At the start I wasn't sure of this book but it then started to get really good, so good in fact straight onto book 2. This goes to the same universe as the other books but on a completely different tangent and it feels so interesting all ready - really looking forward to seeing how it develops going forward. For me this was an afternoon read as I needed to know how, how etc .

I was given an advance copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is entirely my own.

Book 1 in a brand new series from the author of the brilliant Kane and Alton series.

In the dark pine forest surrounding the quiet town of Rattlesnake Creek, the body of a young girl lies on the ground. Her angelic blonde hair spills over her shoulders and her unblinking eyes stare up toward the sky…

It was Beth Katz’s 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 deserve to die.

Well this is certainly a different book. It started with a great opening chapter and didn't let up on the drama. I was totally hooked and I'm looking forward to book 2.

Many thanks to both Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Dark Angel, by D.K. Hood. Expected publication September 12, 2023.

3.5 Stars, rounded up.

FBI agent, Beth Katz is a maverick who is prepared to do anything to rid the world of evil. Some would call her a hero, but others would call her a killer. It takes a psychopath to recognize one.

When I first started reading Dark Angel, with all of the descriptions of Beth Katz's dark side, and the repeated mentions of her psychopathy, I was afraid it wasn't going to be a book I would enjoy. However, as I continued reading, I found myself becoming more and more interested.

When Beth gets sent to Montana to work with Dax Styles on a case where a perpetrator takes two girls—one vanishes, the other is killed and left with her clothes neatly folded beside her. The more I read, the less crazed Beth seemed and the more she seemed quirky. Beth and Dax make a good team and it will be interesting to read the next book: Shadow Angel.

(4.5)You say whats new? FBI agent and psychopath? How about they are one and the same. You know how there are function alcoholics, well Special Agent Beth Katz is a function psychopath. She uses her tendieces for the truly depraved who seem to get away with it time and time again. I am not a fan on spoilers and some reviews provide info I feel you as the reader should learn while reading the book. Beth ends up being transferred to Rattlesnake Creek Montana to partner with Dax Styles, or just Styles, Styles does a little smudging the line hisself, but nothing like Beth. He has a k9 Bear. who also has his own issue. I am not a fan of vigilante and honestly was not sure I would finish the book. That being said I am addicted to the Kane and Alton series so I knew it wasn't the author, it was my own prejudices so I read on.. As this is book 1 in a continuing series I am sure things will become more cohesive but man, where do you go? Loved some of the characters being mentioned and seen (Dr Wolfe) from the Kane and Alton. That being said what a tight rope to walk, How can Beth keep someone as intelligent and learned as Dr Wolfe from questioning what he sees and hears? By the end of the book I was hooked and ready for book 2, I still have concerns, as this scenario does not seem realistic for a long series, not when you have Dr Wolfe, Emily, Jo, Carter etc. My unsolicited two cents. Great news that 2 releases the same day, Thank you for the arc, I freely volunteer my thoughts and opinions. #DarkAngel #DetectiveBethKatz #D.K.Hood, Bookoutre #NetGalley

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of Dark Angel, the first novel to feature Special Agent Beth Katz, based in the Rattlesnake Creek, Montana FBI Office.

After a hectic few months Beth is transferred to Rattlesnake Creek to work with Special Agent Dax Styles, but there is no rest as the body of a young girl is found murdered and no trace of her friend. It reminds Katz of a cold case and she suspects that they are hunting a serial killer.

I took a while to warm to Dark Angel as vigilantism doesn’t appeal to me and the first half of the novel is all about Beth Katz, her psychopathy and need to punish to murderers. It is a bit wearing when her thoughts are occupied with her dark impulses. The second half is more interesting, if glib, with the hunt for the killer heating up and Katz appearing more human under the influence of Styles.

I have read all the Kane and Alton novels, so it was interesting to see forensic specialist and pathologist, Dr Shane Wolfe, from that series make an appearance, even if he’s sterner and more distant. This novel has a similar setup with a crime fighting duo facing off against a twisted serial killer, with the twist that one of the crime fighting duo is as dangerous, if not more so, than her quarry.

The novel moves along at a fast pace with all sorts of mayhem involved. It is violent and involves crimes against children, so it may not suit all readers, but I found it has a way of drawing the reader in and not letting go. The final showdown, always spectacular with Ms Hood, is an amazing feat of imagination and the author has outdone herself in thrills and spills, despite there being several action set pieces before that. It is an entertaining read.

I’m unsure about Beth Katz. I heartily disliked her and all the mentions of her psychopathy at the start of the novel, but she seems to mellow slightly over the course of the novel, so I’ll see where the second novel takes her before firming up my judgement. I think that she has a good working relationship with Dax Styles and I’d like to see how that develops.

Dark Angel is an entertaining read that I can recommend.

Location: Small mining town in Montana
D.K. Hood gives us a new detective series that will keep you reading late into the night until you finish the book.
Detective Beth Katz is one tough cookie! What fun it is to delve into her character/personality.
Dark Angel has interesting characters and a very intriguing, fast paced storyline.
Main character, Beth Katz, is a FBI Agent with a very unusual background. Her partner, Dex Styles, seems like a good match to her.
I am excited to read the next books in the series.
Highly recommended for any lovers of intense suspense thrillers.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book is the first in a to-be series and it does get off to a decent start. I do hope it gets better than this in the next book(s) though.

Beth Katz’s father murdered her mother and was a serial killer responsible for many deaths. This fuels her determination to get the bad guys, and she joins the FBI. The blurb is a little too revealing about her character though – she does not care if she is unconventional and seen to be stretching the rules. After the death of a man she was chasing, Beth is asked to move to the small town of Rattlesnake creek in Central Montana. There she teams up with Dax Styles. They come upon a difficult case where a guy who calls himself ‘Warlock’ kidnaps two girls and one of them is found dead. It is unclear what happened to the second girl. As they investigate, they find a murky criminal underworld exploiting children, and other similar cases.

The last sections of this book are a little stretched. While Beth Katz’s personality is a little different and interesting, it is still a little underdeveloped. Other than that, the rest of the story is pretty straightforward despite the attempt to give it a different touch with two missing girls. This book has violence against children & exploitation as the central them, though the descriptions are not too graphic. Overall, a series with potential which gets off to a promising start but could have been much better.

My rating: 3.5 / 5.

A big thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the eARC. I am voluntarily reviewing this book. This is the first in a new series. This is an interesting read=unusual as the main character is a female serial killer. Special Agent Beth Katz is a vigilante. She is transferred and has to learn to cope with a new partner. Dax Styles is unpredictable and has a lovable dog Bear. All the characters are likeable. Many questions...can she stop? Will she be caught? How far emotionally can she grow? Well worth a read. 4 stars

I've been meaning to try D.K. Hood's work for quite some time now, and this is probably one of the reasons why I couldn't resist this new series with a female FBI agent main character. I have a weak spot for serial killer thrillers, and FBI thrillers tend to take things just one step further than your regular detective thrillers... Something I can always appreciate, as I like these kind of stories on the dark, action-packed and twisted side. And boy, did Dark Angel fit this description perfectly!

I always love it when crime thrillers offer a fresh angle, and Dark Angel definitely seems to be presenting us with one. Instead of your typical FBI thriller where a FBI agent tries to catch serial killers, this time around our main character seems to be playing both sides. Oh yes, you read that right: Special Agent Beth Katz has a little job on the side playing vigilante and killing off the worst murderers that have been escaping justice... Like she says: it takes one to know one, and she sure seems to be having a perfect radar to help point out the true psychopaths. I can never resist a serial killer POV, but to have a FBI agent AND serial killer POV in one? It just can't get much better than that.

While I've read thrillers with a similar angle before, I loved how this contradiction was incorporated into the plot. Beth Katz makes for such a fascinating main character, and it's intriguing just how easy it is to like her considering the fact that she is basically a serial killer with a badge. She is definitely one of the reasons Dark Angel works so well, although it also has to do with her pairing up with Dax Styles and his dog Bear. Both have their own vision of what is right and wrong and definitely aren't afraid to think outside the box... Vigilante justice or not, you can't seem to deny that their 'victims' had it coming.

Dark Angel is without doubt on the dark and twisted side, and includes references to child abuse, grooming, rape, pedophilia and trafficking among others. Some of the scenes are quite graphic and this story is heavy on the violence and action, so make sure to brace yourself before you start reading this story... But if you like your thrillers this way, you will be in for a treat. I couldn't stop reading, and this is definitely one of those books that it's best to clear your schedule for. I already can't wait to read the sequel!

D.K. Hood is a new author to me will need to check out the other books. I found dark angel interesting in the fact that you have a FBI agent who is there to protect and uphold the law and at the same time is a psychopath. Who's father happened to be a serial killer kinda see how that would mess a person up!
I strangely got into this book towards the end of it and for this reason will read book 2. Thankyou for advanced copy.

Beth and Styles let's just say WOW! Two great lead characters in this book. I started reading this book and it got in my head! I couldn't stop thinking about it! A huge compliment to the author because I have been reading thrillers/mysteries for over 30 years and this book captivated me! Beth and Styles are on the hunt for a serial killer and Beth has a very dark side that pops up throughout the book and makes the book much more exciting and different from other mysteries. I have never read any books by this author but I plan to read her back copies. I was so excited to see another book already in this series. Hope there is many more. All I can say is excellent book!

The synopsis of this book is just screaming, "Read Me!" We have Beth who not only is a FBI agent but a serial killer. But she only kills those who deserve it. A female Dexter but much more badass.

In the beginning we see Beth in the middle of one of her kills and learn she is the "Tarot Killer" since she always leaves Tarot Card next to her bodies so we know early she is legit. She already has a name and is being hunted by the FBI. Plot Twist! Like mentioned above Beth is also a FBI agent and this kill gets her into a little bit of a tussle with the uppers. They think she didn't show much empathy in her last case so they send her to a small mountain town for a few years to cool off and solve crimes with mountain resident agent Dax Styles. He gets major kudos for having a badass name AND being a mountain man.

So of course Beth gets involved in a hunt of her own up there.

On the whole this was a good book. It was paced well and the only negative was the lack of any kind of personality with Beth. Yes, she's awesome but it was be nice if she just showed a little snark here and there. What really does save this book is the ending. Like, WTF, how off the wall was that? Lol. I can't even explain it in any kind of serious manner it was so over thew top. It works for me!

So I will definitely read book two in this series, which releases on the same day as this one. I just hope Beth has a tad more personality in that one.

I really appreciate Bookouture for once again letting me review one of their books for free for a honest review and this one has a publication date of September 12, 2023.

Dark Angel (Detective Beth Katz) is the first book in this new series. I haven't read any other books by this author but apparently Beth has been introduced before. Beth is an FBI agent who is also a psychopath. Her father was a serial killer. Her goal is justice for the victims by taking out the serial killers who murdered them.

She is sent to Rattlesnake Creek middle of nowhere after failing a psychological test after a killing. She is used to working on her own and now has a partner. Being a psychopath, she needs to hide her dark side carefully. When she gets to Rattlesnake Creek, there is a serial killer running amuck and this is right up her alley. The research and detail on both psychopaths and serial killers in this book is astounding.

This is a fast paced, intriguing, interesting read and I can't wait to read the second book. I'd love to know more about her partner, because his past is murky also. I'll also definitely look at other series from this author. Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC. I greatly appreciate it and highly recommend this book.

WOOHOO! Book #1 in a new series. An FBI agent who is a psychopathic serial killer. Only this Author could pull this off and she does it brilliantly. Beth is the daughter of a serial killer. The difference is she rids the world of the worst of the worst. We are joined by old friends from the Kane and Alton series. Can’t wait to read the next book in this fabulous series. Thanks to NetGalley, Bookoutre and the Author for allowing me to read and review this book.

A new series from one of my favourite author's. Still based in the Black Rock Falls area but with a new leading lady. Beth Katz an agent of the FBI has been sent to Rattlesnake Creek to work with Dan Styles. They are each loners and prefer to work on their own.Especially Beth as she has a dark secret, her father is a notorious serial killer and let's just say that this Apple didn't fall far away fromthe tree. Beth has been dispensing her ownmethod of justice, especially paedophiles. As she says she is oly taking out the trash.. Iloved this bookand i love Beth,shetakes risks never backs down. There is a paedophile ring where twogirls are abducted and one turns up dead. But where is the other girl?. This book is full on action, packed to the rafters with tension and suspense. Another book I devoured in one sitting only putting it down when needs must. I think that this author has another winner on her hands. Loved it and can't wait to read more.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the Arc in return for an honest review.

🖤 ARC Review 🖤

Dark Angel by D.K. Hood

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was solid and unique (for me). Beth is a psychopath and a FBI agent! A psychopath agent!!!! Sooo good! So good that I started book 2, Shadow Angel, immediately.

Beth is repositioned in the middle of no where with another usually solo agent, Styles. She was moved to work with Styles because she failed her psych test after being witness to a horrific crime (huh? Psychopath struggles after a horrific crime..? A need to read to understand).

At her new base and in surrounding towns, two girls go missing and each time one turns up murdered and the other is abducted or not found. The FBI is trying to track down the killer and find out what's happened to the girls who were taken.

In the meantime, the FBI are also trying to track down the Tarot Card Killer. A serial killer taking out the scum of the Earth killers and child abusers etc. and that is (not a spoiler) Beth. She is a psychopath with control over her desires and who only kills the worst of the worst. 

The research that's gone into psychopaths and serial killers for this book is next to none. It's fascinating and confronting/scary. With lots of moving parts to this, I also really enjoyed the banter between Beth and Styles and wondering if he's cottoning on at all to Beth's psychopath traits. I also found myself asking what he would do/think if he did found out. I thought the character development in this police procedural was pretty great, but would've preferred to understand a bit more about Beth (note that there is some history and background though). 

Of course, I have to also mention the cybercrime aspect in this which was fantastic, and also Bear, a quasi K9 unit doggo. You probably already know from my past reviews but if you don't - dogs being well written, adored, loyal, smart and included in books as such is a bonus for me every time.

This wasn't a hugely fast paced, page turning thriller, but it was outstanding nonetheless.

Anticipated publication date: 12 September 2023.

⚠️ Please check TWs online ⚠️

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and Bookouture for my eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Well where to even start!? I loved the premise, the idea that you've got the serial killers daughter who's a force for good and yet the offspring of such evil. The characters are well written and explored. There's a good dynamic between the characters aswell and the serial killer character is also original and unique. It has a good pace with some really good twists and turns. I can twait to read more of this series

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.

I was excited to read this book as I am a huge fan of D.K Hood’s Kane and Alton series. I was not let down to his was a fast paced and gripping thriller. Exactly the kind of book I love and can’t get enough of.

Beth Katz is an FBI agent. She is also the daughter of a serial killer. Beth hands out her own form of justice showing her dark side. When she is transferred to a small town, and given a partner to work with, she has to find a way to wind it in. They are investigating the pied piper. A suspect who is killing blonde girls and kidnapping their friend.

I absolutely loved this. The characters were believable and having Wolfe from the previous series the medical
Examiner in this one was a great touch. This kept me gripped right up until the end and I’m looking forward to meeting Beth again in book 2. 5 stars!

The first in a new series to feature FBI agent Beth Katz, it starts at a fast pace and never lets up. I love the characterisation, the plotting and the Montana setting is beautifully described. This is an amazing, well written read from an author at the top of her game and one I highly recommend to lovers of thrillers. Another 5* read. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the copy of Dark Angel by D.K. Hood. I’m conflicted about this book. I loved the premise, but wished it had gone more in depth about the science of inherited psychopathy to give us some context instead of just always referencing Beths’”dark side”. I didn’t like how many times Beth went vigilante, or thought about it, but if the disorder had been explained more it might have made more sense instead of just sounding thrown in to match the premise.
I loved the main story though, especially how the killer found his victims. I will read the second book in the series because the partnership between Dax and Beth has promise, I just hope there is no romance coming!