I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Certainly up to Angela Marsons usual standard. Well worthy of 5 stars. It was exciting with lots of twists and turns.

really good Kim Stone novel. Kim and the team bust it to find a killer..some unexpected things happen

Detective Kim Stone had been roused from sleep by reporter Tracy Frost, and her initial annoyance turned to alarm. Alerting her team, they all headed to work - the sun not yet up. 36 hours wasn't long, but they were going to beat the deadline, otherwise someone would die. Puzzles and challenges; they went together. But this one wasn't a hoax, this one wasn't for fun.

As the time moved forward, quickly, the clues were solved, but still they were confronted by horror. The tapes of screams caused rage in Kim's heart, but as more followed, the evil in the person's heart kept Kim and her team going. Working non stop with few breaks and little food, they knew they had to up their game as now a small child's life was in the balance as well. Would they find the victim in time? And would they find the perpetrator before the endgame?

36 Hours is the 21st in the DI Kim Stone series by Angela Marsons and it was excellent. Gritty, intense, heated and emotional, Kim went all out to do her job, going against her superiors, and doing what she did best. Bryant, Stacey, Penn and Kim worked their butts off for the result, even with Woody breathing down their necks. I'm loving this series and hope it continues on for a long time to come. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley & Bookouture for my digital ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this fast paced book

you can never put a book down by this author when you start it.... there is just so much going on and the characters well you just have to love kim and her team.... they put up with a lot from each other but they get the job done

it early hours in the morning when kim is woken up by hammering on her front door.... when shes awake enough to find out who would have the nerve to wake her so rudely... she can only just keep her temper when she realises that its frost the reporter who she has a hate hate relationship with

frost has been sent a message and its one she wont ignore., she needs kim and her team to read it and help solve it....

the cryptic message penetrates kims brain and she calls her team in....

what follows next for kim and her team will haunt them for the rest of their careers.....

what a read... this author certainly knows how to keep you on the edge of your seat

36 Hours is the 21st Book in the DI Kim Stone series and yet again it’s another absolute corker of a read. As soon as I’d finished reading the first chapter, I just knew this was going to be a read full of suspense and intrigue. Well it most certainly was that and a lot more as well. The style of this book is slightly different to the previous ones as Kim and her team are given cryptic clues to solve, they have 36 hours to solve these clues . If they fail then someone dies. As I was so hooked on this book and couldn’t put it down I finished it in one sitting. Another gripping and tense read in this fantastic series.

Angela Marsons Kim Stone series is one of the best crime fiction series out there, and I love how Angela Marsons always manages to keep it fresh, as she explores new ideas, and deepens her characters. The latest book in the series, 36 Hours is an intense read, and things certainly aren’t easy for Kim and her team. They know they are facing something very different to what they have faced before and this is what makes this book so chilling.

This book sees Kim pair up with journalist, Tracy Frost. They are facing an unpredictable killer, who leaves Kim and Tracy a specific set of clues to find, and sets a number of rules they must follow. If they don’t exactly what the killer says, people will die. Kim and Tracy have to put aside their differences and work together to find the culprit before it’s too late. It certainly doesn’t take long for things to start taking their toll on Kim and Tracy.

I was fascinated to see how Kim and Tracy would work together on this case. They’ve been at each other’s throats in the past, so I did wonder just how things would proceed, and how mad Tracy would drive Kim. It really did make for such fascinating and entertaining reading, and tensions really do boil under the surfaces as they try to follow the killer’s clues together. You can really begin to see the effect this is having on Tracy. I thought, the way in which the killer is going about their crime, was a really original idea and Angela Marsons pulled it off spectacularly. It’s what makes this book so gripping and so fast-paced.

You can always guarantee that whenever you pick up a Kim Stone novel, you will be hooked right from the first page; I certainly was with 36 Hours. I was desperate to work out what was really going on, and what was driving the killer to kill, and play with the police in this way, and what an ending. It really felt like I was holding my breath as I raced through the final pages. 36 Hours is one of my favourite books in the series to date, and, once again, I’ll be waiting with baited breath for the next novel to be released.

36 Hours by Angela Marsons  is the 21st in the Detective Kim Stone Police Procedural series.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Bookouture, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.


Series Background: (Warning – May contain spoilers from previous books)
DI Kim Stone learned to be tough.  Her mother, who died of cancer, was being held in a home for the criminally insane due to actions that almost killed Kim, and resulted in her brother's death.  Kim had little to do with her.  Although Kim's social skills are lacking, her heart is in the right place, and her detective skills outstanding.  Her team consists of: Bryant, her right hand man and friend, and the person who voices concerns in a much more diplomatic way than Kim ever would; Stacey, who can find required information in a seemingly bottomless computer system; and  Austen Penn, who for some reason, enjoys attending autopsies.     Her Boss is Woody. 


My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions) 
Early Sunday morning, Journalist Tracy Frost shows up at Kim's door with a sheet of paper clutched in her hand.  It says that unless they follow the instructions that will come, people will die.  They have to play the game.  They have 36 hours.  

Although Woody doesn't sanction the investigation, Kim plunges in.  The team must solve each puzzle to find the next clue.   While Kim and Bryant race all over, they soon find more obstacles than they thought possible at every turn.   It is not long before they realize that the person behind this game is deadly serious.   It feels like they are being set up for failure.  The first victim dies.

When a pediatric surgeon is kidnapped, the team, on little sleep, have to work fast.  If they don't find the surgeon soon, her patient,  an eight-year old little girl,  will die.

Tracy Fox has tried to stay silent, and play by the madman's rules, but she is fed up!  Soon it will be Tracy fighting for her life.


My Opinions:
Absolutely thrilled when this book appeared.  I have no idea how Marsons continues to keep these books fresh and interesting, but they continue to be captivating.  I highly recommend the series.

I love the characters.  I love how we always find out a little more about what is going on in their personal lives as well as their involvement in the current case.    Their individual skills shine through.  I love the fractious relationship between Kim and Tracy.  This book really looked into family dynamics, both within the team, and in the suspects lives.

The plot was appealing.  I love a good puzzle, and it was interesting to see how they solved each clue.  There were plenty of suspects to go around, so I wasn't really sure who the actual perpetrator was.  That was great!

Anyway, I can't recommend this series highly enough!

36 Hours by Angela Marsons is another thrilling addition to the Detective Kim Stone series, and even as the 21st book, it works well as a standalone. The story starts with journalist Tracy Frost waking Kim with a chilling note threatening lives unless clues are solved within 36 hours. What begins as a potential hoax quickly escalates into a deadly game.
The fast-paced plot, driven by ticking clocks and relentless tension, keeps you hooked. Marsons skillfully balances the darker themes with moments of humanity, making the characters relatable and compelling. The twists and turns, including the identity of the killer, are expertly woven, and even if you guess parts of the mystery, the journey remains gripping.
Jan Cramer’s narration is stellar, adding depth and atmosphere to the story. This dark, emotional, and twisty thriller is a must-read for crime fans, leaving you eager to see what’s next for DI Kim Stone.
very grateful to the publisher for my alc, opinions are my own

M

Reporter Tracy Frost receives a note for Detective Kim Stone who has 36 hours to follow the clues or people start to die. So starts the investigation and Kim and her team are in for a long shift. Good cast of characters well plotted with twists and turn to keep you reading. This is a well written thriller. Thanks to Bookoutre and Netgalley for this review ARC.

When Tracy Frost knocks on DI Kim Stone's door early Sunday morning, little does Kim realise her team's are going to work their longest shift. Racing against the clock, the team are forced to play demented geocaching game to save the life of a homeless man.

At first, I found it a bit slow to get into this book, but once clues started being solved I was hooked. I thought I guessed the culprit and was completely wrong! As always, reading a new Kim Stone book feels like catching up with old friends, and I appreciate we get to see more of Frost. She made me laugh a few times with her asides. I have to say though, that this book cemented Penn for me as the weakest link in the team. While I liked the way he had a 'moment' and to see Kim manage him with empathy was lovely, I find his character bland. I missed the antagonistic dynamic of Dawson which is sorely missing. His character growth was one of the most solid parts of the series.

Another solid thriller for anyone who loves their crime-solvers part of a tight-knit found family.

Thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for the ARC.

WoW............Another Fantastic book.

36 Hours By: Angela Marsons and narrated by: Jan Cramer is the 21st book in the fantastic Detective Kim Stone Crime Thriller Series and what another excellent audiobook this was. I loved it! Just like the other 20 books within this series has been a 5 star read.

Sunday Mornings are usually for lie ins and relaxing, but today Detective Kim Stone gets a rude knock on her door in the very early hours of Sunday morning. When Kim opens the door, she only finds that it is local Journalist Tracy Frost at the door. Not the person she wants to see and they are not the best of friends! they were arch enemies but over the years they have learned to tolerate each other. Kim is not impressed.
Tracy Frost wants to show her a note she has received. Tracy looks different, she's not wearing her usual smart designer clothes and her designer shoes etc, she is wear scruffy clothes with a few stains on her top, leggings and with trainers! Kim has never seen her like this.........As Kim reads this note her gut tells her this is no hoax.

But, when she reads it again, her blood turns reads the note gives Tracy has 36 hours to follow a trail set by an anonymous challenger. If she fails, people will die. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

WoW!!!!

Kim. summons her team, and is 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.
But, 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.

Will Kim and her team crack these notes before someone else is hurt or killed!

Tick tock the clock is ticking. . . . . . . . . . . .

WoW this audiobook is excellent.......I loved this book and all of Angela's books However, the narrator Jan Cramer is not the best for this series........the way she starts every chapter and throughout the chapters, she sounds she bored and other books she has done within this series it's the same without feeling for the character/book!........It's a shame as I feel she lets the main character Detective Kim Stone etc down.

I still give this book 5 fat golden stars but for Performance 1 star.

Big Thank you to NetGalley and especially Bookouture Audio and Bookouture for my Copies,

Detective Kim Stone is awakened on her day off by a call from journalist Nadine Frost. Nadine has received an email threatening dire consequences if certain conditions are not met. This is the start of 36 hours of chasing down obscure clues left by someone calling himself Jester who obviously delights in making the police look like fools to the public. Every time Kim and her team make a bit of progress, he continuously raises the stakes with harder clues that also include body parts from an unknown victim. They are under pressure from their bosses, the public, and from the knowledge that their failure to beat the Jester's game will lead to certain death for his victims. This is another fast-paced installment in a great series that has not only an interesting strong female lead character, but a great cast of supporting characters who make these stories even more addicting. Can't wait for the next one! #NetGalley. #36Hours

I knew before I even opened the book 36 hours, I would love it. One of my favourite types of reads are countdowns and this certainly did not disappoint.

In fact, not only is this my new favourite Kim Stone book… But my favourite read of the year.

36 hours is a heart racing read, that is so compelling it will keep you awake at night.

I especially loved the beginning and ending chapters in this book. I thought it was an incredible way of starting and ending this specific edition to the series.

What I did not love was the cliff hanger at the very end, knowing it will be a while until the next…. Erm when will that be, please?

The craziest part of 36 hours for me, was the u expected liking I have to a character who I before found fairly unbearable.

This was definitely one hell of a read, and yet again I cannot wait for the next in the series.

The biggest of ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ given.

As I’ve said before, reading a Kim Stone novel is like being welcomed back into the bosom of a favourite family. I adore catching up with the personal stories of Kim and her diverse police team as much as I enjoy the gritty crimes they tackle. In general, each of the novels in the series can easily be read as a standalone book. 36 Hours, however, may possibly be the exception. Understanding the personalities and development of all the wonderful characters really added to the depth and enjoyment of this book for me.
Author Angela Marsons deviates slightly from the plotting her fans have come to know and love in her latest book. Her novels often involve two (sometimes related) cases running simultaneously. Here, the focus is all on one life-and-death investigation, and requires the full attention of every member of the team.
Having been summonsed early on a Sunday, Kim, Stacy, Penn and Bryant have to work flat out to ensure a successful outcome before the 36 hours of the title is up. I was exhausted for all of them. And they have an extra challenge – they’re obliged to work with unpopular journalist, Tracy Frost, Kim’s oft-time enemy and nemesis. Spiced with the author’s trademark humour, Kim’s bluntness and social skills (which leave much to be desired), the team’s foibles and strengths, this book is fast-paced, easy to read, suspenseful and compelling – a fitting 21st addition to the Kim Stone series.
as exhausted for all of them.

This one opens with a bang ( quite literally).

Its Sunday morning, Kim is awoken by someone banging very loudly on her door.
Its still dark.
Yanking the door open she is confronted by pretty much one of her least favourite people, Frost the journalist.
For once she isn't seeking information or a quote on one of Kims cases.
This time she is desperately seeking Kims help.
Someone calling themselves Jester has messaged her with instructions to follow a trail they have set.. Frost needs a high ranking Police Officer on the team to gather and solve the clues.
This is a race against the clock as they have been given just 36 hours to complete the game, failure is not an option as to fail would be fatal!
Throughout the 36 hours as they solve each clue Frost has to check in with the Jester.
Kim is sceptical but Frost is convinced the message is genuine, with the warning of what will happen if it is ignored. So Kim can`t risk not taking action.
She calls in the team and the game begins.
All the while the clock is ticking!
Fast paced taking place over a period of just 36 hours this really builds the tension, I found it unputdownable!
This may be the 21st in the series but is every bit as gripping and inventive as the 1st.
A brilliant addition , loved it.
Thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for the advanced copy.

It is amazing to think that this fine series has reached ts twenty-first instalment because it feels as fresh as ever. Angela Marsons continues to do what she does so well with sympathetic characters and exciting plots. Here she is presented with a series of cryptic clues which must be solved within a time limit or people will die. Clever, intriguing and very satisfying, this is a superb read.

As per usual, I am going to advise that you check where the story actually ends in this book as this Publisher does backstuff with ads for previous books and, as there have been 20 odd of them, you can imagine that taking up a fair few pages. I hate it, they love doing it, and they ain't gonna stop, so all I can do is forewarn people!
After a weaker (compared to the rest of the series) book 20, we are back with a bang for this, Kim Stone's 21st outing (or more if you also count prequels and inbetweenies). She is rudely awakened by loud banging on her door. It's still dark and, if that wasn't bad enough, it's her arch-nemesis journalist Tracy Frost who is doing the banging. But she's not after a quote from our erstwhile detective, nor does she have questions or comments on one of Kim's cases. No. Instead she needs Kim's help, she needs to show her a message she has received. Someone calling themselves Jester wants her to follow a trail they have set. She needs to include a high ranking Police Officer in the team she needs to assemble to solve the clues. They are against the clock and the repercussions should they fail will be fatal. The game will last 36 hours and Frost will have to report on it at certain times too.
Kim is not impressed, to say the least, but Frost is convinced it's genuine and reminds Kim what will happen if it is and she ignores it. Reluctantly, Kim rallies the troups... well, it's be a very short book if she hadn't!
And so begins a cat and mouse game which pits Kim and her team's wits against this 'Jester' trying to keep up, get ahead, whilst at the same time trying to work out who they are and what their end game is.
As I said, I thought the previous book wasn't quite up to the usual extremely high standard I have come to expect from this series/author and I was a tad concerned that it could be the start of... well let's not go there... but I am pleased to say that normality has been resumed. And then some as this book hit the ground running, sucked me in, held me captive throughout, all the time wondering - who and why, and what if - until finally bringing it all together at the end, spitting me out exhausted but wholly satisfied!
The Story was clever and unique and kept my attention the whole way through. It was ably executed and the characters, both old friends and new all played their parts very well indeed. And with no added waffle or padding to distract, it all got on with itself very well indeed.
All in all a worthy addition to what still remains one of my favourite series. Roll on next time.
My thanks go to the publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

Kim Stone keeps on being Kim Stone. Ornery and annoying but getting the mystery solved. This one is done in puzzles. the puzzles must be solved or a person will be injured or killed. I have to say for such a long standing series Marsons keeps delivering.

Book 21 in the DI Kim Stone series- WOW ! Angela Marsons has done it yet again !! Another cracking addition to the series, how she manages to keep the standard of every book as great if not better than the last is outstanding. The fact that Kim and her team have become well loved and interesting characters throughout the series helps too.

Thank you for my copy of this book to read and review.

Having read all of the Kim Stone books in order from the start, I’m always happy when a new one is published.

Although these can be read as standalone, I personally really enjoy the continuity of the characters and their back stories.

Even though this is book 21, it still gripped me from the first chapter, the storyline was original and fast paced.

Still one of my favourite, and most recommended, detective series.