Title:Blood Lines
Author:Angela Marsons
Series:DI Kim Stone, #5
Narrator:Jan Cramer
Published:October 2016, Bookouture
Length:8 hours 52 minutes
Source:Publisher
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…A totally gripping thriller that will have you hooked from the very first page to the final, dramatic twist.
My thoughts:This is the fifth book in Angela Marsons’ DI Kim Stone series and seriously, can I just tell you I freakin‘ love this series!!! OMG – I don’t think there is a more deviously twisted series out there and I mean that as the most sincere form of praise. Angela Marsons writes the best characters and the best plots you could possibly imagine and I just cannot get enough of them!
I was so excited to see the diabolical, deliciously evil Dr. Alex Thorne back. Oh, she’s one crazy, twisted character and wants nothing more than to play games with our beloved DI Kim Stone and boy oh boy has she ever done that. The cat and mouse games she continues to play are epic – it seriously is a battle for control. Both these women are smart but who will be the victor this time?
I loved that we got further insight into Kim’s past, particularly about her mother. Despite the fact that this was tied into the games played by Alex Thorne, it was still valuable information into Kim’s psyche and her motivations in general. There’s still so much about Kim that is unknown – that’s part of her tough-gal persona and I have a feeling will always be that way. But just giving us that little bit with each book is like hitting gold – and another reason to read this series in order! It all makes sense and all the pieces fit together so much better.
As with each book, we get just a little more on each member of the team as well. Not too much, but just a little. I love the interactions Kim has with Bryant and Stacey – they tend to be humorous and happen at just the right time. Then there’s Dawson, who seems to be feeling a bit left out of things. This team is feeling more and more like a family, which is good since it’s just about all the family that Kim has.
I can’t say enough good things about this book and this series. If you like dark, twisted thrillers that keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time…you need to read Angela Marsons. And lucky for us, the next book is out very soon!!!
Audio thoughts:What can I say about Jan Cramer narrating this series that I haven’t already said…I adore this woman and her ability to bring life to these characters. She is so consistent book after book, each character having their own unique voice and her pacing and the tension – spot on! I love listening to this series and so hope Jan continues to narrate it as long as it goes on.
Books in this series:
- Silent Scream
- Evil Games
- Lost Girls
- Play Dead
- Blood Lines
- Deal Souls – due out April 28, 2017
