Fatal Promise is book 9 in the Kim Stone series. The previous book, Dying Truth, provides background into the story.

Following an incident, Kim has been off work for several weeks and her team disbursed to different stations around Birmingham. As Kim and her team return to work after the death of Kevin Dawson, they are all struggling to come to terms with the impact that his death has had on their lives.

They are called to the murder of a doctor who they have dealt with in the past. With a new member added to their team, tensions are running high. After several more deaths occur, they realize they could they be looking for a serial killer.

This is another great book in the Kim Stone series, we get to learn more about Kim’s past and how it affects the relationship she has with her team. A great fast paced read with twists and turns which leaves you wanting more.

WOWSERS what another absolute belter from Angela Marsons, I was left aghast after reading #8 (Dying Truth).

With each book, we get to know more detail about Kim Stone and what made her the way she is, she’s a complex character but this only makes her more likeable. When I read these books, I am completely drawn in and feel like I know them all personally which is why Dawson dying shocked me to the core.

Once again, I was drawn in immediately finishing it within the day, full of twists and turns so you never guess who the killer is, there is nothing I can say but AMAZING. LOVED LOVED IT but didn’t expect anything less! No need to tell you all about the plot line as the blurb does that but suffice to say you’d be a fool not to read this.

Many thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and of course Angela Marsons for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

Eeeny meeny, miney, moe. Who lives, who dies only I know.

When the body of a doctor is discovered brutally murdered in local woodland, Detective Kim Stone is shocked to discover the victim is Gordon Cordell – a man linked to a previous case she worked on involving the death of a young school girl. Gordon has a chequered past, but who would want him dead?

As the investigation gets underway, Gordon’s son is involved in a horrific car crash which leaves him fighting for his life. Kim's sure this was no accident.

Then the body of a woman is found dead in suspicious circumstances and Kim makes a disturbing link between the victims and Russells Hall Hospital. The same hospital where Gordon worked.

With Kim and her team still grieving the loss of one of their own, they’re at their weakest and facing one of the most dangerous serial killers they’ve ever encountered. Everything is on the line. Can Kim keep her squad together and find the killer before he claims his next victim?

The killer is picking off his victims at a terrifying pace, and he’s not finished yet.

Wow! Another instalment of Kim Stone and her team. I found the dynamics of this one slightly different but i think that was because of incidents in the previous book. I have grown to love the characters in their own separate ways over the whole series and this hasn't changed in this one.

This is a must read book for all Angela Marsons fans and if you haven't done so already read the whole series, do it now!
Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this advanced copy.

With thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the book in exchange for an honest review.
Fatal Promise. (Detective Kim Stone Crime Thriller Book 9) is again another amazing read. It is again another completely different topic and another series of murders to find out the culprit. Whilst also having her team still grieving for the death of Dawson and having a replacement thrust upon them. Kim Stone has her work cut out to get her team to work successfully again whilst she herself has also to come to terms with the death of Dawson.
Highly recommended.

An absolute belter of a book. still reeling from the death of Dawson, Kim Stone and her team of Stacey and Bryant are seeking the killers of an eminent surgeon who’s been caught up in a previous case. Lots of twists and turns and interlinked situations, Angela Marsons has woven an impeccable tale. I could not put it down. I just love Kim Stone and this book is no exception... Angela Marsons’ writing gets better and better

5 full fat stars no hesitation 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I would like to thank Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of Fatal Promise, the ninth novel to feature DI Kim Stone of West Midlands police.

Kim has barely returned to the office from sick leave when the team get a call about a murder. Gordon Cordell, a doctor they met on a previous case (see Dying Truth) has been found stabbed to death in a local park. As they start investigating news come through that Cordell's son, Saul, has been badly injured in a car crash. When a second body is found the team start to find links and draw conclusions. In the meantime Stacey is looking into the case of missing teenager, Jessica Ryan.

I thoroughly enjoyed Fatal Promise which is a fast paced read with several twists and turns. The plot is gripping, fuelled as ever by Kim's breakneck investigative speed so there is little chance to breath as she moves from one thing to the next. It's exhilarating. It is full of misdirection and had me following their logic at every turn, only for events to take another turn.

I must admit, however, that my enjoyment of the novel was marred by their inexplicable treatment of new member, Penn. He's not Dawson but that's not his fault and their reaction is childish at best. Grief takes many forms but the excuses for their behaviour are just that, excuses.

As ever the novel is driven by Kim Stone who is not very likeable in this instalment. She's hurting and angry, lashing out at everyone, including her faithful sidekick, Bryant. This is slightly mitigated by the very ingenious ways she meets her boss's deadlines and instructions without letting go of the investigation.

Fatal Promise is a good read which I have no hesitation in recommending.

How are we here already? It feels like just yesterday I picked up [book:Silent Scream|24483265] and was instantly sucked into the world of Kim Stone. I have tried sticking with other crime series, but this is the only one I stuck with for all of them.

Kim and her team are still grieving, because....you know. Ugh. Still not over that. When one of the doctors tied to the previous case is found murdered, they wonder if the Spades are at work again. Meanwhile, Stacey is set out to find a missing teen and works with the "new guy". Oh man, I just wanted to go in and hug Penn.

Reviews for series are hard, because you truly need to read the other novels to get a sense of what's going on, and I don't want to spoil it. If you are looking for a series that has twists and turns AND tugs at your heart strings...this is it!

The only reason this wasn't a full 5 because it had some very big shoes to fill after [book:Dying Truth|39501802]!

Here's hoping this series goes on for awhile...and brings back a certain evil psychologist.

I am sure Angela is getting better and better ,not that she was a bad writer to start with, but she is certainly at the top of her game now.I absolutely loved this latest book in her wonderful series,I couldn't have liked it more.The story kept me guessing, I also liked the sub plot of an additional crime, and the dynamics between the team and Kim was very realistic.I love the occasional flashes of humour it is just as you would expect people to interact and its great,makes me chuckle.I also think the obvious research into procedures etc is very well done and shows the effort that has been put in.The insight into Kim's thinking and personality was very moving and also very realistic, I thought it added a depth and made her even more real.no spoilers from me but I loved this and am already looking forward to the next in the series,thanks so much to Netgalley and the Publishers for an ARC.

I can’t believe I have never read a book by Angela Marsons before but I am definitely going to make up for it and start on the previous books in this series. Thank you very much to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Angela for letting me read this advance copy of Fatal Promise.

Since this is book 9 in the series I have definitely missed a lot but not enough to stop me from enjoying and understanding most of the characters. It helped that there was background information on Kim Stone. Without that I would probably have wondered what made her tick and why she was so alone.

The story is mainly one of revenge blown totally out of control as the murderer kills not only those he believes responsible but also their family members. There is also an investigation into a missing teenager and the terrible reason she is missing.

I completely loved the book and will happily recommend it and the series to others and give the book 5 stars.

"You were not only building a team, you were building a family."

DI Kim Stone is back at West Midlands after a break and those left of her previous team are returning to work as well as coming to grips with what happened in the previous book #8 so if you have not read the series from the beginning, please do not go further in this book. I don't really feel that this can be read as a standalone. The rest of this review may give away details from previous installments.

The theme of this book is grief. People handle their emotional pain and loss in different ways, and Kim, Stacey and Bryant are no exception. In addition, they are faced with having to deal with a new officer in Dawson's place -- Penn "NotKev" who is there as replacement. Met with anger and resentment, Penn is not welcome. But they still have to work together and get the job done.

The murder case builds slowly. A doctor is found dead and shortly thereafter his son is in a fatal automobile accident. Then an elderly woman. The victims keep coming. How are they all connected and why are they being killed? As the evidence seems to magically appear leading them in the direction of a viable suspect, Bryant helps Kim Stone see that things are falling into place a bit too conveniently. Meanwhile, Stacey is looking into the disappearance of a 15-year-old girl.

Although the investigation is certainly a big part of this book, the main focus is on the psychological aspects that the characters are dealing with and we learn more about the type of person that Kim is and how she has learned to deal with her personal issues from her past. We see how strong the bond is between the team members and how they support and care for each other. Once the killer is identified and the confession explains the "why" of it all, the point is again driven home that the things that happen to you or to those you love affect you deeply and differently.

I love this series and with every book I feel as if I'm going to a family reunion when I start reading. I miss the characters while waiting for the next one in the series and can't wait to "see" them again.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for this e-book ARC to read and review.

Fatal Promise is the ninth book in the Kim Stone series by Angela Marsons and it’s a brilliant story. In my humble opinion, the series just gets better with each book.
The team are all struggling to work through their grief after losing their colleague, Kev Dawson. Stone, Bryant and Stacey are trying to solve a murder when they are given a colleague called Penn to take over from Dawson. This obviously causes tension between Penn and the team but they have to try and solve the murder. It’s great to see Stacey being allowed a certain amount of free movement to try and deal with a case herself in this story.
The book has lots of tension and some sad parts to it. Kim Stone is her usual self, which makes for some funny moments - usually between her and Bryant! Its great to still be learning more about Kim and her past, as it helps to understand why she is the way she is now. This is a fast paced, book with plenty of twists to keep you hooked.
I highly recommend this book but would suggest you read the series in order to understand more about the characters in this series.

Brilliant brilliant brilliant, great to get bk to Kim stone and her colleagues after the ending of the last book. Great writing cannot fault it! Great story line, couldn’t put the book down! Amazing

Things are not going well for Kim Stone. A man down on her team, a replacement foisted upon her, and a doctor involved in a previous case is found dead in the woods. In quick succession, more bodies follow - and they're linked.

I've read the rest of the series, and this is one is possibly the best yet!

I always look forward to the next instalment of Detective Kim Stone’s work and life. Sometimes I wonder if it can continue with the same brilliance and this one is definitely one of the best. The team are still reeling from the death of one of their own team and the position has been filled. It is Penn, who the team like but that doesn’t stop them making his life uncomfortable.

The relationships and banter between the detectives and the portrayal of how they deal with the grief is brilliantly scripted.

Once again the plotting and storyline is clever and insightful with excellent suspense and thrills supplemented with amusing situations throughout.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and Angela Marsons for my ARC in return for my honest review.

Excellent read and highly recommended.

Another great book featuring Kim Stone. To appreciate the storyline in this one it’s best if you’ve read at least the previous book.

Slight change of pace in this as we see the team handle their grief. Again this draws you in & you’re left wanting to discover more about Kim Stone & her life.

So looking forward to the next instalment.

4.5 stars

Excellent 9th book in the DI Kim Stone series. In this book the team is grieving the devastating loss of a colleague in Dying Truth (Book #8). There are sad parts and funny parts. The team is adjusting to a new member who we have briefly met before. Stacey is given her own case to run. Kim and Bryant have their usual back and forth. I really liked the involvement of Mitch. I can see this series continuing for a long time, I hope. Thanks to NetGalley, Bookoutre and the Author for allowing me to read and review this book.

Oh my god!! I honestly have no idea how she does it, but once again, Angela has brought DI Kim Stone back to life in all her fabulous glory!! Although Kim and her team are still suffering after their recent trauma, there’s a job to be done. After time off to allow her leg to recuperate, with Bryant and Stacey temporarily seconded to other teams, they are once again reunited, albeit with a noticeable hole left by Dawson.
With changes afoot, nobody is embracing the new team dynamic, and Kim is certainly not a happy bunny when she has a new team member forced upon them.
Without wanting to spoil this absolute masterpiece, what I will say is that once again, for those blissful hours spent reading this, it really was an absolute joy to be back in the West Country with my favourite team!!

Keep them coming please Angela!

I received this book from NetGalley and the author in exchange for a review.

I enjoy this series of books by Angela Marsons about Detective Kim Stone and her team. The last two books weren't on my list of favorites, but Fatal Promise didn't disappoint, being fast paced, and suspenseful, with many plot lines.

Angela, keeps developing her characters, fleshing them out, a little bit more in every book. This book dealt with Kim's team having to cope with the death of DC Dawson, and the new member of their team, Penn.

The case they worked was a "mystery" till the end! In this book Stacey was given her own case, so there were two exciting plots going on at once. This book was one of my favorites from Ms Marsons!!

Fatal Promise is the 9th in the brilliant and addictive DI Kim Stone series which just keeps going from strength to strength.

Kim and the team are still reeling from the distressing events of their last case. Their grief is palpable as each one tries to come to terms with their enormous loss in their own way.

But murder stops for no one so Kim and the team are thrust straight into a difficult case where the first victim is known to them. But, as the body count rises can the team link the deaths and find the murderer before it's too late and more lives are lost.

I love the character of Stacey and it was super to see her given her own case to solve and it was great to welcome the return of Penn whom we had met previously.

What can I say except Angela Marsons has "DONE IT AGAIN" Fatal Promise is totally captivating & a fantastic addition to a fabulous series .

Yep there were tears- big lumps in the throat and heart thumping moments- plenty of action and twists and turns galore.
I absolutely LOVED it ❤️

Definitely A highly recommended 5 star read ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Welcome back #KimStone

Stop right there! If you haven't read the last book in the series (Dying Truth) you may live to regret it! This is the 9th in the series and I really do recommend that you read them all but at the very least read the last one! It's kind of necessary to get the full impact of this stage in the series. You don't need to, of course, it is entirely up to you but don't say I didn't warn you...

Angela Marsons never fails to hook me at the start of her books and once again I curse myself for starting reading it at bedtime because I know it will seriously eat into my sleep! Starting off with the voice of an unknown narrator at a funeral then immediately I was drawn in, no actually I wasn't simply drawn in, I was dragged in head first into the story and spat out at the other end!

Kim and her team are reunited after the tragic events of the last book and tensions are palpable, the grief is still raw and as a reader, I was immediately transported into the midst of the team and found it easy to empathise with what they were going through. DI Kim Stone is struggling both mentally and physically but being her usual self she refuses to reach out to others preferring to withdraw into the safety of her own company and thoughts.

When DS Austin Penn joins the team as a temporary replacement it is evident that not everyone is willing to accept him as one of them. It is clear that something more lies behind his return to the team and my heart went out to him as the others struggled or indeed, refused, to connect with him.

Kim has paired up with Bryant again after 6 weeks apart. I love the relationship between these two. It is an easy bantering relationship with mutual respect and understanding, He's the only one able to challenge her and they are a perfect pairing but this time round there is something niggling away at their relationship but just what will it take to restore a sense of balance?

Dogged determination drives Kim and she never lets her own demons stand in her way, in fact it is those very demons who drive her - protective of her team and fiercely loyal she is someone you would want on your side all the way; her past is explored through her relationship with longstanding friend and therapist Ted and the author cleverly lays out more of Kim's ghosts and troubles to the reader

When the team are called to investigate a brutal murder it soon becomes clear that Stacey is caught up in an investigation of her own; it remains to be seen whether or not she will come clean and tell Stone what she is up to or will she proceed full steam ahead and is this Stacey's time to begin to develop herself further in her career? I won't add any spoilers but I really enjoyed this subplot and the investigation that she was working on, I found it absolutely fascinating.

Expertly plotted once again the author demonstrates her real talent for bringing her characters and plot to life, through the lens of the characters we learn what makes them tick and what sends them over the edge, with each instalment of the series I feel I have got to know them better, Hell sometimes I think I'm going to turn in the tv and see Kim stone give a press conference. Angela Marsons has created a cast of truly believable characters who worm their way under your skin, with each instalment of this series they grow and develop making their way out of the pages and into your head.

Fatal Promise is about choices, love and grief. It explores the impact that each of these has on us. We also see the dynamics of Kim's team bear the brunt of loss and grief and how a small almost familial unit can be torn apart by one tragic act and what needs to be done and accepted to bring it back together again.

A fascinating read full of twists and turns and that deliciously devious mind that is Angela Marsons. If you haven't read any of her books yet then you are seriously crazy! What are you waiting for!

review will be posted on my blog nearer to publication date