After investigation of the clinic, the clinic run by the Gardner family, 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 what about restraint marks on Jamie’s wrists? Kim's character continues to grow in Hidden Scars and the title of the book reflects Kim's circumstances as accurately as several of the other characters who feature. She reveals a certain vulnerability that we have not seen before and which takes a bit of getting used to. Pros: interesting topic handled with empathy and sensitivity, Penn's relationship with his brother Jasper will always warm your heart, 2 for 1 mystery, fast paced, twisty twists There is a real feeling of pace and tension throughout this novel, as well as themes that will make any rational persons blood boil. With a touch of gaslighting, a huge amount of catfishing and an unhealthy dose of obsession, prejudice and murder, it’s a sure fire, action filled investigation, that leads to the high stakes, jeopardy laden conclusion of the case, just the way we like it. There is the usual banter, although it is often muted, understandably, as Kim’s fuse seems even shorter than normal – also understandably.

I adore Kim Stone… incredible as always… I started reading last night and kept going until I finished, I did try to put the book down several times but failed hence another night’s sleep lost to Kim Stone.’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 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. This book highlights the dangers and utter pointlessness of gay conversion therapy and the incredible damage it can cause. It was tautly plotted and the characters shone under Kim’s guidance after her return. The insidious nature of societal judgement is highlighted and the eventual killers, although definitely in the wrong and evil and, and…. Are also victims of society’s expectations and judgements. Even while devoting herself to the job, Kim is struggling emotionally. She is feeling guilt over her neighbours abuse at the hands of the man who wanted to kill Kim. More importantly, Kim is feeling guilty because she is alive. Then there are the nightmares. Look, I will only listen to this series, which means I give up the opportunity to read it for review. It’s worth more than the Audible credit I give up to let Jan Cramer tell me the story in her most talented way. She’s so consistent and her voice for Kim lives happily in my head. Trust me, she’s that good.The topic of conversion therapy is the focus of the main mystery. Conversion therapy aims, by various means of emotional manipulation, behaviour modification, and shaming to change a gay individual to a straightorientation. A bill was passed in Canada early this year to make conversion therapy a crime. It was learned that Jamie and Sarah both attended a conversion clinic run by the Granger family. Kim and team members discover that participants in the therapy were forced to undergo horrendous treatment in an attempt to eliminate homosexual thoughts and behaviour. Those admitted to the conversion clinic had to sign a non-disclosure clause and were unwilling or afraid to talk about what they endured. The investigation is complicated. Kim and team need to find out why former patients are being killed before more deaths occur. After years of writing relationship based stories (The Forgotten Woman and Dear Mother) Angela turned to Crime, fictionally speaking of course, and developed a character that refused to go away. There are two mysteries: one involving the staged suicides, the other involving a missing husband. There are some surprising twists and turns, and I was especially caught off guard by the case of the missing husband. Two months on from her near-fatal assault by twisted killer Symes, Kim is feeling the need to return to work, despite knowing she’s neither physically nor emotionally ready for it. Her team are being nominally led by the clueless and lazy but glory-seeking DI Burns, who is only interested in cases which will advance his career. When Kim discovers that he’s forced Stacey to stop investigating the apparent suicide of a young man, she can’t help but get involved, introducing her to the murky world of sexual reorientation clinics.

And it did shed some light on Stone's sexuality, which was kinda ambiguous/avoided throughout the previous books (and trust me, I tried really hard to find some signs she's either straight or queer). The question is why would a teenager want to end his life and why is his mother showing no signs of grief. Kim instantly spots a flaw in the case, Jamie had an injury that required a leg braceThis was a fast-paced crime thriller, with relatable characters, and short chapters that kept the suspense level high. Another brilliant read that gripped you from beginning to the end. Another winner! 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.

Her first case that gets her attention is the alleged suicide 19-year-old Jamie Wells, who her adversary DI Burns has just brushed it under the carpet. She goes to the scene of the crime with Bryant and straight way Kim knows that something is not right, and that the victim’s death is not suicide but murder. When she tells the parents of the victims of her findings, she gets a different reaction than she was expecting. The parents just want to bury him and not think much about it. When a nineteen-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. Why, when his mother is told, does she not break down in tears? And how could Jamie have climbed the tree with a recent injury? When a nineteen-year-old boy, Jamie Mills, is found hanging from a tree in a local park, his death is ruled a suicide. Detective Kim Stone’sinstincts tell her something isn’t right. Why, when his mother is told, does she not break down in tears? And how could Jamie have climbed the tree with a recent injury?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? When Detective Kim Stone is called to a local business, what she sees leaves her speechless. The photo on the driving license bears little resemblance to the man laid out before her, and she knows she’s up against the most twisted killer she has ever encountered.

The boy’s dark hair shone in the bright lights. His lips seemed about to speak. But his body was cold and his blue eyes would never open again.An absolute corker of a storyline… My words will never be enough to do any review good enough to express how much this series hits every single spot as I read it. They just have everything I love about a book, all wrapped up in one… yet another spectacular book!’ NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐