It’s my absolute pleasure to be a part of the Gone to Ground blog tour, sharing my review of the latest instalment in the Kay Hunter series with you today.
While attending a crime scene on the outskirts of Maidstone, DI Kay Hunter makes a shocking discovery.
The victim has been brutally cut to pieces, his identity unknown.
When more body parts start turning up in the Kentish countryside, Kay realises the disturbing truth – a serial killer is at large and must be stopped at all costs.
With no motive for the murders and a killer who has gone undetected until now, Kay and her team of detectives must work fast to calm a terrified local population.
When a third victim is found, her investigation grows even more complicated.
As she begins to expose a dark underbelly to the county town, Kay and her team are pulled into a web of jealousy and intrigue that, if left unchecked, will soon claim another life.
Rachel Amphlett has done it again, another solid police procedural in this fantastic crime series. Gone to Ground is perfect for readers who love a strong mystery that’ll keep you guessing until the author decides it’s time to reveal all! Six books in, and it’s mighty impressive that Amphlett still manages to grip me as a reader, and have me hella invested in the plot, and remaining a fan of Kay Hunter and her team. While Gone to Ground can be enjoyed a standalone, I think you’ll get much more out of it, if you’ve read the books that came before – don’t fret if you’re new to this series, each instalment is brilliant, that’s why this is one of my favourite crime series.
If we look a bit closer at the mystery in Gone to Ground, you’ll find it packed with tension, as with most serial killer thrillers, the race is on to catch the killer before more bodies surface. I never like to give anything away in my reviews, so just know this is a well-thought-out mystery that starts with a bike ride and an amputated foot! It’s the perfect read for fans of police procedurals. And you become even more invested because of who is tasked with solving it. I don’t think I will ever tire of Kay Hunter, she’s a fantastic character, likeable and determined. Kay remains one of my favourite fictional detectives and her and her partner, Adam, remain my favourite fiction couple. What makes their relationship so great, and a pleasure to read about, is how supportive they are of each other, it’s rare but their relationship is drama free and that creates this feel-good feeling when reading because you’re genuinely happy for Kay. She’s certainly been through a lot, and all you want is the best for her.
In this instalment, Kay has been promoted to Detective Inspector, and trust me, she’s earned it, but what that has done is created an opening for her old role. And that brings a whole new element of tension to this read. The policing team work really well together, and over the course of the series you really get to know them, so you’re worried about a newcomer upsetting the dynamics. What’s also great, is while Kay is rising through the ranks, she is still very much involved in the investigation’s ground work.
If you read my reviews for previous books in this series, you’ll find them eerily similar to this one, and that’s because this series is consistently good. It brings a fresh new mystery to solve with each book, with the added pleasure of returning characters that you’ve grown fond of. Amphlett really has penned a great series, and created a remarkable protagonist in Kay Hunter. Each book is this series makes for addictive reading and Gone to Ground is a fantastic instalment! I cannot wait for book 7!
This book is available to buy now from: Amazon UK / Book Depository
*My thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of this title and to Emma @ damppebbles for inviting me to participate in this blog tour*
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THE DETECTIVE KAY HUNTER SERIES IN ORDER:
#2 Will to Live
#3 One to Watch
#4 Hell to Pay
#5 Call to Arms
#6 Gone to Ground
Before turning to writing, Rachel Amphlett played guitar in bands, worked as a TV and film extra, dabbled in radio as a presenter and freelance producer for the BBC, and worked in publishing as a sub-editor and editorial assistant.
She now wields a pen instead of a plectrum and writes crime fiction and spy novels, including the Dan Taylor espionage novels and the Detective Kay Hunter series.
Originally from the UK and currently based in Brisbane, Australia, Rachel cites her writing influences as Michael Connelly, Lee Child, and Robert Ludlum. She’s also a huge fan of Peter James, Val McDermid, Angela Marsons, Robert Bryndza, Ken Follett, and Stuart MacBride.
She’s a member of International Thriller Writers and the Crime Writers Association, with the Italian foreign rights for her debut novel, White Gold sold to Fanucci Editore’s TIMECrime imprint, and the first four books in the Dan Taylor espionage series contracted to Germany’s Luzifer Verlag.
Her novels are available in eBook, paperback and audiobook formats from worldwide retailers including Amazon, iBooks, Kobo, and Google Play.
A keen traveller, Rachel holds both EU and Australian passports and can usually be found plotting her next trip two years in advance!
Social Media: Twitter | Facebook | Website |Amazon Author Page
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FOLLOW THE GONE TO GROUND BLOG TOUR
Keeper of Pages 
I don’t like putting it in writing but … I agree 😉
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Haha, at least it’s for a good cause! #booklove
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Great review, thanks Janel x
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Thanks for inviting me 😊x
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What a fantastic review, Janel! It’s the best feeling to have found a consistent series that works for you like this one. I definitely need to check this author out based on your endorsement!
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Thank you! Oh, I absolutely recommend this series, there’s so many series out there but this is one I prioritise 🙂
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