Suspenseful Crime Thriller

This story will grab you from the first page. A brutal murder brings Val out of retirement. A man is savagely murdered, and his wife and child are shot in the head. The wife survives, but will the killer come back to finish the job? Who killed Mike and his family? The way Mike was killed smells of revenge. As Val investigates, secrets are revealed. In the meantime, someone is stalking her. Will she uncover the truth before her stalker acts on his obsession?

I enjoyed this riveting story. I recommend it to those who like crime thrillers that keep you on the edge of your seat. I look forward to what this author writes next.

Best book of the series but of course they are all excellent. I like this series as much as the authors Martina Monroe and Selena Bailey books. Check out all of them and I can guarantee you’ll be hooked!

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

This is the third book in the Val costa series. It was fast paced. I recommend that you read the first 2 in the series so that you can get a background of the characters. I honestly couldnt put this book down.

My Thoughts: I love the Val Costa series, I’ve read all 3 and 100% believe they just get better and better, at first I thought it might be because the author got more confident, but then realised how many books H.K. Christie had in her backlist.

Reading this book made me realise it’s a purposely done move from the author as in Hidden In The Dark Val really found her feet & ran with her theories, she was absolutely in her element & I am already looking forward to the 4th book to see where this new found confidence takes her!

The detail in these books are amazing, the crimes are brutal and there’s definitely no holding back in the descriptions & the execution of it, several times this story made me wince.. but I really love that the book isn’t all about the crime, we get to see into the characters lives too.

Vals mum and her group of friends are my absolute favourite, because they’re not afraid to say it how it is or have a bit of fun, but their support for each other & Val is unending.

I honestly thoroughly enjoyed this, read In one sitting and was hooked from beginning to end.

Love, love, love this series and this author! And this book was excellent. Taut, skilful, just absolutely, breathtakingly page turning. I highly recommend this series.

Val Costa may just be my new favorite character!!! This series is a must read!! It was twisty with on the edge of your seat suspense!!!

Thank you so much NetGalley for the advanced reader’s copy!!

This is the third book in the Val Costa series. I really love this series and it’s just getting better and better. There is the main storyline and then the one that is running in the background from book 1 which I’m so invested in. This one moves at a steady pace and there are twists to keep you guessing. It’s a well developed storyline with well developed characters that are really coming into their own and I’m looking forward to what’s coming next. This has it all the current case, the friendships, the relationships and then the past. Really recommend this series.

Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review #HiddenInTheDark

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

"Hidden in the Dark" by H.K. Christie plunges readers into a relentless whirlwind of suspense and intrigue. As the third installment in the Val Costa series, it stands out for its tightly woven plot and masterful storytelling.

The protagonist, Val Costa, is a refreshing take on the crime thriller detective. She’s tenacious, intuitive, and deeply human, facing both professional hurdles and personal demons. Christie crafts her character with such depth and complexity that she feels real, making readers root for her with every twist and turn.

The plot of this story is a meticulously constructed puzzle. From the first page, the narrative tension is palpable, and Christie expertly balances action-packed sequences with moments of introspection and character development. Each chapter ends on a note that compels you to read "just one more," creating a genuinely unputdownable experience.

Christie’s knack for setting is commendable. The dark, atmospheric backdrops add an extra layer of tension and unease, making the stakes feel higher and the dangers more imminent. It’s clear that Christie has a sharp eye for detail, as every scene is rich with vivid descriptions that immerse readers in Val Costa’s world.

This novel tackles themes of trust, betrayal, and redemption in a manner that's both poignant and thought-provoking. The moral gray areas in which the characters operate make the story feel all the more real and gripping. Christie doesn’t shy away from exploring the darker aspects of human nature, making the reader question what they might do in similar situations.

"Hidden in the Dark" is a standout crime thriller that cements H.K. Christie’s status as a master of the genre. With its dynamic characters, relentless pace, and expertly crafted plot, it’s a must-read for anyone who loves a good mystery. Whether you’re a long-time fan of Val Costa or new to the series, this book will not disappoint. Prepare to be thoroughly captivated.

I’m starting to get invested in the characters and the books are getting tighter. The mysteries are good. If you have enjoyed Crimjnal Minds on TV and police/FBI procedurals I think you’ll like this. In addition to the murder mystery, there is a lot of real-world/reality that happens along side. There’s also a slow burning subplot that is keeping me interested. I want to know how it turns out!

This one was the best yet. Plotting is starting to get tighter and editing of reparations better (but not complete).

Hidden in the dark by H. K. Christie.
Val Costa book 3.
This was a good read. I did like the cover and blurb of this book. This is a new author for me. This is the first book I've read of hers. I liked the writing style. Short chapters were great. I liked how Brady and Val were together. How they worked as a team. I'm looking forward to the next book.

Blurb.
The table is set for family dinner; roast chicken, wine for them and juice for their darling boy, a vase of fresh daisies from the garden for decoration. But the food is cold, and the flowers are wilting. You might think they were sleeping in the next room, if it wasn’t for the blood dripping crimson onto the carpet…

FBI Agent Val Costa is drawn out of retirement once again when the Cramer family are found dead in their home in Red Rose County. She falls to her knees in despair at the sight of little Michael Jr., curled up on the couch. What monster would take the life of an innocent child? Val vows to find justice for the mother, Stephanie Cramer, who survived the attack but is fighting for her life in hospital.

Interviewing neighbors uncovers no leads, but Val knows there’s a message in the way Mike Cramer’s body was left, tied to chair, stab wounds all over his body. It seems mother and son were collateral, and Mike was the real target. But why? Working in an auto shop between taking his boy to karate class, Michael was a perfect family man. There are no signs of a robbery, and all Val has to work with are small-town whispers about the age gap between him and his wife.

A break in the case comes when a secret phone is found hidden in Mike’s car and GPS reveals he’d been making late-night trips out of town for weeks before his family was attacked. Her team are quick to suspect an affair, but Val’s instincts tell her it’s something far more sinister.

As more cracks in the perfect Cramer family picture begin to show—arguments, money troubles—Val must work around the clock to stop this twisted individual in their tracks. But does she know someone is watching her every move? And when a dark secret in Mike’s past surfaces, can Val stay ahead of her stalker long enough to catch the killer before another precious life is taken?

Hidden In The Dark by H.K. Christie is the third in the Val Costa series.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


Series Background: (Warning – Contains spoilers from previous books)
FBI Special Agent Val Costa was living in DC until she was kidnapped by the serial killer known as The Bear. She had been hunting him, but made a mistake. Thankfully her team rescued her, but not before having The Bear's signature carved into her skin. He is still at large. She moved back in with her mom in Red Rose County California to recover, but when her mom had a stroke, she retired from the FBI to care for her. She has an 18-year old son Harrison who is starting at MIT. She is middle-aged, and divorced. Val has a sister Maxine, who is a major in the U.S. Army.



My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Val is called to investigate the deaths of Michael Cramer and his son, who were killed when their family dinner was interrupted by a gunman.  Stephanie, the wife and mother of the deceased was also shot, but lays in a coma.

On further investigation, the team finds that Mike may have been dealing drugs.  Perhaps he was not the perfect family man that everyone thought.  Now they start looking to see if he was part of a gang, or perhaps part of a drug cartel.  Val feels something is off, but they still don't know what.  Hopefully Stephanie will regain consciousness soon, and answers will be found.




My Opinions:
I may be in the minority on this one, but I'm struggling with this series.  Liked, but didn't love the first, but enjoyed the second one.  This one, was just okay again.    The writing seemed "sappy".  The brewing romance between the two lead characters just doesn't sit right with me.  Brady is coming off as a wimp.  It's one thing to show respect to her previous position, and quite another to always take a step back.   And I still don't like Val's superior attitude, especially since she really screwed up in this one.  Then there is the constant texting between college-student son and mother -- that's just not realistic. The drug and organized crime angles are not my favorite topics, but that's not the fault of the writer.

On the good side, I really like some of the other characters.  I continue to like the co-workers Lucy and Sally, as well as Val's Mom and her friends.

As well, although the topics might not be my favorite, the process and telling of the story was very good.  There was even a major twist.   It flowed very well, and kept me interested.  I'm getting used to the ongoing Bear storyline.

I like how the chapters alternated between multiple characters.  That worked well, and showed us that there is someone else out there tracking Val.   It was also a very fast and easy read.

I don't like when authors feel the need to leave a cliff-hanger at the end.  Always feels like a money-grab.  If you don't want to read more without a cliff-hanger, the author isn't doing a good job of keeping her audience interested.

I am sure others will love this one.  Overall, the book was okay, but has me questioning if Book 4 will be for me.

H. K. Christie returns with her popular FBI Val Costa Series—following GONE BY DAWN #1, DON'T MAKE A SOUND #2, with her latest addition, HIDDEN IN THE DARK #3.

Meet FBI Agent Val Costa, a unique character in her own right. At 46, she's a divorced woman, a mother, a daughter, and a retired FBI agent. But don't let her retired status fool you; she's still a force to be reckoned with in the field!

This #3 installment is a twisty, fast-paced action crime thriller, whodunit, and whydunit, with an unstoppable heroine you will root for. The suspenseful plot will keep you on the edge of your seat as she balances her work and home life, staying one step ahead of danger.

About...

Picking up from the last two books, FBI Special Agent Val Costa was living in DC until she was kidnapped by a serial killer, "The Bear." She barely escaped and has a carving on her skin, as with all the other victims. However, she was lucky to make it out alive.

However, Bear is still out there. Has he followed her to California? If so, her mother could be in danger. Is he the SECRET ADMIRER?

Val's life is far from simple. At 46, she's retired from the FBI, divorced, and a mother to a son who's about to start at MIT. Her mother's health issues (a stroke) prompted her recent move back to Red Rose County in California, adding another layer of complexity to her life.

Not long after arriving, she is drawn out of retirement and called to work as a consultant for the local sheriff's department, working closely with her high school friend Brady.

The murder of the Cramer family is a chilling mystery. The husband and son are dead, and the wife is barely clinging to life in the hospital. On the surface, they seemed like the perfect family, but what dark secrets were they hiding?

The dad worked at an auto body shop, the mom is a receptionist at a law firm, and they have lived in the town for fifteen years. They were quiet and never any signs of disturbance or domestic violence.

Val will stop at nothing until she solves the mystery of Mike (the dad) and what he was involved in. Is there something more sinister going on?

In a race against time, she must figure out a way to keep the wife safe once she is out of her coma.

And someone is watching Val. A SECRET ADMIRER. Then, a note. Is Bear back?

My thoughts...

Gripping, Intriguing, Engaging, and Cliffhanging!

HIDDEN IN THE DARK is a multi-leveled fascinating crime series blending cop procedural and psychological. With her strong character development, FBI Detective Val Costa is highly relatable and the show's star. She is sharp, driven, and tenacious, and I love how the author blends her personal with her business life.

Val is retired from the FBI, but she knows she cannot possibly stay retired forever as she has too much energy and life left. She had not worked in seven months except for her investigation into the Bear. The FBI's trail on him had gone cole.

But Val's gut tells her he is holed up somewhere waiting to attack. She knows he has piercing blue eyes that she had seen outlined by his black ski mask when she was in captivity. He still haunts her in nightmares. It appears we are going to meet him again in the next book. (cliffhanger).

HIDDEN IN THE DARK is twisty and complex. An evil plan of revenge, drugs, greed, and a past of violence, heartbreak, and trauma, with high-stakes and relentless suspense and a protagonist racing against time to solve this complex crime, uncovering hidden secrets and facing formidable antagonists. All this and more will keep you glued to the pages.

I am enjoying this series (thank you, Bookouture, for introducing this author and series with #1 and #2) and the author's writing style. Even though you may read this as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the first and the second books in the series in order before reading the third. I am invested in the well-written characters and the different cases Val is immersed in while caring for her family.

Val's mom's friends are so much fun and quite supportive. I also love the team Val works with and the relationship with Brady - may be a new romantic love interest. I look forward to seeing what will happen next as there is more unraveling with Bear and the Secret Admirer stalker.

Recs...

As mentioned in my previous reviews, this series is for fans of the author and those who enjoy books by Robin Mahle, Willow Rose, and Lisa Gardner. (all favs)

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Dec 12, 2024
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A wonderful book! I cannot wait to read the next installment. This book was engaging and had many twists!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Favorite Quotes:

...he’s having a go at being a ruthless drug lord. Maybe he’s watched Scarface one too many times.


My Review:

My interest in this well-paced series hasn’t waned due to the wily author’s crafty writing style, one that keeps the little pea in my brain itchy, engaged, curious, and primed to gather the meager clues sprinkled throughout the several active and carefully constructed storylines. I am enjoying learning more about the primary and secondary characters as they become more comfortable with each other. I see trouble brewing in the next installment as the enigmatic serial killer appears to be prepping for another strike.

Val is tending to her mother when she is asked to join the Police force to solve a gruesome killing of a child and his father and the mother who was left for dead when they reached their home. Val, Brady and their team will work non-stop trying to understand who is behind the crime but nothing makes sense until the US Marshalls join the case and things only get worse. Nothing was as it seemed, there is a corrupt and vindictive US Marshall, the mob, a father figure that had a really dark past, and two brothers who could not leave the past behind and only made their present worse for them and their families. Engaging and well-written, Hidden in the Dark is good entertainment!
I thank Ms. Christie, her publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for 'Hidden In The Dark' by H.K Christie.

This may be the second book I have read by this author. It is also the third book in Christie's 'Val Costa' series but can be read as a standalone. I have previously read the first book in this series which is called 'Gone By Dawn' which I would also highly recommend!

Yet another absolutely page turning, heart racing read from this incredible author!!

I have no idea how I have missed reading the second book in this series which is called 'Don't Make A Sound' before I read this but I will definitely be going back to read it!!! Although this is the third book in the series there is no problem with reading it as a standalone. I am not a fan of reading books out of order but there is a silver lining like I have found out by missing the second book and that is when you have finished reading the later one you can go back and read the earlier ones while you are waiting for the next book to come out which is definitely what I will be doing! This book is fantastically written and had me hooked from the first page until the last. This book is yet another fabulous addition to Christie's 'Val Costa' series which has very quickly become a favourite series of mine! In this book we return to California and meet former special agent Val Costa (again, for those who have read the previous books in this series) who is retired from the FBI but has helped the police as a consultant on several cases. The police want her to work with them permanently but Val likes to have control in cases so taking the work on her terms suits her perfectly at the moment. Val is called in to help on a case when the Cramer family are discovered murdered in their home in Red Rose County. The dinner table is set with food and drinks and daisies decorate the table but the food has gone cold. It breaks Val's heart seeing 12 year old Michael shot dead on the sofa and is determined to find the killer and get justice for Stephanie who is Michael's mother who survived but is fighting for her life in hospital. Looking at the crime scene with Michael's dad Mike's body being tied up with multiple stab wound Val believes that it was him who the killer wanted dead and the Mother and son just got in the way. Mike worked in an auto shop and seemed the perfect family man so who wanted him dead? Val begins investigating and discovers that Mike had a secret phone which showed late night visits weeks before the attack. With money problems and arguments in the family could an affair be added to the list is something more dangerous have been going on? Can Val find the killer before it is too late and will 2 deaths become 3? Grab your copy of this absolutely addictive page turner to find out for yourself and I can promise that you will not regret it. With a storyline filled with tension, mystery, murder, drama, suspense, twists, turns and absolutely everything that you can ask for and much, much more!! I absolutely devoured this fantastic and explosive page turner in one sitting of a few hours and cannot wait to get stuck straight into the second book which is called 'Don't Make A Sound' which I am pleased to say is available to purchase now!! This book really is one of those amazing books that will keep you glued to the pages. Each and every time I said I would just finish the chapter I was on and get on with some work just to discover it ended in a way that I just HAD to read the next one which happened again and again until in the end I just read it in one so make sure you clear your schedules before you open s single page of this book! It is filled with action and multiple storylines and protagonists including Val, 'The Secret Admirer', Brady which Christie manages to weave together perfectly ensuring there is always something going on but that the storyline isn't too complex that the reader gets confused. If you are looking to start a new addictive, gripping and heart racing series then THIS ladies and gentleman is absolutely PERFECT for you so grab your copy now!! I promise you that you will NOT regret it!! Christie's absolutely fantastic evocative writing skills ensures the reader sees and feels absolutely everything the characters see and feel ensuring their hearts are racing along with them.

CLEAR YOUR SCHEDULES BEFORE TURNING A SINGLE PAGE OF THIS ABSOLUTELY ADDICTIVE BOOK AS YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO PUT IT DOWN!!

I absolutely loved meeting Val Costa again who I became completely invested in when I first met her in 'Gone By Dawn' and I loved getting to know more about her in this book. She very quickly came to feel like a friend rather than a fictional character. She is realistic, headstrong, determined and a strongly defined character! I am a huge fan of female protagonists being female myself and Val is definitely one of my favourites when it comes to crime books. She refuses to back down even when it means disobeying orders. Not only is she a FBI agent being female in a world mainly dominated by men but she is also a mother plus a daughter to an aging mother and she is juggling it all at once. I have also found that Brady has grown on me more since I first met him as I was unsure of him for a while. In fact there were several characters that I liked or disliked but I am not going to go into any further details as I don't want to spoil it for future readers so grab your copy now to find out more about them for yourselves!! The characters were all realistic and it was lovely to watch all the different relationships and friendships between different characters develop and grow. Christie's amazing vivid imagery really does bring them to life at every turn of the page.

Congratulations H.K Christie on what promises to be a huge success!!! I cannot wait to get stuck into more of your books especially 'Don't Make A Sound' which I need to go back to. This is the exact reason you are on my favourite author list!!! Here is to your next success 🥂

Overall another absolutely addictive, heart racing and unputdownable crime thriller that will keep you up all night from this superb author.

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This is a weird review as I was sure I wrote about book #1 and #2 in this series. I was going to write the review for book #3 and discovered that I didn't write anything for the entire series so this will be a common review for the entire series, including the third novel.
Val Costa is a great character: she's not wonder woman, she hasn't any huge chip on her shoulder nor a traumatic past, she's a clever and brave woman who works for FBI and collaborate with the local police.
She moved in a Californian county to be near her son after a meeting with a serial killer that left her branded and phisically hurt. She needs to recover and think about her future.
Red Rose county is not a huge and highly populated county, you have to suspend your belief because the number of violent death is highest than 58.4 dead for 100k person.
Statistics apart this is a hell of a series that improves with each installment and the third one is the best one so far. There's always suspense and emotions in these stories and I found the third one a gripping and heart wrenching page turner.
Val grew on me and I loved her evolution and cannot wait to read new stories as I wanted to visit Rose County and catch up with the characters.
I appreciated how the author developed the solid plots that surprised me and the good storytelling.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

H.K. Christie has a fantastic writing style and a bonafide protagonist in Val Costa. I loved the first two books in her series & it’s great to read them in order, but they can be read as stand-alones. This pulse-pounding crime thriller is filled with suspense & and excitement.

Thank you, H.K. Christie, Bookouture, & netgalley for my #gifted copy! All opinions are my own.

Book three of the series and this was flows from the last in terms of Vals personal circumstances and she finds herself consulting on a case for the local sheriff's department as she decides upon her future within the police force.

Val is a tenacious resilient character who is passionate about her profession and need for justice,

This was another great installation that had a multitude of layers with lots of different facets that were excellently woven together to produce a compelling case with a satisfying conclusion and a hanger for book four.

Being obsessed with this series is an understatement. I love Val and Brady. The way they work together to solve crimes, and the bit of tension between them too ::chef's kiss:: And they’re older characters, which makes them more relatable.

Brutal murders to kick off the book. And Val and Brady and crew are brought in to figure out why. They’re so methodical and Val’s instincts are stellar. They all work well together and have some great friendships beyond the job too. She’s protective of everyone in her life, and there are many times in this book where that is blatantly obvious.

I read this one in a morning, I couldn’t put it down.

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