Detective Inspector Kim Stone is attending a teamwork activity with her homicide team in the British countryside, when a patrol car comes screeching to a stop Two officers from the tactical driving unit exit and instruct Kim that she needs to come with them now, per orders of Captain Woodward. After a spirited argument, she agrees, noting that one of the officers is armed, which is unusual. Upon arriving at headquarters, she learns that a prolific murderer that she had captured, Symes, has managed to escape from prison. There is no doubt in anyone’s mind that he’ll be coming for Kim. She is assigned a witness protection officer, Leanne King, to be by her side until Symes is re-captured. She is also forbidden to participate in the search for the killer.
Shortly thereafter, she and her team are called to a homicide scene, where a family of four has been found dead, with the gun found on the floor beside the deceased mother. As Kim and her team dig into the background of this family, they find some interesting family dynamics in the survivors, which leads to more questions than answers. Despite a long history of depression, nothing on the scene indicates to Kim that this woman was planning to kill her family. In fact, they were due to accept a foster child into their home the very next week. But who would want them dead? What is the family not telling them? Why is there a sealed record from years ago? Does it have any bearing on the present?
As Kim and her team work to find the answers, another member of the family is killed, when she is struck by a car in the street. Finding this latest death too coincidental, the team digs even deeper in their search for a motive which they hope will lead them straight to the killer. Meanwhile. Symes is closer than anyone suspects, just waiting to make his move. He will never forgive her for his capture, or the loss of an eye during that last encounter – and he has absolutely nothing to lose…so when he can’t get to her, he finds a way to draw her to him…but will either of them survive the showdown?
This is the 16th novel in the Kim Stone series, and yet the first from this author that I’ve read – I loved it! I had no idea this series existed, and I will most definitely be reading more of Kim’s exploits. Easily read as a standalone, but there are references to prior situations that make me want to read the series from the beginning. For me, there’s not much better than a new series to dig into! I also loved the author’s book dedication to her 93 year-old fan as well!!
I received this book as an Advance Reader Copy from Netgalley & Bookouture in exchange for an objective review. Do you love to read?? Visit netgalley.com and start reviewing books today!!
Tropical Delusions...... 