Listen free for 30 days
-
First Blood
- Narrated by: Jan Cramer
- Series: Detective Kim Stone Crime Thriller Series, Book 0
- Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins
- Categories: Mystery, Thriller & Suspense, Mystery
People who bought this also bought...
-
Dear Mother
- A Gripping and Emotional Story That Will Make You Sob Your Heart Out
- By: Angela Marsons
- Narrated by: Alison Campbell
- Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Three sisters. Three childhoods ruined. One chance to heal the scars of the past. After their death of their cruel and abusive mother, estranged sisters Alex, Catherine and Beth reunite once again.
-
-
A RIVETING STORY
- By Mrs. J. M. Benjamin-potts on 09-11-16
-
Dark Game
- Detective Kelly Porter, Book 1
- By: Rachel Lynch
- Narrated by: Clare Kissane
- Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After a scandal forces DI Kelly Porter out of the Met, she returns home to the Lake District. Crimes in the Cumbrian constabulary tend to be minor, but Kelly begins work on a cold case that shocked the local community - the abduction and brutal murder of a 10-year-old girl.
-
-
excellent
- By ann gayford on 12-05-20
-
Close to the Bone
- An Addictive Crime Thriller with Edge-of-Your-Seat Suspense (Detective Megan Thomas)
- By: Susan Wilkins
- Narrated by: Alex Tregear
- Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Detective Megan Thomas hoped that moving to Devon would mean a quiet life. Her years undercover in London left her broken and alone, unsure if she would ever recover. Slowly, she’s learning to work with a team and trust other people. But when her sister, Debbie, finds the body of local businessman Greg Porter, that peace is shattered. Porter’s wife and children don’t seem entirely grief-stricken, and his business dealings are not all they appear to be. So why are the police so determined to focus on Debbie?
-
-
Checked?
- By Jules on 29-12-20
-
Buried Deep
- A Completely Gripping Crime Thriller with Heart-Stopping Suspense (Detective Megan Thomas, Book 1)
- By: Susan Wilkins
- Narrated by: Alex Tregear
- Length: 10 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Megan has to climb round and step across the body to get a proper view. What's left is like a chalk white mask in the rough shape of a face. The innocence is still there, and a hint of the cheekiness. But perhaps she is imagining that. Detective Megan Thomas moved to Devon for a fresh start, after years spent undercover. She's staying with her sister and swimming in the sea daily, battling the tides and letting the waves wash her past away. But she can't outrun everything.
-
-
Wow this was a great first i. This series
- By Oops 66 on 28-06-20
-
Little Doubt
- DI Kelly Porter, Book Seven
- By: Rachel Lynch
- Narrated by: Clare Kissane
- Length: 10 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Ella Watson, a woman of wealth and status, is brutally stabbed to death in broad daylight, it sends a shockwave through the Lake District community. Later that day, Keira Bradley meets the same fate. But whereas Ella’s murder is a tragedy, Keira’s death on the notorious Beacon Estate is just another statistic in a dangerous place.
-
-
Loved it waiting for next one.
- By Oops 66 on 02-09-20
-
One Left Alive: A Heart-Stopping and Gripping Crime Thriller
- Detective Morgan Brookes, Book 1
- By: Helen Phifer
- Narrated by: Alison Campbell
- Length: 9 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When the body of a woman is found hanging from a tree in her front garden, rookie Detective Morgan Brookes is first on the scene. But Olivia Potter is past saving. And when her husband and daughters cannot be traced, Morgan knows there is more to this tragedy. And then she finds them. Lying huddled together in the dark basement, each of their faces covered with a small cotton cloth, their bodies cold to the touch. But as Morgan kneels beside the family, she realizes that one of the girls is still breathing.
-
-
WOWZERS
- By Karen S. on 19-09-20
-
Dear Mother
- A Gripping and Emotional Story That Will Make You Sob Your Heart Out
- By: Angela Marsons
- Narrated by: Alison Campbell
- Length: 7 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Three sisters. Three childhoods ruined. One chance to heal the scars of the past. After their death of their cruel and abusive mother, estranged sisters Alex, Catherine and Beth reunite once again.
-
-
A RIVETING STORY
- By Mrs. J. M. Benjamin-potts on 09-11-16
-
Dark Game
- Detective Kelly Porter, Book 1
- By: Rachel Lynch
- Narrated by: Clare Kissane
- Length: 9 hrs and 6 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After a scandal forces DI Kelly Porter out of the Met, she returns home to the Lake District. Crimes in the Cumbrian constabulary tend to be minor, but Kelly begins work on a cold case that shocked the local community - the abduction and brutal murder of a 10-year-old girl.
-
-
excellent
- By ann gayford on 12-05-20
-
Close to the Bone
- An Addictive Crime Thriller with Edge-of-Your-Seat Suspense (Detective Megan Thomas)
- By: Susan Wilkins
- Narrated by: Alex Tregear
- Length: 10 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Detective Megan Thomas hoped that moving to Devon would mean a quiet life. Her years undercover in London left her broken and alone, unsure if she would ever recover. Slowly, she’s learning to work with a team and trust other people. But when her sister, Debbie, finds the body of local businessman Greg Porter, that peace is shattered. Porter’s wife and children don’t seem entirely grief-stricken, and his business dealings are not all they appear to be. So why are the police so determined to focus on Debbie?
-
-
Checked?
- By Jules on 29-12-20
-
Buried Deep
- A Completely Gripping Crime Thriller with Heart-Stopping Suspense (Detective Megan Thomas, Book 1)
- By: Susan Wilkins
- Narrated by: Alex Tregear
- Length: 10 hrs and 37 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Megan has to climb round and step across the body to get a proper view. What's left is like a chalk white mask in the rough shape of a face. The innocence is still there, and a hint of the cheekiness. But perhaps she is imagining that. Detective Megan Thomas moved to Devon for a fresh start, after years spent undercover. She's staying with her sister and swimming in the sea daily, battling the tides and letting the waves wash her past away. But she can't outrun everything.
-
-
Wow this was a great first i. This series
- By Oops 66 on 28-06-20
-
Little Doubt
- DI Kelly Porter, Book Seven
- By: Rachel Lynch
- Narrated by: Clare Kissane
- Length: 10 hrs and 48 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When Ella Watson, a woman of wealth and status, is brutally stabbed to death in broad daylight, it sends a shockwave through the Lake District community. Later that day, Keira Bradley meets the same fate. But whereas Ella’s murder is a tragedy, Keira’s death on the notorious Beacon Estate is just another statistic in a dangerous place.
-
-
Loved it waiting for next one.
- By Oops 66 on 02-09-20
-
One Left Alive: A Heart-Stopping and Gripping Crime Thriller
- Detective Morgan Brookes, Book 1
- By: Helen Phifer
- Narrated by: Alison Campbell
- Length: 9 hrs and 23 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When the body of a woman is found hanging from a tree in her front garden, rookie Detective Morgan Brookes is first on the scene. But Olivia Potter is past saving. And when her husband and daughters cannot be traced, Morgan knows there is more to this tragedy. And then she finds them. Lying huddled together in the dark basement, each of their faces covered with a small cotton cloth, their bodies cold to the touch. But as Morgan kneels beside the family, she realizes that one of the girls is still breathing.
-
-
WOWZERS
- By Karen S. on 19-09-20
-
The Body in the Marsh
- DCI Craig Gillard, Book 1
- By: Nick Louth
- Narrated by: Marston York
- Length: 12 hrs
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Criminologist Martin Knight lives a gilded life and is a thorn in the side of the police. But then his wife, Liz, goes missing. There is no good explanation and no sign of Martin.... To make things worse, Liz is the ex-girlfriend of DCI Craig Gillard who is drawn into the investigation. Is it just a missing person or something worse? And what relevance do the events around the shocking Girl F case, so taken up by Knight, have to do with the present? The truth is darker than you could ever have imagined.
-
-
Loved this book
- By TrudyW on 23-08-18
-
The Girl in the Ice
- Detective Erika Foster Crime Thriller, Book 1
- By: Robert Bryndza
- Narrated by: Jan Cramer
- Length: 10 hrs and 1 min
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When a young boy discovers the body of a woman beneath a thick sheet of ice in a South London park, Detective Erika Foster is called in to lead the murder investigation. The victim, a beautiful young socialite, appeared to have the perfect life. Yet when Erika begins to dig deeper, she starts to connect the dots between the murder and the killings of three prostitutes, all found strangled, hands bound, and dumped in water around London.
-
-
Just another British police murder mystery
- By Giles on 23-06-16
-
A Litter of Bones: A Scottish Crime Thriller
- DCI Logan Crime Thrillers, Book 1
- By: JD Kirk
- Narrated by: Angus King
- Length: 7 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Was the biggest case of his career the worst mistake he ever made? Ten years ago, DCI Jack Logan stopped the serial child-killer dubbed "Mister Whisper", earning himself a commendation, a drinking problem, and a broken marriage in the process...When another child disappears a hundred miles north in the Highlands, Jack is sent to lead the investigation and bring the boy home. But as similarities between the two cases grow, could it be that Jack caught the wrong man all those years ago?
-
-
Brilliant unless you're a lover of cats!
- By Mrs D J Fraser on 13-08-19
-
The Birthday
- Detective Natalie Ward, Book 1
- By: Carol Wyer
- Narrated by: Diana Croft
- Length: 9 hrs and 24 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When five-year-old Ava Sawyer goes missing from a birthday party at a local garden center, the police are bewildered by the lack of leads. That is, until two years later, when Ava’s body is found and another little girl, Audrey Briggs, goes missing. Audrey also attended that party. Leading the investigation is Detective Natalie Ward. A mother of two teenagers, this case chills her to the bone and is a disturbing reminder of the last job she worked on. One that still keeps her awake at night.
-
-
Intense and chilling
- By Nia Ireland on 30-09-18
-
Little Girl Lost
- Detective Robyn Carter Crime Thriller Series, Book 1
- By: Carol Wyer
- Narrated by: Emma Newman
- Length: 14 hrs and 13 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
A teacher goes missing under suspicious circumstances and a man is murdered at a local reservoir. For Detective Robyn Carter, there's no obvious link between the cases. But as she starts to delve into them, her investigations lead her to Abigail, perfect wife and mother to beautiful little Izzy. What was Abigail's connection to the victims? And why is she receiving threatening messages from an anonymous number?
-
-
Good story but totally ruined by the narration
- By J.J & G Robson on 30-12-17
-
The Next Girl: Detective Gina Harte, Book 1
- By: Carla Kovach
- Narrated by: Tamsin Kennard
- Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Deborah Jenkins pulls her coat around her as she sets out on her short walk home in the pouring rain. But she never makes it home that night. And she is never seen again.
Four years later, an abandoned baby girl is found wrapped in dirty rags on a doorstep. An anonymous phone call urges the police to run a DNA test on the baby. But nobody is prepared for the results. The newborn belongs to Deborah. She’s still alive.
-
-
Enjoyable story
- By Yvonne on 26-05-18
Summary
In the darkness of a cold December morning, Detective Kim Stone steps through the doors of Halesowen Police Station. She’s about to meet her team for the first time. The victim of her next case is about to meet his killer....
When the body of a young man is found beheaded and staked to the ground in a secluded area of the Clent Hills, Kim and her new squad rush to the crime scene.
Searching the victim’s home, Kim discovers a little girl’s bedroom and a hidden laptop. Why is his sister relieved to hear he’s dead - and where is the rest of his family?
As Kim begins to unearth the dark secrets at the heart of the case, DC Stacey Woodward becomes convinced that this murder is somehow linked to a women’s shelter. As a child of the care system herself, Kim knows all too well what it means to be vulnerable.
With the killer about to strike again, Kim is in deep water with a rookie squad. Inexperienced Stacey is showing signs of brilliance but struggling to hold her nerve and, while D.S. Bryant is reliable and calm, D.S. Dawson is a liability. With his home life in pieces, his volatile behaviour is already fracturing her fragile new team.
Can Kim bring Dawson in line and pull her crew together in time to catch the killer before another life is taken? This time, one of her own could be in terrible danger....
Discover where it all began for Kim and her team. An absolutely heart-stopping mystery thriller. Perfect for Kim Stone fans and new listeners to the million-copy best-selling series.
This audio edition includes exclusive bonus content. In conversation with narrator Jan Cramer, Angela Marsons talks about her writing process, her journey to being published, and never-before-told insights into the series and Kim Stone’s character. Not available in other formats.
A detective hiding dark secrets, Kim Stone will stop at nothing to protect the innocent.
More from the same
What listeners say about First Blood
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Peter G.
- 08-01-20
Fluctuates between bearable and annoying
First prepare to withstand the awful initial narration, with strange intonation and peculiar word cadences. Ride it out. You can do it. Eventually it either improves or you become dulled to it. Persevere. Next there are the moments where the book becomes a recruitment handbook for the police force, with character's 'thought' text so contrived it makes you cringe. Again, hold firm, ride it through, for there are some reasonably extensive sections, admittedly later in the book, where the narrator finally seems to get to grips with the task in hand, and you barely notice her. If you are fortunate these moments will coincide with a section with an acceptable standard of writing and it's an ok book. Treasure these moments, they are rare. The story is ok, with a bit of a twist. The characters are almost caricatures. The worst part about it is the narration, with the portrayal of the baddie winning my personal award for worst narration ever. I don't think I'll ever listen to another book narrated by Jan Cramer. Don't expect much and you won't be disappointed
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- jackie
- 21-12-19
Great story - dreadful narration
I always enjoy the Kim Stone stories, but they really are marred by the dreadful narration.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Bianca
- 13-12-19
The narrator was so bad
I cannot comment on the story as I could not listen to this narrator passed chapter 3. Waste of a credit
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Danny fenton
- 29-11-19
best Kim Stone book so far
although this is the start chronologically, i really enjoyed reading it after Childs Play, and all the books in the series. Already knowing and liking the characters meant this was a journey into how they all jelled in their first case as a team. i listen while i walk, and passers by must have thought me mad laughing out loud at Kims wonderful dry wit. Angela Marsons, dont ever stop writing Kims story......
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- sull
- 02-12-19
FANTASTIC!!
Absolutely love this series and this prequel is the icing on the cake. Finding out where it all began for Kim Stone and her team. Narration by Jan Cramer is excellent as usual, the series wouldn't be the same without her, and the conversation with Angela and Jan at the end is insightful and wonderful to listen to. Can't wait for more Kim Stone.. .please!!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mac
- 18-11-19
Brilliant
I have read all the books in this series but only have the last 2 on audio. This is an awesome series and I can not recommend it highly enough. It’s one nail biting instalment after another. Absolutely gripping from start to finish. Hope there will be more. ❤️🥰😍
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Gill Blenco
- 27-12-20
Gripping
Couldn't out this down. The short punchy style fitted the story"s pace well. The revaluation about the DI s background worked brilliantly as the story unfolded.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kindle Customer
- 23-11-20
Well worth ignoring the odd narration
This book did not disappoint! It kept you guessing until the end and I liked the characterisations. The intonation of the narrator is really annoying and kind of unwarranted. I can see she is trying to convey the slightly detached manner of Kim Stone but it spoils the listening experience - let the words work their magic! A great story and a good listen for anyone who likes Lottie Parker or a good detective novel. I guarantee you’ll not guess ‘who done it’.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- popeyejohn1
- 16-11-20
Brilliant v
First book I’ve listened to by Angela Marion’s.but I intend to complete the series a steady build up to grand finish Look forward to the next book Popeye ( that’s my cat)
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Nina Leather
- 15-10-20
don't bother
Not very good, did not enjoy 1 bit, do not bother. waste of money/time
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Jennifer
- 08-12-19
Almost Perfect
If you’re like me, you look forward to a new Kim Stone novel. First Blood will not disappoint. I don’t know how Marsons does it, churning out two books per year without losing her literary mojo! I’ve mentioned my one gripe in previous reviews and I’ve attributed it in the past to Jan Cramer, but I’ve come to realize it’s not entirely her fault. Every time she reads from the killer’s perspective, she reads it like she’s the “Wicked Witch of the West”. I expect each section to end with “I’ll get you and your little dog too!” I’ve come to realize the fault lies with Marsons. These vignettes are the one flaw in her novels. They serve no purpose, are entirely superfluous. On a side note, there’s a twist toward the end that will warm the heart of any reader of the Kim Stone series. No spoiler, just be prepared to feel a gentle tug on your emotions.
10 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Maine Knitter
- 18-11-19
What a great surprise
So this is how this team got started. Very interesting. This series is a favorite of mine so this surprise prequel was another must-read for me. Kim, which is easy to understand, has had problems at previous assignments and gets sent to “Woody”’s team. There she meets her new crew - Stacey, Dawson, and Bryant. It was fun to get to know the beginnings of this team. Even though Kim was given a day to learn the team, they are immediately thrown into a gruesome murder investigation which soon escalates. As typical of Angela Marsons, we are led down many paths during the investigation. The story is disturbing but hard to put down. And it’s worth it for the little revelation at the end. The narration by Jan Cramer does, as usual, enhance the story. Very well done!
7 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- DM Salazar
- 21-12-19
Enlightening and Intriguing
I was a little hesitant when I realized this was going back to the beginning of the team after I had already read every single installment in the series and was waiting for the next one. But I thoroughly enjoyed it and highly recommend all fans of this series to read/listen to how this amazing team came together. And yes I was sad at one of the characters because I know what happens down the line but still enjoyed knowing how this character started out in the team (no spoilers from me!) And I absolutely loved the interview at the end between the amazing narrator Jan Kramer and the very talented author Angela. So interesting to hear both of them discuss their individual rituals while reading or writing their current novel. And last but certainly not least, the mystery and murder investigation was fascinating as always, and once again I did not foresee the conclusion ahead of time. I never want this series to end!
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Wayne
- 10-12-19
Detective Kim Stone Book 12
Author Angela Marsons continues her outstanding Detective Kim Stone series with FIRST BLOOD. Kim gets a fresh start with a new team in this modern detective thriller. Narrator Jan Cramer can always be counted on to deliver superb narration. One of many things I like about Audible is their classification of series novels. Audible failed to classify this novel First Blood as part of the Kim Stone series. Yesterday I finished Mark Dawson's The Assassin which is part of his Isabella Rose series but was not noted as such by Audible.
13 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Chantal Noordeloos
- 25-08-20
Not bad
It’s unfortunate that I have recently read a lot of Robert Bryndza’s work, which is similar to this but better executed. That made this novel a little flat for me. The characters are a little over the top, and feel forced instead of natural. I also feel that the author is trying to guide my emotions and opinions too much. The story itself was decent, but nothing remarkable. It’s not a bad read, and I understand how people enjoy it, but I’m not over the moon about it:
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Joanne Solis-Keus
- 23-11-19
Best beginning ever!
Angela never disappoints. She amazing! The series is wonderfully written that Kim and her team are part of my family. Can't wait for the next book. Thanks Angela for a superb series.
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Dawn
- 10-01-20
An excellent addition to the series
Angela Marsons has written an excellent addition to the series. I love the idea of going back to the beginning to discover how Kim’s team came together. I highly recommend this book to fans of the series. And to new fans this is a good way to get your feet wet.
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Debbijane
- 18-12-19
Awesome
I loved this book as I did the rest of the series. Jan makes the story more real and the characters come to life. Highly recommended series.
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- TG
- 05-01-21
Good start
To a new series. I liked learning about each character and the story kept me interested. The narrator did a really good job as well.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story

- Margaret
- 04-01-21
Very predicable
The story was ok but the "bad guy" was totally out of left field. Convoluted and rather forced plotline that in the end was very unsatisfying and rather rushed to tie up dangling loose ends. First time reading this author and though the novel was not very enjoyable, I will try book two in the series in the hopes that Angela Marsons has improved.