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The Governor
The Governor
A FULLY REVISED AND EDITED EDITION OF THE CLASSIC CRIME NOVEL INSPIRED BY THE POPULAR TV SERIES STARRING JANET MCTEER
No one is above the law.
Barfield Prison is one of the toughest high-security prisons in England, housing the country's most dangerous criminals. And when an inmate is found dead in his cell, a riot breaks out, forcing the authorities to investigate a potential murder.
Despite being Barfield's youngest ever female Governor, Helen Hewitt is seen as the best woman for the job. But with a prison full of corrupt and suspicious officers, restless inmates and a broken system, Helen has her work cut out - and no allies to help her....
Based on the popular TV series starring Janet McTeer.
No one is above the law.
Barfield Prison is one of the toughest high-security prisons in England, housing the country's most dangerous criminals. And when an inmate is found dead in his cell, a riot breaks out, forcing the authorities to investigate a potential murder.
Despite being Barfield's youngest ever female Governor, Helen Hewitt is seen as the best woman for the job. But with a prison full of corrupt and suspicious officers, restless inmates and a broken system, Helen has her work cut out - and no allies to help her....
Based on the popular TV series starring Janet McTeer.
502 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 5, 1995
About the author
Lynda La Plante
142 books1,896 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
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
November 15, 2022
Kept on getting confused who was who
October 30, 2021
4.5 stars. Like other La Plante female characters, I really disliked the main character, Helen. So much so that I considered, after about 4-5 chapters, ditching the book.
I continued listening because it’s a very good story.
I’ve read a lot of crime fiction, and I went into this book with the usual, “lock ‘em up and throw away the key”, attitude. But this book challenges the common idea about prison and prisoners, and the purpose of incarceration. Is rehabilitation possible in a prison system designed for punishment.
I continued listening because it’s a very good story.
I’ve read a lot of crime fiction, and I went into this book with the usual, “lock ‘em up and throw away the key”, attitude. But this book challenges the common idea about prison and prisoners, and the purpose of incarceration. Is rehabilitation possible in a prison system designed for punishment.
September 1, 2022
3.5. This was something completely different to what I expected, but in a good way. It was quite refreshing seeing the prison life from the inside, whether this is close to the reality or not. So far, my favourite from Lynda La Plante.
My only criticism of the audiobook was that sometimes I was lost trying to recognise who was who.
My only criticism of the audiobook was that sometimes I was lost trying to recognise who was who.
May 26, 2020
Audio version of this book 📚- an entertaining listen and a real insight into prison life. Great strong female character
August 12, 2022
A brilliant book as always she always goes into the smallest of details that makes you think you are in the story now book 2
August 20, 2022
Really enjoyed this one! I loved the TV series “Wentworth” and this book had a similar feel to me. Loved the treatment of both the inmate characters as well as the prison staff. Nice depth.
April 30, 2021
It was ok. Not one of my favourites.
I like the way it was broken down into different sections.
I didn't like the governor. Didn't warm to her at all or care about her career.
The inmates were interesting.
I was listening on audio and will listen to the next one in the series.
I like the way it was broken down into different sections.
I didn't like the governor. Didn't warm to her at all or care about her career.
The inmates were interesting.
I was listening on audio and will listen to the next one in the series.
Currently Reading
October 29, 2021I find the whole story very patronising and I cannot decide if I am prepared to spend another 8 or 9 hours listening to it. Why?
1. There is an assumption that by listening to classical music, you are a higher being and punk rock is just noise. Punk may well be noise, but to some, so is classical music.
2. The description of Yorkshire and its accent is just plain rude. You would not get away with it about another country, so do not do it for a county of the UK
3. The Governor is arrogant, self-opinionated, selfish and overall obnoxious. I have started work in a few companies in my life and if I had gone in with her approach, I would have failed. Respect is earned, not handed out because of your job title.
4. Contrary to the message throughout the story, not all men are thick, stupid good for nothings. You would not say it or portray it about women. The story is misandric in the extreme and La Plante should be ashamed of herself for writing such bigotry.
I found myself just willing her to fail. The TV interview was hilarious. Oh, look at me arriving like a princess - to be shot down in flames and then spit her dummy out because it wasn't the Helen appreciation society.
1. There is an assumption that by listening to classical music, you are a higher being and punk rock is just noise. Punk may well be noise, but to some, so is classical music.
2. The description of Yorkshire and its accent is just plain rude. You would not get away with it about another country, so do not do it for a county of the UK
3. The Governor is arrogant, self-opinionated, selfish and overall obnoxious. I have started work in a few companies in my life and if I had gone in with her approach, I would have failed. Respect is earned, not handed out because of your job title.
4. Contrary to the message throughout the story, not all men are thick, stupid good for nothings. You would not say it or portray it about women. The story is misandric in the extreme and La Plante should be ashamed of herself for writing such bigotry.
I found myself just willing her to fail. The TV interview was hilarious. Oh, look at me arriving like a princess - to be shot down in flames and then spit her dummy out because it wasn't the Helen appreciation society.
April 1, 2022
Usually like most of her books but this was not her best.
February 25, 2022
It read exactly like what it was, a novelization of a TV series. It was somewhat entertaining, but it was hard to get invested in characters who were largely interchangeable and had little time for the reader to get to know them.
It was also very much a product of its time. A lot of talking about how sexy the titular governor is, lots of talk of her breasts, and, most horrifyingly... One of the other staff members refers to her (not sure if aloud or mentally) as...
Miss Fragrant Drawers.
I can't. Everything about that makes me cringe. Full body, head to toe cringe. A cringe so hard and so prolonged that it hurts. Who the heck SAYS that? How does someone even come up with that?! Fragrant. Drawers. I absolutely cannot.
I don't even get it. Is it a "look at her, she thinks her poop doesn't stink" or is it literally a comment on the smell of her vaginal secretions?
Uuurgh.
Her drawers were referred to by the same character again, in different ways. Iron Drawers, once, if I recall. Again, urgh.
The 90s TV sexuality was one thing. The conservative view of prison systems was another. The young governor goes from idealist/reformer to hardcore crime and punishment in less than a year. It wasn't exactly fair and balanced...
The one thing that stood out, though, was the fact that in the 90s, prisoners still had to "slop out." I was stunned. Cells didn't have toilets. They had buckets. In the 1990s. And people complained about the idea of toilets being installed. It blew my mind. Then again, my own experience of English plumbing in the outside world was pretty ridiculous, so...
It was also very much a product of its time. A lot of talking about how sexy the titular governor is, lots of talk of her breasts, and, most horrifyingly... One of the other staff members refers to her (not sure if aloud or mentally) as...
Miss Fragrant Drawers.
I can't. Everything about that makes me cringe. Full body, head to toe cringe. A cringe so hard and so prolonged that it hurts. Who the heck SAYS that? How does someone even come up with that?! Fragrant. Drawers. I absolutely cannot.
I don't even get it. Is it a "look at her, she thinks her poop doesn't stink" or is it literally a comment on the smell of her vaginal secretions?
Uuurgh.
Her drawers were referred to by the same character again, in different ways. Iron Drawers, once, if I recall. Again, urgh.
The 90s TV sexuality was one thing. The conservative view of prison systems was another. The young governor goes from idealist/reformer to hardcore crime and punishment in less than a year. It wasn't exactly fair and balanced...
The one thing that stood out, though, was the fact that in the 90s, prisoners still had to "slop out." I was stunned. Cells didn't have toilets. They had buckets. In the 1990s. And people complained about the idea of toilets being installed. It blew my mind. Then again, my own experience of English plumbing in the outside world was pretty ridiculous, so...
February 27, 2022
I enjoyed this story, but the first part felt independent from the rest, almost as if they were separate books: a prequel and a sequel. The story was engaging though the addition of so many insignificant characters made it feel confusing. I was a bit let down by such a major plot line (*spoiler: helicopter escape) wasn't even mentioned again or brought to a conclusion. I'll read the second book because I want to see if all the above are resolved there.
I listened on Audible and the narrator is absolutely one of my favorites as of recently and she made this story infinitely better.
I listened on Audible and the narrator is absolutely one of my favorites as of recently and she made this story infinitely better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 31, 2022
I seriously can’t get enough of Lynda la Plante right now! I’m listening to them on audible so I get to enjoy not just the story but the performances too.
As with all of the books I’ve read by Lynda la Plante, the book is so well written, I feel like I’m there standing at Helen Hewitts side!
I felt the fear of certain prisoners,the threats of violence & also the joy & sorrow for others.
I felt for Norman Jones, firstly I felt fear but then sorrow at how he was misunderstood. Kelly who made such a bad decision & changed his life for the worse.
Can’t wait to read (listen) part 2!
As with all of the books I’ve read by Lynda la Plante, the book is so well written, I feel like I’m there standing at Helen Hewitts side!
I felt the fear of certain prisoners,the threats of violence & also the joy & sorrow for others.
I felt for Norman Jones, firstly I felt fear but then sorrow at how he was misunderstood. Kelly who made such a bad decision & changed his life for the worse.
Can’t wait to read (listen) part 2!
February 24, 2022
This was an intense look into the prison system. The difficulties of men all forced to live together in an oppressed environment are shown in all the expected harshness. Throw in the vagaries of the guards and it’s a volcano always ready to erupt and erupt it does. It’s not a comfortable listen by any means and and confronts the reader/listener with many questions about how incarceration can work. It was extremely well narrated by Lucy Price-Lewis
August 15, 2024
The Governor had me from the beginning of the book. Lynda La Plante sure knows how write a great book!
Although the book is almost 30 years old, it would still make a great book group book. It still contains questions we struggle with in today’s prisons.
Even if a reader is not interested in discussing the topics the book considers, this is an interesting, entertaining read. I recommend it.
Although the book is almost 30 years old, it would still make a great book group book. It still contains questions we struggle with in today’s prisons.
Even if a reader is not interested in discussing the topics the book considers, this is an interesting, entertaining read. I recommend it.
August 9, 2026
The final third of this book is very strong, with redemption and suffering stirring the flames. You could also argue that the whole book is full of suffering, which should be no surprise about a story about a prison.
I digress.
I loved the personal stories which form the core of the book, which clearly are the author’s strengths. The story itself isn’t the most fast paced, which for me affects the intensity, but the strength of the writing is clear to see.
I digress.
I loved the personal stories which form the core of the book, which clearly are the author’s strengths. The story itself isn’t the most fast paced, which for me affects the intensity, but the strength of the writing is clear to see.
August 11, 2022
12 I am almost sure that I have read this before. Still, I am not entirely sure that it has aged well. Apart from the obvious lack of technology much of the ‘radical’ thinking is a bit of old hat now. That and the lack of credibility in some of the reasons behind the actions of some of the side characters. Recommended to the normal crew that like Ms Le Plante’s writings.
September 26, 2021
I listened to this on audible and loved it. The characterisation is brilliant, the story well written and gritty have immediately bought book 2 - Lucy Price-Lewis is fantastic and brings Linda's book to life 👌🏻
March 3, 2025
A strong woman with a vision—that’s what Helen brought with her to the high-security men’s prison where she is the youngest ever. What she faces is not only a prison full of men who expect her to be weak but t so does her all-male staff. Good book, tough job, strong woman.
October 16, 2025
The governer wasn't what a expected from the very first page at all.
Yes the books plot was good but what a think brought this one all together was the characters throughout.
I did enjoy the governer and I can't wait to see what else is in store from this author.
Yes the books plot was good but what a think brought this one all together was the characters throughout.
I did enjoy the governer and I can't wait to see what else is in store from this author.
July 19, 2026
a good read
As a fan of Lynda L Plante I enjoyed this novel but found it lacked that special something I have come to expect from this author. Not a page turner in my humble opinion.
As a fan of Lynda L Plante I enjoyed this novel but found it lacked that special something I have come to expect from this author. Not a page turner in my humble opinion.
August 14, 2026
Excellent
Lynda does not disappoint, hard hitting engaging storytelling. Full believable characters, so frightening and dad to think that this is someone reality, for both the inmates and the wardens. We don't pay them enough sadly. I recommend.
Lynda does not disappoint, hard hitting engaging storytelling. Full believable characters, so frightening and dad to think that this is someone reality, for both the inmates and the wardens. We don't pay them enough sadly. I recommend.
April 21, 2019
Loved the TV series and this is a faithful retelling of it. As always from Lynda La Plante very entertaining stuff.
May 20, 2021
I did like this book at all ☹️
July 23, 2022
Audiobook
Although long winded, this could have been much more streamlined, rather than come across autobiographical.
Interesting and intriguing
Although long winded, this could have been much more streamlined, rather than come across autobiographical.
Interesting and intriguing
August 4, 2022
3,5 Dálítið löng og ég náði að rugla öllu þessu liði saman. Stundum var ég ekki viss hvort þetta væru fangar eða verðir. En að öðru leyti fín.
August 11, 2022
A ‘novelisation’ of a TV series and a bit ponderous
August 22, 2022
I have fond memories of watching this as a tv series years ago.
It was still interesting enough to hold me focused despite it’s length (15h)
Good narration
It was still interesting enough to hold me focused despite it’s length (15h)
Good narration
January 3, 2023
I love Lynda’s books but this just did not do it for me..but I’ll still try part two 🙂
January 28, 2023
Couldn’t put it down
July 10, 2026
Brilliant
Grips you from the start, wh
at brilliant writing, I could not put this book down , so many ups and downs.
Grips you from the start, wh
at brilliant writing, I could not put this book down , so many ups and downs.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews