Play Dead

DI Kim Stone investigates after a murder takes place during a role-play exercise at a university psychology department. The victim appears to have been drowned in front of witnesses, yet no one saw anything suspicious occur. The investigation leads Stone and her team through a web of academic rivalries, hidden connections, and psychological manipulation. They must determine how someone could commit murder in plain sight while leaving no evidence behind. Stone confronts personal obstacles and professional challenges as she races to prevent additional deaths. The case forces her to question basic assumptions about human perception and the nature of truth. The novel explores themes of power dynamics in academia and the ways psychology can be weaponized. It raises questions about reality versus illusion and how easily human observation can be manipulated through calculated deception.

Readers appreciate the complex procedural elements and character development in this Kim Stone installment. Many highlight the authenticity of the forensics scenes and police work. The rapport between Kim Stone and pathologist Keats stands out in reader comments. Readers point to strong emotional impact, particularly regarding animal cruelty themes. Multiple reviews mention crying during certain scenes. Common criticisms: - Too graphic/disturbing for some readers - Slower pacing in middle sections - Some found the killer's identity predictable Ratings: Goodreads: 4.6/5 (10,800+ ratings) Amazon UK: 4.7/5 (3,400+ ratings) Amazon US: 4.6/5 (2,800+ ratings) Notable reader comments: "The scenes with the dogs were hard to read but necessary to the story" - Goodreads reviewer "Not as fast-paced as previous books but the character development makes up for it" - Amazon review "Kim Stone at her best - the interaction with Keats adds depth" - Amazon UK review

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Little Girls Sleeping by Jennifer Chase Detective Katie Scott's first case involves tracking a killer who leaves victims posed as sleeping dolls, forcing her to confront connections to cold cases from the past.

The Doll House by Phoebe Morgan A woman receives miniature items from her childhood dollhouse in the mail, leading to the revelation of family murders spanning generations.

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🔍 "Play Dead" was the fourth book in Angela Marsons' internationally bestselling Detective Kim Stone series, published in 2016. 💀 The novel's plot revolves around a "body farm" - a real forensic research facility where scientists study human decomposition under various conditions to aid criminal investigations. 👮‍♀️ Author Angela Marsons was rejected by traditional publishers for 25 years before finally achieving success with her Kim Stone series, which has now sold over 4 million copies worldwide. 🌍 The book is set in the Black Country region of England, where Marsons herself grew up, lending authentic local detail to the series' setting and dialogue. 🔬 The body farm featured in the book was inspired by the original Anthropological Research Facility at the University of Tennessee, established in 1981 by Dr. William Bass, which was the first facility of its kind in the world.