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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.

388 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 10, 2024

3484 people are currently reading
921 people want to read

About the author

Angela Marsons

56 books5,001 followers
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.
Angela is now signed to write a total of 16 Kim Stone books for http://bookouture.com and has secured a print deal with Bonnier Zaffre Publishing.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 409 reviews
Profile Image for Maureen .
1,726 reviews7,545 followers
December 3, 2024
She’s back!
Detective Kim Stone is back with book 21# in this excellent series.

Kim is rudely awoken from some much needed sleep by journalist Tracy Frost hammering at the door. Kim isn’t the least bit pleased to see Frost at the best of times, but when Frost shows her a message that she’s received, Kim’s irritation is replaced by dread, because the sender wants to play a game - a game that gives her 36 hours to follow a trail, and if she fails, people will die.

Kim gathers her team together and they immediately begin work on solving the first clue, which involves geo-caching (no me neither)! With just minutes to spare they solve the first cryptic clue, which in turn leads them deep into the woods where they find the second clue, together with a tape of a heart wrenching scream which turns Kim’s blood cold. I’ll let the rest of the synopsis speak for itself though, and finish with my thoughts.

It’s clear that there’s a sadistic killer at large, and the clock is literally ticking, so much so, that about half way in I was literally holding my breath, and that more or less continued right the way through the rest of the book.

I just love the characters in this wonderful series, their development has been terrific, all complex but very relatable - every book feels like a reunion with people I care about, and this particular storyline really has the heart racing!
Fast paced and gripping as ever, book 21# is still as interesting and inventive as the first, and is a prime example of why Angela Marsons remains one of my favourite authors.

*Many thanks to Bookouture for my ARC in exchange for an honest unbiased review *
Profile Image for Debra .
3,292 reviews36.5k followers
December 3, 2024
*CRACK* That is the sound of Angela Marsons hitting it out of the ballpark with 36 Hours! I can't believe that this is the 21st book in the addictive, captivating, and thrilling DI Kim Stone series! 36 Hours was addictive, original, and tense! Whew! Angela Marsons always has delivers and had me turning the pages and on the edge of the seat as Kim and her team worked against the clock to catch a killer!!!!!!! I was instantly gripped from the very beginning of this book. I was on the edge of my seat with my fingers crossed and my heart pounding as things became grim and deadly.

Detective Kim Stone gets an early morning phone call from journalist Tracy Frost who has received an alarming message. Kim has 36 hours to follow the clues and if she fails, people will die! Talk about pressure! Her team gathered and worked together to solve the clue which led them to a hidden box in the woods which contained another clue and a tape. Kim and her devoted team worked tirelessly to solve the clues to stop a killer before it is too late. The killer is diabolical, clever, and deadly. As the clock continues to wind down and things become dire, the team is pushed to the brink in their pursuit for justice.

Kim continues to be such a fabulous character. I love how she is both tough as nails yet has a heart of gold. She is clever, intelligent, spunky, hardworking and will stop at nothing to get to the truth. She along with her team have great banter, teamwork, and camaraderie. I enjoy the glimpses into their private lives. I also appreciate how Marson's shows how their investigations affect each of them personally. Don’t get me started on the dynamic between Kim and Frost!

36 Hours was brimming with tension, twists, dread, and danger. There were several scenes that had my pulse pounding and had me wanting to know what was going to happen next! Speaking of what comes next, I can't wait to read what Angela Marsons writes next!

I had the pleasure of having both the book and audiobook and enjoying switching back and forth between the two. The narration of the audiobook was fantastic and made for a lovely reading experience.

Wonderfully written, fast paced, addictive and hard to put down!

*A Witches Words Buddy read


Thank you to Bookouture, Bookouture Audio, and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖
Profile Image for Andrea.
700 reviews
December 3, 2024
This is book 21 in this fantastic series,another brilliant read.kim stone, and her team trying to catch a killer who's playing a cat and mouse game. The killer is always one step ahead.the journalist Tracy Frost received a message that kim knows it's a threat she has 36 hours before innocent people die, ..another brilliant read from one of my favourite authors..can't wait to read her next instalment....
Profile Image for Liz.
2,857 reviews3,769 followers
November 21, 2024
The twenty-first book in the Kim Stone series starts hard and never lets up. The story starts when Tracy Frost receives a challenge in the form of a message. Kim assembles her team and the hunt is on to find clues that will prevent people from dying. The hunt leads to a geo-caching community that has exploded since Covid.
I was impressed at the tension and fast pacing that was consistent throughout the story. The team gets no breaks and that means neither does the reader.
The characters are so well defined and I enjoyed seeing the team develop a new appreciation for Frost and vice versa. Part of my enjoyment of this series are the characters - their moral standards, but also their humanity. Marsons shows them when they’re vulnerable.
I don’t think this would work well as a stand-alone as you need to have a deeper basis for the relationships between the characters.
Once again, I was furious at a publisher that decided it was appropriate to give up half the plot in the blurb. When will they learn?
My thanks to Netgalley and Bookouture for an advance copy of this book.
Profile Image for Jonetta.
2,615 reviews1,337 followers
December 12, 2024
the setup…
Newspaper reporter Tracy Frost receives a text in the middle of the night from someone calling himself the Jester. She would normally ignore it but something about it feels genuine…and ominous. She awakens Detective Kim Stone who’s ready to close the door on her until she reads the note. Her cop instincts scream that she take it seriously. She assembles her team (it’s the weekend!) and they get to work trying to decipher the challenge. The Jester is threatening to harm someone if they don’t figure out the clue by a certain time.

the heart of the story…
It’s a race against time and the team is losing the real game, even when they figure out the clues in time. They’ve 36 hours to reach the end game. The team really rose to the occasion and it includes Tracy Frost, showing their investigative skills and smarts as they run from one location to the next, solving each clue. I loved the dynamics and how Tracy developed a new appreciation for what they do and vice versa.

the narration…
Jan Cramer continues to be the voice in my head for this series and its characters. This was a particularly difficult story and she managed all those emotional highs and lows with care and depth.

the bottom line…
I was riveted from start to finish as it’s one of the more unpredictable mysteries in the series. It involved geocaching, which significantly evolved during the pandemic. Who knew there were sites and clubs now? But it was the team that shined, even when they were losing face in the press as they were single mindedly focused on finding the Jester and his prey. I feel pretty smug about having guessed the identity but still wasn’t prepared for the emotional ending. Please let the next book be ready soon.

Posted on Blue Mood Café

(Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette UK - Bookouture for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Profile Image for NZLisaM.
603 reviews745 followers
August 21, 2025
4 rounded up to 4.5!

DI Kim Stone is enjoying a Sunday lie in when an unwelcome knock on the door disturbs her sleep. She’s even more annoyed to find Tracy Frost on her doorstep as her and the reporter have long since clashed. Frost is disturbed by an email she received in the early hours from someone calling themselves ‘The Jester’. The letter states that it wants her to play a game, otherwise people will die. Frost has 36 hours (Sunday 7am to Monday 7am) to follow the clues and complete it, and she is allowed to hand pick a police team to help, which is why she has approached Kim.

Kim is sure it’s a hoax but the little bit of doubt she feels has her assembling her team – Bryant, Stacey, and Penn – on their day off. At 7am Frost receives a text from The Jester containing the first clue. A clue that leads to a harrowing discovery.

A life is on the line, and the countdown is on!

Whew, I thought Guilty Mothers (the book in this series I read prior to this one) was fast paced but 36 Hours (#21) flew by at breakneck speed and had me frantically swiping the pages of my ebook. The short chapters (107 for a 386-page book) kept the pace relentless and heightened the suspense and tension, And the timestamp at the start of every chapter mirrored the urgency of the ticking clock, a constant reminder that the stakes were life-and-death, and time was slipping away. I really admire and enjoy Tracy Frost as a character, and she only appeared in a few scenes in the last book, so it was fantastic that she had a prominent role in this one. Unfortunately, Tiffany ‘Tiff’ Moore was absent from this instalment, as 36 Hours only featured an A storyline, and as per The Jester’s demand only Kim, her core team of three, and Frost were allowed to play his game.

But never fear, we were still given little glimpses into the personal and home lives of Kim and her colleagues, and how they spend their downtime. There were also a couple of exciting reveals by the close of the story. More of Tracy Frost’s backstory also unfolded. I love these characters, their found family dynamics, and their dedication to catching the bad guys and saving the victims. Kim’s dog Barney was in a couple of scenes, but still not enough for me. The series can be read out of order, as every book features a standalone mystery. Trigger warnings are included in spoiler tags at the end.

Now I’m thinking I’ll wrap up my Kim Stone marathon by reading the very latest in the series – Little Children.

Trigger Warnings:
Profile Image for Mandy White (mandylovestoread).
2,808 reviews867 followers
December 23, 2024
A new Kim Stone book.. straight to the top of the TBR, of course. I am so grateful to Bookouture for allowing me early access to read these books early. It's one of my favourite crime series, and this team of detectives always has me hooked on every page. Another late night finishing this one off, and I am not mad about it at all.

Kim and her team of dedicated detectives have their work cut out for them in 36 Hours. As the title suggests, they have 36 to solve this case. Reporter Tracey Frost is sent an email in the early hours of a Sunday morning to follow the clues of someone being hurt. This killer is sadistic and there are some gruesome scenes.

I feel that I am running out of words to describe how much I love these books. Always page turning, clever writing with characters that I really care about after so many books. This is book 21, and they just keep getting better and better. Is it time for book 22 yet?!

Publishes on December 10th, a must-read series.
November 17, 2024
Not your average police procedural... absolutely fascinating, gripping, unique investigation following a geocaching challenge with no victim it may seem. Kim has to decide if the risk of a potential crime is worth the risk to her job.

I had no idea of this seemingly huge hobby and it sounds fun, but less so in these circumstances. Still a whodunnit PP, just a very different kind and I loved it. I was instantly gripped when Frost showed up at Kim's door.

Really loved the start and end chapters in particular.

One of my favourite series still never disappoints. I think this would work well as a stand alone!

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

PD: 10 December 2024.
Profile Image for Brenda.
5,119 reviews3,026 followers
December 13, 2024
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.
Profile Image for Judy.
1,481 reviews149 followers
November 30, 2024
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.
Profile Image for Sandysbookaday (on indefinite hiatus).
2,658 reviews2,479 followers
January 13, 2025
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.

https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
493 reviews9 followers
December 8, 2024
Omg I binged this high quality audiobook. I was hooked the familiar characters being part of a game by a sadistic killer. The narration was spot in. The story was dark and full of twists and turns. I liked the way the game could gave actually happened and highlighted some of the online pitfalls we never think about when joining communities and games. There was real emotion to all the characters . I loved the fact that even though the killer was human their behaviour was not toned down or justified by anyone other than them. I liked hearing the humanity in the lead characters . The ending leaves me wondering what's next and please don't end it after 21 books. You gave me deep horror and I willed it to end well. I love the realism and fear. Thank you so much netgallery and publisher and author and narrator fir his highly recommend 5 🌟 listen.
Profile Image for MaxDisaster.
677 reviews88 followers
March 20, 2025
4,5 stars
Great as usual. Disturbing as usual.
Once again proves that some people take their hobbies way too seriously (and don't think about consequences). And I'm not talking about the murderer, I'm talking about the rest of the self-obsessed jerks that enabled them.
I was happy with the book. Marsons' writing is solid as always.
Profile Image for JulesGP.
652 reviews230 followers
April 26, 2025
Finally, after 22 books, I figured out who the killer was before the end of the story. I’m a fan of thrillers that take place under a time crunch of hours. I was a big fan of the tv show 24 so I was excited to see this book titled 36 Hours. The author did a great job of having the team follow clues to solve individual puzzles which led to more puzzles. Who knew Geocaching was still a thing. But the fun thing about Kim Stone series is that the book is never about just one mystery. Also, the present story often seeds the next one. I’m curious where the next few books will go. 4.5 stars.
Profile Image for Amy.
2,668 reviews2,029 followers
December 8, 2024
I feel like a broken record every time I talk about the latest installment in the Kim Stone series because I always say the books just keep getting better, but y’all, they really and truly do! The authors true talent to genuinely improve book after book in such a long running series is beyond impressive, it’s a special gift that few possess and it always leaves me in awe. The other thing I find myself repeating each review is yes, you should read the entire series in order. Technically you can read this as a standalone but you would be missing out on so much history and rich character development and I’m not sure you would appreciate just how fantastic this series is.

This time around Kim and her team are racing against the clock, literally. Every case has pressures but the addition of a ticking clock really heightened everything to a new level. The team doesn’t get any rest while they’re trying to solve cryptic puzzles and hard to guess clues and the intensity was at an all time high. As you can imagine this leaves Kim even grumpier than ever but dare I say she showed a softer side at moments here?! I know, sounds unbelievable but it’s true and I adore when the author showcases a slightly more tender side to her character. Don’t worry she’s gone too soft though, the case throws her nemesis Tracy Frost into the mix so she’s still the irritable smart ass we all know and love. As always this was fast paced, twisty and super clever with a case that I would’ve never solved before the team did. I loved how everything wrapped up, especially the last few chapters with glimpses into the entire teams home and private life, it lent of sense of intimacy to the story and brought me back down to earth after an epic conclusion to the case. I can’t say enough good things about this series, it’s a police procedural like no other and definitely one of my all time favorites!
Profile Image for Wulf Krueger.
526 reviews131 followers
March 30, 2025
Kim Stone #12 to #21

I went down a rabbit hole with Kim Stone. After eleven novels starring Angela Marsons' brilliant, abrasive, sympathetic Detective Inspector, I was so enamoured with these characters, the mysteries, and all the other greatness that make these novels, I just couldn’t get enough of them.

Every waking minute that could be spent on the novels, would be.

Ok, a few times I would start to despair at the loss of the rule of law in the USA, witnessing how people like you and me are impacted by what that despicable orange person does.

And then I would immediately return to Kim Stone and her team. Penn, Stacey, Bryant (whose given name I now finally know!), Frost, and, interestingly, Leanne - they all have their moments. The stories always address relevant contemporary issues, they’re believable, suspenseful and thrilling.

I cannot review those novels individually anymore because once I had finished one (without taking the time for my usual highlights, notes, and annotations), I’d jump right into the next. I’d probably be facing the worst book hangover in decades if there hadn’t been a certain book to spare me that trouble.

Just know if you’re into mysteries and police procedurals (in rural Britain), you cannot go wrong with Angela Marsons’ Kim Stone.

Thus, I’m awarding five stars out of five to each and every instalment from #12 to #21 and will be copying this review to each of these.


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Ceterum censeo Putin esse delendam
Profile Image for Adrian Dooley.
512 reviews160 followers
November 26, 2024
The 21st in the Kim Stone series and 36 hours has the accelerator to the floor throughout. It’s relentless. The title should give a clue of a story of a race against time.

The whole geofencing pursuit pastime was totally new to me and pretty interesting. The action is relentless as the team have to solve clues and find the next one within a set time or else people will die. This works great to keep the book going at a breath taking pace but leaves little room for character development(the characters in this series are the real stars of these books) so I wouldn’t recommend this as a stand alone.

The whole thing flew by and with many of these types of books, as a reader I found the chase better than the catch. Also the last couple of chapters I found a little too twee but that doesn’t take away from another stellar addition to this already impressive series.

Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
Profile Image for Sue.
1,420 reviews5 followers
February 8, 2025
36 HOURS is the 21st book in the D.I. Kim Stone crime-thriller series by best-selling author Angela Marsons. This novel can be read as a standalone. Angela Marsons remains one of my favorite mystery authors, and her publisher, Bookouture, always publishes the very best novels. I have read all of her books…and she keeps getting better. I don’t want this series to end!

It was so refreshing to touch base with Kim’s CID team again: DS Bryant, DS Penn, and DC Stacey Wood. Her team are driven and compassionate in their work. The story centers around Detective Kim Stone and her rival reporter Tracy Frost. The characters keep getting stronger and stronger. We also touch base with Kim’s boss, DCI Woodward (Woody), Keats, the local pathologist, and who could forget Kim’s faithful dog, Barney. Love that dog!

On a Sunday morning Tracy Frost, a local reporter, had received a cryptic message from someone who referred to himself as “The Jester”, about wanting to play a game, showed up on her email. The note gave clear instructions to follow over a period of 36 hours and if they were followed, no one would get hurt… but if she failed, people would die. Tracy was told to contact the police, so she contacted Detective Kim Stone.

Was this a hoax?

Kim feels this is not a hoax and bought together her team to wait for the first clue…a home phone number, an email address and a clue. A short time later they solve the first cryptic clue with the discovery of a box hidden in the woods with a second clue and tape.

This was no hoax! Bloody fingernails and bloody teeth had been left at the scenes.

Kim must find where the Jester is hiding his victim.

But then on the second day a surgeon goes missing, and if they don’t save her an eight-year-old girl will die.

Time is ticking away and Kim must find the culprit.

36 Hours is race against time with twists and high suspense level that will keep you glued to your seat.

Many thanks to the author, Bookouture and Net Galley for my digital copy.


Profile Image for Eva.
961 reviews534 followers
December 5, 2024
Kim Stone, instalment number 21. Let that sink in for a minute.

First of all, let me say that I absolutely adored the way Angela Marsons began this story. Scenes of domestic bliss on a Sunday morning for the various team members won’t fail in putting a smile on your face. Of course, those moments are especially rudely interrupted by Frost showing up at Kim’s house with a message she’s received. And from then on, it’s all systems go and bring the oxygen tank!

Someone is playing a dangerous game of cat and mouse with Kim and her team. They always seem to be one step ahead, leaving the team utterly frustrated. The clues this person leaves behind are complicated, giving Penn and Stacey a headache. And while they’re trying to find out what’s going on and who’s behind it, Frost apparently needs to make sure this person is getting their fifteen minutes of fame.

Throw in a geocaching angle and a dysfunctional family, and suddenly there’s a long list of potential suspects. I zeroed in on one character, but while it turned out they may have been responsible for something or other, I didn’t discover the identity of the actual culprit until it was revealed to me. I have to say I remain utterly in awe that, after so many years, Marsons is still able to pull the wool over my eyes.

‘36 Hours‘ is an addictive and brutal kind of treasure hunt. I could feel the team’s frustration in seemingly always lagging behind the person calling the shots, in having to waste time solving the riddles, and in being forced to play this criminal’s game. With each page, I was nearly able to hear the clock ticking away in the background. The pace felt relentless and when it was all over, it was almost as if I hadn’t drawn a breath since the story started.

I found the ending chapters rather perfect. A full circle moment, if you will. On top of that, it was nice to have Frost somewhat involved in a case, to learn a bit more about her. There’s even a moment or two where you spot Kim’s softer side. All in all, yet another fabulous addition to this long-running series. If Angela Marsons can keep this up, I’ll still be reading these when I’m in the nursing home. With the oxygen tank by my side, just in case.
Profile Image for Sean Peters  (A Good Thriller).
827 reviews116 followers
December 16, 2024
Book 21 in the Kim Stone series and one of the few authors I have been able to keep up with.

This is different from her normal story for the author, this gives DI Kim Stone a different challenge, facing up to a foe that challengers her and her team, Kim finds herself not in control as usual.

A more serious story and a challenging the whole team more than ever before

Kim clutches the note tightly as her pulse starts to race. You have 36 hours. I 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?

Four stars.
Profile Image for Alan Cotterell.
562 reviews189 followers
December 7, 2024
Having read and enjoyed the first 20 books, I was delighted to see another instalment due and especially so to be allowed an ARC.

it can be read as a standalone, but you would benefit from reading the first 20 books. They are all amazing and there are some references that won’t full make sense if you don’t have the background. This may be book 21, but its has the huge impact as the first. It grabs you, pulls you in and won’t let you go till the end, then you are left think that was the best book of the year.

How the author is still producing such an amazing book, this fare into the series is such an achievement
Profile Image for Kat (Katlovesbooks) Dietrich.
1,542 reviews206 followers
December 11, 2024

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!


For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/

Profile Image for Carole Gourlay .
576 reviews9 followers
December 5, 2024

This is an absolutely fabulous, mind boggling, exciting book, which if you like chasing clues is great and stretches your imagination. I really don’t know how Angela thinks up these fabulous stories, but she does and they get better and better.

At the start, Kim’s old nemesis Frost turns up at her doorstep with, what at first looks like some cock and bull story, but it soon becomes clear that Kim has 36 hours to follow the clues before someone dies.

She and her team are against the clock all through the book, with what appears to the reader as a wild goose chase. As some poor soul is taken and body parts found with each clue, it is a gruesome tale. Time is running out and then a surgeon goes missing. Will Kim and her team find her in time?

Kim is her usual brusque no nonsense self but underneath she has a heart of gold, and there is a side in this book where we see that.

I loved this book and it was like being with old friends again.

My thanks to Angela and Netgalley for the ARC.

Profile Image for Robin Loves Reading.
2,904 reviews425 followers
November 15, 2024
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.
Profile Image for Lee.
1,062 reviews123 followers
November 27, 2024
This is the 21st book in this series, hard to believe but just demonstrates what a fabulous author Angela Marsons is, in that she keeps producing such exciting books featuring Kim Stone and her team.

Once again, we have another great plot that keeps the reader engaged throughout. This time Kim and her team only have 36 hours to solve this crime, and the tension and suspense is ripe. Our old friend Tracy Frost the reporter features heavily in the book with her receiving an email before sunrise that leads her to a set of clues to follow before someone will lose their life. Once again Kim is challenged by her relationship with Tracey, and you can almost visualise her eye roll when she initially realises that Frost is back in her life again, and whenever Tracey is present, we all know something big is about to happen. This killer is more than a person taking lives, he is incredibly clever and wants to engage others such as Kim and Tracey in the game he wishes to play. All I can say is the girls need to watch their backs; this is like something they have not seen before and the whole team will be tested in trying to bring this killer down.

Another wonderful instalment in this series which I never tire of, if you have not read these books before you really should. Highly recommended. Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
Profile Image for Bookworm86 .
2,013 reviews140 followers
December 13, 2024
BLOG TOUR REVIEW

Review for '36 Hours' by Angela Marsons.

OMG!!! SHUT THE FRONT DOOR!!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO US ANGELA!!!! JUST WOW!!!! Seriously love, love LOVED this book!!!! Although, shouldn't be so shocked, it is Angela Marsons and Kim Stone after all!!!! Anyway, on with the review shall I....

Angela's style of writing is absolutely fantastic. She has a way in which she completely absorbs the reader into the book with vivid and graphic descriptions that have you completely lost in the plot. It is the type of book that when you finish you look around and wonder where you are and how is nobody else reacting to the bombshell that has just been dropped!!! One of the most heart racing, nail biting, actually stopped breathing book I've EVER read!!!! I mean how on earth do you do it Angela??? Every single book is more heart racing than the next and this has absolutely smashed it!!! This epic series is the best I have ever read. I mean nobody can beat Kim and the team!!

Angela kicks it out of the ballpark each and every single time!!! How can someone write so many epic, addictive and gritty books yet come up with unique storylines that shock the reader constantly!!! Angela is the absolute queen of crime and if you have never read any of her books then what on earth are you waiting for!!! You are seriously missing out!! The storyline is an absolute rollercoaster ride through a multi layered adventure park set in the world of horror, supernatural, medium and crime!!! There's never just one case with Angela but so much going on, not too much to get you confused but just the perfect amount to keep the pace continuous. The majority of chapters end on cliff-hanger so keeps reader addicted and turning pages. Although this book is the 21st book in the epic Kim Stone series it can easily be read as a standalone. I am not a fan of books in a series being read out of order but if you do there is a silver lining of doing this and that is while you are waiting for the next book in this series to be released you can go back and read the previous books while you are waiting. I can guarantee that if you have never read any books by this absolutely crime queen then I promise that you are about to discover your new favourite author!!. The murders and crimes are unique and morbidly intriguing. I was on the edge of my seat, biting my nails whilst feeling my heart pounding into the silly hours of the morning as this is one book that cannot be put down so clear your diaries before picking it up. It fills you with all emotions from fear to laughter, tension to shock. You would think there would be only so many ways to kill someone but Angela brings new ways to kill her characters of each and every time. If Angela ever decides to go rogue then lock your doors and hide as she has absolutely everything covered!!! The evocative descriptions and Angela's amazing writing skills will have you trying to hunt out the killer/s and the truth with Kim and Bryant while your heart is pounding throughout. My heart was in my throat the whole way through from the epilogue to the very last sentence. I just could not believe what I was reading. As always the last chapter had me absolutely gobsmacked and I absolutely LOVED IT!!! Well done Angela, I'm getting harder and harder to shock but you had me hook, line and sinker!!!! I seriously NEED to see these amazing books on the big screen!! I was absolutely LANDED to discover that these amazing books are actually going to be made into a series and I really cannot wait to see them and to read the next addition in my favourite series with my favourite characters ever!!! The fact that Angela always researches her topics and police procedurals absolutely shines through these books and I want to say a HUGE WELL DONE for that.

Why are you still reading this? Don't bother!!! The book is much better than any of my words can describe so cancel your plans, put the kettle on and get stuck in to this absolutely page turning must read now!!!

Although this is the twenty first book in the series I would have had absolutely no problems reading it without any of the others. Any details or events that have previously happened are mentioned in just the right amount of detail to let a new reader know what has happened and yet not too much to bore a previous reader.

These characters have become like very close friends to me and each time I meet them it feels like I haven't been far from them for long. Kim and her fierce attitude, Bryant who is the angel (at times) on Kim's shoulders who (sometimes) manages to calm her down and make her see sense, the strange relationship with Tracy Frost and so much more. . It isn't all crime and sadness in Angela's books though and it had me giggling on several occasions which is brilliant considering it's a crime novel. Kim's attitude really does make me smile and laugh out loud. Tracy plays quite a big part in this book although I won't say any more than the fact that I enjoyed seeing the tilt in the Stone/Frost rollercoaster relationship they have. My heart broke for a certain character that we have seen over this series and I was hoping it wouldn't end the way it did for them but again I won't say more than that. Angela creates fantastic team dynamics with memorable characters who work together brilliantly and perfectly. Each character is unique and has strong personalities and they just are completely unforgettable. I absolutely adore the pathologist Keats and how the sarcasm between him and the team and his attitude. Stacey and Penn are also strong team members and I love how they work so well together and yet wind each other up constantly. Angela has brought these characters to life over this series and I have yet to meet a team and group of people I like so much. I genuinely miss them between books.

A MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS ANGELA MARSONS!!! As always you have done the research and you have created what I can guarantee will be one of the best read books ever!! I hope your busy writing cause I cannot wait to get my hands on your next success!!! Seriously what are you waiting for guys??? Stop reading this and get your copy now!!!! This is exactly why you and this series are my favourite author and series!!! You are absolutely amazing and I hope you are busy on your next success because I'm missing the gang already!!!

Overall an absolutely amazing psychological thriller of epic proportions that will keep your heart pounding all night. This is one of the best books I have ever read!!!! An absolute MUST READ!!!

#36Hours #DetectiveKimStone #AngelaMarsons #AngieMarsons #Bookouture #BookoutureAnonymous
@AngelaMarsons @AngieMarsons @Bookouture @BookoutureAnonymous

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Profile Image for Ivo Ferryhaas.
132 reviews39 followers
March 11, 2025


After plowing through pretty much all of previous work, I was seriously let down by this one. I felt like the plot and characters were handled in a really simplistic way, and in some spots, it was even hard to swallow. But that was just this one. I'll say this: the others are totally captivating.



Profile Image for The Book Review Café.
872 reviews238 followers
November 24, 2024
Hold the front page! There is no doubt that Angela Marsons has written another number one bestselling book.  36 hours is the 21st book in the Kim Stone series. It’s clear to see why Angela Marsons dominates the crime thriller genre. She crafts innovative plots, dynamic character interactions, and maintains the high-stakes intensity we readers have come to love. She writes every book as if it’s her first! One strength of this series has to be Kim Stone and her band of merry men and women. Kim Stone and her team’s camaraderie, laced with humour and warmth, are definitely part of what makes each book feel like a reunion with dear friends. The humorous moments to lighten the mood and offer respite from the darker side of the plot.
I enjoy a ‘race against time’ crime thriller, as the stakes are high and the tension intensifies as the clock ticks down.

The cryptic clues also added to my enjoyment of this read, as you feel you're part of the investigation. Chapters in “36 Hours,” narrated by The Jester, offer a valuable insight into a very disturbed individual! They also add an extra layer of psychological intrigue that fans of dark, suspenseful crime fiction will appreciate. Without going into plot details, Kim’s worse nightmare comes true when she has to work alongside her old nemesis, Tracy Frost. The relationship between Kim and Frost is entertaining, to say the least! 36 hours is original, fast-paced with red herrings galore. There’s much to keep the crime thriller reader engrossed.36 Hours is another triumph that will thrill both new readers and diehard fans alike!

If I had one small complaint I feel the book description could be much shorter personally I feel it gives too much of the plot away

Profile Image for Julie Lacey.
2,042 reviews129 followers
December 1, 2024
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.
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