Vaikų žaidimai

D.I. Kim Stone #11

by Angela Marsons, Renata Vereikienė (Translator)

Pagaliau žaidžiame. Mano pasirinktą žaidimą. Paskutinįkart pasuku karuselę ir atsitraukiu. „Turėjai su manimi pažaisti", — pakartoju, nors ji manęs nebegirdi.

Vieną vėlyvą vasaros vakarą detektyvė Kima Stoun atvyksta į Heiden Hilio parką, kur mato įvykdytą siaubingą nusikaltimą: pagyvenusi moteris dygliuota viela pririšta prie sūpynių, o ant sprando peiliu jai išraižyta raidė X.

Nusikaltimo auka yra į pensiją išėjusi koledžo profesorė Belinda Evans, kurios specializacijos sritis — vaikų psichologija. Kai jos namuose randamas sukrautas kelioninis krepšys, Kima su komanda pradeda narplioti painius moters ir jos sesers Veronikos santykius.

Netrukus randami dar du X raide pažymėti lavonai, tad Kima supranta medžiojanti ritualinį serijinį žudiką. O visos trys aukos susijusios su kasmečiu vunderkindų konkursu.

Taigi, Kimai su komanda nėra kada mindžikuoti — jie susidūrė su vienu žiauriausių žudikų savo praktikoje. Kad jį sučiuptų, turi patikrinti kiekvieną konkurso dalyvį, net jei šis dalyvavo renginyje prieš keletą dešimtmečių. Laukia išties milžiniška užduotis. Ar Kima perpras žudiko užmačias ir spės pastoti jam kelią, kol piktadarys nenužudė dar vienos aukos?

Bestselerių autorės Angelos Marsons trileris apie tamsiąją vunderkindų pusę visiškai prikaustys jūsų dėmesį.

Atsiliepimai:

Galiu tik pagirti šią puikią seriją. Kiekviena nauja istorija tik gerėja. Labai rekomenduoju visiems, kas mėgsta originalius, paslaptingus ir kokybiškus trilerius.
Bookish

Nuostabu!.. Viena labiausiai įtraukiančių knygų pradžių, kokias tik esu skaičiusi. Detektyvė inspektorė Kima Stoun — mano mėgstamiausia trilerio žanro veikėja... Stipri ir įtraukianti knyga. Išties labai rekomenduoju!
Donnasbookblog

Angela Marsons — detektyvų žanro karalienė. Ji moka kiekvieną istoriją pateikti žmogiškai, dievinu šią autorę. Velniškai NUOSTABU.
Postcard Reviews

Genres: Crime, Thriller, Mystery, Fiction, Procedural, Detective, Audiobook

336 pages, Hardcover

First published July 11, 2019

About the author

Angela 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.

Reviews

[Chelsea Humphrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm amazed that, 11 books into the series, I'm still just as much of a die-hard Kim Stone and Crew fan as I was at the end of book 1. Usually, I hang around for 3 books in a long running narrative, maybe 5 if I'm truly addicted, but I always find myself tapering off and becoming distracted by other books that I feel merit my time. Whether it's due to the wonderfully flawed characters who have become like family to me, or the well plotted mysteries that I'm always surprised by in some form or fashion, I'm glad I decided to listen to the opinions of my Goodreads friends and jump on board this train. As a series that is published by a more intimate company, I think it speaks measures that these books initially made their splash by word of mouth from regular old readers, like you and I. It's difficult some days to remember that not all books are bought solely due to a large marketing budget and overexposure online, which gives readers continuous hope in finding the diamonds in the rough.

If you've been following the series, by this point you realize that D.I. Stone's team is functioning at normal capacity again, after the loss of one of their own a few books prior, yet things get thrown up in the air as department regulations begin to limit the amount of hours the officers are allowed on the clock, and one character is pulled back to his old stomping ground to close out his final case from his days on the West Mercia force. What follows are two separate cases, unfolding simultaneously, that DO NOT intertwine in the end. This may be bothersome or feel unnecessary to some readers, which I understand, but for me I loved this! So many books are following the same, dreary formula, and I was pleased at the surprise of receiving two intricate cases for the price of one.

No spoilers here, but I do want to take a moment and state that I found this installment to be another well-balanced tale. I always treasure the furthering of the personal lives of our main characters, and we get that here. We also have a case that the team is solving where I had NO CLUE who the killer was. This was due to some clever writing on the author's side, but also due to the fact that the book is entertaining enough that I wasn't focused on scrutinizing every single moment and allowed the twists to hit me naturally, which made the reading experience that much more wonderful, IMO.

If you enjoy well-written mysteries filled with relatable characters and a spectrum of emotion impressed upon the reader, you really need to take the leap and start this series. While I suppose you could technically read this as a standalone, there are a few spoilers for previous books mentioned, and you'd be doing yourself a HUGE disservice by not creating a relationship with our recurring characters first. I cannot recommend these books highly enough, and it is one of a handful of series that I recommend people invest the time in starting, even though 11 books published sounds daunting. Now, if you need me, I'm off to start the waiting period for the next Kim Stone novel. :)

*Many thanks to the publisher for providing my review copy via NetGalley.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

When an elderly lady is found brutally murdered late one summer’s evening, DI Kim Stone and her team are called in to bring a swift resolution to this horrific murder, but it won’t be an easy task. The victim was found with stab wounds in Haden Hill Park - she’d been tied with barbed wire to a children’s swing, and the killer had also carved an X into the back of her neck.

The victim was 61 year old Belinda Evans, a retired Professor of Child Psychology, and given the fact that she was discovered in a children’s play area, it begs the question, was there some symbolism attached to this murder?

It turns out that Belinda was quite a surprising character, and added to that, there was the strange relationship with her sister Veronica. Veronica isn’t up for talking, but there’s something she’s not telling Kim, and we all know Kim won’t leave it at that!

When two further victims are found with the same MO as Belinda’s, Kim and her team realise that these ritualistic killings are going to continue until their investigations bear fruit. This won’t be easy however because there are so many leads, and with a man down, the investigation team is seriously depleted. One of Kim’s regular team ( Penn) is on temporary secondment with West Mercia Police, as he’s needed to attend a court case where he was SIO when a young man was murdered.

The two cases running alongside make for a fascinating read. Child’s Play is a very apt title for this book, as throughout, Kim and the killer she is pursuing, attempt to outmanoeuvre each other in psychological mind games all revolving around various kinds of children’s games. The result is an utterly compelling novel that will have you gripped to the end, and incidentally I never guessed who the killer was, but then I wouldn’t expect anything less from Angela Marsons!

*Thank you to Bookouture for my ARC. I have given an honest unbiased review in exchange *

[Meredith (Trying to catch up!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

The game is murder.

The players: A twisted serial killer vs. geniuses. He lures his victims by drawing them in to play classic childhood games. Who will win?

*Minor Spoilers Below*

A killer is on the loose. He likes to play games that end in murder on the playground, on the hopscotch court, etc. Kim Stone and her team investigate the murders, which lead them to the dark world of the child prodigy circuit.

Unlike previous installments, the case takes center stage and the team’s personal drama is pushed to the side. Well, all except for Penn who finds himself wrapped up in a former case that gets quite personal. Penn gets most of the attention and I enjoyed getting to know him more

Childs Play was a nice break from the intensity of the last two installments. Don’t get me wrong, it is still a suspenseful read-- there is just less drama when it comes to the team members’ personal lives. I enjoyed this book the most when the team worked together--I love their dynamic and I love how Kim and Bryant bicker like an old married couple. Since there's so little drama outside of the case, they don’t know what to do with themselves. They are even worse off than usual because they are forced to give up overtime and work normal hours. Not knowing how to handle this made for some hilarious moments.

The murders were a little outlandish, but the events surrounding them were fascinating as child prodigies make for an intriguing plot line. Overall, this was another solid installment in the Kim Stone series and I am looking forward to the next!

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Bookoutre in exchange for an honest review.

[BernLuvsBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can I just say - if you are NOT reading this series yet, YOU SHOULD BE! It's a MUST READ!

Let's play a game. It's a twisty one involving revenge, murder and family strife. Are you up for it? Kim Stone and her team certainly were!

In this 11th installment of one of my absolutely favorite series, Kim and her team find themselves one step behind a gruesome killer whose hunting ground seems to be child prodigies and the people who work closely with them.

The investigation takes them deep into the darker side of life for gifted children - the unyielding pressure to be the best and stay on top, bitter rivalry and resentment between siblings and eventually growing up and dealing with the fact that you are not the star of the show anymore. The storyline was intriguing and made me think about all those children you see totted on television and youtube with special talent. What happens to them after they grow up and their special talent isn't as exciting anymore now that they are no longer children? It was riveting to explore this along with Kim and her team. Marsons is a star at writing new and compelling cases for each book!

Of course, all the banter and team love was as ever present here. It's what I have come to love most about this series. We even got a new character, Tiffany/Tinks added to the team when Penn had to return to his old stomping grounds for a case. Her bright and bubbly personality was quite the clash with Kim and it was great to watch how the members of the team reacted to her.

I sped through this book in one night because as usual, when I enter the world of Kim Stone there's no coming up for air until the case has been solved. Thank you Angela Marsons for doing what you do best! This was another well written, thoroughly researched, twisty plot. It can be read as a standalone but honestly - do yourself a favor and read them all. They don't disappoint!

Huge thank you to Angela Marsons, Bookouture & Netgalley for allowing me to read an arc of this book. I simply couldn't wait until it's official release day - July 11, 2019! Now, I impatiently have to wait for book #12.

[Paromjit · Rating 5 out of 5]

After the darkest of traumas experienced by DI Kim Stone and her team previously, Angela Marsons gives the reader a much needed breather with this, her 11th addition to this brilliant series. This is a series I read for the characters, the emotionally damaged Kim, and her team, the interactions and banter between them, all of whom I have come to care for. Plus, of course, for the well researched themes by Marsons, here, the topic of child prodigies, their impact on siblings, and their parents. Such gifted children, breathing the rarified air of being head and shoulders above their peers, and garnering the kind of attention it can be hard to live without as they become adults. A normal childhood is often a pipe dream for them, as can be socialising and having friends, and sibling relationships can result in bitter rivalries and resentment. Marsons looks at the parents, the quandary of just how far should they push their 'special' child, and 'tiger' parenting, more often than not built on a punitive system for the child to perform.

Kim and Kevin Bryant find themselves at the gruesome murder of a 61 year old Belinda Evans, a Child Psychology professor, at a playground park, secured to a swing with barbed wire, stabbed through the heart, with the letter X carved into the back of her neck. There are further murders with a similar MO that include a children's counsellor, and the original founder of Brainbox, which organises competitive events and quizzes for gifted children. Penn is in court accompanied by his old team members, the trial is expected to be a slam dunk affair, only for everything to disintegrate with the murder of a defense witness, and a prosecution witness that jeopardises the case and the career of DI Tom Travis. Penn is forced to painstakingly review the police case, only to find it riddled with serious problems which question the probity of the original investigation. Kim is convinced the killer will be at the Brainbox convention given all the victims are connected with it, so takes her team there, but danger awaits her and for Penn in his case.

As Kim implements orders from above to not push her team so hard and endanger their mental health, there are the comic repercussions of Kim and her team struggling to work normal hours, all their lives threaten to derail until they return to the long hours and intense pressure of their normal working lives. Penn's absence from the team results in the entry of the effusively cheerful and perky Tiffany, a new addition, whom the horrified Kim refers to as Tinkerbell or 'Tinks'. Tinks works with Stacey, who finds herself utterly surprised at how well they work together. This was a gloriously entertaining, and fun crime read, so great to catch up with Kim and her fabulous team, whilst at the same time appreciating in depth the strange world of gifted children, their parenting, and family dynamics. Looking forward to the next in the series! Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.

[Debra - can't post any comments on site today grrr · Rating 4 out of 5]

X marks the spot!

Belinda Evans is found murdered on a playground, tied to a swing with barbed wire and an X carved into the back of her neck. Who would want to kill this retired professor of Child Psychology? Detective Kim Stone is called to investigate and finds that there is more to this retired woman in her sixties than meets the eye. Not only does Kim find that the victim had an interesting relationship with her sister, Veronica, but that Belinda had a packed bag and appeared to have been getting ready to go somewhere.

Soon more bodies are found with the same marks on their neck and their murders linked to children’s game. Kim and her team are on the hung for a serial killer but what is the link between the victims and the killer. DS Penn is dealing with his own investigation in this case of a murder of a young man, Kim and her team are pushed to the limit with finding the link between the victims and their killer.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable cat and mouse mystery with the killer possibly being too smart for his/her own good. As the team examines and investigates the many clues, it was fun to follow the leads/clues along with the team. The main focus on this book is on child prodigies and their families. Another solid installment in the series but I feel this book would also works as a stand-alone novel for those who have not read previous books in the series. There is not a lot of personal drama in this book as the focus is on the two investigations so new readers will not feel as if they are missing out on background information.

Another plus to this book is the pacing. Nothing feels drawn out of rushed. I didn't guess the killer in either of the two plot lines, but both made sense after the reveal. Nothing felt as if it came out of left field. This series continues to deliver, and I hope there is no end in sight.

Thank you to Bookouture and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. The thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Christine · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded to 5 stars

It’s always a thrill when another Kim Stone book makes its appearance. It immediately gets bumped to my top 3 list, which is pretty good seeing as I have over 1300 books in my “just gotta read” pile. Child’s Play is book 11 in the series. How did that happen? When Ms. Marsons signed her 16 book deal, I thought I was set forever!

Child’s Play has a lot going for it. In this one we have two plotlines. The first is a very intricate case that involves three out of the four members of our team with some help from a new character Tiff/Tink who I hope we’ll see more of in the future. The other case belongs to Penn. I was happy to get to know Penn a bit better in this installment.
Both stories are compelling and, of course, AS USUAL (grrrrr), I failed to suss out the baddies in both cases. Ms. Marsons has a way of making me feel pretty dumb, but actually I kind of like it that way.

Something that amazes me is how this author can put 108 chapters in a very reasonably sized book and have a little shocker or cliffhanger at the end of each one. What a way to keep the pace brisk and the reader reading! Her ability to do this never fails to impress me. Another thing I just love about this author is that she always teaches me something—pretty impressive, not only because we are on book 11 of the series, but that we are talking thriller/crime fiction genre. It’s mainly the nonfiction and historical fiction reads that we learn from. This time we are taught about gifted children—their psychological makeup, their parents’ psychological makeup, the expectations laid on them, and how these children turn out once they become adults. All of this was obviously well researched by the author and integrated seamlessly into a bang-up story.

Much as I enjoyed this book, I have to give it a little ding worth about ½ star. Again the plotlines are A+ fare. On the other hand, I missed the angst usually swirling about the team members. Kim is pretty well put together (for Kim) in this episode. Bryant thinks he’s getting old, but otherwise is holding up well. Stacey on the other hand is having issues, but we are not at all privy to the details of her stress and get only the barest outline of her travails. That was really disappointing to me. Yes, this is a murder mystery, but golly, I need my dose of personal struggle and agony. Especially involving someone(s) on this team that I feel so close to. So Ms. Marsons, can you throw a crowbar into someone’s life and show us the repercussions in book 12? I would be so grateful.

I mightily recommend the Kim Stone series by Ms. Angela Marsons to all crime fiction/thriller readers. It remains one of, if not my very favorite, series of all time. Oh, and don’t be willy nilly and jump around while reading these books. Read them in order. That’s the only way to squeeze every bit of enjoyment out of them.

Note to Bookouture: Sign this lady up for a series extension or at least for a new series when book 16 is published. A lot of us can’t live without her novels.

Thanks to Net Galley, Bookouture, and Ms. Angela Marsons for an ARC of this novel. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always enjoy a visit with DI Kim Stone and her team. And this is no exception. Kim is investigating the death of a middle aged woman, knifed and left entwined with barbed wire on a swing set. The victim, Belinda Evans, is one weird bird and her relationship with her sister, Veronica, is really odd. Meanwhile, Penn is involved with a court case from his last case with his old team. And it’s going to Hell in a handbasket.

I’ve got to give Marsons credit. Her stories are always well crafted, moving at a fast pace and keeping your interest throughout. I love learning more about the team as she continues to develop each character. Things always feel real in her stories, especially dealing with the bureaucracy. “Sir, you have to take the shackles off...my team is losing the will to live. Stacy is looking for a part time job, and Bryant is on the brink of divorce. And if that wasn’t bad enough, I’m actually cleaning my house.”

The plot involves child prodigies and a tournament that tested their skills. Marsons does a great job of exploring the whole phenomenon of gifted children, including their social challenges and need for attention, the parenting choices made in raising them, and the effect on their siblings.

This can be read as a stand-alone but given the strength of these books, I really recommend starting at the beginning and savoring them all.

My thanks to netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of this book.

[Lit with Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

BEEP BEEP! Honda Civic Reliable book coming through!

Writing: 3/5 | Plot: 4/5 | Ending: 4/5

SYNOPSIS

DI Kim Stone and her squad are tasked with hunting down a serial killer who poses his victims playing games for children and marks them with an X in their neck. Meanwhile, Penn is back on loan to West Mercia to give evidence at a trial, but do they have the right man?

MY OPINION

After my hellish return to a home with no power, I reached for an author who's seldom let me down. I think if I had endured a bad book, especially one from NetGalley, I would've had a complete meltdown LOL. As usual, Angela Marsons came through with two juicy cases and lots of good bants amongst the squad.

We've all heard of child prodigies before, but it was cool to see "behind the curtain" if you will. I've never thought about how their mind-boggling intelligence would negatively impact their lives as adults, so this was an interesting deep dive into the topic. Also, I liked that Marsons didn't have an agenda and made it clear that there's pushy parents everywhere – not just in the world of academia. If you've ever been to a child's sports game, you'll know exactly what she means. Nothing like screaming at your six-year-old for not winning and inconsequential game. Totally worth getting worked up about! Btw, if you want to see some truly horrible Tiger parents, watch the documentary Trophy Kids. My heart literally broke when mans called his NINE-year-old daughter a "bitch" for missing a put during a golf tournament. Get stuffed my man!

Anywayzzz let me get back on track 😂 This book could've been bangerlicious, but the wishy washy writing quality (she wrote FOUR sentence in a row that started with: He . c'mon now) and some of Belinda's background wasn't fully explained. Still, I recommend this to anyone who is 1) a fan of the series or 2) a fan of police procedurals in general. Angela Marsons is truly the queen of a classic police procedural.

One last thing – go in blind. I didn't really read the blurb until I was halfway through, and I'm glad I didn't. It gives away way too much.

PROS AND CONS

Pros: good humor, interesting topic (child prodigies), always appreciate the 2 juicy cases in 1 book

Cons: writing quality was a lil spotty, some of Belinda's background wasn't fully explored

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now I see why so many of my friends like Angela Marsons. It didn't matter that I started the series from the eleventh book- I had to put on hold all other books I was reading. I'm hooked.

The writing in this final instalment of D.I.Kim Scott series is simply superb, and the book provides enough background to ease in a reader who is new to the series.

Kim Stone is my new favourite police officer character. She is not flawless, in fact, I really enjoyed the pages where her domestic life is described. She is not charming, although her team would do anything to earn her approval. The respect she commands comes from the simple fact that she cares about the work she does and the people she does it with and for. We get a glimpse into her complicated background and meet the person who helped her when she was in need of somebody who would listen without pressurising Kim into dealing with her childhood trauma. We also learn more about the people on her team and how each and single one of them is valuable and valued.

The case the team is dealing with in this instalment brings them into the world of child prodigies and their families. Not all parents know how to ensure the gifted child is allowed to develop their abilities as well as fulfilling their emotional needs. Sometimes the family dynamics becomes twisted and other siblings suffer.

I loved everything about this book: the premise, the pace, the characters, the twists and turns, the suspense and the final resolution. I will definitely be looking forward to the next part in the series. My friends were right. Once you read an Angela Marsons novel, you become addicted and will
keep coming back for more.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our children bloom in a garden not necessarily of our own making.

Angela Marsons switches gears in Child's Play #11 in the DI Kim Stone Series. She veers past Kim's mysterious childhood that drifts into some of her previous offerings and ventures into the widening topic of gifted children this time. We're drawn into the sometimes uneven road of early detection, recognition, and the often ill-planned and complicated servicing of their individual needs.

Marsons takes us into an abandoned children's playground late at night. We hear the eerie creaking of a roundabout slowly spinning under the weight of a middle-aged woman whose eyes no longer view the sky above. A call comes into the West Midlands Police Station and DI Kim Stone and her team are immediately on the scene. Keats, the pathologist, tells Kim that the victim has been tightly wired to the roundabout and an X has been cut into the back of her neck signifying a possible ritualized killing.

The victim is identified as Belinda Evans who lived next door to her sister, Veronica. Veronica is especially tight-lipped in regard to her sister. Belinda's home reflects that of a hoarder who buries secrets within its walls. Belinda was a child prodigy with a long trail of questionable life events. As Kim and her team slowly uncover Belinda's secrets, they will be thrust into the world of gifted education and the choices made by doting parents for all the right and all the wrong reasons.

Angela Marsons is extremely creative with her storyline here. She layers this one with a parallel story involving the newer team member, DS Penn, and a previous burglary/murder case from his past. It adds spark to the story and we come to see a different side to Penn. As always, Marsons' chapters are short and extremely crisp moving the storyline along quickly while the reader hangs on to every word. Her research on gifted children is spot-on. With an Angela Marsons' novel, you're gonna get quite the package......signed, sealed, and delivered.

I received a copy of Child's Play through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Bookouture and to the talented Angela Marsons for the opportunity.

[Zoeytron · Rating 4 out of 5]

Copy furnished by Net Galley for the price of a review.

Childhood, a time of carefree abandon.  Hey!  Let's go play in the park!  The monkey bars and the jungle gym beckon, the merry-go-round promises a ton of fun, and the sliding board is waiting.  Hold on for a sec . . . that swing is already occupied, and the teeter-totter is taken.  Someone has been having a real good time.       

Child prodigies, the gifted ones, they outshine and surpass the others around them.  These accelerated few manage to garner the most attention in any given household, fawned over by parents and teachers alike.  You can be sure there is collateral damage in the offing.  You can also be sure that DI Kim Stone and her team will take care of business.

[Sandysbookaday (taking a step back for a while) · Rating 5 out of 5]

EXCERPT: ....finally we're playing a game. A game that I have chosen.

A trail of blood is forming in a circle around the gravel.

I push harder, causing the roundabout to whiz past me at speed.

'You should have listened to me,' I cry, pushing as hard as I can.

The sounds coming from her are no more than a whimper.

The blood on the ground is pooling, clumps of flesh are sticking to the concrete base.

The crying stops completely after I hear the sound of the fracture of her skull.

I give one last push of the spider's web and stand back.

'You really should have played with me,' I tell her again, although I know she can no longer hear.

ABOUT THIS BOOK: Late one summer evening, Detective Kim Stone arrives at Haden Hill Park to the scene of a horrific crime: a woman in her sixties tied to a swing with barbed wire and an X carved into the back of her neck.

The victim, Belinda Evans, was a retired college Professor of Child Psychology. As Kim and her team search her home, they find an overnight bag packed and begin to unravel a complex relationship between Belinda and her sister Veronica.

Then two more bodies are found bearing the same distinctive markings, and Kim knows she is on the hunt for a ritualistic serial killer. Linking the victims, Kim discovers they were involved in annual tournaments for gifted children and were on their way to the next event.

With DS Penn immersed in the murder case of a young man, Kim and her team are already stretched and up against one of the most ruthless killer’s they’ve ever encountered. The clues lie in investigating every child who attended the tournaments, dating back decades.

Faced with hundreds of potential leads and a bereaved sister who is refusing to talk, can Kim get inside the mind of a killer and stop another murder before it’s too late?

MY THOUGHTS: Who would ever have thought that after 11 books in this series, we would still be gagging for more!

And what can I say that hasn't already been said? Unputdownable. Twisty (and twisted). Compelling. Riveting.

I really didn't like Kim Stone at the beginning of the series, although I was hooked from book 1. But over time, her character has developed and she has mellowed (a little). She is far more human and not so angry. Still prickly, and determined to do things her own way, but just a little softer around the edges.

Bring on #12!

😍🤩😍🤩😍

THE AUTHOR: Angela 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 Bookouture.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture via Netgalley for providing a digital ARC of Child's Play by Angela Marsons for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the about page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system.

This review and others are also published on Twitter and my webpage sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...

[Phrynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The eleventh book in the D.I. Kim Stone series.

The book opens with a really gruesome prologue which did not give anything away of what was to follow except that each of the following deaths related in some way to child's play. Two stories ran alternately - Kim and her team in one and Penn, who is absent to attend a court case, on another. Unfortunately for me I was less interested in Penn's case and kept wanting to get back to Kim and the crew. That's just me though!

It was a very exciting and action filled book with no way of guessing who the killer was until right at the end when everything suddenly made sense, including the prologue. I actually went back and read it again in the light of the new information I had gained.

I love this series. Five stars.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's good to be back again with DI Kim Stone and her team! After the last two books where Kim lost a member of her team and was then targeted by a criminal recreating traumatic events from her early life, it's especially good to see her back doing what she does best in concentrating on solving crime.

After the gruesome death of children's psychology professor, Belinda Evans, in a playground and a second death with some similar features Kim believes there might be a serial killer at work. Her investigations take her into the world of gifted children and their parents, some of whom will go to any lengths to push and promote their child even if it means denying them a normal childhood.

Penn, the newest member of the team has been seconded back to his old team so he can attend the murder trial of a man he arrested. This second thread unfolds in parallel with Kim's investigation and while it was good to see more of Penn and his history, it felt a bit disjointed in being quite distinct from the main investigation. However, it did have a suspenseful ending and allowed for a new character to be seconded to the team, the bright and bubbly Tiffany, immediately nicknamed 'Tink' (shortened from Tinkerbell) by Kim.

Overall, a suspenseful thriller with Kim back at her best and an insightful look at the world of child prodigies and the way they are treated. I'm already hanging out for the next sequel and hope Ms Marsons has many more nasty crimes for Kim to solve ideas up her sleeve. 4.5★.

With thanks to Netgalley and Boukouture for a digital ARC to read.

[Alan Cotterell · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all I must thank Net Galley, Bookouture, and Angela Marsons for an ARC of this novel. In exchange for an honest review.

This one is a little different in that there are 2 distinct plotl ines/investigations. Firstly the main one involving Kim and her team (plus the new addition TiffanyTinkerbell – hopefully she returns), investigating a series of gruesome murders, with an intriguing and thought provoking plot. Penn also gets his own case, and we learn a bit more about him. The downside to 2 cases was that I guessed wrong on 2 cases in the same book as to who the culprits were!

There is quite a bit less of the personal lives in this one, with the exception of Penn. But I am really pleased to say the banter between Kim and Bryant is still there and firing on all cylinders. We even get a bit more banter with Keats and Mitch. As usual the chapters are on the short side, but action packed and a cliff hanger at the end of each one, means it is very difficult to put this down to eat, or go to work or bed. Wouldn’t have it any other way.

Well, I can’t believe we are at book 11 in the series. Somehow Ms Marsons has done it again 11 fantastic books in a row. In most series you get one or two that slip a bit, but not this lady. While the books can be read as standalones, I highly recommend reading in order as the personal stories and history are a major part of what makes this so special. I am definitely getting worried though, we are getting closer to book 16. Bookouture, please sign her up for an extension, or at least another series. I am not sure I could cope with the prospect of no more books from Ms Marsons.

Merged review:

First of all I must thank Net Galley, Bookouture, and Angela Marsons for an ARC of this novel. In exchange for an honest review.

This one is a little different in that there are 2 distinct plotlines/investigations. Firstly the main one involving Kim and her team (plus the new addition TiffanyTinkerbell – hopefully she returns), investigating a series of gruesome murders, with an intriguing and thought provoking plot. Penn also gets his own case, and we learn a bit more about him. The downside to 2 cases was that I guessed wrong on 2 cases in the same book as to who the culprits were!

There is quite a bit less of the personal lives in this one, with the exception of Penn. But I am really pleased to say the banter between Kim and Bryant is still there and firing on all cylinders. We even get a bit more banter with Keats and Mitch. As usual the chapters are on the short side, but action packed and a cliff hanger at the end of each one, means it is very difficult to put this down to eat, or go to work or bed. Wouldn’t have it any other way.
Well, I can’t believe we are at book 11 in the series. Somehow Ms Marsons has done it again 11 fantastic books in a row. In most series you get one or two that slip a bit, but not this lady. While the books can be read as standalones, I highly recommend reading in order as the personal stories and history are a major part of what makes this so special. I am definitely getting worried though, we are getting closer to book 16. Bookouture, please sign her up for an extension, or at least another series. I am not sure I could cope with the prospect of no more books from Ms Marsons.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Honestly, this is not Angela Marsons' best work.

Perhaps this is in part because the last two books have focused on intensely personal and emotional team-orientated stories that have changed the lives of each and every character as well as our understanding of the series as a whole. Having little of that kind of development, this offering feels very light in comparison.

Except it's not just that, nothing really works that well. There are two separate investigations running through the novel that have zero connection. Kim and the team look into the gruesome 'Child's play' murders centred around a child genius plot. Then, in what seems to be an attempt to add depth to Penn's past, there's his short return to his old team for a trial that goes horribly wrong. Whereas Kim's part at least has some fascinating new characters of the type that Marsons does so well, Pen's former colleagues are borderline caricatures. The lack of space means that those sections of the story rely on heavy handed foreboding and the kind of 'misdirection' that's so blatant it might as well be in neon.

'an uneasy sensation stole over him. And for the life of him he couldn't understand why'

'Penn couldn't explain the shudder that ran through him as the clerk announced the beginning of the season and instructed them all to rise'

'the bad feeling in his gut was not going away. In fact, it was starting to get worse'

All this in the first few Penn pov chapters.... Not to mention the fact that the entire issue comes completely out of the blue and is stretched to the extreme in order to put a certain character in danger. It's worked for the author before, she does this to her characters a lot, but the problem is that the reader has to really care about them for it not to feel gratuitous. Especially when it has become a bit of a trademark.

Even the dynamic of Kim and the team was off, the jokes flat and genuinely cringeworthy at times. There's lots of scenes discussing internet searches and one moment of sheer ridiculousness when something really important is put aside with a whole THIS WILL HAVE TO WAIT while I do this other thing and oh by the way when I do get back to it it'll solve the whole case vibe. I rolled my eyes. No joke.

Overall, it's fine. It passed the time. And I like the series, I like the team. For me, this was just not up to standard, but a blip not a fail.. It certainly won't stop me reading what comes next.

ARC via Netgalley

[Louise Wilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

DI Kim Stone #11

Kim and her team are back and this time they've been asked to investigate the murder of Belinda Evans, a retired child psychologist. She was found in a children's playground, her wrists had been tied with barbed wire, stabbed in the chest and a X had been carved in the back of her knock. More deaths occur and they all have prodigy link. Penn has to go back to his old team as a case he was involved in collapsed.

In each new book Kim's character grows more. The book has a dual storyline. It also begins and ends with violence that some readers might not like. Kim and her team work well together, even with the new additional team member. The pace is fast from the first page and the storylines are gripping. I did not know where this storyline was taking me but I really enjoyed the journey. This is a very good police procedural series that just gets better and better. This book is the best in the series so far. Angela Marsons never disappoints.

I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture and the author Angela !arsons for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Child's Play is the 11th book in the D.I. Kim Stone crime-thriller series by best-selling author Angela Marsons. Angela Marsons remains one of my favourite mystery authors, and her publisher, Bookouture always publishes the very best novels. I have read all of her books…and she keeps getting better. I don’t want this series to end!

The characters are so well-developed and continue to grow with each new instalment in the series. In Child’s Play there are two plotlines. The first one is devoted to a new case that three of Kim’s four team members (Bryant, Stacey and Tiff, a new character) are assigned, while Penn, the SIO on a case is giving evidence in court, with the guys he used to work with. With DS Penn immersed in the murder case of a young man, Kim and her team are already stretched and up against one of the most ruthless killer’s they’ve ever encountered.

This addictive new crime thriller explores the dark side of child prodigies.

DI Kim Stone and DS Bryant are called to Haden Hill Park to the scene of a horrific crime: a woman in her sixties tied to a swing with barbed wire and an X carved into the back of her neck. The victim, Belinda Evans, was a retired college Professor of Child Psychology. As Kim and her team search her home, they find an overnight bag packed and begin to unravel a complex relationship between Belinda and her sister Veronica.

Then two more bodies are found bearing the same distinctive markings, and Kim knows she is on the hunt for a serial killer. Linking the victims, Kim discovers they were involved in annual tournaments for gifted children and were on their way to the next event.

In less than one week three people were dead.

The team must investigate every child who attended the tournaments.

Kim must get inside the mind of a killer and stop another murder before it’s too late.

He made them play and then killed them. It was just a game!

If you haven’t started this series…it’s not too late…start at the beginning and you will soon be so addicted to this drama through the characters and the plot, that you will not be able to put it down. Great read, highly recommended.

My thanks to Angela Marsons, Bookouture and Net Galley for my digital copy. Can't wait for the next!

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

As DS Penn headed to court for a case that was his before he joined Detective Kim Stone’s team, he little realized what would happen in his life in the next few days. Meanwhile Kim, Bryant and Stacey were up against a murder of a horrific nature. Barbed wire, a ritualistic marking of the flesh and a playground. As Kim and Bryant discovered the identity of the woman, they also saw her sister, Veronica. The vibes that rippled across to Kim felt uneasy; wrong…

With two more bodies murdered in the same fashion, Kim knew the race was on. But they needed to find the motive. Perhaps that would give them more answers. And as the clues led them to a conference for gifted children, Kim and her team knew they couldn’t stop until they had the killer. They had to put an end to it - now. But could they?

Child’s Play is the 11th in the Kim Stone series by Angela Marsons and once again I thoroughly enjoyed it. Fast paced with lots of action, the two cases (Kim’s and Penn’s) running simultaneously worked well. A highly entertaining thriller from an author who’s a definite favourite! Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Selena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a free e-copy of Child's Play (DI Kim Stone #11) by Angela Marsons from NetGalley for my honest review.

I can't believe I have never read a book by this author. I will be going back to read this entire series and will be keeping watch for any and all books by Angela Marsons in the future.

A police procedural that is twisted and compelling!

Detective Kim Stone arrives at a crime scene where she finds a woman who is tied to a children's swing with barbed wire There is a letter X carved in the back of her neck. The victim, Belinda Evans, is a retired Professor of Child Psychology. So many secrets to be discovered. Then more bodies are found with the same markings. Detective Stone and her team need to work quickly before there is another victim.

Absolutely heart-pounding! A book you won't want to put down.

[Carolyn Walsh · Rating 4 out of 5]

I always look forward to each new book in the Kim Stone series. Angela Marsons, the author, has maintained each book at a high level. These are well-plotted mysteries of excellent quality and the types of crimes vary from book to book. Child’s Play is the eleventh book featuring Kim Stone, and I admire the way the author has allowed Kim to grow in interpersonal skills and empathy throughout the series.

Kim is a brave and relentless investigator. Her colleagues are well-developed characters, and together they make an effective team. This book works well as a stand-alone police procedural. The previous books will give the reader further background into the characters. Dialogue between team members is often snappy and funny.

While Kim leads an investigation into three murders, the victims seem to have only one thing in common, involvement or connection with gifted children. This leads to interviews and questioning of families of gifted children and a lot of computer work searching for information of the many suspects and trying to figure out a motive. There are some surprising twists before the murderer is apprehended.
In the meantime, Penn is involved in a court case and comes to believe the wrong man had been arrested.

Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for this enjoyable mystery/police procedural in return for an honest review.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Angela Marsons! What fun you must have had writing the eleventh installment of your marvelous Kim Stone series! It must have been like child’s play for you. Oh! That’s the title – Child’s Play. It’s ironic that the first victim, Belinda Evans, was a child psychologist, and that much of the book deals with child prodigies because Kim Stone is no stranger to child psychologists or to an abnormal childhood. However, there she keeps her thoughts and emotions stuffed deep inside during this case as she focuses on solving murders and on following the mandates of appearing to be a proper superior officer. The latter requires her to limit overtime in an attempt to keep from overworking her small team of investigators.

But when Penn is required to go to court because of an arrest when he was part of another squad, Kim’s team is severely challenged as the body count mounts. Do they complain? Yes! But it’s not what you think. Their chief complaint is that they are being sent home on time when there is so much work to be done. In due time, the boss sends a replacement, an overly cheerful young woman who immediately grates on everyone’s nerves – until they realize that she is actually quite good. And I loved the nickname Kim comes up with for her!

Unlike many of the previous books, this one is pretty much all police business. Oh, there is the usual banter between Bryant and Kim, but we don’t get much of the inner life of any of our favorites. We know that something is really bugging Stacey. She’s moody and doesn’t want to talk about it. Thank goodness, Angela, you don’t leave us hanging at the end! Bryant makes a lot of sideways comments about his home life, but that’s Bryant. Kim is remarkably down-to-business and for the time being, is not dwelling on her personal past at all.

What we learn about child geniuses and their families is quite another matter. There seems to be a whole spectrum of family dynamic from too much pressure to emphasis on fun and learning. In some cases, siblings are included; in others, they feel pushed aside. In still others, they feel under tremendous duress. What happens to these children when they grow up? Do they mature into “normal” adults? Do they fall apart? Or do they explode? This makes for a very intriguing case as Kim returns several times to interview Belinda’s sister, who exemplifies a history of a love-hate relationship with her murdered sister. Was this the case with other victims? What is the link? I looked at each case, and I’ll be darned if I could figure it out. So I just sat back and enjoyed the ride.

I also enjoyed watching the separate action with Penn unfold. He’s been with Kim’s team long enough that it feels strange being reunited with his old squad. He himself seems a bit surprised at that. He realizes that he would much rather be back at work than sitting in court, but as things unfold, he begins to have doubts about the case. I love what this reveals about Austen Penn. Later, when there is a crisis involving his brother Jasper, we see the true depths of his character.

I will admit that the “games” that the killer comes up with to torment the victims are quite creative, but I would hardly call them “child’s play.” Angela Marsons, that is some scary, devious stuff you’ve invented! Remind me never to accept an invitation to a game night at your house! Seriously, this is yet another very, very good book in whole slew tremendous novels in this series. If you haven’t read them yet, I’d recommend starting at the beginning with Silent Scream so that you get to know these characters from the get-go. You won’t be sorry.

4.5 stars rounded to 5

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is fantastic series really enjoying the characters, This storyline isnt as good as her other books.my rating for this book is 3.5...A killer who likes to play games..Kim stone and her team is on the case,child geniuses are involved,will she find this killer or is the killer to good at playing the game.looking forward reading her next book in the series...

[The Cats’ Mother · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not often that I'm speechless at the start of a review, but I am struggling to convey my admiration that Ms Marsons has managed to do it yet again - come up with an original plot, exploring a fascinating new topic while completely bamboozling me as to the killer's identity. Eleven books in and she is still delivering some of the best police procedurals around.

Kim & Bryant are called to the scene of a grisly murder in a park, where a well-dressed middle-aged woman has been tied to a swing and stabbed. The victim was a recently retired child psychology lecturer with a secret life, whose sister seems determined to hide their past. The second victim is a children's counsellor, and the team find links to the unusual world of child prodigies, individuals whose special skills have prevented them enjoying normal childhoods, but what may have driven one to murder?

I liked that this one took a step back from Kim's tragic history and allowed her to just be a detective for a change. The last few books have featured so much trauma for the team, that it was a relief to have them work a case without being the targets. There's a separate case which takes Penn back to his old team, and ultimately does put one recurring character in danger (it seems there always has to be one) but rather than contriving a link between them, it felt more realistic that Kim's team do have to work apart sometimes. This was also the opportunity to introduce some comic relief in the form of Tink the new DC.

Very well written and paced as ever, this had a wide range of potential suspects or victims, perhaps too many as I found myself having to use the search function on my Kindle to remind myself who was who. The opening scene featured a particularly gruesome method of execution and a lot of the suspense came from wondering who that victim would turn out to be, and how it fitted in. I defy anyone to guess the perpetrator before the reveal.

This one could actually work as a stand-alone thriller, but for full enjoyment I recommend reading the full series in order. My thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC which allowed me to give an honest review. Child's Play is published on 11 July 2019.

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new Detective Kim Stone book is always exciting for me. I know that no matter what it is going to be good. Child's Play is book 11 in this series and it is absolutely as strong as the very first book. I don't know how Angela Marsons manages to keep it so fresh and addictive but she has done it again with this instalment. Here's to a very very long life to this series. As always I struggled to put this book down. It opens with a cracker of a murder scene and doesn't let up until the very end. If you have never picked up a Kim Stone novel and you like police procedural books then you seriously need to start from the beginning and get into this series. I highly recommend all of them!

This time we see and Kim and the team called to a crime scene in a children's playground. A woman in her 60's have been killed and left tied to a swing with barbed wired. We learn that the woman is Belinda Evans, a retired college professor of child physcholgy. There are soon 2 more horrific murders and all the victims have ties to gifted children. Meanwhile, the newest member of the team Penn is called back to his old team as a case he was in charge of goes to court and falls apart. The 2 stories go well together and we watch with anticipation to see how they will both end.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for my advanced copy of this book to read. All opinions are my own and are in no way biased.

[ReadAlongWithSue recovering from a stroke★⋆. ࿐࿔ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve missed some books in this series, not sure how that happened but it’s not harmed my enjoyment of this Detective series lead by DI Kim Stone.

A very detailed chase for the serial killer. Trouble is this is going back decades so not an easy plight.
It’s got to be sorted though…..and soon.

I love the dialogue and the banter between them and also seeing how Kim has progressed from book 1 to now in her personal self.

[Jonetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

DI Kim Stone and her team face another challenging case, this time one involving former child prodigies. Kim and Bryant are called to the scene of Belinda Evans, a 61-year old academic and former college professor of child psychology. She’s tied to a swing in Haden Hill Park, stabbed to death and secured by barbed wire. Unfortunately, she’s only the first victim of this type macabre killing and it takes a while for connections to be made. The team is hampered somewhat by a new policy limiting their active work hours and new member, Austin Penn, returning to West Mercia for the trial of a case he worked on before his departure.

I have to admit I needed a break from the tension of the last few books where the team members were at risk. It was nice to go back to the basics and see the team in action with lots of humorous moments as they struggle with the new work policy. You just knew they’d find a way around it and one of the remedies was the temporary addition of a new member, Tiffany, who Kim referred to as “Tinks” (think Tinkerbell). Tiffany loved the attention! The case was a real puzzler with any number of suspects and I was still surprised at the outcome. But as engaging as it was, the real thrills came from Penn’s old team as their case fell apart and he had to painstakingly, as only Penn can, revisit and analyze every aspect. The resolution sat me on my heels with unexpected thrills, angst and surprises.

This series never disappoints and I enjoyed everything about this story. Stacey Wood plays a significant role here and I like how she’s coming into her own, gaining confidence to go along with her innate talents. These characters feel like family so I’m invested in all that happens to them…the good, bad and ugly. And, they’re brought magnificently to live by the outstanding performance of the narrator, Jan Cramer, who just adds to my listening experience. Another book that was hard to put down.

Posted on Blue Mood Café

[8stitches 9lives · Rating 5 out of 5]

Child's Play is the eleventh book in the Detective Kim Stone series, and I'll just go ahead and say it — this is the most gripping, fascinating and exhilarating so far. Each instalment can be read independently of one another, however, I couldn't imagine anyone being content with just reading one. When a slew of brutal ritualistic killings take place in the local vicinity Kim is called in to investigate. She discovers a link between each of the victims — they were all associated with tournaments put on for gifted child prodigies. Feeling that this is where the answer lies Kim embarks on a tough assignment — going back through all of the children who have taken part in these competitions over the decades despite being short-staffed. Is she on the right lines or barking up the wrong tree completely?

I picked this up hoping to read a few chapters before bed as I was already tired enough to nod off. Fast forward 3 hours and I am still awake and almost finished! I didn't see that coming. This is a testament to Marson's writing, the riveting storyline and clever characterisation. The plot reels you in from the first couple of pages and from then on I was stuck in a page-turning frenzy. The Kim Stone series is right up there with the best in the crime genre that is for certain and it's not hard to see why. There is a very human side to Ms Marson's characters that is mostly lacking in the genre and makes this a cut above the rest. With twists, turns and misdirection galore, this is a must-read book and series for thriller fan. An easy five stars! Many thanks to Bookouture for an ARC.

[Helga · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with all Angela Marsons’ books, the first chapter is enough to make you wish you could read the book in one sitting

The body of a retired professor is found sat on a swing at a playground, tied with barbed wire, an X carved on the back of her neck.
Kim Stone and her team begin their investigation and when more bodies are found, killed in a similar way, they know they are dealing with a clever serial killer.
But as they dig deeper, the answers they seek generate more questions. Can they unearth a motive for the senseless murders? Can they find the killer before he strikes again?

Thanks to the author, Bookouture and the NetGalley for my copy of the book.