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sarahthereadingaddict's review against another edition
5.0
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'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.
labraden's review against another edition
4.0
Kim is back at work after her near death experience, but she is only on desk duty until she feels more ready to return. DI Burns is running her squad into the ground, especially Stacey, who he treats like a glorified gopher. Kim sees all this but can't take over because she is still dealing with her ordeal, which now includes lack of sleep and nightmares. When Burns's incompetence becomes too much, she takes on the case of a local gay teen who was thought to have killed himself, but Kim and her team discover that there is much more beneath the surface, and clues lead them to a clinic practicing "conversion therapy."
Hidden Scars is almost like two books in one. There is a great deal of information provided about "conversion therapy" as well as other issues facing young gays trying to come to terms with their sexuality. The other story is that of the mystery surrounding several murders. Somehow, the author weaves these two together, but I'm not sure how successfully. While the book is extremely well written and the raising of awareness regarding "conversion therapy" and young gay teens, some of the information presented drew this reader out of the story at different points. There is also a subplot involving Kim and her return to her job, which, in my opinion, needed more space. Overall, however, Hidden Scars is a very good mystery with the usual twists the author provides that make the Kim Stone series so enjoyable.
Hidden Scars is almost like two books in one. There is a great deal of information provided about "conversion therapy" as well as other issues facing young gays trying to come to terms with their sexuality. The other story is that of the mystery surrounding several murders. Somehow, the author weaves these two together, but I'm not sure how successfully. While the book is extremely well written and the raising of awareness regarding "conversion therapy" and young gay teens, some of the information presented drew this reader out of the story at different points. There is also a subplot involving Kim and her return to her job, which, in my opinion, needed more space. Overall, however, Hidden Scars is a very good mystery with the usual twists the author provides that make the Kim Stone series so enjoyable.
lit_with_leigh's review against another edition
4.0
HAPPY PUB DAY TO ANOTHER MARSONS BANGER!!!!
Thank you Boukouture for the fastest NetGalley approval so I could read this book in one sitting like the obsessed Marsons fan I am. IYKYK, my reviews are always honest.
One sentence review: Marsons gets deep in this one and tackles "conversion camps" with empathy and sensitivity
SYNOPSIS
After a gruelling case, Kim finds herself back in action quicker than expected. The case? A spate of alleged suicides that connect back to The Change, a controversial "conversion" center that can "cure" people from their homosexuality.
MY OPINION
Okay, I just finished #12 and now I'm realizing how this was pretty much the same formula but swap cults for "conversion camps." And YES, I will keep using quotation marks for "conversion camp" because it's a bunch of nonsense and I don't believe it in PERIODTTT. Your sexual preferences CANNOT be converted – and for the "oKaY bUt ThEN pEdOs..." STFU. As a grown ass adult, you cannot be in a consensual healthy relationship with a child. But two grown ass adults of the same sex can be in a consensual healthy relationship. So if you're a homophobe, you can block me back.
Anyways, let's move onto the book. This was one – if not THEE – heaviest topic Angela Marsons has taken on. PSA: I am not gay, so I cannot say with 100% certainty that everything was accurate or the trauma wasn't glorified. BUT, I found it to be handled with empathy (esp. miss Kim who is always a bull in a china shop type person) and sensitivity. Especially John. Oh, poor John.
Similar to #12, there were some intentionally "lalalal I can't hear you" moments where everyone was shooketh that "conversion camps" existed. When I say intentional, I mean it was done so to educate the reader in a more "natural" way through the characters learning about it.
I think this topic resonated with Marsons because she really flexed her writing skills in some sections. She went beyond the usual police procedural stuff and got a lil deep with it, which is nice to see. But then in some parts the writing was pretty lol. There's one paragraph where she starts FOUR sentences in a row with "Megan". And no, it wasn't a style choice, it was just basic writing.
I'm a fan of Marsons for several reasons, one being she usually gives us two mysteries instead of one. Here we have the case of the missing husband, which had its own shocking ending. I really wasn't expecting that LOL. And tbh, I could read an entire book about it.
All in all, another solid installment from Marsons. Other characters continue to get their shine and we watch Kim's recovery journey from #16. And now I'm ready for #18 TYSM!!!!
PROS AND CONS
Pros: interesting topic handled with empathy and sensitivity, Penn's relationship with his brother Jasper will always warm your heart, 2 for 1 mystery, fast paced, twisty twists
Cons: writing was basic in some parts
Thank you Boukouture for the fastest NetGalley approval so I could read this book in one sitting like the obsessed Marsons fan I am. IYKYK, my reviews are always honest.
One sentence review: Marsons gets deep in this one and tackles "conversion camps" with empathy and sensitivity
SYNOPSIS
After a gruelling case, Kim finds herself back in action quicker than expected. The case? A spate of alleged suicides that connect back to The Change, a controversial "conversion" center that can "cure" people from their homosexuality.
MY OPINION
Okay, I just finished #12 and now I'm realizing how this was pretty much the same formula but swap cults for "conversion camps." And YES, I will keep using quotation marks for "conversion camp" because it's a bunch of nonsense and I don't believe it in PERIODTTT. Your sexual preferences CANNOT be converted – and for the "oKaY bUt ThEN pEdOs..." STFU. As a grown ass adult, you cannot be in a consensual healthy relationship with a child. But two grown ass adults of the same sex can be in a consensual healthy relationship. So if you're a homophobe, you can block me back.
Anyways, let's move onto the book. This was one – if not THEE – heaviest topic Angela Marsons has taken on. PSA: I am not gay, so I cannot say with 100% certainty that everything was accurate or the trauma wasn't glorified. BUT, I found it to be handled with empathy (esp. miss Kim who is always a bull in a china shop type person) and sensitivity. Especially John. Oh, poor John.
Similar to #12, there were some intentionally "lalalal I can't hear you" moments where everyone was shooketh that "conversion camps" existed. When I say intentional, I mean it was done so to educate the reader in a more "natural" way through the characters learning about it.
I think this topic resonated with Marsons because she really flexed her writing skills in some sections. She went beyond the usual police procedural stuff and got a lil deep with it, which is nice to see. But then in some parts the writing was pretty lol. There's one paragraph where she starts FOUR sentences in a row with "Megan". And no, it wasn't a style choice, it was just basic writing.
I'm a fan of Marsons for several reasons, one being she usually gives us two mysteries instead of one. Here we have the case of the missing husband, which had its own shocking ending. I really wasn't expecting that LOL. And tbh, I could read an entire book about it.
All in all, another solid installment from Marsons. Other characters continue to get their shine and we watch Kim's recovery journey from #16. And now I'm ready for #18 TYSM!!!!
PROS AND CONS
Pros: interesting topic handled with empathy and sensitivity, Penn's relationship with his brother Jasper will always warm your heart, 2 for 1 mystery, fast paced, twisty twists
Cons: writing was basic in some parts
whiteswanblackswan's review against another edition
5.0
Angela Marsons is the best in the genre, hands down. And Kim Stone is the absolute best character in the genre, too. These books never disappoint. 17th book and still going strong.
bookish20's review against another edition
3.0
A homophobic look at life and how some believe in cleansing. Not as punchy as her previous but a good read nonetheless
veecundill's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Love these characters so much. Every time I dive into the latest Kim Stone it is like being reunited with family. I can't believe I've just finished book 17 and have not rated a single book in this series less than 4 stars; this really is my favourite detective series ever.
ianmcnamara's review against another edition
5.0
Well this is my favourite crime series and as usual this book did not disappoint, i am expecting this series to dip in quality as more books are written however so far their is no sign of that happening. Each book is an improvement on the last one. Kim shown her skill in this one despite still recovering from her last case. We are still learning things about this complex character even after 17 books. This was a tough investigation and i was not even close to guessing who the killer was. This was full of twists and turns throughout.
kwenzel's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
wolfchanreads's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0