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Gus Wheeler FBI Thriller #1
Karma Never Sleeps
In a small town, the truth can’t always set you free…
When a second woman from a group of friends known as “the posse” is murdered in the woods near the New England enclave of Kendalton, FBI agent and profiler Gus Wheeler and his partner are called in to determine if this is a serial killing. He’s intrigued by a clue hidden on the a memorial picture of a teen who died 25 years ago.
Instead of helping with the investigation, the long-term friends stonewall the agents. But Gus can smell fear beneath their calm masks, fake smiles, and politely vague answers. Digging deeper, he discovers they are being terrorized by cyberstalking, spying, threats and mysterious break-ins. When a third member is hospitalized after a brutal attack, Gus suspects someone in the posse is the hunter instead of the hunted.
Is it the alpha leader Jules, her best friend Maria—married to the chief of police—outsider Mel, or weak link Lizzy? Or someone else bent on revenge? Time’s running out, and Gus’s life depends on his skill at determining who’s the best liar in town.
When a second woman from a group of friends known as “the posse” is murdered in the woods near the New England enclave of Kendalton, FBI agent and profiler Gus Wheeler and his partner are called in to determine if this is a serial killing. He’s intrigued by a clue hidden on the a memorial picture of a teen who died 25 years ago.
Instead of helping with the investigation, the long-term friends stonewall the agents. But Gus can smell fear beneath their calm masks, fake smiles, and politely vague answers. Digging deeper, he discovers they are being terrorized by cyberstalking, spying, threats and mysterious break-ins. When a third member is hospitalized after a brutal attack, Gus suspects someone in the posse is the hunter instead of the hunted.
Is it the alpha leader Jules, her best friend Maria—married to the chief of police—outsider Mel, or weak link Lizzy? Or someone else bent on revenge? Time’s running out, and Gus’s life depends on his skill at determining who’s the best liar in town.
420 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 14, 2025
70 people are currently reading
7936 people want to read
About the author
R. John Dingle
2 books166 followersR. John Dingle is the author of psychological thrillers set in New England. His debut novel – Karma Never Sleeps – published in April 2025 is the first in the Gus Wheeler FBI Thriller series. The second in the series – Wings of Madness – is due out this November. He and his wife currently call a small island in Mid-Coast Maine ‘home’, both living, writing and boating from their restored 200-year old house.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 287 reviews
April 17, 2025
Offering up a hard-hitting revenge plot with a creepy stalker vibe, Karma Never Sleeps was an intoxicating start to a new crime thriller series. But that description isn’t quite complete. With a police procedural core, a fast-paced thriller edge, and friendship drama in spades, the depth to this one was more than I expected as it broached serious topics such as bullying and justice. So much so, in fact, that it had me thinking long and hard after closing the cover. That’s not to say that the propulsive storyline didn’t keep me in suspense. After all, alongside that depth was a ton of foreboding.
Then there were the characters, who were the backbone to this novel. Well-developed and fully fleshed out, they—along with the small town feel—made the book come alive. I particularly loved the cliquey behavior of the women at the center of the action. Paired with the root-for-able FBI agent protagonist and the sweet romance that bubbled at the edges, and I was won over in no time at all. I mean, who could pass up a character you love to hate alongside a handful of others who deserved my constant side-eye glances? Altogether, they each felt undeniably real.
The only pieces to this utter slam dunk that didn’t ring with precision were threefold. First was the complexity of the plot, which was dizzying at times. Tying into that was that long list of characters. So long, in fact, that I had to make a list of who was who and how they all connected. Last but not least, though, was the conclusion. Feeling somewhat dry, it just didn’t give the same feel as the rest of the novel. Ultimately, though, none of that hampered my all-around enjoyment of this propulsive crime thriller, which I flew through in under twenty-four hours.
All said and done, I was unbelievably impressed by Mr. Dingle’s first book in the Gus Wheeler series. Doubling as his debut novel, you would never in a million years have been able to tell. From the attention-grabbing start to the explosive yet perfectly plotted climax, it felt like a novel written by a consummate pro. In the end, though, I wasn’t all that surprised as my friends and colleagues with Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse have been raving about this one for ages. So if you love a book with dark mysteries, long-buried secrets, and frenemies galore, grab this as soon as you’re able. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
When a second woman from a group of friends known as “the posse” is murdered in the woods near the New England enclave of Kendalton, FBI agent and profiler Gus Wheeler and his partner are called in to determine if this is a serial killing. He’s intrigued by a clue hidden on the body: a memorial picture of a teen who died 25 years ago.
Instead of helping with the investigation, the long-term friends stonewall the agents. But Gus can smell fear beneath their calm masks, fake smiles, and politely vague answers. Digging deeper, he discovers they are being terrorized by cyberstalking, spying, threats and mysterious break-ins. When a third member is hospitalized after a brutal attack, Gus suspects someone in the posse is the hunter instead of the hunted.
Is it the alpha leader Jules, her best friend Maria—married to the chief of police—outsider Mel, or weak link Lizzy? Or someone else bent on revenge? Time’s running out, and Gus’s life depends on his skill at determining who’s the best liar in town.
Thank you to R. John Dingle and Tule Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 14, 2025
Content warning: violence, stalking, threatening messages, gun and knife violence, mention of: bullying
Then there were the characters, who were the backbone to this novel. Well-developed and fully fleshed out, they—along with the small town feel—made the book come alive. I particularly loved the cliquey behavior of the women at the center of the action. Paired with the root-for-able FBI agent protagonist and the sweet romance that bubbled at the edges, and I was won over in no time at all. I mean, who could pass up a character you love to hate alongside a handful of others who deserved my constant side-eye glances? Altogether, they each felt undeniably real.
The only pieces to this utter slam dunk that didn’t ring with precision were threefold. First was the complexity of the plot, which was dizzying at times. Tying into that was that long list of characters. So long, in fact, that I had to make a list of who was who and how they all connected. Last but not least, though, was the conclusion. Feeling somewhat dry, it just didn’t give the same feel as the rest of the novel. Ultimately, though, none of that hampered my all-around enjoyment of this propulsive crime thriller, which I flew through in under twenty-four hours.
All said and done, I was unbelievably impressed by Mr. Dingle’s first book in the Gus Wheeler series. Doubling as his debut novel, you would never in a million years have been able to tell. From the attention-grabbing start to the explosive yet perfectly plotted climax, it felt like a novel written by a consummate pro. In the end, though, I wasn’t all that surprised as my friends and colleagues with Thriller Book Lovers: The Pulse have been raving about this one for ages. So if you love a book with dark mysteries, long-buried secrets, and frenemies galore, grab this as soon as you’re able. Rating of 4.5 stars.
SYNOPSIS:
When a second woman from a group of friends known as “the posse” is murdered in the woods near the New England enclave of Kendalton, FBI agent and profiler Gus Wheeler and his partner are called in to determine if this is a serial killing. He’s intrigued by a clue hidden on the body: a memorial picture of a teen who died 25 years ago.
Instead of helping with the investigation, the long-term friends stonewall the agents. But Gus can smell fear beneath their calm masks, fake smiles, and politely vague answers. Digging deeper, he discovers they are being terrorized by cyberstalking, spying, threats and mysterious break-ins. When a third member is hospitalized after a brutal attack, Gus suspects someone in the posse is the hunter instead of the hunted.
Is it the alpha leader Jules, her best friend Maria—married to the chief of police—outsider Mel, or weak link Lizzy? Or someone else bent on revenge? Time’s running out, and Gus’s life depends on his skill at determining who’s the best liar in town.
Thank you to R. John Dingle and Tule Publishing for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: April 14, 2025
Content warning: violence, stalking, threatening messages, gun and knife violence, mention of: bullying
November 22, 2025
What a debut!!
What is going on in this small town??? Things like… MURDER..just don’t happen here. 😳 Weirder yet.. it seems like a group of high school friends are being targeted… 25 years after they graduated. Hmmm 🤔 What do these women know?? Or what did THEY do?? 🤷♀️
This was the perfect start to this series!! What did I love?
💙 Small town vibes
💙 I had NO idea who was behind it.. and when I thought I finally had it figured out.. I didn’t! 🤷♀️
💙 Suspense filled!!
💙 That ENDING!! I seriously had to go back and read that last sentence!! 😳😮🤯 DON’T CHEAT!! 😂 That is one hell of a setup for book two!! I CAN NOT WAIT!!
February 9, 2025
Huge thank you to R John Dingle and Tule Publishing for the early release of Karma Never Sleeps. All opinions are my own. Wow what an amazing debut! I thoroughly enjoyed this crime fiction novel and am looking forward to reading more of Dingle’s future work.
This book kept me engrossed and guessing until the very end. It was a very believable and well written book.
Friends for decades the “Possee” has some secrets they will take to the grave. Who said conniving and bullying is only present in younger girls? Those young girls will become diabolical and treacherous adults if their behavior goes unnoticed and under the radar.
When women in a small friend group start getting murdered one by one it makes these friends question who would ever want to hurt them - as wives , mothers , career women and staples in their community who would do this? Perhaps their past will be catching up to them and a scorned killer will stop at nothing but a full circle moment of revenge.
This book kept me engrossed and guessing until the very end. It was a very believable and well written book.
Friends for decades the “Possee” has some secrets they will take to the grave. Who said conniving and bullying is only present in younger girls? Those young girls will become diabolical and treacherous adults if their behavior goes unnoticed and under the radar.
When women in a small friend group start getting murdered one by one it makes these friends question who would ever want to hurt them - as wives , mothers , career women and staples in their community who would do this? Perhaps their past will be catching up to them and a scorned killer will stop at nothing but a full circle moment of revenge.
May 16, 2025
If you’re craving a sharp, small-town crime thriller with catty frenemies, deep-rooted secrets, an FBI agent, and a final sentence that’ll make your jaw drop—KARMA NEVER SLEEPS by R. John Dingle is it.
This is a killer debut and the first in the Gus Wheeler series. The setup? A group of high school friends is being targeted 25 years after graduation…and what unfolds is twisty, intense, and borderline unhinged.
It’s got:
✅ A creepy stalker vibe
✅ A revenge plot with intensity
✅ Strong women, some you love to hate
✅ Small-town secrets
✅ A twisty ending that left me like WTF just happened?
Can’t wait for more from Dingle!
This is a killer debut and the first in the Gus Wheeler series. The setup? A group of high school friends is being targeted 25 years after graduation…and what unfolds is twisty, intense, and borderline unhinged.
It’s got:
✅ A creepy stalker vibe
✅ A revenge plot with intensity
✅ Strong women, some you love to hate
✅ Small-town secrets
✅ A twisty ending that left me like WTF just happened?
Can’t wait for more from Dingle!
February 7, 2025
A group of childhood friends, decades later, are getting killed one by one. Does it tie to their past or something current? I am absolutely loving this one! It is so gripping. As the story unfolded one piece at a time, I was obsessed.
Such a great debut!
I will caution readers that there are many characters, I always make a list as I read and it really came in handy here. I'm just not that good at keeping names and characters straight.
Such a great debut!
I will caution readers that there are many characters, I always make a list as I read and it really came in handy here. I'm just not that good at keeping names and characters straight.
July 13, 2025
First and foremost, I owe a huge apology to @r.johndingle for my extremely late review. This book was so good and I can’t believe I’m reviewing this way after publication day. Please forgive me, John.
In New England, two women have been murdered. The ladies in the group were a part of The Posse from their childhood. Best friends till the end.
It appears someone is targeting them. Strange things start to happen as they wonder who will be next. What did they do as teenagers that has someone seeking revenge?
FBI agent, Gus Wheeler and his partner will stop at nothing to get answers. Could it be one of the members of The Posse, or is someone from the past?
I really enjoyed this one! I seriously can’t believe I waited so long to read it. Seriously. If you enjoy a great crime series with fantastic detectives to boot, pick this one up! This is the first book in the series. I’m looking forward to book two!
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
In New England, two women have been murdered. The ladies in the group were a part of The Posse from their childhood. Best friends till the end.
It appears someone is targeting them. Strange things start to happen as they wonder who will be next. What did they do as teenagers that has someone seeking revenge?
FBI agent, Gus Wheeler and his partner will stop at nothing to get answers. Could it be one of the members of The Posse, or is someone from the past?
I really enjoyed this one! I seriously can’t believe I waited so long to read it. Seriously. If you enjoy a great crime series with fantastic detectives to boot, pick this one up! This is the first book in the series. I’m looking forward to book two!
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 26, 2025
“Trust me, when it comes to small towns, there are always secrets.”
Karma Never Sleeps is a riveting and immersive debut novel by R. John Dingle. It's a well written story with an attention-grabbing plot. When I picked this one up, I wasn't able to put it down, resulting in me binging this one in less than twenty-four hours.
The characters were well crafted, though it was a little difficult to keep up with who was who at first. However, after a while, I was able to discern who was who, as well as their backstory. What I really enjoyed about this book was the investigation. It was gripping, and you know there's some long buried secret that's just clawing its way to the surface.
They were lots of twists and revelations along the way, which kept my interest as I never knew what was coming next. It was a very suspenseful read at times, keeping me at the edge of my seat. I also really liked the relationship between Gus and Vanessa. There was a little banter between them at times, which I always enjoy in all my reads. I did guess the killer pretty early on though. However, as mentioned before, I am an avid thriller reader.
Overall, I had a good time with this one, and I can't wait to see what else this author will produce.
Thank you to R. John Dingle for my gifted ebook copy of your work. All opinions are my own.
Karma Never Sleeps is a riveting and immersive debut novel by R. John Dingle. It's a well written story with an attention-grabbing plot. When I picked this one up, I wasn't able to put it down, resulting in me binging this one in less than twenty-four hours.
The characters were well crafted, though it was a little difficult to keep up with who was who at first. However, after a while, I was able to discern who was who, as well as their backstory. What I really enjoyed about this book was the investigation. It was gripping, and you know there's some long buried secret that's just clawing its way to the surface.
They were lots of twists and revelations along the way, which kept my interest as I never knew what was coming next. It was a very suspenseful read at times, keeping me at the edge of my seat. I also really liked the relationship between Gus and Vanessa. There was a little banter between them at times, which I always enjoy in all my reads. I did guess the killer pretty early on though. However, as mentioned before, I am an avid thriller reader.
Overall, I had a good time with this one, and I can't wait to see what else this author will produce.
Thank you to R. John Dingle for my gifted ebook copy of your work. All opinions are my own.
February 24, 2025
I enjoyed this psychological thriller, so many ways it could have gone. There were tons of characters, so there were several suspects. I thought I had it all figured out early on, and when I started to doubt myself, I was convinced it was going to be some random mentioned at the beginning of the book. Thankfully, that is not the case here. There are just enough breadcrumbs for you to figure out who is behind the murders and just enough information sprinkled in that will have you suspecting everyone.
I was not disappointed with the twists in this one. Great book for a debut it is a fast paced read that will keep you guessing.
I was not disappointed with the twists in this one. Great book for a debut it is a fast paced read that will keep you guessing.
May 20, 2025
This was a solid debut with lots of elements I enjoy and look for in a thriller. I love a good procedural, and this one follows an FBI agent as he travels to a small town after a couple of murders occur within the same group of friends. Gus was an interesting lead character, and I feel like we’ve only scratched the surface with him. I’m curious to see what’s revealed about him in book two.
It almost had a locked room feel, with a limited number of suspects and a small town setting that felt quite claustrophobic at times. The plot was complex and twisty, initially seeming straightforward until, bam, some well executed twists turned everything on its head.
If you like books about revenge, mean girls, small town murder mysteries, and cold cases, give this one a try.
It almost had a locked room feel, with a limited number of suspects and a small town setting that felt quite claustrophobic at times. The plot was complex and twisty, initially seeming straightforward until, bam, some well executed twists turned everything on its head.
If you like books about revenge, mean girls, small town murder mysteries, and cold cases, give this one a try.
April 13, 2025
I have a really hard time believing that this is @r.johndingle’s first novel because it was a good one! The characters were interesting and I loved the small town mean girls storyline and the fact that I was tricked into thinking I knew what was happening and who was doing it! FBI agent Gus and his partner Vanessa are also likable characters and I hope to see more of them in future books!
April 7, 2025
Wow, what a fantastic book! This has to be one of my favorite thrillers that I have read in a long time. Not only does this book keep you second guessing through out the entire book, but there is a ton of action, and Dingle keeps you on the edge of your seat!
This is a “Gus Wheeler FBI Thriller” but it’s definitely more than a police procedural. Yes, we do get the police procedural aspect of the book, but we also get the other side. The side that has the secrets, the lies, and the twists.
And while some of these woman in this friend group are toxic, and you don’t want to root for them, who cares! All I wanted to know was who is behind what is going on? Why is it all happening? How is it all connected?
So now that I’ve gushed… Dingle’s writing is superb. The writing flows really well, it’s engaging, and my favorite, tons of dialogue! You get enough details to make the story complete without getting too into the weeds of backstories that aren’t necessary. It’s REALLY hard to believe that this is his debut novel because this book reads as if he’s a seasoned writer. I absolutely cannot wait until there is another book! Dingle has a hit on his hands here, and I will sing his praises from the rafters. Thriller readers NEED to read this book!
This is a “Gus Wheeler FBI Thriller” but it’s definitely more than a police procedural. Yes, we do get the police procedural aspect of the book, but we also get the other side. The side that has the secrets, the lies, and the twists.
And while some of these woman in this friend group are toxic, and you don’t want to root for them, who cares! All I wanted to know was who is behind what is going on? Why is it all happening? How is it all connected?
So now that I’ve gushed… Dingle’s writing is superb. The writing flows really well, it’s engaging, and my favorite, tons of dialogue! You get enough details to make the story complete without getting too into the weeds of backstories that aren’t necessary. It’s REALLY hard to believe that this is his debut novel because this book reads as if he’s a seasoned writer. I absolutely cannot wait until there is another book! Dingle has a hit on his hands here, and I will sing his praises from the rafters. Thriller readers NEED to read this book!
April 14, 2025
When a second woman in a small town group of friends end up murdered, FBI Agent Gus Wheeler is brought in.
Could these murders be related to a young girls death 25 years prior? Seems like someone has targeted this group of friends and isn’t going to let up until the truth comes out.
This is a debut police procedural and psychological thriller! The group of women and the cast of supporting characters are well put together and complete the small town setting for this book.
Secrets never stay hidden in small towns and karma will find its way to you. Grab a copy and enjoy this gripping, fast paced read- but not alone in the dark 😉 I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to see what Wheeler investigates going forward!
You’ve got strong friendships with definite mean girl vibes, the FBI coming in as outsiders and some creepy woods to complete the chill factor! If you enjoy revenge plots and debut authors, don’t skip this one!
Thank you to the author, R John Dingle for the opportunity to read this book. I received an epub and my review is being left voluntarily.
Could these murders be related to a young girls death 25 years prior? Seems like someone has targeted this group of friends and isn’t going to let up until the truth comes out.
This is a debut police procedural and psychological thriller! The group of women and the cast of supporting characters are well put together and complete the small town setting for this book.
Secrets never stay hidden in small towns and karma will find its way to you. Grab a copy and enjoy this gripping, fast paced read- but not alone in the dark 😉 I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to see what Wheeler investigates going forward!
You’ve got strong friendships with definite mean girl vibes, the FBI coming in as outsiders and some creepy woods to complete the chill factor! If you enjoy revenge plots and debut authors, don’t skip this one!
Thank you to the author, R John Dingle for the opportunity to read this book. I received an epub and my review is being left voluntarily.
April 23, 2025
ARC review • out now!
What an incredible debut 👏🏻 I hope there are more Gus Wheeler books because I will absolutely read them. R. John Dingle has written an absolute page turner - if I hadn’t traveled/been sick so much in the last week I could have easily read this 404 page book in a day or so!
A group of high school friends, now adults, known as The Posse, are being murdered/targeted one by one. When the FBI steps in, they notice an old Polaroid of a girl they all went to high school with that had died back then. They’re in a race to find out how the murders are connected to this girl - and who the killer is - before anyone else gets hurt.
There are many characters in this book, yet each of them written clearly and well developed. Even a bit of romantic suspense in the second half!
Read if you love:
-revenge plots
-police procedural
-lots of suspense
-small town crime
4.5⭐️
Huge thanks to the author for my mailed gifted copy + @thrillerbookloversthepulse 🖤
What an incredible debut 👏🏻 I hope there are more Gus Wheeler books because I will absolutely read them. R. John Dingle has written an absolute page turner - if I hadn’t traveled/been sick so much in the last week I could have easily read this 404 page book in a day or so!
A group of high school friends, now adults, known as The Posse, are being murdered/targeted one by one. When the FBI steps in, they notice an old Polaroid of a girl they all went to high school with that had died back then. They’re in a race to find out how the murders are connected to this girl - and who the killer is - before anyone else gets hurt.
There are many characters in this book, yet each of them written clearly and well developed. Even a bit of romantic suspense in the second half!
Read if you love:
-revenge plots
-police procedural
-lots of suspense
-small town crime
4.5⭐️
Huge thanks to the author for my mailed gifted copy + @thrillerbookloversthepulse 🖤
April 1, 2025
Karma Never Sleeps is a fast-paced mystery that keeps you guessing until the end. FBI profiler Gus Wheeler is chasing a killer, but a small-town friend group is hiding more than they admit. With secrets, cyberstalking, and deadly attacks, the tension never stops.
John Dingle delivers a gripping thriller full of twists, making you question every character. If you love dark secrets and shocking reveals, this is a must-read. My peers at Pulse haven’t stopped talking about this one!
John Dingle delivers a gripping thriller full of twists, making you question every character. If you love dark secrets and shocking reveals, this is a must-read. My peers at Pulse haven’t stopped talking about this one!
May 14, 2025
Sometimes secrets need to stay buried.
This small-town thriller will keep you guessing until the end. There is a multitude of characters, which were sometimes hard to keep straight, lies, deception, and half-truths.
The "posse" of women have known each other since high school, and are hiding a secret about the death of a classmate. Now they are being targeted, and a few of them are killed. Who is after them? I had my suspicions, but did not guess the correct person until close to the end. In fact, right before it was revealed. This character was never on my radar, but once the truth came out, I could see how this person would target the women and why.
This is a debut novel, and I feel that the author did a good job of developing the characters and the plot. I will say that Gus was definitely my favorite character. His passion for jazz, but working for the FBI to put food on the table, was an interesting combination. His partner, Vanessa, was a hoot as well, despite not always believing certain situations.
I believe this will be a series, and if so, I can't wait to see what case Gus will be called to and if a certain relationship from this book will carry forward to the next.
We give this book 4 paws up.
This small-town thriller will keep you guessing until the end. There is a multitude of characters, which were sometimes hard to keep straight, lies, deception, and half-truths.
The "posse" of women have known each other since high school, and are hiding a secret about the death of a classmate. Now they are being targeted, and a few of them are killed. Who is after them? I had my suspicions, but did not guess the correct person until close to the end. In fact, right before it was revealed. This character was never on my radar, but once the truth came out, I could see how this person would target the women and why.
This is a debut novel, and I feel that the author did a good job of developing the characters and the plot. I will say that Gus was definitely my favorite character. His passion for jazz, but working for the FBI to put food on the table, was an interesting combination. His partner, Vanessa, was a hoot as well, despite not always believing certain situations.
I believe this will be a series, and if so, I can't wait to see what case Gus will be called to and if a certain relationship from this book will carry forward to the next.
We give this book 4 paws up.
April 13, 2025
A solid debut thriller about an FBI agent investigating the murders of two women in a small town. The women were part of a tight knit group of friends that formed in high school. It seems that someone wants to make the group pay for a secret from their high school days. After all, karma never sleeps.
The story revolves around female friendship, secrets, lies, and vengeance. It started off with a bang and kept my interest throughout. I did find the middle part slowed a bit but picked back up for a good ending. I thought the plotting was well constructed and the author did a good job of creating a creepy vibe throughout.
I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
The story revolves around female friendship, secrets, lies, and vengeance. It started off with a bang and kept my interest throughout. I did find the middle part slowed a bit but picked back up for a good ending. I thought the plotting was well constructed and the author did a good job of creating a creepy vibe throughout.
I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
May 11, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ ⬆️
Just finished a book that I couldn’t put down! Every time I had to step away, I found myself counting the minutes until I could dive back in. The story kept me thinking and guessing the whole time!!
How it started:
Two mysterious murders in a small town of New England have caught the attention of the FBI. Agents Gus Wheeler and his funny partner, Vanessa have teamed up with longtime resident & local sheriff, Jim to determine if it’s a serial killer.
The two female victims were part of the same close-knit group of friends, known as “the posse,” from high school, still living in their small town after all these years.
Decades ago, a high school teen died under mysterious circumstances. Secrets unfold as the investigation heats up, and it seems “the posse” knows something about this. However, some try very hard to keep this secret under wraps, while others are letting the truth be known little by little. There is so much history between many of the residents, somehow everything feels connected….is it all tied together?🕵️
The details were so vivid that I felt part of this mysterious thriller! The twists & turns are so good, they had me on the edge of my seat all throughout! What a wonderful debut I did not want to end!! I absolutely loved it, and highly recommend! 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻
💫 This book releases Monday, April 14 !
Just finished a book that I couldn’t put down! Every time I had to step away, I found myself counting the minutes until I could dive back in. The story kept me thinking and guessing the whole time!!
How it started:
Two mysterious murders in a small town of New England have caught the attention of the FBI. Agents Gus Wheeler and his funny partner, Vanessa have teamed up with longtime resident & local sheriff, Jim to determine if it’s a serial killer.
The two female victims were part of the same close-knit group of friends, known as “the posse,” from high school, still living in their small town after all these years.
Decades ago, a high school teen died under mysterious circumstances. Secrets unfold as the investigation heats up, and it seems “the posse” knows something about this. However, some try very hard to keep this secret under wraps, while others are letting the truth be known little by little. There is so much history between many of the residents, somehow everything feels connected….is it all tied together?🕵️
The details were so vivid that I felt part of this mysterious thriller! The twists & turns are so good, they had me on the edge of my seat all throughout! What a wonderful debut I did not want to end!! I absolutely loved it, and highly recommend! 👏🏻 👏🏻 👏🏻
💫 This book releases Monday, April 14 !
May 15, 2025
Thank you to the author @rjohndingle for the free digital copy to review.
I love police procedurals and this debut did not disappoint! I am very glad this is the first in a series, I’m looking forward to more of FBI agent Gus Wheeler and his snarky partner Vanessa, they were a great duo and worked with several minor characters within the FBI that I enjoyed to help solve this case. As far as the case itself, it was very well done and hooked me from the start. A close knit group of friends have been so for over 20 years, and two of the foursome have been murdered. This is why Gus and Vanessa are called in, as there is concern this might be the work of a serial killer. Oh and there may be a connection with a teenaged girl who died 25 years ago. The remaining friends of the group are not the most helpful, leading Gus to believe they are hiding something, and the more he and Vanessa dig, the more everything starts to fall apart.
This was quite a fun and entertaining read, I loved the banter, the snark, the small town shenanigans, and eventually the unhinged-ness of it all. I could not put this down, and I did figure out most of it, had a solid guess on the rest, but it was so much fun to watch it unfold. A couple of scenes I did not expect and enjoyed way more than I should have. I cannot wait for the next book, it should be a good one!
I love police procedurals and this debut did not disappoint! I am very glad this is the first in a series, I’m looking forward to more of FBI agent Gus Wheeler and his snarky partner Vanessa, they were a great duo and worked with several minor characters within the FBI that I enjoyed to help solve this case. As far as the case itself, it was very well done and hooked me from the start. A close knit group of friends have been so for over 20 years, and two of the foursome have been murdered. This is why Gus and Vanessa are called in, as there is concern this might be the work of a serial killer. Oh and there may be a connection with a teenaged girl who died 25 years ago. The remaining friends of the group are not the most helpful, leading Gus to believe they are hiding something, and the more he and Vanessa dig, the more everything starts to fall apart.
This was quite a fun and entertaining read, I loved the banter, the snark, the small town shenanigans, and eventually the unhinged-ness of it all. I could not put this down, and I did figure out most of it, had a solid guess on the rest, but it was so much fun to watch it unfold. A couple of scenes I did not expect and enjoyed way more than I should have. I cannot wait for the next book, it should be a good one!
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April 14, 2025I thought this book was fantastic. It was shocking that it was a debut for this author.
I am not usually one who enjoys police procedural books, so the subtitle calling this "FBI Thriller #1" was a little off putting for me. I am here to say that although one of the main characters was the investigator, it didn't feel too much like a procedural to me. It was heavily focused on a group of female friends who are being murdered.
There was a lot of secrets and lying and deceit. The recent murders appear to be tied to a decades old case where a young girl took her life back when they were in high school. You very quickly come to realize that this group of women who are being victimized have always been the mean girls, and someone thinks they are only getting what they deserve.
I read the book from start to finish in one day because I couldn't put it down. I had quite a few theories as to who was behind all the murders, but I did not see the plot twist and the real culprit coming until it was too late. Upon reflection, there were a lot of signs pointing in the right direction, but I just missed them. In my mind, this is the work of a great thriller. I didn't see the end coming, but it wasn't so far out of right field.
Overall, this is a good one for thriller fans whether you like police procedurals or not.
I am not usually one who enjoys police procedural books, so the subtitle calling this "FBI Thriller #1" was a little off putting for me. I am here to say that although one of the main characters was the investigator, it didn't feel too much like a procedural to me. It was heavily focused on a group of female friends who are being murdered.
There was a lot of secrets and lying and deceit. The recent murders appear to be tied to a decades old case where a young girl took her life back when they were in high school. You very quickly come to realize that this group of women who are being victimized have always been the mean girls, and someone thinks they are only getting what they deserve.
I read the book from start to finish in one day because I couldn't put it down. I had quite a few theories as to who was behind all the murders, but I did not see the plot twist and the real culprit coming until it was too late. Upon reflection, there were a lot of signs pointing in the right direction, but I just missed them. In my mind, this is the work of a great thriller. I didn't see the end coming, but it wasn't so far out of right field.
Overall, this is a good one for thriller fans whether you like police procedurals or not.
April 10, 2025
This was such a great debut novel from R. John Dingle!
A combination of police procedural, small town thriller, and whodunit murder mystery; I think many will enjoy this.
I really enjoyed the pacing of this novel as well as the character development. Although this has a long character list, the character development was still strong. At times, it was a little confusing in the beginning, but it did all start to come together as I continued to read. The amount of characters did add to the overall mystery as I found myself doubting everyone and questioning who the culprit may be. There was a twist or two that definitely caught me off guard!
I thought this was maybe a little longer than it needed to be and there was some slang and strange lingo at times early on, but this didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book. Overall, I thought this was a really fun read and a really impressive debut. I look forward to reading more from this author!
I would recommend this if you enjoy steady-paced crime fiction with loads of character development and some unique plot elements.
Thank you to R. John Dingle for reaching out and providing me with an eARC in exchange for review.
A combination of police procedural, small town thriller, and whodunit murder mystery; I think many will enjoy this.
I really enjoyed the pacing of this novel as well as the character development. Although this has a long character list, the character development was still strong. At times, it was a little confusing in the beginning, but it did all start to come together as I continued to read. The amount of characters did add to the overall mystery as I found myself doubting everyone and questioning who the culprit may be. There was a twist or two that definitely caught me off guard!
I thought this was maybe a little longer than it needed to be and there was some slang and strange lingo at times early on, but this didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book. Overall, I thought this was a really fun read and a really impressive debut. I look forward to reading more from this author!
I would recommend this if you enjoy steady-paced crime fiction with loads of character development and some unique plot elements.
Thank you to R. John Dingle for reaching out and providing me with an eARC in exchange for review.
March 17, 2025
Thanks to the author for a chance to read his debut novel early!
I was very entertained by this book & if you like crime novels, you should check it out when it publishes in April!
This is a psychological thriller centered around a group of 6 lifelong friends hiding a decades-old secret. Their small town is reeling after two of the women are murdered just months apart from each other. Seems like someone is out for revenge.
This book has a lot of really good details around evidence, suspects, timelines, etc. The author does a great job of laying down a trail of information that is just murky enough to keep you guessing while you read.
💛 I loved - the friend group drama & different personalities. All the crime scene and investigation details! The perspectives from the FBI agents were always interesting to read
👎🏻 I didn’t like - I wish there was a little more backstory and information around one of the characters listed as a suspect. It made it hard to believe he could have done it because the story wasn’t focusing on him as much.
📒 Similar vibes - a smidge Pretty Little Liars, I Am Watching You by Teresa Driscoll
Spice - ❌
Language - Low
Content - murder, stalking, infidelity, suicide, drug overdose
I was very entertained by this book & if you like crime novels, you should check it out when it publishes in April!
This is a psychological thriller centered around a group of 6 lifelong friends hiding a decades-old secret. Their small town is reeling after two of the women are murdered just months apart from each other. Seems like someone is out for revenge.
This book has a lot of really good details around evidence, suspects, timelines, etc. The author does a great job of laying down a trail of information that is just murky enough to keep you guessing while you read.
💛 I loved - the friend group drama & different personalities. All the crime scene and investigation details! The perspectives from the FBI agents were always interesting to read
👎🏻 I didn’t like - I wish there was a little more backstory and information around one of the characters listed as a suspect. It made it hard to believe he could have done it because the story wasn’t focusing on him as much.
📒 Similar vibes - a smidge Pretty Little Liars, I Am Watching You by Teresa Driscoll
Spice - ❌
Language - Low
Content - murder, stalking, infidelity, suicide, drug overdose
March 14, 2025
Karma Never Sleeps is an exhilarating novel about two murders that take place in the small town of Kendalton, Massachusetts. The murders surround a group of women nicknamed the Posse that have known each other for years. They grew up together and were best friends. The FBI is quickly called in when the second murder takes place. Gus and Vanessa are detailed and seasoned agents that know their way around a crime scene.
I found this mystery to be so exciting. The writing is exquisite with details of the fictional town of Kendalton that bring it to life for the reader. Multiple voices tell the story and each is very different. Each woman in the Posse has a distinct personality. Some you wont like and some you won't be sure of but one things for sure, you will definitely be entertained. Im shocked to know this is the authors first novel as it reads like a best selling author. I can't wait to read more of this authors work.
I found this mystery to be so exciting. The writing is exquisite with details of the fictional town of Kendalton that bring it to life for the reader. Multiple voices tell the story and each is very different. Each woman in the Posse has a distinct personality. Some you wont like and some you won't be sure of but one things for sure, you will definitely be entertained. Im shocked to know this is the authors first novel as it reads like a best selling author. I can't wait to read more of this authors work.
April 29, 2025
What an AMAZING debut! 📚 This fast-paced thriller follows FBI agents Gus and Vanessa, and it hooked me from the start and kept me turning pages.
The alternating POVs (especially Mel’s alongside the investigation) add so much depth, and the characters feel real and layered. Gus and Vanessa’s dynamic is perfection.👏🏻 They balance each other so well. I had my suspicions about a few characters early on, and some clues definitely stood out, but I’ll let you discover those for yourself! 👀
If you love thrillers with complex characters, multiple perspectives, and a strong investigative duo, add this to your TBR. I can’t wait for Book 2!
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy!
The alternating POVs (especially Mel’s alongside the investigation) add so much depth, and the characters feel real and layered. Gus and Vanessa’s dynamic is perfection.👏🏻 They balance each other so well. I had my suspicions about a few characters early on, and some clues definitely stood out, but I’ll let you discover those for yourself! 👀
If you love thrillers with complex characters, multiple perspectives, and a strong investigative duo, add this to your TBR. I can’t wait for Book 2!
Thank you to the author for gifting me a copy!
May 24, 2025
I’ve always been a fan of crime thrillers and Karma Never Sleeps was a good one.
It was a bit of a slower burn, but it held my attention nonetheless. The case was a big reason for that. The person behind it all was so calculated, and their crimes were meticulously planned and carried out. Nothing about the case was straightforward, which kept me on my toes.
I was also a big fan of Gus Wheeler. I could tell there was a lot of depth to him and I’m looking forward to getting to know him more as the series continues.
Thank you so much to the author for the opportunity to read this e-ARC!
Read if you like:
✨ Crime thrillers
✨ Small town settings
✨ Complex cases
✨ Cliques
It was a bit of a slower burn, but it held my attention nonetheless. The case was a big reason for that. The person behind it all was so calculated, and their crimes were meticulously planned and carried out. Nothing about the case was straightforward, which kept me on my toes.
I was also a big fan of Gus Wheeler. I could tell there was a lot of depth to him and I’m looking forward to getting to know him more as the series continues.
Thank you so much to the author for the opportunity to read this e-ARC!
Read if you like:
✨ Crime thrillers
✨ Small town settings
✨ Complex cases
✨ Cliques
May 30, 2025
A great debut novel!
I enjoyed all the clues presented along the way. The author does a masterful job keeping the reader guessing.
The author also has a gift for writing details that bring visuals immediately to mind. It is so easy to “see” a scene or a character. This adds immensely to the book’s plot line.
The partnership between Gus and Vanessa has such a realistic feel to it. Their characters are well-developed and they complement each other as partners.
I would love to see a Gus Wheeler novel where he brings his knowledge as a musician to bear on solving the case.
I received a review copy free of charge. This is an honest, voluntary review.
I enjoyed all the clues presented along the way. The author does a masterful job keeping the reader guessing.
The author also has a gift for writing details that bring visuals immediately to mind. It is so easy to “see” a scene or a character. This adds immensely to the book’s plot line.
The partnership between Gus and Vanessa has such a realistic feel to it. Their characters are well-developed and they complement each other as partners.
I would love to see a Gus Wheeler novel where he brings his knowledge as a musician to bear on solving the case.
I received a review copy free of charge. This is an honest, voluntary review.
March 13, 2025
Karma Never Sleeps
By: R. John Dingle
Pub Date: April 14, 2025
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Sharing with: Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse
I have really enjoyed being part of Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse as we get the opportunity to explore a lot of Thrillers but authors we are familiar with, but some that are new to us. Dingle is a new author for me, and I look forward to reading more by him.
In New England women are found murdered in the woods. This small town is full of secrets but these two women were from a small group known as “the posse”. Gus Wheeler is an FBI agent and profiler and he is determined to find out if these deaths are the works of a serial killer as he discovers a clue which points in that direction..
This is a riveting read that will have you invested in the very beginning until the bitter end!
By: R. John Dingle
Pub Date: April 14, 2025
Publisher: Tule Publishing
Sharing with: Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse
I have really enjoyed being part of Thriller Book Lovers The Pulse as we get the opportunity to explore a lot of Thrillers but authors we are familiar with, but some that are new to us. Dingle is a new author for me, and I look forward to reading more by him.
In New England women are found murdered in the woods. This small town is full of secrets but these two women were from a small group known as “the posse”. Gus Wheeler is an FBI agent and profiler and he is determined to find out if these deaths are the works of a serial killer as he discovers a clue which points in that direction..
This is a riveting read that will have you invested in the very beginning until the bitter end!
February 21, 2025
Wow! This is such an amazing debut novel! It hooked me from the very first page! I loved following along as Gus and Vanessa worked to solve this small town murder mystery. The ladies in the friend group were all hiding something, and I wasn't sure who to trust or why someone wanted them dead. The author did a good job of keeping me guessing! This book is fast-paced and cleverly plotted! I'll be anxiously awaiting a second Gus Wheeler book!
March 25, 2025
I had the opportunity to snag this digital ARC and I really enjoyed it!
This was a fun and fast mystery/thriller that had me on the edge of my seat.
If I was recommending Karma Never Sleeps to a friend, I’d say it’s like if Mean Girls met Gone Girl. There’s murder, mystery, and a few scandalous moms.
This was a fun and fast mystery/thriller that had me on the edge of my seat.
If I was recommending Karma Never Sleeps to a friend, I’d say it’s like if Mean Girls met Gone Girl. There’s murder, mystery, and a few scandalous moms.
March 7, 2025
Karma Never Sleeps is a compelling FBI thriller with a suburban twist, following a detective investigating a friend group of moms as they navigate secrets, suspicion, and murder. Told from multiple perspectives, the story adds layers of intrigue, making it an engaging read from start to finish.
One of the things I enjoyed most was the procedural aspect—it gave the mystery a well-paced, investigative feel without being overly technical. Even though I figured out who the killer was about halfway through, the journey to the reveal was still satisfying, and the execution of the plot kept me hooked. The fun was in piecing everything together, and the different viewpoints made for a dynamic, entertaining experience.
Another standout element was how the author wove in tense, atmospheric moments where you absolutely would not want to be in the character’s shoes. Those eerie, suspenseful scenes kept me on edge, making the story feel even more immersive. The mix of domestic life and chilling tension made for a fascinating contrast, adding depth to the mystery.
Overall, Karma Never Sleeps delivers a gripping mystery with strong storytelling and a unique suburban setting. If you love crime fiction with a fresh perspective, this one is definitely worth picking up!
One of the things I enjoyed most was the procedural aspect—it gave the mystery a well-paced, investigative feel without being overly technical. Even though I figured out who the killer was about halfway through, the journey to the reveal was still satisfying, and the execution of the plot kept me hooked. The fun was in piecing everything together, and the different viewpoints made for a dynamic, entertaining experience.
Another standout element was how the author wove in tense, atmospheric moments where you absolutely would not want to be in the character’s shoes. Those eerie, suspenseful scenes kept me on edge, making the story feel even more immersive. The mix of domestic life and chilling tension made for a fascinating contrast, adding depth to the mystery.
Overall, Karma Never Sleeps delivers a gripping mystery with strong storytelling and a unique suburban setting. If you love crime fiction with a fresh perspective, this one is definitely worth picking up!
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May 2, 2025So Good! I had such a fun time with this!
Thank you, John, for letting me read it.
Thank you, John, for letting me read it.
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