DI TOM BLAKE CHARACTER PROFILE
DI Tom Blake is a charismatic detective, who thrives on the uncertainty of each new case and the thrill of the hunt. Although Stoke on Trent is the setting for my gripping crime stories, Blake often has to deal with dangerous criminals with global connections, which gives my novels a pacey international thriller feel.
Blake’s wife and 10-year-old son were tragically killed in a fatal hit and run car crash ten years ago. He was driving at the time and his daughter Isabel was also in the car, both miraculously escaped the accident with minor cuts and bruises – but he still suffers from emotional flashbacks and neck pain from whiplash caused by the accident. They never caught the joyrider who killed his family but he vows to bring the perpetrator to justice one day.
He’s an intuitive, firm but fair detective who hates sitting hunched over a computer and loves the adrenaline rush you can only get from this type of job, which brings out the darker side of his personality when good triumphs over evil?
He’s very real in the sense that each case and the devastating effects it can have on victims, often weighs heavy on his mind; especially, those that involve dangerous, violent criminals with little regard for human life.
He’s a great leader, but also quite vulnerable at times, which makes him very likeable. And, like all good detectives, he has to fight tooth and nail for every inch of ground gained against the criminal underworld.
Like any other officer, he gets things wrong, occasionally with severe consequences. But policing, like life, throws unexpected challenges his way and when faced with life-threatening situations I can’t say for certain how he’ll react! As the series continues his character evolves, learning from every challenge he’s faced.
In her review of The Killer Shadow Thieves, Heather Eames at Book Jar Journeys sums the reader character connection up when she says…
“The characters and their development throughout the novel are a definite highlight for me. As the story progressed, I was more drawn in and intrigued by what was going on. I also enjoyed (perhaps the wrong word) the family drama that was introduced and think that it made the characters more human, I was reading with my heart in my mouth when his daughter was kidnapped!”
Apart from his beloved daughter Isabel and his close friend and colleague, DS Jon Murphy, he’s prone to distancing people, especially those who want to become more involved in his life.
Readers have asked me if he will find love in future books. Naturally, this being the first book in the series I don’t want to reveal too much, but let’s just say a chance encounter in book two leads him to consider the possibility of being with someone. However, crime has its own way of determining whether those directly involved at the sharp end sink or swim. And fans of the genre know happy endings aren’t always guaranteed.
I really enjoyed developing his character and watching him grow. I see a lot of myself in him, as we are of a similar age and like the same music. Although, it has to be said he drives a cooler car and is much tougher. There is one other trait we share, but I’ll keep that under wraps for now. Ultimately, I think readers will really enjoy rooting for him and his team whilst trying to work out who the murderous criminals really are?
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In book 2... with a ruthless killer on the loose, wanting revenge... DI Tom Blake and FBI profiler Lucy Stryker must unmask a murderer before they strike again...
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A Place of Reckoning: A chilling psychological murder mystery full of suspense and deadly twists (Detective Tom Blake Book 2)
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US customers BUY the book here...
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Three women. Two bodies. One deadly secret.
Pottery tycoon Charles Lancaster knows who kidnapped his wife.
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He’s sure it was the brutally dangerous ex bare-knuckle fighter, Patrick Dunne. Patrick promised to avenge his son who died in a tragic accident in one of Charles’ factories. It’s an open and shut case...
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…until a headless body turns up in a remote Peak District pool, it's back tattooed with a cryptic Tarot card. As Detective Inspector Tom Blake and FBI profiler Lucy Stryker dig into the mystery, they unearth long-buried secrets about an historic conspiracy and a clandestine cult. But with a sadistic killer on the loose, and everyone hiding things, it’s not just the victim’s life that hangs in the balance. Will anyone get out alive?
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Because when the powerful are pointing the finger, you’d better watch your back…
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DI Tom Blake personal File
Appearance
Forty-five years old with youthful looks. Six foot, broad shoulders, short dark brown hair greying and captivating green eyes. There’s a three-inch scar on the back of his neck, acquired during the arrest of a suspect years ago when he was a police constable. He wears Church’s brogues and fitted suits for work; Jeans, loafers and polo shirts for casual.
Career
References quotes from his colleagues. Coming soon.
Interests
Mode of transport
He drives a racing green, 1967 vintage Jaguar roadster.
Music
His taste is fairly eclectic: Motown, Jazz, R&B/Soul, classical, 70S & 80s stuff and powerful film scores are among his favourites.
Film
Open minded, but loves detective noir, period dramas, fantasy and thrillers.
To relax
He enjoys walking along the Staffordshire canals, listening to local radio and reading a good thriller, accompanied by a decent glass of wine or single malt whiskey.
Ambitions for the future
After the life-threatening challenges, he faced in the Killer Shadow Thieves Blake wants to get his police career back on track and spend a meaningful life with his daughter Isabel.
A very clever police procedural with realistic characters. I love how the suspense builds through crime scene investigation and forensics, until the jaw-dropping twist.
Amazon reviewer