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Detective Kane and Alton Books in Order

25 Books
2017 – 2023 Published
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The Recommended Reading Path

Step into the chilling world of Black Rock Falls, where Sheriff Jenna Alton and Deputy David Kane unravel mysteries that lurk beneath the surface of a sleepy Montana town. The Detective Kane and Alton series by D.K. Hood is a pulse-pounding blend of crime thriller and police procedural, perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter or Robert Dugoni. With secrets from their pasts and a knack for catching serial killers, Jenna and David’s partnership delivers suspense that keeps readers glued to every page.

For the best reading experience, it is highly recommended to read this series in publication order. While there are prequel novels that take place chronologically before the events of the first book, the author and publisher advise against reading them first. Starting with the first published novel, Don't Tell a Soul, allows you to get to know the characters, understand the town's dynamics, and watch their partnership evolve naturally before diving back into their complicated origins.

Prequels and Chronological Caveats

D.K. Hood has written two key prequel books that dive deep into the backstories of the main duo. Understanding where these fit chronologically can help clarify the characters' motivations, but be aware of how they fit into your reading list:

  • Lose Your Breath (published in 2021): This book focuses on Deputy David Kane's dark past as a elite Black Ops sniper and his transition into his law enforcement role in Black Rock Falls.
  • Don't Look Back (published in 2022): This story details Sheriff Jenna Alton's former life working undercover as DEA Agent Avril Parker, detailing the dangerous events that forced her to abandon her identity and flee to Montana.

Although these events occur before the first book, reading them out of publication order can spoil key character revelations and the mystery surrounding their identities that builds during the early novels. Therefore, treat them as flashback novels and read them where they fall in the release order.

Detectives Kane and Alton Books in Publication Order

Below is the complete list of the Detectives Kane and Alton books based on their release dates. Following this sequence ensures you follow the natural progression of Jenna and David's relationship and the growing complexity of the crimes they face:

  1. Don't Tell a Soul (2017) – The gripping debut introducing Sheriff Jenna Alton and Deputy David Kane as they investigate a body hidden in a barrel.
  2. Bring Me Flowers (2018) – The duo tracks a serial killer leaving flowers on victims' bodies.
  3. Follow Me Home (2018) – A search for missing hikers turns up a sequence of gruesome murders.
  4. The Crying Season (2018) – The discovery of skeletal remains in the snow points to a killer from the past.
  5. Where Angels Fear (2019) – Jenna and David tackle mysterious disappearances along a deadly highway.
  6. Whisper in the Night (2019) – A predator targets teenagers, sending panic through the local high school.
  7. Break the Silence (2019) – A dark winter setting frames a chilling investigation into frozen bodies.
  8. Her Broken Wings (2020) – An investigation into a crashed plane reveals a sinister conspiracy.
  9. Her Shallow Grave (2020) – A body unearthed in the forest reveals long-buried town secrets.
  10. Promises in the Dark (2020) – The team races against time to find a child abducted from their home.
  11. Be Mine Forever (2021) – A Valentine's Day investigation becomes personal as the killer targets those close to the police.
  12. Cross My Heart (2021) – The detectives investigate a serial killer who leaves playing cards as clues.
  13. Lose Your Breath (2021) – A prequel novel exploring Deputy David Kane's military past and black ops background.
  14. Fallen Angel (2021) – The team hunts a killer who targets victims in the rugged Montana mountains.
  15. Don't Look Back (2022) – A prequel novel revealing Jenna Alton's former undercover DEA identity.
  16. Pray for Mercy (2022) – A series of ritualistic murders challenges the forensic capabilities of the team.
  17. Kiss Her Goodnight (2022) – Jenna and David investigate a body found on a lake pier under the cover of night.
  18. Her Bleeding Heart (2022) – A killer plays a psychological game of cat-and-mouse with the sheriff's department.
  19. Chase Her Shadow (2022) – The team investigates the murder of a local doctor with hidden secrets.
  20. Now You See Me (2023) – A killer uses magic and illusion themes to torment the town.
  21. Their Wicked Games (2023) – A thriller centered on a deadly game played out in the Montana wilderness.
  22. Where Hidden Souls Lie (2023) – Jenna and David uncover a network of secrets in an isolated cabin.
  23. A Song for the Dead (2024) – A murder investigation tied to local folklore and music.
  24. Eyes Tight Shut (2024) – The search for a killer targeting victims in their sleep.
  25. Their Frozen Bones (2024) – A gruesome winter discovery that tests the limits of the department's resolve.

Spin-offs and the Shared Universe

In addition to the main Kane and Alton books, D.K. Hood has expanded her thriller universe with the Special Agent Beth Katz series. This spin-off is set in nearby Rattlesnake Creek, Montana, and follows FBI Special Agent Beth Katz. Beth has a dark vigilante streak, driven by the fact that her father was a notorious serial killer. Along with her partner Dax Styles, she hunts down the criminals who manage to escape the formal justice system.

Because both series share the same Montana setting, characters frequently cross over. Readers of both series will enjoy seeing Sheriff Jenna Alton and Deputy David Kane collaborate with Agent Beth Katz to solve high-stakes regional cases, notably in crossover books like Watch Over Me and Shadow Angels. You do not need to read the Beth Katz series to understand Kane and Alton, but doing so adds a layer of depth to the shared Montana universe.

What to Know Before You Start

The Detective Kane and Alton series is known for its fast pace, graphic crime scene descriptions, and focus on forensic science. While the individual murder mysteries in each book are self-contained and resolved by the final chapter, the personal lives, trauma, and developing romance between Jenna and David span across the entire series. If you skip books, you will miss out on the emotional core of the series. Reading in order allows you to experience the gradual healing of these two broken protagonists as they build a new life together in Black Rock Falls.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the best starting point for the Detective Kane and Alton series?

The ideal starting point is the very first novel, Don't Tell a Soul (2017). This book introduces Jenna Alton and David Kane, establishing their partnership and the dark secrets of Black Rock Falls.

QShould I read the prequels first?

No. Although Lose Your Breath and Don't Look Back take place chronologically before the first book, the author recommends reading them in publication order. Reading them first will spoil character mysteries built up in the early novels.

QWhere does the series take place?

The series is set in the fictional, isolated town of Black Rock Falls, Montana, a rugged setting that provides a atmospheric backdrop for small-town crime and survival.

QHow does the Beth Katz spin-off series connect?

The Special Agent Beth Katz series is set in the neighboring town of Rattlesnake Creek. Characters from both series make crossover appearances, teaming up to hunt serial killers in shared cases.

QCan these books be read as standalones?

While the mystery in each book is self-contained and solved by the end, the overarching character growth, backstories, and relationship dynamics between Jenna and David develop continuously, making it best to read them in order.

QWhat is David Kane's background?

David Kane is a former Special Forces soldier and elite Black Ops sniper who relocated to Black Rock Falls to escape a traumatic military past, which is explored in detail in the prequel Lose Your Breath.