The dead don't tell secrets... unless you listen.
The girl's smashed-in face stared unseeing up to the blue sky, soil spilling out of her mouth. A hundred flies hovered above the bloodied mess.
Westerley research facility is not for the faint-hearted. A 'body farm' investigating human decomposition, its inhabitants are corpses in various states of decay. But when Detective Kim Stone and her team discover the fresh body of a young woman, it seems a killer has discovered the perfect cover to bury their crime.
Then a second girl is attacked and left for dead, her body drugged and mouth filled with soil. It's clear to Stone and the team that a serial killer is at work - but just how many bodies will they uncover? And who is next?
As local reporter, Tracy Frost, disappears, the stakes are raised. The past seems to hold the key to the killer's secrets - but can Kim uncover the truth before a twisted, damaged mind claims another victim ...?
The latest utterly addictive thriller from the No.1 bestseller Angela Marsons.
 What readers are saying about Play Dead
I read this book in one sitting, yes it really was that good ... the perfect crime thriller, well plotted, great characters, suspense ... and the most deviant and chilling serial killer... Utterly gripping and it's certainly going to be in my top reads of 2016 ... 5 stars out of 5 plus a glass of wine (to steady my nerves, after reading such a heart-pounding crime thriller).' The Book Review Café
Wow wow wow I absolutely freaking loved it and without a shadow of doubt this is the best one yet... with this one being more gritty and tense. You crime book fans are seriously going to love it. If you haven't read any yet this can be read as a standalone although I would advise reading the series. It's too good not to miss... I cannot recommend this book enough it's flippin fantastic or like they say in the Black Country Supa' smashin' great read!'Chelle's book reviews 
'Hooks you and reels you in ... Life gets put on hold until you've finished the latest offering in her AMAZING Kim Stone series ... utterly fantastic.' Reading Room with a View
Wow. Give me a minute while I catch my breath, because I've just finished the latest Angela Marson's book... Ingest it by any means, just make sure you do. It is a riveting, blood-tingling, pulse pounding read that will take you on the journey that will play on your mind long after you've finished reading. Caroline-Writes
This may well be the best thriller I have ever read. I could hardly breathe with the suspense and it was definitely a hardship to wrench myself away from the action. Redheaded Bookworm
'I defy anyone to turn away from the page. I was glued to this book...a truly gripping and , at times, terrifying story. Book Addict Shaun
'The best book I've read all year so far ...Dark, intense, spine-tingling and absolutely perfect.' The Bookshelf Blog
'A thrilling, tense and nail biting read' Best Crime Books &amp; More
'Wow, I didn't think Angela Marsons DI Kim Stone series could get any better, but this one really has blown me away! Fast paced and tension filled, I loved every second of this rollercoaster of a ride. How soon can the next one be released? A highly recommended 5 star read.' Cal Turner Reviews
'Play Dead is fast paced, has a complex mystery, and great, well-developed characters. I did not want to put it down (so I just kept reading).'Bibliophile and avid reader

Play Dead (Detective Kim Stone)

Literature & Fiction

Marsons, Angela

Genre Fiction

SPHERE

Blood Lines: An absolutely gripping thriller that will have you hooked (Detective Kim Stone Crime Thriller Series Book 5)

The truth was dead and buried . . . until now.When a collection of human bones is unearthed during a routine archaeological dig, a Black Country field suddenly becomes a complex crime scene for Detective Kim Stone.As the bones are sorted, it becomes clear that the grave cont6thains more than one victim. The bodies hint at unimaginable horror, bearing the markings of bullet holes and animal traps.Forced to work alongside Detective Travis, with whom she shares a troubled past, Kim begins to uncover a dark secretive relationship between the families who own the land in which the bodies were found.But while Kim is immersed in one of the most complicated investigations she's ever led, her team are caught up in a spate of sickening hate crimes. Kim is close to revealing the truth behind the murders, yet soon finds one of her own is in jeopardy - and the clock is ticking. Can she solve the case and save them from grave danger - before it's too lateAn addictive, sinister crime thriller that will have readers on the edge of their seat.What readers are saying about Dead Souls'Hooked from the very first page ... This is the best book I've read, by the best author on the shelves. I really can't wait for the next one.' Nigel Adams Book Worm 5*'I could not put it down and was hooked in from page one to the very last word. The plot is stunning. Very clever and very dark. a 5 star read! A fantastic crime novel from one of my all-time favourite writers ever.' Booklover Catlady 5*'I was captivated from the start, there is just no let-up ... I wanted to read at every opportunity, fast-paced and blood pressure raising! Angie Marsons is definitely one of my favourite authors.' Stef Loz Book Reviews 5*'Read this book now, it is just that amazing. A gripping, unpredictable story, I couldn't have been more hooked if I tried. Some of the most vivid writing I've read. Unpredictable and completely absorbing.' Rachel's Random Reads 5*

Dead Souls

How far would you go to protect your darkest secrets?When teenager Sadie Winter jumps from the roof of her school, her death is ruled as suicide - a final devastating act from a troubled girl. But then the broken body of a young boy is discovered at the same school and it's clear to Detective Kim Stone that these deaths are not tragic accidents.As Kim and her team begin to unravel a dark web of secrets, one of the teachers could hold the key to the truth. Yet just as she is about to break her silence, she is found dead.With more children's lives at risk, Kim has to consider the unthinkable - whether a fellow pupil could be responsible for the murders. Investigating the psychology of children that kill brings the detective into contact with her former adversary, Dr Alex Thorne - the sociopath who has made it her life's work to destroy Kim.Desperate to catch the killer, Kim finds a link between the recent murders and an initiation prank that happened at the school decades earlier. But saving these innocent lives comes at a cost - and one of Kim's own might pay the ultimate price.The utterly addictive new crime thriller from the Number One bestselling author - you will be gripped until the final shocking twist.Readers are loving Dying Truth'Possibly the best in the Kim Stone series yet!... Dying Truth gives us an abundance of secrets, lies and intimidation . . . She will have you gasping, crying and reeling in shock as she draws you in and spits you out broken at the other end! You have been warned!' (5 stars) Chapter In My Life'Wow! What a book! Absolutely addictive and emotional. This book left me with a heavy heart . . . There are so many police procedurals out there...nothing has impressed me as much as this one... This will definitely be one of my favorites this year' (5 stars) A Sip of Book over Coffee'Just wow. This is police procedural at its best . . . It is complex, intriguing, and the writing hooked me in completely. I read the majority of this book in a few short hours not pausing for breath' (5 stars) Rachel's Random Reads

Dying Truth: A completely gripping crime thriller (Detective Kim Stone)

In the darkness of a cold December morning, Detective Kim Stone steps through the doors of Halesowen Police Station. She’s about to meet her team for the first time. The victim of her next case is about to meet his killer…\nWhen the body of a young man is found beheaded and staked to the ground in a secluded area of the Clent Hills, Kim and her new squad rush to the crime scene.\nSearching the victim’s home, Kim discovers a little girl’s bedroom and a hidden laptop. Why is his sister relieved to hear he’s dead – and where is the rest of his family?\nAs Kim begins to unearth the dark secrets at the heart of the case, D.C. Stacey Wood finds a disturbing resemblance to the recent murder of Lester Jackson. But that’s not all Stacey finds …\nShe’s convinced there is a link between the victims and a women’s shelter run by Marianne Forbes, Lester’s niece. A child of the care system herself, Kim knows all too well what it means to be vulnerable. Could Marianne be the key to cracking this case?\nWith the killer about to strike again, Kim is in deep water with a rookie squad. Inexperienced Stacey is showing signs of brilliance but struggling to hold her nerve and, while D.S. Bryant is reliable and calm, D.S. Dawson is a liability. With his home life in pieces, his volatile behaviour is already fracturing her fragile new team.\nCan Kim bring Dawson in line and pull her crew together in time to catch the killer before another life is taken? This time, one of her own could be in terrible danger…\nDiscover where it all began for Kim and her team. An absolutely heart-stopping mystery thriller that will keep you glued to the pages, reading late into the night. Perfect for Kim Stone fans and new readers to the million-copy bestselling series.\nA detective hiding dark secrets, Kim Stone will stop at nothing to protect the innocent.

First Blood

Mystery, Thriller & Suspense

Mystery

Aaysha

'It is immediately clear why her books stand out from the crowd. Chilling and compelling plots, brilliant characterisation . . . Addictive from start to finish' RACHEL ABBOTT\nA detective hiding dark secrets, Kim Stone will stop at nothing to protect the innocent.\nIn the darkness of a cold December morning, Detective Kim Stone steps through the doors of Halesowen Police Station. She's about to meet her team for the first time. The victim of her next case is about to meet his killer...\nWhen the body of a young man is found beheaded and staked to the ground in a secluded woodland area of the Clent Hills, Kim and her new squad rush to the crime scene.\nSearching the victim's home, Kim finds a little girl's bedroom and a hidden laptop, but where is the child? And why does the man's own sister seem relieved that he's dead?\nAs Kim begins to unearth the shocking truth about the victim, a disturbing resemblance is spotted with the recent murder of a man found beneath the staircase of Redland Hall with multiple stab wounds.\nBoth these men had dark secrets and Kim discovers a link to a women's shelter. As a child of the care system herself, Kim knows all too well what it means to be vulnerable. Could the shelter be the key to cracking this case?\nWith the killer about to strike again, Kim is in deep water with a rookie squad. Inexperienced Stacey is showing signs of brilliance but struggling to hold her nerve and, while D.S. Bryant is reliable and calm, D.S. Dawson is a liability. With his home life in pieces, his volatile behaviour is already fracturing her fragile new team.\nCan Kim bring Dawson in line and pull her crew together in time to catch the killer before another life is taken? This time, one of her own could be in terrible danger . . .\nDiscover where it all began for Kim and her team. An absolutely heart-stopping mystery thriller that will keep you glued to the pages, reading late into the night. Perfect for new readers to the million-copy bestselling series, and fans of Val McDemid, Mark Billingham and Karin Slaughter.\nRead what everyone is saying about First Blood and the Detective Kim Stone series:\n'A great introduction to the best crime series on the shelves right now . . . I loved this book from cover to cover . . . A brilliant read which will have people turning the pages at a feverish rate' Nigel Adams Bookworm, five stars\n'I cannot begin to tell you how god damn good it is. First Blood is so bloody brilliant and so gripping . . . Totally blown my mind...Without a doubt one of my best reads this year leaving me with a book hangover' Baker's Not So Secret Blog, five stars\n'Superb!!! I love Kim - always have, always will!! . . . Breath-taking, heart-pounding, exciting and thrilling!!! I completely and utterly recommend reading not just this book, but the whole series!! Fab, fab, fab, fab, fab' Stardust Book Reviews, five stars\n'There is a smile on my face and goosebumps on my arms. Rarely have I been so satisfied with a novel . . . Breath-taking . . . A masterpiece, the star at the top of your Christmas tree . . . Get going with the series if you haven't already' Chocolate 'n' Waffles, five stars\n'Oh my life. This is the book that all Kim Stone fans have been waiting for and they didn't even know it . . . A dark and deadly case, high on thrills, intrigue, mystery and tension, perfectly pitched on pace and featuring the dry humour and banter we know and love . . . Top stuff - Loved it' Jen Med's Book Reviews, five stars

First Blood: A completely gripping mystery thriller

A woman reports a crime to the police, with unexpected resultsThe grieving widow who finds that she's about to lose more than just her husband When a man attempts the perfect murder, it's not quite as easy as he thinksTwo men in prison play a deadly game of ScrabbleA young woman tries to trick an old man and gets more than she bargained forSometimes crimes are solved in ways you can't explain A murderer about to be hanged finds that's not the worst thing that can happenYou never know who's going to turn up at your door Original stories from Mark Billingham, Clare Mackintosh, James Oswald, Jane Casey, Angela Marsons, Harry Bingham, Antonia Hodgson and CL Taylor - specially written for Quick Reads.

Dead Simple (Quick Reads 2017)

OSWALD, JAMES

Casey, Jane

Mackintosh, Clare

Hodgson, Antonia

Bingham, Harry

Taylor, C.L.

Billingham,Mark

Contemporary

orion#

<div>With this installment exploring an utterly chilling case following a disturbing killer, USA Today bestselling author Angela Marsons delivers the prequel to the internationally bestselling DI Kim Stone thrillers. In the darkness of a cold December morning, Detective Kim Stone steps through the doors of Halesowen Police Station. She's about to meet her team for the first time. The victim of her next case is about to meet his killer...When the body of a young man is found beheaded and staked to the ground in a secluded woodland area of the Clent Hills, Kim and her new squad rush to the crime scene. Searching the victim's home, Kim finds a little girl's bedroom and a hidden laptop, but where is the child? And why does the man's own sister seem relieved that he's dead? As Kim begins to unearth the shocking truth about the victim, a disturbing resemblance is spotted with the recent murder of a man found beneath the staircase of Redland Hall with multiple stab wounds. Both these men had dark secrets and Kim discovers a link to a women's shelter. As a child of the care system herself, Kim knows all too well what it means to be vulnerable. Could the shelter be the key to cracking this case? With the killer about to strike again, Kim is in deep water with a rookie squad. Inexperienced Stacey is showing signs of brilliance but struggling to hold her nerve and, while D.S. Bryant is reliable and calm, D.S. Dawson is a liability. With his home life in pieces, his volatile behaviour is already fracturing her fragile new team. Can Kim bring Dawson in line and pull her crew together in time to catch the killer before another life is taken? This time, one of her own could be in terrible danger...</div>

First Blood (Detective Kim Stone)

Grand Central Publishing

Detective Kim Stone learns the heard way that the greater the evil, the more deadly the game in this gripping psychological thriller from USA Today bestselling author Angela Marsons. When a rapist is found mutilated in a brutal stabbing, Detective Kim Stone and her team are called in to bring a swift resolution. But as further disturbing events come to light, it soon becomes clear that there is someone even more sinister at work.\nWith the investigation gathering momentum, while also trying to expose the secrets of a sick pedophile ring, Kim finds herself in the sights of a lethal individual undertaking their own twisted experiment.\nPitted against a dangerous 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 (Detective Kim Stone, 2)

<div> <div>Fans of Rachel Abbott, Val McDermid, and Mark Billingham will be gripped by this exceptional voice in this bestselling crime fiction series.</div> <div> </div> <div>Two girls go missing. Only one will return. The couple that offers the highest amount will see their daughter again. The losing couple will not. Make no mistake. One child will die.</div> <div> <div> </div> <div>When nine-year-old best friends Charlie and Amy disappear, two families are plunged into a living nightmare. A text message confirms the unthinkable; that the girls are the victims of a terrifying kidnapping.</div> <div> </div> <div>And when a second text message pits the two families against each other for the life of their children, the clock starts ticking for D.I. Kim Stone and the squad.</div> <div> </div> <div>Seemingly outwitted at every turn, as they uncover a trail of bodies, Stone realizes that these ruthless killers might be the deadliest she has ever faced. And that their chances of bringing the girls home alive, are getting smaller by the hour...</div> <div> </div> <div>Untangling a dark web of secrets from the families' past might hold the key to solving this case. But can Kim stay alive long enough to do so? Or will someone's child pay the ultimate price?</div> </div> </div>

Lost Girls (Detective Kim Stone, 3)

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