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Daniel Rinaldi #5
Head Wounds Lib/E: A Daniel Rinaldi Mystery
Psychologist Dr. Daniel Rinaldi consults with the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police. His specialty is treating victims of violent crime--those who've survived an armed robbery, kidnapping, or sexual assault, but whose traumatic experience still haunts them. Head Wounds picks up where Rinaldi's investigation in Phantom Limb left off, turning the tables on him as he himself becomes the target of a vicious killer."Miles Davis saved my life." With these words Rinaldi becomes a participant in a domestic drama that blows up right outside his front door, saved from a bullet to the brain by pure chance. In the chaos that follows, Rinaldi learns his wealthy bad-girl neighbor has told her hair-triggered boyfriend Rinaldi is her lover. As things heat up, Rinaldi becomes a murder suspect.But this is just the first act in this chilling, edge-of-your-seat thriller. As one savagery follows another, Rinaldi is forced to relive a terrible night that haunts him still and to realize that now he--and those he loves--are being victimized by a brilliant killer still in the grip of delusion. Determined to destroy Rinaldi by systematically targeting those close to him--his patients, colleagues, and friends--computer genius Sebastian Maddox strives to cause as much psychological pain as possible before finally orchestrating a bold, macabre death for his quarry.How ironic. As Pittsburgh morphs from a blue-collar town to a tech giant, a psychopath deploys technology in a murderous way.Enter two other figures from Rinaldi's past: retired FBI profiler Lyle Barnes, once a patient who Rinaldi treated for night terrors; and Special Agent Gloria Reese, with whom he falls into a surprising, erotically charged affair. Warned by Maddox not to engage the authorities under the threat that random innocents throughout the city will die, Rinaldi and these two unlikely allies engage in a terrifying cat-and-mouse game with an elusive killer who will stop at nothing in pursuit of what he imagines is revenge.A true page-turner, Head Wounds is the electrifying fifth thriller in a critically acclaimed series by Dennis Palumbo. Formerly a Hollywood screenwriter, Dennis Palumbo is now a licensed psychotherapist in private practice.
- GenresMysteryMystery Thriller
Audio CD
First published February 6, 2018
21 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Dennis Palumbo
34 books40 followersFormerly a Hollywood screenwriter (My Favorite Year, Welcome Back, Kotter, etc.), Dennis Palumbo is now a licensed psychotherapist and author
His mystery fiction has appeared in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, The Strand, and elsewhere, and is collected in From Crime to Crime.
His acclaimed series of crime novels (Mirror Image, Fever Dream, Night Terrors, Phantom Limb, and Head Wounds) feature psychologist Daniel Rinaldi, a trauma expert who consults with the Pittsburgh Police. All are from Poisoned Pen Press. For more info, visit www.dennispalumbo.com.
His mystery fiction has appeared in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, The Strand, and elsewhere, and is collected in From Crime to Crime.
His acclaimed series of crime novels (Mirror Image, Fever Dream, Night Terrors, Phantom Limb, and Head Wounds) feature psychologist Daniel Rinaldi, a trauma expert who consults with the Pittsburgh Police. All are from Poisoned Pen Press. For more info, visit www.dennispalumbo.com.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 18, 2018
From the publisher: Psychologist Dr. Daniel Rinaldi consults with the Pittsburgh Police. His specialty is treating victims of violent crime - - those who’ve survived an armed robbery, kidnapping, or sexual assault, but whose traumatic experience still haunts them. “Head Winds” picks up where Rinaldi’s investigation in “Phantom Limb” left off, turning the tables on him as he, himself, becomes the target of a vicious killer. “Miles Davis saved my life.” With these words, Rinaldi becomes a participant in a domestic drama that blows up right outside his front door, saved from a bullet to the brain by pure chance. In the chaos that follows, Rinaldi learns his bad-girl, wealthy neighbor has told her hair-triggered boyfriend Rinaldi is her lover. As things heat up, Rinaldi becomes a murder suspect. But this is just the first act in this chilling, edge-of-your-seat thriller. As one savagery follows another, Rinaldi is forced to relive a terrible night that haunts him still. And to realize that now he - - and those he loves - - are being victimized by a brilliant killer still in the grip of delusion. Determined to destroy Rinaldi by systemically targeting those close to him - - his patients, colleagues and friends - - computer genius Sebastian Maddox thrives to cause as much psychological pain as possible, before finally orchestrating a bold, macabre death for his quarry. How ironic. As Pittsburgh morphs from a blue-collar town to a tech giant, a psychopath deploys technology in a murderous way. Enter two other figures from Rinaldi’s past: retired FBI profiler Lyle Barnes, once a patient who Rinaldi treated for night terrors; and Special Agent Gloria Reese, with whom he falls into a surprising, erotically charged affair. Warned by Maddox not to e3ngage the authorities or else random innocents throughout the city will die, Rinaldi and these two unlikely allies engage in a terrifying cat-and-mouse game with an elusive killer who’ll stop at nothing in pursuit of what he imagines is revenge.
The reader is put on notice of what awaits with a quote from no less a writer than Albert Camus: “The desire for possession is insatiable, to such a point that it can survive even love itself.”
The Miles Davis reference, which is the first line in the book, is from a scene where Rinaldi is reading a 3-inch-thick dossier written about his late wife, hidden in the pages of which “was an overlooked or ignored piece of evidence proving that my wife’s death almost a dozen years ago hadn’t been what it seemed. That the gunfire that ended Barbara’s life was not the lethal result of a mugging gone wrong. It was murder.” Two bullets killed his wife, the third hitting him in the head. The ensuing novel is all about finding the man who had killed his wife, who now wants him dead. He is now “working out my survival guilt. A misguided attempt to make up for the fact that Barbara had died that fateful night and I hadn’t.” It is an understatement to say that it is wonderfully well-written, suspenseful, and a complete page-turner.
The descriptions of Pittsburgh are terrific [to a lifelong New Yorker]: “The Steel City continued to morph from a blue-collar, industrial town into a gentrified, white-collar hub of business and technology. . . Pittsburgh now boasted a new, modern skyline, no longer obscured by dark plumes of smoke from a hundred smokestacks.” Rinaldi and his two comrades take on Maddox in an unpredictable chase that kept me glued to the page.
Another fascinating entry [the fifth] in a much-loved series, and one which is highly recommended.
The reader is put on notice of what awaits with a quote from no less a writer than Albert Camus: “The desire for possession is insatiable, to such a point that it can survive even love itself.”
The Miles Davis reference, which is the first line in the book, is from a scene where Rinaldi is reading a 3-inch-thick dossier written about his late wife, hidden in the pages of which “was an overlooked or ignored piece of evidence proving that my wife’s death almost a dozen years ago hadn’t been what it seemed. That the gunfire that ended Barbara’s life was not the lethal result of a mugging gone wrong. It was murder.” Two bullets killed his wife, the third hitting him in the head. The ensuing novel is all about finding the man who had killed his wife, who now wants him dead. He is now “working out my survival guilt. A misguided attempt to make up for the fact that Barbara had died that fateful night and I hadn’t.” It is an understatement to say that it is wonderfully well-written, suspenseful, and a complete page-turner.
The descriptions of Pittsburgh are terrific [to a lifelong New Yorker]: “The Steel City continued to morph from a blue-collar, industrial town into a gentrified, white-collar hub of business and technology. . . Pittsburgh now boasted a new, modern skyline, no longer obscured by dark plumes of smoke from a hundred smokestacks.” Rinaldi and his two comrades take on Maddox in an unpredictable chase that kept me glued to the page.
Another fascinating entry [the fifth] in a much-loved series, and one which is highly recommended.
November 18, 2017
An amazing thriller !!
Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for kindly providing me with a copy of this book for my honest review.
Plot : 4
Main Characters : 4
Side Characters : 4
Feel/Emotions : 4
Twists : 4
Writing Style: 5
Let's start with a brief summary of the plot. So, we have psychiatrist Dr.Daniel Rinaldi, who is a widower and also works as a private consultant for the cops. His wife was killed in a mugging incident 12 years ago and he had accepted that and moved on. Until one man who was hired to do a background search on Danny, so that a rich client could consult with him,found something in the dossier he had prepared which made him think Dan's wife was murdered. Too bad, that he informed Danny of this, when he was mortally wounded and could not explain more. Dan's wife's death is at the center of the whole plot !! Who the killer is not a suspense and is revealed pretty early. What is thrilling is the cat and mouse game that the pyscho is playing.
Now mind you, the killer is a genius with hardcore computer skills. He hacks into all systems with ease as if he is simply photo-bombing. He seems to be a little self obsessed too, puts up his picture as the cover photo in Dan's devices. What makes him dangerous is that he is willing to take on any collateral damage in course of taking revenge on Dan. So, anyone who is in Dan's close circle can be a target. Dan is trying his best to make use of his expertise and psychoanalyze the killer's next move.Some are saved and some are lost. To help in this battle of minds are his 2 friends, FBI Agent Gloria Reese (she is bad ass) and retired FBI profiler Lyle Barnes. They race against time and a pyscho killer to try to save the victims.
I must mention here throughout 95% of the book, the killer is always one step ahead of Daniel and his team.It's just towards the end that Dan does some reverse pyschology thing on the killer. I liked that the book was fast paced and kept me guessing what the killer might do next. The flow of the investigation was also very good. One note here, the book is loooong..like really long !! The game is played for quite some time,with the killer winning almost every round.
I've not read the previous books of the series, but this book can be read as a stand-alone and I enjoyed reading it !! It also gave me some creeps, thinking how ridiculously easy it is to be a victim in a plot totally not related to you. And the worst was, the victims were already troubled and were trying to cope with the help of Daniel. sigh.. Circumstances !!
Great work, Mr Palumbo !!
Plot : 4
Main Characters : 4
Side Characters : 4
Feel/Emotions : 4
Twists : 4
Writing Style: 5
Let's start with a brief summary of the plot. So, we have psychiatrist Dr.Daniel Rinaldi, who is a widower and also works as a private consultant for the cops. His wife was killed in a mugging incident 12 years ago and he had accepted that and moved on. Until one man who was hired to do a background search on Danny, so that a rich client could consult with him,found something in the dossier he had prepared which made him think Dan's wife was murdered. Too bad, that he informed Danny of this, when he was mortally wounded and could not explain more. Dan's wife's death is at the center of the whole plot !! Who the killer is not a suspense and is revealed pretty early. What is thrilling is the cat and mouse game that the pyscho is playing.
Now mind you, the killer is a genius with hardcore computer skills. He hacks into all systems with ease as if he is simply photo-bombing. He seems to be a little self obsessed too, puts up his picture as the cover photo in Dan's devices. What makes him dangerous is that he is willing to take on any collateral damage in course of taking revenge on Dan. So, anyone who is in Dan's close circle can be a target. Dan is trying his best to make use of his expertise and psychoanalyze the killer's next move.Some are saved and some are lost. To help in this battle of minds are his 2 friends, FBI Agent Gloria Reese (she is bad ass) and retired FBI profiler Lyle Barnes. They race against time and a pyscho killer to try to save the victims.
I must mention here throughout 95% of the book, the killer is always one step ahead of Daniel and his team.It's just towards the end that Dan does some reverse pyschology thing on the killer. I liked that the book was fast paced and kept me guessing what the killer might do next. The flow of the investigation was also very good. One note here, the book is loooong..like really long !! The game is played for quite some time,with the killer winning almost every round.
I've not read the previous books of the series, but this book can be read as a stand-alone and I enjoyed reading it !! It also gave me some creeps, thinking how ridiculously easy it is to be a victim in a plot totally not related to you. And the worst was, the victims were already troubled and were trying to cope with the help of Daniel. sigh.. Circumstances !!
Great work, Mr Palumbo !!
June 18, 2018
Psychologist Dr Daniel Rinaldi is a consultant with the Pittsburgh Police Force, his
specialty is treating victims of violent crimes. Miles Davis saved my life and with these
words Rinaldi becomes a participant in a domestic drama that blows up right outside his
front door. Saved from a bullet to the brain by pure chance Rinaldi learns that his bad girl
next door neighbor has told her hair trigger boyfriend that Rinaldi is her lover. As things
heat up Rinaldi becomes a murder suspect. As one savagery follows another Rinaldi is forced
to relieve a terrible night that haunts him still and he realizes that now he and those he loves
are being victimized by a brilliant killer still in the grip of delusion. Determined to destroy
Rinaldi by targeting those close to him computer genius Sebastian Maddox strives to
cause as much pain as possible before finally orchestrating a bold death for his quarry. This is
book 5 in the Dennis Rinaldi series and it's a pretty decent series. I gave it a 3.75.
specialty is treating victims of violent crimes. Miles Davis saved my life and with these
words Rinaldi becomes a participant in a domestic drama that blows up right outside his
front door. Saved from a bullet to the brain by pure chance Rinaldi learns that his bad girl
next door neighbor has told her hair trigger boyfriend that Rinaldi is her lover. As things
heat up Rinaldi becomes a murder suspect. As one savagery follows another Rinaldi is forced
to relieve a terrible night that haunts him still and he realizes that now he and those he loves
are being victimized by a brilliant killer still in the grip of delusion. Determined to destroy
Rinaldi by targeting those close to him computer genius Sebastian Maddox strives to
cause as much pain as possible before finally orchestrating a bold death for his quarry. This is
book 5 in the Dennis Rinaldi series and it's a pretty decent series. I gave it a 3.75.
March 9, 2018
My review was recently printed in Mystery Scene magazine. You can check it out here: https://www.mysteryscenemag.com/26-re...
April 4, 2018
For readers who have not followed the Daniel Rinaldi series, it is time to jump aboard this incredible train.
Being a consultant for the Pittsburgh Police Department, Psychologist Dr. Daniel Rinaldi is a specialist when it comes to treating/helping people who have been the victims of violent crimes. This, the fifth book in the series, has Rinaldi looking at becoming one of these victims, himself.
What you would definitely call a domestic dispute occurs right outside the doctor’s front door. Unbeknownst to him, his own neighbor has told her angry, over-reactive boyfriend that Rinaldi is actually her lover, which causes a gunshot to ring out and almost take out Rinaldi right then and there. Instead, Rinaldi trades playing the role of a victim for murder suspect.
A cloud of darkness descends on the doctor’s life—a familiar cloud in the form of Sebastian Maddox who is not only genius-level but also an absolute psycho. He wants Rinaldi gone in the most macabre way possible, as well as taking down everyone the doctor loves and cares for.
Rinaldi has been forewarned by Maddox that if he goes to the police or tells authorities about anything, deaths will occur all over the city. Yet, into the story comes FBI profiler Lyle Barnes, now retired who was once a patient who suffered from night terrors, along with Special Agent Gloria Reese. Reese has her own extra-special “gifts” that add to a new relationship springing up in this tale.
If you could put a picture beside the words “cat-and-mouse” in the dictionary, the cover of this book would be it. Palumbo has, as always and once again, given readers a story that they will never forget. The Daniel Rinaldi train is rolling…do not miss it!
Being a consultant for the Pittsburgh Police Department, Psychologist Dr. Daniel Rinaldi is a specialist when it comes to treating/helping people who have been the victims of violent crimes. This, the fifth book in the series, has Rinaldi looking at becoming one of these victims, himself.
What you would definitely call a domestic dispute occurs right outside the doctor’s front door. Unbeknownst to him, his own neighbor has told her angry, over-reactive boyfriend that Rinaldi is actually her lover, which causes a gunshot to ring out and almost take out Rinaldi right then and there. Instead, Rinaldi trades playing the role of a victim for murder suspect.
A cloud of darkness descends on the doctor’s life—a familiar cloud in the form of Sebastian Maddox who is not only genius-level but also an absolute psycho. He wants Rinaldi gone in the most macabre way possible, as well as taking down everyone the doctor loves and cares for.
Rinaldi has been forewarned by Maddox that if he goes to the police or tells authorities about anything, deaths will occur all over the city. Yet, into the story comes FBI profiler Lyle Barnes, now retired who was once a patient who suffered from night terrors, along with Special Agent Gloria Reese. Reese has her own extra-special “gifts” that add to a new relationship springing up in this tale.
If you could put a picture beside the words “cat-and-mouse” in the dictionary, the cover of this book would be it. Palumbo has, as always and once again, given readers a story that they will never forget. The Daniel Rinaldi train is rolling…do not miss it!
Read
October 15, 2018HEAD GAMES delivers relentless action toward a climax as vivid and harrowing as anything I've ever read. This is a book that'll make you lock your doors and check your computer's security settings.
August 25, 2018
Talk about a roller coaster ride! This is a stressful thriller full of terrible acts. If you're a fan of shows like Criminal Minds, you'll devour this 5th entry in the Dr. Daniel Rinaldi series. As a psychologist, he often consults with the Pittsburgh police working with victims of violent crimes. This time around the stakes have been ratcheted up to unbearable.
September 19, 2020
I wonder if there will be another novel in this series?
March 24, 2018
This book was my first exposure to Dennis Palumbo and his psychiatrist protagonist Dr. daniel Rinaldi. I've read Kellerman's Dr. Delaware series from it's beginning so I had a body of similar work to compare this book from a new (to me) author.
I like the character and initially emjoyed the plot and well developed characters. However...
*** Spoiler Alert!! ***
...the main villain's actions started to take on the attributes of a Clive Cussleresque super bad guy which always turns me off. My main problem with this increasingly far fetched scenario is that after multiple horrendous deaths of close personal friends, the kidnapping and near drowning of a major police official (his cousin) and some total strangers the trio of 2 FBI assistants and our intrepid protagonist repeatedly fail to bring in the police because of continuous threats from the super psycho bad guy. That just doesn't work for me. Are the Pittsburgh police that inept and clueless; especially with the good doctor's background and history with the department?
I just couldn't buy that premise so I rapidly became more and more disappointed. Sorry to all those Dr. Rinaldi fans out there. I will try another novel by Mr. Palumbo. I did enjoy the book until that point.
I like the character and initially emjoyed the plot and well developed characters. However...
*** Spoiler Alert!! ***
...the main villain's actions started to take on the attributes of a Clive Cussleresque super bad guy which always turns me off. My main problem with this increasingly far fetched scenario is that after multiple horrendous deaths of close personal friends, the kidnapping and near drowning of a major police official (his cousin) and some total strangers the trio of 2 FBI assistants and our intrepid protagonist repeatedly fail to bring in the police because of continuous threats from the super psycho bad guy. That just doesn't work for me. Are the Pittsburgh police that inept and clueless; especially with the good doctor's background and history with the department?
I just couldn't buy that premise so I rapidly became more and more disappointed. Sorry to all those Dr. Rinaldi fans out there. I will try another novel by Mr. Palumbo. I did enjoy the book until that point.
February 11, 2018
Head Wounds by Dennis Palumbo is an absorbing and heart-pounding read. Reminiscent of the great John Kellerman, Palumbo tells a fascinating story of revenge and psychological violence.
Our hero is Daniel Rinaldi, psychologist, and consultant to the Pittsburg Police Department. Years ago, he and his wife were mugged outside of a local restaurant. He survived but his wife did not. Now the perp has returned to complete the task. His mission is to take away everybody close to Daniel. To make Daniel feel the pain that the perp feels. What emerges is an exciting and involving novel that propels the reader to the finish line in a short period of time.
My prescription – Read immediately upon purchase.
January 19, 2018
Modern maniacs can and do use the internet. In this latest installment in a series about Dr Daniel Rinaldi, a psychologist who works with the Pittsburgh PD, Rinaldi finds himself and his circle under virtual and real attack. He connects with retired FBI profiler Lyle Barnes and SA Gloria Reese to locate and stop Sebastian Maddox, who is evil. Some of this goes over the top but the characters are well drawn and the tension tight. It's well plotted and a fast read. I read it as a standalone and was just fine because Palumbo gives you the critical backstory on Rinaldi early on. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This if for fans of the cat and mouse serial killer genre.
June 22, 2020
It's a sign of a great series when you can enter on any book and immediately feel engaged and invested in the characters. Dennis Palumbo's HEAD WOUNDS grabbed me from the start and drew me in deeper with every chapter. Looking forward to another Daniel Rinaldi story.
May 26, 2018
My second Dennis Palumbo novel. Just as good as the first one I read, Mirror Image. Plan to read more of Palumbo’s work.
Good Read Indeed
Good Read Indeed
February 19, 2019
Great read
Great book. Fast read because it holds your interest. I am interested in reading the next book in the series.
Great book. Fast read because it holds your interest. I am interested in reading the next book in the series.
April 19, 2022
I did not end up reading this book,
it sounded to too violent.
it sounded to too violent.
September 23, 2019
Smart writing, enjoyable thriller
Started reading this because I met the author when he had a program at a library where I worked. This is definitely not a cozy. The plot was very well thought out and outlined a truly insane but brilliant villain vs. a psychologist protagonist. I won’t tell the outcome because you’ll have to read it yourself.
Many years ago I stopped reading psychological thrillers because they got inside my gut too much but I made it through this one. One can only hope this kind of madness exists only in the creative writer’s mind and not in the real world. This was well-written enough that I’ll probably go back and read the beginning of the series.
Started reading this because I met the author when he had a program at a library where I worked. This is definitely not a cozy. The plot was very well thought out and outlined a truly insane but brilliant villain vs. a psychologist protagonist. I won’t tell the outcome because you’ll have to read it yourself.
Many years ago I stopped reading psychological thrillers because they got inside my gut too much but I made it through this one. One can only hope this kind of madness exists only in the creative writer’s mind and not in the real world. This was well-written enough that I’ll probably go back and read the beginning of the series.
January 14, 2020
I have enjoyed all of Dennis Palumbo’s books over the years although I have yet to purchase “Mirror Image”. I finished "Head Wounds" last month and it takes your proverbial cat and mouse game and bumps it up taking the reader on a physically and psychologically exhausting ride. The killing of blameless victims known only to Dr. Daniel Rinaldi, while innocent citizens and authorities alike are oblivious to the murderous battle ensuing around them. A chilling villain is using big brother technology to track Dr. Rinaldi’s every move incessantly leading to a final duel to the death. A terrific read!
May 23, 2020
I picked up a copy of "Head Wounds" at a writers' conference and could not put it down. I want to go back and read books one through four so when the next installment of the series is released, I am caught up with this exciting series.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews