Evil Games

Detective Kim Stone investigates a brutal rape case that leads her to cross paths with sociopathic psychiatrist Dr. Alex Thorne. As Stone works to build a case, she discovers disturbing connections between Thorne and a series of seemingly unrelated incidents across the Black Country region of England. The investigation forces Stone to confront both a brilliant adversary and her own psychological vulnerabilities from her troubled past. The pursuit becomes a complex game of manipulation and control, with lives hanging in the balance as Stone races to prevent further crimes. The narrative alternates between Stone's investigation and glimpses into Dr. Thorne's calculated moves, creating a psychological battle between two strong-willed women. The Black Country setting provides a gritty backdrop of industrial towns and close-knit communities where secrets fester beneath the surface. The novel explores themes of nature versus nurture, the limits of psychological manipulation, and the impact of childhood trauma on adult behavior. Through its cat-and-mouse structure, it raises questions about the thin line between justice and vengeance.

Readers highlight Detective Kim Stone's character development and the psychological depth of the villain. Many reviews note the book's fast pacing and complex exploration of manipulation tactics. Liked: - Detailed police procedural elements - Tension between Stone and therapist Alex Thorne - Multiple interconnected cases - Dark themes handled with care - Strong supporting characters Disliked: - Some found it slower than book 1 - A few readers wanted more background on Stone's past - Several mentioned predictable plot points - Violence level too intense for some Ratings: Goodreads: 4.4/5 (28,000+ ratings) Amazon UK: 4.6/5 (4,800+ ratings) Amazon US: 4.6/5 (3,900+ ratings) Reader quote: "The psychological cat-and-mouse game kept me guessing until the end" - Goodreads reviewer Multiple reviews compare the antagonist favorably to Hannibal Lecter, praising the sophisticated portrayal of a female villain.

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🔍 Evil Games is the second book in Angela Marsons' internationally bestselling Kim Stone series, which has sold over 4 million copies worldwide 💭 The protagonist, Detective Kim Stone, was partly inspired by Marsons' own experiences with childhood trauma and the foster care system 📚 Before finding success with the Kim Stone series, Angela Marsons received 12 years of rejections from publishers and nearly gave up writing altogether 🏰 The book is set in the Black Country region of England, an area rarely featured in crime fiction but rich in industrial history and distinct cultural identity 🎯 The antagonist, Dr. Alex Thorne, was crafted after extensive research into sociopathic behavior and psychological manipulation techniques used by real-life therapists who abused their positions