Angel of Darkness

Angel of Darkness #2

by Steve N. Lee

Tess Williams is a serial killer. Ruthless. Invisible. Unstoppable.

But she isn’t a psycho who kills decent people – she hunts the monsters that prey on the innocent. Murderers, rapists, gangbangers, pushers… they’re her targets. And she never stops until they’ve paid for their crimes.

So when a crazed sniper starts blasting people from Manhattan’s rooftops, Tess dives into the city’s sleazy shadows to nail him. But clashes with white supremacists, arms smugglers, and street thugs only lead to one dead end after another. This guy is a ghost. No matter who Tess begs, bribes, or batters, all she finds is more bloodshed.

And as if things can’t get any worse…

The sniper kills to a schedule. He’s already lining up his next target.

Then a shocking discovery changes everything.

With the clock ticking, how can Tess bury him before he squeezes that trigger and continues his killing spree?

218 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 13, 2015

About the author

Steve has three passions: anti-heroes, animals, and travel. To date, he's visited 60 countries and has adopted five homeless cats, but he's yet to prowl the streets in the dead of night to beat up bad guys (though he still daydreams about doing so, but who doesn't?).

In pursuit of adventure, he's cage-dived with great white sharks, sparred with a monk at a Shaolin temple, and explored exotic locales such as Machu Picchu, Pompeii, and the Great Wall of China.

Fortunately, his passions fuel his fiction. He loves to pepper his action-packed thrillers with the exotic places he's explored and the unusual encounters he's experienced, while his dog stories glow with the love and companionship that will warm the heart of any animal lover.

More recently, while on his travels, Steve came across two true stories from the Holocaust which moved him so deeply, he has based two novels on them.

He lives in the North of England with his partner, Ania, the great-great-great niece of the 1924 winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, and two stray black cats who visited their garden one day and liked it so much, they moved into the house. Luckily, they graciously allowed Steve and Ania to carry on living there, even allowing Steve to continue paying the mortgage to give him a sense of purpose.

If you love stories of four-legged heroes, tales from histories darkest hour, or books with pulse-pounding action, you'll love Steve's three series. He wrote them for book lovers just like you!
Visit Steve's website: http://stevenleebooks.com/
Follow Steve on Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/steve...

Reviews

[Sheryl Painter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steven Lee has exceeded his first book in this series - which I didn't thnk was possible. Within the first chapter you are grabbed and you spent the rest of the book running right beside Tess as she fights and struggles to find the Pool Cleaner. So many times the author would bring me so far into the story and suddenly throw a curve that takes a totally different direction. I LOVE THAT. There is nothing predictable about the story line, the murders, the killer or even Tess. Never one word am I bored. Never one chapter am I lost or struggle to figure out what the author is doing. I simply sit back and let him take me where he wants me to go...and I love each step. The violence is not mild, the killer is not nice, and Tess is someone I'd wish for a friend and not an enemy. I find myself caring about Tess and her story even more with this book, than the first. That is seldom the case. This is not a cozy murder book. This is not a gentle book. This is a whirlwind suspense, with lots of plots and fast action. I find I've read several chapters and feel like I need to breathe and rest...but I also find I cannot stop - I must keep reading. Time is almost up in the story - how can I stop reading now?! I'm really liking the writing style, the imagination, and the characters of Steve Lee. He promises more in the series at the end of this book - I can't wait. I recommend this book for anyone who wants more than cozy, slow, gentle stories. I recommend this book for anyone who prefers the heroine to be nitty and gritty and not always so nice, but always always for good.

[Tony Hisgett · Rating 2 out of 5]

The reason I started this was because I assumed the appalling ending in the previous book Kill Switch, was a way of getting people to read this one thinking there would be something about ‘Cat’ in it. There wasn’t!!!
As for this book, I really didn’t enjoy it. It was quite slow at the start and a bit boring at times, I also found it quite difficult to relate to Tess in this book, she didn’t seem the same person as in the Kill Switch.

She made some very strange decisions, I wasn’t sure about her use of sex to get information, but I can accept this. However some of her other decisions were bizarre.


Her reaction when attacked by three men on a train really confused me. It was all right to nearly rip somebody’s face off while trying to get away, but when this didn’t work, she decided she couldn’t fight back, but had to allow them to beat her up. The logic that she didn’t want police attention didn’t make sense, what did she expect all the passengers to do with their mobile phones while she was being beaten to a pulp. So she ended up seriously hurt and still had to dodge the police. What was the author thinking of?

Then came the big fight with the ‘Pool Cleaner’. She is seriously injured, he is ex-special forces, twice her size and armed, but she still decides to take him on completely unarmed. Really!!!!


The publicity blurb for this series suggests Tess is a female ‘Jack Reacher’, but I’m afraid the author is no ‘Lee Child’.

[Julie Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good fast-paced read with a fabulous female lead.

I really did enjoy this story mainly due to Tess, a strong and clever and gutsy 'vigilante', who understands justice.

A serial killer is on the loose, but will she find out who in time to save others?

This story is filled with the harsh reality of the seedy side of life, so not for the faint hearted. However, it was great to see a woman in such a positive role, despite her isolated lifestyle. and somewhat sad and jaded view of society. She knows who is and is proud of it and makes no apologies or excuses.

There are some tough issues addressed in this thriller, some would say controversial others would say about time...particularly regarding the status of women.

Overall, a good crime thriller.

[Alex Mellor · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fast paced book with loads of compelling violent action that gripped me from the start, a tragic shooting in Manhattan, and continued to do so. Steve’s vivid descriptions helped me clearly visualise the different scenarios and people. I liked getting to know some of the characters, particularly free lance journalist Tess Williams, with her hidden talents and use of guided self-hypnosis and acupressure massage, her detective friends Joe and ‘Pompous Dick’ and wheelchair-bound Bomb, with his access to the Deep Web; even the deadly Pool Cleaner, Creepy Guy and the egotistical, chauvinistic Scrawny Guy!
I’ve enjoyed reading well written thrillers for many years; authors such as Lee Child, Vince Flynn, James Patterson and David Baldacci have really kept me engaged and I’m excited to add Steve Lee to my list and discover what will happen to Tess next in this action thriller series.

[The Cats’ Mother · Rating 2 out of 5]

That'll be it for me with this series/author. While I enjoyed the first book about mysterious Tess with her kick-arse fighting skills, taking out bad guys and defending the weak, this one repelled me. A heroine who chooses to prostitute herself both with police for trivial leads, and with Neo-nazi scumbags because it's cheaper than paying for intel, when it transpires she has a large amount of money in the bank that her pride won't let her use...? Not someone I want to read about.
Here Tess is on the trail of a serial killer shooting mixed-race couples and calling himself the Pool Cleaner, but she has a very strange way of trying to solve the crime.
The other thing that annoyed me was all the hints about her back-story that led nowhere. Who is Bomb and how did she meet him? Why is she on her mission of violence? Why did she go to Asia, and now come back? I don't mind a bit of mystery but to continue a series I want some revelations, not just more questions.
The plot and denouement were pretty simplistic, there was even a reference to Jack Reacher, acknowledging the rip-off.
I almost DNFd this in the early chapters, but it was short enough to finish quickly, and make sure my gut instinct to abandon Tess was correct. Shame, as he's not a bad story-teller, but I won't follow a protagonist I despise.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series, and is also great. I won't go into details of what happens in the book - I hate spoilers, and you can read an outline in the book details - but this time Tess is back in NY and is hunting for a sniper known as the Pool Cleaner (as in Gene Pool). As in the first book, there is violence in this book, making it strictly an adult book, but in line with Tess's beliefs, it is only done against those who deserve it (even if she occasionally provokes them!), and to move the story on. I enjoyed this book, although at times it felt a little like Tess's thoughts were preaching at the reader - with her thoughts about sex, consumerism, and about types of combat, weapons, and good vs bad and levels of offences. However, I liked the book enough that it didn't knock down my rating! Definitely recommend this book, just read it ignoring Tess's preaching! Looking forward to reading the 'Black File' and rest of the series.
NB I got a free copy of this book online, but my review is HONEST and based wholly on my own opinions

[Nancy Silk · Rating 5 out of 5]

"An Awesome Power Of A Female Vigilante"

I really was glued to this well written thriller which reflects the power of some women. It drew me in, and I couldn't set it down for long. Christian and Angelique are just married; it's their happiest day ever and a perfect day. People are gathered outside the Riverside Church, rice is flying. The perfect day comes to an abrupt end when a shot is fired and blasts apart Angelique's head. Could it had been done by a sniper serial killer who has now taken three lives in seven days? Tess Williams is watching the news at a coffee shop in NYC. She hangs her head realizing her work is never done. She heads to the crime scene to gather any information she can. She's ready to take on a new mission as hunter of a devious serial killer, known as Pool Cleaner. This is an amazing, fast page turner. I do believe Author Steve N. Lee has trapped me into being mesmerized by his well written thrillers. Highly recommend.

[Sue Olexa · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great read! Thrilling, and definitely compelling. Main character Tess take the reader to some fascinating levels in this journey, where it becomes obvious very quickly that she CARES about harmed innocents. Tess is the veritable bull dog as once she sinks her teeth into doing something about things, NOTHING deters her. Definitely a page turner. Allow a bit of time to savor this one because you will not be wanting to put it down. Great 2nd book in the series and Kudos to Steve N Lee for his unique style of writing and The Angel of Darkness. I HIGHLY recommend this book.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story is pretty similar to Kill Switch, with the same level of detail that I loved in that story. I didn't like it quite as much because I didn't feel like Tess was as real a character, but still a good story.

[Lynn J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steve N. Lee brings his heroine, Tess Williams-Vigilante Extraordinaire', into an intricicate, & original plot in his second book of this series!
Its definitely a great read!

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

More kick ass vengeance from strong female lead. I love the character, especially as I learn more about her. Another can't put it down story from Steve. Yeah, I have book 3 already.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

A highly trained killer stalks the city, but there's one thing the killer doesn't know, Tess Williams hunts the hunters, another brilliant edge of your seat book from Steve N Lee.

[Cheryl · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book! I love watching Tess grow. There are so many twists and turns in this series it keeps you on the edge. I have a hard time putting it down. Definitely 5 star.

[Robert Browning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A full-on, action-packed story with twists and turns!
In book 2, Tess Williams continues protecting the innocent and preying on all the bad people of Manhattan; being rapists, gangbangers and lowlife monsters that stalk the city. Tess will do anything to protect the weak and dish out her style of justice, albeit sometimes she gets off on the kill and payback, doing anything including using seduction and her body to get what she wants. There is a section where Tess gives herself to Neo Nazi white supremacists that I think was a bit too extreme and explicit but hey, that’s just me - and the only reason it didn’t get the full five stars!
Anyway, in this story, a sniper called ‘The Pool Cleaner’ is killing off black people every three days and Tess is against the clock in tracking down and nailing the killer before he kills again. With the clock ticking, Tess, with the aid of her friend “Bomb”, slowly piece together the clues to find and kill ‘The Pool Cleaner’. A full-on, action-packed story about a troubled woman with a dark past and lots of twists and turns that keeps you in suspense.

[Jae · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well, I was disappointed with this one, considering i really enjoyed the first book. But this one seems to have a completely different heroine, albeit with the same name. This one is unrecognizable from the first book, and unlikable to boot. She uses sex like her body means nothing to her. She's a sociopath, which is understandable considering a rather murky but hinted at background, but there appears to be nothing else to make her likable. On the surface, she uses it to her advantage, to trade her body for information, but then in the same breath inexplicably draws the line at doing a couple of other guys in favour of making a huge mess and fuss. Just after explaining that keeping her anonymity and low profile was much more valuable. But the scene she makes after drawing this unexplained line would seriously put that in jeopardy. I don't mind a sociopath for a hero, but at least make her consistent.

[Walter Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tess Williams is in New York City, wreaking havoc on “the ungodly”, a female version of Leslie Charteris’ Simon Templar, “The Saint”.
This time a very challenging and dangerous opponent is The Pool Cleaner, a sniper who targets the black partners of black/white mixed-marriages.

The story is more about Tess, than the killer. She comes across as having a very harsh view of life in today’s world. She is amoral, and able to rationalize sexual activity as a means to an end (which is usually information). I much preferred the first novel in the series – Kill Switch – but on the strength of the two, have purchased the next three.

[Lora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another heart pounding adventure with Tess! When I read the first book in the series (Kill Switch) it was out of my genre, but because of that book this series is definitely in my genre now! Not for the faint hearted but full of action and smarts. You kinda get a look at what it takes to be kick a**! The details on focus, healing, training are almost educational! Great book! I also think I see the beginning of details in Tess’s past aching to be revealed so we can “know” her better. She is not your average young lady. So emotional involvement with protagonist is commencing.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book two of the Angel of darkness series but can be read as a standalone. If you like Jack Reacher stories, Tess is the female version of Jack. Some would say she is a Serial Killer some a Vigilante...others might call her a hero. You have to read the books and decide for yourself. She kills the monsters not the good guys. Fast paced thriller with a strong female lead. Good story keeps your interest right till the end. Looking forward to book 3 .

[C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love books that show strong women in strong roles but most of those women are sweet and gentle otherwise. Not Tess, she is down and dirty all the way. If you like vigilante justice, which I do, you'll love these books. Just keep an open mind when you read these because they're not for the easily offended.

[Jeff Cochrane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read

It was a good read but I think I would have liked it more if I had read book 1 in the series first. No real character development. Tess is Tess. Motivation, history, all lacking. She mentions Southeast Asia but the first book takes place in Europe. Not sure if I will read any more of the series.

[Dwain · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy, enjoyable read

Got this book as a free First Reads book. Short (200 pages) but I really enjoyed it, particularly the main character. She is a female assassin, purging society from people she judges as evil. Eight books in the series and I immediately ordered books 1-4.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fast-paced cliffhanger.

After the second book in the series, there are too many loose ends. One way to sell books is to keep stringing the reader along with the possibility of finishing something that you've started. Such is this authors writing style.

[Roger · Rating 3 out of 5]

good read

[Debbie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Serial Killer

Tess Williams is trying to stop a serial killer, who has already killed three women. The implication is that he's a racist whose killing black women because of their relationship with white men. Decent story with a twist. I give it 2 1/2 stars.

[Martin Pingree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again Steve and Tess hold us spellbound to another gripping story of intrigue, mayhem and murder. If you aren't reading these angel of darkness series you are truly missing missing out on some real page turners !

[linda green · Rating 4 out of 5]

Linda5551@virginmedia.com

it was a very good read could not put the book down read it just a few weeks looking forward to read next one