Getting to know the character interview with D.I Denis Hamilton

Tara Lyons joins me today to take part in my Getting to know the character interview with D.I Denis Hamilton crime series

Can you describe your character?

Denis Hamilton is tall, dark and mysterious.He doesn't wear his heart - or his feelings - on his sleeve, and only confides in people he trusts and has known for years. He's no fashionista, but he likes a good suit, the latest trainers and keeps his beard smart - always trimmed neatly.

What is his job role and where does he work?

Denis Hamilton is a hard working Detective Inspector in the Metropolitan Police. Based in the Charing Cross station, he thrives on bringing justice to the streets of London.

Where did the original  idea for him come about?

It actually started with the secondary main character in the first book in the series, In The Shadows. Grace Murphy is mourning the loss of her grandfather, as was I when I wrote it, and she was the starting point of the story. However, as I wrote more about DI Hamilton it became clear the story - and series - belonged to him.

What makes him original?

Denis isn't a maverick who bends the law to work for him.
He isn't a womaniser or an alcoholic or a dirty cop. He has suffered pain and heartbreak, but he uses those emotions to make him a better DI.

What makes him tick?

He's motivated by his past. Someone close to him was a victim of a crime that he feels he should have stopped - or even noticed - and uses that regret to ensure no criminal escapes him.

What is his biggest fear?

Losing his wife. Denis is devoted to his childhood sweetheart and would stop at nothing to make her safe.

If you and your character met in real life, do you think you’d get on?

Definitely! Although Denis is quite straight-laced and  isn't a fan of social media, he has a sense of humour and he's sarcastic. He's also not one to say no to a pint with his colleagues in the local pub and he'd be a right laugh once he lightened up.

Who would you like to see play them if your books were made into a film or TV show?

Ricky Whittle - though Denis Hamilton is five years older.

How many books do you have in the series so far?

There are three books in the series: In The Shadows, No Safe Home and Deadly Friendship.

What’s in store for him next?

Denis is about to come up against a difficult crime revolving around revenge. The team will be caught up in a cat and mouse game after someone is snatched from their home. But will Denis Hamilton solve the mystery before he loses someone close to him?

About The Author

Tara is a crime/psychological thriller author from London, UK. Turning 30 in 2015 propelled her to fulfill her lifelong dream of becoming a writer. In the Shadows is Tara's debut solo novel published in March 2016. She co-wrote The Caller and Web of Deceit: A DI Sally Parker novella with New York Times bestselling author, M.A Comley.

In August 2016 Tara signed a two-book contract with Bloodhound Books. The third book in the DI Hamilton series, Deadly Friendship, was published in July 2017.

When she's not writing, Tara can be found at a local Wacky Warehouse stuck in the ball-pit with her young, energetic son.

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Check out the series on Amazon