The girl stared unseeing up to the blue sky. Her mouth was open, as if she was about to speak, to cry for help… but her voice had been silenced forever.

When Detective Kim Stone and her team are sent to Westerley, a forensic research facility, they discover the body of a young woman, her mouth filled with soil. But she doesn’t belong there. It seems a killer has discovered the perfect cover for their crime.

Kim breaks the devastating news of Jemima’s murder to her parents, who speak of a gentle soul with no enemies. Yet when Jemima’s sister confides in Kim that she was afraid to leave the house, Kim is certain that Jemima knew her killer, and is determined to find this brutal murderer before he strikes again.

Scouring Jemima’s crime scene, Kim finds a hairgrip, decorated with a heart cut in two. Then a second woman is attacked and left for dead, her mouth crammed with dirt, just like Jemima’s. A similar hairgrip is found nearby. But when she wakes in hospital, she can’t remember what happened, only the sing-song rhyme one for you and one for me.

As Kim stares into her tear-filled eyes, she vows to uncover what links the women. And when she learns they went to the same school, she knows the answers lie buried in the past. But then a third woman goes missing, and she knows time is running out. Can she find the truth before a twisted, damaged mind claims another life?

An absolutely heart-pounding mystery thriller from multi-million-copy number one bestseller Angela Marsons that will have you hooked on the Detective Kim Stone series.

Can be read as a standalone.

Read what everyone is 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… 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 Café,

‘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... 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.’ Book Addict Shaun,

‘The best book I've read all year so far… Dark, 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?’ Cal Turner Reviews,