Beneath Hemlock Skies

FBI Task Force S.W.O.R.D., Book 4

By: D.D. Black

Narrated by: Amber Dekkers, Joe Hempel

How do you shine light on a killer who knows only darkness?

Deep in Washington State's Hoh Rainforest, a young women is found dead, a single sprig of hemlock in her pale, lifeless hand. The killing suggests a ritualistic obsession. The crime scene leaves investigators without a lead.

As Special Agent Claire Anderson and FBI Task Force S.W.O.R.D. dig into the case, an early breakthrough hints at a motive too twisted to believe. But public pressure mounts as the media turns the Hemlock Killer into a nationwide sensation, fueled by damning leaks from inside Claire's own investigation.

Who is leaking the details? And why?

With the killer always one step ahead and FBI Task Force S.W.O.R.D. fracturing under the strain, Claire must tread carefully. But each new discovery pulls her deeper into a darkness that feels endless.

Can her team stop the Hemlock Killer before another victim is claimed? Or will the darkness consume them all—including FBI Task Force S.W.O.R.D. itself?

Series List:

Book 1: The Fifth Victim

Book 2: We Forget Nothing

Book 3: Widows of Medina

Book 4: Beneath Hemlock Skies

©2025 D.D. Black (P)2025 D.D. Black

Clair! Great female portrait!

Please do more research on city names and pronunciation-Spokane is pronounced Spokan. Also be sure to use the correct
name(Jake) for Jack…

Best characters

I love how Claire runs the team and makes them a family with all the problems that go with having a work family!!

relationship nuances with team members

I love how each team member is evolving and building trust with each other. It makes for interesting possibilities.

great plot and narration

Love the series. each story more interesting and different so hard to put a pause. The narration is great

A double edged SWORD

Characters continue to grow. DD Black has a way with showing us the humanity, damaged though it may be, of each individual. He finds a way to make us love them even with their faults. Another fantastic story showing the depths to which mankind can sink while simultaneously taking us on a self realization walk through his characters hearts and our own. Wel done!