Angela Marsons Books in Order

Where to Start with Detective Kim Stone

If you are new to the grit and dark atmosphere of the West Midlands, the absolute best place to start is with the first published novel, Silent Scream. While Angela Marsons has written multiple prequels that take place chronologically before the events of the first book, starting with the publication order is highly recommended. Silent Scream establishes the core personality of Detective Inspector Kim Stone, introduces her tight-knit team, and anchors you in the industrial landscape of the Black Country. Reading the prequels first can spoil some of the mystery surrounding Kim's guarded personality and traumatic past, which Marsons masterfully unravels over the course of the main series.

What to Know Before You Start

Before you dive into the investigations, here are a few key details to keep in mind about the series and Angela Marsons' bibliography:

• The Black Country Setting: The region of the West Midlands in England is more than just a background—it functions as a living character. Its industrial heritage, unique local dialect, and atmospheric locales define the mood of the series.
• Character Development is Continuous: Although each book features a standalone crime that is fully resolved by the end, the relationships between Kim Stone, her partner Bryant, and team members Stacey and Dawson evolve significantly. Major personal milestones and recurring adversaries cross over between books.
• The Prequels: Marsons has written three prequels. First Fight and One Hour are short novellas originally offered as exclusive rewards for joining the author's official newsletter. First Blood is a full-length prequel novel that explains how the iconic team was assembled.
• Tone and Themes: Marsons does not shy away from dark themes, including child abuse, sociopathic manipulation, and deep-seated trauma, but these are always balanced by the fierce loyalty and dry humor of the investigative team.
• Genre Shift: Marsons wrote relationship-driven dramas before finding her massive success in crime fiction. She has also returned to this genre occasionally with standalone releases.

Recommended Reading Order: Publication Order

Following the books in the order they were published allows you to experience Detective Kim Stone's character growth, team dynamics, and personal revelations exactly as the author intended. Here is the complete publication order based on the local database:

1. Silent Scream (2015) - The debut that started it all, focusing on a dark secret hidden at a former children's home.
2. Evil Games (2015) - Introduces the chilling, recurring sociopath antagonist Dr. Alexandra Thorne.
3. Lost Girls (2015) - A complex kidnapping case involving two young girls that tests the team's limits.
4. Play Dead (2016) - Set against the eerie backdrop of a body farm in the Black Country.
5. Blood Lines (2016) - A brutal murder case that links back to a terrifying threat from Kim's past.
6. Dead Souls (2017) - Digging up decades-old remains leads to a web of hate and vengeance.
7. Broken Bones (2017) - Kim tackles a series of murders targeting vulnerable members of the community.
8. Dying Truth (2018) - The team investigates a dark, fatal hazing culture at an elite boarding school.
9. Fatal Promise (2018) - A brutal murder in a local woodland area reveals a deeply personal conflict.
10. Dead Memories (2019) - A sadistic killer stages crime scenes designed to trigger Kim's worst childhood traumas.
11. Child's Play (2019) - The murder of a child prodigy uncovers layers of toxic parental pressure.
12. First Blood (2019) - A full-length prequel novel showing how Kim, Bryant, Stacey, and Dawson first formed their unit.
13. Killing Mind (2020) - An investigation into a mysterious cult puts one of Kim's own team members in jeopardy.
14. Deadly Cry (2020) - A frantic hunt for a sniper terrorizing the residents of the Black Country.
15. Twisted Lies (2021) - Kim must protect a victim who refuses to cooperate, unraveling a domestic nightmare.
16. Stolen Ones (2021) - A chilling case involving abducted babies and deep family secrets.
17. Six Graves (2022) - Kim faces a double threat as a killer targets victims while an old nemesis returns.
18. Hidden Scars (2022) - The team investigates a victim found in a canal, leading to a therapy clinic with dark secrets.
19. One Hour (2022) - A quick prequel novella tracking a critical hour that shaped Kim's career, available via newsletter sign-up.
20. Deadly Fate (2023) - The murder of a psychic medium forces the team to separate fact from superstition.
21. Bad Blood (2023) - A horrific assault in a local park leads to a complicated investigation into family rivalries.
22. First Fight (2024) - A newsletter-exclusive prequel novella exploring Kim's early street battles and defining instincts.
23. Guilty Mothers (2024) - The investigation of a murdered mother reveals a dark underbelly in child beauty pageants.

Chronological Reading Order

For readers who want to experience Kim Stone's life strictly in the order events occurred, the chronological order shifts the prequels to the very beginning. Be aware that reading in this order reveals the backstory of the team and Kim's childhood trauma before they are gradually teased in the main novels, which can alter the suspense of the early books.

1. First Fight (2024) - Prequel novella.
2. One Hour (2022) - Prequel novella.
3. First Blood (2019) - Full-length prequel novel.
4. Silent Scream (2015)
5. Evil Games (2015)
6. Lost Girls (2015)
7. Play Dead (2016)
8. Blood Lines (2016)
9. Dead Souls (2017)
10. Broken Bones (2017)
11. Dying Truth (2018)
12. Fatal Promise (2018)
13. Dead Memories (2019)
14. Child's Play (2019)
15. Killing Mind (2020)
16. Deadly Cry (2020)
17. Twisted Lies (2021)
18. Stolen Ones (2021)
19. Six Graves (2022)
20. Hidden Scars (2022)
21. Deadly Fate (2023)
22. Bad Blood (2023)
23. Guilty Mothers (2024)

Standalone Novels and Anthologies

Aside from the blockbuster Kim Stone series, Angela Marsons has published standalone novels that highlight her versatility. Her early standalones are emotional relationship dramas, which she originally wrote before finding success in crime fiction, though she returned to standalone drama with If Only in 2021. She has also contributed to a couple of anthologies.

Standalone Novels

• My Name Is / The Forgotten Woman (2013) - A poignant drama following the intersecting lives of three women seeking redemption and fresh starts.
• The Middle Child / Dear Mother (2014) - An emotional family drama centered on three sisters returning home to face their mother's legacy.
• If Only (2021) - A contemporary drama about four neighbors whose lives intersect around a shared garden, dealing with secrets, grief, and hope.

Anthologies

• Dead Simple (2017) - A collection of short crime stories featuring various authors.
• Written in the Stars (2022) - A multi-author anthology containing short romance and drama stories.