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Release date: November 3, 2017

Publisher: Bookouture

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Narrator: Jan Cramer

Blurb:

They thought they were safe. They were wrong.

The murder of a young prostitute and a baby found abandoned on the same winter night signals the start of a disturbing investigation for Detective Kim Stone – one which brings her face to face with someone from her own horrific childhood.

As three more sex workers are murdered in quick succession, each death more violent than the last, Kim and her team realise that the initial killing was no one-off frenzied attack, but a twisted serial killer preying on the vulnerable.

At the same time, the search begins for the desperate woman who left her newborn baby at the station – but what looks like a tragic abandonment turns even more sinister when a case of modern slavery is uncovered.

The two investigations bring the team into a terrifying world of human exploitation and cruelty – and a showdown that puts Kim’s life at risk as shocking secrets from her own past come to light.

Review:

This book has been out for more than a month now and despite my excitement about a new Kim Stone book, I held off on reading it as soon as I got my hands on it. I know that sounds weird, especially since this is one of my favorite series, but I knew as soon as I finished I would be desperate for the next book anyway so I decided to show some restraint for once in my life. My patience paid off because I ended up having the opportunity to listen to the audio version and it was outstanding, it definitely enhanced my experience, I absolutely loved it.

I think everyone has heard me rave about this series and Marsons talent as a writer several times before, so I’ll try and spare you and won’t repeat myself too much and just say that these books honestly just get better, sharper, and darker in each installment and are always intricately plotted and shocking.

Two things make this series standout among a hundred other police procedurals for me. First, Marsons always seems to have her finger on the pulse of society and addresses current issues in a compassionate and educational way while still managing to be exciting and fresh. This time Kim and team are dealing with immigration issues, prostitution and even slavery. Using extremely important issues in her novels lends an authenticity that is unmatched, it serves to bring a human connection to an otherwise grim plot. Secondly, she keeps her characters constantly evolving, she reveals new things about their pasts and who they are in each book and oftentimes surprises me with said revelations, which is difficult to do.

Cramer is the perfect narrator for this one, her voice is soothing and so easy to listen to. I know many people say that their mind wanders anytime they try and listen to an audiobook and my attention never strayed throughout this for a minute. Between Marsons riveting story and Cramer’s fluid voice I was utterly absorbed. It doesn’t hurt that I could listen to an English accent all day long either, but seriously read this book. Even better, listen to this book, I don’t think you’ll regret it.

Overall rating: 5/5

Thanks to the publisher for my review copy.