Kim Stone es una mujer con caracter, anda pisando fuerte, le cuesta seguir ciertas órdenes, su prioridad es resolver el caso sin importar las consecuencias incluso arriesgándose a ponerse en peligro en acciones un tanto temerarias, goza del respeto de su equipo y de su superior, tiene cierta dificultad para relacionarse con la gente que no conoce o no le cae bien, carga con su propia mochila pero no va de víctima. A pesar de un carácter frío, sarcástico y a veces irascible, tiene algo en común con las niñas que le permite empatizar con ellas y potencia la carga emotiva, la desesperación y el deseo de descubrir lo que ocurrió en el pasado. Este es el primer caso de esta detective, habrá que ver qué temas trata en los siguientes y si se complementan tan bien como en este libro. El resto de personajes del equipo investigador también me ha gustado. Beneath the retreat’s cosy façade, Kim and her team uncover a sinister community preying on the emotionally vulnerable. 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.

Searching the victim’s home, Kim discovers a little girl’s bedroom and a hidden laptop. Why is his sister relieved to hear he’s dead – and where is the rest of his family?In this very dark and atmospheric police procedural, the author has done a fantastic job of creating characters that are real and totally believable, with all their faults and merits. We can totally relate to Kim, and we are drawn further into the story. I love the way Kim's own past is revealed over the course of the book, information is disclosed on a need to know basis. So many twists and turns to this novel, and the ending will have you in awe. I also like that there is a balance between the crime investigation process and the character portrayal. The excitement in a thriller is to gradually get at a conclusion, it’s to monitor the detective’s deductions, it’s to see how a clue or idea become a lead. If you don’t show all of this, but you just give me the conclusion (because the detective deduces things outside the book), how can I feel the story? It’s like taking a cooking class where they give you cooked food instead of teaching you how to cook it. Completely mind-blowing… I devoured this book in 24 hours and was sad to have finished it… I couldn’t put it down.’ Goodreads reviewer, 5 stars

Hasta aquí nada nuevo, pero tiene un punto que engancha y no puedes soltar el libro. En cierto sentido me ha recordado a otros libros que he leído hace tiempo, como los primeros libros de Patricia Gibney y su serie de la inspectora Lottie Parker donde toca el tema de orfanatos, abusos y niños desaparecidos, aunque este tiene un toque distinto.Sending one of her own undercover into Unity Farm is high risk but it’s Kim’s only hope if she is to catch a killer – someone Kim is convinced the victims knew and trusted. The crime drama is certainly not for the faint of heart. There is no shortage of graphic violence, and the set up is particularly disturbing, but don't let that distract you, because the psychological aspects are where the real scary stuff is. Plus, he seems to be the only one D.I. Stone trusts as a friend. I’m looking forward to seeing this dynamic duo and friendship evolve with the rest of the books. The dialogue between them was fantastic; sarcastic, deep and to the point. Many crime novels are a bit same-same if you know what I mean, it's kind of hard to add elements that make it stand out from the rest on the shelves. Where I think Angela Marsons managed to do this is with her intense characters, especially Detective Inspector Kim Stone. SO well done!

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. I noticed this series was very popular on Goodreads, so naturally, I had to see why everyone was so keen on it… well now I know! But, the body count just keeps piling up, however, unbeknownst to Kim, someone is watching her investigation very closely and if she gets too close to the truth, she could be the next murder victim. Detective Kim Stone fast realises she’s on the hunt for a twisted individual whose killing spree spans decades. As the body count rises, Kim needs to stop the murderer before they strike again. But to catch the killer, can Kim confront the demons of her own past before it’s too late?

Publication Order of Anthologies

Hours before, Steven Harte had walked into Halesowen police station and confessed to having information that would lead Kim to Melody. And he told Kim she’d have a more urgent problem to deal with first. Now Kim must play Steven’s twisted game if she’s to find Grace alive. 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. Her passion is somewhat uncontrolled and this keeps her in the doghouse with her seniors. Her team members respect her deeply and are extremely protective and loyal towards her. As the story of the challenge to solve the murders unfurls we get to know a bit about Kim’s past. MY THOUGHTS: The cover states that this is an edge of the seat serial killer thriller - and yes, it does deliver what it promises!