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The Blood Eagle

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Police Deputy Tess Dane never thought that reporting to work one cool October morning would change her life forever. When her name is found scrawled at a gruesome crime scene, she is teamed up with her old partner, Detective Denny Haywood. As Tess and Denny work through the evidence left at the scene, a mad man is busy at work, setting about his ultimate revenge. While Tess struggles to not only find the killer, but to also clear her name, they get a call. Another body has been found tortured and mutilated. It's now a race against time to catch a killer who will stop at nothing to finish his murderous plan. As the body count rises, the danger is getting closer to home. Can Tess and Denny catch him before it's too late?

280 pages, Paperback

Published October 24, 2023

19 people are currently reading
220 people want to read

About the author

A.L. Hatcher

4 books47 followers
A.L. Hatcher holds bachelor’s degrees in both forensic investigation and forensic pathology as well as an associate degree in veterinary technology.
Because of her love of animals, she’s been a registered veterinary technician for over 20 years. However, her passion for writing began in childhood when she would write her own short stories and picture books.
Today, she spends her time caring for animals, reading, listening to true crime podcasts, and writing fiction about crime, suspense, and all things dark. She lives in the Midwest with her family, some chickens, and two old dogs.

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5 stars
114 (51%)
4 stars
84 (37%)
3 stars
24 (10%)
2 stars
1 (<1%)
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0 (0%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
Profile Image for Holly Starkenburg.
Author 1 book12 followers
October 31, 2023
I really enjoyed this story line. I do wish there was a bit more of a mystery aspect to it. By having the POV of the person committing the crimes it made the ending a bit predictable. Otherwise the story line really does draw you in. The character building was great and I would love to see more of Tess’s past as well of that of her father’s. I would recommend this to any suspense or murder mystery fan. In fact, I am going to purchase another copy for a Christmas present for a friend.
Profile Image for Anne.
201 reviews6 followers
October 27, 2023
ARC review

Actual rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

*I received an arc for my honest review, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*

This book was great and had me hooked from the first chapter. I loved the plot, and the pacing was great. The characters were relatable and written very well. I love a book with a good plot twist and a happy ending.
I did find parts of the plot predictable, but I loved the storyline, so I didn't mind.

I highly recommend!

⚠️Some scenes can be disturbing, check trigger warnings before reading ⚠️
Profile Image for Sara.
2 reviews
September 10, 2023
The Blood Eagle had me hooked from the beginning and I finished it in one sitting. The author did an amazing job of making sure you want to keep reading. Everything flowed very smoothly and I look forward to reading more about Tess Dane in the future.
Profile Image for Marci Heath.
474 reviews39 followers
June 16, 2025
I couldn’t put this book down!! I enjoyed A L Hatcher’s writing style and I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in this series!! If you haven’t read anything by this author….what are you waiting for?!!
Profile Image for Faith Kress.
8 reviews
September 21, 2023
Such an interesting story from start to finish, great plot, characters and writing! I loved every page and will definitely recommend it to others!!
Profile Image for Ashley Clark.
760 reviews18 followers
September 20, 2023
I enjoyed this one. It’s out of my comfort zone reading. I have only read a handful of these types of books. I find that when I do branch out and read one I enjoy it. This is my first book by the author. I will have to check out their other books. Good read for spooky season. It’s got Murder and a plot twist at the end. The characters are very relatable. Tess has family issues that are relatable. Denny is a single father which is relatable. What the bad guy goes through to turn him bad is also relatable. Not everyone can relate but a lot can. Tess is called to a murder scene with her name written at the scene. She partners up with detective Denny her old partner. Now it’s a race against the clock to find the killer. Will they find the killer before more bodies drop? Will Tess find out why her name was left at the scene? Guess you’ll have to read the book to find out.
1 review1 follower
October 29, 2023
ARC review. I recieved this book in exchange for an honest review.

From the first chapter, I was absolutely hooked. Fast paced, engaging, twisty, and downright horrifying (in the best possible ways). I will refrain from posting any information that could potentially be a spoiler but essentially Blood Eagle follows a young police office who gets roped into investigating several disturbing murders. While you may think the crimes are solved pretty early on in the book, there are many twists and turns right up to the very end! I absolutely devoured this book!

Just know that some of the descriptions of the crimes are quite graphic so if you're sensitive to that kind of thing, it's something to be mindful of.
Profile Image for Bookaholic__Reviews.
1,217 reviews155 followers
March 1, 2024
"Written in light blue paint on the inside of the boat was a message. “Get Tess Dane.”

I really enjoyed Det Dane and look forward to following her story further. I also found the kill scenes in this story to be quite unique. ⬇️⬇️⬇️


“There used to be a torture practice called “The Boats.” It’s also called scaphism. It’s allegedly an old Persian way of executing people"

⬆️⬆️⬆️That's freaking horrifying!! This book kept me interested and on edge the entire time. I HAD no clue where it was going to go, and I couldn't wait for more.
Profile Image for Larae Perry.
148 reviews20 followers
April 14, 2025
The Blood Eagle by A.L. Hatcher is a gripping, edge-of-your-seat thriller that completely consumed me from the first page to the last. If you're a fan of dark, twisty plots with complex characters and jaw-dropping twists, this one is an absolute must-read.

The story follows Police Deputy Tess Dane, who thought she was walking into another normal shift one cool October morning—until her name is found scrawled at a gruesome, ritualistic crime scene. What follows is a chilling investigation that reunites her with her former partner, Detective Denny Haywood, and launches them into a hunt for a madman bent on revenge.

The book is graphic in parts—the crime scenes are intense and vividly described, which makes the horror feel all the more real. Hatcher doesn’t hold back, and the brutality of the murders adds to the urgency and fear surrounding the case.

What I loved most is how the suspense never lets up. Just when I thought I had things figured out, the story would twist in a new direction. I genuinely had no idea who the killer was until the final reveal, and it hit hard. The psychological tension builds with every chapter, and the emotional stakes—especially for Tess—keep the heart pounding.

As the bodies stack up and the killer’s plan inches closer to home, the clock is ticking. Tess and Denny are a compelling team, and I found myself rooting for them the whole way. This book is a masterclass in suspense and an unforgettable ride.

Highly recommend if you love fast-paced thrillers with dark themes, strong characters, and a mystery that keeps you guessing until the very last page.
Profile Image for Angelica Kennedy.
361 reviews2 followers
October 12, 2023
Description: Police Deputy Tess Dane never thought that reporting to work one cool October morning would change her life forever. When her name is found scrawled at a gruesome crime scene, she is teamed up with her old partner, Detective Denny Haywood. As Tess and Denny work through the evidence left at the scene, a mad man is busy at work, setting about his ultimate revenge. While Tess struggles to not only find the killer, but to also clear her name, they get a call. Another body has been found tortured and mutilated. It's now a race against time to catch a killer who will stop at nothing to finish his murderous plan. As the body count rises, the danger is getting closer to home. Can Tess and Denny catch him before it's too late?

ALHatcher, girl, wow! Just wow! This was such an amazing roller coaster ride of a read! The details you put in that Tess uses to figure out who the killer is makes me feel like you have some insight to forensics, LOL! I’m so hooked and can’t wait for book 2! I would love to hear more about there time at the academy too…just saying.

If you like a good crime, murder, mystery type of book then this is one for you! I would 100% recommend this to anyone! This would make an amazing book as a started in to reading crime/murder as well. No spice but lots of twists and turns.
Profile Image for Ginger Reads.
125 reviews26 followers
December 17, 2023
This book was SO good I read it in one day! I had this brand new pretty flower bookmark I had planned to use for the first time, and it never touched the book because I never stopped reading! This author hit a home run with this book!

The Blood Eagle is a crime thriller centered around deputy Tess Dane. Her job as a small-town deputy is pretty mundane, until her name is found painted at a brutal crime scene. Her former training officer and partner Denny Haywood, is now a detective and brings Tess into the case with him. As they work to figure out what Tess has to do with the murder, another mutilated body is found, even worse than the first. They quickly realize they have a serial killer on their hands - a serial killer that has gotten too close to Tess.

The writing and flow of this book was impeccable. There were no plot holes or loose ends, and every detail served to move the story forward. I was hooked from chapter one until the end, and there are some really great and unexpected plot twists that I didn't see coming. I am so happy that the author plans on at least two more Tess Dane books, she can count me in as a reader! Tess Dane is going on my list of favorite female main characters. I cannot recommend this book enough if you are fans of crime thrillers. This author did a fantastic job with this book!
Profile Image for Paige Cox.
21 reviews4 followers
September 26, 2023
I received this book in exchange for an honest review!

This was an incredibly engaging story - I read it in the space of about 3 hours in one sitting. Quite literally a book that I could not put down.

The story follows Deputy Dane and a series of twisted murders in a small town. The POV in the book works very well, although I do not often enjoy reading in the 3rd person, for this story, it was perfect.

I appreciated the time stamps throughout, mainly at the start of chapters, as when reading, especially when all in one sitting, events can seem a lot closer that they are so this helped a lot.

There were some light themes of romance throughout the book which helped to lighten the dark and intense plot line.

Every chapter made me want to read on and the writing was just incredible.

I will definitely add any future releases from A. L. Hatcher to my TBR and I 100% think you should to!

If you have an interest in crime or mystery novels, I really recommend to try this story out, as it was nearly impossible to put down!



Profile Image for Mrs Moa.
502 reviews29 followers
October 2, 2023
A fast paced crime thriller.

A particularly gruesome murder scene mysteriously demands Deputy Tess Dane to investigate. Alongside her ex-partner and mentor, Denny, she must hunt a mad man intent on exacting revenge.

Told from multiple points of view, the FMC Tess, the killer and the victims, allows the reader to build a strong connection of feeling towards the characters, whether it’s disgust, admiration or sympathy, in no particular order.

A L Hatcher has clearly done her research. The creativeness in the method of the killings, while gory, are intriguing. The forensic descriptions are incredible and while they are detailed, they are easy to follow for those not working in this field.

The relationship between Tess and Denny adds a dash of romance. I did occasionally find Tess’s actions and mannerisms a wee bit immature for someone in her position but overall, her character was likeable and I’m hoping A L Hatcher will bring us more of Deputy Tess Dane’s cases.

Several unexpected surprise twists will keep you on edge until the climatic end.

✨received as an ARC
10 reviews
September 6, 2023
Tess Dane is a standout in this new series by author A.L. Hatcher! A captivating crime thriller that takes you along for a very Silence of the Lambs reminiscent ride, without being a complete parallel. Denny really impresses as a mentor, leaving a distinct Det. Elliott Stabler flavor for the reader to enjoy. As we follow the killer, we explore the motivations behind his actions. The Blood Eagle provides a glimpse into some potential impacts of trauma, poverty, and the dangers of socially laissez-faire “boys will be boys” attitudes. I would like to see increased character diversity as the series expands. I look forward to the future cases that find their way to Tess Dane, and am excited to see the character grow more into the future detective that she is!
Profile Image for ChristinaStanton76.
52 reviews12 followers
September 6, 2023
When bodies start showing up in crime scenes that mimic gruesome old torture techniques Tessa, a deputy is called in to work with her old training partner Denny to solve the case. Being the daughter of a cop gives her an advantage but she can’t figure out why her name is painted at the first crime scene and why she’s being called to help solve this. Well she goes into a rabbit hole searching clues and figures most of it out but nothing prepares her for the outcome once she does. A.L. Hatcher did an amazing job on this and it kept me guessing til the very end! If you like crime mysteries this is a definite quick fast paced read. I was given this as an arc for an honest review.

Thank you A.L. Hatcher for giving me the opportunity to arc read this for you!
5/5 ⭐️
Profile Image for Robin Ginther-Venneri.
1,029 reviews80 followers
October 23, 2023
Robin's Review: "The Blood Eagle" by A. L. Hatcher is a captivating crime and mystery novel that will keep readers thoroughly engaged. From the third-person perspective, the story unfolds with a combination of compelling plotlines, subtle romantic undertones, and well-timed suspense, ensuring that readers remain on the edge of their seats for hours. Deputy Dane and Detective Denny Haywood team up to unravel a series of gruesome murders in a small town. The meticulous inclusion of time stamps throughout the book helps readers maintain a clear sense of the events as they embark on this thrilling journey. I highly recommend "The Blood Eagle" to anyone who enjoys crime or mystery novels; be warned, once you start reading, it becomes nearly impossible to put down!
Profile Image for Kim.
336 reviews13 followers
August 30, 2023
I read this as apart of an ARC for the author!

When body counts start adding up, Tessa and Denny suit up to solve the case. Until she shows up and he name is in the crime scene... follow them as they go through a weeks worth of events, uncovering information, understanding why the gruesome torture, and her connection to this all in order to track down the killer. A.L Hatcher did an amazing job with the details, keeping me hooked as well as throwing in a cliffhanger I didn't see coming. She ended it so much so you don't know how the rest will play out (yes there's more books coming! Grab your copy on 10/31, you won't be disappointed!
Profile Image for Brittany.
324 reviews14 followers
September 28, 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review

I really enjoyed this book! It was a quick and suspenseful read and I did not see the ending coming! Which is hard to do for me, I usually guess everything. I just wish it was longer and the suspense was dragged out a little more. I was sad that it was over which is good though! 😅

Tess Dane is a Police Deputy and usually sticks to the safer work. She never thought her name would come up in a murder case. But there it is…scribbled at the most gruesome crime scenes she’s ever seen. Now she’s teamed up with her old partner, Detective Denny Haywood, to try and figure out the case before it gets out of hand. Tess is trying to find a killer, clear her name, and avoid another body, but it’s too late, another mutilated body has been found. Can Tess and Denny figure it out before the body count rises again?
1 review
September 7, 2023
This is the first thriller I have read in a while and it did not disappoint! I forgot how much I love a good fast paced murder mystery! This is also the first ever ARC that I have read so it will always be special to me! The strong female lead rolling in her fathers footsteps was really what did it for me. Tess Dane is a great role model for women who work in male dominated fields! Denny was pretty great too 😉. I really cannot wait to see what Tess discovers in the continuation of this great series!
Profile Image for DarkWolfLover.
48 reviews
October 2, 2023
‼️Book Review‼️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Wow!! I just finished this ARC copy of The Blood Eagle by A. L. Hatcher Author and it is amazing!!! I absolutely enjoyed every minute of this book! The attention to detail and the writing style were on point!! I can’t wait to see where this author goes!! I lead a monthly book club and this is definitely going to be our November read!! Highly recommend to all my thriller loving peeps!!🩸🔪

🍁📚🧋Follow me on instagram, tiktok and goodreads as darkwolflover13_bookstagram, darkwolflover13 and DarkWolfLover to see all my book reviews🍁📚🧋
Profile Image for Donna (BookDragonGirl).
1,492 reviews9 followers
May 16, 2024
This book had me hooked from the get go. I really enjoyed the shocking twists and turns, and I really loved Tess’s character. Tess was a cop thrown into investigating a murder with her detective friend, Denny (loved him) and found herself in the spotlight of a very sick murder, who tortured his victims in horrific ways. The authors description of these victims was pretty gruesome, but well written and realistic. Tess was a natural detective just like her father had been. If you enjoy thrillers, you will LOVE this one!! I’m looking forward to reading the next book!!
Profile Image for Kristi.
11 reviews6 followers
September 4, 2023
This book was SO good! I was able to sit and read it in about two hours and I have been in a reading slump for months.
Everything was so thoroughly explained, which I learned is from AL Hatcher's forensic background! It really made a difference in how realistic everything was.
It definitely had my attention the entire time and just when I thought I had it figured out.. plot twist!
I'd give it 10/10 if I could!
Profile Image for Jessica Houseman.
159 reviews5 followers
September 25, 2023
This is a thriller, and it did a good job of keeping you reading. However, it was predictable. Every time I saw a new date and time, I honestly heard the noise from law and order, lol. The only thing that I did get annoyed with on this book was that the author kept writing "said". There was even a point where a character asked a question, and the put she said. I read the word "said" way too many times. Aside from that, it was a fast paced quick gruesome read, and I liked it.
Profile Image for Kswag.
392 reviews34 followers
April 22, 2024
That was a good book omg!! The plot twist .. I will be honest I thought revealing early on the killer and hinting and practically giving away why he was doing it that one could be skeptical to the story leaving much else to reveal . Like what else can you bring forth after that … Shooot PLENTY. I stayed up late turning these pages. .. and this had all the elements of a thriller !! That last star well the ending .. I am not a fan and was the only reason I did not 5 star it .
Profile Image for Angela Barger.
13 reviews1 follower
September 13, 2023
I received an ARC copy

Oh my word! I was hooked throughout the entire book! Tessa Dane is a brilliant character. Hatcher kept me guessing throughout the whole thing. I thought I had it figured out multiple times just to be surprised. I read this in one sitting. I would recconend this to someone wanting to get a glimpse of this genre. Loved it and will definitely read more from this author!
Profile Image for Books With Irene .
67 reviews
September 14, 2023
This book was an action packed, page turner. I couldn't put it down at all. Tess Dane and her fight to get the answers to these crazy crime was amazing. I love how the author made you feel like you was apart of the investigation. This is a must read I can't wait for the next Tess Dane thriller . A.L Hatcher you definitely got yourself a best seller and a new fan for sure.
Profile Image for Lara Wisinger.
19 reviews1 follower
October 3, 2023
This was a great read, from the first chapter I was hooked and could not put it down. I think it took me about 3 days to read and the only reason it took that long was I’m I did a lot of it at work. The charge tots were great and I’m so ready to see more of them. I like the dark gory details (yes I’m warped). Did not see the way the way things played out, even though I thought I knew. Nope, AL Hatcher won there. Great job can’t wait I see more for her.
Profile Image for Shelby Stensgard.
132 reviews108 followers
October 9, 2023
I read this as an ARC and liked the formatting with the timing at the top of the chapters a lot. One thing I didn’t love was the multiple POVs, I felt like just having the main POV would have kept more of the mystery alive. This was a good thriller though for people who like murder mysteries.
Profile Image for Nicola Cox.
303 reviews6 followers
October 24, 2023
This is the authors first book and it was just brilliant the writing was exceptional it allowed me to visualise the whole story the characters had personalities the plot was really well done I read this in two sittings I’d highly recommend this I can’t wait to see what comes next from this author
Profile Image for Stephanie Maiers.
73 reviews
November 2, 2023
I read this book in 4 days! I never read a book that fast! I also never read Thrillers but I’m going to be now. This book kept my attention through the entire book and I never guessed how it was going to end. I can’t wait until A.L. Hatcher releases her next book.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews

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