• Play Dead

  • Detective Kim Stone Crime Thriller, Book 4
  • By: Angela Marsons
  • Narrated by: Jan Cramer
  • Length: 9 hrs and 35 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (1,542 ratings)

Prime member exclusive:
pick 2 free titles with trial.
Pick 1 title (2 titles for Prime members) from our collection of bestsellers and new releases.
Access a growing selection of included Audible Originals, audiobooks and podcasts.
Your Premium Plus plan will continue for $14.95 a month after 30-day trial. Cancel anytime.
Play Dead  By  cover art

Play Dead

By: Angela Marsons
Narrated by: Jan Cramer
Try for $0.00

$14.95/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

Buy for $17.35

Buy for $17.35

Pay using card ending in
By confirming your purchase, you agree to Audible's Conditions of Use and Amazon's Privacy Notice. Taxes where applicable.

Publisher's Summary

The dead don't tell secrets...unless you listen.

The girl's smashed-in face stared unseeing up to the blue sky, soil spilling out of her mouth. A hundred flies hovered above the bloodied mess.

Westerley research facility is not for the faint-hearted. A "body farm" investigating human decomposition, its inhabitants are corpses in various states of decay. But when Detective Kim Stone and her team discover the fresh body of a young woman, it seems a killer has discovered the perfect cover to bury their crime.

Then a second girl is attacked and left for dead, her body drugged and mouth filled with soil. It's clear to Stone and the team that a serial killer is at work - but just how many bodies will they uncover? And who is next?

As local reporter, Tracy Frost, disappears, the stakes are raised. The past seems to hold the key to the killer's secrets - but can Kim uncover the truth before a twisted, damaged mind claims another victim?

The latest utterly addictive thriller from number-one best seller Angela Marsons.

©2016 Angela Marsons (P)2016 Bookouture

What listeners say about Play Dead

Average Customer Ratings
Overall
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,089
  • 4 Stars
    329
  • 3 Stars
    106
  • 2 Stars
    12
  • 1 Stars
    6
Performance
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    1,091
  • 4 Stars
    248
  • 3 Stars
    57
  • 2 Stars
    12
  • 1 Stars
    3
Story
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    963
  • 4 Stars
    321
  • 3 Stars
    100
  • 2 Stars
    17
  • 1 Stars
    6

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars

A rush to print

I've been a fan of Angela Marsons and her original plots and antisocial character Kim Stone -- so much so that I preordered this novel when I saw it was pending.
But the thought did niggle in the back of my mind that all four DI Stone books have come out rather quickly: the first was published in Feb 2015.
Play Dead is noticeably weaker than the others -- perhaps it was a rush to print because the story itself is interesting. It's some sloppy writing that puts me off, plus soggy psychological dabbling and, worst of all, Marsons gets out her soap box rather more often than is bearable for a thriller. She has always been prone to a dash of preachiness but it gets let off the reins here.
All the faults can be laid at the feet of indulgence, a lack of writing discipline. If it comes from writing at speed as I suspect, then it can be corrected. If it's a career development then that's a sad loss to the murder thriller genre.

11 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars

Not Marson's best

There was too much reliance upon prior novels. I had to keep reminding myself of what happened in previous books to make sense of this one. Definitely needs to be read in order of publication.

9 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great addition to the series

Angela Marsons has crafted another great suspense/thriller. This book does work as a standalone novel, however I recommend listening from the beginning of the series. There are plenty of twists and turns to the story to make one feel as those they're on a roller coaster.

8 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Another great Detective Kim Stone thriller!

British author Angela Marsons continues to release very high quality police procedural novels in her Detective Kim Stone series. Play Dead is a serial murder mystery. English actor Jan Cramer is a rising star in the audio book narration field. She is simply superb. I highly recommend this novel and the others in the series.

6 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

This book is GREAT!!

This book is a great read! Storyline was great! Performance by Jan Cramer was great!!!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    2 out of 5 stars
  • jo
  • 06-13-16

Predictable

Predictable plot. Unbelievable police work. Terrible accents from narrator. Managed to finish so gave it 2 stars based purely on that.

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars

VERY Slow

I couldn't enjoy this book. I'm actually confused by the rave reviews. This book starts tremendously slow and even after 3 hours of listening I still was unable to garner any type of interest. Returned this immediately.

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

D. I. Kim Stone does it again

Another British crime thriller from Angela Marsons. D. I. Kim Stone race against the clock to find a serial killer who is dumping his bodies at a body farm. As usual, the "who" in "whodunit" is a surprise.

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    2 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars

There is no "I" in team

There was not much interaction with the other team members in this story. It was all Kim, Kim, Kim. In Marson's past stories I enjoyed knowing a little bit more about the other members of the team and even just hearing their voices as they investigated on their own. Listening to Jan Cramer, as Kim, spout out orders to her team gets a bit annoying in large quantities. Does she really only have one tone of voice - a bark?

The story line was interesting and kept me listening in spite of the narration. I didn't feel that "page-turning" dramatic crescendo though so maybe the writing was off too.

If you like Detective Stone, you may want to skip this one. Have you ever had a neighbor's dog bark continually for an hour? Yeah-it's like that.

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars

Great series!

My favorite part about this series is that, even when you're sure you know who the culprit is, there's always a surprise in the end!

1 person found this helpful

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Amazon Customer
  • Amazon Customer
  • 05-21-16

DI Kim Stone is a amongst the best!

The fourth Kim stone book is no disappointment. Fast paced, great story, believable characters. I listened in a day, I was hooked till the end. One of the best thriller writers around and Kim Stone is here to stay. If you are wondering if this book is for you, it is!!!!

5 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    1 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    1 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Melissa
  • Melissa
  • 07-20-16

Infuriating narration

I tried really really hard with this one and it may well have had a good plot, but I just couldn't make myself listen beyond chapter 18. I've heard Jan Cramer read two more recent books which were OK, but I think she must have been more of a beginner on this one. I could perhaps forgive her for making everything that comes out of the ballsy female DCI's mouth a dislikable stroppy bark, but not for almost unerringly emphasising the wrong word in every sentence.

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Tinydon
  • Tinydon
  • 05-30-16

Gripping

Did not want this novel to end but wanted to hear everything come together. No spoilers in this review. Just start at book 1 and enjoy all four. Looking forward to the next one.

4 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Kelly
  • Kelly
  • 06-26-16

great book

a great story with some twists and turns, deffo worth the listen, kim stone at her best again !

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Laura Prime
  • Laura Prime
  • 06-26-16

Gripping serial killer thriller Dc Kim stone IS BACK

Bloody amazing! I had to re start this a few times as I was listening at night time and that was a mistake.
I listened through completely last night to the end.
WOW it was awesome I wanted the narrator to read faster !

The characters were fantastically bedded in in early which is important especially in an audiobook.

Bodies keep appearing in the same place all with the same 'MO' in varying degrees of decomposition .
Kim Stones team take it on in they're totally awesome way, I love the way the comedy is shown throughout the case and maybe even a little breakdown of Kim's hard wall surface?

I didn't solve who the perpetrator was which is kick ass because I like it when I ' believe' I have everything that fits and I don't. A maze of tunnels to investigate down and follow leads

This book is an awesome addition book 4 to the series but also a stand alone like the others.


Can you tell I love the Kim Stone series? 😊
Solid 5⭐️from me and roll on the next one 🌹

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Baileys69
  • Baileys69
  • 06-09-16

excellent read

amazing read again. couldn't put it down . can't wait for the kim stone book

3 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Mrs Loretta Findlay
  • Mrs Loretta Findlay
  • 07-20-16

excellent

really enjoy kims charachter. there is a lot to her but its balanced really well

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for JayT
  • JayT
  • 11-28-16

Perfection amongst pages

Another stunning and chilling tale by the talented Angie Marsons. Well crafted and terrifying, the author is in the top ten of writers, fans of the crime and mystery genre should read without a doubt.
Whilst the subject matter is twisted a small degree of sadness for the protagonist remains. Without such an upbringing, would this person have become so monsterous? A question the reader will ask themselves once the terrifyingly creepy finale is long over.
Also available on audible, narrated by the ever brilliant Jan Cramer. Perfect for these dark Winter evenings.
Thank you Angie, for once again submerging your readers into a dark and gripping tale with remarkable twists.

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Gin
  • Gin
  • 11-03-16

Great story !

a great read.... very gripping and I have downloaded another of her books because it was so good! great performance too.

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    3 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for S
  • S
  • 09-01-16

excellent thriller ....

loved it ...more for the faint hearted or if bugs bother you ...there is nothing wrong with the narrator but i feel she is not the right person for this type of story ...

1 person found this helpful

Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Kevin
  • Kevin
  • 07-10-16

Bring on the next chapter

Loving this series and now getting to the fourth and final in this series I am hoping that soon DI Kim Stone will have another series of seemingly unrelated cases that suddenly collide and blow wide open. For Angela, I hope the pattern of DI Stone ending up in motal danger doesn't become the modus operandi. It's been gripping but I prefer the way the team works as a unit rather than the lone ranger!

2 people found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Christine M Walker
  • Christine M Walker
  • 06-21-16

Great story

Really enjoyed listening to this, great narration and story. Couldn't wait to get in the car to continue listening. Highly recommended.

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Delza
  • Delza
  • 05-24-16

great book

loved it i love all 4 books leaves me wanting more.
Hope they bring out another soon can't wait for more. More more please.

1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Anonymous User
  • Anonymous User
  • 06-06-20

brilliant

best book yet! Getting to know the characters and their stories really enriches the plot. I appreciate the humour and have laughed out loud through out. realky exciting parts and made my heart beat faster.

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Jodie Smith
  • Jodie Smith
  • 05-25-20

Brilliant as always!

Fantastic story, narrator and well written.
Keen for the next.
Gripping and keep me sane while I work

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    4 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Anonymous User
  • Anonymous User
  • 03-24-20

Another great book in the series

Definitely hooked to Dec Kim Stone's series.

Well written and fast paced book. Loved every bit of the book. Jan is my favorite narrater, her voice is soothing!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Hellcat
  • Hellcat
  • 07-24-18

edge of my seat

I loved every moment. Angela writes to enthrall and captivate. strong female lead who doesn't take crap! I'm hooked. I can not wait to listen to more of DI Stone and her team.

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for MISS H L G MCKENNA
  • MISS H L G MCKENNA
  • 02-24-18

this is a great series!

loved it and every other in the series so far! every book has gripped me froms start to finish!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Tanya Clarke
  • Tanya Clarke
  • 09-19-17

I am hooked.

I am addicted and I have thoroughly enjoyed these books. I have listened to them out of sequence but have still loved the stories and the characters.

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    3 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Peter Hawkins
  • Peter Hawkins
  • 05-30-17

good read but not her best.

i liked the book but it was a bit pedestrian compared to others in the series. still worth a read