Will to Live by Rachel Amphlett

Reputation is everything.

When a packed commuter train runs over a body on a stretch of track known to locals as “Suicide Mile,” it soon transpires that the man was a victim of a calculated murder.

As the investigation evolves and a pattern of murders is uncovered, Detective Sergeant Kay Hunter realizes the railway’s recent reputation may be the work of a brutal serial killer.

With a backlog of cold cases to investigate and while attempting to uncover who is behind a professional vendetta against her, Kay must keep one step ahead of both the killer and her own adversaries.

When a second murder takes place within a week of the first, she realizes the killer’s timetable has changed, and she’s running out of time to stop him.

WILL TO LIVE is the second book in a new crime thriller series featuring Kay Hunter—a detective with a hidden past and an uncertain future.

Author Rachel Amphlett chatted with The Big Thrill to discuss her latest novel, WILL TO LIVE:

What do you hope readers will take away from this book?

An adrenaline rush as Detective Kay Hunter tries to outwit a serial killer while at the same time outwitting a personal vendetta.

How does this book make a contribution to the genre?

Unlike many fictional detectives, Kay Hunter has a solid home life—but her professional career is in tatters, and she will do anything to salvage her reputation. This time, her actions impact the tight-knit investigative team she works with—and puts one of her colleague’s lives in danger.

Was there anything new you discovered, or surprised you, as you wrote this book?

Due to the amount of research involved with regard to the (sadly all to common) deaths on railways in the U.K., it was necessary to research some very dark subjects. This led to having to find a balance between conveying tragedy to readers without detracting from the pace of the plot.

No spoilers, but what can you tell us about your book that we won’t find in the jacket copy or the PR material?

Kay Hunter’s investigation into who has set her up and whose actions led to her Internal Affairs investigation gathers speed and has a devastating impact upon one member of her team.

What authors or books have influenced your career as a writer, and why?

Michael Connelly, Robert Crais and Peter James in particular because of the need to create a fast-paced read while still ensuring I have my facts right. I love learning, and these writers are masters of the art.

*****

Rachel Amphlett is the bestselling author of the Dan Taylor espionage novels and the new Detective Kay Hunter series, as well as a number of standalone crime thrillers.

Originally from the U.K. and currently based in Brisbane, Australia, Rachel’s novels appeal to a worldwide audience, and have been compared to Robert Ludlum, Lee Child, and Michael Crichton.

She is a member of International Thriller Writers and the Crime Writers Association, with the Italian foreign rights for her debut novel, White Gold, being sold to Fanucci Editore’s TIMECrime imprint in 2014, and the first four books in the Dan Taylor espionage series contracted to Germany’s Luzifer Verlag in 2017.

An advocate for knowledge within the publishing industry, Rachel is always happy to share her experiences to a wider audience through her blogging and speaking engagements.

To learn more about Rachel, please visit her website.