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John Whicher #4
An American King
An unknown victim. A killer in the wind. Violence sweeps the city, ever closer to home.
Book #4 in the bestselling Whicher Series
An American King unfolds during a violent rash of crime in Whicher's hometown. Working for the Abilene US Marshals Office, Whicher investigates a baffling murder, part of an outbreak of lawlessness that threatens to escalate out of control. Assigned a new partner to help work a case unlike any he's known, what starts in shadow soon burns a path across the city, ever close to home...
Book #4 in the bestselling Whicher Series
An American King unfolds during a violent rash of crime in Whicher's hometown. Working for the Abilene US Marshals Office, Whicher investigates a baffling murder, part of an outbreak of lawlessness that threatens to escalate out of control. Assigned a new partner to help work a case unlike any he's known, what starts in shadow soon burns a path across the city, ever close to home...
- GenresMystery
480 pages, Paperback
Published June 9, 2020
404 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
John Stonehouse
25 books66 followersJohn Stonehouse writes the Amazon #1 bestselling Whicher Series.
His debut, An American Outlaw, gained wide acclaim among readers and reviewers alike - both it and the following books have gone on to become bestsellers at Amazon, Apple i-Books, Barnes & Noble and at Kobo.
A writer who's spent a lot of time traveling, both in the states and overseas, he’s interested in history, literature, music and poetry - and drawn to wide-open spaces; places few people go, inside or out.
For the latest news, updates and special offers sign up to the John Stonehouse mailing list at https:www//johnstonehousewriter.com
follow @JohnStonehouse2
https:www.//twitter.com/JohnStonehouse2
or find him at Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/johnstonehou...
His debut, An American Outlaw, gained wide acclaim among readers and reviewers alike - both it and the following books have gone on to become bestsellers at Amazon, Apple i-Books, Barnes & Noble and at Kobo.
A writer who's spent a lot of time traveling, both in the states and overseas, he’s interested in history, literature, music and poetry - and drawn to wide-open spaces; places few people go, inside or out.
For the latest news, updates and special offers sign up to the John Stonehouse mailing list at https:www//johnstonehousewriter.com
follow @JohnStonehouse2
https:www.//twitter.com/JohnStonehouse2
or find him at Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/johnstonehou...
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
July 12, 2020
This is one of those series that only gets better and better. I was not really sold on the two first but this one is really great. Whicher is not your typical hero but he gets the job done.
January 8, 2021
Intuition
I think this is the the last of the series. There is a novella after this one witch I'll read next. I hope the author comes up with another one in the series. This one was hard to take because of the characters that get you connected to the storyline. I got the telling that he was building a relationship that would last thru many stories but he did a change up. I'm not going to give it away so you'll have to read the book to find out what happened. Thanks for all the entertainment.
I think this is the the last of the series. There is a novella after this one witch I'll read next. I hope the author comes up with another one in the series. This one was hard to take because of the characters that get you connected to the storyline. I got the telling that he was building a relationship that would last thru many stories but he did a change up. I'm not going to give it away so you'll have to read the book to find out what happened. Thanks for all the entertainment.
June 27, 2021
Expected & Respected law enforcement
This eating was produced the old way... it was earned! My opinion is based on experience of stateside & combat service in USMC & various positions of leadership during corporate career. A good relationship is formed through common expectations, accomplished goals, co-existing respect. The author constructs a believable story that produces results not only between the characters, but also between law enforcement and society, while showing some of the highest cost of justice.
This eating was produced the old way... it was earned! My opinion is based on experience of stateside & combat service in USMC & various positions of leadership during corporate career. A good relationship is formed through common expectations, accomplished goals, co-existing respect. The author constructs a believable story that produces results not only between the characters, but also between law enforcement and society, while showing some of the highest cost of justice.
July 30, 2021
A complicated story with two different murder investigations that are actually unrelated: the unidentified guy on the side of the lake shot by arrows and the shooting of the driver of a Brinks truck. But it is way too long with too many characters. Also we are not spared any details such as whether the driver uses his blinkers before parking. The main character, the US Marshall, is now less robotic, he now has a family and even emotions.
May 16, 2020
Great Story Well Told
Another terrific novel by John Stonehouse. He makes you feel the excitement of the chase, the humid closeness of a Louisiana bayou, the pain of the loss of a fellow officer and the hope for his young family going forward. Always enjoy his books and look forward to reading future novels by this talented writer.
Another terrific novel by John Stonehouse. He makes you feel the excitement of the chase, the humid closeness of a Louisiana bayou, the pain of the loss of a fellow officer and the hope for his young family going forward. Always enjoy his books and look forward to reading future novels by this talented writer.
June 1, 2020
The characters and plot are very believable. The main character is not a super hero or really tough guy. Just a lawman and family man doing his job well. I love the descriptions of the rural areas and towns. I’ve been to several and the descriptions are so real I feel like I’m there. I’d give this six stars if that option was available!
July 7, 2020
I've really enjoyed all four of the books in the series but I think Mr. Stonehouse really hit his stride with this one. Great pacing, atmospheric and a mystery that had me hooked. Through in an absolutely shocking plot twist that brought the intensity to a whole new level.
Can't wait for the next entry in this series.
Can't wait for the next entry in this series.
August 10, 2021
Interesting story line for the most part but the writing is pretty bad. The over use of dialog is down right annoying. The writing seems forced; e.g., "he turned of his motor and stepped down from his truck" feels like it must have been repeated 50 times. Also "he 'snapped' off or 'snapped' on his headlights. Probably won't read any more of this series because of the writing.
October 25, 2021
Just didn't feel the author knew where to go with his p!ot.
It just didn't come together. Probably won't be reading anymore of his books. It was okay to start but I just kept fee!ing that the author didn't have a complete idea of where or how to end this book. It kept getting lost.
It just didn't come together. Probably won't be reading anymore of his books. It was okay to start but I just kept fee!ing that the author didn't have a complete idea of where or how to end this book. It kept getting lost.
July 22, 2022
Steady but no great surprises
Whither continues to be a great Conestoga but is challenged by the allocation of a young partner and the responsibilities of being a husband and father.He is made aware of the fragility of his job and forced to make choices. The vulnerable Whicher is interestingly a fuller character.
Whither continues to be a great Conestoga but is challenged by the allocation of a young partner and the responsibilities of being a husband and father.He is made aware of the fragility of his job and forced to make choices. The vulnerable Whicher is interestingly a fuller character.
September 12, 2023
I was torn in giving this tale a rating of 4/5 stars. It was a great murder/mystery yarn, slightly spoiled by being a little long on trivial detail. However, it was still well worth the read as you just have to keep going to discover the outcome. A few seemingly unrelated investigations that finally tie in together, along with the unexpected plot twist that marks the best thrillers.
December 16, 2025
4.5 stars rounded up. The best of the series so far. Great writing. Incredible narration of the audiobook. Storehouse is better than popular C.J. box. He is better than the talented Craig Johnson too. I am really enjoying Whicher as a protagonist and the stories are simple yet profound and compelling.
May 17, 2020
Not good for a reader blood pressure
It's a little hard to keep track of the characters, but it's the reader's concentration needs work. This book is a stem winder. I can't wait to read the next one.
It's a little hard to keep track of the characters, but it's the reader's concentration needs work. This book is a stem winder. I can't wait to read the next one.
May 24, 2020
A great mystery. I have been a big fan of John’s books since book 1, this latest did not disappoint. Something I always look forward to is story’s where you can feel the location, all of John’s books have that in spades.
March 6, 2021
Good plot a man’s body been dragged in to the brush, a deserted area, with no ID. The twist is how this impacted the areas around in violence. . Whicher has his hands full trying to figure out who and why this man was killed.Wwell done and good series
October 6, 2021
Don't want to put his books down.
Love these books. They seem well researched and kept me interested. Being from West Texas I enjoy his geographical references and general knowledge of Texas and Texans.
Love these books. They seem well researched and kept me interested. Being from West Texas I enjoy his geographical references and general knowledge of Texas and Texans.
February 25, 2022
Suspensful
This novel finds the protagonist trying to solve a grisly murder. As it goes on, characters come out to help the framework of the story. While you may think you know what's coming next, the reader does not. This novel had me stAying up late just to finish it.
This novel finds the protagonist trying to solve a grisly murder. As it goes on, characters come out to help the framework of the story. While you may think you know what's coming next, the reader does not. This novel had me stAying up late just to finish it.
June 30, 2023
New for me…….
A new, to me, author. I’ll be looking for more books in the series! A murder brings a new partner and friendship! Then another one and yet another. Are they connected? How could they be? Searching for the truth will have consequences!
A new, to me, author. I’ll be looking for more books in the series! A murder brings a new partner and friendship! Then another one and yet another. Are they connected? How could they be? Searching for the truth will have consequences!
September 25, 2024
Super read!!
Thoroughly enjoyed this story, with believable plot lines and NO typos. A real pleasure. Looking forward to the next one. The title though throws me. I don't get it.
Thoroughly enjoyed this story, with believable plot lines and NO typos. A real pleasure. Looking forward to the next one. The title though throws me. I don't get it.
May 16, 2020
Great style
I thought this is a well written book of this genre, better than most, and kept my interest all through out the story. I look forward to the next one.
I thought this is a well written book of this genre, better than most, and kept my interest all through out the story. I look forward to the next one.
June 25, 2020
Non-Stop Action
Great book with characters story action. Each of the books build a story.
Hope the series continues. Excellent Excellent Excellent.
Great book with characters story action. Each of the books build a story.
Hope the series continues. Excellent Excellent Excellent.
September 12, 2020
This was a chore to read. Too many characters and a disjointed storyline. The first two books in this series were so outstanding. Usually authors get better, not worse!
November 24, 2020
A good read.
July 4, 2021
Fun Read
I particularly like descriptions of settings, scenery, weather and conditions and this author does an excellent job depicting settings. Simply fun reads.
I particularly like descriptions of settings, scenery, weather and conditions and this author does an excellent job depicting settings. Simply fun reads.
August 5, 2023
If you want to know why Whicher books have so much action? The dude never sleeps! Who uses bows and arrows to kill someone anymore?
January 14, 2024
Stonehouse is a force.
July 5, 2024
Boring and humourless. Nothing else to say really, I couldn’t get past half way. It is worth mentioning again the lack of humour and any other emotion really.
May 8, 2025
This is a really good series especially if you like the SOuthwest/Texas setting and style. Twists and turns and great characters.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews