After He Took

Sloane Riddle #1

by Rylie Dark

As a former corrections officer at a prison of ruthless inmates, Detective Sloane Riddle is persistently tormented by memories of the prison system. Now, she uses her insight into criminal psychology to solve murders and high-profile cases—but will success come at the risk of her own safety?

When several convicts vanish into the desert night during a prison break, Sloane faces off against suspects from her past life as a corrections officer. Haunted by chilling memories, she must untangle a snare of deadly clues before another body turns up.

AFTER HE TOOK (A Sloane Riddle Suspense Thriller—Book 1) is the first book in a highly anticipated new series by #1 bestseller Rylie Dark, whose bestseller SEE HER RUN (a free download) has received over 700 five star ratings and reviews.

The SLOANE RIDDLE mystery series is a gripping cat-and-mouse narrative brimming with startling developments that will have your heart racing. This refreshing take on the thriller genre presents a captivating yet tortured female protagonist who is sure to win your affection and compel you to read well past bedtime. Fans of Lee Child, Melinda Leigh, and Robert Dugoni are sure to fall in love.

Genres: Mystery, Amazon, Thriller, Novella, Fiction

152 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 14, 2024

About the author

Rylie Dark is author of the SADIE PRICE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising six books (and counting); of the CARLY SEE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising six books (and counting); of the MIA NORTH FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising six books (and counting); of the MORGAN STARK FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising five books (and counting); of the HAILEY ROCK FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising five books (and counting),of the TARA STRONG MYSTERY series, comprising five books (and counting); and of the ALEX QUINN SUSPENSE THRILLER series, comprising five books (and counting).

Rylie loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.ryliedark.com to receive free ebooks, hear the latest news, and stay in touch.

BOOKS BY RYLIE DARK

ALEX QUINN SUSPENSE THRILLER

FIRST, MURDER (Book #1)

SECOND, DEATH (Book #2)

THIRD, ENVY (Book #3)

FOURTH, LUST (Book #4)

FIFTH, WRATH (Book #5)

HAILEY ROCK FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

BEHIND YOU (Book #1)

BESIDE YOU (Book #2)

AFTER YOU (Book #3)

WATCHING YOU (Book #4)

JUDGING YOU (Book #5)

TARA STRONG MYSTERY

GIRL WITHOUT A CHANCE (Book #1)

GIRL WITHOUT A HOME (Book #2)

GIRL WITHOUT A TRACE (Book #3)

GIRL WITHOUT A NAME (Book #4)

GIRL WITHOUT A PRAYER (Book #5)

SADIE PRICE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

ONLY MURDER (Book #1)

ONLY RAGE (Book #2)

ONLY HIS (Book #3)

ONLY ONCE (Book #4)

ONLY SPITE (Book #5)

ONLY MADNESS (Book #6)

MIA NORTH FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

SEE HER RUN (Book #1)

SEE HER HIDE (Book #2)

SEE HER SCREAM (Book #3)

SEE HER VANISH (Book #4)

SEE HER GONE (Book #5)

SEE HER DEAD (Book #6)

CARLY SEE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

NO WAY OUT (Book #1)

NO WAY BACK (Book #2)

NO WAY HOME (Book #3)

NO WAY LEFT (Book #4)

NO WAY UP (Book #5)

NO WAY TO DIE (Book #6)

MORGAN STARK FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

TOO LATE (Book #1)

TOO CLOSE (Book #2)

TOO FAR GONE (Book #3)

TOO LOST (Book #4)

TOO BROKEN (Book #5)

Reviews

[Sarah Wakeford · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book wasn't too bad. I had gotten if off amazon first reads.
I probably would read the next couple of book as they don't really finish the book off

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just okay… kept me engaged and thinking about the characters and outcomes.

I am not sure a series that has more than 3 books could ever be 5 stars in my mind, but maybe I’m just biased.

Quick read! Do not have the others in the series but will most likely wind up reading them… added to the TBR pile for now… it just keeps piling up LOL.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rylie Dark's After He Took is well written. The main characters are nicely fleshed out. Sloane Riddle has a major case of PTSD but in an interesting twist, not from the usual trope of her "sister going missing years before." That's a welcome change.

For me, After He Took is a 4 Star book due to there being several typos in the book, as well as two different spellings of "Derrick." In addition, I was slightly disappointed in the shorter length of After He Took.

Overall, however, it's a good solid read. I look forward to reading more of Rylie Dark's books.

[Georgette · Rating 3 out of 5]

this was free from amazon. considering the title doesn't even make a complete phrase, i should have known what i was getting in to. you are not going to have loose metal chairs in a prison full of violent inmates. has this author done any homework regarding the works of a prison? there was one guy that was arrested for murder three months ago and already sentenced to life in prison. the wheels of justice just don't work like that. also, they don't put convicted murderers in the same place with people that are there for simple assault. many of the conversational lines contained few to no contractions, making conversational lines stilted, unnatural, and robotic.
other than that, it was well written with only a few proofreading blips but it was a bit wordy and predictable. it was ok but it won't make me pay money for the next in the series even though there was a "cliffhanger".

[Candice's Library · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad

I enjoyed the dual POV with the murderer. The way the author portrayed him keeps you guessing on who it is. The only reason I'm giving it 3 stars instead of 4 is because Sloane pi$$ed me off alot during the book. When the nurse tells her to stay Sloane gets all high and mighty. I get that as the books go on she will get better and its character growth but she rubbed me the wrong way by just trying to ignore everything and keep having these attacks. She also irritated me with her brother. For the love of God stop mothering him and let him make his own choices. People dont get better just because you fuss at them about everything. Lord knows if she was my sister I'd never answer the phone lol! It ends on a semi cliff hanger. The killer is found out but there's still criminals to find. All in all not bad.

[Maryann Hornbaker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Different Type of Crime

I enjoyed this storyline since it was very unusual. Sloane and Max are chasing the wrong criminals. That’s a switch.

My complaints are these.. I found it difficult to believe Sloane can operate without sleep. And the author was very wordy. Using a complete paragraph to explain something that could better said in one sentence. It’s almost as though she’s trying to make her book longer. It’s the story that counts not the length of the book.

[Sandra · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 I am in the minority with my low rating. The dialogue was repetitive and—I don’t know what to call it. How many times does Sloane (the female detective) have to tell her partner she trusts him, he is a great driver, etc. I did not find this book realistic. Two “hot shot” detectives who single handedly capture the bad guys. Thank goodness it was a free Kindle book.

[Johanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

Immature writing

I have read other books by Rule Dark that were much better than this one. I found the writing to be like more of a script than a book. Shame, really, Rylie has written better books. I will continue to try other books by Rylie, hopefully the writing will be better.

[Brittany · Rating 3 out of 5]

Did audible version - This was intriguing and boring at the same time, nice plot but I found myself rewinding chapters at a time realizing my mind went somewhere else multiple times. I finished because I wanted to know who the killer was and the murders is what actually kept my engaged. Sloan though… not so much. Definitely won’t be finishing the series.
2.5 not even 3 full stars sorry Rylie 😩

[Barefoot Gypsy Jimerson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dame good

Wow that was fun to read. The detectives work well together and the barter between them was funny. The story was well wrote with slot of a of action and who don it. Really great read.

[Brian Estabrook · Rating 5 out of 5]

good read

This book was a good read. I liked the relationship between the two detectives and how they were great partners. How riddle had ptsd and he was right there to help her in anyway. I will continue to read the rest of the books series.

[diannscollins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Characters

Two detectives are investigating brutal murders of women, and at the same time are looking for some prison escapees. Are they connected? This book has good writing and doesn't have unnecessary details.

[William M. Stone III · Rating 2 out of 5]

SO SORRY....

Was not quite sure while reading the book as too many things just popped into their heads with no proof. PLUS too many things were left up in the air at the end. The only positive thing --- It was a quick read

[Bailey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 ⭐️

[marjorie graham · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book that was, couldn't put it down.

[Garrett Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good and interesting story well told.

Sloane and her partner have their hands full trying to find z killer of four women that all went to high school together many years ago.

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good mystery

I liked this mystery. I liked that it was a short mystery, kept you guessing, and many suspects to choose.

[Brookie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was great, but it was a little too fast-paced for my liking.

[Janet Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fast-reading book that keeps you interested. Well written. Highly recommended.

[LB · Rating 5 out of 5]

First time reading this Author. Have to say, I enjoyed this book. The characters are good. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Molly Stuart · Rating 3 out of 5]

decent

[Jackie Mulkey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 52 Book Club's 2025 Challenge - Summer Challenge #14 - Character shares a profession from a character in the previous book

[Jennifer Chavez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The suspense!!!

It’s an amazing read. Takes you through the mind of the main characters and the killer. Unexpected twists and turns.

[De · Rating 4 out of 5]

well written. a bit slow in storyline.