Wildcat in Monterey: William Stapleton
A “Wildcat” IN MONTEREY
Paperback – February 10, 2026
Written and Illustrated by WILLIAM STAPLETON (Author)
Award Winning Pacific Northwest guitarist and pillar of the Puget sound music community William ‘Billy’ Stapleton reveals his hidden talent as an author and illustrator in his first novel “A Wildcat in Monterey,” a self-published work released in February of 2026. Stapleton has been hard at work on the book for over 15 years but those who know him personally are well aware of his gift as a compelling storyteller. The narrative set primarily in the pivotal year of 1977 is the first person account of fictional guitarist Johnny Lyons and his life and times spent in Monterey on the California coast and how he got swept up in the world of organized crime and 70’s drug culture. After Lyon’s music career is sidelined by an injury, he unwittingly becomes an addict whose life has to hit absolute rock bottom before some precious friends and family, some dumb luck, and an uncanny sense of self preservation dig him out of an early grave. Musicians will especially enjoy the tale told in Lyon’s voice in colorful jargon and street-smart “music speak,” diving deep into topics of vintage gear, 70’s music, style and California culture. The story evolves into a suspenseful page tuner as Lyon’s very life comes into jeopardy so that he has to hatch an elaborate plan to save himself from both sides of the law, revealing the mindset of someone struggling with addiction and an array of personal demons seeking to redeem himself and prove his critics wrong and his supporters right, ultimately clearing his life debt. Rick J Bowen
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