John Knoerle: Biography

John Knoerle began his creative endeavors in the early 70s as a member of the DeLuxe Radio Theatre, a comedy troupe in Santa Barbara. He then moved to LA and did stand-up comedy, opening for the likes of Jay Leno and Robin Williams. John also worked as a voiceover actor and an AP Radio reporter.

Knoerle wrote the screenplay Quiet Fire, which starred Karen Black, and the stage play The He-Man Woman Hater’s Club, an LA Time’s Critic’s Choice. He also worked as staff writer for Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion.

Knoerle moved to Chicago in 1996 with his wife Judie. His first novel, “Crystal Meth Cowboys,” was optioned by Fox TV. His second novel, “The Violin Player,” won the Mayhaven Award for Fiction.

John Knoerle’s novel, “A Pure Double Cross,” was the first volume of his American Spy Trilogy, featuring former OSS agent Hal Schroeder. The second volume, “A Despicable Profession,” was published in 2010. John completed the American Spy Trilogy with “The Proxy Assassin,” dubbed one of 2013’s best indie novels by Kirkus Reviews.

Knoerle’s latest novel – and he insists his last – is “Beer and Gasoline,” which he calls the fourth volume of his American Spy Trilogy. The book was recently designated a finalist in the 2018 Eric Hoffer Book Awards.