A stunning new lead. Hidden money. And a hunt for connections criss-cross in the third novel of HN Wake's blistering Dom Walker series.
Her fathers' suicide never felt right. Now there's new evidence that pits Dom and her small team against a powerful man in the Los Angeles police department.
For the last 2-3 years I have essentially abandoned my first loves, thrillers and crime fiction, to see what else is out there. Well, I have found plenty to like and have been sidetracked ever since. However, there are a handful of thriller writers for whom I will drop everything and go for their books. This list included Tana French, Sharon Bolton, William Kent Krueger, and two precious hidden treasures named P. Wesley Lundburg and HN Wake. Everyone knows the first three, but if you haven’t read Dr. Lundburg or Ms. Wake, both indie writers, you are really missing out!
Secrets of the Angels is book #3 of the exciting and entertaining FBI Agent Domini Walker series. Boy, did I ever love this one. Domini Walker is smart, very smart. She is FBI through and through: Fidelity, Bravery, and Integrity. She is also kick ass, sober, doesn’t wallow in self-pity, and loves her family more than anything—how refreshing! She is surrounded by an original cast of non-cookie-cutter characters. My favorite is Lea, her FBI assistant. Lea can curse (in a very ingenious and humorous way) and quote the bible in the same sentence. She is sharper than a razor and very protective of Dom. I also love Mila, the quiet, somewhere-on-the spectrum genius. Mila is a college student who is burdened by the memory of her little brother who was snatched away many years ago. She is determined to become an FBI Agent after graduating from a Criminal Justice program, with her ultimate goal being to find out what happened to her brother. Her immediate goal however is to help Dom in any way possible, and she proves to be invaluable.
Ms. Wake writes a masterful thriller. In The Secrets of Angels, the plot revolves around the one thing that haunts Dom—the death of her father. Stewart Walker was a cop who was caught up in a nasty sting operation, which led to his subsequent imprisonment and suicide. What really happened here? Stewart Walker was Dom’s hero. She cannot conceive that he was crooked. But was he? Ms. Wake introduces several seemingly unrelated scenarios and threads that will lead to a lot of head-scratching by us readers as we bounce along from New York to California to Kiev, Ukraine. Nothing seems to fit together. Until they do.
A real trademark of Ms. Wake’s is her suspense scenes. In this story, the most gripping scene (of many) is not a shootout or a life-or-death confrontation, but a conversation between Dom and a very bad boy. Just brilliant! Love this author.
Ms. Wake’s books read fast with realistic dialogue and just enough description to provide a vivid portrayal of the setting without disturbing the flow of the story. A couple of special things the author does is first to start off certain chapters with a poetic quote and second to use italics to express the speakers’ real thoughts while using regular print for what comes out of their mouths. I also like the little one or two sentence flashbacks Dom shares with her late father—their strong and abiding love for each other is obvious. The humor is wonderful, with much of it laugh out loud. I even picked up some cool interviewing techniques in this story.
It’s been a joy following this author’s career and watching her grow as a writer. I have read all her books and novellas from the Mac Ambrose CIA series and the Domini Walker FBI series and loved every one of them. Her stories can for the most part be read as stand alones, but there is a background of development that builds from one book/novella to the next. For that reason, I recommend reading in order if you can. Fortunately, there appears to be an opening for a fourth Dom book. I’m also really hoping for another Mac Ambrose book. I want more of these characters. I highly endorse Secrets of Angels, and really ALL HN Wake books and novellas, to thriller/crime fiction fans. Little gems all.
As a beta reader and big fan of H.N. Wake’s novels, beginning with the short-lived Mac Ambrose series and now on to the third book of her FBI agent Domini Walker series, I am growing to love these thrillers more and more. That says a lot, because I absolutely loved her debut novel, A Spy Came Home. But I do believe that Ms. Wake (a pseudonym, by the way) has upped her game this time.
First of all, I loved the title, Secrets of the Angels. Each thread of the plot is tied together with secrets to be untangled and angels to be saved. H. N., you know you had me at the prologue. That’s some powerful writing. And the verses you quote from Lola Ridge’s poem, Secrets, are simply wonderful. This is a trademark of each book – a quote or a line or two of verse – and I don’t know where you find these little gems, but they fit so well.
I would recommend to readers that they start at the beginning of this series. It will make so much more sense, as Book 3 picks up where Hidden in the Silence leaves off. Fortunately, there is enough background to refresh the most important details that had faded from my memory, but what a joy to see my favorite characters reappear in this book. Staff Operations Specialist Lea Peck is still her fabulous self. She works her magic on the FBI computers, tracking down crucial information at the blink of an eye. She made me chuckle. Heck, she made me laugh out loud with her honest, albeit hilarious comments and her apt Bible quotations that she seemed to pull out of thin air, sometimes with a not-so-Biblical word or two thrown in. I was also very pleased to see the return of Owen Whyte, who, by all accounts, is one fine specimen of a man and a brilliant financial wiz for the Bureau as well. Dom gets his heart racing, and vice versa, although she is too stubborn, or fearful, to admit it. Finally, Mila Pascale, a very intelligent undergrad student and FBI agent-wanna-be who seems to have some Asperger’s tendencies, rounds out Dom’s team who are unofficially aiding her in her mission to prove her father’s innocence.
When Dom was a teenager, her father, who was a New York City cop, was arrested and convicted of a crime he claimed he did not commit. Later, he was found dead in his cell of an apparent suicide. Now, years later, Dom is out to find out one way or another what really happened. With the help of Lea, Owen, and Mila, and using her own skill, experience, and guts, Dom undertakes a dangerous task. Was her father set up? If so, she could be up against some very powerful people.
The plot is brilliant. The beginning of one arc had me scratching my head; I had no idea how it related, but I was confident that it would tie into the whole scheme of things somehow, without a doubt. Each piece of the puzzle is carefully laid out and set in place for a reason. I truly enjoyed the ride.
And, oh, what a ride! This woman can write some exciting scenes, folks! She had my heart racing more than once! Her characters like fast, fancy cars, and they know how to drive ‘em! Even Mila has a cardiac arrest-inducing scene with a bad guy – no car involved, however. We also get to see Dom in action in a very tense domestic situation aside from her personal quest. She’s on the job, using her interrogation skills and her knowledge, and she is so professional. She's Dom doing what she does best.
It was easy to get wrapped up in this story and with these characters. There are moments in this book when the right things were happening, and I was practically shouting, “YES!”
Yes, indeed! Thank you to H.N. Wake for another terrific experience. Thank you, too, for recognizing the angels – those who are lost, missing, separated, or gone forever. You’ve assured me that there will be another Dom book coming. YES!
I really enjoyed this FBI mystery. I read this third book in the series first because it was offered as a free ebook on Bookbub. It was so good, I read the first one and am reading the second one. H. N. Wake's characters are very real with lots of laughs in there. Dom Walker is an extremely brilliant FBI agent with lots of heart. I love the way her mind works!
Dom Walker, and author Wake, strikes again. Fast paced, twisting turning, revenge, mystery, excitement. Thoroughly enjoyed the latest instalment and already can’t wait for more.
Developments in domini history present themselves in this novel , should she follow them where they may lead or let the past rest A spirited read , with issues she must resolve for peace of mind before the next case takes over . The trail quickly becomes dangerous , should she risk everything on this ….. you’ll have to find out for yourself , it is worth the time if you have enjoyed the previous novels , the characters build , become more developed each outing
This was a good read. Definitely a 4.5 - 5 stars. FBI agent Dom Walker seeks to prove her father was not a dirty cop. He was caught in a sting, prosecuted as one of The Filthy Five and convicted. Soon after, he purportedly committed suicide in prison.
Lea Peck, her Staff Operations Specialist, Agent Owen Whyte, and Mila, a researcher who lives right Dom & her brother, all play key roles.
Suspenseful thriller about crooked cops and Russian mob.
After her dad was sent to prison, an FBI agent starts working to prove his innocence. Along the way, she uncovers a little, including a crooked IA boss owned by the Russian mob. Also, her FBI crew discovers side crimes including stolen babies. Super book.
I wanted to love this installment of the Domini Walker series, but I could only get into strong like with it. I felt as if the plot lines in the first two books flowed along; this story seemed like it tried too hard, and that’s distressing for me because the cause of the missing/stolen angels is an important one for me, and I wanted to LOVE it. A few ugly things made it through edit ( the year 20216 for example, and also when police UNITES came calling instead of UNITS, for a couple of examples out of many errors). And I’ve never figured out Jimmy - what makes Mila think he got sold (and I think it’s especially important to notate here, that I actually went back and read this entire three book series all in a row just to try to tie it back together better). Please don’t think that I’m not still madly in love with this author and her books - I am! And I will keep reading, but please, a little bit more editing?
An FBI agent is determined to clear her father's name. A cop he was, she believes, set up. Convicted and sentenced he apparently committed suicide in prison. In the mean time she must contend with her day job which II involves and abducted child. Across the world, another cop is moonlighting to uncover the secrets of a murdered women.
This is a fast paced, enjoyable read. Part the story is i. The US, the other in the Ukraine. I enjoyed it as long as I suspended my disbelief. Dom's solving the kidnapping strains belief and ends abruptly with no motive discussed. The ending was unconvincing. A person steeped in corruption is unlikely to tell allto someone determined to put him in prison. It is highly unlikely the the FBI, an organization notorious for its micromanagement, would allow its agents and staff the leeway granted here.And an experienced agent would know better to do a stake out in a car that stands out, even in a wealthy California enclave. Still an entertaining read.
Secrets of the Angels, written by HN Wake, is the third book in the Dom Walker series. Ms. Wake delivers again! If you have not read the first two books in this series, it is worth it to do so. Where each book could be read as a stand alone, the author has built the underlying story of the main female character (mystery, twists/turns) as one that grows and is very important through each new book. This story is well written, fast paced, has mysteries, intrigue, danger, deals with real world issues, friendships, families and love. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series.
Com Walker always gets her criminal. With even a hint, she won’t stop until justice is served. It’s finally her turn for justice. Dom and her brother, Beecher, raised each other after their father committed suicide in prison. It’s always felt wrong; not the father they knew. Now, it’s time to find the truth. How high did the corruption go? She has a hint, and we know that’s all she needs! Whether she has the backing to reach the very twisted ends is the only unknown! Great story!
Mila a law officer was shot in the shoulder helping to save another police officer. She was on leave till her injuries healed. While she was recuperating. She was doing some research about the Filthy Five. Her dad was involved in the case - but he supposable committed suicide. Her boss told her to leave it alone but she didn't. She got help secretly from some of her friends. She worked hard at it, retracing all the information. She finally got some break thru with some good leads. Can she finally prove her dad was set up and did not commit suicide - he was murdered.
The story was fairly decent if you suspended your belief of what a woman is mentally and physically capable of doing. Super hero, I guess. The cursing worsened the last 15-20% of the book to the extent I almost stopped reading at 87%. The cursing, for the most part, was not even related to what was happening in the story. I don't recommend this author.
I absolutely love this series ; it's become one of my favorite series of others in this genre. HN Wake continues switching between characters in each chapter and it's always amazing how they all start coming together in the end - not only the story arcs in this book, but continuing story arcs from books 1 & 2. Quick read, characters are well developed - all with quirks that makes them easy to love and relate to.
This book was more enjoyable than the first two, perhaps because it was more personal to the MC. It did, however, seem that the old cold case was solved on a very fast track. Despite a few errors I noticed, I recommend this book.
One of the larger errors is that the numbering of the chapters is nonsense. There isn’t a chapter 7 or 8. Every time there is a new “Part”, two chapter numbers are skipped.
Amazingly well crafted tale told from two very different perspectives. Yet, the evil of human trafficking is exposed through the unflinching belief of an exceptional FBI agent (& her ad hoc team) in the innocence of her disgraced former police officer father. Justice prevails and evil is punished as it should be.
Another fast-paced read. Dom and the crew work multiple angles as they zero in on the man they believe is ultimately responsible for setting up Dom’s father. The investigative stuff is as compelling as ever, the potential romance between Dom and Owen is building nicely, and Lea and Mila are fantastic secondary characters. If only the confrontation towards the end of the book was more believable….
Domini Walker wants to clear her father’s history as part of the Filthy Five police officers caught in a sting. This fast paced thriller takes place in several large US cities and the Ukraine. Not a book to be put down!
This kind of book is something I can’t get enough of plus it’s a series. Total score. Dom is a complicated character but her back story is haunting. The writing reels you in. It’s an unfolding journey for her while working for the FBI and solving cases that are jarring. She’s strong but kind and gentle. She’s learning about herself and her father at the same time. It’s not easy what she’s up against but she’s doing it with a lot of pride and integrity. It’s good. It’s so damn good.
This is a really involving story where Dom is personally involved to clear her father and Mila needs to find her brother. Along with the help from her team of FBI friends they will find the villains and get justice.
This is a very good book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. The characters are very well done and enjoyable. It has a tinge of political correctness but if wasn't overbearing. A little too much cursing.
In the wake of all the mush that many authors write (NOT degrading romance), it was nice to find a book with only a "hint" and NO sex. Refreshing!! Storyline was interesting and brought illegal adoptions up as a real issue even in today's societies.
Knowing something and being able to prove it are two different things! Dim won’t rest until she finds out the truth about her father! Was he a crooked cop?
This was a surprising and exceptional read. I did not want to put it down. Each character was a tease of what will or is the next character doing. Or how can they possibly get out of this or that snafu…
The angels bring a crooked cop to justice and the father of Dom is exonerated. The characters are very realistic and deep. The writing flows through the story. I genuinely loved the book.
This is a fast paced read. One you won’t want to put down. The characters are well developed and the story line keeps you guessing. Once you’ve read one of these books, you’ll want to read more. Truly enjoyed it.
This is the 3rd book in this series, oh what a treat. Story is multilayered and keeps you turning the pages. Characters and action just drive this story at high speed... Wow what a book.
This story kept you on your toes until the end. The main character Domini was determined to prove her father's innocence. Loved her cohorts. This was a great read!