Angela Marsons continues her fabulous DI Kim Stone series with this brilliant addition that explores the predatory, manipulative, and dangerous world of cults, one where we have real life examples of just how devastating the psychological damage can be with their narcissistic, disturbed and charismatic leaders. Kim finds herself rethinking her initial signing off of the death of 21 year old Samantha Brown, her throat cut in her flat, as suicide. Closer examination has her designating it as murder, and the discovery of a second body, 20 year old Tyler Short, with the same MO has her and her team frantically looking for connections and a killer. Both victims attended Dudley College, identical last meal stomach contents, both stopped using social media 3 years ago and were emotionally vulnerable individuals.

Samantha's parents are being less than transparent about their daughters, Samantha and Sophie, but Kim is a determined woman as it emerges that the victims are members of a new age cult at Unity Farm, run by Jake Black. However, her visit to the farm and the affable behaviour of Black leaves her no further forward, at which point she comes up with the idea of putting someone undercover to find out more. She fixes on the bright and chirpy Tink, who looks younger than her 24 years and radiates an innocence that makes her the ideal candidate. Could this be a deadly error of judgement? Kim has yet to grasp the nature of cults and how they work and the damage they can wreak on the psyche almost immediately as they set to isolate, build dependency and a strong sense of belonging to their new 'family'. Bryant's mind is on the historical rape and murder of 15 year old Wendy Harrison when he was a 36 year old constable. Her killer, Peter Drake, looks like he will be successful in gaining parole this time around, and Bryant is convinced he will kill again.

Marsons's Kim Stone series hits the mark with her ongoing development of her police team members, they are a close, diverse and hardworking bunch, the solving of the cases is always a team affair, and this time we see Penn further entrench himself into the team, after the loss of Dawson, with his stellar work. Tink showcases just how effective cults are at controlling vulnerable minds and the example of Sophie illustrates just how hard it is to exit cults. The author's impressive research on cults is woven into a tense, riveting and skilfully plotted thrilling story. As ever, this is a wonderfully entertaining and engaging addition to a series that justifiably has a huge number of crime fiction fans. Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this captivating book

after several bodies turn up and a man in black driving a white car, questions are asked....could he be the one wanted for these murders....

kim and her crew have their work cut out for them as they investigate several leads but it all points to the farm...could they really be a cult and why doesnt anybody leave

wow an interesting read and you can see how easily people can be manipulated and played...

well worth a read, keep an eye out for this author...

Police thriller with great characters. Kim Stone and her detectives are great together. Fast paced story with lots of twists.

Thank you Angela Marsons for writing another brilliant Kim Stone novel. Kim is one of my favourite detectives with her brand of intuition and doggedness that brings down even the most determined killer. If I'm ever murdered, I want her assigned to my case.

When Kim attends what looks like a suicide of a young woman who has cut her own throat, she feels something is not quite right with the scene. And after talking to the woman's parents, she is sure they are holding something back. Then a second body is found, that of a young man, with a similar wound to the throat and Kim suspects both people were murdered by the same person. When she learns that both had links to Unity Farm, a wellness centre and retreat she sends in a young policewoman undercover to find out what really goes on there. Reports of a bulky man dressed in black driving a white range rover keep popping up at sites associated with the victims making Kim keen to find him and find out what he's up to.

With a well paced, compelling plot and plenty of suspense this was a fascinating and engaging read. The ongoing development of the characters is one of the highlights of this series and learning more about Kim and her team is one of the features I really enjoy. New boy on the team, Penn comes into his own a bit more in this book as Bryant is distracted by the release of a vicious killer from his earliest days in the force. Stacey is once again invaluable at finding key information for the team on social media and the internet, while struggling to stick to her self imposed diet ahead of her wedding. It was also pleasing to see young policewoman Tiffany once again helping out the team by going undercover, even though it turned out to be a lot more dangerous than Kim expected. Overall, an excellent and thrilling read. Now for the impatient wait for the next book in the series!

The folks at Unity Farm are just one big happy family.  Meditation is a very big deal there, as is yoga and other new age doings.  It certainly sounds benign enough, but it becomes clear that it is more cult-like than not.  There is the requisite charismatic leader, bestowing his beatific smile and warmth on his flock.  But do not be deceived, these people prey on lost souls, those who are starved for affection, who have little self-esteem.  Ripe for the picking.  When bodies start cropping up with possible ties to the farm, DI Kim Stone and her team dig in.  Rest assured they will get to the bottom of it.

Angela Marsons continues to pen this series with a sure hand.  Not a clinker in the bunch.

I am yet to read a bad book by this author. Absolutely brilliant story, hooked right to the end. Brilliant characters, can't ask for more.

This is number 12 in the series and it's still going strong with no end in sight (hallelujah)! As I just mentioned this is book number twelve, but it does work brilliantly as a stand-alone novel. If you have not read this series, I highly recommend it. DI Kim Stones is tough as nails and yet has a big heart and a big mouth. Ha! I love how she speaks her mind. Love her.

This book explores the world of cults - psychology, the manipulation, the grooming, etc. It's quite fascinating and frightening at the same time. The book opens as Detective Stone is called to the apartment of Samantha Brown's whose death is believed to be a suicide but then things begin to not add up and soon DI Stone and her team find more victims and the clues all point to a place called Unity Farm.

While this is going on DI Bryant is dealing with a case that has been affecting him for over twenty years. The killer is up for parole which leaves Detective Bryant deeply trouble.

Marson continues to build upon her previous books with character development. This is a strong, engaging and brilliantly written series. I look forward to new books coming out and they never disappoint. There is never a lag in the investigation of the crimes and in the action of the book. The characters are likable and deal with real issues in their private lives and have fun banter with each other. The writing is strong, and the book subject matter is relevant and strikes a chord.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the arc, which I have enjoyed reading.
Killing Mind was Book 12 in the Detective Kim Stone crime thriller series and once again it was another fascinating, intriguing storyline. The regular police characters are superb as usual and I found the cult storyline was excellent and well written.
Highly recommended.

I really must learn to stop repeating myself - well ok then, just this once perhaps - can Angela Marsons do anything wrong? There, I’ve repeated myself again, as I’ve done so many times with her Detective Kim Stone series!

It seemed like a cut and dried case of suicide, when Samantha Brown was found dead in her flat, both Kim and forensic pathologist Keats agreed. However, something kept niggling away at Kim, a little voice telling that her that there is more to this death than first appears. When a young man Tyler Short is found dead in a lake, Kim discovers a link between him and Samantha, they both spent time at a local retreat - Unity Farm, supposedly somewhere for those seeking an alternative way of life. Kim discovers that the cosy facade presented to visitors isn’t the whole truth. There’s nothing else for it but for Kim to get one of her team into its inner circle to find out what’s really going on!

A second storyline follows Kim’s colleague Bryant, and it’s a case from his past - a case that has haunted his intervening years - that of the horrific murder of 15 year old Wendy Harrison. Bryant was a 26 year old constable at the time, first at the scene of crime, and then left guarding the spot where Wendy’s body lay. Every single injury inflicted on Wendy’s ravaged body made him promise her that he’d do his best to get her justice, and it was this case that brought about his desire to join CID. He wanted to be the one arresting the perpetrators of such vile crimes, not the one guarding the scene. But Wendy’s killer, Peter Drake, will make yet another appearance in Bryant’s life some 26 years later.

Book 12 takes us into the dark and distressing world of cults, and needless to say, it makes for a tense and scary read. It goes without saying, that Kim and her team are an eclectic but interesting bunch, and fans of this terrific series have come to love them all without reservation. It’s Kim Stone - it’s Angela Marsons - what are you waiting for? Fantastic

You know that the world is still humming along when Angela Marsons presents another fine selection in her D.I. Kim Stone Series. Keeps the lid on things from boiling over.

D.I. Kim Stone and her team have been called to the scene of a suicide in the West Midlands. It appears that a young woman had administered a fatal knife wound to herself. Suicides are a nasty business, but this one, in particular, has Kim revisiting the crime scene with a different mindset.

Both she and DS Bryant find it curious that Samantha Brown's apartment is pretty much barren. Aside from a half-eaten sandwich on the counter, there's not much evidence of an active life here. And who would make sure that they had a lunch before taking their life? Neighbors report seeing a stocky man all dressed in black and driving a Range Rover leaving the building. We'll be seeing this dude flitting back and forth within these pages.

Add to this Bryant's remorse of a serial killer who will be released on parole in the next few days. Bryant was assigned to the case twenty-five years ago. The father of one of the victims will keep vigil with Bryant and there's nothing that they can do.

Angela Marsons fine-tunes each and every one of her books with well-researched and timely topics. She draws you in with sharp dialogue that snaps to attention and keeps the reader engaged throughout the book. Marsons is a wiz at chunking off grand pieces of storyline into compact chapters that have you flipping pages to keep the tide rolling. Those of us fans have been hooked since the initial book hit the shelves. If you're new, get a wiggle on and grab the first one. With #12, we've only just begun........

I received a copy of Killing Mind through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Bookouture and to the talented Angela Marsons for the opportunity.

Love, love, love this series of books and this latest one does not disappoint at all. Kim Stone is one hell of a character and the rest of the team compliment her style so well. Each story is so fresh and gritty. Angela Marsons has this knack of totally drawing you into her stories and you totally immerse yourself into it. An absolute page turner of a story and a fantastic addition to a cracking series.
Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for this ARC.

This is another brilliant read that keeps you guessing right to the end, I was almost scared to keep turning the pages, in fear of what was going to happen. I tried to savour it as I do love Kim, but I just had to keep reading to see what was going on.

Coupled with this Bryant isn’t his usual perky self and he’s battling his old demons from a harrowing case years ago. Will he be able to reconcile himself, he’s such a good egg!!

Kim and her team are in a race against time to discover who is behind these deaths. A place called unity Farm appears to link them all, but without solid evidence it’s hard to prove. She sends in an officer undercover, and all the time she m fidgeting wondering if they’ll be found out. I have to say I was amazed who it was, it never crossed my mind. Looking forward to the next one.

My thanks to Angela, the publishers and netgalley for the ARC.

Firstly thank you to Netgalley, Bookouture and the fabulous author Angela Marsons for the opportunity to read and review the latest book in the Kim Stone series.
Being a massive fan of this series I always eagerly await the next and have no doubt that plot, characterisation and writing will be excellent. I was not disappointed.
In book #12 we see Kim and her team look into what initially appears to be the the suicide of a young woman. This becomes more complex and has them involved in the dark world of cults and has the reader on edge as the young and willing PC Tiff (seen in previous book and would be detective) going undercover in the heart of the cult. The team link other deaths to the cult and Tiff could well be in danger.
In addition there is a separate line of enquiry that Bryant is following. This is a case he was involved in many years ago and this comes to a very dark conclusion.
We don’t see much of the back story to Kim in this novel and there are no further clues or visits to her mentor to discuss her past. Although I am desperate to find out more this in no way hampered the plot or my enjoying the book.
Roll on book #13
5 star read and I will be recommending to everyone.

Have throughly enjoyed the Kim stone series and really liked the concept of getting inside a cult for this book. Great characters and I love the author

Angela Marsons has done it again, as if there was ever any doubt. Book 12 of the excellent D.I. Kim Stone series, Killing Mind, takes our favourite team in a surprising direction after a suspected suicide turns out to be something far more sinister.

Young Samantha Brown is found dead in her locked flat and her recent behavioural changes indicate that she may have taken her own life. But when she delves a little deeper Kim discovers that there are many inconsistencies, particularly in the story being told by her bereaved parents.

As well as investigating the mystery of what happened to poor Sammy our beloved Bryant is reacquainted with a dark moment from his early career; a case which has always haunted him and drove his desire to become a detective.

These series has been of consistently high quality from the beginning so I know that I would love them even if they weren’t set on my (sometimes literal) doorstep. But I can’t deny that I get a kick out of reading about places I’ve known since childhood, even if she does like to set grisly crime scenes at cherished local beauty spots. Well done, Angela, and roll on book 13!

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publishers for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

I was so excited to receive an advanced copy of Angela Marson’s latest book from NetGalley and the publishers – thank you!

This book definitely doesn’t disappoint. What made this book all the more interesting was that fact that it was based around a cult and it was fascinating getting an insight into how easily people can be brainwashed and led into these societies.

Full of suspense and intrigue I definitely recommend reading this one.

Book 12 and still Angela Marsons comes up with a unique setting for this case in this popular detective series.

All characters of the team gel well with a touching part about a,missing team member. Once again another storyline running along but a totally different case but squeezed in nicely in the story.

The series just grows stronger and stronger. Brilliant

Than you to Netgalley for a copy of this book, which I will give an honest review for.

I have read all of the DI Kim Stone books, and was excited to read this next installment.

What starts out as a case of suicide turns in to multiple murders and a cult which Stone and her team must investigate. Alongside that case Bryant is involved in a previous brutal case which he can't let go.

For me personally I thought this was the weakest book in the series to date. However that is not because it is a bad read, its because the previous have been of an exceptional high standard. This is still a fabulous read which I recommend. I didn't think Bryant's case fitted alongside the main story. It felt rushed and I personally felt this could have been a book on it's own as opposed to a side story. I would have liked to have seen more interaction with Stacey and Penn as I believe they have the potential to make a great team.

This is still one of my favourite series of books with an interesting exciting team of detectives. I look forward to the next installment.

I received an ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I LOVE Angela Marsons' Kim Stone series, and the newest (12th!) book in the series did not disappoint!. The main story deals with the death of Samantha Brown. At first, Kim & Keats rule suicide, but Kim soon realizes this was a mistake - Sammy was murdered. As the story begins to unfold around a cult, Kim sends in PC Tiffany (Tink) undercover. I really liked how much this team has grown throughout the series, Kim especially. I can't wait to read more books in this series.

Killing Mind is the 12th book in the massively successful Kim stone series by Angela Marsons.
Proving that she's not infallible Stone declares the death of Samantha Brown to be suicide, confirmed by a pathologist. On meeting the dead girl's parents Stone sees a photograph and realises that the death is not all it appears to be. and she has to persuade her boss to launch a murder investigation not long after reporting the case as suicide. Another body is found linked to Ms Brown and it's discovered that both had links to Unity Farm, a community of people led by an enigmatic guru, Jake Black. To Black Unity Farm is a community, to others it's a cult led by a man with a past sprinkled with the corpses of people unlucky enough to have "accidents " when they've upset him. The only way Stone can see to get to the truth of Unity Farm and it's secrets is to send a a young police officer in undercover, something she comes to regret very quickly.
As a sub-plot series favourite Bryant is waiting with the father of a girl raped and murdered several years ago for her murderer to come out of jail. When he does the father's prediction comes true and Bryant has to make a big decision.
As with the whole of this series the chapters whizz by as the action keeps coming,red herrings are scattered liberally and the team make mistakes as well as major feats of deduction. The story addresses a serious problem ,vulnerable and lonely young people being lured into the clutches of manipulative and narcissistic people who brainwash them use them for their own ends.,usually financial,sexual or both.
Killing Mind is a great addition to the the Stone series ,it can be read as a standalone but ideally you'd already be familiar with the regulars and their back stories before reading this one.

Thanks to Angela Marsons, Bookoutre and Netgally for the ARC in return for an honest review.