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D.I. Kim Stone #20
Guilty Mothers
She lies on the floor, her blue eyes wide and unseeing, arms outstretched as if begging for help. Kneeling next to her, wearing a purple sequinned ballgown and holding a knife in shaking hands, is her daughter…
In a quiet kitchen, where two mugs wait by the kettle to be filled, Sheryl Hawne lies in a pool of blood. Her only daughter, Katie, is found at her side, still clutching the murder weapon and apparently incapable of speech. To Detective Kim Stone, the case seems open and shut. But Katie is in no state to be questioned, so Kim and the team must dig deep to understand what triggered this brutal act.
Soon, they learn that Katie participated in beauty pageants as a child, and her mother kept a shrine to her achievements. As Kim gazes at the golden trophies and shiny rosettes, she is forced to wonder if this was what set Katie on the path to murder…
But then Kim receives a shocking call. Another woman is dead. And with Katie safely locked up, she cannot be the killer. The second victim also entered her daughter in pageants, and a broken tiara is found thrust down her throat. Someone clearly feels that these mothers are guilty – and that they deserve to die. Forcing back the memories of her own monstrous mother, Kim vows to find justice for these women, no matter what pain they caused.
Now more than a day behind their killer, Kim races to learn more about a competitive world where appearances are everything and mothers will go to any lengths to ensure their daughters triumph. Buried somewhere in this dark past is the key to unlocking the case… but will Kim be able to find it before another family is destroyed forever?
The twentieth book in the international, multi-million-copy bestselling series, Guilty Mothers will have you glued to the pages. Fans of Karin Slaughter, Val McDermid and Robert Dugoni will devour this gripping crime thriller.
In a quiet kitchen, where two mugs wait by the kettle to be filled, Sheryl Hawne lies in a pool of blood. Her only daughter, Katie, is found at her side, still clutching the murder weapon and apparently incapable of speech. To Detective Kim Stone, the case seems open and shut. But Katie is in no state to be questioned, so Kim and the team must dig deep to understand what triggered this brutal act.
Soon, they learn that Katie participated in beauty pageants as a child, and her mother kept a shrine to her achievements. As Kim gazes at the golden trophies and shiny rosettes, she is forced to wonder if this was what set Katie on the path to murder…
But then Kim receives a shocking call. Another woman is dead. And with Katie safely locked up, she cannot be the killer. The second victim also entered her daughter in pageants, and a broken tiara is found thrust down her throat. Someone clearly feels that these mothers are guilty – and that they deserve to die. Forcing back the memories of her own monstrous mother, Kim vows to find justice for these women, no matter what pain they caused.
Now more than a day behind their killer, Kim races to learn more about a competitive world where appearances are everything and mothers will go to any lengths to ensure their daughters triumph. Buried somewhere in this dark past is the key to unlocking the case… but will Kim be able to find it before another family is destroyed forever?
The twentieth book in the international, multi-million-copy bestselling series, Guilty Mothers will have you glued to the pages. Fans of Karin Slaughter, Val McDermid and Robert Dugoni will devour this gripping crime thriller.
362 pages, Paperback
Published May 21, 2024
2447 people are currently reading
1226 people want to read
About the author
Angela Marsons
52 books4,989 followersAngela is the author of the Kim Stone Crime series. She discovered a love of writing at Primary School when a short piece on the rocks and the sea gained her the only merit point she ever got.
Angela wrote the stories that burned inside and then stored them safely in a desk drawer.
After much urging from her partner she began to enter short story competitions in Writer's News resulting in a win and three short listed entries.
She used the Amazon KDP program to publish two of her earlier works before concentrating on her true passion - Crime.
Angela is now signed to write a total of 16 Kim Stone books for http://bookouture.com and has secured a print deal with Bonnier Zaffre Publishing.
Angela wrote the stories that burned inside and then stored them safely in a desk drawer.
After much urging from her partner she began to enter short story competitions in Writer's News resulting in a win and three short listed entries.
She used the Amazon KDP program to publish two of her earlier works before concentrating on her true passion - Crime.
Angela is now signed to write a total of 16 Kim Stone books for http://bookouture.com and has secured a print deal with Bonnier Zaffre Publishing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 439 reviews
April 19, 2024
On the kitchen worktop stands a kettle and two mugs - waiting to be filled with one’s chosen beverage - a normal everyday event. However, the person meant to be filling those mugs, Sheryl Hawne, lies unresponsive on the kitchen floor surrounded by a pool of blood. Standing beside Sheryl’s body is her daughter Katie, a bloodied knife in her hand.
This then is the scene that awaits Detective Kim Stone, to all intents and purposes this is an open and shut case, but never judge a book by its cover - this case is going to be anything but open and shut.
Katie is in no fit state to be interviewed, so Kim begins to question everyone who knows this mother and daughter, (although it’s still likely that Katie committed the crime).
Upstairs, Kim discovers trophies and rosettes galore, which were won by Katie as a child beauty pageant, it’s almost shrine like, and she wonders if this had anything to do with the savage murder.
Just when Kim thinks she has it all sewn up, she gets a call informing her of another horrific murder, and it’s also a mum who entered her daughter into child beauty pageants. Katie is in custody so can’t be held responsible for this murder. There’s clearly much more to this than meets the eye, and Kim and her team are going to make sure they find out exactly what these mothers are guilty of.
Running parallel with this is the case of a man who’s body is discovered in a fishing lake. It’s not clear whether this was a suicide, a simple accident, or something more sinister. This case introduces a mother and son, where Detectives suspect that something’s going on behind closed doors that they find very concerning.
Well, here we are at book #20 in the Detective Kim Stone series, and Angela Marsons has introduced yet another subject that very few of us will be familiar with - that of child beauty pageants, where it appears that in some cases it’s the mothers who are after the glory of winning the trophies.
Well written and meticulously researched, with vivid characterisations which are hugely insightful, particularly regarding Kim's team - it's like they've become people that we know - friends that we enjoy spending leisurely catch up time with, and yes, people we care about. The finger of suspicion reveals various suspects in the child beauty pageant case, but I was nevertheless surprised to find out whodunnit!
*Thank you to Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
This then is the scene that awaits Detective Kim Stone, to all intents and purposes this is an open and shut case, but never judge a book by its cover - this case is going to be anything but open and shut.
Katie is in no fit state to be interviewed, so Kim begins to question everyone who knows this mother and daughter, (although it’s still likely that Katie committed the crime).
Upstairs, Kim discovers trophies and rosettes galore, which were won by Katie as a child beauty pageant, it’s almost shrine like, and she wonders if this had anything to do with the savage murder.
Just when Kim thinks she has it all sewn up, she gets a call informing her of another horrific murder, and it’s also a mum who entered her daughter into child beauty pageants. Katie is in custody so can’t be held responsible for this murder. There’s clearly much more to this than meets the eye, and Kim and her team are going to make sure they find out exactly what these mothers are guilty of.
Running parallel with this is the case of a man who’s body is discovered in a fishing lake. It’s not clear whether this was a suicide, a simple accident, or something more sinister. This case introduces a mother and son, where Detectives suspect that something’s going on behind closed doors that they find very concerning.
Well, here we are at book #20 in the Detective Kim Stone series, and Angela Marsons has introduced yet another subject that very few of us will be familiar with - that of child beauty pageants, where it appears that in some cases it’s the mothers who are after the glory of winning the trophies.
Well written and meticulously researched, with vivid characterisations which are hugely insightful, particularly regarding Kim's team - it's like they've become people that we know - friends that we enjoy spending leisurely catch up time with, and yes, people we care about. The finger of suspicion reveals various suspects in the child beauty pageant case, but I was nevertheless surprised to find out whodunnit!
*Thank you to Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
May 31, 2024
Angela Marsons delivers yet again (seriously, when doesn't she deliver?) with Guilty Mothers, the 20th book in the DI Kim Stone series!!!!! As with the other books in the series, this book was gripping, thought provoking, shocking and hard to put down. This series is a MUST read for me. I love the camaraderie between Kim and her team, their banter, their humor, their detective work, the cases they investigate, and Angela Marson's wonderful writing. Plus, the character development that has occurred in this series has been wonderful to read. I enjoy the balance between the characters’ personal lives and their detective work. Having said that, this book is mainly focused on the case(s) Kim and her team are investigating.
Things aren't always pretty in the world of beauty pageants. The focus to be perfect, to stand right, to walk right, to weigh the right amount.... For some it is a fun experience, for others it is a highly competitive and brutal experience. In Guilty Mothers, the Stage Moms/mothers of former child pageant contestants are being murdered. As Kim and her team begin to investigate, they learn that walking on the stage was not always a walk in the park for the child pageant contestants.
I always found child beauty pageants to be icky and creepy: putting make up on children, parading them around in high heels and wearing not always childlike costumes. This book shows the mother's drive to have their daughters win, the focus on being perfect, the impossible beauty standards, and having to be judged. There is a lot of food for thought in this alone.
In another case, a man's body has been found in a fishing lake. Did he fall in, how did he die? He has been reported missing and when Tiff visits the woman who reported him missing to inform her of his death, she gets an uneasy feeling about the woman's son...
The book has many themes, the main one being about Mothers/Motherhood and the relationships between mothers and their children. Readers of the series are aware of the relationship that Kim had with her mother as a child and see the relationships that the characters in this book have/had with their mothers. This book also touches on competition, relationships, trauma, jealousy, abuse, and loss.
There was a nice amount of tension, twists, and reveals in this book which had me turning the page and wanting more. There is a lot going on in this book and Kim and her team are kept very busy as they investigate whodunit. They will have their hands full but will not be deterred.
Gripping, shocking, thought provoking and hard to put down!
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
Things aren't always pretty in the world of beauty pageants. The focus to be perfect, to stand right, to walk right, to weigh the right amount.... For some it is a fun experience, for others it is a highly competitive and brutal experience. In Guilty Mothers, the Stage Moms/mothers of former child pageant contestants are being murdered. As Kim and her team begin to investigate, they learn that walking on the stage was not always a walk in the park for the child pageant contestants.
I always found child beauty pageants to be icky and creepy: putting make up on children, parading them around in high heels and wearing not always childlike costumes. This book shows the mother's drive to have their daughters win, the focus on being perfect, the impossible beauty standards, and having to be judged. There is a lot of food for thought in this alone.
In another case, a man's body has been found in a fishing lake. Did he fall in, how did he die? He has been reported missing and when Tiff visits the woman who reported him missing to inform her of his death, she gets an uneasy feeling about the woman's son...
The book has many themes, the main one being about Mothers/Motherhood and the relationships between mothers and their children. Readers of the series are aware of the relationship that Kim had with her mother as a child and see the relationships that the characters in this book have/had with their mothers. This book also touches on competition, relationships, trauma, jealousy, abuse, and loss.
There was a nice amount of tension, twists, and reveals in this book which had me turning the page and wanting more. There is a lot going on in this book and Kim and her team are kept very busy as they investigate whodunit. They will have their hands full but will not be deterred.
Gripping, shocking, thought provoking and hard to put down!
Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
December 2, 2024
4.5
As I have said it before, Angela Marsons never disappoints!
This was as twisty and gruesome as it gets!
As I have said it before, Angela Marsons never disappoints!
This was as twisty and gruesome as it gets!
May 27, 2024
Starting with an open and shut case, the brutal murder of a mother, with her blood-covered daughter by her side, still holding the murder weapon, Detective Inspector Kim Stone soon found out things weren't as straight forward as they seemed. The second brutal murder immediately had Kim reassessing her thoughts - a deep investigation involving Stacey, discovered both deceased women had been involved with their daughters in beauty pageants when the girls were young. Would Kim and her team find the killer before more women died?
Meanwhile a body had been pulled from a nearby waterway, that turned out to be a man who'd been missing for two years. Penn and the new trainee, Tiff, went to the house of the woman who had reported him missing, only to be confronted by a situation that had Tiff's antennae vibrating. Always encouraging her team to follow their gut feelings, she gave Tiff and Penn free range to follow the clues. But would they get the answers they needed?
Guilty Mothers is the 20th in the DI Kim Stone series by Angela Marsons and it was another exceptional addition to the series. Kim, Bryant, Stacey, Penn and Tiff - a great team, always determined to get the answers for the victims. I'm loving this series and wonder what Ms Marsons will come up with in her next Kim Stone book. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Meanwhile a body had been pulled from a nearby waterway, that turned out to be a man who'd been missing for two years. Penn and the new trainee, Tiff, went to the house of the woman who had reported him missing, only to be confronted by a situation that had Tiff's antennae vibrating. Always encouraging her team to follow their gut feelings, she gave Tiff and Penn free range to follow the clues. But would they get the answers they needed?
Guilty Mothers is the 20th in the DI Kim Stone series by Angela Marsons and it was another exceptional addition to the series. Kim, Bryant, Stacey, Penn and Tiff - a great team, always determined to get the answers for the victims. I'm loving this series and wonder what Ms Marsons will come up with in her next Kim Stone book. Highly recommended.
With thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
April 28, 2024
Firstly I would like to thank netgalley and Bookoutune and the fabulous author Angela marsons for a early copy of a book to read.
This is the 20th book in this series,what another fabulous read from the Kim stone series.kim and her team investigates a murder of a woman whos
daughter at the crime scene,did she murder her mother? Following more murders of mothers theres one link the daughters were all in the beauty pagents who has something against beauty pagents..a second crime story of a man found in a fishing lake was he murdered stacey in the case..Angela marsons writes great engaging crime books always an exciting read a five star review and looking forward to reading the next instalment.
This is the 20th book in this series,what another fabulous read from the Kim stone series.kim and her team investigates a murder of a woman whos
daughter at the crime scene,did she murder her mother? Following more murders of mothers theres one link the daughters were all in the beauty pagents who has something against beauty pagents..a second crime story of a man found in a fishing lake was he murdered stacey in the case..Angela marsons writes great engaging crime books always an exciting read a five star review and looking forward to reading the next instalment.
June 17, 2024
the setup…
DI Kim Stone and DS Bryant are called to the home of Sheryl Hawne where she lies dead, covered in blood and her daughter Katie found holding the knife. It initially looks like an open and shut case, even with Katie almost catatonic and unresponsive. But later that evening, Kim’s called to the site of another murder that’s very similar. What ties the two victims together is their history with beauty pageants. Both had immersed their daughters in that competitive world for years and it appears to not only be the link but the reason behind their murders. Meanwhile Constable Tiffany (Tiff) Moore responds to a call with her sergeant where the significantly decomposed body of James Nixon has been found in a lake. He was reported missing two years ago by his girlfriend Olivia Dench. But when she does the notification, Tiff senses something’s “off” between the woman and her son Logan.
the heart of the story…
I’ve known these little girl pageants were competitive, particularly between the mothers, but never would I have imagined it to be this bad. As Kim and her team explore these murders, it’s clear someone wants to get retribution for mothers behaving badly and it’s not necessarily their abused daughters. Someone is on a mission after the third murder and the list of suspects isn’t short. The secondary storyline was equally compelling as Tiff turns to Kim’s team to share her misgivings and they take her seriously. We get Olivia’s point of view so it’s that kind of mystery where you’re twisting in your seat, hoping the team figures out what you already know.
the narration…
I will only listen to this series because of Cramer and she delivers another outstanding storytelling performance.
the bottom line…
I was completely taken in by this story, equally for both investigations. Not all mothers navigating their daughters through the pageant world were abusive in their approach and not all of the daughters were emotionally damaged as a result so it reshaped my opinion somewhat. The contrast between the pageant mothers and Olivia Dench were remarkable as the situation was reversed. Guilty mothers indeed and it all made for a fascinating exploration, a complex mystery and excellent police procedurals.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
DI Kim Stone and DS Bryant are called to the home of Sheryl Hawne where she lies dead, covered in blood and her daughter Katie found holding the knife. It initially looks like an open and shut case, even with Katie almost catatonic and unresponsive. But later that evening, Kim’s called to the site of another murder that’s very similar. What ties the two victims together is their history with beauty pageants. Both had immersed their daughters in that competitive world for years and it appears to not only be the link but the reason behind their murders. Meanwhile Constable Tiffany (Tiff) Moore responds to a call with her sergeant where the significantly decomposed body of James Nixon has been found in a lake. He was reported missing two years ago by his girlfriend Olivia Dench. But when she does the notification, Tiff senses something’s “off” between the woman and her son Logan.
the heart of the story…
I’ve known these little girl pageants were competitive, particularly between the mothers, but never would I have imagined it to be this bad. As Kim and her team explore these murders, it’s clear someone wants to get retribution for mothers behaving badly and it’s not necessarily their abused daughters. Someone is on a mission after the third murder and the list of suspects isn’t short. The secondary storyline was equally compelling as Tiff turns to Kim’s team to share her misgivings and they take her seriously. We get Olivia’s point of view so it’s that kind of mystery where you’re twisting in your seat, hoping the team figures out what you already know.
the narration…
I will only listen to this series because of Cramer and she delivers another outstanding storytelling performance.
the bottom line…
I was completely taken in by this story, equally for both investigations. Not all mothers navigating their daughters through the pageant world were abusive in their approach and not all of the daughters were emotionally damaged as a result so it reshaped my opinion somewhat. The contrast between the pageant mothers and Olivia Dench were remarkable as the situation was reversed. Guilty mothers indeed and it all made for a fascinating exploration, a complex mystery and excellent police procedurals.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
May 4, 2024
Fantastic new instalment in the Kim Stone series. A gripping police procedural based around mothers. The importance, impact and fragility of mother daughter relationships. A classic whodunnit in relation to various pageant girls' mothers being murdered. Explores topical themes, including the impact of beauty expectations.
A side story, based on police instincts, also kept the pace up. Also about a mother, but in relation to her son.
As always, I enjoyed the teams banter and Kim's sass.
Highly recommend this series. Please check TWs online.
A side story, based on police instincts, also kept the pace up. Also about a mother, but in relation to her son.
As always, I enjoyed the teams banter and Kim's sass.
Highly recommend this series. Please check TWs online.
January 13, 2025
EXCERPT: He turned to find her still standing at the water's edge with a puzzled expression.
'Hey, what is it?'
'The man was here fishing. He fell in or was pushed. He got stuck under the ledge after drowning.'
'Yeah, we got that, Tiff,' Penn said.
'So, what happened to his stuff?'
Penn felt the smile tug at his lips. Honestly, he hadn't given that a thought.
In this particular instance, two heads were definitely working better than one.
ABOUT 'GUILTY MOTHERS': She lies on the floor, her blue eyes wide and unseeing, arms outstretched as if begging for help. Kneeling next to her, wearing a purple sequinned ballgown and holding a knife in shaking hands, is her daughter…
In a quiet kitchen, where two mugs wait by the kettle to be filled, Sheryl Hawne lies in a pool of blood. Her only daughter, Katie, is found at her side, still clutching the murder weapon and apparently incapable of speech. To Detective Kim Stone, the case seems open and shut. But Katie is in no state to be questioned, so Kim and the team must dig deep to understand what triggered this brutal act.
Soon, they learn that Katie participated in beauty pageants as a child, and her mother kept a shrine to her achievements. As Kim gazes at the golden trophies and shiny rosettes, she is forced to wonder if this was what set Katie on the path to murder…
But then Kim receives a shocking call. Another woman is dead. And with Katie safely locked up, she cannot be the killer. The second victim also entered her daughter in pageants, and a broken tiara is found thrust down her throat. Someone clearly feels that these mothers are guilty – and that they deserve to die. Forcing back the memories of her own monstrous mother, Kim vows to find justice for these women, no matter what pain they caused.
Now more than a day behind their killer, Kim races to learn more about a competitive world where appearances are everything and mothers will go to any lengths to ensure their daughters triumph. Buried somewhere in this dark past is the key to unlocking the case… but will Kim be able to find it before another family is destroyed forever?
MY THOUGHTS: What can I say about this series that hasn't already been said? And what can I say that will do it justice?
Every time I read a book in this series, it becomes my new favorite. I doubt that Angela Marsons even knows the words stale or boring; they're obviously not in her vocabulary. Instead her books continue to be inventive and interesting.
Mothers are at the very forefront of Guilty Mothers - yes, the title does somewhat give the theme away. But not every mother is guilty and, as I have come to expect from a Marsons novel, not everything is as it first seems.
Two different cases are being investigated - both involving mothers. In one, mothers of child beauty pageant contestants are being killed, but many years after their participation has ended. How can there be any possible link? In the second case, a man's body is found two years after his disappearance.
Guilty Mothers is a fast-paced crime thriller that investigates both the child beauty-pageant industry and elder abuse. Gripping, intriguing, it had an ending I didn't see coming.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#GuiltyMothers #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: I discovered my love of writing at Primary School when a short piece on the rocks and the sea gained me the only merit point I ever got. I wrote the stories that burned inside and then stored them safely in a desk drawer.
After much urging from my partner I began to enter short story competitions in Writer’s News resulting in a win and three short listed entries. I self-published two of my earlier works before concentrating on my true passion – Crime.
After many, many submissions I signed an 8 book deal with Bookouture as their first crime author.
I live in the Black Country with my partner, our bouncy Labrador and a potty-mouthed parrot.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of Guilty Mothers by Angela Marsons for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
'Hey, what is it?'
'The man was here fishing. He fell in or was pushed. He got stuck under the ledge after drowning.'
'Yeah, we got that, Tiff,' Penn said.
'So, what happened to his stuff?'
Penn felt the smile tug at his lips. Honestly, he hadn't given that a thought.
In this particular instance, two heads were definitely working better than one.
ABOUT 'GUILTY MOTHERS': She lies on the floor, her blue eyes wide and unseeing, arms outstretched as if begging for help. Kneeling next to her, wearing a purple sequinned ballgown and holding a knife in shaking hands, is her daughter…
In a quiet kitchen, where two mugs wait by the kettle to be filled, Sheryl Hawne lies in a pool of blood. Her only daughter, Katie, is found at her side, still clutching the murder weapon and apparently incapable of speech. To Detective Kim Stone, the case seems open and shut. But Katie is in no state to be questioned, so Kim and the team must dig deep to understand what triggered this brutal act.
Soon, they learn that Katie participated in beauty pageants as a child, and her mother kept a shrine to her achievements. As Kim gazes at the golden trophies and shiny rosettes, she is forced to wonder if this was what set Katie on the path to murder…
But then Kim receives a shocking call. Another woman is dead. And with Katie safely locked up, she cannot be the killer. The second victim also entered her daughter in pageants, and a broken tiara is found thrust down her throat. Someone clearly feels that these mothers are guilty – and that they deserve to die. Forcing back the memories of her own monstrous mother, Kim vows to find justice for these women, no matter what pain they caused.
Now more than a day behind their killer, Kim races to learn more about a competitive world where appearances are everything and mothers will go to any lengths to ensure their daughters triumph. Buried somewhere in this dark past is the key to unlocking the case… but will Kim be able to find it before another family is destroyed forever?
MY THOUGHTS: What can I say about this series that hasn't already been said? And what can I say that will do it justice?
Every time I read a book in this series, it becomes my new favorite. I doubt that Angela Marsons even knows the words stale or boring; they're obviously not in her vocabulary. Instead her books continue to be inventive and interesting.
Mothers are at the very forefront of Guilty Mothers - yes, the title does somewhat give the theme away. But not every mother is guilty and, as I have come to expect from a Marsons novel, not everything is as it first seems.
Two different cases are being investigated - both involving mothers. In one, mothers of child beauty pageant contestants are being killed, but many years after their participation has ended. How can there be any possible link? In the second case, a man's body is found two years after his disappearance.
Guilty Mothers is a fast-paced crime thriller that investigates both the child beauty-pageant industry and elder abuse. Gripping, intriguing, it had an ending I didn't see coming.
⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
#GuiltyMothers #NetGalley
THE AUTHOR: I discovered my love of writing at Primary School when a short piece on the rocks and the sea gained me the only merit point I ever got. I wrote the stories that burned inside and then stored them safely in a desk drawer.
After much urging from my partner I began to enter short story competitions in Writer’s News resulting in a win and three short listed entries. I self-published two of my earlier works before concentrating on my true passion – Crime.
After many, many submissions I signed an 8 book deal with Bookouture as their first crime author.
I live in the Black Country with my partner, our bouncy Labrador and a potty-mouthed parrot.
DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via NetGalley for providing a digital ARC of Guilty Mothers by Angela Marsons for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.
https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
August 19, 2025
Guilty Mothers introduced a chilling new case. A killer targeting the mothers of former child beauty pageant contestants. But why now, after all these years?
In Stourbridge, West Midlands, police respond to a neighbour’s call about screams next door. Inside, they discover Sheryl Hawne (late forties) brutally stabbed in her kitchen. Her daughter Katie (early twenties) sits beside her, covered in blood and holding the knife. When DI Kim Stone and DS Bryant arrive, Katie is unresponsive. Is she in shock, or refusing to speak to avoid incriminating herself? Kim arrests her, convinced she’s guilty. But while Katie sits in custody, another woman is murdered. Like Sheryl, she has a daughter around Katie’s age. The link soon becomes clear, both daughters performed in beauty pageants as kids.
The 20th instalment in the DI Kim Stone series, Guilty Mothers was a fast-paced, twist-packed thriller that had me hooked from the first page. I devoured it in a single day. Returning to this world after a couple of years reminded me just how compelling these books are. I loved reconnecting with Kim, Bryant, Stacey, Penn, and Tiffany ‘Tiff’, and I especially enjoyed seeing Tiff grow more confident in her Constable role, trusting her instincts to lead her to the truth. And the verbal sparring between Kim and pathologist Keats was as entertaining as ever, as was the rivalry but begrudging respect between her and reporter, Tracy Frost. My only tiny disappointment was that Kim’s Staffordshire bull terrier, Barney, only appeared in one scene.
At its core, the novel explored mother/daughter relationships and the damage caused by narcissistic parenting. These themes not only drove the investigation but also prompted Kim and her team to reflect on their own mothers – both the loving and the destructive. The book also shined a harsh light on the toxic world of child beauty pageants in the UK – the relentless competitiveness of mothers, the exploitation of children, and the long-lasting scars such pressure causes. Some scenes were deeply emotional (I may have shed a tear or two), while others were unsettlingly, dark, and distressing. Trigger warnings are included in the spoiler section below.
Although this can be read as a standalone, I recommend starting earlier in the series to fully appreciate the character development and team dynamics. That said, I admit I’ve been reading out of order myself – I began with book 16 (Six Graves) and have been jumping around ever since. Reading Guilty Mothers before Bad Blood (#19) did spoil a plot point, but if anything, it’s only made me more eager to ge to it.
Because Guilty Mothers was such a thrilling read, I’m leaping straight into the next book, 36 Hours.
Trigger Warnings:
In Stourbridge, West Midlands, police respond to a neighbour’s call about screams next door. Inside, they discover Sheryl Hawne (late forties) brutally stabbed in her kitchen. Her daughter Katie (early twenties) sits beside her, covered in blood and holding the knife. When DI Kim Stone and DS Bryant arrive, Katie is unresponsive. Is she in shock, or refusing to speak to avoid incriminating herself? Kim arrests her, convinced she’s guilty. But while Katie sits in custody, another woman is murdered. Like Sheryl, she has a daughter around Katie’s age. The link soon becomes clear, both daughters performed in beauty pageants as kids.
The 20th instalment in the DI Kim Stone series, Guilty Mothers was a fast-paced, twist-packed thriller that had me hooked from the first page. I devoured it in a single day. Returning to this world after a couple of years reminded me just how compelling these books are. I loved reconnecting with Kim, Bryant, Stacey, Penn, and Tiffany ‘Tiff’, and I especially enjoyed seeing Tiff grow more confident in her Constable role, trusting her instincts to lead her to the truth. And the verbal sparring between Kim and pathologist Keats was as entertaining as ever, as was the rivalry but begrudging respect between her and reporter, Tracy Frost. My only tiny disappointment was that Kim’s Staffordshire bull terrier, Barney, only appeared in one scene.
At its core, the novel explored mother/daughter relationships and the damage caused by narcissistic parenting. These themes not only drove the investigation but also prompted Kim and her team to reflect on their own mothers – both the loving and the destructive. The book also shined a harsh light on the toxic world of child beauty pageants in the UK – the relentless competitiveness of mothers, the exploitation of children, and the long-lasting scars such pressure causes. Some scenes were deeply emotional (I may have shed a tear or two), while others were unsettlingly, dark, and distressing. Trigger warnings are included in the spoiler section below.
Although this can be read as a standalone, I recommend starting earlier in the series to fully appreciate the character development and team dynamics. That said, I admit I’ve been reading out of order myself – I began with book 16 (Six Graves) and have been jumping around ever since. Reading Guilty Mothers before Bad Blood (#19) did spoil a plot point, but if anything, it’s only made me more eager to ge to it.
Because Guilty Mothers was such a thrilling read, I’m leaping straight into the next book, 36 Hours.
Trigger Warnings:
April 13, 2024
It is a sad fact that that some pageant moms can be described as “narcissistic zombie robots”. As this book begins, the question is, did Katie Hawne kill her mother in cold blood? Despite odd, childlike behavior displayed by Katie, D. I. Kim Stone and her team just might have an open-and-shut case with the most recent murder they are investigating. However, there is soon a second victim, and with telling evidence that the cases are connected, Kim quickly becomes sure of Katie’s innocence. Kim and her partner Penn are now beginning to see the sad and unfortunate reality of what can go on with little girls and their mothers in the pageant world.
Is it an oedipus complex, Munchausen by proxy or narcissistic mother/daughter relationships that are the backdrop of an often ongoing part of a toxic world of pageants? While Kim is addressing the brutality behind the murders that tie into past pageants, there is a separate case with Kendrick and Tiff, a Constable making a big imprint on the CID. A body that was discovered proved to be that of a missing man. However, this discovery involves much more when it comes to a deep problem with another type of family dynamic.
Oh. My. Word! Angela Marsons is talented beyond belief. Guilty Mothers ran the gamut when it came to me experiencing a plethora of emotions. Shock. Sadness. Rage. Even brought me to tears more than once. To say I loved this book would be a gross understatement. I loved it so much that I had to stop and go back and reread sections. The draw to this book is indescribable. This stunning book, a one-sitting read, had me holding my breath, grabbing my cheeks, and holding back tears.
It is amazing how Ms. Marsons continues to breathe life into this amazing crime fiction series. And can I reiterate how she makes the reader FEEL? How this mega talented author evokes strong feelings in her readers? Oh my! Now I have to wait for Book 21!
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Is it an oedipus complex, Munchausen by proxy or narcissistic mother/daughter relationships that are the backdrop of an often ongoing part of a toxic world of pageants? While Kim is addressing the brutality behind the murders that tie into past pageants, there is a separate case with Kendrick and Tiff, a Constable making a big imprint on the CID. A body that was discovered proved to be that of a missing man. However, this discovery involves much more when it comes to a deep problem with another type of family dynamic.
Oh. My. Word! Angela Marsons is talented beyond belief. Guilty Mothers ran the gamut when it came to me experiencing a plethora of emotions. Shock. Sadness. Rage. Even brought me to tears more than once. To say I loved this book would be a gross understatement. I loved it so much that I had to stop and go back and reread sections. The draw to this book is indescribable. This stunning book, a one-sitting read, had me holding my breath, grabbing my cheeks, and holding back tears.
It is amazing how Ms. Marsons continues to breathe life into this amazing crime fiction series. And can I reiterate how she makes the reader FEEL? How this mega talented author evokes strong feelings in her readers? Oh my! Now I have to wait for Book 21!
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
May 27, 2024
Guilty Mothers by Angela Marsons is the 19th in the Detective Kim Stone Police Procedural series.
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Series Background: (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
DI Kim Stone learned to be tough. Her mother, who died of cancer, was being held in a home for the criminally insane due to actions that almost killed Kim, and resulted in her brother's death. Kim had little to do with her. Although Kim's social skills are lacking, her heart is in the right place, and her detective skills outstanding. Her team consists of: Bryant, her right hand man and friend, and the person who voices concerns in a much more diplomatic way than Kim ever would; Stacey, who can find required information in a seemingly bottomless computer system; and Austen Penn, who for some reason, enjoys attending autopsies.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
The team is called to a blood-thirsty murder. Sheryl Hawne lies dead on the floor of her home, multiple stab wounds evident. Her only daughter, Katie, was found with the knife in her hands, but she seems to be in shock. At the jail, her behaviour is bewildering. However, when another woman is found dead, it soon becomes evident that Katie is not responsible for the death of her mother.
They soon learn that Katie and her mother had been part of the child beauty pageant world when Katie was just a child, and her mother kept a shrine of all her daughter's achievements. The second woman to die was also the mother of a pageant child.
As the team starts looking into the pageantry circuit, they find that it isn't all as glamorous as it seems. The relationships of parent and child were different in each case, and the grown-up children continue to have different relationships with their mothers. Between the children themselves, and even between the mothers, things could be tense, if not out-right vindictive during the pageant season. However, it quickly becomes apparent that someone is considering these mothers guilty of something, and killing them seems to be the solution.
Kim and her team reflect on their own relationships with their mothers, and are determined to find justice for the pageant mothers, no matter what they have done in the past.
In the meantime, Penn and Tink look into the death of a man found in the lake, which leads them to a strange relationship between a mother and son.
My Opinions:
I was thrilled to get this new Kim Stone thriller. Just a word up front....you really need to read these books in order. Yes, at book 20 you may find this a little daunting if you are new to this author, but it will be well worth your time. The characters continue to grow with each book, and their past cases have a lot to do with it. Okay, enough preaching.
This book is basically about the complicated relationships between mother and child. It looks into child beauty pageants and how that can form a unique (and sometimes horrendous) relationship between parent and child. It is also about how it relates to the rest of the family members.
The whole subject of child beauty pageants is quite controversial, and whenever I think of one, I think of the death of JonBenet Ramsey who was only six when she died. I don't believe the case was ever solved, but that child's face haunts me....the fancy dresses, the make-up, hair style....all to make a six year old look beautiful. This book looked at the struggles some children are forced to endure for their mother's narcissistic attitude. The depriving of food, friends, and constant practicing to be perfect is more than any small child needs.
So, in one way this was a really emotional read. Reading about some of the atrocious actions some mothers put their children through is horrendous.
But the book was so interesting, as Marsons did her research into the pageantry world to create a compelling story.
Again, Marsons nailed it! Can't wait for Book 21 to see what she brings to me next!
For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Series Background: (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
DI Kim Stone learned to be tough. Her mother, who died of cancer, was being held in a home for the criminally insane due to actions that almost killed Kim, and resulted in her brother's death. Kim had little to do with her. Although Kim's social skills are lacking, her heart is in the right place, and her detective skills outstanding. Her team consists of: Bryant, her right hand man and friend, and the person who voices concerns in a much more diplomatic way than Kim ever would; Stacey, who can find required information in a seemingly bottomless computer system; and Austen Penn, who for some reason, enjoys attending autopsies.
My Synopsis: (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
The team is called to a blood-thirsty murder. Sheryl Hawne lies dead on the floor of her home, multiple stab wounds evident. Her only daughter, Katie, was found with the knife in her hands, but she seems to be in shock. At the jail, her behaviour is bewildering. However, when another woman is found dead, it soon becomes evident that Katie is not responsible for the death of her mother.
They soon learn that Katie and her mother had been part of the child beauty pageant world when Katie was just a child, and her mother kept a shrine of all her daughter's achievements. The second woman to die was also the mother of a pageant child.
As the team starts looking into the pageantry circuit, they find that it isn't all as glamorous as it seems. The relationships of parent and child were different in each case, and the grown-up children continue to have different relationships with their mothers. Between the children themselves, and even between the mothers, things could be tense, if not out-right vindictive during the pageant season. However, it quickly becomes apparent that someone is considering these mothers guilty of something, and killing them seems to be the solution.
Kim and her team reflect on their own relationships with their mothers, and are determined to find justice for the pageant mothers, no matter what they have done in the past.
In the meantime, Penn and Tink look into the death of a man found in the lake, which leads them to a strange relationship between a mother and son.
My Opinions:
I was thrilled to get this new Kim Stone thriller. Just a word up front....you really need to read these books in order. Yes, at book 20 you may find this a little daunting if you are new to this author, but it will be well worth your time. The characters continue to grow with each book, and their past cases have a lot to do with it. Okay, enough preaching.
This book is basically about the complicated relationships between mother and child. It looks into child beauty pageants and how that can form a unique (and sometimes horrendous) relationship between parent and child. It is also about how it relates to the rest of the family members.
The whole subject of child beauty pageants is quite controversial, and whenever I think of one, I think of the death of JonBenet Ramsey who was only six when she died. I don't believe the case was ever solved, but that child's face haunts me....the fancy dresses, the make-up, hair style....all to make a six year old look beautiful. This book looked at the struggles some children are forced to endure for their mother's narcissistic attitude. The depriving of food, friends, and constant practicing to be perfect is more than any small child needs.
So, in one way this was a really emotional read. Reading about some of the atrocious actions some mothers put their children through is horrendous.
But the book was so interesting, as Marsons did her research into the pageantry world to create a compelling story.
Again, Marsons nailed it! Can't wait for Book 21 to see what she brings to me next!
For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
May 30, 2024
GUILTY MOTHERS is the 20th book in the D.I. Kim Stone crime-thriller series by best-selling author Angela Marsons. This novel can be read as a standalone. Angela Marsons remains one of my favorite mystery authors, and her publisher, Bookouture, always publishes the very best novels. I have read all of her books…and she keeps getting better. I don’t want this series to end!
It was so refreshing to touch base with Kim’s CID team again: DS Bryant, DS Penn, and DC Stacey Wood. Her team are driven and compassionate in their work. The characters keep getting stronger and stronger. We also touch base with Kim��s boss, DCI Woodward (Woody), Keats, the local pathologist, and Tiff Vera, in training for CID and currently working with Penn on a case…and who could forget Kim’s faithful dog, Barney. Love that dog!
This novel explores the world of child pageantry and their controlling mothers.
Detective Kim Stone and her colleague, DS Bryant are called to a crime scene, by the local pathologist, Keats. The victim, forty-eight-year-old Sheryl Hawne had been brutally murdered in her suburban home, with multiple stab wounds and a flipper forced down her throat. Her twenty-five-year-old daughter, Katie was found at the scene clutching the murder weapon and was taken into custody. Katie was in shock and was unable to be questioned.
After further investigation, the Kim learns that Katie participated in beauty pageants as a child.
But then there was a second victim, forty-seven-year-old Andrea Shaw who was also violently stabbed multiple times in her home, with a broken tiara forced down her throat. Her twenty-two-year-old daughter, Toyah had been out at the time. The second victim also entered her daughter in pageants.
And with Katie safely locked up, she cannot be the killer.
Then a third victim, Sally-Ann Davis, married had been found stabbed twice in the back while out in the open, and an object had been forced down her throat. She had a twenty-six-year-old daughter, Lottie, who also had been in pageants.
But what was the connection between all three victims? Kim and her team must discover the truth before there is another victim.
This was a fast-paced crime thriller, with relatable characters, and short chapters that kept the suspense level high. The book ends with a reveal you will never see coming. Another brilliant read that gripped you from beginning to the end. Another winner!
My thanks to the author, Bookouture and Netgalley for my digital copy.
It was so refreshing to touch base with Kim’s CID team again: DS Bryant, DS Penn, and DC Stacey Wood. Her team are driven and compassionate in their work. The characters keep getting stronger and stronger. We also touch base with Kim��s boss, DCI Woodward (Woody), Keats, the local pathologist, and Tiff Vera, in training for CID and currently working with Penn on a case…and who could forget Kim’s faithful dog, Barney. Love that dog!
This novel explores the world of child pageantry and their controlling mothers.
Detective Kim Stone and her colleague, DS Bryant are called to a crime scene, by the local pathologist, Keats. The victim, forty-eight-year-old Sheryl Hawne had been brutally murdered in her suburban home, with multiple stab wounds and a flipper forced down her throat. Her twenty-five-year-old daughter, Katie was found at the scene clutching the murder weapon and was taken into custody. Katie was in shock and was unable to be questioned.
After further investigation, the Kim learns that Katie participated in beauty pageants as a child.
But then there was a second victim, forty-seven-year-old Andrea Shaw who was also violently stabbed multiple times in her home, with a broken tiara forced down her throat. Her twenty-two-year-old daughter, Toyah had been out at the time. The second victim also entered her daughter in pageants.
And with Katie safely locked up, she cannot be the killer.
Then a third victim, Sally-Ann Davis, married had been found stabbed twice in the back while out in the open, and an object had been forced down her throat. She had a twenty-six-year-old daughter, Lottie, who also had been in pageants.
But what was the connection between all three victims? Kim and her team must discover the truth before there is another victim.
This was a fast-paced crime thriller, with relatable characters, and short chapters that kept the suspense level high. The book ends with a reveal you will never see coming. Another brilliant read that gripped you from beginning to the end. Another winner!
My thanks to the author, Bookouture and Netgalley for my digital copy.
May 1, 2024
Book 20 in this amazing series and she has done it again.
I have been a big fan of the series from the start.
Kim and her team investigate the murder of mothers involved in pageants, who is killing these women and why?
I raced through this book as needed to finish it as quickly as possible to find the answers, i can't wait for the next one.
If I am being picky, there didn’t seem to be as much of the usual banter within the team, especially between Bryant and Kim. Or as much background to the locations, which I always enjoy.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the highly anticipated ARC. It is recommended for all fans of Angela Marsons and anyone who enjoys a compelling detective story. Guilty Mothers is due to be published on May 31.
I have been a big fan of the series from the start.
Kim and her team investigate the murder of mothers involved in pageants, who is killing these women and why?
I raced through this book as needed to finish it as quickly as possible to find the answers, i can't wait for the next one.
If I am being picky, there didn’t seem to be as much of the usual banter within the team, especially between Bryant and Kim. Or as much background to the locations, which I always enjoy.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the highly anticipated ARC. It is recommended for all fans of Angela Marsons and anyone who enjoys a compelling detective story. Guilty Mothers is due to be published on May 31.
April 16, 2024
I can’t get enough of Kim Stone. This detective series is my all time favorite. Book 20 & I don’t feel like this series is stale or uninteresting. This one explores the relationship between mothers and daughters. It has two separate investigations and both are sad. Kim and her team are still at the top of their game. Don’t worry, Kim is still her snarky self! Another excellent investigation from Marsons.
April 21, 2024
Who needs sleep when there is a new Kim Stone book on your kindle!! Once again, Angela Marsons has stolen my sleep with a gripping page turner with one of my favourite teams of detectives. Book 20 now and they seriously do just keep getting better all the time.
This time the team are plunged into the world of child beauty pageants. The link between their victims is that their daughters were all participants as young girls. It is not all pretty dresses and makeup. We get into the dark side of pageants as the killer strikes again.
It is also a look into mothers and the relationships they have with their daughters. They are not always rosy, most likely they are complicated. There is no such thing as the perfect mother, and this has the team thinking about their own mothers.
I could not put this book down, reading into the early hours of the morning. Am I sorry.. not at all!
Thanks you so much to Bookouture for allowing me to read this book so early . Always a thrill. Publishes on May 30th.
This time the team are plunged into the world of child beauty pageants. The link between their victims is that their daughters were all participants as young girls. It is not all pretty dresses and makeup. We get into the dark side of pageants as the killer strikes again.
It is also a look into mothers and the relationships they have with their daughters. They are not always rosy, most likely they are complicated. There is no such thing as the perfect mother, and this has the team thinking about their own mothers.
I could not put this book down, reading into the early hours of the morning. Am I sorry.. not at all!
Thanks you so much to Bookouture for allowing me to read this book so early . Always a thrill. Publishes on May 30th.
April 19, 2025
Solid story focusing on murders in the child beauty pageant world. 4.5 stars.
May 15, 2024
Guilty Mothers is book 20 in the consistently excellent DI Kim Marsons series about a Black Country detective and her devoted team who keep uncovering serial killers. Despite this improbability, the plotting, characters and writing are so good that I really don’t mind how far fetched they are. This one explores the world of childhood beauty pageants - I didn’t know these were a thing in the UK, but apparently so.
When a middle aged woman is found stabbed to death, with her daughter Katie sitting by her side holding the knife, Kim’s only wants to know why - but then another pageant mother is killed and it’s clear that Katie must be innocent. The case brings back memories of Kim’s own horrendous childhood, but there are other ways for mothers to abuse their daughters. Meanwhile Penn encounters a son who seems almost too devoted to his mother…
I liked that this instalment puts the focus back onto the crimes being investigated, rather than inflicting more trauma on the members of Kim’s beleaguered team. Happily, Stacy is back to herself, and it was great to see lovable Tink return too. There are plenty of potential suspects and the usual red herrings and misdirection, so as usual I didn’t guess who the baddie would turn out to be. One strange note was the frequent use of Mom rather than Mum, a jarring Americanism that I haven’t noticed in the previous books.
As ever, Marsons has clearly done plenty of research on her chosen topic so I learned some things about the child pageant world - she/Kim is not as negative about it as I would’ve expected. There’s also discussion about the effects of parental narcissism, which touched some nerves with me because it was so accurate - this might be triggering for some:
‘Shame, blame, guilt, desperation. There’s a fear of failure, even a fear of success. You accept bad behaviour in others. You’re constantly seeking approval, validation, by being a people pleaser and being afraid to say no. You take on other people’s problems and think you have to fix them. You’ll try and control the uncontrollable. There’ll be chronic worry and anxiety. You’ll believe it’s selfish to put yourself first as your own desires don’t matter. You have no sense of self or what you want. You’ll have weak or non-existent boundaries, and you’ll be afraid to speak your truth.’
The darkness is balanced by moments of levity: “She sighed heavily and stepped aside. Okay, that took more words than if Kim had just knocked her out of the way to gain entry, but it was far less likely to result in a formal complaint. Go, Bryant.” Also the team’s attempts to muster an entry for the force’s variety show was an amusing subplot.
Overall, while not my favourite, this is another great read which should satisfy Kim’s legions of fans - remind me when we get to see a TV adaptation?
Thanks to Bookouture for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Guilty Mothers is published on May 30th.
When a middle aged woman is found stabbed to death, with her daughter Katie sitting by her side holding the knife, Kim’s only wants to know why - but then another pageant mother is killed and it’s clear that Katie must be innocent. The case brings back memories of Kim’s own horrendous childhood, but there are other ways for mothers to abuse their daughters. Meanwhile Penn encounters a son who seems almost too devoted to his mother…
I liked that this instalment puts the focus back onto the crimes being investigated, rather than inflicting more trauma on the members of Kim’s beleaguered team. Happily, Stacy is back to herself, and it was great to see lovable Tink return too. There are plenty of potential suspects and the usual red herrings and misdirection, so as usual I didn’t guess who the baddie would turn out to be. One strange note was the frequent use of Mom rather than Mum, a jarring Americanism that I haven’t noticed in the previous books.
As ever, Marsons has clearly done plenty of research on her chosen topic so I learned some things about the child pageant world - she/Kim is not as negative about it as I would’ve expected. There’s also discussion about the effects of parental narcissism, which touched some nerves with me because it was so accurate - this might be triggering for some:
‘Shame, blame, guilt, desperation. There’s a fear of failure, even a fear of success. You accept bad behaviour in others. You’re constantly seeking approval, validation, by being a people pleaser and being afraid to say no. You take on other people’s problems and think you have to fix them. You’ll try and control the uncontrollable. There’ll be chronic worry and anxiety. You’ll believe it’s selfish to put yourself first as your own desires don’t matter. You have no sense of self or what you want. You’ll have weak or non-existent boundaries, and you’ll be afraid to speak your truth.’
The darkness is balanced by moments of levity: “She sighed heavily and stepped aside. Okay, that took more words than if Kim had just knocked her out of the way to gain entry, but it was far less likely to result in a formal complaint. Go, Bryant.” Also the team’s attempts to muster an entry for the force’s variety show was an amusing subplot.
Overall, while not my favourite, this is another great read which should satisfy Kim’s legions of fans - remind me when we get to see a TV adaptation?
Thanks to Bookouture for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Guilty Mothers is published on May 30th.
April 22, 2024
Book 20 in the Kim Stone series and Guilty Mothers is a solid if somewhat flawed and unspectacular addition.
Here Kim and her team are faced with the world of child beauty pageants and obsessive mothers as they investigate the murder of a mother of one of those child pageant competitors. As more mothers are killed they realize what seemed a straight forward case is anything but as they try to solve the case before more are killed.
This starts off great and it’s always great to spend time with Kim and the team but, it kind of lost its way for me a bit. Too many story lines at once and potential suspects and red herrings. Too many moments that weren’t believable and the somewhat predictable ending in a remote place with Kim trying to talk someone down. (Again)
The story just wasn’t believable enough for me overall to make this one of the stronger books in the series. It was a great set up and a great subject matter to tackle but there were too many “bad” people here that felt purely there for misdirection and took away the believabilty of it. The story was just too busy, it felt like it was trying too hard.
Still I did enjoy it despite that. Just not as much as I hoped.
Three and a half stars round up to four because I love this series.
Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
Here Kim and her team are faced with the world of child beauty pageants and obsessive mothers as they investigate the murder of a mother of one of those child pageant competitors. As more mothers are killed they realize what seemed a straight forward case is anything but as they try to solve the case before more are killed.
This starts off great and it’s always great to spend time with Kim and the team but, it kind of lost its way for me a bit. Too many story lines at once and potential suspects and red herrings. Too many moments that weren’t believable and the somewhat predictable ending in a remote place with Kim trying to talk someone down. (Again)
The story just wasn’t believable enough for me overall to make this one of the stronger books in the series. It was a great set up and a great subject matter to tackle but there were too many “bad” people here that felt purely there for misdirection and took away the believabilty of it. The story was just too busy, it felt like it was trying too hard.
Still I did enjoy it despite that. Just not as much as I hoped.
Three and a half stars round up to four because I love this series.
Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
August 13, 2024
4,5 stars
Whew. Once again very good. This time revolving around various mother-child dynamics. And kids beauty pageants. Which I didn't know were a thing. And now I googled it and hate it very much. Equally to kids bodybuilding competitions. Or any other activity where the parents try to compensate for their own inadequacies through their kids (heck I stopped competing in judo in part because the other parents were rabid and shouted at their offspring to break my arm/leg/neck).
Whew. Once again very good. This time revolving around various mother-child dynamics. And kids beauty pageants. Which I didn't know were a thing. And now I googled it and hate it very much. Equally to kids bodybuilding competitions. Or any other activity where the parents try to compensate for their own inadequacies through their kids (heck I stopped competing in judo in part because the other parents were rabid and shouted at their offspring to break my arm/leg/neck).
March 30, 2025
Kim Stone #12 to #21
I went down a rabbit hole with Kim Stone. After eleven novels starring Angela Marsons' brilliant, abrasive, sympathetic Detective Inspector, I was so enamoured with these characters, the mysteries, and all the other greatness that make these novels, I just couldn’t get enough of them.
Every waking minute that could be spent on the novels, would be.
Ok, a few times I would start to despair at the loss of the rule of law in the USA, witnessing how people like you and me are impacted by what that despicable orange person does.
And then I would immediately return to Kim Stone and her team. Penn, Stacey, Bryant (whose given name I now finally know!), Frost, and, interestingly, Leanne - they all have their moments. The stories always address relevant contemporary issues, they’re believable, suspenseful and thrilling.
I cannot review those novels individually anymore because once I had finished one (without taking the time for my usual highlights, notes, and annotations), I’d jump right into the next. I’d probably be facing the worst book hangover in decades if there hadn’t been a certain book to spare me that trouble.
Just know if you’re into mysteries and police procedurals (in rural Britain), you cannot go wrong with Angela Marsons’ Kim Stone.
Thus, I’m awarding five stars out of five to each and every instalment from #12 to #21 and will be copying this review to each of these.
Blog | Goodreads | Hardcover | Facebook | Twitter | Mastodon | Instagram | Threads | StoryGraph | LibraryThing | Medium | Matrix | Tumblr
Ceterum censeo Putin esse delendam
I went down a rabbit hole with Kim Stone. After eleven novels starring Angela Marsons' brilliant, abrasive, sympathetic Detective Inspector, I was so enamoured with these characters, the mysteries, and all the other greatness that make these novels, I just couldn’t get enough of them.
Every waking minute that could be spent on the novels, would be.
Ok, a few times I would start to despair at the loss of the rule of law in the USA, witnessing how people like you and me are impacted by what that despicable orange person does.
And then I would immediately return to Kim Stone and her team. Penn, Stacey, Bryant (whose given name I now finally know!), Frost, and, interestingly, Leanne - they all have their moments. The stories always address relevant contemporary issues, they’re believable, suspenseful and thrilling.
I cannot review those novels individually anymore because once I had finished one (without taking the time for my usual highlights, notes, and annotations), I’d jump right into the next. I’d probably be facing the worst book hangover in decades if there hadn’t been a certain book to spare me that trouble.
Just know if you’re into mysteries and police procedurals (in rural Britain), you cannot go wrong with Angela Marsons’ Kim Stone.
Thus, I’m awarding five stars out of five to each and every instalment from #12 to #21 and will be copying this review to each of these.
Blog | Goodreads | Hardcover | Facebook | Twitter | Mastodon | Instagram | Threads | StoryGraph | LibraryThing | Medium | Matrix | Tumblr
Ceterum censeo Putin esse delendam
November 4, 2025
Violent deaths, but not over the top, surprises, but none too unrealistic. A really good entry in the series. Marsons has a knack of ending every (short) chapter with a cliffhanger and it makes it really hard to put her books down.
July 17, 2024
Angela Marsons ,a DI Kim Stone, always great to catch up on the latest DI Kim Stone Book, and yes number twenty, and a series that yes I am fully up to date.
This story rings so true, I am sure many people will feel the same.I felt strongly for the hatred of these mothers. Angela Marsons has a collection of great strong characters, an advantage of reading the books in order.
Very well paced with two great stories. Strong collection of evil/nasty characters
She lies on the floor, her blue eyes wide and unseeing, arms outstretched as if begging for help. Kneeling next to her, wearing a purple sequinned ballgown and holding a knife in shaking hands, is her daughter…
In a quiet kitchen, where two mugs wait by the kettle to be filled, Sheryl Hawne lies in a pool of blood. Her only daughter, Katie, is found at her side, still clutching the murder weapon and apparently incapable of speech. To Detective Kim Stone, the case seems open and shut. But Katie is in no state to be questioned, so Kim and the team must dig deep to understand what triggered this brutal act.
Soon, they learn that Katie participated in beauty pageants as a child, and her mother kept a shrine to her achievements. As Kim gazes at the golden trophies and shiny rosettes, she is forced to wonder if this was what set Katie on the path to murder…
But then Kim receives a shocking call. Another woman is dead. And with Katie safely locked up, she cannot be the killer. The second victim also entered her daughter in pageants, and a broken tiara is found thrust down her throat. Someone clearly feels that these mothers are guilty – and that they deserve to die. Forcing back the memories of her own monstrous mother, Kim vows to find justice for these women, no matter what pain they caused.
Now more than a day behind their killer, Kim races to learn more about a competitive world where appearances are everything and mothers will go to any lengths to ensure their daughters triumph. Buried somewhere in this dark past is the key to unlocking the case… but will Kim be able to find it before another family is destroyed forever?
The twentieth book in the international, multi-million-copy bestselling series, Guilty Mothers will have you glued to the pages.
Fans of Karin Slaughter, Val McDermid and Robert Dugoni will devour this gripping crime thriller.
This story rings so true, I am sure many people will feel the same.I felt strongly for the hatred of these mothers. Angela Marsons has a collection of great strong characters, an advantage of reading the books in order.
Very well paced with two great stories. Strong collection of evil/nasty characters
She lies on the floor, her blue eyes wide and unseeing, arms outstretched as if begging for help. Kneeling next to her, wearing a purple sequinned ballgown and holding a knife in shaking hands, is her daughter…
In a quiet kitchen, where two mugs wait by the kettle to be filled, Sheryl Hawne lies in a pool of blood. Her only daughter, Katie, is found at her side, still clutching the murder weapon and apparently incapable of speech. To Detective Kim Stone, the case seems open and shut. But Katie is in no state to be questioned, so Kim and the team must dig deep to understand what triggered this brutal act.
Soon, they learn that Katie participated in beauty pageants as a child, and her mother kept a shrine to her achievements. As Kim gazes at the golden trophies and shiny rosettes, she is forced to wonder if this was what set Katie on the path to murder…
But then Kim receives a shocking call. Another woman is dead. And with Katie safely locked up, she cannot be the killer. The second victim also entered her daughter in pageants, and a broken tiara is found thrust down her throat. Someone clearly feels that these mothers are guilty – and that they deserve to die. Forcing back the memories of her own monstrous mother, Kim vows to find justice for these women, no matter what pain they caused.
Now more than a day behind their killer, Kim races to learn more about a competitive world where appearances are everything and mothers will go to any lengths to ensure their daughters triumph. Buried somewhere in this dark past is the key to unlocking the case… but will Kim be able to find it before another family is destroyed forever?
The twentieth book in the international, multi-million-copy bestselling series, Guilty Mothers will have you glued to the pages.
Fans of Karin Slaughter, Val McDermid and Robert Dugoni will devour this gripping crime thriller.
May 31, 2024
We are now into book 20 in the DI Kim Stone series and it's still as brilliant as ever. I especially enjoyed Kim's dry humour and the camaraderie within the team. I now look forward to the next book in the series. 3.75 Stars
April 28, 2024
WOW HOLY MOLY!!!! I can’t believe Guilty Mothers is the 20th book in the Kim Stone series! And yet here we are! Twenty books in and you would expect some repetition, or even a dud book now and then in the series, but not in the more than capable hands of Angela Marsons. God, this woman knows how to write! She always brings something fresh to each book she releases, which makes this series such a MUST read.
Three women are brutally murdered, and the investigation leads Kim and her team to the controversial and toxic world of Children’s Beauty Pageants. If that wasn’t enough for the reader to get their teeth into, there’s a subplot involving Tiff investigating the death of a man found dead in a nearby lake. Tiff is a welcome addition, and I’m hoping she’s going to become a permanent member of the CID team. Both cases explore the complex themes of motherhood, the good, the bad and the downright ugly, so it’s understandable that Kim and her team find themselves reflecting on their own relationships with their mothers during childhood.
I always find it amazing that Angela Marsons can address dark themes, and yet she can inject just the right amount of humour to lighten the mood. The banter between Kim and her team is one of the highlights of this series, as are the team themselves. Each character fits into the team like a pair of well-worn gloves. They look out for each other; they lean on each other and work tirelessly to bring the victims of murder justice. I have loved seeing how their characters have grown and developed.
I’ve always felt uncomfortable seeing young girls being paraded on stage like mini adults, but after reading about the jealousy, rivalry competitiveness, and the damage they can do to impressionable young girls, I’m definitely in the ‘against them’ camp! The sporadic chapters, told from an unknown source, are desperately sad and highlight the lengths to which some mothers will go to satisfy their own narcissistic needs. They also add a sense of dread to the overall plot. As you would expect, the plot gains momentum and the suspense never wavers. And DAMN Angela Marsons (in a good way) as once again I stayed up way too late reading since I couldn’t put down this addictive read. Guilty Mothers is another stellar addition to this unmissable series, and it’s one I would highly recommend to all crime thriller junkies.
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Blog: https://thebookreviewcafe.wordpress.com/
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Three women are brutally murdered, and the investigation leads Kim and her team to the controversial and toxic world of Children’s Beauty Pageants. If that wasn’t enough for the reader to get their teeth into, there’s a subplot involving Tiff investigating the death of a man found dead in a nearby lake. Tiff is a welcome addition, and I’m hoping she’s going to become a permanent member of the CID team. Both cases explore the complex themes of motherhood, the good, the bad and the downright ugly, so it’s understandable that Kim and her team find themselves reflecting on their own relationships with their mothers during childhood.
I always find it amazing that Angela Marsons can address dark themes, and yet she can inject just the right amount of humour to lighten the mood. The banter between Kim and her team is one of the highlights of this series, as are the team themselves. Each character fits into the team like a pair of well-worn gloves. They look out for each other; they lean on each other and work tirelessly to bring the victims of murder justice. I have loved seeing how their characters have grown and developed.
I’ve always felt uncomfortable seeing young girls being paraded on stage like mini adults, but after reading about the jealousy, rivalry competitiveness, and the damage they can do to impressionable young girls, I’m definitely in the ‘against them’ camp! The sporadic chapters, told from an unknown source, are desperately sad and highlight the lengths to which some mothers will go to satisfy their own narcissistic needs. They also add a sense of dread to the overall plot. As you would expect, the plot gains momentum and the suspense never wavers. And DAMN Angela Marsons (in a good way) as once again I stayed up way too late reading since I couldn’t put down this addictive read. Guilty Mothers is another stellar addition to this unmissable series, and it’s one I would highly recommend to all crime thriller junkies.
You can follow me at
Blog: https://thebookreviewcafe.wordpress.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebookrevi...
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/@reviewcafe
April 25, 2024
Finished reading: April 25th 2024
"Kim didn't yet know its purpose, but she was starting to wonder if the message was more important than the crime."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
REVIEW
June 15, 2024
I can’t believe we’re at book 20 of Detective Kim Stone and Angela Marsons is still able to captivate me with a banger of a novel.
A fantastic police procedural underpinned by the murky depths of the UK pageantry circuit. A deep dive into the morality of child performers and its flaws. Of course, I’m sure in real life something as dramatic as a pageant mother serial killer hasn’t occurred, but it’s a brilliant way to discuss how dangerous and deeply disturbing the industry can be.
As always with a Detective Kim Stone novel you are reintroduced to many of the side characters which pop up time and time again. Any of her books which doesn’t include Alex Thorne is a win in my eyes!
Excellently written, stirring discussions and a fast paced and thrilling plot to go with it. Thank you Angela for 20 books!
A fantastic police procedural underpinned by the murky depths of the UK pageantry circuit. A deep dive into the morality of child performers and its flaws. Of course, I’m sure in real life something as dramatic as a pageant mother serial killer hasn’t occurred, but it’s a brilliant way to discuss how dangerous and deeply disturbing the industry can be.
As always with a Detective Kim Stone novel you are reintroduced to many of the side characters which pop up time and time again. Any of her books which doesn’t include Alex Thorne is a win in my eyes!
Excellently written, stirring discussions and a fast paced and thrilling plot to go with it. Thank you Angela for 20 books!
January 8, 2026
Guilty Mothers by Angela Marsons is another gripping, emotionally layered read that proves why this series never disappoints.
This book delves deeply into the complex and often messy relationships between women and their mothers. When the mothers of former child pageant contestants start turning up murdered, alarm bells ring — especially because the children are now adults, yet the crimes are happening in the present. Why now? That question drives a tense and compelling investigation.
There are many characters to follow, but Marsons handles them skillfully, weaving together multiple perspectives and nuanced portrayals of motherhood. Each child–mother relationship is distinct, flawed, and believable, showing how love, pressure, neglect, and control can coexist in very different ways.
What made this book particularly powerful was how it forces Kim Stone to confront her own past. As the case unfolds, Kim is pushed to unpack painful memories of her troubled childhood and her relationship with her long-dead mother — a woman who was never truly there for her. These moments add emotional depth and make Kim feel even more human and relatable.
Overall, this was a solid, well-paced novel with a strong plot and richly drawn characters. Dark, thoughtful, and emotionally resonant — I absolutely loved it, as always with Angela Marsons.
Thank you Netgalley, Bookouture & Angela Marsons for this arc!
This book delves deeply into the complex and often messy relationships between women and their mothers. When the mothers of former child pageant contestants start turning up murdered, alarm bells ring — especially because the children are now adults, yet the crimes are happening in the present. Why now? That question drives a tense and compelling investigation.
There are many characters to follow, but Marsons handles them skillfully, weaving together multiple perspectives and nuanced portrayals of motherhood. Each child–mother relationship is distinct, flawed, and believable, showing how love, pressure, neglect, and control can coexist in very different ways.
What made this book particularly powerful was how it forces Kim Stone to confront her own past. As the case unfolds, Kim is pushed to unpack painful memories of her troubled childhood and her relationship with her long-dead mother — a woman who was never truly there for her. These moments add emotional depth and make Kim feel even more human and relatable.
Overall, this was a solid, well-paced novel with a strong plot and richly drawn characters. Dark, thoughtful, and emotionally resonant — I absolutely loved it, as always with Angela Marsons.
Thank you Netgalley, Bookouture & Angela Marsons for this arc!
August 18, 2025
Otro caso más de Kim.
Asesinatos relacionados con concursos infantiles de belleza (turbios). Se conocen las intrahistorias pérfidas que vivian
“Campanilla” también resuelve gracias a su intuición.
Me ha gustado como siempre.
Asesinatos relacionados con concursos infantiles de belleza (turbios). Se conocen las intrahistorias pérfidas que vivian
“Campanilla” también resuelve gracias a su intuición.
Me ha gustado como siempre.
May 11, 2024
Firstly I would like to thank Angela Marsons, Bookouture, and NetGalley for the opportunity to access an early copy of Guilty Mothers, the 20th book in the Kim Stone series. I love this series and always greedily devour them as soon as they are available.
Guilty Mothers is well researched and tightly crafted. As a psychologist, I am drawn to the psychological aspects of thrillers and know my expectations are incredibly high in this regard. As usual Angela Marsons’s work did not disappoint and included sophisticated details of narcissistic personalities and their potential impact on children. I also loved the very intricate details about the child pageant world and its pros and cons.
Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed the book, for me, the primary villain of our story was not as fully developed as other characters in this book. I found myself re-reading earlier chapters to see what I had missed, however at the end it still felt unresolved and somewhat anticlimactic. There were a lot of contenders, mothers and daughters, introduced and perhaps this didn’t link together as well as usual. There was also a lack of first-person insight into our villain, and this may have been the stumbling block. I did like to hear an update on Stacey, whilst noticing other team members were less significant on this occasion.
Reflecting on this book in its entirety, there were a lot of characters at play, including victim’s family members, plus the subplot involving Tink and perhaps this did not allow for as much depth on some aspects of the story. It was jam packed!
Overall this was a fast-paced and worthwhile read, and as always I eagerly look forward to the next installment of the Kim Stone story.
Guilty Mothers is well researched and tightly crafted. As a psychologist, I am drawn to the psychological aspects of thrillers and know my expectations are incredibly high in this regard. As usual Angela Marsons’s work did not disappoint and included sophisticated details of narcissistic personalities and their potential impact on children. I also loved the very intricate details about the child pageant world and its pros and cons.
Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed the book, for me, the primary villain of our story was not as fully developed as other characters in this book. I found myself re-reading earlier chapters to see what I had missed, however at the end it still felt unresolved and somewhat anticlimactic. There were a lot of contenders, mothers and daughters, introduced and perhaps this didn’t link together as well as usual. There was also a lack of first-person insight into our villain, and this may have been the stumbling block. I did like to hear an update on Stacey, whilst noticing other team members were less significant on this occasion.
Reflecting on this book in its entirety, there were a lot of characters at play, including victim’s family members, plus the subplot involving Tink and perhaps this did not allow for as much depth on some aspects of the story. It was jam packed!
Overall this was a fast-paced and worthwhile read, and as always I eagerly look forward to the next installment of the Kim Stone story.
July 5, 2024
I love the ‘DI Kim Stone novels’ by Angela Marsons. The only thing I love more is the narrator, Jan Kramer. She is wonderful and I’ve found other authors that I may not have found, (audiobooks), because I sought out books read by Jan Kramer. :)
This was installment 20 in the DI Kim Stone novels and a 3.5 star read, for me. Normally I devour Angela Marsons’ books (audiobook format) during my commute or puttering around the house. This one - the flow was off for me.
This series often has two storylines going.
The first storyline involves child beauty pageants, and revenge being exacted in the form of murders. This child beauty pageant topic was the part that didn’t flow for me. Probably just a ‘me’ thing.
The other storyline is about a man’s body found at a local fishing spot, which takes you to a woman who used to date the deceased. That story is then pieced together for a fun whodunit. I very much enjoyed this sub-plot as it was more typical of the types of ‘cases’ DI Stone and her team encounter.
Always, always looking forward to the next installment of the DI Kim Stone series!
If you’re interested in trying Angela Marsons, (and nudge, nudge - Jan Kramer’s gripping narration) I would start with the prequel “First Blood” (a DI Kim Stone novel). It provides background and depth for Detective Stone. It was published approx 4 years after Book 1 (“Silent Screams”). When the prequel was published and after reading it, I decided to re-read all of the other books in series order. It was quite enjoyable. Cheers!
This was installment 20 in the DI Kim Stone novels and a 3.5 star read, for me. Normally I devour Angela Marsons’ books (audiobook format) during my commute or puttering around the house. This one - the flow was off for me.
This series often has two storylines going.
The first storyline involves child beauty pageants, and revenge being exacted in the form of murders. This child beauty pageant topic was the part that didn’t flow for me. Probably just a ‘me’ thing.
The other storyline is about a man’s body found at a local fishing spot, which takes you to a woman who used to date the deceased. That story is then pieced together for a fun whodunit. I very much enjoyed this sub-plot as it was more typical of the types of ‘cases’ DI Stone and her team encounter.
Always, always looking forward to the next installment of the DI Kim Stone series!
If you’re interested in trying Angela Marsons, (and nudge, nudge - Jan Kramer’s gripping narration) I would start with the prequel “First Blood” (a DI Kim Stone novel). It provides background and depth for Detective Stone. It was published approx 4 years after Book 1 (“Silent Screams”). When the prequel was published and after reading it, I decided to re-read all of the other books in series order. It was quite enjoyable. Cheers!
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