Member Reviews
Book fifteen guys! If you haven't read the others you should because 1. They are fab and 2. There is a huge backstory, the team have been through a ton. However you could read this as a standalone but as we see characters from previous stories and they are epic anyway, go read them.
Stone is on the case, a child goes missing from a public place and it looks like she hasn't been the only one, this has happened before. When Steve Harte, millionaire, walks into the police station voluntarily, hinting at knowing about child disappearances, teasing clues/information about an old missing child case. Stone has no time for his crap, she has a kid missing and an old case has no bearing on this or does it? When kids disappear, when crimes happen folk often say they have information, the admit to know, they know stuff so Stone has no time for Harte's nonsense and all Harte wants is to talk to Stone, tell what he knows, under his conditions.....
So this is different, we know a kid is missing, taken and someone rocks up to the police, wanting Stone and hinting at knowing stuff. It isn't often we have a potential bad guy coming into the cops espesh at the beginning so you immediately distrust what he is projecting and we, along with Stone have to go at his pace to see if he knows anything. Plus we have the investigation into the kid and if that isn't enough the B*TCH is back. Crack pot Alex since her arrest has never been able to quite let go of Stone and now she is reaching out, why now?
I love that we have two parts if you like, the investigation/Harte and Alex. Alex is the kind of character you love to hate, I mean she is a sicko who will use any and all people and means to get what she needs and just to entertain herself.
This book takes us in new directions, cat and mouse and you don't really know what is the end game, sometimes you can work out where the book is going. From the kidnap side I had no idea and Alex always keeps you on your toes. Page turner as always - suspense, shocking behaviors from some of the characters, twists, turns - you name it - you will be entertained as always and kept going from the start. Marsons always delivers that, when we were on the investigation I wanted more Alex, when on Alex I wanted to know what was happening with Stone and the team. 4.5/5 for me this time, I cannot wait for the next installment.
A very clever plot with subtle clues and a suspense that leaves the reader wordless. Ms Marsons once again pulled the wool over our eyes.
Brilliant, a stunning read.
How a series that started so well 15 books ago stays so fresh, and gets better with each book is beyond me.
Kim Stone is back investigations major crimes in the Black Country. This time it’s the disappearance of a little girl, but she’s not the first, and one unlikely person has walked into a police station with information on a historic case and hinting at one that is happening whilst he’s talking to Stone.
Meanwhile, and regular readers will love this, Dr Alex Throne is plotting her way to freedom from her prison cell
Loved this book
Another gem, with a really different premise. Great oooh moments… which gets you thinking
Absorbing and interesting with a great cast of characters and protagonists.
Another must-read from this author. 5*****
<i><b>Twenty-five years ago he took a girl. Today he takes another. </b> </i>
Eight-year-old Gracie Lennard skipped into the garden of her childcare center and vanished. She wasn't the only girl to go missing. Over the past twenty-five years several girls have gone missing. Some were returned a year later, others never returned. Why?
Kim Stone is back in book #15 and this time she is up against Steven Harte, who walked into the Halesowen police station and confessed to having information to Melody Thomas a girl who went missing twenty-five years ago. Now Kim must play his twisted game to find Gracie.
Making things worse - small bones were found which set a fire off under Kim, making her more determined than ever to not only find Gracie but to bring down Steven Harte. But there is another- Dr Alex Thorne who wants revenge. Things are heating up, but Kim can take the heat, right?
Angela Marsons never fails to disappoint with this series. Fifteen books in and she is still going strong! The series keeps getting better. I get excited when I see a new book is coming out, and you should too! This book could easily work as a stand-alone so give it at read and find out what all the hype is about!
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Yes I’m going to say it again….Angela Marsons has done it again!! Produced yet another gripping Kim Stone book.
This is book 15 in the Kim Stone series and they never grow tiring or boring.
Melody Jones disappeared 25 years ago. Steven Harte turns up at the station and wants to talk to Kim, he has information about her….but the help is on his terms.
Another girl disappears does Steven know anything about this too?
Kim has her work cut out to try and see if there is a link between the missing children and getting this one back alive…can Steven Harte really help? Should she play his games?
Then just as you think you can’t get anymore gripped…. Alex Thorne appears just to make Kim’s life a little bit more complicated.
Unputdownable, twists and turns that keep you wondering.
Great read 5*
25 years ago he took a girl. Today he takes another.
Twenty five years ago Melody Jones went missing, never to be seen again and presumed dead, fast forward to the present day and Steven Harte, a self made millionaire walks into Halesowen police station, declaring he has information to her whereabouts, but Kim doesn't quite believe him, and so begins a game of cat and mouse between them. In the meantime, the team get a call that another little girl, eight year old Grace, has gone missing and the circumstances are very similar, what is the link between the two and why now? Kim and the team have just 24 hours to interrogate him, with no evidence they'll have to let him go, then they discover there are others that were abducted, two were released after a year, but what happened to the others? Upon the discovery of human bones, Kim fears the worst, and if that's not enough for her to deal with, her old nemesis Alex Thorne is messing with her head again and she doesn't need that distraction right now.
Stolen Ones is the latest in the Kim Stone series, book 15 in fact!!! The thing about this series is they never get tiring, because Angie Marsons knows how to keep things fresh and exciting, from the characters and the storylines, to the investigation and interrogation techniques. This is a fast paced read with so many twists it kept me on the edge of my seat throughout and Marsons smashed it out of the park once again, just when you think the last book was the best, the next one she writes is even better, she really is the Queen of Crime and that crown ain't going nowhere!
I'd like to thank Bookouture and Netgalley for the auto approval, I will post my review on Amazon and Goodreads.
Wow wow Wow. This incredible author has done it again. She consistently delivers outstanding, addictive, original thrillers that you just cannot put down. In a crowded genre the Kim Stone series is unique. In everyone of these books I learn something. Each story is written with heart. Each character comes to life through this author's incredibly skilful writing. Loved loved loved this book and I just cannot wait for the next.
What a brilliant book this was! Well worth the 5 stars ⭐️
It’s gripping from the very first page. Literally unputdownable! I thoroughly loved it. Angela is a brilliant author… this is the first book I read by her, and I’m currently in the process of hunting down all her previous books. This series is a MUST read. Kim Stone is a force to be reckoned with.
Synopsis:
25 years ago he took a girl. Today he takes another. One August afternoon, eight-year-old Grace Lennard skips into the garden of the childcare centre she attends and vanishes into thin air. When a man enters the police station confessing to the kidnapping, Kim Stone and her team immediately take him seriously and begin the hunt for Grace Lennard, but things aren’t what they seem.
Expect plot twist after plot twist.
I have read the entire Detective Kim Stone series and this was one of the most unique and puzzling mysteries that I have read. Melody Jones has been missing for twenty-five years and the detective who worked her case has never forgotten that he was unable to save her. There may be a new lead in the case when Steven Harte arrives at the station. He says that he has information about Melody and tells Kim that she will soon be busy. When another girl is taken, Steven becomes her number one suspect. He has not been charged…yet, as he wants to play “things” his way, but Kim only wants the girl returned safely. Other girls have gone missing over the years and when bones are found at a construction site, could this be Melody’s remains? While Kim is dealing with the case, she continues to receive unwanted phone calls from convicted sociopath, Dr. Alexandra Thorne. I like that Kim visited the original detective to ease his mind about the case he wasn’t able to close. I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)
I always think the last one is my favorite and then a new book in the series comes out and it’s my favorite. And again I have a new favorite.
Kim and her team are searching for a missing girl that seemingly ties back into a string of missing girls over the past 20 plus years.
I just love how her teams work together and we get a little more for each of the core characters. Of their life outside of their work. Just enough to keep learning a little more about them, but not too much to distract from the case.
The tension and twists are great as the team works against time in a cat and mouse game with a suspect to save the missing girl. I highly recommend this entire series!
Every time I start another Kim Stone thriller I wonder whether Angela Marsons will be able to live up to the the rest. Surely there's a point where they will become dull or boring?
Well not this time!
Steven Harte, a millionaire philanthropist, walks into the station with information regarding a missing little girl. However he doesn't want to help, he wants to play games.
As usual the plot twists came thick and fast and I found the book to be hugely enjoyable. My only negative (and it's purely a personal preference) was the reappearance of Dr Alex Thorne who I thoroughly dislike!
As per usual I have absolutely no hesitation in recommending The Stolen Ones.
Well hello you twisty little story! Angela Marsons has knocked it out of the park again. At this point I would read her shopping list. If she wrote it, I want to read it!
It all kicks off one day in August, an 8 year old girl, Grace Lenard, disappears from a day care centre. On the same day wealthy philanthropist Steven Harte presents himself at the police station saying he can help them to find Melody Jones…who just happened to disappear exactly 25 years ago, aged 7. So far - so fishy! Steven Harte is perfectly pleasant and cooperative but it is clear he has an agenda and he wants to play the game his way.
DI Kim Stone has her team pulling out all stops on this one and soon they find a pattern. Every two years a girl is abducted and, for a while, they were returned one year later. When Kim interviews the returnees they can’t tell her anything about the kidnapper but they do say he didn’t mistreat them or abuse them in any way. They had a lovely room, new clothes, toys, books and their own bathroom. They never saw their abductor. Food was delivered while they slept and after 12 months they simply found the door open. When they walked out they were put into a van and dropped off near a police station. That doesn’t really make much sense to Kim but that is what the women are telling her.
But the next girl abducted is Melody Jones and she was never returned. And it seems there were others after her. That’s all I want to say. Yes, it seems obvious what is happening here but I can assure you all is not as it seems. Kim is very conscious of time ticking away while they are no closer to finding Grace. If indeed Mr Harte has her stashed somewhere how long will it be before her water and food runs out? And why is the man’s story not ringing quite true?
At the same time Kim is having to deal with her nemesis Dr Alexandra Thorne, the sadistic psychopath who will soon have a parole hearing. As usual Alex is armed with information with which to skewer Kim in an attempt to get her recommendation for parole. This will be a thread to watch in future books!
Back to the main story - excellent misdirection Ms Marsons! I couldn’t pick this one and you could be forgiven for overlooking the tiniest of clues that may have set you on the right path to solving this. But I enjoyed the mystery right up until the final showdown. Stacey, the Detective Sergeant, played a blinder in this book and Penn’s puzzle solving skills helped the team enormously. I can’t wait for the next one. What evil does Alex have planned? Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the much appreciated arc which I reviewed voluntarily and honestly.
On the 25th anniversary of the disappearance of little Melody Jones another girl goes missing. Before Kim Stone can start to investigate Steven Harte leisurely walks into the police station and asks to see her. This marks the start to a race to uncover the truth to both missing girls cases.
On top of that, convicted sociopath Alexandra Thorne contacts Kim. She wants to play her very own kind of mind games.
Brilliantly written and very addictive series!
The fifteenth book in a crime thriller series featuring Detective Kim Stone from Halesowen police continues in the same vein as she and her team tackle an unusual case. A man walks into the police station and states that he has information about a girl who has been missing for 25 years. Things take a turn when another girl disappears from a childcare center and everything kicks into high gear. No spoilers.
I've been with Kim Stone and her cohort since the beginning, and I think the time has come to say goodbye. Throughout our relationship, Kim has not changed a bit and I keep trying to like her but I can't keep up the work to continue our association. I am tired of Alex Thorne and her machinations and of Kim's backstory with her twin brother and all that family dysfunction. I would be eager to see Angela Marsons develop a new character as I like her writing style. I know fans won't agree and I'm sorry to say that I'm done with this series. I read this over a couple of hours and, although it is a sound police procedural with characters I have known for years, I didn't find this as satisfying as I used to. It's not you, it's me...and all that.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.
For my complementary copy of this book, I say thank you,
I throughly enjoyed reading it and this is my honest review.
This is one of those books you won't want to put down
And interruptions to your reading it are met with a frown!
Such an enthralling and intriguing crime thriller
With a very unexpected serial killer . . . .
When a man confesses to Detective Kim Stone
He knows what happened to Melody Jones
She's unsure just what she should believe or if he lies
For him to know 25 years later would be a surprise.
But then eight year old Grace Lennard goes missing - Kim's on the case
Organising a search for the child in every place.
But what she finds is a bracelet with a heart
Something Melody was known to wear right from the start.
How can the two cases be linked she needs to know.
Is he the kidnapper, where did Grace go?
There were other victims, Kim and the team discovers
Some were released but what happened to the others?
Get ready for a case to keep you on the edge of your seat
With previous cases that aren't so neat
They need to uncover yet more clues
Or Grace could be the next one they lose.
This is another intriguing Kim Stone case, it's brill!
With some aspects that will make you chill.
A fascinating, engrossing read,
Just what any crime thriller fan could need!
Autumn brings wonderful things....Bonfire Night, Halloween....walks through colourful fallen leaves. But most importantly it brings another Kim Stone book! My favourite Autumn event is here and it doesn't disappoint one little bit.
25 years ago Melody Jones vanished without a trace. Every year hoaxes spring up....false confessions. This year seems no different until Steven Harte walks into Kim's station. He's rich, educated and seems to know a lot about Melody. Then another girl, Grace Lennard goes missing. And he knew it had happened before Kim. She doesn't know or understand what Stevens game is but she'll have to play to learn finally what happened to Melody and ensure Grace does not meet the same fate.
As always I can't fault this. Great characters, tense storyline, shocking moments....it's all here. This series just goes from strength to strength. And with the return of Alex Thorne covered as well there's so much promise for the next book as well. Did I mention the reasons I rather like the spring as well? A fantastic five stars....it deserves many more.
This is book number 15 in the Detective Kim Stone series, it can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend you read the previous 14 books to get the back story.
Kim Stone is my favourite detective series and I have now got my 83 year old mum hooked on them as well. I eagerly await every new book and this latest offering is a superb addition to the series. It is well written with another twist in the tale that I didn't guess, the characters continue to evolve and the team dynamics are great.
Highly recommended!!!
Kim Stone returns with her team in the West Midlands to solve the case of the missing child Grace Lennard. This leads to the team trying to solve several other cases from over 20 years of missing children.
This is book 15 in the Kim Stone detective series and is by far my favourite so far. There were familiar elements from the other books which I really enjoyed seeing in this one too. I especially liked how Kim Stone continued to have humorous moments with Bryant. And, I really liked how the team still consisted of many beloved characters like Stacey and Penn. Considering this is book 15, I am shocked at how Marsons is able to replicate all from her previous novels but also create something new and refreshing. Like I said, this is by far my favourite in the series showing the extent of how talented this author is to consistently write fascinating stories in the Kim Stone series. This is probably the main compliment I have towards this book as after 15, you may question what else can Marsons do, and I am so pleased to say a lot! It really showcases the authors investment into these characters and further captivating readers to follow them on more journeys.
By feeling like we know Kim Stone quite well after 15 books, makes strong connections to the novel. I think after reading all 15, readers will be certainly invested in the character. So, with return of Dr Alexandra Thorne provides a great twist to the story, especially as she is able to stir up many emotions for Kim. Stolen Ones is fast paced and once again full of twist and turns. Within this novel there is insight in to the expertise needed to interview a suspect, which was interesting to read. I feel like these are the little touches that solidify Marsons detective series as spectacular.
Overall, this book did not disappoint. I was so excited to reconnect to the characters that we have grown to love throughout the series, and Stolen Ones allowed this to happen again. Looking forward to reading more books in this series and following Kim Stone as Marsons truly does produce consistently fantastic books..
This review will be published on my blog, www.fortheliterature.wordpress.com on 11/11/21.
Book 15 in the fantastic Kim Stone series and it goes from strength to strength.
The synopsis already tells you the story but I will say the storyline keeps you on the edge of your seat. The hunt for a missing girl starts Kim and her team to solve unsolved disappearances going back decades. The main suspect has you wanting to jump in to the book to shake the truth out of him. Kim also has to handle unwanted attention from Alex Thorne. Not only is she up for parole but she also has information about Kim that shakes her to the core.
The characters are so wonderfully described that it feels like they're your friends. Kim Stone is my favourite character in any book and the fact this series has never been adapted for TV is a crime in itself.
The ending has me on a countdown already for book 16 in this amazing series.