Key Characters

Alice Chalk

Professional photographer Alice is a key figure in Kate's life. She is her first real love and plays a tragic central role in Love and Anger.

Petra Kitson

Kate meets and falls in love with Petra in No Further Action.  Petra is a strong character with opinions to match.

Anisha Patel

Anisha is a WPC in Southampton and is a close friend and colleague of Kate. She has a dark secret.

Paul Evans

Paul is Kate's long-established partner in the murder squad. His ascerbic wit and common sense are the perfect foil for her cynicism.

Rachel Clarke

Detective Sergeant Clarke is Kate's colleague in Shirley CID, but later becomes her boss. Rachel's ambition has no limits.

Mel Ellis

Kate's big sister is a big comfort to her in times of stress. Mel worked as a holiday rep in Spain but eventually settled down with her husband Jack.

Ellen Jones

Detective Inspector Ellen Jones is the head of the Rape, Domestic Abuse and Violence Against Women unit in Leicester

Frank Murray

Detective Inspector Frank Murray gives Kate her first leg up into CID in Southampton and is her first mentor.

Coco Pattinson

The Forensic Examiner for the rape unit, Coco is a close friend to Kate. Could they become more than friends?

Magda Pijacka

Detective Sergeant Pijacka's sardonic wit and grounded nature hold the team together when things get tough.

Lizzie Bakewell

DC Bakewell comes across as silly and has poor taste in men, but is a fine detective and close colleague of Kate's.

Janet Cotton

Detective Constable Cotton puts family before career. She is a key colleague to Kate in the rape unit.

DC Carol Cox
A key member of the Soar Valley Murder Squad. Carol is a quiet, focused detective.

DC Sally Richards
Hull-bred detective Sally juggles work with raising her family with husband Barry.

DS Megan Kildunne
Initially quiet and nerdy, Megan hones her detective instincts. Though she regards Kate as an inspiration, sometimes they clash.

DC Sean Williams
Class-clown, Sean provides much of the light-relief for the Soar Valley Murder Squad. 

Lt Mpho Buthelezi

Mpho works with Kate and Megan to investigate a case which takes them to South Africa, in Lost Souls.

Carrie Scott
A corporal in the Royal Military Police, Carrie provides assistance to Kate on difficult cases and eventually becomes a close friend.

CC Colin Hayward
Colin Hayward becomes the Chief Constable for Mercia Police. A big fan of management-speak, he's a thorn in Kate's side.

Alistair Dixon
A worker for British Waterways on the River Soar. Alistair is a key character in Dark Waters.