Twisted Lies: An absolutely gripping mystery and suspense thriller (Detective Kim Stone Book 14)

You know that moment when you pick up a book and start reading and you know, with all certainty, that nothing else is getting done that evening? That's what happened to me the moment I started reading Twisted Lies, and aside from a quick stint on the exercise bike (where I continued reading the book, obviously), from the moment I finished work, to the moment I went to bed, my whole focus was on Kim Stone and the team and the latest, very twisted and enthralling offering from Angela Marsons. Yes, i love the series - losing myself in the books is not hard. But this one is probably one of my favourites, a perfect blend of intoxicating investigation, absorbing and intriguing mystery and the damned fine humour that this series is renowned for. All of your favourite characters are back, but be prepared to see one of two of them in an entirely new light. Angela Marsons still has surprises up those sleeves of hers and is using them to absolutely brilliant effect.Now without going into too much detail about the story, it is fair to say that Ms Marsons has been particularly cruel to the victims in her story this time around. Very inventive murders that, for me at least, were a combination of plenty of 'ewww' and a teeny bit of 'cool'. Maybe the occasional bit of gruesome appreciation too, which says more about me than I should probably admit on the internet ... I like my stories on the dark side, and the perpetrator in this book has a very twisted imagination. It's not just the murders which will get your stomach churning though. There is an element to the story which is very much a case of 'ripped from the headlines' and the reveal, at a very crucial moment in the story, halted the laughter, even if only temporarily, as the implications and the stark reality sinks in.And that's what I like about this series. The fact that in amongst the investigations and the camaraderie and banter between the team, Angela Marsons explores subjects which are sometimes very relevant, very much grounded in the harsh reality of modern life. Always with care and respect, and always with enough humour to keep me hooked and invested in. the outcome of the book. There is nothing gratuitous in the story, in spite of the manner of dispatch, but there is enough for the very clear picture to be revealed. If you are of a weak disposition, then brace yourself. This is possibly one of the most grizzly yet.Character is key in these novels and from the victims, to their families to the investigative team, Angela Marsons once again excels at bringing us a whole array of folk to love, loathe, mistrust and wonder over. The team are on top form as ever, the banter between Bryant and Kim balanced perfectly against the sombre nature of the case, as is the humour between Stacey and Penn. It's a team that has really bonded and whilst I'm still not forgiving Angela Marsons for that book, I am liking the dynamic that is developing. I am also liking that in this book we get to see a very different side to the relationship between Tracy Frost and Kim. For once Frost isn't dogging their every step, trying to get a scoop on the investigation. Her focus takes her in a very different direction, with a sub story that is very, very pertinent in the current climate. i'll say no more about it, but it is fair to say that the author is right on the money when is comes to this story, sensitively handled and in a way that surprises and really drives the story onward.The pacing is spot on, the tension palpable, the shocks and surprises coming thick and fast. Yes, I twigged part of the story before the team did - benefit of being a voyeur with a suspicious mind, who knows they are reading a crime novel and is looking to expect the unexpected. But is genuinely doesn't matter, not in this case. It actually just pushed me to read more quickly, even more intrigued as to the who and the why. And there are some red herrings thrown in here and there, little structured details which will have you looking in one direction whilst the truth is scurrying off in another just out of your line of sight. And just when you think there are no surprises left to be delivered ... Never underestimate this author. She delivers every single time. Twisted Lies is right. Perfect title for this one.

These books just keep getting better and better I for 1 thought I'd have got bored of them but I can't wait to read the next 1 then the next 1 the stories are just captivating a most read

After 14 books in series I wouldn't have believed there'd still be so much more to discover. And yet EVERY Kim Stone investigation explores a new reef of hidden depths - both concerning the motives for the crimes committed and the personalities involved.Impactful, but never sensationalist - this is a hugely effective approach as you know that everything that has been included is 100% there with the sole purpose of propelling the story forward, not simply filling time without reaching a point. This concisely driven style has delivered since the very beginning of the series, and is appreciated by this reader.You don't need me to run through the plot here, that would serve little purpose for all concerned. Just know it's another stunner, and that its last page dangles an impossibly irresistible carrot for the next one...

Even first thing in the morning Detective Kim Stone knows her day is only going to get worse when she learns her least favourite journalist, Tracy Frost, is going to be riding along with her for an entire day. That is the least of her worries however, when the body of a middle-aged man is found, tortured beyond almost anyone's worst nightmares. With her team having trouble finding out anything about their victim Kim needs his family's help to discover the motive behind the attack but by the end of the day his wife and children have disappeared without trace.Having sent Tracy Frost away from her new crime scene Kim is furious to discover the journalist has published an article about a woman murdered a year earlier. Trying to counter the husband’s charm offensive across all aspects of the media before his trial Tracy is determined to put the victim’s story out there so she isn't forgotten. With secrets threatening to change the lives of everyone involved in both cases Kim finds herself racing against the clock to discover the truth and save innocent lives before it’s too late.Wow, this is just wow! I have read all the Kim Stone novels but was still left totally amazed by the fourteenth book in the series. It covers two cases, and is shown from the viewpoints of Kim and her team for one and Tracy Frost for the other and I was blown away by both. Ms Marsons storylines always shock and inform in this was no different with the attention to detail as rigorous as her admirers have come to expect. I didn't see any of the different solutions in advance and was both surprised and satisfied by the conclusions. There was even a cliffhanger ...I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This is an exceptional continuation of a first class series of books.

Kim and her team are working a murder case like none other. The victim was tortured horribly before he died. Kim will come to realize that this case will be one of her most challenging. And then the body count rises...This is the 14th novel in the fabulous D.I. Kim Stone series. If you haven't yet started the series.... why haven't you? I have been remiss in keeping abreast of this series due to review commitments, but vowed that this year I would try to catch up.The series just seems to go from strength to strength. I highly recommend though that this series be read in order to fully realize its brilliance and appreciate the evolving dynamic between the characters.This time out, the book deals with death by torture. The victim's family vanish the day they learn of the husband/father's murder - making it all the more difficult for Kim's team to investigate.There are some really graphic torture scenes in this novel that might bother the more squeamish reader. Thankfully, Angela Marsons balances her disturbing subject matter with liberal doses of witty sarcasm which I thoroughly enjoy.As I devoured this 14th novel in the series, I felt even more invested in the characters than I was with the previous thirteen titles. I will certainly recommend the series to all lovers of gritty crime fiction. I have now read the first fourteen novels in the series, and I look forward to catching up with Kim's exploits, as the series now comprises nineteen books. Oh, and in case you didn’t already guess… “Twisted Lies” is very highly recommended by me.

Can a killer be both crazed and methodical at the same time? That seems to be the case in Angela Marson’s the 14th installment of her addicting Detective Kim Stone series, Twisted Lies. The day starts out with a ride-along with Kim’s not-so-favorite reporter, Tracy Frost, but that ends abruptly when they come upon the first victim. Kim and DS Bryant are appalled at what they see, and Frost is sent back to her office. The victim has been cruelly tortured over many hours. A word from the outset – some descriptions are gruesome, and there are several victims throughout the book, each killed by a different medieval form of painfully inflicted punishment. In the first case, the deceased’s wife and her sister have little to say to the inspectors and barely show any emotion. Later, when Kim returns, the home has been cleared out.As the murder cases mount, so do the questions. Why will no one give any straight answers? What are the families hiding? And who is the mysterious “sister”? Above all, what does the killer want? Apparently, he is seeking information, which is why he is torturing his victims. What is so important that he is willing to kill? He’s obviously not too far off his rocker because his methods require organization and planning.While I was in no way a fan of the gory details of the methods used in these murders, I was enthralled by the mystery. Once the secret was revealed, there was still the question of who.One could read this as a standalone, but it’s quite helpful to know the characters. I’m amazed at how different Kim Stone is from the early books. She’s now quite a capable “boss,” as Bryant calls her. She’s encouraging Stacy in her professional development, and she’s actually showing – dare I say it – a wee bit of empathy toward her nemesis, Tracy Frost, who has also thawed significantly in this episode and is fairly likeable. Maybe the thaw is due to the hot water she finds herself in when she dares to go out on a limb and act ethically for a change while pursuing a story. This is at least a 180-degree turn from previous books, and it will be interesting to see how the Stone-Frost relationship progresses from here. The banter and collaboration between Stacy and Penn is fun to see, once again. They make a good team.In usual Marsons’ style, Kim has some hairy moments toward the end and – well, it’s tempting to say more, but I won’t! There are some lovely twists here and there and a big teaser at the end, which has me itching to read number 15, Stolen Ones.4.5 stars rounded up

Una novena policíaca con un argumento original. Entretenido y trepidante. Es el primero que leo de esta serie y no será el último

Ormai Angela Marsons è per me una certezza, trame mai banali, personaggi che si evolvono, colpi di scena, storie che fanno riflette e ciliegina sulla torta il personaggio di Kim Stone che è malgrado il suo carattere ispido empatico e carismatico.

Love these books !