Four on the Floor: A John Tyler Action Thriller

John Tyler #4

by Tom Fowler

It started as a favor . . . And led to a bunch of dead bodies. Now, John Tyler is on the run. The former soldier offered to pick up his daughter Lexi’s friend Stacy at the airport in bad weather. Simple enough. When they arrived at the young woman’s house, however, four murdered corpses littered the floor. And the killers were circling back . . . Even once they make an escape, their future is hardly certain. Cut off from his friends and support, Tyler must keep Stacy safe from a determined and unknown adversary with a seemingly endless supply of assassins. When Stacy ends up in the enemy’s clutches, Tyler stages a desperate gambit to get her back alive. Why are she and her family targets? Finding out might cost John Tyler his life. Four on the Floor is the kinetic fourth entry in the John Tyler thriller series.

Genres: Thriller

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 29, 2022

About the author

Tom Fowler was born and raised in Baltimore and still resides in Maryland. He is an unabashed homer for Baltimore sports teams. His full-time job is in the field of computer security.

At about age seven, polite young Tom wrote a "murder mystery" in which no one died. The story gave him the writing bug, however, and he's been putting pen to paper and fingers to keys ever since.

When not working or writing, Tom enjoys spending time with his family and friends, reading, sports, movies, and writing brief bios in the third person.

Reviews

[Kathi Defranc]

Ex-Soldier John Tyler just has to show up somewhere and BOOM ...Danger, Murder, Torture!! All he was trying to do was pick up his daughter's friend at the airport due to bad weather making driving tough. Pick her up and bring her to her home, easy, right? BUT when they get there Tyler notes many footprints in the snow, a couple tire marks near the house, and as he takes the lead to go inside dead bodies litter the floor. And he hears the sound of a car pulling up...
Wow, no task ever comes easy for John, he is a veritable magnet for any danger to come his way. Now he must keep the girl, Stacy, safe and find some answers to this mess. This character has become one of my favorites quickly as he is a real good human who just can not leave anyone else in danger. He loses Stacy to the enemy, so now he must find out just Who has her and What is the reason for all this killing! A thrilling story that keeps you glued to the page from start to finish!
I received an ARC from the author and I offer you my honest thoughts and feelings in this review.

[John]

I received an ARC and I am voluntarily writing an honest review.

This book begins with Tyler interviewing a person to work in his shop. After the interview, Tyler tells his daughter that he would pick Stacy up at the airport because of the bad weather. Sounds simple doesn't it. When Tyler got to Stacy's house they discovered that some of Stacy's family were killed. The only one that wasn't was her sister and they discovered later that she had been kidnapped. The killers also wanted Stacy dead so they returned to the house and Tyler was able to take care of them.

Tyler then started trying to learn who the people were that killed Stacy's family. Stacy was able to provide information about who her sister was writing about. Stacy figured out where the flash drive was hidden and they went back to get it. At the same time some of the people involved with the killing also showed. This time Tyler was not lucky and Stacy was kidnapped. Tyler was eventually able to get away and with help from his daughter Lexi he developed a plan to get the two girls back. Tyler got to location, but the people in the house were waiting for him. Lucky for Tyler his father and daughter arrived to help him.

To discover what was so important on the flash drive, what obstacles Tyler had to overcome and who the individual was that wanted Stacy and Kayce kidnapped in addition to how the battle at the house went, then you need to read this book.

[Doug Yonce]

From the title, I’d guess someone lost count because a whole lot more than four ended up on the floor when Tyler finished his work. Another great addition to the series as John just can’t resist a damsel in distress. What starts out as a trip to the airport ends up with murders, and kidnapping to cover up political shenanigans. Tyler continues to mature as a father, son and character. I received an advanced copy of this book from the author and voluntarily provided an honest review.

[Myra McCulloch]

An action packed thriller here.
A young journalist investigating a government figure starts the ball rolling.
Kidnapping, murder, torture, corruption and more are all part of what John Tyler needs to overcome.
An entertaining read.
Thank you for the opportunity to read your book

[mary arnold]

Politician husband and his wife both want to get to DC for the status, the money and the influence. They will stop at nothing to achieve this. They have a young reporter’s whole family murdered and kidnap her. This is a keep-the-reader-on-the-edge-of-his-seat page turner. I love the characters in this series.

[Anne G. Kasaba]

Tom Fowler hit it out of the ballpark with this addition to a stellar series. The characters are multidimensional and the storyline is engaging. There's plenty of action throughout the story. It's definitely an edge of your seat page turner that shouldn't be missed.

Tyler can't resist trouble and fighting for the underdog is what he does!

I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.

[Slugpuppy3]

5 stars
Excellent adventure where John Tyler, a retired special ops soldier, falls into a dangerous situation he simply cannot walk away from. Lots of action, good character interaction and dialogue, and an exciting plot.
I reviewed an Advance Reader copy of this book with no strings attached.

[Christine]

John Tyler is a car repair mechanic. He owns Special Operations Classic Car Repair (fictional) in Baltimore, Maryland. Tyler is ex military, having served as a wheeled vehicle mechanic in Afghanistan. Because Tyler has special skills, he is able to help out people who find themselves in trouble because of circumstances that have developed through no fault of their own.
I started reading the series because I am a little familiar with the locations described in the book. The book held my interest when I was reading the story. When I had a library book on hold and had to put "Four on the Floor" aside to read the library book, I was able to pick up from where I left off, without any problem. That means to me that the characters and plot are developed enough to be memorable. There is a lot of violence in the book: killing, torture, kidnapping, car chases, military-type gun fights, etc. So this definitely is an action thriller. There is a well-written ending.
Locations/Settings: [Maryland: Baltimore (Northern Parkway road), Baltimore County, Manors of Rock Run in Cecil County (The development is fictional, but there is a Rock Run historic area in Cecil County), White Marsh, Harford County, Bel Air (Rt. 22) Abingdon, Baltimore Washington International (BWI) Airport, Fort Meade, Aberdeen (1-95 rest stop, Hilton Garden Inn, Tractor Supply Co. off Beards Hill Rd.), bridges over the Susquehanna River that connect Cecil County to Harford County, John Hanson College (Fictional), Rising Sun (Rt. 1), Conowingo Dam, Perryville (Fictional Susquehanna Sky Tower Penthouse); Mentions: Afghanistan, Iraq, Fort Bragg, Bagram Air Force Base, Annapolis MD, Port Deposit MD, Ocean City NJ, Belcamp MD, Aberdeen Proving Ground]

[Molly]

In a way that usually feels vicarious, like a nosy gossip listening at the door, I enjoy the action, and the struggles depicted between selfish folks who hire shady guys to do their dirty work; and the folks who act out of a sense of right, like Tyler.

It is an interesting and intriguing read, reading the inner conflicts of some of the folks doing that well armed heavy lifting, and Tyler and some of his friends or acquaintances who seem to get involved to try to do the right things, and often not for gain or profit; and often at cost to themselves or their situations or well being .

As someone with many family members who are former military, I also find it insightful to read about characters facing the struggles to make ends meet, challenges what to do with their skills in a civilian setting, and appreciate the attitude Tyler displays towards getting therapy, that encourages his daughter and others who face trauma to seek support.

If you like action packed adventures, and you are a fan of drama and political intrigue, this might be your next great, keeps you reading to the end book.

[Xema Konen-Jacobson]

This is the first John Tyler book I have read. I loved it! In fact, I couldn’t put it down! I just purchased the series and the prologue.

John Tyler is a 50 something retired veteran, Special Forces. He is trying to mellow out, owns a classic car repair shop and tries to find time to connect with his daughter. As a single dad, he is trying hard.
One night his daughter is planning to pick her friend up at the airport. A storm is coming and John decides it’s safer for him to pick her up. After he picks her up, he delivers her to her house. Something is off as they enter her home they see her family is dead. All but her big sister have been shot and killed.
John kicks into gear and gets her out of there and the adventure begins! You have political intrigue, hired guns, sister secrets and, of course, John must navigate it all.
Not going to spoil it for you but I am positive you will enjoy this book and become a John Tyler fan also!
Enjoy!

[Robert Browning]

Fast paced nonstop action!
This is book 4 in the John Tyler series and continues with John being in the wrong place at the right time for those he is saving at least!
The book starts with a bloody murder of a family while Tom Picks up one of the daughters of the Chaplain family returning home. Due to severe weather conditions luckily John collects Stacy from the airport rather than his daughter Lexi and walks straight into a horrendous slaughter of the family and the kidnapping of another family member Kacey because of an undercover report she has been writing.

Senator Raburn and wife arrange for a hit team to take care of things but certainly didn’t expect to come across John Tyler!
With the aid of his father Zeke and Lexi Tyler does the thing he does best, takes out the trash. A grand Finale and a great ending makes this a really entertaining albeit in parts unbelievable and unrealistic but still highly entertaining and readable.

[Chris Wells]

John Tyler is back and despite doing his best to live a regular life getting his classic car garage up and running trouble is never far away. Tyler does his daughter a favour by braving a snowstorm and collecting her friend at the airport. When he arrives at her home they find most of her family brutally murdered and her remaining sister missing. This is just the type of trouble that finds John Tyler and it’s the type that he can’t let go: the guilty must be punished. Tom Fowler gives his readers another action filled thrill ride as Tyler sets out to dispense that justice. The author weaves an addictive story full of interesting characters and fascinating situations. Without doubt John Tyler has become my favourite thriller character. He’s a mix of Bosch and Jack Reacher with a steely sense of justice all his own.

[Craig Smedley]

John Tyler is back and in trouble again without looking for it! The weather is rancid and John talks his daughter Lexi out of going out on the road in such lousy weather to pick up a friend who is flying in for a girls day out during her spring break. When John gets Tracy to her home in Cecil County, they find mayhem. Tracey’s parents and young brother have been shot and Tracy’s older sister, Kacey has disappeared.
So, the plot is set and Tyler is dragged in to another situation that he did not go looking for. Find out who is behind this atrocity and save the older sister becomes his aim. With the aid of his daughter Lexi and his father Zeke, Tyler manages to immobilise the opposition permanently and capture the person behind it all leaving them for the police to deal with.
An enjoyable read with plenty of violence for Tyler to overcome.
Moses

[Audrey]

When Lexi’s friend Stacy comes to town she’s ready to pick her up at the airport. With the sudden storm her father, John Tyler offers to pick her up. When dropping her off he notices something not right. He goes in first to see her whole family slandered except her sister Kacey! Kacey is an investigative reporter. Her secret report on a sitting Senator causes unforeseen consequences! John Tyler is going to get to the bottom of this.
This book was more violent and bloody than the rest but it is justified! The nonstop action makes it hard to put this book down! I liked that the whole family got involved this time in trying to save the sisters. I love all the John Tyler books because justice is always served in the end! I highly recommend this book and this series!

[jeremy dierst]

This author has a real talent for a circular style of writing. Where even from the first new character storyline till the last page of the book. This style really keeps the readers' interest in finishing the novel. The plot moves very quickly and is easy to follow. Just the simplest of tasks for the main character has a very chaotic effect on his life and those around him. The action sequences and narrative throughout the novel are very reciprocal to the current situation. The scenery depictions and detail really put the reader in the moment and on location. The main character John, kind of has a "Jack Reacher" feel to him. Just not with the overdone violence, that the "Jack Reacher" series is known for. But this series is very relatable and entertaining in its' own way.

[James]

In this page turner, once again John Tyler has become involved with people in distress and a whole lot of truly evil guys who have no more compunction killing others than he does dealing with them. I have enjoyed thus series with John and his daughter Lexi along with the other different, well-drawn characters in their lives and the inevitable bad guys who seem to be drawn to John. I do not believe in reiterating a storyline as I feel it steals from the enjoyment of a reader but I encourage you to get this and the other three novels currently available in this series. The plot is clean, well crafted and full of action. I received an ARC and this is my honest opinion of this novel.

[Theresa]

Thrilling read full of action, twists and turns and mystery. Thank goodness for John Tyler's military experience. When he drops off his daughter Lexi's friend Stacy and his instincts tell him something is off, he's right. Dead bodies and more dead bodies when he's through. On the run, no idea who is chasing him and Stacy just the knowledge that someone wants her dead NOW. It will take all of his expertise and contacts to keep them alive and unravel this mystery so that he can stop playing defense and go on the offensive. Edge of your seat, bite your nails to the quick suspense. I received this ARC and have written this review without obligation.

[Jennifer]

Four on the Floor:
This book is another pretty good installment in the John Tyler series. This fourth book keeps the momentum going with fast-paced action, tight plotting, and the kind of high-stakes situations fans have come to expect.
John Tyler continues to be a strong, capable lead—tough but grounded—and the story delivers plenty of twists to keep the pages turning. While it follows the familiar formula of the earlier books, that’s part of its appeal. If you’ve enjoyed the previous entries in the series, then this book won’t disappoint.
A solid addition to the series and a good pick for action-thriller fans.

[S McK]

Thrilling, with plenty of action!

Tyler at his best, he doesn't look for trouble, it finds him and he never backs down!

From a simple good deed, Tyler finds himself protecting his daughter's friend, after her family is slaughtered and that's just the first few chapters. From there, it just got better!

His battle, this time, became a family affair, with three generations of Tylers getting involved. I love Tyler, his dogged determination and his understated wit.

I'm looking forward to the next one, keep them coming Tom!

[Carl Fredrickson]

John Tyler is back and Four on the Floor puts it all together. He starts out during a winter storm picking up daughter Lexi’s friend from the airport. Before you know it he gets involved with kidnapping, multiple murders, an ambush with unbelievable odds, and all that we’ve grown to expect in the Tyler series.
This time it feels like an old friend and most of his regulars are there. Although only Lexi really has a big role this time. It’s John Tyler against a group of bad guys led by a crooked politician. Can he somehow come through?

[karin whitehead]

I received this as an ARC and I'm submitting my review.
Jonh Tyler an EX Special Ops agrees to pick up a friend of his daughter as they are getting a snowstorm. That worked out fine but getting to her home and family proves to be hazardous. Now the story gets meaty. Lots of killing happens and he ends up on the run from the bad guys. Well written, great story line and great characters. It's a hold onto your seat book, a good read without exploiting the killings. I'm looking forward to more.....

[Maria]

The latest installment of John Tyler's series is a fast-paced and vibrant story, lightened by the growing slate of returning characters. The contrast between the blunt and violent situations in which the protagonist is involved, and the warmth and strength of the relationship between his family and friends give life to a peculiar tone making the book's style unique and very distinctive.
Four on the Floor is an engaging thriller with a heart, a novel that will please both fans of action stories and followers of family sagas.

[Jennifer Soppe]

Tyler left it all on the floor

Tyler, everyone’s favorite mercenary mechanic, convinces his daughter that he should be the one to pick her friend up from the airport due to the snow storm after she helps him with some of the office work at his repair shop. As the story progresses the simple pick up leads to trouble, a lack of information causes it to double, and getting to the bottom of things might not burst the bubble. Tom Fowler’s Tyler left it all on the floor in Four on the Floor.

I received a free copy of the book from the author. I had the opportunity to review or not.

[Sebastian Barrow]

Definitely a new guy in town.

John Tyler is certainly keeping up with the likes of Jack Reacher!! He is a one man tornado ripping a part those people who pick on innocent victims.
This time Tyler does Lexi a favour in collecting a friend of hers from the airport in snowy conditions. As usual a simple act then leads onto a difficult situation after finding her family have been murdered. The gauntlet has been thrown down which the knight errant must pick up.
Fast action thriller which again, is difficult to put down until the final outcome. Just brilliant.

[Linda]

While all of Tom Fowler's John Tyler thrillers include more vulgar language than I like, as well as being filled with violence, his skill in bringing his characters to life and providing humor into the mix means that I always really enjoy them. As one of his ARC readers, I receive a free early copy, therefore I'm able to write this review. This time Tyler finds himself jumping in to rescue of his daughter's friend.

[Susan Anderson]

This is the fourth John Tyler story. I love John Tyler!!! John is, once again, doing the right thing when he’s been dropped into a situation. His father and daughter even get to help this time! John is his steady and true self and I can’t wait to read the next installment. I hope for MANY more installments. It will be interesting to see where Lexi, his daughter, goes in the future. I definitely recommend it.

[J Cowan]

John Tyler’s night started out with a bang right after he picked up his daughter’s friend from the airport during a snowstorm. The night ends with murder, shoot out and going on the run.

Tyler has a tendency to step into other peoples problems. He just doesn’t know the meaning of impossible when it comes to helping others.

Book has an interesting plot that has secrets, murder, drama, suspense and plenty of nonstop thrilling action.

I’m a big fan of this series and highly recommend it.

[Vj]

I look forward to the latest John Tyler book and I think this is Fowler's best yet. As usual, Tyler is suddenly and unexpectedly thrown from a simple favour to a life-threatening situation. Once again, he steps in to save the innocent. I'd have given this a 4.5 if I could. Once I start a John Tyler story, I don't want to be interrupted. Non-stop action! Loved it. I was given an ARC and so thankful for the opportunity.

[Barbara Sanders]

Action packed at breakneck speed!

Another thriller from Tom that will appeal to a anyone looking for action. Usually after the action is over, there is a lull. Not in this book. It just keeps moving from one thrill to the next. You won't be disappointed.in John TYLER, Lexi, or (grandpa) Zeke. You have been forewarned. Five again, as the story is GOOD, editing was flawless, and I didn't want it to end!

[Connie Charron]

I found the twists and turns really interesting throughout the whole storyline. Tyler, his dad, Lexi and her friends would not be living a somewhat sane life without the Tyler's protective actions. The strength of the main characters shine through it all & even a bit of therapy never hurt anyone. Looking forward to more adventures in Tyler's life.