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The Whitlock Trilogy #1-3
The Whitlock Trilogy
From USA Today Bestselling Author, Allen Kent!
"The Whitlock Trilogy" brings together in a searchable boxset the three books of award-winning author Allen Kent's popular historical fiction family saga. Set in the tumultuous 1860s and 70s of the American frontier, "River of Light and Shadow," "Wild Whistling Blackbirds," and "Suzanna's Song" reflect the energy, tension, romance, and adventure that defined the nation's westward expansion. Kent's talents as a successful writer of best-selling thrillers combines with his intense passion for historical accuracy as he propels the Whitlock family and his readers through Missouri's bloody Mormon Wars, the fracturing years of the war between the states, and the period of greed, prejudice, and courage that shaped the opening of the West.
554 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 26, 2019
376 people are currently reading
118 people want to read
About the author
Allen Kent
24 books35 followersAllen Kent is the author of the popular “Unit 1” thriller series, the Whitlock Trilogy in historical fiction, and a number of other mysteries and action novels. His books are published in electronic form by Kindle Press and in paperback by AllenPearce Publishers. He lives and writes in rural southwest Missouri.
Kent is a former Air Force pilot and educator who spent four years of his early life living in Iran and England. He has traveled and worked extensively in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia – experiences that are often reflected in his writing.
Writing as Kent Farnsworth, Kent has also published two works of non-fiction: “Grassroots School Reform” and “Leadership as Service.”
He and his wife Holly are avid travelers, gardeners, and conservationists, and live in an eco-friendly home near the community of Neosho.
See: https://www.amazon.com/Allen-Kent/e/B...
Kent is a former Air Force pilot and educator who spent four years of his early life living in Iran and England. He has traveled and worked extensively in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia – experiences that are often reflected in his writing.
Writing as Kent Farnsworth, Kent has also published two works of non-fiction: “Grassroots School Reform” and “Leadership as Service.”
He and his wife Holly are avid travelers, gardeners, and conservationists, and live in an eco-friendly home near the community of Neosho.
See: https://www.amazon.com/Allen-Kent/e/B...
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 18, 2020
I loved The Whitlock Trilogy. Allen Kent did a wonderful job of creating three believable, touching, and highly entertaining novels. This trilogy follows several generations of the Whitlock family and the challenges they face in an America that was still in great part wild an unsettled. Kent did not shy away from showing the racism and sexism of the era. But, he also provided some very strong female characters. If you are a fan of historical fiction you don't want to miss this amazing trilogy.
April 26, 2020
The narrator of this book, Gryphon Corpus, was kind enough to share this set of 3 books by Allen Kent. Gryphon’s narration was excellent, by the way!
Set in the American Frontier, the book covers the history of 3 generations of the Whitlock family. Honestly, this is my favorite kind of book.
The story began at Haun’s Mill Massacre in 1838 in Missouri. This event is well known in Mormon history as a brutal attack by an anti-Mormon mob that killed 20 people, including children. Young David Whitlock was a helpless witness to the murdering of his people. The first book relays David’s story as he becomes a man, falls in love, and begins to build a life. A few of the original mob search out his family and the book becomes intense and hard to put down.
The 2 books that follow carry on the story of the Whitlocks as their family grows and spreads across the country. I felt such a part of this wonderful family and now must move on without them. Alas, a good book tends to leave one lonely when the back cover closes.
Set in the American Frontier, the book covers the history of 3 generations of the Whitlock family. Honestly, this is my favorite kind of book.
The story began at Haun’s Mill Massacre in 1838 in Missouri. This event is well known in Mormon history as a brutal attack by an anti-Mormon mob that killed 20 people, including children. Young David Whitlock was a helpless witness to the murdering of his people. The first book relays David’s story as he becomes a man, falls in love, and begins to build a life. A few of the original mob search out his family and the book becomes intense and hard to put down.
The 2 books that follow carry on the story of the Whitlocks as their family grows and spreads across the country. I felt such a part of this wonderful family and now must move on without them. Alas, a good book tends to leave one lonely when the back cover closes.
August 19, 2020
Interesting and historical read
I didn’t want this family saga to end. I will read this again! I loved the development of the characters
It taught me about history of our country that I don’t remember learning in school. This series kept me wanting more from this author
I didn’t want this family saga to end. I will read this again! I loved the development of the characters
It taught me about history of our country that I don’t remember learning in school. This series kept me wanting more from this author
January 26, 2021
I'm a mystery/thriller reader, so I had already read and loved Allan Kent's Unit 1 series. Although the Whitlock Trilogy is a historical novel rather than a contemporary one of espionage and political plots, it creates the same suspenseful feel, with tension built from personal relationships and social/political turmoil.
I've never lived in the times or places described in the book, so I can't attest to the accuracy of details, but I certainly felt that I was learning a lot about the history as well enjoying the fictional family's story. Along the way, it brought out interesting info about various peoples; the most interesting to me was the Chinese immigrants.
I personally thought the religious aspect was laid on a little thicker than necessary for the Mormon-persecution storyline in the first book, and it seemed odd that the later books stated, without comment or explanation, that David did not embrace the Mormon faith. Anyway, that is a very small nitpick in an overall excellent read.
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I received the audiobook version as a gift (with no obligation to review). I found the narrator's vocal style a little annoying, so I switched over to the Kindle version.
I've never lived in the times or places described in the book, so I can't attest to the accuracy of details, but I certainly felt that I was learning a lot about the history as well enjoying the fictional family's story. Along the way, it brought out interesting info about various peoples; the most interesting to me was the Chinese immigrants.
I personally thought the religious aspect was laid on a little thicker than necessary for the Mormon-persecution storyline in the first book, and it seemed odd that the later books stated, without comment or explanation, that David did not embrace the Mormon faith. Anyway, that is a very small nitpick in an overall excellent read.
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I received the audiobook version as a gift (with no obligation to review). I found the narrator's vocal style a little annoying, so I switched over to the Kindle version.
June 2, 2021
A terribly and heartbreaking realistic depiction of the pains and tragedies of that age.
River of Light and Shadow:
A good blend of history and fiction. Not only on the religious front - which is a big part of this novel - Mormon vs Methodist. A very descriptive and thorough novel. This narrator is very good. I’m very appreciative that she sang the song rather than just reading the lyrics.
Wild Whistling Blackbirds:
Fast forward some years and we find our family in the midst of the Civil War with an empty nest of children flown the coop in all directions. A thorough novel with tragedy and hope, contention and peace, plus family and community.
Suzanna's Song:
I really liked this series. It covered so much and a big section of time. I could never have guessed where the characters would end up when I started this series (or even after the first book!) it was a lovely, historical fiction read.
River of Light and Shadow:
A good blend of history and fiction. Not only on the religious front - which is a big part of this novel - Mormon vs Methodist. A very descriptive and thorough novel. This narrator is very good. I’m very appreciative that she sang the song rather than just reading the lyrics.
Wild Whistling Blackbirds:
Fast forward some years and we find our family in the midst of the Civil War with an empty nest of children flown the coop in all directions. A thorough novel with tragedy and hope, contention and peace, plus family and community.
Suzanna's Song:
I really liked this series. It covered so much and a big section of time. I could never have guessed where the characters would end up when I started this series (or even after the first book!) it was a lovely, historical fiction read.
July 23, 2020
IF YOU LOVE HISTORY
I really enjoyed this TRILOGY The characters are all people you know with good & bad characteristics. I especially like the strong women depicted that stood WITH the men in the taming of the West & the progression of women’s right. Kent did lots of research to fill the book with so many historical facts.
I really enjoyed this TRILOGY The characters are all people you know with good & bad characteristics. I especially like the strong women depicted that stood WITH the men in the taming of the West & the progression of women’s right. Kent did lots of research to fill the book with so many historical facts.
August 26, 2020
Glorious
I read all three books together. I absolutely loved the characters and especially Suzanne and David. Their story and the growth of our country was written with talent and obvious dedication to our history. This was an amazing historical fiction that drew me in with its accuracy, characters and flow from book to book.
I read all three books together. I absolutely loved the characters and especially Suzanne and David. Their story and the growth of our country was written with talent and obvious dedication to our history. This was an amazing historical fiction that drew me in with its accuracy, characters and flow from book to book.
August 7, 2020
This was a very good read
I enjoyed the way history was incorporated into this book. A little her and a little there, it was well writen.
I enjoyed the way history was incorporated into this book. A little her and a little there, it was well writen.
June 7, 2021
A truly wonderful trilogy of a portion of the history of America.
September 23, 2019
I enjoyed this trilogy immensely. I regret to say that I have had my nose stuck in this story for the last week, once I began I just couldn't put it down. I have written a separate review for the first 2 books and I would ask you to please look at them for more information. The last book continues to take us with the Whitlock family as they travel through different places in the States and also a trip to London for an inheritance. The author has done an amazing job of taking us through the different issues that were happening in the late 1800's. Women being allowed to vote, allowed to inherit their own property when their spouse passed and women being able to make the same wage that a man would make doing the same job. I didn't realize that these things began that long ago. I was also amazed at the reason why Wyoming was wanting these things, such discrimination! I of course enjoyed continuing to read what was happening in the Whitlock family. This is a family that has really given us an example of what it was like to live at this time in history. There are so many things happening at the same time but it is not at all confusing. I love this family, I have laughed with them, I have cried for and with them and I have cheered them on. I truly am going to miss them. This book is in the historical fiction genre but it could fit into so many as there is romance, suspense, action and mystery. I totally recommend this trilogy or the individual books, as you don't need to read them all to receive a wonderful stand alone book. Please give it a try I'm sure you will love it.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher but I was not asked for anything in return. I wrote this review because I enjoyed this story so much it is my own opinion.
September 26, 2019
Going forward western expansion
It was strange reading about towns I knew well. Unfortunately the writer does not know how to use a compass in Jefferson City. I also found it strange there was no mention of the Indian tribes of the midwest, in Missouri, specifically the Osage Tribe, who were farmers. Otherwise, the books were good to read, showed both sides of major issues, and let the reader, think about those issues.
One thing did surprise me as I always wondered "why" Wyoming gave woman the vote before any other state. I felt like the roadrunner and Wiley Coyote when the truth hit. I was stunned and in shock.
Keep an open mind for the first book in the trilogy. Mormon settlements played a large part, but did not carry on in the other books as a central idea.
It was strange reading about towns I knew well. Unfortunately the writer does not know how to use a compass in Jefferson City. I also found it strange there was no mention of the Indian tribes of the midwest, in Missouri, specifically the Osage Tribe, who were farmers. Otherwise, the books were good to read, showed both sides of major issues, and let the reader, think about those issues.
One thing did surprise me as I always wondered "why" Wyoming gave woman the vote before any other state. I felt like the roadrunner and Wiley Coyote when the truth hit. I was stunned and in shock.
Keep an open mind for the first book in the trilogy. Mormon settlements played a large part, but did not carry on in the other books as a central idea.
August 31, 2021
I love really good historical fiction. This is some of the best I have recently encountered. The author incorporates many important events in the development and growth of the American west. Controversial topics such as religion, native Americans, civil war, and suffrage are handled with sensitivity and fairness. Characters are well developed, complex, and relatable. Loved the court challenge and debate! This series gives a broad view of what was taking place across the country in the 1800's. Highly recommended!
August 30, 2019
I thoroughly enjoyed the first two books of this trilogy, and sort of enjoyed the third one, especially Elizabeth's time in Washington, D.C. A little of the third seemed over the shark, but generally it was decent. One quibble: please don't fall into the current far political Right's "insult" of using "Democrat" as a descriptive, as well as a noun. The descriptive is "Democratic". Thank you,
December 16, 2019
History and Reality
This book kept me reading about our history and the ways of the country that worked to make us what we are. The unfairness to the Indians, Chinese and most of all to the slaves that were imported to the U.S. to benefit plantation owners, not to give them a better life!
This book kept me reading about our history and the ways of the country that worked to make us what we are. The unfairness to the Indians, Chinese and most of all to the slaves that were imported to the U.S. to benefit plantation owners, not to give them a better life!
October 6, 2019
Story of early western settlements
I loved the story. Good story set in the 1860-70's. Story of a growing nation and the problems that arose with a growing nation.
I loved the story. Good story set in the 1860-70's. Story of a growing nation and the problems that arose with a growing nation.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews