Plot:

In Deadly Terror, DI Zoe Finch investigates two coordinated terror attacks in Birmingham - a suicide bombing at New Street Station and an explosion on a plane at Birmingham Airport. As she uncovers links between the attacks and organized crime, Zoe must also contend with suspicions of police corruption within her own team.

The Crime:

The novel centers on two major crimes:

1. A suicide bomber detonates a nail bomb at New Street Station, killing several people including a police negotiator.
2. A bomb explodes on a Pakistan Airways flight at Birmingham Airport, killing 86 people.

Initially believed to be Islamist terror attacks, the investigation reveals links to organized crime. DI Finch discovers that crime boss Trevor Hamm exploited the airport attack to traffic women and children from Romania. The bombs were likely planted by a Pakistani gang targeting a rival on the flight, with Hamm taking advantage of the chaos.

Sub Plots:

1. DS Ian Osman's corruption: Finch's sergeant is revealed to be working for organized crime while pretending to be an informant for Professional Standards.
2. DCI Lesley Clarke's injury: Finch's boss is injured in the New Street bombing and struggles to return to work.
3. Nicholas's university applications: Finch's son applies to universities, considering moving far from Birmingham after his traumatic kidnapping experience.
4. Sofia and Andreea Pichler: Two Romanian sisters become entangled in Hamm's trafficking operation, with tragic consequences.

Main characters:

1. DI Zoe Finch
2. DS Mo Uddin
3. DS Ian Osman
4. DCI Lesley Clarke
5. Detective Superintendent David Randle
6. Sofia Pichler
7. Trevor Hamm
8. Kyle Gatiss

Relationship development:

• Zoe Finch and Carl Whaley: Their romantic relationship becomes strained by the corruption investigation.
• Zoe Finch and Mo Uddin: Their friendship strengthens as Mo joins Zoe's team as her new DS.
• Zoe Finch and Ian Osman: Their working relationship deteriorates as Zoe grows suspicious of Ian's activities.
• Sofia Pichler and Trevor Hamm: Sofia's trust in Hamm erodes as she discovers his true nature.
• Zoe Finch and Lesley Clarke: Their professional relationship is tested by Lesley's injury and return to work.

Police Corruption investigation:

Professional Standards investigates the planting of evidence on a victim at the airport. DS Ian Osman is revealed to be working for organized crime and is arrested. DI Finch comes under suspicion due to her proximity to corrupt officers but is ultimately cleared. The investigation creates tension between Finch and her boyfriend, DI Carl Whaley from Professional Standards.

DI Zoe Finch:

Introduction:
Detective Inspector Zoe Finch is a fictional character in the DI Zoe Finch series of crime novels. She serves as a detective in the West Midlands Police Force CID.

Overview:
Zoe Finch is a dedicated and intuitive detective known for her tenacity in solving complex cases. She balances her demanding career with single motherhood and navigates the challenges of police work in Birmingham.

Background:
Finch grew up in Birmingham with an alcoholic mother, which shaped her strong sense of justice and desire to protect the vulnerable. She joined the police force at a young age and quickly rose through the ranks to become a Detective Inspector.

Role in this Story:
In this novel, DI Finch leads the investigation into coordinated terror attacks at New Street Station and Birmingham Airport. She uncovers links between the attacks and organized crime, while also contending with suspicions of police corruption within her own team. Finch must balance the high-stakes investigation with personal challenges, including her son's university applications and her mother's unexpected stay at her home.

Basic details:

• Name: Zoe Finch
• Age: Late 30s to early 40s
• Place of Birth: Birmingham, UK
• Current Residence: Birmingham, UK
• Nationality: British
• Education Level: Police training, likely some university education
• Occupation: Detective Inspector, West Midlands Police Force CID
• Income Level: Middle-class
• Relationship Status: In a relationship with DI Carl Whaley
• Car: Mini Cooper

Physical Attributes:

• Height: Tall (exact height not specified)
• Build: Slim
• Skin colour: Not specified, likely white
• Eye colour: Not specified
• Hair colour: Not specified
• Face shape: Not specified
• Distinguishing marks: None mentioned
• Physical ailments or injuries: None mentioned

DS Mo Uddin:

Introduction:
Detective Sergeant Mo Uddin is a fictional character in the DI Zoe Finch series of crime novels. He serves as a detective in the West Midlands Police Force CID in Deadly Desires.

Overview:
Mo Uddin is a skilled and dedicated detective known for his attention to detail and strong work ethic. He maintains a close friendship with DI Zoe Finch while balancing his professional responsibilities with family life.

Background:
Uddin comes from a Muslim background and has faced challenges related to his faith in his police career. He has been friends with Zoe Finch for almost twenty years, working together for most of that time.

Role in this Story:
In this novel, DS Uddin initially works on a separate investigation into organized prostitution. He later joins the terror attack investigation, working closely with DI Finch. Uddin plays a crucial role in uncovering evidence linking the attacks to organized crime. At the end of the story, he becomes Finch's new Detective Sergeant, replacing the corrupt DS Ian Osman.

Basic details:

• Name: Mo Uddin
• Age: Late 30s to early 40s
• Place of Birth: Likely Birmingham, UK (not explicitly stated)
• Current Residence: Birmingham, UK
• Nationality: British
• Education Level: Police training, likely some university education
• Occupation: Detective Sergeant, West Midlands Police Force CID
• Income Level: Middle-class
• Relationship Status: Married to Catriona, with two daughters
• Car: Not specified

Physical Attributes:

• Height: Not specified
• Weight: Catriona (his wife) suggests he needs to lose weight
• Build: Likely medium to stocky
• Skin colour: Not specified, but likely brown given his Muslim background
• Eye colour: Not specified
• Hair colour: Not specified
• Face shape: Not specified
• Distinguishing marks: None mentioned
• Physical ailments or injuries: None mentioned

DS Ian Osman:

Introduction:
Detective Sergeant Ian Osman is a fictional character in the DI Zoe Finch series of crime novels. He serves as a detective in the West Midlands Police Force CID in Deadly Desires.

Overview:
Ian Osman is a complex and morally ambiguous character. He maintains connections to organized crime while working as a police officer, ultimately betraying his colleagues' trust.

Background:
Osman has a history of corruption, having accepted bribes and favors from criminals. He has two children, Maddy (12) and Ollie (4), who were abducted in October prior to the events of this novel. This traumatic event appears to have influenced his subsequent actions.

Role in this Story:
In this novel, DS Osman works on DI Finch's team investigating the terror attacks. He pretends to be an informant for Professional Standards while actually working for organized crime. Osman plants evidence at the airport crime scene and warns criminals about police activities. His true allegiances are eventually uncovered, leading to his arrest for perverting the course of justice.

Basic details:

• Name: Ian Osman
• Age: Late 30s to early 40s
• Place of Birth: Likely Birmingham or surrounding area (not explicitly stated)
• Current Residence: Castle Vale, Birmingham, UK
• Nationality: British
• Education Level: Police training, likely some university education
• Occupation: Detective Sergeant, West Midlands Police Force CID (until arrest)
• Income Level: Middle-class, with additional illicit income
• Relationship Status: Married to Alison
• Car: Not specified

Physical Attributes:

• Height: Not specified
• Weight: Not specified
• Build: Not specified
• Skin colour: Not specified
• Eye colour: Not specified
• Hair colour: Not specified
• Face shape: Not specified
• Distinguishing marks: None mentioned
• Physical ailments or injuries: None mentioned

DCI Lesley Clarke:

Introduction:
Detective Chief Inspector Lesley Clarke is a fictional character in the DI Zoe Finch series of crime novels. She serves as the head of Force CID in the West Midlands Police in Deadly Desires.

Overview:
Lesley Clarke is a tough, no-nonsense police officer known for her direct approach and strong leadership. She commands respect from her team and maintains high standards in her department.

Background:
Clarke has risen through the ranks of the police force to become a Detective Chief Inspector. She has a husband named Terry and at least one daughter named Sharon. Clarke balances her demanding career with family life.

Role in this Story:
In this novel, DCI Clarke initially leads the response to the New Street Station bombing as Silver Command. She sustains a serious injury when glass shards become lodged in her brain stem during the attack. Despite medical advice, Clarke returns to work to oversee the investigation into the coordinated terror attacks. She provides crucial support and guidance to DI Finch throughout the case.

Basic details:

• Name: Lesley Clarke
• Age: Late 40s to 50s (estimated)
• Place of Birth: Not specified, likely Birmingham area
• Current Residence: Birmingham, UK
• Nationality: British
• Education Level: Police training, likely university education
• Occupation: Detective Chief Inspector, West Midlands Police Force CID
• Income Level: Upper middle-class
• Relationship Status: Married to Terry
• Car: Not specified

Physical Attributes:

• Height: Not specified
• Weight: Not specified
• Build: Not specified
• Skin colour: Not specified
• Eye colour: Not specified
• Hair colour: Not specified
• Face shape: Not specified
• Distinguishing marks: Scar on neck from glass injury during bombing
• Physical ailments or injuries: Brain stem injury from glass shards, requiring surgery and ongoing recovery

Superintendent David Randle:

Introduction:
Detective Superintendent David Randle is a fictional character in the DI Zoe Finch series of crime novels. He serves as the head of Force CID in the West Midlands Police in Deadly Desires.

Overview:
David Randle is an ambitious and politically savvy police officer who prioritizes his career advancement. He maintains a domineering leadership style and often clashes with his subordinates, particularly DI Zoe Finch.

Background:
Randle worked in Force CID until three months prior to the events of this novel, when he received a promotion to Detective Superintendent. He now oversees Force CID from police headquarters at Lloyd House.

Role in this Story:
In this novel, Randle acts as Gold Command for the terror attack investigation. He takes charge of coordinating the overall police response and liaising with other agencies. Randle frequently conflicts with DI Finch over investigative strategies and resource allocation. His actions and decisions sometimes hinder rather than help the investigation, raising questions about his competence and motives.

Basic details:

• Name: David Randle
• Age: Late 40s to 50s (estimated)
• Place of Birth: Not specified, likely Birmingham area
• Current Residence: Birmingham, UK
• Nationality: British
• Education Level: Police training, likely university education
• Occupation: Detective Superintendent, West Midlands Police
• Income Level: Upper middle-class
• Relationship Status: Not specified
• Car: Audi

Physical Attributes:

• Height: Not specified
• Weight: Not specified
• Build: Not specified
• Skin colour: Not specified
• Eye colour: Blue-grey
• Hair colour: Not specified
• Face shape: Not specified
• Distinguishing marks: None mentioned
• Physical ailments or injuries: None mentioned

Sofia Pichler:

Introduction:
Sofia Pichler is a fictional character in the DI Zoe Finch series of crime novels. She is a Romanian immigrant who becomes entangled in an organized crime operation in Birmingham, UK in Deadly Desires.

Overview:
Sofia is a naive and trusting young woman who falls victim to a human trafficking scheme. She initially believes she has found a better life in England but gradually realizes the true nature of her situation.

Background:
Sofia grew up in rural Romania with her sister Andreea and their parents. She worked as a barista in a coffee shop in Bucharest before meeting Trevor Hamm, who lured her to England with promises of a luxurious lifestyle.

Role in this Story:
In this novel, Sofia unwittingly assists in the trafficking of children from a plane at Birmingham Airport. She becomes increasingly suspicious of Trevor Hamm's activities and attempts to find and rescue her sister Andreea. Sofia eventually cooperates with the police investigation, providing crucial information about Hamm's operation.

Basic details:

• Name: Sofia Pichler
• Age: Mid to late 20s
• Place of Birth: Rural Romania
• Current Residence: Countryside near Birmingham, UK (until end of novel)
• Nationality: Romanian
• Education Level: Not specified, likely high school
• Occupation: Former barista, currently unemployed
• Income Level: Low, dependent on Trevor Hamm
• Relationship Status: In a relationship with Trevor Hamm (until end of novel)
• Car: Does not drive

Physical Attributes:

• Height: Not specified
• Weight: Described as thin
• Build: Slim
• Skin colour: Not specified
• Eye colour: Dark brown
• Hair colour: Dark, almost black
• Face shape: Not specified
• Distinguishing marks: None mentioned
• Physical ailments or injuries: None mentioned

Trevor Hamm:

Introduction:
Trevor Hamm is a fictional character in the DI Zoe Finch series of crime novels. He operates as a prominent organized crime boss in Birmingham, UK in Deadly Desires.

Overview:
Trevor Hamm is a cunning and ruthless criminal who runs a sophisticated human trafficking operation. He maintains a facade of legitimacy while orchestrating various illegal activities.

Background:
Hamm has a history of criminal activity in Birmingham. He previously avoided prosecution for his involvement in child exploitation during the "Canary" investigation. Hamm's former girlfriend or wife, Irina, died under suspicious circumstances.

Role in this Story:
In this novel, Hamm exploits the chaos caused by terror attacks to expand his human trafficking operation. He lures women from Romania with false promises and traffics children from a diverted flight. Hamm manipulates Sofia Pichler and coordinates with other criminals like Kyle Gatiss and Adam Fulmer. He successfully evades capture throughout the investigation.

Basic details:

• Name: Trevor Hamm (also called "Titi" by Sofia)
• Age: Likely 40s or 50s
• Place of Birth: Not specified, likely Birmingham area
• Current Residence: Countryside near Birmingham, UK
• Nationality: British
• Education Level: Not specified
• Occupation: Organized crime boss, claims to run an importing business
• Income Level: High
• Relationship Status: In a relationship with Sofia Pichler

Car: BMW

Physical Attributes:

• Height: Taller than Sofia
• Weight: Not specified
• Build: Broader than Sofia
• Skin colour: Not specified
• Eye colour: Not specified
• Hair colour: Not specified
• Face shape: Not specified
• Distinguishing marks: None mentioned
• Physical ailments or injuries: None mentioned

Kyle Gatiss:

Introduction:
Kyle Gatiss is a fictional character in the DI Zoe Finch series of crime novels. He works as an enforcer and driver for organized crime boss Trevor Hamm in Birmingham, UK in Deadly Desires.

Overview:
Kyle Gatiss is a ruthless and violent criminal who carries out various tasks for Trevor Hamm's organization. He demonstrates a callous attitude towards the victims of their crimes and shows little remorse for his actions.

Background:
Gatiss has a history of involvement in organized crime. He previously appeared as a person of interest in the "Canary" investigation into child exploitation, though police did not find grounds to prosecute him at that time.

Role in this Story:
In this novel, Gatiss plays a crucial role in Hamm's human trafficking operation. He drives Sofia Pichler to various locations and helps coordinate the movement of trafficked women and children. Gatiss appears at New Street Station during the bombing, where he pushes the suicide bomber off an escalator. Police eventually arrest him, charging him for his involvement in the trafficking operation and potentially the terror attacks.

Basic details:
• Name: Kyle Gatiss

• Age: 28
• Place of Birth: Not specified, likely Birmingham area
• Current Residence: No permanent residence
• Nationality: British
• Education Level: Not specified
• Occupation: Criminal enforcer and driver
• Income Level: Unknown, likely varies
• Relationship Status: Not specified
• Car: Drives a Mercedes for work

Physical Attributes:

• Height: Not specified
• Weight: Not specified
• Build: Heavily-built
• Skin colour: Not specified
• Eye colour: Not specified
• Hair colour: Not specified
• Face shape: Not specified
• Distinguishing marks: Scarred cheeks, nose appears to have been broken multiple times
• Physical ailments or injuries: None mentioned