Blood Wing is the second book in the Blood & Bourbon Mystery Files series by Daniel P. Douglas. Long Beach, California, in 1951: Ezekiel 'Zeke' Wilkins, a janitor at the Douglas Aircraft plant, is found dead. The authorities have declared the cause of death as an industrial accident. However, Zeke's wife, Lillian, suspects foul play. Zeke's brother, Samuel, is a World War II veteran who spent a night in a foxhole with the former LAPD-turned PI Jack Morrison. Samuel seeks Jack's help to solve the mystery behind his brother's death, and Jack obliges. All Jack has to go on in his investigation is Zeke's notebook. Meanwhile, he discovers that he can't enter the plant's premises by the usual means. Soon, an insidious conspiracy is revealed that involves espionage.

A gripping murder mystery tale, Blood Wing grabs you by the scruff of the neck and refuses to let you go until the last few pages. Author Daniel P. Douglas has spun an engrossing yarn about crime, conspiracy, and espionage. The book is concisely written and packed with suspense and intrigue. Douglas maintains a tension-filled atmosphere throughout the narrative, which makes it all the more absorbing for the reader. The plot will keep your eyes glued to the pages. It's not easy to figure out the mystery, and the author's character-driven approach ensures you're thoroughly immersed in the story. Jack Morrison is a likable protagonist who is easy to root for. For fans of crime thriller noirs, this book is an absolute must-read. I loved it, and so will you!

Blood Wing by Daniel P. Douglas is a remarkable mystery novella that blends a political spy thriller with historical fiction and social drama. It is 1951. Jack Morrison, a private investigator in San Pedro, meets Samuel Wilkins, a war veteran with whom Jack once shared a ditch in Italy under German shelling. Wilkins asks Morrison to investigate the death of his brother, Ezekiel, who died on his work shift in the restricted area of the Douglas Aircraft plant. The case of his death was closed as an industrial accident. But Samuel disagrees and gives Jack the notebook Ezekiel kept shortly before his death, recording his observations of strange events at the plant. Will Jack find out the truth about Ezekiel’s death?

Reading Blood Wing, I marveled at how Daniel P. Douglas worked into every episode of this concise story fast action, depth of characters, emotional charge, social setting, and scenic atmosphere without compromising any. Throughout the story, I found myself hoping for Jack Morrison to succeed in his quest for justice. I liked the writing style, especially how Ezekiel’s notebook delivered not only express clues but also subtle messages of deeper meaning. I appreciated how the plot portrayed racial and class prejudice and the neglectful sacrifice of ordinary people’s interests by the government machinery. I also liked how the epilogue revealed the story’s connection with historical events. And, to my surprise, it was the cat litter tray at the end that impressed me most. I highly recommend this satisfying read to spy thriller and historical fiction fans.