I enjoyed this book enough to label it a great and unexpected find. Truly liked the characters and settings and the fact that the 'mystery' (cozy or nI enjoyed this book enough to label it a great and unexpected find. Truly liked the characters and settings and the fact that the 'mystery' (cozy or not) takes a back seat did not bother me in the slightest. This was instead, to me, reminiscent of The Casual Vacancy and that is not small praise! I will definitely be reading more....more
Another full pointer in the Kim Stone series! When you’re in the mood for a police procedural with a brilliant cast of characters, high pace, pulse raAnother full pointer in the Kim Stone series! When you’re in the mood for a police procedural with a brilliant cast of characters, high pace, pulse raising suspense and complex but believable plots look no further. I envy anyone who still has this series unread. Book #10 in February - already on order.
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Another full pointer in the Kim Stone series! When you’re in the mood for a police procedural with a brilliant cast of characters, high pace, pulse raising suspense and complex but believable plots look no further. I envy anyone who still has this series unread. Book #10 in February - already on order....more
This continues to be a rock solid series and a brilliant go-to whenever the urge for a good police procedural, a suspenseful thriller, a gripping storThis continues to be a rock solid series and a brilliant go-to whenever the urge for a good police procedural, a suspenseful thriller, a gripping story of characters well known or just the feel for a darned good read sets in. With the 10th book under her belt, Marsons still doesn’t know what it feels like to write a less than great one. Even in book 10, even when the story (killer bent on revenge recreates Stone’s worst moments in life) feels - not far-fetched - but, you know, it is book 10. Even then, she teases s tear from you and she definitely surprises you in a good way. One particularly ‘obvious’ development in this one shone with it’s non becoming and that was really both impressive and crucial to the story. If you haven’t read the series, congratulations, you’re in for great times.
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This continues to be a rock solid series and a brilliant go-to whenever the urge for a good police procedural, a suspenseful thriller, a gripping story of characters well known or just the feel for a darned good read sets in. With the 10th book under her belt, Marsons still doesn’t know what it feels like to write a less than great one. Even in book 10, even when the story (killer bent on revenge recreates Stone’s worst moments in life) feels - not far-fetched - but, you know, it is book 10. Even then, she teases s tear from you and she definitely surprises you in a good way. One particularly ‘obvious’ development in this one shone with it’s non becoming and that was really both impressive and crucial to the story. If you haven’t read the series, congratulations, you’re in for great times....more
I enjoyed part 7 in the Kim Stone series just as much as I have the preceding parts, but it's not entirely flawless. The horrible story about trade wiI enjoyed part 7 in the Kim Stone series just as much as I have the preceding parts, but it's not entirely flawless. The horrible story about trade with human lives and forced prostitution develops slowly and different happenings and actions are only very loosely and doubtfully connected. This I liked very much and some of my absolute favorite police mysteries does feature this development. The story, as gruesome as it is, does suffer a little bit when it comes to suspense though. This is of course in comparison with earlier parts that had me at the edge of my seat, so you may certainly disagree. Both these are moot points, however, if you take into account the continuing story and the characters, who by now feels like I've known them for ages. And this makes this a superb reading experience!
I did not care for the ending much (didn't mind it either, but...) - the revelation felt a bit off and how Kim managed to nestle herself into the final situation I'll never know. Felt like we seen it before. Still, I'll be first in line to read the next one!
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I enjoyed part 7 in the Kim Stone series just as much as I have the preceding parts, but it's not entirely flawless. The horrible story about trade with human lives and forced prostitution develops slowly and different happenings and actions are only very loosely and doubtfully connected. This I liked very much and some of my absolute favorite police mysteries does feature this development. The story, as gruesome as it is, does suffer a little bit when it comes to suspense though. This is of course in comparison with earlier parts that had me at the edge of my seat, so you may certainly disagree. Both these are moot points, however, if you take into account the continuing story and the characters, who by now feels like I've known them for ages. And this makes this a superb reading experience!
I did not care for the ending much (didn't mind it either, but...) - the revelation felt a bit off and how Kim managed to nestle herself into the final situation I'll never know. Felt like we seen it before. Still, I'll be first in line to read the next one!...more
3 stars for a book in the Kim Stone series is still a strong recommendation, as the bar is set high. I always love to revisit the characters of these 3 stars for a book in the Kim Stone series is still a strong recommendation, as the bar is set high. I always love to revisit the characters of these books and the stories in this one is expertly told. It does not live up to its predecessors, though. A not over the top serial killer story, a side story that works and a little bit personal stories development. I liked it well enough to jump directly into the next one!
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3 stars for a book in the Kim Stone series is still a strong recommendation, as the bar is set high. I always love to revisit the characters of these books and the stories in this one is expertly told. It does not live up to its predecessors, though. A not over the top serial killer story, a side story that works and a little bit personal stories development. I liked it well enough to jump directly into the next one!...more
Borderline full 5 stars! Now, this book was not good. It was not good for my blood pressure and it was not good for my night rest. Other than that, itBorderline full 5 stars! Now, this book was not good. It was not good for my blood pressure and it was not good for my night rest. Other than that, it was pretty frickin' amazing!
When D.I. Stone was more or less forced to work on commission for the neighboring police district away from her team and with her estranged colleague-cum-challenger Travis, I was at first a tad apprehensive. Would I miss out on the antics and adventures and the great interaction with Stacey, Kevin and Bryant? No to worry, I did not have to miss any of them, but rather got two stories for the price of one!
The discovery of old buried bodies reveals an ugly story with implications and a continuation to today. The story does demand a bit of suspension of disbelief on account of a few unlikely undetected events and some developments and this is the only reason for the missing star. On the other hand, I'm happy to give it, since the story is very suspenseful and offers some riveting, impossible-to-put-the-book-down, reading. The ending is a good one too. I really recommend this entire series and now, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go check the status of part 7...
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Borderline full 5 stars! Now, this book was not good. It was not good for my blood pressure and it was not good for my night rest. Other than that, it was pretty frickin' amazing!
When D.I. Stone was more or less forced to work on commission for the neighboring police district away from her team and with her estranged colleague-cum-challenger Travis, I was at first a tad apprehensive. Would I miss out on the antics and adventures and the great interaction with Stacey, Kevin and Bryant? No to worry, I did not have to miss any of them, but rather got two stories for the price of one!
The discovery of old buried bodies reveals an ugly story with implications and a continuation to today. The story does demand a bit of suspension of disbelief on account of a few unlikely undetected events and some developments and this is the only reason for the missing star. On the other hand, I'm happy to give it, since the story is very suspenseful and offers some riveting, impossible-to-put-the-book-down, reading. The ending is a good one too. I really recommend this entire series and now, if you'll excuse me, I'm gonna go check the status of part 7......more
A massive step (back) up from the readable, but not massively engaging Child's Play. The characters are very much back in character, but still treat uA massive step (back) up from the readable, but not massively engaging Child's Play. The characters are very much back in character, but still treat us to some surprises and development as we follow an intense story of a murder with ties to a seemingly harmless cult. A side story springing from Bryant's first murder case is also engaging. A few weak protests along the way from me (such as situations we've seen before, some suspension of disbelief needed) do not change the fact that this one is virtually impossible to put down when your invested! Make sure you have plenty of time.
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A massive step (back) up from the readable, but not massively engaging Child's Play. The characters are very much back in character, but still treat us to some surprises and development as we follow an intense story of a murder with ties to a seemingly harmless cult. A side story springing from Bryant's first murder case is also engaging. A few weak protests along the way from me (such as situations we've seen before, some suspension of disbelief needed) do not change the fact that this one is virtually impossible to put down when your invested! Make sure you have plenty of time....more
Ok, so I’ll admit, I’m hooked now. Really enjoy the setting and characters. The stories feel a bit simplistic, almost naive at times, but that gives aOk, so I’ll admit, I’m hooked now. Really enjoy the setting and characters. The stories feel a bit simplistic, almost naive at times, but that gives a bit of matinee feeling and a bit of innocent air that actually works well with the 1850s setting. It would not have been enough for further books though, but to my pleasure, this third instalment turns pretty gritty (well, in comparison). Our main couple’s courting seems stuck at trembling handholding, but that’s fine too.
This time the investigation takes the Railway Detective across the channel to France and a troubled railway building project. He brings he’s trusty but reluctant companion, Victor Leeming and later, the force of nature that is ex-policeman Brendan Mulryne. The pair are actually the best characters in the books this far, and I greatly enjoyed their antics.
Going to have to look for the next one now…...more
If you for some inexplicable reason should decide to read “Deadly Cry” first, or as only Kim Stone story, you’re absolutely fine - it’s a suspenseful If you for some inexplicable reason should decide to read “Deadly Cry” first, or as only Kim Stone story, you’re absolutely fine - it’s a suspenseful story with great characters. If you read the preceding ones in the series, though, it’s underwhelming close to disappointing. Basically, we read this story before (and parts of it more than once). This repetition (although not the ending, really) could be forgiven if the side stories and development of characters were there, but sadly they are not this time.
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If you for some inexplicable reason should decide to read “Deadly Cry” first, or as only Kim Stone story, you’re absolutely fine - it’s a suspenseful story with great characters. If you read the preceding ones in the series, though, it’s underwhelming close to disappointing. Basically, we read this story before (and parts of it more than once). This repetition (although not the ending, really) could be forgiven if the side stories and development of characters were there, but sadly they are not this time....more
Not one of the top parts in this series, it would definitely be that of many others though! This time around, the continuing adventures of Kim Stone aNot one of the top parts in this series, it would definitely be that of many others though! This time around, the continuing adventures of Kim Stone and the people around her does have a wee bit of repetition about them. Still, there is plenty suspense (and devastation!) and meeting all these great characters are as always a great treat. I would recommend it unreservedly (as I do the entire series), if you have any interest at all in the genre, you can't go wrong.
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Not one of the top parts in this series, it would definitely be that of many others though! This time around, the continuing adventures of Kim Stone and the people around her does have a wee bit of repetition about them. Still, there is plenty suspense (and devastation!) and meeting all these great characters are as always a great treat. I would recommend it unreservedly (as I do the entire series), if you have any interest at all in the genre, you can't go wrong....more
The follow up to the good Silent Scream surpasses that one by quite a lot! The return of D.I. Kim Stone has her working a case that has not obvious tiThe follow up to the good Silent Scream surpasses that one by quite a lot! The return of D.I. Kim Stone has her working a case that has not obvious ties to others and probably not in a way that anyone first guessed. I had a definite feeling of the story taking off in a totally different direction than I was expecting - and in that process it introduced a great and quite scary antagonist! And there are good characters throughout - Ms Stone herself is a really interesting one, and brilliantly drawn in that she's not too unrealistic or too twisted as is the problem with many in her genre. I obviously found my summer series and have no intention to stop any time soon, next up is Lost Girls.
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The follow up to the good Silent Scream surpasses that one by quite a lot! The return of D.I. Kim Stone has her working a case that has not obvious ties to others and probably not in a way that anyone first guessed. I had a definite feeling of the story taking off in a totally different direction than I was expecting - and in that process it introduced a great and quite scary antagonist! And there are good characters throughout - Ms Stone herself is a really interesting one, and brilliantly drawn in that she's not too unrealistic or too twisted as is the problem with many in her genre. I obviously found my summer series and have no intention to stop any time soon, next up is Lost Girls....more
For some reason, this book failed to catch me in the start and a third in I had a few issues with who’s who among the characters. Other than that, it’For some reason, this book failed to catch me in the start and a third in I had a few issues with who’s who among the characters. Other than that, it’s a well written and an enjoyable, if not terribly original, read. I like Lottie Parker as a character too, she’s not unique either, but not stereotypical either. The story caught me eventually and there are some pretty suspenseful parts. Most way through, I’d say a four-star read. However, I did not care for the ending - ok, there was one piece of realism that I did like - but the rest seemed a bit rushed and with meager payoff after 100+ chapters. I dropped a star because of this and because of my slow start, but I will surely read more of the series.
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For some reason, this book failed to catch me in the start and a third in I had a few issues with who’s who among the characters. Other than that, it’s a well written and an enjoyable, if not terribly original, read. I like Lottie Parker as a character too, she’s not unique either, but not stereotypical either. The story caught me eventually and there are some pretty suspenseful parts. Most way through, I’d say a four-star read. However, I did not care for the ending - ok, there was one piece of realism that I did like - but the rest seemed a bit rushed and with meager payoff after 100+ chapters. I dropped a star because of this and because of my slow start, but I will surely read more of the series....more
Rating rounded up (from 2 and change maybe? I’ll tell you why).
A crime story set in well-described mid-1800s, it’s tending towards naive narrative andRating rounded up (from 2 and change maybe? I’ll tell you why).
A crime story set in well-described mid-1800s, it’s tending towards naive narrative and uncomplicated plot and characters (good detective, unfair superiors, fair maidens and vile criminals) probably suited me well, reading most of it travelling or far too late nights in strange hotel beds. The matinee feeling, but ultimately good plot with few surprises, probably the same, which is, I think, why I enjoyed it as much as I did.
I’ll probably pick up the next in the series, should I stumble upon it, but I’m not going hunting. If you feel for a period mystery and are ok with the above premises I would recommend....more
I think this one is one big reason to why I remember the Ms Marple's so fondly, this one is absolutely irresistible. Very low profile from Ms. Marple I think this one is one big reason to why I remember the Ms Marple's so fondly, this one is absolutely irresistible. Very low profile from Ms. Marple herself and the story treads water a bit in the last third, but it does not matter at all. Writing impossible if you don't consider when it was written and wonderful characters. Quite straightforward mystery and you can spot the red herrings relatively easily.
"She was a tall, long-legged girl, not beautiful but with a charm that was made up of vitality and a warm-hearted personality. She moved well, and had lovely gleaming chestnut brown hair. Perhaps from a long association with horses, she had acquired the look of a thoroughbred filly."...more
The third story featuring Emmanuel Cooper, a war traumatised Detective in 1950's South Africa. The characters are great and the setting is fascinatingThe third story featuring Emmanuel Cooper, a war traumatised Detective in 1950's South Africa. The characters are great and the setting is fascinatingly scary and alien - the thought "why do we need sci-fi?" has entered my mind more than once reading these.
All this said, the story in this one did not grip me as hard as the previous two. This might be me as I've had a period with little time, ending up reading late and frequently doing a retake next night on account of half falling asleep... Despite this, it's been a good read, so chances are you'll have a better experience....more
Following the events in the first book ‘Detective’ Emmanuel Cooper has actually lost his job with the police and also his status of “European” in AparFollowing the events in the first book ‘Detective’ Emmanuel Cooper has actually lost his job with the police and also his status of “European” in Apartheid South Africa. Happening on the murder of a young boy, he first gets suspected, but, by a twist of fate - or at least, a highly clandestine motivation of his old boss (who is, secretly, also his current employer) - he’s given a ‘chance’ - find the killer in 48 hours, or go down for the murder.
Did that sound a bit convoluted? This is only the beginning. The plot is again complicated until it starts to unravel. It’s not a bad thing and anyway, the setting of South Africa of 1953 and the characters are the best features of this story.
It started out really strong and I thought it would rise far above the preceding book. In the end, it didn’t (for me), but I can’t really point to exactly what I’m (very mildly) objecting to. I’d say, it is different, but on par with the first and they are both well recommended reads....more
A slow burner that turned into an almost obsessive read. The crime mystery is a good one, but the setting of South Africa in 1952 lifts it on so many A slow burner that turned into an almost obsessive read. The crime mystery is a good one, but the setting of South Africa in 1952 lifts it on so many levels because of the unfamiliar, complex and deeply unequal and ignorant society we learn about.
Detective Emmanuel Cooper is sent to a small town, or village, to investigate the murder of the local, white, chief of police. He faces prejudice and mistrust from all directions and not least, he has his own corrupt and complex police force and its branches to try to navigate. A wrong step can be fatal.
Like mentioned, it started quite slow, but I liked the writing a lot (as well as characters and settings) and I was soon rewarded by a mesmerising tale.
Didn’t care for the ending, the resolution is perfectly fine, but, oddly for an old gore-hound, I find violence in a “real” setting hard to stomach and it got a bit much.
Angela Marsons just continues to impress and amaze with this series. The second battle between D.I. Kimberly Stone and the evil Dr. Alex is a story whAngela Marsons just continues to impress and amaze with this series. The second battle between D.I. Kimberly Stone and the evil Dr. Alex is a story which is pretty much a minefield for an author to navigate and I was holding my breath starting out. Quite unnecessarily so, it turned out, because the author amazingly does everything right. Soon I was holding my breath due to the suspense instead.
Characterization is continually strong; Stone's team members are all both interesting and genuine feeling. The people around them also well described and easily distinguished and remembered. The bad are sometimes bad, but sometimes just damaged and pitiful. The narrative style with the short, chapters holding alternating storylines and quite often with a decent cliffhaner at the end are designed to make you "have to" read one more and will keep you awake longer than planned.
I can't really say more about the story than I already did without spoiling anything, but believe me when I say Marsons could teach a boat load of thriller writers how it should be done. One of my favorite police procedural series and very much recommended if this is what you are in the mood for.
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Angela Marsons just continues to impress and amaze with this series. The second battle between D.I. Kimberly Stone and the evil Dr. Alex is a story which is pretty much a minefield for an author to navigate and I was holding my breath starting out. Quite unnecessarily so, it turned out, because the author amazingly does everything right. Soon I was holding my breath due to the suspense instead.
Characterization is continually strong; Stone's team members are all both interesting and genuine feeling. The people around them also well described and easily distinguished and remembered. The bad are sometimes bad, but sometimes just damaged and pitiful. The narrative style with the short, chapters holding alternating storylines and quite often with a decent cliffhaner at the end are designed to make you "have to" read one more and will keep you awake longer than planned.
I can't really say more about the story than I already did without spoiling anything, but believe me when I say Marsons could teach a boat load of thriller writers how it should be done. One of my favorite police procedural series and very much recommended if this is what you are in the mood for....more
Really like this 5th Miss Marple. Characters and events are quite weird and odd and the mystery is not outrageously contrived. Sure, there are parts wReally like this 5th Miss Marple. Characters and events are quite weird and odd and the mystery is not outrageously contrived. Sure, there are parts where the story seems to be treading water, but not too many or long. ...more
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