Having read the first book in this series I was eagerly looking forward to book 2

Boy I was not disappointed what a read. I couldn't put it down.

Thanks for the opportunity to review

Don’t Make a Sound is the second book in the Val Costa series. I went in knowing this and have not read the first. This story references the first book several times throughout, so much so that I now want to read it. However, this could easily be read as a standalone. This is a slower paced suspense and at times I felt I was reading a cozy mystery, which felt like a good balance to the overall storyline. I enjoyed the authors writing style and I read it as if I was right alongside Val as she worked the case. The subplot storylines weaved in perfectly. The main characters were relatable and likeable. I would recommend to anyone looking for a quick psychological suspense read.

This series will have you gripped, serving up a mystery/case to be solved in each book with a continuing storyline that flows through in the search for a serial killer known as the Bear.

I requested the ARC of this book not realizing book 1 was also available to review so read book 2 first and since they both release on the same day, make sure you read this series in order as book one 1 sets the scene and there is the continued story that will flow through this series.

The Bear still has not been caught and it appears his MO has changed, a fixation on FBI Agent Val Costa.

After retiring from the FBI to look after her mother, she provides her assistance again to the local Sheriff's office after a local woman is found murdered in her home. A much-loved member of the community, the team are struggling to find a motive behind this brutal murder. As they dig deeper into the family, the community will be left reeling as the grizzly details that led to the attack come to light.

Looking forward to book 3 in this series.

Our eyes lock, and I know my life is about to end. The desperation and determination in their face sends a shiver down my spine. But it’s not until I see the glint of the blade, that I realize how quickly it will all be over…

When beloved local teacher and devoted mother, Claire Nelson, is discovered murdered in her kitchen, stab wounds covering her delicate pale skin, FBI Special Agent Val Costa is drawn out of retirement. Claire’s two children are devastated, and Val won’t rest until they have the justice they deserve.

Battling nightmares about the serial killer she escaped just weeks ago, Val has her work cut out for her. A church regular, Claire was adored by her neighbours and spent her spare time helping the homeless. Who would want to hurt this beautiful soul? The killer took Claire’s car and wallet, and left traces of blood at the scene, but Val’s instincts tell her the attack wasn’t random.

Interviewing Claire’s students and the people she helped at the shelter, Val thinks she’s hit another wall. Until DNA results from the blood at the crime scene turn the entire case on its head; Val’s assailant was a woman. Who is she, and why would she do this?

With more questions than answers, Val battles one of the toughest cases of her career. But when the trail leads her to a monster hiding right in front of her all along, will she catch them before another precious life is taken?

Great fellow up to the frist book , and I'm definitely glad that I've read this series in order . This book shows how much more the characters has grown, and just Like the first one, this one was hard to put down, which each turn of the page I wanted more wither it was from the Unknown serial killer to the Interaction of the main character's themselves.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my copy of Don't Make A Sound by H K Christie.

Former FBI agent Val Costa has given up her career to nurse her mum back to health after she suffered a stroke, but with her now on the mend and surrounded by her best friends, Val is encouraged to put her skills to use working for the local police department to solve a murder that has shocked the small community.
This is a can't put it down book, so don't make any plans once you start reading it.
I'm already looking forward to the next book.

You absolutely MUST read this series, Val Costa, from H.K. Christie! What a page turner! I wasn't sure she could top book #1, but this book #2 was even BETTER 👌👏🤩
Calling this an "addictive crime thriller" is an understatement - you better put aside some time to binge this one.
As a huge murder/crime/thriller fanatic I have to say this author may have to be one that joins my upper tier of writers. The writing is smooth as butter and the story flows wonderfully with many surprises and great suspense.
So far this series is not only gripping but addictive and suspenseful, stringing the reader through fantastic character development, mystery, and wonder.
By continuing to leave us readers hanging on a thread of suspense with regard to the mysterious serial killer who we vaguely learn more and more about, starting with the 1st book as an aside to each book's story, the author leaves you hooked on needing to know more.
I truly can't wait for more of this series! And that says a lot from me.
Brilliant 👏
This book seemed much grittier and suspenseful than the first, and I live for that style - I often read even more intense, descriptive murder thrillers, but I was pleasantly pleased by the engagement and detail here.
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'s!
Make sure you grab a copy of this page turner (along with book #1) to round out your thrilling summer reading list.
Thank you for the opportunity to read the Advanced Copy #netgalley and #bookoutour!

AMMMMAZING! Once again H.K. Christie does it in this book! This was so well written, so perfectly described, Sooo many twist and turns that I did not see coming! I can not WAIT for Book #3!!!

Book 1 was good. Book 2 was fantastic. I’m really enjoying Val, plus all the surrounding characters as well as the continuing thread that is through this series. I am looking forward to book 3.

Val is relaxing and enjoying spending time with her mother, while her mother recuperates from a stroke. She gets a call from the local police asking her to be a consultant for them. A local teacher has been brutally murdered in her home and they could use her help. Thus begins another strong mystery, full of great characters and suspense. Piece together the clues as Val and her team interrogate everybody that knew her and investigate all avenues to find the killer. Was it the husband, one of her kids, one of the kids from school, or a random stranger. There is more to her death than first thought. Another fantastic story from the creative mind of H K Christie.

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.