Another fantastic book in the DI Kim Stone series.
After the shocking death in the last book there is an air of sadness around the team in this book and I really felt for them all.
They all try and deal with it in different ways and the new member of the team, Penn, knows he’s not going to fit in straight away.
Bodies soon start turning up and Kim and the team are a challenge on their hands trying to find the killer.
The first victim was in the last book and was a very shady character - some would say he got what he deserved...
The link to the other victims is hard to find and with the whole team working round the clock, there’s a race against time at the end to find the killer.
There’s another shock in store at the end and all I’ll say is that Angela Marsons knows how to pull on my heartstrings!
This is a brilliant book and I can’t wait for the next one.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.

Excellent book with a great storyline. Characters that are so well written. I would highly recommend this book to anyone!

What more can you say, its another Angela Marsons and its another Kim Stone, these books really get better with every new chapter, I read this in one sitting on a cold miserable afternoon and was gripped from page one, cant wait for book 10, thanks Angela

I always approach each Angela Marson's book with trepidation but even more so when it's part of my favourite crime series at the moment due to loving her novels so much. I needn't have worried, each addition just gets better and better! The books do work as standalones but, as with all series', in order to understand the recurring characters, it's best to start at the beginning. This is even more important given that some of the people who feature in this book are linked to a previous case.

Marson's is a seriously talented author, creating emotive, heartfelt crime novels that tug on the heartstrings but are also compelling with an addictive quality to them. This makes all of her books "one-sitting reads". As always we have a suspense-filled story, which is beautifully written, with graphic violence aplenty but her characters are what really blow the reader away. I don't want to spoil it for potential readers, so I will merely say that the emotions from the previous book are still being felt here and the portrayal of said grief feels authentic to anyone who has been through those feelings themselves. There are plenty of clues left so that the reader has some fun trying to piece it all together and help to solve the case. Most of the time the twists and turns are unpredictable, even to someone who reads crime consistently.

Each of the component parts merge to create a wonderful novel, Marson's books never leave me feeling disappointed like some! I feel that the author's books are probably as close to perfection as you're likely to get, so if you're searching for superb crime fiction, grab a copy of this, you couldn't possibly be anything but impressed! If you enjoyed the previous books, you are likely to appreciate this one, too. I look forward to the next instalment!

Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC. I was not required to post a review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

I'm happy to report Angela Marsons' D.I. Kim Stone series just keeps getting better. Her very real characters keep growing and adapting to their changing circumstances even while dealing with new crimes which keeps the series interesting.

In this episode Kim and her team are dealing with the grief of losing one of their team, Kevin Dawson who tragically fell to his death while saving a child's life. For Kim her team is her family and losing Kevin hits her hard and makes her withdrawn and irascible. On top of that her broken leg is still recovering and she is pushing herself too hard physically. None of the team can believe that Kev is no longer there and are not yet ready to accept a new member, Austin Penn to the team. They'd worked with Penn before when he was seconded to their team and knew him as a good officer, but he wasn't Kevin so he knew he would have his work cut out if he wanted to win them over.

The case they are working on is a challenging one. A doctor found murdered in a park with little sign of a struggle, his son later critically injured in a serious car accident and the mother of a nurse found dead in her nursing home. Coincidences or somehow related? It takes a while for Kim and her team to unravel the clues and uncover the connections and reasons for their deaths. In the meantime, it was great to see Kim give Stacey permission to follow up on the unsolved case of a missing girl and see her tenacity pay off when she finds the real reason that the girl disappeared. By the end of the novel, Kim and her team are all in a better place and coming to terms with Kevin's absence. Can't wait for the next episode in this brilliant series!

I am already a huge fan of the Kim stone books and always look forward to the next one. This was a slow burner and I sort of guessed who the killer was but al in all a good read.

With thanks to Netgalley and Bookoutre for this ARC in exchange for an open and honest review.

I could not wait to get my hands on this back after the death of DS Kevin Dawson in their previous investigation.

The story begins 6 weeks after the death of Kevin and D.I Kim Stone was back at work after a serious leg injury.

On her first day back Kim and her remaining team Bryant and Stace were joined by DS Saul Penn. The team were investigating the murder of DR Gorden Cordel who had been found dumped with multiple stab wounds. Kim was familiar with Cordell after her previous investigation at Heathscliffe.

Cordell and his wife had separated due a long term affair with his nurse Natalie Mansell. Then Saul the doctor`s son died in a car crash returning to his parents home. Although it looked like a terrible accident, Kim did not believe in coincidences.

When Kim discovered Cordell and Natalie reported a hospital porter for theft she went to investigate. Angelo Mancini claimed he was not a thief and had actually caught Cordell having sex with a nurse.

Then Angela Mansell, Natalie`s mother was found murdered in the grounds of the nursing home where she lived. With Natalie on the run, Kim hopes to find her before it is too large. Forensics matched the DNA to Angelo`s son Giovanni who was also a porter at the same hospital. Bryant warned the evidence was a bit too convenient and urged her to look into other leads.

Meanwhile Stacy was secretly investigating the disappearance of 15 year old Jessie Ryan. Stacy explained what she was doing and Kim felt she was experienced enough to cope on her own.

To make matters worse Kim`s boss was reluctant for her to return to duty after Kevin`s death, He let her come back under the condition she saw her police counsellor. After being under the care of psychiatrists all her life Kim decided to consult with her old friend and childhood therapist Ted.

The story was fast paced and enjoyed the chapters from the POV of the killer. There was a sadder atmosphere to this book as Stace and Kim tried to deal with the loss of Kev. It was interesting to read how they coped with the new addition of Penn or NotKev as Stace called him to the team. I liked Penn and I think he will make an interesting addition to the team. I was won over when I found out he brings his brothers cakes into work to share.

I enjoyed Kim`s cat and mouse counselling sessions with Ted. She tried to hide her feelings but I found Ted`s unique thoughts on her personality interesting . I was glad that Stace was allowed to spread her wings and conduct her own investigation. The reason for Jessie leaving home was compelling because I don't understand how a mother could do that.

I highly recommend this series, if you are new to the series I suggest you read the previous Dying Death for the background on Dr Cordell`s previous misdeeds and Kevin`s death.

DI Kim Stone is back in the ninth book in the series and it is every bit as good as all the others. The team is fractured following the death of Dawson and are all struggling to come to terms with the loss in different ways. Bryant and Stace have been farmed out to other departments whilst Kim is recovering from the leg injury sustained at the end of the previous book. True to form, she cannot wait to get back to work and do what she does best. She is somewhat of a paradox – the things that make her such a hopeless person are the very qualities that make her such a good police officer, but right now there are serious doubts about her physical and mental health and she needs to prove to her superiors that she is still up to the job. In this story Doctor Gordon Cornell, a character from a previous book who appeared in a case involving the death of a school girl is found murdered and dumped. Whilst he is not a particularly nice person with a dubious past, the team are finding it hard to come up with a strong enough motive for his death, then further murders and suspicious deaths occur which point the team in one mistaken direction after another. The race is on to find a very dangerous killer before they strike again. Highly recommended.

To Detective Kim Stone’s mind, the removal of the plaster cast from her leg meant she was fit for work again. It wasn’t that simple. But murder didn’t stop for anyone and Kim’s first day back at work – desk duties; not likely – found them heading to a nearby woodland where the body of a person linked to their previous case – the case where she was injured and one of their own was lost – had been brutally murdered.

Doctor Gordon Cordell's death was the beginning of a horror run of murders. The killer was obviously in a hurry to fulfil his fantasy; it was up to Kim and her team of Bryant, Stacey and the new detective to stop him in his tracks. But could they? The evidence was strong – so strong it seemed they were missing something.

Meanwhile Kim as well as her team, weren’t coping with the grief they had bottled inside. Was it hindering the investigation? Was Kim losing her team who were as close to her as to be family?

Fatal Promise is the 9th in the DI Kim Stone series and just as intense and fast paced as the previous eight have been! What a brilliant series! Twists; turns; red herrings littering the investigation – plus the deep emotion that rippled through the book – meant I flew through this one and can’t wait for #10! Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

When Dr Gordon Cordell is found brutally murdered by Detective Kim Stone and her team, they are thrown for a loop. He was a big part of there last investigation where they lost a part of there team. When Dr Cordell son is found run off the road the mystery and the bodies pile up. This book had so many twists and turns. It was hard to put down.

Another great book in this series. Really well thought out and really well put together. There is a great plot and great believable characters. I hope that there are many more to come in this series.

Thank you to Netgalley for my copy.

WOW ! I love this author ! This is book nine in the Kim Stone series and it doesn't disappoint ! An exceptional story that was brilliantly written ! It's chilling , disturbing , haunting and so memorable that you won't soon forget ! I highly recommend ! #Netgalley #Bookouture #FatalPromise

I've been chomping at the bit to get my hands on this book after the ending of the previous. desperate to see what happens next for Kim and the team after the shocking events that befell one of their own. A shocking and very sad event that, initially, had me so angry but then, once I thought about it, I realised that it's making brave decisions like this which keeps a series alive; stops it from going stale.
Obviously, if you haven't read the previous book, you won't get what I am banging on about but, then again, this is book 9 of one of the best series I have read in time (and I read upwards of 250 books a year) so if you haven't read the others, please do start at book one and read in order.
Grief hits everyone differently and the way that the author portrays that here is so well done. But life goes on for the rest of the team and they have investigations to carry on with. Shorthanded at first but then a familiar face comes in to assist. Caught between needing the help and resenting the fact that they need it, due to the circumstances, is also very well portrayed in the book. As is loss of focus and the blunt edges that surround the investigation, for obvious reasons, also understandable. But, also continuing the previous book's story, there's a death. One of the dubious characters from Kim's last investigation is found dead; brutally murdered. The team has only just started their investigations when the dead man's son is involved in a nasty car accident. If this wasn't enough, there's a third incident. Another body is found with connections to the first. Meanwhile, there is the disappearance of a teenager which Stacy takes it upon herself to also investigate. Time is running out for the child as she is dependent on medication. Can the team battle through their emotions and get to the bottom of things before the body count rises further?
Every time I start a new book by this author I have the bar set very high. Every book pushes that bar higher. Even with what she did to me in the last book and then left me wondering how her characters would deal with the fallout. She just excelled my every expectation. But, at the same time, gave me another cracking set of crimes to keep my interest.
As always it is the interaction between her characters that really seals the deal for me with this series. Obviously we still have Kim and Bryant whose banter exceeded my every expectation but we also have a new player to our game; his position being rather precarious from the start. Kim also shows more of her vulnerable side once again, which is why this series need read in order; she is a bit complex! And we see another old friend pop up once again.
Pacing was perfect, character development second to none, and with a storyline that kept me guessing right til the end, leaving me satisfied at its conclusion. To be honest, there's not a lot else I could have wished for. I'm glad I saved it to read on my birthday - it was definitely the icing on my cake of a great day.
All in all, another belter of a book which I thoroughly enjoyed. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

I have just read books 8 and 9 in the series one after the other. What a rollercoaster ride. Could not put them down. Fatal Promise was all I wanted it to be and more from the first to the last page. Love the Kim Stone series and would definitely recommend it. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to review it.

I've just read books 8&9 of this series back to back and what a gripping reading time it has been!
Although they can both be read as stand alones, book 9 does continue with some follow on from book 8 giving the avid reader some much appreciated extra story value.

In Fatal Promise we are instantly caught up in the grip of suspense when the brutally murdered body of a prominent doctor is discovered in parkland at the edge of the woods.
Only just back on the job after some forced recovery time brought about from serious wounds sustained in the previous case, [which left her and her team reeling from the tragic consequences] Detective Kim Stone is called to attend the scene.

At first sight it appears to be a revenge kill due to the appearance and severity of the wounds...or at the least motivated by hate.
Kim Stone quickly discovers the victim is known to her from her previous case, where she investigated the death of a teenage schoolgirl in the grounds of an elite local school.

Is it just coincidence? Or could the two cases be linked in some way?
Could this be the work of a killer with a grudge?
Revenge?
Kim Stone is pondering these questions when she is informed of a near fatal car crash involving her victim's son who was on his way home to be with his grieving mother.
Whilst wondering at the seeming coincidences going on here, she is called to attend another suspicious murder victim, this time a woman, where she finds similarities and links which cannot be ignored.

Kim now finds herself having to urgently scramble her [still grieving] team into action as she sees possible links to each case.
The action becomes fast paced now and continues until the very end with each new lead raising more and more questions.

I'm in awe of Angela Marsons and her capacity for bringing a fresh feel to every story whilst at the same time maintaining a reliable relationship between her characters and their audience.
She has shown that she is not afraid of delivering some shocking blows to the reader at the risk of raising their ire, because the story warrants it...and it works so very well.

Angela Marsons is just going from strength to strength with every successive book!
Having read everything she has written, I have become an avid fan and look forward to each new book with eager anticipation.

5*s
Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for my copy to read and review.

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I've been reading the Kim Stone series since they came out and normally love them but I found Fatal Promise a little bit of a letdown. There are a couple of different crimes running alongside each other in this book and some of the background characters are taking the lead for about half of it. I don't dislike the other characters but I am definitely more interested in Kim's story and felt that this is what Fatal Promise was missing. One of the newer officers on their force Stacey is investigating a missing girl and Kim is taking the lead on a murder case. It does tie into the previous couple of books so I wouldn't recommend it unless you have also read them.

D.I. Kim Stone #9. I highly recommend that you read book #8 in this series first if you haven't already read it as it follows on from there.

Kim and her team are back. This story begins with a violent murder that has links to the previous case. They have a new team member but the team are still dealing with their grief from the previous case. They are also looking for a missing schoolgirl. The theme of this book is grief and how people react to their emotional pain in different ways. The murder case builds slowly but is the team dealing with a serial killer.? The victims keep coming but just how are they connected?

There are two threads running through this story. The first one deals with a murder investigation and the second one deals with a missing teenager. This is a good crime thriller series that gets better with each new book. With its steady pace, gripping storyline, several twists and a great character list that keeps you turning the pages. We get a glimpse into Kim's life through her interactions with Ted, a therapist she's known since childhood. I like how we learn a little more about Kim in each new book. This is a very enjoyable series.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Angela Marsons for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Another cracking read from this fab series

More character driven than previous books which works perfectly for me ... Raw and grieving after the death of their colleague the impact on the team is overwhelming, Kim's reeling, not fully on her game emotionally or physically and it's impacting on her judgement and usual questioning when things look too easy. The replacement for the team faces a huge hurdle ... not wanted, not welcomed and resented for not being the colleague they all still wish was there.

The two plot lines were, as always skilfully handled and totally engaging, leaving me guessing to the end but the beauty of this book was the interaction between the team, yes it's thrilling and gripping but also really hard hitting, you can almost feel the pain and emotions of the characters as they struggle to find their way without the friend they loved and trusted.

Although this could be read as a stand alone I'd recommend that you read these books in order, without doing so you will miss a thrilling series also you'd miss out on getting to know these amazing characters in depth.

A solid 4 star read!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book. My honest thoughts and opinion are expressed in this review.

After the tragic conclusion of book 8 in the series (from which I am still traumatised!), D.I Kim Stone’s tightly knit team were dispersed to various stations in the area, and we join them as they regroup some weeks later back at their base in Halesowen.

Understandably the mood is particularly sombre, with Kim refusing to face that traumatic event head on, retreating into her shell as she always does, to a place she feels safe, the others too are really struggling to come to terms with how their last case ended, and I love that the author has explored how each team member processes the grief in their own private way - their inability to talk to each other about it, preferring instead to carry the hurt of it around in their own minds, causing both mental and physical anguish - and this journey of grief is handled both with subtlety and insight, and produces some truly heart rending moments.


Fatal Promise has two threads running throughout - one involves a serial killer intent on revenge , and the other deals with a missing teen who is likely to die without her medication. Needless to say the tension never lets up for one single moment.

As ever, Angela Marsons manages to create so many nail biting moments with lots of twists and turns, and it goes without saying that her use of smoke and mirrors is exceptional.


Can Angela Marsons do anything wrong? Fatal Promise is as fresh and gripping as all the others in this series, and if you haven’t read them yet, you don’t know what you’re missing! Can’t rate this anything other than 5 big fat shiny stars!!

* My thanks to Bookouture for my arc. I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *

I absolutely love Angela Marion’s and have read all the Kim Stone books. I wait with anticipation until her newest title is realeased. Thank you for giving me to the chance to review this lastest one.

The main thing I love about these books is that you feel like you are part of the family! I love the way the story changes but the main characters can be found in every one, we see their highs and their ctmrushing lows!

I will never tire of Kim Stone and her team, what a rollercoaster of a book.

I was gripped from the first page

Fantastic read!