Dark Angel by D. K. Hood @DKHood_Author #LaurynAllman @bookouture @HachetteUK

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.

Book Info

• Release Date: September 12, 2023
• Series: Special Agent Beth Katz #1
• Narrator: Lauryn Allman
• Audio Length: 10 hours, 4 minutes
• Publisher: Hachette UK – Bookouture

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(Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)