The All-American

by Ian Patterson

CLAY BENNETT IS A KILLER BUT IS HE GUILTY OF MURDER?

"NOT SINCE GRISHAM’S A TIME TO KILL has the line between Justice and the Law been more blurred."

A High School Sweetheart Brutally Beaten.
An All-American Football Hero on Trial for Murder.
A Verdict That Could Drive a Stake Through the Heart of America's Favorite Game!

"A Must Read for every parent with a child enrolled in youth or high school football."

"Taut, compelling, impeccably researched..."

THE STAKES COULDN'T BE HIGHER!

For All-American high school football phenom Clay Bennett, freedom or a lifetime tossing touchdown passes to fellow inmates in a maximum-security prison yard. For notorious Austin, Texas, defense attorney Carter Holman, a reputation earned successfully defending the indefensible: A college football player on trial for beating his transgender girlfriend to death and a mother of three who’d doused her children with gasoline before setting them aflame in a bathtub. For Assistant District Attorney Katie DuClaire, a certain path to the District Attorney’s office or a career in private practice defending DUIs. For the National Football League, a sport that owns three days of the week and generates tens of billions in revenue, a precedent-setting verdict that could drive a stake through the heart of America’s favorite Game.

Clay Bennett is an All-American high school quarterback, top college prospect, and heir to a financial fortune and political dynasty. Predicted by many to be the next Tom Brady and expected to one day run for high office, Clay is every parent’s dream child, every teacher’s ideal student, every high school football coach’s ticket to the NCAA. Yet on the night of August twenty-seven, Clay Bennett kills his high school sweetheart Amie Heywood by brutally beating her to death with his bare hands; the physical and forensic evidence proves it beyond any reasonable doubt. To defend his young client, notorious defense attorney Carter Holman must ask Why? Because the answer to the question is the only thing standing between Clay Bennett and a lifetime behind bars.

565 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 22, 2019

About the author

When Patterson Writes, Bodies Drop! Guaranteed!

Check Out My New Release, FALSE FLAG: A NEW PRESIDENT. A NEW THREAT. A NEW TERRORIST CONSPIRACY! Book ll in the Mathias Menzies Conspiracy Thriller Series!

What Readers say about Ian Patterson:
"...a rare talent"..."seriously, this is as good as they get"..."incredibly intense"..."Graphic and relentless!"..."Great from start to finish!"..."Dexter Fortune is my new book crush!"..."I was on the edge of my seat!"..."So many delicious plot twists kept me on my toes!"..."I couldn't put it down...kept me wondering what next!"

Ian Patterson is the author of ten novels including the Amazon Best-Selling Fortune and Fernandez Serial Killer Thriller Series, a new addition to the bookshelf of readers who love their crime fiction gritty, compelling, and fast-paced. For lovers of Connelly, Kellerman, Cornwell, Baldacci, J.D. Robb, and the most famous Patterson of all, James! Be sure to look for THE CHATTERBOX KILLER and THE CALL GIRL KILLER on Amazon.com!

Reviews

[John Breidinger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scary Possibilities

As a former player myself and father of a son who started playing at 8 years old until injuries forced him out at 21, this book hit too close to home. I actually live up the road from West Lake Hills and have seen the emphasis placed on Texas high school football. I can see where the author came up with this novel and his story. I can only hope that it remains fictional.

[Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I didn't always care for the defense attorney and his choices, I was intrigued by the back story. Football is an incredibly lucrative business and one which few want to question due to its immense popularity, but the science detailing sports injuries - not just to football players, but to many other athletes in sports such as soccer and boxing - is frightening and deeply concerning. Admittedly, I've never been a fan of football, but after reading this novel I could never watch a game without thinking of the far-reaching consequences of the sports-related injuries to the players.

[Tony Parsons · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dorothy Ramirez (afternoon shift dispatcher) called Chief T.J. McDaniel Sr. (West Lake Hills PD).
Madison McDaniel (wife) was not pleased it was his turn with Tommy John Jr. McDaniel (6-weeks).
8/27, West Lake Auto Mall Car Care Center (Redbud Trail). 911. Clayton “Clay” Samuel Bennett (18, West Lake Hills HS student/ FB; QB) name came up.
Samuel “Sam” Bennett Jr. (husband/father) & Susan Bennett (wife/mother) had been called.
Sheriff/Detective Wilson Ortega (Travis County MCU) had arrived at the crime scene.

Sheriff/Detective Ortega began to question Clay with Carter Holman (attorney, Smallwood & Associates law firm) present.
Amie Heywood (19, Clay’s BFF, daughter/sister) is the deceased girl’s name.
Sheriff/Detective Rita Dobbins (Travis County MCU partner) had arrived after seeing Tracey Heywood (wife/mother) & Barry Heywood (husband/father).
Coach Reid Kelsey (West Lake Hills HS FB coach) & Clay’s teammates had been interviewed Ezekiel “Zeke” Walker & Jenny McQuesten (U of NC; JD).
NFL Commissioner called Jocelyn Buchanan (Faculty Research Assistance Program FRAP director, attorney, former WNBA point-guard)
to his office.
Paul Sirkis (NCAA president, former LA Lakers player) went to see Chancellor Bethany Harrison (Texas A&M U).
Senator Samuel Bennett Sr. (grandfather, TX) bailed Clay out so he could finish out the HS school Sr. yr. & football.
Friday night. Ebbie Neptune Field. Westlake HS Chaparrals were hosting the West Lake Hills HS.
Jonathan Haupt (Clerk). Clayton Samuel Bennett versus the State of Texas, in the County of Travis, Texas, Court Case File Number 026620748
All rise. The District Court of County is now in session, The Honorable Judge Florence “Flo” Washington (A/A, 55+) is presiding.

The courtroom was overflowing.
Prosecution: ADA Katherine “Katy” DuClaire, Terrance Singleton (2nd chair, Sr. prosecutor),
Witnesses: Coach Reid Kelsey Westlake HS; Trey Monteith (Texas A&M);
Defense: Clay Bennett (former Westlake HS QB) & Carter Holman (attorney, Smallwood & Associates law firm);
Witnesses: Sheriff/Detective Wilson Ortega (Travis County MCU); Dorothy Ramirez (afternoon shift dispatcher); Chief Tommy John McDaniel x 2 (West Lake Hills PD); Dr. Patel (Travis County ME, forensic pathologist); Brianna Clutterbuck (classmate); Lewis Garrison (West Lake Hills HS teacher); Sheriff/Detective Rita Dobbins (Travis County MCU) partner); Pete Wysocki; Christine Heywood; Art Sejack (FT auto mechanic, former Maplewood HS FB co-coach); TJ McDaniel; Dr. Artemis Jagger: Dr. Amelia Everett; Dr. Robert Alden; Dr. Rita Prakesh;

How will Clay’s trial turn out?

I do not receive any type of compensation for reading & reviewing free books from publishers & authors. Therefore, I am under no obligation to write a positive review, only an honest one.

An awesome book cover, great font & writing style. A very professionally written Legal Thriller book. It was quite easy for me to read/follow from start/finish & never a dull moment. There were no grammar/typo errors, nor any repetitive or out of line sequence sentences. Lots of exciting scenarios, with several twists/turns & a huge description list of unique characters, settings, facts etc. to keep track of. This could also make another great Legal Thriller movie, or better yet a mini-TV series. There is no doubt in my mind this is an extremely easy rating of 5 stars.

Thank you for the free author; BookFunnel; Amazon Digital Services LLC. Kindle Mobi; book
Tony Parsons MSW (Washburn)

[Adam Fairbairn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starting this book, I had no idea what to expect. What it turned out to be was a courtroom drama with American Football grounding. Being English, most of the American football stuff went over my head but what kept me reading was the fact that there is a lot of focus on brain damage and the effects thereof. This is a subject that is particularly pertinent to myself and Patterson has researched the subject very well. Information is given on the subject from different characters and one suspects that without checking myself, the data will be true and is surprising.

One wonders if the author has been personally affected by the dangers of playing football or if the book is attempting to make a statement about the risks of playing the sport. Either way, brain injury is one of the most common injuries that can occur in people so the chamber are that anyone reading this book may have been affected by it in their lives in one way or another.


Brain injury was linked to the story well and it concluded well too. In other places, I felt that things could've been more succinct but the passages and conversations in court were worth reading.

[Yvonne Kanocz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Football

Concussions over and over can cause damage to the brain. This book is fictional but brings the horror of what happens to the brain when it is injured in football. Clay kills his girlfriend but does not remember doing it. The defense attorney is excellent and brings the truth of what happens to the brain when it is injured and uses it to defend Clay. This book is worth reading.

[Alex Mellor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Outstanding. From the start, this highly topical, legal thriller highlights some of the tragic complications of high contact sports, including tackle football. The horrific impact of profound long-term and systematic physical abuse. I felt as if I was a member of the jury as I read through the night, heart in mouth, in order to decide if Clay Bennett intentionally, and knowingly, killed Amie Haywood.

[donnah barragan]

I've read over 100+ books in 2020 and this book, I could not put down. I couldn't wait to get to the end but then, I didn't want it to end. Riveting reading. Exceptional writing. This is at the top of my list of MUST READs!!!Fantastic job Ian Patterson

[Rachelle Bachiu · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow what a story. This does not only touch Clay but also anyone taking part in sports. How much abuse can a body endure is beyond anyone's guess. Very scary yet a closer watch on players health needs to happen and less on how much money a person gets out of someone's pain while playing the sport.

[Donna Freie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent read

Very well written - reads like a true story. A lot of real life events are mentioned throughout. Highly recommend

[Tom Montgomery · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too drawn out.

Great book, good writing and presentation. Unfortunately after a few chapters it becomes too cumbersome to keep my attention. It goes way beyond what is interesting.

[Dave Kaye · Rating 3 out of 5]

a very long and drawnout story,not exactly the page turner I was expecting when I first started reading it

[Stormiestl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read and I recommend it to anyone who has a son that plays football. It is food for thought! Again Ian Patterson did not disappoint!

[Govno Nichevo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought that this was a very good read. The pace was good and the story drew me in so that it became a real page turner.

[Paul Tipping · Rating 5 out of 5]

A readers conflict!

This book is the most cerebral conflict I have ever had. The possible outcomes are never obvious, the percentage read of the book is conflicting . I want to get to the finale, but I want there to be loads more of this well written plot left to read. Oh, and the story is well crafted and the characters described well enough to recognise each one from real life. And, if you can't recognise anyone the author weaves in real life characters that you will know. It's an understatement for me to say I couldn't put it down! This book was preceded for me by the authors alternate offering American Sniper. Equally well written.

[Peter Fischer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am Speechless

I have read many books on court room drama, written by many good authors, but this one is in the league of its own.
All I can say is, what a brilliant book.
Their are not enough adjectives to describe what I have just read.
I loved the flow of the story, not swapping and changing, going back and forward, all the chapters flowed in perfect order.
Ian Patterson, you have set a very very high bar to conquer for your next book.
I read The Chatterbox Killer ( My first book of Ian Patterson that I have read) and thought, wow what a great author we have here.
So I decided to read The All American, I was not disappointed, it was much much better.
I highly recommend this book if you love the game of American Football, the statistics are mind boggling and frightening, which makes this book so good.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I could give 6 stars, I would. It is so well written and the research is excellent! Follow Clay Bennett, the top quarterback in the state, as he copes with a brain injury and daily symptoms that he tries to keep hidden . But, one day, he kills his girlfriend who has always been a friend and close while they were growing up. And Clay does not remember doing it.

Follow his trial and all that happens. I wasn't sure I would like this book before beginning to read. But, I fell into the story and learned about something of which I did not know.

Everyone who has children and grandchildren who play football needs to read this book!

[J.D. Schechter · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good enough story...BUT

Spoiled by overwriting, the author's politics, fraudulent statistics, occasionally out-of-left-field dialogue and editing - if any - by someone who failed third grade English

[Donna K Peace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read

Good read. Get your facts straight on southern speech patterns, almost stopped reading because of the poor quality southern drawl