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The Lockes #2
Medicine Wheel
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.
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.
- GenresWesterns
360 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 30, 2016
About the author
Ron Schwab
50 books200 followersRon 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
January 24, 2025
Enjoyed this new series from Mr. Schwab.
November 4, 2023
Not your dime novel western. Great story, well written. Felt like I was there with real people.
December 24, 2023
Great series
It keeps getting better with each book. The characters are strong and full of life. 8m hooked and can't wait to start the next book in this series.
It keeps getting better with each book. The characters are strong and full of life. 8m hooked and can't wait to start the next book in this series.
January 24, 2024
Great book!
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!
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!
December 31, 2023
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!!
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!!
July 26, 2017
Veterinarian, lawyers and preachers = all family and hard-working facing struggles and dealing with murder, love, loyalties and mixed relationships.
The story in this book grows more interesting as the reader progresses. Violence against a woman brings truth and love to the unexpected.
The story in this book grows more interesting as the reader progresses. Violence against a woman brings truth and love to the unexpected.
January 3, 2025
This is the second book I've read by this author and I'm looking forward too many more!
I've found the plot of both books well developed and clear! The characters are so
well developed that you almost feel like they are friends you have known for years. I hope to read more by Ron Schwab!
I've found the plot of both books well developed and clear! The characters are so
well developed that you almost feel like they are friends you have known for years. I hope to read more by Ron Schwab!
December 25, 2016
Best read
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!
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!
March 20, 2017
A story with many twists and surprises!
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.
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.
August 15, 2024
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.
January 3, 2017
Medicine Wheel
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.
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.
July 10, 2019
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!!😀
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!!😀
June 8, 2021
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.
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.
September 21, 2023
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!
Don't miss this engrossing, skillfully written novel. Medicine Wheel easily earns five bright stars from me!
April 13, 2019
Excellent and Entertaining Story !
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.
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.
June 4, 2021
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!
January 9, 2026
A great story and book. I could not put it down once I got involved with the plot and characters. It’s a must read. I probably will read it will read it again in the future.
Don’t miss out on reading this book. It is fully entertaining and a pleasure to read. Schwab is becoming one of my favorites authors.
Don’t miss out on reading this book. It is fully entertaining and a pleasure to read. Schwab is becoming one of my favorites authors.
November 23, 2019
This guy is full of it.
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.
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.
February 19, 2020
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.
May 27, 2021
A great story of suspense, love and law.
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.
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.
September 26, 2021
Great read
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.
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.
October 28, 2022
Life's journey
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.
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.
April 29, 2026
Not quality work
I have really enjoyed reading some of this authors work but not this one. Bad language is expected in some western but this one lowered the level. The trashy language ruined the book and it went in the trash after a few pages.
I have really enjoyed reading some of this authors work but not this one. Bad language is expected in some western but this one lowered the level. The trashy language ruined the book and it went in the trash after a few pages.
July 20, 2026
Another Good Read
The Entire Locke series was another great Schwab offering. I was a little concerned about the ending of Medicine Wheel but as usual Schwab got it right. Interesting characters, exciting and complicated plots lead to a book that is hard to put down.
The Entire Locke series was another great Schwab offering. I was a little concerned about the ending of Medicine Wheel but as usual Schwab got it right. Interesting characters, exciting and complicated plots lead to a book that is hard to put down.
October 13, 2018
More!
Great reading. I lloved the characters the story kept my interest untill the end. Other books by Mr Schwab have. also given me wonderful hours.
Great reading. I lloved the characters the story kept my interest untill the end. Other books by Mr Schwab have. also given me wonderful hours.
October 31, 2018
Medicine Wheel
The plot is hard to follow because it jumps around in time. I did not like the language of the obscene descriptions.
The plot is hard to follow because it jumps around in time. I did not like the language of the obscene descriptions.
November 24, 2018
Great
It was very interesting about medicine wheel because I and my wife went and seem a medicine wheel in Wyoming a few years ago
It was very interesting about medicine wheel because I and my wife went and seem a medicine wheel in Wyoming a few years ago
January 18, 2019
For an avid Western reader this might be a bit predictable. None the less an enjoyable read.
April 26, 2019
Great story line.
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.
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.
January 16, 2020
Justice is done
Like the way the author works well with the African Americans and Native American into his stories. No racist attitudes among friends.
Like the way the author works well with the African Americans and Native American into his stories. No racist attitudes among friends.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews