I actually could not put this book down ! For anyone who, like me, loves police procedural novels this latest in the Kim Stone series is a must. Fabulous read and highly recommended.

I loved this. I loved the back & forward between current & older case.
Angela Marson books just keep getting better & better.

Thanks Netgalley and the Publisher. I really enjoyed reading another book about Detective Kim Stone, the whole series has been excellent.

As with all Angela Marsons’ books, the first chapter is enough to make you wish you could read the book in one sitting

The body of a retired professor is found sat on a swing at a playground, tied with barbed wire, an X carved on the back of her neck.
Kim Stone and her team begin their investigation and when more bodies are found, killed in a similar way, they know they are dealing with a clever serial killer.
But as they dig deeper, the answers they seek generate more questions. Can they unearth a motive for the senseless murders? Can they find the killer before he strikes again?

Thanks to the author, Bookouture and the NetGalley for my copy of the book.

If you've ever picked up a Kim Stone book, you'll know what a gold standard for a thiller book is! Right from the beginning with book number 1, Angela Marsons has set the bar very high and it keeps getting better with every installment in the series. Needless to say, I'm completely addicted to this series. Child's Play like all other books before it is highly compelling, dark and twisted, but is also so much better.

When the body of Belinda Evans, a retired college Professor of Child Psychology is discovered in a children's park with barber wire across her wrists and an 'X' carved into her neck, the case makes it to the office of the ever-brilliant Kim Stone and her team. As Kim digs deeper, two more bodies are found with an 'X' carved on their necks and at a place meant for children to play. Linking the victims, Kim discovers they were involved in annual tournaments for gifted children and were on their way to the next event.
Faced with hundreds of potential leads and a bereaved sister who is refusing to talk, can Kim get inside the mind of a killer and stop another murder before it’s too late?

The characters in this series are always a delight to read. I adore the banter between Kim and Bryant. There's never a dull moment with those two around! We see more of Penn in this chapter where he's back at West Mercia to solve a mystery of his own (told in a parallel timeline). This book also sees the addition of Tiffany aka Tink who I hope is here to stay! The team along with Keats and Woody make for very good reading and I always look forward to reading more about this formidable team!
The plot in this book is excellent and revolves around child prodigies which I found to be very fascinating. I cannot imagine the amount of research that goes into each book because each installment in this series ranges from widely interesting topics of body farms to hate crimes and secret societies in elite schools. Its always a delight to read a Kim Stone book.
Now that this book is over, I'm back to constantly checking for more updates about the next book. Can't wait!

Thank You, NetGalley, Bookouture and Angela Marsons for an arc!

The author’s description of the murder scene from the very first page, left me gasping for breath and I carried that picture in my head for the duration of the book. Stunning!

Kim is out to catch a serial killer, someone who lures their victims to places where they would have played as children. After a terrifying and macabre killing, the murderer carves an X into the back of their neck. What is the link between the deaths and will Kim find this out before the body count gets any higher?

As always, Angela drip feeds her readers with little bits about her team’s home lives and I loved finding out more about Stacey, as well as DS Penn, who is back with his old team trying to tie-up the ends of an old murder case. We are also introduced to Tink, who is brought in to help Stacey trawl through old records to find the link between the murders. She really left an impression on me as she seemed to inject a bit of light relief when it was needed and I loved the way the friendship is starting to grow between her and Stacey.

I cannot praise Angela Marsons enough, every book of hers is a joy to read and I am once again counting down to the next chapter in Kim Stone’s life.

I know this is an ongoing moan from me, but please, please, please will one the channels option her books. They would make a fantastic series.

I have read all the books in this series and keep my eyes peeled for the next one being published, so was delighted to get the opportunity to read this one. Angela Marsons delivers on all counts yet again. Cant wait for the next one .

Well what can I say. Angela Marsons you have done it again. Fabulous story and love following the lives of the the characters. Keep me hooked from start to finish. Ca'nt wait for the next one

The Kim Stone series is dependably gripping. Very few series make it to book eleven without getting boring but Angela Marsons manages to keep the characters both interesting and familiar. Strongly recommended.

Another absolutely brilliant book in this amazing series! If you havent yet read these fantastic books then you are really missing out.
When an old woman is found murdered in a park Stone and her team begin to investigate what turns out to be a very sinister truth dating back years involving child geniuses. A rollercoaster of a story that keeps you guessing right up till the end. Another easy five stars! *****

Absolute fantastic book, yet again.
On the 11th installment of Kim Stone and the gang I must admit I had that sinkng feeling, how many high star books can this woman write in a row without it wearing thin? If anything I think Ms Marsons has just got stronger and stronger. As a huge fan, that silly notion of a possible rubbish book went out the window as soon as I was in the company of my favourite West Midland detectives (& i'm actually married to one..yep really) it's not like reading a book it's like a few nights with your best friends, with a few murders here and there....
Child's play starts with the particularly brutal death in a children's playground of 61 year old spinster Belinda Evans. The windy road of investigation leads Kim & the team into the fascinating world of child genius and tiger parenting. The death count rises quickly and with very little evidence, Kim and the team (including ray of sunshine PC Tiffany AKA Tink, that Woody had sent into the team as punishment for letting Penn continue his work for Travis so easily) are struggling to find the culprit, but one thing they do know is that this serial killer will not stop until found....
In a tandem novella within the story Penn has to go to court, with his old team to give evidence in an armed robbery case, In what should of been a slam dunk case in which local bad man Gregor Nuryef had murdered Devlin Kapoor. Things go drastically wrong, had Penn got it wrong?....
Brilliant as usual, just over far too quickly, looking forward to number 12. Could be read alone but like always I really suggest reading from the beginning (Silent Scream) as you just wouldn't get the depth of the fabulous characters. I recommend Ms Marsons books to everyone that I meet that loves to read thrillers/crime and one day I'm sure we'll see Kim Stone on the TV. When I can turn round and say proudly "I told you so.."

This is only the second book I read in that series and WOW do I love it!!!

So well written, interesting and captivating until the end!
Unlike any other books! I love Kim!

Unbelievable, intense, so good!

I can't wait to read the next one!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC of this book. This is my honest review. All opinions are my own.

Incredible
Incredible
INCREDIBLE!

Angie Marsons does it again! I think I have run out of adjectives I haven't already used for this series. JUST READ IT! THE WHOLE SERIES! NOW!!

Thanks to Bookouture for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review

I can’t believe that this is the eleventh book in the series featuring Detective Kim Stone and her team. This is a story about child prodigies, about the effects this has on their siblings and parents and how it also affects their own lives as they grow into adults. The opening chapter finds Kim and her team called out to an horrific murder scene. An elderly lady has been brutally stabbed to death in a park. She had been tied with barbed wire to a child’s swing and an x had been carved into the back of her neck, she was a retired Professor of Child Psychology. Two further bodies are discovered in bizarre circumstances. One left on a hopscotch and one with a board game placed nearby but both had an x carved into the back of their necks, Kim and her team are desperately trying to work out the link between these deaths. Could they be related to gifted children as the first victim had been due to attend ‘ Brainbox’, an event for gifted children. There is a second story running at the same time. Detective Penn is back working with his old team on a case that is going to court. But some of the evidence is in doubt when key witness disappears and another changes their statement. So Penn has to reexamine the case.
This book can be read as a standalone but I am sure that once read anyone would be totally hooked on the series. The book is full of shocks, gruesome and graphic murders, so many twists and turns and a plot that gives us a fascinating insight into child prodigies. A brilliant read. I can’t wait for book number twelve.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

This was my first book by Angela Marsons and what a wonderful read it was! For years my friends insisted that the series is incredibly good and they were absolutely right. The writing in this final instalment of D.I.Kim Scott series is simply superb, and the book provides enough background to ease in a reader who is new to the series.

Kim Stone is my new favourite police officer character. She is not flawless, in fact, I really enjoyed the pages where her domestic life is described. She is not charming, although her team would do anything to earn her approval. The respect she commands comes from the simple fact that she cares about the work she does and the people she does it with and for. We get a glimpse into her complicated background and meet the person who helped her when she was in need of somebody who would listen without pressurising Kim into dealing with her childhood trauma. We also learn more about the people on her team and how each and single one of them is valuable and valued.

The case the team is dealing with in this instalment brings them into the world of child prodigies and their families. Not all parents know how to ensure the gifted child is allowed to develop their abilities as well as fulfilling their emotional needs. Sometimes the family dynamics becomes twisted and other siblings suffer.

I loved everything about this book: the premise, the pace, the characters, the twists and turns, the suspense and the final resolution. I will definitely be looking forward to the next part in the series.
Once you read an Angela Marsons novel, you become addicted and will keep coming back for more.

Another superb read in the Kim Stone series. This is book 11 and I have read them all. Having said that this is easily a ‘stand alone’ read for those who have not yet found this series but once you start you will want to read the lot. Angela Marsons is able to produce yet another fast-paced, gripping and unusual read.

Kim and her team keep the story alive as all the characters are believable and have their own issues to deal with throughout. The main story, as the title suggests, revolves around childhood and child’s play and it includes a broad range of children’s issues, which continue through to adulthood. Kim, because of her own upbringing relates well to these problems, giving her an insight.

The parallel story involves, Penn, usually reporting to Kim, who is embroiled in a murder enquiry which, on the surface, appears cut and dried until the court case where holes start to appear sending Penn out to discover the truth.

I cant speak highly enough of this series and, as always, this is highly recommended.

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

Oh wow, how much do I love the Kim Stone series?? A lot, that's what!

Kim is back, trying to figure out a series of crimes involving damaged children. At the same time, she has lost one of her team members to a court case which is unravelling at speed and a new temporary team member is introduced. Her nickname is Tinkerbelle, lol. It is lovely reading about the various team members once more, I feel like they have become almost extended family.

As usual, this is a rollercoaster of a read, there are many complex strands which are woven in the story and it all comes together in the end. There is always a depth of writing which I appreciate with this author's books, how she thinks of all the different aspects of the plot, I have no clue!

4.5 stars from me :)

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture.

Being a child genius seems to be something great and every parent has to be proud of such an offspring, right? But after reading the latest case Kim Stone and her team has to solve I’m not entirely sure I believe that anymore. Nobody gives a second thought to the siblings of those children with high IQ’s or special talents. It can’t be easy always being overlooked and not feeling abandoned. Given these difficulties for the rest of the family members, I wasn’t sure how I felt about the motive for the murders. To some degree I can understand the resentment and anger. But shouldn’t it level out a bit when growing up and becoming an adult? This book will stay with me for a long time and makes for some good discussion.

I’m new to the Angela Marsons Kim Stone series, but it is clear that the Kim Stone novels, which began in 2015 with Silent Scream are hugely popular and although her millions of existing readers will not give a hoot what I think, I can now see why.

Angela Marsons hails from the Black Country, that wildly unfashionable area west of Birmingham, which takes its name from the prodigious amounts of soot generated by its heavy industries in times past. Geographically it includes parts of Staffordshire and Worcestershire. Beyond place names, Marsons doesn’t make the region a dominant character in Child’s Play, at least not in the same way that, say Chris Nickson uses Leeds or Phil Rickman uses the Welsh Marches.

Kim Stone, like the great majority of popular fictional British police officers, has issues. Marsons is too good a writer to include Stone’s complete biography, but we learn that she had a wretched childhood. In both fiction and real life I am never really sure about people who relate better to dogs than they do to fellow humans, but such folk exist in both spheres. Kim Stone is one such, but her general misanthropy probably makes her a better copper. She is a fascinating and complex character who is at home the random chaos of modern life, perhaps because she can escape, maybe from herself:

“She drew comfort from the familarity of town noise, even the late-night noise of occasional sirens, doors slamming, loud music through open windows, drunks singing on the way home from the pub, wives giving them what for once they got there.”

Unsurprisingly, her chosen mode of transport is a powerful Kawasaki motorbike, the ultimate solo kick where all that exists is the rushing road, the wind and the scream of the engine:

“Her only interest in the countryside was tearing through it on the Ninja to blow the cobwebs from her mind.”

Child’s Play begins with the bizarre and apparently motiveless murder of a woman in her sixties. Belinda Evans is found in a children’s playground, bound to a swing with strips of barbed wire. Belinda – and apologies to people who have never watched Coronation Street – is no Emily Nugent, however, as Stone’s team soon discover that the late woman had a taste for rough sex and bondage.

As the title suggests, there is a theme of childhood running through this intriguing police procedural. All kinds of childhoods. The ones where youngsters are sufficiently traumatised by events that they become mute and withdrawn, living in their own personal hell. The ones where parents seek to live out their own inadequacies through desparate and damaging over-encouragement of a child’s talent. Not just those screaming abuse at the world from the touchlines of a junior football game, but those who believe their children are gifted and talented above the norm, and push, push, push for more certificates, more acclaim and more vicarious satisfaction.

In a fascinating parallel story, one of Stone’s team, Penn, has to absent himself for the hunt for the killer of Belinda vans as he is a key witness in the trial of a man accused of killing a convenience store server. Minutes away from the jury retiring to deliver a nailed-on guilty verdict, the wife of the accused man changes her story and the prosecution case unravels at a frightening pace.

Marsons (left) takes us down and dirty into the visceral world of police work:

“It was the pungent, unholy smell that could only be compared to a room full of rotting meat with the added smell of faeces. It was an odour that could live in a house for years despite deep cleaning, and was unmistakeable as anything else other than a dead body.”

The drama finally plays out in the intense, other-worldly – and distinctly disturbing – world of a weekend event for Gifted and Talented children and their parents. Bryant, one of Stone’s team comes face to face with the scary world of youngsters who are on the Aspergers Autism spectrum:

“ ‘This seat taken, buddy?’ he asked a boy sitting alone with a book.
‘Taken where?’ he asked, peering over his reading glasses. ‘Do you nean occupied?’
‘I’m gonna take that as a no,’ he said, pulling the chair towards him.
The boy regarded him seriously and Bryant guessed him to be ten or eleven years old with fair hair and clear hazel eyes, enlarged by the thick spectacles.”
‘Is it appropriate for a middle-aged man to seek the company of an unattended child?’ the boy asked, seriously.”

Gripping, unusual and fast-paced, Child’s Play is, by turns, unsettling and cleverly plotted. It is published by Bookouture and is out now.

Even though this is the 11th book in this series I still haven't grown tired of it. The author keeps the main character fresh and she is forever involving into something different with each book. I like that two cases are going but they weren't tied together at the end this is the reason I just love this author.