After a mere 3 hours sleep ,almost the last thing Detective Kim Stone wanted to was to be woken at 5 am on a Sunday morning by someone hammering on her front door,the absolute last thing she wanted was for the culprit to be her nemesis ,journalist Tracy Frost. When Frost reveals the contents of a mysterious and ominous email she has received it's, literally, game on for Stone and her team.
With her colleagues initially unconvinced and her Boss warning her off of what appears to be a wild goose chase it soon becomes clear that Stone is up against not only a clever and sadistic foe but also the clock as a series of puzzles are set with dire consequences for his victims if her and her crew fail to solve them within a set time.

21 books into this series it shows no signs of flagging with an exciting and involving plot. Stone as ever manages to upset everyone outside of her team while Bryant shows signs of coming out of her shadow and winning her increasing respect in the process. Penn gets increasingly stressed trying to identify a victim that only he seems to care about , Stacey proves a good match for their riddle-making tormentor and even Frost briefly becomes a useful part of the team.

The book ends with big changes for most of the main characters and mouth-watering suggestions that there may be problems ahead for Stone from a new and intriguing character.
Great stuff as always.

I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book, it is book 21 in the series but they just keep getting better and better. I was drawn in from the first page and it didn't let go until the last line (which left me wanting more). It is definitely my number one book of the year and I cannot wait for the next one.

Bryant. Penn. Stacey. A message via WhatsApp means a serious case is now to be before them. The officers immediately know it is a message from their boss, Detective Kim Stone, and to get to the squad room immediately. Driven by an enigmatic email directed to Tracy Frost, a reporter with a contentious relationship with each team member, they nonetheless delve into the matter..

Despite the early hour of Sunday morning, time is of the essence. The email’s author provides precise instructions, raising concerns about whether it constitutes a hoax or a genuine threat. Kim indeed realizes that this is a serious matter, despite having more questions than answers. 36 hours is all they have to get the answers they need.

Kim and the team work tirelessly as time elapses. In fact, this captivating book evokes the atmosphere of a doomsday clock, as each chapter opens with a time stamp indicating that only a few minutes have passed, heightening the sense of urgency. Among the answers they have discovered are the name of the individual they are seeking, known as the Jester. Notably, this case involves the hobby of geocaching, thus expanding their suspect pool significantly.

Under pressure from her boss to conclude the matter promptly, Kim remains steadfast in her pursuit of the Jester, disregarding his repeated warnings. Amidst the multitude of potential leads, Kim perceives time dwindling rapidly. Her relentless search for clues remains elusive as she looks for the Jester within the time allotted. Otherwise, lives could be lost. Despite the occasional annoyance caused by Frost’s presence, Kim remains focused and works diligently.

With the voice of the Jester narrating certain chapters, the tension in this gripping read escalates significantly. Having completed twenty-one books, one may wonder how a series can continue to improve. However, Angela Marsons has mastered the art of storytelling, ensuring that each installment remains exceptional. While this book could be enjoyed as a standalone novel, delving deeper into the team’s dynamics and glimpsing their lives beyond the squad room provides a richer understanding of their characters. Angela Marsons’ captivating storytelling is evident in 36 Hours, which immerses readers in a gripping narrative with palpable tension.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.