I love Kim stone and this is yet another brilliant book from Angela Marsons.
Detective Kim Stone is woken in the middle of the night by her nemesis journalist Frost. She and her team have 36 hours to unravel a set of clues set by an anonymous person. If Kim and her team can’t figure out what the clues are telling them, people are going to die.
A brilliant story with a race against time that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
This continues to be of my favourite series to read!
Thanks @netgalley for the advance copy

I will start by saying this is the first (yes, I know!) Detective Kim Stone murder mystery I have read despite my wife being a proper Marsons fan and having read all of them.

I was told what to expect and this book did not disappoint. All the main police characters were new to me but Ms Marsons introduces them brilliantly. The story starts with Kim being woken really early by local journalist Tracy Frost, who presents her with a chilling note: “You have 36 hours. If you follow the instructions, no one will get hurt.” These instructions were a series of clues built within cryptic messages left by The Jester sending people all over The Black Country, geocaching' - a treasure hunt type game. Excellent scenarios especially as the game involves murder! Kim 's bosses were not too keen on the pursuit but Kim's team were more than happy.

Kim Stone is a determined leader with Bryant supplying much needed support. The Jester turns out to be a formidable opponent and again quite believable.

Really enjoyable and I suppose should now be trying book 1 in the series? I live in the New Forest and off I go with a small box, a bit of paper and a torch!

Thanks to Net Galley and Bookouture for the chance to read and review..

Detective inspector Kim Stone and her team are back in Angela Marson's all new mystery. However, this time there is no case. No body. Nothing. There is a suspicious email sent to our favorite news reporter, who's always butting her way into everyone's business. The message states that they are going to play a game, and Frost should form a team, including a detective, to play our something bad will happen. Throughout the day, Frost is sent clues, and Kim and her team must work together to decipher the clues and figure out who is running this not so innocent game.

This is book 21 in the Kim Stone series, and Marsons never fails to disappoint. She always has something up her sleeve to keep readers on their feet, and this book is no exception. Moving the team away from an unofficial case was ingenious. It humanizes the team, especially Frost, and shows their work ethic. They are always willing to do what is right, even when faced with nothing. I cannot recommend this series enough for mystery lovers, especially those who are searching for a solid police procedural. 36 Hours may be book 21, but it is definitely worth the time to read this series.

What an amazing, twisty story!
Detective Kim Stone has 36 hours to unravel a set of clues set by an anonymous person. If Kim and her team can’t figure out what the clues are telling them, people are going to die.
Is this a hoax? Is it a real threat?
As usual, Kim is fighting her bosses every step of the way.
Will she prevail and find peace with all that is being thrown at her?
A terrific story….racing against time….what will the outcome be?????
One of my favorite series to read.

Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Firstly I would like to thank netgalley and Bookoutune and the fantastic author Angela Marsons for an early copy of her book to read.

Rating 5
This is book 21 in this brilliant series,another fantastic read. This is about a cat and mouse game with a killer named the Jester,Detective Kim stone and her team on a case to catch a game player who sent a note to the journalist Tracy Frost. There only 36 hours to follow the clues to save lives,the killer is always a step ahead..another brilliant read.I cant wait to read the next instalment as one of my favourite authors.

This book will be reviewed on goodreads and Amazon and waterstones.

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 ok stars. Not as good as previous books, they are never as good when Frost features in them.

I didn’t enjoy the solving puzzles aspect and with no character arc for the victim or perp it was hard to engage with the book.

Average sorry.

Kim Stone’s cases are always suspenseful but, this time, she has a literal ticking clock. For once, Kim and her team have the opportunity to save someone, not just show up after they’ve died, but the game they’re playing to stop it is pretty hard. The plot takes off right away, with Kim and her Team ready to enjoy their Sunday when Kim’s frenemy, Tracy Frost, shows up with an email that is probably a hoax. Since they’re not sure, they both take it seriously and the action only grows from there. This is a treasure hunt and the readers are given all the clues along with the Team. Since I don’t know the area, I couldn’t play along, but it was still very stressful seeing them try and almost fail to follow the clues. I loved the very suspicious cast of persons of interest and, as always, the interactions and dialogues amongst the team members. Longtime readers have learned the hard way how no one is ever safe. How anyone can die at any time so I was not surprised by one of the twists, even if I was horrified. The ending was great, unexpected and logical, as always. Another excellent entry in this great series.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Bookouture.

Love, love, love this series!!!
I was really looking forward to reading this book, and it definitely didn’t disappoint.
The tension really mounts in this one as Kim and the team have been set a challenge by a sick and twisted individual.
When Frost turns up at Kim’s home early one Sunday morning, she is not happy to see her (as always) but she has to listen to her.
The team have cryptic clues to solve and with Frost having to submit regular articles, she’s at the station with them. This is a bit awkward at first but they have to get used to each other.
I loved this book and was on the edge of my seat so many times as the deadline approached for each clue as the person setting the challenge showed they weren’t afraid to hurt people.
This is yet another brilliant crime thriller from Angela Marsons, and one that I’d highly recommend.
Thanks to Bookouture for the opportunity to read this book.

Absolutely brilliant, an innovative storyline that had me thoroughly gripped and more than a few heart racing moments. The plot is contemporary and seems all too real, a series of clues being left to taunt the police in cryptic geocache style which leaves them reaching their targets tantalisingly a moment to late at every turn to the detriment of the kidnapped captive. I loved the idea that first victim was dispensable and unimportant in the public’s consciousness (homeless) and the uncomfortable feeling you experience for also, fleetingly, thinking he was less important. The next victim couldn’t be more opposite, ticking every humanitarian and like ability box. Clever, very clever. As ever the police characters are likeable but raw and not infallible and you find yourself rooting for them and sympathising with their desperation and vulnerability. Top class, great read. Can’t wait for the next one.

This is book #21 in the Kim Stone series. Whilst it is part of a series, it can be read as a standalone book, but I would recommend reading the books in series order for better understanding of the characters backstories and, of course, to prevent any spoilers!!

The Queen of Crime does it again!! This was one hell of a read and we follow DI Stone and her team on a race around the Black Country, trying to solve the clues laid out for them by the unknown Jester before the clock runs out. We are given (again!) a completely original storyline that introduces us to geocaching, a scavenger hunt style game where you hide and seek containers using clues or GPS coordinates. It's usually a fun activity, but for DI Stone and the team, this hunt is deadly and the clues are complicated. Rather than hunting the little pieces of "treasure" that are usually left, they find they are looking for people who are going missing across the local area.

This storyline was absolutely brilliant! How does the author think up these ideas??!! I mean, we are 21 books in and you'd think some storylines would start to be repeated by now...but no! The author creates a completely different story...every...single...time! Of course, crimes are crimes, and murders are murders, but in this series the reasons behind them all and what is involved throughout the cases are always unique! I love that we have all the team involved, with Penn and Stacey working the office and Stone and Bryant doing the footwork out in the area. It certainly covers a huge area as well, with them being stretched from one side of the Black Country to the other. If you're local, you'll be pleased to see so many of our well known attractions featured, places we all must have visited so many times! In fact, there's that many that perhaps we should rename the book "Kim Stone's Guide to the Black Country"!

The story grabbed me from the first page, and didn't let up until I got to the end. There are plenty of suspects to keep you on your toes and you can feel the suspense and tension building with the turn of every page. The team work well, pulling all their strengths together and even including, surprisingly, Stone's nemesis, Tracy Frost. Whilst the case is solved by the end of the book, there are still some open storylines which, I assume, will be carried over to the next book in the series! I genuinely cannot wait to see what happens with those!! As with every other book in this series so far, this was an incredible read! Along with all the drama and shocks throughout the story, we also get to see those little bits of humour which help lighten the darkening load. I think Kim Stone is the best character...ever! Why are we not getting to see her on the big screen??!! You will not be disappointed with this book!! Fab..u..lous!!

Waking up Detective Kim Stone before the break of dawn is a brave thing to do, especially when you are journalist Tracy Frost. Reluctantly agreeing to listen what she has to say, Kim is perturbed to read a message from an anonymous source – she has 36 hours to follow a trail, solving the clues along the way, or people will die. Despite her superiors being convinced it is a hoax, Kim is sure it is genuine, her fears being realised when she finds a metal box and discovers its contents. Kim and her team are on a true race against time to find a particularly sadistic killer before more bodies are found.

21 books in and Angela Marsons has written another classic Kim Stone book. I always love any plot featuring Tracy Frost as I love the relationship between the detective and journalist. Here we see a perfect example of the outward distrust they have for each other whereas, as the book progresses, the undoubted mutual respect they have becomes apparent.

The plot also gives us the chance to see Kim at her strong-willed, tenacious best, going against the wishes of her boss to continue with an investigation that she has been warned off. With the support of her team, Kim is pitted against a callous individual who, thanks to the cryptic clues he has set, has placed the survival of his victims firmly in the hands of the police. The plot is written in real time so you really get a feel of the pressure they are under, creating a high-octane, fast-paced read that I found genuinely difficult to put down. Angela Marsons is the queen of, ‘I’ll just read one more chapter…’ and before you know it, the book is finished!

Every time I read and review a Kim Stone book, I wonder how Angela Marsons can possibly top it but with 36 Hours, she has done just that. Please, powers that be, turn this into a television series!

"Because it's there." (George Mallory)

Angela Marsons brings to the surface what drives those involved in geo-caching and those involved in solving crimes. Because it's there is at the core of it. Both depend greatly on clues and also on the articles left behind. It's motivation unto itself. So how did we get here?

Tracy Frost is bangin' on DI Kim Stone's door in the wee hours of the morning. It's definitely not a social call. Frost and Stone are hardly civil to one another in the daylight hours. Frost is a journalist who has hounded Kim for years. But then, Frost has helped Kim with crimes in the past.

The door opens and the banter between these two is priceless. Marsons knows just how to zing quirky dialogue into her novels. The stage is set when Frost reveals the reason why she's here. Someone by the name of Jester has injected himself into her life with a jolt. Clues will be dropped into Frost's lap. Frost must untangle these clues and arrive at a destination before someone is hurt badly or even killed. Frost turns to Kim and her team before this game turns deadly.

Marsons sets up the playing field with links to the geo-caching activity popular around the world. Participants must work together and use coordinates to find a box containing treasured items. It's all in the hunt. This hunt is now involving humans as the treasured items. And the clock is ticking.

Angela Marsons never disappoints. I'd like a flashlight tour within this talented author's mind. Each novel is packed with unusual storylines and off-the-grid characters. 36 Hours is one of the greatest challenges to Kim's team so far. You feel the pressure and the tension right out of the box. One slip up and someone will die. Creative, crafty,and extraordinary. 36Hours brings out the true analytical minds within the team. And it's like walking over broken glass to get to the other side. WoWzers! Another bravo moment for Angela Marsons.

I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Bookouture and to the talented Angela Marsons for the opportunity.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Angela Marsons’ 36 Hours is a masterclass in suspense and pacing, delivering a relentless and gripping addition to the Detective Kim Stone series. This 21st installment reaffirms Marsons’ talent for crafting intricate plots and compelling characters, making it a must-read for fans of crime thrillers.

This novel begins with Detective Kim Stone being woken before dawn by local journalist Tracy Frost, who presents her with a chilling note: “You have 36 hours. If you follow the instructions, no one will get hurt.” This sets off a high-stakes race against time as Kim and her team are thrust into a deadly game orchestrated by an anonymous challenger. Each clue leads them deeper into a web of danger, with lives hanging in the balance.

Marsons excels in character development, particularly with Kim Stone, whose determination and resilience are tested to their limits. The dynamic between Kim and her team, including the ever-reliable Bryant, adds depth to the narrative. The antagonist’s psychological complexity and the chilling nature of his game make for a formidable and memorable villain.

Marsons’ writing is taut and immersive, capturing the urgency and peril of the situation. Her ability to weave intricate clues and maintain a relentless pace keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The dialogue is sharp and realistic, enhancing the authenticity of the characters and their interactions. Marsons’ descriptive prowess brings the settings to life, from the eerie woods to the tense atmosphere of the investigation room.

36 Hours explores themes of time, morality, and the psychological impact of high-pressure situations. It delves into the ethical dilemmas faced by law enforcement and the personal toll of their work. The novel also examines the nature of evil and the lengths to which individuals will go to achieve their twisted goals.

36 Hours is a pulse-pounding thriller that showcases Angela Marsons at her best. The novel’s intricate plot, well-developed characters, and relentless suspense make it a standout in the Detective Kim Stone series. Fans of the series and newcomers alike will find themselves captivated by this unputdownable crime thriller.

Highly recommended for fans of crime thrillers, police procedurals, and psychological suspense. 36 Hours is a testament to Angela Marsons’ skill in creating gripping and emotionally resonant stories that leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment.

Beginning the month with a five star read - brilliant! Knowing that this is book 21 in the series, and that both the main character, Kim Stone, and the author, Angela Marsons, continue to improve with each book, is even more impressive.

This book packed so much into the 36 hours it focused on. Games, relationships, romance, betrayal, death, tense moments and twists. All of these were there, all keeping the team and readers on the edge of their toes waiting to see how everything would work out as the Jester played his devilish games.

There are new dangers emerging in the background and I do not like new journalist Steve Ashworth, who feels like he will be a major ongoing threat. Just hoping Kim will do her usual Kim stuff and stay ahead of him going forward.

Penn, Stacey, Bryant are the perfect team and the continually growing relationships and friendships in their lives, and in Kim’s help make this a series to keep reading and already i’m looking forward to the next book. There are so many reasons this is one of my favourite series and the way the team works together is definitely a major role, including the regular side characters who also add strength to the series like Woody and Frost.

Thanks so much to Angela for sharing this story; and to Netgalley and Bookouture for providing an advanced reader copy in exchange for my review. Available for purchase 10/12/24.

Yes, it‘s as good as all the rest! If you love Kim you‘ll love this one and, if you‘ve never read any before, then you‘ve got a gripping, fabulous long series to start!

This time, someone is leaving cryptic clues for the team to follow, otherwise something terrible will happen…. And can the team actually work alongside Frost?!

The journalist Tracy Frost has never been one of DI Kim Stone's favourite people and especially not when she's banging on her front door at 5am. Frost shows Stone an email she has received - the writer sets a puzzle and intimates that someone will come to harm if it is not solved within the given time frame. Frost has to make contact with the police regarding the email and then write regular articles regarding the investigation. Initially Stone and her team are sure that the whole thing is a hoax designed to make the police force a laughing stock but as they start to solve the puzzles they realise that someone's life depends on them.

Fantastic read, a total page turner from start to finish. Absolutely love this series.

Thanks to Netgalley, Bookouture and Angela Marsons for the ARC of this book in return for an honest review.

I say the same every time. How does Angela keep doing it? Book 21 and the writing is as fresh and clever as ever. I barely spoke to my husband for the few days it took to read this. I was quite annoyed I wasn’t able to cancel arrangements to just sit and read. Thank you for another amazing read

Happy to start another Angela Marsons book featuring DI Kim Stone. This is the 21st in the series and since I have only recently discovered Ms. Marsons I have many hours of happy reading ahead of me (this is just my 3rd).

Description:
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?

From the no.1 bestselling author Angela Marsons, 36 Hours is a pulse-pounding race against time that will not let you stop reading for a second. Perfect for fans of Karin Slaughter, Robert Dugoni and Val McDermid.

My Thoughts:
This was a tense and fast-paced read throughout. Nothing like a deadline with lives at stake to raide the stress level. DI Kim Stone is pushed to the limits but she perseveres hoping to save the victims before the clock runs out. Stone and her team work well together to follow the clues and further the investigation; just hoping they will be fast enough. Anyone who enjoys a good thriller will be happy with this one - it will set you on edge!

Thanks to Bookouture through Netgalley for an advance copy.

This is probably the most intense book in the series, you can almost feel the pressure Kim and her team are under in their newest case. It’s brilliantly written as always, and I’m really itching to see what happens between Kim and Frost as I definitely sense a bit of chemistry there.

I also can’t believe how quickly we’ve reached book 21!! Truly love this series, and hope it never ends, I want to still be reading these in 20 years time!!

Angela Marsons is the queen of crime thrillers and she has yet again delivered an amazing book. Reporter Tracy Frost has received a cryptic email which has to be solved within a certain time. She turns to her nemesis D.I. Kim Stone and together with Stone’s team rush to solve the complex instructions or someone will be hurt or even killed. This book will deep you hooked until the very unexpected ending. Can’t wait for the next book.