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Play Dead
Play Dead: A gripping serial killer thriller | Angela Marsons
22 posts | 22 read | 13 to read
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 Caf_ '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 'Can I give 6 stars? 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 & 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
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review
BarbaraBB
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Mehso-so

On audio I listened to another installment of the detective Kim Stone series. I am still not convinced to continue reading the series so I quit it for now. So many books, too little time.

And now I am back home with tons of fantastic memories and the Booker longlist to look forward to!

Bookwormjillk Glad you had a good trip! 3mo
sarahbarnes Yay for a fabulous trip and safe travels home! And more books to look forward to. ♥️ 3mo
youneverarrived I‘m glad you‘ve had a great time ♥️ 3mo
See All 7 Comments
Twocougs The Booker longlist 😍 3mo
Suet624 I‘m happy you‘re home safe and sound. 3mo
BarbaraBB @Suet624 Me too. Official warnings for a possible mega quake scared me a lot 3mo
Suet624 @BarbaraBB yikes! I had no idea!! 3mo
70 likes7 comments
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robinb
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Pickpick

I just love this series more and more as I go along. This is number 4, and Kim finds herself and her team investigating a serial killer who‘s leaving victims on a “body farm” viciously beaten and stabbed. This one has some surprises and a reappearance of a possible love interest for Kim. Love these characters, stories and humor in these books. Recommended. 4.5/5⭐️

#BookSpin

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 6mo
46 likes1 comment
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Andrew65
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Pickpick

Overall I enjoyed this book but it still felt a pale comparison compared to the first three in the series. It had quite a complex plot with many characters, & felt some information was held back which would have helped decide who the killer was. Also felt a lack of developing storylines for the main characters, & for me this was the biggest miss.

That said though it was still an enjoyable read, but just not to the high standard of the others.

Andrew65 #SeriesLove2023 @TheSpineView
@EadieB @Bluebird

I also wish they‘d do something about the boring covers!
2y
EadieB @Andrew65 Good review! 2y
Tove_Reads Why are they no red jackets??? 2y
See All 9 Comments
TheSpineView Well done! 2y
Andrew65 @Tove_Reads There should definitely be some. 2y
Andrew65 @EadieB Thanks 😁 2y
Andrew65 @TheSpineView Thanks 😁 2y
Bluebird Great review. I agree with you on all counts: including the need for better cover art. 😄 that being said, I am looking forward to the next one! 2y
Andrew65 @Bluebird Yes everyone can have an off book but like the series. 2y
68 likes1 stack add9 comments
review
EadieB
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Pickpick

#PlayDead #AngelaMarsons #GroupRead #BookSpinBingo #SeriesLove2023

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.

EadieB 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 ...? 2y
EadieB This book is a bit different from the other books in the series. Some of the info was kept back from the reader with lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the very end. It makes it difficult to solve if you don't get all the info you need. A great number of characters kept showing up and some with only first names. It was hard to keep all the characters straight. Hopefully, I will enjoy the next book better than this one. 2y
Andrew65 A good and accurate review. There seemed a lack of developing characterisation for the main characters too. Didn‘t take us any further forward with any of the characters. 2y
See All 6 Comments
TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!! 2y
EadieB @Andrew65 I agree! 2y
TheSpineView Awesome 2y
42 likes1 stack add6 comments
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yvo_about_books
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I decided to spend this Friday evening with one of my favorite detectives DI Kim Stone. 😍😍😍

I'm still reading The Stand too, but the book is so huge that I need little breaks to read other titles even though I am enjoying it so far (62% in so there is still a long road ahead). 🙈

TrishB Love both 👍🏻 3y
yvo_about_books @TrishB The Stand is great so far, but I was in the mood for more Kim Stone... I'm having a feeling it will be another excellent sequel! 😍 3y
11 likes1 stack add2 comments
review
OutsmartYourShelf
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Pickpick

The fourth book in the series takes in the perennially fascinating 'body farm' as a perfect place to dispose of murder victims. The main set of characters are really working well together, and although it was a little slow to start, once it got going the plot was well planned and paced. I did manage to guess the identity of the killer but there was an extra twist in there, just to keep things interesting. 4🌟

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Tove_Reads
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Because the world needs more Kim Stone books! Published May 13. Can‘t wait!!! 🥰😍🥰😌🥰

TrishB Oh I can read 12 then knowing 13 is nearly here! 4y
TrishB Or rather 13....you know what I mean 😁 4y
Tove_Reads @TrishB There should be 11 more after the new one... 4y
TrishB Yay 🎉🎉 4y
squirrelbrain How exciting! 4y
40 likes5 comments
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TrishB
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Pickpick

Another fantastic read in this series 👍🏻 loving Kim more each book.
Great story line, character building and twists and turns.
The serial killers are doing it for me at the moment 😁

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TrishB
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The serial killers seem to be doing it for me at the moment. Just starting.

squirrelbrain Enjoy! I bet you‘ll finish it very soon! 😁 4y
80 likes1 comment
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eanderson
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Pickpick

Angela Marsons knows how to keep you coming back for more. This series is awesome and I definitely look forward to the next. I love her team and the banter between all of them. Great quick read! 🌟🌟🌟🌟

41 likes1 comment
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eanderson
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Gloomy outside... Monday... headache... yeah, I‘m going to check out and not adult today. Bring on Kim Stone! 🤓

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eanderson
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Raining outside + Sleeping baby=Starting the next in the Kim Stone series! 😍

AmyG Well, this wolverine thinks this is the best photo EVER. So cute. Go Blue! 5y
AlaMich Very appropriate sleepwear!! 😉 5y
JamieArc Go Blue! 5y
eanderson @AmyG @JamieArc GO BLUE!!! 😎〽️💛💙💛💙 5y
eanderson @AlaMich I think so as well! 🤗 5y
60 likes5 comments
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MicheleinPhilly
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Mehso-so

Classic case of “It‘s not you, it‘s me.” My reading of this one was pretty scattered so I wasn‘t able to get as wrapped up in the storyline. Still loving this series though and look forward to the next installment.

I think we are officially in “slump” territory. ☹️

eanderson Oh how I loath reading slumps! Hopefully you get out of it soon! 5y
MicheleinPhilly @eanderson I‘m hoping this weekend will help. Between not feeling physically well last week and being incredibly stressed this week, I think I just need time to tune out and indulge in some self-care. 🤞🏼 5y
49 likes2 comments
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MicheleinPhilly
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My view since Tuesday. Sadly I have not wanted to read at all so I‘m hoping this mac ‘n cheese book will do the trick. Stay healthy, my friends!

LeahBergen Poor you! I hope you‘re on the mend soon. 🤞🏻 5y
LiteraryinPA Feel better! 5y
Redwritinghood Hope you feel better and can get up and about soon. 5y
See All 18 Comments
Suet624 Oh no! Whatcha got? 5y
Jas16 Hope you get well soon 5y
emilyhaldi Boo 😷 feel better soon!! 5y
Megabooks Get well soon!! 5y
MicheleinPhilly @Suet624 Bubonic plague? 🤷🏻‍♀️ 5y
TrishB Hope you‘re feeling better soon ♥️ 5y
Soubhiville I hope you‘re on the mend soon. 💜 5y
Kalalalatja Feel better soon 🤞 5y
Suet624 Well please get better soon. 😘 5y
BarbaraBB Life sucks. Take care 😘❤️ 5y
Smrloomis Feel better 😣 5y
Liz_M I hope soon you feel well enough to read, but too weak to get back to work.... 😉 📚 5y
MicheleinPhilly @Liz_M I had to log in for a few hours yesterday just to go through my inbox. The number of unread emails was making me twitchy. 5y
youneverarrived Hope you feel better soon! 5y
Reviewsbylola Hope you‘re feeling better!! 5y
57 likes18 comments
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Tove_Reads
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It‘s time to do what the title says and escape the world into this book set in the Black Country. Goodbye reality, hello Kim Stone!

34 likes1 stack add
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annkuch13
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Pickpick

This was the last D.I. Kim Stone book in my reread before moving into new (to me) books in the series. I really enjoy this one, primarily because of the added element of the body farm. The serial killer is clever and creepy. We also get some insight into Kim's sometimes nemesis crime reporter. The tension builds really well to the end and has a truly satisfying conclusion.

TW: body dysmorphia, (a lot of) dead bodies, bullying

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Booknerd2
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Pickpick

I absolutely love this series. Each book gets better and better. I‘m thankful my library is connected with Mobius which shares with other library systems nationwide. This one came from Altoona, the next one is ordered and being shared from Springfield!!! 😊💜💜💜

Andrew65 A great series! 5y
Booknerd2 @Andrew65 I love it!!! I can‘t believe I just discovered it. The good thing is, I get to read a lot of them before having to wait for the next one. I‘m in the US and enjoy these British mystery/suspense series. Any suggestions? 😬 5y
Andrew65 @Booknerd2 I will give it some thought and make some suggestions, which will most probably be many! Love Mystery and Suspense. 5y
See All 8 Comments
BlameJennyJane One of my favorite series! The audiobooks are great too. The same narrator does them all and she‘s become Kim‘s voice to me so I hear her in my head even when I‘m reading the books. (edited) 5y
Booknerd2 @@andrew65 Thank you I would appreciate it. 5y
Booknerd2 @BlameJennyJane I‘ve never tried an audiobook. I‘m not sure I could stay focused. 5y
BlameJennyJane @Booknerd2 you can always give it a try free through your public library so you don‘t have to make the investment. I got hooked on Hoopla. I listen on my commute and when exercising... in other words... when I‘m bored. Lol 5y
Booknerd2 @BlameJennyJane I may just try one, thank you. 5y
35 likes1 stack add8 comments
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Lel2403
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Amazon deal today, this is 99p for Kindle at the moment....sounds like a good thriller

56 likes2 stack adds
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Katielouisax
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About to start this new book can‘t wait to see what it‘s really like love a thriller 📚📚😍.

4 likes1 stack add
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Chocomeiske
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Pickpick

Loved this instalment the best this far. I loved the antagonists and there whole murder mystery. There were s couple twists that were really unexpected do that was a treat. I feel like DI Kim Stone is really growing as a character and that we are seeing so many different facets of her character.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

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BookDragonNotWorm
Pickpick

Another #mystery so suspenseful it left me breathless and so thrilling I couldn't put it down. Marsons never fails to provide her readers with a crazy, intense plot that's fresh and inventive, balancing the darkness with light through the development and healing of her characters throughout the series. A true artist when it comes to weaving together the many fibers of an intricate storyline to create a perfect tapestry of crime!

melbeautyandbooks Great review! This made me decide to start reading the series. Thank you! 8y
BookDragonNotWorm @melbeautyandbooks Thanks! I'm so glad. I'm always reluctant to get hooked on a new series, but this one is really good. 8y
ReadingOver50 Sounds interesting 😄 8y
melbeautyandbooks @BookDragonNotWorm - I just finished the first book in the series. I really liked it. I went ahead and downloaded the remaining 4 books. Thanks for recommending! ❤️📚👏🏻 8y
26 likes2 stack adds4 comments
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BookDragonNotWorm
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I love this author, her books are so dark and creepy, but . . . does anyone else ever worry that they're somehow exposing their #readingcompanions to inappropriate material . . . or am I just weird? #dogsoflitsy #mystery #thriller

britt_brooke Cute pup! 8y
MrBook 😻😻😻 8y
27 likes1 stack add2 comments