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Scared to Death

(Detective Kay Hunter #1)

Rachel Amphlett (Goodreads Author)

4.11 · Rating details · 1,461 ratings · 216 reviews

** Please do not rate this book until you have read it. Use the “Want to Read” button to add it to your reading list **

A serial killer murdering for kicks.

A detective seeking revenge.

When the body of a snatched schoolgirl is found in an abandoned biosciences building, the case is first treated as a kidnapping gone wrong.

But Detective Kay Hunter isn’t convinced, ...more

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Kindle Edition, 380 pages

Published December 3rd 2016 by Saxon Publishing

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Aug 19, 2017 Mary Beth *Traveling Sister* rated it really liked it

Scared to Death is the first book in the Kay Hunter series. It is a crime thriller. I really enjoyed this book. It was very disturbing and had me on the edge of my seat from the very beginning to the end. It should satisfy any lover of serial killer fiction. It is so gripping and fast paced. This was dark and gritty with twists I didn't see coming. Lots of surprises in this one.

Melanie is missing and her parents are distraught because she is nowhere to be found. When she is found the case is ...more

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Dec 09, 2016 Chelsea Humphrey rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Find more reviews on my blog: https://thesuspenseisthrillingme.com

Date Read: 12/09/16
Pub Date: 12/06/16

4 STARS

When the body of a snatched schoolgirl is found in an abandoned biosciences building, the case is first treated as a kidnapping gone wrong.

But Detective Kay Hunter isn’t convinced, especially when a man is found dead with the ransom money still in his possession.

When a second schoolgirl is taken, Kay’s worst fears are realised.

With her career in jeopardy and desperate to conceal a Find more reviews on my blog: https://thesuspenseisthrillingme.com

Date Read: 12/09/16
Pub Date: 12/06/16

4 STARS

When the body of a snatched schoolgirl is found in an abandoned biosciences building, the case is first treated as a kidnapping gone wrong.

But Detective Kay Hunter isn’t convinced, especially when a man is found dead with the ransom money still in his possession.

When a second schoolgirl is taken, Kay’s worst fears are realised.

With her career in jeopardy and desperate to conceal a disturbing secret, Kay’s hunt for the killer becomes a race against time before he claims another life.

For the killer, the game has only just begun…

Guys, I have been searching awhile for a book like this one. While I like my leading ladies flawed and imperfect, I needed a slight change from these women who are barely hanging on by a thread and the only place they keep it together is on the clock. Don't get me wrong, I think that storyline works well, but it can't be the only type of character we follow or things get old and we get oh-so-tired of the same old. This book was quite refreshing in the sense that our main character is pretty well polished and put together. Sure she has plenty of issues and struggles, but they seem fairly normal and she is depicted as working through them. Kay Hunter is a strong female, no doubt, yet she isn't just strong around the boys while doing her job. She's got a stable, relatively comfortable life with a romantic relationship and things to do outside of work. This is a whole new side to a female police officer that we rarely see and I like it.

This book was brutal. That's not meant as a criticism, just a fair warning that it is graphic, intense, and hard to stomach at times. If you are looking for a fluffy murder mystery with coffee and cats, this ain't it. If you, like me, enjoy gritty, suspenseful and disturbing stories, jump on board; this one's for you. Without giving away too much regarding the plot, it felt like the book fell into sections for me as I went back in my mind to gloss over what I'd read. There was the part regarding the first abduction/murder, then there was the next part regarding the murdered man, and then there was the second girl abduction part, and so on... I really liked the distinct feeling of separation between sections as it gave a more realistic, organized view of many different working parts that come together in an investigation. The format and writing quality are fantastic and I didn't feel lost at any given point.

If you have triggers regarding abuse, this might be a tough read for you. There is quite a bit of graphic descriptions, but nothing a typical murder/thriller reader can't stomach. The violence and gore isn't just for shock value and is vital to the story, so just know that going in. The author did a great job of writing about some really tough subjects in a tasteful and respectful way. I thought the cover art was brilliant in capturing the feel of the book. If you are a fan of the more graphic, intense, gritty thriller, I'd highly recommend giving this one a try. I'm truly looking forward to where the author takes us next in Detective Kay Hunter's adventures.

*Many thanks to the author for providing my copy; it was my pleasure to provide an honest review! ...more

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May 10, 2017 Veronica ⭐️ rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2017, crime, australian-author, aww-2017

Scared to Death is the first book in the Detective Kay Hunter series. The story pulled me in from the very beginning. The suspense is gripping and each scene is vividly described making the events spine-chillingly real.

DS Kay Hunter is dedicated. She doesn’t dwell on the problems in her life and the backstory tells us she has plenty of personal problems she could be dwelling on.
It’s a nice change to have a detective that’s not a divorced alcoholic. The reader is not heaped with Hunter’s personal ...more

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Nov 17, 2016 Li'l Owl rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: detective-police-procedural-sheriff, mystery-crime-suspense-thriller, series, owl-s-nook-own, to-read-again, 1st-series-tbr, aussie-author-setting, 1st-tbr-2020

'The girl had knocked her head on something, and he didn't know what. There was blood on the side of her face, and while she was still unconscious, he checked and found a cut under her hair. Satisfied that it wasn't life threatening, he relaxed. He wanted her on his terms.
He reached into the bag and pulled out the contents, lining them up along the plastic covering of a narrow brick shelf that ran along the wall next to him.
Lipstick, mobile phone, purse - no notes, just change - a small box of ...more

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Nov 11, 2016 Brenda rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: own-read, read-on-kindle, reviewing-by-request, crime, mystery, 2016-release, thriller, aussie-authors, gift-from-author, arc

The terror that Yvonne and Tony were feeling as they raced to save their daughter was immense – when Detective Kay Hunter arrived on the scene she was horrified at what the police had found. And so began a case as brutal as any the detectives had encountered in a long time. The kidnapping of seventeen year old Melanie was shocking; the police initially thought the kidnapper had made a mistake. But Kay wasn’t convinced; the anomalies in the case struck her and her team and they were determined to ...more

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Feb 09, 2018 Phrynne rated it really liked it

Shelves: 5000-books

What a great start to a new series. Scared to Death grabbed me from the very first page and I stayed up very late to finish it.

I really enjoyed the character of Kay Hunter. She was realistic, intelligent, organised and in a satisfactory and normal relationship. She was not an alcoholic, a mother who was not coping with family/work arrangements or an idiot who keeps putting herself in dangerous positions. In other words in this genre she is a breath of fresh air.

The story is dark and quite brutal ...more

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Jul 24, 2017 Jean rated it really liked it

“Scared to death.” Most of us have heard the phrase, haven’t we? Perhaps we’ve even said it. But what if it actually happened? Melanie Richards is not an unusual teenage girl. Her mother is a successful businesswoman; her father is a man who is unable to control his mouth, and it has cost him a job or two. His daughter, unfortunately, has learned by example. When her mom goes away on a business trip and dad tags along on holiday, Melanie stays home alone. This was the opportunity her stalker was “Scared to death.” Most of us have heard the phrase, haven’t we? Perhaps we’ve even said it. But what if it actually happened? Melanie Richards is not an unusual teenage girl. Her mother is a successful businesswoman; her father is a man who is unable to control his mouth, and it has cost him a job or two. His daughter, unfortunately, has learned by example. When her mom goes away on a business trip and dad tags along on holiday, Melanie stays home alone. This was the opportunity her stalker was waiting for. He kidnaps her; when her parents return three days later, he contacts them with ransom demands. They deliver the money and receive instructions on where to find their daughter – with one big admonition – HURRY. All this occurs in the opening pages of Rachel Amphlett’s Scared to Death.

After the parents discover their daughter’s body in an abandoned biosciences site, Detective Kay Hunter’s investigative team finds a camera. Detective Hunter theorizes that the kidnapper enjoyed watching the victim panic as she struggled to escape. Since the young woman’s body had no serious injuries or obvious pathologies inflicted upon her by the perpetrator, she wonders whether the girl’s death had been intentional, as she seemed to have been scared to death.

I had not read anything by Ms. Amphlett previously. Kay Hunter reminded me a bit of Robert Bryndza’s Erika Foster in that she has a painful past that she is trying to put behind her, and she doesn’t always seem sure that she can cope. Hunter’s problem stems from a professional situation that resulted in her superior having lost confidence in her. She, therefore, feels under the gun to prove herself competent – and innocent beyond any doubt. Fortunately for her, very few of her colleagues are aware of it; those who know are supportive. Her husband Adam, a veterinarian, is the kind of man who is there for her no matter what. Adding to the challenge of her job is the fact that she recently had a miscarriage, which still weighs heavily on her. I found Kay to be a realistic, likable character.

Quite early on in the story, we learn who the killer is. We also learn, over time, what motivates him and how he chooses his victims. This guy carries emotional scars from his past, but that doesn’t excuse the sick pleasure he gets from placing young women in harm’s way and watching their fear turn to frenzy as they realize they are doomed. The story clips along at a steady pace as the case unfolds; then at the end – whoa! A twist I wasn’t expecting! Looking back, I see that it was something I could have picked up on. Okay. I don’t mind the unexpected.

There are several characters in this book who are bullies or who have been bullied emotionally or physically. If this is a sensitive subject for you, then this may not be the book for you. I did not feel that it was the major part of the plot, but it was definitely one of the themes in the story.

Now, Ms. Amphlett, I know that Adam is a vet who has brought a client’s sick snake named Sid home for several days. I am thankful that Sid was mentioned only a couple of times. However, that last line about made this me keel over, as the title says, “scared to death.”

4 stars ...more

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Mar 12, 2017 Angela Marsons rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

I've been dying to read a book by this author for a while now after seeing many positive reviews. I decided to wade in with the first in a new crime series featuring Kay Hunter and I was not disappointed. If I have a checklist of things I enjoy in a book then Rachel Amphlett managed to tap into it. Scared to Death started with a bang and inserted me into the story from the first page. The fast pace of the story kept me glued to the story of Melanie's kidnapping. I am a fan of short chapters and ...more

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Jan 24, 2017 BookwormDH rated it really liked it · review of another edition

SYNOPSIS

A serial killer murdering for kicks. A detective seeking revenge.

When the body of a snatched schoolgirl is found in an abandoned biosciences building, the case is first treated as a kidnapping gone wrong.

But Detective Kay Hunter isn’t convinced, especially when a man is found dead with the ransom money still in his possession.

When a second schoolgirl is taken, Kay’s worst fears are realised.

With her career in jeopardy and desperate to conceal a disturbing secret, Kay’s hunt for the ...more

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Apr 21, 2019 Rob rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: aussie-authors, serial-thrillers

Number 1 in the Kay Hunter series.

My first Rachel Amphlett book White Gold left me relatively unimpressed but this is a real set up from that.
This is a top notch police procedural thriller.
The main protagonist ‘Detective Sergeant Kay Hunter’ is a breath of fresh air. Inasmuch as she is basically a normal person in a loving marriage who happens to be good at what she does which is catching baddies. That’s not to say that her life is without problems, she has her fair share, like most of us, of ...more

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Dec 03, 2016 Amanda - Mrs B's Book Reviews rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2016-books, first-reads, blog-tour

There is no messing around with Scared to Death by Rachel Amphlett. Despite being the first in a new series, it immediately kicks off at a frantic pace. This novel is not for the faint hearted, it is a gutsy, fast and dark book that is packed full with unsuspecting twists. Scared to Death is a must read for the crime fiction fan or those who appreciate a solid mystery-thriller.

The action begins from the opening page in Scared to Death. The Richards, parents of kidnapped daughter Melanie, are on There is no messing around with Scared to Death by Rachel Amphlett. Despite being the first in a new series, it immediately kicks off at a frantic pace. This novel is not for the faint hearted, it is a gutsy, fast and dark book that is packed full with unsuspecting twists. Scared to Death is a must read for the crime fiction fan or those who appreciate a solid mystery-thriller.

The action begins from the opening page in Scared to Death. The Richards, parents of kidnapped daughter Melanie, are on a desperate journey to get their daughter back. Answering the kidnapper’s call for ransom, the Richards produce the money they require. Sadly, their daughter is found dead, soon after the money has been deposited. Further investigations into the case reveal the poor girl was literally ‘scared to death’ by her attacker. Detective Kay Hunter is on watch at the time of this despicable murder and is put in charge of the case. Kay soon realises this is not a straight forward murder case, as the body count rises and complications come to the surface, relating directly to the case. Things are also about to take a turn for the very personal for Kay and her team, as they race to catch this killing fiend.

Scared to Death marks the first book in a new series, featuring the enigmatic female detective Kay Hunter. Amphlett has built a solid foundation in Scared to Death, paving the way to a compelling series, matched with an intriguing main protagonist. I do enjoy a thriller that places a strong female character at the helm and Amphlett succeeds in doing this in her latest novel. Amphlett manages to balance Kay’s personal life and career demands extremely well, all within a consuming plot.

Until I read Scared to Death, I had not read anything prior by the author, Rachel Amphlett. Her style of writing is very readable and has a strong sense of fluidity. The book is well structured and the sharp chapter style makes it impossible to put this book down. The plot is tight, producing many unseen twists and turns that compelled me to continue reading. Amphlett knows just how to tease her audience, I was definitely a prisoner of this book from the opening scene, to the final curtain. At the end, I reflected on the disturbing and thrilling chase Amphlett had taken me on. I also have to admit to being greedy, I wanted more from Amphlett! I’m going to be first in line for the next addition to this new series.

Scared to Death by Rachael Amphlett is an exciting new novel, as well as a fantastic series opener. Moving at a relentless pace, with an intensely dark plot, featuring a top notch female protagonist. I guarantee it will thrill and chill you to the bone. Scared to Death is a book that is best put in the hands of a seasoned thriller, crime, mystery or serial killer fiction fan.

*I voluntarily received an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

https://mrsbbookreviews.wordpress.com ...more

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Aug 27, 2017 Jenny rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: crime, mystery

Scared to Death is book one in the Detective Kay Hunter series by Rachel Amphlett. Detective Sergeant Kay Hunter thought her career in law enforcement was over when Professional Standards investigated her. However, this was not the case her supervisor Detective Inspector Devon assigned her to the murder investigation of a young girl. The readers of Scared to Death will continue to follow the twist and turns in the investigation into the killing of Melanie by Detective Kay Hunter.

Scared to Death ...more

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Nov 28, 2016 Amy rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ebook

All of my reviews can be found on www.novelgossip.com

Oohhh what a fantastic beginning to a new series! I love nothing more than getting caught up in a new series and I’m so excited about this one featuring detective Kay Hunter. She’s intelligent, capable and tough, but she has enough skeletons in her closet to keep things interesting. She also has a keen intuition which makes her a sharp and formidable detective.

The book starts out with a bang, a couple is racing against the clock to try and ...more

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Nov 07, 2016 Sarah rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: fiction

This is the first novel I have read by this author and will certainly be reading more after reading this one!

Scared To Death is the first book in a brand new crime series introducing us to Detective Kay Hunter.

I have to say this was without a doubt one of those novels that you could easily devour in one sitting. As soon as I started it I knew I was in for a great reading experience, sadly real life got in the way and I ended up having to reluctantly read it over a few days instead. Believe me ...more

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Nov 23, 2016 Carol - Reading Writing and Riesling rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: own

My View:

Once you have been introduced to Detective Kay Hunter you will be firm friends. She is conscientious, driven, intelligent and hardworking and the author has generously provided a home life and a relationship that is strong and credible. Kay Hunter may have some personal and work issues that she is dealing with but these add to her credibility and make her a very well developed and realistic character. There is none of the desolate, drug addled or alcoholic traits that are so prevalent in ...more

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Nov 14, 2016 Magdalena aka A Bookaholic Swede rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: read-2016

Scared to Death is the first in a new series by Rachel Amphlett. I had not read anything by Rachel Amphlett before I read this book, but as a big time crime fan was I intrigued by the premise and the cover of the book. So, what makes this so special that you should pick it over other crime books?

Personally, I just love when I instantly like the main character and Kay Hunter was just the kind of tough female cop that I like to read about. And, it was quite nice that she seems to be quite stable, ...more

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Feb 26, 2019 Lucy rated it really liked it

Shelves: mystery, thriller, crime, suspense, series, reading-challenge-2019

It's a bit different from all the mystery novels I've read prior to this. Felt like it's a bit more...realistic I would say. I really enjoyed it, and would certainly continue with the next book on the series in the future.

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Nov 03, 2016 Jen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Returning home from holiday, Tony and Yvonne Richards receive a terrifying phone call. Their daughter Melanie has been taken, the kidnappers only willing to reveal her whereabouts on the payment of a ransom. Keeping the kidnapping from the police, their only focus is to bring their daughter back safe and sound.

When their search turns to tragedy, Detective Sergeant Kay Hunter and Detective Constable Ian Barnes are called to the scene. Fighting back from a difficult turn in her career, Hunter is Returning home from holiday, Tony and Yvonne Richards receive a terrifying phone call. Their daughter Melanie has been taken, the kidnappers only willing to reveal her whereabouts on the payment of a ransom. Keeping the kidnapping from the police, their only focus is to bring their daughter back safe and sound.

When their search turns to tragedy, Detective Sergeant Kay Hunter and Detective Constable Ian Barnes are called to the scene. Fighting back from a difficult turn in her career, Hunter is relieved to be appointed Deputy Senior Investigating Officer, at least until she reaches the scene. The facts of the case soon become clear but what initially looks like a kidnapping gone wrong begins to irk Kay. Something about it just doesn’t ring true and the post mortem soon confirms some of her worst fears.

When their search leads them to a local courier company, and a young man with links to the company is found dead with the ransom money still in his flat, it looks like the case is all wrapped up. But everything still seems just a little too neat for Kay, despite her DCI’s conviction that the case is closed. When a second girl is taken, the killer begins to taunt the police. Kay and the team soon face an uphill battle to piece together all of the evidence and track down the girl before she becomes another victim of a sadistic and unremorseful monster.

…

From the very first chapter, this book grabbed my attention and didn’t let it go. With ‘Scared to Death’ Rachel Amphlett has created a high stakes, fast paced thriller in which motives are hidden and the perverse nature of the perpetrator is almost as twisted as the plot lines. The sense of jeopardy, of panic, which hit me in the opening pages, was absolutely brilliant and much like the Dan Taylor series, another fine example of Rachel Amphlett’s skill in creating a tense story line.

I won’t say too much more about the plot as you really need to read it for yourself. Needless to say, the bad guys are very, very bad, and the heroes, for once, likeable and not overly flawed. Kay Hunter is a cop with a troubled past, as all good crime genre Detectives typically are. But far from being responsible for the current state of her reputation, Hunter is a victim herself, set up for something she didn’t do. The nature of her secret is not revealed until part way through the book, keeping the reader guessing, but it is the source of one of her greatest conflicts, her DCI Angus Larch, who was the person responsible for the internal investigation against her. With DI Devon Sharp on her side, she is not entirely alone, but you know that Larch will never fully trust her, and this alone will force Hunter to stay one step ahead of the game.

The characters in the book are very well developed which is no less than I would expect from this particular author. Kay is a very likeable character, as is DI Sharp. Kay’s relationship with her husband is also refreshing. Far from the conflict you normally see in fictional police marriages, this one seems extremely strong. This is despite the internal investigate and a rather upsetting personal tragedy which would in other stories have ended the marriage. Kay’s husband Adam provides an almost humorous interlude at times, particularly when considering his animal clientele – including one very slippery customer. I really liked the dynamic between the couple and look forward to seeing more of it in future books. The police team are also well rounded, and I found myself engaged by Devon Sharp and his working relationship with Kay.

As I said before, the plot line in this book it seriously twisted. The motives of the perpetrator are nothing short of psychotic, and even though we know who was responsible for the kidnapping very early on in the story, you can rest assured that nothing is as straightforward or simple as it may seem. There are hidden sides to all the characters, making me as a reader feel an element of empathy for people I wouldn’t have expected, and pushing me to question the innocence of others who should ordinarily garner sympathy. Ultimately the killer is just that. A killer. But what is it that has driven them to kill, and can it ever be forgiven?

I absolutely loved this book. Full of nail biting moments, I was fully engaged and invested in the lives of the victims and the heroine from the off. From the action packed opening, the pace steadies as the investigation gets underway. But as the story nears conclusion, it begins to ratchet up again and storms to a dramatic and somewhat unexpected conclusion. I raced through this book so quickly, it was such an enthralling read. With Kay, with Adam’s support, determined to set right the damage which was done to her career, there are plenty of questions still to be answered as the series progresses, and I for one am very hungry to read more.

A brilliantly twisted, tension filled 5 stars. ...more

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Dec 05, 2016 Karen rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: thriller, crime, australian, ebook

SCARED TO DEATH is the first in a new series from author Rachel Amphlett. It's a switch from the earlier espionage styled Dan Taylor novels, to a police procedural featuring Detective Kay Hunter.

From the opening scenes with parents Yvonne and Tony racing to provide the ransom money and recover their daughter Melanie, through to the police investigation that follows, there's plenty of intrigue and pace built into SCARED TO DEATH. It is a novel structured in form of police procedural precisely, SCARED TO DEATH is the first in a new series from author Rachel Amphlett. It's a switch from the earlier espionage styled Dan Taylor novels, to a police procedural featuring Detective Kay Hunter.

From the opening scenes with parents Yvonne and Tony racing to provide the ransom money and recover their daughter Melanie, through to the police investigation that follows, there's plenty of intrigue and pace built into SCARED TO DEATH. It is a novel structured in form of police procedural precisely, building a great team around a really strong, central character, looking at the pitfalls, slog and highs of crime investigation. This is a crime that seems to be a kidnapping that's gone horribly wrong, but Hunter always feels there was something not right about the whole scenario. A very odd cause of death is one thing, the way that the ransom was collected is another, and then a second strange death, seems to Hunter to be designed to deflect further investigation setting her up on a collison course with her bosses, and a very nasty killer.

An interesting touch, there's an idea here about the need to keep investigating even if things seem very clear cut. The concept of making darn sure that the seemingly obvious is correct is something that has been reflected in some historical true crime analysis that's been around recently, and it's explored well in this particular novel. Doing it from the point of view of one dedicated, almost obsessive cop has resonance as well - giving readers plenty of ways of connecting with Hunter, especially as she's also got more than a few skeletons in the cupboard.

Given this is the first in a new series, the balance between character and team setup, and creating a fully fleshed out story as well, is nicely done. The plot is tight and clever, the action fast paced and there are enough twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. The scenario is complicated without being complex, and even allowing for some aspects from the darker side of crime fiction, it's not overly confrontational or uncomfortable reading.

SCARED TO DEATH is really well written, delivering a plot from the darker side, with a strong female character who is flawed enough to be believable and strong enough to have potential to carry this series forward. There's a good supporting cast of characters and a strong sense of good, old-fashioned, police procedural - investigation, evidence gathering and a touch of intuition.

https://www.austcrimefiction.org/revi... ...more

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Nov 22, 2016 The Book Review Café rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Oh my god I absolutely loved Scared To Death from the first chapter I just knew it was going to be a crime thriller I would devour in a couple of sittings, and I was right. Scared To Death by Rachel Amphlett is the first book in a new series featuring Detective Kay Hunter, and the authors started the series with an humongous bang. A young girl is kidnapped and held hostage, but things take a sinister and deadly turn when the young girl is found dead, this is followed shortly by the disappearance Oh my god I absolutely loved Scared To Death from the first chapter I just knew it was going to be a crime thriller I would devour in a couple of sittings, and I was right. Scared To Death by Rachel Amphlett is the first book in a new series featuring Detective Kay Hunter, and the authors started the series with an humongous bang. A young girl is kidnapped and held hostage, but things take a sinister and deadly turn when the young girl is found dead, this is followed shortly by the disappearance of a second girl, throw in a man found dead with the ransom money still in his possession and you know you are in for a hell of a twisted read. Detective Kay Hunter soon finds herself embroiled in the most shocking and disturbing case of her career. The author has written a thriller that will certainly grab the reader from the first page, I certainly found it to be is a fast read due to the writing style and format.

Detective Kay Hunter was an intriguing character she is complex, feisty but she also has a vulnerable side involving her past. The author very cleverly only lets you glimpse snippets about past events in Kay’s life but I’m sure as the series progresses more about her past will be revealed, I find I’m more interested in a protagonist when everything about there character isn’t revealed all in one fell swoop, it gives me time to use my very limited imagination to guess more about the character. As for the serial killer hell they are one very twisted and calculating individual, but again the author has created a character who is complex and very well depicted.

This is one of those books where the pace is relentless and as the investigation reaches a dramatic conclusion it made for a very tense fuelled read. There are plenty of surprises packed into this crime thriller some of which I guessed, others I really didn’t see coming which for me heightens my enjoyment of a book. Scared To Death is an Intense and thrilling read, I always find there are certain elements that can make or break a book for me personally the novel has to have a well devised plot, complex characters and relentless in pace and I’m thrilled to report this novel includes these all important elements.

You can check out all my reviews over at http://thebookreviewcafe.com ...more

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Jan 05, 2017 Bookread2day rated it liked it · review of another edition

I would like to thank the author for sending me a copy.

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Dec 09, 2016 Eva rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Fast paced crime fiction that had me hooked from the first chapter. A great start to a new series. I can't wait to learn more about Kay when she tackles her next case.

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Mar 06, 2017 Mary rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: aussie-authors, crime-detective, contemporary, mystery, murder

Detective Kay Hunter is horrified when she is called to a murder scene and realises that a kidnapped teenager has actually been found by her parents. Then the father collapses with a heart attack and Kay attempts to resuscitate him. And as if that isn't enough, police realise that the girl, Melanie, has been set up so that she will eventually slip and fall and then strangle to death - with the criminal watching by remote camera.

Kay and the team are working hard to find the killer - or is it ...more

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Mar 17, 2017 Ann Girdharry rated it liked it · review of another edition

This book gets off to a fantastic start. It delivers a double whammy to the reader, leaving you reeling from the shock and feeling terrible about what has just happened to the characters.
Great stuff.
Probably I was expecting too much after this, because I found myself turning the pages very quickly but the tension gradually leaked out of the story. In the end, I was reading just to find out what happened (though the plot became clear halfway through).
If only that same punch from the beginning ...more

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Dec 16, 2016 Liz Barnsley rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Scared to Death is a fast paced intriguing crime thriller that I read in one huge gulp of a sitting, addictive and occasionally quite hard hitting this is the start of a new series from Rachel Amphlett and one that I will be following along with.

Things I really liked: Or main protagonist Kay Hunter. A genuinely strong female character with, yes, some flaws and a semi mysterious backstory, but realistically so which made her highly believable and sucked you into the ongoing story. The opening ...more

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Nov 07, 2016 Janel rated it really liked it · review of another edition

4.5 stars - If I was giving out book awards today, this book would receive two – firstly for ‘best opening chapter’ and secondly for ‘best last line.’ I can’t share the last line with you, you’ll have to read the book to see why that one made me laugh. But I can talk about the opening paragraph, it’s so thrilling, you can really feel the character’s urgency and you can do nothing but read on, so make sure you’ve got a clear schedule when you start this one!

This is the first book in a new crime 4.5 stars - If I was giving out book awards today, this book would receive two – firstly for ‘best opening chapter’ and secondly for ‘best last line.’ I can’t share the last line with you, you’ll have to read the book to see why that one made me laugh. But I can talk about the opening paragraph, it’s so thrilling, you can really feel the character’s urgency and you can do nothing but read on, so make sure you’ve got a clear schedule when you start this one!

This is the first book in a new crime series feature ultra likeable DS Kay Hunter, her and the team are after a killer, who at first appears to be kidnapping for ransom but the team soon discover, it’s more than that, this killer is murdering for pleasure. We’ve all heard the phrase ‘scared to death’, how do you catch a killer who is using fear as a weapon and literally scaring his victims to death?

This is a fast, thrilling and thoroughly enjoyable read. The plot well-thought out and gripping, you don’t realise how quickly you’re flying through the pages of this one!

Now, for Kay’s backstory, after previously being brought before the Professional Standards Committee, Kay’s boss, DCI Larch is putting immense pressure on her to solve this case; while Kay is still on the job, the Committee ruling in her favour, she has to deal with the additional pressure of an unsupportive boss, who makes it extremely clear he doesn’t approve of Kay still holding her badge. We also get an insight into Kay’s personal life – her husband Adam is a vet, between her unsociable working hours and him being called away to animal emergencies, they don’t get to spend as much time as they would like together but I really enjoyed their interactions, at times it added lovely elements of humour.

What I particularly liked during this read was the hints Amphlett gave us about what’s to come in book two, and let me tell you, I’m excited for it – the continuing backstory and what I hope will be another chilling and thrilling case.

I highly recommend this book for fans of both crime thrillers and police procedurals.

*I voluntarily received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book* ...more

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May 10, 2018 Bill Kupersmith rated it it was ok

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Dec 13, 2016 Noelle rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

My thanks to the author– Rachel Amphlett, for an ARC of this book which I have chosen to read/review and give honest feedback on.

Set in Kent, the reader is taken on a whirlwind of a journey involving kidnap, the past, bullying, power & control, various levels of abuse and misplaced loyalties. What a ride!

OMFG, #bookjunkies! To say I consumed this book like a chocolate-starved little girl who stumbles across a big bar of cadbury’s would be an understatement! This book sparked all my synapses My thanks to the author– Rachel Amphlett, for an ARC of this book which I have chosen to read/review and give honest feedback on.

Set in Kent, the reader is taken on a whirlwind of a journey involving kidnap, the past, bullying, power & control, various levels of abuse and misplaced loyalties. What a ride!

OMFG, #bookjunkies! To say I consumed this book like a chocolate-starved little girl who stumbles across a big bar of cadbury’s would be an understatement! This book sparked all my synapses and excited me beyond belief! Starting with a #KillerHook, the plot was cleverly written to build the suspense and sustain it throughout.

I loved that even the characters gave me a buzz from the get go. I WANTED to see how they developed and I was thrilled at how easily I became attached to them. DS Kay Hunter is strong-willed and determined, but has a bit of a chip on her shoulder – always trying to live up to her mother’s expectations but always falling short. She has had a life shaping event recently but luckily has her boyfriend, Adam to share the pain and support her. Love this couple! I definitely think they have more to offer and hope to find out more in a future series.

I was intrigued by Ian Barnes and kinda wish we learned a little more about him….though, the author may be saving this, teasing us so that we are at her mercy!! I felt the same way about DI Sharp. I want to know more, more, more!

The antagonist is brilliant! I did guess some of the twists, but you know what…it didn’t matter! The evil that oozes from the baddie is just superb. Skin-crawling, goosebumps and a little bit of sick in my mouth evil! Love it! If the baddie in a series piques my interest, I know I am in for a fabulous read….and I was!

If real life did not constantly interrupt me, I would have read this book in hours! I seriously did not want to put it down. It drew me in and the twists really had me on the edge of my seat! So would I recommend this book? OMFG, that is a seriously massive HELL YEAH! And to think I nearly turned this review request down because I was so busy! If you are looking for a crime thriller with twists, a kick ass baddie and some fantastic characters, then get over to amazon…you won’t be disappointed! ...more

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Nov 25, 2016 Shannon (Mrsreadsbooks) rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: arc-review-copies, 2016, thriller-suspense, crime-mystery

Full review to come next week along with the blog tour!

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Jun 15, 2017 Kerry rated it it was amazing

Well, I recently joined in with Rachel Amphlett's blog tour for Book 3 in this series, so I thought it was about time I bumped Book 1 to the top of my list and I am so glad I did! Why have I never read a book by Rachel Amphlett before now??
Scared to Death is a brilliant start to a new series. I warmed to Detective Kay Hunter immediately. There's a back story there that hasn't been fully explained as yet, which I find very intriguing. She seems to be up against her fair share of negativity at Well, I recently joined in with Rachel Amphlett's blog tour for Book 3 in this series, so I thought it was about time I bumped Book 1 to the top of my list and I am so glad I did! Why have I never read a book by Rachel Amphlett before now??
Scared to Death is a brilliant start to a new series. I warmed to Detective Kay Hunter immediately. There's a back story there that hasn't been fully explained as yet, which I find very intriguing. She seems to be up against her fair share of negativity at work, via certain colleagues, although others very much seem to have her back. We also get an insight in to her personal life and her relationship with her partner, which I like as it shows a softer side to an otherwise professional character.
Kay and her team are faced with the difficult task of investigating the death of a local 17 year old girl who had been kidnapped whilst her parents were on a business trip. A ransom had been demanded, her parents had paid and not reported the kidnapping as requested, as they believed their daughter would be spared if they cooperated. When they arrive at her location, however, their worst fears are realised. Every parents worst nightmare. The way this poor girl met her end is nothing short of horrific and these parts of the story are very upsetting. Her killer is a very disturbed character.
When a second girl is kidnapped, Kay and her colleagues race against time to figure out where she is being kept before it's too late and this time it's personal. There is a very sick game being played which makes this a very dark crime thriller. Just brilliant!
Scared To Death is a very cleverly written police procedural with a tense and fast-paced storyline. There are many plot twists and shocks along the way. I was totally gripped and I'm very much looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
If you haven't already, I highly recommend you add this to your reading list. It's definitely one I would happily buy as a gift for family and friends.
Many thanks to Rachel Amphlett for my review copy. It's very much appreciated, as always.

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Kindle English My...: Spoiler Discussion (May 2018) Value Read - Scared to Death, by Rachel Amphlett	7	12	May 21, 2018 02:07PM
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About Rachel Amphlett

Rachel Amphlett

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USA Today bestseller Rachel Amphlett writes crime fiction and spy novels, including the Kay Hunter British detective series, the Dan Taylor espionage novels, the English Spy Mysteries featuring Eva Delacourt, and a number of standalone crime thrillers.

Rachel is a member of International Thriller Writers and the Crime Writers Association.

Find out more about Rachel Amphlett at www.rachelamphlett.com ...more