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Prime Suspect #1-3
The Prime Suspect Cases
All three Prime Suspect cases, featuring DCI Jane Tennison, in one stunning volume
PRIME SUSPECT
When a prostitute is found murdered in her bedsit, the Metropolitan police set to work finding the perpetrator of this brutal attack. For Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison, this is the perfect opportunity to get herself noticed. But when every one of her colleagues is willing her to trip up, and the case is far from clear cut, will she be able to prove her mettle.
PRIME SUSPECT 2: A FACE IN THE CROWD
The coroner's report identifies the body as young, black, female, and impossibly anonymous. Yet one thing is clear to DCI Jane Tennison - 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.
PRIME SUSPECT 3: SILENT VICTIMS
As Vera Reynolds, drag queen and night club star, sways onstage singing, a sixteen-year-old rent boy lies in the older man's apartment, engulfed in flames. For DCI Jane Tennison, now head of the Vice Squad, this high-profile case threatens to destroy the career she fought so hard for.
PRIME SUSPECT
When a prostitute is found murdered in her bedsit, the Metropolitan police set to work finding the perpetrator of this brutal attack. For Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison, this is the perfect opportunity to get herself noticed. But when every one of her colleagues is willing her to trip up, and the case is far from clear cut, will she be able to prove her mettle.
PRIME SUSPECT 2: A FACE IN THE CROWD
The coroner's report identifies the body as young, black, female, and impossibly anonymous. Yet one thing is clear to DCI Jane Tennison - 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.
PRIME SUSPECT 3: SILENT VICTIMS
As Vera Reynolds, drag queen and night club star, sways onstage singing, a sixteen-year-old rent boy lies in the older man's apartment, engulfed in flames. For DCI Jane Tennison, now head of the Vice Squad, this high-profile case threatens to destroy the career she fought so hard for.
663 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2013
233 people are currently reading
445 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 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 31, 2018
The Prime Suspect television show is one I’ve always meant to watch, but knowing there were books to read my heart went in a different direction. Thus, I was more than happy to pick up the Prime Suspect Cases, the omnibus allowing me to read the books back to back.
In truth, I was rather disappointed by the series. I’ve heard many great things about Lynda La Plante, yet these books failed to blow my mind in the way I had been made to believe. They were okay reads, but there was nothing overly amazing about them. While the series did get stronger with each book, none left enough of an impact to earn the series a place on my list of favourite crime reads.
In truth, I think a lot of my issues can be explained by how this book is very much a product of the time it was written. Some books you can read years on and they will still be wonderful reads, others not so much. This series falls into the latter category, with the behaviours and the issues reflecting the world in a very set way. It was interesting to read, but it wasn’t something I loved.
Overall, an okay series, but not one I will be returning to.
Individual book ratings:
Prime Suspect: Three stars.
A Face in the Crowd: Three stars.
Silent Victims: Three stars.
In truth, I was rather disappointed by the series. I’ve heard many great things about Lynda La Plante, yet these books failed to blow my mind in the way I had been made to believe. They were okay reads, but there was nothing overly amazing about them. While the series did get stronger with each book, none left enough of an impact to earn the series a place on my list of favourite crime reads.
In truth, I think a lot of my issues can be explained by how this book is very much a product of the time it was written. Some books you can read years on and they will still be wonderful reads, others not so much. This series falls into the latter category, with the behaviours and the issues reflecting the world in a very set way. It was interesting to read, but it wasn’t something I loved.
Overall, an okay series, but not one I will be returning to.
Individual book ratings:
Prime Suspect: Three stars.
A Face in the Crowd: Three stars.
Silent Victims: Three stars.
September 1, 2024
3 good cases. There are lots of twists and subplots. Easy read,enjoyed the book.
July 17, 2022
I enjoy reading Lynda La Plante books and read the prime suspect cases without seeing the tv shows and really enjoyed them although DCI Jane Tennison’s attitude I found at times was a bit over the top
June 30, 2016
Gave up. I found it very dated. Most of the drama in the first book seems to be about Tennison's male colleagues not wanting to work with a woman and trying to freeze her out. Historically accurate as that may be, I wanted to read a thriller. I found it interesting that it was written in the early 90's, almost 20 years after sex discrimination employment laws were passed in the UK.
October 2, 2017
If I hadn’t made a point of picking something by a popular author I’d have abandoned this book at 9% due to the poor quality of writing. Though hackneyed and boring, I’d paid for it, so I persevered. At 20%, and trying to ignore the trite feminism, I was relieved to find some interest in Tennison taking on the murder case. Also, the writing style reached an average level. By 59% it had sunk to painfully dull again with cliched phrases emphasizing gender bias grated on my nerves. This time I didn’t give up because I hoped for a twist. There was nothing to make me care about any of the characters and there was no twist. If Tennsion is supposed to be a cleverly flawed champion of women’s rights this failed for me. As an unpleasant harridan she made no point of interest. I won’t be reading anything else by Lynda La Plante.
September 27, 2017
I loved watching the Prime Suspect Telemovies years ago with Dame Helen Mirren as the lead character. They were outstanding. The book give you so much more you feel as though you are part of the team. You want justice for the victims & their families but most of all you want to see the villains get caught & punished. 3 books in one is a huge read but well worth every minute spent holding the book!!
August 6, 2021
One of my favourite TV series ever, so enjoyed re-visiting the stories. However, the TV series is far superior to this novelisation in my opinion. I read the Kindle version and at the beginning, there were typos which I found distracting. ('Delay' became 'Dellay', probably as one of the characters is called 'Della'). Really annoying!
I'd recommend that someone return to the DVDs rather than reading the book.
I'd recommend that someone return to the DVDs rather than reading the book.
September 17, 2017
I thoroughly enjoyed the series w Helen Mirren so thought I'd enjoy the books as well. I certainly did. I appreciate the research and trueness to the way the police worked at that time. It took many years, despite laws, for things to improve for women in the Police Dept in the US so I expect it was the same in the UK. Case progression, was good as well. Easy to get engrossed in.
October 8, 2017
Three books in one, all well written with good plot twists. Best enjoyed one after another. The characters build throughout the novels so good to have read them straight after one another. The final book didn't quite finish the way I was expecting and possibly too a little too long to get to the point. Books one and two were great reads.
May 3, 2020
Excellent collection of crime stories
Having seen all the prime suspect series on the TV many years ago,I thought I would read this book. As I was reading the various cases my mind recognise a lot of them.The TV actually did exact copies of these stories .They are very well written with attention to detail.A really good page turner which holds your interest right to the end.
Having seen all the prime suspect series on the TV many years ago,I thought I would read this book. As I was reading the various cases my mind recognise a lot of them.The TV actually did exact copies of these stories .They are very well written with attention to detail.A really good page turner which holds your interest right to the end.
February 28, 2024
All such classic amazing Lynda la Plante books with easy reading and storylines that have many twists and turns! Such a shame she didn't write more but I am loving watching the series! Love her writing so much
May 20, 2017
Enjoyed these
June 10, 2017
The first book was poorly written, but the writing style had improved by the time I got to the third. On the whole, not bad if a little predictable.
November 15, 2017
3 excellent whodunnits
September 15, 2019
Good yarn.
June 20, 2020
Fascinating insight into the world of the police
Good stories all of them
Great lead character
Standards maintained by an excellent author
Well worth a read
Good stories all of them
Great lead character
Standards maintained by an excellent author
Well worth a read
October 12, 2021
Big fan of Linda La Plante characters, they are very well described and they are all characters who have a dark side.
March 14, 2022
I have only given this 2 stars as the the copy I have from Amazon was full of mistakes and terrible editing, even changing characters named and repeating parts of the story.
November 12, 2017
Started this on Kindle on 2nd April 2017. Keeps you wanting to read even though I knew the plots from the TV series.
May 29, 2017
Early Tennison, much more Prime Suspect than the recent 1973 TV glamourised version that smacked a bit of an early 118 118 advert.....and there were no truly obese police in 1973 as physical fitness tests were applied.....! These are excellent books as always well written and researched, involving the reader in the way that only a great writer can.
May 19, 2015
You can't go wrong with Lynda La Plante
January 16, 2017
It was ok first book
Was hard to
Get through.
Was hard to
Get through.
February 7, 2017
Lynda La Plante
The name on its own tells you that what you are about to read is first class writing in the highest categories of crime writing
The name on its own tells you that what you are about to read is first class writing in the highest categories of crime writing
September 28, 2023
Absolutely love this series, couldn’t put it down and became obsessed with Tennisons next breakthroughs
February 18, 2016
Took 12 days to read. What I can I say !
July 23, 2017
some typos in the book but made me remember how good the TV show was
Read
November 6, 2017Very entertaining
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews