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D.I. Kim Stone #17
Hidden Scars
While Jamie’s cold, lifeless body lay in the morgue, Detective Kim Stone stared at the empty board in the incident room and felt her anger boil. Why were there no photos, details, or lines of enquiry?
When a nineteen-year-old boy, Jamie Mills, is found hanging from a tree in a local park, his death is ruled a suicide. Detective Kim Stone’s instincts tell her something isn’t right � but it’s not her investigation and her temporary replacement is too busy waiting for the next big case to be asking the right questions.
Why would a seemingly healthy boy choose to end his life?
Why does his mother show no sign of emotional distress at the loss of her son?
Still mending her broken mind and body from her last harrowing case, Kim is supposed to be easing back into work gently. But then she finds a crucial, overlooked Jamie had a recent injury that would have made it impossible for him to climb the tree. He must have been murdered.
Quickly taking back charge of her team and the case, Kim visits Jamie’s parents and is shocked to hear that they had sent him to a clinic to ‘cure� him of his sexuality. According to his mother, Jamie was introverted and prone to mood swings. Yet his friend speaks of a vibrant, outgoing boy.
The clues to smashing open this disturbing case lie behind the old Victorian walls of the clinic, run by the Gardner family. They claim that patients come of their own accord and are free to leave at any time. But why are those that attended the clinic so afraid to speak of what happens there? And where did the faded restraint marks identified on Jamie’s wrists come from?
Then the body of a young woman is found dead by suffocation and Kim makes two chilling discoveries. The victim spent time at the clinic too, and her death was also staged to look like a suicide.
Scarred from an ordeal that nearly took her life, is Kim strong enough to stop a terrifying killer from silencing the clinic’s previous patients one by one?
When a nineteen-year-old boy, Jamie Mills, is found hanging from a tree in a local park, his death is ruled a suicide. Detective Kim Stone’s instincts tell her something isn’t right � but it’s not her investigation and her temporary replacement is too busy waiting for the next big case to be asking the right questions.
Why would a seemingly healthy boy choose to end his life?
Why does his mother show no sign of emotional distress at the loss of her son?
Still mending her broken mind and body from her last harrowing case, Kim is supposed to be easing back into work gently. But then she finds a crucial, overlooked Jamie had a recent injury that would have made it impossible for him to climb the tree. He must have been murdered.
Quickly taking back charge of her team and the case, Kim visits Jamie’s parents and is shocked to hear that they had sent him to a clinic to ‘cure� him of his sexuality. According to his mother, Jamie was introverted and prone to mood swings. Yet his friend speaks of a vibrant, outgoing boy.
The clues to smashing open this disturbing case lie behind the old Victorian walls of the clinic, run by the Gardner family. They claim that patients come of their own accord and are free to leave at any time. But why are those that attended the clinic so afraid to speak of what happens there? And where did the faded restraint marks identified on Jamie’s wrists come from?
Then the body of a young woman is found dead by suffocation and Kim makes two chilling discoveries. The victim spent time at the clinic too, and her death was also staged to look like a suicide.
Scarred from an ordeal that nearly took her life, is Kim strong enough to stop a terrifying killer from silencing the clinic’s previous patients one by one?
356 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 9, 2022
1628 people are currently reading
1330 people want to read
About the author
Angela Marsons
40books4,806followersAngela is the author of the Kim Stone Crime series. She discovered a love of writing at Primary School when a short piece on the rocks and the sea gained her the only merit point she ever got.
Angela wrote the stories that burned inside and then stored them safely in a desk drawer.
After much urging from her partner she began to enter short story competitions in Writer's News resulting in a win and three short listed entries.
She used the Amazon KDP program to publish two of her earlier works before concentrating on her true passion - Crime.
Angela is now signed to write a total of 16 Kim Stone books for and has secured a print deal with Bonnier Zaffre Publishing.
Angela wrote the stories that burned inside and then stored them safely in a desk drawer.
After much urging from her partner she began to enter short story competitions in Writer's News resulting in a win and three short listed entries.
She used the Amazon KDP program to publish two of her earlier works before concentrating on her true passion - Crime.
Angela is now signed to write a total of 16 Kim Stone books for and has secured a print deal with Bonnier Zaffre Publishing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 520 reviews
October 30, 2022
“She wasn’t back yet. She wasn’t even close.�
Kim Stone makes an emotional return to her squad in Hidden Scars.
Hidden Scars is a procedural/mystery about a chain of murders covered up as suicides. Stone’s team investigates, exposing the brutal practice of conversion therapy.
I would not recommend reading this book if you haven’t yet read the previous books in the series.
Book #17 finds a tougher yet, more vulnerable Kim. She has PTSD from her near-death experience at the hand of her nemesis, and she hasn’t been good about letting people in--which is not a surprise. When she finally returns to work after an absence from her ordeal with Symes, she finds her team nearly shattered after being under the rule of a DI deemed “the idiot.�
The narrative is equally divided between Kim, Stacey, and Penn, with a little less from Bryant. However, Bryant and Kim share some emotionally packed scenes. Additionally, Barney gets the star treatment, and some visitors from previous books make an appearance.
There are two mysteries: one involving the staged suicides, the other involving a missing husband. There are some surprising twists and turns, and I was especially caught off guard by the case of the missing husband.
Marsons explores some dark topics concerning homosexuality and gender through the so-called cure of conversion therapy. The “therapeutic� methods are sickening to read. This is a darker and more emotional installment than some of the others in the series. However, there is a great deal of humor, snark, and joy mixed in.
I loved the final scene between Kim and Bryant--the reader finally finds out his first name.
Overall, this was another solid addition to the series. I look forward to book #18!
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review.
Kim Stone makes an emotional return to her squad in Hidden Scars.
Hidden Scars is a procedural/mystery about a chain of murders covered up as suicides. Stone’s team investigates, exposing the brutal practice of conversion therapy.
I would not recommend reading this book if you haven’t yet read the previous books in the series.
Book #17 finds a tougher yet, more vulnerable Kim. She has PTSD from her near-death experience at the hand of her nemesis, and she hasn’t been good about letting people in--which is not a surprise. When she finally returns to work after an absence from her ordeal with Symes, she finds her team nearly shattered after being under the rule of a DI deemed “the idiot.�
The narrative is equally divided between Kim, Stacey, and Penn, with a little less from Bryant. However, Bryant and Kim share some emotionally packed scenes. Additionally, Barney gets the star treatment, and some visitors from previous books make an appearance.
There are two mysteries: one involving the staged suicides, the other involving a missing husband. There are some surprising twists and turns, and I was especially caught off guard by the case of the missing husband.
Marsons explores some dark topics concerning homosexuality and gender through the so-called cure of conversion therapy. The “therapeutic� methods are sickening to read. This is a darker and more emotional installment than some of the others in the series. However, there is a great deal of humor, snark, and joy mixed in.
I loved the final scene between Kim and Bryant--the reader finally finds out his first name.
Overall, this was another solid addition to the series. I look forward to book #18!
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review.
October 7, 2022
Kim’s last case resulted in her being forced to take time out from work to recover - not just physically but mentally too. However, ignoring all advice to take things slowly and only return when she’s ready, those of us who know and love Kim realise that she’s the last one to listen to advice. She returns to find herself mired in apparent suicide cases and inevitably discovers that they’re nothing of the sort. Her regular team is soon on to it, and they’re all shocked and appalled by what they find.
‘Hidden Scars� delves into something called ‘conversion therapy� - a tough subject to handle, but it was handled with sensitivity.
Kim and Bryant’s work relationship really comes to the fore this time around, and it’s beautiful to witness, the storyline was distressing yet current. Suspenseful as ever, and with not just the mother of all twists - but three of them! Loved it!
*Thank you to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
‘Hidden Scars� delves into something called ‘conversion therapy� - a tough subject to handle, but it was handled with sensitivity.
Kim and Bryant’s work relationship really comes to the fore this time around, and it’s beautiful to witness, the storyline was distressing yet current. Suspenseful as ever, and with not just the mother of all twists - but three of them! Loved it!
*Thank you to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
November 9, 2022
HAPPY PUB DAY TO ANOTHER MARSONS BANGER!!!!
Thank you Boukouture for the fastest NetGalley approval so I could read this book in one sitting like the obsessed Marsons fan I am. IYKYK, my reviews are always honest.
One sentence review: Marsons gets deep in this one and tackles "conversion camps" with empathy and sensitivity
SYNOPSIS
After a gruelling case, Kim finds herself back in action quicker than expected. The case? A spate of alleged suicides that connect back to The Change, a controversial "conversion" center that can "cure" people from their homosexuality.
MY OPINION
Okay, I just finished #12 and now I'm realizing how this was pretty much the same formula but swap cults for "conversion camps." And YES, I will keep using quotation marks for "conversion camp" because it's a bunch of nonsense and I don't believe it in PERIODTTT. Your sexual preferences CANNOT be converted � and for the "oKaY bUt ThEN pEdOs..." STFU. As a grown ass adult, you cannot be in a consensual healthy relationship with a child. But two grown ass adults of the same sex can be in a consensual healthy relationship. So if you're a homophobe, you can block me back.
Anyways, let's move onto the book. This was one � if not THEE � heaviest topic Angela Marsons has taken on. PSA: I am not gay, so I cannot say with 100% certainty that everything was accurate or the trauma wasn't glorified. BUT, I found it to be handled with empathy (esp. miss Kim who is always a bull in a china shop type person) and sensitivity. Especially John. Oh, poor John.
Similar to #12, there were some intentionally "lalalal I can't hear you" moments where everyone was shooketh that "conversion camps" existed. When I say intentional, I mean it was done so to educate the reader in a more "natural" way through the characters learning about it.
I think this topic resonated with Marsons because she really flexed her writing skills in some sections. She went beyond the usual police procedural stuff and got a lil deep with it, which is nice to see. But then in some parts the writing was pretty lol. There's one paragraph where she starts FOUR sentences in a row with "Megan". And no, it wasn't a style choice, it was just basic writing.
I'm a fan of Marsons for several reasons, one being she usually gives us two mysteries instead of one. Here we have the case of the missing husband, which had its own shocking ending. I really wasn't expecting that LOL. And tbh, I could read an entire book about it.
All in all, another solid installment from Marsons. Other characters continue to get their shine and we watch Kim's recovery journey from #16. And now I'm ready for #18 TYSM!!!!
PROS AND CONS
Pros: interesting topic handled with empathy and sensitivity, Penn's relationship with his brother Jasper will always warm your heart, 2 for 1 mystery, fast paced, twisty twists
Cons: writing was basic in some parts
Thank you Boukouture for the fastest NetGalley approval so I could read this book in one sitting like the obsessed Marsons fan I am. IYKYK, my reviews are always honest.
One sentence review: Marsons gets deep in this one and tackles "conversion camps" with empathy and sensitivity
SYNOPSIS
After a gruelling case, Kim finds herself back in action quicker than expected. The case? A spate of alleged suicides that connect back to The Change, a controversial "conversion" center that can "cure" people from their homosexuality.
MY OPINION
Okay, I just finished #12 and now I'm realizing how this was pretty much the same formula but swap cults for "conversion camps." And YES, I will keep using quotation marks for "conversion camp" because it's a bunch of nonsense and I don't believe it in PERIODTTT. Your sexual preferences CANNOT be converted � and for the "oKaY bUt ThEN pEdOs..." STFU. As a grown ass adult, you cannot be in a consensual healthy relationship with a child. But two grown ass adults of the same sex can be in a consensual healthy relationship. So if you're a homophobe, you can block me back.
Anyways, let's move onto the book. This was one � if not THEE � heaviest topic Angela Marsons has taken on. PSA: I am not gay, so I cannot say with 100% certainty that everything was accurate or the trauma wasn't glorified. BUT, I found it to be handled with empathy (esp. miss Kim who is always a bull in a china shop type person) and sensitivity. Especially John. Oh, poor John.
Similar to #12, there were some intentionally "lalalal I can't hear you" moments where everyone was shooketh that "conversion camps" existed. When I say intentional, I mean it was done so to educate the reader in a more "natural" way through the characters learning about it.
I think this topic resonated with Marsons because she really flexed her writing skills in some sections. She went beyond the usual police procedural stuff and got a lil deep with it, which is nice to see. But then in some parts the writing was pretty lol. There's one paragraph where she starts FOUR sentences in a row with "Megan". And no, it wasn't a style choice, it was just basic writing.
I'm a fan of Marsons for several reasons, one being she usually gives us two mysteries instead of one. Here we have the case of the missing husband, which had its own shocking ending. I really wasn't expecting that LOL. And tbh, I could read an entire book about it.
All in all, another solid installment from Marsons. Other characters continue to get their shine and we watch Kim's recovery journey from #16. And now I'm ready for #18 TYSM!!!!
PROS AND CONS
Pros: interesting topic handled with empathy and sensitivity, Penn's relationship with his brother Jasper will always warm your heart, 2 for 1 mystery, fast paced, twisty twists
Cons: writing was basic in some parts
November 9, 2022
4.5 stars
Gripping, intense and well thought out! Marsons continues to knock it out of the ballpark with her DI Kim Stone series. I love seeing Kim and her team solve crimes. They are a likeable lot and I enjoy their witty banter. In , Marsons takes on conversion therapy.
Detective Kim Stone is still coping and healing with the events in where she was savagely beaten. She is supposed to be taking things easy and slowly transitioning back to work, but Kim does not like to do anything easy. She throws herself into her work and doesn't stop until the case(s) are solved.
Jamie Mills was found hanging from a tree in a local park. His death was initially ruled a suicide. Kim's replacement, Burns was happy to move on to the next case even when Stacy shares her thoughts that there is more to his death. When Kim comes back to work, it becomes known that he had a knee injury and the natural of his wound meant he could not have climbed a tree, and his death is ruled a murder. His is not the only death, soon a young woman and a married man are found dead under suspicious circumstances.
On top of this, a local accountant has gone missing without a trace. His wife has reported him missing and Stacy throws herself into finding out more about her disappearance.
As the instigation delves deeper into the lives of the three dead people, Kim and her team learn that each voluntarily attended a local clinic. A clinic which has them sign an NDA. A clinic that does conversion therapies.
Marsons takes on a difficult subject and handles it like a champ. This book had me from the very first page and kept my attention throughout. This series is still going strong, and I hope there is no end in sight. I am a big fan of this series and love the characters in this book. I love how Kim is both tough as nails yet vulnerable. She has a big heart, and it shows in her interactions with Bryant and a young man named River in this book. Her team is also very likeable, and I love their interactions and teamwork. Marsons gives readers glimpses into their private lives which helps to fully flesh out the characters while showing character development over the course of this series. Plus, we learn Bryant's first name!
With books in a series, I always like to note if it can be read as a stand-alone. This book really does pick up after the events in the last book and I believe to fully enjoy this book, one really needs more background information, and I would recommend going back and at least reading that book before this one (you could even go back to the beginning!)
I always love trying to figure things out on my own and doing my own detective work. I did not solve the case and in fact was left with my mouth hanging open more than once!
This is one of my favorite series and this book was fabulous. Potential readers should note that this book deals with sexual identity and conversion therapies. There are hateful characters in this book and their treatment and thoughts about others may be difficult for some readers.
**Buddy Read with Carolyn. Please check out her review of the book as well.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at
Gripping, intense and well thought out! Marsons continues to knock it out of the ballpark with her DI Kim Stone series. I love seeing Kim and her team solve crimes. They are a likeable lot and I enjoy their witty banter. In , Marsons takes on conversion therapy.
Detective Kim Stone is still coping and healing with the events in where she was savagely beaten. She is supposed to be taking things easy and slowly transitioning back to work, but Kim does not like to do anything easy. She throws herself into her work and doesn't stop until the case(s) are solved.
Jamie Mills was found hanging from a tree in a local park. His death was initially ruled a suicide. Kim's replacement, Burns was happy to move on to the next case even when Stacy shares her thoughts that there is more to his death. When Kim comes back to work, it becomes known that he had a knee injury and the natural of his wound meant he could not have climbed a tree, and his death is ruled a murder. His is not the only death, soon a young woman and a married man are found dead under suspicious circumstances.
On top of this, a local accountant has gone missing without a trace. His wife has reported him missing and Stacy throws herself into finding out more about her disappearance.
As the instigation delves deeper into the lives of the three dead people, Kim and her team learn that each voluntarily attended a local clinic. A clinic which has them sign an NDA. A clinic that does conversion therapies.
Marsons takes on a difficult subject and handles it like a champ. This book had me from the very first page and kept my attention throughout. This series is still going strong, and I hope there is no end in sight. I am a big fan of this series and love the characters in this book. I love how Kim is both tough as nails yet vulnerable. She has a big heart, and it shows in her interactions with Bryant and a young man named River in this book. Her team is also very likeable, and I love their interactions and teamwork. Marsons gives readers glimpses into their private lives which helps to fully flesh out the characters while showing character development over the course of this series. Plus, we learn Bryant's first name!
With books in a series, I always like to note if it can be read as a stand-alone. This book really does pick up after the events in the last book and I believe to fully enjoy this book, one really needs more background information, and I would recommend going back and at least reading that book before this one (you could even go back to the beginning!)
I always love trying to figure things out on my own and doing my own detective work. I did not solve the case and in fact was left with my mouth hanging open more than once!
This is one of my favorite series and this book was fabulous. Potential readers should note that this book deals with sexual identity and conversion therapies. There are hateful characters in this book and their treatment and thoughts about others may be difficult for some readers.
**Buddy Read with Carolyn. Please check out her review of the book as well.
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at
November 26, 2022
EXCERPT: The hammer rises in the air.
It falls with unflinching certainty.
The sound of bone cracking fills the silence. Then a moan, a gurgle as blood begins to pour from the hole in her head. In this light it appears black. The glistening richness of the liquid is caught in the lamplight as it escapes like lava from a volcano and runs down the line of her hair.
I am horrified by what I see and yet liberated too. There is no more indecision. No more doubt. We are beyond the point of return. It cannot be undone.
ABOUT 'HIDDEN SCARS': While Jamie’s cold, lifeless body lay in the morgue, Detective Kim Stone stared at the empty board in the incident room and felt her anger boil. Why were there no photos, details, or lines of enquiry?
When a nineteen-year-old boy, Jamie Mills, is found hanging from a tree in a local park, his death is ruled a suicide. Detective Kim Stone’s instincts tell her something isn’t right � but it’s not her investigation and her temporary replacement is too busy waiting for the next big case to be asking the right questions.
Why would a seemingly healthy boy choose to end his life?
Why does his mother show no sign of emotional distress at the loss of her son?
Still mending her broken mind and body from her last harrowing case, Kim is supposed to be easing back into work gently. But then she finds a crucial, overlooked detail: Jamie had a recent injury that would have made it impossible for him to climb the tree. He must have been murdered.
Quickly taking back charge of her team and the case, Kim visits Jamie’s parents and is shocked to hear that they had sent him to a clinic to ‘cure� him of his sexuality. According to his mother, Jamie was introverted and prone to mood swings. Yet his friend speaks of a vibrant, outgoing boy.
The clues to smashing open this disturbing case lie behind the old Victorian walls of the clinic, run by the Gardner family. They claim that patients come of their own accord and are free to leave at any time. But why are those that attended the clinic so afraid to speak of what happens there? And where did the faded restraint marks identified on Jamie’s wrists come from?
Then the body of a young woman is found dead by suffocation and Kim makes two chilling discoveries. The victim spent time at the clinic too, and her death was also staged to look like a suicide.
Scarred from an ordeal that nearly took her life, is Kim strong enough to stop a terrifying killer from silencing the clinic’s previous patients one by one?
MY THOUGHTS: If you haven't read any previous books in this series, do not start with this. To fully appreciate Hidden Scars the reader needs to know Kim's backstory and her relationship with her colleagues. Hidden Scars definitely will not work as a stand-alone.
Where to begin? Kim is haunted but resilient, especially when the future of her team is threatened by the incompetence of the DI supposedly holding it all together in her absence.
Kim's character continues to grow in Hidden Scars and the title of the book reflects Kim's circumstances as accurately as several of the other characters who feature. She reveals a certain vulnerability that we have not seen before and which takes a bit of getting used to.
Bryant is somewhat responsible for this, deciding that Kim has gotten away with far too much for far too long and gives her a lesson on the meaning and obligations of friendship. And Yay! - we finally learn his first name!
Penn is having to learn a few lessons too, relating to loosening the reins on his younger Downs Syndrome brother who is a bit more switched on than Penn realises.
And where would the team be without Stacey? Dogged and determined she often bears the brunt of the desk work due to her ability to pick up on clues in background information that the others tend to miss.
The mysteries are intriguing, and the main thread is interspersed with the viewpoint of an unknown person which doesn't quite make sense until almost the very end. The reason for this gobsmacked me! A great storyline and a great twist.
The main storyline includes a great deal of information on conversion therapy, to the point where several times I felt like I was being educated. And I was. I knew what conversion therapy was before I started reading Hidden Scars, but I really had no idea of the extremes to which it could be taken.
But the murders - some staged to look like suicide - are the main focus of the storyline. Marsons is an extremely clever writer, and I had to backtrack a couple of times to check on clues I had missed, but still I had absolutely no idea until the final reveal as to who was behind them. I loved the way the historical murder was also tied in.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#HiddenScars #NetGalley
I: @angelamarsonsauthor @bookouture
T: @WriteAngie @Bookouture
#contemporaryfiction #fivestarread #crime #detectivefiction #suspense #thriller
THE AUTHOR: Angela is the author of the Kim Stone Crime series. She discovered a love of writing at Primary School when a short piece on the rocks and the sea gained her the only merit point she ever got.
Angela wrote the stories that burned inside and then stored them safely in a desk drawer.
After much urging from her partner she began to enter short story competitions in Writer's News resulting in a win and three short listed entries.
She used the Amazon KDP program to publish two of her earlier works before concentrating on her true passion - Crime.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Hidden Scars by Angela Marsons for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my ŷ.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage
It falls with unflinching certainty.
The sound of bone cracking fills the silence. Then a moan, a gurgle as blood begins to pour from the hole in her head. In this light it appears black. The glistening richness of the liquid is caught in the lamplight as it escapes like lava from a volcano and runs down the line of her hair.
I am horrified by what I see and yet liberated too. There is no more indecision. No more doubt. We are beyond the point of return. It cannot be undone.
ABOUT 'HIDDEN SCARS': While Jamie’s cold, lifeless body lay in the morgue, Detective Kim Stone stared at the empty board in the incident room and felt her anger boil. Why were there no photos, details, or lines of enquiry?
When a nineteen-year-old boy, Jamie Mills, is found hanging from a tree in a local park, his death is ruled a suicide. Detective Kim Stone’s instincts tell her something isn’t right � but it’s not her investigation and her temporary replacement is too busy waiting for the next big case to be asking the right questions.
Why would a seemingly healthy boy choose to end his life?
Why does his mother show no sign of emotional distress at the loss of her son?
Still mending her broken mind and body from her last harrowing case, Kim is supposed to be easing back into work gently. But then she finds a crucial, overlooked detail: Jamie had a recent injury that would have made it impossible for him to climb the tree. He must have been murdered.
Quickly taking back charge of her team and the case, Kim visits Jamie’s parents and is shocked to hear that they had sent him to a clinic to ‘cure� him of his sexuality. According to his mother, Jamie was introverted and prone to mood swings. Yet his friend speaks of a vibrant, outgoing boy.
The clues to smashing open this disturbing case lie behind the old Victorian walls of the clinic, run by the Gardner family. They claim that patients come of their own accord and are free to leave at any time. But why are those that attended the clinic so afraid to speak of what happens there? And where did the faded restraint marks identified on Jamie’s wrists come from?
Then the body of a young woman is found dead by suffocation and Kim makes two chilling discoveries. The victim spent time at the clinic too, and her death was also staged to look like a suicide.
Scarred from an ordeal that nearly took her life, is Kim strong enough to stop a terrifying killer from silencing the clinic’s previous patients one by one?
MY THOUGHTS: If you haven't read any previous books in this series, do not start with this. To fully appreciate Hidden Scars the reader needs to know Kim's backstory and her relationship with her colleagues. Hidden Scars definitely will not work as a stand-alone.
Where to begin? Kim is haunted but resilient, especially when the future of her team is threatened by the incompetence of the DI supposedly holding it all together in her absence.
Kim's character continues to grow in Hidden Scars and the title of the book reflects Kim's circumstances as accurately as several of the other characters who feature. She reveals a certain vulnerability that we have not seen before and which takes a bit of getting used to.
Bryant is somewhat responsible for this, deciding that Kim has gotten away with far too much for far too long and gives her a lesson on the meaning and obligations of friendship. And Yay! - we finally learn his first name!
Penn is having to learn a few lessons too, relating to loosening the reins on his younger Downs Syndrome brother who is a bit more switched on than Penn realises.
And where would the team be without Stacey? Dogged and determined she often bears the brunt of the desk work due to her ability to pick up on clues in background information that the others tend to miss.
The mysteries are intriguing, and the main thread is interspersed with the viewpoint of an unknown person which doesn't quite make sense until almost the very end. The reason for this gobsmacked me! A great storyline and a great twist.
The main storyline includes a great deal of information on conversion therapy, to the point where several times I felt like I was being educated. And I was. I knew what conversion therapy was before I started reading Hidden Scars, but I really had no idea of the extremes to which it could be taken.
But the murders - some staged to look like suicide - are the main focus of the storyline. Marsons is an extremely clever writer, and I had to backtrack a couple of times to check on clues I had missed, but still I had absolutely no idea until the final reveal as to who was behind them. I loved the way the historical murder was also tied in.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#HiddenScars #NetGalley
I: @angelamarsonsauthor @bookouture
T: @WriteAngie @Bookouture
#contemporaryfiction #fivestarread #crime #detectivefiction #suspense #thriller
THE AUTHOR: Angela is the author of the Kim Stone Crime series. She discovered a love of writing at Primary School when a short piece on the rocks and the sea gained her the only merit point she ever got.
Angela wrote the stories that burned inside and then stored them safely in a desk drawer.
After much urging from her partner she began to enter short story competitions in Writer's News resulting in a win and three short listed entries.
She used the Amazon KDP program to publish two of her earlier works before concentrating on her true passion - Crime.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Hidden Scars by Angela Marsons for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
For an explanation of my rating system please refer to my ŷ.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com
This review is also published on Twitter, Amazon, Instagram and my webpage
November 4, 2022
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this much-anticipated ARC. I have read all 17 books in the Kim Stone series. Angela Marsons has made these crime thrillers/police procedurals fresh and compelling. It has been a pleasure to watch the growth of Kim and her intelligent and likeable team members.
Kim's childhood was marred by abuse and a terrible tragedy. This resulted in her having difficulties relating to people on a personal level. She is sympathetic and relates fiercely to victims of crime. She has become very protective of her police team and appreciates their varied strengths. They, in turn, respect and admire Kim's leadership and work well together.
In her last investigation, Kim came very close to death and has been absent from work for two months. Her recovery from physical injuries and mental trauma has been ongoing. She is able to convince (f00l) the therapist that she has progressed further along in recovery than in reality and still has disturbing nightmares. She now has permission to ease herself gradually back into work.
Kim is shocked to return to her office in an unhappy state of disarray caused by her replacement. He ignores cases that should be further investigated as he is waiting for a high-profile case that will lead to his advancement and glory. Bryan and Penn are underutilized. Stacey (a competent detective) has been made useless due to the temporary leader's blatant misogyny. Kim dismisses him to the delight of her team and rushes full force into work. The detectives are restored to their former duties.
A 19-year-old man, Jamie Mills, was found hanging from a tree, and the case was written off as suicide. It takes Kim only a short time to find clues confirming he was murdered. His parents seem cold and strangely untroubled by his death. Next, a short time later, 22-year-old Sarah Laing's apparent suicide shows clues that it was a staged murder.
The topic of conversion therapy is the focus of the main mystery. Conversion therapy aims, by various means of emotional manipulation, behaviour modification, and shaming to change a gay individual to a straightorientation. A bill was passed in Canada early this year to make conversion therapy a crime. It was learned that Jamie and Sarah both attended a conversion clinic run by the Granger family. Kim and team members discover that participants in the therapy were forced to undergo horrendous treatment in an attempt to eliminate homosexual thoughts and behaviour. Those admitted to the conversion clinic had to sign a non-disclosure clause and were unwilling or afraid to talk about what they endured. The investigation is complicated. Kim and team need to find out why former patients are being killed before more deaths occur.
A secondary mystery has Stacey searching for a missing husband, Gabriel Denton, an accountant. His wife is distraught, claiming he was a wonderful, devoted husband and his absence is out of character for him. Stacey learns that he was in a emotional but platonic relationship with a co-worker and withdrew a large sum of moey from the bank before he vanished. Now, she has reason to believe he was killed.
Well, Kim certainly came back to work full force at a very busy time and against all advice. I am looking forward for her next investigation, and hope she will not be suffering any negative repercussions in her health after all her bravery and hard work. Recommended!
Kim's childhood was marred by abuse and a terrible tragedy. This resulted in her having difficulties relating to people on a personal level. She is sympathetic and relates fiercely to victims of crime. She has become very protective of her police team and appreciates their varied strengths. They, in turn, respect and admire Kim's leadership and work well together.
In her last investigation, Kim came very close to death and has been absent from work for two months. Her recovery from physical injuries and mental trauma has been ongoing. She is able to convince (f00l) the therapist that she has progressed further along in recovery than in reality and still has disturbing nightmares. She now has permission to ease herself gradually back into work.
Kim is shocked to return to her office in an unhappy state of disarray caused by her replacement. He ignores cases that should be further investigated as he is waiting for a high-profile case that will lead to his advancement and glory. Bryan and Penn are underutilized. Stacey (a competent detective) has been made useless due to the temporary leader's blatant misogyny. Kim dismisses him to the delight of her team and rushes full force into work. The detectives are restored to their former duties.
A 19-year-old man, Jamie Mills, was found hanging from a tree, and the case was written off as suicide. It takes Kim only a short time to find clues confirming he was murdered. His parents seem cold and strangely untroubled by his death. Next, a short time later, 22-year-old Sarah Laing's apparent suicide shows clues that it was a staged murder.
The topic of conversion therapy is the focus of the main mystery. Conversion therapy aims, by various means of emotional manipulation, behaviour modification, and shaming to change a gay individual to a straightorientation. A bill was passed in Canada early this year to make conversion therapy a crime. It was learned that Jamie and Sarah both attended a conversion clinic run by the Granger family. Kim and team members discover that participants in the therapy were forced to undergo horrendous treatment in an attempt to eliminate homosexual thoughts and behaviour. Those admitted to the conversion clinic had to sign a non-disclosure clause and were unwilling or afraid to talk about what they endured. The investigation is complicated. Kim and team need to find out why former patients are being killed before more deaths occur.
A secondary mystery has Stacey searching for a missing husband, Gabriel Denton, an accountant. His wife is distraught, claiming he was a wonderful, devoted husband and his absence is out of character for him. Stacey learns that he was in a emotional but platonic relationship with a co-worker and withdrew a large sum of moey from the bank before he vanished. Now, she has reason to believe he was killed.
Well, Kim certainly came back to work full force at a very busy time and against all advice. I am looking forward for her next investigation, and hope she will not be suffering any negative repercussions in her health after all her bravery and hard work. Recommended!
October 22, 2022
Hidden Scars is aptly named as Kim returns to work after recovering from the injuries incurred during the last story. But just because her body has healed, doesn’t mean she has. And to top it off, DI Burns has been assigned the interim charge of her unit. Burns is a #1 A**H*** and the team is barely holding together.
I just adore Kim. Her willingness to do whatever gets the job done always tickles me.
But the book’s title actually has multiple meanings. The book tackles the issue of sexual identity and the disturbing practice of conversion therapy. It’s a dark, ugly topic and it really threw me for a loop. I can only hope that Angela exaggerated the methods used.
It’s rare that I assign a mystery a full five stars. But this one deserves it. Great pacing, fabulous character development, lots of humor and an ending I did not see coming.
This series is always strong and this book continues that trend. This is not a book to start the series as too much will have been missed.
My thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of this book.
I just adore Kim. Her willingness to do whatever gets the job done always tickles me.
But the book’s title actually has multiple meanings. The book tackles the issue of sexual identity and the disturbing practice of conversion therapy. It’s a dark, ugly topic and it really threw me for a loop. I can only hope that Angela exaggerated the methods used.
It’s rare that I assign a mystery a full five stars. But this one deserves it. Great pacing, fabulous character development, lots of humor and an ending I did not see coming.
This series is always strong and this book continues that trend. This is not a book to start the series as too much will have been missed.
My thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of this book.
November 10, 2022
the setup�
It’s been two months since DI Kim Stone was brutally beaten by her nemesis, escaped prisoner Symes, and she’s physically ready to return to work. Mentally, however, she’s still got a long way to go despite her duping the therapist to think otherwise. Her replacement was Ian Burns, the same DI who botched the search for Symes and almost caused her death. As she listens to his engagement with her team, it’s pretty clear that Burns is managing cases far differently than she would or what her team has come to expect. She decides to do a little digging on her own and realizes one of the cases he closed as a suicide was anything but. When she returns to the office, Kim witnesses Burns demeaning DC Stacey Wood, and decides to take back her team, ready or not. They set out to further explore that “suicide� case that becomes much more than they’d anticipated.
the heart of the story�
First, I’m so grateful to Marsons for releasing this book so quickly after the last. I couldn’t wait to see how Kim fared after that devastating assault from Symes. Her behavior during her recuperation and initially upon her return was classic Kim, which felt authentic to the character, even when I wanted her to be otherwise. The case was also an interesting one that had so many ugly tangents. Kim actually opened the proverbial can of worms when she pressed further into that suicide, leading down some really distasteful paths but bringing some enlightenment about attitudes towards the LGBTQ community. But it was seeing the contrast between Burns� lackluster leadership and Kim’s, particularly the end results and the team dynamics that reminded me just how great she is at doing this, even with her prickly behavior. They respect her because she’s earned that and I loved seeing her mind in action. And, I was brought to tears by the help she received from unexpected corners.
the narration�
Look, I will only listen to this series, which means I give up the opportunity to read it for review. It’s worth more than the Audible credit I give up to let Jan Cramer tell me the story in her most talented way. She’s so consistent and her voice for Kim lives happily in my head. Trust me, she’s that good.
the bottom line�
I finished this in a day because I couldn’t find a good stopping point, needing just one more chapter until I reached the end. There’s a lot going on with the characters (individually and as a team), the cases and the situation with Burns. I thought I had things figured out but it all fell apart at the end because of subtle clues I’d ignored. It’s an outstanding story that far surpassed my lofty expectations. Thanks to the narrator, she delivered it in a way that I missed none of the nuances, those pesky clues notwithstanding. And…we finally get Bryant’s first name!!! I had to rewind for that and I’m taking that moment as a meaningful signal whether intended or not.
Posted on
It’s been two months since DI Kim Stone was brutally beaten by her nemesis, escaped prisoner Symes, and she’s physically ready to return to work. Mentally, however, she’s still got a long way to go despite her duping the therapist to think otherwise. Her replacement was Ian Burns, the same DI who botched the search for Symes and almost caused her death. As she listens to his engagement with her team, it’s pretty clear that Burns is managing cases far differently than she would or what her team has come to expect. She decides to do a little digging on her own and realizes one of the cases he closed as a suicide was anything but. When she returns to the office, Kim witnesses Burns demeaning DC Stacey Wood, and decides to take back her team, ready or not. They set out to further explore that “suicide� case that becomes much more than they’d anticipated.
the heart of the story�
First, I’m so grateful to Marsons for releasing this book so quickly after the last. I couldn’t wait to see how Kim fared after that devastating assault from Symes. Her behavior during her recuperation and initially upon her return was classic Kim, which felt authentic to the character, even when I wanted her to be otherwise. The case was also an interesting one that had so many ugly tangents. Kim actually opened the proverbial can of worms when she pressed further into that suicide, leading down some really distasteful paths but bringing some enlightenment about attitudes towards the LGBTQ community. But it was seeing the contrast between Burns� lackluster leadership and Kim’s, particularly the end results and the team dynamics that reminded me just how great she is at doing this, even with her prickly behavior. They respect her because she’s earned that and I loved seeing her mind in action. And, I was brought to tears by the help she received from unexpected corners.
the narration�
Look, I will only listen to this series, which means I give up the opportunity to read it for review. It’s worth more than the Audible credit I give up to let Jan Cramer tell me the story in her most talented way. She’s so consistent and her voice for Kim lives happily in my head. Trust me, she’s that good.
the bottom line�
I finished this in a day because I couldn’t find a good stopping point, needing just one more chapter until I reached the end. There’s a lot going on with the characters (individually and as a team), the cases and the situation with Burns. I thought I had things figured out but it all fell apart at the end because of subtle clues I’d ignored. It’s an outstanding story that far surpassed my lofty expectations. Thanks to the narrator, she delivered it in a way that I missed none of the nuances, those pesky clues notwithstanding. And…we finally get Bryant’s first name!!! I had to rewind for that and I’m taking that moment as a meaningful signal whether intended or not.
Posted on
October 11, 2022
Firstly I would like to thank netgalley, and Bookouture,and the Brilliant author Angela marsons for an early copy of her book.
Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant read...another fantastic instalment this is book 17.This book starts with what looks like a suicide,Jamie Mills hanging from a tree,When Detective Kim Stone investigates she discovers no way he could of killed himself.Jamie parents sent him to this clinic as he is gay and said he can cure him.what is this clinic hiding?I was hooked on this storyline,and how the team work together and great to see stacey on the forefront of this book.looking forward to reading more of her books.HIGHLY RECOMMEND.......
This book will be reviewed on goodreads, and Amazon UK.
Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant read...another fantastic instalment this is book 17.This book starts with what looks like a suicide,Jamie Mills hanging from a tree,When Detective Kim Stone investigates she discovers no way he could of killed himself.Jamie parents sent him to this clinic as he is gay and said he can cure him.what is this clinic hiding?I was hooked on this storyline,and how the team work together and great to see stacey on the forefront of this book.looking forward to reading more of her books.HIGHLY RECOMMEND.......
This book will be reviewed on goodreads, and Amazon UK.
October 19, 2022
Rounded up to 4.5. Two more disturbing and intriguing cases to savour.
November 19, 2022
Copy furnished by Net Galley for the price of a review.
The title says it all with this latest addition to the DI Kim Stone series. Myriad meanings, all of them applicable. Kim returns to the office after a grievous injury-enforced sojourn away from work. Her team of experts are thrilled to have her back and she is chomping at the bit to get back to working cases with them. The loathsome DI Ian Burns has been heading the unit in her absence and has made a hash of everything he touched. Relegating Stacy Wood to making coffee and filing is wasteful and foolish, but taking a rash of suicides at face value is inexcusable. Fans of this series will enjoy sitting back and watching him being duly dispatched by Kim. She may still have some healing to do, but her caustic tongue is in fine working order.
The cases are disturbing, but handled with sensitivity. Penn has new challenges with his brother, Jason. Kim's dog, Barney, continues to help her stay on an even keel, more or less. Bryant is wonderful, and so is Stacy. These characters are so familiar to me now, I always enjoy my time with them. Next case, please, Angela Marsons!
The title says it all with this latest addition to the DI Kim Stone series. Myriad meanings, all of them applicable. Kim returns to the office after a grievous injury-enforced sojourn away from work. Her team of experts are thrilled to have her back and she is chomping at the bit to get back to working cases with them. The loathsome DI Ian Burns has been heading the unit in her absence and has made a hash of everything he touched. Relegating Stacy Wood to making coffee and filing is wasteful and foolish, but taking a rash of suicides at face value is inexcusable. Fans of this series will enjoy sitting back and watching him being duly dispatched by Kim. She may still have some healing to do, but her caustic tongue is in fine working order.
The cases are disturbing, but handled with sensitivity. Penn has new challenges with his brother, Jason. Kim's dog, Barney, continues to help her stay on an even keel, more or less. Bryant is wonderful, and so is Stacy. These characters are so familiar to me now, I always enjoy my time with them. Next case, please, Angela Marsons!
November 1, 2022
Detective Kim Stone was returning to work after her two months of rehabilitation after the case that almost killed her, and walking into the room where her team were, Kim was shocked at the apathy, the lack of information on the incident board. It wasn't long before she booted her replacement, resurrecting the case that he'd deemed unimportant. As Kim, along with Alan Bryant, Stacey and Penn, dug deeply into the apparent suicide of a young Jamie Mills, she could see things didn't add up. Finding something wrong with Jamie's parents reaction to his death, it didn't take Kim long to discover it was murder.
Soon she was on the hunt for a cruel and vicious killer; with links to a nearby clinic, each of the victims had been admitted for treatment and left when they were supposedly cured. The race was on, but could they find and stop a killer before the next person was taken?
Hidden Scars is the 17th in the DI Kim Stone series by Angela Marsons and once again it was breathtakingly brilliant! Twists and turns - I didn't pick the perpetrator - and with Kim still trying to overcome the trauma from her last case, I was impressed with the team and how they fell back into place, having Kim's back, and working their hearts out. An excellent thriller, Hidden Scars (and the series) is one I recommend highly.
With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Soon she was on the hunt for a cruel and vicious killer; with links to a nearby clinic, each of the victims had been admitted for treatment and left when they were supposedly cured. The race was on, but could they find and stop a killer before the next person was taken?
Hidden Scars is the 17th in the DI Kim Stone series by Angela Marsons and once again it was breathtakingly brilliant! Twists and turns - I didn't pick the perpetrator - and with Kim still trying to overcome the trauma from her last case, I was impressed with the team and how they fell back into place, having Kim's back, and working their hearts out. An excellent thriller, Hidden Scars (and the series) is one I recommend highly.
With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
October 9, 2022
Angela Marsons Hidden Scars is book 17 in the Detective Kim Stone series. I love this series and look forward to each addition. They can be read independently. Angela Marsons is on my automatic must-read list. If you enjoy psychological thrillers, give her books a try!
Synopsis:
James Mills is a bright 19-year-old man discovered hanging from a large tree. His death is automatically ruled self-inflicted. James' death haunts Detective Kim Stone. Why would a young healthy man end his own life? As Kim investigates, she discovers that James recently suffered a leg injury that prevented him from climbing trees. James was murdered, but who wanted him dead?
In Hidden Scars, Angela Marsons pulls out all the stops and takes on tough topics. The writing is honest, yet handled with sensitivity. Do not enter into this book blindly as the material may not be suitable for all audiences. Hidden Scars is Angela Marsons deepest work and I love it. I congratulate the author on her brilliant novel.
Hidden Scars (Detective Kim Stone Book 17) by Angela Marsons is available on November 9th.
(4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫)
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for sharing this outstanding book with me. As you follow along with the series, the characters become family. I am excited to read book 18.
#HiddenScarsDetectiveKimStoneBook17
Synopsis:
James Mills is a bright 19-year-old man discovered hanging from a large tree. His death is automatically ruled self-inflicted. James' death haunts Detective Kim Stone. Why would a young healthy man end his own life? As Kim investigates, she discovers that James recently suffered a leg injury that prevented him from climbing trees. James was murdered, but who wanted him dead?
In Hidden Scars, Angela Marsons pulls out all the stops and takes on tough topics. The writing is honest, yet handled with sensitivity. Do not enter into this book blindly as the material may not be suitable for all audiences. Hidden Scars is Angela Marsons deepest work and I love it. I congratulate the author on her brilliant novel.
Hidden Scars (Detective Kim Stone Book 17) by Angela Marsons is available on November 9th.
(4.5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫)
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for sharing this outstanding book with me. As you follow along with the series, the characters become family. I am excited to read book 18.
#HiddenScarsDetectiveKimStoneBook17
November 12, 2022
DI Kim Stone returns to work two months after being beaten almost to death by the monstrous Symes in the previous story. She has told the psychologists what they want to hear but is she really ready to get back into the saddle? Her boss DCI Woodward wants her to take it easy for a while. DI Burns has been ‘looking after� Kim’s team in her absence - or has he?
When young Jamie’s death is written off as a suicide Kim is not so sure and has to see things for herself. When she realises that he could not physically have the climbed the tree that he was found hanging from she is livid. Burns has done the minimum amount of work and destroyed the morale of her team, to the point where Stacey is looking to transfer out after being treated like a glorified dogsbody/coffee maker, while he waits for a case that will advance his career.
Kim lasts one day before booting him out and taking back the reins to the utter relief of her team. Another apparent suicide is found to be murder and they learn that both of the young victims has been patients at the Change - a facility that promises to cure people of being gay. A quick tour of the facility finds nothing untoward but they have been kept away from the treatment areas where the real damage occurs.
This book highlights the dangers and utter pointlessness of gay conversion therapy and the incredible damage it can cause. It was tautly plotted and the characters shone under Kim’s guidance after her return. The insidious nature of societal judgement is highlighted and the eventual killers, although definitely in the wrong and evil and, and�. Are also victims of society’s expectations and judgements.
I really enjoyed this relevant and contemporary story. Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
When young Jamie’s death is written off as a suicide Kim is not so sure and has to see things for herself. When she realises that he could not physically have the climbed the tree that he was found hanging from she is livid. Burns has done the minimum amount of work and destroyed the morale of her team, to the point where Stacey is looking to transfer out after being treated like a glorified dogsbody/coffee maker, while he waits for a case that will advance his career.
Kim lasts one day before booting him out and taking back the reins to the utter relief of her team. Another apparent suicide is found to be murder and they learn that both of the young victims has been patients at the Change - a facility that promises to cure people of being gay. A quick tour of the facility finds nothing untoward but they have been kept away from the treatment areas where the real damage occurs.
This book highlights the dangers and utter pointlessness of gay conversion therapy and the incredible damage it can cause. It was tautly plotted and the characters shone under Kim’s guidance after her return. The insidious nature of societal judgement is highlighted and the eventual killers, although definitely in the wrong and evil and, and�. Are also victims of society’s expectations and judgements.
I really enjoyed this relevant and contemporary story. Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
October 2, 2022
A new Kim Stone book from Angela Marsons is always a reason to drop everything and read. And that is exactly what I did with Hidden Scars. Saturday night at home, glass of wine and Kim and the team - what could be better. Another fabulous read, book 17 and absolutely one of my favourite series. I have been reading these books since the first book came out and the excitement never fades. If you haven't met Kim yet - what are you waiting for? You will not be sorry.
Kim is finally returning to work after the events at the end of book 16. Her team is missing her desperately, her replacement has taken all the spark out of them all. She is told to take it easy, take her time. But if you have met Kim then you will know that is not going to happen. Looking into apparent suicides, Kim immediately finds signs of foul play and get her team on the case. This book deals with some really tough themes, that at times made me so angry at these characters.
I always feel at home with Kim, Stacey and Bryant. Such wonderful characters that I could read about forever, so please Angela, keep writing about them forever,
Big thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book. I couldn't hit send to kindle fast enough. Another brilliant, 5 star read. Published November 11th
Kim is finally returning to work after the events at the end of book 16. Her team is missing her desperately, her replacement has taken all the spark out of them all. She is told to take it easy, take her time. But if you have met Kim then you will know that is not going to happen. Looking into apparent suicides, Kim immediately finds signs of foul play and get her team on the case. This book deals with some really tough themes, that at times made me so angry at these characters.
I always feel at home with Kim, Stacey and Bryant. Such wonderful characters that I could read about forever, so please Angela, keep writing about them forever,
Big thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for my advanced copy of this book. I couldn't hit send to kindle fast enough. Another brilliant, 5 star read. Published November 11th
October 11, 2022
The Queen of crime, Angela Marson has done it again, with Hidden Scars the 17th book in the Kim Stone series.
For two months Kim has been recuperating from her injuries that she experienced in book 16. She can’t wait to get back into the fore and get stuck into another case. Her boss Woody wants her to take it slow and easy. But when she sees the morale of her team totally crushed by DI Ian Burns, especially Stacey who he has turned into the team’s tea lady. She feels that she needs to step up immediately before she loses her team forever.
Her first case that gets her attention is the alleged suicide 19-year-old Jamie Wells, who her adversary DI Burns has just brushed it under the carpet. She goes to the scene of the crime with Bryant and straight way Kim knows that something is not right, and that the victim’s death is not suicide but murder. When she tells the parents of the victims of her findings, she gets a different reaction than she was expecting. The parents just want to bury him and not think much about it.
Another body is found this of 22-year-old Sarah Laing with the same M.O as Jamie. As the team discover that both victims were gay. Is this evidence of a hate crime? Going further they discover that both went to a centre called Exodus that deals with Conversion therapy or treatments for young people who voluntarily had treatments that were some ways traumatic, and they couldn’t come to terms that they were gay. But when they visit the center the owners are not forthcoming with their answers and any patients there were given NDO agreements so not to discuss what went on there. But that doesn’t deter Kim to find out what went on there and what is the on there. What is the link to Exodus to Jaime and Sarah?
Thank you Bookoutre for a a copy of Hidden Scars. This is another brilliant episode in the series which I loved. Like another reviewer has said it feels like you are at home while reading a Kim stone book and I agree. This is another gripping fast paced thriller and Ms Marsons has done exceptional work on the research of ‘conversion camps and conversion therapy and which I found it was sensitively written. I was so glad that the team has got back together and like the banter between the team and that slowly Kim is getting back to her old self again. This is another great story you won’t be disappointed. 5 stars from me.
For two months Kim has been recuperating from her injuries that she experienced in book 16. She can’t wait to get back into the fore and get stuck into another case. Her boss Woody wants her to take it slow and easy. But when she sees the morale of her team totally crushed by DI Ian Burns, especially Stacey who he has turned into the team’s tea lady. She feels that she needs to step up immediately before she loses her team forever.
Her first case that gets her attention is the alleged suicide 19-year-old Jamie Wells, who her adversary DI Burns has just brushed it under the carpet. She goes to the scene of the crime with Bryant and straight way Kim knows that something is not right, and that the victim’s death is not suicide but murder. When she tells the parents of the victims of her findings, she gets a different reaction than she was expecting. The parents just want to bury him and not think much about it.
Another body is found this of 22-year-old Sarah Laing with the same M.O as Jamie. As the team discover that both victims were gay. Is this evidence of a hate crime? Going further they discover that both went to a centre called Exodus that deals with Conversion therapy or treatments for young people who voluntarily had treatments that were some ways traumatic, and they couldn’t come to terms that they were gay. But when they visit the center the owners are not forthcoming with their answers and any patients there were given NDO agreements so not to discuss what went on there. But that doesn’t deter Kim to find out what went on there and what is the on there. What is the link to Exodus to Jaime and Sarah?
Thank you Bookoutre for a a copy of Hidden Scars. This is another brilliant episode in the series which I loved. Like another reviewer has said it feels like you are at home while reading a Kim stone book and I agree. This is another gripping fast paced thriller and Ms Marsons has done exceptional work on the research of ‘conversion camps and conversion therapy and which I found it was sensitively written. I was so glad that the team has got back together and like the banter between the team and that slowly Kim is getting back to her old self again. This is another great story you won’t be disappointed. 5 stars from me.
November 9, 2022
Better and better� I absolutely loved this latest instalment of DI Kim Stone and couldn’t put the book down from the off, grabbing any moment I could to read on.
Kim is back at work after a very traumatic event in her career. It’s a rare chance to see our hero at her most vulnerable self and yet, true to form, she refuses to ease back softly-softly and railroads her way into the job. She finds her team unhappy and downtrodden by a bully-boy boss who cares only about progression and nothing about victims he deems to be unworthy of his time. I really enjoyed the characterisation in this book.
The storyline deals with the subject of conversion therapy; shocking and thought provoking. We love Kim because she’s always been the voice for the lost and suffering. She sniffs out wrongdoing and it’s the first stage to her taking back control. I loved seeing the team come back to life and enjoyed the banter and easy respect between members we’ve come to know and love.
The twists and turns just kept on coming in this one and I didn’t anticipate any of them! This series truly just gets better and better and I know I’m not alone in wanting the next instalment the second I reach the end of Angela Marson’s latest brilliant offering.
I can’t say enough good things about this series. Fans will inhale HIDDEN SCARS. Five glittering starts from me!
Kim is back at work after a very traumatic event in her career. It’s a rare chance to see our hero at her most vulnerable self and yet, true to form, she refuses to ease back softly-softly and railroads her way into the job. She finds her team unhappy and downtrodden by a bully-boy boss who cares only about progression and nothing about victims he deems to be unworthy of his time. I really enjoyed the characterisation in this book.
The storyline deals with the subject of conversion therapy; shocking and thought provoking. We love Kim because she’s always been the voice for the lost and suffering. She sniffs out wrongdoing and it’s the first stage to her taking back control. I loved seeing the team come back to life and enjoyed the banter and easy respect between members we’ve come to know and love.
The twists and turns just kept on coming in this one and I didn’t anticipate any of them! This series truly just gets better and better and I know I’m not alone in wanting the next instalment the second I reach the end of Angela Marson’s latest brilliant offering.
I can’t say enough good things about this series. Fans will inhale HIDDEN SCARS. Five glittering starts from me!
January 31, 2023
HIDDEN SCARS SIX GRAVES is the 17th book in the D.I. Kim Stone crime-thriller series by best-selling author Angela Marsons. Angela Marsons remains one of my favorite mystery authors, and her publisher, Bookouture, always publishes the very best novels. I have read all of her books…and she keeps getting better. I don’t want this series to end!
It was so refreshing to touch base with Kim’s CID team again: DS Bryant, DS Penn, and DC Stacey Wood. Her team are driven and compassionate in their work. The characters keep getting stronger and stronger. We also touch base with Kim’s boss, DCI Woodward, Alison Lowe, the behaviorist, Keats, the local pathologist, and Mitch, the lead forensic technician and …and who could forget Kim’s faithful dog, Barney. Love that dog!
The novel opens with Detective Kim Stone’s return to work after her near-death experience at the hands of the killer, Symes. Still mending her broken mind and body from her last harrowing case, Kim is supposed to be easing back into work gently. During her absence, the team was being destroyed by DI Burns, an ambitious person only on the path that will lead to promotion. Stacey is ready to request a transfer off the team as she can’t work with him, as he disrespects her and treats her as a second-class citizen. Kim resumes her duties and kicks Burns out, when she immediately realizes her team is ready to revolt.
Kim’s first case was of a nineteen-year-old boy, Jamie Mills who was found hanging from a tree in a local park, his death is ruled a suicide. Detective Kim Stone’s instincts tell her something isn’t right.
A follow-up with his mother reveals no sign of emotional distress at the loss of her son?
But then she finds a crucial, overlooked detail: Jamie had a recent injury that would have made it impossible for him to climb the tree. He must have been murdered.
Kim visits Jamie’s parents and is shocked to hear that they had sent him to a clinic to ‘cure� him of his sexuality. According to his mother, Jamie was introverted and prone to mood swings.
After investigation of the clinic, the clinic run by the Gardner family, claim that patients come of their own accord and are free to leave at any time. But why are those that attended the clinic so afraid to speak of what happens there? And what about restraint marks on Jamie’s wrists?
Then the body of a young woman is found dead by suffocation and Kim learns that the victim spent time at the clinic too, and her death was also staged to look like a suicide.
Kim and her team must stop a killer from silencing the clinic’s previous patients.
This was a fast-paced crime thriller, with relatable characters, and short chapters that kept the suspense level high. Another brilliant read that gripped you from beginning to the end. Another winner!
My thanks to the author, Bookouture and Netgalley for my digital copy.
It was so refreshing to touch base with Kim’s CID team again: DS Bryant, DS Penn, and DC Stacey Wood. Her team are driven and compassionate in their work. The characters keep getting stronger and stronger. We also touch base with Kim’s boss, DCI Woodward, Alison Lowe, the behaviorist, Keats, the local pathologist, and Mitch, the lead forensic technician and …and who could forget Kim’s faithful dog, Barney. Love that dog!
The novel opens with Detective Kim Stone’s return to work after her near-death experience at the hands of the killer, Symes. Still mending her broken mind and body from her last harrowing case, Kim is supposed to be easing back into work gently. During her absence, the team was being destroyed by DI Burns, an ambitious person only on the path that will lead to promotion. Stacey is ready to request a transfer off the team as she can’t work with him, as he disrespects her and treats her as a second-class citizen. Kim resumes her duties and kicks Burns out, when she immediately realizes her team is ready to revolt.
Kim’s first case was of a nineteen-year-old boy, Jamie Mills who was found hanging from a tree in a local park, his death is ruled a suicide. Detective Kim Stone’s instincts tell her something isn’t right.
A follow-up with his mother reveals no sign of emotional distress at the loss of her son?
But then she finds a crucial, overlooked detail: Jamie had a recent injury that would have made it impossible for him to climb the tree. He must have been murdered.
Kim visits Jamie’s parents and is shocked to hear that they had sent him to a clinic to ‘cure� him of his sexuality. According to his mother, Jamie was introverted and prone to mood swings.
After investigation of the clinic, the clinic run by the Gardner family, claim that patients come of their own accord and are free to leave at any time. But why are those that attended the clinic so afraid to speak of what happens there? And what about restraint marks on Jamie’s wrists?
Then the body of a young woman is found dead by suffocation and Kim learns that the victim spent time at the clinic too, and her death was also staged to look like a suicide.
Kim and her team must stop a killer from silencing the clinic’s previous patients.
This was a fast-paced crime thriller, with relatable characters, and short chapters that kept the suspense level high. Another brilliant read that gripped you from beginning to the end. Another winner!
My thanks to the author, Bookouture and Netgalley for my digital copy.
July 16, 2023
It has been two months since Kim's near death experience in and she is returning to work. As a DI she knows exactly what the psychiatrist want to hear. Now she has to meet with her boss, DCI "Woody" Woodward, and convince him she is ready. Kim has never let anyone get close ... not even Bryant who is her partner and friend. We see a vulnerability in Kim.
In Kim's absence the team has been led by DI Burns. Led only in the official sense. Morale is low. They are only taking cases where there could be publicity and headlines that could advance the career of Burns. He doesn't recognize or utilize the talent he has on the team. He has DC Stacey Wood making coffee and wiping the white board. When Kim walks into the office the first thing she hears is Burns telling Stacey to remove Jamie Mills from the white board. Jamie was a nineteen-year-old apparent suicide. Burns is too busy waiting for the next big case to waste his time on it. Stacey believes the case deserves attention. And Kim thinks so too.
Woody had told Kim to take it slow and not rush things but it is clear to Kim that it is time for Burns to go. Stacey is about to request a transfer and Kim isn't going to let that happen. She calls out Burns for his incompetence in front of the whole team. Kim is back!
When Kim and her team start investigating they soon prove that Jamie could not have hung himself and soon there are other suspicious deaths. What they have in common is the victims were gay and spent time at clinics that specialize in conversion therapy. Someone is killing previous patients and staging them to look like suicide.
Kim is struggling with her own issues. She has not fully recovered from her last ordeal. She has never been one to let anyone get too close or know what she is dealing with. But this time she may have to open that door a little wider. BTW - in this story we finally learn Bryant's first name!
In Kim's absence the team has been led by DI Burns. Led only in the official sense. Morale is low. They are only taking cases where there could be publicity and headlines that could advance the career of Burns. He doesn't recognize or utilize the talent he has on the team. He has DC Stacey Wood making coffee and wiping the white board. When Kim walks into the office the first thing she hears is Burns telling Stacey to remove Jamie Mills from the white board. Jamie was a nineteen-year-old apparent suicide. Burns is too busy waiting for the next big case to waste his time on it. Stacey believes the case deserves attention. And Kim thinks so too.
Woody had told Kim to take it slow and not rush things but it is clear to Kim that it is time for Burns to go. Stacey is about to request a transfer and Kim isn't going to let that happen. She calls out Burns for his incompetence in front of the whole team. Kim is back!
When Kim and her team start investigating they soon prove that Jamie could not have hung himself and soon there are other suspicious deaths. What they have in common is the victims were gay and spent time at clinics that specialize in conversion therapy. Someone is killing previous patients and staging them to look like suicide.
Kim is struggling with her own issues. She has not fully recovered from her last ordeal. She has never been one to let anyone get too close or know what she is dealing with. But this time she may have to open that door a little wider. BTW - in this story we finally learn Bryant's first name!
November 9, 2022
4.5 stars
Hidden Scars by Angela Marsons is the 17th in the Detective Kim Stone Police Procedural series.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Series Background: (Contains spoilers from previous books)
DI Kim Stone learned to be tough. Her mother, who recently died of cancer, was being held in a home for the criminally insane due to actions that almost killed Kim, and resulted in her brother's death. Kim had little to do with her. Although Kim's social skills are lacking, her heart is in the right place, and her detective skills outstanding . Her team consists of: Bryant, her right hand man and friend, and the person who voices concerns in a much more diplomatic way than Kim ever would; Stacey, who can find required information in a seemingly bottomless computer system; and Austen Penn, who for some reason, enjoys attending autopsies.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Kim has been on leave, recovering from both the physical and emotional damage caused by her last case, where she was actually beaten to death before being rescued and brought back to life. Although not really ready to take on a case yet, she finds herself jumping in when she realizes that her team is being run by Burns, the man who is partly responsible for her beating, and who just wants to solve big cases to improve his image.
Her first case will be heart-breaking. 19 year old Jamie Mills was found hanging from a tree, his death made to look like suicide, but Kim quickly determines he was murdered. His parents just want the whole thing buried. It turns out that Jamie was gay, and that is unacceptable to them. They had sent him to a clinic to "cure" him of his sexuality. It didn't work.
When another young woman's death also looked like suicide, it is quickly linked to Jamie's when it is discovered that Stephanie had attended the same clinic.
The Gardner family, who run the clinic are not very helpful, and insist their methods for curing homosexuality are legal and humane. If so, why are patient's required to sign NDA's. Kim's not buying it.
Meanwhile, Stacey is trying to find a missing accountant, but feels it may just be a case of him leaving his wife. But she may be missing something.
Even while devoting herself to the job, Kim is struggling emotionally. She is feeling guilt over her neighbours abuse at the hands of the man who wanted to kill Kim. More importantly, Kim is feeling guilty because she is alive. Then there are the nightmares.
My Opinions:
I continue to deduct ½ of a star for these really outdated, unappealing covers. But this book was amazing, and although it's touted as "can be read as a stand-alone", I totally disagree. Please read every book - and read them in order.
Be warned, the topics covered in this book are dark, scary, and disgusting. Homophobia and conversion therapy are never going to be light topics. However, Marsons handled them very well, with a lot of sensitivity, while still being very forthright.
The plot was really good, and although one of the twists was expected, another was not.
The characters continue to appeal, and I particularly liked the interplay between Penn and Jasper. The team is a family, and in this one Kim really admits that Bryant is a friend. I also liked that both Tracy Frost and Ted Morgan made appearances at Kim's house to show their friendship, even though Kim has not really seen them as such.
One of my favorite things.....Bryant has a first name!!!!
Anyway, after 17 books, you would think they would be getting "old", but each books is fresh, and I can't wait for the next one!
For a more complete review of this book and others, (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information and contact details), please visit my blog:
October 3, 2022
WHY DO I DO IT TO MYSELF EVERYTIME????? Why can't I just be a sensible reader and savour every sentence, why do I have to halt the universe, sit in a quiet room, mute the kids and hubby and devour it in one sitting???
As such a massive fan of this series, the minute the 17th installment of the Detective Kim Stone series fell into my inbox I had a little jig, punched the air and then pressed the big red stop button on the world.
For anyone who has read my previous reviews on the other 16 books in this series you'll know just what a huge fan I am, I literally fan girl over Kim stone to anyone who will listen and once again those around me won't hear the end of this new instalment.
I absolutely LOVED the originality of this plot, something that even though I've only read in passing has always held and intrigue to me. Conversion Therapy, what a sad and strange world we live in to know that some people actually believe that you can, as Kim said, 'un gay' someone.
In Hidden Scars Kim returns to her team after her near death encounter with Symes in book #15, still battling physically and emotionally, will she be able to keep her team together, face her demons and get back to being the Guv they all know and love?
A spate of supposed 'suicides' all connect with The Change, a conversion centre for those wishing to change who they are and 'cure' their homosexuality.
I honestly think that this is one of the heaviest subjects that Angela Marsons has tackled across this magnificent series and I personally felt that it was tackled with so much understanding and empathy she needs a round of applause 🙌
I fell even more in love with Stacey in this book, she was definitely the shining light in this story and really stood out. Her tenacity and skills are second to none and after being constantly being belittled and made Tea Girl by DI Burns whilst Kim was recuperating it was the case she needed to make her shine again.
I adore the relationship between Kim and Bryant and more so in this story as for once there was real vulnerability shown between them, their own guilt and hurt over the past case really affected them both so it needed to be dealt with, in the way those two deal with things anyway!
Teaser alert.... we find out Bryant's real name.. *no spoilers*... how come it had never crossed my mind that in the 16 previous books I never knew his first name?
I could go on and on about this book and every other one that sits before it but I wont. If you haven't read this series than just PICK UP THE FIRST DAMN BOOK, you will not regret it!
The BIGGEST thanks to netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC and of course to the fantastic Angela Marsons for once again letting me sit with Kim Stone for a couple of hours in peace and solitude!
As such a massive fan of this series, the minute the 17th installment of the Detective Kim Stone series fell into my inbox I had a little jig, punched the air and then pressed the big red stop button on the world.
For anyone who has read my previous reviews on the other 16 books in this series you'll know just what a huge fan I am, I literally fan girl over Kim stone to anyone who will listen and once again those around me won't hear the end of this new instalment.
I absolutely LOVED the originality of this plot, something that even though I've only read in passing has always held and intrigue to me. Conversion Therapy, what a sad and strange world we live in to know that some people actually believe that you can, as Kim said, 'un gay' someone.
In Hidden Scars Kim returns to her team after her near death encounter with Symes in book #15, still battling physically and emotionally, will she be able to keep her team together, face her demons and get back to being the Guv they all know and love?
A spate of supposed 'suicides' all connect with The Change, a conversion centre for those wishing to change who they are and 'cure' their homosexuality.
I honestly think that this is one of the heaviest subjects that Angela Marsons has tackled across this magnificent series and I personally felt that it was tackled with so much understanding and empathy she needs a round of applause 🙌
I fell even more in love with Stacey in this book, she was definitely the shining light in this story and really stood out. Her tenacity and skills are second to none and after being constantly being belittled and made Tea Girl by DI Burns whilst Kim was recuperating it was the case she needed to make her shine again.
I adore the relationship between Kim and Bryant and more so in this story as for once there was real vulnerability shown between them, their own guilt and hurt over the past case really affected them both so it needed to be dealt with, in the way those two deal with things anyway!
Teaser alert.... we find out Bryant's real name.. *no spoilers*... how come it had never crossed my mind that in the 16 previous books I never knew his first name?
I could go on and on about this book and every other one that sits before it but I wont. If you haven't read this series than just PICK UP THE FIRST DAMN BOOK, you will not regret it!
The BIGGEST thanks to netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC and of course to the fantastic Angela Marsons for once again letting me sit with Kim Stone for a couple of hours in peace and solitude!
October 31, 2022
Hidden Scars is the seventeenth instalment in the constantly compelling DI Kim Stone series, set in Britain’s Midlands. In some respects these are formulaic police procedurals, with similar elements and tropes repeating in each book, but you can’t really blame Marsons for giving her fans what they want. She manages to keep the series fresh by introducing a new topic into each book - in this case conversion “therapy� - and coming up with twists that still manage to catch me out every time.
Two months on from her near-fatal assault by twisted killer Symes, Kim is feeling the need to return to work, despite knowing she’s neither physically nor emotionally ready for it. Her team are being nominally led by the clueless and lazy but glory-seeking DI Burns, who is only interested in cases which will advance his career. When Kim discovers that he’s forced Stacey to stop investigating the apparent suicide of a young man, she can’t help but get involved, introducing her to the murky world of sexual reorientation clinics.
This was another gripping and fast paced crime thriller, where as ever the character dynamics are the most interesting and entertaining aspect. Kim’s rock-hard facade (Stone, geddit?) is starting to crack just a little, and she is finally starting to listen and learn from those who care about her - including, always hilariously, surly pathologist Keats and sarcastic journalist Frost, but most importantly she is finally starting to trust her best friend, whose first name we finally learn (okay second best after Barney, obviously!) If you need trigger warnings, this includes apparent suicide, extreme homophobia and emotional and physical torture which is referred to rather than portrayed. It’s a dark book with light moments - yes the adorable Jasper features in most of them, but there’s also a charming minor character called River that I’d love to meet again.
As with most of the books in this series, there are separate cases going on, which may or may not turn out to be connected. An author as experienced as this shouldn’t have to resort to coincidence to hold her plots together. Also, and I know I sound like a broken record complaining about this every time, a serial killer turning up in every book is just too unlikely, and the increasingly untenable no-Covid setting also stretches credibility, but these are my only criticisms and will certainly not stop me eagerly awaiting the next one.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily. Hidden Scars is published on November 9th.
Two months on from her near-fatal assault by twisted killer Symes, Kim is feeling the need to return to work, despite knowing she’s neither physically nor emotionally ready for it. Her team are being nominally led by the clueless and lazy but glory-seeking DI Burns, who is only interested in cases which will advance his career. When Kim discovers that he’s forced Stacey to stop investigating the apparent suicide of a young man, she can’t help but get involved, introducing her to the murky world of sexual reorientation clinics.
This was another gripping and fast paced crime thriller, where as ever the character dynamics are the most interesting and entertaining aspect. Kim’s rock-hard facade (Stone, geddit?) is starting to crack just a little, and she is finally starting to listen and learn from those who care about her - including, always hilariously, surly pathologist Keats and sarcastic journalist Frost, but most importantly she is finally starting to trust her best friend, whose first name we finally learn (okay second best after Barney, obviously!) If you need trigger warnings, this includes apparent suicide, extreme homophobia and emotional and physical torture which is referred to rather than portrayed. It’s a dark book with light moments - yes the adorable Jasper features in most of them, but there’s also a charming minor character called River that I’d love to meet again.
As with most of the books in this series, there are separate cases going on, which may or may not turn out to be connected. An author as experienced as this shouldn’t have to resort to coincidence to hold her plots together. Also, and I know I sound like a broken record complaining about this every time, a serial killer turning up in every book is just too unlikely, and the increasingly untenable no-Covid setting also stretches credibility, but these are my only criticisms and will certainly not stop me eagerly awaiting the next one.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC. I am posting this honest review voluntarily. Hidden Scars is published on November 9th.
October 20, 2022
Book 17 already in the Kim Stone series and there is no real sign of the quality dropping.
Kim is just back from her rehab after her last case nearly cost her her life and she has been advised to ease herself back in.
However when some suicides are reported and appear suspicious, Kim finds herself drawn back in again and into the murky world of a “conversion clinic� that helps people cure themselves of gayness(I kid you not and they do exist in real life unbelievably). When the suicide victims are all linked back to the clinic Kim and her team begin to uncover some even darker goings on there.
I loved this one overall. A really dark subject matter that I thought was handled very well overall and got the balance right between entertainment and treating the subject with the seriousness it should be.
I flew through this one and it felt a lot shorter than it was, always a good sign in a book.
We do get to see the more human and restrained version of Kim here and it’s all the better for it. She’s still not her old self, still traumatised physically and mentally from her last case but she soldiers on to try and save the day.
So why not 5 stars if I enjoyed it so much? Well I didn’t really care for the Stacy storyline here. Without going into details for fear of spoilers, I thought the resolution of that story arc was a little silly.
Overall though this is a fantastic read. A really serious subject matter that I think is handled with care, enough to entertain but also enough restraint to treat it with the seriousness it should be.
Roll on book 18.
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
Kim is just back from her rehab after her last case nearly cost her her life and she has been advised to ease herself back in.
However when some suicides are reported and appear suspicious, Kim finds herself drawn back in again and into the murky world of a “conversion clinic� that helps people cure themselves of gayness(I kid you not and they do exist in real life unbelievably). When the suicide victims are all linked back to the clinic Kim and her team begin to uncover some even darker goings on there.
I loved this one overall. A really dark subject matter that I thought was handled very well overall and got the balance right between entertainment and treating the subject with the seriousness it should be.
I flew through this one and it felt a lot shorter than it was, always a good sign in a book.
We do get to see the more human and restrained version of Kim here and it’s all the better for it. She’s still not her old self, still traumatised physically and mentally from her last case but she soldiers on to try and save the day.
So why not 5 stars if I enjoyed it so much? Well I didn’t really care for the Stacy storyline here. Without going into details for fear of spoilers, I thought the resolution of that story arc was a little silly.
Overall though this is a fantastic read. A really serious subject matter that I think is handled with care, enough to entertain but also enough restraint to treat it with the seriousness it should be.
Roll on book 18.
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
August 4, 2023
4,25 stars
Conversion therapy, is a potentially triggering topic to me, as an openly queer person.
Reading this was probably not one of my smartest moves.
And I am lucky enough, I've never experienced any conversion attempts in real life whatsoever.
And I might still get nightmares after this, despite the lack of real life comparisons.
Which is kinda interesting, because I don't mind the murders, psychos, blood and gore. But conversion therapy is another cup of tea.
So if you know you're sensitive to this trigger or have been on the receiving end of such a thing, I'd say avoid this, it's extremely well written, but not worth experiencing unnecessary additional trauma.
Otherwise it was good, as usual. The continuous high quality of these books is astonishing.
And it did shed some light on Stone's sexuality, which was kinda ambiguous/avoided throughout the previous books (and trust me, I tried really hard to find some signs she's either straight or queer).
Queer people are usually well aware of what conversion therapy is.
Conversion therapy, is a potentially triggering topic to me, as an openly queer person.
Reading this was probably not one of my smartest moves.
And I am lucky enough, I've never experienced any conversion attempts in real life whatsoever.
And I might still get nightmares after this, despite the lack of real life comparisons.
Which is kinda interesting, because I don't mind the murders, psychos, blood and gore. But conversion therapy is another cup of tea.
So if you know you're sensitive to this trigger or have been on the receiving end of such a thing, I'd say avoid this, it's extremely well written, but not worth experiencing unnecessary additional trauma.
Otherwise it was good, as usual. The continuous high quality of these books is astonishing.
And it did shed some light on Stone's sexuality, which was kinda ambiguous/avoided throughout the previous books (and trust me, I tried really hard to find some signs she's either straight or queer).
Queer people are usually well aware of what conversion therapy is.
January 21, 2023
Oh Lordy, Kim Stone, what are you doing to me? I swear, every book in the DI Stone series puts me through the emotional wringer but in the best possible way. In Hidden Scars the author digs deep once more, leaving me breathless as I follow chapter after chapter, unable to put it down. This is another belter of a police procedural, as Kim hits the ground running after taking some time out to recover from her last harrowing case. But she's soon relying on her police instincts as she realises that the initial verdict of suicide in her latest case is all wrong. I won't go through the book as there are plenty of reviews before me. If you like crime thrillers then you can't go wrong with Hidden Scars.
August 10, 2024
Kim comes after a recovery break and investigates a series of crimes related to LGBT.
October 11, 2022
We start with the aftermath of Kim's encounter with Symes, and her recuperation. as she is supposed to be easing herself back to work. But her love of her team and what they are having to ignore and the way they have been treated in her absence. Means she returns with all guns blazing.
It goes without saying that the plot is superb, and that Ms Marsons has found another way to depict sick and twisted people. I would love to know how much research goes into every book, Before she crafts not just one story but usually at least 2 stories that entwine with each other.
Whereas this one isn't as gory as some? Or am I becoming oblivious to it? But the usual hard hitting amazing writing is still there, humanizing and pulling us readers in to emphasize. This time the main subject matter is conversion therapy, which i have to admit I was ignorant of, not anymore!
It was great to see Stacey finally be allowed out of the office and have a case of her own, Things develop with Penn and his home life and a secret is revealed at the end of the book. One I had to say I hadn't particularly noticed.
The only bad thing about this book is iit's all over and we have to wait 6 months to book 18.
Thank you to Angela Marsons, her publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an Advanced Readers Copy of this amazing book, in exchange for my unbiased review.
Merged review:
We start with the aftermath of Kim's encounter with Symes, and her recuperation. as she is supposed to be easing herself back to work. But her love of her team and what they are having to ignore and the way they have been treated in her absence. Means she returns with all guns blazing.
It goes without saying that the plot is superb, and that Ms Marsons has found another way to depict sick and twisted people. I would love to know how much research goes into every book, Before she crafts not just one story but usually at least 2 stories that entwine with each other.
Whereas this one isn't as gory as some? Or am I becoming oblivious to it? But the usual hard hitting amazing writing is still there, humanizing and pulling us readers in to emphasize. This time the main subject matter is conversion therapy, which i have to admit I was ignorant of, not anymore!
It was great to see Stacey finally be allowed out of the office and have a case of her own, Things develop with Penn and his home life and a secret is revealed at the end of the book. One I had to say I hadn't particularly noticed.
The only bad thing about this book is it's all over and we have to wait 6 months to book 18.
Thank you to Angela Marsons, her publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an Advanced Readers Copy of this amazing book, in exchange for my unbiased review.
It goes without saying that the plot is superb, and that Ms Marsons has found another way to depict sick and twisted people. I would love to know how much research goes into every book, Before she crafts not just one story but usually at least 2 stories that entwine with each other.
Whereas this one isn't as gory as some? Or am I becoming oblivious to it? But the usual hard hitting amazing writing is still there, humanizing and pulling us readers in to emphasize. This time the main subject matter is conversion therapy, which i have to admit I was ignorant of, not anymore!
It was great to see Stacey finally be allowed out of the office and have a case of her own, Things develop with Penn and his home life and a secret is revealed at the end of the book. One I had to say I hadn't particularly noticed.
The only bad thing about this book is iit's all over and we have to wait 6 months to book 18.
Thank you to Angela Marsons, her publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an Advanced Readers Copy of this amazing book, in exchange for my unbiased review.
Merged review:
We start with the aftermath of Kim's encounter with Symes, and her recuperation. as she is supposed to be easing herself back to work. But her love of her team and what they are having to ignore and the way they have been treated in her absence. Means she returns with all guns blazing.
It goes without saying that the plot is superb, and that Ms Marsons has found another way to depict sick and twisted people. I would love to know how much research goes into every book, Before she crafts not just one story but usually at least 2 stories that entwine with each other.
Whereas this one isn't as gory as some? Or am I becoming oblivious to it? But the usual hard hitting amazing writing is still there, humanizing and pulling us readers in to emphasize. This time the main subject matter is conversion therapy, which i have to admit I was ignorant of, not anymore!
It was great to see Stacey finally be allowed out of the office and have a case of her own, Things develop with Penn and his home life and a secret is revealed at the end of the book. One I had to say I hadn't particularly noticed.
The only bad thing about this book is it's all over and we have to wait 6 months to book 18.
Thank you to Angela Marsons, her publisher and Netgalley for the opportunity to read an Advanced Readers Copy of this amazing book, in exchange for my unbiased review.
November 12, 2022
Another Kim Stone five star read. Kim has returned to work after her near death experience at the hands of Symes . When she returns she sees first hand that the person who has been running her team has hog tied them and cherry picking what jobs they take on. Kim to say the least is not happy and unleashes a verbal attack on him and sends him packing. Her team literally breathe a sigh of relief. The boss is back but she is dealing with the trauma and a lot of unanswered questions.
There have been several deaths that at first glance look like suicides, but Kim's spidery senses kick in and it is soon proven that they are infact murders. As usual this series goes straight to the top of my reading pile, it is devoured in one sitting. Brilliant storytelling and another five star read in this gripping and very addictive series. Loved, loved it!!!!!!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
There have been several deaths that at first glance look like suicides, but Kim's spidery senses kick in and it is soon proven that they are infact murders. As usual this series goes straight to the top of my reading pile, it is devoured in one sitting. Brilliant storytelling and another five star read in this gripping and very addictive series. Loved, loved it!!!!!!
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
October 31, 2022
If you’re a fan of this series you know the previous book, Six Graves was an emotional rollercoaster leaving Kim in a dark place. I won’t say more just in case you haven’t read it, but IYKYK. So I wasn’t sure what to expect as far as Kim and her team are concerned but things were definitely off and it was unsettling. Just another layer added to the multitudes the author already has laid out for us readers and somehow she’s always able to tug at my emotions while reading a thriller, which is not an easy task. She does it with a deft hand too, I never feel toyed with and I trust her process and know that everything is well thought out and handled meticulously. All of that to say, it’s a rocky beginning for the team when this book begins but soon enough you’re thrust straight into the action per usual.
The author usually explores two different cases in each book and this was no exception. This is such a clever tactic because there is never a dull moment and it always adds even more tension and suspense to the story. This time Kim and company are investigating murders staged as suicides and it takes them inside the world of conversion camps. I knew very little about these horrific camps or clinics beforehand but as always Marsons took great care and an empathetic hand when exploring them. On the lighter side I always enjoy my time with Kim, Bryant, Penn and Stace and I devour any new information revealed about who they are and what makes them tick. The final chapter answered the long awaited question of Bryant’s name and I loved that it ended on a lighter note. Overall another fabulous read in an excellent series, if you’re a thriller fan and you’re not reading this series are you even a thriller fan?! 😉
The author usually explores two different cases in each book and this was no exception. This is such a clever tactic because there is never a dull moment and it always adds even more tension and suspense to the story. This time Kim and company are investigating murders staged as suicides and it takes them inside the world of conversion camps. I knew very little about these horrific camps or clinics beforehand but as always Marsons took great care and an empathetic hand when exploring them. On the lighter side I always enjoy my time with Kim, Bryant, Penn and Stace and I devour any new information revealed about who they are and what makes them tick. The final chapter answered the long awaited question of Bryant’s name and I loved that it ended on a lighter note. Overall another fabulous read in an excellent series, if you’re a thriller fan and you’re not reading this series are you even a thriller fan?! 😉
October 10, 2022
Firstly thank you to NetGalley, the author and publishers for the opportunity to read an early copy of the book. What can I say another excellent page turner from Angela Marsons, I devoured this book in one day I couldn’t put it down, just like all the other books (I still have three to read, my first time out of sequence!)
Tackling what can only be described as a difficult topic, the story starts out with three instantaneous crimes, brutal murder, a disappearance and an alleged suicide�. Which turns out to be anything but a suicide. We then start on a journey into conversion therapy which brings The Change clinic into the spotlight. The barbaric ‘treatments� patients endure to make themselves ‘normal� in the eyes of the sad people that can't accept homosexuality. The story is heart-wrenching at times, and thought provoking throughout, a sensitive topic handled brilliantly. The way in which all the crimes intertwine and manifest themselves is genius.
Kim Stone, often rude and unbelievably blunt, is a wonderful character, her love for her team, again shines through, as does the love and compassion Kim’s colleagues have for her, especially Bryant, who o I realised for the first time has a first name, book 17 and that's the first time I've heard it!
Absolutely brilliant book, from start to finish, you'll struggle to put it down. Read it now, you won't be disappointed.
Tackling what can only be described as a difficult topic, the story starts out with three instantaneous crimes, brutal murder, a disappearance and an alleged suicide�. Which turns out to be anything but a suicide. We then start on a journey into conversion therapy which brings The Change clinic into the spotlight. The barbaric ‘treatments� patients endure to make themselves ‘normal� in the eyes of the sad people that can't accept homosexuality. The story is heart-wrenching at times, and thought provoking throughout, a sensitive topic handled brilliantly. The way in which all the crimes intertwine and manifest themselves is genius.
Kim Stone, often rude and unbelievably blunt, is a wonderful character, her love for her team, again shines through, as does the love and compassion Kim’s colleagues have for her, especially Bryant, who o I realised for the first time has a first name, book 17 and that's the first time I've heard it!
Absolutely brilliant book, from start to finish, you'll struggle to put it down. Read it now, you won't be disappointed.
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