D.K. Hood Books in Order

How to Start Reading D.K. Hood

If you love small-town mystery, nail-biting suspense, and forensic detail, D.K. Hood is an author you need on your radar. Set primarily in the rugged, cold wilderness of Montana, Hood's thrillers are fast-paced, atmospheric, and packed with dark secrets. Because her two primary series share the same universe, there is a distinct way to approach her books to get the absolute best reading experience.

The best place to begin is with Don't Tell a Soul, the first book in the Detectives Kane and Alton series. This book introduces Sheriff Jenna Alton and her deputy, David Kane, as they tackle a brutal crime wave in the fictional town of Black Rock Falls. This series is the backbone of Hood's writing and establishes the lore, tone, and character relationships that carry over into her other works.

Alternatively, if you prefer a protagonist who operates closer to the edge of the law, you can start with Dark Angel, the debut of the Special Agent Beth Katz series. Beth Katz is a vigilante FBI agent tracking down killers in nearby Rattlesnake Creek, Montana. Because the two series feature frequent crossovers and character cameos, reading the Kane and Alton books first will give you a richer understanding of the shared Montana setting.

Detectives Kane and Alton Series in Publication Order

The Kane and Alton series is a massive, ongoing police procedural. To appreciate the character development, the slow-burn chemistry between Jenna and Dave, and the recurring side characters in Black Rock Falls, it is highly recommended to read them in the order they were published. This structure allows readers to follow the evolving forensic techniques, the team dynamics, and the creeping dread of a small town that earns the nickname 'Serial Killer Central.'

1. Don't Tell a Soul (2017) — Sheriff Jenna Alton and Deputy David Kane are introduced in a dark, high-stakes case involving a body hidden in a barrel.
2. Bring Me Flowers (2018) — The team hunts a killer who leaves direct clues on the victims' bodies.
3. Follow Me Home (2018) — A hiker's disappearance leads the detectives into the deep, dark forests of Black Rock Falls.
4. The Crying Season (2018) — Jenna and Dave must uncover secrets hidden within the snowy peaks of Montana.
5. Where Angels Fear (2019) — An award-winning investigation that tests the team's forensic skills and endurance.
6. Whisper in the Night (2019) — A case that highlights the psychological toll of small-town policing.
7. Break the Silence (2019) — The detectives race against the clock to save a victim before the trail goes cold.
8. Her Broken Wings (2020) — Voted a fan-favorite thriller, this book ramps up the suspense with a complex, multi-layered crime scene.
9. Her Shallow Grave (2020) — The discovery of remains in a shallow grave points to a long-dormant killer.
10. Promises in the Dark (2020) — A fast-paced mystery that delves into the town's darkest histories.
11. Be Mine Forever (2021) — A finalist for the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award, following a cheerleader’s disappearance.
12. Cross My Heart (2021) — Jenna and Dave face a calculating adversary targeting local residents.
13. Lose Your Breath (2021) — A special prequel novella focusing on David Kane's dark backstory.
14. Fallen Angel (2021) — The investigation of a fallen climber reveals a sinister plot.
15. Don't Look Back (2022) — A prequel story focusing on Sheriff Jenna Alton's early life.
16. Pray for Mercy (2022) — A chilling case involving a serial killer who uses the harsh Montana environment to hide their crimes.
17. Kiss Her Goodnight (2022) — The team must piece together forensic clues to solve a series of closely linked murders.
18. Her Bleeding Heart (2022) — A tense psychological race where the killer draws dangerously close to the deputies.
19. Chase Her Shadow (2022) — A fast-paced hunting game set in the wilderness.
20. Now You See Me (2023) — The detectives tackle a killer who leaves no trace behind.
21. Their Wicked Games (2023) — A lethal game of cat and mouse that targets the law enforcement team itself.
22. Where Hidden Souls Lie (2023) — A complex procedural that uncovers secrets buried deep in the forest.
23. A Song for the Dead (2024) — The detectives face a killer who leaves musical clues.
24. Eyes Tight Shut (2024) — A dark thriller that explores sleep and vulnerability.
25. Their Frozen Bones (2024) — A winter-set crime thriller highlighting the unforgiving Montana cold.

Note: The series continues to expand with subsequent entries, including Tears on Her Grave (2024), Fear for Her Life (2025), Good Girls Don't Cry (2025), Their Haunted Hearts (2025), Watch Over Me (2025), and Look Behind You (2026).

Chronological Reading Order and Prequel Caveats

For readers who prefer a strictly chronological timeline, there are two key prequel stories that explore the origins of the series' main characters before they arrived in Black Rock Falls. These stories are essential for readers who want a complete understanding of the characters' psychological scars:

• Lose Your Breath (Book 13 in publication order): This novella dives deep into the dark special forces past of Deputy David Kane, explaining the trauma and undercover missions that led him to seek refuge in a remote Montana town.
• Don't Look Back (Book 15 in publication order): This story focuses on Jenna Alton's life before she became sheriff, detailing her career as a deputy in a different county and the personal tragedies that drove her to start over.

While you can read these two prequels before starting the first novel, doing so is not recommended for new readers. They contain character reveals and details that carry more emotional weight once you are already familiar with Jenna and Dave's dynamic in the main books. Reading them in their publication positions (after Cross My Heart and Fallen Angel respectively) serves as an excellent flashback experience that enriches the overarching storyline.

Special Agent Beth Katz Series

Introduced in 2023, the Special Agent Beth Katz series offers a darker, more psychologically intense spin-off. Beth Katz is a brilliant FBI agent who harbors a secret: she acts as a vigilante, hunting down serial killers who have escaped the justice system. The series is set in Rattlesnake Creek, Montana, and should be read in this sequence:

1. Dark Angel (2023) — Also known as Wildflower Girls, introducing Beth and her partner, Dax Styles, as they investigate a series of missing women.
2. Shadow Angel (2023) — Beth hunts a killer targeting young victims, while trying to keep her own dark secrets hidden.
3. Dark Hearts (2024) — A twisted game where the hunter becomes the hunted in the Montana wilderness.
4. Forgotten Girls (2024) — Beth and her team uncover a cold case that leads to a very active and dangerous predator.

The Shared Montana Universe and Crossovers

D.K. Hood’s books are set in a closely linked world. Because Black Rock Falls and Rattlesnake Creek are neighboring regions in Montana, the local law enforcement and federal agencies regularly interact. Sheriff Jenna Alton and Deputy Dave Kane make appearances in the Special Agent Beth Katz series, collaborating on complex cases that cross jurisdictional lines. These crossovers allow fans of both series to see their favorite characters from different perspectives, adding depth to the local lore.

To enjoy the crossovers seamlessly, the ideal approach is to read the first twelve books of the Kane and Alton series before starting Dark Angel. From there, you can alternate between the two series or read the Beth Katz books as a block, as they take place during the later timeline of the Kane and Alton books.

D.K. Hood's Standalone Novels

If you want a break from long series continuity, Hood also writes standalone psychological thrillers. These books feature entirely self-contained stories with new characters, perfect for quick, suspenseful reads:

• The Liar I Married (2025)
• His Next Wife (2026)
• Tell Me Your Lies (August 2026)

What to Know Before You Start

D.K. Hood’s thrillers are famous for their cinematic pacing, which she describes as a "movie-style thrill ride." The setting of Black Rock Falls acts almost as a character itself—an isolated, tree-lined mountain town that seems to attract an unusually high number of serial killers. While each mystery is resolved by the end of each book, the personal lives and relationships of the recurring characters evolve continuously. Additionally, Hood frequently weaves themes of survival, recovery, and anti-abuse advocacy into her books, reflecting her commitment to highlighting social issues through compelling crime fiction. Aspiring writers may also find inspiration in Hood's personal journey; she began writing as a creative outlet for drug-free pain management, proving that compelling storytelling can arise from the most personal challenges.