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Prime Suspect #2
A Face in the Crowd
From the BAFTA-winning writer behind the TV series PRIME SUSPECT and author of WIDOWS, now a major motion picture... The coroner's report identifies the body as young, black, female, and impossibly anonymous. Yet one thing is clear to Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison about the latest victim discovered in one of London's poorest districts - that news of her murder will tear apart a city already cracking with racial tensions, hurling Scotland Yard and Tennison herself into a maelstrom of shocking accusations and sudden, wrenching violence. Even as London's brutal killer remains at large, Tennison remains locked in a struggle to overcome her station house's brutal chauvinism and insidious politicking. And as the department's deeply rooted racism rears its head to overshadow every facet of her new investigation, the trail of her prime suspect is growing colder. Worse, when the details of the beleaguered detective's stormy personal life explode across the headlines of London's sleasiest tabloids, Tennison's already frenzied determination to bring the killer to justice will be catapulted into obsession - one that could send her spiralling over the edge.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1992
371 people are currently reading
982 people want to read
About the author
Lynda La Plante
116 books1,811 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 120 reviews
October 21, 2017
This is the 2nd book in the Prime Suspect series by author Lynda La Plante.
I read this book immediately after finishing the 1st book and found it a very good easy read full of the familiar characters.
Tennyson's prime suspect is David Harvey, the man who lived in the house at the time of the killing. She manages to get a deathbed confession from him but is doubtful. At the same time, DS Oswalde arrests Tony Allen, who lived next door to the death house. It all turns to tragedy however with a sudden death.
As per other La Plante novels I have read the story is told with a large portion of sub plots and also follows the main characters private life. I like this side of her writing as it gives the characters more depth especially when they are part of a series.
Looking forward to the 3rd book.
I read this book immediately after finishing the 1st book and found it a very good easy read full of the familiar characters.
Tennyson's prime suspect is David Harvey, the man who lived in the house at the time of the killing. She manages to get a deathbed confession from him but is doubtful. At the same time, DS Oswalde arrests Tony Allen, who lived next door to the death house. It all turns to tragedy however with a sudden death.
As per other La Plante novels I have read the story is told with a large portion of sub plots and also follows the main characters private life. I like this side of her writing as it gives the characters more depth especially when they are part of a series.
Looking forward to the 3rd book.
September 2, 2025
A complex story full of pain, violence, and loss. Lynda La Plante's ability to describe the scene and place you there is extraordinary. Her writing of policing during this time period is authentic. In this volume there is racism, violence against women, and misogyny in the police force. Tennison is a firm favorite for her vibrant character, her determination to get to the bottom of her cases, and her humanity. I eagerly await the final volume in the series.
April 9, 2023
A smidge dated, but I didn't care. Jane Tennison forever.
July 16, 2016
This is the second book in the Prime Suspect series by Lynda La Plante and I liked the story line much better in this one. But the characters were just as unlikable as they were in the first one. I struggle when the majority of them all share the same playground immaturity. I get that there are adults who exhibit that behavior constantly, but when almost every single character (and there were many) share that same behavior I think that it is too many missed opportunities to give the reader something different and interesting. The dialogue was predictable because of this shared mentality.
But again, my favorite narrator did this audio and I loved that. So 3 stars.
But again, my favorite narrator did this audio and I loved that. So 3 stars.
June 14, 2022
"When other people made a mistake, it was only money involved. When the police made a mistake, a human life was put in jeopardy."
I was hoping that this one would give a more conclusive ending to Marlow's story.
But now I'm realizing that La Plante focus more on Jane Tennison's story than the crimes.
Never the less this was an engaging, quick read with everything I've come to expect of La Plante. Let's see where Jane will end up next!
I was hoping that this one would give a more conclusive ending to Marlow's story.
But now I'm realizing that La Plante focus more on Jane Tennison's story than the crimes.
Never the less this was an engaging, quick read with everything I've come to expect of La Plante. Let's see where Jane will end up next!
Want to read
June 29, 2015Description: The victim was young. Female. And black. Her skull had been smashed in, her face decomposed beyond all recognition. But for Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison, the corpse that had just been found in one of London's poorest communities was only the beginning of a case that would tear apart an already divided city . . .and embroil the gritty cop and her force in a hotbed of racial strife, shocking accusations, and sudden, wrenching violence.
But Jane Tennison was not a woman who let anything get in the way of her passion for justice. Not the racism of some of the boys in the station house, or the slippery politicking of her superiors. Not even when her own stormy love life explodes in sleazy tabloid headlines. Because a brutal and seductive killer was still at large, luring innocent girls from London's midnight streets. And because for Jane Tennison, stalking her prime suspect has become an obsession -- one that could send her spiraling over the edge . . .
Opening: The young black man was very good-looking. Tall and lithe, with a fine pair of shoulders, he kept himself in shape with regular workouts.
But Jane Tennison was not a woman who let anything get in the way of her passion for justice. Not the racism of some of the boys in the station house, or the slippery politicking of her superiors. Not even when her own stormy love life explodes in sleazy tabloid headlines. Because a brutal and seductive killer was still at large, luring innocent girls from London's midnight streets. And because for Jane Tennison, stalking her prime suspect has become an obsession -- one that could send her spiraling over the edge . . .
Opening: The young black man was very good-looking. Tall and lithe, with a fine pair of shoulders, he kept himself in shape with regular workouts.
January 27, 2018
A Face in the Crowd is the second Prime Suspect book, and my feelings towards this one are just as mixed as my feelings towards the first book. Possibly more so.
In truth, did I not own the Prime Suspect omnibus I probably would not have read A Face in the Crowd. However, with book two starting a couple of pages after book one I found myself intrigued. I may not have been overly excited about reading the second book, but a part of me wished to see what came next. Plus, I do not consider three-star ratings a reason not to pick up the second book in a series. Such makes books a low priority, but there is the possibility. This possibility was made real, albeit after a bit of time, through book two being owned.
Unlike the first book, I did not go into this one with high expectations. I think a part of the reason I was so disappointed with the first book is that I expected great things. With the popularity around Prime Suspect, I expected to have my mind blown. Entering book two, I set my standards much lower.
When it comes down to my feelings, they are divided. Some elements of this book I enjoyed more than I enjoyed them in the first book. Other elements I enjoyed less than I enjoyed them in the first book. It seemed to be a bit of a trade-off, meaning my feelings towards this book are quite similar as my feelings towards the first book. At a push, I would say I enjoyed this one more than the first book – however, it’s only by a small fraction. Neither book blew my mind, but I can say I have read them.
What I enjoyed more about this one was the crime element. There was a bit more mystery with this one, a better criminal storyline. I enjoyed how the first book was somewhat different to the norm, but this one was more in line with what I like. It provided a whodunnit that left you curious about a number of the characters. I also feel as though more elements were brought in, ensuring you were interested in how the elements mixed.
However, I feel as though there were some elements of the storyline that were unnecessary. I know some people like to have political issues brought into their books, but I did not enjoy it with this one. It could have been interesting, considering the topic, but I felt as though it pulled away from interesting elements of the story. In other words, I feel as though certain aspects could have been done without – or they could have been done much better.
As with the first book, though, I feel as though it is an issue of the way topics are dealt with being dated. With the first book I was annoyed by the sexism – in this book I was annoyed by the racism. These things happen, but I dislike the way they are dealt with in these stories. I cannot help but question what will be used in the third book. Homophobic commentary? It feels like too much. It feels as though a message is trying to be sent, yet the wrong one is being received.
As I have book three I will read it, but I’m not overly excited for it.
In truth, did I not own the Prime Suspect omnibus I probably would not have read A Face in the Crowd. However, with book two starting a couple of pages after book one I found myself intrigued. I may not have been overly excited about reading the second book, but a part of me wished to see what came next. Plus, I do not consider three-star ratings a reason not to pick up the second book in a series. Such makes books a low priority, but there is the possibility. This possibility was made real, albeit after a bit of time, through book two being owned.
Unlike the first book, I did not go into this one with high expectations. I think a part of the reason I was so disappointed with the first book is that I expected great things. With the popularity around Prime Suspect, I expected to have my mind blown. Entering book two, I set my standards much lower.
When it comes down to my feelings, they are divided. Some elements of this book I enjoyed more than I enjoyed them in the first book. Other elements I enjoyed less than I enjoyed them in the first book. It seemed to be a bit of a trade-off, meaning my feelings towards this book are quite similar as my feelings towards the first book. At a push, I would say I enjoyed this one more than the first book – however, it’s only by a small fraction. Neither book blew my mind, but I can say I have read them.
What I enjoyed more about this one was the crime element. There was a bit more mystery with this one, a better criminal storyline. I enjoyed how the first book was somewhat different to the norm, but this one was more in line with what I like. It provided a whodunnit that left you curious about a number of the characters. I also feel as though more elements were brought in, ensuring you were interested in how the elements mixed.
However, I feel as though there were some elements of the storyline that were unnecessary. I know some people like to have political issues brought into their books, but I did not enjoy it with this one. It could have been interesting, considering the topic, but I felt as though it pulled away from interesting elements of the story. In other words, I feel as though certain aspects could have been done without – or they could have been done much better.
As with the first book, though, I feel as though it is an issue of the way topics are dealt with being dated. With the first book I was annoyed by the sexism – in this book I was annoyed by the racism. These things happen, but I dislike the way they are dealt with in these stories. I cannot help but question what will be used in the third book. Homophobic commentary? It feels like too much. It feels as though a message is trying to be sent, yet the wrong one is being received.
As I have book three I will read it, but I’m not overly excited for it.
September 24, 2019
The second instalment of the early career of Jane Tennison in the Prime Suspect series does not disappoint.
The main crime is the discovery of an unidentified body of a teenager buried under cement blocks in the backyard of a mixed-race area. Lynda La Plante weaves, through various subplots, the racism and sexism that would’ve been experienced during that era (or sadly can still be found in some places and jobs) is punchy and pertinent to the storytelling. However, DCI Tennison’s tenacity is the trait that kept me reading.
A clever, multilayered plot which reveals both personal and professional struggles and rewards. From door-to-door police work, death-bed confessions and an ending you don’t see coming, it is a great read. I’m looking forward to reading the final instalment of the trilogy.
The main crime is the discovery of an unidentified body of a teenager buried under cement blocks in the backyard of a mixed-race area. Lynda La Plante weaves, through various subplots, the racism and sexism that would’ve been experienced during that era (or sadly can still be found in some places and jobs) is punchy and pertinent to the storytelling. However, DCI Tennison’s tenacity is the trait that kept me reading.
A clever, multilayered plot which reveals both personal and professional struggles and rewards. From door-to-door police work, death-bed confessions and an ending you don’t see coming, it is a great read. I’m looking forward to reading the final instalment of the trilogy.
March 11, 2016
Description: The coroner's report identifies the body as young, black, female, and impossibly anonymous. Yet one thing is clear to Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison about the latest victim discovered in one of London's poorest districts - that news of her murder will tear apart a city already cracking with racial tensions, hurling Scotland Yard and Tennison herself into a maelstrom of shocking accusations and sudden, wrenching violence. Even as London's brutal killer remains at large, Tennison remains locked in a struggle to overcome her station house's brutal chauvinism and insidious politicking. And as the department's deeply rooted racism rears its head to overshadow every facet of her new investigation, the trail of her prime suspect is growing colder. Worse, when the details of the beleaguered detective's stormy personal life explode across the headlines of London's sleasiest tabloids, Tennison's already frenzied determination to bring the killer to justice will be catapulted into obsession - one that could send her spiralling over the edge.
April 15, 2012
Prime Suspect 2 is the second of three re-prints from the early 1990's. Prime Suspect ran on ITV in Great Britain starring Helen Mirren as Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison. The seven seasons run in the U.S. by PBS was a huge success and prompted a (sadly) failed effort by NBC-TV to cast the story in an American version starring Maria Bello in the Tennison role. The three books, by Lynda La Plante, who wrote the screenplays for the early Prime Suspect shows, are solid police procedurals which also focus on the problem of being a woman in an all male work environment. Tennison is smart, intuitive, hard-driving, and has an edge that sets her co-workers on edge while at the same time solving crimes that others would rather take the easy way out on. Novelizations of TV programs and movies often read as if they were film treatments. La Plante avoids this trap while conjuring up taught, page-turners the tell a good story while surfacing significant social issues.
Read more of my book reviews and drop into the world of bluegrass music at me blog: www.tedlehmann.blogspot. com
Read more of my book reviews and drop into the world of bluegrass music at me blog: www.tedlehmann.blogspot. com
June 13, 2018
When Jane Tennison gets a case, there's no half-measures. She's fighting the community as the heavily decayed body of a young black woman is found, racial tensions continue to rise. Jane does what she can to keep the tensions down with no help from her officers. There's a real reason. The officers treat the public as less than human and are more than disrespectful and violent. A lot of hate spread around. And a killer on the loose.
Picture a police inspector in the midst of this, a capable no nonsense woman. Recipe for disaster, no question. As Jane fights her way through the bureaucracy there seems to be no way to win. Resources are tight and her superior dislikes her immensely.
It's a good and realistic story, the community tension very real, the tension within the officers in the police department equally so. An awful time in the history of London police and racial relations.
Hope to say it's better now but I don't believe that.
Picture a police inspector in the midst of this, a capable no nonsense woman. Recipe for disaster, no question. As Jane fights her way through the bureaucracy there seems to be no way to win. Resources are tight and her superior dislikes her immensely.
It's a good and realistic story, the community tension very real, the tension within the officers in the police department equally so. An awful time in the history of London police and racial relations.
Hope to say it's better now but I don't believe that.
March 23, 2019
DCI Jane Tennison is called away from a training course to head the investigation of a body found buried in a back yard. The home is located in a predominantly black neighbourhood where relations with police are dismal at best. The neighbourhood gathers as the young woman's body is retrieved, certain that it is Simone Cameron, a local girl who has been missing for some time. This investigation quickly turns into a hot political issue especially when a former resident is taken into custody for questioning.
These books match the pace of the original TV show. Picture Helen Mirren at her most resolute, nothing escaping her steely-eyed gaze. The content is certainly dated in terms of the language and behaviour of the police officers; however, this is an exceptionally good police procedural.
These books match the pace of the original TV show. Picture Helen Mirren at her most resolute, nothing escaping her steely-eyed gaze. The content is certainly dated in terms of the language and behaviour of the police officers; however, this is an exceptionally good police procedural.
May 20, 2022
Very good again a old murder uncovered well worked out and put together
June 18, 2025
Enjoyed the second book despite the graphic language and story line. The sexism and racism of this time period is hard to swallow.
August 11, 2017
3.5 *
n.b. - the description on the GR page for the book is actually for a different one in the series.
n.b. - the description on the GR page for the book is actually for a different one in the series.
October 19, 2021
Audio book
November 3, 2023
I don’t always like Tennison, but 99% of the time, I respect her.
Strong plot, well-written, believable dialogue and characters.
Strong plot, well-written, believable dialogue and characters.
May 3, 2024
Not her best book, I got bored.
May 23, 2024
There wasn’t much to it, I still enjoyed it and it was a nice quick and easy read
March 19, 2012
Let me begin by saying that I liked Prime Suspect 2: A Face in the Crowd much better than Prime Suspect I. However, some of the issues I had with the first book are still there.
The good: the storyline. This storyline was even better than the first. A body of a young, black, female is found buried under a concrete slab in the backyard of a house. The investigation has to determine who was living in the house when the slabs were poured. Once they determine that, it still isn't as easy as it seems, with several characters possibly being involved in different ways. A good solid mystery. At times, I could not put the book down.
The bad: the characters and the "issue" that La Plante seems to chose for each book. In Prime Suspect 1, the majority of the characters were horrible male chauvinist. I mean really horrible: saying and doing things that you would not expect at all in any kind of professional setting. The issue for this book appears to be racism. Again, horrible characters saying and doing horrible things.
""I'm not your brother, I'm a police officer," Oswalde said solid. The guy was trying to play the black power card, and wasn't having any. Burkin would just love that, all dem black folks jess one big happy family crap."
"A sheer criminal waste of poll tax, in Burkin's view, most of which had been coughed up by white people to give the jungle bunnies somewhere to hang out all day, amusing themselves at the taxpayers' expense."
"I only stayed on because that big darkie wanted me out so badly."
Every few pages, it seemed that some character was making a racist statement. Perhaps I am a purist, but I want my mysteries to be mysteries, not a political commentary. She has covered chauvinism in book 1 and racism in book 2, I am hoping that 3 has no "ism" and is just a good solid mystery.
The good: the storyline. This storyline was even better than the first. A body of a young, black, female is found buried under a concrete slab in the backyard of a house. The investigation has to determine who was living in the house when the slabs were poured. Once they determine that, it still isn't as easy as it seems, with several characters possibly being involved in different ways. A good solid mystery. At times, I could not put the book down.
The bad: the characters and the "issue" that La Plante seems to chose for each book. In Prime Suspect 1, the majority of the characters were horrible male chauvinist. I mean really horrible: saying and doing things that you would not expect at all in any kind of professional setting. The issue for this book appears to be racism. Again, horrible characters saying and doing horrible things.
""I'm not your brother, I'm a police officer," Oswalde said solid. The guy was trying to play the black power card, and wasn't having any. Burkin would just love that, all dem black folks jess one big happy family crap."
"A sheer criminal waste of poll tax, in Burkin's view, most of which had been coughed up by white people to give the jungle bunnies somewhere to hang out all day, amusing themselves at the taxpayers' expense."
"I only stayed on because that big darkie wanted me out so badly."
Every few pages, it seemed that some character was making a racist statement. Perhaps I am a purist, but I want my mysteries to be mysteries, not a political commentary. She has covered chauvinism in book 1 and racism in book 2, I am hoping that 3 has no "ism" and is just a good solid mystery.
November 28, 2020
Really good
Brilliant taut, tight writing, cracking plot, steady building of tension. Crackles like fire Brilliant book. I liked the first book in this series. I think this book is even better. Five stars all the way along. So good. And then it ended, rather abruptly with one question not answered and up in the air, and launched suddenly into chapter one of what I think is the first book in the series without warning which confused me. I couldn't make out if it was the tail end of this book or the beginning of another book. I think it was the beginning of another book but it threw me. That's why I gave it four stars not the five it was on course for. It was irritating and confusing and I was already unsure about the rather quick ending with plot line hanging. That doesn't detract though from what is a gripping read. I love Jane Tennison. Empathise with her and thought this book multi layered, astute and eminently readable. A brilliant read. Looking forward to the next book in the series. I love Lynda La Plantes' writing style. I admire her skill with plot and characterisation. Excellent read.
Brilliant taut, tight writing, cracking plot, steady building of tension. Crackles like fire Brilliant book. I liked the first book in this series. I think this book is even better. Five stars all the way along. So good. And then it ended, rather abruptly with one question not answered and up in the air, and launched suddenly into chapter one of what I think is the first book in the series without warning which confused me. I couldn't make out if it was the tail end of this book or the beginning of another book. I think it was the beginning of another book but it threw me. That's why I gave it four stars not the five it was on course for. It was irritating and confusing and I was already unsure about the rather quick ending with plot line hanging. That doesn't detract though from what is a gripping read. I love Jane Tennison. Empathise with her and thought this book multi layered, astute and eminently readable. A brilliant read. Looking forward to the next book in the series. I love Lynda La Plantes' writing style. I admire her skill with plot and characterisation. Excellent read.
November 7, 2019
This was a great book and written in a way that kept you wondering what would happen next.
It brought you up to date with the main character and the sexism she faced within her role. I love the way this author brings her characters to life showing the main one as very driven and career oriented but facing overwhelming prejudice in her role and how she copes with these challenges. How despite these issues, she still manages to get her job done. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
It brought you up to date with the main character and the sexism she faced within her role. I love the way this author brings her characters to life showing the main one as very driven and career oriented but facing overwhelming prejudice in her role and how she copes with these challenges. How despite these issues, she still manages to get her job done. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
October 7, 2019
Another great book in the Tennison series. I really like how the Jane Tennison is portrayed in these books, you start to see some of her emotions and feelings which you didn't get from the TV series. The plot is really interesting as well, with good twists and turns.
November 11, 2021
Jane Tennison is such a fascinating character, full of flaws and very driven but also brilliant at her job as a DCI. The murder mystery in this one involves racism and cover-ups and I found very absorbing. So looking forward to future books in the series.
January 19, 2024
I enjoyed the Prime Suspect TV series so I picked up PS #1 just to get a sense of how La Plante envisioned Tennison from the beginning and I found the book interesting which inspired me to pick up PS #2. And, yuck! I wanted to get to know Tennison better and apparently La Plante preferred to give me a lovingly detailed profile of one of the planet's most disgusting men. I was subjected to revolting description and language about the mindset and actions of a truly perverted mind, but finished the book with no more understanding of Tennison than I had gotten from the first book. So, what I got about Jane from both books is that she's smart, hardworking, not personable and subjected to universal disregard and misogyny by her male colleagues. I am leaving this series bored and disgusted.
Rachel Atkins is almost too good. The anguished moans of victims and their loved ones sounds very real and is painful to listen to. The filthy voice of the criminal is way too good and made my skin crawl. I'd like to hear Ms. Atkins read a book I liked better than this one.
Rachel Atkins is almost too good. The anguished moans of victims and their loved ones sounds very real and is painful to listen to. The filthy voice of the criminal is way too good and made my skin crawl. I'd like to hear Ms. Atkins read a book I liked better than this one.
March 29, 2021
When the body of a young black woman is found, tensions run high in the community and the officer seconded to DCI Jane Tennison’s team causes major problems. This was an utterly compelling and brutal story exploring racism and sexism in the police force. The scenes with a suspect in police custody were electrifying and hard to bear. La Plante pulls no punches as she paints a picture of police cronyism and the old boys’ club hard at work protecting their own. I like that Tennison is not an unrealistic paragon of virtue. She makes errors, of judgement and treats people roughly at times, but she works incredibly hard, has excellent instincts, and achieves good results while struggling to break through the glass ceiling. Rachel Atkins narrates the audio expertly, her range of accents and female / male characters is superb.
Read
April 10, 2020On a course about questioning tactics, Tennison has a fling with a handsome sergeant. He is angry when she has to go back to Lo don for a case. The leader of the course sees the man leaving her room and tucks the knowledge away.
Builders discover the body of a young woman when they are digging up the garden of a house near where a young woman went missing. The racial tension adds to the difficulty of the case.
If the first installment in the series was about sexism, this book is about racism with a dose of sexism and police brutality, or alleged police brutality, on the side.
The endings of these books are always well done and I get a great sense of completion. The cherry on top of this ending is bitterness and unfairness.
Builders discover the body of a young woman when they are digging up the garden of a house near where a young woman went missing. The racial tension adds to the difficulty of the case.
If the first installment in the series was about sexism, this book is about racism with a dose of sexism and police brutality, or alleged police brutality, on the side.
The endings of these books are always well done and I get a great sense of completion. The cherry on top of this ending is bitterness and unfairness.
September 15, 2025
What a follow up book! I love this series - so hard hitting and there is some deadly serious crime happening. I love the female protagonist, especially as she is a trail blazer for the time and you had to be doubly on top of every single detail just to maintain your credit.
This book in the series has Chief Inspector Jane Tennison under the gun from all sides as the latest murder victim, who was buried years ago, has created racial and sexual tensions from the community and within the department. It's a story that is on fire from the start and doesn't let up for the entirety of the book.
Definitely checking out more of Lynda La Plante.
This book in the series has Chief Inspector Jane Tennison under the gun from all sides as the latest murder victim, who was buried years ago, has created racial and sexual tensions from the community and within the department. It's a story that is on fire from the start and doesn't let up for the entirety of the book.
Definitely checking out more of Lynda La Plante.
December 4, 2019
Read it in one day.
Yes, you might think I don't have the time (I don't know when I found the time), but around dropping Leonie off at school, cooking supper and taking care of the bear with a sore head, I finished this book in one day. La Plante's writing has a way of trailing me along, forcing me to turn the page again and again, making me forget that the rice is burning and that the dogs need feeding (fortunately Leonie can lend a hand here now), until I can finally find out how and who and why ... and in the back of my mind I'm sure I've seen the TV production of this one - it's good!
Yes, you might think I don't have the time (I don't know when I found the time), but around dropping Leonie off at school, cooking supper and taking care of the bear with a sore head, I finished this book in one day. La Plante's writing has a way of trailing me along, forcing me to turn the page again and again, making me forget that the rice is burning and that the dogs need feeding (fortunately Leonie can lend a hand here now), until I can finally find out how and who and why ... and in the back of my mind I'm sure I've seen the TV production of this one - it's good!
December 21, 2022
This was my first book from Lynda La Plante.
I enjoyed the story plot. Each clue is carefully divulged in the investigation over the discovery of a dead body found buried in a backyard. There are lots of twists and turns.
Because this is the second book of a series the characters were not developed in depth. Ans the main character, Jane, seems to be at the same level as the other secondary ones.
That said, I will definitely reas more books from this author.
I enjoyed the story plot. Each clue is carefully divulged in the investigation over the discovery of a dead body found buried in a backyard. There are lots of twists and turns.
Because this is the second book of a series the characters were not developed in depth. Ans the main character, Jane, seems to be at the same level as the other secondary ones.
That said, I will definitely reas more books from this author.
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