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D.I. Kim Stone #23
Wicked Women
Not yet published
Expected 14 Apr 26The woman is lying on her back, eyes closed, face still. The blood from the single stab wound in her chest has pooled on the ground, interrupted only where her killer stood to watch her die…
Detective Kim Stone knows from the moment she looks down on Ashley Reynolds that this is no ordinary crime. No one has a bad word to say about this loving wife and mother. So why did someone murder her, and wait to make sure she was dead?
Ashley was a social worker, and some claimed she tore families apart. But her husband is also acting strangely, planning to take their daughter and leave town. Did the threat to her come from home or work?
Then another woman is killed in the same cold, calm way. Nadine was a honey trapper, and the men she tricked blamed her for destroying their marriages. Someone clearly believes Ashley and Nadine were wicked… and that wicked women deserve to die.
But when a third woman is murdered, Kim and the team can’t find anything that even the sickest mind would find fault with. Certain that time is running out, they search desperately for something that links their victims.
And then Kim realises something that chills her to the bone. Because if she’s right, the worst danger is yet to come…
A brilliantly gripping crime thriller about secrets and revenge that will have you gasping at the final reveal. Fans of Karin Slaughter, Val McDermid and Robert Dugoni will love Wicked Women.
Can be read as a standalone.
Detective Kim Stone knows from the moment she looks down on Ashley Reynolds that this is no ordinary crime. No one has a bad word to say about this loving wife and mother. So why did someone murder her, and wait to make sure she was dead?
Ashley was a social worker, and some claimed she tore families apart. But her husband is also acting strangely, planning to take their daughter and leave town. Did the threat to her come from home or work?
Then another woman is killed in the same cold, calm way. Nadine was a honey trapper, and the men she tricked blamed her for destroying their marriages. Someone clearly believes Ashley and Nadine were wicked… and that wicked women deserve to die.
But when a third woman is murdered, Kim and the team can’t find anything that even the sickest mind would find fault with. Certain that time is running out, they search desperately for something that links their victims.
And then Kim realises something that chills her to the bone. Because if she’s right, the worst danger is yet to come…
A brilliantly gripping crime thriller about secrets and revenge that will have you gasping at the final reveal. Fans of Karin Slaughter, Val McDermid and Robert Dugoni will love Wicked Women.
Can be read as a standalone.
379 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication April 14, 2026
15 people are currently reading
360 people want to read
About the author
Angela Marsons
69 books5,027 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 89 reviews
March 5, 2026
I don’t even read the synopsis for an Angela Marsons book. It’s an automatic read for me. Kim is one of my favorite characters. She’s tough, takes no shit from people, & will do everything possible to do right by the victims. Love her team as well. Each new investigation still feels fresh after 23 of them. I could read a new story every month and still not be tired of following Kim and her team.
March 22, 2026
First, thank you to Angela Marsons and NetGalley for the advance copy to read on my Kindle!
I ADORE this cast of characters, and normally read each and every Kim Stone book within 24 hours of its release in the U. S. The team are an eclectic group that bring their own storylines from outside of work into each case which seems to deepen the readers interest and keeps bring us back to see what private details we can lean in each book.
Kim, the team leader, who was horribly abused by her mother as a child has her no nonsense, blunt, super guarded manner tempered by her right hand man, Bryant, who is a married father that seems to be Kim’s humanity and often voice of reason. They bicker like an old married couple but complement each other like the left and right in a comfy, old pair of slippers.
Stacey, the computer whiz is youngest of the team and least experienced, a black lesbian married to Devon a more reasonable, emotionally balanced woman you just have to love.
Penn, is the logical element that balances everyone. Caretaker of his younger brother, who has Down’s Syndrome and loves to bake, has recently opened his heart to Lynn a patient and truly kind woman who accepts the brothers and keeps the little family going.
This case brings the team what begins as 2 cases- a young murdered mother of a very lovable disabled girl, and Martha, a frequent flyer known to the whole station as much as for her lack of hygiene as her hatred of her neighbors- against whom there has been a “Hatfield and McCoy-esque” feud for generations. Unfortunately for Kim, just as she catches Ashley’s ( the young mother)murder, Martha refuses to speak to anyone except “inspector Sow” about shooting her next door neighbor.
For some reason Kim keeps turning back to Martha and her feud while working the murder (and others with the same MO, which seem to be stacking up. She can’t explain why but she’s determined for there to be an end to the feud and the family “curse” causing all of the men in Martha’s family to die by the age of fifty.
The imagination and level of detail in these two cases, much less how there are intertwined blows me away. It’s much more involved than just finding the killer. Both have back stories and multiple characters that seem completely unrelated until final few chapters… in a way I didn’t see coming!
Bravo, Angela! Another win for Kim and the team!
https://www.netgalley.com/book/805392...
I ADORE this cast of characters, and normally read each and every Kim Stone book within 24 hours of its release in the U. S. The team are an eclectic group that bring their own storylines from outside of work into each case which seems to deepen the readers interest and keeps bring us back to see what private details we can lean in each book.
Kim, the team leader, who was horribly abused by her mother as a child has her no nonsense, blunt, super guarded manner tempered by her right hand man, Bryant, who is a married father that seems to be Kim’s humanity and often voice of reason. They bicker like an old married couple but complement each other like the left and right in a comfy, old pair of slippers.
Stacey, the computer whiz is youngest of the team and least experienced, a black lesbian married to Devon a more reasonable, emotionally balanced woman you just have to love.
Penn, is the logical element that balances everyone. Caretaker of his younger brother, who has Down’s Syndrome and loves to bake, has recently opened his heart to Lynn a patient and truly kind woman who accepts the brothers and keeps the little family going.
This case brings the team what begins as 2 cases- a young murdered mother of a very lovable disabled girl, and Martha, a frequent flyer known to the whole station as much as for her lack of hygiene as her hatred of her neighbors- against whom there has been a “Hatfield and McCoy-esque” feud for generations. Unfortunately for Kim, just as she catches Ashley’s ( the young mother)murder, Martha refuses to speak to anyone except “inspector Sow” about shooting her next door neighbor.
For some reason Kim keeps turning back to Martha and her feud while working the murder (and others with the same MO, which seem to be stacking up. She can’t explain why but she’s determined for there to be an end to the feud and the family “curse” causing all of the men in Martha’s family to die by the age of fifty.
The imagination and level of detail in these two cases, much less how there are intertwined blows me away. It’s much more involved than just finding the killer. Both have back stories and multiple characters that seem completely unrelated until final few chapters… in a way I didn’t see coming!
Bravo, Angela! Another win for Kim and the team!
https://www.netgalley.com/book/805392...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 14, 2026
This was incredible - I couldn’t put it down! I don’t know how she does it, but the books keep getting better and better. I’m disappointed to have finished it so fast and now have another long wait for the next one!
I particularly like that not only do I get to read an incredible story - I always learn something new - this time about witches and curses!
Can’t wait to find out what I will be learning next time!
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.
I particularly like that not only do I get to read an incredible story - I always learn something new - this time about witches and curses!
Can’t wait to find out what I will be learning next time!
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Finished reading: March 6th 2026
"True bravery was when you measured what you could potentially lose - friends, family, partners - and then accepted the danger. She'd given no thought to anyone before getting into that van. She wasn't a hero; she was just bloody-minded."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Bookouture in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
REVIEW
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It is always such a treat to get your hands on a new DI Kim Stone story. While this may be the 23rd book in the series, it still feels as fresh as ever. If you're new to this long-running crime fiction series, let me tell you that you could probably get away with just reading this one for the crimes that are being committed. But you would be missing out on a whole lot of background surrounding Stone and her team. They've gone through a lot, professionally and privately. Some were lost, others were gained, and through it all stands the rock that is DI Kim Stone and her trusty sidekick, Bryant. My suggestion is to start from the very beginning and get to know these characters like long-standing readers and fans have done.
There is quite a lot going on in 'Wicked Women'. It begins when a woman is found stabbed to death. One single knife wound is all it took to take Ashley Reynolds away from her husband and her young daughter. But why? Ashley seemed to be well liked. Yet Kim Stone knows that this was no random mugging or robbery but a targeted attack. Someone really wanted Ashley dead. She may be the first, but she sadly won't be the last.
Then, there's Martha Strout. By all accounts a rather nasty woman that Kim Stone would rather not have too many dealings with, thank you very much. Martha is arrested for the murder of her neighbour. These two families have been warring with each other for years. Something was bound to go wrong at some point. The police have Martha's confession, but Kim Stone doesn't believe a word Martha is saying, and so like a dog with a bone she sets out to prove she's right about her gut feelings. As if we expected anything else!
As interesting and compelling as the investigations into these cases may be, I found I was way more absorbed in the events surrounding seven year old Ava. Ava is Ashley's - the first victim - daughter and due to circumstances beyond her control, which you should learn about yourself, her future looks awfully bleak. Apart from pulling at the heartstrings, I "liked" (odd choice of word) that Marsons put the focus on this young child, lets the reader see the impact of losing everything she's ever known, and how she barely gets a chance to adjust to her world being turned upside down before it becomes even more chaotic and uncertain.
As always there is some fun banter, mostly between Stone and Bryant. There are some wonderfully heartwarming moments involving Stacey and Devon. And Penn once again shows how amazing he is, by always trying to find a solution to avoid a worst case scenario. After all this time, Stone and her team almost feel like friends. You root for them, you want good things for them, and when they hurt you hurt too.
I didn't figure out who murdered Ashley and why, but when the pieces of the puzzle started to come together, I was truly pleasantly surprised. If there were clues along the way, I totally missed them. It doesn't happen often that an author can blindside me like this but Marsons managed it. Feels like quite the feat after all these years.
'Wicked Women' is another addictive addition to this series. It is engaging, sometimes emotional, showing a lot of heart, and it had me hooked from start to finish. I've said it before and I'll say it again : as long as Angela Marsons keeps writing these books, I'll keep reading them. Bring on the next one!
There is quite a lot going on in 'Wicked Women'. It begins when a woman is found stabbed to death. One single knife wound is all it took to take Ashley Reynolds away from her husband and her young daughter. But why? Ashley seemed to be well liked. Yet Kim Stone knows that this was no random mugging or robbery but a targeted attack. Someone really wanted Ashley dead. She may be the first, but she sadly won't be the last.
Then, there's Martha Strout. By all accounts a rather nasty woman that Kim Stone would rather not have too many dealings with, thank you very much. Martha is arrested for the murder of her neighbour. These two families have been warring with each other for years. Something was bound to go wrong at some point. The police have Martha's confession, but Kim Stone doesn't believe a word Martha is saying, and so like a dog with a bone she sets out to prove she's right about her gut feelings. As if we expected anything else!
As interesting and compelling as the investigations into these cases may be, I found I was way more absorbed in the events surrounding seven year old Ava. Ava is Ashley's - the first victim - daughter and due to circumstances beyond her control, which you should learn about yourself, her future looks awfully bleak. Apart from pulling at the heartstrings, I "liked" (odd choice of word) that Marsons put the focus on this young child, lets the reader see the impact of losing everything she's ever known, and how she barely gets a chance to adjust to her world being turned upside down before it becomes even more chaotic and uncertain.
As always there is some fun banter, mostly between Stone and Bryant. There are some wonderfully heartwarming moments involving Stacey and Devon. And Penn once again shows how amazing he is, by always trying to find a solution to avoid a worst case scenario. After all this time, Stone and her team almost feel like friends. You root for them, you want good things for them, and when they hurt you hurt too.
I didn't figure out who murdered Ashley and why, but when the pieces of the puzzle started to come together, I was truly pleasantly surprised. If there were clues along the way, I totally missed them. It doesn't happen often that an author can blindside me like this but Marsons managed it. Feels like quite the feat after all these years.
'Wicked Women' is another addictive addition to this series. It is engaging, sometimes emotional, showing a lot of heart, and it had me hooked from start to finish. I've said it before and I'll say it again : as long as Angela Marsons keeps writing these books, I'll keep reading them. Bring on the next one!
Review of advance copy received from Author
It’s rare for a series to hit its twenty-third instalment and still feel this sharp, this gripping, and this emotionally charged—but Wicked Women proves exactly why the DI Kim Stone books remain my favourite detective series bar none.
From the chilling opening—Ashley Reynolds lying lifeless, a single, deliberate stab wound and a killer who stayed to watch—the tone is set for something far more calculated than a typical murder case. As always, Detective Kim Stone immediately senses that something doesn’t add up. Ashley is by all accounts a devoted mother and wife, yet whispers about her work as a social worker suggest she may have made enemies. When her husband’s behaviour raises eyebrows, suspicion begins to spiral in multiple directions.
What starts as a seemingly straightforward investigation quickly evolves into something far darker. The second victim, Nadine—a honey trapper who left a trail of damaged relationships—introduces a disturbing pattern. Someone is targeting women they deem “wicked,” delivering a chilling sense of moral judgement behind each killing. By the time a third victim emerges—one with no obvious flaws—the case takes on an even more sinister edge, forcing Kim and her team into a desperate race to uncover the truth before the killer strikes again.
One of the standout strengths of this book is how Angela Marsons balances complexity with pace. There’s not just one mystery here, but layers of them. Alongside the main investigation runs a secondary case that refuses to sit quietly in the background. Despite pressure to accept a confession and move on, Kim’s instincts won’t allow it—and watching her push against authority, staying stubbornly true to her principles, is as satisfying as ever. That tension between intuition and protocol adds an extra level of intrigue that keeps the pages turning.
Emotionally, this instalment hits hard in a different way. The exploration of family dynamics—especially around child welfare—adds a morally grey layer that makes you question what’s right versus what’s legal. It’s thought-provoking without ever slowing the momentum.
And then there’s the team. The camaraderie, the dry humour, the unwavering loyalty—it’s the glue that holds the series together. Even in the darkest moments, the banter offers just enough relief without undermining the gravity of the crimes. Watching these characters continue to grow and support each other is one of the biggest joys of returning to this series time and time again.
The pacing is pitch-perfect, with twists that genuinely surprise and an ending that ramps up the tension to near unbearable levels. It’s the kind of book that keeps you reading long past when you should have put it down.
If I’m being picky—and the only reason this isn’t a full five stars—it’s that some threads feel just a touch more predictable than the very best in the series. But even then, the execution is so strong that it barely dents the overall impact.
After 23 books, Wicked Women still feels fresh, compelling, and utterly addictive. Angela Marsons has an incredible ability to take everyday roles and twist them into something dark and dangerous—and I’ll never get tired of it.
From the chilling opening—Ashley Reynolds lying lifeless, a single, deliberate stab wound and a killer who stayed to watch—the tone is set for something far more calculated than a typical murder case. As always, Detective Kim Stone immediately senses that something doesn’t add up. Ashley is by all accounts a devoted mother and wife, yet whispers about her work as a social worker suggest she may have made enemies. When her husband’s behaviour raises eyebrows, suspicion begins to spiral in multiple directions.
What starts as a seemingly straightforward investigation quickly evolves into something far darker. The second victim, Nadine—a honey trapper who left a trail of damaged relationships—introduces a disturbing pattern. Someone is targeting women they deem “wicked,” delivering a chilling sense of moral judgement behind each killing. By the time a third victim emerges—one with no obvious flaws—the case takes on an even more sinister edge, forcing Kim and her team into a desperate race to uncover the truth before the killer strikes again.
One of the standout strengths of this book is how Angela Marsons balances complexity with pace. There’s not just one mystery here, but layers of them. Alongside the main investigation runs a secondary case that refuses to sit quietly in the background. Despite pressure to accept a confession and move on, Kim’s instincts won’t allow it—and watching her push against authority, staying stubbornly true to her principles, is as satisfying as ever. That tension between intuition and protocol adds an extra level of intrigue that keeps the pages turning.
Emotionally, this instalment hits hard in a different way. The exploration of family dynamics—especially around child welfare—adds a morally grey layer that makes you question what’s right versus what’s legal. It’s thought-provoking without ever slowing the momentum.
And then there’s the team. The camaraderie, the dry humour, the unwavering loyalty—it’s the glue that holds the series together. Even in the darkest moments, the banter offers just enough relief without undermining the gravity of the crimes. Watching these characters continue to grow and support each other is one of the biggest joys of returning to this series time and time again.
The pacing is pitch-perfect, with twists that genuinely surprise and an ending that ramps up the tension to near unbearable levels. It’s the kind of book that keeps you reading long past when you should have put it down.
If I’m being picky—and the only reason this isn’t a full five stars—it’s that some threads feel just a touch more predictable than the very best in the series. But even then, the execution is so strong that it barely dents the overall impact.
After 23 books, Wicked Women still feels fresh, compelling, and utterly addictive. Angela Marsons has an incredible ability to take everyday roles and twist them into something dark and dangerous—and I’ll never get tired of it.
March 22, 2026
One murder, many suspects. So far, just another run of the mill day for Kim Stone and her team - in as much as murder can ever, really, be called run of the mill. It's an unusual start to this book, strange circumstances to find Kim in for sure, who is a little like a fish out of water for reasons that will make long terms fans smile, but are quite fitting given the events of the previous book. Angry as she may be for the victim, that fateful call from Keats could not have come soon enough. And, for us fans, its a call that plunges us all into a case often as emotional as it is baffling, as much for the family of the victim and the events that spiral totally out of control.
I like what Angela Marsons has done with this book. It is perhaps not as dark as the theme in its predecessor, but it still packs a real punch. The victim, the first victim at least, in this book, is a young mother, a woman whose murder opens up opportunities for less ethical people to take advantage, especially as suspicion falls towards the husband as if often the case in these kinds of cases. Its a set of circumstances designed to make the blood boil, ones that show how easy it is for a wrong decision to be made over a child's welfare, driven by what is legal rather than what feels to be morally right. In this case it demonstrates not only Kim's deep understanding of the impact of a caring family on a young child's development, but also allows the author to explore aspects of Stacy's relationship with her partner, Devon, that might otherwise have been hard to address given the strong focus towards the complexities of the case.
Now there is a secondary thread in this book that I don't want to go into in too much detail, but it acts as a distraction for Kim who is being pushed to treat it as an open and shut case given that the suspect has made a full confession, but who can't ignore some small niggle that makes her doubt what she has heard. Needless to say that this causes conflict with powers that be, especially as the first murder case escalates with a second, and then third victim being added to the files in fairly quick succession. I love to see Kim staying true to her principles, finding ways to continue to investigate the 'closed' case, whilst still moving forward on the initial murder enquiry. There is a real sense of mystery around this secondary case, and as the reasons for the incident become clear, it almost beggars belief that the root cause could be something so, well, petty. Which is where I agreed with Kim, and why you just know that this case will be something far bigger than we expect.
As ever the humour between the team is what makes this series so special. There are some quite intense moments with the team all affected by the way in which the case progresses, but the banter between them all helps to diffuse some of the harsher moments that can hit quite hard. And you get a real view of the camaraderie and the dedication of the team, not just to the cases, but to each other, in the way in which a few of the situations unfurl. That unity, the willingness to step up for each other, is why this is such a brilliant team to read about.
There is plenty of tension, a lot of misdirection, and scenes that will make the blood boil as I have come to expect from this series. As ever, I tore through the book in next to no time, aided by the pitch perfect pacing and the twists that just kept the story feeling utterly unpredictable. The ending becomes quite intense, the implications of what could happen the kind to keep you right on the edge of your seat, and definitely reading far beyond a sensible bedtime. This may be a long running series, 24 books and counting, but somehow every case feels fresh and yet familiar. The familiarity comes from the characters who I have grown to love more and more with each book. The freshness comes courtesy of the devilish mind of Ms Marsons who seems to find some new dark and deadly situation to lead us into, every single time. Taking something so mundane and turning it into something so dark, this is definitely recommended.
I like what Angela Marsons has done with this book. It is perhaps not as dark as the theme in its predecessor, but it still packs a real punch. The victim, the first victim at least, in this book, is a young mother, a woman whose murder opens up opportunities for less ethical people to take advantage, especially as suspicion falls towards the husband as if often the case in these kinds of cases. Its a set of circumstances designed to make the blood boil, ones that show how easy it is for a wrong decision to be made over a child's welfare, driven by what is legal rather than what feels to be morally right. In this case it demonstrates not only Kim's deep understanding of the impact of a caring family on a young child's development, but also allows the author to explore aspects of Stacy's relationship with her partner, Devon, that might otherwise have been hard to address given the strong focus towards the complexities of the case.
Now there is a secondary thread in this book that I don't want to go into in too much detail, but it acts as a distraction for Kim who is being pushed to treat it as an open and shut case given that the suspect has made a full confession, but who can't ignore some small niggle that makes her doubt what she has heard. Needless to say that this causes conflict with powers that be, especially as the first murder case escalates with a second, and then third victim being added to the files in fairly quick succession. I love to see Kim staying true to her principles, finding ways to continue to investigate the 'closed' case, whilst still moving forward on the initial murder enquiry. There is a real sense of mystery around this secondary case, and as the reasons for the incident become clear, it almost beggars belief that the root cause could be something so, well, petty. Which is where I agreed with Kim, and why you just know that this case will be something far bigger than we expect.
As ever the humour between the team is what makes this series so special. There are some quite intense moments with the team all affected by the way in which the case progresses, but the banter between them all helps to diffuse some of the harsher moments that can hit quite hard. And you get a real view of the camaraderie and the dedication of the team, not just to the cases, but to each other, in the way in which a few of the situations unfurl. That unity, the willingness to step up for each other, is why this is such a brilliant team to read about.
There is plenty of tension, a lot of misdirection, and scenes that will make the blood boil as I have come to expect from this series. As ever, I tore through the book in next to no time, aided by the pitch perfect pacing and the twists that just kept the story feeling utterly unpredictable. The ending becomes quite intense, the implications of what could happen the kind to keep you right on the edge of your seat, and definitely reading far beyond a sensible bedtime. This may be a long running series, 24 books and counting, but somehow every case feels fresh and yet familiar. The familiarity comes from the characters who I have grown to love more and more with each book. The freshness comes courtesy of the devilish mind of Ms Marsons who seems to find some new dark and deadly situation to lead us into, every single time. Taking something so mundane and turning it into something so dark, this is definitely recommended.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
How on earth are we at book 23 in this most excellent series and it still feel as fresh as a daisy!? Obviously you have read all the previous books, haven't you!? If not, why?
We start, as we so often do, with a body. That of a woman, killed by a single stab to her chest. Ashley Reynolds, wife and mother, loved by all.
Well... you say loved by all. Once Kim and her team get going with their investigation, a different picture starts to form. She was a social worker so she must have ruffled a few feathers, goes with the job.
And then, one body becomes two as another woman is found dead. Nadine isn't as squeaky clean either, as she is found to have worked as a honey trapper. But is this enough to get her killed too?
And then two becomes three and it becomes a race against time to get to the bottom of things before the count gets any higher...
Meanwhile, Kim also has her hands full with the shenanigans of Martha Strout. But I will leave you to meet her, warts and all, as the author intended.
I love this series. I don't even read the synopsis before diving straight in. And I am always well rewarded for that loyalty with a cracking story that hits the ground running, sucks me in from the off, holds me captive throughout, and then spits me out at the end wholly satisfied! This book did not deviate from that pattern. In fact, the only downside of reading a Kim Stone book is when it ends and I have to wait for the next one!
It's deliciously interconnected and convoluted and full of things that don't really fit or make complete sense but then, when they do, both shock and surprise ensues. Don't worry, no spoilers here, but I can say that I was wholly satisfied when I reached the end.
Kim, as always, marches to the beat of her own drum, especially in this book where she, once again, defies orders. But she does it always from a good place. And she tries to keep her team out of the firing line. Talking of whom, we have a few special moments between Devon and Stacey in this book as well as the usual trademark banter between Kim and Bryant. And then there's Penn who really flies high with his investigations here.
And I have to admit that I was pretty clueless all the way through as to who was killing the women. And boy did I kick myself when I found out. I read a LOT of this genre book so it takes a clever author to keep me in the dark for so long so, yeah, well done Ms Marsons!
All that's left now is to wait to see what Kim and her team have to face next time, hopefully I won't have to wait too long. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
We start, as we so often do, with a body. That of a woman, killed by a single stab to her chest. Ashley Reynolds, wife and mother, loved by all.
Well... you say loved by all. Once Kim and her team get going with their investigation, a different picture starts to form. She was a social worker so she must have ruffled a few feathers, goes with the job.
And then, one body becomes two as another woman is found dead. Nadine isn't as squeaky clean either, as she is found to have worked as a honey trapper. But is this enough to get her killed too?
And then two becomes three and it becomes a race against time to get to the bottom of things before the count gets any higher...
Meanwhile, Kim also has her hands full with the shenanigans of Martha Strout. But I will leave you to meet her, warts and all, as the author intended.
I love this series. I don't even read the synopsis before diving straight in. And I am always well rewarded for that loyalty with a cracking story that hits the ground running, sucks me in from the off, holds me captive throughout, and then spits me out at the end wholly satisfied! This book did not deviate from that pattern. In fact, the only downside of reading a Kim Stone book is when it ends and I have to wait for the next one!
It's deliciously interconnected and convoluted and full of things that don't really fit or make complete sense but then, when they do, both shock and surprise ensues. Don't worry, no spoilers here, but I can say that I was wholly satisfied when I reached the end.
Kim, as always, marches to the beat of her own drum, especially in this book where she, once again, defies orders. But she does it always from a good place. And she tries to keep her team out of the firing line. Talking of whom, we have a few special moments between Devon and Stacey in this book as well as the usual trademark banter between Kim and Bryant. And then there's Penn who really flies high with his investigations here.
And I have to admit that I was pretty clueless all the way through as to who was killing the women. And boy did I kick myself when I found out. I read a LOT of this genre book so it takes a clever author to keep me in the dark for so long so, yeah, well done Ms Marsons!
All that's left now is to wait to see what Kim and her team have to face next time, hopefully I won't have to wait too long. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
WOW, AND DOUBLE WOW with cherries on the top! After 23 books, you’d think a series might start to lose its spark, but not the Angela Marsons Kim Stone series. Wicked Women proves yet again why this series is addictive. I’ve read every single book, and somehow each one still feels as fresh and gripping as the first. No repetition. No predictable plots. Just another jaw dropping case that pulls you in from page one. By now Kim and her team feel less like fictional detectives and more like old friends. I’ve shared their heartbreak, celebrated their victories, and held my breath through their most dangerous investigations. And Wicked Women is yet another reminder of why I keep coming back for more.
This time the team are faced with a killer who believes some women deserve to die. When the body of a woman is discovered with a single, deliberate stab wound, it quickly becomes clear this is no ordinary murder. As the investigation unfolds and another victim is killed in the same chilling way, Kim and her team realise they are hunting someone who has decided certain women are “wicked”… and deserve to pay the ultimate price.
And just when you think you might have a handle on where the story is going… bang! Another twist. And another. Honestly, every time I thought I’d figured something out, the plot took a sharp turn and proved me wrong, Angela Marsons sure has an evil streak! In the best possible way,! One of the things that make this series standout is the team dynamics.Watching Kim work with Bryant, Stacey and Penn always feels like coming home. Their banter, loyalty, and the way they pull together when things get tough adds so much heart to the darker elements of the story.
And that ending… wow. I genuinely did not see it coming. The final reveal is one of those moments where everything suddenly clicks into place and you just sit there thinking, how did I miss that?
After 23 books, keeping a series this fresh, gripping, and emotionally engaging is an incredible achievement. Angela Marsons has once again delivered a crime thriller that had me completely hooked, racing through the pages and wishing I could read it for the first time all over again.If you’re already a fan of Kim Stone you’re going to love this one. And if you somehow haven’t started this series yet… what are you waiting for? You’ve got 23 brilliant books ahead of you. 📚🔥
This time the team are faced with a killer who believes some women deserve to die. When the body of a woman is discovered with a single, deliberate stab wound, it quickly becomes clear this is no ordinary murder. As the investigation unfolds and another victim is killed in the same chilling way, Kim and her team realise they are hunting someone who has decided certain women are “wicked”… and deserve to pay the ultimate price.
And just when you think you might have a handle on where the story is going… bang! Another twist. And another. Honestly, every time I thought I’d figured something out, the plot took a sharp turn and proved me wrong, Angela Marsons sure has an evil streak! In the best possible way,! One of the things that make this series standout is the team dynamics.Watching Kim work with Bryant, Stacey and Penn always feels like coming home. Their banter, loyalty, and the way they pull together when things get tough adds so much heart to the darker elements of the story.
And that ending… wow. I genuinely did not see it coming. The final reveal is one of those moments where everything suddenly clicks into place and you just sit there thinking, how did I miss that?
After 23 books, keeping a series this fresh, gripping, and emotionally engaging is an incredible achievement. Angela Marsons has once again delivered a crime thriller that had me completely hooked, racing through the pages and wishing I could read it for the first time all over again.If you’re already a fan of Kim Stone you’re going to love this one. And if you somehow haven’t started this series yet… what are you waiting for? You’ve got 23 brilliant books ahead of you. 📚🔥
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
"Wicked are the ways of women. Their guile knows no bounds." (Shelby Mahurin)
All is right in the world when Angela Marsons releases her newest novel. Marsons has knitted an extremely tightly woven storyline in Wicked Women. There are no loose ends that may loop here and there where readers can insert a thumb or two. Wicked Women is one of the most perplexing mysteries in this entire series. Marsons sees to that.
We're back with DI Kim Stone and her outstanding crew once again. Kim gets a call from the medical examiner, Keats, who seems to have Kim on speed dial. A young woman's body has been found not too far from the woman's home. That was her destination......one she didn't quite make. One simple stab wound to the chest. No robbery nor rape. It had to be someone she knew. Close and personal.
Soon two more female bodies are found with the same stab wound to their death. But we're standing next to Marsons nudging her with our elbow. There is no possible connection between these three women.....nothing at all. Even Kim leans in and winks at Marsons. Marsons has left no breadcrumbs in Wicked Women. As readers, we keep poking into our imaginary loops. Where is she going with this one?
Kim Stone, by her very nature, is uncomfortable with being around people. But it is her own uncanny ability to sift through the dark side of humanity that will get Kim to solve this one. She lived it in her youth and she reigns it in within her profession. People. Just people. They are capable of the truest kindness and they are also capable of the most dastardly of deeds.
Angela Marsons threads Wicked Women with a totally different vibe this time. Kim's team has always shown true heart within this series. But this time, we're gonna see a bit of bending and weaving back and forth by Kim herself. How, you say? Check this one out. It will definitely shine a different light on Kim. Definitely.
Can be read as a standalone and publishes on 4/14/26.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Bookouture and to the talented Angela Marsons for the opportunity.
All is right in the world when Angela Marsons releases her newest novel. Marsons has knitted an extremely tightly woven storyline in Wicked Women. There are no loose ends that may loop here and there where readers can insert a thumb or two. Wicked Women is one of the most perplexing mysteries in this entire series. Marsons sees to that.
We're back with DI Kim Stone and her outstanding crew once again. Kim gets a call from the medical examiner, Keats, who seems to have Kim on speed dial. A young woman's body has been found not too far from the woman's home. That was her destination......one she didn't quite make. One simple stab wound to the chest. No robbery nor rape. It had to be someone she knew. Close and personal.
Soon two more female bodies are found with the same stab wound to their death. But we're standing next to Marsons nudging her with our elbow. There is no possible connection between these three women.....nothing at all. Even Kim leans in and winks at Marsons. Marsons has left no breadcrumbs in Wicked Women. As readers, we keep poking into our imaginary loops. Where is she going with this one?
Kim Stone, by her very nature, is uncomfortable with being around people. But it is her own uncanny ability to sift through the dark side of humanity that will get Kim to solve this one. She lived it in her youth and she reigns it in within her profession. People. Just people. They are capable of the truest kindness and they are also capable of the most dastardly of deeds.
Angela Marsons threads Wicked Women with a totally different vibe this time. Kim's team has always shown true heart within this series. But this time, we're gonna see a bit of bending and weaving back and forth by Kim herself. How, you say? Check this one out. It will definitely shine a different light on Kim. Definitely.
Can be read as a standalone and publishes on 4/14/26.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Bookouture and to the talented Angela Marsons for the opportunity.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Angela Marsons has done it again. Another phenomenal book in this amazing series, that keeps you guessing right until the end.
And if you have read any books in the Detective Kim Stone series that sentence alone should be more than enough of a review, as this is more than up to the normal level of the series, and I could barely put the book down. In fact I was rather happy that there was suddenly a nice day of decent weather and I spent an afternoon in the garden, devouring this book without another care or thought in the world.
And if you haven't read anything from this author before, where have you been for the previous 23 books?! This is a truly excellent series and you have totally been missing out.
Do I really need to say much more to convince anyone?!
... fine then...
What a brilliant plot this has, I am totally loving Kim's gut instinct more and more with each book, as well as the fact she cares so little about things like obeying her superiors, in favour of doing what she believes is right.
And the little girl Ava, whose mum was the first murder victim, totally got under my skin, and into my heart. And into the hearts of the whole team, who are not only trying to find out who killer her mother and why, but also trying to ensure Ava isn't put into the care of people that shouldn't really even have the children they do have.
There is also a side case that Kim is involved in, that has deeply curious as to just what is the root of a very longstanding family feud, when even Bryant thinks she should stay clear.
I really enjoyed seeing another side of Stacey and Devon in this book too, as they go above and beyond. And Penn continues to grow on me too, and some of his intuition is brilliant as well.
This is such a close knit team, and I always enjoying seeing how their minds work, as they attempt to solve a case.
I shall finish with my bi-annual plea to Angela Marsons to write faster, I don't want to wait for the next book! I love the series that much!
Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
And if you have read any books in the Detective Kim Stone series that sentence alone should be more than enough of a review, as this is more than up to the normal level of the series, and I could barely put the book down. In fact I was rather happy that there was suddenly a nice day of decent weather and I spent an afternoon in the garden, devouring this book without another care or thought in the world.
And if you haven't read anything from this author before, where have you been for the previous 23 books?! This is a truly excellent series and you have totally been missing out.
Do I really need to say much more to convince anyone?!
... fine then...
What a brilliant plot this has, I am totally loving Kim's gut instinct more and more with each book, as well as the fact she cares so little about things like obeying her superiors, in favour of doing what she believes is right.
And the little girl Ava, whose mum was the first murder victim, totally got under my skin, and into my heart. And into the hearts of the whole team, who are not only trying to find out who killer her mother and why, but also trying to ensure Ava isn't put into the care of people that shouldn't really even have the children they do have.
There is also a side case that Kim is involved in, that has deeply curious as to just what is the root of a very longstanding family feud, when even Bryant thinks she should stay clear.
I really enjoyed seeing another side of Stacey and Devon in this book too, as they go above and beyond. And Penn continues to grow on me too, and some of his intuition is brilliant as well.
This is such a close knit team, and I always enjoying seeing how their minds work, as they attempt to solve a case.
I shall finish with my bi-annual plea to Angela Marsons to write faster, I don't want to wait for the next book! I love the series that much!
Thank you to Bookouture and Netgalley for this copy which I have reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
WICKED WOMEN is #23 in the DI Kim Stone series. I read some of the first books in this series a couple of years ago, and had noted that they were well-written. So when this one became available on NetGalley, I grabbed it. I was not disappointed. It was a perfect read for a police procedural junkie like me! I raced through it quickly, thoroughly enjoying both the writing style and the storyline.
And "no" I didn't guess whodunnit until the ending. It was a twist I definitely didn't see coming.
It was almost a five-star read. Missed only because I felt the villain's motive was a bit bizarre. Maybe I felt it was weird because I haven't read many of the Kim Stone stories, which take place in the West Midlands of England, and I don't know much about the culture of that area. Even though I read this one as a standalone, I sensed that it is an area with pockets of poverty, a former industrialized area that, for many of its inhabitants, no longer offers a 'good life', just a 'barely sustainable' one.
It wasn't until I finished the narrative that I realized that the title—"wicked women"—was perfect. I seldom pay attention to the titles of stories that I read (probably to the dismay of those authors who put great effort into generating meaningful titles). But I realized that this title was perfect once everything came together at the end.
I definitely plan to read more of the Kim Stone series. I recommend that Canadian libraries carry it; currently it is not available through the Canadian library system and I'm sure it would appeal to many library patrons.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My reviews for books in this series that I have read:
First Blood (DI Kim Stone, #.5)
Silent Scream (DI Kim Stone, #1)
Evil Games (DI Kim Stone, #2)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks to Bookouture for providing an electronic copy of this book via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinions.
And "no" I didn't guess whodunnit until the ending. It was a twist I definitely didn't see coming.
It was almost a five-star read. Missed only because I felt the villain's motive was a bit bizarre. Maybe I felt it was weird because I haven't read many of the Kim Stone stories, which take place in the West Midlands of England, and I don't know much about the culture of that area. Even though I read this one as a standalone, I sensed that it is an area with pockets of poverty, a former industrialized area that, for many of its inhabitants, no longer offers a 'good life', just a 'barely sustainable' one.
It wasn't until I finished the narrative that I realized that the title—"wicked women"—was perfect. I seldom pay attention to the titles of stories that I read (probably to the dismay of those authors who put great effort into generating meaningful titles). But I realized that this title was perfect once everything came together at the end.
I definitely plan to read more of the Kim Stone series. I recommend that Canadian libraries carry it; currently it is not available through the Canadian library system and I'm sure it would appeal to many library patrons.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My reviews for books in this series that I have read:
First Blood (DI Kim Stone, #.5)
Silent Scream (DI Kim Stone, #1)
Evil Games (DI Kim Stone, #2)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks to Bookouture for providing an electronic copy of this book via NetGalley. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinions.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Book 23 in the D.I. Kim Stone series, and author Angela Marsons is still hitting it out of the park!
Married mother of one, Ashley Reynolds, is found lying in a pool of blood - one single stab wound, but it was enough to take this young mum’s life.
DI Kim Stone and her team lead the investigation, but they’ll have to put their own personal lives on hold to get to the bottom of this very complex case.
Social worker Ashley, appeared to be liked by everyone who knew her, but clearly someone didn’t, because she wasn’t the victim of a mugging - this was personal. Was the killer a client or someone close to her?
Nadine is the next victim. Killed in exactly the same manner. She was a honey trapper - using romantic seduction to entice her targets into compromising situations, in order to confirm their infidelity for her clients. Could the killer be a disgruntled husband whom she’d honey trapped?
When a third victim, Karen, is killed, Kim and the team can’t find anything she was involved in that you could possibly find grievance with. So, what’s going on, what exactly is the link between these victims?
Well, for those of us who are fans of this excellent series, we’re in no doubt that Kim and the team will stop at nothing until they have the answer. However, when the answer reveals itself, it sends a chill down Kim’s spine, because it’s something she’s never come across before, and she has no idea how to resolve it.
Kim Stone may have a brusque manner and doesn’t suffer fools gladly, but there’s real heart underneath that facade, and nowhere is that more evident than in this particular case, because it certainly tugs on the heartstrings at times.
I’m literally running out of superlatives to describe this series. Here we are at book 23, and it remains as fresh and inventive as the first. If you haven’t read Angela Marsons, then you don’t know what you’re missing. The bonus is, it can be read as a stand-alone too!
*Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
Married mother of one, Ashley Reynolds, is found lying in a pool of blood - one single stab wound, but it was enough to take this young mum’s life.
DI Kim Stone and her team lead the investigation, but they’ll have to put their own personal lives on hold to get to the bottom of this very complex case.
Social worker Ashley, appeared to be liked by everyone who knew her, but clearly someone didn’t, because she wasn’t the victim of a mugging - this was personal. Was the killer a client or someone close to her?
Nadine is the next victim. Killed in exactly the same manner. She was a honey trapper - using romantic seduction to entice her targets into compromising situations, in order to confirm their infidelity for her clients. Could the killer be a disgruntled husband whom she’d honey trapped?
When a third victim, Karen, is killed, Kim and the team can’t find anything she was involved in that you could possibly find grievance with. So, what’s going on, what exactly is the link between these victims?
Well, for those of us who are fans of this excellent series, we’re in no doubt that Kim and the team will stop at nothing until they have the answer. However, when the answer reveals itself, it sends a chill down Kim’s spine, because it’s something she’s never come across before, and she has no idea how to resolve it.
Kim Stone may have a brusque manner and doesn’t suffer fools gladly, but there’s real heart underneath that facade, and nowhere is that more evident than in this particular case, because it certainly tugs on the heartstrings at times.
I’m literally running out of superlatives to describe this series. Here we are at book 23, and it remains as fresh and inventive as the first. If you haven’t read Angela Marsons, then you don’t know what you’re missing. The bonus is, it can be read as a stand-alone too!
*Many thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is book #23 of the DI Kim Stone series. I would recommend reading the books in series order, but if you do read it as a standalone I guarantee you'll be heading for that first book to catch up! I love Kim Stone (and I have the mug to prove it!) and in this book we find her investigating the case of a young mum murdered on her way home from sports practice. When another murder occurs, we're left wondering, along with Stone and her team, are the two murders connected, how are they connected and just what the hell is going on!!
As usual I was hooked into this book from the first chapter. If I'm brutally honest I'm only here for Stone - she's the best female detective/detective/character that there is (I'd read the shipping forecast if she was in it!). But of course, the storyline also drew me, just as it does every other time! This author is astounding! The murders are shocking and there are lots of suspects to ponder over, with the storyline definitely keeping you guessing right to the very end. There are a couple of storylines running alongside each other and each one is as exciting as the other. The research the author must have done to get these books so factually correct is amazing. I love the relationships between Stone, Bryant, Penn and Stacey, and their own personalities and skills add to the team (and the storyline)!
I'm not going to say anything else though about the storyline as I wouldn't want to spoil it for anyone! Now, I know I say this every time, but this series is still as strong as ever at book 23 (but how is that even possible?)!! Every book has an original storyline with clever plots, gripping writing and unusual motives for murder! Please don't ever retire Kim Stone...if this series carried on forever I'd be a happy reader! This latest instalment is fabulous, I loved reading it and I'd happily read it all over again! Angela Marsons is the Queen of Crime - someone get her a new pen and notebook as I need the next book now!
As usual I was hooked into this book from the first chapter. If I'm brutally honest I'm only here for Stone - she's the best female detective/detective/character that there is (I'd read the shipping forecast if she was in it!). But of course, the storyline also drew me, just as it does every other time! This author is astounding! The murders are shocking and there are lots of suspects to ponder over, with the storyline definitely keeping you guessing right to the very end. There are a couple of storylines running alongside each other and each one is as exciting as the other. The research the author must have done to get these books so factually correct is amazing. I love the relationships between Stone, Bryant, Penn and Stacey, and their own personalities and skills add to the team (and the storyline)!
I'm not going to say anything else though about the storyline as I wouldn't want to spoil it for anyone! Now, I know I say this every time, but this series is still as strong as ever at book 23 (but how is that even possible?)!! Every book has an original storyline with clever plots, gripping writing and unusual motives for murder! Please don't ever retire Kim Stone...if this series carried on forever I'd be a happy reader! This latest instalment is fabulous, I loved reading it and I'd happily read it all over again! Angela Marsons is the Queen of Crime - someone get her a new pen and notebook as I need the next book now!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I’ve been a big fan of the Detective Kim Stone series right from the very beginning. Every time I pick up a new book I think it won’t be as good as the previous one- how can an author write 23 books that are all equally compelling making you stay up all night turning the pages? Well every time I think this I am proved wrong! Number 23 is every bit as good as the earlier ones, maybe even better!
Part of my enjoyment is catching up with all the characters, Kim, Bryant, Stacey and Penn and in this book they all have important roles to play.
When social worker Ashley is murdered on the way home from netball practice leaving a husband a young child, Kim and her team look at all the angles. Her husband seems perfectly normal but when he starts to act suspiciously trying to whisk his daughter off to Scotland, Kim wonders what he has to hide. Moreover Ashley is liked by most people who know her and no motive is immediately forthcoming.
Then another similar fatal stabbing occurs and Kim realises that a serial killer may be on the loose.
This is a complicated investigation with motives definitely thin on the ground and the team have to work doubly hard to work out what is happening.
As is normally the way in these books, Kim is also investigating a separate case where a woman has been arrested for shooting her neighbour, which should be a straightforward solve and convict but Kim is not 100% convinced! Particularly when Witches curses are involved!
I love the way the plot strands all come together in the final pages of Angels Marson’s novels- she is certainly a very gifted author,- working out how to tie up storylines is her superpower . She also portrays very believable characters, people that the reader would actually like to get to know in real life! As ever with this series, when I finished the book, I felt sad that I would have to wait a while before catching up with Kim and her team again.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
Part of my enjoyment is catching up with all the characters, Kim, Bryant, Stacey and Penn and in this book they all have important roles to play.
When social worker Ashley is murdered on the way home from netball practice leaving a husband a young child, Kim and her team look at all the angles. Her husband seems perfectly normal but when he starts to act suspiciously trying to whisk his daughter off to Scotland, Kim wonders what he has to hide. Moreover Ashley is liked by most people who know her and no motive is immediately forthcoming.
Then another similar fatal stabbing occurs and Kim realises that a serial killer may be on the loose.
This is a complicated investigation with motives definitely thin on the ground and the team have to work doubly hard to work out what is happening.
As is normally the way in these books, Kim is also investigating a separate case where a woman has been arrested for shooting her neighbour, which should be a straightforward solve and convict but Kim is not 100% convinced! Particularly when Witches curses are involved!
I love the way the plot strands all come together in the final pages of Angels Marson’s novels- she is certainly a very gifted author,- working out how to tie up storylines is her superpower . She also portrays very believable characters, people that the reader would actually like to get to know in real life! As ever with this series, when I finished the book, I felt sad that I would have to wait a while before catching up with Kim and her team again.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wicked Women is a gripping, tightly wound thriller that pulls you straight into Detective Kim Stone’s world from the very first scene. The opening murder—cold, deliberate, and disturbingly calm—sets the tone for a case that feels personal even before Kim realises why. Ashley Reynolds appears to be the last person anyone would want dead, yet someone stood over her long enough to make sure she didn’t survive. That detail alone sends a shiver through the entire investigation.
As Kim and her team dig deeper, the picture only becomes more unsettling. Ashley’s work as a social worker left her with enemies who blamed her for breaking families apart, while her husband’s strange behaviour raises its own questions. The novel thrives in that murky space where motive and morality blur, and every answer seems to open a darker door.
When a second woman is murdered in the same chilling manner, the pattern sharpens—but the victims couldn’t be more different. A honey trapper, a social worker, and then a third woman whose life holds nothing even the most twisted mind could condemn. The tension builds beautifully as Kim races to find the thread connecting them, and the moment she finally sees the truth is genuinely bone‑deep chilling.
What makes the book so compelling is the way it balances pace with emotional weight. The murders are brutal, but the story is ultimately about secrets, judgement, and the dangerous narratives people build to justify revenge. Kim’s determination, her sharp instincts, and her refusal to look away from the darkest possibilities give the novel its heartbeat.
Wicked Women is a brilliantly plotted, breath‑tightening thriller that keeps you guessing right up to the final reveal. Dark, clever, and utterly absorbing—perfect for readers who love crime fiction that digs into the shadows and refuses to let go.
With thanks to Angela Marsons, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
As Kim and her team dig deeper, the picture only becomes more unsettling. Ashley’s work as a social worker left her with enemies who blamed her for breaking families apart, while her husband’s strange behaviour raises its own questions. The novel thrives in that murky space where motive and morality blur, and every answer seems to open a darker door.
When a second woman is murdered in the same chilling manner, the pattern sharpens—but the victims couldn’t be more different. A honey trapper, a social worker, and then a third woman whose life holds nothing even the most twisted mind could condemn. The tension builds beautifully as Kim races to find the thread connecting them, and the moment she finally sees the truth is genuinely bone‑deep chilling.
What makes the book so compelling is the way it balances pace with emotional weight. The murders are brutal, but the story is ultimately about secrets, judgement, and the dangerous narratives people build to justify revenge. Kim’s determination, her sharp instincts, and her refusal to look away from the darkest possibilities give the novel its heartbeat.
Wicked Women is a brilliantly plotted, breath‑tightening thriller that keeps you guessing right up to the final reveal. Dark, clever, and utterly absorbing—perfect for readers who love crime fiction that digs into the shadows and refuses to let go.
With thanks to Angela Marsons, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Kim Stone is at an awards ceremony when she receives a call from Keats, which can only mean one thing. The body of a woman has been found, a single stab wound to the chest, Ashley Reynolds is a social worker and well liked mother to Ava, happily married to Dan, so why would anyone want her dead? The team think they know who did it and their motive, until another woman is found, killed in the same way, Nadine worked as a honey trapper and was blamed for ruining marriages, could it be that these two women are linked through their work and the damage they cause to families? When a third woman is found the team are baffled why this has happened and Kim knows time is running out, when she suddenly realises what the link is, it's a race to get there before another innocent life is taken.
Wicked Women is the latest in the Kim Stone series by the Queen of Crime and, as with all the others in this series, it hooked me from the start, again I devoured this in a matter of hours. Kim and the team are back, trying to rid the Black Country streets of crime, this time it's seemingly innocent women being murdered and Kim is desperate to find the motive and, if they are linked, before the numbers pile up. Add into the mix a long standing fight between neighbours, witchcraft and curses, the team have certainly got their hands full! This is another exciting instalment in this series, which never loses momentum and every new book is as fresh and full of surprises as the last. Once again she has smashed it out of the park! As long as Marsons keeps writing this series I will keep reading them, the only downside to reading this so quickly, is I have to wait longer for book 24!!
I'd like to thank Bookouture and the author for an early advanced copy of this book, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day
Wicked Women is the latest in the Kim Stone series by the Queen of Crime and, as with all the others in this series, it hooked me from the start, again I devoured this in a matter of hours. Kim and the team are back, trying to rid the Black Country streets of crime, this time it's seemingly innocent women being murdered and Kim is desperate to find the motive and, if they are linked, before the numbers pile up. Add into the mix a long standing fight between neighbours, witchcraft and curses, the team have certainly got their hands full! This is another exciting instalment in this series, which never loses momentum and every new book is as fresh and full of surprises as the last. Once again she has smashed it out of the park! As long as Marsons keeps writing this series I will keep reading them, the only downside to reading this so quickly, is I have to wait longer for book 24!!
I'd like to thank Bookouture and the author for an early advanced copy of this book, I will post my review on Goodreads now and Amazon on publication day
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Title: Wicked Women
Series: Detective Kim Stone #23
Author: Angela Marsons
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: April 14, 2026
My Rating: 4.5 Stars!
Pages: 371
Detective Kim Stone is at an awards ceremony when she receives a call from Keats. (Kim was not aware that she was receiving an award))
The body of a woman has been found, a single stab wound to the chest, Ashley Reynolds is a social worker and well liked mother to Ava, happily married to Dan, so why would anyone want her dead? However one Dad is very upset when he doesn’t get custody of his children and blames Ashley for tearing apart his family.
As the team investigates trying to find a motive, another woman- Twenty-one year old Nadine Crawley known as a honey trapper hired by wives or girlfriends is killed in the same cold, calm way.
Men say she destroying their marriages.
When a third woman Karen Felton is murdered in her home, Kim and the team are somewhat stumped as to why seemingly innocent women are being murdered and they are desperate to find the motive are they linked to
revenge or curses and witchcraft?
I am as other readers are stumped as well – there must be a connection but what?
This part of the story is rather slow but then things start to connect.
Story started with Kim and team as well as the rest of the Department attending an award ceremony to honor Kim on a job well done now is fearful of losing her job.
The ending truly is a wild roller coaster ride!
At the end readers are asked if the story had staying up late as you had to learn the truth then you won’t want to miss Kim Stone’s next exciting case.
I laughed out loud said - “You got that right!”.’
Want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for April 14, 2026.
Series: Detective Kim Stone #23
Author: Angela Marsons
Publisher: Bookouture
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: April 14, 2026
My Rating: 4.5 Stars!
Pages: 371
Detective Kim Stone is at an awards ceremony when she receives a call from Keats. (Kim was not aware that she was receiving an award))
The body of a woman has been found, a single stab wound to the chest, Ashley Reynolds is a social worker and well liked mother to Ava, happily married to Dan, so why would anyone want her dead? However one Dad is very upset when he doesn’t get custody of his children and blames Ashley for tearing apart his family.
As the team investigates trying to find a motive, another woman- Twenty-one year old Nadine Crawley known as a honey trapper hired by wives or girlfriends is killed in the same cold, calm way.
Men say she destroying their marriages.
When a third woman Karen Felton is murdered in her home, Kim and the team are somewhat stumped as to why seemingly innocent women are being murdered and they are desperate to find the motive are they linked to
revenge or curses and witchcraft?
I am as other readers are stumped as well – there must be a connection but what?
This part of the story is rather slow but then things start to connect.
Story started with Kim and team as well as the rest of the Department attending an award ceremony to honor Kim on a job well done now is fearful of losing her job.
The ending truly is a wild roller coaster ride!
At the end readers are asked if the story had staying up late as you had to learn the truth then you won’t want to miss Kim Stone’s next exciting case.
I laughed out loud said - “You got that right!”.’
Want to thank NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for April 14, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I have read this series from the very start and can hardly believe this is the 23rd book in the Detective Kim Stone series. The stories remain as fresh and unique as the early ones and the series continues to improve with every new release.
Ashley Reynolds, a social worker, lies dead from a single stab wound. What makes it “no ordinary crime” is the lack of chaos. The killer didn’t flee, they stood and watched the life drain out of her. Why would someone be so wicked to kill in such a clinical and cold way. As the investigations begin the team face two chilling possibilities. Was Ashley targeted because of her job “tearing families apart,” or is the threat closer to home? Her husband’s strange behaviour and his rush to leave town with their daughter add a layer of domestic suspicion that kept me guessing. The tension builds when a second victim, Nadine, is found murdered in the same “cold, calm way.” Nadine was a honey trapper, a woman paid to lure men into infidelity. The link seems clear, the killer is playing judge, jury, and executioner for women they deem “wicked.”
Wicked Women is a relentless, fast-paced novel that is sure to be another bestseller. It balances the procedural “grind” with deep psychological insight. The pacing is breathless, but it never sacrifices the emotional weight that has become the hallmark of the Kim Stone series.
If you haven’t started the Kim Stone series yet, you are missing out on one of the most consistent and compelling detectives in modern fiction. Wicked Women is a standout entry that shows this series has no signs of letting up. It’s dark, it’s smart, and it will stay with you long after the final page is turned.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Ashley Reynolds, a social worker, lies dead from a single stab wound. What makes it “no ordinary crime” is the lack of chaos. The killer didn’t flee, they stood and watched the life drain out of her. Why would someone be so wicked to kill in such a clinical and cold way. As the investigations begin the team face two chilling possibilities. Was Ashley targeted because of her job “tearing families apart,” or is the threat closer to home? Her husband’s strange behaviour and his rush to leave town with their daughter add a layer of domestic suspicion that kept me guessing. The tension builds when a second victim, Nadine, is found murdered in the same “cold, calm way.” Nadine was a honey trapper, a woman paid to lure men into infidelity. The link seems clear, the killer is playing judge, jury, and executioner for women they deem “wicked.”
Wicked Women is a relentless, fast-paced novel that is sure to be another bestseller. It balances the procedural “grind” with deep psychological insight. The pacing is breathless, but it never sacrifices the emotional weight that has become the hallmark of the Kim Stone series.
If you haven’t started the Kim Stone series yet, you are missing out on one of the most consistent and compelling detectives in modern fiction. Wicked Women is a standout entry that shows this series has no signs of letting up. It’s dark, it’s smart, and it will stay with you long after the final page is turned.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Bookouture for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Women are being stabbed and killed at an alarming rate, and Detective Kim Stone and her team must figure out what the connection is between the victims. It’s the only way to determine who could be hurting them because there’s barely any evidence left at the scenes, and the killer isn’t stopping. There are plenty of suspects, but not a single one that they connect to every victim.
On top of that, Kim can’t let go of a case of rival neighboring families that have been feuding for generations because of a curse. As silly as it seems, everyone involved is dead serious, especially when the father of one family is shot and killed. Martha, the mother from the other family, has confessed, but Kim’s not buying the complete lack of evidence. Never one to ignore her gut, she concentrates on the other case but won’t let this false confession go.
One of the best parts of this story is seeing how the usually tough and compartmentalizing detectives interact with Ava, the seven-year-old daughter of the first stabbing victim. Because of family relations issues, there’s a chance she’ll end up with her horrible aunt and uncle, who see her as just another kid to get a handout for. They’re neglectful and terrible parents, and they would be the worst place to send Ava. As we know by now, Kim and her team don’t let regulations stand in the way of what’s morally right, and each one of them risks their jobs to ensure Ava is safe. It’s really heartbreaking how children can be torn from their true guardians simply because they have closer blood relatives. This may be fiction, but it highlights a dilemma that’s all too real.
My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the free advanced reading copy of this book.
On top of that, Kim can’t let go of a case of rival neighboring families that have been feuding for generations because of a curse. As silly as it seems, everyone involved is dead serious, especially when the father of one family is shot and killed. Martha, the mother from the other family, has confessed, but Kim’s not buying the complete lack of evidence. Never one to ignore her gut, she concentrates on the other case but won’t let this false confession go.
One of the best parts of this story is seeing how the usually tough and compartmentalizing detectives interact with Ava, the seven-year-old daughter of the first stabbing victim. Because of family relations issues, there’s a chance she’ll end up with her horrible aunt and uncle, who see her as just another kid to get a handout for. They’re neglectful and terrible parents, and they would be the worst place to send Ava. As we know by now, Kim and her team don’t let regulations stand in the way of what’s morally right, and each one of them risks their jobs to ensure Ava is safe. It’s really heartbreaking how children can be torn from their true guardians simply because they have closer blood relatives. This may be fiction, but it highlights a dilemma that’s all too real.
My thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the free advanced reading copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Another Outstanding Kim Stone Thriller
I’ve read every book in the series so far, and once again Angela Marsons delivers an absolute winner with Wicked Women.
After 22 previous books, returning to the world of Detective Inspector Kim Stone feels like settling into your favourite armchair. The characters feel like old friends and stepping back into their world is always a treat.
Kim Stone remains my absolute favourite female lead in crime fiction. She’s strong willed, single minded, and capable of verbally eviscerating anyone who stands in the way of doing what is right. She bends the rules like they’re made of rubber, but always for the right reasons. Her determination to achieve justice never comes at the expense of her team or innocent people. It comes from an unwavering commitment to doing what is right.
This book is brilliantly written, fast paced, and packed with tension. Two seemingly unrelated crimes run in parallel. One carries real urgency with a small child caught in the crosshairs. The other is rooted in a long standing family tragedy that leads to murder and a confession that appears to close the case, but nothing is ever that simple for Kim Stone.
Angela Marsons is an exceptional storyteller. Despite being a multi million copy bestselling author, she somehow still feels like one of crime fiction’s best kept secrets. Based in the Black Country in the West Midlands of England, she has sold over six million books worldwide and her work has been translated into more than 30 languages.
If the rumours about television discussions are true, I sincerely hope we will see Kim Stone on the small screen soon. She deserves it.
Another outstanding instalment in a consistently excellent series.
Thank you to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
I’ve read every book in the series so far, and once again Angela Marsons delivers an absolute winner with Wicked Women.
After 22 previous books, returning to the world of Detective Inspector Kim Stone feels like settling into your favourite armchair. The characters feel like old friends and stepping back into their world is always a treat.
Kim Stone remains my absolute favourite female lead in crime fiction. She’s strong willed, single minded, and capable of verbally eviscerating anyone who stands in the way of doing what is right. She bends the rules like they’re made of rubber, but always for the right reasons. Her determination to achieve justice never comes at the expense of her team or innocent people. It comes from an unwavering commitment to doing what is right.
This book is brilliantly written, fast paced, and packed with tension. Two seemingly unrelated crimes run in parallel. One carries real urgency with a small child caught in the crosshairs. The other is rooted in a long standing family tragedy that leads to murder and a confession that appears to close the case, but nothing is ever that simple for Kim Stone.
Angela Marsons is an exceptional storyteller. Despite being a multi million copy bestselling author, she somehow still feels like one of crime fiction’s best kept secrets. Based in the Black Country in the West Midlands of England, she has sold over six million books worldwide and her work has been translated into more than 30 languages.
If the rumours about television discussions are true, I sincerely hope we will see Kim Stone on the small screen soon. She deserves it.
Another outstanding instalment in a consistently excellent series.
Thank you to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I dropped everything to dive into Wicked Women, the new DI Kim Stone book by Angela Marsons. I loved it.
This is a fast-paced, compelling read, jam-packed with drama, humour, murder, misdirection, suspense, unforgettable characters and fascinating subject matter.
I was once again completely sucked into the wonderfully layered world of the world’s most socially inept, yet highly intuitive, detective as she and her team try to solve the murder of a young mother.
Marsons manages that fine balance of letting us glimpse into the personal lives of her characters, with all their foibles, while maintaining constant edge-of-the-seat suspense. And she wraps it all up within a fascinating web of ancient intrigue, horribly unjust situations, human greed and great police work (although maybe not always to the rulebook).
Kim stays totally true to herself in this, the 23rd book in the series, and readers will love her for it. And yet she reveals just a little bit more of herself, and what she’ll risk to put things right. She’s forthright, speaks her mind, does what’s right and couldn’t care less what others think. And she’s brilliant at what she does.
There are several characters I won’t forget, including horrible Martha. But no matter how awful Martha is (and she really, really is), Kim and her team are determined to get justice for her. That’s just the way they work. Even more loathsome is the murdered woman’s brother who adds a whole other despicable dimension to the story.
Highly recommended for crime thriller fans.
This is a fast-paced, compelling read, jam-packed with drama, humour, murder, misdirection, suspense, unforgettable characters and fascinating subject matter.
I was once again completely sucked into the wonderfully layered world of the world’s most socially inept, yet highly intuitive, detective as she and her team try to solve the murder of a young mother.
Marsons manages that fine balance of letting us glimpse into the personal lives of her characters, with all their foibles, while maintaining constant edge-of-the-seat suspense. And she wraps it all up within a fascinating web of ancient intrigue, horribly unjust situations, human greed and great police work (although maybe not always to the rulebook).
Kim stays totally true to herself in this, the 23rd book in the series, and readers will love her for it. And yet she reveals just a little bit more of herself, and what she’ll risk to put things right. She’s forthright, speaks her mind, does what’s right and couldn’t care less what others think. And she’s brilliant at what she does.
There are several characters I won’t forget, including horrible Martha. But no matter how awful Martha is (and she really, really is), Kim and her team are determined to get justice for her. That’s just the way they work. Even more loathsome is the murdered woman’s brother who adds a whole other despicable dimension to the story.
Highly recommended for crime thriller fans.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Inspector Kim Stone is a woman after my own heart. She doesn't like people. But she has massive empathy for the vulnerable, especially children.
She has a tendency to do her own thing, despite what her superiors say, and she is aware of the consequences, but goes ahead anyway.
She adores the members of her team, doesn't give praise very often. (Ask Bryant), but they know she will have their back.
Bryant - tries to keep Kim in line, fails most of the time. Doesn't believe in her gut hunches.
Stacey - a whizz at research.
Penn - up and coming officer, quite brilliant.
All of them have good instincts and seem like family to each other.
In this book, which is fast paced, and kept me reading late into the night, there are senseless killings, and it takes a lot to figure out the link between the women who are killed.
Believe me, the motive and the killer will blow your mind when you get to the end. I would never have figured it out!
Sad, tragic, emotional, suspenseful - the book is addictive. If you think you worked it out, you would be wrong.
I have read every book in this series, and truly, I cannot wait for the next.
Easy read, short chapters and a sense that these characters are part of the family. I clicked with every one of them.
The witness in the pub, by the way... I hope she comes into the fold. Has phenomenol observation skills.
This series is one of my favourites. Angela Marsons has created a character that is not quite normal, but Kim has redeeming qualities.
A very definite 5/5 stars from me.
She has a tendency to do her own thing, despite what her superiors say, and she is aware of the consequences, but goes ahead anyway.
She adores the members of her team, doesn't give praise very often. (Ask Bryant), but they know she will have their back.
Bryant - tries to keep Kim in line, fails most of the time. Doesn't believe in her gut hunches.
Stacey - a whizz at research.
Penn - up and coming officer, quite brilliant.
All of them have good instincts and seem like family to each other.
In this book, which is fast paced, and kept me reading late into the night, there are senseless killings, and it takes a lot to figure out the link between the women who are killed.
Believe me, the motive and the killer will blow your mind when you get to the end. I would never have figured it out!
Sad, tragic, emotional, suspenseful - the book is addictive. If you think you worked it out, you would be wrong.
I have read every book in this series, and truly, I cannot wait for the next.
Easy read, short chapters and a sense that these characters are part of the family. I clicked with every one of them.
The witness in the pub, by the way... I hope she comes into the fold. Has phenomenol observation skills.
This series is one of my favourites. Angela Marsons has created a character that is not quite normal, but Kim has redeeming qualities.
A very definite 5/5 stars from me.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
As a huge fan of this series, I’ll follow Kim anywhere. My reviews of these stories always say something like “this is awesome, five stars!” Well, let me tell you that this may be the best one yet. Firstly, the big reveal. When I say that I would have considered Bryant a suspect before figuring out what was really going on, I mean it. Completely blindsided and laughing at how smart Angela is. She built a perfect plot and hid all the clues you needed, in plain sight but so craftily concealed that I hadn’t seen it coming. It made total sense, and closed the procedural part really, really well. This time the suspense didn’t come from that, though. Yes, I wanted to know whodunit and why, but that was not why kept me turning the pages. The real tension came from the fate of an adorable little girl. I can’t say more because of spoilers, but I can’t remember the last time I suffered so much about the fate of a fictional person. What rounds up the novel, and earns the five stars, are the characters. The cast of victims and suspects is well done, as always. But Kim and her team are like dear friends now. Their reactions and dialogues are always fun, sparkling with affection and I just love them. My investment in their fate couldn’t be higher. Much as I sound like a broken record with the Kim Stone series, I love it, it’s fantastic, read them all and five stars are not enough for this book.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Bookouture.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Bookouture.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book 13 in the DI Kim Stone series set in the Black Country and it’s another cracking read. It’s still as fresh as book one and whilst this can be read as a stand-alone I definitely recommend the whole series. As usual there is more than one thread to this book and a number of sub plots but worry not they will all be beautifully tied up by the end.
Briefly, a woman has found murdered by a single stab wound and the police can find no obvious motive for her death, which was clearly a targeted attack, although she had some disgruntled clients from her work with social services. Then another woman is killed in a similar manner. The team are deep diving into the women and their families and a number of suspects are identified. Meanwhile, local woman Martha Strout, has been arrested for murdering her neighbour after a lifetime feud that started before either of them were born. But Kim doesn’t think she’s getting to the truth and wants to investigate further.
I really enjoyed this book. There was so much going on I was completely blindsided to the killer and the motive, not even on my radar! The writing is great as is the plot but what really got to me was one character, seven year old Ava, no spoilers but I wanted to give her a big hug. As for the other characters there are some pretty despicable people in this that deserved more than just a good slap! And I’m not even talking about murderers. This is a great police procedural novel and a fantastic series of books. Loved it.
Briefly, a woman has found murdered by a single stab wound and the police can find no obvious motive for her death, which was clearly a targeted attack, although she had some disgruntled clients from her work with social services. Then another woman is killed in a similar manner. The team are deep diving into the women and their families and a number of suspects are identified. Meanwhile, local woman Martha Strout, has been arrested for murdering her neighbour after a lifetime feud that started before either of them were born. But Kim doesn’t think she’s getting to the truth and wants to investigate further.
I really enjoyed this book. There was so much going on I was completely blindsided to the killer and the motive, not even on my radar! The writing is great as is the plot but what really got to me was one character, seven year old Ava, no spoilers but I wanted to give her a big hug. As for the other characters there are some pretty despicable people in this that deserved more than just a good slap! And I’m not even talking about murderers. This is a great police procedural novel and a fantastic series of books. Loved it.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wicked Women was so good! It can be read as a standalone book, but I recommend starting from the beginning of the series, as these characters are so fun to get to know.
Detective Kim Stone confronts the chilling scene of Ashley Reynolds’ murder. The author always draws me in with a powerful narrative that not only focuses on the desperate search for justice but also delves deep into the lives of the victims, presenting them as complex individuals rather than mere plot devices. Kim Stone is a formidable protagonist, embodying strength and vulnerability as she grapples with the dark realities of her job. Her determination to uncover the truth behind these brutal murders, particularly when the victims seem to have no enemies, makes for an engaging read. I loved reading more about Stacey and Devon, Bryant, and Penn. The highlight was Ava. Many of her scenes had me in tears.
The pacing of the story was excellent; I found myself swept along, turning pages late into the night. The author paints vivid scenes without losing the realism that takes center stage in this dark story. The key twists were unexpected yet satisfying, and just when I thought I had pieced the puzzle together, the narrative delivered another shocking reveal.
Wicked Women is a thought-provoking and thrilling read, with a suspenseful narrative. I would highly recommend this book, series, and author.
#WickedWomen #NetGalley @bookouture
Detective Kim Stone confronts the chilling scene of Ashley Reynolds’ murder. The author always draws me in with a powerful narrative that not only focuses on the desperate search for justice but also delves deep into the lives of the victims, presenting them as complex individuals rather than mere plot devices. Kim Stone is a formidable protagonist, embodying strength and vulnerability as she grapples with the dark realities of her job. Her determination to uncover the truth behind these brutal murders, particularly when the victims seem to have no enemies, makes for an engaging read. I loved reading more about Stacey and Devon, Bryant, and Penn. The highlight was Ava. Many of her scenes had me in tears.
The pacing of the story was excellent; I found myself swept along, turning pages late into the night. The author paints vivid scenes without losing the realism that takes center stage in this dark story. The key twists were unexpected yet satisfying, and just when I thought I had pieced the puzzle together, the narrative delivered another shocking reveal.
Wicked Women is a thought-provoking and thrilling read, with a suspenseful narrative. I would highly recommend this book, series, and author.
#WickedWomen #NetGalley @bookouture
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Review to be added to Amazon UK and US on 14 April 2026 - publication day!
I absolutely loved this story! It was a completely addictive read and a proper page turner, I didn't want to stop reading and needed to see how it would all end.
The story starts off really well and I think by the end of the first chapter or so I knew it was going to be a late night for me as I would be staying up to finish off the book. Like the other books in the series, the writing style is spot on and I think its that which makes the books in the series so addictive.
I love DI Stone and I am always genuinely really excited when a new book in the series is coming out, and this one was no exception. I think this book is fine to read as a stand alone, but after reading it, I do think you will be reaching to get the rest of the books, they are all exceptional reads that are gritty and ones that will have you sitting on the edge of the chair as you bite your nails.
I am still in shock that this is already the 23rd book in the series!! I remember that the first book I ever reviewed on my blog was the second book from this series and I love the author is still pumping out such addictive reads, and long may they continue.
I loved the ending and twists with this one - I read it in a day, nothing was stopping me finishing to see what would happen to little Ava!
No hesitation at all in giving this one 5 stars - very highly recommended!
I absolutely loved this story! It was a completely addictive read and a proper page turner, I didn't want to stop reading and needed to see how it would all end.
The story starts off really well and I think by the end of the first chapter or so I knew it was going to be a late night for me as I would be staying up to finish off the book. Like the other books in the series, the writing style is spot on and I think its that which makes the books in the series so addictive.
I love DI Stone and I am always genuinely really excited when a new book in the series is coming out, and this one was no exception. I think this book is fine to read as a stand alone, but after reading it, I do think you will be reaching to get the rest of the books, they are all exceptional reads that are gritty and ones that will have you sitting on the edge of the chair as you bite your nails.
I am still in shock that this is already the 23rd book in the series!! I remember that the first book I ever reviewed on my blog was the second book from this series and I love the author is still pumping out such addictive reads, and long may they continue.
I loved the ending and twists with this one - I read it in a day, nothing was stopping me finishing to see what would happen to little Ava!
No hesitation at all in giving this one 5 stars - very highly recommended!
March 22, 2026
DI Kim Stone finds herself attending an awards ceremony, not her thing at all. Just as she is about to go up and accept, her phone rings.
Its a call from Keats, the medical examiner.
The body of a young mother Ashley Reynold has been found not far from her home. She has a single fatal stab wound to the chest.
Ashley is a popular member of the local community, known for her kindness & willingness to help others. She was employed as a social worker.
Kim and her team including Bryant, Penn and Stacy begin the investigation, looking at both Ashleys husband and the families she has been involved with in her job.
In quick succession another woman is discovered killed in the same way.
Nadine worked as a honey trapper and had the reputation of ruining marriages, too much of a coincidence for the deaths not to be connected ?
Women are being stabbed and killed one after the other, yes there are plenty suspects but barely any evidence left at the scenes. None of the suspects are connected to every victim.
The plot as always is fresh and full of tension & suspense, numerous threads kept me guessing and turning the pages.
Nothing prepared me for the ending, it was a complete surprise.
I hadn't seen that coming!
This has to be my all time favourite series. I can`t wait for the next installment.
A resounding 5 stars from me.
Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for providing Wicked Women in exchange for my review.
Its a call from Keats, the medical examiner.
The body of a young mother Ashley Reynold has been found not far from her home. She has a single fatal stab wound to the chest.
Ashley is a popular member of the local community, known for her kindness & willingness to help others. She was employed as a social worker.
Kim and her team including Bryant, Penn and Stacy begin the investigation, looking at both Ashleys husband and the families she has been involved with in her job.
In quick succession another woman is discovered killed in the same way.
Nadine worked as a honey trapper and had the reputation of ruining marriages, too much of a coincidence for the deaths not to be connected ?
Women are being stabbed and killed one after the other, yes there are plenty suspects but barely any evidence left at the scenes. None of the suspects are connected to every victim.
The plot as always is fresh and full of tension & suspense, numerous threads kept me guessing and turning the pages.
Nothing prepared me for the ending, it was a complete surprise.
I hadn't seen that coming!
This has to be my all time favourite series. I can`t wait for the next installment.
A resounding 5 stars from me.
Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and the author for providing Wicked Women in exchange for my review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I always get excited when I get my hands on a new Angela Marsons book and this is no exception. Wicked women is book 23 in the fantastic D I Kim stone series.
When D I Kim stone is forced to go to an awards ceremony by Woody for the good work her team is doing. She can’t believe her luck when her phone starts ringing. It’s a call from medical examiner Keats. Another body has been found.
The body in question is of Ashley Reynolds with a single stab wound to her chest, found not far from her own home. Ashley is a mother to Ava and is well liked in the community and at first glance that the killer is somehow connected to her job as a social worker. But when another body turns up of a woman who is a ‘honey trapper’ who ruin marriages. DI Kim stone and her team need to find the connection and catch the killer.
Yet again, Angela Marson has written another fantastic read. The story line is always fresh and original and full of suspense, and I love the characters of Kim, Bryant, Stacy and Penn and how they work together as a team. This is also and emotional one when Kim goes beyond to look after someone in her care.
When I read these books, it reminds me of coming home and wrapped up in a cosy blanket. I love this series but, I don’t know how long this series is, but I say keep them coming. I will wait in anticipation to the next book.
When D I Kim stone is forced to go to an awards ceremony by Woody for the good work her team is doing. She can’t believe her luck when her phone starts ringing. It’s a call from medical examiner Keats. Another body has been found.
The body in question is of Ashley Reynolds with a single stab wound to her chest, found not far from her own home. Ashley is a mother to Ava and is well liked in the community and at first glance that the killer is somehow connected to her job as a social worker. But when another body turns up of a woman who is a ‘honey trapper’ who ruin marriages. DI Kim stone and her team need to find the connection and catch the killer.
Yet again, Angela Marson has written another fantastic read. The story line is always fresh and original and full of suspense, and I love the characters of Kim, Bryant, Stacy and Penn and how they work together as a team. This is also and emotional one when Kim goes beyond to look after someone in her care.
When I read these books, it reminds me of coming home and wrapped up in a cosy blanket. I love this series but, I don’t know how long this series is, but I say keep them coming. I will wait in anticipation to the next book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Wicked Women is a very good read full of mystery and suspense. Angela Marsons knows how to weave a good story and lure you in from the start. DI Stone and her team investigate a number of murders alongside a separate one where they have a confession yet Stone's gut instinct tells her there is more to uncover and continues to investigate despite orders from her boss not to. I really enjoyed Wicked Women and loved being back in Stones world where the stakes are high not only to catch a murderer, but to secure the safe future of a young girl. As always, the authors writing is superb and the plot line well thought out with many threads that kept me guessing and wanting to know more. I really liked seeing a very different side to Stacey and her wife and hope that this thread develops more in the next book. The last part of the story is a frantic race against time to find the murderer and is the best part of the book in my opinion. Talk about an ending full of thrills and suspense - and one or two wow moments towards the end. The epilogue gives a lovely ending and I look forward to the next book. I'd recommended this to all crime fiction fans, although as this is book 23 I'd say read this series in order to know the characters and their histories from the beginning.
4 stars
4 stars
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