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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! She is signed to Bookouture.com for a total of 28 books in the Kim Stone series and her books have been translated into more than 27 languages. 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. 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?
When Detective Kim Stone is called to a local business, what she sees leaves her speechless. The photo on the driving license bears little resemblance to the man laid out before her, and she knows she’s up against the most twisted killer she has ever encountered. But as she breaks the devastating news to the victim’s wife, Diane Phipps, Kim can’t help feeling that something isn’t quite right about the woman’s reaction.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. 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.
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. 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. 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.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! 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!
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’sinstincts tell her something isn’t right. Why, when his mother is told, does she not break down in tears? And how could Jamie have climbed the tree with a recent injury? She first discovered her love of writing at Junior School when actual lessons came second to watching other people and quietly making up her own stories about them. Her report card invariably read “Angela would do well if she minded her own business as well as she minds other people’s”. I adore Kim Stone… incredible as always… I started reading last night and kept going until I finished, I did try to put the book down several times but failed hence another night’s sleep lost to Kim Stone.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ After years of writing relationship based stories (The Forgotten Woman and Dear Mother) Angela turned to Crime, fictionally speaking of course, and developed a character that refused to go away.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? 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. As Cher types up letters about overflowing rubbish bins in a job she hates, she dreams of Michael Hunter. He’s gorgeous, smart, funny and he’s about to become her new boss. But he barely looks at Cher except to ask for a coffee refill. How can she get him to notice she’s the perfect girl for him? 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.
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! There is a real feeling of pace and tension throughout this novel, as well as themes that will make any rational persons blood boil. With a touch of gaslighting, a huge amount of catfishing and an unhealthy dose of obsession, prejudice and murder, it’s a sure fire, action filled investigation, that leads to the high stakes, jeopardy laden conclusion of the case, just the way we like it. There is the usual banter, although it is often muted, understandably, as Kim’s fuse seems even shorter than normal – also understandably. Scarred from a previous case that nearly took her life, can Kim unearth the dark secrets within the Gardner family and is she strong enough to stop a terrifying killer silencing the clinic’s previous patients one by one? 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,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.
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