The Recurring Cast
Character · Tom Thorne · 19 books

Tom Thorne

Tom Thorne is a north London detective inspector, a country music fan and a Spurs supporter, who often breaks the rules and takes his cases personally.

Spoiler-free profile written for The Recurring Cast.

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Character facts

First appearance
Sleepyhead (2001)
Latest appearance
What the Night Brings (2025)
Books
19 (19 as lead)
Series
Tom Thorne
Author
Mark Billingham
Circle
Tom Thorne

Where to meet Tom Thorne

Tom Thorne first appears in Sleepyhead (2001), as the lead, book 1 of the Tom Thorne series.

Buy Sleepyhead

Every book with Tom Thorne

In publication order, with the size of their role in each.

  1. 2001LSleepyheadlead · Tom ThorneBuy
  2. 2002LScaredy Catlead · Tom ThorneBuy
  3. 2003LLazyboneslead · Tom ThorneBuy
  4. 2004LThe Burning Girllead · Tom ThorneBuy
  5. 2005LLifelesslead · Tom ThorneGoes undercover among the homelessBuy
  6. 2006LBuriedlead · Tom ThorneBuy
  7. 2007LDeath Messagelead · Tom ThorneBuy
  8. 2009LBloodlinelead · Tom ThorneBuy
  9. 2010LFrom the Deadlead · Tom ThorneBuy
  10. 2011LGood as Deadlead · Tom ThorneBuy
  11. 2013LThe Dying Hourslead · Tom ThorneBack in uniform after a demotionBuy
  12. 2014LThe Bones Beneathlead · Tom ThorneBuy
  13. 2015LTime of Deathlead · Tom ThorneBuy
  14. 2017LLove Like Bloodlead · Tom ThorneBuy
  15. 2018LThe Killing Habitlead · Tom ThorneBuy
  16. 2019LTheir Little Secretlead · Tom ThorneBuy
  17. 2020LCry Babylead · Tom ThorneA younger Thorne in 1996Buy
  18. 2022LThe Murder Booklead · Tom ThorneBuy
  19. 2025LWhat the Night Bringslead · Tom ThorneBuy

Appears most often with

CharacterBooks together
Phil HendricksPathologist and Thorne’s best friend19
Russell BrigstockeDetective Chief Inspector, Thorne’s boss19
Yvonne KitsonDetective Inspector19
Dave HollandDetective Sergeant18
Helen WeeksPolice officer and Thorne’s partner9
Nicola TannerDetective Inspector5