DK Hood is one of my favourite authors so when I heard she had a new series out, I had to read it.
Beth Katz is an FBI Agent but she’s also on the hunt for those that deserve her own justice, which at the beginning of the book is a slit throat!
She manages to hide this murder but feels justified in killing him as he was about to kill a young girl.
After a psych assessment Beth is moved to a remote place to help FBI agent Dax Styles. She’s not keen at first as she likes to work alone but with a big case to solve, Beth settles in and finds herself liking her new partner.
With a killer targeting young girls Beth and Styles are determined to stop them.
Having read the Kane and Alton series it’s great to have a few familiar characters in this book like Wolfe and his daughter, Emily.
I loved this first book and am moving straight on to book 2.
Highly recommend this series.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

I do not even read the blurb about the book if it has D.K. Hood's name on the cover. It is an automatic read for me. So, I had no idea exactly what this book would be about. Boy was I pleasantly surprised. This book is chillingly brilliant. Beth Katz is an FBI agent by day and a predator by night. Beth's father was a serial killer, and she tried to fight her urges for years until she realized she could satisfy those evil urges by distributing her own brand of vigilante justice. She is known as the Tarot Card Killer as she leaves her calling card at all of her crime scenes - the Grim Reaper card. Her peers do not know about her alternate life, but apparently her boss sees something is amiss because he decides to transfer her to a small FBI office in Rattlesnake Creek, Montana. She feels this is a punishment, but she soon realizes she can use her expertise anywhere she goes.

FBI agent Dax Styles is the agent in charge of the office. Beth sees that he is a little more observant than the average agent she is used to working with, so she will have to keep her mask on at all times. On their first case they are called to the scene of a brutal murder and assault. The manner of death and other clues left behind match a cold case that Beth is very familiar with. She realizes the Pied Piper is in town. The Pied Piper always takes two girls, then leaves one dead and the other one disappears forever. For fans of D.K. Hood's Kane and Alton series, you will be happy to see a familiar face in the character of Dr. Shane Wolfe as he is the traveling ME for the area.

This mystery will take you into dark places into the deepest, darkest side of humanity with this intricately plotted thriller that will make you want to sleep with the lights on. Time is on not on the side of the law in this case because they know this predator is just waiting to devour his next prey. You will be wrapped up in this story from the beginning chapter. I am so excited for this new series by D. K. Hood. She has developed another great cast of characters that I feel sure she will build onto. Beth Katz is fearless and is a psychopath, but she does want justice for those less fortunate. You will find yourself cheering for her. This one was right up my dark and twisty alley.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

What an interesting premise for a series - an FBI agent who is also a vigilante. Beth has a dark side, probably thanks to her serial killer father. However, she channels her wrath against the worst serial killers, especially those who go after children. I love the mix of characters and especially the inclusion of some from the Detectives Kane and Alton.

Beth's new partner, Dax Styles, has a background in the military, is very perceptive, is a bit of a maverick, and who bends the law a bit. And Beth knows she will need to watch herself around him so he doesn't see her dark side. However, the bigger challenge will be hiding from Dr Shane Wolfe.

This thriller pulls you in from the start and keeps you turning the pages to see what will happen next. It follows Katz and Styles as they work the clues with each of them bringing their perspectives to the case. There's plenty of suspense and you feel as if you are right there with the characters working on solving who the serial killer is. What a great start to the series.

Dark Angel by D.K. Hood is the 1st in the FBI Special Agent Beth Katz series.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


Series Information:
It was Beth Katz’s serial killer father who made her who she is: a successful FBI agent and an unstoppable vigilante dedicated to hunting down murderers who have evaded capture. Beth will push herself to the limits to deliver justice. Even if it means killing those who deserve to die.  Her "Tarot Killer" persona has served her well.


My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Beth has been assigned to the small town of Rattlesnake Creek to work with fellow FBI Agent Dax Styles.  Unfortunately for Beth, she prefers to work on her own, bringing her own kind of justice to each case.

Two young girls are missing, and one is discovered in the woods outside of town, her clothing neatly piled beside her.  There is no sign of her friend.  Beth quickly realizes that this is the work of a predator they call the Pied Piper.  He takes two little girls, killing the blond one, and the other disappears.  Beth fears that the other one may have been sold to a pedophile ring.


My Opinions:
I was really excited to find a new series by this author, as I was getting tired of the characters in the Alton & Kane series.  Much to my dismay...the same characters show up in this one.  I thought a fresh series might mean fresh characters?  I worried that the Black Rock and Jo's crew would take over, but that was not the case.  They played more minor roles, and I really like both Beth and Dax, who are both strong and independent characters.  I hope this trend continues.

Even when I grew to dislike her characters in the other series, I've always admired Danica Hood's  writing skills and amazing plots.  This continues to be the case in this new series.  The plot was really good, and although there were no major twists, the whole story kept me turning the pages.

I really think Hood has another successful series on her hands!  This was a fast and entertaining read!

Character List

*Special Agent Beth Kaz - She's 5 ft 6in, emerald green eyes, Dad was a psychopath

*Special Agent Dax Styles - loner, maverick, 32-year-old light brown buzz cut hair, chiselled and interesting face with intense cornflower blue eyes and a scar on his chin, Family history to come to the forefront. 6ft 2in ex -Military cop, married for 6 months.

*Bear – Styles’ dog

*Sheriff Cash Ryder, local Sheriff

*Shane Wolfe, ME from Black Rock Falls, tall broad, white-blond hair, piercing grey eyes (Yes the one who works with Kane and Alton ;))

*Dr Nate Mace, local doctor, tall, muscular, clean-shaven, Beth likes!

So you have seen the list of main players, this is my spoiler-free list! And a very abbreviated version! I have started to do character lists, mainly because I was/am reading two books with very similar storylines and I got confused!

This is a bang of a start to a new series! Fantastic narrator to get me through too! Katz is such an interesting and complex character, so much to unpack with her in one book! Beth reminds me of another fictional character...buuuuuuuuuuutttttttttttt I can't say who. I can't wait to see how she will adapt and grow in the next book!
Dax is also another interesting character but for different reasons, he has a lot of baggage and what I perceive is a lot of guilt for many reasons. there is something in his past he needs Beth's future help on and then there is another big elephant in the room too.

I really enjoyed this first new book in a new series! I am excited about this, I really am! It's going to be a belter! Two characters who are both spitfires, who both view the law slightly differently with their own guidelines on how to act. And you know each case is going to be explosive, and it will be interesting to see how they behave!

It was great that this book is entwined with Blackrock Falls and that we saw the Viking King Shane, plus a mention of a killer that has popped up in that series, popped up here and not how I expected! Just epic!

I was obsessed with this book, and the writing feels so different to the Kane and Alton series, despite having Hoodisms and knowing it was the same universe, it felt like a different writer. A darker one! I can't wait what is in store for us next!

BRAND NEW SERIES BY THE AMAZING D.K HOOD!!!. PUBLICATION DATE 12TH SEPTEMBER plus on kindle unlimited

If you've read the Kane and Alton series, then you are ready for Beth Kats and her partner Dax Styles. If especially like me, you've been waiting for the taro killer

"When the body of missing schoolgirl Brooklyn Daniels is discovered in a secluded patch of woodland on the outskirts of town, Beth and her partner Dax Styles race to the scene. Brooklyn and her best friend left home to pick wildflowers a week ago and vanished without trace."

What an interesting crime series. Honestly, as a dedicated fan to kane and Jenna, I was worried I wouldn't like this series, but I must admit I am a hugeeeeee fan of this new series. Think I love it just as much. Beth is such an amazing lead, a psychopath herself, after witnessing her dad kill her mother as well as him being a notorious serial killer! 🙄 I know, right? And that's just the half of it!

Beth has vowed to rid the streets of serial killers in one of the most ironic ways possible, I must say! This case is an interesting one. Two girls kidnapped one returns dead clothes folded next to them. It's very similar to a cold case. the problem is that someone is already in prison for that crime. So, poses a few questions; is the wrong person in prison, did they have a partner, or is it a copycat. Questions that they have to answer to get to the truth!

Beth and Dax are great partners, they both live on the edge of the rules, differently but they ate just perfect together Beth is a bit of a badass and Dax is a lone wolf and yet it works. Of course, there's a dog because every crime fighting duo needs a great ex army dog 🐕. They are also in touching distances of Blackrock Falls, which means Wolf and his team are available as the local ME's.

This case was so up and down that I honestly found myself baffled at who the killer was, especially after an undercover sting that takes a turn. It was absolutely fascinating. How best to find a psychopathic serial killer? Get a psychopath to search for them!This case was so up and down that I honestly found myself baffled at who the killer was, especially after an undercover sting that takes a turn. It was absolutely fascinating. How best to find a psychopathic serial killer? Get a psychopath to search for them!
If I say more, I will spoil it, but I will say this, I've yet to read any other crime thriller with this type of storyline or characters. I didn't even realise I wanted to until now.

If you've not got your copy, then go and grab one!

All in all, I highly recommend Dark Angel. It is by far one of the best books I've read all year! It is drama filled, full of suspense, and has everything you need from a crime thriller series! 5+🌟

Thanks to D.K HOOD, Bookouture and Netgalley for the digital ARC of Dark Angel in exchange for my fair and honest opinions

I thought this was a good FBI drama with a twist. It’s full of action and suspense. I liked Beth, she’s strong and resourceful. It’s a pager turner. Looking forward to the next one. Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the early copy

I’d like to thank Bookouture and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read ‘Dark Angel’, the first in the Detective Beth Katz series written by D K Hood, in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

Detective Beth Katz is a successful FBI Special Agent who makes it her duty to seek vengeance for others by taking out psychopaths and leaving her calling sign, a tarot card. When Beth’s boss worries about her stress levels she’s sent to Rattlesnake Creek field office to assist Senior Special Agent Dax Styles. As they form an uneasy alliance they work on the crimes the local sheriff can’t solve, the first one being to investigate the abduction of children where one is found dead and the other is missing.

As a huge fan of D K Hood’s Detectives Kane and Alton series I’ve been excited to read ‘Dark Angel’ with its new characters at a different region in Montana, and straightaway I feel at home as there’s an immediate connection with the characters from Black Rock Falls and the FBI Field Office at Snakeskin Gully. It’s taken me a while to get to like Beth Katz who comes over as reckless, fearless, and doesn’t follow rules, but the further I’ve got into the storyline the more I realise that although she has psychopathic tendences she has them for all the right reasons. This thriller has all the excitement, drama and action I’ve come to expect from this author and the scary and shocking conclusion confirms that this is a compelling and unputdownable novel that’s going to be every bit as gripping as I’d hoped and I’m looking forward to reading book number two.

Detective Beth Katz #1

It was Beth Katz serial killer father who made her like she is: a successful FBI agent and an unstoppable vigilante dedicated to hunting down murderers who have evaded capture. Beth will push herself to the limits to deliver justice. Even if it means killing those who expect to die. When the body of missing schoolgirl Brooklyn Daniels is discovered in a secluded patch of woodland on the outskirts of town, Beth and her partner Dax Styles race to the scene. Brooklyn and her best friend left home to pick wildflowers a week ago and vanished without trace.

FBI Special Agent Beth Katz and her newly assigned partner Dax Styles are trying to hunt down a serial killer who is abducting and murdering young girls. Beth has been sent to Rattlesnake Creek to work. The serial killer seeks pairs of young girls into the woods, murders one and abducts the other. None of the abducted girls has ever been found. The characters are complex. I've been looking forward to reading this new series and it looks like it's going to be a winner. Now, I'm going to dive straight into the second book - Shadow Angel.

I would like to thank #NetGalley #Bookouture and the author #DKHood for my ARC of #DarkAngel in exchange for an honest review

Wow! What a book! DK Hood is starting off his newest series, Det. Beth Katz, with a bang. What an original perspective of having the FBI agent struggle with her own demons of being also a psychopath serial killer herself.

Being thrust into a new setting after failing a psych eval, Det. Beth Katz is having to find her bearings in a new town with a Maverick like partner. Beth struggles to keep her desire for serial killing vengence under wraps as working with a new partner is complicating things.

Beth and her new partner work together to put a stop to the Pied piper serial killer.

This book has different aspects that are unique and keep the read very captivating right from the start. I am looking forward to seeing where this series and characters will go.

Thank you to D.K Hood, Bookoutre and NetGalley for this ARC in return for my honest feedback.

🏞👭Good suspenseful plot😯

4-4.5🌟 stars
D.K. Hood's new thriller series starts with Dark Angel and it's an excellent start, filled with action, suspense and FBI agents taking on a wily serial killer from a base in rural Montana.

It's a bit like the author's Kane and Alton series, but with a major difference. Central figure FBI agent Beth Katz is looking for vigilante justice (i.e. death) for the criminals she pursues. Dark Angel focuses on a tragic subject: child predation, in this case to the death of some and enslavement of others. Pairs of girls are being lured to the woods by a killer who's been operating around the country for years and they've named The Pied Piper.

Beth Katz is not about to let the justice system fail their suspect's young victims. She's an unapologetic psychopathic killer herself, though she focuses her violence against the criminals who she believes cannot be reformed. And this is the aspect of the story that I found most original but least appealing. She uses her personal knowledge of the psychopathic killer mentality to great effect when zeroing in on the killer. However, the way she dupes her colleagues, molds her expressions and alters her manner so they won't discover her true agenda made her a less likable lead in my eyes. Katz is assigned to work with a hardened military vet named Styles and I liked him though knew less about him since most of the story is experienced through Beth's point of view.

Those familiar with the characters in the Kane and Alton series will find a bit of overlap here.

I will definitely continue following this series because Hood's plots are great and I want to see whether Styles or others uncover what Beth Katz is doing!

Recommended.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

really good story, easy to get into, and I love the fact that the author has kept the characters from the Kane and Alton books, and woven them into this new series. I look forward to reading the next instalment of Beth Katz, I am loving her character, with all its darkness and flaws!

Beth Katz is a hunter. Not the typical FBI Detective, she enjoys bringing the most heinous killers to her brand of vigilante justice.
This time she is hunting a serial killer. An excellent on edge of seat thriller. My kind of book. First in series and I will definitely look to read more from DK Hood. Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for an early copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

FBI Agent Beth Katz is the dark angel. A vigilante who hunts down killers and metes out justice. She’s used to working alone, often undercover but when she is sent to the small Montana town of Rattlesnake Creek in the Rocky Mountains, she has to get used to having a partner, Dax Styles. Dax is ex army and also has his own style of dealing with trouble in town, mostly from drunken miners. They make a good team but Beth has to be careful to never let Dax see her dark side.

Their first case together involves a serial killer of young girls. Beth is convinced he has killed in other areas under the nickname the Pied Piper. He somehow lures pairs of young girls into the woods, rapes and murders one of them and abducts the other. None of the abducted girls have ever been found. Beth is determined to find out how he lures the girls and stop him killing again.

Beth and Daz are both fascinating, complex characters and the mountain setting is very atmospheric making this and engrossing and suspenseful read. Daz isn’t always pleased with the way Beth charges in and makes decisions without consulting him but he is amazed at how resourceful and effective she is. I can see this becoming an exciting series of crime mysteries.

Wow! This book hooked me from the first sentence “My father was a serial killer, and by the time they placed me in foster care so was I.”

FBI Special Agent Beth Katz and her newly assigned partner Special Agent Dax Styles are on the hunt for a serial killer who is abducting and murdering young girls. Beth not only hunts serial killers, but she is one serving up vigilante justice to the worst of society.

FBI/Serial Killer thrillers are my favorite but this one checked all my boxes and more. Reading this was like watching a mash-up episode of Criminal Minds and Dexter in my head. It has serial killers, child predators, human trafficking, criminal psychology, cybercrimes, and vigilante justice. I couldn’t put this down and abandoned all adult responsibilities until I finished. This was a true edge-of-your-seat thriller. My heart was racing, my palms were sweaty and I was gasping out loud throughout the book.

This exceeded all expectations and just became my favorite read of the year!

Excuse me, I as run to read every other book I can get my hands on by this author D.K. Hood.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC in return for my voluntary and honest review.

Definitely excited for this new series!

Thank you to the publisher people for reaching out to me!

I'm definitely curious where this series will go!

I have mixed feelings about this book which is the reason for my rating. On the one hand, I wanted to love the story. I think the dynamic could be good between Beth & Dax. On the other hand, the vigilante aspect of the story was a little over the top for me. I’m left unsure but would probably read book #2 and see how it goes😉

Beth Katz is an FBI agent who knows exactly how serial killers operate. After all, her father was a serial killer and he passed along his skillset to her. Now, she is determined to stop killers and deliver the justice they deserve. Unfortunately, her vigilante ways are anything but orthodox – or legal.

When Beth is reassigned to the small town of Rattlesnake Creek, she expects the area to be low on crime. The cases of a missing child and a murder are eye-opening. Beth soon realized that this case matched that of another she’s seen.

Along with her new partner, Dax Styles, Beth will try to catch this killer before anyone else is targeted. Can she catch the killer and deliver justice once and for all?

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

It took me a while too get into it but once i did i enjoyed it its hard too warm up to beth at first but it foesnt take long too understand how she workd and ticks and its really interesting too see her behaviour and how she hides things i like styles and he obviously is a calming influence on her it will be interesting too see how the story progresses in the nect one which i've requested..

I adore the Kane and Alton series and wasn't sure D.K.Hood could create another series to rival my favourite crime busting duo but boy was I wrong ! If this first outing for Special Agent Beth Catz and Dax Styles is anything to go by, we are in for one glorious,heart stopping ride! Beth is an avenging Angel with a burning hatred for serial killers and determined at all costs to bring their murdering sprees to an end - even if doing so makes her a serial killer too! Her own father was a psychopathic murderer but Beth's sympathies lie solely with the victims . Fresh from ending the life of a child rapist and killer, her bosses decide she needs a spell away so they can evaluate her state of mind. Teamed up with another maverick loner , Dax Styles, they circle warily round each other while having to work together to end the killing spree of an evil psychopath who is abducting pairs of children, immediately killing one for his own twisted pleasure and selling the others to evil paedophile rings. They need to find a way to work together to bring him to justice. Will it be at the hands of the justice system or will Beth administer her own form of instant justice? An absolutely addictive, absorbing, thrills read. Genius characters with the delightful cameo appearances of already much loved characters from Black Rock Falls ..Aunt Betty's even gets a look in ! I rushed to my kindle store to buy part two Shadow Angel and howled with anquish to be told I have to pre-order. I can't wait til Sept 12th and may be forced to go to book shop this morning to find my next fix in hard copy form ! Sheer genius D.K !

Now that's more like it!
A cracking start to a series which manages to build up a back story just enough to introduce the characters but not too much to deflect from a stand alone, fascinating plot.
A difficult and uncomfortable story about child abduction and killing but sensitively played out
Loved the chemistry between the two main detectives (and the dog!) and am excited for the next one already.