Showing posts with label Angela Marsons. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Angela Marsons. Show all posts

Tuesday, 21 February 2017

Blood Lines by Angela Marsons

Blood Lines (D.I. Kim Stone, #5)

Blood Lines (D.I. Kim Stone #5) by Angela Marsons
Published: 4th November 2016
Publisher: Bookouture
Pages: 380
Available in Paperback and on Kindle
Rating: 5/5

Blurb
How do you catch a killer who leaves no trace?
A victim killed with a single, precise stab to the heart appears at first glance to be a robbery gone wrong. A caring, upstanding social worker lost to a senseless act of violence. But for
Detective Kim Stone, something doesn’t add up.

When a local drug addict is found murdered with an identical wound, Kim knows instinctively that she is dealing with the same killer. But with nothing to link the two victims except the cold, calculated nature of their death, this could be her most difficult case yet.

Desperate to catch the twisted individual, Kim’s focus on the case is threatened when she receives a chilling letter from
Dr Alex Thorne, the sociopath who Kim put behind bars. And this time, Alex is determined to hit where it hurts most, bringing Kim face-to-face with the woman responsible for the death of Kim’s little brother – her own mother.

As the body count increases, Kim and her team unravel a web of dark secrets, bringing them closer to the killer. But one of their own could be in mortal danger. Only this time, Kim might not be strong enough to save them…

Review
Wow, wow, wow my favourite Queen of Crime Angela Marsons has done it again and produced another sublime crime novel with my favourite female crime fighter Detective Inspector Kim Stone. This is a series which just seems to get better and better with each book and Angela has become my most anticipated author to read (hope book six isn’t too far away).
In Blood Lines Kim and her team are given a baffling case. A woman is found dead in her car with one single stab wound, indicating a cold and heartless killing but as usual Kim’s gut is telling her there’s more to this case than the team initially think. As a second body of a young drug dealer is found with an identical wound, Kim knows the two murders are linked but proving it is going to be tricky as nothing seems to link the two victims.
As Kim gets stuck into the case she receives notice that her mother, who is under psychiatric care is due to be released from her care facility. When Kim enquires about why this is happening she is informed it’s due to her encouraging and forgiving letters which she has been sending. Kim knows she would never ever have done such a thing and knows instantly who would be so cruel…Dr Alexandra Thorpe an old advisory of Kim’s who is out for revenge. Can Kim work out what on earth Alex is up to before her mother is released? Even behind bars Alex seems to be able to manipulate Kim but can she be outwitted a second time?
I think the thing I loved most about this book was the return of Dr Alexandra Thorne from the second Kim stone book Evil Games. She’s such an evil and manipulating character that I was just hooked on reading what depths so was going to sink to this time. I think if you haven’t read Evil Games yet then you definitely should so you get the maximum effect of just how bad Alex can be and how easily she is able to push Kim’s buttons which doesn’t seem to happen often.
Another thing I loved about this book was that we gain more insight into some of the background characters which have appeared in previous books. We get to learn a little bit more about Stacey, a character who has seemed a bit of mystery before now, I’d still like more from her in the next book. I also liked that we got to see a softer side to Woody Kim’s boss, which makes him a more likable character to me. We also finally get see Kim face to face with her mother, something which I didn’t think would ever happen and I loved seeing how this encounter affected Kim. The way Angela Marsons is adding more and more details to her main characters as the series continues is just fascinating and has really made the books come alive for me.
The murder plot in this book is yet again another one I couldn’t work out and just when I thought I had it cracked we got given another twist to the tale. Just brilliant, I love Angela’s writing and hope we have many more Kim Stone books to come.
Thank you so much to the publishers Bookouture for this copy to review I adored it and cannot wait for the next one.

Friday, 27 May 2016

Play Dead (D.I. Stone book #4) by Angela Marsons

Play Dead (D.I. Kim Stone #4)

Play Dead (D.I. Stone Book #4) by Angela Marsons
Published: 20th May 2016
Publisher: Bookouture
Pages: 390
Available in Paperback and on Kindle

Blurb
The dead don’t tell secrets… unless you listen. The girl’s smashed-in face stared unseeing up to the blue sky, soil spilling out of her mouth. A hundred flies hovered above the bloodied mess.

Westerley research facility is not for the faint-hearted. A ‘body farm’ investigating human decomposition, its inhabitants are corpses in various states of decay. But when
Detective Kim Stone and her team discover the fresh body of a young woman, it seems a killer has discovered the perfect cover to bury their crime.

Then a second girl is attacked and left for dead, her body drugged and mouth filled with soil. It’s clear to Stone and the team that a serial killer is at work – but just how many bodies will they uncover? And who is next?

As local reporter, Tracy Frost, disappears, the stakes are raised. The past seems to hold the key to the killer’s secrets – but can Kim uncover the truth before a twisted, damaged mind claims another victim …?

Review
Play Dead is Angela Marsons fourth novel, yes fourth! Which is shocking when you think a little over a year ago no one had heard of DI Kim Stone and now she has built up a massive loyal following, which just goes to show what a talented writer Angela Marsons’ is. I was a little nervous when starting Play Dead as what if this one wasn’t as good as the others, well never fear, once again Angela Marsons’ has written a novel which sucks you in from the very first paragraph and hooks you until the very end.
This time a body is discovered quite by chance when Kim and her team are visiting a “body farm” which is researching various forms of decomposition. When a second victim is left for dead in a horrific state just days later, it’s up to the team to find this gruesome killer before they strike again.
Once again I have been blown away by  just how detailed these novels are, Angela Marsons really seems to know criminals and police procedure perfectly which makes for gripping and sometimes horrifying reading.  My favourite thing about these novels is how she gives both the killer and the victim a convincing voice, giving the reader a fuller understanding of motives and feelings.
This is this first novel by Angela Marsons where I have had suspicions about who the killer might be, I was right but not in the way I thought. This didn’t ruin the book for me at all as once again I wasn’t prepared for the number of twists and shocks which were given before the motive and killer are revealed.  I adored reading this adrenaline fuelled rollercoaster of a book and am sad it’s over and I have to wait months for the next ride.
I love how with each new novel we are learning more about Kim, her team and people who are becoming “regulars” in the D.I. Stone novels. In this novel Tracey Frost a news-reporter from the previous novel Lost Girls is brought back and Kim learns they have more in common than she would like to admit.  Another character who returns is Daniel Bate and there is a spark of chemistry between him and Kim but will she finally left someone in?
After reading this Angela Marsons has secured the top spot of my favourite crime writer and I know it will take something special to replace her. So please, please go and read Play Dead, it’s a fantastic novel and you won’t be disappointed.
Play Dead from Angela Marsons received 5 out 5 for me and is one of my favourite books of the year.  Thank you so much to the publishers Bookouture and NetGalley for the review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Tuesday, 8 December 2015

Top Ten Tuesday - New to Me Authors in 2015

Today I decided to join in with Top Ten Tuesday hosted by The Broke and The Bookish, its being a long time since I complied a bookish Top Ten and felt this week's list was the perfect one to jump back in with: Top Ten New to Me Authors in 2015. Now at least half of what I've read this year has been new to me authors but I have found some real favourites who are now on my must-read list.
Silent Scream (D.I. Kim Stone, #1)  Evil Games (D.I. Kim Stone, #2) Lost Girls (D.I. Kim Stone, #3)

1. Angela Marsons: this woman's writing is superb and I've loved all three of her D.I. Stone novels that she has written this year and am looking forward to more in 2016


Three Amazing Things About You
2. Jill Mansell: I'm very sad to admit that I've never picked up a Jill Mansell novel before despite being a huge chick-lit reader. Three Amazing Things About You changed that, it was just amazing in every way and has opened up a whole new love. Luckily for me Jill has written quite a few novels so I've plenty more gems to discover in her back catalogue.

The Vintage Guide to Love and Romance
3. Kirsty Greenwood: The Vintage Guide to Love and Romance was just brilliant and the main character Jess Beam just had me laughing all the way through. I have Yours Truly her first novel on my tbr pile so hopefully it won't be sat there too long.

The Tea Planter's Wife
4. Dinah Jefferies: The Tea Planter's Wife was such a beautifully written novel and I loved how the story unfolded. I'm so looking forward to her next read The Merchant's Daughter which is out in February.

The Waiting Game
5. Jessica Thompson: The Waiting Game was beautiful, such a heart-breaking novel. Will pick up another book by her when I want an emotional read.

Christmas Ever After
6. Sarah Morgan: I've just finished reading Christmas Ever After and I adored it, love the characters, the setting, the plot, everything was perfect. I need to read more from this lady very soon.

Secrets of the Tower
7. Debbie Rix : The Secrets of the Tower was a ready good read with a dual narrative full of mystery and romance. I really hope this lady writes more in the future.

A Year in the Life of a Playground Mother Misadventures of a Playground Mother
8. Christie Barlow: I read both of Christie's novels back to back in September and enjoyed the comedy in both of them. Looking forward to her new novel Kitty's Countryside Dream which is out in February

What Would Mary Berry Do?
9. Claire Sandy: Loved What Would Mary Berry Do? and am hoping to read her other two novels before too long.

A Proper Family Holiday
10. Chrissie Manby: I've just finished the first Proper Family book and am eager to start the next one as this family just captured my heart. Will enjoy going back and reading her previous novels next year.

So that's my list, are any of these favourites of yours? Pop over to The Broke and the Bookish and have a look at other people's lists.

Joanne x

Monday, 9 November 2015

Lost Girls by Angela Marsons'

Lost Girls (D.I. Kim Stone, #3)

Published: 6th November 2015
Publisher: Bookouture
Pages: 359
Available in Paperback and on Kindle


Blurb
Two girls go missing. Only one will return.
The couple that offers the highest amount will see their daughter again. The losing couple will not. Make no mistake. One child will die.

When nine-year-old best friends Charlie and Amy disappear, two families are plunged into a living nightmare. A text message confirms the unthinkable; that the girls are the victims of a terrifying kidnapping.

And when a second text message pits the two families against each other for the life of their children, the clock starts ticking for D.I. Kim Stone and the squad.

Seemingly outwitted at every turn, as they uncover a trail of bodies, Stone realises that these ruthless killers might be the most deadly she has ever faced. And that their chances of bringing the girls home alive, are getting smaller by the hour…

Untangling a dark web of secrets from the families’ past might hold the key to solving this case. But can Kim stay alive long enough to do so? Or will someone’s child pay the ultimate price?

Review
Lost Girls is Angela Marsons’ third instalment in the D.I. Stone series and I think it might just be my favourite so far. Just like her previous two novels Silent Scream and Evil Games Angela has written a fast-paced and gripping story which will have you on the edge of your seat, your nerves in tatters and physically unable to put that book down!

This time the case involves two young girls who have been kidnapped and a bidding war is instigated between the two families, the incentive being whichever family pays the most will see their little girl again, the other won’t. The case mirrors an earlier case where only one of the girls was returned safely. As Kim is put in charge of this high profile case she promises to deliver both girls home…alive.

As Kim and her team set up home in one of the families’ homes they are joined by two additional members, profiler Alison and negotiator Matt. In true Kim style she doesn’t let them settle in easily and there is a lot of verbal sparring between them as Kim struggles with the pressure to deliver a result as time slowly runs out. Being located in the home of one of the families also gave an insight into the way the two couples reacted to each other as time when on, the emotions and dialogue between them was just fascinating to read and very believable.

Aside from the main case we begin to learn more about D.S. Kevin Dawson as Kim sends him off on his own to tie up an old case. I really enjoyed getting to know more about Dawson and his background as it made Kim’s team feel even more real. I hope in the next novel we can learn more about Stacey and what makes her tick.

As the story unfolded I began to have a feeling for who I thought was the perpetrator and…boom...how wrong I was! The last few chapters of this novel built up into an utterly amazing and nail-biting conclusion, one which I totally didn’t see coming and completely threw me as I thought, aww Angela has done it again! Her plots just get better and better and the realism of it all has me in awe as everything always comes together in such a clever way.

I think 2015 has been a fantastic year for Angela Marsons’ she has delivered three outstanding crime novels and seems to have become a firm favourite with many crime readers. She has definitely become my favourite crime writer and one which I know will produce some must-read novels of 2016. Well done Angela, I am a huge fan of your utterly brilliant addictive writing and please, please don’t stop writing!!
Finally I’d like to say I give Lost Girls 5/5….it really deserves many more! I’d also like to thank Bookouture and Netgalley for the review copy, it has been a pleasure to read and review

Wednesday, 4 November 2015

Evil Games by Angela Marsons

Evil Games (D.I. Kim Stone, #2)

Evil Games ( D.I. Stone #2) by Angela Marsons
Published: 29th May 2015
Publisher: Bookouture
Pages: 384
Available in Paperback and on Kindle

Blurb
The greater the Evil, the more deadly the game…
When a rapist is found mutilated in a brutal attack, Detective Kim Stone and her team are called in to bring a swift resolution. But, as more vengeful killings come to light, it soon becomes clear that there is someone far more sinister at work.

With the investigation quickly gathering momentum, Kim finds herself exposed to great danger and in the sights of a lethal individual undertaking their own twisted experiment.

Up against a sociopath who seems to know her every weakness, for Detective Stone, each move she makes could be deadly. As the body count starts to mount, Kim will have to dig deeper than ever before to stop the killing. And this time - it’s personal.

Review
After reading and been totally blown away by Angela Marsons’ first DI Stone novel Silent Scream I was eager to read her second novel Evil Games and it didn’t disappoint, it’s another highly addictive and fast paced read which I thoroughly enjoyed. 
In Evil Games DI Stone and her team are investigating an ongoing child abuse case alongside the recent brutal stabbing of a rapist. As other crimes are committed Kim feels there is a connection between them, her colleagues disagree but as the name Dr Alexandra Thorne keeps cropping up Kim can’t let that niggle in her gut go. As she investigates on her own Kim comes face to face with a dangerous sociopath and as Kim faces her deepest fears…can she outwit her strongest adversary yet?
Wow, just like Angela’s first crime thriller this was addictive from the very first page and had me hooked until the end. There were so many plot twists and turns that kept me totally absorbed, making for a fairly quick read. The short chapters and Angela’s excellent action packed writing style helped this book to flow brilliantly. One thing I really loved was that the last sentence of each chapter seemed to add more clues to the case and was like a mini cliff-hanger urging me to keep reading.
In Alexandra Thorne Angela has created a truly despicable and unsettling character, reading about her was so intriguing. Just like Kim I felt that niggle that she wasn’t quite as charming as she first appeared and as we learnt more about her and her mind games she just made me shudder. Well done to Angela for creating such a brilliant character.
Another thing I loved about Evil Games was that we learnt a lot more about Kim’s background which really made like her more as a character. Although we learn more about why she is so harsh and closed off to emotions it was nice that with the introduction of Barney the dog there is hope for Kim to form relationships in the future, something to look forward too maybe?
Evil Games was a brilliant read, written in the same addictive style as Silent Scream and as a follow it’s just as good as the first one. So looking forward to reading the next book Lost Girls and really hoping Angela will continue to write this wonderful series.
Thank you so much to Bookouture and Netgalley for the review copy, I give Evil Games a massive 5 out 5 and urge anyone who hasn’t read this to do so now, you won’t regret it.

Saturday, 21 February 2015

Book Review - Silent Scream by Angela Marsons

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24483265-silent-scream?ac=1
 
Silent Scream by Angela Marsons
Released: 20th February 2015
Publisher: Bookouture
Pages: 400
 
Blurb
Even the darkest secrets can’t stay buried forever…

Five figures gather round a shallow grave. They had all taken turns to dig. An adult-sized hole would have taken longer. An innocent life had been taken but the pact had been made. Their secrets would be buried, bound in blood …

Years later, a headmistress is found brutally strangled, the first in a spate of gruesome murders which shock the Black Country.

But when human remains are discovered at a former children’s home, disturbing secrets are also unearthed. D.I. Kim Stone fast realises she’s on the hunt for a twisted individual whose killing spree spans decades.

As the body count rises, Kim needs to stop the murderer before they strike again. But to catch the killer, can Kim confront the demons of her own past before it’s too late?
 
Review
 
Bookouture is a publisher which has brought some brilliant reads to me over the last eight months of reviewing, so when I heard they had signed a new crime thriller writer I was really excited and Angela Marson’s debut Silent Scream surpasses every expectation I had, I found it to be simply brilliant.
The scene is set back in 2004 when five figures are surrounding a freshly dug and filled grave, vowing to keep the secret of what happened to this body among themselves. Fast forward ten years and head teacher Teresa Wyatt is found dead in her own bath tub, the description of her murder was very realistic and had my heart pounding, a brilliant opening chapter which had me totally hooked.
In steps DI Kim Stone to solve the crime which turns out to be more complicated the Kim and her team expect and as more murders are committed and when children’s bones are found in the grounds of an old children’s home, Kim’s interest in the case becomes more than just professional.
I really loved the main character DI Kim Stone, initially she seems very ruthless with her team and seems to have a hard reputation but as the story unfolds and we learn more about her we realise what she has had to deal with as child.  This made her very real to me as she had a vulnerability about her and the perfect character to lead a new detective series as I feel she has a lot more to share with us. The other character I like was Bryant, I loved his almost cheeky relationship with his boss, which brought a couple of lighter moments to a very involved novel.
This novel is action packed, and totally gripping, my heart was racing all the way through it and I could just not put it down until I knew how it would end. There were a couple of moments where I thought I had it all worked out and then bam nope I was wrong!  The ending which I got was completely not what I expected and that’s one of the reasons I loved this book, you’re left guessing until the very end.
Silent Scream deals with the subject of child abuse and highlights that those with power don’t always treat those children in these institutions with the care that they deserve. When the murders of the children were exposed I was deeply saddened and was rooting so much for Kim to find the murderer before they did any more damage. This topic made the crimes seem more real and tragic somehow rather than killer going on a bloodbath causing rampage.
For me Silent Scream is the perfect crime novel, it had a gritty plot with many twists, some deeply hidden secrets, psychologically damaged characters and a Detective Inspector to solve the crime who had her own flaws so was easier to relate to. It’s just simply brilliant and I think everyone should read it. It’s by far the best crime thriller I’ve read in a long time and I cannot wait to read the next one. I give it 5/5, go buy this book people!