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Anna Travis #1
Above Suspicion
Young Anna Travis has been assigned to her first murder case - a series of killings that has shocked even the most hardened of detectives. They started eight years ago - now the body count is up to six. The method of killing is identical, the backgrounds of the girls identical - all drug users and prostitutes.
Then a seventh body is found. The modus operandi is the same, but the victim is a young student with the 'face of an angel'. The profile of the murderer has changed dramatically.
Determined to earn the respect of her male colleagues, Anna stumbles on a vital piece of information which links one man to the killings, a much-loved actor on the brink of international stardom. His arrest would create a media frenzy. But if he were found innocent, his wouldn't be the only career over - Anna's hard fought for reputation would be destroyed once and for all...
Then a seventh body is found. The modus operandi is the same, but the victim is a young student with the 'face of an angel'. The profile of the murderer has changed dramatically.
Determined to earn the respect of her male colleagues, Anna stumbles on a vital piece of information which links one man to the killings, a much-loved actor on the brink of international stardom. His arrest would create a media frenzy. But if he were found innocent, his wouldn't be the only career over - Anna's hard fought for reputation would be destroyed once and for all...
514 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2004
888 people are currently reading
4451 people want to read
About the author
Lynda La Plante
133 books1,853 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 442 reviews
August 18, 2017
Having recently read and enjoyed Lynda La Plante's Jane Tennison books I decided to purchase the Anna Travis series of books this being the first.
Anna Travis is a new female detective who is about to work on her first murder case. The gruesome murders are identical and the women's backgrounds are very similar in that they are all prostitutes. When the seventh body is found, the murderers method is the same but the victim this time is a sweet young student. Anna stumbles on a vital piece of information that links one man to the killings, a well-known, much-loved actor. The accused is very convincing when proclaiming his innocence but maybe you would expect that of an actor.
I have really been taken to the author's writing style and already looking forward to the rest of the series. I do enjoy books that feature both excellent plots and good character building.
Anna Travis is a new female detective who is about to work on her first murder case. The gruesome murders are identical and the women's backgrounds are very similar in that they are all prostitutes. When the seventh body is found, the murderers method is the same but the victim this time is a sweet young student. Anna stumbles on a vital piece of information that links one man to the killings, a well-known, much-loved actor. The accused is very convincing when proclaiming his innocence but maybe you would expect that of an actor.
I have really been taken to the author's writing style and already looking forward to the rest of the series. I do enjoy books that feature both excellent plots and good character building.
December 28, 2013
Poorly done..I picked it as the "murder mystery between serious reads" and it's pathetic..mediocre writing, a plot with no momentum, shallow characters, and, most disturbingly, the climax of the story is simply the gruesome confession of the suspect to all his murders, which comes across as salacious and (even for a crime novel) in the worst possible taste. Yuk. With so many other , better written and character-rich mysteries out there, don't waste your time.
November 11, 2020
A terrible book but a good read.
Terrible for the wet-blanket heroine who every male in the vicinity likes to grab / scoop up / describe in childlike terms while she tries to determine how attracted she is to them, rather than whether Miss Knee should have a quick word with Mr Groin.
Terrible for the too-vivid descriptions of the crimes and the corpses, and the casual way everyone agrees that sex workers are terrible people who deserve horrible deaths.
Terrible for a plot that demands an unfamiliarity with both police procedure and basic logic, and an over-reliance on the type of plotting that made both Hunter and TJ Hooker brief stars in the 80s TV police drama constellation.
Terrible for the ending, where the villain, who is supposedly steely-nerved and super-brilliant, suddenly goes Oh All Right, Yes I Did It, Stop Making Such a Fuss! He goes from Simon Macorkindale to full Kenneth Williams in the space of, yes, a page and a half. (Pro-tip: never go full Kenneth Williams, unless you are, in fact, Kenneth Williams).
But good in being technically well-written and consistently interesting, despite having the killer trotted out on page 50 with a neat little label reading "Killer (serial)". That balance is difficult to pull off, and the author manages it successfully. So overall a mixed bag.
Terrible for the wet-blanket heroine who every male in the vicinity likes to grab / scoop up / describe in childlike terms while she tries to determine how attracted she is to them, rather than whether Miss Knee should have a quick word with Mr Groin.
Terrible for the too-vivid descriptions of the crimes and the corpses, and the casual way everyone agrees that sex workers are terrible people who deserve horrible deaths.
Terrible for a plot that demands an unfamiliarity with both police procedure and basic logic, and an over-reliance on the type of plotting that made both Hunter and TJ Hooker brief stars in the 80s TV police drama constellation.
Terrible for the ending, where the villain, who is supposedly steely-nerved and super-brilliant, suddenly goes Oh All Right, Yes I Did It, Stop Making Such a Fuss! He goes from Simon Macorkindale to full Kenneth Williams in the space of, yes, a page and a half. (Pro-tip: never go full Kenneth Williams, unless you are, in fact, Kenneth Williams).
But good in being technically well-written and consistently interesting, despite having the killer trotted out on page 50 with a neat little label reading "Killer (serial)". That balance is difficult to pull off, and the author manages it successfully. So overall a mixed bag.
September 23, 2022
Hmmmm…
I love the Jane Tennison series and I hadn’t read this one, and needed a new ‘go-to’, not sure this is it?
Expectations and anticipation may have created a little bias regarding my feelings here but I’ll give one more a go before throwing in the towel.
I love the Jane Tennison series and I hadn’t read this one, and needed a new ‘go-to’, not sure this is it?
Expectations and anticipation may have created a little bias regarding my feelings here but I’ll give one more a go before throwing in the towel.
September 24, 2019
Detective Sargent Anna Travis is assigned to her first homicide and it's a doozy. The brutal death of a 17-year-old woman is linked to the deaths of other women before her, although each of them had been much older, working as prostitutes. Still, the method of death is the same for each one -- are they connected or not? If so, how will the investigators find the man behind the crimes when he has been careful to leave no clues behind?
This was a great story and plot line, with the suspense mounting as the story moved forward. I thought some of the characterizations of people, particularly Anna herself, to be weak in areas. That being said, this was still an enjoyable read. I look forward to reading the second title in this series.
This was a great story and plot line, with the suspense mounting as the story moved forward. I thought some of the characterizations of people, particularly Anna herself, to be weak in areas. That being said, this was still an enjoyable read. I look forward to reading the second title in this series.
February 4, 2022
Not a bad thiller considering you know right off the bat who the killer is. It's not a matter of ID'ing him...it's a matter of cracking him.
I'm not sure I get all the rave about Lynda La Plante. It was a decent enough book, but not one I wld recommend. I found the female lead rather needy, wishy washy and easily swayed. And just because she ends the book by deciding against a relationship w/ Langton doesn't suddenly make her a strong character.
The liner for the book summed it up, "Anna stumbles on a vital piece of information" and that's my whole issue - she stumbled onto it. Not that that's not often what really happens in police work. But if you're trying to impress me w/ the main character's evolution...stumbling is not the way to do it.
I'm not sure I get all the rave about Lynda La Plante. It was a decent enough book, but not one I wld recommend. I found the female lead rather needy, wishy washy and easily swayed. And just because she ends the book by deciding against a relationship w/ Langton doesn't suddenly make her a strong character.
The liner for the book summed it up, "Anna stumbles on a vital piece of information" and that's my whole issue - she stumbled onto it. Not that that's not often what really happens in police work. But if you're trying to impress me w/ the main character's evolution...stumbling is not the way to do it.
April 17, 2016
I don't usually write reviews on Goodreads, but I disliked this book so much I just had to share...
-The main character was so annoying and inept at her job. Really, you're going on an international trip for work and you're not going to ask about arrangements? You're just going to hire a random taxi driver and tell him you're investigating a murder? I feel like she spent more time being insecure about her appearance and creepily caressing her dad's picture every night before bed than she did actually working the case...
-There was no chemistry between the main character and either of her love interests....are we really supposed to believe that she's attracted to Langton when he's yelling at her all the time?
-Since we essentially know who the murderer is from the beginning of the story (or from the back cover...), the first 100 pages or so were pointless and had no suspense. Why not actually include some scenes of Daniels being creepy since we already know he's the main suspect?
-I guess I can't really complain about this specifically as all the characters were poorly fleshed out, but the way the female characters were written in this book was atrocious. They're all either Anna (mousy but "good" at her job! super-rookie of the year!), abusive to children, prostitutes/drug addicts, gossips, or virginal teenagers. None of these characters actually seemed like a real person.
I had high hopes for this book, as the premise was really intriguing. The author could have done so much with this - I was expecting more, like maybe some observations on how Western society worships celebrities to the point that they can literally get away with murder, or how being a famous actor is the perfect cover for a psychopath, or just ANY intelligent insight on the subject matter. Instead, I got a "mystery"/"thriller" (although if we already know who the killer is from reading the back cover, it shouldn't even be classified as a mystery or a thriller) with no suspense.
-The main character was so annoying and inept at her job. Really, you're going on an international trip for work and you're not going to ask about arrangements? You're just going to hire a random taxi driver and tell him you're investigating a murder? I feel like she spent more time being insecure about her appearance and creepily caressing her dad's picture every night before bed than she did actually working the case...
-There was no chemistry between the main character and either of her love interests....are we really supposed to believe that she's attracted to Langton when he's yelling at her all the time?
-Since we essentially know who the murderer is from the beginning of the story (or from the back cover...), the first 100 pages or so were pointless and had no suspense. Why not actually include some scenes of Daniels being creepy since we already know he's the main suspect?
-I guess I can't really complain about this specifically as all the characters were poorly fleshed out, but the way the female characters were written in this book was atrocious. They're all either Anna (mousy but "good" at her job! super-rookie of the year!), abusive to children, prostitutes/drug addicts, gossips, or virginal teenagers. None of these characters actually seemed like a real person.
I had high hopes for this book, as the premise was really intriguing. The author could have done so much with this - I was expecting more, like maybe some observations on how Western society worships celebrities to the point that they can literally get away with murder, or how being a famous actor is the perfect cover for a psychopath, or just ANY intelligent insight on the subject matter. Instead, I got a "mystery"/"thriller" (although if we already know who the killer is from reading the back cover, it shouldn't even be classified as a mystery or a thriller) with no suspense.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 6, 2014
In recent weeks I have become interested in the career of Author Lynda La Plante. I am finally getting on board with her critically acclaimed and award winning TV series Prime Suspect. I thought I might also watch Above Suspicion but why not read the book first.
Above Suspicion is the usual serial killer thriller introducing Rookie Anna Travis. Travis is less interesting on paper than Jane Tennison of Prime Suspect fame. This is not quite fair as this is not an apple-to-apple comparison. Travis needs to be less indecisive as a character. I’ll give her a slight benefit of a doubt as she is immediately at a disadvantage as a member of The Murder Squad. She is a woman, she is inexperienced, she is young, and she is shadowed by the career of her the esteemed career of her father, a well liked, long-time careered policeman. Add to this that her superior, Chief Inspector Langton, can’t quite figure out if Travis can make the grade, whether she is worth teaching, or if she will be his mere dalliance. Until some of this is decided she is a ghost of the person she could be. She’s got to toughen up and draw from within before I can get behind her. Before book’s end there is hope that the second outing will show her less confused and more her own woman.
Above Suspicion is the usual serial killer thriller introducing Rookie Anna Travis. Travis is less interesting on paper than Jane Tennison of Prime Suspect fame. This is not quite fair as this is not an apple-to-apple comparison. Travis needs to be less indecisive as a character. I’ll give her a slight benefit of a doubt as she is immediately at a disadvantage as a member of The Murder Squad. She is a woman, she is inexperienced, she is young, and she is shadowed by the career of her the esteemed career of her father, a well liked, long-time careered policeman. Add to this that her superior, Chief Inspector Langton, can’t quite figure out if Travis can make the grade, whether she is worth teaching, or if she will be his mere dalliance. Until some of this is decided she is a ghost of the person she could be. She’s got to toughen up and draw from within before I can get behind her. Before book’s end there is hope that the second outing will show her less confused and more her own woman.
July 6, 2015
New Detective Anna Travis, daughter of the late Detective Chief Superintendent Jack Travis is the main character. Anna is chosen by Detective Chief Inspector Langton to join his team investigating a series of murders of prostitutes. There is almost no evidence identifying anyone as the killer, but the team continues to dig until they uncover puzzling clues pointing to a famous and handsome movie star. It seems unlikely that this famous man is the murderer, but the team continues to follow the clues
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April 28, 2008Just goes to prove that sometimes middle-aged bitches like DCI Jane Tennison really are more interesting than young sweeties like DS Anna Travis... and that sometimes great TV shows really are more interesting than mediocre novels. There's more life and depth in one shot of Helen Mirren as Jane Tennison than in almost 400 pages of dreary writing about Anna's wardrobe, crush on her boss, and chirpy musings to the photo of her sainted dad before she falls asleep every night.
September 19, 2020
This was so disappointing. After reading ‘Widows’ a few years ago, I was hoping that another Lynda LaPlante novel would be the smart police procedural that I’ve been hankering for during lockdown.
Instead, it was riddled with plot holes and a ‘green’ female protagonist who showed close to no professionalism or preparedness for her new role in a homicide unit. Honestly, she starts ‘blushing’ during an interrogation?!? She almost falls for their prime suspect and sleeps with her boss who routinely gaslights her in his gruff ‘no nonsense’ approach to solving crime.
It’s not empowering stuff.
I stopped reading with 20 pages to go. As another Goodreads reviewer perfectly points out, the climax of this book is a lengthy confession of the killer. It is gratuitous and includes a lot of sordid, disturbing details of the murders. Totally unnecessary if the thrill of the case had been more thrilling....
Two stars because I’ve read worse and Goodreads won’t let you give zero stars.
Instead, it was riddled with plot holes and a ‘green’ female protagonist who showed close to no professionalism or preparedness for her new role in a homicide unit. Honestly, she starts ‘blushing’ during an interrogation?!? She almost falls for their prime suspect and sleeps with her boss who routinely gaslights her in his gruff ‘no nonsense’ approach to solving crime.
It’s not empowering stuff.
I stopped reading with 20 pages to go. As another Goodreads reviewer perfectly points out, the climax of this book is a lengthy confession of the killer. It is gratuitous and includes a lot of sordid, disturbing details of the murders. Totally unnecessary if the thrill of the case had been more thrilling....
Two stars because I’ve read worse and Goodreads won’t let you give zero stars.
Read
June 25, 2020No rating as I only got to 16% in a Kindle library download. This is just not for me. Too much repetition and foul language. I don't like either the interoffice mix or the choices for nearly anything else. Eating or basic thought pattern habits? Ugh. Beyond blah.
There is a deep seated novel or two that can be done upon sex workers and their lives, risks, outcomes etc. With a connection to their humanity or individuality. Same with cops. This isn't it. Poorly written too.
If they don't open the libraries in IL soon, I will be reduced to this kind of thing. Isn't 5 full months going to be enough? When everyone I know has had to work with the public (essential everyone of us) or worse through this entire thing! Must be another class of "special" people.
There is a deep seated novel or two that can be done upon sex workers and their lives, risks, outcomes etc. With a connection to their humanity or individuality. Same with cops. This isn't it. Poorly written too.
If they don't open the libraries in IL soon, I will be reduced to this kind of thing. Isn't 5 full months going to be enough? When everyone I know has had to work with the public (essential everyone of us) or worse through this entire thing! Must be another class of "special" people.
September 8, 2018
Okay...so maybe not amazing, but still a five star in my book.
Really enjoyed this police procedural. Was looking to experience a new author in the mystery genre, when I came across this book in my local library.
Stylistically, this is different from many of the books I usually enjoy. The writing is pretty basic. Heavy on dialogue. A little detached and distant.
That said, I enjoyed the characters and the systematic unraveling of the mystery, which is less about who-done-it and more about how-to-prove-it.
The confession scene at the end was a little brutal, and this is coming from someone who loves true crime books.
I liked the main character Anna Travis. I thought the supporting characters did their job, and I enjoyed the sexual tension between Travis and Langton, her boss--maybe a bit of a trope, but effective all the same. I also liked the serial killer, who reminded me of Dorian Gray (one of my all time favorite villains/books.)
Can't wait to read other books in the series as well as other series by this author.
Really enjoyed this police procedural. Was looking to experience a new author in the mystery genre, when I came across this book in my local library.
Stylistically, this is different from many of the books I usually enjoy. The writing is pretty basic. Heavy on dialogue. A little detached and distant.
That said, I enjoyed the characters and the systematic unraveling of the mystery, which is less about who-done-it and more about how-to-prove-it.
The confession scene at the end was a little brutal, and this is coming from someone who loves true crime books.
I liked the main character Anna Travis. I thought the supporting characters did their job, and I enjoyed the sexual tension between Travis and Langton, her boss--maybe a bit of a trope, but effective all the same. I also liked the serial killer, who reminded me of Dorian Gray (one of my all time favorite villains/books.)
Can't wait to read other books in the series as well as other series by this author.
January 14, 2012
How have I read mysteries for so many years, yet never heard of Lynda La Plante? Seems she's also responsible for the "Prime Suspect" books on which that BBC series starring Helen Mirren is based.
A friend had me watch several series of another BBC series, and I noticed that this series was based on novels by Lynda La Plante. I checked three of them out from the library and just read the first one.
"Above Suspicion" is an excellent start to the series with young detective Anna Travis serving on her first Murder Squad case. Her father was a highly regarded officer, and Anna hopes to do his memory proud.
The BBC adaptation was quite faithful to the book, although, as expected, the book did have bits not included in the program.
La Plante is a solid writer and her characters are all believable. I am ready to jump into the next entry in the series.
If you've never read any of her books, I highly recommend the Anna Travis series.
A friend had me watch several series of another BBC series, and I noticed that this series was based on novels by Lynda La Plante. I checked three of them out from the library and just read the first one.
"Above Suspicion" is an excellent start to the series with young detective Anna Travis serving on her first Murder Squad case. Her father was a highly regarded officer, and Anna hopes to do his memory proud.
The BBC adaptation was quite faithful to the book, although, as expected, the book did have bits not included in the program.
La Plante is a solid writer and her characters are all believable. I am ready to jump into the next entry in the series.
If you've never read any of her books, I highly recommend the Anna Travis series.
December 1, 2020
‘Above Suspicion’ by Lynda La Plante is a very competent police procedural. Even though the protagonist is Anna Travis, rookie to Homicide, the story reads exactly like the TV show Prime Suspect, the original British series. I loved Jane Tennison played by Helen Mirren, one of my favorite actresses. However Travis is starting out on her career and does not have Tennison's veneer of knowing how police and politics are intertwined yet. This is the first in a new series by Lynda La Plante featuring Travis.
Anna Travis is living the dream of following in her beloved cop father's footsteps and tears up at the thought of making him proud of her.
I liked the book although generally police procedurals tend to be a little sterile for me even though they are informative and interesting.
Anna Travis is living the dream of following in her beloved cop father's footsteps and tears up at the thought of making him proud of her.
I liked the book although generally police procedurals tend to be a little sterile for me even though they are informative and interesting.
August 12, 2021
Absolutely zero suspense, since they identified the killer on about page 15 and spent the next 300 pages farting around in what I gather was meant to be some kind of psychological dance with a genius sociopath, but was just incredibly tiresome. And the green female detective IRRESISTIBLY ATTRACTED to the DCI who’s nothing but a dick to her? Please. It’s not only predictable, it’s insulting. He spends half their conversations telling her she’s bad at her job (without basis, mind you, since she seems to be the only one collecting usable evidence throughout), so OF COURSE she sleeps with him. The hell with that retrograde bullshit.
January 25, 2016
Excellent, well-paced, intelligent mystery. I quite enjoyed this story. I liked how the plot was developed and lead to an exciting ending. I enjoyed the characters; Anna Travis and her boss DCI Langton and the other members of the Murder Team. Great follow-on to the Prime Suspect series. I look forward to any other books in the series as well as seeing the tv series based on the books. Highly recommended
October 20, 2023
Це не той детектив, де треба шукати злочинця, сама назва дає натяк на сюжет. Весь час ми вагаємося чи ту людину звинувачують.
Одна насолода спостерігати, як розгортаються події і як все стає на свої місця.
Одна насолода спостерігати, як розгортаються події і як все стає на свої місця.
September 5, 2023
Thrilling, involving and couldn’t stop listening. Such great characterisation, brought even more to life by the narrator. Saying any more would spoil it!
February 1, 2013
Kapağı ismi konusu kısacası ambajı ilk çıktığında çok dikkatimi çekmiş alıp okumak istemiştim. Bir arkadaşım okuyup beklentimi yüksek tutmamam gerektiğini söyleyince hafif bir hayalkırıklığım oldu ama yinede okumaya kararlıydım ve iyikide okumuşum kitabı şahsen ben çok beğendim
Son dönem İngiliz polisiyeleri nedense çok beğendim katagorisine sokamayan ben için bu gayet büyük bir şey olabilir:)
Kitapta 24 yaşında oyuncu kızımız Amanda'nın evinde yatağında cıplak ve ölü bir şekilde bulunması ve bu cinayetin araştırılması etrafında dönüyor. Kızımız iyi biri değil önüne gelenle yatmış kokain vs herşey var. Şüpheliler o kadar çok ki şöyle bişey bekliyorsunuz liste uzun hepsiyle ilgili araştırmalar yapılacak ama içlerinden bi tanesi katil sonuçta ama öyle değil maşallah her araştırdıkları kişinin bi pisliği çıktı hani kimse masum değil bu kitapta diyebilirim o yüzden bu araştırmalar bir sürü şüpheli sorgulamalar beni hiç sıkmadı haliylede çok sevdim.
Devamıda kısa sürede çıkar umarım Anna Travis maceralarını bekliyorum.
Son dönem İngiliz polisiyeleri nedense çok beğendim katagorisine sokamayan ben için bu gayet büyük bir şey olabilir:)
Kitapta 24 yaşında oyuncu kızımız Amanda'nın evinde yatağında cıplak ve ölü bir şekilde bulunması ve bu cinayetin araştırılması etrafında dönüyor. Kızımız iyi biri değil önüne gelenle yatmış kokain vs herşey var. Şüpheliler o kadar çok ki şöyle bişey bekliyorsunuz liste uzun hepsiyle ilgili araştırmalar yapılacak ama içlerinden bi tanesi katil sonuçta ama öyle değil maşallah her araştırdıkları kişinin bi pisliği çıktı hani kimse masum değil bu kitapta diyebilirim o yüzden bu araştırmalar bir sürü şüpheli sorgulamalar beni hiç sıkmadı haliylede çok sevdim.
Devamıda kısa sürede çıkar umarım Anna Travis maceralarını bekliyorum.
August 18, 2013
Above Suspicion is a decent thriller.
There was little doubt that the major suspect was the murderer, only the journey to prove that he was guilty constituted the plot.
There are a few red herrings here and there but nothing serious.
Anna Travis was interesting enough and if she seemed rather weak in the first part of the novel I did like her in the second, where she came to play a major role in the identification of the killer.
Another good point was her relationship with her boss. It was clear from the start that she was attracted to him and in the end, she made a decision that made her go up in my estime.
The only serious misgiving I have about this book concerns Anna Travis's mother. It felt like the major revelation was to make Travis a more rounded character but honestly, it was not really exploited and I found it brought little to the story. It was merely there for the shock-factor and easily forgotten.
There was little doubt that the major suspect was the murderer, only the journey to prove that he was guilty constituted the plot.
There are a few red herrings here and there but nothing serious.
Anna Travis was interesting enough and if she seemed rather weak in the first part of the novel I did like her in the second, where she came to play a major role in the identification of the killer.
Another good point was her relationship with her boss. It was clear from the start that she was attracted to him and in the end, she made a decision that made her go up in my estime.
The only serious misgiving I have about this book concerns Anna Travis's mother. It felt like the major revelation was to make Travis a more rounded character but honestly, it was not really exploited and I found it brought little to the story. It was merely there for the shock-factor and easily forgotten.
December 15, 2012
Since this was British, I can say I quite enjoyed this hearty tome of police procedural derring-do! Rather old chap.
As it's the first novel in a series, the strands that are woven seemed a bit overwrought and needlessly complex. I mean, one doesn't need daddy issues, mommy issues, rookie nerves, boss crushes AND solving mysteries allinonenovel! But one can see how they will be used later in the series as the characters and story lines develop. I am not sure the author needed to lay quite so much groundwork but it wasn't needless. And I really shouldn't complain since I am always bitching about the lack of exposition in pulp novels.
And the suspect? Really creepy.
As it's the first novel in a series, the strands that are woven seemed a bit overwrought and needlessly complex. I mean, one doesn't need daddy issues, mommy issues, rookie nerves, boss crushes AND solving mysteries allinonenovel! But one can see how they will be used later in the series as the characters and story lines develop. I am not sure the author needed to lay quite so much groundwork but it wasn't needless. And I really shouldn't complain since I am always bitching about the lack of exposition in pulp novels.
And the suspect? Really creepy.
July 27, 2015
I am going to give this 3.5 stars. At first the writing style seemed to be rather simplistic but I didn't notice it after I got into the book. The main character seemed quite similar to Barry Maitland's Kathy Kola.
I think that when English authors write scenes in the US they should let an American look at it. There is no Orange County Police Department (California). There is a Orange Country Sheriffs Department and police departments in the many incorporated cities in the country. Also American's use the term purse and handbag interchangeably and would not be at all confused by a reference to a handbag.
I think that when English authors write scenes in the US they should let an American look at it. There is no Orange County Police Department (California). There is a Orange Country Sheriffs Department and police departments in the many incorporated cities in the country. Also American's use the term purse and handbag interchangeably and would not be at all confused by a reference to a handbag.
May 4, 2011
I read this book in order to prepare for my first experience in a mystery book club. I enjoyed this book enormously for the first 300 pages--the novel moved quickly and easily held my attention and imagination. Then came the unnecessary sex scene, the nightmare-inducing descriptions of the serial killer's actions, and a justiceless (my biggest pet peeve of some of Christie's novels) end left very much to be desired. I'm sure that I will read the next installment of this series as I like Anna Travis in hopes of the writing to get better. There are better police procedurals out there.
May 9, 2014
I feel that this book was OK. It did not have me riveted or gripping my seat. I especially don't like that the killer was revealed very early in the book. I kept hoping that La Plante was building Daniels as the killer to later twist the plot and reveal a killer we least expected. I like some level of suspense and this story was lacking in that department. La Plante is a very good writer and the story had a good rhythm, but I found myself bored with the characters and bored with the story at times.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 3, 2012
I really enjoyed the investigation aspect of this book, and the killer, though known, was creepy enough to keep it interesting without the mystery. What ruined this book for me was Anna Travis as a character, I found it difficult to relate to her and by the end of the book was annoyed at her constant need to fly solo and kiss Langton's butt. The series increasingly concerns itself with Travis to the detriment of plotlines and other characters who are introduced.
January 26, 2018
Lynda La Plante is the queen of tell don't show. Her writing may well translate to tv but in books reads basically like a laundry list of things that happen. Anna Travis is about as believable a character as Santa Claus and far less interesting. How these books get published while talented, credible writers never do is the real mystery here.
December 21, 2015
I liked it less and less the more of it I read. If it had been 50 pages shorter, I probably would have rated it 2 stars.
April 5, 2024
I had watched this on ITV years ago but couldn’t remember much of the story. Once I started listening, it started to come back to me. Having really enjoyed the TV adaptation, I was pleased to find the book was just as good, if not better. With the added bonus of having a clear picture in my mind of what the characters looked like. This was my first by this author and definitely won’t be my last.
October 11, 2020
Really enjoyable detective story about DS Anna Travis and her first case in the murder squad investigating a series of murders of prostitutes. Good cast of characters and a nice amount of clues along the way too. Looking forward to finding the best book in the series.
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