Reeling from the trauma of her last case, SFPD Detective Kate Barnes heads to the Olympic Peninsula hoping to heal the present by resolving the past. When the ravaged corpse of an unidentified teen is discovered, her search for personal peace takes a back seat to the quest for justice.

As Kate digs deeper, she discovers the victim was not the only one who had been taken against her will. Racing against the clock to rescue the remaining girls, she uncovers a complex series of ever-increasing horrors. In the darkest corners of Washington state, Kate Barnes will come face-to-face with an adversary so ruthless and powerful that it will take everything she has to save herself, let alone the girls.

About the character…

Name: Kate Barnes
Age: 32
Gender: Female
Birthplace: San Francisco Bay Area
Profession: SFPD Detective

Ethnicity: Kate’s ethnicity is a mix of British, French, and Spanish roots. 

Describe her body build, skin tone, height and weight. Include any unique features such as dimples, freckles, or scars:

At 5’ 7”, 135 lbs., with long dark hair and a fair complexion, Kate is a fit and attractive brunette. All her scars are on the inside and she likes to keep it that way.

Who is the significant other in your character’s life?

Kate doesn’t really do relationships. Her past has left her so jaded that she remains extremely wary of commitment.

What is your character’s family like?

Kate’s family is a mess. Her only sibling died when she was 13, and her (then) drug-addicted mother laid the blame squarely at Kate’s feet. Her father took off shortly thereafter and she has never heard from him since.

Does she have children?

No. Her family experience has made her wary of subjecting children to the same dysfunction she endured as a chilid.

What inner doubts causes your character the most difficulty?

Kate carries a lot of personal pain as well as professional trauma. Her biggest struggle is feeling like she has to save the world, even if she has to sacrifice herself in the process.

What past event causes your character the most fear?

The idea that she will fail those who are counting on her, the same way she failed her younger sister. The Tower Torturer identifies and brutally exploits this fear in Dark Associations.

What is your heroine’s biggest personal flaw?

She can be led by her heart, but is afraid to completely trust anyone. The combination sometimes results in her rushing in where angels fear to tread.

ABOUT YOUR WRITER: questions for your character to answer about you…

Why do you think your writer chose to write about you?

Marie admires strong women and loves people who can grow and evolve. She appreciates my strengths and is constantly challenging me to fix my flaws. She tries to remain impartial, but I think she’s secretly cheering for me to find my happy ending.

Was there anything a writer discovered about you that was a surprise to one or both of you?

The intensity of my relationship with my mother. I thought I had put it all to rest when I moved out of her house at eighteen. The Tower Torturer showed me how wrong I was.

Why do you think your writer loves to write?

Marie wants to transport people away from their problems, whether big or small. She loves reading and wants to share the same magic other writers have used to transport her through the looking glass with her readers.

What do you wish your writer would write next?

She is currently writing the next book in my series. I don’t know if she ‘s going to end my story or decide to continue it. I have a lot more living and growing to do, so I hope there are many more books to come. I’ve run a few ideas by her, but ultimately she makes up her own mind. I guess we’re similar in that way.