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		Book Review - Dark Angel Reprinted from January 2006 Issue -by MARSHA BATES Dark Angel, written by David Klass, ©2005, by Farrar, Straus and Giroux, NY, 312 pages. Seventeen-year-old Jeff has a secret that’s eating him alive. Six years ago his older brother Troy was convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison. Now Troy’s sentence has been overturned on a technicality. He’s coming home to live with Jeff and his parents. Soon everyone will know the dark secret his family has tried to bury by moving to Pineville and leaving the past behind. When they do, the misery will start all over again. The bullying, the shunning, the judgment his family will have to endure. Jeff’s been through it before and knows what lies ahead. Things go sour as soon as Troy moves back in. Troy’s attitude toward Jeff and his parents is patronizing and vaguely threatening. Jeff’s girlfriend, Beth is forbidden by her parents even to speak with Jeff at school. He watches in misery while his soccer team rival puts the moves on Beth. At home, Jeff feels like his privacy has been invaded. Even though he puts a lock on his bedroom door, things are constantly moved out of place in his room. At school, the provocative discussions of good and evil in Mr. Tsuyuki’s English class can’t calm the sense of impending danger Jeff feels lurking behind Troy’s affable façade. Jeff is astounded that his parents can be so naïve as to let this monster move back into the fold in hopes they can rehabilitate him. Troy finds an apartment and a job. Then another young boy goes missing and is presumed dead. The police are suspicious, but can’t link Troy to the killing and can’t locate the body of Thomas Fraser. Slowly, the evil begins to seep through Troy’s careful mask. When Jeff finds out Troy has drawn sexy explicit pictures of Beth (including the small tattoo she keeps hidden) he knows his brother is stalking his friends and their safety is at risk. There are many forms of evil in the world; psychopathic killers and drug dealers to name a few, and there are those who will not give up hope, even in the face of danger. Jeff must find a way to thwart Troy’s malevolence and protect his family and friends without destroying his parents. When the inevitable disaster strikes, Jeff finds the courage to take a stand against evil. This book is recommended for readers in grades 9-12. Reviewed by Marsha Bates, employee of the Mid-Columbia Library System, Kennewick Branch.