Tom Becker - Children's Author

Since Tom Becker learned to hold a pen, he wanted to become a writer. In fact, when he was 5 years old, he wrote in a notebook that it was his dream was to be an author. Aged 25, Tom has realised that dream with publication of his first novel, Darkside in January 2007.

Tom's early enthusiasm for books and reading was encouraged by his parents who were voracious readers. Their family home was cluttered with bookcases and piles of novels. Tom spent most of his childhood curled up in an armchair reading fantasy novels by Brian Jacques, and later graduated to grown-up novels by David Eddings and Guy Gavriel Kay.

Tom studied History at Oxford University and was struck by the otherworld-ly atmosphere of this academic institution. He used to spend long days studying and reading in the University library and always felt intrigued by the atmosphere there - perhaps that is why a library is such an important setting in Darkside.

Tom started writing Darkside in 2005, it took him three months to complete and he is now working on more books in the series. He drew inspiration from film noirs such as The Asphalt Jungle and The Big Sleep (hence the glasshouse scene in Darkside), and comicbook writers such as Alan Moore.

Aside from reading, Tom's big love in life is music. He is still reeling from the break-up of his two favourite bands, Rocket From the Crypt and Sleater-Kinney. Tom's other passions include supporting Everton Football Club and consisting on a diet of fry-ups and fish fingers.

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Featured Books, with extracts by Tom Becker

Darkside: Nighttrap
Tom Becker
A new story in the thrilling Darkside series. When Mrs Elwood is kidnapped, Jonathan sets out on a dangerous mission to get her back. To retrieve the talisman he needs, he must work with a criminal circus troupe and defy...
Featured in: 11+ readers | 9+ readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 02/06/2008
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Darkside: Lifeblood
Tom Becker
We introduced you to Tom Becker earlier in the year with his superb debut – Darkside (winner of a major children’s book award) and we’re thrilled now to have just finished reading his second. Lifeblood is taut, gripping and...
Featured in: 9+ readers
Format: Paperback - Released: 01/10/2007
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Darkside
Tom Becker
A brilliant debut thriller that is full of supernatural tension, exhilaration and mystery that combines elements of Jack the Ripper’s Darkside, a place of evil in the heart of modern London. Winner of the Waterstones Children's Book Prize...
Featured in: 9+ readers | Debuts of the Month | eBooks
Format: Paperback - Released: 08/01/2007
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While the Others Sleep
Tom Becker
When Alfie Mandeville's insomnia threatens to embarrass his wealthy family he is sent to Scarbrook House, a sanatorium for wealthy children. Troubled by the eerie atmosphere and skittish patient, Alfie's condition gets worse, not better. He falls under the spell...
Featured in: 14+ readers | Books for Boys
Format: Paperback - Released: 04/03/2013
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