Rachel Amphlett is a USA Today best selling crime writer with over 50 books including series, short stories and standalone novels. 

Detective Kay Hunter books in order

There are 15 books in the Detective Kay Hunter series, and while the later books in the series could be read as standalone novels, it is highly recommended to read at least books 1 – 5 in order as there is an overarching story that ties everything together. 

Scared to Death (2016)

In the first book in the series, Detective Kay Hunter finds herself on the case of the discovery of the body of a missing schoolgirl inside a deserted biosciences facility. While initially believed to be a kidnapping ending in tragedy, Detective Kay Hunter suspects there is far more to the case, particularly when the body of a man is found dead with the ransom money still in his possession. 

Then another schoolgirl disappears. Kay finds herself in a desperate race to stop a killer with pressure mounting and a dark secret she is determined to keep hidden in the background. 

But while Kay is closing in, the killer is only getting started.

This first novel in the Detective Kay Hunter series is a gripping British police procedural that is ideal for fans of Angela Marsons, LJ Ross and Cara Hunter. 

Will to Live (2017)

A crowded commuter train strikes a body on a notorious stretch of railway known as “Suicide Mile”. But this time, it isn’t a suicide. Detective Sergeant Kay Hunter soon uncovers the truth: the victim was murdered. 

Kay Hunter has a growing list of cold cases, and is facing a personal campaign designed to undermine her career. With pressure growing from all sides, another victim is discovered just days later. With the body count rising and the clock ticking, Kay must work through years of hidden crimes to stop the murderer striking again.  

The second novel in the Kay Hunter series is a fast-paced British police procedural packed with forensic details and mounting suspense. It is a good read for those who enjoy the style of Peter James, Michael Connelly and Ann Cleeves. 

One to Watch (2017)

Sophie Whittaker shared a terrifying secret. By morning, she was dead. 

Detective Kay Hunter and her team find themselves investigating the brutal murder of a teenage girl at a private party in the Kent countryside. Digging deeper, they find a web of lies, green and long-buried corruption. Behind the facade of a close-knit community lies a history of betrayal, hidden alliances and dangerous secrets that someone is willing to kill to protect. 

With authentic investigative work, sharp interviews and a strong detective team, One to Watch is perfect for readers who enjoy the style of LJ Ross, Cara Hunter and Joy Ellis. 

Hell to Pay (2017)

A devastating road traffic accident on a stormy night leads Detective Sergeant Kay Hunter to uncover a chilling conspiracy hiding in plain sight. As the investigation unfolds, she discovers a ruthless serial killer targeting vulnerable young women, leaving a trail of victims and shattered lives in his wake. 

The people responsible for sabotaging Kay’s career have been exposed, leaving her to focus on securing justice for the victims, leaking her in the crosshairs of those who will do anything to protect their secrets. 

With the killer closing in, Kay must decide how far she is willing to go for justice and whether her need for revenge will be her downfall, or if she will be able to bring those responsible to account. 

Hell to Pay is perfect for readers who enjoy forensic investigation and unexpected twists. Fans of Cara Hunter, Joy Ellis and Mark Billingham will enjoy this read. 

Call to Arms (2018)

Returning to duty after an enforced absence, Detective Kay Hunter is determined to rebuild her career and move forward from the events that nearly ended it. But she soon discovers she wasn’t the only casualty of her last investigation. 

With DI Devon Sharp still suspended and the team struggling to recover, Kay finds herself drawn into a mystery that refuses to stay buried. As she asks the difficult questions, secrets surface, revealing a truth far more complex than she could have imagined. The closer she gets to the answers, the more she realises exposing them could have devastating consequences. 

Call to Arms is perfect for readers who enjoy the evidence-led discoveries found in the style of Joy Ellis, Mark Billingham and Peter James. 

Gone to Ground (2018)

Detective Inspector Kay Hunter is attending a crime scene on the outskirts of Maidstone when she is confronted with a horrifying discovery – the victim has been dismembered so brutally that it seems almost impossible to identify him. 

With body parts being uncovered across the Kent countryside, a chilling picture is emerging – a serial killer has been operating undetected, and the body count is rising. 

There’s no clear motive and with very few leads to follow, Kay and her team are in a race against time to identify the killer before panic spreads through the local community. When a third victim is discovered, the investigation takes an even darker turn.

Set in the heart of Kent, this police procedural offers readings shocking twists and is perfect for fans of Michael Connelly, Lisa Gardner and Robert Crais.  

Bridge to Burn (2019)

When the mummified remains for a young woman are uncovered during the renovation of an old building, Detective Kay Hunter and her team are facing one of the most baffling investigations of their careers.

What started as a cold case quickly exposes corruption, deception and organised crime hidden in a seemingly close-knit community. As Kay digs deeper, she uncovers secrets about the victim’s past that powerful people have spent years covering up. 

As the investigation gathers momentum, Kay is facing a personal tragedy that forces her to question everything she believes about loyalty, family and the cost of pursuing the truth. Navigating the blurred lines between her personal and professional life, Kay Hunter is hunting a killer who has remained hidden for years. 

Filled with complex mysteries and unexpected twists, Bridge to Burn will be enjoyed by readers who are fans of Robert Crais, Harlan Coben and Dennis Lehane. 

Cradle to Grave (2019)

A faceless body is discovered floating in a river on a summer morning, and Detective Kay Hunter and her team are called in to identify the victim and uncover the circumstances surrounding his death. 

What begins as a perplexing murder investigation soon takes a darker turn when police discover an abandoned boat stained with blood, containing the belongings of a missing child. 

With public concern growing and media scrutiny intensifying, Kay finds herself in a desperate search for answers. A devastated family demanding justice, no obvious suspects, motives or leads – it’s a race against time to find out what happened. With every clue raising more questions, and pieces falling into place, Kay realises she is searching for a ruthless killer capable of anything in order to protect their secrets. 

Cradle to Grave is a great read for fans of Tess Gerritsen, Patricia Cornwell and James Lee Burke. 

Turn to Dust (2020) 

When the naked body of a man is discovered in a remote field, Detective Kay Hunter is faced with a victim who appears to have vanished from society long before his death. With only a single clue to guide the investigation, Kay’s enquiries lead her to the world of homeless shelters and veterans’ charities, where resources are stretched thin and the vulnerable are often overlooked. 

Digging deeper, she discovers troubling signs that someone is already actively searching for information about the victim and those connected to him, offering money in exchange for information. The more Kay learns, the clearer it becomes the dead man was carrying a dangerous past – one someone is desperate to keep hidden. 

A crucial witness disappears from a temporary shelter, and with Kay fearing they have become a target, her investigation takes on a new urgency. 

Turn to Dust is a gripping police procedural which will be enjoyed by fans of Attica Locke, Don Winslow and Tana French.  

A Darker Place (2021)

It’s the hottest day of the year, and the frozen body of a man is discovered on a car sales forecourt, his final moments of fear and agony etched across his face. Detective Kay Hunter and her team are assigned to the case, but when the victim’s identity is revealed, what appeared to be a single murder, suddenly becomes much more. 

Another man has vanished without a trace. As the search intensifies, Kay has a question to answer – is the missing man the next victim, or is he the killer they are desperate to find. 

With witnesses too frightened to speak and leads disappearing quickly, every breakthrough raises the stakes and every delay brings the possibility of another murder. 

A Darker Place will be well enjoyed by fans of Michael Connelly, Robert Crais and Attica Locke. 

A Lethal Deception (2022)

When a violent assault on a local business owner is followed by a suspicious death, Detective Kay Hunter and her team suspect they may be witnessing the start of a new gangland drugs war. But when a second victim is found dead, the investigation takes a darker and more personal turn. 

With the body count rising, Kay uncovers a web of ambition, betrayal and long-buried secrets that reach far beyond the criminal underworld. 

Determined to uncover the truth and with media scrutiny and pressure from her superiors growing, Kay Hunter refuses to back down, even if it threatens her career. 

A Lethal Deception is full of twists and suspense and is perfect for readers who enjoy the style of Lisa Gardner, Halan Coben and Patricia Cornwell. 

The Dying Season (2023) 

When a man is executed at point-blank range outside a remote country pub, Detective Kay Hunter is called to investigate what appears to be a targeted and meticulously planned murder.

As the hunt for the gunman intensifies, political pressure, personal rivalries and interference from senior officers threaten to derail the investigation. With her superiors taking control of the manhunt, Kay finds herself fighting for answers while battling forces within her own organisation.

She uncovers a dangerous underground trade in illegal firearms and a network of people with every reason to keep their secrets hidden. With witnesses too frightened to come forward and leads disappearing as quickly as they emerge, the pressure mounts with every passing day.

The Dying Season is packed with tension and will be well received by fans of Dennis Lehane, Don Winslow and James Lee Burke. 

A Deadly Promise (2024) 

An isolated countryside property and the mutilated body of a woman. Detective Kay Hunter is called to investigate a murder that seems to have no motive, no witnesses and no obvious suspect. But as her team searches for answers, they discover a second body in a run-down storage facility. 

Subjected to horrific abuse and with similarities in brutality, there is little evidence linking the two cases. 

Grieving families are demanding answers and senior officers are pushing for results. And then a third victim is discovered not far from the incident room. It’s a message that is impossible to ignore. 

A Deadly Promise will be enjoyed by fans of Karin Slaughter, Tess Gerritsen and Halan Coben. 

A Fatal Silence (2025)

When the body of a young woman is discovered at a crowded outdoor music festival, Detective Kay Hunter is faced with a baffling investigation. The victim has no identification, the killer has left no evidence, and thousands of festival-goers could hold the key to the truth.

With media scrutiny intensifying and leads quickly drying up, Kay and her team must reconstruct the victim’s final hours before the trail goes cold.

But as the investigation unfolds, a shocking discovery threatens to turn the entire case on its head.

A gripping British police procedural filled with twists, tension and authentic detective work. Perfect for fans of Patricia Cornwell, Michael Connelly and Lisa Gardner.

What Evil Hides (2026)

A man’s body is discovered in a Kent hop field, and Detective Kay Hunter is called to investigate a murder that appears to have more questions than answers.

The victim’s past is shrouded in mystery, the local farming community is reluctant to talk, and every new lead uncovers another layer of deception. As Kay and her team dig deeper, they find themselves navigating a web of secrets, conflicting accounts and hidden motives.

But secrets have a way of resurfacing, and this one could prove deadly.

What Evil Hides is perfect for fans of Robert Crais, Dennis Lehane and Don Winslow.

Find your next Kay Hunter book

The Kay Hunter series has earned a loyal following thanks to its gripping mysteries, realistic police work and strong characters. 

If you enjoy British crime fiction, police procedurals and twist-filled mysteries, Rachel Amphlett’s Kay Hunter series is well worth adding to your reading list.