Killing Mind (DI Kim Stone #12) by Angela Marsons

It had seemed so simple. Get in, get the information, get out. But now they were getting inside her mind and she didn’t know how to stop them…

When Detective Kim Stone is called to the home of Samantha Brown, she finds the young woman lying in bed with her throat cut and a knife in her hand. With no sign of forced entry or struggle, Kim rules her death a tragic suicide.

But a visit to Samantha’s parents rings alarm bells for Kim – there’s something they’re not telling her. And, when she spots a clue in a photograph, Kim realises she’s made a huge mistake. Samantha didn’t take her own life, she was murdered.

Then a young man’s body is found in a local lake with his throat cut and Kim makes a link between the victim and Samantha. They both spent time at Unity Farm, a retreat for people seeking an alternative way of life.

Beneath the retreat’s cosy façade, Kim and her team uncover a sinister community preying on the emotionally vulnerable.

Sending one of her own undercover into Unity Farm is high risk but it’s Kim’s only hope if she is to catch a killer – someone Kim is convinced the victims knew and trusted.

With Bryant distracted by the emergence of a harrowing case close to his heart, and an undercover officer in way over her head, Kim’s neck is on the line like never before. Can she protect those closest to her before another life is taken?
(From the blurb)

My thoughts:
After reading Book #11 Child's Play I really thought it couldn't get better. And, of course, I was mistaken! Angela Marsons comes up with another impressive plot and a new series of questions to ponder.
When the body of 21 year old Samantha Brown is found, everyone, including DI Kim Stone and forensic pathologist Keats, is convinced it's a clear case of suicide. No signs of struggle, no forced entry, the flat was locked from inside. The method may be unusual -the victim cut her own throat with a knife and bled to death, but not impossible. Kim breaks the news to Samantha's parents and here it is ...a fleeting phrase that suggests that they were not particularly sure Samantha was ready to live on her own. Something keeps bothering Kim about the crime scene, something she understnds only by looking at the photos and doing a little forensic experiment. Samantha's case gets reclassified as murder. Kims' team discover that Samantha stopped using social media three years ago after a particularly bad relationship break-up. Her parents give evasive answers and it quickly becomes apparent they are hiding something.
When a second body is discovered in a nearby park lake, Kim's team start looking for connections which lead them to the Unity Farm, an incospicuous spiritual commune. Samantha's parents are convinced it is a cult disguised as a spiritual retreat and wellness centre, but Kim is not convinced. After all, Samantha was an adult free to make her own life choices and capable of making independent decisions. Kim visits meets Jack Black, the man who founded the Farm. jack tells her a bit about their activities designed to provide shelter and help to vulnerable people in need of emotional support. In his opinion, Samantha didn't want to leave, she got snatched by force. Who did it? and is there really more to the Unity Farm than meets the eye? Kim decides to send of her own, an undercover police officer to get an insider view. The only problem is that undercover operations usually take a lot more preparation and special training.
As usual in Kim Stone novels, we also have another subplot. This time it is Bryant, Kim's right hand. He is haunted by one of his first cases, a brutal rape and murder of a 15-year old teenager Wendy Harrison. The perpetrator has served 26 years and has been given parole. He is about to leave the prison, but Bryant and Wendy's father are convinced Drake is going to kill again.
Every member of Kim's team is unique and contrubutes to the investigation in their way. As this case isn't as close to home for Kim as the previous one was, we get to see a much calmer, more detached version of her. She notices everything and is there for every member of her team, as a true leader.
It is obvious that a great deal of research has gone into this book which taps into our universal fear of being manipulated, especially whan we are vulnerable due to grief or emotional turmoil. Bryant's subplot comes with its own ethical dilemma: is it possible to find approach to and rehabilitate every criminal or some minds are bound to remain evil forever?   I just loved the title which reflects brilliantly both storylines with their big questions which get merged seamlessly in the end.
Finally, can it be read as a standalone? Yes. I enjoyed meeting the team and seeing the developments in their lives, but the book has an engaging plot, clear focus, and flawless writing style that can be enjoyed without having read the previous instalments.
Highly recommended.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion.