You know how much I love a storm–right?
In Rachel Amphlett’s latest, Mistake Creek, there’s a storm coming…
When Nina O’Brien returns to the small town of Mistake Creek after ten years, she’s in a race against time to protect her father’s business from an incoming storm so it can be sold to pay for his urgent medical treatment.
As flood warnings echo over the radio and the storm breaks with enormous force across the tiny Californian community, Nina is joined by others seeking shelter from the onslaught.
Her life is changed forever when a stranger appears at her door, bloodied and incoherent.
With a ruthless killer exposed among the small group, Nina is thrust into a deadly conspiracy involving a military veteran seeking revenge and an FBI agent desperate to prevent a catastrophic terrorism threat.
Alone, with no means to raise the alarm, Nina realises that to save one man, she must learn to trust another.
Mistake Creek sounds fabulous, so here I am rocking up in my rig to Rachel Amphlett’s North Brissy abode (which I hear has a very comfy sofa bed. Mentioning that may have been a mistake, Rachel).
What’s that I see written on your ‘welcome mat’?
Unfortunately, you won’t be able to see the writing – it’s covered in paint flakes and plaster dust while we’re finishing renovations!
(I’m pretty sure it says, when you are up this way the sofa bed is yours!)
If I looked in your refrigerator right now, what would I find?
Lots of fresh veggies, olives, pasta, cheese, a half-full bottle of Verdelho (hey, I’m an optimist!), soft drinks, sparkling water, and a veggie bolognese I made last night.
Downsizing my life into a 24 ft caravan meant leaving lots of things behind in boxes. What (or who!!) would you have trouble leaving behind if you took off in a caravan?
Books! I know I can use my Kindle, but I’ve still got paperbacks of all my favourite books. We’ve only just unpacked them after they’d been in boxes for ten years after emigrating here, so it would be hard boxing them up again so soon.
Do you REALLY have room at your house to park a fifth wheeler caravan and do you mind visitors? Oh, sorry, you don’t have to answer that one!! 🙂
Yes, and not at all. We have dog treats for the fluffy kid, too.
Country curiosities…
My latest novel, Season of Shadow and Light, has a strong horse theme. (I love what horses can teach us). If you were an animal what would you be?
A rat. People think of them as pests when they turn up in the wrong places, but they’re incredibly resourceful. I’d like to think I’m like that – able to adapt to whatever life throws at me.
You’re cooking and your food going up against the best cooks from the CWA (Country Women’s Association). What would be your winning dish?
Crumbs, they’d kick my arse for sure. I make a great Sunday brunch with asparagus, haloumi, baked beans, smoked trout, baked tomatoes and a mixture of mushrooms with fresh spinach and garlic.
I’m usually relegated to the starters and washing up whenever we have a dinner party though as my other half is such a great chef. He’s usually the one that makes sure I eat at all – I’ve been known to go for a day or two without eating a proper meal. I simply get caught up in what I’m doing and only come up for air when my stomach rumbles so loudly that I can’t concentrate!
About you…
What is the hardest part of writing for you?
The frustration in not having more time to do it – I’m sure I’m not alone in that regard!
What question have you always wanted to be asked in an interview? How would you answer that question?
Who would you like to co-write a thriller with?
And I’d answer Ken Follett or Robert Harris. (I would have said Robert Ludlum too, but sadly I missed my chance!)
Favourite four…
Favourite place in Australia: Port Douglas, Qld (so far – there’s a lot of Australia I haven’t had a chance to explore yet!)
Favourite holiday destination (anywhere): Cuba was great, but I’m sure I’ll discover more!
Favourite movie: Raiders of the Lost Ark
Favourite quote: Next time your life flashes before your eyes, make sure you’ve got something to watch [this was from a UK Virgin Airlines TV ad in the 1990s – it’s on YouTube!]
If I said to you, “Just entertain me for five minutes, I’m not going to talk,” what would you do?
Tell you what we used to get up to when we had a lock-in at our pub. You might need more than five minutes though. 🙂
About Rachel…
Before emigrating to Australia in 2005, Rachel Amphlett helped run a pub, played lead 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.
After returning to writing, Rachel enjoyed publication success both in Australia and the United Kingdom with her short stories. Her first thriller White Gold was released in 2011, with the Italian foreign rights for the novel being sold to Fanucci Editore’s TIMECrime imprint in 2014.
She is currently working on the third in her Dan Taylor military thriller series, due for publication later this year, and plotting the next two books in that series.
In her spare time, she enjoys skiing, horse-riding, playing guitar, reading (of course), and writing (another no-brainer). She also has a great love of films, especially thrillers, rom-com, sci-fi and biopics. She doesn’t mind admitting she’s scared of horror films.
You can keep in touch with Rachel via her mailing list: http://www.rachelamphlett.com/mailing-list.html or via Facebook and Twitter: @RachelAmphlett
Okay McLeod’s Daughters fans. 
By the way, this painting (left) was my Christmas present last year – “Heartland” by my dear friend, painter Stephanie Tabram.; just to remind me of the original inhabitants
