Five figures gather round a shallow grave.  They had all taken turns to dig.  An adult-sized hole would have taken longer.  An innocent life had been taken but the pact had been made. Their secrets would be buried, bound in blood …

Years later, a headmistress is found brutally strangled, the first in a spate of gruesome murders which shock the Black Country.

But when human remains are discovered at a former children’s home, disturbing secrets are also unearthed. D.I. Kim Stone fast realises she’s on the hunt for a twisted individual whose killing spree spans decades.

As the body count rises, Kim needs to stop the murderer before they strike again. But to catch the killer, can Kim confront the demons of her own past before it’s too late? 

Fans of Rachel Abbott, Val McDermid and Mark Billingham will be gripped by this exceptional new voice in British crime fiction.

Watch out for more from D.I. Kim Stone

A Detective hiding dark secrets, Kim Stone will stop at nothing to protect the innocent.  Silent Scream is the first book in the series – watch out for EVIL GAMES – also out now.

What people are saying about Silent Scream

'I absolutely loved it! ... This one is one of the best crime thrillers I've read in a long time, and that includes mainstream authors such as James Patterson! I would seriously put this book in the same league.' Fiona’s Book Reviews

‘I have not been so impressed by a debut novel in a long time, and I'm actually now itching for more from D.I. Kim Stone and the rest of her squad… D.I. Kim Stone is like the British Jane Rizzoli. She's so ballsy and doesn't understand the meaning of the word no. I LOVE heroines who just do what they want and sod the consequences and Kim did that, right from the beginning as people keep turning up dead, people who are all connected to a children's home that burned down… If you were ever wondering how to write a gripping, wholly engaging crime novel, just have a read of Silent Scream and marvel at how Angela Marsons has done it. I can't wait for the second book, because this one was a top-notch crime thriller.’  Leah Loves

'I don't think I've been so hooked by a new author since the discovery of Mark Edwards or Mark Billingham… Silent Scream gets 5 stars from me - if you finish a crime thriller feeling like you just need to have a lie-down and a cup of tea to get your breath back, then the writer has done their job. Angela Marsons, I still don't have my breath back.’ Reading Room with a View

‘Normally when I see everybody rating a book five stars I think 'Is it really that good?' Silent Scream is that good, and then some… The only problem Angela now faces is keeping up this standard as the series progresses, but if she does than she's going to be an author to watch and a huge star within the genre.’ Book Addict Shaun

‘I started reading ‘Silent Scream’ thinking I would just read a few chapters. I ended up reading it all… I love it when an author chooses a dark topic and does it incredibly well… An excellent read and one I would happily recommend.’  Northern Crime

‘This is a fantastic debut novel by Marsons. The blurb said that if you were a fan of Val McDermid and Mark Billingham you would love this book and being a huge fan of both I thought I would give it a go and I was pleasantly surprised… With lots of twists and turns this is a real page turner and I would highly recommend it.’ The Laughing Librarian

‘It's highly unusual for me to find a book that leads me to put my life on hold. But Angela Marson's Silent Scream has led me to virtually abandon work for the last day, even with deadlines looming, leaving my house a mess and the ironing pile untouched… ticks all the boxes for a 5* rating from me: a well written flowing story; strong but vulnerable protagonist; fast pace; intrigue; twists and turns until several final OMG moments; plenty of action; and the revealing of a brutal murderer.’  Off the Shelf

When a rapist is found mutilated in a brutal stabbing, Detective Kim Stone and her team are called in to bring a swift resolution.  But as further disturbing events come to light, it soon becomes clear that there is someone even more sinister at work.

With the investigation gathering momentum, whilst also trying to expose the secrets of a sick paedophile ring, Kim finds herself in the sights of a lethal individual undertaking their own twisted experiment.

Pitted against a dangerous sociopath who seems to know her every weakness, for Detective Stone, each move she makes could be deadly. As the body count starts to mount, Kim will have to dig deeper than ever before to stop the killing. And this time - it’s personal.

The rising star of the British thriller scene returns with a novel that will enthrall fans of Rachel Abbott, Val McDermid and Mark Billingham.

Watch out for more from D.I. Kim Stone

A Detective hiding dark secrets, Kim Stone will stop at nothing to protect the innocent.  Evil Games is the second book in the series – see where it all began in SILENT SCREAM - out now.

What readers are saying about Evil Games…

‘Angela Marsons has done it again! Evil Games is an absolutely cracking, five-star read - I devoured it in one sitting. Kim Stone has rapidly become one of my favourite ever detectives, and in this second novel in the DI Stone series she kicks ass more than ever, and I have, once again, been left panting in the corner in dire need of a cup of tea!’ Reading Room with a View

‘I'm a little bit speechless to be honest at just how incredible this book was… one of the best new crime authors of 2015, maybe even the decade ... Evil Games is a must read book, and probably one of the best I will read this year.’ Book Addict Shaun

‘Silent Scream (Book 1) was quite brilliant. Evil Games (Book 2) is EXCEPTIONAL. Clearly, the current rating system is broken as it’s unable to accommodate books of this calibre. So I give you – 6/5’  Little Bookness Lane

‘Evil Games is a clever, action-packed journey into some of society's darkest places, crackling with tension and wit. And DI Kim Stone is the most fascinating character to arrive on the scene since Val McDermid gave us Tony Hill. This is a no-brainer. Read Evil Games. You won't regret it."  Mark Edwards

‘Evil Games is a fabulously dark and chilling read… I am a huge fan of D.I. Kim Stone and can't recommend this series highly enough.’  By the Letter Book Reviews

‘Yet again Angela Marsons has written a 5* crime novel. I loved Silent Scream... Evil Games is certainly as good as the first, if not better, and I wish I could give it a higher rating than 5/5’  Off the Shelf Book Reviews

‘Once again, Angela Marsons takes us into the life of the brilliant loner DI Kim Stone and gives us an exciting, slightly chilling and totally thrilling read. This is one book that exceeded all of my expectations … Get yourself ready to take a day off and immerse yourself in this book. It is worth it.’  Northern Crime

‘Angela Marsons is fast becoming THE one to watch in this genre and I would defy anyone not to read and enjoy her writing… She truly has a brilliant mind and this book did not disappoint … This story has everything, it is riveting, emotional, sad and most of all it has a depth that not many novels can claim to have…  I highly recommend this one, Simply brilliant.’  Postcard Reviews

'This book, with every page you turn gives you goose bumps. I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck standing up and I just didn't want to put it down. It's fantastically written, it's gripping right to the last page and I just can't wait for book three now.’ It’s All About the Books

The couple that offers the highest amount will see their daughter again. The losing couple will not. Make no mistake. One child will die. 

When nine-year-old best friends Charlie and Amy disappear, two families are plunged into a living nightmare. A text message confirms the unthinkable; that the girls are the victims of a terrifying kidnapping. 

And when a second text message pits the two families against each other for the life of their children, the clock starts ticking for D.I. Kim Stone and the squad. 

Seemingly outwitted at every turn, as they uncover a trail of bodies, Stone realises that these ruthless killers might be the most deadly she has ever faced. And that their chances of bringing the girls home alive, are getting smaller by the hour… 

Untangling a dark web of secrets from the families’ past might hold the key to solving this case. But can Kim stay alive long enough to do so? Or will someone’s child pay the ultimate price? 

The latest utterly addictive thriller from the No.1 bestseller Angela Marsons. 

‘Love it, love it, love it! If I could give this more than 5 stars I would. Suffice to say this is a 5++++++++ star read once again for me. The author has done it again, produced a story which kept me reading, in one sitting, until I reached the end … I would put this story alongside books from authors such as James Patterson. It has instantly gone to the top of my favourites list, as has the author.’ Fiona’s Book Reviews 

‘Lost Girls was yet another brilliant read … Angela Marsons' books get better and better … This is gripping and addictive reading, hard to put down … a roller coaster ride with plenty of twists and turns.’ Off the Shelf Book Reviews 

‘Angela Marsons is rapidly becoming one of my favourite authors ever.Ever since I read the AMAZING Silent Scream, I have been addicted to her slick and compelling narratives … Compelling, addictive and frightening, Lost Girls is a book you can’t afford to miss.’ A Bookseller Blabbering 

‘For anyone new to Angela Marsons, where have you been? This is one author that stands out from the crowds … a corker of a book. It will keep you hooked and anxious until the last page’ Bye the Crime 

‘Oh my days... I didn't know this series could get any better, but this is by far my favourite so far. This book will certainly be in my top ten books of 2015… This was an absolutely brilliant read… Angela, I don't know how you do it, but by God please keep doing it.’ I Love Reading 

‘Another superb, thrilling novel by Angela Marsons. This lady absolutely rocks, and every book keeps getting better and better!’ Reading Corner for Book Lover’s 

‘Wow, I didn't think Angela Marsons DI Kim Stone series could get any better, but she has really outdone herself here. A fabulous and fast paced thriller with twists and turns galore. Once started I could not put it down until the last page had been turned … I don't give books a 5 star rating unless they have that special something that blows me away, but 'Lost Girls' was a very easy 5 stars for me.’ Cal Turner’s Book Reviews 

‘Lost Girls kept me up late into the night as I just couldn't bear to put it down. Angela Marsons has written a tightly woven thriller, that will keep the reader riveted to the last page.’ The Book Review Café

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 Cafe

'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 ÄDark, 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

A victim killed with a single, precise stab to the heart appears at first glance to be a robbery gone wrong. A caring, upstanding social worker lost to a senseless act of violence. But for Detective Kim Stone, something doesn’t add up. 

When a local drug addict is found murdered with an identical wound, Kim knows instinctively that she is dealing with the same killer. But with nothing to link the two victims except the cold, calculated nature of their death, this could be her most difficult case yet. 

Desperate to catch the twisted individual, Kim’s focus on the case is threatened when she receives a chilling letter from Dr Alex Thorne, the sociopath who Kim put behind bars. And this time, Alex is determined to hit where it hurts most, bringing Kim face-to-face with the woman responsible for the death of Kim’s little brother – her own mother. 

As the body count increases, Kim and her team unravel a web of dark secrets, bringing them closer to the killer. But one of their own could be in mortal danger. Only this time, Kim might not be strong enough to save them… 

A totally gripping thriller that will have you hooked from the very first page to the final, dramatic twist. 

What readers are saying about Angela Marsons 

'I absolutely loved it! ... This one is one of the best crime thrillers I've read in a long time, and that includes mainstream authors such as James Patterson! I would seriously put this book in the same league.' Fiona’s Book Reviews 

‘I don't think I've been so hooked by a new author since the discovery of Mark Edwards or Mark Billingham… if you finish a crime thriller feeling like you just need to have a lie-down and a cup of tea to get your breath back, then the writer has done their job. Angela Marsons, I still don't have my breath back.’ Reading Room with a View 

‘I'm a little bit speechless to be honest at just how incredible this book was… one of the best new crime authors of 2015, maybe even the decade.’ Book Addict Shaun 

‘Angela Marsons is fast becoming THE one to watch in this genre and I would defy anyone not to read and enjoy her writing… She truly has a brilliant mind and this book did not disappoint … This story has everything, it is riveting, emotional, sad and most of all it has a depth that not many novels can claim to have… I highly recommend this one, Simply brilliant.’ Postcard Reviews

Five figures gather round a shallow grave.  They had all taken turns to dig.  An adult-sized hole would have taken longer.  An innocent life had been taken but the pact had been made. Their secrets would be buried, bound in blood …

Years later, a headmistress is found brutally strangled, the first in a spate of gruesome murders which shock the Black Country.

But when human remains are discovered at a former children’s home, disturbing secrets are also unearthed. D.I. Kim Stone fast realises she’s on the hunt for a twisted individual whose killing spree spans decades.

As the body count rises, Kim needs to stop the murderer before they strike again. But to catch the killer, can Kim confront the demons of her own past before it’s too late? 

Fans of Rachel Abbott, Val McDermid and Mark Billingham will be gripped by this exceptional new voice in British crime fiction.

Watch out for more from D.I. Kim Stone

A Detective hiding dark secrets, Kim Stone will stop at nothing to protect the innocent.  Silent Scream is the first book in the series – watch out for EVIL GAMES – also out now.

What people are saying about Silent Scream

'I absolutely loved it! ... This one is one of the best crime thrillers I've read in a long time, and that includes mainstream authors such as James Patterson! I would seriously put this book in the same league.' Fiona’s Book Reviews

‘I have not been so impressed by a debut novel in a long time, and I'm actually now itching for more from D.I. Kim Stone and the rest of her squad… D.I. Kim Stone is like the British Jane Rizzoli. She's so ballsy and doesn't understand the meaning of the word no. I LOVE heroines who just do what they want and sod the consequences and Kim did that, right from the beginning as people keep turning up dead, people who are all connected to a children's home that burned down… If you were ever wondering how to write a gripping, wholly engaging crime novel, just have a read of Silent Scream and marvel at how Angela Marsons has done it. I can't wait for the second book, because this one was a top-notch crime thriller.’  Leah Loves

'I don't think I've been so hooked by a new author since the discovery of Mark Edwards or Mark Billingham… Silent Scream gets 5 stars from me - if you finish a crime thriller feeling like you just need to have a lie-down and a cup of tea to get your breath back, then the writer has done their job. Angela Marsons, I still don't have my breath back.’ Reading Room with a View

‘Normally when I see everybody rating a book five stars I think 'Is it really that good?' Silent Scream is that good, and then some… The only problem Angela now faces is keeping up this standard as the series progresses, but if she does than she's going to be an author to watch and a huge star within the genre.’ Book Addict Shaun

‘I started reading ‘Silent Scream’ thinking I would just read a few chapters. I ended up reading it all… I love it when an author chooses a dark topic and does it incredibly well… An excellent read and one I would happily recommend.’  Northern Crime

‘This is a fantastic debut novel by Marsons. The blurb said that if you were a fan of Val McDermid and Mark Billingham you would love this book and being a huge fan of both I thought I would give it a go and I was pleasantly surprised… With lots of twists and turns this is a real page turner and I would highly recommend it.’ The Laughing Librarian

‘It's highly unusual for me to find a book that leads me to put my life on hold. But Angela Marson's Silent Scream has led me to virtually abandon work for the last day, even with deadlines looming, leaving my house a mess and the ironing pile untouched… ticks all the boxes for a 5* rating from me: a well written flowing story; strong but vulnerable protagonist; fast pace; intrigue; twists and turns until several final OMG moments; plenty of action; and the revealing of a brutal murderer.’  Off the Shelf

When a rapist is found mutilated in a brutal stabbing, Detective Kim Stone and her team are called in to bring a swift resolution.  But as further disturbing events come to light, it soon becomes clear that there is someone even more sinister at work.

With the investigation gathering momentum, whilst also trying to expose the secrets of a sick paedophile ring, Kim finds herself in the sights of a lethal individual undertaking their own twisted experiment.

Pitted against a dangerous sociopath who seems to know her every weakness, for Detective Stone, each move she makes could be deadly. As the body count starts to mount, Kim will have to dig deeper than ever before to stop the killing. And this time - it’s personal.

The rising star of the British thriller scene returns with a novel that will enthrall fans of Rachel Abbott, Val McDermid and Mark Billingham.

Watch out for more from D.I. Kim Stone

A Detective hiding dark secrets, Kim Stone will stop at nothing to protect the innocent.  Evil Games is the second book in the series – see where it all began in SILENT SCREAM - out now.

What readers are saying about Evil Games…

‘Angela Marsons has done it again! Evil Games is an absolutely cracking, five-star read - I devoured it in one sitting. Kim Stone has rapidly become one of my favourite ever detectives, and in this second novel in the DI Stone series she kicks ass more than ever, and I have, once again, been left panting in the corner in dire need of a cup of tea!’ Reading Room with a View

‘I'm a little bit speechless to be honest at just how incredible this book was… one of the best new crime authors of 2015, maybe even the decade ... Evil Games is a must read book, and probably one of the best I will read this year.’ Book Addict Shaun

‘Silent Scream (Book 1) was quite brilliant. Evil Games (Book 2) is EXCEPTIONAL. Clearly, the current rating system is broken as it’s unable to accommodate books of this calibre. So I give you – 6/5’  Little Bookness Lane

‘Evil Games is a clever, action-packed journey into some of society's darkest places, crackling with tension and wit. And DI Kim Stone is the most fascinating character to arrive on the scene since Val McDermid gave us Tony Hill. This is a no-brainer. Read Evil Games. You won't regret it."  Mark Edwards

‘Evil Games is a fabulously dark and chilling read… I am a huge fan of D.I. Kim Stone and can't recommend this series highly enough.’  By the Letter Book Reviews

‘Yet again Angela Marsons has written a 5* crime novel. I loved Silent Scream... Evil Games is certainly as good as the first, if not better, and I wish I could give it a higher rating than 5/5’  Off the Shelf Book Reviews

‘Once again, Angela Marsons takes us into the life of the brilliant loner DI Kim Stone and gives us an exciting, slightly chilling and totally thrilling read. This is one book that exceeded all of my expectations … Get yourself ready to take a day off and immerse yourself in this book. It is worth it.’  Northern Crime

‘Angela Marsons is fast becoming THE one to watch in this genre and I would defy anyone not to read and enjoy her writing… She truly has a brilliant mind and this book did not disappoint … This story has everything, it is riveting, emotional, sad and most of all it has a depth that not many novels can claim to have…  I highly recommend this one, Simply brilliant.’  Postcard Reviews

'This book, with every page you turn gives you goose bumps. I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck standing up and I just didn't want to put it down. It's fantastically written, it's gripping right to the last page and I just can't wait for book three now.’ It’s All About the Books

The couple that offers the highest amount will see their daughter again. The losing couple will not. Make no mistake. One child will die. 

When nine-year-old best friends Charlie and Amy disappear, two families are plunged into a living nightmare. A text message confirms the unthinkable; that the girls are the victims of a terrifying kidnapping. 

And when a second text message pits the two families against each other for the life of their children, the clock starts ticking for D.I. Kim Stone and the squad. 

Seemingly outwitted at every turn, as they uncover a trail of bodies, Stone realises that these ruthless killers might be the most deadly she has ever faced. And that their chances of bringing the girls home alive, are getting smaller by the hour… 

Untangling a dark web of secrets from the families’ past might hold the key to solving this case. But can Kim stay alive long enough to do so? Or will someone’s child pay the ultimate price? 

The latest utterly addictive thriller from the No.1 bestseller Angela Marsons. 

‘Love it, love it, love it! If I could give this more than 5 stars I would. Suffice to say this is a 5++++++++ star read once again for me. The author has done it again, produced a story which kept me reading, in one sitting, until I reached the end … I would put this story alongside books from authors such as James Patterson. It has instantly gone to the top of my favourites list, as has the author.’ Fiona’s Book Reviews 

‘Lost Girls was yet another brilliant read … Angela Marsons' books get better and better … This is gripping and addictive reading, hard to put down … a roller coaster ride with plenty of twists and turns.’ Off the Shelf Book Reviews 

‘Angela Marsons is rapidly becoming one of my favourite authors ever.Ever since I read the AMAZING Silent Scream, I have been addicted to her slick and compelling narratives … Compelling, addictive and frightening, Lost Girls is a book you can’t afford to miss.’ A Bookseller Blabbering 

‘For anyone new to Angela Marsons, where have you been? This is one author that stands out from the crowds … a corker of a book. It will keep you hooked and anxious until the last page’ Bye the Crime 

‘Oh my days... I didn't know this series could get any better, but this is by far my favourite so far. This book will certainly be in my top ten books of 2015… This was an absolutely brilliant read… Angela, I don't know how you do it, but by God please keep doing it.’ I Love Reading 

‘Another superb, thrilling novel by Angela Marsons. This lady absolutely rocks, and every book keeps getting better and better!’ Reading Corner for Book Lover’s 

‘Wow, I didn't think Angela Marsons DI Kim Stone series could get any better, but she has really outdone herself here. A fabulous and fast paced thriller with twists and turns galore. Once started I could not put it down until the last page had been turned … I don't give books a 5 star rating unless they have that special something that blows me away, but 'Lost Girls' was a very easy 5 stars for me.’ Cal Turner’s Book Reviews 

‘Lost Girls kept me up late into the night as I just couldn't bear to put it down. Angela Marsons has written a tightly woven thriller, that will keep the reader riveted to the last page.’ The Book Review Café