Silent Scream: (Detective Kim Stone crime thriller series Book 1) byAngela Marsons

What They Say

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. 

What I Say

I would like to thank Kim Nash and Bookouture for approving me to read this book on NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

First I would like to say that this is only the second thriller/crime book I have reviewed and if all the rest are anything compared to this then it won’t be my last one.

Where to do I start with the brilliant book without repeating what so many other bloggers have already said, I really don’t think I can.  As far as I’m aware this is Bookouture’s first crime novel (all the other books they bring have been bloody wonderful) and if this is the standard they will be bringing to us for crime novels  then I can’t wait to read more.

Angela brings us together with DI Kim Stone, Kim is a ballsy detective with a reputation for getting crimes solved even if it means upsetting her bosses in the process.  Kim is a complex character with a hard of nails exterior, but somewhere inside there is a vulnerable edge to her.  Her side kick is Bryant who knows her well enough to tell her things she would allow know else to say but doesn’t know the full Kim.

The story is fast paced with a series of murders that at first seem unconnected. DI Stone is convinced there is a connection and is determined to find out what it is.  Angela also deals with a sensitive subject that is currently the main topic of every news bulletin, this is handled very well, going into detail but not too much for anyone who would be squeamish.

I loved the dynamic of Kims team and although she expected a lot for them she did also look after them in her own way.  As I was reading the book, there were plenty of clues along the way, some I guessed at and others, especially towards the end.  I though yeah I knew that was what was going to happen and then bam, Angela turned it on its head with two major plot twists.

As a fan of detective TV series (Rizzoli and Isles is one of my favourites) I really enjoyed reading this book and I am looking forward to book 2, once this is announced I will be heading over to NetGalley.  I can not recommend this book enough and if you don’t like crime thrillers, I would suggest you give this a try and will find like me that you really enjoyed it.

5 out of 5 Stars

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 coming soon. 

What people are saying about Silent Scream

‘A superb debut by an assured new writer. Blending sharp wit with emotion, I thoroughly enjoyed the ride alongside DI Kim Stone and look forward to the next outing.’ Mel Sherratt 

'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 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

About The Author

Angela Marsons lives in the Black Country with her partner, a bouncy Labrador and a swearing parrot.

She first discovered her love of writing at Junior School when actual lessons came second to watching other people and quietly making up her own stories about them. Her report card invariably read "Angela would do well if she minded her own business as well as she minds other people's".

After years of writing relationship based stories (My Name Is and The Middle Child) Angela turned to Crime, fictionally speaking of course, and developed a character that refused to go away.

In September 2013 she was signed to Bookouture.com in a 4 book deal starting the DI Kim Stone series in SILENT SCREAM to be published 20th February 2015.

Silent Scream excerpt

Five figures formed a pentagram around a freshly dug mound. Only they knew it was a grave.

Digging the frozen earth beneath the layers of ice and snow had been like trying to carve stone but they’d taken turns. All of them.

An adult-sized hole would have taken longer.

The shovel had passed from grip to grip. Some were hesitant, tentative. Others more assured. No one resisted and no one spoke.

The innocence of the life taken was known to them all but the pact had been made. Their secrets would be buried.

Five heads bowed towards the dirt, visualising the body beneath soil that already glistened with fresh ice.

As the first flakes dusted the top of the grave, a shudder threaded through the group.

The five figures dispersed, their footprints treading the trail of a star into the fresh, crisp snow.

It was done.

PRESS RELEASE

Five figures gather round a shallow grave. An innocent life had been taken but the pact had been made … bound in blood.  

Silent Scream launches exceptional new series heroine D.I. Kim Stone onto the British crime writing scene – determined, uncompromising … and trying to forget an unimaginable tragedy in her past.

Fans of Sarah Hilary, Sharon Bolton and M.J Arlidge will be hooked

by this outstanding debut.