Hidden in the Dark is the third book in the Val Costa series but the first I have read. I didn’t have trouble keeping up with the story in this book but it is worth noting Val has someone from her past that is stalking her through these books. Val retired from the FBI after being kidnapped by a serial killer and escaping. Now she helps the local police department on certain special cases. The latest case involves the murder of a father and son and a shot to the head for the critically injured mother. It quickly becomes apparent that someone was targeting the family due to the father’s past. The case is interesting and wraps up neatly by the end of the book. Val’s serial killer stalker leaves off with the pursuit continuing into the next books of the series. The characters are likable and the touch of chemistry and hints of romance between Val and Brady just enhance the story for an enjoyable, page-turning mystery. My voluntary, unbiased, and non-mandatory review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

Thank you NetGalley! I haven’t previously read any of this author’s work so the Val Costa story was new to me. It was definitely my type of story. I love a good detective story. It definitely made me feel for the characters

Thanks to Boukouture for my early copy of this book. I’m really enjoying the Val Costa series. She is a strong female lead and there is also good development of other characters from book to book. This instalment had a good premise and plenty of twists in the investigation to keep me hooked. Really looking forward to the next in the series and highly recommend to fans of this genre!

Another amazing book by HK Christie! The continuation of the characters while not falling flat kept me super intrigued in this one. The case the mc worked on was a really well written one and only further pushed me to the edge of my seat. I’m so ready to read the next one! The cliffhanger on this was brutal (but in all the best ways!).

The perfect mix of crime solving and a personal life for our main characters. I loved it, as I always love HK Christie’s books.

There are plenty of twists in as Val Costa and team work to solve the murder of a family. Val is an ex-FBI agent and hasn't quite settled on what she wants to do next careerwise. In the meantime, she helps consult on cases for the Red Rose County sheriff's department. This current case has them totally baffled at first until GPS from the family's cars and their phone records provide some leads to follow.

The story also has a subplot in the background of a serial killer who had previously held Val captive and is still after her. While overall I enjoyed the story, having not read the previous books it was a little confusing figuring out who the recurring figures were at first.

Another great read featuring Val Costa! This is the third in the series but can be read as a stand alone as some backstory is included. The story has a gripping start with a family being murdered in a small town. Val is called to the case along with the regular cast of supporting characters. The Bear and her Secret Admirer also have a role in this novel. We follow Val and Brady together again as they try and solve the Cramer murder case (and their love life). Between money troubles, drugs, and family secrets, Val goes down a rabbit hole trying to find the killer. An easy and thrilling afternoon read.

I read the first two books in the Val Costa series this summer and definitely had to pick up the third.

With Val settled into Red Rose County and her mother recovering from a stroke, another killing drags Val back into consulting for the local police. A murder of a family has set them on edge--the mother is shot and barely alive, the young son quickly shot and killed, but the father has been brutalized. What is the story behind the three attacks and what does the father's extra brutal death mean? As Val and the team dive into the mystery, a whole different level arises. In between, narratives from the killer and Val's Secret Admirer abound.

Much like the earlier two novels, I still left this one with a ton more questions about The Bear and Val's Secret Admirer (are they one and the same?) and those questions are making me need the author to write the 4th book asap! While I very much enjoyed the mystery at hand, I have so many more questions regarding the back story that aren't be answered quite yet. This was a strong third installment, but I definitely recommend reading in order to follow the backstory.

This is the third book in the Val Costa series, and it does not disappoint. In this narrative, Val and her ‘team’ investigate and solve brutal murders that occurred in Red Rose County. Once again, Ms Christie builds this creative story around the cohesive and close-knit team of law enforcement that Val has considered her second family. Each story, their bond grows stronger, as they all work together like a well oiled machine. Together, with their diverse skills, their investigation takes many turns as they process their leads. The story kept me engaged until the last page, which was a great ending. Ms Christie’s writing talent keeps me intrigued and gave me a sense of belonging as a member of the team, and present at each scene of developments. Even as the investigation moves forward at a quick pace, there lingers a dormant evil unknown presence in the background, quietly waiting for his opportunity again with Val. Love this plot stream. I highly recommend this book and author. I received a complimentary ARC, but I am voluntarily offering my personal opinion.

Hidden in The Dark
Another interesting Val Costa story! They have a murder to solve. This one kept the team hopping. A few twist and surprises waiting for the reader! Will Brady and Val ever realize they care for each other? We shall see maybe in the next book!

I’ve put my review on good reads and when available I’ll put on Amazon

Once again, H.K. Christie proves she’s a master of the genre with her latest book, Hidden in the Dark—a story that’s impossible to put down. Her storytelling mastery shines in every chapter, weaving intricate plots and keeping readers guessing until the very end.

The book opens with a heart-wrenching scene: Mike Jr. and his father, Mike, share a lighthearted moment before dinner, only for their lives to be violently shattered by an unexpected visitor. The family is left broken, with only the mother surviving.

The narrative alternates between Val, Brady, the killer, and a mysterious secret admirer. These shifting perspectives heighten the tension and pull readers deeper into the unfolding mystery.

This series is tailor-made for fans of gritty, intelligent thrillers. Christie’s writing rivals—and even surpasses—many popular TV crime dramas, making Hidden in the Dark feel ripe for adaptation. If you haven’t picked up this series yet, you’re missing out on one of the best thrillers in recent times.

A family sits down to dinner, only to have it interrupted by an unusual knock at their door. The entire family, including a 12 year old boy, have been shot, though the mom is clinging to life by a thread. Retired FBI agent Val Costa is called in to assist the local police in learning the truth about who would want to kill the family. As she discovers more of the dad's dark secrets, the mom regains consciousness and begins to remember bit and pieces of the night of the attack.

Though this is the third book in the Val Costa series, it stands alone fine without having to be familiar with the first two titles. There is plenty of suspense as the investigation proceeds, and not everyone is who they claim to be.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

WOW! This was such a fannnnntastic read! This book had me from the beginning and I could not put it down! Packed full of thrills and chills! I loved this book and will be purchasing this copy as soon as it comes out!

Fast-paced crime-solving thriller. Easy read, though I felt the dialogue was boring and the writing kind of mundane. Val is great, except for the fact she is constantly telling people that don’t work in law enforcement all the details of a case. I don’t know if I would recommend this book to others, unless they already liked the author.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Hidden in the Dark is the third novel in the Val Costa series and although I haven’t read the previous two, I was given enough of a back story that I could still enjoy this novel. It started off as a pacy thriller, a family is attacked in their home and Val is seconded back into the sheriff’s department of Red Rose County to assist with finding the perpetrator of this brutal attack. I felt the pace dropped off slightly in the middle section but I was still keen to read on. Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the chance to review.

This one starts off just ripping your heart out. I look forward to Val Costas life coming back into mine. I love the foundation that has been built with these characters. There are several undercurrent story lines that we are unraveling book by book and it really gives these books something extra.
This one was terrifying and full of suspense throughout. A fantastic read and I can’t wait for the next

H.K. Christie does it again! This novel grabbed me from the beginning and even when the unraveling came together – my mind was like noooo way!! I love the main character Val – she thinks on situations and then pieces them together before you. She is also a family person intwined in her sons and mothers lives, and doesn’t kick them to the curb for the sake of a career – shows you can have both. Thank you NetGalley for the ARC #HKChristie #ValCosta #HiddenintheDark #NetGalley

Just another amazing read by H.K. Christie! You will fall in LOVE with her series if you take the chance, I promise you! Law & Order type vibes, but with characters you fall in love with and can’t WAIT to see what happens next in their lives.

•brutal murder
•obsession/stalking
•mob hitman
•new identity

Val Costa gets to join the Red Rose County Sheriff Crew yet again in solving another local murder in their small town. A family of three was murdered, but the wife/mom Shannon, ends up surviving. No one knows why someone would want to kill this quiet, suburban family— a father and their teenage son. There’s something strange of how the father, Mike, was murdered. He was murdered brutally, but his wife and son were drugged and then shot to make it a quick death. At first Val and head sheriff Brady think it’s drug related. Once they come to a dead end with the drug cartel, they are lost on where to go. That’s until they do some digging into Mike’s past, and that’s when they find the hard truth about his early life. It’s a crazy plot twist that’ll keep you guessing!! (I don’t want to give too many spoilers away)

Thank you for the opportunity to allow me to read an ARC on this, H.K. & NetGalley! Keep them coming!! 😻

After reading the 2nd Val Costa book, I felt the plot was too similar to the first book. I’m happy to report that this book had a fresh new plot! All of her books have an easy writing style especially given the tough topics. All of the characters, except the bad guys, have redeeming qualities. I’m especially glad that Val isn’t a narcissistic, self-entitled drunk like so many of the female law enforcement figures portrayed in other books! I feel like one, important underlying theme has outlived itself, but that’s no biggie. I will continue to read her books!

This is the third book to the Val Costa FBI agent series and just keeps getting better! From the very first page of this book, I was stunned, mesmerised. Written with a ferocious passion that'll knock the wind out of you!