What do you think?
Rate this book
Anna Travis #8
Backlash
Backlash [Hardcover] La Plante, Lynda
484 pages, Hardcover
First published October 15, 2013
482 people are currently reading
1711 people want to read
About the author
Lynda La Plante
123 books1,825 followersLynda La Plante, CBE (born Lynda Titchmarsh) is a British author, screenwriter, and erstwhile actress (her performances in Rentaghost and other programmes were under her stage name of Lynda Marchal), best known for writing the Prime Suspect television crime series.
Her first TV series as a scriptwriter was the six part robbery series Widows, in 1983, in which the widows of four armed robbers carry out a heist planned by their deceased husbands.
In 1991 ITV released Prime Suspect which has now run to seven series and stars Helen Mirren as DCI Jane Tennison. (In the United States Prime Suspect airs on PBS as part of the anthology program Mystery!) In 1993 La Plante won an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for her work on the series. In 1992 she wrote at TV movie called Seekers, starring Brenda Fricker and Josette Simon, produced by Sarah Lawson.
She formed her own television production company, La Plante Productions, in 1994 and as La Plante Productions she wrote and produced the sequel to Widows, the equally gutsy She's Out (ITV, 1995). The name "La Plante" comes from her marriage to writer Richard La Plante, author of the book Mantis and Hog Fever. La Plante divorced Lynda in the early 1990s.
Her output continued with The Governor (ITV 1995-96), a series focusing on the female governor of a high security prison, and was followed by a string of ratings pulling miniseries: the psycho killer nightmare events of Trial & Retribution (ITV 1997-), the widows' revenge of the murders of their husbands & children Bella Mafia (1997) (starring Vanessa Redgrave), the undercover police unit operations of Supply and Demand (ITV 1998), videogame/internet murder mystery Killer Net (Channel 4 1998) and the female criminal profiler cases of Mind Games (ITV 2001).
Two additions to the Trial and Retribution miniseries were broadcast during 2006.
Her first TV series as a scriptwriter was the six part robbery series Widows, in 1983, in which the widows of four armed robbers carry out a heist planned by their deceased husbands.
In 1991 ITV released Prime Suspect which has now run to seven series and stars Helen Mirren as DCI Jane Tennison. (In the United States Prime Suspect airs on PBS as part of the anthology program Mystery!) In 1993 La Plante won an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for her work on the series. In 1992 she wrote at TV movie called Seekers, starring Brenda Fricker and Josette Simon, produced by Sarah Lawson.
She formed her own television production company, La Plante Productions, in 1994 and as La Plante Productions she wrote and produced the sequel to Widows, the equally gutsy She's Out (ITV, 1995). The name "La Plante" comes from her marriage to writer Richard La Plante, author of the book Mantis and Hog Fever. La Plante divorced Lynda in the early 1990s.
Her output continued with The Governor (ITV 1995-96), a series focusing on the female governor of a high security prison, and was followed by a string of ratings pulling miniseries: the psycho killer nightmare events of Trial & Retribution (ITV 1997-), the widows' revenge of the murders of their husbands & children Bella Mafia (1997) (starring Vanessa Redgrave), the undercover police unit operations of Supply and Demand (ITV 1998), videogame/internet murder mystery Killer Net (Channel 4 1998) and the female criminal profiler cases of Mind Games (ITV 2001).
Two additions to the Trial and Retribution miniseries were broadcast during 2006.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 244 reviews
November 14, 2021
In this 8th book in the 'Anna Travis' series, the DCI investigates murders perpetrated by a serial killer. The book, essentially a police procedural, can be read as a standalone.
*****
A routine traffic stop of a party supplies truck in London leads to the discovery of a woman's body in the back and the arrest of the truck's driver, skeezy Henry Oates.
Upon interrogation at the police station Oates admits to killing the woman and talks abouts having killed a couple of other people in the past. One of Oate's supposed victims is a young girl of 13 who disappeared five years before, a cold case that was never resolved.
Detective Chief Inspector Anna Travis is on the team tasked with looking into Oates's claims.
The case takes on a very high profile because Anna's former boss/mentor - Detective Chief Superintendent James Langton - was in charge of the unsolved missing girl case and can't get it out of his mind. Though Langton is currently at home recuperating from an injury he insists on keeping up with the Oates investigation and - during a critical police action - shows up and starts giving orders. This has unfortunate consequences.
Anna and the rest of the team unearth a lot of informaton about Henry Oates, who may well have killed even more women than he's admitted to. Oates, with his smashed nose, dirty clothing, and appalling hygiene, seems stupid (and perhaps insane) at first. However, he turns out to be a very clever criminal who enjoys playing mind games with the police.
In essence the story is a very long police procedural. As the story proceeds the cops discover and follow various clues in an attempt to locate the bodies of Oates's victims and to find the evidence that will convict him. Some of this is too drawn out. For instance, a scene where the police search a quarry is excessively detailed and seems to go on forever. Also, the story has a large number of characters, some of whom tend to blend together.
All in all, an okay book that many suspense fans will probably enjoy.
You can follow my reviews at http://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com/
June 26, 2012
I guess the title explains what the publishers expect fans will do once they finish the book, that is, throw it through the plate-glass window of the bookstore they were mugged sorry purchased it from. In the novel's acknowledgement, La Plante thanks "all my team at La Plante Productions". I have 2 things to say about this, firstly, why does a novelist have a production team??? And after reading this book I know the answer, each member of "La Plante Production" wrote a different chapter of this novel and finally someone else threw them in the air and hence arranged the book. Secondly, with the current economic downturn, is this production team the BEST the industry has to offer??? Really......REALLY!!! Word of advice Lynda, sack those bums and go back to "producing a novel the old fashion way.....like write it yourself.....I mean it worked back in the old days for The Governor, The Widows, Prime Suspect.
What made this book so bad? It was like a summary of a plot "Harry was caught with a body. He was taken to the station and interviewed. The forensic team considered the evidence. They called Anna with the result. Layton was a pig to Anna...." and so it went on. [PS. Lynda if you are reading this review, please consider this as my application to join your "Production Team"]. The first piece of dialogue didn't occur until page 250. Also, just when you think the novel is over you realise you still have 100 pages left and then its like they ran with chapters that the intern wrote and the editor was like "well he worked so hard on them, plus he's my wife's nephew, so like you know they are staying in".
Also, my final grip is that with each novel, the main characters of Anna, Layton and co seem to gain endless promotions with title that I don't think even exist in reality, its just a mix of the words "senior" "detective" "constable" "inspector" "deputy".....I mean if they really are getting promoted then how come they still all working together doing exactly the same roles!!!!
Do yourself a favour and by-pass this book.
What made this book so bad? It was like a summary of a plot "Harry was caught with a body. He was taken to the station and interviewed. The forensic team considered the evidence. They called Anna with the result. Layton was a pig to Anna...." and so it went on. [PS. Lynda if you are reading this review, please consider this as my application to join your "Production Team"]. The first piece of dialogue didn't occur until page 250. Also, just when you think the novel is over you realise you still have 100 pages left and then its like they ran with chapters that the intern wrote and the editor was like "well he worked so hard on them, plus he's my wife's nephew, so like you know they are staying in".
Also, my final grip is that with each novel, the main characters of Anna, Layton and co seem to gain endless promotions with title that I don't think even exist in reality, its just a mix of the words "senior" "detective" "constable" "inspector" "deputy".....I mean if they really are getting promoted then how come they still all working together doing exactly the same roles!!!!
Do yourself a favour and by-pass this book.
October 1, 2017
This is the 8th book in the Anna Travis series by author Lynda La Plante.
After a slightly disappointing book 7 it was good to get back into the very consistent groove made by this author. This novel picks up the high standards again and moves the series forward with not just a very good plot but also updates all the little sub plots that make this series so enjoyable.
In this novel the chance arrest of an erratic driver leads to the discovery of a dead body and a potential lead to a cold case that has haunted DCI James Langton for five years. While Langton is recovering from an operation, Anna Travis leads his case with a race against time to prove the link.
This is another very good novel that is a cut above others mostly due to the high standard of inter-action between the main characters. The characters in this series are so well written and I can't wait for the next instalment.
After a slightly disappointing book 7 it was good to get back into the very consistent groove made by this author. This novel picks up the high standards again and moves the series forward with not just a very good plot but also updates all the little sub plots that make this series so enjoyable.
In this novel the chance arrest of an erratic driver leads to the discovery of a dead body and a potential lead to a cold case that has haunted DCI James Langton for five years. While Langton is recovering from an operation, Anna Travis leads his case with a race against time to prove the link.
This is another very good novel that is a cut above others mostly due to the high standard of inter-action between the main characters. The characters in this series are so well written and I can't wait for the next instalment.
May 28, 2013
I rarely rate books 1 star as I try to only read books I'm interested in or know I will like but I was loaned this book by a friend so gave it a try. I'm not a writer so I hardly feel qualified to judge a professional writer on their writing skills but I have to wonder how this author has apparently won a number of awards. I found her writing to be wooden and lifeless and amateurish to the extreme. The characters (and this book is apparently part of a series) were flat and uninteresting. There was simply no life or excitement to the tale. It was as if I were reading the police report of the case. I won't be checking out any of her other books.
September 18, 2013
Not the sort of book I would typically pick up and read, but my better half and me have a habbit of swapping books on holiday and talking about them.
These kinds of books (for me at least) are defined by the originality of the plot and how this unfolds as you read the book, and whether I can guess what happens and who the culprits are. I care very little about the actual characters themselves, or rather, I care only what they bring to the story and plot.
The book itself is technically very well written, and it very easy to read. My problem with this book however comes from many perspectives.
1. The plot is dull - maybe perhaps we all expect twists and turns, but the story was predictable, boring and by half way through, guessed pretty accurately what was going to happen.
2. The characters whilst described in rich detail, are flat and unbelievable - they say the right things, but they come across as clichéd and hammy.
3. Sometimes the author just goes into the minutiae of detail around process and procedure - hardly makes for good reading.
4. Ending was awful and I felt let down and disappointed.
So I would not recommend this book unless you were a hardened LaPlante fan.
These kinds of books (for me at least) are defined by the originality of the plot and how this unfolds as you read the book, and whether I can guess what happens and who the culprits are. I care very little about the actual characters themselves, or rather, I care only what they bring to the story and plot.
The book itself is technically very well written, and it very easy to read. My problem with this book however comes from many perspectives.
1. The plot is dull - maybe perhaps we all expect twists and turns, but the story was predictable, boring and by half way through, guessed pretty accurately what was going to happen.
2. The characters whilst described in rich detail, are flat and unbelievable - they say the right things, but they come across as clichéd and hammy.
3. Sometimes the author just goes into the minutiae of detail around process and procedure - hardly makes for good reading.
4. Ending was awful and I felt let down and disappointed.
So I would not recommend this book unless you were a hardened LaPlante fan.
October 24, 2012
I heard Ms La Plante talk at the Melbourne writer’s festival last year and was impressed. She is a wonderful speaker, perhaps courtesy of her actress background. She’s had a colourful life and her early experiences in acting has enabled her to grasp personality from her research and transfer it to the screen – and to her books. I have read most if not all and found them enjoyable, as well as gritty, with tight plots and excellent characters. Think Helen Mirren in Prime Suspect.
As writers get older and start churning out serials there is a tendency to rely on their established characters (not such a bad thing) and stick to formulas. The latter is less of a success and the former variable depending on how well they were set up in the first place. I’ve stopped buying James Patterson, stopped buying Ludlum’s before he died and got franchised for these problems as well as them perhaps being a bit lazy. Or burnt out. It must be hard to keep feeling inspired and come up with fresh or new ideas. Also I wonder if when you become famous and guaranteed of sales you either ignore editors or they get lazy. I haven’t read JKRowlings latest but just from weight I wonder about this!
So to Lynda La Plante’s. Mmm. Some if not all of the above problems. There are two good characters well developed in previous books- Anna Travis and James Langton. Trouble is, apart from the latter being grumpy and in pain as usual (okay a knee op but just more of the same), and Anna grieving over her murdered fiancée, there is no further development in their lives or relationship. Then there’s the plot. It reads like following a police operation. A high level case maybe but otherwise business as usual. No real twists (you can barely say the end is even a surprise). Writing is competent but from someone this successful I expect more.
As writers get older and start churning out serials there is a tendency to rely on their established characters (not such a bad thing) and stick to formulas. The latter is less of a success and the former variable depending on how well they were set up in the first place. I’ve stopped buying James Patterson, stopped buying Ludlum’s before he died and got franchised for these problems as well as them perhaps being a bit lazy. Or burnt out. It must be hard to keep feeling inspired and come up with fresh or new ideas. Also I wonder if when you become famous and guaranteed of sales you either ignore editors or they get lazy. I haven’t read JKRowlings latest but just from weight I wonder about this!
So to Lynda La Plante’s. Mmm. Some if not all of the above problems. There are two good characters well developed in previous books- Anna Travis and James Langton. Trouble is, apart from the latter being grumpy and in pain as usual (okay a knee op but just more of the same), and Anna grieving over her murdered fiancée, there is no further development in their lives or relationship. Then there’s the plot. It reads like following a police operation. A high level case maybe but otherwise business as usual. No real twists (you can barely say the end is even a surprise). Writing is competent but from someone this successful I expect more.
July 12, 2013
The writing was so below par that I couldn't be bothered to read beyond page 25 or so to find out whether the plot was any good. Almost as bad as Dan Brown!
August 11, 2020
In lockdown, this book was given to me and I only realised once I'd started it that Travis is the one I hated on sight when ITV serialised Above Suspicion. A rookie, she has connections in the form of Langton.... many years her senior, who can pave her way to promotion. A good detective, yes, but, for me, Jane Tennison she ain't. Langton was played like a lecherous creep and Travis was happy to indulge him. It made me sick.
Catching up with them both and learning they'd gone on to have an affair made me sicker still. Turning pages and reading more of Langton's bullying and unreasonable demands on the police team led by Mike and Anna's failure to stand up to him just infuriated me. There really is something very seedy about Travis and Langton. But for Travis, it's all about another promotion and she'll walk over anyone to get it.
I made it to the end.... the very long drawn out end. The screw ups caused by Langton were shocking and we never got to see who took the fall for him. What's certain is, it wouldn't be Anna!
A word to La Plante. If you're going to quote Glaswegian dialogue in a book, for goodness sake get a Glaswegian to help. The sorry offerings here were, frankly, lamentable and embarrassing.
Catching up with them both and learning they'd gone on to have an affair made me sicker still. Turning pages and reading more of Langton's bullying and unreasonable demands on the police team led by Mike and Anna's failure to stand up to him just infuriated me. There really is something very seedy about Travis and Langton. But for Travis, it's all about another promotion and she'll walk over anyone to get it.
I made it to the end.... the very long drawn out end. The screw ups caused by Langton were shocking and we never got to see who took the fall for him. What's certain is, it wouldn't be Anna!
A word to La Plante. If you're going to quote Glaswegian dialogue in a book, for goodness sake get a Glaswegian to help. The sorry offerings here were, frankly, lamentable and embarrassing.
May 15, 2020
This book is a murder mystery full of suspense, very gripping. Reading it is like watching a murder mystery on television so full of action and clever writing. DCI Anna Travis is a police officer working with older experienced policemen and young policemen finding their way, with a murder case which develops into 3 cases. Once I started reading it was hard to put it down.
August 2, 2015
This was my first Lynda La Plante book. There was a lot to like in this book. So it was mostly 3 stars, but there were some 2 star spots as well. I have another one of her books in my possession. I'll read it eventually.
I liked a couple of different things in this book. The story was in constant motion. There were always clues being revealed without wild speculation and the characters were moving forward. I also appreciated some of the twists and turns. This all kept it from being boring.
My dislikes aren't anything major. Just a bunch of little things, some a little more irritating than others. There was obvious backstory I wasn't privy to, so some of the characters weren't quite understood. I wish more info was given about them. I appreciated that the antagonist was despicable enough, but I also felt I wanted more info about him.
Lastly, I did the audio and I didn't care much for the way the reader did male voices. It was hard to keep track of who was talking.
I liked a couple of different things in this book. The story was in constant motion. There were always clues being revealed without wild speculation and the characters were moving forward. I also appreciated some of the twists and turns. This all kept it from being boring.
My dislikes aren't anything major. Just a bunch of little things, some a little more irritating than others. There was obvious backstory I wasn't privy to, so some of the characters weren't quite understood. I wish more info was given about them. I appreciated that the antagonist was despicable enough, but I also felt I wanted more info about him.
Lastly, I did the audio and I didn't care much for the way the reader did male voices. It was hard to keep track of who was talking.
September 21, 2014
Here's why I think I can't get into la Plante's novels. So far, the ones I've read, she tells you who the killer is somewhere around the second chapter. Like the good raised on agatha Christie reader that I am, I am constantly waiting for the shocker, the surprise or the fact that the "killer" is a red herring. It never happens. Instead, the book is dedicated to how the killer is caught, trapped, etc and that's not very interesting to me. I also don't think the characters are very well developed and I find myself confusing them. I'm not sure how she is labeled as a "thriller" writer as this book did not thrill me but made me yawn instead. 2.5 stars
May 6, 2018
Anna Travis is involved in another murder, which at least in this case isn't a mystery. Caught red handed with the body of a woman in the back of a stolen truck, the culprit is swiftly taken for questioning. Feeling like a bit of a brag, he lets out that a number of unsolved murders were also to his name, including a high profile case of a young girl going missing years ago. Langton couldn't solve it and Travis realises he's been haunted by it ever since.
The symbiotic relationship between Langton and Travis continues, and we see Langton in a more demure state than previously exhibited these novels. Less cantankerous due to his situation, Travis has the upper hand and is strong in her retorts!
Still very much a procedural based novel, Backlash was far more interesting than some of the previous La Plante books that came before it.
The symbiotic relationship between Langton and Travis continues, and we see Langton in a more demure state than previously exhibited these novels. Less cantankerous due to his situation, Travis has the upper hand and is strong in her retorts!
Still very much a procedural based novel, Backlash was far more interesting than some of the previous La Plante books that came before it.
November 4, 2022
I had never heard of Lynda La Plante and after reading this novel I have no idea why not as she is clearly a talented author.
The story takes a different route to usual murder stories; instead of working out who did it, we know who the killer is from the start, it's a question of whether he killed others and finding the evidence to work it out.
La Plante follows a logical and interesting route through the hard work of the police dept seeking evidence and the writing flows very nicely. There is an interesting twist at the end which I didn't see coming and I didn't want to put it down for the last 50 or so pages.
The grammar and spelling is very high standard as well.
I'm not giving it a 5 rating because the book didn't have me on the edge of my seat, but I am certainly of the opinion that La Plante is a competent writer and I would certainly read all her novels if this one is anything to go by.
Highly recommended!
The story takes a different route to usual murder stories; instead of working out who did it, we know who the killer is from the start, it's a question of whether he killed others and finding the evidence to work it out.
La Plante follows a logical and interesting route through the hard work of the police dept seeking evidence and the writing flows very nicely. There is an interesting twist at the end which I didn't see coming and I didn't want to put it down for the last 50 or so pages.
The grammar and spelling is very high standard as well.
I'm not giving it a 5 rating because the book didn't have me on the edge of my seat, but I am certainly of the opinion that La Plante is a competent writer and I would certainly read all her novels if this one is anything to go by.
Highly recommended!
November 10, 2021
This is a good story, too drawn out in parts but kept my interest. I don’t understand why Lynda La Plante writes so many truly awful characters who are supposed to be the good guys.
This is the 8th book in the Anna Travis series, but the first I’ve read. The character of Anna is OK, but she is bullied and verbally abused by her superior officer and she barely defends herself. I won’t read anymore of this series.
This is the 8th book in the Anna Travis series, but the first I’ve read. The character of Anna is OK, but she is bullied and verbally abused by her superior officer and she barely defends herself. I won’t read anymore of this series.
April 11, 2022
Another good one. A solid police procedural more concentrating on the unearthing of evidence to convict or force a confession from the killer rather than a whodunit as we know who from the first chapter.
I think she is writing with the assumption that the reader has read the previous seven books (which I have) but it you hadn't most of the supporting characters would seem thin as there are a lot of them.
I think she is writing with the assumption that the reader has read the previous seven books (which I have) but it you hadn't most of the supporting characters would seem thin as there are a lot of them.
September 3, 2019
I really thought this book would be cheesy, but at least gripping. However, it was not even that. There was so much time spent on the minutia of boring, administrative police work that I’m fairly confident the author got paid by the word. I thought this would be like reading an episode of SVU and I was sorely disappointed.
August 31, 2017
Way too many characters too soon (15 in first 7 pages). Good story, interesting detil and flow. A bit jump-around as with many detective stories, but a very disappointing ending which shifts the entire focus of the book.
Read
March 16, 2021Not bad at all
Not her greatest either. I have so much respect for this stellar author but this felt really formulaic and started out like a court transcript. My advice is try one of her others first because this is not a good example of her fantastic writing abilities.
Not her greatest either. I have so much respect for this stellar author but this felt really formulaic and started out like a court transcript. My advice is try one of her others first because this is not a good example of her fantastic writing abilities.
March 27, 2022
I didnt care for the story line very confusing did not care for the characters couldn't wait till I finished the book.
August 16, 2022
*4.4
This was a page-turner, couldn’t put it down. It kept me coming back for more.
This was a page-turner, couldn’t put it down. It kept me coming back for more.
September 16, 2012
I couldn't understand why Anna Travis seemed to be so "paper thin" in Bloodline. It was as if her character was on autopilot and she was merely going with the flow for the sake of it. Once you've made your way through Backlash though, you'll see the method to La Plante's madness ... and this book is good, by the way. Almost as good as her Lorraine Page series (which I've always considered to be better than her Anna Travis ones).
Langton's at home recovering from a knee op, while a murderer is caught red-handed trying to get rid of his body. Turns out this man - Henry Oates - is a serial killer. He's a nut case and the reader is almost lead to believe that the murder is solved and all wrapped up before a quarter of the book has been read ... that's when La Plante takes her reader like a donkey, carrot in hand and draws you through the pages. Suddenly a whole reem of cold cases have to be opened up again, one of them a case that Langton had feverishly investigated five years before. Anna is called in to help out with this one, while the rest of the team investigates another. They soon have to unearth seven bodies (!) and Barroli is almost fatally wounded. Oates is the one who takes the show for a while and since he's got a huge ego that the police officers have to pander to, things are touch and go. Needless to say the tension in the office builds and Anna is no longer a character without face or feelings. She actively investigates, interviews and also gets described (for a change). La Plante sometimes forgets that not all her readers have been following these characters from the beginning and often neglects to describe what they look like or any of their mannerisms. That's also why I feel that this book is better than Bloodline. What I also really enjoyed was the fact that Langton eventually gets actively involved and has a moment with Anna right at the end that allows the reader to appreciate him as a person too.
I enjoyed the book from the start and would recommend it to anyone interested in crime thrillers.
Langton's at home recovering from a knee op, while a murderer is caught red-handed trying to get rid of his body. Turns out this man - Henry Oates - is a serial killer. He's a nut case and the reader is almost lead to believe that the murder is solved and all wrapped up before a quarter of the book has been read ... that's when La Plante takes her reader like a donkey, carrot in hand and draws you through the pages. Suddenly a whole reem of cold cases have to be opened up again, one of them a case that Langton had feverishly investigated five years before. Anna is called in to help out with this one, while the rest of the team investigates another. They soon have to unearth seven bodies (!) and Barroli is almost fatally wounded. Oates is the one who takes the show for a while and since he's got a huge ego that the police officers have to pander to, things are touch and go. Needless to say the tension in the office builds and Anna is no longer a character without face or feelings. She actively investigates, interviews and also gets described (for a change). La Plante sometimes forgets that not all her readers have been following these characters from the beginning and often neglects to describe what they look like or any of their mannerisms. That's also why I feel that this book is better than Bloodline. What I also really enjoyed was the fact that Langton eventually gets actively involved and has a moment with Anna right at the end that allows the reader to appreciate him as a person too.
I enjoyed the book from the start and would recommend it to anyone interested in crime thrillers.
June 2, 2014
In the 8th entry of the series featuring London’s DCI Anna Travis, the discovery of a young woman’s body in the back of a van opens up the possibility of finally getting a lead on a cold case that had been handled by her good friend and former mentor and lover, DCS James Langton, five years ago, when a 13-year-old girl, Rebekka Jordan, disappeared. The man the police arrested, when first questioned, confessed to the murder, as well as two others, including Jordan and a girl he refers to only as “Julia,” an exchange student from Dublin. On Langton’s recommendation, Travis has been heading up the Specialist Casework Investigations unit, but he now asks her to take up the investigation of the case that has haunted him for years, which she does. The author makes Langton’s obsession with the Jordan case, and the lingering grief of her parents, palpable.
Soon after making his confession, however, the suspect retracts it, saying only that he “had made it all up for a laugh,” that “he read about the Jordan girl’s disappearance and he simply made up the name Julia.” But when a missing person report from 18 months ago is uncovered on a 21-year-old girl resembling the man’s description of “Julia,” which happened to be the girl’s middle name, they become determined to investigate further. That investigation leads them to suspect that there may have been even more murders of which the man was guilty.
Langton and Travis are both slowly recovering from trauma, he a physical one that has put him on sick leave with a severe knee injury, she from the murder of her fiancé. The case becomes more complex as the investigation proceeds. I found the pace slow and at times plodding, much as I imagine real police work might be. That pace, and the tension, amp up considerably as the book nears its conclusion. I had been a great fan of the author’s “Prime Suspect” books, the basis for the wonderful TV series, but have to admit that I was somewhat disappointed in the present novel.
Soon after making his confession, however, the suspect retracts it, saying only that he “had made it all up for a laugh,” that “he read about the Jordan girl’s disappearance and he simply made up the name Julia.” But when a missing person report from 18 months ago is uncovered on a 21-year-old girl resembling the man’s description of “Julia,” which happened to be the girl’s middle name, they become determined to investigate further. That investigation leads them to suspect that there may have been even more murders of which the man was guilty.
Langton and Travis are both slowly recovering from trauma, he a physical one that has put him on sick leave with a severe knee injury, she from the murder of her fiancé. The case becomes more complex as the investigation proceeds. I found the pace slow and at times plodding, much as I imagine real police work might be. That pace, and the tension, amp up considerably as the book nears its conclusion. I had been a great fan of the author’s “Prime Suspect” books, the basis for the wonderful TV series, but have to admit that I was somewhat disappointed in the present novel.
August 16, 2014
I'm getting a wee bit tired of reading e-books with sloppy editing. This is another and not the first in this series I've happened across which I've marked it down for. I don't expect it in paid-for books as it is, let alone by a best-selling author. It's time way more respect was given to those of us no longer reading the printed word.
Yes, I love Anna Travis and James Langton and always read the books and I enjoy the TV versions too, but I bought this one and the next instalment together or I would probably no longer bother reading this series, only watching it.
Simon & Schuster need to investigate why their covers don't translate across onto reading devices, too. It's irritating and doesn't happen with other books I have downloaded and I've plenty.
For some reason the author's gone all American on us for the whole story. In the last book there was the odd American spelling but she's clearly decided it's the way to go. Well, I disagree in a book set in the UK. We don't organize, familiarize nor realize.
The Jordan case morphed into the Jordon case at one juncture, then once more there are dropped apostrophes (although VERY irritatingly they're correct in places as well-yet more examples of slapdash editing). Commas are missing where they really should be in places and so are speechmarks. Ratted was used when rattled was meant to be which is just careless, too.
I enjoyed the story but just got worn down by the mistakes. If it had been a freebie by a new author I'd have probably jacked it in. It got a little convoluted in places and I got a bit lost but over all I liked the ideas once again.
I will not buy 2 at once again, though.......won't make THAT mistake twice !! Let's hope Wrongful Death has had a much better polish done.
Yes, I love Anna Travis and James Langton and always read the books and I enjoy the TV versions too, but I bought this one and the next instalment together or I would probably no longer bother reading this series, only watching it.
Simon & Schuster need to investigate why their covers don't translate across onto reading devices, too. It's irritating and doesn't happen with other books I have downloaded and I've plenty.
For some reason the author's gone all American on us for the whole story. In the last book there was the odd American spelling but she's clearly decided it's the way to go. Well, I disagree in a book set in the UK. We don't organize, familiarize nor realize.
The Jordan case morphed into the Jordon case at one juncture, then once more there are dropped apostrophes (although VERY irritatingly they're correct in places as well-yet more examples of slapdash editing). Commas are missing where they really should be in places and so are speechmarks. Ratted was used when rattled was meant to be which is just careless, too.
I enjoyed the story but just got worn down by the mistakes. If it had been a freebie by a new author I'd have probably jacked it in. It got a little convoluted in places and I got a bit lost but over all I liked the ideas once again.
I will not buy 2 at once again, though.......won't make THAT mistake twice !! Let's hope Wrongful Death has had a much better polish done.
February 13, 2016
Henry Oates is captured because of his erratic driving, on investigation, they find a gruesome body of a young woman in his van. It appears he has sexually assaulted, murdered and wrapped her in plastic in the back of a borrowed children’s party van. When he is arrested, he immediately shows off to the police officers by identifying other women he’s killed and gotten away with. Is it braggadocio or is he really a serial murderer? One of the victims he identifies is one of DCS Langdon’s unsolved cases, one he continues to feel a great deal of remorse over. He appoints Anna (DCI Travis) to assist with this inquiry in his absence. He’s recently undergone knee replacement and unable to work, except for the incessant calls to the station and to Anna’s home phone, all hours of the day and night.
Anna is truly a gifted detective and as the police department stumbles over the massive information coming out of the investigations, she hones in on the relevant parts and the list of victims continues to grow. Henry is truly an unsavory character but his need to be the centre of attention, the star of the action, dooms him from the start.
Fast moving, gruesome but a satisfying read.
Anna is truly a gifted detective and as the police department stumbles over the massive information coming out of the investigations, she hones in on the relevant parts and the list of victims continues to grow. Henry is truly an unsavory character but his need to be the centre of attention, the star of the action, dooms him from the start.
Fast moving, gruesome but a satisfying read.
March 3, 2014
I was lucky enough to receive a copy of Backlash through Goodreads, and I am so glad that I did. Backlash is the first book that I have read by La Plante, and I found it to be an engrossing read. Despite not having read this series before, I found that I was able to catch on to these main characters very easily and the history that they share. The chance arrest of an erratic driver leads to the discovery of a body as well as a potential lead to a cold case that has haunted Langton for five years. Anna Travis is pulled into the case by Langton, and it becomes a race against time to prove that these murders are connected. La Plante delivers a compelling read full of many twists and turns that keeps the reader guessing until the end. I also loved the author's character development because the reader gets pulled into the chase as each of these detectives tries to solve this horrific case. Overall Backlash proved to be a read that was very hard to put down, and I am looking forward to reading more from this author.
January 11, 2014
In Backlash by Prime Suspect author, Linda La Plante, we encounter serial killer Henry Oates who is arrested in chapter one. As Oates toys with police, Detective Anna Travis pieces together clues that help build more than the circumstantial evidence they get from Oates. This novel focuses on police procedural work and Travis as the main protagonist demonstrates a keen intellect, professionalism and a vulnerability that draws the reader into the character and plot. The evil, slimey Oates is a perfect foil for Travis and the interview segments are tense and frustrating as the evidence mounts. Oates's background is what you would expect from a serial killer but presented in a manner that defines his evil rather than elucidates sympathy from the reader. The only flaw is a contrived "over the top" ending that seems a disconnect from the excellent writing in the rest of the book. A more realistic ending would have generated five stars from this reviewer.
July 10, 2012
Excellent as usual with Langton being his usual nasty self and Anna having to put up with him. Lots of dead bodies in this book with in depth detective work on gathering evidence and getting results. Anna Travis is still suffering the loss of her boyfriend following his murder which leads her to becoming obsessed with the cold case of a missing thirteen year old. James Langton is on sick leave after a knee operation and has given Anna the case following a confession which was then retracted by a man arrested for a different murder. Langton was the lead detective of this case which was never solved but has haunted him ever since. I loved this book which was full of tension as the team becomes frustrated with the dead ends and exhilarated with the results of their investigation. The end was particularly exciting and I just can't wait for the next book.
June 23, 2014
The book had a plot. The problem is that the author didn't tell me a story. Well, she told me things. Literally told me. The descriptive elements weren't fantastic at all. Some parts of the story were incredibly slow and drawn out while others seemed fast-paced. The relationships between the characters were pretty loosely developed and the little twist throw in at the end of the last chapter would have been better had it been developed more throughout the book, not as an afterthought.
That said, life is too short to read bad books; and I did finish this book. I just wish it had been edited and developed better.
That said, life is too short to read bad books; and I did finish this book. I just wish it had been edited and developed better.
September 20, 2012
This is a tense, well constructed if rather intricate novel. Once again it uses the detection of a serial killer as a driving force. There is a constant tension between the different people involved with the investigation as well as a very good characterisation of a killer who is totally brutal and amoral and cannot ever be trusted. It takes a lot of concentration with the twists and turns of the plot but the end is completely satisfying.
November 13, 2012
La Plante at her best 'Backlash' is a page turner from the beginning I highly recommend this book she takes you right into the action I could feel the cold & visualise the scenes unfolding on each page - emotionally charged like 'Prime Suspect'. The fight between Travis & Langton at the end is a terrific finish the book is carefully written with sensitivity to the subject at hand.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 244 reviews