A murder trial would normally be of little interest to Thad Locke, who escaped the "family disease" of law wrangling, but two women--one the accused murderess, the other a member of her defense team--have intertwined themselves with both Thad and his lawyering family.
Will Kirsten Cavelle be the first woman sent to the gallows in the state of Kansas? As some members of the community seek to take the law into their own hands, will she even live to see the end of the trial? As the trial unfolds, secrets from the past are revealed, lives are changed forever, and a little known piece of land grows to have resonance far beyond its size.
Set amongst the Kansas Flint Hills and the growing city of Manhattan in the 1880s, Medicine Wheel further explores the stories of the Locke family, first introduced in the author's novel, Last Will.
Ron Schwab is the author of the popular Western series, The Law Wranglers, The Coyote Saga, and The Lockes, as well as several standalone novels, including Grit, a winner of the Western Fictioneers Peacemaker Award for Best Western Novel, and Cut Nose, a finalist for the Western Writers of America Best Western Historical Novel. He is a member of the Western Writers of America, Western Fictioneers, and Mystery Writers of America.
Ron’s earlier published works included the suspense novels, Crocodile Fears and The Buddy System, both printed under a pseudonym, Michael J. Stewart. He is a member of the Western Writers of America, Western Fictioneers, and Mystery Writers of America.
Ron and his wife, Bev, divide their time between their home in Fairbury, Nebraska and their cabin in the Kansas Flint Hills.
This story is not a typical western, but a wonderful and different read. Characters are beautifully developed and you feel you know them. I totally enjoyed the book!
solid story with believable and relatable characters
It’s a satisfying read when you start a story with some misgivings about the initial synopsis and you are sucked in to a well spun and engrossing tale. Well done! Still don’t want the dirt the smells the incredible pressure to prosper in the old west environment. But what a wonderful tale about exactly that. Brought a tear to my eye!!
Ron Schwab has become my overwhelming favorite western writer. He has an unique writing skill that draws you into the characters of the story. I love his stories and the way he tells them. Can't wait until the next one!
There was more than one heroine . The author did a good job enterweaving the characters . At one point it looked like one was going to be hanged , but she was saved by a woman lawyer which was really different in that time in history.
What an adventure. This story is filled with unexpected, mystery, suspense, love and humanity. Love is the gluten that holds the reader entranced and reading as fast as can be done. Beautifully linked characters make the story take on a life of its own.
Second book in the Locke series. I hope there are more. If not, get busy, Ron. Enjoyable reading about Kansas, a part of the west most authors don't cover.
Thad is quiet the guy, especially as the town doctor and vet. Too, his romancing certainly maintains any reader's undivided attention. This story is definitely ongoing series of unending exciting adventures, enhanced with an exceptionally outstanding suspenseful court proceeding!
Haven't read a book yet by Mr. Schwab that wasn't five stars worthy, and this masterpiece is one of his best, thus far. Thad, his family, Serena and Kirsten certainly creates an ongoing saga that definitely grabs the reader's undivided attention and never lets go. This story relates how the West was won and finally tamed. Deaths are few, but this is a never ending detailed, and comprehensive, family-friendly series of events that is never lacking for excitement. The storylines were outstandingly heartwarming experiences, and the characters definitely portrayed their assigned roles without any hesitation. The author certainly did his homework before striking his first key, as the entire story is so factually realistic. There are romantic interludes and the way these developed will keep you fully involved. With no reservations, I definitely recommend this fascinating story to all readers, regardless of your reading pleasure, as it immediately reaches out and grabs you attention, and is so heartwarming that you will be unable to set it aside until the final word is read. Definitely your loss not to follow these exciting good guy characters from beginning to end!!😀
This adventure starts out with that and Serena meeting each other and her hurting her ankle and needing Thad to take her home
This is an old-fashioned Western with that riding his horse colt to take Serena. Serena is only home for the summer but they get together almost every day at the medicine wheel and have relations. Serena finally decides that she needs to go back to Washington and finish her schooling and she informs that of this and says their goals are too different. She wants to be a lawyer and he wants to be a veterinarian.
If you enjoy authentic western sagas and intense courtroom drama, you'll love The Lockes--a series about a family of "law wranglers" in the 1880s. Set in the Kansas Flint Hills, Book Two focuses on Thaddeus Locke, who--unlike his father and siblings--is a doctor instead of a lawyer. But when he saves the life of a beautiful woman who's been brutally assaulted by her husband, Thaddeus finds himself caught up in a legal and personal trial that will change his life forever.
Don't miss this engrossing, skillfully written novel. Medicine Wheel easily earns five bright stars from me!
After reading Book 1, I sincerely hoped Book 2 would as good. No disappointment there ! Mr. Schwab said, in his preface to Book 1, that the Locke stories could be read as stand-alones. That's true but some stories are enhanced by sequential reading. The Locke Books are that way and I, for one, look forward to several more.
This is the second one of his books I have enjoyed. I almost never give 5 stars but I did because he consistently puts out excellent story without undue use of profanity and can expertly describe relationships without resorting to smut or soft porn. IMO it’s the mark of an author that is actually talented and honed his craft. Great story, well worth the read!
Words that is, and he knows just how to use them. You won't be able to put this book down till finished and then you'll be lost because it's at an end. Thanks Ron.
Ron Schwab writes a damn fine book. This one was especially fun to read. I like the new characters and the directions the story was going. I really look forward to his next book regardless of which series or stand alone book he reases.
The author has written a story with a great deal of compassion and understanding of the effects of deception and truth. Very entertaining and enjoyable reading.
Thad Locke his a human, animal doctor, and a photographer. His lawyer brother invokes Thad in a murder case. A female lawyer and Thad's ex lover help in the case. She also brings a surprise to the Locke family.
This story I could not put down. Lost sleep over it. Young love, family history, trial,and business adventures. What more could ask for in a book. Read this page turner. It kept my attention until the last page.
Too many similar names for speed reading. Story line hit on many historic prejudices that are not even mentioned in western books. Well written. Ignore spellings.