NK Chats To… Thomas Roehlk

Hello Thomas. Thank you so much for joining me today. What sets your book, Fire Feud, apart from others in your genre?

I consider my genre as thriller, with the sub-genre of legal thriller. I have much respect for women in the corporate law world, and I believe my work shines a light on this type of character in the crowded world of thrillers.

What’s your favorite compliment you’ve received as a writer?

My favorite was from a review I received on my first book, Red Deuce. It was “Red Deuce shows the author’s behind-the-scenes understanding of how corporations work, making it seem all too credible. The plot keeps you guessing until the very end. Just when you think you’ve figured it all out, he throws another curveball that leaves you eagerly flipping pages to uncover the truth.”

Why did you choose this setting/topic?

Choosing Chicago as a setting provides an amazing city with amazing history, and therefore amazing opportunities to build stories. My protagonist is a study in contrasts. She finds herself unable to poke the beast until it reveals its web of intrigue and illegality, and the story of intermingled crime and espionage allows the protagonist to push herself into solving the mystery.

Which author(s) most inspired you?

Michael Connelley, John Sandford and Steig Larsson.

Which three books would you bring to a desert island?

Caleb Carr’s The Alienist, Steig Larsson’s Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, and Erik Larson’s Devil In The White City.

About Fire Feud – 

The personal and professional stakes rise quickly in Fire Feud by Thomas Roehlk, as a seemingly contained legal matter begins to threaten lives, reputations, and long-protected power structures.

When skeletal remains are discovered at a construction site, attorney Mandy Doucette is assigned to manage the fallout. DNA analysis reveals a connection to her own company and to the family of her boyfriend, pulling Mandy into the center of the investigation.

Her twin sister Reggie, an FBI forensic pathologist, uncovers links between the remains and a crime dating back to the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The evidence reveals a feud between two influential families that has endured for more than a century. As Mandy and Reggie pursue the truth, they uncover fraud, betrayal, and escalating violence. Powerful men, determined to protect their legacies, are willing to kill to keep the past buried.

Fire Feud is a Red Deuce novel and was released in 2025. Click to buy on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Waterstones. 

About Thomas Roehlk – 

Thomas M. Roehlk is a retired corporate attorney from St. Charles, Illinois, whose career spans major international corporations in the defense sector, consumer products, transportation equipment, and financial services.

He spent more than 20 years serving as general counsel and chief compliance officer for a public company, bringing deep real-world legal and corporate insight to his fiction. A graduate of the University of Wisconsin and John Marshall Law School, Roehlk also holds a Master in Management degree from Northwestern University.

A devoted endurance athlete, he has completed more than 100 marathons and ultramarathons worldwide, as well as ten Ironman triathlons. After 46 years in the Chicago metropolitan area, he and his wife now split their time between Florida and New York.

Visit Thomas at his website. You can also connect with him on Goodreads. 

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.