Even the darkest secrets can’t stay buried forever… 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?
An absolutely gripping, darkly compelling, and nail-bitingly tense mystery thriller that will keep you racing through the pages long into the night. A Kindle Chart #1, million-copy, international bestseller, Silent Scream turns fans of Rachel Abbott, Val McDermid and Mark Billingham into Angela Marsons addicts.
What readers 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
‘Wow. That’s all I need to say… one of the best books I’ve read so far this year… gripping… hooks you in from Chapter One… you won’t want to put it down… fantastic.’ Little Northern Soul
‘I found myself biting my nails numerous times… to say that this book is brilliant is an understatement.’ Relax and Read Reviews
‘I have not been so impressed by a debut novel in a long time, and I’m actually now itching for more …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… 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…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.’ The Laughing Librarian
‘Stunning.’ Mail on Sundaymore
What a ride! This book was a recommendation from Goodreads. I have always been fascinated with serial killer novels. This author gave a good novel of suspense and fear. After I finished a chapter, I could not put the book down because I wanted to know what would happen next. I love female heroines that are real. Angela Marsons novel did not disappoint with her character, Kim Stone. I felt her character rivaled those of Tess Gerritsen or Katherine Reichs.
The first of Angela Marsons’ DI Kim Stone novels and the place you should start if you’re looking for an outstanding crime series. Marsons writes one of the most kick-ass female detectives in modern crime fiction. This series never shifts from the high standard this book sets. Love crime? Love great female protagonists? Love non-stop action and laser point plotting? Read this book.
A great start to a promising series with a hard-as-nails detective with her own emotional instability to contend with. The plot was well-paced and kept me guessing until the end. Looking forward to book 2 now!
I have read every book of the DI Kim Stone series – and highly recommend all of them.
Angela Marsons has created a believable and likeable heroine in the form of Detective Kim Stone. The reader is quickly drawn into a roller coaster of a plot in which Kim and her sidekick Sergeant Bryant are presented with a string of murders linked to a children’s home which burned down some years earlier. Kim is abrasive and doesn’t suffer fools gladly. She is regularly in trouble with her senior officer and in danger of losing her job due to her impetuosity but is clearly a very good egg. There are red herrings and twists aplenty, leading to an ultimately heartwarming finale. I loved the Black Country setting (my mum was from Oldbury) and the warmth of the dialect comes through- I could hear the characters’ voices through the wonderful dialogue, which helps to make the story earthy and credible. Can’t praise this book highly enough and would recommend to anyone who enjoys a fast-paced crime thriller. As a newcomer to Angela Marson’s work I can’t wait to dip into Kim Stone’s next case. Highly recommended and a big fat five stars from me!
The first book in this amazing series. It is a haunting and chilling read with over 11K ratings on Amazon. If you are looking for a long series with great characters to dive into this is it.
I could not put this sucker down. Great character and fabulous introduction to the series. I loved everything about the main character: haunted, smart but stunted emotionally. Strong but has her weak points and when she gets going, she’s a tank. Like the friendships and colleagues. Looking forward to a deep dive into this series.
She keeps one on the edge just as her main character is. Twisted, terrifying at times and you can feel the anguish her character goes through in her personal life as her emotions are still raw from her own personal tragedies yet she pushes to solve her cases at a tremendous cost at times to her own pain. I love the way she continues to provide growth and dimension to the characters as the stories develop and how a thread from one book winds to tie in the next book! Ms.Marsons weaves a great web of suspense from beginning to the end of each book!
I truly enjoy Masons books. The main character Kim is a true spit fire woman. This book is very intense & one you will read a number of times.
A little too gory. Easy to read.
I love her books and the characters. I am always eagerly awaiting her next one.
I love this series! The characters seem like they could be your own work colleagues and the case they’re working on keeps you guessing and hooked until the end. I can’t wait for the next book!
Highly recommend this series.
Couldn’t put it down
Awesome
I may be wrong, but I believe this is a debut book introducing DI Kim Stone and her team of detectives. All characters were well developed, and I enjoyed getting to know Kim as well as Stacy, Bryant and Kevin.
Although advertised and popular as a police procedural, this book could easily be classified as a psychological thriller. The reader is introduced to the main character through her memories of a heartbreaking and painful childhood. Memories elicited by the storyline of the bodies discovered at Crestwood, a former girls home. Originally somewhat put off by Kim’s blunt, aggressive and seemingly nasty attitude, she grew on me as her character continued to develop and I saw through her shell. I would classify this as a complicated book with lots of characters and sub-plots to follow. Just the type of book I truly enjoy.
An incredible beginning to a series. Ant wait to read the next book.
Every once in a while a book hits you with such force, it can leave you breathless.
There are no compromises with Silent Scream, the first in the DI Kim Stone series. The detective at the heart of the story is a tour de force – bold, brash and uncompromising, driven by a traumatic past that seems almost obligatory in crime fiction these days.
Her blunt manner makes her unlikeable and a little unbelievable, especially when she tears up the rule book if it hinders her investigation. But there’s method to her passion, as her investigation into three murdered children from a care home evokes memories of her own traumatic childhood in care.
The trouble is, the author continued to remind me about this troubled childhood. While some of the references were appropriate to the plot and for explaining Kim’s motivation and uncompromising behaviour, I didn’t need continual reminders of her difficult childhood. At times, it felt like it was being bludgeoned into my memory.
But as the body count rose and the investigation gathered pace, I came to admire Kim’s drive and personal crusade to find the killer and bring him to justice. It still led to a tense and exciting climax as killer and detective faced each other. Another twist followed to tie up the final loose end, but it felt a little hollow after all the excitement before, dragging out the conclusion of the story.
I know many readers are not concerned about the accuracy of police procedures in crime fiction, but inaccuracies can weaken credibility and jolt the reader out of the story.
Having grabbed me by the throat, Silent Scream left me feeling a little dissatisfied rather than breathless. It’s a shame as it’s a compelling story, quite unique, with a dynamic central character, but the distinctive tone and style were pushed too hard and too often for my liking. A little restraint would have done the trick.
This is a FANTASTIC series.
I had a bit of a time when the writing went into English speak…and found myself looking up some terms, like not knowing a jumper was a sweater, but other than that, the writing is excellent.
I LOVE the characters, though flawed – for whatever reason all cops/detectives are flawed, some worse than others. Kim’s backstory is heart-breaking to say the least and gives a very believable reason to her being flawed.
The story line gets you going GOOD. Not since Grant McKenzie have I PAGE-TURNED so much and then jumped right to the next book.
YOU WILL NOT be disappointed, I guarantee it.