Kim and her team head out to Blackpool. Not for a holiday together, but to assist the local police in the search for two missing boys. That’s the official reason, but beneath the surface, they’ve also been tasked with investigating the local team and identifying the bad apple(s) within the force.
Kim prefers working with her own trusted team members, but this time she’s been ordered to cooperate with the local officers. Guess how long it took before things went wrong… ;)
Kim doesn’t let herself get fooled. She’s highly intelligent and has an incredibly sharp eye. When you give her a case, she won’t rest until she has dug down to the very bottom and justice is served. Her team is just as determined as she is, which means they always manage to bring things to a successful close.
Once again, they sink their teeth into the investigation and leave nothing to chance. They keep searching until they’ve uncovered every possible link and examined every last detail.
The truth they uncover broke my heart and sent chills down my spine because it was so horrifying. I wouldn’t be surprised if things like this actually happen in real life—and that makes it all the more shocking.
No matter how you look at it, a book by this author is impossible to put down. You just want to read it all in one go from start to finish.
This is book 22 in the series, and if you can still produce stories where every single one is pure gold, then you are truly a one-in-a-million author!
Angela Marsons continues to amaze, move, and entertain me with her writing, and each time I feel a pang of disappointment when I’ve devoured the last page. Once again, these five stars are more than well-deserved!

Thank you

This is book #22 in the Kim Stone series. Whilst it can be read as a standalone book, I would recommend they be read in series order. We are back with DI Kim Stone and her team of Bryant, Penn and Stacey. We find them being sent to Blackpool to assist the local CID in the case of two missing children, Lewis Stephens and Noah Reid. The local team don’t really want them there, and there are some obvious issues with both the investigation and the team members. Can the teams work together to track down the missing boys?

Oh. My. Goodness!!!!! The Queen of Crime has done it again!!!!! I absolutely loved this book!!!!! Don’t get me wrong, I love Kim and her team being based in the Black Country (I live here so it’s great to hear of places I know so well) but it was brilliant to have them sent to Blackpool and for a different team to face the mighty Kim Stone!! Kim and her team have a tricky mission to complete though as the missing boys investigation isn’t the only thing they’ve been tasked with. Whilst it was hard to watch Stacey, Penn and Bryant out of their comfort zone (poor Bryant especially!!), it was great to see them show the Blackpool lot how it should be done!

The investigation into the two boys disappearance is a difficult one and I found myself going through a wide range of emotions as I read. I have to say though I was mad as hell with a couple of the characters and really hoped they got their comeuppance by the end. The storyline was full of twists and turns and just when you thought you’d worked what was going on, it all changed. It was gripping though, and I literally couldn’t put the book down, forsaking everything else that needed doing so I could finish it in an evening! I really enjoyed seeing my favourite characters in a different location and I was glad I knew some of the places they visited so I could picture them as I read! (Now I know why the author goes to Blackpool for her holidays!)

I love all the Kim Stone books, but this one is my favourite!! We are 22 books in and still the storylines are original, mesmerising, fast paced and filled with so many of changes in direction that it literally makes you feel dizzy!! Whilst I loved it all, my favourite part of the book had to be Kim and Frost’s storyline, which did make me laugh! Another fantastic read from the Queen of Crime and I shall look forward to seeing the new range of Stone’s merchandise including the “Kiss Me Kim” hat and the Kim Stone stick of Blackpool rock! Fab, fab, fab!!!

Two preteen boys go missing, one after another. This case sends DI Kim Stone and her team clear across the country to investigate in Blackpool. With no clues about the first boy’s disappearance, her boss assigns them the case after a second boy goes missing.

There are no clues to help them to know even where to start looking for the boys. They aren’t entering a warm and fuzzy environment either. Between reports of corruption, racism, homophobia and misogyny, Kim knows that she and her team would not be welcomed. Kim hopes to preempt what is going on in Blackpool by assigning specific roles to her team. They are a well-oiled machine, but the force in Blackpool doesn’t need to know that.

Stacey, Penn, Bryant join Kim and they all begin working feverishly hard as they begin to launch their investigation. The lack of cooperation from the local force makes it clear right from the start what they are dealing with. Kim finds it extremely frustrating and tragic that no one seemed to care about the missing boys. She is truly disturbed and disappointed that notices or anything of that nature to bring attention and concern for the missing boys had been in the works.

Two conflicting emotions completely kept me riveted to this 22nd book in the compelling D. I. Kim Stone series. The first was pure fury and frustration with the adults who should have been interested in the welfare of the missing boys. However, Angela Marson’s ability to evoke sadness while Kim and her team do everything they can to find the boys alive hit me much harder, especially as things began to unfold.

This story is equally compelling and heartbreaking, not for the faint of heart. It’s clear that anyone can feel a strong sense of compassion for the welfare of the missing boys, regardless of whether they are parents. Angela Marson’s writing is captivating, and she has kept this addictive series fresh. While this was easily a one-afternoon read, I could have kept reading for hours. As always, I eagerly anticipate the next book in the series.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Wow! What on earth did I just read?
Or should I say devour?
As that was totally and utterly unputdownable.
100% Angela Marsons is at the top of her game, and I think has come up with one of her most sickening stories.

And it amazes me how 22 books into a series, how it keeps feeling fresh.

In this instance Kim Stone and her team are asked to help out with an investigation in Blackpool in the disappearance of two children. And they have a side mission too which was eye opening and rather disturbing.

Actually all the crimes in this are very disturbing and I dread to think how I'll sleep tonight having read this. It was very interesting seeing Kim's team in an unfamiliar location, and seeing how some of the dynamics play out, especially with her dealing with another team.

From the moment I started this book with its rather intriguing prologue, I had a feeling this was something I would need to read in one sitting, and thankfully it was too hot to work so took it into the garden and indulged for the afternoon. And what an afternoon it was and a what a book it is!

And there are some real gasp out lout moments, I certainly didn't expect some of the final revelations, and the depths of the crime and injustice in this book are not to be underestimated.

This is dark, gritty, but texts from a certain reporter do add some light relief! It's always a thrill to be back in Kim Stone's world, and this was no exception.

An utterly addictive and totally amazing book, I'm just gutted that I read it so quickly as I know it means that I will have an even longer wait for the next one. So once again I'm begging Angela Marsons to please write faster, as we need more of this excellence in the world!

Easily one of the best and most addictive books of this always amazing series.

Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.