Stunning, Perceptive, Terrifying Thriller

Dead Souls, Angela Marsons' 6th novel in her knockout DCI Kim Stone series, is a standout in many ways. This is one of my favorite crime thriller series, and Dead Souls may be the best yet. This novel breaks the mold of the suspense genre. The writing is fluid, descriptive, engaging. We are given outstanding characters, exciting plots, and interesting relationships within the team.

Dead Souls takes it a step further by making the somewhat risky move into splitting Kim's team for this book. We start with an unlikely pairing of Kim (not her idea!) with her archenemy, DCI Tom Travis, from the neighboring West Mercier precinct to investigate the discovery of bones buried in a large piece of land straddling both territories. Dawson, Bryant and Stacie are left to fend for themselves, missing their strong leader, to investigate a series of disturbing, seemingly random assaults that soon begins to look like a rash of hate crimes. But latent discord among the detectives sans Kim Stone starts coming to the surface, leading to splits among the team and one detective making the fateful decision to follow a dangerous hunch without a word to her colleagues. When Kim's investigation into past murders looks like it might be related to the current crimes, the tension ramps up, and one of their own is thrust into a horrific life- or- death situation that will have your heart racing.

I commend the author for having the guts to not only risk a potential reader revolt with the temporary team-splitting in Dead Souls, but also to delve into the highly sensitive and emotionally-charged social issue of racism and hate crimes. The crimes in this novel are devastating. Reflecting on how crime can be so cruelly arbitrary left me with a sense of loss and sadness. The author conveys the victims' fear &confusion to the reader through brief yet powerful statements that are realistic, not maudlin. The author makes the reader feel the detectives' level of understanding and outrage grow as they educate themselves, and thus the reader, about the crimes they investigate.

I love that Ms. Marsons adds a dash of delightful humor to lighten up the darker parts of the novel. Dr. A, forensic pathologist, as portrayed by narrator Jan Cramer, is truly a delight.Her discourse had me laughing out loud. DCI Stone has some great one-liners as usual.

I appreciated the upswing of true heart demonstrated in the last several chapters. It makes the reader believe that DCI Stone's team will come through stronger than ever.

This suspense thriller is very well-done, with thoughtfully crafted characters who continue to grow throughout the series, as we learn both flaws and strengths of these detectives as human beings. Overall, a sensitive, suspenseful novel that is also relevant and offers much to think about. I loved this book and won't soon forget it. Highly recommended.

11 people found this helpful

RE-DOWNLOAD TO GET MISSING CHAPTERS

Would you consider the audio edition of Dead Souls to be better than the print version?

Problem with download. If you came to a cliffhanger ending, or if the book just suddenly stopped after chapter 100, delete and re-download the book. I did this and now have an additional 16 chapters, at least an extra 35 minutes of audio. Total number of chapters should be 116.

11 people found this helpful

Another Winner from Marsons

Any additional comments?

I have been a Marsons' fan since the first Kim Stone novel. She develops believable characters and interesting plots. This book stands as a strong entry in the series, even though I figured out the baddie about halfway through. Ms. Cramer is, as always, a superb reader that seems like an old friend as she brings the characters to life. Unlike some others who complained, I received the entire book, and was happy with the purchase. It is well worth a credit if you like character driven crime thrillers.

2 people found this helpful

Better than chocolate and for me that's a lot!

I'm sad because I've got one more book to listen to (Book 7) and then I have to wait again. I binged listened to the first six one after another and was totally emersed in the world of Kim Stone and the rest of her team. I've been worried about them, I've been sad and I've been pissed off as you are with people you care about when they do stupid things - and that's just the tip of the iceberg as to what Angela Marsons will expertly take you through with this series. I've waited and now "Just" downloaded book seven - do not know the plot and don't care - because it's like gold to me - like chocolate and gold - it's the best thing that can happen.
Thank you, Angela and thank you Jan Cramer - I love what you've collaborated to bring us, the listeners. Mwah!
Now.... off to listen....

1 person found this helpful

The BEST Detective Kim Stone Book by a landslide!

Kept me thoroughly enthralled from the beginning to the end!
If you on read one in the series....make sure its this one!
An absolute must read!

1 person found this helpful

Vicarious Suffering and Hackneyed Plot

Great narrator and strong heroine are both wasted in this mystery that is not even very mysterious. The author describes crimes far too cruel and unnecessarily sadistic for my taste in entertainment.The plot of the book rests on a gimmick that has been used dozens of times before in books, TV, and films.I will not name this gimmick so as not to spoil the plot for anyone.The cast of victims is plucked from every now-and-today socio-economic special interest group imaginable. Have these people not suffered enough in real life? Must they be exploited as horribly treated despairing victims to serve the plot? I could not listen to most of this. A good writer has turned her considerable talents in narration and character to bad ends,this time. I will return this audiobook.

5 people found this helpful

Another winner in this series!

I enjoy these books do much and wait impatiently for the next. This book is fast paced and full of surprises!

3 people found this helpful

Almost as good as the first 5 books in the series

The first five novels in Angela Marsons' Detective Kim Stone mystery thriller series earned 5 stars. Dead Souls, a new release, comes very close to 5 stars. It i a wonderful suspense thriller with an excellent plot twist near the end. English actor Jan Cramer performs at her usual 5 star level in narrating. I highly recommend this British crime thriller series.

7 people found this helpful

Horrible narration

About to give up on this one because of the narration. The sing song voice might work for a children’s story but not a crime story. Too bad!

Another good book

This one got my heart racing. I actually ended up staying late at work because I lost track of the time. The narrator did a really good job of narrating the book.