Hidden Scars

Detective Kim Stone, Book 17

By: Angela Marsons

Narrated by: Jan Cramer

While Jamie’s cold, lifeless body lay in the morgue, Detective Kim Stone stared at the empty board in the incident room and felt her anger boil. Why were there no photos, details, or lines of enquiry?

When a 19-year-old boy, Jamie Mills, is found hanging from a tree in a local park, his death is ruled a suicide. Detective Kim Stone’s instincts tell her something isn’t right—but it’s not her investigation, and her temporary replacement is too busy waiting for the next big case to be asking the right questions.

Why would a seemingly healthy boy choose to end his life?

Why does his mother show no sign of emotional distress at the loss of her son?

Still mending her broken mind and body from her last harrowing case, Kim is supposed to be easing back into work gently. But then she finds a crucial, overlooked detail: Jamie had a recent injury that would have made it impossible for him to climb the tree. He must have been murdered.

Quickly taking back charge of her team and the case, Kim visits Jamie’s parents and is shocked to hear that they had sent him to a clinic to "cure" him of his sexuality. According to his mother, Jamie was introverted and prone to mood swings. Yet his friend speaks of a vibrant, outgoing boy.

The clues to smashing open this disturbing case lie behind the old Victorian walls of the clinic, run by the Gardner family. They claim that patients come of their own accord and are free to leave at any time. But why are those that attended the clinic so afraid to speak of what happens there? And where did the faded restraint marks identified on Jamie’s wrists come from?

Then the body of a young woman is found dead by suffocation and Kim makes two chilling discoveries. The victim spent time at the clinic too, and her death was also staged to look like a suicide.

Scarred from an ordeal that nearly took her life, is Kim strong enough to stop a terrifying killer from silencing the clinic’s previous patients one by one?

If you’re a fan of Karin Slaughter, Val McDermid, and Robert Dugoni, you’ll love Hidden Scars.

©2022 Angela Marsons (P)2022 Bookouture, an imprint of Storyfire Ltd.

she is back

Love the series but was not impressed by the last book. Fortunately, Angela listened to her readers and wrote another amazing and engaging story. Can't wait for the next one.

Breaking news: Kim is Human and Bryant has a first name???

I guess I should have seen the last question coming but I didn’t!
I like the fact that this time around time was given to each character to demonstrate how their relationship with Kim is important to her story. I’m also relieve that she seems to have “softened” a bit without becoming a marshmallow or losing her edge at heart; after all what would attract us to a touchy, feely, new agey Stone???
I also applaud the subject matter that didn’t apologize for presenting both viewpoints. Todays society is so bent on “not offending” that it seems a crime to hold an opinion on anything. While not popular and/or correct- there are still those who hold non inclusionary opinions and while I as a reader don’t agree with that stance; I acknowledge others are free to have them.

As for Bryant’s first name… a little weak. I would have picked another. I now picture him as a balding math teacher in tweed with coke bottle glasses. Maybe we could change my image in the next adventure?

very well done!

couldn't put it down! loved the little clues for the other mysterious happenings. Great book!

Hidden Scars

Angela Marsons is the reigning champion in this genre hands down. Characters are intelligent and compelling . I can't help but root for them. I laugh and cry with them, always completely caught up in the story. This book was especially great bc all my favorite players interact w Kim on a never before allowed personal level. Bravo!

Another Great story

I really enjoyed this book. I m happy I ignored the less favorable reviews. Will be awaiting the next book in this series.