Lost Girls (36 page)
Authors: Angela Marsons
T
he carrier bag
rested on Kim's right forearm as she stepped quietly into the room.
The silence was broken by a rhythmic beeping sound that travelled from the index finger to the machine. An intravenous drip fed nourishment in through a tube.
Kim placed the bag onto the chair at the side of the bed and moved closer.
âGood evening, Eloise,' she said, gently.
She had no idea if the woman in the bed could hear her. Her body offered no response.
Her frame looked smaller than it had in the garden. The gentle face more ravaged by age. A mop of grey curls framed an expression that was peaceful and calm.
Kim found it strange that this woman had no one. She looked like she should have been a mother to someone.
All week, Kim had been surrounded by aspects of parental love.
Jenny Cotton had been unable to move on with her life, paralysed by the loss of her child. Elizabeth Hanson had settled for less than her due to give her children a stable life. Karen Timmins had lied to the world to protect her child.
Even Vin Wright had sanctioned the life of one child to protect the lives of three more.
Helen had used that magical bond of motherhood to manipulate a young woman into acting against her own instincts. That need had been abused and twisted by a despicable person.
It was further proof to Kim that some people were not meant to parent children. She placed her mother at the top of that list.
All week the memories had threatened her but her resolve had kept them at bay. She would not visit her past; the place would tear her apart.
She knew that somewhere, some time, it would catch her. The shadows that loomed would take form.
But not here and not today.
âEloise, I wasn't too late,' she whispered. âI got them back. All of them.'
She stood silently for a moment, stroking the skin on the woman's thumb. âAnd if Mikey's with you, tell him ⦠tell him ⦠I miss him every day.'
She sat, reached into the bag and took out a paperback. For a moment it nestled in her lap.
She imagined the rest of her colleagues, all celebrating a job well done. She silently applauded their efforts. They deserved their moment of victory. Together they had saved the lives of three young girls.
Kim allowed a smile to form on her lips.
All three children were at home, safe in the embrace of their families.
And that knowledge was enough for her.
Kim let out a long, satisfied sigh, the smile still playing around her mouth.
âOkay, Eloise, I chose
Great Expectations
. I hope it's one of your favourites.'
Kim turned the page and began to read.
F
irst of all
, I want to say a huge thank you for choosing to read
Lost Girls.
I hope you enjoyed the third instalment of Kim's journey and hope you feel the same way I do. Whilst Kim might not be the warmest of characters, she shows passion and drive and a real hunger for justice.
I
f you did enjoy it
, I would be forever grateful if you'd write a review. I'd love to hear what you think, and it can also help other readers discover one of my books for the first time. Or maybe you can recommend it to your friends and familyâ¦
E
ach story is intended
to entertain and take the reader on an exciting, interesting journey. There are some subjects in the books that are difficult to stomach but I aim to treat each situation with respect and sensitivity and not sensationalism. I hope you will join both Kim Stone and myself on our next journey, wherever that may lead.
I
f so I
'd love to hear from you - get in touch on my
Facebook
or
Goodreads
page,
Twitter
or through my
website
.
A
nd if you
'd like to keep up-to-date with all my latest releases, just sign up at the website link below:
A
ngela Marsons
new releases email
T
hank
you so much for your support, it is hugely appreciated.
A
ngela
Marsons
D
etective Kim Stone
series
1. SILENT SCREAM
2. EVIL GAMES
3. LOST GIRLS
O
ther books
THE MIDDLE CHILD
MY NAME IS
F
ive figures gather
round a shallow grave
.
They had all taken turns to dig. An adult-sized hole would have taken longer. An innocent life had been taken but the pact had been made. Their secrets would be buried, bound in blood â¦
Years later, a headmistress is found brutally strangled, the first in a spate of gruesome murders which shock the Black Country.
But when human remains are discovered at a former children's home, disturbing secrets are also unearthed.
D.I. Kim Stone
fast realises she's on the hunt for a twisted individual whose killing spree spans decades.
As the body count rises, Kim needs to stop the murderer before they strike again. But to catch the killer, can Kim confront the demons of her own past before it's too late?
Fans of Rachel Abbott, Val McDermid and Mark Billingham will be gripped by this exceptional new voice in British crime fiction.
SILENT SCREAM IS OUT NOW
â
A superb debut
by an assured new writer. Blending sharp wit with emotion,
I thoroughly enjoyed the ride
alongside DI Kim Stone and look forward to the next outing.' Mel Sherratt
'
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
â
I have not been so impressed by a debut novel in a long time
, and I'm actually now itching for more from D.I. Kim Stone and the rest of her squadâ¦
D.I. Kim Stone is like the British Jane Rizzoliâ¦
I can't wait for the second book, because this one was a top-notch crime thriller.'
Leah Loves
â
I don't think I've been so hooked by a new author since the discovery of Mark Edwards or Mark Billingham
⦠Silent Scream gets 5 stars from me - if you finish a crime thriller feeling like you just need to have a lie-down and a cup of tea to get your breath back, then the writer has done their job. Angela Marsons, I still don't have my breath back.'
Reading Room with a View
âNormally when I see everybody rating a book five stars I think 'Is it really that good?'
Silent Scream is that good, and then some
⦠The only problem Angela now faces is keeping up this standard as the series progresses, but if she does than she's going to be
an author to watch and a huge star within the genre
.'
Book Addict Shaun
The greater the Evil, the more deadly the gameâ¦
W
hen a rapist is found mutilated
in a brutal attack, Detective Kim Stone and her team are called in to bring a swift resolution. But, as more vengeful killings come to light, it soon becomes clear that there is someone far more sinister at work.
With the investigation quickly gathering momentum, Kim finds herself exposed to great danger and in the sights of a lethal individual undertaking their own twisted experiment.
Up against a sociopath who seems to know her every weakness, for Detective Stone, each move she makes could be deadly. As the body count starts to mount, Kim will have to dig deeper than ever before to stop the killing.
And this time - it's personal.
EVIL GAMES
available now
I
have always been
interested in how circumstances can affect behaviour. How differently would we act under extreme pressure? Do we remain true to the person we think we are or does some inherent primal instinct take over?
I could find no better platform to explore this than writing about probably the most instinctual urge to protect, especially a child.
I hope I have done the subject justice.
I can never find the words to express my gratitude to my partner, Julie. Her honesty and belief has guided me throughout my writing journey. She is my sounding board, my first reader, my harshest critic and my most ardent supporter. Twenty years of rejections always elicited the same response of âtheir loss', before the inevitable encouragement to âcrack on with the next'. Everyone should have a Julie.
As ever I would like to thank the team at Bookouture for their continued enthusiasm for Kim Stone and her stories.
Oliver Rhodes is a true magician and both his and Claire Bord's passion for the books and the authors at Team Bookouture is both heartening and inspirational.
My editor, Keshini Naidoo, is incredibly talented, knowledgeable and adds more to the books than she will ever understand.
Kim Nash continues to hug, shelter, protect, encourage and support the entire Bookouture family and offers the warmest shoulder in the world.
Thank you all for everything. You inspire me to be the best I can be.
I would like to acknowledge my fellow Bookouture authors. Every one of them is talented and unique and contribute to an environment of fun, support and understanding. My book buddy Caroline Mitchell started her journey along with me and is always ready with words of wisdom, helpful advice and incredibly funny pictures. Lindsay J. Pryor is brilliantly talented and full of warmth. Renita D'Silva has one of the most beautiful souls I have ever met. All are my exceptional writing colleagues but have also become very dear friends.
My sincere thanks to my Mum and Dad who tell everyone they meet about my books, whether they are interested or not. Their enthusiasm and support is amazing.
My eternal gratitude goes to all the wonderful bloggers and reviewers who have taken the time to get to know Kim Stone and follow her story. These wonderful people shout loudly and share generously not because it is their job but because it is their passion. I will never tire of thanking this community for their support of both myself and my books. Thank you all so much.
And finally a warm thank you to the lovely Dee Weston, my safety blanket who continues to offer me support and friendship in times of need.
