Right on the heels of the first book in the Detective Val Costa series, the second was also available. I couldn't NOT request it of course! After all, the main character has survived a serial killer. I needed to know what happened next.

In Don't Make a Sound, Val Costa is back, still living in her hometown and recuperating from her escape from The Bear. She has now retired from the FBI since her mother has had a stroke and decided to stay in California. However, retirement is in name only as the local police have brought her on as a consultant on various cases. In the latest, a mother is found stabbed to death in her home. While the husband looks like a suspect, DNA from the crime scene leads the team to discover that the suspect is female. Val is tasked with tracking down this person, before someone else is found dead.

I really enjoyed the second installment in the series, though it left me with even more questions regarding The Bear and Val's "admirer". Are they the same person? Is The Bear someone somehow in her life already? I have entirely too many questions and need to read the third book asap. I like seeing how Val is developing a new life outside of the FBI but still working in law enforcement. Like the first novel, Christie is masterful at twists and turns and building up the story behind the crime. Her writing keeps you guessing till the end.

This is the second book in the Val Costa series. Another series I have jumped in at number 2 and I wish I had read number 1 first. Aside from that this book was brilliant. Hoping to read number 1 soon and any others that may come out.

The second book in the Val Costa series picks up shortly after then end of the first. Val has remained in her home town, leaving her job in the FBI, to look after her mother after a stroke. Thee local police force takes advantage of her skills and take her on to help solve a recent murder of a seemingly well loved local teacher. I don't know how likely it is that someone would be taken on to help out with a murder in this way, but it worked well in the context of this story.
As with the first book, the more you read, the more you discover that there is much more to this than just murder. This was a gripping read that I didn't want to put down once I started. Val is clearly very experienced and she is very skilled in trying to solve the murder. I didn't manage to figure everything out this time, so Val was definitely ahead of me here.
There is still the question of the serial killer the Bear, who was Val's last case when part of the FBI and who is still at large since he held her hostage. Is the bear now behind the messages that Val has been receiving or has he moved away completely? No doubt well get more clues in later books.
I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

Another great book by HK Christie! This new series hooks you and doesn't let go. The writing is fantastic and emotional without being overly dramatic or too boring. Everything is balanced well and the characters you really get to know, like and side with. I cannot wait for the rest of this series!

This is book 2 in the series. I love crime procedurals, so I went back and read book 1 before starting this one. Book 1 was GREAT, but this one is FANTASTIC! It is not necessary to read book 1 to read this book, but I highly recommend it!

This book starts off with a bang, and packs the action up until the very end. I love the balance that he author creates between the characters' personal lives and careers. It helps to bring depth to the characters and made it easy to connect with them. The plot develops from 3 POVs which are all interesting. Val is smart and tough, and I love female detectives that are fierce. There is something BIG on the horizon with the Bear, and I am anxiously awaiting the next book to see exactly what. I couldn't put this one down! I am really excited about this series.

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

In Don’t Make a Sound, we see Val coming out of retirement to help Brady and his team figure out who murdered high school teacher, Claire. I love seeing how her mind works, seeing how she analyzes interviews and the way suspects act. Her and Brady make a great team. And I really like the relationships she’s beginning to form with Lucy and Sally. Val is really starting to feel like she belongs, in a completely different way than she did with the bureau.

I can't wait for more of this series.,

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC of this book.

Wonderful book! Wonderful author! One of my top reads for this year! Absolutely brilliant and unputdownable. Do read this one.

While I enjoyed this book, and found it easy to read, as I do with every H. K Christie title, I felt that the character of Val Costa wasn't developed quite as much as I had hoped. After the first book, I was looking forward to learning more about her and her backstory, but I still feel she is a bit of a surface level character. Perhaps as I have read all of the Selena/Martina books, it seems this way as it is still early compared to these series, so I will definitely be giving the next book a chance and hope to see more in depth development of Val. Having said that, I still enjoyed the actual story and the investigation, I would just like more please!

Book Two in the series and a second read for me.

This pretty much starts off from book one with Val having resigned from her FBI role to take care of her Mum after her recent stroke.

Ever the detective Val just can’t help but keep her hand in and joins forces with the local sheriff department after a local resident is murdered in her own home.

The main characters in this series are really coming to life and developing their personalities.

The writing is engaging, intense and flows easily through the pages.

A good solid mystery. No one is who they seem. This takes you through a seemly unsolvable crime with no motive and meanders to the darkest of horrifying places. This was an amazing read that kept me interested. The characters were perfect. The plot horrified me.
The pace was perfect. A great must read

This is book 2 in H.R. Christie’s new series, and it’s captivating. Her dramatic writing style kept me engaged, as all her books do. Amazing twists and turns, intrigue, and excellent writing that invites the reader to put their Jessica Fletcher hat on. It has a fast moving plot as key characters investigate a murder, taking you along for the ride. I love this new series, and look forward to the next book. I’m hooked. I received a complimentary ARC, but I am voluntarily offering my personal opinion.

Wow I thought book one was good but book two comes out of door swinging and doesn’t stop. This time Val has left the FBI and is asked to help with a local crime of a woman killed in her own home. Val is convinced that the husband is involved but no one believes her and as she investigates the wife’s life she can find no reason for her murder but as she keeps digging and seems to be being helped by an unknown fan the truth is darker than anyone could imagine. I won’t spoil this one but it’s great. Roll on book three I am ready for you!

Another great read from H.K. Christie. This is the second in the Val Costa book series. I flew through it was hooked from the beginning. It’s a fast paced easy read with lots of surprises along the way. Interesting storyline that I didn’t see coming. Val is definitely coming into her own as a character and I’m loving her. This book series has really well developed characters that are lovable in their own ways along with storylines that bring something different in their own ways. There is a current storyline running in the background of the first 2 books that I’m loving as it keeps the interest as it never quite gets there 😉. I love a book that doesn’t just tie up conveniently and everyone lives happily ever after.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to listen to and review #DontMakeASound

I am already anxiously awaiting book three having just finish the first two. The book is well written with some interesting twists and turns along the way. The author did a great job of handling a difficult subject with tact but without holding back on the subject matter. The characters are engaging. I can’t wait to see what case Val and Brady have to solve next!

I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.

Who Killed Claire?

Someone stabbed Claire to death in her own kitchen. Who could it be? Forensics pointed to a female killer, but the clues were baffling. Val would leave no stone unturned to find the killer, and experience taught her to trust her instincts.

What will Val’s investigation reveal? For the answer, you must read this riveting crime thriller. One thing is certain. Sometimes, the monsters lurk in plain sight.

This is an unputdownable crime thriller. I recommend it to those who enjoy stories that keep you on the edge of your seat from beginning to end. I cannot wait for the next book.

I was gifted this ARC. Val is back to kicking butt and taking names in book 2! She is still waiting on her chance to kick the Bear’s booty. I am intrigued by this new admirer. Are they sinister or are they on our girls side? Also, team Val and Brady foreva! Just let it happen girl! I can’t wait until December when the 3rd book comes out.

I loved this book and am excited for this entire series! Characters are amazing….mysteries grab you and hold you until Val solves it!

You know when you start a series and you worry that the second book won’t be as good as the first one? Well, this book is just as good as the first!! I couldn’t put it down.
This time a teacher is murdered and Val jumps in to find the killer. She is also trying to take care of her mom and has a budding romance. We are still trying to figure out who the “Bear” is. I can’t wait for the next book! It comes out in December. Thank you Bookouture for inviting me to be part of the Books on Tour. Thank you to the author, Bookouture and NetGalley for a complimentary copy of the book. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I am absolutely loving Val’s cases. There are so many twists and turns. I love how each has its own case but other situations are happening though out the series. I also love that even though we are so used to the other FMC in the other series, Val brings a different feel to her cases. I can’t wait for the next one. Also the double book drop was awesome. We really got to get into the life of Val and all the character with back to back cases.

My, my, my what a great book. This one may have been better than the first! I love Val! She goes above and beyond to make sure these cases are solved and with the help of Brady..makes it even better. If you’re looking for a gripping thriller to keep you on the edge of the seat, you better start this series (and all of HK Christie’s series)