Member Reviews
I always believe that when I have read an Angela Marsons book that is the best so far and here I go again saying the same thing. She hasn’t just reached the top of the ladder she is in the clouds and even the sky isn’t the limit with this lady. Just love this whole series.
The opening scene in 1989 is really heart breaking I can never get my head round the pure evil acts that one human can do to another. Here at this moment is when humanity takes a dive even further and you feel ashamed not just to be British but to be human too. In present day an archaeological class is out in the field, literally out in a field learning the importance of following procedure, no matter how tedious, so that relics of the years gone by are not damaged. What is discovered are the human bones of a not too distant past.
Detective Kim Stone is first on the scene simply by chance of being in the area but when Detective Travis arrives the air could easily turn a shade of blue. Having a turbulent past would be putting it mildly as each of them is willing to battle for this obvious murder scene. They should have been careful what they wished for.
This is an absolutely stunning story and tell it as it really is Angela Marsons makes it all up close and personal. It really is shocking to think that so many people constantly live in fear. Racism is the ultimate depraved form of bullying at its worst. Well what can I say about Kim Stone that hasn’t already been said before, Just love the sheer determination of this woman. This was a really hard case for her in more than one way and she still stays the professional when it comes down to doing the right thing. More of this mixed duo please.
Another eagerly awaited Kim Stone, and it didn't disappoint! This story deals with the subject of hate crime, and actually makes difficult reading at times, though it's good for the reader to have to confront something we'd prefer to think doesn't happen. Angela says that she wanted to put Kim in a different situation in this book, and does this by putting her in a joint investigation with someone she worked with years ago, and there is clearly some kind of history between them. The characters of Kim's own team are developed in her absence: Bryant and Dawson have to work together without her, and we find out much more about Stacey. I really loved this book - hope we don't have to wait too long for the next one! Thanks to NetGalley for a preview copy.
I was thrilled to get my hands on the new Angie Marson's book which is the sixth in the series featuring Kim Stone. The latest case is a little different to Kim's norm as human bones are discovered in a field and its not just one victim. Not only does she have a potential cold case on her hands, but she is forced to work with Detective Travis who seems to share a history of some sort with Kim. Subsequently Kim's team consisting of Bryant, Dawson and Stacey are left to work other cases.
Kim's team have played a part in all the stories in the series so far, but this latest book offers us a closer look at all three of them as they work without their trusty leader. Before long it appears that Stacey has taken a case personally and that in itself puts her in grave danger. On the other side of the fence Kim is struggling to work with a man who she clearly cannot work with. This element of the story was so much more engaging than the case they were working in my opinion. The history of Kim and Travis is slowly revealed as we see the parallel of Bryant and Dawson struggling to form as a team.
Both cases start to unravel before the readers eyes and at around the 70% mark the pace ratchets up considerably. The last part of the book I managed to squeeze into one lunch and it was every bit as good as I wanted it to be. So...why the 4 stars? Well in all honesty I thought the beginning quarter of the book was a little slow, and I think the separation of Kim from the team threw me a little bit. That said, this series is going from strength to strength and I cannot imagine a time when I will not be excited to read the next instalment. If you haven't read any of these books you are seriously missing out!
When you know there is a new Kim Stone book on its way, it feels like you’re returning to familiar and exciting territory. Kim Stone has a special place in my reading heart; I’ve been through the mill with her from Silent Scream through the irritation that is Tracy Frost to the terrors of Alex Thorne. And now we’ve arrived at Dead Souls, the discovery of historic bones during a forensic anthropology dig on a farm on the border of two police forces. Kim is forced to work with another team, without the support of her familiar team and they have to cope without their strong headed inspector. Will this be a success in police terms?!
As Kim investigates the origins of these random bones, the team are left to deal with hate crime; in this day and age of tolerance, there are a far few people who lack the acceptance of other cultures and make a point of attacking these individuals to various degrees from anonymous messaging to physical attacks. I personally think Ms Marsons has handled this upsetting subject well highlighting the prejudiced thinking of a minority and that a racist isn’t your a-typical skinhead that can be portrayed previously. It could be your neighbour, your work colleague, the person you sit next to on the bus. Looks can be deceptive.
And after a leave of absence in Blood Lines, Kim’s journalistic nemesis Tracy Frost is back and she’s making herself as popular as ever. However given what happened at the Body Farm in Play Dead (if you’ve not read it, why not!?), the dynamic between the pair has slightly changed so it will be interesting to see how long this lasts!
With the split of the team, we get to know the characters back at Halesowen. Stacey gets to play more of a part in the story and we learn more about her rather than just her IT skills.
So far Angela Marsons has not disappointed me. The Kim Stone books keep getting better and better and Dead Souls is no different. I devoured the investigations in little over a day.
Huge thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for my copy of Dead Souls. Just one question – when’s book 7 out?!
Hats off to author Angela Marsons for creating yet another intense and disturbing page turner to add to the Kim Stone series.
Marsons takes on a timely subject matter: Hate crimes. But this goes way beyond your name calling and intimidation that you hear about in the news. Marsons takes the reader on a very disturbing journey that doesn't hold back on just how far some people are willing to take things.
This time around Stone is forced to leave the comfort of her team behind and work alongside an old friend turned adversary DI Tom Travis. While the reason for the volatile relationship is initially unknown, it makes for some entertaining reading as the two struggle to find common ground without killing each other.
While the plot is strong and there are sub plots that are intricately weaved throughout to keep the pace moving, I have to say the chapters devoted to character development were definitely my favorites. I applaud the author for rewarding her devoted fans with more insight not only about the main star, but to the individual team members as well. (Yay Stacey!) This type of intimate reveal just makes me more invested in the series and keeps me wanting more.
I'm looking forward to seeing what's next in store for Kim and crew. So keep them coming Angela-I can't get enough!
ARC provided by NetGalley
Angela Marsons is one of my favourite crime writers and I eagerly await each new Kim Stone book. She's a great detective who shows her flaws but still gains great respect from her team and solves increasingly disturbing crimes. This book was one of the most chilling so far.
In this book she works with a different team whilst her team carry on working on another case. She comes across Travis again and there is obviously history between the two. It adds another interesting dynamic to Kim's character- we see how she interacts in a new team and how she copes with working alongside Travis.
I can't wait for the next book in this series!
I have read other books by Angela Marsons and thoroughly enjoyed them, but couldn't get through this one.
First DI Kim Stone novel, ever! Yes, I know, you're probably wondering where on Earth have I been hiding to not have read any of the previous books in the series, I even wonder that myself!
It didn't take me long to fall for Kim Stone's personality at all, in fact I think it only took me a couple of percent to agree with what other readers have been saying about her; FABULOUS. For me, Kim Stone's character came across as such a down to earth and real individual, which I loved. It's not often you read a novel where the leading character is severely kick ass and blunt, yet is still connected with her emotions.
I am a huge fan of storylines where there is a huge question mark looming from the very beginning, as watching the storyline unfold and waiting for the secrets to come to light, is what grips me and keeps me interested. I was so pleased when I noticed that 'Dead Souls' hopped, skipped, and jumped its way into that category. From the very start of the book, I was engulfed with information such as brand new characters, investigation information, as well as copious amounts of unanswered questions. And you know what? I literally rubbed my hands together in excitement, there was just so much grit and dirt to sink my teeth into! Part of me felt a tad apprehensive though, yet I have no idea why!
Even though the storyline was incredibly generous with its plot and levels of intrigue, there were several moments during the book where I felt like the speed of novel had slowed. Don't get me wrong, it still kept me interested as more information was being given and the characters changed direction due to circumstances at the time, yet it seemed to take a while for everything to come together and the suspense levels to rise. When the storyline did come together it didn't take long at all for goose bumps to cover my entire body and a nervous feeling to set up camp in the pit of my stomach. I just wish the last part of the book wasn't so boom-boom-boom 'the end'. That said, what a belter of a book!! Maybe it leaves the door open for Kim Stone to return, I don't know. But, judging by the fact I wanted more, I really do hope that we get to see more of Kim Stone.
I thoroughly enjoyed Angela Marsons' novel, especially the complex investigational skills and questionable character personalities; absolutely brilliant. I can definitely see why Angela Marsons', 'Kim Stone', series has sold so many copies!! She certainly knows how to keep her readers dangling, and wanting more with her exceptional writing skills.
Again, remind me why I haven't read a 'Kim Stone' novel before now? If you'll excuse me, I'll be making my way to Amazon right about now to hide in book one of this series!
Oh, and yes, I highly recommend this novel; such a brilliant and intense read that was led by a sassy and kick ass Detective. What more could you want?
Thanks Bookouture.
Human bones are unearthed during a routine archaeology dig turning the farmer's field into a crime scene. As it's on the border with another force DI Kim Stone is forced to work with Detective Travis, an old partner with whom Kim fell out and his team.
As the bones are sorted it becomes apparent that there is more than one victim and that they really suffered before their deaths. Meanwhile, DS Bryant and DS Dawson are teamed up which causes niggles between them. DC Stacey Wood feels they are ignoring her and goes off grid to investigate hate crimes running alongside the main investigation with devastating consequences.. A fast paced read which I read in two days. Would recommend.
She has done it once again. I know I say this with each book Ms Marsons brings us in this series, but it is still as true now as when I first said it. DI Kim Stone continues to come across as one of my favourite characters in a book series of this kind, each story bringing so much more to the characters I have grown to love.
This book separates Kim from her colleagues as she is forced into working with a team she wouldn't normally be a part of. She has to dig deep within herself and keep her own feelings at bay as much as she can while investigating the discovery of several sets of bones in a field. While she is doing so, members of her own team find themselves straying to a place which could lead them into the line of fire.
The book deals with matters of racial abuse in a very good way. We see things from the view of racist people as well as from those suffering from racism. The author is sympathetic throughout but tells the story in a realistic way.
As the story heads toward its dramatic conclusion Kim discovers that although she is not with her team in person, the fate of one of her close colleagues is very much in her hands.
A brilliant read from someone who is most definitely at the top of my go-to author's. I highly recommend this series, and indeed this book, to anyone who loves a good police procedural book.
Huge thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a copy.
Woo Hoo Kim Stone is back in the 6th book in this series and boy what a cracker it is. When I heard there was new book coming out I was like a little kid on Christmas eve, super excited. I’ve read and loved every book so far and I’m sure I say this each time I write a review but this is the best one yet.
In Dead Souls Angela Marsons has mixed things up a little. When human bones are found in a field that sits on the border of two police districts Kim finds herself having to work alongside an old colegue Tom Travis. It’s clear from the very beginning that something happened between Kim and Travis but we don’t find out until much later on what that is and the tension between the two and Kims frustration really get the readers mind going, I’m such a nosey parker.
Meanwhile Bryant and Dawson are paired up while Kims away and tasked to solve a spate of hate crimes which leaves Stacey on her own where she takes on the task of investigating a young suicide. I have to say it was a bit of a shock when I first realised the team were being split up, I’ve really come to love the connection between the four, the way they work together and how they each have each others backs, but this worked wonderfully well and although the story still focuses on our main lady Kim, Bryant, Dawson and Stacey all have a more prominent role in Dead Souls.
You know when you pick up an Angela Marsons book you’re going to get a blooming good story and in Dead Souls this is no different. The story centres around hate crimes and what maybe a very difficult subject for people to read about Angela Marsons has really done a fantastic job and has clearly done much research on the subject. I’ll not lie, there are some quite disturbing scenes in this book and it’s difficult to comprehend how people can be so vile but for what’s a very prominent subject in today’s world, Angela Marsons has tackled these issues and written one hell of a good story.
Dead Souls is another sleep depriving page turner, it had me on the edge of my seat at points, it gave me shivers and at one stage I was looking for the matchsticks to keep my eyes open as I really didn’t want to stop reading. As you can probably tell, I just love this series and hope it continues for a long, long time.
I honestly can’t big up this book enough, actually the whole series has to be read. You could read Dead Souls as a standalone but you’d be missing out on so many good books if you did.
So if you hadn’t already guessed, I highly recommend this book. You won’t be disappointed.
The Kim Stone series is one of the best in current crime fiction and it just gets better and better. The writing is tight, the action fast-paced and the twists and turns fascinating. This book has a really contemporary feel, dealing as it does with racism and hate crimes. Several strands are taking place simultaneously and Kim's team have to work without her as she is reunited with a former colleague with whom she has history. The personal stories really contribute to this multi-layered and gripping book.
First of all, let me say I'm incredibly excited to be around for this on publication day after having caught up on the series in the previous weeks! (edit : well, I was until Wordpress decided to throw a temper tantrum and not post my scheduled review yesterday. I'm shaking my fist in anger!)
I'm not sure I can find the words to describe how this book made me feel. It left me reeling, feeling angry and sad at the despicable way some people are treated.
Dead Souls, the sixth book in the Detective Kim Stone series, is on a different level than the previous ones. While the pace is a tad slower until the final chapters, there's a depth to it that had me gripped. So many revelations, so much heartache.
The book starts with the suicide of a teenaged boy, which has a profound effect on Stacy, for reasons you'll have to discover yourself. Somewhere in the middle of a field, Doctor A is on a routine archaeological dig with her students, when she discovers skeletal remains. It quickly becomes clear there is more than one victim. Who are they and what happened to them?
Angela Marsons is mixing things up a little bit this time as the team, and I thankyouverymuch, are pulled from their comfort zone. Kim is forced to work with Detective Travis on this case and boy, is she thrilled about that! Meanwhile her team must solve a case without her help. I admit this scenario had me worried at the start and I was all set to start throwing things because I don't normally like it when a team I love is split up. But it actually worked. Watching the dynamics shift really held my attention. And as has been the case so far with the previous instalments as well, the reader learns so much more about the characters as secrets are revealed and questions are answered.
The case is a brutal one but since the blurb doesn't mention, I won't either. Suffice to say it's incredibly dark, gritty and disturbing with some sickening events that really got to me because it sadly sounds all too realistic.
Dead Souls is .... wait for it ... you know it's coming, don't you? ... the absolute best in the series yet! There. I said it again. If you love the Kim Stone series, you will undoubtedly love this one too! If you haven't been reading this series, you're missing out!
Many thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for my advanced copy which I chose to review.
Thanks to Netgalley I had a chance to read Dead Souls by Angela Marsons
This is the 6th instalment of the Kim Stone series. WoW what a book.......
You could read this as a stand alone book. However these books are so gripping that reading them all will only add to the experience and love for this author. It's addictive, sinister crime thriller that will have you on the edge of their seat. You won't want this book to finish.
This series of books only get's better and better.
Excellent read. 5* read and well deserved. Well Done Angela.
Reviews on Goodreads, Amazon UK Link below and on my FB page.
Wow. Angela Marsons continues to grow as an author. In this sixth book featuring Detective Inspector Kim Stone, she pushes Stone’s team to the next level when they are separated from their fearless boss and must handle their own investigation without her leadership. Thanks to a territorial dispute over a crime scene, Kim is forced to work with an old foe from neighbouring West Mercie. While she tries to uncover answers to a collection of human remains found at a forensic dig training site, Bryant, Dawson, and Wood look for suspects in an assault on a Polish immigrant with hate crime overtones.
Marsons has a knack for educating her readers while entertaining with intricate plots which inevitably merge in dramatic fashion. Her focus in Dead Souls is on hate crimes and prejudice in all its forms. A plot involving racism disguised as nationalistic pride could not be more relevant in these days of border walls and Brexit votes. Kudos to the author for raising awareness of the challenges faced by minorities of all stripes while giving us a fascinating mystery to solve.
Separating Stone from her team of detectives was daring and successful. Pairing solid, stalwart Bryant with the often erratic Dawson forced the two men to learn to work together and draw on each other’s strengths. Stacey Wood has played a minor yet essential role as tech wizard for the team in previous novels. In Dead Souls, she goes rogue investigation wise but also raises her fellow officer’s awareness regarding her experiences as a woman of colour. Growth by these secondary characters bodes well for future investigations. Seeing DI Kim Stone mature in her role as DI was an added bonus.
A great read I highly recommend.
ARC received with thanks from Bookouture via NetGalley for review.
The sixth book in a fabulous serious for Detective Kim Stone.
This book had me fastened from the Introduction, I was in tears,but didn't give up. I knew I was in for an awesome read.
Stone is another ballsy detective we have on our lists right now. Letting a bike rule her heart just a little but not once does she falter for her team.
A brilliant labrynth of avenues to investigate, throwing the reader off the scent. Awesome twist that you don't see coming one of the best in the series so for . Magic. More soon :-) please
Very dark and disturbing with very serious subject matter. Angela Marsons continues to impress. I really can't recommend this series enough. There's a reason it's so incredibly popular! I think in this novel we get a little bit more about Kim's team, especially Stacey. They're always a big part of the story, but we really get to know much more about her in this one and I enjoyed it. The other characters continue to charm and amuse me as well.
Human bones have been found at an archeological dig. At first, no one knows much. The bones have been there for a long time, and clearly belong to more than one person. As they're extracted and examined, more disturbing facts come to light. They have marks and holes that point to some kind of torture.
Kim is working the case without her usual team, leaving her cohorts to fend without her. She's now with Detective Travis and his team, and not loving it. They have a past, and neither wants to work with the other. It creates an interesting dynamic.
Kim's usual team is investigating hate crimes. Brutal and sickening, they're working to find out who is responsible before more people suffer. We get a lot from Stacey in this book, who is looking into a teenager who took his own life. Though it barely registered on anyone else's radar, it struck a chord with her and she starts to do a little digging around on her own in secret.
The conclusion is pulse pounding. The story is very upsetting at times, but done well. Five stars.
I received an ARC of this book from Net Galley and Bookouture, thank you! My review is honest and unbiased.
DI Kim Stone is back in the latest instalment from Angela Marsons. Dead Souls is full of bodies, gruesome bits and true gritty drama.
I've always been a fan of this author. Her books get better and better and this is by far my favourite. From the first page I was hooked and drawn into the plot.
DI Kim Stone is a fantastic lead character. She's strong, has the best interests of her team at heart and pulls no punches. This book sees her joining forces with her old adversary Travis as they're on the hunt to solve one of their most complicated investigations yet.
This book is well written, tackling a number of issues and an absolute joy to read. If you're after a fabulous crime drama then look no further than this book.
I'm very happy to give this book 5 stars.
Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Angela Marsons for the chance to review.
Dead Souls by Angela Marsons
A routine training excavation for forensic archaeologists comes to an abrupt halt when shovels uncover the disarticulated remains of two, possibly three skeletons. Back in the lab, the bones reveal evidence of terrible deaths – bullet wounds, hunting traps and something perhaps even worse. DI Kim Stone is given the case but it’s going to become very complicated. The farm where the excavation took place straddles the border with the West Mercian police and Stone is forced to co-lead the investigation with her counterpart, DI Tom Travis. These two have a history and it is not a pleasant one. Working together will not be easy.
To make matters worse, Kim has to work with Travis’s team while her own continues to work on a series of hate crimes as well as a teenage suicide. The latter affects DC Stacey Wood greatly and it will lead her to make decisions she may live to regret. Kim Stone feels responsible for her team, frustrated that she is working apart from them, but her own case, finding justice for the dead souls roughly buried, has Kim, as well as Travis, caught in its grip – and me on the edge of my seat.
Dead Souls is the sixth novel by Angela Marsons to feature DI Kim Stone and, for reasons I am unable to fathom, it is my first. I don’t know how I’ve missed this series but it’s certainly been a mistake. Angela Marsons is clearly a storyteller of the highest order, driving on this brilliantly plotted crime novel with the most fascinating, well-drawn characters supported by pace, unrelenting tension and a compelling mystery that makes the pages fly by. It’s probably true that if I’d read the earlier novels first I’d have had a better understanding of some of the relationships, especially between Stone and her sergeants Bryant and Dawson, as well as Kim Stone’s back history. But, to be honest, I felt caught up in the personalities and relationships instantly and I didn’t feel like I was missing out. But one thing is for sure: I’ll be buying up the previous five novels just as soon as I can.
I loved Kim Stone. It’s hard to imagine anyone caring more than this woman. But she also has a warmth to her, a real kindness. As does Bryant, whose sense of justice displays itself in the most generous of ways. Bryant and Dawson spar without her leadership but both are able to use the opportunity to prove themselves. Stacey Wood’s history plays an important role in Dead Souls and contributes to the novel’s themes of hatred and bigotry. These are undoubtedly painful themes but the author deals with them effectively and powerfully. One standout character for me is Tom Travis. It could have been so straightforward to present him as a baddie. But there is nothing straightforward about him and I really enjoyed his scenes with Stone.
The plot of Dead Souls is absolutely fantastic and left me in awe of it. I had to know what was happening. I was constantly surprised by the ways in which the novel developed and its conclusion was brilliant. We care for the characters deeply and so we worry. I certainly did. Kim Stones’ bravery made me worry even more. There is so much going on, so many people to watch, that I gobbled Dead Souls up. I am so pleased that I picked this one up and I’m very glad that I didn’t let myself be put off by it being the sixth in a series and not the first. I have discovered another author and another series to catch up on, follow and love – excellent!
Kim Stone is back in the 6th book in this series and boy, has she come back with a bang!
The story begins in 1989 with a man who wakes up to find he is bound and naked, not knowing where he is or how he even got there. Fast forward to the present day and an archaeological dig is taking place on farmland led by Doctor A, when the dig team come across some human bones, it quickly becomes apparent that there is more than one victim. As the crime scene is on the boundary of another police force Kim is taken away from her team to help the other team try and solve the crime.
What they uncover is a gang of vile sadistic haters who will go to any lengths to torture their victims, Kim and the team work hard to try and uncover who is behind this sadistic behaviour before anyone else gets hurt, what they do know is that the owners of the two farms, the Cowley's and the Preece's know a lot more than they're letting on.
Angie Marsons keeps going from strength to strength with Kim Stone, a nail biting series that keeps you on the edge of your seat and this latest one is no exception. A truly fantastic book and well worthy of 5 stars. Thank you to Bookouture for the auto approval. I will post my review in Goodreads, Amazon UK & US and Twitter.