Quick to grab your attention and entertaining throughout! The next book in Brennan's Angelhart Investigations series is sure to please fans of the series. We have had one previous novel and two novellas that have given us a good feel for the foundation of this family of investigators and they are quickly endearing themselves to reader hearts. The family is close knit but have enough drama surrounding parts of their life that keeps everyone on their toes as conflict is quick to flare on occasion. The cases they solve always have intricate situations surrounding them that deliver unexpected surprises and danger often. I highly recommend this book as well as the entire series to anyone who loves a family centric whodunnit that always delivers an emotional case as well as good natured family time along the way. I'm looking forward to more to come in the series!

I very much enjoyed this book! Allison is very versatile in her writing. Margos series is a bit more light hearted and not as keep you awake at night as the Lucy Kinkaid series. But both are excellent! This book had me wondering until the very end how the whole thing worked and who all the bad guys were. Well done!

The only thing I would correct in this book is about how people get EBT cards. You cannot just take a dead person's name and apply for an EBT card and get one. There is a lengthy process which includes having to send in bills for where you live, your income and paystubs and even your bank account information. As well as you have to have a once (or I think now twice a year) phone interview with your state agency to recertify your EBT status. So while I'm sure there is EBT fraud, getting a card is much more difficult than this book portrayed.

I’m glad I stuck with this series as I really enjoyed this second installment. Margo being part of the family business gives more insight into her and her relationships which give the story depth. A must read for anyone who love female PIs.
4.5 stars

Margo Angelhart is still working out the kinks of working with her own family and keeping her same commitment to herself to work cases that speak to her. In this case, it is the supposed OD death of a young man who everyone says didn't do drugs. I really liked the mystery. It was nuanced and twisty, but very predictable. Sorry! I was down to 3 possibilities pretty early on and was right. Second, I am really liking the close knit family and all the ties throughout the legal/justice system. I love learning about the relationships and the possible new one for Margo. But, how do all these people have all this time to help Margo with her case? Especially one she isn't getting paid for. I recognize that they have other clients, but it seems like Margo does a great job of using everyone's time up. Anyway, it irked me for a bit and then I got over it. I don't care. This is fiction and they can do whatever they want with their time. I like the resulting solving of the cases and that's what I am here for!

Margo Angelhart is back and looking for the truth of what happened when Elijah Martinez overdosed. This is a topical and tragic tale about a mother's belief that her son's death was not accidental. Margo has healed some of the wounds with her family (outlined in the first book) making for lively sibling banter, especially with her brother. Brennan's a good story teller and this is a fast read. THanks to Netgalley for the ARC. No spoilers.

omg don’t say a word was soooo good like i legit could not put it down. allison brennan really knows how to keep you guessing every time i thought i had it figured out BOOM something wild would happen and i’d be like welp… guess not 😂

the angelhart fam?? obsessed. 🫶 the sibling teasing cracked me up, but then they’d turn around and team up in the most badass way and i was like yesss give me more. it made the story feel so alive and i just loved their whole dynamic.

the mystery itself was heartbreaking 💔 but also super addictive. i felt EVERYTHING the mom’s desperation, angie being angry at literally the world & margo just refusing to quit no matter what! she’s tough, smart & seriously one of my fave female leads rn.

this book had me on the edge of my seat the entire time like mystery, action, family drama, even a little bit of heart it had it all. i’m honestly obsessed and i cannot wait to see what happens next ✨💖

Just like with her others, Brennan has me hooked with the second installment in the Angelhart Investigations series. Margo and her family work to uncover what happened when a teen allegedly dies from an accidental overdose. Will they find news to confirm his mother's intuition or break her heart? This true page turner keeps the reader on the edge, and brings not only a satisfying conclusion but also a real anticipation for the Angelharts' next adventure. Highly recommended!

I really enjoyed this second book of the Angelhart Investigations series by Allison Brennan. Don’t Say A Word centers around the mysterious death of Elijah Martinez, which the police have dismissed as an accidental drug overdose. However, the emotional weight of his grieving mother’s determination to seek the truth, and Elijah’s outspoken friend, Angie, gives this investigation an urgent and heartfelt touch. Margo Angelhart quickly becomes a compelling lead, as her initial confidence in solving the case spirals into a dangerous pursuit of a darker reality.

The pacing kept me immersed in the story, with each twist and turn expertly crafted to keep me on the edge of my seat. I really liked Angie, Cal, and Hitch. The dynamics between the family were interesting to read, and Margo is always a great character. I loved the brief interactions between her and Cal. I cannot wait to see more of this relationship develop.

Overall, Don’t Say a Word has a good storyline and plot with a sad subject and sad what happens to some of the characters. The story combines mystery and emotion. I am eagerly anticipating the next installment in the Angelhart Investigations series. I would recommend this book and series for anyone looking for a thought-provoking and heart-pounding crime thriller!

#NetGalley @htp_books

4.5 stars

This one has a fairly large cast of characters around Margo, the main investigator, and most work in private investigations or police/related jobs so it can be a bit hard to keep track of which one is which. While it is definitely readable as a standalone, you probably have an easier time keeping track of the characters if you have read the previous books.

I suspected the people involved as soon as they were introduced. Just on a hunch. But it was still a great read finding out how they connected and why things had to end as they did. I liked Margo as the investigator too. Independent, sharp, following her gut but knowing when to call in help.

It is just sad so many people had to die because a kid managed to see what so many cops did not, but didn't know who to trust with it all. The only thing I would have loved to see more from the book is the detective who closed Elijah's case so easily getting some real pushback instead of getting to make a high profile arrest.

While the teen angle can make it pull a little Young Adult, there was enough there between the relationships and actual investigation to keep it in the police procedural/mystery category.

I look forward to seeing where Cal and Margo end up in a future book. Thanks to MIRA Books and Netgalley for the advance copy for review.

When Elijah Martinez dies from a drug overdose, his family insists he would never use drugs and hires Margo Angelhart to uncover how Elijah died. Margo is quickly convinced that Elijah did not take his own life but was in fact murdered. After having been on her own, Margo returns to the fold at the family’s Angelhart PI agency, run my her mother, and works alongside her siblings, each with their own set of skills. To say that Margo remained independent and hell-bent on doing things her way would perfectly reflect the facts. But, the family must pool all its resources to uncover a sinister cabal that has been lurking in the dark since the take down of a high school drug ring run by an imprisoned coach. Or was he the real kingpin? A fast moving and convoluted narrative with fantastic characters and unexpected twists. All staples of Allison Brennan’s storytelling. A must read.


DP Lyle, award-winning author (Jake Longly and Cain/Harper thriller series), Lecturer, and Story Consultant and Co-creator of The Outliers Writing University
https://www.dplylemd.com/

Margo and the rest of the Angelhart family return in the second installment of what’s quickly becoming one of my favorite series. I’ve been eagerly awaiting this release ever since finishing You’ll Never Find Me, the first book in the series.
Now working full-time with the family’s private investigation business, Margo—alongside Jack and Tess—takes on the suspicious case of Elijah Martinez, a promising young man found dead from an apparent drug overdose. But no one who knew Elijah believes he ever used drugs. The deeper Margo digs, the more dangerous the case becomes. As key people she speaks with begin turning up dead, the stakes escalate rapidly.
Long-buried secrets resurface, and someone is clearly determined to keep them hidden. But Margo, relentless and sharp, refuses to let go. Like a dog with a bone, she keeps pulling at threads until the truth starts to unravel.
This novel is a solid police procedural and thriller, delivering all the trademark suspense and intricacy we’ve come to expect from Allison Brennan. The added family tension and emotional depth elevate the story even further. We also get more insight into Margo’s father—currently in prison for a murder no one believes he committed, yet he remains tight-lipped about the case. This overarching mystery seems poised to thread through the entire series.
On top of that, federal agents from various government agencies make appearances, adding layers of complexity to the plot. I truly hope this series continues for many more books. The characters are well-developed, and the pacing feels natural and unhurried. I’m fully invested and already looking forward to what’s next.
I also just discovered there are two novellas—Into the Fire and Out of the Shadows—so those are now at the top of my TBR list.
Many thanks to Allison Brennan, Harlequin Trade Publishing/MIRA, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. As always, I recommend reading the book yourself and forming your own opinion.

I'm absolutely loving the Angelheart series. This has all the twists and turns I've come to love in an Allison Brennan thriller.

Allison Brennan's ability to select fantastic main characters to guide her series is top notch. From Lucy Kincaid, to Quinn and Costa, to Regan Merritt to Max Revere, and now Angelheart Investigations, I'm hooked and will read every new addition to all her series. I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read the ARC of Don't Say a Word the second book in the Angelheart series with main character Margo leading the way.

Angelheart Investigations is asked to investigate the suspected suicide overdose of a young teen, His mother does not accept the cause of death that had the police close the case. The team and Margo feel it will be easy to solve. The whole Angelheart family, Mom and siblings, become involved as it turns out to be a much more difficult case particularly when they run into the solid wall of no help from the police. Some clues seem to link to an old drug ring in town but how can it connect is the question. Margo knows how to pull together the threads of a case and while often frustrating, it all comes together for a surprising conclusion. Excellent characters, family drama, suspense, and twists and turns makes this a must read. Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing/MIRA and NetGalley for the ARC.

The second book in the Angelhart Investigations series is every bit as good as the first. Not only is it a well paced thriller with great characters, but the family connections, drama, and engagement keeps the characters endearing and believable for the reader. This can easily be read as a stand alone but I strongly recommend reading "You'll Never Find Me" the first book in the series, I also recommend the Quinn & Costa series by Allison Brennan as well. Highly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and MIRA for an advanced reader copy.

A fun and unique thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat the entire ride. This was one where I really didn’t know what was going to happen next!

Release: Sept 16, 2025
Author: Allison Brennan
Publisher: Harlequin Trade

Rating: 4.25 ★ 

In the second installment of the Angelhart Investigations series by Allison Brennan, the private investigation team takes on a case that the police have already closed. A teenage boy named Elijah Martinez is said to have died from a drug overdose, but his mother doesn’t buy it—and neither does Margo Angelhart. What seems like a straightforward case turns out to be anything but.
As Margo starts digging, she quickly realizes things don’t add up. Elijah’s friends insist he never touched drugs, and when a teacher speaking out about the case dies suddenly, the situation takes a darker turn. The deeper she goes, the more she uncovers about an old drug operation tied to the school—one that might still be active.
Margo’s brother Jack, an ex-cop, tries pressing the police for answers but keeps hitting a wall. Now they have to wonder: is this an ongoing investigation, or is someone trying to bury the truth?
One thing’s clear—if they don’t act fast, more kids could end up in danger.
This book pulled me in right from the start—fast-paced, emotionally intense, and packed with suspense. Margo Angelhart is back, and she’s as sharp and determined as ever. When she takes on the case of Elijah Martinez, a teen whose death was ruled an overdose, what seems like a simple investigation quickly spirals into something far more dangerous.
I loved how the mystery unfolded. Each clue led deeper into a tangled web of corruption, secrets, and heartbreak, and just when I thought I had things figured out, the story surprised me again. There’s also just the right balance of family drama, with Margo’s complicated relationships adding depth to the tension.
This series really shines when it comes to character development and tightly woven plots. The stakes are high, the twists are great, and the pacing keeps you turning pages. If you're into gritty, emotional thrillers with strong female leads—think Lisa Gardner—you’ll enjoy this. I hope this series keeps going, because I’m already looking forward to the next case!

Favorite quote:
“People believe what they want to believe. They see no evil because they don't want to. But evil is out there.”

When Margo Angelhart is hired to find out the truth about Elijah Martinez's death she thinks it will be an easy solve. But the more she digs into the boys past the more she learns that things are quite as they seem.
Maybe his death wasn't an accident after all...

Don't Say a Word is one of those books that grabs you instantly and refuses to let go until the last page finds you. Margo is one tough cookie and she refuses to leave no stone unturned. She will do whatever it takes to get her answers for the families she helps and she goes above and beyond for Elijah's family.

This was an action-packed page-turner that had me on the edge of my seat the whole way through! I loved my time with Margo and her family and I cannot wait to see where their story takes us next! Highly recommend.

I requested an advanced copy of this title from the publisher and I am voluntarily leaving my honest and unbiased opinion.

I am an Allison Brennan fan for sure! Have to admit, I'm sad there's hasn't been more of the Kincaid clan, but the Angelhart's are winning me over. This is a nice, solid thriller. Maybe a little more on the predictable side, but the characters are well developed and enjoyable. I recommend!

Thank you to Net Galley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for gifting me this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Fantastic mystery that keeps you guessing until the end. Just when you think you have it figured out there is a twist.
Margo is one tough lady. She never gives up. I’m looking forward to more development with the DEA agent.
Come along with the whole Angelhart family on a crazy adventure that will keep you coming back for more.

Allison Brennan DOES NOT MISS! Her writing takes readers on quite an adventure with Margo Angelhart. Elijah Martinez by all accounts was a good student and person. His mother cannot believe he would take drugs. Elijah was found dead in a park of an overdose - and after she meets with Margo and her family, they agree there are elements to examine. And then, another death occurs, and Margo knows they are related. As always, she speeds ahead, talking to more and more people whose stories aren't quite aligned and that adds to her belief that Elijah new something he shouldn't have. This book is fast paced, so incredibly twisty, and will keep you up well past your bedtime for just one more chapter. The family dynamics always add to the story - especially the relationship between Margo and her mom, Ava, who leads the agency. I absolutely loved this book!!! A huge thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing | MIRA for an advanced reader of this book. The opinions expressed are my own.