i absolutely love these books and it is always a pleasure to review them. each instalment is just as brilliant as it’s predecessor and the author is constantly developing the characters. fans of her work will not be disappointed in this latest offering.

many thanks to netgalley and the publishers for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I have been gripped by this series since the beginning, Angela Marsons always meets my expectations and I know I am in for a good read whenever she writes a new book, Fatal Promise was no exception.

This book is a must read as the quality of the storytelling is spellbinding. I love Angela's writing style. I find when I'm reading any of her books, they clearly play out in my head like a movie and this book was just the same.
Another great read from Angela Marsons, looking forward to starting the next book in the series,

Lives are shaped by choices. Whether small or critical, choices can affect not only the life of the person making the choice but also that of others. When choices destroy lives, the consequences can be deadly.

A prominent surgeon, who was also one of the characters in Dying Truth (Book 8 in the DI Kim Stone series), is found murdered in a park. Kim Stone and the forensics team soon lift a number of trace evidence from the scene and from the doctor's flat, making them wonder whether this was the killer's first crime. When the doctor's son is involved in a terrible car accident the following day, Kim's gut tells her this was no coincidence at all. She suspects that someone has targeted Dr Cordell's family and she's desperate to find out who and why before any more lives are put in danger.

In the meantime, Stacey investigates the disappearance of a teenage girl, a girl who has a lot of health problems and who can't stay without her medicine for too long.

In this book, Kim and her team regroup after a long period, during which Kim was on sick leave waiting for her broken leg to heal. She and the others are all still trying to come to terms with the terrible loss they've suffered recently. So, when Woody sends in a replacement, the addition is not exactly welcomed in the team with open arms. They see the new officer as an intruder. He shouldn't be there taking someone else's rightful place. Kim wants him out of there as soon as the case is solved. This creates friction and tension within the team, piling up more stress on Kim, who has yet to prove she's still capable of staying in the job.

Well, this was a captivating, absorbing, and at times knuckle-biting read that kept me hooked from start to finish. I would probably have titled this book 'Fatal Choice' as the story stems from one terrible decision, one horrific choice.

Kim is such a fantastic character. In this book I could literally feel her pulse beating and I really wished I could give her a hug, even though she's not one for hugs or cuddles. She's strong and hard, but deep down she's soft and hurting, continuously suppressing her emotions. In 'Fatal Promise', Kim is faced with not only another baffling case and a vicious killer to catch, but she also has to deal with her grief, prove she's fit for work and maintain her team's spirit, morale and performance. It was interesting to see how she would react to the new addition to the team. How she and the others would manage without their colleague. How they would start afresh without him. How will the team's dynamics be affected? What effect will the new addition have on the team? Can they ever overcome the loss and form a new tight-knit team again?

'Fatal Promise' is yet another absolutely brilliant, absorbing addition to the series. I couldn't put it down and I found myself squeezing in a chapter or two whenever I had a spare minute as I wanted to know how it will all end. Who was the killer? What happened to the missing teenager? This author has gone from strength to strength since she wrote her first book. This is the ninth instalment now and it seems that her creative mind knows no bounds. The series just keeps its momentum with interesting, perplexing cases, chilling murders and the awesome cast of realistic characters we've come to love.

I highly recommend not only this book but the whole series. What are you waiting for? Go and grab this book!!!

With heartfelt thanks to Bookouture for approving my request to read and review this book through Netgalley.

The pull I have towards crime fiction isn’t necessarily because I like studying murders or reflecting on the darker side of human nature or even that I have a desire to be a detective, it is more because the range of human emotions is there on a page for me to read, reflect on while at the same time having a mystery to unravel. Angela Marsons uses her latest book to demonstrate, amongst other emotions, grief. The team lost someone dear to them at the end of book eight, Dying Truth and we see them all cope in their different ways with their loss. There is anger, bitterness, sadness and guilt but despite all these human emotions, there is a job to do and they roll up their sleeves and do just that. This in turn gives Fatal Promise a slightly reflective feel, but at this point in the series that is no bad thing at all.

It all starts with a body… doesn’t it always? But this time the body is someone that is known to our intrepid Kim Stone – Doctor Gordon Cordell is found in the woods and so the team have no option but to revisit the case where he originally came to their attention. Although not the most likeable man on the planet, it is hard to see who would want him dead.

Meanwhile as the team had been assisting other teams while Kim Stone was out of action and Stacey who is, I must say becoming a very satisfying character in her own right, is keen to keep hold of one she started, it’s a missing girl and her instincts are screaming that someone should be looking for her.
These books get harder and harder to review. I love Kim Stone’s character, she’s strong and decisive, not keen on being told what to do but conforms enough for the reader to find her bullishness believable. Going back to my first paragraph, modern day crime fiction novelists have a challenging job. Not only do they have to come up with one plot that is credibly thought out and gives the readers enough clues to allow them to feel that they have a chance of solving the crime, they also have to keep the story relevant to the times we live in. No longer can we have maverick detectives spreading their misogyny or the like wherever they go, the readers know that the previous generation of detectives would spend their lives on courses or being put out to pasture, but nor of course do we want to read about someone who only cares about politics, we need our detectives to care about the victims, so that we do too.

Angela Marsons always gets the plotting spot on, and this is no different, in fact having two plots running side by side not only gives Stacey her time in the spotlight but also adds a layer of realism to the juggling of priorities which we know must go on in policing. The author also has the pacing right, some of her books have more of an urgent feel about them than others, and this is perhaps more on the reflective side given what’s come before, but her books always hold my interest and I know I’m in for a real treat.

If you haven’t started this fantastic series, I really urge you to do so, although for once I do recommend that you start at the beginning because they just keep getting better and for me there is no better place to contemplate the variety of experience, we have run down estates to post boarding schools, we have the big tragedies and the every day smaller disappointments and of course we have love and loss!

I’d like to say a huge thank you to the publishers Bookouture for allowing me to read a copy of Fatal Promise before it is published next week on 19 October 2018. This unbiased review is my thanks to them and Angela Marsons for another entertaining, and thought-provoking, episode in the Kim Stone series.

Fatal Promise is Book 9 in the Kim Stone series by Angela Marsons. I have been a big Angie Marsons fan since the beginning so I was super excited to read this. I think that each book in the series gets stronger, the characters develop, relationships grow that bit tighter and the storyline’s have a magnificent twist that you will not see coming.

This one did not disappoint, it was non stop action right from the start which kept me entertained and engaged. Still struggling with the death of a close colleague Kim’s team are having to deal with the transfer of new team member Penn. Emotions are running high as the bodies start to mount up, will Penn be granted entry into the elite team or is their grief still too raw? This one is a tough case, will they be able to crack it before the body count grows even higher?

I loved this book it was amazing, it was beautifully written, it had heaps of suspense and drama, it was emotional and had several wow moments where you really didn’t see it coming. I had a hard time putting this one down, my lunch break at work wasn’t long enough!

Angela Marsons really has the knack of sucking you in, keeping you absolutely mesmerised and left wanting more, I really cannot wait for the next book!

This book was fantastic, I have no hesitation in giving it 5 stars, in fact it’s going into my top 5 of 2018 favourite reads which is no mean feat because I have read some cracking books this year.

Again apologies for the short review, I am finding it difficult to sit for a long time and look at the screen after my cornea transplant surgery, it doesn’t help that I sit on one all day at work, but you get the gist I really loved this book!

YIPPEE!!!!
Another book from one of my favourite authors.
This is the ninth book in the Kim Stone series.
I was so excited when it landed in my inbox. As with the rest of this series I was hooked from the first page.
A fifteen year old girl has gone missing and a spate of murders. Kim and her team are still coming to terms with the death of their colleague.
This book was well written and I love this series. A real rollercoaster of a read and I got it wrong yet again.
As I said before this author is one of my favourites. I have read everything she has written. I love this series and have devoured each and everyone.
If you have never read this series why not ? This series is a must read.
I would like to thank the author Angela Marsons, Bookouture and Net.galley for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for giving an honest review.

5 stars! Angela Marsons never disappoints!

I am a huge fan of this series and DI Kim Stone! Another great plot, another fast paced page turner! Kim's past is intriguing and this author gives you bits of it with each story, I would love to have a whole book on it!

This is an excellent series that I highly recommend! Please start with book 1, you will not be disappointed! Also, Angela Marsons, NOT fair to do that to us AGAIN! You know exactly what I am talking about!!! :)
Whew... close call there.... I will leave it at that... May I also just say that I cannot believe we are at book 9 already?!?! Book 9! And here are many of us eager already for book 10. That says a lot about the author and about this series!

The team are struggling in this one with the loss of their beloved coworker and trying to move forward as a team of 3 with a new addition that they are just not too happy about... Penn... Will we end up liking him? Time will tell... But I know I will be here still reading to find out!

Another great thriller, olease keep them coming Angela Marsons!

A huge thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley for allowing me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book!

It's only my second book by this author and I realise I missed out on a lot, but not anymore. From now on, my eagle eyes are on the lookout and I will snap up every book that will be published.

I think this already sums up how I felt about the book but I will elaborate. 

The story is fluently written, fast paced, utterly gripping and mesmerizing. I love it when suspense is linked with humour, sarcasm and twisted minds. Hmm, what does that say about me? LOL. 

If you have not read the previous book, I would recommand it. It certainly will help you appreciate this one even more.

We are in for a treat, but what this means is for you to find out. It felt like my heartstrings just renewed their membership at the gym. 

I like the way the author reveals a bit more about Kim and what she went through. In every thriller there is cruelty, but this is often the result of a very sad event ... 

I won't surprise you that I rate this book 5 stars.

Thank you, Angela Marsons, Bookouture and Netgalley

What more can be said about Angela Marsons and her Kim Stones thriller books that hasn't already been said ?Yet again Fatal Promise is just as good if not better than the previous 8 instalments of this excellent series of books.Kim and her team are back together after the loss of one of her team and all of them are feeling the loss greatly but they are thrown into another murder investigation after a surgeon is found brutally murdered and then his son is also killed in a traffic accident,but are they linked or just a tragic coincidence ?Kim must battle to solve the case as well as battling her inner demons as usual and also trying to keep her team together,once again Angela Marsons has excelled herself with book 9 of this series.Yet again a superb 5 star read and i must say if you enjoy this genre of book do yourself a huge favour and read the whole series of books,i promise you won't be disappointed !!

I always enjoy Angela Marsons and I believe her storytelling is getting better with each book. Fatal Promise opens with the brutal murder of a well known doctor who has a history with the team of DI Kim Stone. Stone's team is particularly vulnerable at this time due to the death of a colleague. None of them are at their best but they have to lift their game if they're to catch a particularly cold and calculating killer. It's not long before another body is discovered with seemingly no connection to the previous murder. I have to admit I figured out who the killer was way before the ending but that didn't detract from my enjoyment in reading it. Many thanks to Netgalley for the advanced copy.

How are we on book nine already? Nine books in three years? Will someone get Angela Marsons on the phone to George R R Martin please? That's some pretty darned impressive productivity. But what's more impressive is the quality hasn't dropped. In fact the Kim Stone series gets better and better.



After the heartbreaking ending to Dying Truth Kim's team has been in limbo. While Kim has recovered they have been scattered, mourning alone. Now back together only to find their first case is linked to their previous investigation at Heathcrest. Dr Gordon Cordell, whose reputation was shattered, has been found dead in local woodland. Before Kim and her team have a chance to really get their teeth into the case Gordon's son is in a horrific fatal crash which is deemed to be an accident but Kim can't shake the feeling there was nothing accidental about his death. Another murder of a nurse who worked at the doctor's hospital convinces Kim they have serial killer on their hands. All the evidence points to one culprit, but can there be such thing as too much evidence?



This is a fantastic addition to an excellent series. I can't say much more than that really. But I will. This is a top notch, fab read which I suggest you set aside some time for as once you start reading you won't want to stop.

Oh wow! This author NEVER disappoints. She just gets better and better with every book. I was waiting for the latest Kim Stone - I can never get enough, and especially after how the previous book ended I couldn't wait to see what the author would do. And wow! This was such a wonderful book. I eked it out for as long as I could saving a age like a treat for the end of every day and only one page as I knew I would miss every one of Kim's team when it ended, wanting more. It was hard to limit myself to one page as these books as just SO addictive and we want to keep turning the pages. But I did and I enjoyed the book all the more for it. And yes, I cried when it ended and missed the characters who have, after nine books become such good friends - and then I went right back to the beginning and started reading it again, this time in great big gulps, several pages at a time! There are so many things I love and admire about this author - her writing style, the heart in every book, the emotions wrung out of you, the banter among the team, how each character is distinct and real, and the humour. Oh the humour! But what I love the best and admire immensely is how, in each and every book, we learn a little more about Kim. I don't know how the author does it - I have read several crime series and in each after a while we feel we know everything there is to know about the main detective. But not in Kim's case. I loved this book all the more for the bit at the end where we get a glimpse into Kim and another small part of her psyche, what makes her who she is is revealed to us. Love this author. Love her books! What I also love is how her books appeal to every generation. My mum, myself, my daughter, my neighbours and their children are all HUGE fans. Cannot wait for the next book in this incredible series.

Fatal Promise is the ninth book in the DI Kim Stone series and I was excited to receive a cong y of this because of where the last book ended. I have read all the books in this series and yet again, she has written another excellent novel. The quality of her writing never loses momentum, it’s original, with great characters and is always engaging with lots of twists and turns.
After the loss of Dawson and Kim stone back to work after breaking her leg. Life goes on for her, Bryant and the rest of the team. There is also a new edition to the team Penn but, Kim takes an instant dislike to him. D.I Kim Stone supposed to be taking it easy on desk duty, just wants to get stuck back in at the deep end and she gets her chance when the death of a disgraced Doctor Gordon Cordell and soon after his son Saul is killed in a car crash. Are these too linked in anyway?
There is also a case of missing teenager Jessie Ryan which Detective Stacey has being given the responsibility to investigate. She has runaway before, so they think that she will be back in a couple of days. But, after seeing CCTV footage of Jessie with her friend Emma, not all, is as it seems.
I loved this this, like the others in the series. I like the characters of Kim, her feisty character and her determination and Bryant he always there to for her. They are like members of a family. My only problem I thought Ms Marsons was going to kill another main character at the end but luckily not Phewwww.

The body of Doctor Gordon Cordell is discovered, murdered. But what could be the motive, later his son is involved in an accident. Coincidence or connection. D.I. Kim Stone and her team from the West Midlands Police investigate.
Although I enjoyed this story and found it interesting I didn't take to the main character of Stone. Whether her seemingly constant anger is normal or because of events in the previous book of the series I don't know.

'Fatal Promise' is the 9th book in the DI Kim Stone series by author Angela Marsons. Two cases for the price of one. Stone and her team have to deal with Murders and a missing girl all while welcoming a new member into the fold. As usual, I thought I had it figured it out until Marsons threw in a curve ball. A couple of curve balls, actually. This series never fails to immediately pull me in and not let go until the end. Thank you to Netgalley for letting me read an early copy. Now, to find something to hold me over until Book 10.

The ninth in the D.I. Kim Stone series, continuing in the same way….brilliant and gripping.
I read at every opportunity, the short chapters were perfect to sneak in when I could and also gave a good pace to the book…..another chapter, just one more etc.
Kim is still suffering from the leg injury picked up in the previous book, obviously this doesn’t stop her as she is as stubborn and headstrong as usual!
There is a new member of Kim’s team. It’s a bit awkward as the previous gang were so close-knit. They have a little move about with the desks and Stacey moves to a new spot. This seems to comfort her a bit. The newbie, Penn, will have a tough time fitting in. He does his best, bless him, and brings in cakes and biscuits. He’s very good at his job so this goes a long way in calming the waves.
Kim and her team struggle to get a firm lead in the tangled web of information they have.
How the author keeps coming up with these fab books just astonishes me, the content is amazing. It wouldn’t be an Angie Marsons without some brutality and shocking scenes. The car crash creeped me out!
Angie Marsons is definitely one of my favourite authors, I think the books are just fantastic.
Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the review copy in which I give my honest review.

I'm not sure exactly what makes Angela Marsons, in my opinion, the best police procedural writer out there at the moment.
This is the 9th Kim Stone novel and they continue to dominate this genre and show no sign of letting up.
Another really strong plot which will leave you trying to guess 'whodunnit' into the night but we are again drip-fed information about Kim's early life which explains the way she thinks but this time finds the reader really sympathising with her, even while knowing she wouldn't want it anyway.
That said, it works very well as a stand alone novel but I'd still advise reading them in order.
Just superb and I always look forward to the next one.
Many thanks.

Thank you netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read the new Kim stone adventure, having read all the previous books in the series I can say, wow,wow, this was the best by far, can't wait for the next one

I can not say enough how much I love DI Kim Stone. this character and her colleagues keep me interested and crack me up. I read Marsons' books in one sitting to see what trouble these people manage to get themselves into and how they get out. The death of a colleague was handle with total reality. Good work Angela Marsons

Detective Kim Stone is back at work after the last case that saw a member of her team DS Kevin Dawson dead and Kim hospitalised. She has been told to rest after the cast was removed from her leg, but Kim cannot wait even a day before the tug of work pulls her in to her office in the West Midlands. She is immediately tasked with this her ninth case and imagine her surprise when she learns that the brutally murdered body of surgeon Gordon Cordell has been found in the local woods. He had been a suspect in her last case but unfortunately she couldn’t gather enough evidence or witnesses to persuade the Crown Prosecution Services to proceed. She could well imagine quite a few people who would like him dead. Within a very short time Kim visits Russell’s Hall Hospital where the doctor worked. It’s back to work even though the team are still grieving the loss of Kevin.
There are actually two threads running throughout the Novel, one to do with a missing teenager and the other a murder investigation which seems centred on Russell’s Hall. So the investigation starts with Penn replacing Dawson and Stacey working alongside him while the partnership of Kim and Bryant are off trying to piece together the meagre clues they have at their disposal. With the body count heaping up it increasingly looks like Russell’s Hall Hospital is a certain link to the crimes. Meanwhile the missing teenage girl case is given to Stacey to investigate when she is not needed for work on the murder cases. These two threads run parallel and chronologically.
This is an absolutely cracking and fast paced psychological thriller full of suspense, mystery and twists and turns. I’ve loved all of the other books in this series but this one is my favourite. It fizzes with action and at no time at all could I predict what would happen, especially in the final few chapters. I enjoyed meeting Kim, Stacey and Bryant once more. Their characters are developing really well and I thought it was lovely for Stacey to have an investigation of her own. I really liked new team member Penn who has appeared in other novels in the series, but this time I thought how respectful, understanding and supportive he was with his grieving colleagues. I also liked his back story which confirmed what I had thought of him.
I received a complimentary copy of this novel from publisher Bookouture through my membership of NetGalley. Thank you for my copy sent in return for an honest and unbiased review. This novel is an excellent read and will keep you turning the pages, wondering what will happen next, excited and soon to reach a very lovely conclusion. It’s a very well deserved 9.5/10 review from me.