Rachel Amphlett's blog – updates, articles and new releases from bestselling crime author

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Cradle to Grave – where did I get the idea from?

Usually, I’ll get an idea while I’m mooching around scanning through various news websites from around the world, or I’ll overhear something on the radio, or perhaps a snippet of an overheard conversation […]

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How do you find a new mystery series to read?

Readers discover new content through personal recommendations, online discovery tools, and digital algorithms on sites like Goodreads, Amazon, and Kobo. Factors like book covers, literary awards, and free reading guides also play a significant role in helping readers find their next favorite author.

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Writing updates and Detective Kay Hunter news

The past few weeks since publishing The Friend Who Lied have zoomed past, and I realise I haven’t provided an update here for a while. Apologies, but I have a very good excuse […]

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Introducing a locked room mystery with a psychological twist

For those of you who have been reading my books for a while now, I’m guessing it’s not a complete surprise that I’ve taken the opportunity to write a standalone novel in between […]

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Writing into the dark… and other leaps of faith

My first novel, WHITE GOLD, was published back in 2011 and a lot has changed since then. From a business perspective, it’s now easier to find readers with the advances in technology that […]

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An update from the writing cave

I’ve realised it’s been a few weeks since I’ve posted anything here, and the truth is that 2019 is already going by in a blur. Since publishing book seven in the Detective Kay […]

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How do I make an audiobook? (Part 2)

This behind-the-scenes update focuses on the collaborative effort required to produce the Detective Kay Hunter audiobooks. Rachel visits a recording studio to meet the narrator and producers who work together to bring her characters and stories to life.

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Where do writers get their ideas from?

Story ideas often originate from unusual news headlines or real-life observations that prompt a writer to ask “what if?”. For example, a news story about a mummified monkey and a visit to a pub with a mummified cat served as the primary inspirations for the Detective Kay Hunter book Bridge to Burn.

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