Join host Terry Shepherd for a thrilling conversation with author R. John Dingle as they delve into the dark, isolated world of his newest mystery, Before the Devil Knows. This third installment in the critically acclaimed Gus Wheeler FBI thriller series takes readers deep into the off-the-grid communities of northern Maine, where dark secrets and archaic religious practices collide.

When the disfigured bodies of missing teenagers begin appearing in unmarked graves—each bearing the disturbing signature of a lead cross laid across the chest—FBI agent Gus Wheeler must connect the ancient scriptural breadcrumbs to catch a killer.

Episode Highlights

The Unlikely Protagonist: Discover how Dingle modeled his protagonist, Gus Wheeler, after his own son, Sam. Wheeler is a severely dyslexic, professional jazz musician whose unique way of connecting disparate dots makes him a naturally brilliant FBI profiler.
Setting the Scene: Learn why the isolated, foggy, and rugged landscape of Aroostook County, Maine, serves as the perfect, eerie backdrop for a secretive church governed by rigid Old Testament views.
The Writing Process: Dingle reveals his intensive outlining strategy and explains why he almost always knows the ending of his books before he starts writing. He also shares why he actually changed the ending of Before the Devil Knows at the eleventh hour based on a suggestion from his son.
The Publishing Slog: Aspiring authors will find inspiration in Dingle’s grueling path to publication, which included sending out 283 queries over a year and a half to land his agent, Kathy Greene. After another year and a half of searching, he finally secured a three-book deal that has since expanded to a six-book series.
Advice for Writers: Dingle shares his ultimate, hard-earned advice for aspiring authors: "Sit your butt in the chair and write."

Discover more about R. John Dingle and his work: To learn more about the Gus Wheeler series and pick up your copy of Before the Devil Knows, visit the author's official website at rjohndingle.com.

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