Scan barcode
A review by pgchuis
Blood Lines by Angela Marsons
4.0
I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.
In this fifth instalment of the series featuring DI Kim Stone, she investigates the stabbing of a social work manager and then the identical stabbing of a teenage girl struggling with addiction. There seems to be no link between the two victims. Running parallel to this is a thread describing the ruthless efforts of Dr Alex Thorne (she appeared in book 2) to obtain a new trial and get out of prison. Her Machiavellian plans involve playing on Kim's hatred of and trauma from her mother. Finally there are a few chapters from the perspective of a kidnapper/torturer from 2007.
Personally, I would always be happy to read a straight procedural without any of the messy personal life of the detective included, but the Alex Thorne narrative did become quite compelling and the conclusion of that part of the storyline was satisfying. The murderer revealed at the end was, while a character we had encountered, slightly out of left field - I didn't really get that "oh, now I see" feeling - but on the other hand, the scenes at the caravan park were well written. Sometimes "action scenes" leave me a bit bored/confused, but these were concise and convincing. I liked the fact that Kim spoke to Dawson about how much she valued him, and the banter between her and Bryant is always entertaining.
After being disappointed with book 4, I liked this one very much and would recommend it.
In this fifth instalment of the series featuring DI Kim Stone, she investigates the stabbing of a social work manager and then the identical stabbing of a teenage girl struggling with addiction. There seems to be no link between the two victims. Running parallel to this is a thread describing the ruthless efforts of Dr Alex Thorne (she appeared in book 2) to obtain a new trial and get out of prison. Her Machiavellian plans involve playing on Kim's hatred of and trauma from her mother. Finally there are a few chapters from the perspective of a kidnapper/torturer from 2007.
Personally, I would always be happy to read a straight procedural without any of the messy personal life of the detective included, but the Alex Thorne narrative did become quite compelling and the conclusion of that part of the storyline was satisfying. The murderer revealed at the end was, while a character we had encountered, slightly out of left field - I didn't really get that "oh, now I see" feeling - but on the other hand, the scenes at the caravan park were well written. Sometimes "action scenes" leave me a bit bored/confused, but these were concise and convincing. I liked the fact that Kim spoke to Dawson about how much she valued him, and the banter between her and Bryant is always entertaining.
After being disappointed with book 4, I liked this one very much and would recommend it.