silently, Stoker waited and hoped. “That’s a roger, Medic Alpha Six.” Relief flooded through Stoker. “Ground control. This is Deathstalker. Landing site clear, over?” Stoker started to hand the blood-covered radio microphone back to the radio operator, but he would not touch it. So Stoker shoved the device to within three inches of the radio operator’s mouth, turned his head to glance at the empty landing zone, and started to key the microphone so the squeamish radio operator could issue the response.
Who is Stoker's mentor, Errol Rivera, M.D.? Now Colonel Rivera, he remembers some of his 1992 helicopter pilot history.
“Are you ignoring a direct order, Captain?”
“No, sir. I was ignoring you momentarily while I consider your direct order,” Rivera said, turning his attention to some navigation systems for a few seconds.
“I will court martial you, Captain!”
Rivera smiled confidently and sent the helicopter into a rapid five hundred foot descent. After leveling out, he turned to the accountant who also happened to be a colonel, who was now very nauseated. “Now, I’m ignoring your order! I’ll see you at the proceedings, sir!”
In this confrontation with corruption, Ann Higgins stumbles into the underworld life of a high-ranking South Dakota statesman; and she catapults her psychiatrist, Troy Stoker, M.D., into the conflict. When her chilling discovery threatens to devastate a politician’s secret dominion, Ann ends up dangling from a makeshift noose and fighting for her survival, while plunging Dr. Stoker even deeper into the battle of minds, muscles and new tech.
Dr. Stoker enlists Errol Rivera, a fellow physician and military attaché to help unravel the mystery and take on the challenges set before them. Together Stoker and Rivera use their brilliant intuition, psychiatric savvy and military skills to pursue the veiled, corrupt politician and hunt down his criminal pack.
Still, Stoker is unaware that his Cuban-born, patriot friend, Rivera, is much more than a doctor with a hero’s past. At his command, Rivera unleashes an elite band of warriors who engage their training, guts, technology and weaponry to confront the corruption.
Hold on and jump into this gritty thrill ride as the new hero, Troy Stoker, M.D., emerges in an explosive new political and psychiatry thriller, American Jackal.
Who's Troy Stoker? He's a psychiatrist . But, to understand who Stoker is now, it helps to understand who he was as a rookie army medic circa 1992.
“I don’t give a damn if it’s an order or not an order. It’s just the right thing!” Stoker thought about his dilemma. “Let’s pull this jeep right up in front of his cozy little sunshade. You take over this wound! I can take an officer’s reprimand, but I can’t live with this man dying.”
Forty-five seconds later, the driver skidded the jeep to a stop right in front of the radio operator’s sunshade. “Call back that helicopter!” yelled Stoker as the driver jumped back to the patient and took over the first aid. “This man is about to die!”
“I can’t!” protested the radio operator, as he watched corporal Stoker jump out of the jeep with bloody hands. “I have orders from the general to—” Stoker’s gory hand reached for the radio and the operator lurched back in fear.
Stoker took over the radio and hit the transmit button. “Deathstalker, this is Medic Alpha Six. Over.”
A moment later, the pilot responded to Stoker’s call. “Medic Alpha Six, this is Deathstalker.”
“Roger,” Stoker said. “I’m a medic with an Airborne Ranger in critical condition, requesting you turn that helicopter around. I need medevac and I need that doctor. Over.”
“Standby, Medic Alpha Six,” came the pilot’s reply. Silently, Stoker waited and hoped. “That’s a roger, Medic Alpha Six.” Relief flooded through Stoker. “Ground control. This is Deathstalker. Landing site clear, over?” Stoker started to hand the blood-covered radio microphone back to the radio operator, but he would not touch it. So Stoker shoved the device to within three inches of the radio operator’s mouth, turned his head to glance at the empty landing zone, and started to key the microphone so the squeamish radio operator could issue the response.
Who is Stoker's mentor, Errol Rivera, M.D.? Now Colonel Rivera, he remembers some of his 1992 helicopter pilot history.
“Are you ignoring a direct order, Captain?”
“No, sir. I was ignoring you momentarily while I consider your direct order,” Rivera said, turning his attention to some navigation systems for a few seconds.
“I will court martial you, Captain!”
Rivera smiled confidently and sent the helicopter into a rapid five hundred foot descent. After leveling out, he turned to the accountant who also happened to be a colonel, who was now very nauseated. “Now, I’m ignoring your order! I’ll see you at the proceedings, sir!”
567 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 31, 2014
14 people are currently reading
598 people want to read
About the author
Francis Bandettini
3 books74 followersFor psychiatry thriller, a psychiatrist author is a must. Dr. Bandettini is a private practice psychiatrist and co-author of American Jackal. He graduated with honors from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in molecular biology. He earned his medical degree at the University of Osteopathic Medicine and Health Sciences in Des Moines, Iowa. Dr. Bandettini completed his psychiatry residency at the University of South Dakota School of Medicine, where he subsequently joined the faculty as an assistant clinical professor of psychiatry. He is a retired Captain from the United States Army and South Dakota National Guard. He lives with his wife in the greater Sioux Falls area.
What is unique about Dr. Bandettini? Just about everything. On most days, Dr. Bandettini rides his bicycle to work--even in the harsh South Dakota winters with his titanium-studded tires. He believes, according to recent research and his own experience, a day without biking is a day without peak enjoyment and functioning in his work. He has therefore a complete shower and kitchen in his office. He usually bikes home late at night with his wife--if his "darn paperwork is done." His wife, Naomi, accompanies him only "if more than 20 degrees F/-7 degrees C. " So she says!
He usually writes from his home or office in the mornings, and collaborates with his co-author at various times in early morning and late night. He loves seeing patients and always tries to practice what he preaches in the most eclectic way--because each of us are so different!
What is unique about Dr. Bandettini? Just about everything. On most days, Dr. Bandettini rides his bicycle to work--even in the harsh South Dakota winters with his titanium-studded tires. He believes, according to recent research and his own experience, a day without biking is a day without peak enjoyment and functioning in his work. He has therefore a complete shower and kitchen in his office. He usually bikes home late at night with his wife--if his "darn paperwork is done." His wife, Naomi, accompanies him only "if more than 20 degrees F/-7 degrees C. " So she says!
He usually writes from his home or office in the mornings, and collaborates with his co-author at various times in early morning and late night. He loves seeing patients and always tries to practice what he preaches in the most eclectic way--because each of us are so different!
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
October 15, 2014
American Jackal: Is the first in a series of thrillers for Psychiatrist Troy Stoker M.D. Without a doubt, authors Dr. Francis Bandettini & Matt Nilsen, have a first rate character on their hands. This was one of those books that got me knotted up with suspense. It’s a love/hate feeling I get when reading sometimes. Several times, I could feel my own anxiety in some of the more intense scenes. The writing is exceptional, because not only did it keep me on my toes, but the characters are so real, they are easy to love/hate and identify with. I became a fan just on that score alone.
The main character, Dr. Troy Stoker is a psychiatrist who is former military, the kind of guy who does the right thing, no matter what the cost, even if it means taking on a General head on and the risk of being tossed into the brig with a dishonorable discharge.
I liked this character from the start. As the book progresses we go from 1992 to present day and into a mystery that in volves the town of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Ann Higgins is the wife of the Lieutenant Governor-elect, Kent Higgins. While showing a house to some perspective clients She accidently stumbles upon an oddly designed basement, that causes her to investigate further, she discovers evil has come to her quiet town, soon Ann becomes a target and realizes murder is not too high a risk for the shadowy figure who needs her silenced once and for all.
This is a very involved and detailed novel. Each character only serves to add another layer to mystery to what can only be called an epic tale. If you love brilliant writing, 3 dimensional characters and sitting on the edge of your seat? Then this is the book for you! I will never look at coyotes the same…ever again!
The main character, Dr. Troy Stoker is a psychiatrist who is former military, the kind of guy who does the right thing, no matter what the cost, even if it means taking on a General head on and the risk of being tossed into the brig with a dishonorable discharge.
I liked this character from the start. As the book progresses we go from 1992 to present day and into a mystery that in volves the town of Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Ann Higgins is the wife of the Lieutenant Governor-elect, Kent Higgins. While showing a house to some perspective clients She accidently stumbles upon an oddly designed basement, that causes her to investigate further, she discovers evil has come to her quiet town, soon Ann becomes a target and realizes murder is not too high a risk for the shadowy figure who needs her silenced once and for all.
This is a very involved and detailed novel. Each character only serves to add another layer to mystery to what can only be called an epic tale. If you love brilliant writing, 3 dimensional characters and sitting on the edge of your seat? Then this is the book for you! I will never look at coyotes the same…ever again!
October 4, 2014
This book is full of fast paced action that drew me in from the very start. I read it almost entirely in one sitting! In this novel Dr. Stoker gets drawn into a dark world of drug cartels and government corruption when one of his patients accidentally stumbles into it herself. Dr Stoker reaches out to Errol Rivera a fellow physician and his friend for assistance in navigating the situation.
I feel like the amount of political intrigue verses action is balanced perfectly. The fast scenes in the book blend into the slower parts and carry it through to the next bit of action. I really enjoyed this story and I would love to read a second book with these characters.
I feel like the amount of political intrigue verses action is balanced perfectly. The fast scenes in the book blend into the slower parts and carry it through to the next bit of action. I really enjoyed this story and I would love to read a second book with these characters.
September 27, 2014
This is the best book I've read in a while. I actually read through it twice. Thank you author for making a fantastic full-length, rich story. Getting a little tired of novellas. If you're looking for a thriller with a compelling backstory and killer dialogue look no further. This is a multilayered story that's well worth your time. I enjoyed some of the tongue-in cheek humor.
I'd recommended this book to any reader that loves an adventure story. The characters are well-written and just jump off the page.
I'd recommended this book to any reader that loves an adventure story. The characters are well-written and just jump off the page.
October 31, 2014
I'd highly recommend this book to anyone interested in thrillers. I knew from the beginning it was going to be a good book. The characters were incredibly interesting and complimented each other very well. Not only was the plot compelling, but the writing was phenomenal and created the perfect sense of tension and suspense. The dialogue was realistic, rather than coming across as staged. It was so detailed and well-written, something I love but don't see very often these days. It definitely exceeded all my expectations and was well worth the read.
October 2, 2014
This book was definitely a page turner!! Kept me excited until the very end and loved all the characters and how they fit together. Hopefully a sequel comes out soon because I am a Troy Stoker fan. =)
P.S. Don't let the small amount of text/grammatical errors sour you towards this book. They do not detract from the storylines and character development and can easily be overlooked.
P.S. Don't let the small amount of text/grammatical errors sour you towards this book. They do not detract from the storylines and character development and can easily be overlooked.
May 19, 2020
Utterly fantastic
This book is clearly very well researched and meticulously put together. The depth that this author has gone to, to immerse the reader so thoroughly in his world has me wanting more after that last word was read. Definitely a must read for everyone
This book is clearly very well researched and meticulously put together. The depth that this author has gone to, to immerse the reader so thoroughly in his world has me wanting more after that last word was read. Definitely a must read for everyone
September 28, 2014
What started to be a very engrossing thriller started sliding downhill quickly. The storyline has great promise and for the most part character development held true to the plot lines. But between the subplots that brought me around on a carousel ride sometimes went so far left of the story that had me scratching my head wondering why was that there? Then the errors not caught by proofing, spellcheck or basic editing distracted me from the important storyline. Some sentences did not make sense at all while quotation marks in strange places, missing from either the beginning or the end and even a blatant error while describing Jane Doe. One minute she is 36 and in the same sentence she becomes 56! I would overlook a few errors but this book is about 80% errors. I did not read the reviews first and never do because I want to give an author the benefit of my unbiased opinion. American Jackal is a great story, but needs more polish and better editing. Because the storyline has great potential I finished reading the book.
November 14, 2014
What an excellent and mind blowing thriller! I am completely hooked. The author has such a brilliant imagination that will take you on quite a wild ride. He writes with such detail that you can picture the characters in your head, and every scene pops from the pages. It is an amazing read for both old-time thriller readers or anyone new to this genre. It is such a beautifully written novel that can give readers a sense of place inhabited by characters of depth.There are so many different twists and turns that you won’t want to put the book down. I hate to give away story lines as I would never want to ruin a good story for another reader, but trust me, you will absolutely love this story ! If you are looking for a great read then this is the book for you! 5 stars!
December 25, 2018
To be transparent, I am the second author of American Jackal. I'm wide open to critique and will even offer some of my own. This book has a strong central character and a great plot. It's easy to get into a story about corruption in a Midwestern state that suddenly envelopes the innocent. The insights into the world of psychiatry through fiction are also fascinating. When the technology the good guys use is real, it contributes to the sense of adventure. As I got to know South Dakota, I found people and the locations that easily inspired the storyline. Hopefully, we depicted the world of South Dakota almost as well as John Grisham portrays cities and towns of the Deep South.
If we were to re-write or revise American Jackal, I would vote to shorten the book and remove a few characters. I also wonder if the "who done it" aspect is important? Why not tell people who the commander is early on? There are also a few campy moments, pop culture references, and a few jokes that didn't add much.
All in all, we're pleased how many readers tell us how American Jackal kept them reading late into the night. Thrilling people is our intent.
If we were to re-write or revise American Jackal, I would vote to shorten the book and remove a few characters. I also wonder if the "who done it" aspect is important? Why not tell people who the commander is early on? There are also a few campy moments, pop culture references, and a few jokes that didn't add much.
All in all, we're pleased how many readers tell us how American Jackal kept them reading late into the night. Thrilling people is our intent.
October 18, 2019
Love these Troy Stoker, MD novels. They are edge-of-seat, can’t put down reading.
October 25, 2015
This is the best book that I have ever read! It keeps you on the edge of your seat, and sometimes squirming. There are some very funny one liners in there also. I especially loved the use of the word "THYROID" by one disgruntled female a lot. I am not kidding..... this is so action packed, and has you going "oh no, what's gonna happen", kind of like people who talk to the tv, like they are going to listen. I would definitely love to read many more by this author. He is really funny and he transfers that to his lead character, as well. You will not regret reading the first chapter. I guarantee you, you will not want to put it down at all!!!! And, YES, it is worth reading over and over......you focus on different things that you may not have the first time, and it is just as good, or better, each time you do read it! I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!
March 9, 2015
not good
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews