[D.I. Kim Stone 11] • Child’s Play · A Totally Unputdownable Serial Killer Thriller

**Finally we’re playing a game. A game that I have chosen. I give one last push of the roundabout and stand back. 'You really should have played with me,’ I tell her again although I know she can no longer hear.**

Late one summer evening, **Detective Kim Stone** arrives at Haden Hill Park to the scene of a horrific crime: a woman in her sixties tied to a swing with barbed wire and an X carved into the back of her neck.

The victim, Belinda Evans, was a retired college Professor of Child Psychology. As Kim and her team search her home, they find an overnight bag packed and begin to unravel a complex relationship between Belinda and her sister Veronica.

Then two more bodies are found bearing the same distinctive markings, and Kim knows she is on the hunt for a ritualistic serial killer. Linking the victims, Kim discovers they were involved in annual tournaments for gifted children and were on their way to the next event.

With DS Penn immersed in the murder case of a young man, Kim and her team are already stretched and up against one of the most ruthless killer’s they’ve ever encountered. The clues lie in investigating every child who attended the tournaments, dating back decades.

Faced with hundreds of potential leads and a bereaved sister who is refusing to talk, can Kim get inside the mind of a killer and stop another murder before it’s too late?

**The addictive new crime thriller from multi-million copy, number one bestseller Angela Marsons explores the dark side of child prodigies and will have you absolutely hooked.**

**Readers love the Detective Kim Stone series:**

‘ **Marsons for me is the QUEEN of this genre**. She knows how to add the human touch to each story and I just adore her. **Bloody FABULOUS**.' *Postcard Reviews*

' **I absolutely loved it!**...This one is **one of the best crime thrillers I've read in a long time** , and that includes mainstream authors such as James Patterson! I would seriously put this book in the same league.' *Fiona’s Book Reviews*

‘The **uber-sharp Kim Stone has to be one of the best detectives out there**. A **twisty, fast-paced** plot stocked with red herrings.’ *Bookpreneur* , 5 stars

‘The author writes to such a consistently high level. Yet again, **gripping plot line, strong characters and a well-paced story that builds to a crescendo**. If you haven't already tried this author **do yourself a favour and start reading now**.’ *Worcester Source* , 5 stars

**'I blooming love this series.** I **love** Kim, her vulnerability and tenacity, I **love** the interaction and banter between the characters…. **another cracking addition to an already brilliant and well established series**.’ Goodreads Reviewer, 5 stars

**‘Angela Marsons is fast becoming one of the best crime fiction authors going.'** *The Laughing Librarian* , 5 stars

‘ **DI Kim Stone is the most fascinating character to arrive on the scene since Val McDermid gave us Tony Hill**.' Mark Edwards