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.

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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.

Firstly, the character development of Val is perfect. I am so invested in her. The mystery was full of twists and kept me questioning what I thought. There was a lot of tension and I caught myself holding my breath. This series just keeps getting better.

Mike, Stephanie and 12 year old son, Michael, are enjoying a nice family dinner before heading out to Michael’s karate tournament when there’s a knock at the door. What follows will shake Red Rose County to its core and put Val Costa, Deputy Brady Tanner and their team on a trajectory with evil. Mike and Michael are killed at the scene and Stephanie is in the hospital fighting for her life. With very few clues to go on they are scrambling for answers. Is this a random act or is this a crime against them personally? Upon further investigation, they uncover facts that no one saw coming.

Well-crafted and textured characters, in depth world building, short chapters and multiple POVs contribute to an enjoyable story that is well-written and finely detailed with a plot that hooked me in from the start and held my interest until the very end.

I was eager to push up my sleeves and be an armchair detective alongside Brady and Val as they valiantly track down who slaughtered an entire family, except one victim survived.
The synergy between Brady and Val was torture but there was a very positive movement at the end for both of them.
However, Val’s creepy admirer lurked even closer and I finally connected with who he was.
Christie left me hanging, for not only Val but also another target the Bear is toying with!!,

A fantastic thriller 👌 I haven't read the others in the series, but it can be easily read as a standalone. Valerie Costa and Brady, they both made a great team in solving the crime. I would love to read more about their friendship turning into a relationship. Fast-paced chapters and gripping mystery until the end. Some suspense is left unsolved at the end, and it's intriguing to wait for the next book in the series. Excellent mystery thriller. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher, and the author for providing the eARC.

A family or three is viciously attacked in their home, with the husband and young son killed, the husband was also tortured. The wife clinging to life and might not survive. Why would someone target this seemingly quiet family? Val Costa is once again asked to assist the police department in solving this horrible murder scene. There seems to be no leads and the more digging the police do the less it all makes sense. A break seems to happen when it is discovered that the man has been selling drugs over the past year. Did a rival drug gang take him out? Seems like it could be the reason. Until a major lead drops into the police's lap. But could this really be the reason an entire family was attacked and could it really be that easy of a reason...the US Marshals office is the lead but then even that hits a snag. Meanwhile, Val's past trauma is still causing her nightmares and since the person who caused it has not been caught he is closer to her than she knows.

Hidden in the Dark is book three in the Val Costa series by H.K. Christie.
Another great book by HK Christie! This new series hooks you and doesn't let go. The writing is fantastic and the characters are well developed.
This was an amazing read that kept me interested. The characters were perfect. The plot terrified me.

Book 3 in the Val Costa series by H.K. Christie, Hidden in the Dark, delivers another engaging read bring the cast of regular characters together again with a new mystery, coupled with a touch of romance and an ongoing story that will keep you hooked for the next installment.

With another horrific crime scene in Red Rose County, retired FBI agent Val Costa receives a call from Brandy, asking if she could once again consult and take the lead on the investigation. As the team work to unravel the motivation behind the attack to uncover who is responsible, Val also continues in her pursuit of ‘The Bear’, a serial killer she was lucky to escape.

The women really take the lead in this series, from their professions and being highly qualified and experienced in what was a small, quiet county, to what is going on in their lives (hello dating in Red Rose Country… and girls' nights).

‘The Bear’, is back and this story will have you wondering, just how progressed is his plan, when will he take action, and just how many in Val’s circle might be impacted.

5⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for an advanced copy of Hidden In The Dark.

Val is once again called upon by her friend Brady to help solve the brutal murder of a family. Val is still suffering from PTSD from her abduction by a serial killer known as The Bear but working on this new case gives her a fresh perspective on the possible identity of The Bear. This family seems like your normal family until they start digging more in the husbands past and realize he may not be your average husband and father.

This is the third book in this series and I would definitely recommend reading the first two books before reading this one. The main characters are so easy to resonate with and the storyline was very well written. I was hooked from the first page and did not see the twists coming at all! I hope this series continues because I cannot wait to see what else will happen. I highly recommend this entire series!

Hidden in the Dark by H.K. Christie is the 3rd book in the excellent Val Costa series and what a gripping and very addictive crime thriller this is. This has been a series i have enjoyed reading from the very first book and I love Val Costa character, she was/is a FBI Special Agent Val Costa was living in DC until she was kidnapped by the serial killer known as "The Bear." She was hunting him but he hunted her and captured her! So, glad her team rescued her in time. But, there was something "The Bear" always does to all his victims was to carved his signature on their skin!
Now, he is still out there, somewhere and walking freely amongst people.
Val has retired from the FBI and has moved back in with her mom who lives in Red Rose County California as she has had a stroke, she is there to help her recover. Val has had it tough but always comes bouncing back.

With 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 stone 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. . . . .

Whilst Interviewing all the neighbours Val and her small team uncovers no leads, but Val knows there’s a message in the way Mike Cramer’s body was left, he is tied to his chair, and stab wounds all over his body.
It seems mother and son were collateral, and Mike was the real target.

Why were they all murdered? They seem to be a perfect and respected family!

Mike worked in a local auto shop and he took his son to karate classes, 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. But, there is nothing wrong with that............

There's a small break in the case and it comes when a secret phone is found hidden in Mike’s car and his 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.

More cracks begin to show in this so called perfect Cramer family and a picture is beginning to show. . . . arguments, and money troubles, Val and her small team now has to work around the clock to stop this twisted individual in their tracks.

But, does she know someone is watching her every move?

A dark secret in Mike’s past surfaces, and can Val stay ahead of her stalker long enough to catch the killer before another precious life is taken?

WoW....Another excellent book!

I highly recommend it. I am looking forward reading book 4 within this series.

Big Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my ARC.

Hidden in the Dark is the third book in the Val Costa series. Val used to work for the FBI, but since being held hostage by a serial killer and her mother having a stroke, Val has stepped back from this work. It hasn't stopped her from getting involved in murder and detective work and in this third book we see her again assisting the local police.

I really enjoy the way that Val and Brady, her childhood friend, policeman and potential love interest work together to solve this mystery. It's a particularly nasty crime, with a tortured man and his wife and son also having been shot. I'm not sure that the residents of Red Rose County will be that thrilled to have Val living back there, as she seems to have heralded a particularly nasty spate of murders with her recent arrival.

Val also has the threat of the Bear hanging over her. This is the serial killer that she was chasing on her last case and who held her hostage. It seems that he's never far away, even if Val doesn't always realise it. In each book he gets a little bit closer.

This is a gripping and thrilling read and one that I would highly recommend.

I received a complimentary copy of this book through NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

This fast-paced, twist-laden novel is the third installment in the Val Costa series, but it works brilliantly as a standalone. Hidden in the Dark is a stellar thriller that delivers on every front, making it a solid 5-star read.

H.K. Christie’s writing style is highly readable and addictive. You’ll find yourself flying through the pages, unable to put the book down. The use of multiple POVs is a highlight, particularly the perspective of the enigmatic “secret admirer.” This character’s chilling voice adds an extra dimension of suspense and leaves readers hanging on a tantalizing cliffhanger, eagerly awaiting the next book.

Val Costa herself is a standout. She’s a relatable, multidimensional protagonist who juggles her roles as a consultant for the police, mother, daughter, and friend with grit and humanity. Her strength and vulnerability make her easy to root for, and her romance with Brady adds a touch of warmth amidst the darkness.

H.K. Christie is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Her ability to weave unpredictable twists with deeply personal stakes sets her apart in the thriller genre. Fans of strong female leads, clever plotting, and relentless suspense will find much to love here.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for sending me a digital copy in exchange for my honest review.