What do you think?
Rate this book
Monika Ritter #8
The Dark Angel
Hiding out at a monastery outside Hallein, Sarah and Monika wait for Viertel and two other agents to return to Austria to investigate the rumored redoubt in the Alps—a network of underground bunkers and factories where the Nazi hierarchy plans to retreat when the Allies invade Germany. After being denounced by an informant and surrounded in a mountain farmhouse, Viertel and his companions must decide whether to try to escape or die with the top-secret information they hold. Then Viertel will begin a desperate race against time to reach Monika and Sarah at the monastery to warn them that the Gestapo agents are coming.
After Sarah and Kuen are sent to investigate what happened to Viertel and the other agents, a Gestapo chief sets a trap to corner them. Obsessed by Monika, or The Dark Angel, as she is known within the ranks of the Nazi secret police, the Gestapo officer will stop at nothing to find her. And when Monika realizes the world she and the others have constructed is about to collapse, they will be forced to take extreme action to preserve not just their own lives but those of every man, woman, and child hiding in the monastery.
After Sarah and Kuen are sent to investigate what happened to Viertel and the other agents, a Gestapo chief sets a trap to corner them. Obsessed by Monika, or The Dark Angel, as she is known within the ranks of the Nazi secret police, the Gestapo officer will stop at nothing to find her. And when Monika realizes the world she and the others have constructed is about to collapse, they will be forced to take extreme action to preserve not just their own lives but those of every man, woman, and child hiding in the monastery.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
252 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2025
376 people are currently reading
63 people want to read
About the author
Eoin Dempsey
37 books1,052 followersEoin Dempsey was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1977. He grew up in the beautiful Dublin suburb of Dalkey, where he and his friends would jump into the icy waters of the Irish Sea (during summertime) to prove their manliness. Eoin had a fantastic time attending Blackrock College, where he played rugby (poorly) and did his best to coast his way through. Eoin’s first ambition was to play rugby for Ireland. Due to a lack of talent, he soon abandoned that goal for the more reasoned path of the rock star. He played in bands through his teens and well into his twenties before harsh reality came calling, and his dreams of being the next Keith Moon faded.
Eoin made the ill-reasoned decision to study business in university and was accepted into University College Dublin to study Commerce in 1995. While Eoin did attend college, studying wasn’t his priority there.
He met his beautiful wife, Jill, while traveling to the USA in 1997, though it would be several years before he managed to break her down and they got together as a couple. It was during Eoin’s second stint in the USA, which he spent with his brother in New York City, that he decided to start writing a novel, for the express purpose of impressing women. This effort was met with mixed success. Eoin finished his first novel a year later. The over hundred and fifty rejections he received from publishers didn’t discourage him. He pinned them to his wall. After spending a year in Australia, where he was fired from many jobs, including picking red and green peppers and toiling for scallops miles out to sea on a fishing trawler, he returned home and decided to write again. Another novel followed while he phoned it in at a number of jobs in financial services in Dublin.
By this time Eoin had managed to convince Jill, the girl he’d met in the USA years before to move over to Dublin. She did so in 2004. It was the best negotiation he ever undertook. They were married in 2007. Jill’s more brilliant negotiating skills led Eoin to move to her hometown of Philadelphia in 2008, just in time for the economy to collapse. The plan to live with her parents for a few weeks turned into eighteen months, as Eoin struggled to retain employment in a fractured economy. It was during this time that he wrote FINDING REBECCA, which would go on to be his first published novel and be translated into fourteen different languages.
Eoin and Jill have three beautiful sons, Robbie, who was born in 2015, Sam, born in 2017, and Jack who came in 2019. Eoin enjoys playing with them and marveling at how much more talented they are at the sports that he loves, particularly golf.
Eoin made the ill-reasoned decision to study business in university and was accepted into University College Dublin to study Commerce in 1995. While Eoin did attend college, studying wasn’t his priority there.
He met his beautiful wife, Jill, while traveling to the USA in 1997, though it would be several years before he managed to break her down and they got together as a couple. It was during Eoin’s second stint in the USA, which he spent with his brother in New York City, that he decided to start writing a novel, for the express purpose of impressing women. This effort was met with mixed success. Eoin finished his first novel a year later. The over hundred and fifty rejections he received from publishers didn’t discourage him. He pinned them to his wall. After spending a year in Australia, where he was fired from many jobs, including picking red and green peppers and toiling for scallops miles out to sea on a fishing trawler, he returned home and decided to write again. Another novel followed while he phoned it in at a number of jobs in financial services in Dublin.
By this time Eoin had managed to convince Jill, the girl he’d met in the USA years before to move over to Dublin. She did so in 2004. It was the best negotiation he ever undertook. They were married in 2007. Jill’s more brilliant negotiating skills led Eoin to move to her hometown of Philadelphia in 2008, just in time for the economy to collapse. The plan to live with her parents for a few weeks turned into eighteen months, as Eoin struggled to retain employment in a fractured economy. It was during this time that he wrote FINDING REBECCA, which would go on to be his first published novel and be translated into fourteen different languages.
Eoin and Jill have three beautiful sons, Robbie, who was born in 2015, Sam, born in 2017, and Jack who came in 2019. Eoin enjoys playing with them and marveling at how much more talented they are at the sports that he loves, particularly golf.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
November 4, 2025
Proofread by AI?
Sadly, this 8th book in the Monika Ritter series is a frustrating disappointment.
Full of typos, wrong words, missing words and tedious repetition, the story rushes and drags along at an uneven pace.
Any editing is perfunctory and the poor production standards further diminish the sketchy plot and character depictions.
I've read the entire series so far and will probably read the next (and final?) book - but only if it's free on Kindle Unlimited.
Mr Dempsey, please do yourself and all of us a favour and pay for professional editing and proofreading. Your stories and characters deserve that.
Sadly, this 8th book in the Monika Ritter series is a frustrating disappointment.
Full of typos, wrong words, missing words and tedious repetition, the story rushes and drags along at an uneven pace.
Any editing is perfunctory and the poor production standards further diminish the sketchy plot and character depictions.
I've read the entire series so far and will probably read the next (and final?) book - but only if it's free on Kindle Unlimited.
Mr Dempsey, please do yourself and all of us a favour and pay for professional editing and proofreading. Your stories and characters deserve that.
October 28, 2025
“The Dark Angel”
MONKA SERIES BOOK #8
In the prior books Michael and his new wife Monika are operating out of Switzerland on behalf of USA during WW II. Monika in Bern’s OSS office run by Mr. Dulles and Michael in special Airforce unit based in Switzerland. The main characters are from previous books by the author. Michael’s past included a move to Germany with his family to have a better life during the great depression in the USA. When Hitler came to power Michael met Monika, a German girl, in Germany who he eventually marries in New York in their early 20’s just before the USA entered the war.
In the prior book Monika is embedded in Berlin with her cousin Sarah in Sarah’s friend’s apartment sending German intel to Dulles in the OSS office in Bern. Michael aviates missions on behalf of allies from Switzerland. Sara becomes engaged to Oliver, a former German soldier serving on Russian front who switches sided to fight for the allies.
This book is an action-packed story about the escapades of the Monika and of Sarah, who are sent on their own missions to defeat the Nazi’s by Bern OSS office. It is fast paced and absorbing. The historical fiction is spot on with actual historical records. Monika is staying at the Retreat, a monastery, in Austria with her cousin on a chance to find the rumored redoubt where the Nazi will hide after the war. The Nazi’s nick name Monika “The Dark Angel” due to her successful actions to upend Nazi control in Germany from within.
The trials and obstacles they encounter and overcome are heroic and make the book a page turner.
The author’s power to make the lives of these characters seem historically real is incredible.
Eoin has written a great epic series on the Ritter family prior to this book.
This is a continuation of the series would make a terrific movie or TV series.
MONKA SERIES BOOK #8
In the prior books Michael and his new wife Monika are operating out of Switzerland on behalf of USA during WW II. Monika in Bern’s OSS office run by Mr. Dulles and Michael in special Airforce unit based in Switzerland. The main characters are from previous books by the author. Michael’s past included a move to Germany with his family to have a better life during the great depression in the USA. When Hitler came to power Michael met Monika, a German girl, in Germany who he eventually marries in New York in their early 20’s just before the USA entered the war.
In the prior book Monika is embedded in Berlin with her cousin Sarah in Sarah’s friend’s apartment sending German intel to Dulles in the OSS office in Bern. Michael aviates missions on behalf of allies from Switzerland. Sara becomes engaged to Oliver, a former German soldier serving on Russian front who switches sided to fight for the allies.
This book is an action-packed story about the escapades of the Monika and of Sarah, who are sent on their own missions to defeat the Nazi’s by Bern OSS office. It is fast paced and absorbing. The historical fiction is spot on with actual historical records. Monika is staying at the Retreat, a monastery, in Austria with her cousin on a chance to find the rumored redoubt where the Nazi will hide after the war. The Nazi’s nick name Monika “The Dark Angel” due to her successful actions to upend Nazi control in Germany from within.
The trials and obstacles they encounter and overcome are heroic and make the book a page turner.
The author’s power to make the lives of these characters seem historically real is incredible.
Eoin has written a great epic series on the Ritter family prior to this book.
This is a continuation of the series would make a terrific movie or TV series.
October 20, 2025
This historical fiction grabs you with a well-crafted hook, then surges throughout the narrative with a continual high level of suspense and tension…not slowing down a bit! Ignoring the repeating notifications from Alexa, I almost let my vegan peanut butter brownies burn in the oven. I honestly couldn’t stop reading!
It’s 1944, and we view the horrific horrors as well as the astonishing bravery that were prominent during WWII. Evidence of Germany’s weapons spread throughout Europe. Among the most lethal weapons used by the Gestapo to destroy the resistance fighters were fear, lack of sleep, and scarcity of food. Now, for the resistance fighters, along comes this ‘Dark Angel,’ fighting for nothing less than the total elimination of the Nazis. What or who is the ‘Dark Angel,’ and why is the Gestapo threatened by this enemy?
Mindful of his perceptive readers, Dempsey intersperses carefully constructed literary devices throughout chapters. He digs deep into his characters, reminding readers of descriptions from previous books of this series, and then digging deeper, he relates characters’ present lives, mindsets, and relationships. His tone is invigorating and fresh. The amount of preparation and research that went into this novel is apparent. It becomes pertinent information regarding the war, that enables the reader to become fully consumed.
Have your coffee hot and your snacks at your side before you begin reading this captivating novel. You will want no interruptions!
It’s 1944, and we view the horrific horrors as well as the astonishing bravery that were prominent during WWII. Evidence of Germany’s weapons spread throughout Europe. Among the most lethal weapons used by the Gestapo to destroy the resistance fighters were fear, lack of sleep, and scarcity of food. Now, for the resistance fighters, along comes this ‘Dark Angel,’ fighting for nothing less than the total elimination of the Nazis. What or who is the ‘Dark Angel,’ and why is the Gestapo threatened by this enemy?
Mindful of his perceptive readers, Dempsey intersperses carefully constructed literary devices throughout chapters. He digs deep into his characters, reminding readers of descriptions from previous books of this series, and then digging deeper, he relates characters’ present lives, mindsets, and relationships. His tone is invigorating and fresh. The amount of preparation and research that went into this novel is apparent. It becomes pertinent information regarding the war, that enables the reader to become fully consumed.
Have your coffee hot and your snacks at your side before you begin reading this captivating novel. You will want no interruptions!
December 16, 2025
I've been reading Eoin Dempsey books for some time and enjoy his stories. The characters are well written, and I especially think he captures the women characters in a way that I would not expect a male writer to be able to do. I appreciate that as I particularly like women's historical fiction the most. The first book of his that hooked me was "White Rose Black Forrest" and immediately after reading that I found "Finding Renecca." I was hooked, his style of writing was beautiful and captivating. Reading about the profound and incredible stories of how women helped shape the world's history in an way that portrays truth and reality is always appreciated.
That being said, I have noticed in this particular series of the Ritter Family a decline in the writing. I am no grammar police or even an english professor.... but there were times were I skipped entire pages because of the repetitive paragraphs. It felt like I was being reminded of Monika's background every chapter, and sometimes even Sarah's back story was repeated as well as other minor details throughout each book. There also seem to be a few moments where characters were flipped, leaving me confused who was talking to who. I noticed that a few books ago so this wasn't the first time. It was annoying and a bit frustrating as I really do truly enjoy this series! I am still excited to finish the series in book 9 though. I'm sure the foundation of the story to end the war will still be captivating and exciting, even with the errors.
That being said, I have noticed in this particular series of the Ritter Family a decline in the writing. I am no grammar police or even an english professor.... but there were times were I skipped entire pages because of the repetitive paragraphs. It felt like I was being reminded of Monika's background every chapter, and sometimes even Sarah's back story was repeated as well as other minor details throughout each book. There also seem to be a few moments where characters were flipped, leaving me confused who was talking to who. I noticed that a few books ago so this wasn't the first time. It was annoying and a bit frustrating as I really do truly enjoy this series! I am still excited to finish the series in book 9 though. I'm sure the foundation of the story to end the war will still be captivating and exciting, even with the errors.
December 13, 2025
So Tense I Almost Spit
There were so many different directions for our characters in this book that go in different directions, cross paths, and then separated again working in their own missions. These paths, how they crossed, how they came together, how they separated was so tense at times that I wanted to scream to the characters what I knew that they didn't know but needed to know. It was so frustrating and so scary and so impossible for each of them and what they suffered, endured, and didn't know. It was heart breaking the decisions they had to make and that it really wasn't a decision at all but just what had to be or happen. I can hardly believe where they all are now, what they have all been through, and what they will all be facing in the next book.
The worst part for me is that I actually have to wait for the last book. Thankfully, it's only a little over two weeks that I have to wait. So, I'll read a dozen or so books while I wait to keep my mind busy. I've read all the others in about one day each. They are that good.
There were so many different directions for our characters in this book that go in different directions, cross paths, and then separated again working in their own missions. These paths, how they crossed, how they came together, how they separated was so tense at times that I wanted to scream to the characters what I knew that they didn't know but needed to know. It was so frustrating and so scary and so impossible for each of them and what they suffered, endured, and didn't know. It was heart breaking the decisions they had to make and that it really wasn't a decision at all but just what had to be or happen. I can hardly believe where they all are now, what they have all been through, and what they will all be facing in the next book.
The worst part for me is that I actually have to wait for the last book. Thankfully, it's only a little over two weeks that I have to wait. So, I'll read a dozen or so books while I wait to keep my mind busy. I've read all the others in about one day each. They are that good.
February 9, 2026
Best One Yet! (caution: may contain spoilers)!
I have given most of the previous books in this series 3 or 4 stars. The first couple books were quite good, but the ones in the middle, not as much and seemed a bit repetitive. But this one, oh my! Full of intrigue, suspense, real nail biting-edge of your seat stuff! I think the main difference is there is an actual antagonist, not just the faceless dreaded Gestapo agents or Hitler. The author really delves into the depravity of the antagonist’s mind. This head Gestapo agent’s utter convictions that he’s in the moral right with his zealous ardor of Hitler’s Nazi regime is bone chilling. And knowing that he intends on being the one to take down Ritter, thereby grabbing glory, made this book impossible to put down! Cannot wait for the next in the series!
I have given most of the previous books in this series 3 or 4 stars. The first couple books were quite good, but the ones in the middle, not as much and seemed a bit repetitive. But this one, oh my! Full of intrigue, suspense, real nail biting-edge of your seat stuff! I think the main difference is there is an actual antagonist, not just the faceless dreaded Gestapo agents or Hitler. The author really delves into the depravity of the antagonist’s mind. This head Gestapo agent’s utter convictions that he’s in the moral right with his zealous ardor of Hitler’s Nazi regime is bone chilling. And knowing that he intends on being the one to take down Ritter, thereby grabbing glory, made this book impossible to put down! Cannot wait for the next in the series!
November 11, 2025
Another Exception Read
Eoin's books always hook you early in his books and transport you to the end. His latest book is no exception. The drama and suspense in this book begins early in this book and continues to build as the book goes. It's almost impossible to put the book down in the final chapters as Monika attemps to escape the evil Nazi commander. The book ends by baiting you to want to see the outcome of Sara's story. Eoin continues to refine his writing skills and each book gets better than the one before. He got me with his first book and I eagerly await each of his next release. If you haven't read any of his books, give anyone of them a try and you won't regret it. He is an exceptional newer writer.
Eoin's books always hook you early in his books and transport you to the end. His latest book is no exception. The drama and suspense in this book begins early in this book and continues to build as the book goes. It's almost impossible to put the book down in the final chapters as Monika attemps to escape the evil Nazi commander. The book ends by baiting you to want to see the outcome of Sara's story. Eoin continues to refine his writing skills and each book gets better than the one before. He got me with his first book and I eagerly await each of his next release. If you haven't read any of his books, give anyone of them a try and you won't regret it. He is an exceptional newer writer.
October 28, 2025
Monika and Sarah are still hiding out in the monastery, awaiting the return of Viertel. Sarah and another man go to scope out a meeting place, but there is a trap set for Monika, who they call the Dark Angel. As Monika risks everything to help those she has been hiding with, Sarah faces a terrible fate at the hands of the Nazis. There is no doubt that this book isn’t the conclusion as Monika will undoubtedly risk her life again to save Sarah. I look forward to the next book in the series, and hope that these young people will finally be able to live out their lives in peace.
Thank you to the author for the Advanced Reader Copy. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to the author for the Advanced Reader Copy. All opinions are my own.
November 16, 2025
Hard to put down
This is exciting right from the start. I ended up staying up late so that I could keep reading. I have read all of this series and I have enjoyed this author through all of the Ritter family series. I think I'm ready for the end of the war since I've read all the books beginning with the first series which began with prewar Germany. Maybe that is why I could only give this book 4 out of 5 stars. While there was plenty of action, it seemed to be more predictable than when I began this series.
This is exciting right from the start. I ended up staying up late so that I could keep reading. I have read all of this series and I have enjoyed this author through all of the Ritter family series. I think I'm ready for the end of the war since I've read all the books beginning with the first series which began with prewar Germany. Maybe that is why I could only give this book 4 out of 5 stars. While there was plenty of action, it seemed to be more predictable than when I began this series.
October 29, 2025
Book 8 in this riveting Monica Ritter series - read it all today as it was impossible to put down! Monica is hiding out in a monastery in Lower Austria - the Nazi regime is desperate to find her and call her the Dark Angel because she has been a thorn in their sides. As the walls close it she does all she can to protect those hiding her and has a wild plan for them all to escape. Will she succeed??? Read it and find out!
October 31, 2025
Wow, book eight is continuing on the wave of history and the bravery of the men and woman that throw a wrench in the brown wave. it's in many ways a warning about what happens we we are too long bystanders... I am a great fan of this series and truly captured by Eoin's gift of writing.
Thank you!!
P.S. My wish would be that the audio book is released along with the kindle version.
Thank you!!
P.S. My wish would be that the audio book is released along with the kindle version.
October 31, 2025
I received an ARC copy of this book. I can't believe that Eoin's books get better and better. This book was one that was impossible to put down. It doesn't matter if you start with this one or the first in this series, you will find that you will search out and read all of his books. His characters become family and friends that you don't want to leave behind as the book ends!
November 15, 2025
An extremely exciting book, if unlikely ending. But that’s the point. These books in this series, and the previous series are very cinematic and I’m just waiting for the right Netflix employee to discover them. There is always a cliffhanger. 5 stars to Eoin for making me say “Just one more chapter” over and over again for all these books.
November 8, 2025
What is going to happen to Sarah?
Kuen brakes a leg. Viertal needs to rendezvous way too many miles away. 30 Jews have been hiding for about four years. Sarah is caught by the Gestapo. Monika pulls off another amazing feat. You can suspect what happens in book #9
Kuen brakes a leg. Viertal needs to rendezvous way too many miles away. 30 Jews have been hiding for about four years. Sarah is caught by the Gestapo. Monika pulls off another amazing feat. You can suspect what happens in book #9
November 11, 2025
Great read as always with Dempsey but the typos and misspelling, missing words and poor transfers from page to page!! Reading some of the other reviews I see I’m not the only one to make note of this.
January 5, 2026
This is building up to a climax in this series. The book was edge on the seat stuff and unable to put down. There were moments while reading this that my heart was pounding so I imagine Book 9 is going to be as enthralling.
October 28, 2025
Love this series ! Eoin makes you feel like you’re following along and I’m learning lots !
November 12, 2025
The Dark Angel wins again
Thus book is a great addition to the Monica Ritter series. But I think it’s time for Eion to wrap up this series and move on. That said I look forward to the next installment.
Thus book is a great addition to the Monica Ritter series. But I think it’s time for Eion to wrap up this series and move on. That said I look forward to the next installment.
November 17, 2025
The Dark Angel
Eion Dempsey never disappoints. The Monica Ritter series are always entertaining. I look forward to her next adventure behind enemy lines.
Eion Dempsey never disappoints. The Monica Ritter series are always entertaining. I look forward to her next adventure behind enemy lines.
November 28, 2025
Monica Ritter book 8
I loved this, just like the previous 7, it did not disappoint. I can't recommend this whole series strongly enough. 5 stars is not enough.....
I loved this, just like the previous 7, it did not disappoint. I can't recommend this whole series strongly enough. 5 stars is not enough.....
January 4, 2026
great read
This book will hold your interest. I’m. List finished with the series and will miss Monika and her feats when the series ends. Great character mastery!
This book will hold your interest. I’m. List finished with the series and will miss Monika and her feats when the series ends. Great character mastery!
January 13, 2026
Another winner!!
It took me longer to read than it usually does but that's on me. It's frightening how scary the current situation in America is more than a passing resemblance to Nazi Germany n
It took me longer to read than it usually does but that's on me. It's frightening how scary the current situation in America is more than a passing resemblance to Nazi Germany n
January 14, 2026
The Dark Angel, unputdownable
Each book in this series gets better and better. Emotional, suspenseful and fast moving. I highly recommend this author and series
Each book in this series gets better and better. Emotional, suspenseful and fast moving. I highly recommend this author and series
February 3, 2026
Excellent
Excellent read. Suspenseful. Couldn’t put it down. Very good narrative. Love the characters. So brave. Can’t wait to read book 9
Excellent read. Suspenseful. Couldn’t put it down. Very good narrative. Love the characters. So brave. Can’t wait to read book 9
February 17, 2026
I love this series and have read all the Lion's Den books prior to the Monika Ritter series. This book was particularly fast paced and exciting. I'm starting the next in series The Pursuit immediately.
January 27, 2026
This was a pretty good read in this series. I felt that Prester was written almost as a caricature which was a little off putting - possibly just to me though.
December 11, 2025
great book
Oh a great story Dempsey knows how to draw you into it . Love all his books . Great now I am looking for 9 .
Oh a great story Dempsey knows how to draw you into it . Love all his books . Great now I am looking for 9 .
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews