CALL TO ARMS
Loyalty has a price.
Kay Hunter has survived a vicious attack at the hands of one of the country's most evil serial killers.
Returning to work after an enforced absence to recover, she discovers she wasn't the only victim of that investigation.
DI Devon Sharp remains suspended from duties, and the team is in turmoil.
Determined to prove herself once more and clear his name, Kay undertakes to solve a cold case that links Sharp to his accuser.
But, as she gets closer to the truth, she realises her enquiries could do more harm than good.
Torn between protecting her mentor and finding out the truth, the consequences of Kay's enquiries will reach far beyond her new role…
Buy on RachelAmphlett.com
Before turning to writing, Rachel Amphlett played guitar in bands, worked as a TV and film extra, dabbled in radio as a presenter and freelance producer for the BBC, and worked in publishing as a sub-editor and editorial assistant.She now wields a pen instead of a plectrum and writes crime fiction and spy novels, including the Dan Taylor espionage novels and the Detective Kay Hunter series.
Originally from the UK and currently based in Brisbane, Australia, Rachel cites her writing influences as Michael Connelly, Lee Child, and Robert Ludlum. She’s also a huge fan of Peter James, Val McDermid, Robert Crais, Stuart MacBride, and many more.
She’s a member of International Thriller Writers and the Crime Writers Association, with the Italian foreign rights for her debut novel, White Gold sold to Fanucci Editore's TIMECrime imprint, and the first four books in the Dan Taylor espionage series contracted to Germany’s Luzifer Verlag.
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HALL WAYS REVIEW: Audio Book Review. I cannot tell you how thrilled I was when I got the invitation to review the audio book of Call to Arms. I’m a huge fan of the Detective Kay Hunter series and have read with my ears all four of the prior books. This one did not disappoint, and like with the other books in the series, I listened to it straight through in a day.
Though Call to Arms is enhanced by my having read the prior installments in the series, this one stands works as a stand-alone since it is a story that doesn’t rely on prior events or character relationships. Amphlett does a great job of establishing who is who and what is what, so I don’t think readers new to the series will have any trouble jumping in.
"Just stay out of trouble this time, Hunter."
As with prior books, Call to Arms starts with action and a possible crime, this one ten years ago. In a break from prior books, readers don’t really have chapters that are told from the bad-guy perspective. As a result, readers don’t ever get into the heads of any characters other than our main character, Detective Kay Hunter – and it works just fine for this installment. For fans of the police procedural, Call to Arms is excellent because readers are uncovering information right along with the detectives assigned to the case. The danger element isn’t quite as high, but it’s fascinating going through investigative process and seeing the attention to detail that’s required to do build a solid case against a suspect (or several).
I listened to books one through four, back to back, and it has been a little over a month since I finished them. In a way, the break from the series made Call to Arms more fun because many of the familiar elements were new again and just as delightful as ever. Kay’s husband Adam, as well as his animal house guests, are all bright spots and so is the mandatory cuppa tea or coffee that are staples to solving any crimes. Returning readers will also be surprised by an ever-so-subtle shift in the relationship between Kay and DCI Angus Larch (spoiler: he’s HUMAN).
"Penny for your thoughts."
"I'm not sure they're worth that at the moment."
While Call to Arms doesn’t really do much with further building any relationships between individual characters, I like how it does tighten the group of core detectives readers have known from the beginning. This group has each other’s backs and is starting to work like a well-oiled machine, but they also genuinely care about one another. They keep it professional, but it’s clear that there is a camaraderie that only comes from being through the kinds of hell this group has experienced together. Readers get hints at the mental anguish Kay continues to feel (but tries to deny) from her past traumas, and it is likely those unresolved issues will rear their ugly head at some point down the line. She shows much weariness and some growth as there is more careful decision making and less impulsive than in other books, but she’s realistically flawed. Thank goodness! Otherwise, Kay would be too perfect, and we just can’t have that.
Rachel Amphlett knows how to tell a story and keep the readers engaged in it from start to finish. I can’t speak to the editing of the print book, but the dialogues are natural, the characters are distinctive, and the action is realistic. I have the same gripe as always -- there is far too much glaring – and there was one semi-major contradiction, and a couple of scenes that were left sitting out there, seemingly unimportant/unneeded. But overall, Amphlett nails this story, and it is firmly among my favorites.
The narration by Alison Campbell is as excellent as ever. Her pacing and expressiveness are perfect, and she voices the numerous characters without any of them sounding the same. One character was supposed to have a hint of a German accent, and I didn’t hear it, but it didn’t detract in any way. I have to say, I was sorry there was no creepy bad guy for her to voice in this book – she always does a fabulous job with that. I listened at 1.25x, and that kept the story moving at a pace I enjoyed.
I am thrilled that Amphlett is already working on the next book in the series, and I guarantee I will be grabbing it as soon as it’s out. The books in this series immerse you in another world and keep interest piqued without graphic sex or violence. The Detective Kay Hunter series is truly addictive! Get your fix!
Thank you to the author and Audiobookworm Promotions for providing me a free download in exchange for my honest opinion – the only kind I give.
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Runs May 27th-June 3rd, 2018⎮Open internationally!
Runs May 27th-June 3rd, 2018⎮Open internationally!
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Hallo, Hallo Kristine,
ReplyDeleteWe've been convo'ing on Twitter about this lovely series we both love, admire & can't devour quick enough - I have been wanting to visit your reviews & add commentary - finally, I can start!
Ooh, no! I forgot to mention this on my own review - how we broke the tradition of the series from whose perspective we're entering into the narrative - except to say, I sort of hinted at the fact, I *loved!* how this one 'returnt us back to centre' within the series itself - as Ms Amphlett did something the Castle writers failed to do: gave us, the readers a re-entry worthy of our beloved heroine without muddling the waters past recognition after a major insurrection/conspiracy!
I still have issues trusting Larch! Oy.
I could never say 'not to read' the series in order - I know it's the popular choice to read series out of order and sometimes I relent that I have to myself for different reasons but *at the same time* my personal preference is always: start to finish! In this instance though - even though this one is technically a bridge of a plot past the last four which were more inter-connected - as this is bridging us to a future shift in the series, I still felt I benefited from the prior novels - as there is a lot of back-history between Kay Hunter, her superiors and the ways in which she has a process for working through her anxiety, mental health and emotional stress - even the dynamics of her marriage are crucial to better understand how she functions.
Great review as you gave key insights into why you loved hearing this story and of course, we both *love!* Ms Campbell with equal admiration for her immersive styling of giving us such a wickedly dynamic portrayal of Kay Hunter!
Top cheers!
Here's to book sixth! Pray it comes soon!
I think we are birds of a feather -- I have to read a series start to finish, in order, as written. I agree that this one can stand alone but is so much better if you have the background. But LARCH! I hated him and now??? We will just have to see where that goes in #6. Can't wait! Thanks for stopping by my blog so we can chat more!
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