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The Trial of Rooker Flynn: Locke Institute Trilogy Book 2 Kindle Edition

4.7 out of 5 stars 19 ratings

The sequel to The Crimes of Rooker Flynn

Rooker Flynn made his choice.

He cut the bond that tied him to the only person who could hold him back. Now free to pursue his own path, Rooker must discover a way to thrive inside the Locke Institute, outlasting entire gangs of criminals, outrunning giant spiders, and outfoxing Headmistress Gerba Whipmarples herself, never forgetting that sunset is always coming, and with it...the horrendous shiq.

But there are more secrets on this tropical island than Rooker ever imagined, and each answer leads to another mystery.

  • Why does the Institute collect the prisoners' blood?

  • How did the Headmistress master a spider-dragon?

  • What secret lies at the heart of Huánghūn?

...and, perhaps most importantly...
"Where's the dog, Rooker?"

Join Rooker Flynn on an adventure inside the legendary labor camp that's nastier than your worst nightmares, where he discovers there's more to life than survival, and the worst prisons are the ones we build ourselves.

A story of betrayal, perseverance, abandonment, and revenge,
The Trial of Rooker Flynn is more than an ordeal, it's a reckoning.

__________________

This is a dark fantasy adventure packed with suspense, mystery, and rebellion, perfect for fans of adult fantasy books, YA fantasy novels, and mystery thrillers; a deadly magic academy book for teens and adults alike where survival depends on cunning, courage, and breaking all the rules.

What You'll Find Inside:

• Mystery and Suspense: Discover treacherous secrets, betrayal, and gladiator combat in a story that merges mystery thriller suspense with fantasy adventure.

• Epic Characters & High-Stakes Action: Follow Rooker Flynn, a selfish rogue with nothing to lose, as he struggles to become a different man than the one he has always been.

• Monsters & Magic: Packed with lots of monsters, spine-chilling horror, and nail-biting twists, this story is perfect for fans of scary YA books and epic fantasy novels for adults.

• Unforgettable World-Building: Dive into a richly imagined world blending portal fantasy for teens, science fiction and high fantasy, books for adults.

Perfect for:
• Fans of adventure fantasy books who love fast-paced plots and intense twists.
• Readers of young adult fantasy books and action thriller books looking for complex characters and rebellious heroes.
• Enthusiasts of spy thrillers and dystopian fantasy books with a touch of suspense.
• Lovers of sci-fi and fantasy books or stories featuring fighting fantasy themes.

Written with the heart of an epic and the pacing of a thriller, The Trial of Rooker Flynn stands out in the crowded world of new fantasy books. It offers:
• Intriguing Plotlines: A mix of daring escapes, magical mysteries, and thriller suspense.
• Compelling Themes: Freedom, survival, and friendship in a high-stakes setting.
• Relatable yet Heroic Characters: Rooker Flynn is the rogue hero we all secretly root for, even when he's at his worst.
• Blending Genres: A perfect read for fans of epic fantasy books, action thrillers, and science fiction adventure books.

Start Your Adventure Now

Whether you're seeking fantasy books for young adults, thrillers and mysteries, or urban fantasy books, The Trial of Rooker Flynn delivers an satisfying reading experience. Don’t miss this gripping story of rebellion, courage, and magic that redefines fantasy fiction books for adults.

Order your copy now and join Rooker Flynn as he faces his most brutal trial: escaping the Locke Institute with his soul intact.

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From the Publisher

two moons over a fantasy world

Deadly Nights

gladiator monster fight

Dark Secrets

demons and monsters and dragon emerging from lake of fire

Dangerous Foes

A. R. Witham

A. R. Witham

About the Author

A.R. Witham is a three-time Emmy-winning writer-producer and a great lover of adventure. He is the world’s foremost expert on the history of Keymark. He loves to talk with young people and adults who remember what young people know. He has written for film and television, canoed to the Arctic Circle, hiked the Appalachian Trail and been inside his house while it burned down. He lives in Indianapolis.

Follow him on Amazon and get a free A. R. Witham short story on the arwitham site.

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CW8D36PZ
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Nepenthe House (January 31, 2025)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 31, 2025
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 5.2 MB
  • Simultaneous device usage ‏ : ‎ Unlimited
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 370 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 19 ratings

About the author

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A. R. Witham
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Click the FOLLOW button & visit arwitham on the web for a free novella and a free short story.

Hi. I am a three-time Emmy®-winning writer and I wrote these books for you. I love adventure in all forms, and when you inject majik into the action, you suddenly arrive in places you never dreamed.

Would you like dragons with that? Yes please.

I love stories that combine darkness with light. Mixing the two can concoct a powerful alchemy that results in some delicious emotional damage. Great books make you feel fear, love, excitement, anxiety, humor, betrayal, and warmth all between two covers.

Come on in. Open the first page. Let me tell you a story.

-Andy

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
19 global ratings

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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2025
    I don’t think I read books very often where the Protagonist or “good guy” isn’t a very good guy, or even very likable at times! But the Author definitely wrote the character of Rooker brilliantly. Learning what happened to him as a child made things much more clear, but still not enough to excuse the selfish person he was. Without giving away too much more, I am happy to say that by the end of the book I appreciated his character a lot more.

    Let’s not forget Headmistress Whipmarples, the embodiment of a true Villain. She is absolutely despicable and we love to hate her!

    “Do you know what the difference is between animals and men, Mister Flynn?” She flashed a thin smile. “Absolutely nothing.”

    The darker elements of this book include the violence, as well as the darkness from within ourselves that haunts us. Neither of which would be described as “too much”, but does add depth to the fantasy and magic.

    This book made me chuckle, grimace, and even tear up a time or two.
    The Audiobook performance was also incredibly done and there were times the emotion came through his voice so powerfully, I truly felt it.

    Thank you AR Whitam and NetGalley for the Advanced copy.
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2025
    The Trial of Rooker Flynn picks up where its predecessor left off. This book has some very fine character work indeed, with one in particular having an amazing arc. Plenty of twists and turns, highs and lows. There's some excellent plotting and some fine politicking as well.

    As far as "middle books" go, this one should rank very highly, and I'm looking forward to the conclusion now.

    An absolute must read.
  • Reviewed in the United States on April 26, 2025
    Wow just wow…. This book put me through the emotional wringer and the audiobook is spectacular. This series just keeps getting better and better
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2025
    This was heaps of fun and a very solid book 2 that had me noticeably more engaged chapter to chapter than Crimes did, and I found myself getting emotionally invested in the tale by the end and wishing I could head right into bk 3 (what a cliffhanger!).

    I did it fully by audio narrated by the author himself, and Witham's narration is just so lively and vivacious I couldn't help but get swept up in the story through his telling. It took a little time to hook me, but somewhere in the middle I started to really click with Rooker's POV in a way I hadn't before as I came to really understand his core and motivations (not to mention the way he changes and goes on a compelling arc in just this book).

    Here and in all Witham's Keymark books, there is a certain trademark zany voice that's like nothing I've experienced elsewhere, with a unique mix of childlike playfulness combined with very adult grittiness and danger. I may not always be in the mood for it, but by golly The Trial of Rooker Flynn hit me at exactly the right time after one of the heaviest reads of my life just before. This was exactly the jolt of joy I needed, and if you've already enjoyed bk 1 of this trilogy, I guarantee this one will not disappoint.
  • Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2025
    The Trial of Rooker Flynn is the fast-paced sequel to The Crimes of Rooker Flynn and it takes place on the same penal colony island in Keymark as its predecessor. The story continues immediately from where it left off at the end of the first book. It grabbed hold of my attention from the first page and kept me on the edge of my seat right until the end!

    We see the return of the awful, Machiavellian Gerba Whipmarples, the monstrous prison warden who is very easy to hate, and most of the inmate characters we met in book 1. Rooker Flynn’s driving force is his own selfish survival and his overwhelming desire to return to his ship, the Venture Brigand. However, by the end of the book his character has developed to the point where he finally manages to get his priorities right and move on from his crippling abandonment issues. Jack’s character development sees him becoming stronger, a better fighter and more able to safeguard his sanity by fixating on a positive image of hope to see him through these darkest of days.

    The enormous, horrific tarantulas are also back, as is the violence and happily also the emphasis on love, friendship and teamwork being the most important weapons to get you through times of adversity. The convicts are put through unimaginable hell and many do not survive. The tone of this story is dark, but the adventure is rich and many-layered. The monsters are terrifying and the heroes are so enduringly brave and courageous.

    The finale of this gripping novel will hit you like a whirlwind with an inundation of page-turning thrills, rip-roaring adventure, bloodthirsty violence and heart-stopping horror. I can’t wait to read the final book in this trilogy!
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 6, 2025
    This is book 2 in the Locke Institute trilogy. It picks up where the first book left off. We are still at the prison on Keymark and Rooker Flynn and Jack have some great character development. It is full of adventure, hope, and teamwork, but it is also dark. The spiders are back in this one as well as many of the characters from book one, The Crimes of Rooker Flynn. It ends on one heck of a cliffhanger and leaves you begging for the third installment.
  • Reviewed in the United States on March 23, 2025
    As expected the second book in the Flynn series exceeds expectations and builds to the anticipation of an amazing conclusion. I typically don’t read very quickly but Witham has a style and story that are hard to put down. I recommend this series to anyone who loves a perfect mixture of adventure, intrigue, and humor and simply a fun story to read.

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