Blood Lines

Detective Kim Stone Crime Thriller Series, Book 5

By: Angela Marsons

Narrated by: Jan Cramer

Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins

Publisher's Summary

How do you catch a killer who leaves no trace?

A victim killed with a single, precise stab to the heart appears at first glance to be a robbery gone wrong. A caring, upstanding social worker lost to a senseless act of violence. But for Detective Kim Stone, something doesn't add up.

When a local drug addict is found murdered with an identical wound, Kim knows instinctively that she is dealing with the same killer. But with nothing to link the two victims except the cold, calculated nature of their death, this could be her most difficult case yet.

Desperate to catch the twisted individual, Kim's focus on the case is threatened when she receives a chilling letter from Dr. Alex Thorne, the sociopath who Kim put behind bars. And this time, Alex is determined to hit where it hurts most, bringing Kim face-to-face with the woman responsible for the death of Kim's little brother - her own mother.

As the body count increases, Kim and her team unravel a web of dark secrets, bringing them closer to the killer. But one of their own could be in mortal danger. Only this time, Kim might not be strong enough to save them.

A totally gripping thriller that will have you hooked from the very first minute to the final, dramatic twist.

©2016 Angela Marsons (P)2016 Bookouture

AWESOME SERIES!

Before I begin this review, I want to suggest highly to anyone reading this review that if you have not read any of these series, to start at the beginning. Angela Marsons develops DCI Kim Stone and her supporting characters throughout the series. To start anywhere else would deprive you of this development and leave you wanting. Now for my review:

I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this series of novels! Angela Marsons has done an excellent job developing Detective Kim Stone's character and her supporting characters. The storylines have always kept me virtually on the edge of my seat. Once I start a novel, I am hard put to set it down. Thank heavens for the Audible version that has allowed me to go about my household work and continually listen!

I hope that this series has not ended and we will continue to enjoy DCI Kim Stone solving complex crimes.

Great dark suspense novel!

Blood Lines is the 5th and last (to date) of Angela Marsons' fabulous Detective Kim Stone series. Kim Stone remains true to herself as she is confident, determined, stubborn, abrasive, and willing to ignore authority when she believes she is right. Marsons is a Brit and her novels are set in England. For those who have listened to some of the novels in the Detective Kim Stone series, Blood Lines finally reveals in detail why she hates her mother. Narrator Jan Cramer does her normal incredibly excellent job.

For those who enjoy police procedural novels with strong suspense and likable protagonists this series is ideal.

Boring

I love this series BUT I hated revisiting the Alex connection. The whole book was boring and repetitive and completely unbelievable. I couldn’t be bothered to finish it. Pass this one up and go on to the next book (6) which is quite good.

Redundant in parts

I've now listened to all the books in the series. This book is not as good as the first four. It's great when the action is fast paced but pretty boring and repetitive on the Alex Thorne psycho babble portions. The character was interesting in Evil Games but just tedious in Blood Lines - just implausible sub plots. I continue to enjoy the Kim Stone character and her team though and look forward to the next in the series. Leave Alex Thorne in jail though. 😄

First Kim Stone book I couldn't finish

This story was quite boring.
Huge fan of Angela Dawson but this fell short!
Hopefully the next is much better.

Dr Alex is back!

Book 2 was my fave out of this series this book comes in close. Good job Angela Marsons I look forward to the next book!

loved it!

this is the best book in the series! fast paced with twists and turns! cant wait until the next one:)

Another Solid Hit!

I really do like these characters. I have a clear image of each that has not been contradicted in any of the novels in this series. I like that kind of consistency. The narrator I think goes a little too far in making Kim sound extra tough. There's a difference between firmness and bullying. Kim has the respect of her team; she doesn't have to be a bully to be effective. I hope the narrator will take the edge off that voice in the future.

Another thrill ride from Marsons.

Would you consider the audio edition of Blood Lines to be better than the print version?

I can't compare the two since I only own the audio version. Cramer does an outstanding job, however. She is one of my favorite narrators.

Who was your favorite character and why?

I love Bryant and Stacy and how they interact with Kim. They add humor to every book and humanize Stone.

Which character – as performed by Jan Cramer – was your favorite?

She is really good at transitions and, unlike some other narrators, everybody sounds different. It almost doesn't sound like the same actress doing all the roles. I can't really pick a favorite.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

A nemesis returns ...

Any additional comments?

I do think that revisiting Stone's personal baggage is getting a wee bit old, however. I would like to see new characters and storylines to move the characters forward. I had hoped that Gemma would become like an adopted daughter for Kim. I can't say more about that since it would be a spoiler!

What are friends for?

What made the experience of listening to Blood Lines the most enjoyable?

Kim Stone has survived a horrific childhood; has dedicated her life to find the perpetrator; is a genius at solving the most perplexing puzzles; and with a talented, responsible, dedicated team, no perpetrator is safe.....but the best part is the mutual love and respect Kim and her team have for each other......and they always gets the bad guy/gal.

What other book might you compare Blood Lines to and why?

I have enjoyed each and every book on Kim Stone and can only say that they get better as the story unfolds.

What does Jan Cramer bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

In my opinion, Jan is one of the BEST narrators to date.....she brings life to all the characters in a way that the reader can visualize the story as the writer meant it to unfold!

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Absolutely, if it hadn't been for the fact that I had to travel the following day, I would have done just that. Instead I woke up early this morning to finish the book....thank you Ms. Marsons.....I love your books!

Any additional comments?

I await the next chapter of Kim Stone and will thoroughly enjoy listening to Jan Cramer tell the story.

Yet another brilliant story

Kim Stone, the tough likable DI, the team who take on the shocking murder cases and another brilliant story...who can ask for more?

Just another brilliant book from this talented lady!!!

Very Sad to finish the series featuring Detective Kim Stone , now hurry up book 6!

GREAT AUDIO BOOK

Couldn't stop listening. Another intriguing story from Angela Matson..Great author. Love all her audiobooks. They keep you guessing right till the end. I also think the narrator Jan Cramer is excellent.

Gripping

Continuation of detective Kim Stones's bunny boiler sociopath obsessive who wants her to suffer. edgy stuff. Good read.

brilliant as ever

brilliant read as ever, great twists and turns , love the side story with alex and kim such drama and tension

Gutted!!

As a new reader of Angela Marsons books, I am now absolutely hooked. Have now read all five in this series and am now so disappointed that the journey, for the moment, is over. This series has exceeded all of my expectations and more, and I so look forward to book 6, with anticipation. I would also like to share high praise indeed, for the narrator Jan Cramer. Her understanding of the content kept me riveted from beginning to the very end. Congratulations Angela and Jan!!!

Another great book in this series

Really warming to all the characters in these books. Even the unlikable, malevolent ones. These thrillers are really challenging, rarely do all the bits fit together easily so you don't get bored. A really good read, and good narration - I do sort of half and half read and listen.

keeps you guessing

loved the book. have read all the books in the series very good couldnt stop listening to it

DREADFUL narrator.

the narration was very difficult to listen to until getting into the story. the accents were DREADFUL!

Not worth the money

What disappointed you about Blood Lines?

It was read by a very tedious voice. Not up to the standards of other audible books

What was most disappointing about Angela Marsons’s story?

Lacked depth

Would you be willing to try another one of Jan Cramer’s performances?

No, her reading voice was not good

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from Blood Lines?

It is not a story I would be interested in editing. Very disappointing

Any additional comments?

I feel this really was the waste of a credit and not up to the standards of other books