Just in case you're reading this and don't know already, I'm a huge fan of Angela Marsons' DI Kim Stone series. So when I saw that the latest title was available I just had to request it immediately. The request was approved and I felt the now familiar rush of excitement normally experienced by young children at Christmas time. Which was only amplified when I saw how many five-star ratings it had already received.

So is it wrong that this excitement ebbed slightly upon seeing the cover? I'm afraid that I have two main issues with it. First is the statement at the top. "By the multi-million best-selling author" would have been fine. But to say that the book itself is a "million copy bestseller" before it's actually gone on sale seems to me to be a little bit arrogant and presumptious.

I quite appreciate that the author may have had nothing to do with this, and certainly from what I know of Angie I don't believe her to be either of these things. But I always say, my review is of the book and not the author, and the cover is just as much a part of "the book" as the pages inside.

And second, I'm not sure that the title is the best one that could have been chosen. So many of the other books in the titles have two-word titles that somehow manage to sum up the main story (think Evil Games, Lost Girls, Play Dead, Broken Bones, Dead Memories, Child's Play ... and that's just off the top of my head. 'Twisted Lies' could be an alternative title to just about any one of the other books in the series. There's also the point that I did a search for the title on Goodreads and there are no fewer than nine other books by different authors with the same title.

I'd like to be able to suggest a different title, but my imagination isn't obliging. I'd probably call it something like 'Silent Witnesses'. And the whole of the internet would tell me that that's wrong as well.

So let's move on. And it's here that I need to hold a shield up to all of those other five-star reviewers, because, I'm so sorry, but for me those niggly little problems continued inside the book too. Firstly there's the gruesome ways in which the victims died, all by different forms of slow torture. I don't mind gruesome, or horrific if there's obviously a need for it. But here it felt as though the gruesomeness was there almost for its own sake. Even if someone were to torture someone else for information, would they not do it the same way each time as opposed to finding new horrific methods? It just made for more uncomfortable reading than I've come to expect or want from a Kim Stone book.

Then there's what appears to be the odd surprising lapse in attention to detail. For example, I just didn't believe that any police officer, never mind three talented detectives wouldn't know immediately that 'HL87 0RB' is not a valid UK registration number and must be wrong in at least two places. But there's a whole chapter spent on the subject. And what's worse is that this chapter really doesn't need to be there. Stacey could have clocked that it was wrong immediately and the main story would still have worked.

This last point stuck out like even more of a sore thumb to me because most other parts of the book have clearly been researched so well. The main theme - which isn't one that I'm going to give away here - is one that can't have been easy to find information on, but one that's clearly been looked into thoroughly and thought about even more. And when the theme was revealed, that's when the book seemed to jump up into another gear. Every single action taken, and word uttered by every single character was believable.

My initial negative thoughts at some of the earlier chapters were soon forgotten as I kept on reading at absolutely every opportunity, to the point where I finished the book in the early hours of the morning. It's that addictive. But even though the pace is mostly frantic, there is, as ever, just the right amount of light relief. When Kim takes a break one evening to give her dog, and her latest motorbike restoration project a little bit of attention, I found myself needing that bit of relief perhaps even more than she did. The banter between Kim and Bryant is sometimes hilarious, and the loving relationship between Stacey and Devon is heartwarming.

I also loved the sub-plot, which features local news reporter Tracy Frost in a quest to give the victim of domestic violence a voice. She and Kim - previously sworn enemies - start to form an uneasy sort of alliance on the issue. It will never become a friendship. But the relationship between them, such as it is, feels like it could lead to another story.

With two chapters to go, the book had redeemed itself to the extent that I felt annoyed with myself at being so ready to be critical early on. This is Queen Angie after all, and I should have trusted her. Even the reasons for all of the tortuous deaths are explained. Perhaps not entirely convincingly, because I'm not sure a convincing explanation could ever be given. But the book gets much closer to one than I thought it would.

But three events in those final two chapters had me yoyo-ing again. I absolutely loved the huge, jaw-dropping twist to one of the stories. Now I know that the cover of just about every crime and psychological thriller in publication claims that the book has a "jaw-dropping twist", which is rarely actually the case. But with this one, I actually thought that I might need to pick my lower jaw up off the floor and re-attach it.

I'm a bit less sure about Stacey's decision not to take her sergeant's exam so that she can stay on Kim's team. In this case, after the earlier tension in the book, it came as a bit of a relief. But if it does reach the point where Stacey's character has grown as far as it can, I think I'd rather she moved on, and be happy that she had done well for herself.

And I'm afraid I wasn't sold on the cliffhanger type ending, in which Kim gets a phone call that suggests that we might not have seen the last of the sociopathic Dr Alexandra Thorne yet. This can only have been included as a carrot of temptation dangled in front of the forthcoming next book. If it was Angie's own decision, and she was just having a bit of fun with her readers, then fine. But it's also a technique used in books by other authors from the same publisher, and I wonder if there has been an external influence at work. If that's the case, I have to say that there is no need for it. If I loved the rest of the book, I'll want to read the next one no matter what and if I didn't, I'm unlikely to change my mind as a result of the last half a page.

This for me then, is a little bit of a swings and roundabouts book. Some parts are five or more stars but there's the odd bit that falls to 3.5. So on balance I think that four, or maybe 4.25 stars is a fair average. Now I'd be grateful if one of the many, many five-star reviewers could tell me when it's safe to take the tin hat off ...

My thanks to the author, Bookouture and Netgalley for an ARC of the book. I will post my review to Goodreads now and on Amazon on publication day.

It's hard to rate this book overall, because I found myself thinking 3.5 stars in some places and five or more in others. So on balance I think that four, or possibly 4.25 is a fair average. And I'd be grateful if one of those many, many five-star reviewers could tell me when it's safe to take the tin hat off ...

Yet again this book had me hooked.. I cant wait for the next one because of the ending.
This author brings the detectives to life. I feel that kim stone is a real person when reading this book

DI Helen Stone is back and has a gruesome murder to investigate, when a man is found tied to a metal cage with horrific burns. She senses something is not quite right when their is no emotional reaction as she breaks the news to the victims wife. Within hours, the family has done a runner and the house is emptied. Soon another body is discovered, staked to the ground and tortured. It turns up there is a link between the victims and someone very evil is on a mission.
A well written plot and its great to have Stone and Bryant back for another instalment. A really enjoyable series that can also be read a standalone books.

Twisted Lies is Book fourteen in the consistently excellent DI Kim Series, and I can think of very few authors who have been able to maintain this kind of standard writing about the same protagonist, especially not twice a year! I’ve been avoiding grim British police procedurals lately, as they have all started to feel the same, but I’ll always make an exception for this series because the characters are so well drawn and the mystery catches me out every time. I’ve got multiple ARCs in the queue ahead of this one, but they had no chance once this hit my Kindle!

Kim is dismayed to discover that she is going to have to spend a day being shadowed by one of her most despised acquaintances, journalist Tracy Frost, with whom she has been butting heads for years. Their first job is to visit the family of a woman murdered by her husband after years of abuse, because he is about to be retried after a mistrial. He has engaged a high-powered PR firm to improve his image, and they are worried that this time he will be acquitted. The case inspires Tracy to try and do something to help - putting her in the sights of a dangerous adversary. Meanwhile Kim and her loyal team are investigating one of the most horrific murders she has ever encountered, and then the rest of the victim’s family disappear, her seniors are withholding information, and soon another body is also found who has also been tortured to death. What secrets were this quiet family keeping that someone will go to such lengths to discover?

One of the great things about this series is the way Marsons picks an interesting topic, obviously researches the hell out of it, then weaves it seamlessly into her plot. I can’t say what that topic is without spoiling a major part of the storyline but it was something I knew must exist in the UK but had never given much thought to. The other storyline, about domestic violence, has been done to death in crime fiction lately but this was an unexpectedly clever way to approach it, especially with Frost taking the lead on it. The “enemies to grudging mutual respect” trope is one I’m a big fan of, especially when it spans several books as this one has.
“A slow smile spread over Kim’s face as she put away her phone. ‘Fair play, Frost,’ she said, walking out of the door. ‘Bloody fair play.’”

As with the previous books, there is gruesome and graphic violence, and references to domestic and other horrific abuse, most of it happens off-camera and is referred to after the event. I do question (as I do with many police series) how one detective team can be involved with quite so many bizarre and disturbed serial/repeat killer cases in a small city, and would like to see Kim and the team tackle different kinds of serious crimes for a change. I guess those might not be so gripping to read about so maybe it’s good that plausibility has been sacrificed in favour of glued-to-the-kindle readability. In this case, the who was less interesting than the why, and while the motive also stretched credulity, it certainly packed a punch. 4.5 rounded up for the wonderful flashes of humour amidst the darkness, the heart-warming team friendships, and of course Barney the Wonder-Dog.

A special mention for the new covers, which started a few books ago but Marsons has now redesigned them for the whole series, and they look great - I’m so glad she moved away from the omnipresent women in red coats - which Kim would never wear - in favour of a strong image of what Kim looks like.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC which allowed me to give an honest review.
Twisted Lies is published on May 13th.

This is the 14th book in the DI Kim Stone series by author Angela Marsons. Having followed this series from book 1 I know before I even pick the new book up what I am going to get. Fast paced story, great characters, lots of excitement and less sleep knowing you are going to stay up to finish it. This is an exciting novel and another sure winner.

A tortured body is discovered on an industrial estate and DI Kim Stone is called on to investigate the gruesome scene. Shortly after Kim is faced with breaking the bad news to the victim’s wife but is surprised by the lack of emotion shown by the woman. Before Kim can follow up with questions the family have fled without a trace.

The case intensifies when a second body is found staked to the ground in a local nature reserve and Kim and her team discover a link to both victims that threatens to put more lives in danger. It appears that there is a guarded secret that even some police officers are trying to protect.

This series goes from strength to strength and the characters get stronger and the plots even better. Long may this series continue.

I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Twisted Lies is the 14th book in the Det. Kim Stone series and is yet another brilliant read from this author. They get better and better and always a 5* read, gripping from the start the action and story never falters.
All the team are here adding their own personalities and depth. It commences with the bane of Kim’s life reporter Tracey Frost coming as a ride along with her and Bryant. We learn more about Frost and I must say she redeems herself here, her and Kim will never be friends but we actually see some mutual respect and some rather humorous banter between them. The case Frost starts to look into gives us more insight into her past and is excellent in its telling.
A body has been found with horrific injuries, the victim tortured by being slowly roasted to death, Keats the pathologist of many years is even badly affected by it. As the investigation commences Kim and Bryant find the attitude of the victims wife strange, then another tortured body turns up and links appear, The team have a race against time to prevent more horrific murders. These murders are well described and make difficult reading but this all adds to the tension.
I can’t praise Angela Marsons enough after each book each surpassing the previous but I felt like applauding at the end of this one.
Page Turner must have been written it’s this author in mind, unbelievably good.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

I was delighted when I was offered this by Netgalley as an ARC. Having read all the Kim Stone books, I have to say it’s hard to put a pin between them which were the best. This one is exceptional. The twists and turns leave the reader not knowing which way the book is going.

It is not a book for the feint hearted, it’s dark and grim, but there are light hearted moments, especially with Kim and Frost which did make me laugh. The characters are superb, and I think Kim has settled a bit since she’s had Barney too.
Stace is happy, Bryant and Penn are loyal, and this time we don’t hear much from Woody.

Without delving into the book too much and spoiling it for others, I have to say that I can’t agree with our justice system, it makes a mockery of the victims, and the suffering they’ve gone through. Hopefully one day it might all change for the better.

My thanks to Angela and the publishers for the ARC and I, like many others can’t wait for the next one.

I have read every book in Angela Marsons DI Kim Stone series and never rated the less than five stars. The latest novel Twisted Lies is no exception (wish I could give more than five stars) and probably my favourite book to date.

You are thrown straight into the action with the gruesome discovery of a tortured body found in an industrial estate. But as Kim breaks the news to the victims wife, Kim can’t help feeling there is something strange about her reaction and twenty four hours later the victims family has completely disappeared. When a second body is found, Kim and her team discover a vital clue that links both cases and her team face a race against time to find the killer before there are any more bodies.

I was invested in this book from the first page. We have all the favourite characters back and I felt we got even more of an insight into Kim’s character. Our favourite intrepid report Frost had more of a starring role too which I found added to the book and enjoyed the banter between Frost and Kim.

This book is gripping, thrilling and the plot moves at a great pace. Some sections are quite gruesome but I found the whole book to be most enjoyable and can certainly recommend it. This is my favourite book of the year.

Thank you to NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the chance to review.

The 14th instalment of DI Kim Stone brings us a case which is covered in secrets and lies. A man is tortured and killed - but why? Kim and her team draw blanks trying to find out who he is, and then another murder happens - is it the same person carrying out the attacks? And who is Leanne King - what does she really know?
Is the case linked to something is their past?
Meanwhile another case has Stone’s nemesis reporter Frost digging into details to ensure a man is convicted of murdering his wife - but he will go to any lengths to stop her printing the truth.
I really enjoyed this book and read it over two sittings - Angela Marsons at her best.

Angela Marsons never disappoints. This is the 14th instalment in the Kim Stone series which I have followed since the beginning. Each book just gets better and better, I always feel like doing a little happy dance when I see a new book is coming out. Once again a great story with a strong plot that kept me turning the pages at a rapid rate, I read it in one sitting. Kim and her team almost feel like family, love seeing them grow as we get to know more about them in each book, their comradeship is so strong and is a delight to see these characters come together and support each other through their trials and tribulations. I am always promoting this author on the many books sites I participate in, if you have not picked this series up you really need to and will not be disappointed. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for advancing me a copy of the book.

This is book 14 in the wonderful Kim Stone series, one of the best detective series that is out there at the moment and I have to say this book maintained the high standard previously set!

In this one we see Kim being called to a crime scene where a man has been tortured to death and literally roasted. As they start their investigation they discover the man is somewhat of a loner and then things take a very strange twist when his whole family disappears. What is going on? Things are not what they seem. You need to read on to find out what happens in a book which has twists, murders and much more.

Like all the Kim Stone books the strength is in the great writing which moves you on at a pace and the central characters that have been developed in this series. Once you pick up a Kim Stone book you really do not want to put it down. Alongside the main story we also have a plot linked to a court case and domestic abuse of the most extreme kind which sees Kim and Frost almost get along and help each other, don’t blink though as you may miss it and these scenes are superbly written once again.

If you haven’t read any of this series they are a must read and it is one of my favourite series of the moment, and this book is right up there with the best of them. Happy to highly recommend and would give it five stars without reservation. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing a copy of this book for me, for an an open and honest review.

Thank you to Bookouture, Netgalley and Angela Marsons for this A,R.C. and apologies to my T.B.R. pile, but as soon as I was accepted for this it jumped straight to the top.
Wow! Gripping, original, clever, unputdownable. Just when you think there’s only so many stories in police procedurals, along comes Angela Marsons’s Twisted Lies and offers a new fresh angle .
Such a great read. Firstly, it’s great to be back in the company of Kim, Bryant, Stacey and Penn. The characters development moves nicely, and as time progresses Kim is less angst ridden about her past, it’s there, it’s her, but it’s not all consuming her anymore.
Two plots run side by side. Following on from a truly horrific murder the team enter into a police world that is new even to them. Very interesting and obviously excellently researched and as the murders mount up, each one more horrific than the last, we get an insight into both the police and the lay persons live’s involved in that world. Meanwhile unlikely ‘detective’ journalist Frost sets out to right some wrongs in a domestic abuse case with the most brilliant twist, which I do hope we hear more of in the next instalment and an unlikely truce seems to be made with her and Kim.
Number 14 and as fresh and as riveting as number 1.

Before I even start a new instalment of the Kim Stone series I know it will be a five star review! It’s the familiarity that I love about these novels. Each new book is a carry on from the previous with new info into the characters lives both as a team and their private lives.

This next instalment has notched up a level in terms of dark crime thriller and the sadistic and torture element is a desired taste but for me I was in my element! The darker the better and this was definitely a touch above, from previous novels. I loved it!

The description was toe curling, sickening and shocking but I had a sly smile on my face as I relished the darker side of Marsons writing.
I mean, the previous ones aren’t exactly tame, they are detailed but this was one hell of a shocker! There were elements that I found hard to read and at one point had to pause reading. But those chapters did have the desired effect when it came to character development.

Every book in this series offers the familiarity of well loved characters you want to know as friends. It’s like coming home and settling into their sofa and listening to their day. All individual and just as fantastic as the next. Even the villains I love to hate!

Absolutely phenomenal Angie! You once again hit all the pleasure buttons that I love in a crime thriller! My question is though ... how will you top this in book 15? I’m pretty sure I asked the same question after reading the last book so I have no doubt you will with the next!

Journalist, Tracy Frost tags along with Kim and Bryant for a day on the job. When they go to see a family who lost their daughter/sister at the hands of her violent husband, Frost takes an interest in the case.

Kim and the team have to find a killer who is torturing people in the most heinous of ways. When the first victims family up and disappear, it soon becomes apparent that the team are being fed lies.

I love this series and always drop everything for a new Kim Stone story. With some interesting and sickening forms of torture used on the victims, this is a story of secrets, lies and revenge. With some intriguing characters, it’s great to have the team back again.

My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my copy in exchange for an honest review.

Absolutely superb. Book 14 in a series that really does just get better and better.

I could read an Angela Marsons book every day for a year and not get bored.

This book had a dark, twisted plot that was addictive from page one. I wanted to devour it in one sitting but I forced myself to slow down and enjoy every single chapter.

The mini cliff hangers in each chapter kept the tension high and you wanting to just read more.

I especially like the relationship between Kim and her team.

A brilliant 5 star thriller. I cannot wait for number 15!!

When a body of a man is found on an industrial estate, Detective Kim Stone is shocked to discover that his body was brutally tortured before he died. When she tells the victim's wife, she can't help but think the reaction is strange. Then the victim's family suddenly vanish. Soon, another body is found, also severely tortured. Kim and her team work hard to solve the mystery and soon discover an important secret that may make the case even harder to solve. Meanwhile, report Tracy Frost opens a can of worms when she involves herself in another investigation that may just put her in danger.

Another brilliant entry to the Kim Stone series. As usual I loved hearing from all the usual team and seeing how they are getting on. The case in this story was very dark and creepy and I couldn't stop reading to find out what happened. There were a few brilliant twists and as usual a satisfying ending. Already can't wait for the next book!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy of the book in return for my honest feedback.

As always Marsons has produced a stellar read! Don't start this book unless you have time to read it in one sitting because it really is unputdownable.
I particularly liked that none of the core team were targets/victims which so many authors feel the need to do.
The subplot with Frost was really clever and highlighted another serious issue.
My only tiny negative was why it took the team so long to figure out who the first victim was; as a reader it was obvious when Leanne was introduced.

TWISTED LIES
by Angela Marsons
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

My thanks to Angela Marsons for arranging my advance copy of Twisted Lies with Bookouture, and NetGalley, in exchange for my honest review.

DI Kim Stone attends the scene of a brutal murder. But the victim had been tortured horrifically before dying. As she breaks the tragic news to his family, she can’t help her gut feeling that someone isn’t right. About the wife’s reaction, her sister’s reaction, the way they didn’t seem completely surprised, and the way they’d virtually been pushed out of the door afterwards.

24 hours later, the family is gone. Their personal possessions all gone. Anything tying them to the area discarded. With a second body discovered, tortured and killed in a similarly gruesome manner, the race is on to find the missing family, and stop the killer taking anyone else’s life.

WOW! Just Wow! [pauses for thought] This book has taken me on an emotional roller coaster over the last 24 hours. Revenge, misery, suffering, empathy, regret, loneliness, and fear, are all represented here, often in ways that make you pause for thought, like I had to.

Stone’s team are a well-oiled machine, all bouncing off each other keeping the momentum of a truly difficult investigation going. Bryant is always the dependable sidekick, and often saviour. Stacey and Penn are like two sides of the same coin, working as seamlessly with each other as they do independently.

Now, after the last book Deadly Cry, I foresaw something that threatened the team dynamic. I felt the echoes of that here too. There were the normal supporting characters like Woody, Keats, and of course Barney. I was glad to see one of Stone’s frenemies getting into the front seat for a while. It made for an absorbing sub-plot, that was every bit as thrilling as the main story.

Oh, and I proper belly laughed as I read about an East End crime family. Maybe a crossover with ET? (no, not that one)

Twisted Lies makes you ask yourself how far you would go for answers, or for vengeance. How you would deal with sudden isolation, or how you would cope knowing you may be the killer’s next target and time is running out.

I cannot praise Twisted Lies enough, as it is easily the best of the fourteen Kim Stone books. I have to recommend the entire series, although it performs as a standalone thriller admirably if you don’t like to make that much of a commitment. I’ve definitely given this book 6 out of 5 (my review, my rules), it’s predecessor being the only other book to get this high score. (dated 31 March 2021)

I was so excited to see the latest instalment in the Kim Stone series was available on Netgalley, so requested it immediately - then on receipt couldn’t put it down, resulting in me finishing the book at 2.30am.

Angela Marsons never disappoints. Her storylines keep you invested, the characters are familiar, like old friends, and you take every step along with them, trying in this case to solve some particularly gruesome murders. As always, there is a second storyline running in tandem to the main one, which intertwines nicely throughout. Another excellent read, can’t wait for the next instalment!

Hugh thank you to Bookouture and Angela Marsons for this copy to review.

When the police knock on your door and inform you that your husband has been tortured and murdered in the worst possible way and you don't shed a tear or bat an eye lid you know something definitely is wrong!

Wow - what a brilliant page turner this had me hooked from the first chapter and kept me invested thoughout.

Angela to keep coming up with these fantastic gripping storylines you simply are wonderful.

I loved the crossover with the Tyler brother's from Emma Tallons book (just hope I am right).

Just amazing as always looking foward to more Kim Stone and book 15.