Thanks to Netgalley, bookoutre and the author for the opportunity to preview this book and publish an honest review.

I haven’t read any of Angela Marsons previous books and think it would have helped in terms of understanding the style of writing and the characters backgrounds. However, this can be read as a stand alone serial killer police mystery.

I have mixed feelings about it. I enjoyed the writing and the way each chapter followed a slightly different element of the story, which gave it pace and drama.
I did find it a tad formulaic in parts and was reminded of the writings of Mandasue Heller. So, if that’s your ‘cup of tea’ you’re in for a treat.

Wow, long awaited and thoroughly worth the wait! This book has just elevated itself to my favourite of the series, it’s relentless, not letting up on keeping you devouring it to the very end, which I did in only two sittings! Well done Angela, loved it, thanks.

Books seven in the Kim Stone series and another belter of a book by Angela Marsons. This is an absolutely page turn and it can leave you quite emotional in parts. I found this book more hard core and shocking than the previous books. Angela certainly is not afraid to write about some everyday social issues that occur. Well done Angela. Cant wait for the next installment.

On the same day DI Kim Stone discovers a baby left outside her police station, a young prostitute is found murdered in a back alley. It’s up to Stone and her team of detectives to solve both cases. As the body count climbs, Kim and Bryant’s investigation will lead them into the darker aspects of the flesh trade hinted at in the blurb. Dawson and Stacey Wood are tasked with finding the mother who abandoned her infant. Two seemingly unrelated cases, or are they?

This seventh book in the series moves at a fast pace as the story switches back and forth from one investigation to the other. Stone, Bryant, Dawson, and Stacey have grown in confidence and lost a lot of their rough edges from earlier books. Kim Stone has learned (mostly) to rely on her team to get results and spends less time rushing headlong into danger. After venturing out into the field in the last book with dire consequences, Stacey is gaining confidence in her new role and Dawson is an excellent friend and trainer.

I appreciate an author who is not satisfied with the cookie cutter crime/thriller formula. There are murders to solve and murderers to hunt down but Marsons does not settle for simply adding a twist ending and surprising her readers with a murderer we least expect. She also excels at raising awareness of social issues like the grim realities faced by the cast-offs of society. She points out the many reasons women are forced into prostitution along with the exploitation of illegal immigrants by those willing to profit from their misfortune. These themes, great pacing and intelligent investigators made for a solid police procedural in a series which moves from strength to strength.

Well done.

ARC received with thanks from Bookouture via NetGalley for review.

Review of "Broken Bones" (D.I. Kim Stone Series) by Angela Marsons Author

Broken Bones is the 7th installment in Angela Marsons' D.I. Kim Stone Series and an awesome one at that.

I got really into Mystery/Thrillers set in Britain thanks to Debrorah Crombie Duncan Kincaid & Gemma James series and the Kim Stone Series is an amazing addition to my roster.

Reading Mystery/Thrillers set in the U.S. I got used to the abundant use of guns and I find it fascinating to read about detectives hunting serial killers without them.

The Kim Stone series is incredible and that is all thanks to the intriguing characters, thrilling stories and superb writing by Algela Marsons.

I LOVE a good anti-hero and Kim Stone is definitely that, in spades. However, she is also lovely, sweet, strong, brilliant and an amazing character that I have loved getting to know with each and every book.

In Broken Bones we get to delve a bit more into Kim's past and see how much a choice early on in our lives can make such a huge change later on...

I could not recommend Broken Bones and the D.I. Kim Stone series by Angela Marsons enough... if you love thrillers and mysteries, this is the series for you!

5/5 stars

D.I. Kim Stone is one of my favourite characters and Angela Marsons is one of my favourite authors.
When I read her first book in the D.I. Kim Stone series I was literally blown away by the quality of her writing. Her thrillers are classy and each one has an unique plot and unique characters.
So I was really enthusiastic when book seven came out and she did not disappoint. The story was current, scary but compelling as Kim Stone leads the team to solve these disturbing events.
As with all her books I love the darker tones and the gritty storylines and this one had a slightly different feel to it which I loved, its what I want to read.

This is Book 7 in Angela Marson's excellent Kim Stone series and it is every bit as gripping as the other six. The characters develop well, being affected by what has gone before but still fighting to do the right thing.

On Christmas night Kim finds an abandoned baby outside the police station. I think she would have been more comfortable with a serial killer but you don't get to choose what crosses your path! However she doesn't have to wait long, for on the same night a young sex worker is found brutally murdered.

Whilst the search for the baby's mother takes her team into the murky world of human trafficking and slavery, the young prostitute's murder is just the start. Kim finds herself face to face with a ghost from her past as she races to stop even more deaths.

I thought this book showed slightly gentler side to Kim Stone. I love the way she cares for her team and is tireless in her efforts to protect others. It was also really good to see Stacey back where she belongs- although I do find her dialogue a bit hard to read & wonder if it really has to be so pronounced? However that minor criticism is the only fault I can find with this excellent book.

Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read and review this five star read- can't wait for the next one, so please write quickly Angela!!

Kim Stone is back in the seventh book of Angela Marson's series, which is one of my favourites.

As ever the storyline is interesting and tense. And covers a wide range of issues including immigration, sex workers and grooming. The subjects are dealt with brilliantly.

One of the things I love about this series is how important the whole team is to the story, and this time around Stacey and Dawson have their own separate investigations so we find out more about their characters and their stories. Kim and Bryant's banter is as great as ever.

If you haven’t already read this series, I suggest starting from the beginning and working your way through to get the best understanding of the characters and their backgrounds.

When a young prostitute is found murdered, Detective Kim Stone and her team find themselves on the hunt for a serial killer who is preying on the more vulnerable residents of the Black Country. Meanwhile, an abandoned baby and the subsequent search for the mother leads the detectives into the murky world of illegal immigrants, trafficking and modern-day slavery. As secrets from Kim’s past come to light, will she be able to solve the case before the death toll rises?

Broken Bones is the seventh book in the Kim Stone series and, once again, Angela Marsons has managed to write an absolute page turner! From the very first few pages, I was hooked as we are introduced to a young woman, forced into prostitution by her own family. Her story, along with the story of the other women who were murdered, was incredibly tragic and whereas some people are of the opinion that their predicaments are as a result of their lifestyle, Kim believes that no person is above another and is determined to bring the culprit to justice. In true Kim style, she makes many enemies along the way and her conflict with the abhorrent pimp, Kai Lord, is a joy to read. You just know that in a case where there can be only one winner, Kim is going to enjoy the battle.

The other main plot in the book is a very emotive one, featuring the subject of human trafficking. With little evidence to go on, Kim’s tenacity has obviously rubbed off on the rest of their team as they try to find the identity of the mother of the abandoned baby, facing obstacles at every turn. This case becomes much bigger than they could ever imagine and exposes the dark underbelly of the Black Country where people are forced into a life they would never have chosen for themselves. After the traumatic events of the previous book, Dead Souls, it was good to see Stacey getting herself stuck into a case alongside her new protector, Dawson. I loved reading about the relationship between these two characters with Dawson showing a very different, pleasing side of his character!

One of the things I enjoyed most about this book was how easy it was to read despite it being a very impassioned plot. There were several humorous asides and it was amusing to picture the very practical Kim Stone in charge of a young baby when we are more used to seeing her handle motorbike parts! One caveat I will make is that there are references to events that occurred in previous books (Dead Souls and Evil Games) so it would definitely be worth reading these books before starting this one. Why wouldn’t you have already read them though?!

Every time I read the next installment in the Kim Stone series, I always wonder how Angela Marsons will top the previous book, but she has done it yet again. Surely it’s time we saw Kim on the small screen…

I'm sure I've said before how much I love this series and this author, but it's worth restating when she keeps on delivering great books and this seventh addition to the series is no exception. From the outset Ms Marsons draws us rapidly into the story, a young girl falling from a roof, an abandoned baby, a murdered prostitute and a broken man left to die in the snow. It's Christmas and it's cold and suddenly D.I. Kim Stone and her team have their hands full. Why would a well fed 3 month old, loving wrapped in a fine shawl be abandoned at the police station? Who would stab a prostitute and not take her bag or the roll of cash in it?

It was good to see Kim and Bryant back working together in this book after they were separated in the last one. They make such a good team, understanding each other perfectly. It was also good to see Stacey paired up with Kev and back in the field. They are forming a great team too with an excellent working relationship and great to know a bit more about them both.

To solve these crimes and mysteries Kim's team must delve into the world of the local prostitutes and the crime lord who runs them, Kai Lord, who Kim suspects is also involved in grooming runaway girls. Added to this, Kim is suspicious of a local factory that employs only Polish women and embarks on finding out what they are up to.

All in all, a terrific, fast paced plot with plenty of action as all the plots start to weave together, with a very dramatic ending!

Not much I can say about this except well done Angela !!! I love this series and this latest instalment didn’t disappoint! Love Kim and her teams characters ! Great series and highly recommended. My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy

Oh. My. Word. You have done it again Ms Marsons. Created an absolute cracker of a book which blends just the perfect amount of tension, humour, camaraderie and emotional turmoil to keep readers hooked from the very first page until the very last. There is just something so familiar, so intrinsically right, about opening up the pages (or in my case, the kindle cover) and stepping back into the world of DI Kim Stone that it is almost like a homecoming. Yes, there is the familiarity of setting. I am, while not a native Black Country gal, a Midlander born and bred, part of my education being in the wonderful town of Dudley, and I know the area so well that all the local references really do make me smile. And Kim and the team, over the course of the seven books, have grown and developed before my eyes until there is a literary kinship with each and every one of them. It really is fabulous being back in their world.

So what about the book itself, the story? Well Angela Marsons has not let her readers down. Not one bit. After the tense action in the last book, Dead Souls, which saw one of the teams lives placed in great jeopardy, it was a big ask to expect Ms Marsons to be able to create such a nail-biting read again, but by golly she proved more than up to the task. The books opens in a fairly unassuming way, just a young girl escaping her neglectful mother on a rather bitter Christmas Day. It could be any one of a number of under-privileged children. Nobody that we know. And yet in this short, but oh-so-effective prologue, the atmosphere, the tone of the story is made abundantly clear. The setting for the majority of Kim’s investigation, a run down estate in which organised crime and prostitution is rife. But it is the ending of that prologue, so quick, so unexpected, that will set you thinking and make you need to read on. You will have to know the what, the why and most certainly the who.

The central investigation is focused upon the murder of a prostitute, Kelly Rowe, who has been forced onto the street in order to pay off a debt which may never be cleared. Her story is one of the oldest in the book, the most recognisable, and yet it is not treated as a cliché, a stereotypical ending for a troubled young soul. Kelly is bright, a young mother who should have all the opportunity in the world had fate not worked against her. Many would write off her murder, class her as someone not important enough to care about, but not Kim Stone. To her, everyone matters and she resolves, as one would expect, to bring a killer to justice. The case is far from straight forward, the list of suspects long, none of them more likely and more menacing than the girl’s pimp, Kai Lord. But there is more to this than meets the eye, and from a tip off from an old friend and an anonymous source, Kim is set on a path which will see her and Lord clash repeatedly. The kind of clash where there can be only one victor.

Although the world of prostitution and murder makes a very stark backdrop for the story, it is not all moments of darkness. There is one rather amusing moment at the beginning where Kim makes an unexpected discovery in the station car park. It is decidedly out of her comfort zone, and more than a little bit of a stretch for Kim to manage this new ‘emergency’ and she calls upon Bryant for assistance. Her reaction, and that of her team, provide some chucklesome moments before leading Kev Dawson and Stacey into a rather harrowing, and equally disturbing case, one involving potential human trafficking and perhaps something far worse. Their pairing is brilliant, Dawson taking somewhat of a protective older brother approach towards Stacey. I really liked the dynamic that is created here and they do make a perfect team, both savvy in their own ways with Dawson proving once again that he is far more capable and dedicated than his past exploits may have indicated. Theirs is a very difficult case to solve, one which highlights some of the worst crimes in modern society – human exploitation, particularly of immigrants. Sad but shockingly authentic in its portrayal

Speaking of inspired pairings, Kim and Bryant are back, but this time it is Kim being a calming influence on Bryant nearly as often as he is on her. Don’t get me wrong, Kim is as forthright and impetuous as ever. The book wouldn’t work if she wasn’t, but the case really does get to Bryant, especially when it takes a sinister turn and the full extent of Lord’s operations become clear. There are subjects touched upon which are truly abhorrent, but the beauty of Angela Marsons writing is that the emotion is felt without the situation ever being made overly gratuitous or the horrific nature of the crimes being simply glossed over. The balance is perfect. So is the pacing. The chapters short and pacy, giving the reader just enough to make them turn just one more page… Then another… Then another… You get the picture.

I love the way in which the books capture the character of the Midlands, not least of all by the way in which we are treated to the local vernacular courtesy of the wonderfully Black-Country Stacey. There is a true sense of the region which comes through in the writing, the blend of the urban and the rural. And in this book in particular you get another look at the very human, very caring nature which exists within Kim. She may like to portray to the world a hard and focused exterior, but in reality you know that within lies a heart of gold.

And oh. Those final chapters! Really? You don’t do things by halves do you? From the frantic and tension filled, edge of the seat, adrenaline pumping action to a concluding moment of almost calm and purity which could make the hardest heart soften. This may not be quite as action packed as its predecessor but it still left me feeling a mixture of wow, and awww and where the heck is book eight? Bloody brilliant.

Here we are with Book 7 in the Kim Stone series.. This is a fantastic series which is going from strength to strength with each book. Broken Bones is another outstanding read from Angie Marsons. The characters of Kim Stone, her team of Bryant Dawson and Stacey are now so familiar that this is another strength of the series. The plot in Broken Bones sees Kim meeting someone from her past. The murders of young prostitutes and the discovery of a baby outside the police station are investigated by the team. Fast paced and nerve wracking plot kept me enthralled throughout. Just to lighten some of the intensity of the plot, the humour amongst the team works brilliantly.

Another 5 star read!

Oh how I have missed D.I. Kim Stone and her wonderfully eclectic team! Slipping into this book was like putting on my favorite pair of UGG slippers....it just feels sooooo good.

This time around (this is the 7th installment of this series) Stone and her team deal with a newborn baby left at the precinct and the death of a young girl who is suspected of being a prostitute. These 2 seemingly separate story lines are dark, gritty, emotional, and full of some bad dudes.

There are some new faces to welcome as well as some past characters thrown in as the team takes on illegal immigration, human trafficking, and prostitution. This is where Marsons truly shines, as her research is impeccable. And while what you read might make you feel uncomfortable, she never exploits or over dramatizes for shock value. It might be raw, but she balances this with moments of kindness, hope, or humor throughout, all done with such ease that you don't even realize you might be smiling.

If you haven't read this series, now is the perfect time to start. Add it to your Christmas list, starting with [book:Silent Scream|24483265]. These are the gifts that keep on giving! :)

ARC provided by NetGalley

Well what can I say. Another utterly brilliant addition to the series. If you are a Kim Stone fan you certainly won’t be disappointed with this one.

The discovery of a murdered prostitute and an abandoned baby on the same night set the tone for this book as Kim and her team investigate two speerate cases at the same time.
As more prostitutes end up murdered, it’s clear they have a serial killer on their hands and as they delve into the abandoned baby case, what started out as looking like a reluctant or frightened mother soon turns into a case of illegal immigrants and modern slavery.

That’s all I’m going to sumise on the story. Read the rest and let it reveal itself to you as it is multi layered and an utterly gripping read.

You get so far into a series that you’ve enjoyed from the beginning and with each new book you are both excited and worried. Excited of course that you are getting a new book in a series you’ve enjoyed. Worried because it may not live up to your expectataions having enjoyed the previous books in the series.
Don’t worry about that here. I had this review copy for a while before reading it and was so looking forward to it. It didn’t disappoint in the slightest. It was just pure gold.

The story is quite intricate. Two separate cases being investigated simultaneously, a large cast of characters and clues and red herrings splattered everywhere. It still manages to be an extremely easy and readable book. Credit in full to the author for pulling this off.
Kim is on fine form with Bryant by her side throughout. The two case storyline splits the team and pairs Dawson and Stacey together. These two we get to spend plenty of time with. Kim while not taking a back seat here, does perhaps feature less in this one than previous novels but it doesn’t affect the quality of the book at all. It’s still a brilliant Stone novel. Dawson and Stacey really come into their own(Dawson especially as Stacey did somewhat get centre stage to a degree in the last novel). They make a great pairing and are as fun to spend time with as Kim and Bryant.

The story and subject matter are pretty grim and a bit depressing but never anything less than fascinating. So many chapters of this book are already vividly ingrained in my memory. The chapter with Roxanne in the kitchen with two other characters(not named to avoid potential spoilers)is one that instantly springs to mind as being brilliantly written. So vivid and utterly compelling to read.

So look, it’s an easy five stars for this. There’s no other way around it, it’s what it deserves. It’s just a brilliant read in what is a brilliant series. It’s a crowded market out there at the moment with female detective storylines and series, and to be fair there are some brilliant collections out there from different authors. I think we are lucky to have so many well written and constantly excellent series to choose from. I would say though(and I dont say this lightly) Angela Marsons is the queen of the genre. 7 books in and it is just an astounding collective work. I’d urge anyone with an interest in the genre to check out the whole series and prepare yourself for an absolute treat.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture and Angela Marsons for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have been a massive fan of this author since I read her first book (Silent Scream) so when I saw that the seventh book in this fantastic series was being released I was desperate to get my hands on a copy and I read it as soon as it landed on my Kindle putting my current book on hold!!

It has the same brilliant writing style and great characters and interaction as the other books and after reading just the prologue I was hooked!!  It is a brilliantly written book that is gritty and deals with tough subjects so well - Kim Stone really is a fantastic character!

The book is fine to read as a stand alone but if you do want to read the other books in the series (which I highly recommend as I have given them ALL five stars, read them in order as this book does touch on what happened in the previous one).

Another absolutely fantastic book from Angela Marsons - bring on the next one!!

Another brilliant book in the series and I knew it would be. Angela Marsons never disappoints.
I held off reading this as I wanted to savour it slowly.
I have always loved D.I Kim Stone's character - you just don't mess with her as she will always solve the case with the help of faithful Bryant, Dawson and Stacey who I have also taken to.
This story had lots of twists and the usual short, sharp chapters keep the pages turning fast.
I enjoyed the plot and during it the 4 main characters become more endearing if that's possible. Loved it and I look forward to the next with bated breath.

Another Kim Stone book complete! Even with a few different plot lines the novel was very enjoyable. However, this is a series that must be read in sequence. The author gave me just enough to jog my memory from the previous novels to understand elements of the past that weave themselves into this current novel. While investigating murdered prostitutes, an abandoned baby and trying to solve the two cases at the same time, I felt this book was rushed. I still love that the main character is a kick ass take no prisoners DI, Lack of Details made this book a little underwhelming this time around.

Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves”
― Abraham Lincoln, Complete Works - Volume XII.

Here we are at book 7 in the unmissable series featuring DI Kim Stone, and yet again, Angela Marsons is unflinching in her determination to accurately portray the gritty, more seedier side of life with her usual expertise. Her 7th offering is as fresh as her first.

On a bitterly cold Christmas Day, a baby is found abandoned, whilst at the same time the body of a young prostitute is discovered, having been terribly mutilated. Unfortunately, this murder isn't going to be a one off, as three more sex workers are killed in an even more vicious manner. Both these investigations take us into the dark world of modern slavery, into a world that's both terrifying and heartbreaking.

Angela Marsons has continued to develop her characters, and in 'Broken Bones' she creates a situation where Kim is tested to her limits with a massive betrayal.
It goes without saying that Ms Marsons storylines are always current and extremely accurate, not to mention tense and gripping. She really is a most gifted writer, and if you haven't read any of her books yet, then you really are missing out!

* Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for an honest review* (less)