Deadly Fate by Angela Marsons (#18 – Kim Stone)

 

Deadly Fate by Angela Marsons 

Publishing: May 25, 2023 by Bookouture

 

 

 Reason I chose to Read this Book:  It’s a series installment of one of my favorite all-time series of books.  The protagonist and her team are amazing.

 

Previous Book in the Series: #17 – Hidden Scars

 

Deadly Fate by Angela Marsons is the 18th in the Detective Kim Stone Police Procedural series.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

 

Series Background:    (Contains spoilers from previous books) DI Kim Stone learned to be tough.  Her mother, who recently died of cancer, was being held in a home for the criminally insane due to actions that almost killed Kim, and resulted in her brother’s death.  Kim had little to do with her.  Although Kim’s social skills are lacking, her heart is in the right place, and her detective skills outstanding .  Her team consists of: Bryant, her right hand man and friend, and the person who voices concerns in a much more diplomatic way than Kim ever would; Stacey, who can find required information in a seemingly bottomless computer system; and  Austen Penn, who for some reason, enjoys attending autopsies.  

 

My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Kim and her team investigate the death of Sandra Deakin, who was found in a graveyard, with multiple stab wounds (including one across the face).  Sandra believed she could communicate with the dead, so she often walked through the graveyard with her dog, much to the dismay of the local clergy, who had banned her from the church.

Sandra is a psychic, and recently met with a group of women who wanted readings.  They were all there for a specific purpose, but none really got what they wanted, and tensions rose.

When a 19-year old boy is found dead just outside the call center where he works as a psychic, things take another turn.  

Kim, of course, thinks that psychics are all frauds, but she will have to open her mind if she wants to solve this one.

Meanwhile, Penn is on his own search, and Stacey has a stalker.

 

My Opinions:
For the first time…..I don’t have to deduct 1/2 star for the cover.  I love this new one!!!!!

I guess, as the blurbs state, you could read this as a stand-alone novel, but I would strongly recommend reading these books in order.  You really need the back-ground of each character to truly understand them.

The book touches on a number of topics.    One topic that is covered quite extensively is psychics, and whether they are fraud or not, and reasons why people believe.  It also made you wonder whether frauds do harm.  Homelessness was also touched upon, and why some actually choose this lifestyle.  Gambling and stalking are also topics that were discussed.

The characters in this series are like family.  I was happy to see Eloise make an appearance, and Tink.

The plot, and the different cases were all really good.  For the first time, I have a complaint (not bad for 18 books)….I didn’t like being kept hanging with one of the cases.  I usually find that more inexperienced writers will leave a cliff-hanger so that you want to read the next book in the series.  Marsons doesn’t have to do that, and I was disappointed.

Anyway, despite the cliff-hanger, I am looking forward to book 19!

Read: May, 2023

 

Favorite Quotes from Deadly Fate:

“Father Markinson, boss – he’s a bigoted, judgemental, authoritarian scumbag excuse for a human.”

“He sighed. ‘You know, sometimes I wish I could have the last word on something.’… ‘Keep trying, partner. It’s very entertaining,’”

 

Angela MarsonsAbout The Author: Angela Marsons (1968 – ) is a British author who discovered writing in Primary School when a short piece on the rocks and the sea gained her the only merit point she ever got.   Her books have now sold over 2 million copies worldwide.   She still lives in England with her partner, Julie.

*** Photo taken from GooodReads

Check her out: 

 

I have also reviewed this book on GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5502839066

 

 

Have you read it?  Do you plan to?  Tell me your thoughts…do you agree or disagree with my assessment?  These are only my opinions – and it would be a boring world if we all thought the same.  Either way, I’d love to know.          

 

 

 

 

Leave a comment