xxertz's review against another edition
4.0
BLUF: If you can get past rough main character, pick this one up.
**I was provided a copy of this book from netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review**
After reading the description of this book, I had to read it.
Series: This book is third in the D.I. Kim Stone series, but can be read as a standalone. That said, the characters are not introduced and the reader is expected to understand them from previous novels. For me, this wasn’t a major issue, but it did negatively affect the amount I enjoyed this book.
Plot: Nine-year-old best friends are kidnapped. The families of these girls are very close and are prepared to do whatever it takes to get both their daughters back. Well.. they were until the kidnapper determined that only the girl whose parents bid the highest will be freed. Can D.I. Stone and her team deter the parents from giving in long enough to try and save both daughters?
The bad: Because this is a series, the characters aren’t introduced in this book and, as a result, felt a little flat in comparison to the characters new to the series. I wasn’t able to pick up the personality of Stone’s team and I wasn’t exactly fan of Stone’s bad attitude. The other thing I really didn’t enjoy was that a crude sexual act was used to help build the evilness behind the kidnapper. I know many authors use this tactic, but I really hate it. The evilness is well described without this incident.
The good: I couldn’t put this book down! Despite disliking Stone’s attitude it didn’t stop me from enjoying the book or her role in it. I enjoyed the dynamics between the new characters and adored the dialogue. This book is fast paced and I definitely will be reading more from this author and this series – preferably from the start so I can better understand Stone’s selfishness.
**I was provided a copy of this book from netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review**
After reading the description of this book, I had to read it.
Series: This book is third in the D.I. Kim Stone series, but can be read as a standalone. That said, the characters are not introduced and the reader is expected to understand them from previous novels. For me, this wasn’t a major issue, but it did negatively affect the amount I enjoyed this book.
Plot: Nine-year-old best friends are kidnapped. The families of these girls are very close and are prepared to do whatever it takes to get both their daughters back. Well.. they were until the kidnapper determined that only the girl whose parents bid the highest will be freed. Can D.I. Stone and her team deter the parents from giving in long enough to try and save both daughters?
The bad: Because this is a series, the characters aren’t introduced in this book and, as a result, felt a little flat in comparison to the characters new to the series. I wasn’t able to pick up the personality of Stone’s team and I wasn’t exactly fan of Stone’s bad attitude. The other thing I really didn’t enjoy was that a crude sexual act was used to help build the evilness behind the kidnapper. I know many authors use this tactic, but I really hate it. The evilness is well described without this incident.
Spoiler
Another minor concept, but there weren’t many clues leading up to figuring out who/where the kidnapper was. It was like one minute they knew nothing, then the hypnotism happened, and suddenly they are at the barn.The good: I couldn’t put this book down! Despite disliking Stone’s attitude it didn’t stop me from enjoying the book or her role in it. I enjoyed the dynamics between the new characters and adored the dialogue. This book is fast paced and I definitely will be reading more from this author and this series – preferably from the start so I can better understand Stone’s selfishness.
laurenjodi's review against another edition
4.0
Lost Girls
4 Stars
Series note: Although the mysteries in each of the books are standalone, it is recommended that they be read in order for DI Stone's backstory, which is crucial to understanding her motivations.
*Content warning* - This book contains harsh and gruesome descriptions of violence. Readers disturbed by these types of gritty scenes as well as crimes involving children should be aware of this.
In this installment, DI Kim Stone is called in on a case of child abduction that is eerily similar to a kidnapping that ended tragically a year previously. As they race against the clock, Kim and her team must handle not only the distraught parents and specialist consultants, but also a nosy reporter with questionable ethics.
The kidnapping plot is gripping from the first page, and Marsons is skilled at making her characters come alive whether it is the mother with a terrible secret, the father with short temper or the sadistic abductor tormenting his victims. Although it is possible to figure out the unknown subject's identity, the motivation for the crime is somewhat lacking. Nevertheless, there are several surprising revelations that keep the reader in suspense.
In sum, Lost Girls is another brilliant addition to the series and I look forward to the next one.
4 Stars
Series note: Although the mysteries in each of the books are standalone, it is recommended that they be read in order for DI Stone's backstory, which is crucial to understanding her motivations.
*Content warning* - This book contains harsh and gruesome descriptions of violence. Readers disturbed by these types of gritty scenes as well as crimes involving children should be aware of this.
In this installment, DI Kim Stone is called in on a case of child abduction that is eerily similar to a kidnapping that ended tragically a year previously. As they race against the clock, Kim and her team must handle not only the distraught parents and specialist consultants, but also a nosy reporter with questionable ethics.
The kidnapping plot is gripping from the first page, and Marsons is skilled at making her characters come alive whether it is the mother with a terrible secret, the father with short temper or the sadistic abductor tormenting his victims. Although it is possible to figure out the unknown subject's identity, the motivation for the crime is somewhat lacking. Nevertheless, there are several surprising revelations that keep the reader in suspense.
In sum, Lost Girls is another brilliant addition to the series and I look forward to the next one.
vsrkive's review against another edition
5.0
OMG....
This book was so good
I was on the edge of my seat all the time
Can't wait to start book 4 to continue Kim's journey
I love ya,Kim...
My favorite heroine in mystery genre
This book was so good
I was on the edge of my seat all the time
Can't wait to start book 4 to continue Kim's journey
I love ya,Kim...
My favorite heroine in mystery genre
denaiir's review against another edition
5.0
another great story, I loved getting to know the team better
4.5 stars
4.5 stars
ianmcnamara's review against another edition
5.0
it's not often you get a series of books that is on going where the next book betters the previous one. However in the DI Kim Stone series that has happened without a doubt. Silent scream was a killer book, however evil games took the series one step further and now the third book Lost girls was even better. The suspense and writing in these books are amazing and with each book we learn a bit more about the complex Character that is Kim Stone. In each book we see more of her softer side and learn more about her character. with a huge number of books being contracted I can't wait until we see Kim finally face up to her past because I think that will be very interesting to see if she can come out of the other side. It's nice to see these caring sides of her that are starting to come out and I really hope that one day she manages to come to terms with her past. This book was gripping and the subject matter was handled very well by the author, I could feel the families pain throwout the whole book. This is a series that gets better and better with every read and I can't wait to go on to number four.
mrskp91's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
mpr2000's review against another edition
5.0
This will be one of the most difficult cases D.I. Kim Stone will face in her career, the kidnapping of two girls; both family friends and with money, they will have to confront to save their daughters. This will not be only a very challenging situation, this is not the first case the police have with these similarities, the last time just one girl returned home. Will Kim and her team be quick enough to safe both girls or will this time none of them return home?
This is the third case I have read of D.I. Kim Stone and this is my favourite so far. A run against the clock that will leave no one unaffected.
I love how Angela Marsons book by book explain us why our favourite detective is so good in her work and show us that behind her cold police attitude she is more human than she wants to share, being brave, direct and stubborn. D.I. Kim Stone takes very seriously all her cases and none of them are less important to her, so be prepared for her tenacity and audacity in all the cases she is involved.
I like the cases that keep me glued till the end of the book, and Angela Marsons has made me forgive the world around me in all her books, that's not quite easy to make, so be prepared to enter in a detective world without doubt!
This case really got under my skin, how two friendly families would be turned against each other to save their own children. They will have to bet against each other to have the possibility to see their daughter alive again. The only problem they have is... are the kidnappers ready to leave the two girls alive after they get the money?
Get ready for a skin deep case and some unexpected twists in the new Angela Marsons case.
How much would you pay to save your child?
This is the third case I have read of D.I. Kim Stone and this is my favourite so far. A run against the clock that will leave no one unaffected.
I love how Angela Marsons book by book explain us why our favourite detective is so good in her work and show us that behind her cold police attitude she is more human than she wants to share, being brave, direct and stubborn. D.I. Kim Stone takes very seriously all her cases and none of them are less important to her, so be prepared for her tenacity and audacity in all the cases she is involved.
I like the cases that keep me glued till the end of the book, and Angela Marsons has made me forgive the world around me in all her books, that's not quite easy to make, so be prepared to enter in a detective world without doubt!
This case really got under my skin, how two friendly families would be turned against each other to save their own children. They will have to bet against each other to have the possibility to see their daughter alive again. The only problem they have is... are the kidnappers ready to leave the two girls alive after they get the money?
Get ready for a skin deep case and some unexpected twists in the new Angela Marsons case.
How much would you pay to save your child?
proudlocks's review against another edition
3.0
I’m mixed on this book.
I read it in one night, it appealed massively to me and I was on the edge of my seat, but the ending was.. lacklustre and boring. Honestly pretty disappointed.
Would have been amazing with a better ending.
I connected straight away with the parents (as a parent myself) and the emotions they went through.
I read it in one night, it appealed massively to me and I was on the edge of my seat, but the ending was.. lacklustre and boring. Honestly pretty disappointed.
Would have been amazing with a better ending.
I connected straight away with the parents (as a parent myself) and the emotions they went through.
edita_mikic's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25