once the pieces started falling into place i could NOT put this down. val is established as such a strong lead so early on. i love this series and i already can’t wait for book three!

Once again, H.K. Christie delivers a mind-blowing, spine-chilling thriller. Just like the first book in the series, Don't Make a Sound had me hooked from start to finish. It's a roller coaster of red herrings, shocking twists, and Val's razor-sharp instincts, all leading to an ending that left me speechless.

Don't Make a Sound is a gripping, thoroughly engrossing thriller that seamlessly blends suspense, emotional depth, and complex character dynamics. Christie masterfully crafts a story that keeps you turning pages, unable to put it down until the very end. The twists are both shocking and unexpected, and the pacing is relentless. Val Costa is a compelling protagonist—haunted yet determined, strong yet fearful of the worst.

Though it can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend starting with book one in the Val Costa series. If you're a fan of fast-paced thrillers set in small towns, this book is a must-read.

Ugh, if you have NOT picked up one of H.K. Christie’s series yet, what are you doing with your life??😵‍💫 This book is the second in the Val Costa series and it was AMAZING. Probably the best one I’ve read so far, and I finished the Martina series.

If you love an easy read that is mixed with SVU vibes, you will love these stories.

This specific one of the Val Costa series, Don’t Make a Sound, had SO many twists and turns to it. It kept me guessing the ENTIRE time about the back story to the murder that happens in the very first chapter. Once you find out who the murderer is, H.K. Christie gives you MORE twists and turns and there’s even a bigger back story to WHY the murder took place.

Not only that, but NOW there is a “secret admirer” stalking Val Costa, helping her ironically with the cases she’s working, and we learn this throughout the SERIES. I just love these books so much and I’m so glad I discovered them.

Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC! 💚

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this arc!

What a great book!! Such a good thriller/mystery! Perfect writing style and that plot twist!! PERFECT!!

The second instalment of the adventures of Val Costa did not disappoint. A great plot and further character building makes this another easy read that you can’t get enough of and you will fly through the short chapters to find out what happens next!
I need to know more about the secret admirer, is it the bear? Can’t wait for the next instalment!

Big thanks to NetGalley for the read and another big recommendation from me!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I’ve really enjoyed reading about Val. She’s quite an interesting character. The team at the sheriff’s department work together well. There are some doubts about some of Val’s suspicions but she keeps at it. Perfect people are very seldom as perfect as they seem. I am so looking forward to the next book. I hope the author doesn’t stop at 3 books.

Second installment even better than the first. Strong plot that keeps moving and well developed characters that you feel you know. Enough suspense and secrets to keep things interesting. A winner for detective mystery fans.

This book is the second book in the Val Costa Series. I was excited to tag along with Val - a retired FBI agent, as she starts to investigate again. This book is a mix between helping others and helping herself. The author didn’t disappoint when it came to character development and world building. This thriller will have you looking every which way and questioning everything.

Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The second Val Costa book finds Val retired from the FBI and helping her Mom (the former county sheriff) recover from her stroke. In their community, a teacher and well respected woman has been murdered. Brady - Val's friend and deputy sheriff - asks Val to officially help determine who murdered the woman. After negotiating with the Sheriff and Val's Mom's dear friends, Val is all in. Nothing makes sense to Val, as no one has a bad thing to say about the woman or her family. But, something with the husband has Val's spidey senses tingling... The case quickly escalates - and a strange note is delivered to Val, along with a mysterious fire that makes everything more clear. H.K. Christie has written such a fabulous and layered character in Val Costa - it's a treat to watch her navigate this case... and it will keep you up well past your bedtime. Thank you to Bookouture for an advanced reader of this book. The opinions expressed are my own.

We have the second book in the Val Costa series. The first book was fantastic as is this one. Val is still back in her home town taking care of her mom, who suffered a stroke. She's retired from the FBI and getting a bit stir crazy. Her old school friend, Brady, asks for her help with a case of a woman found murdered in her home. Val had helped Brady in book 1 with a case and with her FBI training, did a remarkable job.

Val, herself, was recuperating from being taken by The Bear, a serial killer. Her team came in and saved her in book 1. Mentally, she still is processing being held captive and almost dying. She thinks she's getting letters from The Bear, so we have that going on too.

The author does a fantastic job with the characters and Val reconnecting with her home town. The characters and their lives are so relatable and Val's mom is just wonderful. I can't wait for the third book.

Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for the ARC, I greatly appreciate it and highly recommend this book and the previous one.

Caught my attention right from the start !! I loved this book so much ! Really didn't see some of the things coming and it blew myind. Such great work .

Val is back ! First of all I love Val and Brady they are excellent characters! I love the small town feel in this series. Who killed Claire? Every time you think you figured it out your wrong! I love books that keep me on my toes! Read both books in this series you will not be disappointed! If you love a great murder mystery with a serial killer stalker in the distance watching Val then read this series!!!

if you thought the first instalment of val costa’s life was good, then this second instalment just knocked it out of the ballpark. h.k. christie once again balances character’s personal lives and casework SO well, with a three character POV structure that works really well. following more of val’s life (and her budding partnership-turning-relationship (i hope!) with brady) as well as being teased with more from the bear made this book an easy five star read.

only thing i’m left asking? when’s book three hitting shelves (and who is the bear..)

This is another stellar crime thriller from H. K. Christie. It is the continuing story of Valerie Costa the former FBI agent. In this thriller she has moved home to be with her mom who is recovering from a stroke. When a brutal murder takes place, Val lends her expertise to the police department to try and unravel the mystery. Valerie Costa worked for the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit, so she has a keen sense when it comes to identifying the perpetrator. This story unravels slowly, but rapidly escalates as they get closer to solving the crime. It has some shocking turn of events that keep you totally engaged in the story! It is a true crime story reminiscent of a Criminal Minds episode. This book is a must read for thriller lovers! I look forward to reading more of her books.

Book two in the series and it's another hit. 

Red Rose County. Who would not want to live there.? It seems like such a peaceful place to spend your life, but the reality is far from rosy all the time. 

The people living there must thank their lucky stars for Val, who is a champion in solving crime cases. As a former FBI agent, she struggled a bit to find her place in this quiet spot, but because she has lived their before, the villagers make her feel very welcome, except for the baddies, of course. :)

I am happy to see that Val has recuperated from her ordeal and starts making a life for herself again. She has found a job she likes and has found a few colleagues she bonds with. 

Her former job as a profiler helps her to see things others don't and it's thanks to her determination she and her team get to the bottom of the case with a little help from a friend or is it a fiend? 

This is another story that kept me glued to my screen. I like everything about it: the writing style, the characters, the setting. And of course, with a cliffhanger the author keeps us hanging, craving more, much more. 5 stars

Thank you

I enjoy a good thriller. This one had a great plot, but I found myself distracted by the dialogue. It came across stiff and un-natural in some places.

This talented author has written page turner. Secrets and red herrings…murder…family and friends. Recipe for intrigue. Realistic characters keep this story moving quickly. Val is trying to solve this case. Her mother is ill, and that complicates the situation. This story about a loving daughter is complicated by the murder, to say the least. Thanks Netgalley.

Val is living with her mother who had a stroke, having left the FBI.
She is called in by the Sheriff to investigate the murder of Claire Nelson, a beloved teacher in the town. Val immediately suspects Claire's husband, Jordan of being somehow involved in his wife's death.

This is another absolutely riveting instalment of the Val Costa series.
Val's instincts are almost always correct, and she has plenty of experience, having worked in the FBI.
There seems to be a theme of a secondary crime or crimes being uncovered while she is investigating.

I love the way she has found her niche with the team, and made close friends with the ladies. Also, the community spirit, and the way her mother and friends have an avid interest in the cases that Val investigates.
I suspect that Val's kidnapper, The Bear, will be making another attempt to kidnap her - I hope she figures out who he is.
The Admirer is concerning, leaving notes for Val and assisting behind the scenes with her cases.

Of course, there is a cliffhanger ....

Looking forward to the next in this series, Val is fast becoming one of my favourite strong female leads.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book.

Val is again helping the local police when a beloved mother and teacher is found stabbed to death in her kitchen. Val is suspicious of the husband, Jordan, but he has an alibi. Still...after days of searching, Val and Brady uncover some sickening information about the husband, but they also figure out who the killer is and why they committed the murder. And, thru it all, Val is receiving messages, supposedly from her former kidnapper,. the Bear, but no sign of him.