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The King-Makers of Providence (Henry Mercucio, 1) Hardcover – March 3, 2023

by John Houle (Author)

4.9 17 ratings

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“Gone were the days of neighborhood rallies and volunteer-packed halls, only to be replaced by high-end fundraisers and professional phone banks. It was the cold, unattached politics of the present Henry didn't like.”

Seven points down with two weeks to close the gap on Congressman Ray McNally's bid for Governor of Rhode Island, ex-lawyer and campaign wizard Henry Mercucio meets Councilman John Campagna at his father's funeral amid a veritable who's-who of Providence politics. As he watches the numbers and questions the wisdom of his career choice, little does he know that this one meeting will lead to the greatest test of his life...

Then rumors of extortion and embezzlement hit sitting Providence Mayor Jack Donovan. With the authorities closing in, he abandons his post to abscond to Europe, where shady characters set him up to spend his ill-gotten savings in comfort and style. Back home, however, the vacancy leads to an emergency referendum for which the dogged Henry is recruited as a consultant, and it looks like the job may require tactics just as shadowy as the man his less-than-scrupulous team is working to unseat.

To make a name for himself, Henry will put everything he's earned on the line―his place at the table, his wealthy fiancée, and his strong values―but when his arch-nemesis joins the opposition, forcing Henry to play both sides beyond the pale, will the people he loves remain with him while he walks the tightrope between devious righteousness and moral corruption?

The King-Makers of Providence is a tour de force in five acts through campaign craft and all-out political war, a fast-paced novel for our time that unites the Machiavellian with the Shakespearean to answer one looming question: When you only play to win, how do you keep from becoming your worst enemy?

Print length

328 pages
Language

English
Publisher

BookPress Publishing
Publication date

March 3, 2023
Dimensions

6.25 x 1 x 9.25 inches
ISBN-10

1947305379
ISBN-13

978-1947305373
See all details

Bill Reynolds
44
Paperback
21 offers from $10.99

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

John Houle is the founder of JH Communications, LLC, and has successfully managed numerous private and political campaigns since 2002. He presently represents over 75 clients across a wide spectrum of industries, and in 2022, rebranded his company as Main St. Media to reflect his commitment to help small business post pandemic. Active in the Chamber of Commerce since he started his business, he was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Northern Rhode Island Chamber of Commerce in 2022. He was also appointed by Governor Gina Raimondo to serve as a member of the Workforce Partnership of Greater Rhode Island. A graduate of Boston College (BA, 1994), John resides in Cranston, RI, with his wife, Susan, and their children, Jenna and Christopher. He is the coach of his son’s hockey team and is active in training his daughter in ski racing.

Product details

Publisher ‏ : ‎ BookPress Publishing; 1st edition (March 3, 2023)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 328 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1947305379
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1947305373
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.38 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 6.25 x 1 x 9.25 inches

Best Sellers Rank: #1,053,476 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #2,551 in Political Fiction (Books)
- #7,399 in Political Thrillers (Books)
- #42,340 in Crime Thrillers (Books)

Customer Reviews:
4.9 17 ratings

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Jovial

What if John Grisham was a PR guy?

Reviewed in the United States on July 26, 2023

Verified Purchase

That's the feeling I get when reading Kingmakers. Nice easy flow. Compelling characters. And great descriptions of Providence itself, which becomes an additional character in the book! Great read!

2 people found this helpful

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Kathleen M. Cacchiotti

Local landmarks

Reviewed in the United States on March 31, 2023

Verified Purchase

This book was interesting to read as the locality was RI

One person found this helpful

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David A Woodmansee

Couldn't put it down. King-Makers of Providence is fantastic!

Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2024

I can't remember the last time I read a book for the pure enjoyment of it. I grabbed King-Makers for the local flavor and was not disappointed. Houle's intertwined plot development is incredible and the characters make you feel like they are people you have met on the street before, or at least read bout in the newspapers. The RI landmarks and connections are great without being over the top. I am not a political scientist by any means, but King Makers was so fun to read. It leaves a lot for The Siberian Candidate to live up to. Lucky for me, I already bought that one too!

Helpful

ERei

Exciting political thriller with unexpected twists and turns

Reviewed in the United States on April 14, 2023

"The King Makers of Providence" brings the reader into the inner workings of a small city's political machine where "who you know" and a willingness to play the game and turn a blind eye is the price of doing business. Can a clean candidate of the people and the city win a special election in this type culture? The more important and larger question is, can altruism still prevail in public service?

Masterly developed characters and plot events bring the reader through ethical and emotional dilemmas of ultimately doing the right thing for the greater good and the twists and turns required to get there. The King Makers of Providence provides an exciting journey through Providence, Rhode Island politics and across the globe to Europe where a corrupt mayor looks to escape justice.

Just when the novel seems to wrap up leaving the reader completely satisfied, author John Houle, throws a left curve into the plot that has the reader begging for the next novel to be released.

Mr. Houle, your readers need to know, what will happen next?

As an avid reader, I know a well written novel when I think about and miss the characters long after I have finished the pages of a book. Henry Murcucio, Jack Donovan, John Campagna, Ray McNally, Reggie Sinclair, Jana Strakova and Danny Conroy I cannot wait to see what you are each up to next!

One person found this helpful

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Houligan

Gripping Political Thriller

Reviewed in the United States on February 28, 2023

"Kingmakers of Providence" is an exceptional book that captivates the reader from the very first page. Written by a seasoned political consultant John Houle, the book takes an in-depth look at the hidden power brokers who have shaped the political landscape of Providence, Rhode Island.

Houle has a remarkable ability to bring the reader into the heart of the action, and his writing style is both informative and entertaining. The book is packed with detailed accounts of the backroom deals and political machinations that have occurred in Providence over the years, and it provides a fascinating insight into the inner workings of the city's power structure.
One of the things that sets "Kingmakers of Providence" apart is its impressive level of research. Houle has clearly spent countless hours poring over documents and conducting interviews with key players in the city's political scene. As a result, the book is rich with information and insights that would be hard to find anywhere else.

Another standout feature of the book is its cast of characters. From corrupt politicians to ambitious power brokers, Houle introduces us to a colorful array of personalities who have played a pivotal role in shaping the city. The author's deep understanding of the motivations and personalities of these individuals makes for a truly engaging read.
Overall, "Kingmakers of Providence" is a must-read for anyone interested in politics, history, or the inner workings of power. Houle has crafted a masterpiece of investigative journalism that is both informative and entertaining.

Highly recommended!

One person found this helpful

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John

Fast-paced plot and intriguing characters

Reviewed in the United States on February 19, 2023

I just finished reading "The King-Makers of Providence" by new author John Houle, and I was highly impressed. With its fast-paced plot and intriguing characters, this political thriller kept me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. Houle does an excellent job weaving together a complex web of political intrigue and personal relationships that had me guessing until the end.

One of the things I enjoyed most about "The King-Makers of Providence" was how Houle made the inner workings of politics feel so accessible and relatable. He skillfully navigates the delicate balance between providing enough detail to make the story believable and keeping the plot moving forward at a breakneck pace. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a gripping political thriller.

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Amazon Customer

Politics, Power, & Providence...what a thriller!

Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2023

You don't need to be into politics to enjoy this fast-paced political thriller set in Providence, Rhode Island. But if you are a political enthusiast, you'll love this book even more! The author does a great job of exposing the reality of dirty politics through a fascinating fictional tale that leaves the reader wanting the next chapter. I enjoyed getting an "inside look" at what politics is probably really like, but through the fictional lens and imagination of John Houle. Excellent book and highly recommend!

One person found this helpful

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Amazon Customer

Fast paced, tight story lines

Reviewed in the United States on March 5, 2023

Brought this book with me on vacation. Started reading it on a long bus ride. I was so engrossed I almost missed my stop! A page turner for sure, with multiple interconnected story lines that were each equally engaging. The twist at the end was fantastic. I did NOT see that coming. Well done!

One person found this helpful

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