Reviews

Killing Mind by Angela Marsons

litwithleigh's review against another edition

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4.0

One sentence review: I'm a hoe for a cult so this started from the 50 yard line but make no mistake, it's still solid

SYNOPSIS

A spate of murders set up to look like suicides leads Kim Stone and her team to Unity Farm, a new-age place of healing aka batshit crazy cult.

MY OPINION

Soo in case you didn't think I'm crazy (slim chance), let me tell you the order I've read this series in: 16, 2, 1, 3, 15, 7, 12 and 17. LOL. Clearly any of these can be read as standalones so jump right in!

Now ya'll KNOWWW I'm a hoe for a cult but did you know I'm also a slut for a suspicious suicide? Well now you do. So ya, this had all the elements of a banger and it did deliver.

Tbh there's only so many angles you can take with a cult story, but this was the first one I read that really got into the nitty gritty of deprogramming. I've read post-cult books, but they don't really get granular with it. Yes, it sometimes felt like deprogramming 101, but the topic was of interest so whateva. I also enjoyed infiltrating the cult and showing how easy it is for educated people to get swept into the hoopla because they're a lil vulnerable.

This wasn't a 5 star banger because some of the transitional writing was giving me ymca writing class. Like three sentences in a row with "Kim " Cmon girl if you don't throw a she in there already lmao.

Also at times Kim and Bryant were intentionally obtuse to "set the stage" so to speak. Kim's comments like "this is Blackwater not London we can't have cults here" was eye roll inducing at best. And then when she outright refused to believe it's a cult just because one of their members was selling veggies on the side of the road and Laura Ingalls couldn't be miserable could she??? PLZ if I wasn't already #TeamKimStone for life this would've sent me spiralling into orbit. Instead, I shoved my head deeply into the sand.

All in all if you're craving a cult, this is a great fix.

PROS AND CONS

Pros: my fave subject: CULTS, loved learning about deprogramming, the side story with Bryant was interesting - nice to see him doing something other than corralling Kim around town, fast-paced

Cons: lots of fingers in the ears "lalala I can't hear you" moments, transitional scene writing was lolz

theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition

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4.0

Killing Mind by Angela Marsons has DI Kim Stone called to the home of Samantha Brown. By all appearances, it looks like the woman took her own life. Kim and her trusty sidekick Bryant visit Myles and Kate Brown to notify them of their daughter’s death. Something feels off to Kim and she rushes back to the crime scene for a second look. Kim is now positive that Samantha was murdered, but she needs to prove it to her boss in order to begin an investigation. Kim and her team are called out when a dead man is pulled from a lake. The man did not drown, his throat was cut just like Samantha’s. They soon find a connection between the two victims and it leads the team down a sinister path. Killing Mind is the 12th A DI Kim Stone Crime Thriller. I do recommend reading the series in order. Each book builds upon the previous one in this engaging series. I thought Killing Mind was well-written and the story moved along at a fast pace. I like the diverse cast of characters that continue to develop. Penn is fast becoming a member of the team. They still miss Dawson, but, while Penn cannot replace him, he shows what he can add to the group. Kim and her team are a hardworking bunch. Bryant is a little distracted because a rapist and killer is up for parole. This case is what led Bryant to working in CID. One of the man’s victim’s is still alive and fearful that the man will come after again. The father of another victim has never been able to recover. Kim and the rest of the team busy with the two murders. The case leads them to Unity Farm which turns out to be a cult led by a manipulative leader. The author certainly did her research for this book. We see how easily it is to fall under the spell of a persuasive man. I thought it was fascinating and frightening. I enjoyed following the mystery to see if I had accurately identified the killer. Killing Mind is a compelling story full that will have you riveted until the very end.

namitakhanna's review against another edition

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5.0

When the body of 21 year old Samantha Brown is found DI Kim Stone at first is convinced that it's a clear case of suicide but after taking a closer look at the crime scene photos changes her mind to murder . When another victim is found with similar wounds Kim and her team find all the clues lead to Unity Farm, a cult retreat for people seeking an alternative way of life . It’s up to Kim and her team to uncover the truth before any new victims are targeted by the cult .

Killing Mind by Angela Marsons is the 12th book in the DI Kim Stone series by author Angela Marsons. An outstanding series, this one continues along the same lines, an exciting well written, tightly plotted, intense thriller with well -developed characters that kept me hooked to the end. Cannot wait for the next one !
I would like to thank Bookouture & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.

This and more reviews at https://chloesbooksblog.wordpress.com/

baileys_bookstagram's review against another edition

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4.0

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to get approved for this book. Angela Marsons is one of my fav authors.
Once again DI Kim Stone and her team do not disappoint. The books premise revolves around strange deaths and a suspected cult. I have had a hard time coming up with a good breakdown of the book, you need to read it for yourself. Cult books always give me the heebie jeebies and this one is no exception.
Charismatic cult leader: check.
Seemingly too happy cult ‘members’: check
Suspicious deaths: check
This was a really different case for the team and I once again love how they work together while at the same time each have their own going ons. I found DI Stone a bit less ornery this time around which was refreshing, but truth be told that’s what I love about her. It was nice to have a side investigation going on with Bryant he’s my favourite character, he’s the glue that keeps Kim running smoothly!
All in all I loved the book and can’t wait for the next instalment.

maggymags's review against another edition

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5.0

Love this series. Always a good and satisfying read for me.

lucycatten's review against another edition

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4.0

The 12th Kim Stone novel is just as good as the previous 11. Is Samantha's death a suicide or a murder? Chilling and gripping, I read this in one sitting.

anionce's review against another edition

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5.0

4.5*

smilesgiggle's review against another edition

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5.0

I love this series. I am so attached to the characters- each gets developed more, their personality and life outside of the police station.
Fast paced. Excellent twist. I was so drawn into the story, the end just happened.
And I love Kim. She is strong, kicks ass and blunt.
I highly recommend this book and series.

laurenjodi's review against another edition

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4.0

Killing Mind
4 Stars

After initially agreeing with the pathologist that a young girl's death is the result of suicide, DI Kim Stone revisits the scene and realizes that evidence indicating murder was overlooked. Then another body with similar injuries is found, and Kim and her team link the case to an insulated community and its charismatic leader. Is there a cult at work and is one of the members a killer?

Another fast-paced and thought-provoking addition to the series.

The cult aspect is fascinating and Marson's research into the indoctrination and reconditioning processes is top-notch. Nevertheless, it is somewhat difficult to accept that a police officer with Kim's background and experience would not only dismiss the idea of a cult in her part of the world (no place is immune to the vagaries of the human mind), but also send
Spoileran untrained and inexperienced policewoman into such an uncertain and risky situation
.

The subplot involving Bryant's concern over the parole of a violent rapist adds another layer of tension to the story, and I enjoyed the implied link between the cases - The human psyche is a fragile thing as seen with both
SpoilerHarrison
and the cult members. Given the right circumstances, anyone is capable of evil acts.

On a final note, I do think that Marsons needs a better editor. There are numerous grammar mistakes that could be easily resolved with improved proofreading.

vsrkive's review against another edition

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4.0

I am here to tell you that I love this series and I have been a fan from the first book.

This book does a deep dive on cult culture and how a cult doesn’t look like one from the beginning. It was fascinating to see it and I love the research that Angela Marsons does in her books. A combination of facts and fiction.

Also loved that we get to see a little bit more of Bryant and his POV. The dynamic between him and Kim is truly the best.

Shoutout to one of my faves, Stacy, who I wish to see more in the coming stories. The mystery was not that enticing to me but I appreciated some of the new characters that were introduced and fingers crossed that we see more of them.

The characters, all of them, are the ones that make me keep coming back. I cannot wait for more stories from the series.

Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy