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Detective Kay Hunter #6
Gone to Ground
6 hours, 36 minutes
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 and a scornful media.
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.
Gone to Ground is a gripping serial killer thriller full of page-turning suspense, and the sixth book in the Detective Kay Hunter British detective series:
1. Scared to Death
2. Will to Live
3. One to Watch
4. Hell to Pay
5. Call to Arms
6. Gone to Ground
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 and a scornful media.
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.
Gone to Ground is a gripping serial killer thriller full of page-turning suspense, and the sixth book in the Detective Kay Hunter British detective series:
1. Scared to Death
2. Will to Live
3. One to Watch
4. Hell to Pay
5. Call to Arms
6. Gone to Ground
Audiobook
First published July 5, 2018
309 people are currently reading
363 people want to read
About the author
Rachel Amphlett
206 books671 followersBefore turning to writing, USA Today bestselling crime author Rachel Amphlett played guitar in bands, worked as a TV and film extra, dabbled in radio, and worked in publishing as an editorial assistant.
She now wields a pen instead of a plectrum and writes crime fiction with over 30 crime novels and short stories featuring spies, detectives, vigilantes, and assassins.
A keen traveller and accidental private investigator, Rachel has both Australian and British citizenship.
You can find out more about Rachel and her books at www.rachelamphlett.com.
Praise for Rachel Amphlett
“Fast paced with vivid characterisation and clever twists, [None the Wiser] is another winner” Adrian McKinty
“[None the Wiser] is a terrific start to a new series” Jo Spain, With Our Blessing and The Confession
“Quirky, creepy and twisted tales” James Oswald, Sunday Times bestselling author
“Thrilling start to a new series. Scared to Death is a stylish, smart and gripping crime thriller” Robert Bryndza
"Scared to Death… moves along at breakneck speed with twists and turns" Angela Marsons
She now wields a pen instead of a plectrum and writes crime fiction with over 30 crime novels and short stories featuring spies, detectives, vigilantes, and assassins.
A keen traveller and accidental private investigator, Rachel has both Australian and British citizenship.
You can find out more about Rachel and her books at www.rachelamphlett.com.
Praise for Rachel Amphlett
“Fast paced with vivid characterisation and clever twists, [None the Wiser] is another winner” Adrian McKinty
“[None the Wiser] is a terrific start to a new series” Jo Spain, With Our Blessing and The Confession
“Quirky, creepy and twisted tales” James Oswald, Sunday Times bestselling author
“Thrilling start to a new series. Scared to Death is a stylish, smart and gripping crime thriller” Robert Bryndza
"Scared to Death… moves along at breakneck speed with twists and turns" Angela Marsons
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 93 reviews
May 21, 2020
I am still enjoying this excellent series. Detective Kay Hunter is a great character with a positive attitude to life and her job, a solid marriage with a loving partner and a great work ethic. Even her colleagues like and respect her. So refreshing!
In Gone to Ground Kay and her team are investigating the discoveries of body parts and remains with initially little information about where they have come from. Some excellent and thorough police work eventually leads them to the perpetrator.
As usual Ms. Amplett treats us to a nicely written, easy to read crime procedural with a good story and a satisfying conclusion. Looking forward to the next one!
In Gone to Ground Kay and her team are investigating the discoveries of body parts and remains with initially little information about where they have come from. Some excellent and thorough police work eventually leads them to the perpetrator.
As usual Ms. Amplett treats us to a nicely written, easy to read crime procedural with a good story and a satisfying conclusion. Looking forward to the next one!
July 4, 2018
Detective Inspector Kay Hunter was shocked to the core when she and DC Ian Barnes attended a crime scene just outside Maidstone – the gruesome discovery of a body part by a group of Sunday morning cyclists was the beginning of a case more brutal than Kay and her team had seen before. During the course of the investigation, the call they received which revealed more body parts came with a terrible realization – they had a serial killer on their hands…
Frustration mounted quickly as they kept hitting a brick wall – no motive, no evidence, no suspects – they knew they needed to find answers and quickly. The media were hounding them; the public was scared. Would Kay and her team of detectives find the brutal killer before more bodies were found? Or had the killer gone to ground? They needed a break.
Gone to Ground is the 6th in the Detective Kay Hunter series by Aussie author Rachel Amphlett and once again it’s an intense, fast-paced, action-paced thriller! I love this series – Kay Hunter is an exceptional character and I can’t wait to read the next one! Highly recommended.
With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read and review.
Frustration mounted quickly as they kept hitting a brick wall – no motive, no evidence, no suspects – they knew they needed to find answers and quickly. The media were hounding them; the public was scared. Would Kay and her team of detectives find the brutal killer before more bodies were found? Or had the killer gone to ground? They needed a break.
Gone to Ground is the 6th in the Detective Kay Hunter series by Aussie author Rachel Amphlett and once again it’s an intense, fast-paced, action-paced thriller! I love this series – Kay Hunter is an exceptional character and I can’t wait to read the next one! Highly recommended.
With thanks to the author for my digital ARC to read and review.
September 23, 2019
Another great case from Kay Hunter and her team.
I listened to this book in a day and really enjoyed it.
I listened to this book in a day and really enjoyed it.
July 11, 2018
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!
*My thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of this title*
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!
*My thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of this title*
July 7, 2018
Kay Hunter is back! Yes, she is! And I couldn’t be more excited if I tried!
Gone To Ground is the sixth (6th!! How did that happen?) instalment in the Kay Hunter series and it still feels as fresh as the first one. I rather think you can get away with reading this one as a stand-alone since it sort of marks new beginnings, but why would you want to? Start with the first book if you haven’t done so already! I promise you won’t regret it!
The scene is set from the very first page, when a Sunday morning bike ride ends in a bit of a nightmare as one of the cyclists discovers a severed foot. Bye bye, breakfast. Kay Hunter and her team are called out to the crime scene but other than the foot, there are no clues left to find and identification is impossible. But then more body parts start to show up and it looks like Kay may be facing a serial killer. It seems the killer may have gone to ground (see what I did there?) for now but Kay is convinced they will kill again. Can she stop the killer from striking again?
Kay Hunter and her team feel like a family. Not just to each other but to me, as a reader, as well. Even though Kay has been promoted to DI, it was wonderful to see nothing much has changed. Apart from having way more administrative tasks to do, obviously. On top of that, there’s another position that needs to be filled and just like the team, I too felt wary of the possibility of needing to be introduced to a new member, an outsider. This just goes to show how invested I’ve become in the lives of these characters. Obviously I’m not telling you what happens but Rachel Amphlett handled it brilliantly.
Much needed comic relief is once again provided by Kay’s partner, Adam. If you’ve read the previous books, you’ll know that Adam is a vet and he regularly brings his work home with him. I will always love this perfect balance Rachel Amphlett creates between Kay’s professional and private life and allowing the reader to have a bit of a breather from the disturbing crimes.
The Kay Hunter series are all addictive page-turners and Gone To Ground is no different. With a gripping and frustrating investigation full of dead-ends and surprises, team banter and some chuckles there is a lot here to hold your attention throughout. I thought I had a bit of an inkling as to what was going on but the pieces of the puzzle didn’t fall into place until the end.
I’ve adored this series from the start. It’s one of those that just seems to get better and better with each book and as long as Rachel Amphlett keeps writing them, I’ll be reading them and recommending you do the same! Bring on book 7, Rachel! I’m ready!
Gone To Ground is the sixth (6th!! How did that happen?) instalment in the Kay Hunter series and it still feels as fresh as the first one. I rather think you can get away with reading this one as a stand-alone since it sort of marks new beginnings, but why would you want to? Start with the first book if you haven’t done so already! I promise you won’t regret it!
The scene is set from the very first page, when a Sunday morning bike ride ends in a bit of a nightmare as one of the cyclists discovers a severed foot. Bye bye, breakfast. Kay Hunter and her team are called out to the crime scene but other than the foot, there are no clues left to find and identification is impossible. But then more body parts start to show up and it looks like Kay may be facing a serial killer. It seems the killer may have gone to ground (see what I did there?) for now but Kay is convinced they will kill again. Can she stop the killer from striking again?
Kay Hunter and her team feel like a family. Not just to each other but to me, as a reader, as well. Even though Kay has been promoted to DI, it was wonderful to see nothing much has changed. Apart from having way more administrative tasks to do, obviously. On top of that, there’s another position that needs to be filled and just like the team, I too felt wary of the possibility of needing to be introduced to a new member, an outsider. This just goes to show how invested I’ve become in the lives of these characters. Obviously I’m not telling you what happens but Rachel Amphlett handled it brilliantly.
Much needed comic relief is once again provided by Kay’s partner, Adam. If you’ve read the previous books, you’ll know that Adam is a vet and he regularly brings his work home with him. I will always love this perfect balance Rachel Amphlett creates between Kay’s professional and private life and allowing the reader to have a bit of a breather from the disturbing crimes.
The Kay Hunter series are all addictive page-turners and Gone To Ground is no different. With a gripping and frustrating investigation full of dead-ends and surprises, team banter and some chuckles there is a lot here to hold your attention throughout. I thought I had a bit of an inkling as to what was going on but the pieces of the puzzle didn’t fall into place until the end.
I’ve adored this series from the start. It’s one of those that just seems to get better and better with each book and as long as Rachel Amphlett keeps writing them, I’ll be reading them and recommending you do the same! Bring on book 7, Rachel! I’m ready!
July 8, 2018
Gone to Ground opens with a leisurely Sunday bike ride that quickly morphs into a terrifying experience for a group of friends when they discover a severed foot, still housed in its original boot. Kay and the team are called to investigate the grisly find but struggle to discover the victim's identity. The Home Office Pathologist is the first person to shed any light on who the victim may be and from there on, Kay and her devoted team slowly and methodically work with the evidence they have to attempt to solve a difficult case. The teams floundering in the first half of the book shows the frustrations of everyday police work and the minutiae they are required to sift through. Add to this Kay's recent promotion to Detective Inspector, her despair at the mounting paperwork her new role entails and the thankless task of interviewing and finding a new Detective Sargeant for her close-knit team. I have to admit, the thought of a new character joining the team made me feel a little uneasy but I'm sure I'll get used to the new arrangements soon enough.
One of the things I love about the Kay Hunter series is Adam, Kay's (dishy) other half. Adam is a veterinarian and regularly brings home a patient from the practice. Often Kay has stumbled home after an exhausting day protecting the folk of Kent to be met by some odd creature snuggled up on her kitchen floor! I love these small, often furry additions to the storyline as they add a touch of humour and as a regular reader of the series, I am always looking forward to finding out who will be arriving next. Adam also adds to the story as he grounds Kay and allows the reader to see Kay the person, not Kay the copper. A perfect pairing.
Would I recommend this book? Absolutely. This is my favourite in the series, so far. The plot had me gripped from start to finish and I struggled to put the book down. I have a bit of a thing for serial killer thrillers so Gone to Ground ticked all the boxes for me. It's a little grisly in places but I LOVE THAT and you shouldn't let that put you off (it's really not that bad, I've read more gruesome books!). Gone to Ground works perfectly well as a standalone as it feels as though this is a new dawn for Kay and the team. Saying that, why would you want to miss out on the proceeding five books when they're brilliant and well worth a read! Absolutely compulsive reading from an author who gets better and better with each book. Roll on book seven because I can't flipping wait!
Five out of five stars.
I chose to read and review an eARC of Gone to Ground. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.
One of the things I love about the Kay Hunter series is Adam, Kay's (dishy) other half. Adam is a veterinarian and regularly brings home a patient from the practice. Often Kay has stumbled home after an exhausting day protecting the folk of Kent to be met by some odd creature snuggled up on her kitchen floor! I love these small, often furry additions to the storyline as they add a touch of humour and as a regular reader of the series, I am always looking forward to finding out who will be arriving next. Adam also adds to the story as he grounds Kay and allows the reader to see Kay the person, not Kay the copper. A perfect pairing.
Would I recommend this book? Absolutely. This is my favourite in the series, so far. The plot had me gripped from start to finish and I struggled to put the book down. I have a bit of a thing for serial killer thrillers so Gone to Ground ticked all the boxes for me. It's a little grisly in places but I LOVE THAT and you shouldn't let that put you off (it's really not that bad, I've read more gruesome books!). Gone to Ground works perfectly well as a standalone as it feels as though this is a new dawn for Kay and the team. Saying that, why would you want to miss out on the proceeding five books when they're brilliant and well worth a read! Absolutely compulsive reading from an author who gets better and better with each book. Roll on book seven because I can't flipping wait!
Five out of five stars.
I chose to read and review an eARC of Gone to Ground. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.
October 31, 2018
In this instalment of a series that goes from strength to strength a bunch of weekend cyclists make the gruesome discovery of a severed foot. Hunter and her team are on the job, trying to find the rest of the body and identify the victim. Before long, more body parts show up. It looks like they have a serial killer on their hands.
August 15, 2020
I'm devouring these books - such a good series. Lots of twists and turns, good guys and nasty guys! Well written and to me, fun to read!
4.5 stars and 2 thumbs up!
From the blurb: Gone to Ground 6
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 and a scornful media.
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.
Gone to Ground is a gripping serial killer thriller full of page-turning suspense, and the sixth book in the Detective Kay Hunter British
4.5 stars and 2 thumbs up!
From the blurb: Gone to Ground 6
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 and a scornful media.
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.
Gone to Ground is a gripping serial killer thriller full of page-turning suspense, and the sixth book in the Detective Kay Hunter British
September 22, 2021
Gone to Ground is book six of the Detective Kay Hunter series by Rachel Amphlett. One morning DI Kay Hunter while at a crime scene, came across a terrible discovery of parts of someone's body. However, it was not an isolated incident that DI Kay Hunter first through. Body parts are turning up all over the Kentish countryside. During the subsequent investigation, DI Kay realised that they might be Hunting a serial killer. The readers of Gone to Ground will continue to follow Detective Kay Hunter investigation to find out what happens.
Reading Gone to Ground, I forgot about doing my housework set down and enjoyed this fantastic book. Rachel Amphlett has done it again, providing me many enjoyable hours of reading Gone to Ground. Gone to Ground is well written and researched by Rachel Amphlett. I love Rachel Amphlett portrayal of the characters and their interaction with each other throughout this book. I like Rachel Amphlett's description of the settings of Gone to Ground which allows me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of Gone to Ground will understand the consequences of jealousy. Also, the readers will learn about problems that law enforcement officers have with the community and their colleagues during a significant criminal investigation.
I recommend this book.
Reading Gone to Ground, I forgot about doing my housework set down and enjoyed this fantastic book. Rachel Amphlett has done it again, providing me many enjoyable hours of reading Gone to Ground. Gone to Ground is well written and researched by Rachel Amphlett. I love Rachel Amphlett portrayal of the characters and their interaction with each other throughout this book. I like Rachel Amphlett's description of the settings of Gone to Ground which allows me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of Gone to Ground will understand the consequences of jealousy. Also, the readers will learn about problems that law enforcement officers have with the community and their colleagues during a significant criminal investigation.
I recommend this book.
April 24, 2024
4 stars
Oh yess!!! What a great great book!!!
I loved the whole premise, the investigation and the side personal story with the naughty goat (super cute and funny).
Body parts start to show up in random places which makes it difficult to investigate as the detectives didn't even know who the victim(s) are/were.
A pretty good story and a great fast read!
I can't wait to read the next one!!
Oh yess!!! What a great great book!!!
I loved the whole premise, the investigation and the side personal story with the naughty goat (super cute and funny).
Body parts start to show up in random places which makes it difficult to investigate as the detectives didn't even know who the victim(s) are/were.
A pretty good story and a great fast read!
I can't wait to read the next one!!
May 29, 2022
This is the sixth book in the Detective Kay Hunter series. It is a nice addition to the series. The mystery was fairly solid. I liked how the relationships between the team has been developing over the series. I will continue on with the next one soon.
July 22, 2018
This was a good police procedural but I didn’t enjoy it as much as previous books in the series.
September 8, 2018
Finished reading: September 8th 2018
"She had tried to push the memory away over the years, heeding the advice of the psychologists her parents had consulted, but she would never forget the stench of burning human flesh."
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
P.S. Find more of my reviews here.
July 14, 2018
Sixth addition to the series and it still feels fresh like the first one! (Pss, pss, by the way you can read this as a standalone but DON’T DO THAT! You’ll miss the fun)
Rachel Amphlett is one of the best things that has happened in my life. I thank all the stars in the whole universe for making our paths cross. I would have missed on such great books if I haven’t met Rachel. All of Rachel’s books are addictive reads and Gone to Ground is no less. From the first chapter, we dive straight into action. I love how Rachel casually builds up the tension and BOOM! she drops a bomb. And, funny enough, I find myself waiting for that particular moment. Rachel has this amazing skill of delaying the pleasure of discovery with a bit of extra detail or backstory – which sometimes made my brain shout – Come on! Just tell me what the woman saw! – and I absolutely loved it! I felt pity for the witnesses who found the said severed pieces. The description even made me gulping down my bile. As I would read their part I would say to myself – Oh! You don’t know what Rachel has in store for you. I loved how the writing flowed in this book. For some reason I felt it was more polished and fine-tuned than the other books, placing it a step ahead. There is a balance in the narrative, with subtle comic reliefs sprinkled throughout the book, making it easy for me to continue reading. It gave much needed breaks to the characters and me as a reader.
The characters! I don’t know what to say about them. I love them all! The series should be called ‘Kay Hunter and Co. series’ because that’s how it feels! They all are in this together, through thick and thin. I love the interaction and banter they share, makes me feels that I’m there too! That’s a major plus point to Rachel. You’ll realise this if you read the series in order, the characters are growing and evolving with each new addition to the series. They don’t feel stagnant and with every book you get see a new side to them. Also, plus one more point to Rachel for letting Adam bring in a miniature goat this time. And I think I might be developing a crush on Ian Barnes.
The plot just kept me on the hooks! I simply couldn’t guess who the serial killer was and what was the motive. It was only when Rachel decided to let the readers know that’s when I actually connected the dots. I loved how Kay and Co kept hitting dead-ends but still strove through and saw that they catch the killer.
I have to say. With every new addition to this series, I feel a bit anxious. What if I don’t like this book? What if it doesn’t create the impact on me as its predecessors have? Now that I have read the sixth book in the series, I can say that I am not disappointed at all! I don’t know how Rachel does this, but she does it again. On that note, I just realised that she has just entered my list of authors who never disappoint me and let me tell you – there are some big names there. You might have heard this name in my posts – Agatha Christie – heard of it? Yup!
For more review please visit www.rubinareads.com
Rachel Amphlett is one of the best things that has happened in my life. I thank all the stars in the whole universe for making our paths cross. I would have missed on such great books if I haven’t met Rachel. All of Rachel’s books are addictive reads and Gone to Ground is no less. From the first chapter, we dive straight into action. I love how Rachel casually builds up the tension and BOOM! she drops a bomb. And, funny enough, I find myself waiting for that particular moment. Rachel has this amazing skill of delaying the pleasure of discovery with a bit of extra detail or backstory – which sometimes made my brain shout – Come on! Just tell me what the woman saw! – and I absolutely loved it! I felt pity for the witnesses who found the said severed pieces. The description even made me gulping down my bile. As I would read their part I would say to myself – Oh! You don’t know what Rachel has in store for you. I loved how the writing flowed in this book. For some reason I felt it was more polished and fine-tuned than the other books, placing it a step ahead. There is a balance in the narrative, with subtle comic reliefs sprinkled throughout the book, making it easy for me to continue reading. It gave much needed breaks to the characters and me as a reader.
The characters! I don’t know what to say about them. I love them all! The series should be called ‘Kay Hunter and Co. series’ because that’s how it feels! They all are in this together, through thick and thin. I love the interaction and banter they share, makes me feels that I’m there too! That’s a major plus point to Rachel. You’ll realise this if you read the series in order, the characters are growing and evolving with each new addition to the series. They don’t feel stagnant and with every book you get see a new side to them. Also, plus one more point to Rachel for letting Adam bring in a miniature goat this time. And I think I might be developing a crush on Ian Barnes.
The plot just kept me on the hooks! I simply couldn’t guess who the serial killer was and what was the motive. It was only when Rachel decided to let the readers know that’s when I actually connected the dots. I loved how Kay and Co kept hitting dead-ends but still strove through and saw that they catch the killer.
I have to say. With every new addition to this series, I feel a bit anxious. What if I don’t like this book? What if it doesn’t create the impact on me as its predecessors have? Now that I have read the sixth book in the series, I can say that I am not disappointed at all! I don’t know how Rachel does this, but she does it again. On that note, I just realised that she has just entered my list of authors who never disappoint me and let me tell you – there are some big names there. You might have heard this name in my posts – Agatha Christie – heard of it? Yup!
For more review please visit www.rubinareads.com
September 7, 2018
Once again, Rachel Amphlett has delivered a terrific British police procedural and visiting again with Detective Inspector Kay Hunter and the people she cares about was well worth the wait for this episode.
Dead bodies are never pleasant to see, of course, but the level of brutality in first one killing and then more is beyond what some of Kay’s homicide team have ever seen. There’s no question they’re dealing with a serial killer but this kind of violence usually means there’s something personal going on and, yet, these victims seem to have no connections with each other. Each facet of the investigation leads to more questions and, if there’s any common thread, it may be a resort hotel that specializes in business team-building activities. Still, Kay and her colleagues are on a rollercoaster and the last nugget of information is a stomach-churning bombshell.
On the personal front, Kay’s veterinarian husband, Adam, who brings patients home frequently, is now tending a sweet little goat who has all the annoying habits of, well, a goat, but Kay still prefers her over the snake Adam brought home one time. It’s also nice to see Kay and Adam socializing with her colleagues and doing their best not to talk shop if only for an hour or two. Barnes, in particular, becomes more fleshed out in this book and I like him even more than I already did while criminalist Harriet is becoming more and more vivid in my mind.
Alison Campbell has become one of those narrators who, in my opinion, live and breathe the main character and she quite simply nails not only Kay’s persona but also does a wonderful job with the other characters. It’s not easy for a narrator to do opposite gender voices but Ms. Campbell does men really well and all her voices are distinct from one another.
Great stories, wonderful narration, characters that have become friends—what more could I want? I do hope there will be many more books to come.
Dead bodies are never pleasant to see, of course, but the level of brutality in first one killing and then more is beyond what some of Kay’s homicide team have ever seen. There’s no question they’re dealing with a serial killer but this kind of violence usually means there’s something personal going on and, yet, these victims seem to have no connections with each other. Each facet of the investigation leads to more questions and, if there’s any common thread, it may be a resort hotel that specializes in business team-building activities. Still, Kay and her colleagues are on a rollercoaster and the last nugget of information is a stomach-churning bombshell.
On the personal front, Kay’s veterinarian husband, Adam, who brings patients home frequently, is now tending a sweet little goat who has all the annoying habits of, well, a goat, but Kay still prefers her over the snake Adam brought home one time. It’s also nice to see Kay and Adam socializing with her colleagues and doing their best not to talk shop if only for an hour or two. Barnes, in particular, becomes more fleshed out in this book and I like him even more than I already did while criminalist Harriet is becoming more and more vivid in my mind.
Alison Campbell has become one of those narrators who, in my opinion, live and breathe the main character and she quite simply nails not only Kay’s persona but also does a wonderful job with the other characters. It’s not easy for a narrator to do opposite gender voices but Ms. Campbell does men really well and all her voices are distinct from one another.
Great stories, wonderful narration, characters that have become friends—what more could I want? I do hope there will be many more books to come.
July 10, 2018
One of the highlights of my reading year is a new Kay Hunter book being published and having been a fan from the start I couldn’t wait to get started on Gone to Ground (Kay Hunter 6). The story opens in an innocuous manner with a leisurely cycle ride amongst a group of friends. The tone soon changes when one of the group find an abondoned boot….with a foot still in it! Thus begins a new case for Kay Hunter and her team. I have loved seeing this team grow closer as the series has progressed and once again they prove to be a well oiled machine of investigative work. Each knows their role and gets on with it and Kay is confortable to let them do so.
I have learnt that Rachel Amphlett is a master of misdirection and I did not predict where the story was going or who the culprit was! I get so engrossed in the story and it’s always a genuine suprise to me, the sign of an excellent writer in my opinion.
Of course it is not a Kay Hunter novel without her loving husband, Adam, and his unusual house guests – being a vet has resulted in some hilarious events in the Hunter household which are a welcome relief from the gory details of the murders. Another five star read and I look forward to book seven!
I have learnt that Rachel Amphlett is a master of misdirection and I did not predict where the story was going or who the culprit was! I get so engrossed in the story and it’s always a genuine suprise to me, the sign of an excellent writer in my opinion.
Of course it is not a Kay Hunter novel without her loving husband, Adam, and his unusual house guests – being a vet has resulted in some hilarious events in the Hunter household which are a welcome relief from the gory details of the murders. Another five star read and I look forward to book seven!
January 4, 2022
I found this book difficult to put down. The action picked up from the first page, and while I first found how little information the police had to go on a little frustrating, all of the plot twists kept me guessing. The climax turned up extremely late and I will admit that I was also very disquieted by the final reveal and their motives. I can't wait to read the next in the series.
October 25, 2021
Pretty tough solving a case when all you have is a foot but DI Kay Hunter and her crew solve this complex and entertaining mystery. On to the next.
January 28, 2019
From the mailing list of the author I received an email that this is to be published July 8th, 2018 and a few retailers allowed pre-ordering it today (June 10th, 2018), ebook.de (in Germany) among them. Amazon will surely follow soon.
Also there was a link to excerpt from the book, although I downloaded it, I am not so sure I will read it, as I do not like to be stopped reading.
All books by this author I read so far where great, 4 or 5 star reads for me, so I am looking forward to it, and will probably read it in one sitting or on a weekend, which really is not a good idea with an excerpt, but we'll see, may be I cannot wait.
3.5 stars as the story was a little too straight, not enough twists. Rounded up to 4.
Although taking place now and in the UK not a word about BREXIT, strange, it should have been mentioned.
Recommended. Nice fast read.
Also there was a link to excerpt from the book, although I downloaded it, I am not so sure I will read it, as I do not like to be stopped reading.
All books by this author I read so far where great, 4 or 5 star reads for me, so I am looking forward to it, and will probably read it in one sitting or on a weekend, which really is not a good idea with an excerpt, but we'll see, may be I cannot wait.
3.5 stars as the story was a little too straight, not enough twists. Rounded up to 4.
Although taking place now and in the UK not a word about BREXIT, strange, it should have been mentioned.
Recommended. Nice fast read.
July 10, 2020
While the story line and writing was good, I wanted to give 4 & 1/2 stars rather than 5, for the simple reason that there were way too many characters to keep track of. I actually ended up writing them all down so that I could refer back to the list which ended up being a full A4 page of names!
UPDATE: Now that I have started reading the series from the beginning, I will read this again when I'm finished with book 5. I'm sure I will have a greater appreciation for this installment, now that I have more background on the characters.
UPDATE: Now that I have started reading the series from the beginning, I will read this again when I'm finished with book 5. I'm sure I will have a greater appreciation for this installment, now that I have more background on the characters.
July 13, 2021
Bloody hell Rachael.
What a story.
I have enjoyed ALL the Kay Hunter books, this one is no exception.
It is the first story with Kay in her new role as Inspector. A tense and gripping murder mystery. Once again I not only enjoyed the tension but also the inter play with her work colleagues and of course her personal home life with Adam.
It makes these stories human and realistic.
Another recommendation from me.
What a story.
I have enjoyed ALL the Kay Hunter books, this one is no exception.
It is the first story with Kay in her new role as Inspector. A tense and gripping murder mystery. Once again I not only enjoyed the tension but also the inter play with her work colleagues and of course her personal home life with Adam.
It makes these stories human and realistic.
Another recommendation from me.
September 4, 2018
Gone to Ground is the sixth and the best of the Detective Kay Hunter series yet. Take your Dramamine because if you are prone to motion sickness, the twists and turns on this baby will put you right over the edge.
As is the case with nearly all the Detective Kay Hunter series books, Gone to Ground grips the reader from the start. What makes this installment (and others) interesting is how it starts with one thing (and ICK. What a thing.), and despite the absence of logical explanation, leads, or suspects, an intricate story begins to unravel.
Where other police jurisdictions might have put something like this case on the back burner (well, more likely in cold storage), the newly promoted Detective Inspector Kay Hunter and her team tackle the mystery completely. This team has really gelled as the series has progressed, and readers will enjoy the camaraderie and the detectives’ perseverance to find and stop a killer. Not only do the team members like each other, they also work together nearly seamlessly – now that DCI Larch seems to be out of the picture. (Side note: something’s niggling at me about the tidy exit of Larch’s character. Though I enjoy the work place vibe without him, I miss having that foil to Kay’s character and wonder if we’ve really seen the last of him.)
In Gone to Ground, readers see the very human side of Kay and her team and that they all, like all of us, are just trying to find balance. Kay’s home life with her veterinary husband Adam is a welcome reprieve and place of comfort for readers when the body count and gruesomeness factors of the case are intense. Adam’s rotation of animals and the unexpectedness of their behaviors as he brings them home provides small doses of humor and makes readers love him and his and Kay’s relationship even more.
The same basic cast of characters returns, each unique and uniquely flawed, but author Rachel Amphlett is letting readers better know them. Barnes particularly has more personality and depth than ever, and his humorous, witty asides are a source of amusement. Readers even get a glimpse of a Kay who is distracted from her duties – just temporarily - by a flirtatious hottie, which makes her feel more real. I am becoming more attached to these characters with every installment in this series.
Now, about those twists and turns… Amphlett was KILLING me with her super obvious hints at the beginning and let me feel all superior because I had so clearly figured it out, case closed. Next, she convinced me that I was so smart to have caught the hints and figured it out and then showed me that I was wrong, and then I was right – almost. Not really. Head spinning? Ignore her hints and carrots: SHE WILL MISLEAD YOU!! There are not only twists, but it gets pretty twisted when all is finally revealed. There have been some dark storylines in the series so far, and Gone to Ground's is no different. It explores what the disturbed mind can do and how evil deeds can be rationalized. The unsettling reminder of “they walk among us” gives the book a creeper factor, multiplied by ten.
As always, I love the oh-so-Britishness to these stories. From the delightful accent of narrator Alison Campbell (Nailed it. Again. Some more.) to the never-ending, steaming mugs of coffee and tea (oooh, and even a nip from the ol’ bottle here and there), to the solicitors and detectives who are available on a moment’s notice, all hours of the night, Gone to Ground is a perfect British police procedural for readers who are all about solving the crime.
ABOUT THE NARRATION: I repeat: Alison Campbell nails it. She is absolutely perfect for this series and is now fully the voice of Kay Hunter. She has picked up her pace just a tad, so I didn’t have to increase the speed, which made her delightfully British accent more delicious. And with the book only six and a half hours long, that is just fine. (Side note: this was the first book I’d listened to via Author’s Direct, and I like that you can control the speed in tenths versus Audible that only allows quarter increments.) She voices the multiple characters so that it seems like there are multiple voice actors, not just one, and male and female voices alike are well-done. Amphlett’s writing with Campbell’s voicing of it is such a great escape for this Texan.
Thank you to Audiobookworm Promotions and the author for providing me a digital download in exchange for my honest opinion – the only kind I give. I look forward to the next book in this series and will to wait patiently. How ‘bout now?? This full review and other special features on Hall Ways Blog.
As is the case with nearly all the Detective Kay Hunter series books, Gone to Ground grips the reader from the start. What makes this installment (and others) interesting is how it starts with one thing (and ICK. What a thing.), and despite the absence of logical explanation, leads, or suspects, an intricate story begins to unravel.
Where other police jurisdictions might have put something like this case on the back burner (well, more likely in cold storage), the newly promoted Detective Inspector Kay Hunter and her team tackle the mystery completely. This team has really gelled as the series has progressed, and readers will enjoy the camaraderie and the detectives’ perseverance to find and stop a killer. Not only do the team members like each other, they also work together nearly seamlessly – now that DCI Larch seems to be out of the picture. (Side note: something’s niggling at me about the tidy exit of Larch’s character. Though I enjoy the work place vibe without him, I miss having that foil to Kay’s character and wonder if we’ve really seen the last of him.)
In Gone to Ground, readers see the very human side of Kay and her team and that they all, like all of us, are just trying to find balance. Kay’s home life with her veterinary husband Adam is a welcome reprieve and place of comfort for readers when the body count and gruesomeness factors of the case are intense. Adam’s rotation of animals and the unexpectedness of their behaviors as he brings them home provides small doses of humor and makes readers love him and his and Kay’s relationship even more.
The same basic cast of characters returns, each unique and uniquely flawed, but author Rachel Amphlett is letting readers better know them. Barnes particularly has more personality and depth than ever, and his humorous, witty asides are a source of amusement. Readers even get a glimpse of a Kay who is distracted from her duties – just temporarily - by a flirtatious hottie, which makes her feel more real. I am becoming more attached to these characters with every installment in this series.
Now, about those twists and turns… Amphlett was KILLING me with her super obvious hints at the beginning and let me feel all superior because I had so clearly figured it out, case closed. Next, she convinced me that I was so smart to have caught the hints and figured it out and then showed me that I was wrong, and then I was right – almost. Not really. Head spinning? Ignore her hints and carrots: SHE WILL MISLEAD YOU!! There are not only twists, but it gets pretty twisted when all is finally revealed. There have been some dark storylines in the series so far, and Gone to Ground's is no different. It explores what the disturbed mind can do and how evil deeds can be rationalized. The unsettling reminder of “they walk among us” gives the book a creeper factor, multiplied by ten.
As always, I love the oh-so-Britishness to these stories. From the delightful accent of narrator Alison Campbell (Nailed it. Again. Some more.) to the never-ending, steaming mugs of coffee and tea (oooh, and even a nip from the ol’ bottle here and there), to the solicitors and detectives who are available on a moment’s notice, all hours of the night, Gone to Ground is a perfect British police procedural for readers who are all about solving the crime.
ABOUT THE NARRATION: I repeat: Alison Campbell nails it. She is absolutely perfect for this series and is now fully the voice of Kay Hunter. She has picked up her pace just a tad, so I didn’t have to increase the speed, which made her delightfully British accent more delicious. And with the book only six and a half hours long, that is just fine. (Side note: this was the first book I’d listened to via Author’s Direct, and I like that you can control the speed in tenths versus Audible that only allows quarter increments.) She voices the multiple characters so that it seems like there are multiple voice actors, not just one, and male and female voices alike are well-done. Amphlett’s writing with Campbell’s voicing of it is such a great escape for this Texan.
Thank you to Audiobookworm Promotions and the author for providing me a digital download in exchange for my honest opinion – the only kind I give. I look forward to the next book in this series and will to wait patiently. How ‘bout now?? This full review and other special features on Hall Ways Blog.
September 26, 2018
Note: Even though this is Book 6 in the series, it works fine as a stand alone.
Kay Hunter has her hands full with this one! It all starts with a group of bicyclists and a detached foot. The trail of clues lead to resort hotel that has lots of team building activities like archery, barbecues, and such. So many suspects, so little time before yet another victim turns up dead.
First, I have to talk about the goat. Kay’s husband Adam is a vet and he sometimes has to bring home a critter for a little TLC. This time, it’s a little goat. Adam thinks he can set up a pen in their back garden for the little devil. Hahahahahahaha! Obviously, Adam has a lot to learn about goats. I found this an adorable touch to what is admittedly a grim story.
Back to the grim story. I did find one thing kind of weird. Everyone who comes into contact with a dead body or body parts (except for Kay and her boss) has a strong emotional reaction. The bicyclist who found the foot vomits and cries and has to be seen to. The truck (or was it a tractor?) operator who finds victim #2 is so distraught he gets the rest of the week off. Now these guys don’t know the deceased at all, so I thought it was a little odd to have the same emotional reaction from two guys. Later on, two of the junior detectives also have a strong reaction but they fare better in hiding it. I expected a greater variety in reactions and not for nearly everyone to be upset over it.
Other than that, this was an intriguing murder mystery. I loved the tangled web at the resort. Since there’s all these capable people hired by the resort to provide activities for the guests, there’s plenty of surprises to uncover. I enjoyed the little snippets about the various arts and crafts.
This is Kay’s first big investigation where she’s leading things and her boss is right there offering a helping hand (because he’s a good guy). Her team is also well oiled, each one knowing how the other operates. They’ve been having their own unofficial team building dinners once a month and it shows! I love that there’s no in fighting or sneaky, petty behavior.
Perhaps half way through the book, they figure out how the killer is disposing of the bodies (mostly) but they still don’t have a motive or a list of solid suspects. It’s a pretty gruesome disposal method but I personally think the worst is left to be revealed at the end of the book. The tension is a slow, delicious build for this mystery. Kay’s team has to work hard for each little crumb of a clue.
Once they figure out the motive, the who is pretty easy to figure out. Then it’s just hunting the killer down before the body count grows again. This was an intense ending to the book and not everything turns up roses for everyone. Another great addition to the series! 4.75/5 stars.
The Narration: Alison Campbell continues to be a great Kay Hunter. I also like her supportive, sometimes teasing voice for Adam. She makes a great Kariss (one of the junior detectives) as well. Sometimes her male voices drifted into feminine tones especially if the male character was speaking gently or quietly. But much of the time, the male voices were masculine. Each character voice was distinct. The pacing was perfect and there were no technical issues with the recording. 4.5/5 stars.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Rachel Amphlett. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
Kay Hunter has her hands full with this one! It all starts with a group of bicyclists and a detached foot. The trail of clues lead to resort hotel that has lots of team building activities like archery, barbecues, and such. So many suspects, so little time before yet another victim turns up dead.
First, I have to talk about the goat. Kay’s husband Adam is a vet and he sometimes has to bring home a critter for a little TLC. This time, it’s a little goat. Adam thinks he can set up a pen in their back garden for the little devil. Hahahahahahaha! Obviously, Adam has a lot to learn about goats. I found this an adorable touch to what is admittedly a grim story.
Back to the grim story. I did find one thing kind of weird. Everyone who comes into contact with a dead body or body parts (except for Kay and her boss) has a strong emotional reaction. The bicyclist who found the foot vomits and cries and has to be seen to. The truck (or was it a tractor?) operator who finds victim #2 is so distraught he gets the rest of the week off. Now these guys don’t know the deceased at all, so I thought it was a little odd to have the same emotional reaction from two guys. Later on, two of the junior detectives also have a strong reaction but they fare better in hiding it. I expected a greater variety in reactions and not for nearly everyone to be upset over it.
Other than that, this was an intriguing murder mystery. I loved the tangled web at the resort. Since there’s all these capable people hired by the resort to provide activities for the guests, there’s plenty of surprises to uncover. I enjoyed the little snippets about the various arts and crafts.
This is Kay’s first big investigation where she’s leading things and her boss is right there offering a helping hand (because he’s a good guy). Her team is also well oiled, each one knowing how the other operates. They’ve been having their own unofficial team building dinners once a month and it shows! I love that there’s no in fighting or sneaky, petty behavior.
Perhaps half way through the book, they figure out how the killer is disposing of the bodies (mostly) but they still don’t have a motive or a list of solid suspects. It’s a pretty gruesome disposal method but I personally think the worst is left to be revealed at the end of the book. The tension is a slow, delicious build for this mystery. Kay’s team has to work hard for each little crumb of a clue.
Once they figure out the motive, the who is pretty easy to figure out. Then it’s just hunting the killer down before the body count grows again. This was an intense ending to the book and not everything turns up roses for everyone. Another great addition to the series! 4.75/5 stars.
The Narration: Alison Campbell continues to be a great Kay Hunter. I also like her supportive, sometimes teasing voice for Adam. She makes a great Kariss (one of the junior detectives) as well. Sometimes her male voices drifted into feminine tones especially if the male character was speaking gently or quietly. But much of the time, the male voices were masculine. Each character voice was distinct. The pacing was perfect and there were no technical issues with the recording. 4.5/5 stars.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Rachel Amphlett. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
July 7, 2018
I can't remember how I first came across this series, but I am so pleased that I did and have been on the journey with Kay Hunter and her team right from book 1, Scared to Death.
Kay Hunter is still Detective Inspector since her promotion but still appreciates her roots and works close with the team, refusing to use the office that is now hers, preferring to instead sit with the team and right in the middle of the action. Gone to Ground can be read as a standalone following the wrapping up of events in Call to Arms but this series is most definitely best read in order from the start to understand what the team have been through in the past.
An early Sunday morning cycle ride doesn't go quite according in plan, when on a toilet stop in a lay by on the side of the road, a cyclist finds a severed foot! However, that is all that Kay and the team have to go on - there are no clues as to who it belongs to or how it ended up there in the first place. When further bloody parts turn up in other places, rather than helping the investigation, it hinders it further as the additional parts just bring up more questions than answers. What does come out of the gruesome findings is that they are possibly dealing with a serial killer however Kay's gut is telling her that they have not finished and more body parts will turn up.
Alongside the investigation, Kay is also having to recruit for a new member of the team to replace the gap she has left following the promotion. None of the team feel ready to take the step up therefore Kay is facing the prospect of bringing someone new into the fold and is concerned about how this will affect the team dynamic. I enjoyed this side of the story to show that business as usual that Kay will have to also deal with now that she is the DI alongside any investigations they have going on. It also shows what a cohesive team that they are and its important to find the right person to join.
What I love about this series, is the stable life that Kay has outside of work and the fact that Adam is featured as a key character in the narratives. I'm always intrigued into which waif and stray he's going to bring back next (he's a vet and often brings his work home with him!) - he excels himself this time! I really love how grounded and supportive Adam is to Kay and her career.
I love this series and this book is a great addition to the overall Kay Hunter story - once again Rachel Amphlett's writing is flawless, well thought out and gripping from start to end.
Kay Hunter is still Detective Inspector since her promotion but still appreciates her roots and works close with the team, refusing to use the office that is now hers, preferring to instead sit with the team and right in the middle of the action. Gone to Ground can be read as a standalone following the wrapping up of events in Call to Arms but this series is most definitely best read in order from the start to understand what the team have been through in the past.
An early Sunday morning cycle ride doesn't go quite according in plan, when on a toilet stop in a lay by on the side of the road, a cyclist finds a severed foot! However, that is all that Kay and the team have to go on - there are no clues as to who it belongs to or how it ended up there in the first place. When further bloody parts turn up in other places, rather than helping the investigation, it hinders it further as the additional parts just bring up more questions than answers. What does come out of the gruesome findings is that they are possibly dealing with a serial killer however Kay's gut is telling her that they have not finished and more body parts will turn up.
Alongside the investigation, Kay is also having to recruit for a new member of the team to replace the gap she has left following the promotion. None of the team feel ready to take the step up therefore Kay is facing the prospect of bringing someone new into the fold and is concerned about how this will affect the team dynamic. I enjoyed this side of the story to show that business as usual that Kay will have to also deal with now that she is the DI alongside any investigations they have going on. It also shows what a cohesive team that they are and its important to find the right person to join.
What I love about this series, is the stable life that Kay has outside of work and the fact that Adam is featured as a key character in the narratives. I'm always intrigued into which waif and stray he's going to bring back next (he's a vet and often brings his work home with him!) - he excels himself this time! I really love how grounded and supportive Adam is to Kay and her career.
I love this series and this book is a great addition to the overall Kay Hunter story - once again Rachel Amphlett's writing is flawless, well thought out and gripping from start to end.
September 8, 2018
The heat is on Detective Inspector Kay Hunter and her team to find another killer on the loose! What level would you go to find the truth when it seems like no one can be trusted? All suspects are leading back to ground zero. Amphlett captivates her readers with this mystery; this time it is a slew of men disappearing around town and turning up with severed body parts and burnt flesh.
DI Hunter has her plate full with handling interviews for the Detective Sergeant position that they desperately need for their team since her promotion. Everything freezes once a new case is brought to their attention though. Body parts from one victim are found right outside of the police station. It hits the news fast and political figures get involved as a way to trump the media with blowing the story out of proportion, like usual. After two more bodies turn up in other locations with the same signature, Kay dreads the media will have a field day because a serial killer has struck Maidstone. Can they find the killer before the town starts wanting them taken out of office? With all the leads that they’ve tracked down, everyone seems to have a motive, but they all seem highly credible also. Kay can just sense that they’ve missed something critical to their investigation once they learn that all victims were attendees of a single hotel in town. That just can’t be a coincidence, but what aren’t they seeing… or not seeing in this case?
Amphlett has done an incredible job with character development. All of the characters have motive, but they all seem extremely helpful and fearful of the killer. The heightened crime mystery is relayed to the reader quite well and the pace is wonderful. Since this review is complimenting the audiobook, it appears that the story is well-written from the voice relay. Campbell’s narration is impeccable and enjoyable. If you are a reader of crime mystery and suspense, you may want to pick up this installment; however, there are previous installments that you may want to delve into before this one. It can be read as a standalone as far as the crime goes, but the character banter and personal dilemmas carryover from prior installments.
An audiobook was provided to Turning Another Page by Audiobookworm Promotions and in no way affects the honesty of this review. We provide a five-star rating to Gone to Ground by Rachel Amphlett.
DI Hunter has her plate full with handling interviews for the Detective Sergeant position that they desperately need for their team since her promotion. Everything freezes once a new case is brought to their attention though. Body parts from one victim are found right outside of the police station. It hits the news fast and political figures get involved as a way to trump the media with blowing the story out of proportion, like usual. After two more bodies turn up in other locations with the same signature, Kay dreads the media will have a field day because a serial killer has struck Maidstone. Can they find the killer before the town starts wanting them taken out of office? With all the leads that they’ve tracked down, everyone seems to have a motive, but they all seem highly credible also. Kay can just sense that they’ve missed something critical to their investigation once they learn that all victims were attendees of a single hotel in town. That just can’t be a coincidence, but what aren’t they seeing… or not seeing in this case?
Amphlett has done an incredible job with character development. All of the characters have motive, but they all seem extremely helpful and fearful of the killer. The heightened crime mystery is relayed to the reader quite well and the pace is wonderful. Since this review is complimenting the audiobook, it appears that the story is well-written from the voice relay. Campbell’s narration is impeccable and enjoyable. If you are a reader of crime mystery and suspense, you may want to pick up this installment; however, there are previous installments that you may want to delve into before this one. It can be read as a standalone as far as the crime goes, but the character banter and personal dilemmas carryover from prior installments.
An audiobook was provided to Turning Another Page by Audiobookworm Promotions and in no way affects the honesty of this review. We provide a five-star rating to Gone to Ground by Rachel Amphlett.
September 9, 2018
This is a British murder mystery story filled with suspense and with an excellent narrator. I loved the use of colloquialisms to match the characters and the country like "take away" instead of take out and the "cooker" instead of stove. This is the first Kay Hunter novel I have read/listened to. I have to say I think as an American I enjoyed listening to it more than if I had just read it. I think the flavor of the story's setting would have been blurred if I just read it. I love the character, Kay. She is so intelligent and I love that she is so insightful like how she can see the talent in her fellow officers and how rank doesn't matter only talent. I love the idea of the group of officers getting together for a BBQ as a monthly event and how Kay's husband, Adam, who is a veterinarian brings home animals from the clinic and does all the cooking. I like that the main characters speak of replacing one of their own and the fursation of looking at resumes and the fear that the new person may not fit in; as well as, the traffic on the M and in the towns. It is these touches that show the talent of the author to make the story come to life. I loved that it seemed so true to life and how plausible the characters are. They are actually very well rounded even the supporting characters which is not always the case in a murder mystery. This is a murder mystery in which good old fashioned police work and intelligence are used to try an stop a serial killer who is cutting up people. I was drawn in from the start and was blown away by the end. It is rare that a book can keep me guessing as to who done it, but this one did. I would recommend this to everyone who loves suspense. I would say it could be read by strong reader (12 years old -up). I have already purchased two of the other books in this series and look forward to reading them all. I had my mum listen to this one and she has been enjoying it. She pointed out that the narrator was changing her accents to match the areas the characters were from, now that is a great touch. I heard the emotions in the characters as the narrator read this novel. You could almost see Kay's and the other's reactions to the teasing or the fear or the anger. This is a more than five star book. Go get it and read it. You wont regret it.
September 8, 2018
Kay Hunter and her team are back on another roller coaster mystery. This time they are investigating who could be this murderer who is leaving body parts behind, who are the victims, and why the killer decided to hunt specifically these people.
Reading another Detective Kay Hunter book is like returning to visit old friends. The characters are very well depicted, and they have become almost part of the family. This time there are no gripping subplots like in previous books, but Kay and her partner can't always be in dire danger. There was a secondary story that added interest to the book but did not contribute to the tension.
The book is very well written, like the previous ones, and I was able to picture in my mind everything that happened. The descriptions were well done, and the secondary characters felt like real people. I listened to the whole book almost in one go, and it kept my attention from beginning to end. The story is well paced and the intrigue is well built, keeping the reader always wondering who could be the killer.
This series is a quite neat one, with solid characters and intriguing stories. It's also well written, but I have to say that the word 'negotiating' was used four times to refer to driving on a difficult road, and the third and fourth time made me cringe a little.
Alison Campbell was simply amazing, but that wasn't a surprise, since her previous work at the other books in the series is excellent. Her compelling narration kept me on the edge of my seat, and her voice range and interpretation skills are top notch, creating the sensation of having a full cast of real characters. She also has the ability to bring the characters to life in a way that it makes you feel that you're watching a movie.
Rachel Amphlett and Alison Campbel are a winning team, and they can take my money on whatever book they will produce.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Rachel Amphlett. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
Reading another Detective Kay Hunter book is like returning to visit old friends. The characters are very well depicted, and they have become almost part of the family. This time there are no gripping subplots like in previous books, but Kay and her partner can't always be in dire danger. There was a secondary story that added interest to the book but did not contribute to the tension.
The book is very well written, like the previous ones, and I was able to picture in my mind everything that happened. The descriptions were well done, and the secondary characters felt like real people. I listened to the whole book almost in one go, and it kept my attention from beginning to end. The story is well paced and the intrigue is well built, keeping the reader always wondering who could be the killer.
This series is a quite neat one, with solid characters and intriguing stories. It's also well written, but I have to say that the word 'negotiating' was used four times to refer to driving on a difficult road, and the third and fourth time made me cringe a little.
Alison Campbell was simply amazing, but that wasn't a surprise, since her previous work at the other books in the series is excellent. Her compelling narration kept me on the edge of my seat, and her voice range and interpretation skills are top notch, creating the sensation of having a full cast of real characters. She also has the ability to bring the characters to life in a way that it makes you feel that you're watching a movie.
Rachel Amphlett and Alison Campbel are a winning team, and they can take my money on whatever book they will produce.
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Rachel Amphlett. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
August 14, 2018
*************** AUDIOBOOK REVIEW ***************
For some reason there was a really long pause between chapters. I think I checked every single time that it had paused or to see if there was a problem with the audio. There never was, obviously, but the pause was a bit too long for my liking. It had me questioning my sanity over and over again! Otherwise, I love this narrator. Alison Campbell has a fantastic accent, to this American anyway. I have a thing for British narrators.
As for the story itself, it’s just what I’ve come to expect from Rachel Amphlett. I enjoyed seeing everyone starting a new kind of normal. It’s hard to adapt to changes and they seem to be doing it well. Kay Hunter is a solid cop so I was surprised that she’s doing perfectly well in her new position of Detective Inspector. Gone to the Ground isn’t as packed with action and thrilling suspense as a few of the previous books have been. However, this is a step-by-step puzzle and I was fascinated watching them put it all together.
I really think the only thing I can complain about is I do love the side stories with her partner, Adam, and the amusing animals he brings home to heal. Can’t you just imagine him as a boy? All the pets his parents had to turn away! I would love to see them finally get that family they so badly wanted. We didn’t hear any of that talk at all this book. Granted, this is definitely a book that is focused on the crime procedural story than that of their private lives. I just like the entertaining that I get from them. Either way, this is a fabulous series and I can’t wait to see where DI Kay Hunter leads us next!
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Rachel Amphlett. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
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For some reason there was a really long pause between chapters. I think I checked every single time that it had paused or to see if there was a problem with the audio. There never was, obviously, but the pause was a bit too long for my liking. It had me questioning my sanity over and over again! Otherwise, I love this narrator. Alison Campbell has a fantastic accent, to this American anyway. I have a thing for British narrators.
As for the story itself, it’s just what I’ve come to expect from Rachel Amphlett. I enjoyed seeing everyone starting a new kind of normal. It’s hard to adapt to changes and they seem to be doing it well. Kay Hunter is a solid cop so I was surprised that she’s doing perfectly well in her new position of Detective Inspector. Gone to the Ground isn’t as packed with action and thrilling suspense as a few of the previous books have been. However, this is a step-by-step puzzle and I was fascinated watching them put it all together.
I really think the only thing I can complain about is I do love the side stories with her partner, Adam, and the amusing animals he brings home to heal. Can’t you just imagine him as a boy? All the pets his parents had to turn away! I would love to see them finally get that family they so badly wanted. We didn’t hear any of that talk at all this book. Granted, this is definitely a book that is focused on the crime procedural story than that of their private lives. I just like the entertaining that I get from them. Either way, this is a fabulous series and I can’t wait to see where DI Kay Hunter leads us next!
I received this audiobook as part of my participation in a blog tour with Audiobookworm Promotions. The tour is being sponsored by Rachel Amphlett. The gifting of this audiobook did not affect my opinion of it.
Check out my Blog: Next Book Review
Check out my Facebook Page: Next Book Review Facebook
June 29, 2018
I didn't think it was possible, but this series just gets better and better!
DI Kay Hunter once again finds herself in charge of a murder investigation; this time, however, she has extra management duties to deal with as well as the day-to-day routine of leading her team to solve a crime with all due haste. With all possible leads going nowhere, they all have to dig in and give a bit more than their all - not easy given the gruesome nature of this case.
It is no secret that I'm a big fan of this series. Whilst each book is a stand-alone read, I feel that now, by the sixth book, I have really got to know the investigating team quite intimately. They each have individual strengths and weaknesses which, as a good boss, Kay is fully aware of. They work together as a team, each holding their own and deeply feeling the progress - or the lack of it - as the days get swallowed up. This is an extremely well thought out plot. Several twists and turns make this novel an exciting read and just when you think you understand what's going on it suddenly strikes you that you really don't have a clue! A fantastic thriller, consistently presenting the police team as the humans they are and the ending is, as always, just perfect!
My thanks to the author for alerting me to this one. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.
DI Kay Hunter once again finds herself in charge of a murder investigation; this time, however, she has extra management duties to deal with as well as the day-to-day routine of leading her team to solve a crime with all due haste. With all possible leads going nowhere, they all have to dig in and give a bit more than their all - not easy given the gruesome nature of this case.
It is no secret that I'm a big fan of this series. Whilst each book is a stand-alone read, I feel that now, by the sixth book, I have really got to know the investigating team quite intimately. They each have individual strengths and weaknesses which, as a good boss, Kay is fully aware of. They work together as a team, each holding their own and deeply feeling the progress - or the lack of it - as the days get swallowed up. This is an extremely well thought out plot. Several twists and turns make this novel an exciting read and just when you think you understand what's going on it suddenly strikes you that you really don't have a clue! A fantastic thriller, consistently presenting the police team as the humans they are and the ending is, as always, just perfect!
My thanks to the author for alerting me to this one. This is my honest, original and unbiased review.
July 13, 2018
Kay has been promoted to Detective Inspector, so in addition to her previous duties she gets to field calls from the curious media and hire her replacement. A severed foot is found, and the team tries to find the rest of the victim. Just when they think they've got a lead, it turns into additional victims.
If you're looking for an action packed, guns blazing book...better look elsewhere. If you're looking for a solid police procedural, look no further. I've enjoyed all six books in the series, and I hope there's more to come. Kay is a good leader: she's not completely unemotional, but she's not impulsive or quick to temper.
There are moments of dark humor, and they're needed with such gruesome discoveries. Kay's domestic partner Adam is (as usual) good for some levity, this time in the form of a baby goat with a voracious appetite.
I'm left with a question: Have we seen the last of Larch? I know he and Kay had a moment of civility in the last book, but after his intense hatred that seemed to be focused entirely on Kay, it feels like a bit of a letdown if we've seen the end of him. I think I need more closure!
If you're looking for an action packed, guns blazing book...better look elsewhere. If you're looking for a solid police procedural, look no further. I've enjoyed all six books in the series, and I hope there's more to come. Kay is a good leader: she's not completely unemotional, but she's not impulsive or quick to temper.
There are moments of dark humor, and they're needed with such gruesome discoveries. Kay's domestic partner Adam is (as usual) good for some levity, this time in the form of a baby goat with a voracious appetite.
I'm left with a question: Have we seen the last of Larch? I know he and Kay had a moment of civility in the last book, but after his intense hatred that seemed to be focused entirely on Kay, it feels like a bit of a letdown if we've seen the end of him. I think I need more closure!
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