Published by: Bookouture (4 November 2016)

ISBN: 978-1786810991

Source: NetGalley

Rating: 4*

Synopsis:
A victim killed with a single, precise stab to the heart appears at first glance to be a robbery gone wrong. A caring mother and 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:
As a fan of Angela Marsons' previous novels featuring Detective Kim Stone, I was eagerly awaiting this latest publication, her second to feature Kim's nemesis, the evil Dr Alex Thorne. I was expecting high drama, emotionally charged scenes and a compelling plot...

It took me far longer to read Blood Lines than anticipated, purely because I wasn't plagued by my usual insomnia, so I read until I fell asleep every night, until I dropped my kindle and it hit me in the face or dropped onto the floor! The plot is enticing, it grabs you from the outset and winds itself around you, nudging at you to peek at the horrors within.

Kim is one of my favourite police characters; although she's sarcastic and a bit ferocious on the outside it's all a bit of a front to protect that vulnerable damaged part of her that she's so desperate to keep inside. I think we can all identify with that to a certain extent. I'd like to get to know more about Kim's team members; maybe that'll come in time. One thing I found annoying, and that stopped my flow of reading, was the phonetic spelling of Stacey's accent. Whenever I got to one of those words, I stopped and (unsuccessfully) tried to work out how to pronounce the word. I'm still none the wiser! When I read a book, if I know a character is from a particular place or has a certain accent, when I imagine them speaking, they automatically have that accent. Maybe other readers find it useful but I found it more of a hindrance, to be honest.

Having said that, I did really enjoy this book. The end few chapters felt a little rushed, as though nothing much happened for a while and then all of a sudden there was a buzz of activity and everything happened at once. But I guess the end of a case can be like that when everything falls into place.
Special thanks to Angela Marsons, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for my honest review.

The fifth book in the DI Kim Stone series, Blood Lines, did not disappoint. Thank you to Angela Marsons and Net Galley for providing me with an advanced copy.

Review Schedule: 02-13-17

Angela Marsons does not disappoint.

Blood Lines presented a case that kept me thinking. A social worker was stabbed in the heart. There were no traces of the murderer aside from her 'emotionless' way of killing. This paved way for a couple more murders being connected. It was an interesting case and I like how Kim slowly made the connections among the victims. However, this case didn't kept me on the edge of my seat.

BUT setting this case aside, what I like about Blood Lines is the further development of Kev and Kim. Let's talk about Kev first, okay? I mentioned before that I was so glad that Marsons delved into Kev's character. And while, I was hoping that she'd go through Stacey this time, getting more development of Kev is also an okay thing for me. But the thing is, Kev's issue here is kind of the same one he was having before. And I really thought that that he's over it and feels more comfortable and trusted. But then, right here, Kev shows the need to be trusted. He feels that he isn't as reliable as his colleagues and he wants to prove that he is. And surely, Kev made mistakes and did face them head on. Also, the things he went through here are much bigger than before. There's a better understand between him and Kim right now.

The highlight of Blood Lines, for me, is Dr. Alex Thorne's comeback. In my review of Evil Games, I mentioned that Dr. Thorne's a sociopath. She doesn't feel sympathy. She enjoys seeing people's emotions play out and how well her interventions affects them. I also admitted then that I liked the internal battle that formed in Kim because of Dr. Thorne and that certainly made Blood Lines good for me.

I'm genuinely amazed by Dr. Thorne's connections and influence. And I was amazed of the length she actually went through just to get out of prison early -- even ruining the lives of many people (not that she cares anyway. if there's anything else at all, she's extremely amused).

Dr. Thorne's second intervention in Kim's life opened up more things about Kim (that may have been mentioned before and my tiny mind can't remember it). And going through it, I really feel sorry for Kim and the things her mother did. Her mother does seem out of her mind and I cannot even believe what the heck Dr. Thorne is doing -- releasing and comforting Kim's mother. Aside from the fact that the news of Kim's mother's possible release actually ruins her game.

However, the crime presented on this novel did not absorbed me. Admittedly, I was not able to guess the serial killer and I find his reasons and solutions to be interesting and quite indirect and still painful revenge-wise. But unfortunately, this just didn't work for me. I'm thinking that it's because Kim's and Kev's personal issues (mostly Kim's though) overpowered this. Aside from Kim's and Kev's dilemma, Dr. Thorne's point of view was also presented along with a couple more characters.

OVERALL, Blood Lines is a great addition to the D.I. Kim Stone series. It was able to develop Kim's character as well as other more like Kev and Woody (and that's certainly a good thing). However, it overwhelmed the crime-plot of the novel that I didn't care much about it but the twist is still well written and I was not able to guess it. SO I'm still highly motivated to read the next novel in this series (because DUH, it's Kim Stone!). If you're looking for a crime fiction series with a strong and stubborn detective and a great team, you definitely NEED to read this.

Bloodlines by Angela marsons is a mystery and thriller and general fiction (adult) read.
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.
OMG Angela's books gets better and better. This is book 5 and I simply couldn't put it down. I had to find out if kim caught the killer. She is still my favourite character. Can't wait for next part. This is a must read and I would highly recommend this book. 5*. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced copy of this book from netgalley.

A well written thriller with plenty of action to keep you engaged and a well thought out plot line. I would recommend this to fans of the Mystery/Thriller genre.

I'm going to put this out there at the beginning, I love Kim Stone! She's brilliant. She's a hard nosed, not-to-be-messed-with police detective with a gut that sniffs out clues like my kids can sniff out chocolate and sweets.

I've loved all the stories so far, they've got better each time. The author's writing has drawn me into Kim's world, I feel I'm right there in the thick of the investigation! This time round Kim's got more than just unconnected murders to deal with. Alex Thorne is back! I loved the devilish character that first appeared in the second Kim Stone book "Evil Games". She's so calm and calculating. She knows how to mess with someone's head, a master (or mistress to be precise) of mind manipulation. She can wrap someone round her finger and not in a good way. Alex Thorne is one of the more evil characters I've read about - I think that what makes her so dark is the fact that she doesn't get her hands dirty, she's removed herself from the dastardly deeds that she meticulously plans.

Blood Lines is no exception to the series, we find out more about Kim, her angst, her history, the things that make her who she is. This does not detract from the storyline, in fact it adds to it - I'm not going to say anymore as that would be a #spoiler and no one likes a spoiler!!

Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for my e-copy of Blood Lines. I cannot wait for Book 6!!

Kudos to my Goodread friends who turned me onto Angela Marsons and her Kim Stone series. And thanks to netgalley for providing me with this fifth in the series. This was my first by Ms. Marsons but will certainly not be my last. For those of you, like me, always on the lookout for a new mystery series, this is it! And for those wondering if it works to read this book without having read the others, I had no trouble. Which isn't to say I won't be reading those first four (I’ve already bought the first one). There are references to a prior book and a certain criminal from the prior book features prominently here. But I didn't feel lost or confused.

This is a fast read and a good heart pounder. DI Kim Stone is a great lead character. “Being helpful was not a natural disposition for her”. My kind of gal. Not warm, not cuddly. True Type A, wanting it all done right. Still, she's a good boss, trying to teach her team. And you have to love anyone so devoted to her dog. But she has her demons, especially a history with an abusive mother, so all is not right in her world.

Marsons does an equally good job making Bryant and the rest of the team feel like real flesh and blood people.

The book runs along the twin paths- the aforementioned tale with the prior criminal and then a serial killer whose victims have nothing in common but the manner of death. Both storylines are engaging and kept my interest. A fabulous ending that I never saw coming.

My thanks to netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of this book.

Wow - what a winner! A book which starts off at a gallop and doesn't ease off the whole way through - if you want a slow burner, then choose something else. DCI Kim Stone has her hands full this time what with a series of apparently unconnected murders and the return of her nemesis, Alexandra Thorne, who is truly a thorn in Kim's side. What a thrill of a ride as the team work out what is happening and by who. I didn't want the novel to end as it was so enjoyable - really gripping and certainly entertaining. Loved it and this is one series which gets better with each succeeding book - more please!!

Angela Marsons is rapidly becoming one of my favourite UK writers and with her fifth novel Blood Lines my enthusiasm shows no signs of abating. Blood Lines is a fantastic book and one of the main pulls for me has to be the battle of wills between DI Kim Stone and her nemesis Dr Alexandra Thorne... a truly magnificent battle worthy of any Star Wars movie!!!
Seemingly random victims are killed by a singe stab wound. The absence of any links between the victims makes the task of finding the perpetrator seem impossible. However, Stone's dedicated team delve deep to find the trail of crumbs that link the victims.
Kim Stone herself is a delightfully complex character - vulnerable yet strong, passionate yet reserved, sympathetic yet tough. Her relationships with her colleagues are nuanced and all the more believable because of that. Blood Lines is a triumph for Marsons putting her up there with the likes of Val McDermid and Peter May. Can't wait for the next one.

Very easy to read even though I didn't read the books before this, It didn't effect my understanding of the story. I really liked the main character , she was very intriguing,I really liked her fight with Dr Alex . SO we had physical and emotional fight , smooth writing and complicated characters.

Angela Marsons became one of my favourite writer.. and I need to have next book :(

Had been waiting for the 5th book in this series so was delighted to see it. I didn't find it as engaging as the previous 4 though and it seemed a little disjointed.

* spoiler alert **
I just love this series and this book is the fifth book in this series. I was left speechless after reading it. It was so good and felt that this one is the best one. The books get better and better and the characters become more developed. This series needs to be read in order to get the full experience.

---At the beginning you have two victims that are stabbed in the same way. How are the victims related, and who is behind it? It took awhile for this to be solved since there wasn't any trace on who did it.

--- Guess who is baaaack? Yes, the evil Dr. Alex is back and she just gets more and more evil. She just doesn't stop and it starts with her writing a letter to Kim. She does not leave Kim alone.

---Kim's Mom revisits in this one and wants a parole hearing. We also get more info on Kim's and her twin Mikey's past.

---Evil Alex controls others to get what she wants and just won't stop.

---Evil Alex is trying to get out of prison and is trying to kill those who have put her there. Will Kim and her mother lives be at risk?


---Kim also has a stalker that watches Kim.

---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…

The suspense just kept going. I was sucked in straight from the beginning. I tried to guess and predict the killer but wasn't able to. It was a very good mystery. I just could not put the book down. It had some twists, it was a devour.
I recommend this series to all mystery and thriller fans.

I want to thank Netgalley, the publisher, and Angela Marsons for a copy of this book in exchange for a honest review.



14 likes