Blog Tour: Killer Friends by Chris Karlsen #interview #suspense #historical #fiction #giveaway #rabtbooktours @RABTBookTours

Bloodstone Series #4

Historical Suspense

Date Published: 11-10-2025

Publisher: Books to Go Now

Henrietta Newell stormed into the detective bureau. She claimed her adult son was missing and feared for his safety. The detectives attempted to reassure her that the absence of a bachelor in his thirties, in a city like London, wasn’t extraordinary. Despite their efforts, she insisted an investigation be conducted, reminding them of her political connections.

Detective Rudyard Bloodstone and his partner were told to look into the matter. Their investigation reveals evidence of suspicious and unusual activity but no clues regarding the man’s disappearance. The few leads they develop take them from the world of wealthy families and into the secret society of sexual peculiarities.

The detectives discover the victim didn’t simply disappear. He was murdered. They have the evidence except for one problem, they’re missing is the victim’s body.

Interview

Is There a Message in Your Novel That You Want Readers to Grasp?

I never intend to write a message story. My aim is always just to entertain. What I do try to do is give my villains different motivations for killing. I never use the same reason twice. I want to mix the characters and their motives up.

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

My books are set in Victorian London in the late 1800’s. The detectives of the time didn’t have the advantage of blood labs, DNA testing or even fingerprint matching. The challenge in each book is finding and presenting evidence and clues suited to the time and place.

How many books have you written and which is your favorite?

I’ve written fourteen. I’m working on book 15 now. It Is a real Sophie’s Choice to pick a favorite as each holds a special place in my heart. Heroes Live Forever was my first book and that will always hold a special sentimental spot for me. Silk is where I first introduce Detective Rudyard Bloodstone, the hero of my Bloodstone series. I loved creating him as I feel a shared experience with him in a detective-to-detective sort of way. In many ways we speak the same language, his words are actions are in step with what mine would be in his place.

If You had the chance to cast your main character from Hollywood today, who would you pick and why?

I would cast Mark Rowley who played Finan, Uhtred’s best friend, and warrior buddy in The Last Kingdom series. He is fierce when he needs to be, courageous, and speaks his mind even if offering unpopular advice. He also has a keen sense of humor.

When did you begin writing?

I started over twenty years ago. I wrote for several years before getting published. If I had an idea for a story, I put it on paper.

How long did it take to complete your first book?

It took several years. Once I decided to write the story I’d been wanting to write, I knew I needed to learn the craft. So, I began the book but at the same time went to conferences and workshops, coming home and applying what I learned to my work in progress. I think it took me about three years to finally finish it.

Did you have an author who inspired you to become a writer?

I love Bernard Cornwell, Rudyard Kipling, and Julie Anne-Long. Cornwell writes the best historical stories. I think Kipling is brilliant at getting a reader to share the very soul of his characters (Kipling is who I name my detective Rudyard Bloodstone after). Julie Anne Long I admire for her wonderful love scenes. I have a devil of a time writing them and she just pulls it off so well.

What is your favorite part of the writing process?

When I write a scene that brings out a lot of emotion in me. Despite me knowing how the scene will end, there are those that still make me cry and/or laugh.

Describe your latest book in 4 words.

Friendship, betrayal, danger, and loss.

Can you share a little bit about your current work or what is in the future for your writing?

My latest book, Killer Friends, is loosely based on a murder case a homicide detective friend investigated. An influential man has disappeared and his family fear he’s been the victim of foul play. At the insistence of the man’s family, Detective Bloodstone and his partner are assigned the look into the case. They have no leads, no evidence, and no suspects.

I am currently working on book five in the Bloodstone series. This work in progress will include a female private detective who once worked with the Pinkerton Agency.

About the Author

I was born and raised in Chicago. My father was a history professor and my mother was, and is, a voracious reader. I grew up with a love of history and books.

My parents also love traveling, a passion they passed onto me. I wanted to see the places I read about, see the land and monuments from the time periods that fascinated me. I’ve had the good fortune to travel extensively throughout Europe, the Near East, and North Africa.

I am a retired police detective. I spent twenty-five years in law enforcement with two different agencies. My desire to write came in my early teens. After I retired, I decided to pursue that dream.

I’m currently working on the Bloodstone Series, which is historical suspense stories set in Victorian London. I’ve also written two World War 2 romances: The Ack Ack Girl and Moonlight Serenade.

My past series include my historical/time travel romance series is called, Knights in Time. My romantic thriller series is Dangerous Waters.

Each series has a different setting and some cross time periods, which I find fun to write.

I currently live in the Pacific Northwest with my husband and three wild and crazy rescue dogs.

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