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marsetta's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 out of 5
Thank you to Angela Marsons, Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
How do you catch a killer who leaves no trace?
A victim killed with a single, precise stab to the heart appears at first glance to be a robbery gone wrong. A caring, upstanding social worker lost to a senseless act of violence. But for Detective Kim Stone, something doesn’t add up.
When a local drug addict is found murdered with an identical wound, Kim knows instinctively that she is dealing with the same killer. But with nothing to link the two victims except the cold, calculated nature of their death, this could be her most difficult case yet.
Desperate to catch the twisted individual, Kim’s focus on the case is threatened when she receives a chilling letter from Dr Alex Thorne, the sociopath who Kim put behind bars. And this time, Alex is determined to hit where it hurts most, bringing Kim face-to-face with the woman responsible for the death of Kim’s little brother – her own mother.
As the body count increases, Kim and her team unravel a web of dark secrets, bringing them closer to the killer. But one of their own could be in mortal danger. Only this time, Kim might not be strong enough to save them…
This is the fifth book in the series and while I've been a big fan of the series, this one is not up to the par as the rest of them. While the overall story was good, I found it quite predictable and had figured out who the killer was quite early on which really puts a dampener on the suspense.
In saying that I did like Kim's interaction with Dr Alexandra Thorne, who seems to be a worthy adversary for her. The constant mind games she plays makes interesting reading.
Overall it is a fast read but lacks the suspense and tension of the other books in the series.
For more reviews follow me at:
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Thank you to Angela Marsons, Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a copy of this book in return for an honest review.
How do you catch a killer who leaves no trace?
A victim killed with a single, precise stab to the heart appears at first glance to be a robbery gone wrong. A caring, upstanding social worker lost to a senseless act of violence. But for Detective Kim Stone, something doesn’t add up.
When a local drug addict is found murdered with an identical wound, Kim knows instinctively that she is dealing with the same killer. But with nothing to link the two victims except the cold, calculated nature of their death, this could be her most difficult case yet.
Desperate to catch the twisted individual, Kim’s focus on the case is threatened when she receives a chilling letter from Dr Alex Thorne, the sociopath who Kim put behind bars. And this time, Alex is determined to hit where it hurts most, bringing Kim face-to-face with the woman responsible for the death of Kim’s little brother – her own mother.
As the body count increases, Kim and her team unravel a web of dark secrets, bringing them closer to the killer. But one of their own could be in mortal danger. Only this time, Kim might not be strong enough to save them…
This is the fifth book in the series and while I've been a big fan of the series, this one is not up to the par as the rest of them. While the overall story was good, I found it quite predictable and had figured out who the killer was quite early on which really puts a dampener on the suspense.
In saying that I did like Kim's interaction with Dr Alexandra Thorne, who seems to be a worthy adversary for her. The constant mind games she plays makes interesting reading.
Overall it is a fast read but lacks the suspense and tension of the other books in the series.
For more reviews follow me at:
https://crimeandmysterybookreview.wordpress.com/
www.twitter.com/crimemysteryboo
www.facebook.com/crimeandmysterybooksreview
nannyf's review against another edition
5.0
Alongside Lindsay J. Pryor's Blackthorn books, this has to be one of my favourite series. The author has proven time and time again that she has the ability to confuse and entertain the reader until just the right moment. With this, the fifth book in the Kim Stone series, she totally blew me away once again.
After reading the first book in the series I said that I would rank the book with the likes of James Patterson, and I still totally stand by that statement. By book five some authors may start struggling to come up with realistic stories, and keep the reader interested. Angela Marsons does not have that problem at all. She has produced a story which fans of the previous books will totally relate to as she weaves the past characters of Dr Alex Thorne and Kim's mum into the story.
This book is not only about solving several murders which appear to be linked, but it also delves far deeper into Kim's psyche than ever before. We find out more details about her past, and discover exactly how deep her feelings about her mum run.
Brilliant story, brilliant series and one of my favourite authors.
Huge thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
After reading the first book in the series I said that I would rank the book with the likes of James Patterson, and I still totally stand by that statement. By book five some authors may start struggling to come up with realistic stories, and keep the reader interested. Angela Marsons does not have that problem at all. She has produced a story which fans of the previous books will totally relate to as she weaves the past characters of Dr Alex Thorne and Kim's mum into the story.
This book is not only about solving several murders which appear to be linked, but it also delves far deeper into Kim's psyche than ever before. We find out more details about her past, and discover exactly how deep her feelings about her mum run.
Brilliant story, brilliant series and one of my favourite authors.
Huge thanks to Bookouture and Netgalley for providing a copy in exchange for an honest review.
aiko98's review against another edition
5.0
Co vám budu povídat. Další naprosto skvělý díl z pera Angely Marsons. Máme tu vraha, který vraždí své oběti jedinou přesnou bodnou ranou a nezanechava žádné stopy. Tady jsem byla opravdu v koncích a těžko se mi Pak na konci věřilo, kdo za tím stal. U Angelinych knížek musíte opravdu podezřívat každého. :D Na scénu se nám vrací také sociopaticka manipulatorka Alex , která se z vězení snaží zbavit všech, kteří by mohli zabránit jejímu propuštění. Neuvěřitelné, kam až dokáže zajít. Také odkryvame další kus Kiminy minulosti. A že to začíná být opravdu masakr. U knihy jsem tentokrát šíleně brečela, protože opravdu těžko snáším, když se v knihách koná násilí na dětech, nedejbože chladnokrevne vraždy.
Precteno za 4 dny. Nestarat se o miminko, zvládla bych to na jeden zátah. :D Nejde dát méně než 5 hvězdiček.
Precteno za 4 dny. Nestarat se o miminko, zvládla bych to na jeden zátah. :D Nejde dát méně než 5 hvězdiček.
clairereviews's review against another edition
4.0
Review: Blood Lines (Detective Kim Stone #5) by Angela Marsons Published by: Bookouture (4 November 2016)
ISBN: 978-1786810991
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 4*
Synopsis:
A victim killed with a single, precise stab to the heart appears at first glance to be a robbery gone wrong. A caring mother and social worker lost to a senseless act of violence. But for Detective Kim Stone, something doesn’t add up.When a local drug addict is found murdered with an identical wound, Kim knows instinctively that she is dealing with the same killer. But with nothing to link the two victims except the cold, calculated nature of their death, this could be her most difficult case yet.Desperate to catch the twisted individual, Kim’s focus on the case is threatened when she receives a chilling letter from Dr Alex Thorne, the sociopath who Kim put behind bars. And this time, Alex is determined to hit where it hurts most, bringing Kim face-to-face with the woman responsible for the death of Kim’s little brother – her own mother.As the body count increases, Kim and her team unravel a web of dark secrets, bringing them closer to the killer. But one of their own could be in mortal danger. Only this time, Kim might not be strong enough to save them…
Review:
As a fan of Angela Marsons' previous novels featuring Detective Kim Stone, I was eagerly awaiting this latest publication, her second to feature Kim's nemesis, the evil Dr Alex Thorne. I was expecting high drama, emotionally charged scenes and a compelling plot...
It took me far longer to read Blood Lines than anticipated, purely because I wasn't plagued by my usual insomnia, so I read until I fell asleep every night, until I dropped my kindle and it hit me in the face or dropped onto the floor! The plot is enticing, it grabs you from the outset and winds itself around you, nudging at you to peek at the horrors within.
Kim is one of my favourite police characters; although she's sarcastic and a bit ferocious on the outside it's all a bit of a front to protect that vulnerable damaged part of her that she's so desperate to keep inside. I think we can all identify with that to a certain extent. I'd like to get to know more about Kim's team members; maybe that'll come in time. One thing I found annoying, and that stopped my flow of reading, was the phonetic spelling of Stacey's accent. Whenever I got to one of those words, I stopped and (unsuccessfully) tried to work out how to pronounce the word. I'm still none the wiser! When I read a book, if I know a character is from a particular place or has a certain accent, when I imagine them speaking, they automatically have that accent. Maybe other readers find it useful but I found it more of a hindrance, to be honest.
Having said that, I did really enjoy this book. The end few chapters felt a little rushed, as though nothing much happened for a while and then all of a sudden there was a buzz of activity and everything happened at once. But I guess the end of a case can be like that when everything falls into place.
Special thanks to Angela Marsons, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for my honest review.
ISBN: 978-1786810991
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 4*
Synopsis:
A victim killed with a single, precise stab to the heart appears at first glance to be a robbery gone wrong. A caring mother and social worker lost to a senseless act of violence. But for Detective Kim Stone, something doesn’t add up.When a local drug addict is found murdered with an identical wound, Kim knows instinctively that she is dealing with the same killer. But with nothing to link the two victims except the cold, calculated nature of their death, this could be her most difficult case yet.Desperate to catch the twisted individual, Kim’s focus on the case is threatened when she receives a chilling letter from Dr Alex Thorne, the sociopath who Kim put behind bars. And this time, Alex is determined to hit where it hurts most, bringing Kim face-to-face with the woman responsible for the death of Kim’s little brother – her own mother.As the body count increases, Kim and her team unravel a web of dark secrets, bringing them closer to the killer. But one of their own could be in mortal danger. Only this time, Kim might not be strong enough to save them…
Review:
As a fan of Angela Marsons' previous novels featuring Detective Kim Stone, I was eagerly awaiting this latest publication, her second to feature Kim's nemesis, the evil Dr Alex Thorne. I was expecting high drama, emotionally charged scenes and a compelling plot...
It took me far longer to read Blood Lines than anticipated, purely because I wasn't plagued by my usual insomnia, so I read until I fell asleep every night, until I dropped my kindle and it hit me in the face or dropped onto the floor! The plot is enticing, it grabs you from the outset and winds itself around you, nudging at you to peek at the horrors within.
Kim is one of my favourite police characters; although she's sarcastic and a bit ferocious on the outside it's all a bit of a front to protect that vulnerable damaged part of her that she's so desperate to keep inside. I think we can all identify with that to a certain extent. I'd like to get to know more about Kim's team members; maybe that'll come in time. One thing I found annoying, and that stopped my flow of reading, was the phonetic spelling of Stacey's accent. Whenever I got to one of those words, I stopped and (unsuccessfully) tried to work out how to pronounce the word. I'm still none the wiser! When I read a book, if I know a character is from a particular place or has a certain accent, when I imagine them speaking, they automatically have that accent. Maybe other readers find it useful but I found it more of a hindrance, to be honest.
Having said that, I did really enjoy this book. The end few chapters felt a little rushed, as though nothing much happened for a while and then all of a sudden there was a buzz of activity and everything happened at once. But I guess the end of a case can be like that when everything falls into place.
Special thanks to Angela Marsons, Bookouture and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in return for my honest review.
charlotte_helen's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Another brilliantly written book in the DI Kim Stone series. I really enjoyed the return and continuation of the Alex Thorne storyline alongside the new unrelated case.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Murder, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Grief, Child death, Drug abuse, Violence, and Drug use
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
Blood Lines
4 Stars
D.I. Kim Stone and her team investigate the death of a social worker during an apparent robbery. But then another victim is discovered with an identical stab wound to the heart, and Kim fears that a serial killer is on the loose. Meanwhile, Kim's sociopathic nemesis, Dr. Alex Thorne, is up to her old manipulative tricks again in prison - will she finally succeed in destroying Kim's fragile psyche?
Kim is an intelligent and resourceful heroine, but it is difficult to watch her struggle with Alex's machinations. Nevertheless, it is satisfying to see her ultimately get the better of the obnoxious Alex.
The mystery is compelling and the motive, once revealed, is disturbing. That said, it is difficult to accept that Kim figured it all out with the dearth of available clues.
In sum, another excellent installment in the series and I look forward to continuing.
4 Stars
D.I. Kim Stone and her team investigate the death of a social worker during an apparent robbery. But then another victim is discovered with an identical stab wound to the heart, and Kim fears that a serial killer is on the loose. Meanwhile, Kim's sociopathic nemesis, Dr. Alex Thorne, is up to her old manipulative tricks again in prison - will she finally succeed in destroying Kim's fragile psyche?
Kim is an intelligent and resourceful heroine, but it is difficult to watch her struggle with Alex's machinations. Nevertheless, it is satisfying to see her ultimately get the better of the obnoxious Alex.
The mystery is compelling and the motive, once revealed, is disturbing. That said, it is difficult to accept that Kim figured it all out with the dearth of available clues.
In sum, another excellent installment in the series and I look forward to continuing.
vsrkive's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book.I freaking LOVED IT.
I can confidently say that I will buy anything Angela Marsons writes without hesitation because she writes the best books ever…
Bloodlines is the fifth book in DI Kim stone series which is my all time favorite in mystery genre.The plot focuses on Kim trying to catch a killer who murdered a woman who everyone loved and respected.Their team can’t find any motive at all.
All the while Kim fights her own battles which appear in the form of Dr.Alexandra Thorne.
I can’t say too much without giving anything away but the mystery is top notch just like the other books in this series.You will never feel bored or swayed from the story line.Yes there are some chapters from the sociopath Alex Thorne,who we saw in Evil Games but I felt that added to the charm of this book.
Coming to the characters,this series contains the best cast of lead and supporting cast I have ever seen.
Kim Stone is as badass always.Aside from the fact that I just wanted to hug her too many times in this book,nothing changed from the prickly and tactless character I adore ❤️ Please Ms.Marsons,don’t ever change Kim.I love her as she is.
In this book,we explore the relationship between Kim and her mother.You get to understand her so much more.
And Byrant,who is like light to Kim’s darkness.Their encounters always leave me with a warm feeling.You rarely get friends like that who know you more than yourself.
And Stacy and Kev were as amazing as ever.I think Kev grew up a lot in this one.which was fun to watch.I always felt he was the baby in the team
And the last chapter where Kim mentions her brother,I swear I didn’t get a little misty-eyed,not at all.
Awaiting book 6 and anticipating many more new and old characters.Bring it on!
If you are a fan of mystery genre or trying out this genre,please check out DI Kim stone series.You will not be disappointed at all.
ianmcnamara's review against another edition
5.0
Angela Marsons does it again, I was gripped from the start until the very end of the book. As expected now from this series this book was indeed better than the previous.
Kim and her team are called to a scene a respectable social worker is found with a stab wound to the heart, however Kim feels that something does not addd up. Then a drug addict is found with an identical wound and Kim is convince that despite there seemingly being no connection to the two victims the cases are somehow linked. Later on in the story another case comes to light and Kim and her team are in a race to find out the killers motives and catch the person before it's two late.
this was a gripping thriller with everything, it trotted along at a nice pace and had me reeled in from start to finish. Also we got to meet Alexandra Thorn Kim's nemesis who almost broke her in book two, Alex is a fantastic character and the battle of wills between her and Kim is brilliant to watch. I can't help loving her despite her being so evil and hope that we're going to see her again.
Kim and her team are called to a scene a respectable social worker is found with a stab wound to the heart, however Kim feels that something does not addd up. Then a drug addict is found with an identical wound and Kim is convince that despite there seemingly being no connection to the two victims the cases are somehow linked. Later on in the story another case comes to light and Kim and her team are in a race to find out the killers motives and catch the person before it's two late.
this was a gripping thriller with everything, it trotted along at a nice pace and had me reeled in from start to finish. Also we got to meet Alexandra Thorn Kim's nemesis who almost broke her in book two, Alex is a fantastic character and the battle of wills between her and Kim is brilliant to watch. I can't help loving her despite her being so evil and hope that we're going to see her again.