Detectives In The Dock: Meet Paul Gitsham's DCI Warren Jones

Today, The Crime Warp has the pleasure of grilling Paul Gitsham's DCI Warren Jones in the dock. Whilst just about to investigate his newest case, A Price to Pay, DCI Jones has taken the time out from his very busy schedule to clear up a few facts about him and to let us dig a little bit into his inner psyche. So, here we go, straight from the defendant's mouth ...

Tell us a little about the defendant DCI Warren Jones.

DCI Warren Jones was born and raised in Coventry, where he eventually joined the West Midlands Police. Having risen briskly through the ranks, we first meet him in The Last Straw, where he has just moved forces and been promoted to DCI, to head up the CID unit in Middlesbury, North Hertfordshire. The case is his first murder as Senior Investigating Officer.

At home, Warren has a loving wife, Susan, but he is an orphan. Over the course of the series, we will find out more about his tragic childhood.

Paul Gitsham 

The Fields of Wheat moment… What is the most rebellious thing Warren has ever done?

Warren does not like to be told to drop a case until he is satisfied that he has fully got to the bottom of things. Whether he has been ordered to go home, or specifically removed from a case, he will not give up.

Which 3 items would Warren bring to a desert island … and why?

Cheese: Warren believes its very existence is evidence that there is a loving god that wants us to be happy.

A fully-stocked Kindle (with solar charger, naturally): Warren is a keen reader of crime and thriller fiction, and has a degree in English, but he rarely gets a chance to read for pleasure. A desert island would be the perfect place to catch up.

Coffee: Despite the best attempts of some of his co-workers, Warren is essentially powered by caffeine (note: this is one of the few differences between the character and the author!)

The Nitty Gritty: The Big Reveal 

What or who does your character love most?

Warren is that rare breed – the happily married, fictional detective! Warren and Susan have their ups and downs, and experience challenges and heartbreak over the years. Nevertheless, she is his rock and his moral centre.

What traits does your character share with you?

Where to start … Aside from an upbringing in Coventry at roughly the same time (Warren is about three years older than me), Warren’s musical tastes were largely formed through 80s night at the Students’ Union. In addition to his love of cheese, Warren is also a fussy eater who loathes fish, and resents being forced to share kitchen cupboards with a barbarian that thinks Marmite Is an acceptable condiment in a civilised society.

'if your detective has recurrent nightmares, what are they about?

Warren’s father died when he was a teenager; Warren found the body. In later years, this dream becomes conflated with Warren’s own sense of mortality and the future.

In five words describe Warren

What his friends think of Warren - Embarrassingly lacking in musical taste

His most dreaded thought - He might leave Susan widowed

All of their favourite things …  

What is your characters favourite:                             

Holiday destination  Devon                                    

Drink/beverage Coffee

Author Lee Child

Song  Take on Me (A-Ha)             

Meal Potato waffle and cheese sandwich

Would Warren rather…? 

Eat pizza or curry -  Curry

Save a friend or kill their worst enemy - Save a Friend

Watch Star Trek or Star Wars - Star Trek

You can buy any of Paul Gitsham's books here