I enjoyed this audiobook immensely.

Beth is an FBI agent tracking serial killers. She is also a serial killer herself, using her psychopathic tendencies to deliver justice to other psychopaths who cause harm for sport or pleasure. When a killer begins hunting children in rural Montana, Beth is assigned to the case and not only has to find the killer but must rein in her need for her own brand of justice in order to solve the case.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was great! It is an intriguing book and both the writing and narration of the audiobook zapped me right into the story from the beginning. The characters are well developed. I would recommend this to those what enjoy mysteries. Special Thank You D.K. Hood, Bookouture audio, and NetGalley for allowing me to listen to a complimentary copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

4.5-4.75 Stars
If you're a fan of Dexter, this is for you!

FBI agent Beth Katz has a dark secret. Like her serial killer father, she has an itch to kill. Fortunately, she has made it her mission to track down only those murderers who have managed to slip through the cracks of the legal system. Thanks to her job, identifying these criminals was simple. The question now is how long can she keep this up?

This was a captivating and action-packed novel! Highly recommend.

*** Thank you to NetGalley, D.K. Hood, and Bookouture Audio for graciously sending me the audiobook to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.***

the setup…
Beth Katz is an FBI special agent who has a unique skill in tracking serial killers. That’s because her father was one…and so is she! But, the men she kills are predators who prey on young girls, serial killers. In the opening scene, we get a front seat view of how she operates. But when she rescues a child and professes to have already found the predator dead, she gets transferred to Rattlesnake Creek, Montana to work with FBI Senior Special Agent Dax Styles. They are soon faced with tracking down and capturing the Pied Piper serial killer who is currently terrorizing cities in their state.

the heart of the story…
I decided to read this story because of its unique premise and it surpassed my expectations. Beth is committed to saving the young girls being abducted and murdered by the Pied Piper. She’s equally committed to surreptitiously killing the man in the process while protecting her true nature. Styles is a maverick who’s not averse to crossing lines but she unnerves even him! It was fascinating to follow the clues and procedurals while also seeing how Beth executes her secret planning to avoid discovery. It was a precarious balancing act and I was surprised to find myself privately hoping for her success. There’s a particular takedown during their pursuit of a Pied Piper lead in another city that perfectly illustrated her skills and the depravity of those she targets. It was impossible not to get on board.

the narration…
The voice for Beth adeptly captured her coolness and dispassion as the public agent and the transition to the cold blooded killer. It was chilling! I also liked her voice for Dax.

the bottom line…
I’m not normally of fan of vigilante killers no matter how noble their cause but this character had me rooting for her throughout. Her relationship with Styles was equally compelling as he’s both trusting and wary of this enigmatic woman. This kept me on the edge of my seat as nothing about this woman is predictable except her mission to permanently end these men. I’m all in because there’s still lots to learn about her background and how she came to be an agent and a vigilante killer.

*4.5 Stars On My Instagram Account*

"My father was a serial killer...and he triggered my dark side "

What a start to the Special Agent Beth Katz psychological serial killer thriller series, book one, Dark Angel, by bestselling thriller author D K Hood.

FBI Agent Beth Katz tracks pedophiles, murderers, & human traffickers. Strangely, they often suffer creative deaths with a tarot card left on their dead body.

So as the FBI hunts the serial killer of serial killers, The Tarot Killer, Beth hunts the dregs avoiding her peers from seeing her darker side.

In Dark Angel she fails a psych test after a brutal case and is sent to Montana in the middle of nowhere to be observed by Special Agent Styles.

Props to narrator Lauryn Allman for giving Beth her wicked snarkiness. My favorite is her response to a pedophile saying she's too old and he, "prefers my girls 12 years old." Beth calmly states, "Well I prefer my pedophiles dead."

Is Beth a serial killer or just the killer of serial

I received a free copy of this book/audiobook from Bookouture via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

This is such a good storyline, it had me hooked almost straight away.

I loved the premise, it was exactly the genre I love getting my teeth into and this book did not disappoint.

I felt drawn to the protagonist and was fascinated by her story.

I would definitely recommend this book.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for gifting me this arc in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

“My father was a serial killer, and by the time they placed me into foster care—so was I. I watched my father murder my mom …. No one will ever know that during those terrifying few seconds, he triggered my dark side and gave me a reason to kill monsters like him.”

My thanks to Bookouture Audio for a review copy via NetGalley of the unabridged audiobook edition of ‘Dark Angel by D.K. Hood. The audiobook is narrated by Lauryn Allman. It is Book 1 in the Special Agent Beth Katz series of crime thrillers.

From the opening we learn that Special Agent Beth Katz is not a typical F.B.I. agent. Alongside her work, she expresses her dark side as a vigilante dedicated to hunting down murderers who have evaded capture. She is known to the Bureau as the Tarot Killer for the signature of leaving a Death tarot card on her victims. However, they believe the Tarot Killer is a male.

After an especially difficult case Beth undergoes a psych evaluation and afterwards is reassigned to the remote field office of Rattlesnake Creek, Montana under the supervision of Senior Special Agent Dax Styles. It’s a two-person office plus Styles’ dog, Bear. Styles is a loner and in addition to Beth having a rest, D.C. wants Beth to keep an eye on him.

While this may been expected to be a quiet assignment, Beth has hardly arrived when they receive news of a body being found in a pine forest outside of Rainbow, a mining town within their jurisdiction. Two girls, Brooklyn Daniels and Skylar Peters, had been reported missing and after a few days of searching Brooklyn was found with her dress folded beside her and a crown of wildflowers on her head. Of Skylar there was no trace.

They are advised that this is the seventh case in which the unsub has taken two girls. One girl, always blonde, is killed and left with her clothes folded beside her body and the other vanishes. This reminds Beth of a cold case in Idaho where a number of blonde girls had been murdered and their clothing folded beside them. The unsub had been dubbed the Piped Piper given his ability to seemingly lure girls to remote sites. Could the Piped Piper have started up again in a new location?

Beth and Dax investigate the case in conjunction with the local sheriff. Beth is faced with the dilemma of whether to let justice play out or to take the law into her own hands. There are the occasional chapters from the unsub’s point of view, so we know how he is luring his victims.

I enjoy police procedurals including those featuring the F.B.I.. However, I always have some difficulty with vigilante justice as a theme, especially if the person involved is an officer of the law. Beth also seemed to have quite wide experience, citing both specialty in cybercrimes and undercover work. I didn’t note her age being mentioned. Still, I expect that more of her professional background will emerge as the series progresses.

Even with this uncertainty about Beth, I quickly became invested in the narrative. There were some interesting twists along the way.

With respect to the audiobook, I have enjoyed a few audiobooks narrated by Lauren Allman. She has the kind of voice that held my attention throughout, bringing in subtle changes when reading dialogue between various characters in a way that felt very organic.

Overall, I found this an engaging read. I was left with questions about the case as well as about Beth. However, as its sequel, ‘Shadow Angel’, has also recently been published, I expect that some of these might be addressed. I plan to read it soon.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for this ARC. Available Now!

Book 1, featuring Detective Beth Katz.
What a cracker of a first book to start a series.
Featuring FBI Detective Beth Katz, daughter of a Serial Killer who conditioned her to be who she is, a vigilante killer.
After being reassigned to a small town after it was determined that she needed a break professionally, Beth is partnered with local, Dax Styles and together the race is on to catch a twisted serial killer who targets girls.

This book was really well written and my first of this author. The characters developed nicely and I enjoyed them both as the book progressed. The narrator did an absolute brilliant job and I was hooked from the start.

Highly recommend.

Narrated by Lauryn Allman ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
by D.K. Hood ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Dark, Twisted and addictive!

This was an absolute page turner. A female Dexter! I live for these types of characters.

Fans of Karin Slaughter definitely need to check out D.K. Hood. This story is real world scary!

After finishing this I promptly purchased "Shadow Angel" from the Kindle store. Definitely a new author I'll be following very closely.

OMG! I loved this story.

Dark Angel is the first book in the Beth Katz series. Katz's boss didn’t like how she acted after her last case. Her boss sent her for psych testing, after which he sent her to Rattlesnake Creek, Montana, to work with the local law enforcement of the small towns in the area. A demotion in Beth's eyes.

Her new assignment teams her with Dax Styles. Neither of these agents likes to work with a partner. However, when a young girl is found dead, and her friend is missing, Katz and Styles put their heads together to devise a plan to find the serial killer of children. While searching for the pedophile, Katz and Styles are pulled into another unrelated case. Styles gets a good look at the real Katz, which makes him wonder if he can trust her.

I love these two unconventional FBI agents. Beth is the daughter of a serial killer, and she has some of the dark in her. I think of her as a female Dexter with an FBI badge. She doesn’t have a problem with delivering her own brand of justice. Not only does Beth scoff at the conventional rules for an FBI agent, but she also pulls Styles into her darkness. Styles has PTSD from his time in the military. He is still in love with his wife, from whom he is divorced. (What a story that is!)

I enjoyed the banter between Katz and Styles. They are both trying to sort out their working relationship. Katz is often the leader even though Styles has seniority. She knows when to step back to let Styles catch up and get on the same page with her. She is clever.

Hood has created some wonderful supporting characters that include a local sheriff, café owner, and medical examiner that all give us insight into the main characters and the small towns in the area. The story gives a true feeling of life in a small town. Also, the villain is a truly horrible guy. He made me shiver more than once.

The narrator, Lauryn Allman does an excellent job telling this story. Her voice is exactly what the story needs to keep the listener in the action from the beginning to the end. When Katz explains the details or profile of a serial killer, you don’t question Katz’s knowledge. Allman gives her an air of authority and confidence. The same is true when she explains cybercrime and how the dark web is full of predators. Her voice is very convincing of the evil lurking just around the corner. Allman’s voice clearly depicts the characters, scenes, and events in my head.

Hood created the perfect introduction to Detectives Beth Katz and Dax Styles, which hooked me from page one. I plan to read the next book in the series.

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. 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. Taking in Brooklyn’s body carefully laid on a blanket and the dress neatly folded next to her, Beth suddenly freezes. She’s seen this before: in the files of a cold case.
The start of a new series & a good starter it was. Beth isn’t your run of the mill FBI agent, she’s got secrets. Reassigned to Montana she has a new partner & soon has a murder to solve. The author lays quite a bit of groundwork which I’m sure will be needed in future books. The pace is very good , the characters well portrayed & I was hooked & look forward to meeting Beth again. I both listened & read this book & thoroughly enjoyed the audio version, the narrator brought the book to life & even had me slowing at the end of a journey so that I could hear more
My review is for a special copy I voluntarily read

I listened to this story, the first in the Detective Beth Katz series, as an audiobook, and it worked well. It's a crime noir with Beth, the FBI Agent who is also a vigilante killer. The story has many disturbing aspects and is intense and suspenseful. I like the character of Beth and her partner, the cast of complex investigators and the story's suspenseful qualities. The narrator brought the characters to life and made it easy to be part of the investigation.
I received a copy of this book in audiobook from the publisher.

Special Agent Beth Katz’s dad was a psychopath and she learnt a lot about psychopaths from him. It doesn’t stop her from being one as well. She is on the hunt and trying to eliminate other killers.
She is put together with Special Agent Dax Styles and hunt for a killer who has been kidnapping 2 girls at a time – 1 of them is always found dead and the media has dubbed him as the Pied Piper.
Curious if there’s another book which talks about Beth’s past and how she became the way she is.
Overall Dark Angel was an ok book, as I felt it lacked a bit of background or maybe was merged with another book from another series.

Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture Audio & D.K. Hood for an ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

If you enjoyed Dexter, you’ll love this.
Think Dexter meets Criminal Minds in the modern Wild West.
This book called me out on my sexist inability to accept morally questionable behaviour in female characters that I would certainly accept in a male.
As much as I did enjoy this book, and will probably continue reading the series, the authors Kane and Alton series will always be my first preference.

I just reviewed Dark Angel (Detective Beth Katz) Book 1) by D K Hood and definitely 5 ⭐️ given. Beth Katz is a FBI agent but also a psychopath serial killer, all for the right reasons of course. This book was well written and had me gripped from the 1st Chapter. Honestly, I couldn’t put the audio down and listened to it over the day. Very unique. This was my 1st audio and I loved it and can’t wait to listen to the next one

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture Audio

A great start to this new series! Hood’s characters continually provide surprises as the story unfolds as each one deals with their strengths and weaknesses. The author’s wonderfully developed characters that you will love or otherwise love to hate make this a riveting read. This is a well-written, suspenseful, edge-of-your-seat thriller that will leave you breathless at times in anticipation of the next twist in the plot. Don’t start reading this book if you are not prepared to stay up all night. I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio who provided me with a copy of this book. I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

What do Special Agent Beth Katz & Serial Killers have in common? More than you’d think!

This is my first read by this author & I truly got into it. The first third was a tad slow for me but then it picked up & I couldn’t stop! I loved the Dexter type angel with Beth Katz. Her partner, Styles, is a lone wolf ex military type with a K9 that joins them often.

I look forward to more of this series!

Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture & DK Hood for this Audio ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

The beginning of this book was so intense and pulled me right in. I really enjoyed the main character Beth and the way she operates to take out child killers. The premise of this book was great and had me on the edge of my seat. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.

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!

This is a great police thriller, which I loved, The book is about Beth Katz, who is an FBI agent and a serial killer who kills people who are killers themselves and in this story, she is hunting a serial killer who hurts children. She wants to bring justice to those who she thinks deserve to die. Beth's father was also a serial killer, so she feels that it is in her blood to be like that. I really enjoyed this thriller, although I don't like what happened to the children in it. It is a very good story though, with a fast pace, great characters and a clever plot. I look forward to more books by this author. Highly recommended!

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a copy of this book.