Wings of Madness by R. John Dingle
R. John Dingle, the author of Karma Never Sleeps, returns with another page-turning thriller in the Gus Wheeler FBI Thriller series. In Wings of Madness, readers are taken on a suspenseful journey filled with psychological twists as FBI Agent Gus Wheeler and his spirited female partner pursue a psychopathic killer preying on young women in Pawtucket Falls, Massachusetts.
After spending several weeks on tour performing with Wynton Marsalis, substituting for their sick bassist, Agent Gus Wheeler anticipates enjoying some well-deserved downtime with his girlfriend, Mel. However, his plans are interrupted when his supervisor at the FBI informs him of a new homicide case that requires his unique expertise.
Chasing Down a Serial Killer
The new case involves the separate murders of two young women, whose bodies were found in open fields in Pawtucket Falls. Both women were reported as last seen at different clubs in Music Row, an area known for hosting live music events in Pawtucket Falls. Apart from these murders, there’s a third missing woman who’s also been reported as last seen in the same area.
During the investigation, the third missing woman’s body is discovered in an open field outside Pawtucket Falls. Despite the victims’ differing appearances and backgrounds, three disturbing links connect the murders. First, all were last seen on Music Row. Second, each victim bears an X-shaped cut on the neck. Lastly, a pattern involving their driver’s licenses emerges: the first victim’s license photo is found lodged in the second victim’s throat, and the second victim’s license photo is found in the third victim’s throat.
Soon, Gus and Vanessa narrow their list of suspects to four members of an ’80s music cover band called The Bowers Street Band. While struggling to understand the killer’s motives, they’re also baffled by how the killer was able to lure the victims from the clubs without detection.
Just as they are about to close in on their main suspect, the investigation takes a deadly twist that makes the case more personal for Gus. To make matters worse, working with the main suspect proves fruitless as the suspect’s mental state becomes increasingly unstable. Can Gus find a way to rescue the fourth victim in time before the deranged killer ruthlessly claims her life?
Crisp, Suspenseful Writing
Wings of Madness is a captivating and chilling thriller with a whirlwind of psychological chaos and intriguing suspense. Just like the first book in the series, I loved Dingle’s writing style in this one, too. The writing is vividly descriptive, has realistic dialogue and a well-crafted setting.
Dingle’s writing mixes everyday life with underlying menaces that pull you into the characters’ world. For instance, the mundane task of doing laundry takes an ominous turn when Taylor finds a victim’s driver’s license in his clothes, which subtly escalates the mood from daily routine to tension, anxiety and foreboding.
As the story progressed, the setting became more than just a backdrop. It became a reflection of the narrative’s thematic concerns and reinforced the psychological unease at the heart of the story. For example, the decay in the basement and the band’s rehearsal space parallels the novel’s exploration of hidden truths and agendas.
I loved the character development in this book, especially that of Taylor Franklin. While he did not always exhibit a straightforward desire to do the right thing, he strived to make positive choices (despite his numerous missteps) to improve his life.
I found him as an outstanding and highly relatable character whose heartbreaking evolution is worthy of our sympathy. His relationship with his mother and that of his sister are also portrayed creatively and realistically.
A Chilling Thriller You’ll Love
As with the first book, I knew uncovering the killer’s identity in this one wouldn’t be straightforward. True to form, the revelation was just as shocking. I also appreciated that the author didn’t overcomplicate things by delving deeply into the killer’s psychological motives. Psychopaths simply exist, and evil often defies explanation.
If Kiss the Girls by James Patterson and Blake Pierce’s Before He Kills ever had a child, it should be named Wings of Madness. This character-driven, chilling and emotionally charged thriller creatively blends psychological depth with heart-pounding suspense.
If you loved Karma Never Sleeps, you will love this one, too.
About R. John Dingle:
R. John Dingle was born and raised in New England. In fact, despite extensive travel, a move to Australia represents his only bragging right for living outside the six-state area. John and his wife currently call a small island in Mid-Coast Maine ‘home’, both living, writing and boating from their restored 200-year-old home, which they continue to assure their three adult children is not haunted. He is the author of the Gus Wheeler FBI Thriller series.
