Angela Marson -
I have loved your books for years.
But this one may be my favorite. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the queer rep, exposure of homophobia, the constant attempt at erasure and taught self-loathing.
Is Kim ready to return to leading her team? She doesn't think so - until she experiences her replacement. And his idiocy. And the team continues on.
First ruled a suicide, Kim quickly illustrates the impossibility. She finds herself learning about the global business of homosexuality corrective therapy and its extreme measures. While hunting a killer tracking down people identifying as queer.
Fast paced. Riveting. Cancel your day and dive in!

This is part of a long series and once again it was utterly brilliant. The plot is quite dark and gritty. The story is told from multiple perspectives. There are some surprising twists.

Hidden Scars Angela Marsons

Book 17 in the Kim Stone series, although I discovered just as I was finishing the book, I had skipped book 16 so will have to go back, but Angela's books are so entertaining, I don't mind.
I enjoyed the setting in this book, liked the storyline around the clinic as it gave something new and interesting to read about.
Angela's books are just so reliably brilliant, I always know I'm in for a ride as soon as I open the book.
I have book 18 (and 16) ready to go, so going to get stuck in now.

**Please be careful as this book discusses distressing topics of conversion therapies and possible suicides**


We're at book 17 in the Detective Kim Stone series and in my humble opinion its as strong as any of the others, in fact the author shows us a much more vulnerable side to Kim. Back at work following a tragic incident in her last case which saw her badly injured she's supposed to be breaking herself back in gently but knowing her as we do it absolutely ain't going to happen.

DI Stones replacement, DI Burns is a bit of a tosser, he only wants the glory cases the ones that will somehow further his career, ones that move him up the ladder at a rate of knots. In 2 short months he has taken charge of the team they have lost their spark, the desire to do their best. Oh and not to mention turning Stacey into a glorified tea girl. This case is one that he feels is open and shut that there's nothing in this to use to his advantage so he wants it closed as soon as possible. Immediately Kim is back she soon sees things that show it to be anything but. It really doesn't take long for her to throw him out to take back the reins and breathe life back into her colleagues.

This case begins with a bright 19 year old, Jamie Mills who was found hanging from a tree which was deemed to be suicide. Once someone with some intelligence behind them (Kim) looks into it properly it soon becomes apparent that the young man wouldn't have been able to climb the tree. Suddenly another young person is found and again it appears as if it's a suicide and again there are issues with that.

One of the things I enjoy about Ms Marsden's work is that she is not scared to write those topics that make us think and that sparks discussion which is always a good thing. They are always well researched and written with care and sensitivity, the topic in Hidden Scars is conversion therapy, which is a practice of trying to change things about people i.e. gender identity or sexuality. My personal opinion is leave people be as long as they aren't hurting anyone else. I feel that conversion therapy is a very dangerous practice that does much more harm than good trying to force people to be something that they truly aren't and never can be.

Readers of author such as Mark Billingham, Janice Frost and Carol Wyer should really enjoy this authors work. If you're looking for someone new to add to your collection Ms Marsden is a must.


Thanks to the author Ms Marsons, Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC. All opinions are mine and mine alone.

Apologies for the huge delay in my review.

Another intriguing and compelling case and I enjoyed catching up with Kim and the team. As always, the case is full of twists and turns and this one deals with a difficult theme very well.

Angie Marsons is unstoppable with her Detective Kim Stone series and Hidden Scars is another bestseller and fan favorite. Five stars to Angie for creating a main character that readers love.

Every time a new installment of Kim Stone's story is written, I literally cannot contain my excitement. One of my favourite authors and fictional characters!

This book is nothing short of what I expected. Great plot and character development with completely new twists and turns.

If you haven't read the previous books you should because they are awesome but the precious book is really required as it helps understand DI Kim Stone's transition from what happened previously to where she finds herself now. Everything that transpired before has long lasting ripples and helps the reader grasp everything Stone has dealt with to get to this point. Her team is epic but Stone's replacement is an absolute tool, everything that is wrong with a leader/supervisior. With Stone just coming back and not quite there to take over the lead she can't ignore what makes her her and this suicide doesn't sit well and before we know it there is another "suicide" that calls for a closer look.

Kim Stone is such a great character, she has flaws, she is human but her inner compass pushes her past just about everything to do the right thing for the victims they come across as officers. This book has a trio of main themes, Stone and her recovery, the case(s) of course and the team dynamics and sexuality/LGB.

Some parts of the book are absolutely heart wrenching to read, what people will do to their supposed loved ones if they are gay, the lengths some gay people will go to in order to fit into what societal norms are expected in some areas of the world and the absolute extremes of this. I really struggled with that and whilst it is a fictional book/characters there are absolutely clinics/camps/conversions still active and it is 2023!

Murder most horrid, some really horrific individuals that will make you absolutely enraged and an abundance of things going on with our favourite team! You would think by book 17 things would be beginning to get overdone or boring or even just dropping in quality/ideas, nope. Marsons manages to keep it freh, the readers engaged and create more shady horrors that have us cheering on for our team to catch the baddy, 5/5 for me this time!

Reading a new DI Kim Stone book feels something like meeting up with very good friends after a brief absence, albeit with a murderer in tow. I’ve loved this series since first reading Silent Scream a few years ago and always look forward to reading the next investigation for Stone and the team. They all have their own distinct personalities and gel perfectly together to make this tour de force. Stone is gruff and appears standoffish but is fiercely determined to protect her team. I do like Bryant because I think he is the person I would play in a television series or film. Penn and Stace have that sibling dynamic; squabbling one minute and bouncing off each other the next. I even like Woody, struggling to keep Stone in check.

The tension in this newest case was almost immediate and didn’t let up until I finished. The Author has a gift with the way she builds the picture and holds your attention throughout, while dangling these little clues and slapping you with red herrings. I suspect I say this with each new Kim Stone book, but I think this is the best yet! Any readers of crime fiction will absolutely love this book. I add the recommendation to read the whole series. They are worth it. You’ll thank me later. I gave Hidden Scars, by Angela Marsons, five stars, although it deserves many more.

As ever a great read! Can't believe we are on book 17! Kim is just back at work and a death has been ruled a suicide. This is not sitting right with her and she probes the case further, as usual getting the backs up of some fellow officers. But she's right to do so and quickly she and the Team are on the case.

An absolute roller-coaster of a read which has the team investigating more than one death as they follow up leads and secrets. An easy five star read. Love this series so much.

n the 17th installment of the DI Kim Stone series by Angela Marsons, Hidden Scars, Kim and her team become involved in investigating the murder of a young man who is found hung in a park, what looks like a suicide. When Kim and Bryant visit the parents to give them the bad news, the parents don’t react as expected, and Kim becomes suspicious. Other similar “suicides” occur, and Kim and her team find that the victims were all gay, and were trying to change and become straight. This leads to a business that specializes in “curing” clients who want to change their sexuality.

Most readers who follow this series will welcome the changes in the main characters, and the evolution of their personalities and life changes. These are not only well-developed characters, but Kim Stone’s team, (including Kim) are beloved and seem like real friends. Not only are they competent in solving crimes, but they support each other in both personal and professional lives.

Marsons is an excellent storyteller, and spins a good tale with multiple sub-plots that seem to come together in the end; some of the sub-plots are related, and some not, but the surprise ending always gives readers a reason to wait with baited breath for the next installment. Hidden Scars is no exception, and will keep readers on the edges of their seats.

All told, this installment is one that will be enjoyed by fans of Di Kim Stone, and even those who haven’t read the previous novels will enjoy this one and will want to go back and read the previously well-written excellent novels by this author.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

Another in the Detective Kim Stone series
Seventeen books down and still as good as the first
If you have not read this series it is a must
Angela does not disappoint
Can’t wait for the next one
Thanks NetGalley

Kim is still suffering from PTSD from an earlier case. She just needs to keep it together for the sake of the victim and her tea. Two mysteries: one with staged suicides and another involving a missing husband. Like with all her books, yo will have plenty of twists and turns. Angela's books keep me engaged and I always end up reading her books in one sitting. This is by far, my favorite DI series. After 17 books, I still want more!

I honestly can't believe the brilliance of these books. The scenario's Kim finds herself in are so intriguing and she is such a great detective despite what she has been through herself.

I'm glad I started reading Kim Stone books. I found out about them from a friend in the Fiction Cafe on Facebook and I'm really glad I gave them a go.

I started at number 15 of the Kim Stone books and I will eventually get round to reading 1-14 as well.

They are the kind of story's that you can fully emerse yourself in. They hit on some difficult subjects like this one was very much about things that some feel are unacceptable and need to be eradicated and are very judgemental about. I don't want to give too much away but for some a way of life is different to another's, that does not make it wrong it's just different to how they are.

I feel very strongly about not judging others because you don't think the same as them or feel the same as they do. I have friends of all different walks of life and I love them all.

Brilliantly written, fast paced and exciting novel that explores some very real topics.

I absolutely adore the Detective Stone series and I was delighted to get the opportunity to review the newest book. I loved the plot and read the book over one sitting as I was so engrossed. It was a brilliant read and I look forward to reading Detective Stone books for many years to come!

Kim must fight hard to recover from her horrible ordeal and move on in her life, both personal and professional. This story brings a difficult case for her and the team to solve.

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing a copy.

I am not sure how this author keeps things strong but she does! This is yet another good addition to this series that I have not been able to quit for past 2 years. I love the subplot of how we get to know everyone involved. Looking forward to next book!

I absolutely LOVED this latest book as we see Kim at her most vulnerable. Following the events of book 16, Kim is trying to get back to some form of normality and is clearly struggling. As she attempts to return to work the reader gets to see a very different side to Kim. As she returns to her team, we see her excuse of a replacement behaving like a complete moron and her team are completely demoralised.

When a supposed suicide is brought to the teams attention it is initially dismissed but once Kim gets her teeth into it, thankfully the team can start to investigate. This book delves into some very disturbing topics such as conversion therapy, and although you may believe this is fiction sadly it isn’t. It was extremely interesting to see this brough into a ficitonal story but was dealt with brilliantly.

Overall this latest book shows just how skilled an author Angie Marsons is. Not only are we on book 17 in a series, there is no sign of the series or its characters slowing down. Once again a hugely enoyable book by this author and if you haven’t read any in this series you are in for a treat!

Thank you Bookouture and Netgalley for another fantastic book by Anglea who is now in my top 10 authors list.
This series just keeps getting better and better and I just love these books.
Great pace, great story, as always great characters and I couldn't put it down once started.
I cannot recommend this series highly enough.

I look forward to every Angela Marsons book that comes out, and I was so excited to get an early look at Hidden Scars! This is one of my favorite series, and it just keeps being awesome.