Wow Kim Stone is back after her run in with Symes and what a return!

I have loved every one of this series and this instalment is no exception, Kim is of course her usual stubborn self after being forced to recover physically and mentally and really is back too soon, but her team need her and she needs them.

Thanks to netgalley for this arc which i devoured like the previous 16. 5 stars and i cannot wait for the next one.

Keep them coming Angela!

Yet another fantastic instalment in the DI Kim Stone series - I cannot get enough of these books, Angela Marsons is a genius!

Another amazing Kim Stone story, I was hooked from page 1........I'm looking forward to reading more.

As soon as I was told I could read this I couldn't wait to get started although a part of me was apprehensive that as book 17 on a series the storyline would be a rehashed version of previous books. How wrong I was-from the very first page I was hooked and could not stop reading it,I had to find out what happened next. As a reader of all the previous books it was great to see how the characters would be moved along and it's almost like they are friends. I had a few extremely nights this week just so I could pick up where I left off. I absolutely loved this book so much and am so excited to see what happens in the next book.

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.

Hidden Scars is a deeply layered compulsive read in the Kim Stone series. After her last case Kim has been left physically and mentally damaged, she returns to work but is only initially given a desk job. It soon becomes apparent to Kim that the morale of her team is at an all time low due to the stand in D.I. treating them like idiots, refusing to listen to their opinions and just wanting the all glory.
Having seen and heard enough, in a brilliant scene Kim removes the DI and takes control. With a husband reported missing and three murders initially made to look like suicides the team have their hands full. They discover a link with the murders, each victim is gay and attended a private clinic that offers conversion therapy to make them “normal”
Horrified at what they discover about this clinic it’s full steam ahead to investigate and put the case together.
Although fighting her demons and nightmares she bring out the absolute best in her team and their support really helps her.
A story that is gripping and powerful. This series remains as compulsive and fresh as ever and gets better and better.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

I don’t know how Angela Marsons does it but 17 books in and I was still excited to start and flew through with the inability to put it down!

We picked up with Kim back at work following the “incident” in the previous book, the team falling apart and a (non…) suspicious death that wasn’t exciting enough to be looked into.

The subject matter of conversion therapy was interesting but also infuriating to think that these things happen. I think it was great the way Angela handled educating the reader on this topic by also educating Kim and Bryant throughout the story.

I had a good idea of who the perpetrator was but the second bombshell at the end was fantastic!

Thoroughly enjoyed this instalment and I’m intrigued to see if DI Useless comes back in future books!

I love this series and this was a brilliant addition

The plot for this one was dark, gritty and intense and even though it may sound strange, it was an easy one to read, I found it to be addictive and I had the book read in a day, the author is a fantastic storyteller and really brings her books to life.

I liked the characterisation and I loved being able to catch up with Stone and her team. I was keen to see what had happened since the previous book, although this one can easily be read as a standalone, I wasn’t disappointed and the continuation of the themes was great.

The book was superb, the series gets better and better and as soon as I finish the latest release I want to get my hands on the next time and time again.

It is 5 stars from me for this one, it was well developed, well written and a completely addictive read – very highly recommended!!

Thank you for my copy of this book to read and review.

I have read all of the Kim Stone books and eagerly await the next one. As always, this latest instalment did not disappoint. A brilliant, quite dark but original plot…I was hooked from the first chapter.

For me, Angela Marson’s books are just as much about the characters as the actual story. I’m already looking forward to the next one!

A 5* British crime series.

16 books prior to this one I stumbled across Angela Marsons by complete accident and I have never regretted reading any of these books as each book has you hooked from the start. As for this instalment, book number 17 what can I say but WOW and LOVED IT.Another page turning murder investigation which covers a sensitive topic with such care and detail. Just read it, you will not be disappointed :-)

Hidden Scars is book number 17 in the Kim Stone series (Angela Marsons). I'm into a couple of different series and each new book is like a visit with old friends. I started my journey with Kim in book #2. I enjoyed it so much I then purchased book #1. I've read every one since then, Ms Marsons never disappoints. I want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for an early copy to review.

I want to like every book I read. In fact I want to love every book I read, but eveerybody knows it's not possible. Some books are not your cup of tea and some you think are amazing. Some make you wait for it  and some will pull you in from the very first page . While reading some you think, 'jeez, still x% to go' , and others will make you go 'oh no, only x% left!'

You probably wonder in which of these categories this book belongs. Let me tell you. It was amazing, pulled me in from the very first page and made me want it to last forever. 

What is the definition of a good boss? It's someone who is fair, who appreciates and values their team and who gives the right person the right job. Kim Stone is the textbook example of a good boss and in return she gets her team's respect and they would do anything for her. They know she will not stop before she has got to the bottom of the case they are investigating and they are with her every step of the way.

It goes without saying: the author has given us an excellent book once again. This story is built around a very heavy topic. It was beautiful and disgusting at the same time. Hope to see you soon, Kim. 5 stars

Thank you

When a Kim Stones book is published everything is on hold until I have read it.

What can I say that I haven't said about the previous 16 books. After so many books I was a little apprehensive that this may not live up to my high expectations but after the first chapter those worries disappeared.

This main storyline an addictive read that made me sad and angry. The author is first class at highlighting a difficult topic. Kim and her team are back doing what they do best. I loved learning more about Penn plus having Stacey investigating on her own.

There wasn't anything to dislike about this book, other than I didn't want it to end. Another 5 star read and I highly recommend anyone who hasn't read this series to start reading them.

Once again a brilliant installment in this fantastic Kim Stone series. This series is so much more than the great plots , it's about the team, their characters and their strengths and weaknesses. The plot and investigation and topic in Hidden Scars is heartbreaking but also jaw dropping considering the lengths and torturous actions inflicted upon innocent individuals . Look forward to book 18!

You have to hand it to Marsons, she's a powerhouse of a writer when it comes to Black Country crime fiction. She always delivers, and 'Hidden Scars' is no exception. This is an ambitious one for Marsons, who tackles the thorny subject of 'changing' sexual orientation, murders and a missing husband, all in one go. Her erstwhile protagonist, Kim Stone, is back after a break from work (following what happened in the previous novel. No spoilers. Read it though, it's a good one.) What Marsons is really excellent at is creating a compelling plot - she excels at creating compelling and believable plots, and, in this case, plot threads that are highly sensitively handled. It's the plot that always carries the Kim Stone novels, and that's certainly the case with this one. I say this because there are some occasional narrative glitches and a bit of over-writing in places that tend to cause a readerly 'snag'. Sometimes this is just overdoing the telling by repeating the same point in a slightly different way, sometimes it feels like an editing oversight. That said, this is a belter of a novel, and if you're a Kim Stone fan, you'll love it. Recommended, and with eager anticipation of the next one. My thanks to the publishers and to NetGalley for the early copy.

Book 17! 17!!!! That's 16 times I've typed the words "a brilliant read" at least 12 times I've typed "Angela Marsons gets better with every instalment" and "I didn't think she could top the last book but she did it again!!"
The Kim Stone series is THE BEST long running series in British crime fiction, if you haven't started reading these books yet you should, now! I don't think I need to say anything more!

Ya don't put Baby in a corner and you sure don't put DI Kim Stone on a shelf for very long.

Kim Stone was brutally injured in the last novel in this series by the demented Symes in #16. Angela Marsons knows the masses of hardcore fans out there want to see Kim still kickin' ass long-term even in old age while braced up with a senior walker in hand.

It's been two months of recovery, both physically and emotionally, for Kim. She's been called in by her boss, DCI "Woody" Woodward for an evaluation before returning to work at the Halesowen CID. The checklist responses say one thing and the unease within Kim says another. She's cleared for lighter duty.

But returning to her desk gives her some bad, bad visuals. Acting DI Ian Burns, inept and clueless, has just about ruined her sacred team. He dismisses potential hot cases and treats victims in a callous manner. Kim convinces Woody that it's time to show Burns to the door.

New Case: Although treated as a suicide, the death of Jamie Mills doesn't sit right with Kim. It's that sixth sense that even Spidey himself gleans advice from Kim that tells her that Jamie was never physically capable of hanging himself from that tree. And now we have a line of other individuals listed as suicides.

Add to this some strange goings on at two different clinics, Change and Exodus, that use conversion therapy to transform gay individuals straight. All clients, who are distraught by their sexuality, have signed an NDA and have entered on a voluntary basis. (Yes, folks, places of this kind do actually exist. The horror of it all is beyond words.) Kim's outstanding team of Bryant, Stacey, and Penn are on it with some remarkable uncoverings.

Angela Marsons does an outstanding job of incorporating a crime so heinous that it should reach the eyes and ears of everyone. Marsons implements this storyline with compassion and with dignity afforded to her characters here. She breathes life into them and perhaps floats a random name of our own knowing. Marsons' Kim and company fights for us ALL.....

Hidden Scars speaks to the seen and the unseen. The same diligence is there with high intelligence and fortitude as with all the editions before this one. Ah, Kim, it's so good to have ya back again in action once again. Respectfully done, Marsons.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Bookouture and to the talented Angela Marsons for the opportunity.

I cannot get enough of this series, every time I go in worried that the book wont live up to the predecessors and each time the author knocks it out of the park! This really is one of my favourite series.

This plot was quite dark, sickening and makes the reader think. As usual with these books there are multiple threads running through out that keep you hooked. I love the found family Kim has with Penn, Stacy, Bryant and even Frost, it never fails to make me smile.

I think readers really need to check the TW on this one as it covers a lot of very sensitive topics.

The book Hidden Scars (Detective Kim Stone Book 17) by Angela Marsons is so good. It's gratifying to see Kim back in action and to see Kim back with her team. Angela Marsons writes crisp dialogue and scenes that keeps the story moving forward.

Hidden Scars is about the difficult subject of sexual identity and the lengths some will go to keep people from expressing themselves fully and truthfully.

Hidden Scars is smartly written and sensitive to the subject matter. I would highly recommend this series, this book, and this author.

Hidden Scars is definitely a 5 out of 5 stars. Can't wait to read more from this author. There is never a dull moment in the stories.

#HiddenScars #NetGalley @bookouture @WriteAngie

By Angela Marsons.
This another book I’ve been given an ARC of, by NetGalley, in return I write a review of it.

I suppose I should begin with the fact that Angela Marsons is one of my favourite authors. Kim is definitely one of my favourite characters. This is the seventeenth Kim Stone book, and this one really blew me away. It was awesome.

For many reasons… Kim back at work, after being killed, and resuscitated, and the main storyline, of a clinic… not going to spoil it by saying more. But as a person who tries to take everyone else at face value, I just don’t understand how so many people manage to judge others based on their preconceived ideas about what is right and what is wrong. And also that people seem to think that they can change who someone innately is. I don’t tend to think of things like this happening in England, maybe because I grew up there. There is enough media focus on this in places like the US that it definitely seems to happen there. I don’t know that it happens in Australia, but it might.

Very early on in these books I thought Kim might be gay, and I had a real crush on her. I still hope, though. Or maybe just one day I might meet someone like her.