Spectacular, this was one of the very best books I've read so far. Highly highly suggested if you like the genre.

Now Angela Marsons is a writer who knows how to pack a punch.
My cynical mind can tell me that surely this cannot be as good as her last but continually she delivers.
Characters that you love and hate in equal measure keep you turning those pages until the climatic conclusion.
I genuinely don’t want the riveting thrills to end.
Absolutely brilliant.

I don't know where she gets her ideas and how she writes such original stories, but Angela Marsons has done it again. From the first page until the last, I was hooked. I read this story as quickly as I could and enjoyed every minute of it. Even though this is only the fourth book in the series, Kim Stone has become a friend and I can't wait to see what she does to solve the crime. We get a little more information about her in every book and she becomes more real all the time. The way she deals with Tracey Frost, a reporter and her nemesis is fantastic. This story has a real creepy feel to it and I loved how it all played out. For those of you who have not read this series, I recommend you read them in order. Kim is a no nonsense Police Detective that makes some questionable decisions and moves, but her team supports her and follows her lead. She has their trust and allegiance knowing everything she does is to solve the crime, protect those in danger and take down the perpetrator. We learn about her past and why she is the way she is, bit by bit, in each book. Only her second in command, D.S. Bryant, will tell her when she needs to back off, yet has her back as well.

This book has a horrendous group of crimes with several victims, and a killer who is getting back at those who have wronged him/her in the past. The setting of a type of body farm, is quite creepy, especially at night and will have you a bit squeamish at times, but it is not overly described. The tension ratchets up and by the end I was on the edge of my seat. A great story, that I recommend to anyone who enjoys crime stories, police procedurals and mysteries.

A gripping thriller from start to finish, full of intrigue and mystery. Angela Marsons is an incredibly talented novelist. I didn’t realise this was the forth book in a series, but you certainly don’t need to have read the others to appreciate this spectacular novel.

Marsons has particularly good characterisation. There are so many brilliant characters and superb character development for many, especially Kim Stone. How she and her colleagues view the case and how it becomes a personal mission is enthralling to read.

I can’t remember reading a detective novel and enjoying it so much since Ben Aaronovitch’s PC Grant series. I would put the two authors in the same league for enjoyment though they have completely different styles.

This was a breath taking read and I was left eager for more from this series.

I stupidly jumped into the DI Kim Stone series at book 3 but at absolutely no detriment as I immediately loved Angela Marsons writing and her amazing character of Kim Stone. Book 4 languished on my TBR for far too long but good things come to those who wait and this was SO GOOD!! You can definitely read this book as a standalone and it is so brilliant that I think it will get the same high ratings from new readers as those given by die-hard Kim Stone fans.

What a highly imaginative storyline this is; it is so utterly compelling, and slightly grisly, that it draws the reader in immediately. I must have a touch of the macabre about me as I loved the setting on a body farm and, with witty names of the 'residents' like Jack and Vera, I did quite literally laugh out loud. To be honest, I didn't realise that body farms were a real thing but it was absolutely fascinating to think that there are such facilities where the different stages of decomposition can be observed and studied. I do love books that send me off to google to do a little research of my own.

As strong a character as Kim Stone is, she has some competition in Play Dead with reporter Tracy Frost. Oh how Tracy annoyed me! She is such a bloodhound; sniffing out stories and generally making a nuisance of herself...but you quickly get the impression that something else lies behind the facade of Tracy Frost. As much as she annoyed me, she intrigued me and I simply couldn't read fast enough to uncover Tracy's story.

Play Dead is an ingenious storyline with a touch of the macabre that I absolutely raced through. It is gripping, intriguing and utterly compelling and I am already looking forward to my next literary visit with DI Kim Stone.

I chose to read an ARC and this is my honest and unbiased opinion.

I loved the first 3 books in this series and I'm not sure why I let this one get lost in my kindle for so long!

The writing is tense and addictive keeping those pages turning even when you have tonnes of real life stuff that you should be doing instead. Frustrating at times, Kim Stone is one hell of a character, intelligent and under the tough exterior, vulnerable and compassionate .. I like her more with every book and love the relationship she has with her team. The murders and body dump location are gruesome, the link between the victims hard to see. The unfolding of the plot is cleverly done and the emerging humanity of Kim's antagonist, the reporter Tracy Frost all adds to the draw of this book.

Once more this was a big hit with me and I will definitely read the next books in the series very soon! 4-4.5 stars - recommended to all who love a good police procedural.

Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read - this review is, as always my honest opinion of this book.

play dead by Angela Marsons.
inspector Kim stone and her team are back. this time the killer left the body at westerley farm. Kim and her team are sent there as a reward. they don't know they are going to find a body. can she and her team find the killer before more turn up dead?
an absolutely fantastic read. I love Kim Bryant Kevin and Stacey. they work so well together. couldn't guess who it was. my favourite scene was when kim was fighting to get the binds of her when the killer had her and Kevin came to her rescue.loved the ending. looking forward to reading more from Angela. 5*. Highly recommended.

I like this series, I really do. But I don't LOVE it. It doesn't stay with me like some other series. I don't know why. Maybe it's Kim's character, it's defiantly not the writing which is great. I really can't put my finger on it. But I do enjoy it, and for thriller fans this 4th novel surely will not disappoint.

Yes there is yet another serial killer, and it's up to Miss Congeniality Kim and her team to figure out the pieces and put the puzzle together before more people die.

What I really did like about this one was the setting. Utterly fascinating! I never even knew that there were such things as "body farms" but of course it makes total sense. How do the scientists know how long it takes bodies to decompose in numerous settings? Because they test it! Of course! What an original idea for a setting, I was so impressed with it, even though, ewww gross!

I just don't enjoy reading about Kim for some reason. I get she has issues and is all broody because of that, but she annoys me more often than not. I like the other characters, even though I wish there was a bit more spark.

It was a good story, but again, I figured out the twist too early. But I still enjoyed it.

Would I recommend Play Dead?

Yes absolutely! Even though the series doesn't stay with me, it is a good thriller series that every thriller fan will surely enjoy. I will certainly read the others and have no doubt I will enjoy them too.

Big thanks to the author via netgalley for a copy of Play Dead for me to review

Play dead by Angela Marsons in the 4th thrilling installment in DI Kim Stone’s series

DI Kim Stone is back on another exciting case. There are fresh bodies turning up in a body farm with dirt in their mouths. It’s a perfect place to commit a crime as the bodies can remain undiscovered for a very long time. Kim and her team race against time to find the killer before he claims more victims.

Play Dead is a fantastic addition to the series which gives more insight to Kim’s character without taking away from the mystery. Fast paced suspense , creative writing , interesting characters with a great ending makes it a must read from me

Many thanks to a Bookouture & NetGalley for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and fair review.

I liked this book it was a good read. I haven't read the other Kim stone books but I will now.

4.5 stars

Another gripping addition to the series. Very descriptive characters and scenes that easily bring you into the story.
It kept me hooked from beginning to end and if it wasn't for the dreaded back to school shopping for supplies for the kids I wouldn't have put it down.
Looking forward to the next.

This book was provided by the publisher for an honest review

I would like to thank NetGalley, Bookouture, and Angela Marsons for an advanced copy of Play Dead in exchange for an honest review.

The fourth book in the D.I. Kim Stone series. Play Dead continues to keep your interest in this series with D.I. Kim Stone's no nonsense, at times grating, but with Kim giving everything she has personally and professionally to see justice served. With each new book we learn a bit more about each characters back story giving us insight into what has molded them into the people they are today. The plot is full of clues, twists and turns, and forensics galore; plenty to keep your head spinning.

I highly recommend Play Dead by Angela Marsons along with all of her other books. Definitely one of my favorite authors.

Another great read in her series! I can't wait to read more and see how these characters continue to evolve.

This is a Book 4 in the DI Kim Stone series and yet again it's an absolute thriller of a book from Angela Marsons. This contains everything you want in a book of this type; mystery, suspense and even horror. I absolutely loved it.

The Fourth Book in the Detective Kim Stone Series, although this is my first encounter. Found the first few chapters a bit slow but then they became fast paced and found it hard to put down, Serial killing at its best. I will certainly be reading the three others in the series.

I absolutely love Kim Stone. She is one tough cookie but underneath it all, a very likeable character. You are constantly rooting for both her and her team and I can't wait to read what happens in her newest venture

Have just finished book 4 in the Kim Stone series and once again loved it. The only thing that stopped me from giving this 5 stars was that I had a good idea of what was going on with about 40% of the book left to go, but then I couldn't stop reading to find out whether I was right or not.

Next up Blood Lines

I love British crimes novels! I will read any I can find. The stories and mysteries in this series are awesome! I don't like Kim stone though. I have tried for four books now and I just don't like her. I'm not sure if I will read anymore. Thank you for the read!

While I definitely found Marsons writing and plot development has gotten stronger and more refined the longer she's gone with this series, the crime itself didn't grip me and enthrall me the way her previous works did. I found it lacking in suspense, despite it's intricacies and cleverness.

You get some Body Farm action, murder and revenge and good ole fashioned police work led by everyone's favourite emotionally stunted detective, Kim Stone. Backed by a familiar cast of characters who bring humanity and support to Stone's gritty determination.

There's a lot of overlapping plot and detail to this novel, something I very much appreciate in mystery wrting. More details of Stone's personal history, characters you perhaps weren't expecting to see again, a couple of twists and off-the-wall revelations to really keep it interesting the whole way through.

I will say I'm starting to get a little worn on Stone's abrasive and asocial personality. It's an interesting jumping off point for book one, no doubt, but there needs be growth. And I feel she's just not moving forward in terms of character development. It's a tad disappointing when there is such great potential for where this woman could go if she would just evolve.

Fans of the series, or genre in general, will no doubt like/love this. I'm just looking for a little more of Stone's future, and less of her past, so 3.5 stars rounded up.

I have read other enthusiastic and glowing reviews of 'Play Dead' by Angela Marsons, the fourth in the DC Kim Stone series, and it was very good with all loose ends tied up neatly at its conclusion; however I have a certain amount of scepticism towards the genre of detective thrillers in general, which I think colours my final rating, as I rate 'Play Dead,' somewhere between 3 and 4 stars. The genre depends heavily on coincidence, and unfortunately, as each 'clue' arises for the typically *amazing* detective team to find I find myself dwelling more on the probability of the events and sequences, than the actual story itself. That said, the setting of Westerley, a secret research facility studying the effects of decomposition on dead bodies is a weirdly fascinating setting for the discovery of three female victims - two brutally murdered and the third left fighting for her life. As intelligent links are made and conclusions drawn, a surprising fourth victim seems inevitable as DC Stone races against the clock to solve the case and trap the killer before he makes his final move.
I have to say that the ending was a complete surprise to me as I had no clue what the final revelation would be, staged as it was in the dark between the open graves of two of the rotting corpses used for research.
To sum, suitably gruesome and well written from the perspectives of the Detective Constable, the murderer and the victims themselves with (unless you're good at solving crime fiction - which I'm not) a surprise revelation at the end.