This is one of my favourite detective series and i couldn’t wait to get stuck into book 20. I think it’s not just the crimes and cases why i love it so much, it’s Kim herself, her backstory and her relationship with her team.

That’s why it’s so well loved and treasured.

This story starts off with a little lighthearted fun then wham Kim gets a call from Keats and we all know what that means.

This case was something that I’ve never come across before, a murder or murders linked to the murky world of beauty pageants and it’s very dark underbelly.

Another element to this story really sickened me and i wasn’t expecting that story all but it was so well written with a lot of sensitivity as always from the author and it added another layer to the already fantastic main story line.

As always this was an adrenaline packed read that kept me on my toes right up until the real culprit was unmasked and it was actually quite a shock.

This reads really well as a standalone if you’re wanting to dive straight into the 20 book series but i always advocate to start the series at the beginning so you can really get to know the characters and all that’s happened.

Best remedy to pull yourself out a reading slump? That's right! A brand-new Kim Stone instalment. That's number 20, folks. Blows your mind, doesn't it?

This book came at the right time for me. I hadn't read in weeks, and the book I had picked up before this one didn't work for me at all. Then along came 'Guilty Mothers'. No unnecessary preamble in this one. Just dive right into the action from the get-go and never let go. I found myself hooked from the very beginning to the last word on the final page, and flew through it as if my life depended on it.

If I have to describe 'Guilty Mothers' in one word, I'd go with brutal. And that doesn't just relate to the pageant world Kim and her team will be learning more about. Incidentally, if you have mommy issues, you might want to pass this one by. There are some truly harsh moments in this story. Most of all, it made me think of my relationship with my own mother, and suddenly this story provoked thoughts I wasn't at all prepared for.

As tough as some of the things were to read about, they showed some incredibly fascinating psychological insights. But the chapters that really got to me were the ones where Pen and Tiff are investigating another case. This one involved the discovery of the body of a man who disappeared two years ago. It all seems rather straightforward, but Tiff's spidey-senses say otherwise. It will lead her to a cruel situation that may just determine if she still sees her future with CID.

And that's all I'm saying about all of that. It's up to you to pick up 'Guilty Mothers' and uncover all the wickedness that goes on. One culprit isn't a big mystery, the other one I have to admit I didn't see coming at all. It is a tense ride that left me reeling. Not always comfortable to read, but done extremely well. The pace is spot on, as always, and just like with Marson's other books, I find it nearly impossible to put them down once I've started. There's even a spot of humour to lighten the mood. Quite necessary, too.

I'm going to come right out and say it. I'm pretty sure this is Angela Marson's best one yet. That also blows your mind. How does she keep going from strength to strength? Pact with the devil? Other long running series fizzled out eons ago. Some dead in the water, some desperately trying to hang on to their heydays. But Marsons and her Kim Stone series show no signs of that at all. So all that's left for me to say, once again, is bring on the next one!

The Kim Stone stories always give you something to ponder while trying to figure out who is behind the murder, this time being the mother-daughter relationship and child pageants. We have the usual group of Kim, Bryant, Penn and Stacey working together. When Tiff comes to Kim with a case she is uneasy about, Kim pairs her with Penn to find out who killed James and what is wrong with the relationship between Olivia and her son Logan. The rest of the team are looking into brutal murders of pageant mothers. Three women are murdered and the team digs to find out what connects them. As usual, there are twists and turns during the hunt for the killer. The story is engrossing and difficult to put down as the action is fast-paced and continuous. Highly recommend.

Angela Marsons continues her ongoing series with even more drama. The 20th Kim Stone mystery does not disappoint. The heartfelt humanity that accompanies these novels brings me back again and again.

What a read! Despite my first time reading this book from this author and the book being the 20th in a series of books. I quickly was able to slip into the police team without feeling like an outsider to these characters. D.I. Kim Stone and her team (Bryant, Penn, Stace and Tiff) were such a joy to read. They are such insightful characters with the right level of banter. Their strong connection between one another was the heart of this book. The exploration of the competitive world of beauty pageants adds an interesting twist to the plot, shedding light on the pressures faced by both mothers and daughters.

There are two stories running across the book, and the quality of the writing style doesn't make it confusing or mixed up. Both tackling the theme of family coercive behaviours. From the first page, I was sucked in and that stayed throughout the book. I was eager to find out what was going to happen next. Twists and turns no clues left about truly makes a ‘whodunit’ plot exciting! This is my favourite book that I have read so far this year and I am eager to go back and read some of the books in the series.

Thank you Angela Parson, Bookouture and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this arc. I highly recommend giving it a read.

MUST READ! MUST READ! MUST READ! One of the BEST series out there.

Thank you #netgalley and #bookouture for the eARC.

Kim's team are waiting to find out what their next investigation will be - a body has been found in a fishing pond, but has been there for a while and a woman has been murdered, but that seems to be an open and shut case. But, as always things aren't what they seem and they have two cases on their books. The woman's murder leads them in to the world of child pageants. They discover that all is not sweetness and light when you're a child in that world.
The other case being dealt with by Penn and Tiff turns out to be very different from the first assumption.
Compelling and readable as expected from this author.

Yet another brilliant Kim Stone instalment. I can hardly believe this is book 20 and the quality of the writing is still excellent. The characters are all very believable and the banter between the police characters is a little light relief. I honestly didn’t guess the killer and the other twist came out of nowhere. If you’ve never read this series, you are in for a total treat.

Another brilliant instalment in the Kim Stone series, I really can’t believe this is book 20 in the series they really do get better and better. Although you could definitely read this as a standalone I would highly recommend reading the series from the beginning as you really get a better insight to Kim and her team old and new you really won’t be disappointed.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Guilty Mothers by Angela Marsons in return for my honest review.

I can’t believe we’re at book 20 of Detective Kim Stone and Angela Marsons is still able to captivate me with a banger of a novel.

A fantastic police procedural underpinned by the murky depths of the UK pageantry circuit. A deep dive into the morality of child performers and its flaws. Of course, I’m sure in real life something as dramatic as a pageant mother serial killer hasn’t occurred, but it’s a brilliant way to discuss how dangerous and deeply disturbing the industry can be.

As always with a Detective Kim Stone novel you are reintroduced to many of the side characters which pop up time and time again. Any of her books which doesn’t include Alex Thorne is a win in my eyes!

Excellently written, stirring discussions and a fast paced and thrilling plot to go with it. Thank you Angela for 20 books!

I started reading Angela Marsons' series at the beginning of the year, and it has been a fantastic journey getting to know Kim Stone and her team. "Guilty Mothers" is a masterpiece that has left me with a deep sense of loss now that I've reached the end of the series. The characters have developed so much over the course of these books, and it's been a joy to watch them grow.
Each book has been better than the last, which is saying something considering how brilliant the early ones were. Just when I thought the series couldn't get any more gripping, Marsons managed to surprise me again and again. Her storytelling is top-notch, with twists that keep you on the edge of your seat and characters that feel incredibly real.
The emotional depth in "Guilty Mothers" is profound. The way Marsons explores the complexities of motherhood and guilt is both touching and thought-provoking. Kim Stone's relentless pursuit of justice and her unwavering loyalty to her team make her one of my favourite fictional detectives. The dynamics within the team have always been a highlight, and they are particularly strong in this book.
I am now eagerly awaiting the next instalment. Angela Marsons, please hurry and get the next book written! The series has been a highlight of my reading year, and I can't wait to see what you have in store for Kim and her team next.

This is the 20th book of the series and it still continues to be such a joy and thrill to read. So disappointed … because i have to wait now for the next book by Angela Marsons!

Once more Kim and the team have been the centre of an amazing story which is rich in details and depth. With the focus on mothers, reading it on Mother’s day in Australia, was perfect timing. The main supporting characters continue to grow and feel like extended family at this point, and the cast of potential suspects were all rich with the detail provided. Some of the mothers involved in this story were very scary characters; and this led to another chilling look at Kim’s own relationship with her mother.

I’m suffering a sense of book grief now that i’ve finished because the wait for the next book is hard. Thanks so much to Angela Marsons for another fabulous story; and to Netgalley and Bookouture for letting me read an advanced copy.

Another brilliant crime thriller from Angela Marsons.
This is the twentieth book in the series and I’m pleased to say this one is just as good as they always are.
This book begins with Kim finding a woman dead on her kitchen floor in a pool of blood, with a woman next to her.
The other woman is her daughter and she’s in deep shock.
Kim and Bryant suspect it’s too easy that the daughter killed her mum, and they’re right when another woman is soon murdered.
They identify that both victims are the Mums of daughters who took part in beauty pageants and they learn this is not always a positive experience for the girls.
Tiff also has a case that she asks Kim for help with, as she suspects all is not what it seems, so Penn is asked to work with her.
This is a gripping crime thriller and one that definitely had me racing through the pages.
I’m looking forward to the next book already!
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

DI KIM STONE BOOK 20
W.O.W Another great read by Angela Marsons.
The team are back, to get their teeth stuck into a new case, but do they have a connection?
When a girl is found covered in blood sitting on the settee with a knife in her hand and her mother killed on the floor, there has never been so much blood.
When other women are being murdered, kim and the team see a connection, to beauty pageants. We're their daughters forced to compete or did they do it willingly?
The team begin to question their own relationships with their moms. As always the author has researched the topic beauty pageants well and another fantastic read.
Kim stone is a bit of a rebel but is always rooting g for the underdog...
Highly addictive series......LOVED IT........

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Is this really necessary anymore. Angela Marsons Kim Stone series remains my ultimate favourite of all time. There was one hiccup a few books earlier but with Guilty Mothers everything is back on track to severe awesomeness.

WOW, some might say by book 20 the stories would be getting a bit stale, but that is not the case, the stores are getting better and better, I am loving the characters and the dynamics of the team, I am so jealous of anyone just finding this series and starting from number 1, if you haven't read this set of books, giver yourself a treat and enjoy, i am now waiting eagerly for number 21

This book marks a milestone as the twentieth book in this fantastic detective crime thriller series by this incredibly talented author.

With twisty, suspenseful plots and seemingly obvious suspects, this story will demand all of your attention as accidents and murders merge.
Pageant Mums and their once child prodigies become the focus of attention when murder motives are being sought.
The story revolves around some of the shocking truths behind the dysfunctional relationships of mothers and daughters, where the mother has narcissistic tendencies which hugely impact on the lives and development of their daughter/s.
This is a story that will keep you guessing, a real look into the unfortunate lives and upbringings of some girls raised at the mercy of their disturbed and troubled mothers.

Angela Marsons’ D.I. Kim Stone series is the gift that keeps on giving. An incredible twenty books in and still going strong…that’s just awesome!
It’s incredible that each of those books is totally unique and compelling in its own right…and they just keep getting better.
Book #1 came out in 2015 and in the nine years since, I’ve felt Angela Marsons’ writing go from strength to strength, with each successive book somehow outdoing the last!
Each time I think “this is her best book yet” and each time I’m just amazed all over again, how can you write two books a year and still keep the stories vibrant and original?….and yet she does.
I have eagerly awaited each new release and devoured every single one of them, grabbing them the moment they become available because I know they will not disappoint.

Congratulations on your twentieth D.I. Kim Stone book Angela Marsons, all five star reads for me!

5⭐️s

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for my copy to read and review.

Another brilliant instalment from DI Kim stone and her team. I love all the characters and it was particularly lovely to see that of ‘Tink’ develop more in this book.
While this is part of a series (and I’d recommend anyone to read it all) it could easily be read as a stand alone. Another winner from Angela Marsons!

When a woman is found brutally murdered in her own home, her daughter kneeling beside her, clutching a knife, DI Kim Stone thinks that this is an open and shut case. When another woman is found dead in similar circumstances, however, the detective has to reassess her theory due to the fact that her initial suspect was in police custody at the time. It is soon discovered that both women had, in the past, entered their daughters in child pageants, an industry where girls must win, no matter the cost. Could this part of their past have contributed to their death? Kim and her team know that to prevent any further deaths, the answers lie in the past.

One of the things I like most about the books of Angela Marsons is that despite now being on book 20 in the Kim Stone series, she has the knack of making each book different, coming up with novel crime ideas. In Guilty Mothers, the author takes us into the world of child pageants and the effects it can have on participants throughout their life. There is a strong theme regarding the relationship between children and their mothers and we see Kim comparing her traumatic start in life to the more stable upbringings of her colleagues.

This plot alone would be worthy of any good read but, as always, we are treated to a sub-plot, also involving the mother and child theme when the body of a man is found in a lake. Here, we see fairly new recruit, Tiff, come into her own when her instinct tells her that all is not well in the household of the deceased man’s partner. It was great to see Tiff really sinking her teeth into a case and for Kim to trust her to do this. Tiff is really embedding herself into the team and I’m looking forward to seeing her character develop.

It is always a real pleasure to read a book by Angela Marsons and Guilty Mothers is another 5-star read that fans will absolutely love. This series just continues to go from strength to strength and I hope it continues for many books to come.

Book 20 in the fabulous DI Kim Stone series and I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of it. Reads well as a stand-alone but you will want to read the others after reading this. Kim Stone is back and again there are two distinct threads with the team working on two separate cases. Well written and well plotted this was a quick read for me - one sitting story!

Briefly, Kim and DS Bryant attend a murder scene where the victims daughter is found covered in blood and holding the murder weapon. An open and shut case or is it? Meanwhile, recent addition to the team Tiffany ‘Tink’ Moore attends the recovery of a body from the river. It appears accidental but after visiting the woman who reported the victim missing she is uncomfortable about the relationship between the woman and her son and Kim gives her the go ahead to investigate further.

The main case turns out to be connected to child beauty pageants, something I’ve always thought to be a breeding ground for insecurity in the children and unhealthy competitiveness in the mothers, but never murder! The author introduced a character I absolutely hated in this book, Logan really is the most despicable person ever, made my skin crawl. As always the main case was full of red herrings that led me in completely the wrong direction, full of tension this is another cracking police procedural. I loved it.