This is the twenty first book in the DI Kim Stone series and I have to say I have enjoyed every single one of them. The book can be read as a standalone but why not treat yourself to reading the complete series,

Detective Kim Stone once again faces a race against time to solve the case. Journalist Tracy Frost shows a chilling note to Kim from an anonymous challenger giving Kim 36 hours to solve a deadly puzzle or face the consequences. Lives hang in the balance as Kim must decipher the clues left by an evil challenger.
The first clue Kim receives takes her into the woods where they find an upsetting tape recording with another clue. The trail unfolds and it becomes obvious that the stakes are personal and devastatingly high. This case is going to take everything Kim has to solve as she encounters an evil criminal who is prepared to go to any lengths to achieve his goal.

The clock is ticking and Kim encounters a devastating setback when they fail to save one of the victims arriving too late. The tension builds and when a skilled surgeon is abducted it puts at risk the life of an innocent eight-year-old. Kim is determined to catch the evil mastermind and faces a tough decision as to whether she needs to break in order to do it.

The novel races at a fast pace as we follow Kim’s search for the killer and she faces moral dilemmas and tough decisions throughout. Well written with very good characters and a plot that keeps the reader guessing.
“36 Hours” is a very good read and an excellent addition to the series.

I would like to thank both Bookouture and Netgalley for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, Angela Marsons did it again. 36 Hours the 21st book in the DI Kim Stone series was excellent. Kim gets a visit in the middle of the night from reporter Tracy Frost. She and Tracey have bumped heads before and Kim is ready to close the door, but something about the note from a person calling themselves "The Jester" gives her pause. Her instincts tell her this is serious, and she calls in her team. Both her boss and Tracy's boss want them to leave it alone, thinking it is a hoax, but they can't do that. The Jester gives them clues to find the next clue and if they don't do it on time, someone will be harmed, someone that won't be missed. It ends up being similar to a scavenger hunt involving geocaching. Will they find the victim before The Jester ends the game?

36 Hours was a race against the clock. Stacey is their search whiz and with her on the computer and the others wracking their brains, they were able to figure out the clues, but could they get there on time. Having Tracy working with the team was an interesting addition and I enjoyed how she worked with them, at times being shut out because she is a reporter. When The Jester upped the ante, I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see who would win the game. This was a suspenseful story that was straight up puzzling and sorting the clues in order to find the culprit, but boy was it another good one.

The team is hooked into game they didn’t want to play in this one and the clock is ticking. Kim and her team are fighting against the clock to find their killer before he kills again. The bad guy has given them 36hour to hunt down his clues and solve the case before the clock runs down.
Such a fast paced read. This series just gets better and better.

This was just the sort of book I needed to curl up with with the snow outside and falling temperatures.
Set over, as the title suggests, 36 hours, this is a fast paced read that meant I read it in just a couple of sittings.
I felt that the pace of the book with the team divided between the office and out in the field lent itself to each of the four main characters having their time on the page which was enjoyable. As ever, Kim's outwardly irascible temperament is softened by Bryant's more pragmatic one.

The quiz/solving clues element added a new dimension to the story and certainly increased the tension which made me engage more with the plot.
I thought I had the killer sussed, but was skillfully put off track with red herrings and double twists.
I really appreciated the way Marsons took time with the ending to round off various aspects of the investigation but also to let us unwnd alongside the characters.
Fabulous read 5 *

Another stonking tale from this talented author! Gasped, held my breath and lapped up this book, despite the brutality of the perpetrator!

Excellent twists and turns, good red herrings and strong storyline.

5*

"36 Hours" by Angela Marsons truly captivated me from the very first page. This gripping thriller not only kept me on the edge of my seat but also inspired me with its profound themes of resilience and determination. The characters are incredibly well-developed, each facing their own challenges that resonate deeply with real life. I found myself cheering for them as they navigated through twists and turns, reminding me that every hour counts in our pursuit of justice and truth. This book is more than just a read; it’s a powerful reminder to never give up, no matter how daunting the circumstances may seem. I wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone looking for a story that ignites the spirit!

36 Hours is another masterpiece from Angela Marsons. DI Kim Stone and the team are back, when nemesis journalist, Tracy Frost receives a cryptic email instructing her to enlist her help carefully, she knows exactly who to ask. Together they must solve the clues by the time deadline otherwise people will die. Time is ticking and the clues are getting more cryptic. The team work tirelessly to beat the perpetrator and put their differences with Frost aside.
Cleverly written, the wit and camaraderie of the team shine through in this gritty thriller. A likeable group, that always put their work first. You are never disappointed with a Kim Stone read. 5 stars!

Angela Marsons dark and intriguing thrillers are impossible to put down. With layered storylines and a beloved team it is a series to invest time into.

#36Hours #NetGalley This is the 21st book in the DI Kim Stone series and in my opinion this is the best one yet.! This was so fast paced with so much action, I could hardly catch my breath! I felt as though I was living the 36 hours along with the team!! Excellent writing as always from Angela Marsons. Perfectly capable of being read as a stand alone but you will want to go back and read the previous 20 books!! Can't wait for the next one in this great series. I would give 10 stars if I could!!!

Number 21 in the KIm Stone series. This one is a rollercoaster of a ride, based on a cryptic online treasure hunt. Tracy Frost, a local reporter, turns up at her house in the middle of the night with the first clue. Kim needs to convince her team and her boss that it is not a hoax. More clues and a race around the West Midlands without a firm suspect follow. Then a man is being abused and later dies despite almost being saved. But there is more, Tracy is found unconcious and a heart surgeon disappears . Lots of twists and the ending was a suprise. Kim is a character who is feisty and has her own way of doing things, something I always appreciate in this series.
Now that I have finished, I can say i enjoyed the book, the action and the complicated plot. Up until half way through the book, it did not really engage me though. It felt too overcomplicated and the rushing around grabbing at clues without much evidence seemed a bit off (that's why it is 4 stars instead of 5) . Like always, I have finished the book wanting more. What happens next? A great read and I"ll be thinking about it for a while .
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

Still has to be one of my favourite series! Angela Marsons has gone and done it again, the books in this series don't get old and you just keep wanting more stories. I still love following how the characters develop throughout each book.
This one was fast paced and Kim Stone and her team were under pressure to follow clues and save lives, all whilst being against the clock! I loved the idea of this story and it was very well written.

I was completely engrossed right from the beginning and couldn't put it down! I cannot wait for the next book in the series!!

EXCERPT: Dear Ms Frost,
First of all, you should know this is not a joke.
It is a game, and you will play. If you follow instructions, no one will get hurt.
You will not miss the first, but you will miss the next.
The game will begin at 7 a.m.
Assemble your team including one high-ranking police officer.
Post updates on the progress of the game every 6 hours on the Dudley star website naming The Jester.
Updates to begin at noon. Failure will have consequences.
The game will end at 7 p.m. Monday.
Make no mistake. Play the game or people will die. . .

ABOUT '36 HOURS': Kim clutches the note tightly as her pulse starts to race. You have 36 hours. If you follow the instructions, no one will get hurt…

When Detective Kim Stone is woken before dawn because local journalist Tracy Frost wants to show her a message, she’s not impressed. But her blood turns cold when she reads the note. She has 36 hours to follow a trail set by an anonymous challenger. If she fails, people will die.

Kim’s gut tells her this is no hoax. She summons her team, desperate to prevent what lies ahead. With minutes to spare, they solve the first cryptic clue. It leads to a box hidden deep in the woods, containing a second clue and a tape. As she listens to the recording of a heart-wrenching scream, Kim knows her enemy will go to any lengths to achieve his goals… and that she must draw on all her experience of evil men to understand what is driving him.

Refusing to blindly follow orders, Kim and the team turn the killer’s clues against him, using evidence buried deep in the tapes to find where he’s hiding his victim. But they are too late… And then, as the sun rises on the second day, someone else goes missing. This time, it’s a skilled surgeon, and if they don’t save her, an eight-year-old girl will die.

Exhausted and enraged, with her bosses watching every step she takes, Kim realises the only way to win is to break the rules. But with the clock ticking, can she find the twisted mind behind this murderous game before her time runs out?

MY THOUGHTS: What can I say about this series or Marsons' writing that hasn't already been said? Both are superb and guaranteed to keep the pulse racing and the pages turning throughout.

As always, the tension is palpable and the plot fast paced. The twists and turns come thick and fast - there's barely time to catch your breath!

Although I was desperately trying to work out who the Jester was, my guesses all fell far short of the mark.

36 Hours can probably be read as a stand-alone, but you will miss out on the development of the characters relationships and the other 20 gripping storylines.

I was lucky enough to be able to combine reading the book with listening to the audiobook, brilliantly narrated by Jan Cramer. Both formats are excellent.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5

#36Hours #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR: Angela is the author of the Kim Stone Crime series. She discovered a love of writing at Primary School when a short piece on the rocks and the sea gained her the only merit point she ever got.
Angela wrote the stories that burned inside and then stored them safely in a desk drawer.
After much urging from her partner, she began to enter short story competitions in Writer's News resulting in a win and three short listed entries.
She used the Amazon KDP program to publish two of her earlier works before concentrating on her true passion - Crime.

DISCLOSURE: Thank you to Bookouture and Bookouture Audio for providing both a digital and an audio ARC of 36 Hours by Angela Marsons for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

I am a huge fan of Angela Marson and I was delighted to get the opportunity to read her newest book 36 Hours. This was one of the most gripping and thrilling books I have read in a long time. I read it over the course of a day as I simply couldn’t put it down. I can’t wait to read more from the author in the future.

We’re on Book 21 and this series just gets better and better
Every book has its own thrilling story - this one about geo caching and a horrifying deadline
But for me it’s the characters who engage, I love that they always act as they should and that their stories are true and authentic, in this one there are moments with Bryant that are lovely.

The one thing you can be sure of is that Angela Marsons can deliver a thrilling plot. This is the 21st novel in the series, and by now Kim Stone and her team are well established literary figures, but each novel can be read as a stand alone. Don't expect glittering prose but you won't be disappointed by the pace, characterisation and storyline. Another winner from Marsons. Many thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for the ARC.

Another epic Angela Marsons book! I don’t know how she does it after so many, each one still feels so fresh! Love Bryant the most! Such great character development etc, and a twisty crime at the center- maybe best one yet??

Angela Marsons delivers another must-read in her gripping Kim Stone series, plunging readers straight into a high-stakes race against time. When a cryptic note arrives, warning Detective Kim Stone that she has just 36 hours to follow a series of mysterious instructions or risk innocent lives, Kim’s instincts tell her this threat is deadly serious.

Summoned before dawn by local journalist Tracy Frost, Kim and her team quickly solve the first cryptic clue, which leads them to a chilling discovery in the woods—and a terrifying audio tape hinting at the kidnapper’s willingness to inflict unimaginable harm. Determined not to be manipulated, Kim uses the clues themselves against the killer, unearthing hidden evidence in hopes of tracking him down before anyone else vanishes.

But when a skilled surgeon is taken, and the fate of an eight-year-old girl hangs on the surgeon’s survival, the pressure on Kim intensifies. Every clue is more urgent than the last, and Kim realises she must be prepared to bend the rules if she’s going to outsmart this cold-blooded puppet master. Racing against the clock, with superiors scrutinising her every move, Kim must tap into her deep knowledge of the darkest human impulses to stop the killer before time runs out—again.

Thrilling, suspenseful, and packed with heart-pounding twists, Angela Marsons’ latest Kim Stone novel is a five-star masterpiece that will keep you turning the pages long into the night. Fans of the series won’t want to miss this unputdownable new instalment—and newcomers will be hooked from the very first nail-biting chapter.

Being woken up at 3am guaranteed to put Kim Stone in a bad mood, being woken by reporter Tracey Frost makes it even worse! Frost tells her that a message has been sent to her & if Kim & co don't work out the clue someone is going to be hurt. Something tells Kim that this is not a hoax. Before long the team are working on cryptic clues & trying to decipher sounds on the tape that may lead them to the 'joker' & his victim.

This outing for Kim & her team was that bit different. It was a very enjoyable read and good to see the various members of the team discovering new skills. This is a series that has now reached Book 21 with no sign of getting stale . Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review thi book. As always I am eagerly looking forward to the next one!

What an awesome series this is I loved this book thank you so much for the opportunity to review I couldn't put it down. Gotta be the best in the series yet

This was such a clever concept to change things up a little. Kim and her team are still investigating a case, but this time the case came to them, hasn’t yet happened and has a countdown. It made it feel different yet still familiar.

This is one of my most favorite crime series. The team and their personalities along with how they investigate and what they know fit together so well. In this one there is Tracy. The reporter that has caused them so much grief. It is a great play off each other. The team’s job is to protect and the person they are working with and charged with protecting is someone they try and have nothing to do with and mistrust. I loved the give and take in that. Add that to the puzzles they need to solve by the deadline. I liked the cat and mouse aspect of Kim and her team, Tracy and the criminal. It was complex but felt so easy as I read.

I was engrossed from the start and while it’s longer than my average read, it went by so quickly. I was tense reading it because someone always ends up in jeopardy as the case progresses. I’m always so worried it is time to show how dangerous police work is. No hints from me on this front.

This is the first time I’ve listened to one of the series. I liked it. Jan Cramer was a great narrator. She really nailed bringing Kim to life. She got the ups and the downs of the case and really kept me rapt and never wanting to stop listening.

If you like a crime novel and haven’t picked up this series, you really need to. The way the characters grow and develop from book to book is amazing. You can pick up any book in the series and jump right in and follow what is happening in that book. You’ll miss the growth of the characters, but there will be nothing lacking in the read. You really won’t be sorry.