I had my initial review all thought out prior to reaching the end.

However, it's close to midnight and I am writing this with tears in my eyes, so forgive me for losing all train of thought because that ending....

I was instantly pulled into this because it was like reading something from my past. Being a thirteen year old girl was hard. That's all I can say about that.

With many book series, movie series, tv shows, as the series progresses it sometimes loses its luster. You aren't as engaged because the work behind it seems to taper off or things become just too absurd.(Lost anyone?)

Well I can safely say that Ms. Marsons just gets better and better. I am truly at loss for words with this one, meaning it was beyond brilliant and going straight to my favorites.

If you have to pick one series to read, make it Kim Stone.

Detective Inspector Kim Stone is not convinced that the suicide of a teenage girl is what it seems, so when the body of a boy is found at the same school, it soon becomes clear that these incidents are no accidents. With a wall of silence encircling her, Kim gets the break she needs when one of the teachers is prepared to talk before she, too, is found dead. Desperate to bring this case to a conclusion before more lives are lost, Kim knows that time is most definitely against her.

What can I say? Every time I read the next Kim Stone book, I’m convinced that it can’t be as good as the previous ones, only for Angela Marsons to, once again, pull it out of the bag. This is unbelievably true with Dying Truth which, in my opinion, is the best of the series so far. This is no mean feat for a series that is now in its eighth installment.

I love a book that hooks you right from the start and Angela Marsons has certainly done this from the very first pages. It’s not often that a book provides a shock so early on but by starting the story at its climax, it is impossible not to read at a rate of knots to try to see what leads up to those shocking events. When we do finally reach this point in the story, nothing can prepare you for what you are about to read. There is no wonder that bloggers who have already read this book are talking about needing a support group – Angie, how could you?!

Growing up, many readers would have been fascinated by boarding schools after reading Enid Blyton’s Malory Towers series. Heathcrest, the school in Dying Truth is nothing like that, however, with secret societies and bullying being more of an everyday occurrence than midnight feasts and playful practical jokes. This is a school full of deadly secrets that are slowly being revealed, with staff and pupils doing their best to keep them well hidden. Kim being Kim, though, is determined to make a nuisance of herself, and is doing everything she can to get under the skin of those involved.

We also see a return of two characters in cameo roles. Reporter Tracy Frost is back, albeit in a very minor role. I always enjoy her interactions with Kim – two strong women with very different crime scene etiquette! Perhaps the biggest shock though, is the reappearance of Kim’s nemesis, Dr Alexandra Thorne. Still in prison for what happened in a previous book, Thorne is called upon to share her expertise with the detective. As Thorne is more used to being able to manipulate everyone she comes into contact with, it was great to see Kim have the upper hand.

Dying Truth is an amazing book and definitely one of my favourites of the year so far. Angela Marsons has certainly surpassed herself with this one. If you are not up to date with this series, make it a priority to catch up!

Dying Truth is the latest Kim Stone story by Angela Marsons. Although eighth in the series it does stand alone other than a couple of references to past characters and events. I have read the entire series and Dying Truth does not disappoint. Some edge of the seat moments. My only regret is Ms Marsons doesn't write fast enough to suit me! I was given an early copy to review.

I have been a massive fan of this author's books since I read her first release so I was desperate to get my hands on this, her latest release - Dying Truth!! Her publishers did a sneaky and put out a taster and I was immediately hooked.

Well now I have finished the book I have to say that this is definitely her best to date and being the eight book in a well established series that takes some doing every if I was completely reeling after finishing the story!!

I absolutely loved the book, the writing style is simply superb, I love the main characters anyway but the additional characters that are added to support the plot line for this one are great. I loved their interaction and the character development was spot on as expected.

No hesitation in giving the book 5 stars - it deserves every single one!!

Dying Truth (Kim Stone #8) by Angela Marsons
A rock solid 5 stars. Wow! What a book! Absolutely addictive and emotional. This book left me with a heavy heart. If you haven’t read Kim Stone series so far, do yourself a favor and start with book 1.
This series is close to my heart. There are so many police procedurals out there that features a strong female lead. But nothing has impressed me as much as this one. With every book, I grew closer and closer to Kim Stone and her team. Kim Stone is one my favorite fictional characters. In Dying Truth, Angela Marsons has taken it to a whole new level. In my opinion, this is the best book in the series so far. The ending left me devastated. I am still not out of it. I have only one question for Angela Marsons, “But why? “
Dying truth starts with the death of a thirteen-year-old Sadie Winters at Heathcrest academy, one of the most influential private school in town. On the surface, it looks like a suicide however Kim’s instinct tells her that it’s a murder. When the evidence from post-mortem report suggests it’s a murder, Kim and her team jump right into investigation. The team faces lot of resistance from the school as the murder investigation may damage the “reputation” of the school. With more students falling victim, Kim and her team must give everything they have got to catch the murderer.
Set in a private boarding school, the plot explores the secret clubs, hazing and its underlying evils. The setting is incredible and there are twists and turns throughout the book. Kim and Bryant work seamlessly well together in uncovering lot of secrets. Kevin and Stacey have also become an integral part of the team as they lead their own lines of enquiry. The pace picked up from page 1 and it never slowed down. I completed the book in two sittings it was simply unputdownable.
As in every book in this series, the characters shine the most. Somehow Angela Marsons manages to create so many amazing characters and makes you love every single one of them. I love how Kim and her team absolutely work well together. The camaraderie and chemistry between them is what I love the most. There are lot of scenes from this book that I will remember for a very long time.
I thank the author, Bookouture and Netgalley for providing me the ARC.
This will definitely be one of my favorites this year. Again, if you haven’t read this series definitely check it out. You won’t be disappointed.

I have read the previous books in this series. This book was another fun to read mystery. Some interesting twists and turns and one big surprise as part of the ending. This is a book I would recommend to others.

A great series, an excellent writer, superb story lines. Angela Marsons gets better and better and always has the ability to shock and surprise. Highly recommended!

How on earth am I meant to review this? I mean lets make this quick, if you are a fan of thrillers, heart stopping action, Angela Marsons, Kim Stone, Bookouture books, and want to be as opened mouthed as I am at the end of the book - then just make it a priority to read this one.

Easily the best book in the series, some of it may work better if you have read the previous books in the series but at the heart of it is a fascinating set of circumstances leading to multiple deaths.

I didn't have a clue who had done it,well I had one but I was so wrong, thankfully, and just wow. This is police procedural at its best.

Most of the book is focused on solving what is going on a a prestigious boarding school, after the first girl that dies is made to look like a suicide. But if I say anything else about the plot I will spoil things completely, just trust me its a cracker.

The writing is definitely the best yet, and the storyline well you can tell from this that I'm very impressed. It is complex, intriguing, and the writing hooked me in completely. I read the majority of this book in a few short hours not pausing for breathe.

What I am though is very curious as to what the next book in the series will bring and I know I will be first in line to read it when its available.

And if you didn't get the message at the top of this review, here is is put simply - Amazing book, best in the series and just wow!

Thank you to Netgalley and Bookouture for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.

5 Bloody Beautiful Stars!

How can I talk about this book when my heart is in my throat??? Angela Marsons again delivers and delivers hard in this novel, the 8th book in the phenomenal Kim Stone series. Every year since 2015 I have looked forward to my twice yearly gift of a Kim Stone book from Ms. Marsons’ pen. Why do I have such a high opinion of this series? Simple. These characters, these stories, these books make me FEEL. Every time. And that’s why I go into every book totally cold, never reading the blurb, immersing myself, and knowing I won’t be disappointed.

Now if a story teaches me something as well as makes me feel, then we have the perfect recipe. And learn I do from Ms. Marsons. This author has knack for picking serious timely themes and researching the hell out of them before presenting her findings in terrific storylines. In this book we are submersed in the culture of private schools for children of the wealthy. We see the pros and cons of clubs and secret societies that can last for a lifetime. We are exposed to bullying, by students and staff alike. The consequences of privilege, jealousy, revenge, unintentional pregnancy, and obesity are explored. And we even get a lesson in childhood psychopathy with expert commentary by an unforgettable character from an earlier book. So many themes are touched upon—I was captivated.

Now the best part about the Kim Stone series—the characters themselves. We don’t get quite as much inner Kim as we did in some of the previous books, but what we do get is gold. We also continue to discover more and more about Stacey and Kev. Who knew there was such a warm and caring heart buried within Kevin Dawson? These two, along with Bryant, could each star in their own individual series. Most of the crime books I read do not leave me with vivid memories of the protagonist’s team members, but I will never have to think if I am ever asked who works with Kim Stone. I love these guys.

In regards to the side players, I won’t kid you, there are a lot of them. But thanks to the author’s depictions of each, I rarely had to use the search button to clarify who was who. There are also multiple threads to keep up with, but again, I did not find this a problem at all.

Oh, and thank you, Ms. Marsons, for not going the trendy multiple POV route and for keeping the timeline of the narrative almost exclusively in the present. I don’t really mind going back and forth in time, as that format generally benefits “show” rather than “tell”, but this was a nice change.

Did I mention the ending? God, my palms were actually sweating as that played out. I don’t think that’s ever happened before. And again, it landed my heart directly into my throat. The last two chapters and the epilogue are exceptionally well done. Kudos, dear author!

Angela Marsons remains on an upward projectory as she completes book 8 of a planned 16 book series. She continues to stretch the boundaries and has started to take some real risks. I have nothing but admiration for the direction she is going.

Now, Bookouture people, you can’t let her stop at only 16 Kim Stone books. Could you please redo her contract and make it 32? Pretty pretty please? I promise to read them all.

Many thanks to Net Galley, Bookouture, and Ms. Angela Marsons for approving me to read an ARC of this novel. All opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.

Gripping, unbutdownable, addictive, a truly brilliant read. Loved this from the opening line of the prologue to the last word of the epilogue. Kim and team investigate a girls death in a privileged private school. In a world where not the truth but who you know calls the shots, and reputation is everything, how can they ever get to the truth? Stunning main plot and the sub plot continues to develop with some devastating events that will no doubt haunt Kim for years to come

I have no words. What a brilliant crime novel. Best in the series so far. But like Kim Stone, I am scarred. Well. Need to think about how to review this one. Actually I am not sure I can . Just go ahead and read it !Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this review copy

WOW, now this left me with a book hangover!
I have to say I think this might be Angela Marsons best Kim stone book yet. I was totally gripped and it literally made me feel every emotion going.
Kim is side tracked to a scene of a young girl who has jumped to her death. Kim doesn't investigate suicide, so believing it will be a case she can turn away from very quickly, turns when her amazing instincts click in and she knows this is not going to be as simple as suicide.
This book has a brilliant well thought out plot that looks at suicide, betrayal and the past catching up with the present.

If I could give this book 8 stars I would! I don't want to say too much about the plot but I think this is the best Kim Stone outing yet. My heart raced, stopped, broke and I ended the book with a full on fist pump. Fantastic!

As always Kim Foster doesn't disappoint me. She's as feisty as ever. Love her. The only character I didn't like seeing come back into her life was Alex Thorne. I have not liked that women from the first book she ever showed up in.

I didn't like the ending. I did not what to see one of her team members would not be in the next book. My heart hurt for her team and the team members family. His little girl wouldn't have a DAD.

With Dying Truth comes the 8th installment in the Kim Stone series. I have been privaledged to be on tbis journey since book 2 came out Evil Games which happened to have one of the best villains ever.

Book 8 was a surprise as I got to see a very different Kim. One that shows her compassion but also at the same time shows her failures as well which is in following orders at times.

The story was very difficult to read but also a very good one. It deals with a tough subject of children being hurt and dying. The book was tactful with how it handled this which is all anyone can ask for.

I am loving where this series is going and just see so much potential for growth in the series. We even got to see some of the most horrid events but at the same time the most selfless acts as well.

Bring on book 9

I really am at a loss for words for what to say about Dying Truth. There is so much I want to say but I just don't know how to say it to do this fabulous book the justice it deserves. 

The story centres around a boarding school. I'm not sure if it's because of the school setting or that some of the murder victims are children, but either way it had me totally hooked. I also think because there are children involved that you can really see how much it's affecting the team.

Dawson really stands out in the story. I loved how him and Geoffrey, one of the students, strike up an unlikely bond. It is one that will stay with me for a very long time to come. I think we see a more softer and caring side with certain characters than we have ever seen in previous books and it really makes for some emotional reading in parts.

Dr Alex Thorne being one of my all time favourite baddies certainly put a big smile on my face when I realised she was back, no matter how briefly. I know I shouldn't but I am actually routing for her to break out of prison at some point so she can cause more havoc and mayhem. I know, I'm bad, as I love Kim also. Maybe the author could write a series to do with Alex also. I don't want much do I? :) 

Dying Truth is a gripping and tense read that by the end I was an emotional wreck. Who knew you could cry so much at a book in a detective series, but I did. It just shows how talented the author is to have her readers so wrapped up in the story that the actions within it, affect us so much. Without a doubt my new favourite book in the series.

Angela Marsons has done it once again with the eighth book in the DI Kim Stone series. I have loved every one of these books, each one gets better and better but Dying Truth is the best to date.

Kim is back with her team as they are drawn into an investigation of a young girl who has jumped off her school building. It’s ruled as suicide but when another body is found, Kim and her team realise these deaths are not accidents.

This book is so well written with the usual camaraderie and banter which carries you through the book alongside the magnificent plot line. I finished this on the plane home and was absolutely speechless at how great it was.

A fantastic 5 out of 5 and I can’t recommend this book enough. Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Angela Marsons for the chance to review.

Angela Marsons never fails to amaze me after reading every book in the series I have always said “it’s the best one yet” and guess what Dying Truth is definitely “the best one yet” it really is. Here’s an author who has an incredible knack of making each book read like a “first” with heart thumping, exciting story lines that get under your skin and stays with you long after you reach the last thrilling page. One word I never expect to use in a crime thriller read is “emotional” but Angela Marsons latest read broke me, I ended up a sobbing wreck not a pretty sight let me tell you

Full review to follow on my blog

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of Dying Truth, the eighth novel to feature DI Kim Stone of the Midlands police.

Kim and her sergeant Bryant have just finished a call when the are asked to go to prestigious and expensive Heathcrest Academy to talk down a would-be suicide. They are too late and find 13 year old Sadie Winters at the foot of the building but something doesn't look right to Kim and the postmortem she insists on proves murder. Working her way through a maze of privileged connections and secrets societies Kim has her work cut.

Wow, what a great read. I thoroughly enjoyed Dying Truth from the first page which has an injured Kim looking for help to the last which had me in tears. The novel opens not far from the conclusion and then flashes back 6 days to cover the investigation. It is a high octane mix of multiple murder, secrets, influence and the long shadows of the past.

The setting of the novel revolves around the clannish, elitist nature of private education. Much of it is hard to swallow, except that past real events prove that it is probably based in fact. I don't want to believe it because so much self interest is revolting but that says more about me than the ways of the world. Ms Marsons does an excellent job of portraying this attitude.

Dying Truth is a very polished novel with a steady stream of reveals and events which mesh together perfectly to hold the reader's attention throughout. The characters are well drawn with their own actions and Kim's assessment of them for the reader to draw on and their interactions add some light humour to leaven the dark subject matter. It all adds up to a great read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

Another great story by this author, Kim Stone at her best. Another clever plot with Lots of twists and turns but a shame about the sad end