Nothing short of exceptional!

Omg this was brilliant!! I’m such a HUGE fan of Angie and her DI Kim Stone series. Each book just gets better and better.

I inhaled this whole book in just under 6 hours and I regret nothing 😂 it was totally worth the pain of knowing I’ve got to wait until the end of the year for another.

If you’ve never read Marsons’ DI Kim Stone series - are you even real? This series is the best I’ve encountered and I’ve read a LOT. You can read them in or out of order and you’ll be guaranteed a fan girl by the end of just one novel.

Thanks to Bookouture and the NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

I always know once I start one of the author's books that I'm in for a real treat and this one was no different, there were one or two moments when I had to hold my breath , my only advice to starting the book is to make sure you have lots of time to spare as you won't want to leave it aside. My only negativity is now that I'm finished is having to wait for the next book. I wish there was more than a 5 star rating as it deserves it

Angela Marsons' Kim Stone books are always a good read and Little Children - number 22 in the series I think may be the best yet. It is a complex heart breaking story of the kidnap and abuse of young boys. However Kim and the team leave no stone unturned to identify the culprits and rescue the boys identifying police corruption as they do it. The regular characters pop onto the page as though they'd been waiting for Angela to pick up her pen. Regular readers wouldn't have it any other way! A brilliant, clever story that I thoroughly enjoyed. I'd encourage anyone who likes a good series to try Kim Stone. There's no better!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read an advance copy. All opinions are my own.

I have noticed a bit of a consistent issue with the Kim Stone series, especially the last few books. I just can't put them down. I read this one in 2 days and now I'm fuming with myself because I still want to be reading it.

The topics in these series are often quite traumatic but DI Stone always seems to handle these situations with the right amount of care, which can't be said for all the characters we meet in this book.

Bryant had a particularly tough ride in this book, felt for him.

If you were going into battle you'd want Kim Stone in your corner. Love reading such a strong female character who champions her team and tries to right the wrongs of society.

Great read, can't wait for the next one. Thanks to netgalley for the opportunity to review, this is my honest opinion.

This is hands down one of my favorite detective thriller series, and I know I can count on the DI Kim Stone books to consistently deliver an engaging and suspenseful ride. I always do a little happy dance whenever a new sequel appears on my kindle, and I couldn't resist picking it up almost straight away. I can’t believe that Little Children is already book number 22 of a series that truly shows no signs of slowing down, and it is without doubt another brilliant sequel.

Before I continue, I have to repeat myself and insist that this is a series to read in order. You will find major spoilers for past events otherwise, and you won’t be able to fully understand and appreciate the dynamics between the main characters either. That said, the case investigated in Little Children does stand on its own and in theory it can be followed without reading the other books first. But why would you, with the whole series being well worth your time catching up with? Trust me, I had to do so myself in 2021 and I had a blast.

I think that part of the reason that this series is working so well has a lot to do with its cast of characters. I always have such a great time catching up with Kim and the rest of the team, and the banter is absolutely brilliant. I love how the humor balances out the more serious content, and it helps break up the tension in a natural way. The characters feel like old friends by now, and they complement each other perfectly. In this particular sequel we also have a completely new team in the picture, although the main focus is on our group of known characters.

Little Children is a little different than usual as the whole team travels to Blackpool both to help investigate a missing children case and to investigate corruption allegations among the Blackpool detective team. This double task and the fact that Kim Stone isn't exactly known for her ability to play well with others definitely livens up the plot, and the fact that you don't know who you can trust of the Blackpool team only adds more tension. There are quite a few twists and turns along the way, and I never did guess the full truth about it all.

It comes as no surprise that Little Children turned out to be another very satisfying detective thriller sequel, and I literally couldn't stop reading despite the reading slump. If you like your detective thrillers to be fast, engaging, suspenseful and with a healthy dose of banter, I cannot recommend this series enough. Like I said before, it is without a doubt one of my absolute favorite detective series out there!

This is the 22nd book in the Kim Stone series, hard to believe but this is a series I will always continue to read as I never tire of reading about Kim and her team, it is like returning to meeting up with old friends and I am sure many of us feel this way. The author has an innate ability to keep providing quality stories that touch our hearts emotionally and draw you in.

This case focuses on the disappearance of young boys, and it really does touch your heart strings. Kim and her team are sent to another precinct to not only try to assist in solving this case but also to try to fleece out police corruption which is thought to be occurring. Any case involving children is always hard to read about but the author does this in such a sensitive way that your attention is more of the details of the case, and you are hoping that the individuals will be caught and prosecuted.

I thought the way these two-story lines coincided was very clever, it gave something extra to the plot and provided a deeper case for the detectives to solve and significantly more for the reader to become wrapped up in. Once again Kim will stop at nothing to obtain results even though in the beginning the evidence is thin and there are people covering up information or seemingly not caring to provide knowledge which would assist in tracking down these killers. Another fabulous instalment in the series which I highly recommend.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

When am I going to learn to savour every single sentence, slow down, and pace myself when it comes to the glorious Detective Kim Stone series.... honest answer... never! I devoured this in one sitting, and I’m not ashamed to admit that. Maybe I need therapy! Is there a Kim Stone help group out there?

Now I know I say this with every new installment, BUT I mean it this time, this is by far my favourite in the whole series, there was something about taking Kim away from her own turf again (Dead Souls book #6) but this time with her whole team that just amped up the exhilaration of their investigation.  Add in a slice of police corruption, and you have the magical mix that Angie ALWAYS delivers.

As a superfan of this author and series, it’s actually really hard to review without spoilers or leaving those breadcrumbs that others will pick up on, so I’ll keep that side brief!

Kim and her amazing team are sent traipsing off to Blackpool, not very willingly,  to help with the search and case of two missing boys but as well as that investigation,  they are also secretly tasked with checking out the team they will be working alongside. There’s rumours of bad policing, corruption, and ‘bent’ coppers. Trying to integrate with a team that make it blatantly obvious they are not welcome is hard enough, let alone trying to play their part in their secret mission.

Whilst mainly in the narrative of Kim’s side, it’s also interspersed with the shocking scenes of what one of the missing boys is going through, meaning as a reader, we’re aware of the harrowing nature of what happened, before Kim and her team are.

As always, we also witness the goings on in Kim’s personal life, and with each new book, we learn more and more. Book #22 offered us the strong, resilient Kim that we all know and love, but there was also an added vulnerability, more so than normal, because of the situation she was dealing with.

There are some really harrowing, dark, heartwrenching scenes throughout, but there’s also humour, friendship and a team that will go to the ends of the earth for not only each other but those they are trying to help!

I will never tire of this series, I shout it from the rooftops to anyone who’ll listen and will do so forever.

Huge thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture the ARC.

Book 22 in the Kim Stone series did not disappoint! Read it in just a few hours because I couldn't put it down!!! Well done Angela Marsons. I can't wait for the next one. I never get tired of Kim, Bryant, Penn and Stacey.

Thank you #netgalley and #bookouture for the eARC.

Angela Marsons keeps her Kim Stone series fresh, even as she publishes book #22. This time, Kim and her team have been sent north to Blackpool to help in the investigation of two missing boys. But there’s another reason they’ve been called in - allegations of possible police corruption. What they find is a cursory investigation for the first boy, as if he wasn’t worth searching for. Meanwhile, there’s a subplot about a reporter tracking Kim down about a story she’d just as soon forget.
This is a fast paced story with no down time. I appreciated that Marsons didn’t fall prey to the usual missing children plot trope. Most of the twists were easy to see ahead of time but it was still an enjoyable story. And that’s mostly down to how much I enjoy the team and their faith in each other. Be aware, this is a gritty story and far from a cozy mystery.
I don’t think you have to start at the beginning of this series but I’d recommend at least reading the previous book (36 Hours).
My thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of this book.

Absolutely loved this book! Definitely a thriller and suspense worthy reading! Angela Marsons and the Kim Stone series is one of the best!

Two teenage boys go missing from the same town, so Kim and her team is sent down to figure out what is going on. This is my first book in this series and I really enjoyed it! The cover for sure drew me in. The suspense was good. There was a lot of lies and connections you will not see coming. Highly recommended!

Kim Stone and her team are sent by DCI Woodward to assist his fellow DCI and friend in Blackpool. It's full on tourist season and the detectives in Blackpool are investigating the disappearance of 2 young boys. There are also reports of corruption within the force so they are also discreetly looking into that too.
Wow, what a read. We've waited slightly longer for this novel but it was well worth the wait. Probably one of the darkest, most heinous crimes Kim, Bryant, Penn and Stacey have had to deal with. Added to that disgusting colleagues who are a disgrace to the force, this case is certainly going to have a long term affect on them.
This book is number 22 in the series but the writing and storylines are just a fresh as the first. It seems a shame to say I read it in one day after all the work that goes into writing a novel but I just couldn't put it down
I have left my review on Goodreads, Bookmory, Storygraph and Fable. I've also reviewed on my Instagram and Facebook group. I will post review on Amazon and Waterstones on publication day

I have read and enjoyed all the books in this series and this instalment was as good if not better than the rest. It had all the suspense in abundance . Very well written to keep you guessing throughout. Plenty of backstory which I enjoy.. Really looking forward to the next offering.

Absolutely brilliant instalment in this fantastic series, with a nice touch of humour to offset the dark subject matter of the investigation Kim and the team are sent to help another force when two boys go missing within a week. Cleverly written so you don’t know who to trust. If anyone has yet to read these books, buy them all.

Some books have to jump to the top of your TBR pile and this is one of them.
Another unbelievably excellent addition to this fantastic series. Number 22 and it's still fresh, vibrant and as all engrossing as the rest.
Quite the horrowing tale of young boys being abducted and used, literally, as punching bags in the world of illegal undercover child boxing. Kim and her team leave their home ground to ‘help’ another team with a case while secretly and covertly investigating the team themselves. As always things are never what they seem and you're brought on a roller coaster of a ride to the finish with the most wonderful twist.
Fewer of the characters’ subplots this time, primarily as the book takes place away from their home patch but if you, like me, have followed the series from the beginning that doesn't matter a jot as it’s like catching up with old friends

Once again Angela Marsons has written a fantastic book. The team are back investigating a highly complex and upsetting story., but she has written this with care and her usual attention to detail.
The whole crew are back, and it was like being amount friends again. I raced through this book in a day, and can’t wait for the next book in this fabulous series.
Thank you Angela Marsons for one of my favourite cast of characters.

WOW WOW WOW!! Yet another amazing read from the fabulous Kim Stone series by Angela Marsons. A totally harrowing read dealing with the worst society has to offer but as ever brilliantly written

Wow! What another fabulous interesting and gripping read by Angela Marsons
The way that the two cases run seamlessly together through out the book is so entertaining keeping you guessing till the very end, always a twist which keeps you coming back for more
The two cases just flow and complement each other. The story line is believable and you actually feel like you know and feel the emotions of all the characters
Although this is a series you could read all the books independently as characters pasts are touched upon where necessary but to truly follow the characters lives, I would start at book one, you won’t be disappointed

Considering this is book 22, it is still as exciting and gripping as book 1. Kim and her team travel to Blackpool to work alongside them in the case of 2 missing boys and potential police corruption.

There are some difficult parts to read regarding the missing boys, and there is also potential police corruption and misogyny. This is a difficult position for Kim and her team, especially Bryant.

When a new Kim Stone book comes out, I know my head will be in the book until it's finished. It is definitely my favourite book series and would transform perfectly into a television series. The characters are perfect, and now we're on book 22 they feel like old friends and I already can't wait to be reading about them again.

Of all the cases Kim Stone and her team have been involved in, this may be the hardest, more heartbreaking one ever. Kim has once been away from the gang, but this time it’s all four of them who have to move to a new location. They are in Blackpool ostensibly to help the local force locate two missing pre-teens. Their added task is to investigate the rumors of police misconduct. For this second goal, they are forced to play roles that couldn’t be farther away from their real personalities. Bryant is the most out of character: a lazy, possibly bent copper threading water till his retirement. By now we know these guys so well that it was easy to see how much of a toll this charade hurt them. The case keeps getting more complicated and the plot is insanely suspenseful. All the twists were unexpected as the team and the victims get in hotter water. Even at the end, when I had most of the clues, I was mistaken. The real culprit made so much sense and yet I hadn’t seen it coming. And the final chapters were so touching, that I felt like sobbing. Marsons really knows how to spin a story and this one is especially good. Now, I do say that of all the Kim Stone novels because they all are fantastic. This one is enjoyable, horrifying, addictive and suspenseful. I’d give it more than 5 stars if possible.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Bookouture.