Wow wow wow! She's done it again. Bested perfection! Exceptional from start to finish. Stunning. Addictive. Hard hitting. Thought provoking. The author proves, once again, that she's the best crime writer out there. This series just gets better and better. Cannot wait for the next!

Oh wow! Book 13 in the series and what a cracker it is. I don't know how she does it but I swear they just get better and better.

You know you're onto a winner when you find yourself reading into the early hours as you just cannot tear yourself away.

I was hooked from the start and the mini cliff hangers at the end of some chapters kept me guessing until the very end.

I love the characters in these books and getting a mixture of work and home life means you know them well so it's like meeting up with old friends.

I can't recommend this series highly enough and give this 5 stars simply because I can't give more.

Another stonker of a book. How the hell does this author do it, time and time again these books just get better.
I love following a series of books as I really feel over the series you get to know the characters, you really get a feel for them and the things they do. This series would make for a brilliant TV drama.
Kim Stone is great at knowing and following her instincts. Her team also know when Kim has something in her mind to do, she'll do it. Stacey, Bryant and Penn are Kim's team. They all work amazingly with each other and the banter between them is fantastic. The team I would say have pretty much gotten used to Kay and the way she is, which is a good thing really.
When Kim receives a letter from the Killer of two women asking her to help stop him killing. It's all systems go. The clock is ticking and the team must get going.
I find it exciting when you think you have figured out who the killer is, most of the time I'm wrong, as I was on this occasion.
I find when you are so far in a series of books that knowing the background of al the characters really adds to the enjoyment. We are seeing different snippets from the lives of all the characters and just getting to know them even better. I love following their back stories and their current lives. I especially love the bond between Penn and his brother.
I highly recommend this book and also the whole series, if you are anything like me you will be best to read them in order as it really does help. I know I've said this before but I wish I could un-read the whole series so that I could start it all over again.
One of my all time favourite Detective series and thrilled to hear that Angela has a lot more to come for this series.

To say that I am a massive fan of Angela Marsons and in particular the Kim Stone series would be an understatement and the latest instalment was another triumph, both for the author and her fictional detective.

This novel once again features the characters who work with Kim and focus is on both Penn, struggling to look after his brother following the death of their mother and Stacey, who is definitely growing into a tenacious detective and nearing her wedding is looking to right some previous wrongs from a past case.

The central case is a series of murders and then what appears to be a letter from the killer to Kim, asking for help. There are twists and turns and more bodies which lead to a complex and fascinating end which sees the possibility that there may be more to this killer than meets the eye and it weaves cleverly with the investigation that Stacey is uncovering.

Fabulous writing and the characters are warm (well Kim is not warm she is positively spiky!) and well rounded. They build from book to book and the reader becomes invested in their lives. The narrative is pacy and realistic with lots of twists to maintain the interest. I cannot wait for the next one.

Highly recommend this book and the entire series 5⭐️ read.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Angela Marsons has once again delivered a highly original plot in this thirteenth book of her terrific Kim Stone series. Kim is at her irascible but brilliant best as she argues with Woody, her boss and nags her team of Bryant, Penn and Stacey to work harder. Fortunately they are all used to her and have developed thick skins, although her partner Bryant does feel compelled to speak to her about the way she treats the team, especially while Penn is grieving the loss of his mother and Stacey is anxious about her upcoming wedding and also dealing with a cold rape case of rape where a convicted rapist was suspected but never charged.

Kim is feeling particularly grumpy about being sent to attend a planning committee for the visit of a minor celebrity to a bookshop for a book-signing for her tell all expose of an affair with a married football star. However, a call about the murder of a young mother whose child was found wandering alone in the mall, gives her an excuse to leave. A second, almost identical murder of a young woman whose child is this time abducted, has Kim's team scratching their heads and struggling to find connections. A further murder and a communication from someone who could be the killer, has Kim calling in a profiler and a graphologist to see if they can help narrow down the type of person they should be looking for.

This is a busy, tightly written book where the various strands of the plot are expertly juggled. The killer is hard to guess and there are quite a few blind alleys in the investigation before the pieces start to fall into place. One of the best things about this series is the growth of the characters. It's great to see Kim's team working so well together and maturing through the series. Stacey is turning into an excellent detective and Penn is much more confident of his place in the team. Marsons has some fun with Kim's grumpiness and to everyone's relief makes sure she now has a new project to work on in her down time. Let's hope it's not too long before we see what's next in the lives of these engaging characters.

I have enjoyed everyone of the books in this wonderful series, and I am sure I say every time that each book is the best. I am definitely saying that again this time. I thought it was brilliant, so much going on, lovely to be reunited with the team again, and trip down memory lane with Halesowen where I used to live, Quinton where I used to work, and Stourbridge where my Mother used to live., but even if you have never been to this area it is still really good to read about a realistic police team with interesting characters, puzzling crimes to solve, and a plot that keeps you guessing. I really enjoyed reading this book, can't recommend it enough. Cracking read.

Hard nosed, abrasive DI Kim Stone is at her best in this one as 2 women are murdered days apart in a similar MO except in the 2nd case, the dead woman's young son is missing. Kim soon receives a hand written note from the killer asking her to stop him from killing again, so it's a race against the clock to not only find the youngster but to stop more brutal murders. Once again, some excellent progress into each character's personal lives adds to the enjoyment and realism of this series. Thanks to Net Galley, Bookouture and Angela Marsons for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, what can I say. This book is really awesome and I loved it very much!

The start of the book started off slow for me, but once it got going, I really enjoyed it and I was very excited to find out who the killer was. I thought I had it worked out before the big reveal near the end, but I was surprised to find out that the killer wasn't who I thought it was. I love it when this happens, just as much as I love it when I have worked out who the killer is. It is so exciting.

I really enjoyed the psychology in the book, which focused on sibling rivalry and graphology. I love learning new things, so this was right up my street. I found it very interesting.

I loved the characters in the book, good and bad, and Angela Marsons, who is one of my favourite authors, described them all so wonderfully that I felt like I was in the book living inside the story with them all. I love Kim, Bryant, Alison, Stacey and Penn and they felt like a big family to me, which I felt a part of. I love the way that Angela makes the characters and the story feel real. I would love to see Angela's books as a TV series. She is so good at showing the characters different emotions and I especially loved the story between Penn and his brother, which was heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. A whole range of emotions is shown throughout the book from different characters and I love how Angela can make me feel these emotions too. I shed a few tears when reading about Penn and his brother, for example. I also love how at the end of each book, Angela ties up all the loose ends and shows us a separate chapter for each character. It helps to complete the book and put things to rest, much like the satisfaction we feel after we have eaten a dinner, pudding and had a big drink. However, this time, in this book, there was a small cliffhanger at the end, where I was excited to see what happened next with Stacey. I will just have to wait until the next book to find out how she reacts to the news!

I highly recommend this fantastic book and I look forward to reading more from Angela in the future!

Many thanks to Angela Marsons, Bookouture and netgalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Angela Marsons writing has evolved and matured over the course of now thirteen books in her DI Kim Stone series. Readers have come to rely on Stone’s tireless work ethic and gut instincts to solve crimes along with her ability to get the most out of her team of detectives. Her unorthodox crime solving techniques continue to infuriate her superiors while entertaining her readers. What impresses me most with Marsons recent books are the aha moments, those times when she pulls everything together and blows your mind with the cleverness of it all. Layers on layers and a pleasure to read.

In Deadly Cry Kim Stone is assigned the mundane job of joining a task force set up to ensure the safety of a celebrity at a book signing event at a local mall. In a nearby shop a young mother is kidnapped and murdered, leaving her child abandoned in the store. Kim suspects there is more to this murder than a simple random act of violence. A few days later a woman is killed and her child kidnapped. Evidence at the scene links the two crimes as similar but unique. When a note from the killer appears on Kim’s desk begging her to find a way to stop the person from killing again she and Boyd are flat out trying to solve the murders and prevent more deaths by this reluctant killer.

This book has more of a police procedural feel to it than the intense thrill rides we have come to expect in Marsons novels. There are few clues to work with and Stone’s team is not firing on all cylinders. Stacey is working on a cold case and Penn has troubles at home leaving him distracted and depressed. As the case grows in complexity, Kim is forced to bring in profiler Alison Lowe and enlists the help of a handwriting analyst. Connections are made eventually but you will have to read this one for yourself to understand the true nature of this case. Marsons impressed me with her many red herrings and an aha moment which was tickling away at the back of my mind but eluded me for the majority of the book. It takes real skills as a crime fiction writer to keep a reader on their heels.

4.5 stars marked up to 5 stars because Marsons is the Queen of Crime Fiction and deserves all the stars.

ARC received with thanks from Bookouture via NetGalley for review.

This was my first outing with Angela Marsons and her Kim stone character, quite late to the game as this is book 13 but felt it could be easily read as a stand alone without needing the previous 12 books for background history. I like strong female characters and Kim certainly does not disappoint in this aspect. A well written storyline and a great body count, the characters are relatable and I find myself wanting to go and start at the beginning and see them grow and develop in to what I’ve just read.

I'd like to thank the author, publisher and Net Galley for providing a free copy of this book in exchange for my review.

About a year ago, I was offered a book in the Kim Stone series, and I was worried about not being familiar with the series - but I really enjoyed the book and found that I could enjoy the book without all of the backstory. I've since gone back and started the series from the beginning, and have enjoyed all I've read so far.

This is book #13 in the series, but I think it could be enjoyed as stand alone, as well. The team built in this series is wonderful, just enough details without boring with details. The crime picks up and moves quickly, and it's an engaging, must read, can't put it down type of read. I can't wait for the next!

One of the most intriguing mysteries that I have read. The beginning doesn’t really give you much of what the story will be about, but towards the end of the book – WOW! Another twisted case for Detective Inspector Kim Stone. She is strong, complicated, caring for those she calls friends, hard on everyone including herself and sarcastic to all. Her partner is Detective Sergeant Bryant who is used to Kim and her ways. A child is left alone in the store and a woman is found murdered in the alley, are they related? Kim receives a note that she believes is from the killer asking her to stop him…he doesn’t want to kill anymore. When another woman is found murdered Kim enlists help from a profiler as well as the media. Meanwhile, Detective Constable Wood is working an unsolved rape case, with more questions than answers. I love the way Ms. Marsons wraps up the “who and why” of both cases so that you are more than satisfied that justice was done. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

Well what a book to read as number 100 in 2020! Great thoughts gone into the plot by Angela. How on Earth the team of DI Kim Stone, Bryant, Stacey, Penn and Alison managed to solve this one is amazing in itself! I wondered if it was even a bit far fetched, tbh but think they just about got away with it.

I love just sitting back and seeing where the team go with each and every case they have to solve. Yet again the story begins with the team being split up to deal with separate case ... or so you think. I'll let you read it yourself to find out what I mean.

For the first time in this series, I was actually moved to a small tear as we encounter the touching scene between Jasper and his older brother Penn. Well done Angela! Well actually I now remember in a certain book in this series where we, the audience, had to say a shocking goodbye to a valuable member of the team so I was moved by that moment too.

Can't really wait for the next instalment or should I say case for the team. I can see a certain relationship forming but it may take time so looking forward to that too!

Once again brilliant writing from Angela. This is a must read series!

I am always excited when the next Kim Stone book comes out. This was no exception. Angela Marsons just gets better and better. Gripping from the first to last page. Kim lovers are in for a treat

When a little girl is discovered in a shopping centre with just her teddy for company it soon becomes clear this is more than a lost child alert. After her mother's body is found nearby Detective Kim Stone wants to believe this is an unremarkable though tragic murder but something won't let her. Then a second body is found with similar injuries but this time the victim’s son is missing and Kim knows she has a race against time on her hands. With her team depleted and the presence of necessary outsiders in her working day it soon becomes clear this is anything but the unremarkable case she'd hoped for.

Once again Angela Marsons has struck a home run with this book and the way everything is woven together means you almost have to read it in one sitting. This is book thirteen in the Kim Stone series and I have yet to see a drop in standards. It is once again expertly executed, absolutely brilliant and written by one of our best ever mystery writers.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions are my own. I recommend this as highly as possible.

Another thrilling book in the DI Kim Stone series and hopefully there are lots more to come.
I absolutely love this series and never want it to come to an end. Yet again I was enthralled from the first page and in a strange way, didn’t want the book to end.
The team of detectives are called in to investigate the death of a woman found with a broken neck. Strangely Kim was involved earlier when the victim’s little girl was found alone in a local store. A pattern begins to emerge when more murders occur along with a missing child belonging to one of the victims. Is there more than one murderer and is there a more bizarre reason behind the murders ?.
Meanwhile Stacey has been tasked to look at Cold Cases and becomes troubled by one case in particular. Two women have been sexually assaulted and the attacker of one of them is behind bars. However, something doesn’t seem right and as she digs deeper it becomes obvious that this case and the current murder cases are connected. The team are under pressure to prevent the next murder and are running out of time but a clever twist at the end reveals an unexpected surprise.
During this book the reader is given some insight into the personal lives of some of the team. Penn and his brother are struggling to cope with the death of their mother and Stacey is preparing for her upcoming wedding. Her police work is also impressing Kim more and more each day.
The next book in this series can’t come soon enough and please Angela don’t less it end.

Woah there! We are at book 13 in this series - and it's as fresh as it was when it started. Oh and with that in mind - for series rules and also just cos they are all that good - please do start from the beginning - book 0.5 I believe! - and read in order. Honestly, you'll thank me later!
So... There's a little girl abandoned in a shopping centre, missing her mummy. Then there's a body discovered in a deserted building - it's the mother. Looks clinical but why? And then a few days later there's a second victim, killed in a similar way, also with a young child but this time, the child is missing... Kim and her depleted team struggle initially to make headway. It appears that the killer wants to stop, they say as much in a note addressed to Kim. But have they given enough away for Kim to find them, stop them and get the missing child back safely...?
Oh I do love this series - definitely top five and I read a LOT of series. Kim Stone is one amazing MC and the author is not afraid to mix things up and set the cat amongst the pigeons with her cast. She also creates the best, and wholly unique, plots - and that's saying a lot considering the sheer number of crime fiction books I read every year. She has the ability to pull the wool over my eyes pretty much more than any other author and without using the same old tricks that others delight in. I have never felt cheated as a reader when I have failed to "get" the killer/solution early.
Pacing is perfect, plotting is tight and well executed and there is no superfluous waffle to pad or distract. Characters are real, and easy to connect to / emote with. Now we are at book 13 I've actually started to consider some of them as friends and feel a bit sad when each book ends and I have to say goodbye to them for a while. Still... gives me something to look forward to - the next book!
All in all, a cracking addition to an already awesome series. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

* Disclaimer I read this book in exchange for an honest review via the NetGalley website*

This is the 13th book in DI Kim Stone series written by Angela Marsons, I have read all of the books prior to this one in the correct order.

I really enjoyed this book. I enjoyed the twists and turns. It's not a classic who done it and is a little unusual crime exploring other types of problem (crime) solving, Such as exploring graphology.

I've always enjoyed the camaraderie of DI Stone and her team and it was nice to read a bit more about some of the minor members of the team.

I got the impression that there is an air of finality for the series with the ending of the book. Compared to the endings of other books in the series and I really hope this is not the case as I really enjoy these books and will definitely be keeping my eyes peeled for any further books by Angela Marsons

Let me say I have been with this series since Evil Games was released and in fact read evil games before I read the 1st book.

These books have grown so much over that time and while I haven't found one that really brought me back to the heights of Evil Games they always show so much emotion that theybare just so good.

Kim stuns me with her attitudes and not the least of which with her track record she should be higher in the ranks well that or completely out has you always wondering why is Kim being held back.

In this book my hero of the story though is from Stacey who seems to shine in this book like no other. I love how she is taking charge of her life as well as pushing things in the investigation. She is the brightest spot in this book and to me shows up Kim.

I wonder what is next for her.

Thank you to bookouture for the ARC of this book I am very grateful for the chance to read one of the best series prior to release.

As always Angela Marsons gave us a thrilling read with some many twists and turns and such an unexpected ending that it was all really worth reading. The plot is believable, characters are relatable as well as some of the situations they see themselves into. There´s a lot of action, a lot of emotions on the pages and they make you read the story at one go. Very entertaining!