Unfortunately I had to DNF at 46% no matter how hard I tried to stick with it, I just couldn’t get my head around all of the characters and the side stories about past events that I’m assuming happened in previous books in the series which confused me. I understand that this was my own fault as I haven’t read any of the other 19 books in the series however in my defense I thought these would be considered as interconnected standalones so I would be able to at least read this one without reading any of the others but unfortunately I was too confused to grasp what was going on.

Due to me not reading the first 19 books in the series I feel it wouldn’t be fair to share my review on Goodreads or Amazon so I will only be sharing my experience here.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for the opportunity to read this arc in return for an honest review

Guilty Mothers is the latest tense thriller in the DI Kim Stone series by Angela Marsons, and Angela Marsons has crafted another belter of a thriller. It is always brilliant catching up with Kim and the team and I raced to read my copy, and once again, Angela Marsons did not disappoint.

Kim Stone is facing a very complex case. In the opening pages, the body of a woman is discovered and soon another victim is found. It soon appears that these women have a surprising connection and this is what makes the case so fascinating, and there are many surprises along the way for the team, which leads them down a path in a way they never would have expected.

The tension was really strong right the way through this book. I could feel the pressure on Kim and her team to solve this case, and bring the right person responsible to justice, but, like always, there was still some room for humour, particularly between Bryant and Kim, which I really liked, as this always adds some light hearted moments to the books. I’ve always been fascinated by parents who want to enter their children into pageant contests, particularly in America, where it is hugely popular, and it’s something I’ve not seen explored before in crime fiction. I could certainly see why it might anger some people, particularly the children involved as it seems, it can be to me, quite an exploitive industry. The women, who have been murdered, have each been particularly forceful in pushing their children into entering pageant contests and they are determined for their children to succeed, so much so, that it takes over their entire world.

Angela Marsons explores the motives of the killer really well in this book, and it is clear to see the emotion and the trauma they have gone through, which is there for all to see in the way their victims have been killed. There is certainly the sense that Kim and the team are racing against time to find the killer before they kill again, and I was turning the pages faster and faster as I neared the end.

Guilty Mothers is another brilliant novel in the Kim Stone series. I really, really enjoyed it.

Guilty Mothers by Angela Marsons  is the 19th in the Detective Kim Stone Police Procedural series.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.




Series Background: (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
DI Kim Stone learned to be tough.  Her mother, who died of cancer, was being held in a home for the criminally insane due to actions that almost killed Kim, and resulted in her brother's death.  Kim had little to do with her.  Although Kim's social skills are lacking, her heart is in the right place, and her detective skills outstanding.  Her team consists of: Bryant, her right hand man and friend, and the person who voices concerns in a much more diplomatic way than Kim ever would; Stacey, who can find required information in a seemingly bottomless computer system; and  Austen Penn, who for some reason, enjoys attending autopsies.    




My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions):
The team is called to a blood-thirsty murder.  Sheryl Hawne lies dead on the floor of her home, multiple stab wounds evident.  Her only daughter, Katie, was found with the knife in her hands, but she seems to be in shock.  At the jail, her behaviour is bewildering.  However, when another woman is found dead, it soon becomes evident that Katie is not responsible for the death of her mother.

They soon learn that Katie and her mother had been part of the child beauty pageant world when Katie was just a child, and her mother kept a shrine of all her daughter's achievements.  The second woman to die was also the mother of a pageant child.

As the team starts looking into the pageantry circuit, they find that it isn't all as glamorous as it seems.  The relationships of parent and child were different in each case, and the grown-up children continue to have different relationships with their mothers.  Between the children themselves, and even between the mothers, things could be tense, if not out-right vindictive during the pageant season.  However, it quickly becomes apparent that someone is considering these mothers guilty of something, and killing them seems to be the solution.

Kim and her team reflect on their own relationships with their mothers, and are determined to find justice for the pageant mothers, no matter what they have done in the past.

In the meantime, Penn and Tink look into the death of a man found in the lake, which leads them to a strange relationship between a mother and son.




My Opinions:
I was thrilled to get this new Kim Stone thriller.  Just a word up front....you really need to read these books in order.  Yes, at book 20 you may find this a little daunting if you are new to this author, but it will be well worth your time. The characters continue to grow with each book, and their past cases have a lot to do with it.  Okay, enough preaching.

This book is basically about the complicated relationships between mother and child.  It looks into child beauty pageants and how that can form a unique (and sometimes horrendous) relationship between parent and child.  It is also about how it relates to the rest of the family members.

The whole subject of child beauty pageants is quite controversial, and whenever I think of one, I think of the death of JonBenet Ramsey who was only six when she died.  I don't believe the case was ever solved, but that child's face haunts me....the fancy dresses, the make-up, hair style....all to make a six year old look beautiful.  This book looked at the struggles some children are forced to endure for their mother's narcissistic attitude.  The depriving of food, friends, and constant practicing to be perfect is more than any small child needs.

So, in one way this was a really emotional read.    Reading about some of the atrocious actions some mothers put their children through is horrendous.

But the book was so interesting, as Marsons did her research into the pageantry world to create a compelling story.

Again, Marsons nailed it!  Can't wait for Book 21 to see what she brings to me next!

When a crime series has been going as long as this one (20 instalments already!), there is the possibility of stagnation and repetition; happily that is not the case here as Angela Marsons always finds ways to refresh the characters and introduce new plots and themes. The world of pageants is certainly a new area for me and it offers a fascinating series of crimes. Very enjoyable.

I guess this series is like my adult Babysitters Club series bc I would have never guessed that I would have been 20 book in and still not tired of these characters! This book started off strong and then stalled a little for me due to all the "teaching". This wasn't one of my favorite of the series but I was still solidly entertained and still love reading about Stone and her team. Keep them coming Marsons!

This is book 20 in the Kim Stone series. Can you read this as a stand alone, yes! But are you doing yourself a disservice if you do? Yes again! This is an outstanding series and with 20 books to read already waiting, it is well worth a go.
Each book is building on the backstory of Kim and her team and family plus has a brilliant new criminal storyline too.
This book delves into the world of child beauty pageants, a type of domestic violence, and the messy world of family relationships.
I read this book in a day, love the writing as always and think Kim Stone needs to be round for a good while longer.

Wow!
What an intense and gripping read!
In Guilty Mothers we are taken into the world of beauty pageants. How far will mothers go to get their daughters that win?????
DI Kim Stone and her team are busy trying to figure out what is going on.
Author, Angela Marsons, once again delivers a fast paced thriller that kept me reading late into the night.
I am excited to read the next book in the series!
*I highly recommend reading the Detective Kim Stone series in order. There is so much backstory to the main characters that is important to know.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Absolutely fantastic, as always. This is part of a series, but can be read as a stand alone. I would highly recommend reading them in order though, as you get to know each member of the team as they grow together.

Read in record time and had me guessing, right to the very end. I did not see the twist, even though I thought I'd solved the entire case, more than once.

I can't wait for the next in line!

Never anything but good things can be said about this series of books!
You would think that after twenty books they would start to become abit tedious but I can honestly say they are just as good as the previous books.
This one is just as dark and thought provoking and deals with subjects around relationships between mothers and their daughters, I highly recommend this fantastic series. Always five stars from me.

Once again an incredibly twisted and frightening tale, penned by the ever brilliant Angela.
From beginning to end, you will find yourself looking over your shoulder, wondering if you’ve locked the doors such is the criminally wicked story, a continuation of the thrilling series that will not disappoint readers, old and new.
Just keep the nightlight on!
Highly recommended.

i love the angela marsons detctive stone series they never dissapoint so you wont be dissapointed in this - kim, penn, stacey, bryant and even tiff are a great team with great personalities and you can't forget Keats - Its good too see how they figure things out. Its just such an easy read.

A deliciously provocative title, that lived up to the hype. I haven't read any previous instalments, but it's clear Marsons' has the formula down pat - there is an atmosphere is discomfort throughout, keeping you on the edge of your seat, and eyeing everyone, thanks to her great storytelling (notably showing not telling). I was also surprised by the emotional strength of the novel, it wasn't your classic who-dun-it, it was more touching and nuanced.

Did Katie Hawne kill her mother, Sheryl? That's what D.I. Kim Stone must figure out. Katie participated in beauty pageants as a child. Another woman is dead and with Katie locked up, she cannot be the killer. The second victim also entered her daughter in pageants. Kim vows to find justice for these women. This is the 20th book in the Kim Stone series. It investigates mother/daughter relationships. Angela Marsons did a great job of researching beauty pageants. It was a real surprise to find out who done it. The characters are all well-developed and the thought-provoking plot is one that had me reading to the very end of the book. I'm now looking forward to the next book in the series. If you like twisty thrillers then you will love this book.

As always the author delivers an unputdownable brilliant read.
Two unusual plots both based around toxic parental relationships, both utterly horrific in their detail and both totally different. A look inside a world most of us are unfamiliar with, that of child pageants, and a spotlight on coercive behaviour.
Its fabulous to be back in the world of Kim and co, and despite the serious nature of the crimes there is humour and great affection in the relationships within the team.
Number 20 in the series and as riveting as number 1. It is no wonder this series is a consistently at the top of the best seller lists

This is one of my favourite detective series and i couldn’t wait to get stuck into book 20. I think it’s not just the crimes and cases why i love it so much, it’s Kim herself, her backstory and her relationship with her team.

That’s why it’s so well loved and treasured.

This story starts off with a little lighthearted fun then wham Kim gets a call from Keats and we all know what that means.

This case was something that I’ve never come across before, a murder or murders linked to the murky world of beauty pageants and it’s very dark underbelly.

Another element to this story really sickened me and i wasn’t expecting that story all but it was so well written with a lot of sensitivity as always from the author and it added another layer to the already fantastic main story line.

As always this was an adrenaline packed read that kept me on my toes right up until the real culprit was unmasked and it was actually quite a shock.

This reads really well as a standalone if you’re wanting to dive straight into the 20 book series but i always advocate to start the series at the beginning so you can really get to know the characters and all that’s happened.

Best remedy to pull yourself out a reading slump? That's right! A brand-new Kim Stone instalment. That's number 20, folks. Blows your mind, doesn't it?

This book came at the right time for me. I hadn't read in weeks, and the book I had picked up before this one didn't work for me at all. Then along came 'Guilty Mothers'. No unnecessary preamble in this one. Just dive right into the action from the get-go and never let go. I found myself hooked from the very beginning to the last word on the final page, and flew through it as if my life depended on it.

If I have to describe 'Guilty Mothers' in one word, I'd go with brutal. And that doesn't just relate to the pageant world Kim and her team will be learning more about. Incidentally, if you have mommy issues, you might want to pass this one by. There are some truly harsh moments in this story. Most of all, it made me think of my relationship with my own mother, and suddenly this story provoked thoughts I wasn't at all prepared for.

As tough as some of the things were to read about, they showed some incredibly fascinating psychological insights. But the chapters that really got to me were the ones where Pen and Tiff are investigating another case. This one involved the discovery of the body of a man who disappeared two years ago. It all seems rather straightforward, but Tiff's spidey-senses say otherwise. It will lead her to a cruel situation that may just determine if she still sees her future with CID.

And that's all I'm saying about all of that. It's up to you to pick up 'Guilty Mothers' and uncover all the wickedness that goes on. One culprit isn't a big mystery, the other one I have to admit I didn't see coming at all. It is a tense ride that left me reeling. Not always comfortable to read, but done extremely well. The pace is spot on, as always, and just like with Marson's other books, I find it nearly impossible to put them down once I've started. There's even a spot of humour to lighten the mood. Quite necessary, too.

I'm going to come right out and say it. I'm pretty sure this is Angela Marson's best one yet. That also blows your mind. How does she keep going from strength to strength? Pact with the devil? Other long running series fizzled out eons ago. Some dead in the water, some desperately trying to hang on to their heydays. But Marsons and her Kim Stone series show no signs of that at all. So all that's left for me to say, once again, is bring on the next one!

The Kim Stone stories always give you something to ponder while trying to figure out who is behind the murder, this time being the mother-daughter relationship and child pageants. We have the usual group of Kim, Bryant, Penn and Stacey working together. When Tiff comes to Kim with a case she is uneasy about, Kim pairs her with Penn to find out who killed James and what is wrong with the relationship between Olivia and her son Logan. The rest of the team are looking into brutal murders of pageant mothers. Three women are murdered and the team digs to find out what connects them. As usual, there are twists and turns during the hunt for the killer. The story is engrossing and difficult to put down as the action is fast-paced and continuous. Highly recommend.

Angela Marsons continues her ongoing series with even more drama. The 20th Kim Stone mystery does not disappoint. The heartfelt humanity that accompanies these novels brings me back again and again.

What a read! Despite my first time reading this book from this author and the book being the 20th in a series of books. I quickly was able to slip into the police team without feeling like an outsider to these characters. D.I. Kim Stone and her team (Bryant, Penn, Stace and Tiff) were such a joy to read. They are such insightful characters with the right level of banter. Their strong connection between one another was the heart of this book. The exploration of the competitive world of beauty pageants adds an interesting twist to the plot, shedding light on the pressures faced by both mothers and daughters.

There are two stories running across the book, and the quality of the writing style doesn't make it confusing or mixed up. Both tackling the theme of family coercive behaviours. From the first page, I was sucked in and that stayed throughout the book. I was eager to find out what was going to happen next. Twists and turns no clues left about truly makes a ‘whodunit’ plot exciting! This is my favourite book that I have read so far this year and I am eager to go back and read some of the books in the series.

Thank you Angela Parson, Bookouture and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this arc. I highly recommend giving it a read.

MUST READ! MUST READ! MUST READ! One of the BEST series out there.

Thank you #netgalley and #bookouture for the eARC.