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Tennison #1
Tennison: Prime Suspect 1973
From the creator of the award-winning ITV series Prime Suspect, starring Helen Mirren, comes the fascinating back story of the iconic DCI Jane Tennison. In 1973 Jane Tennison, aged 22, leaves the Metropolitan Police Training Academy to be placed on probationary exercise in Hackney where criminality thrives. We witness her struggle to cope in a male-dominated, chauvinistic environment, learning fast to deal with shocking situations with no help or sympathy from her superiors. Then comes her involvement in her first murder case. 'Classic Lynda, a fabulous read' -- MARTINA COLE**Lynda La Plante's Widows is now a major motion picture**
611 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 24, 2015
1271 people are currently reading
4154 people want to read
About the author
Lynda La Plante
123 books1,825 followersLynda La Plante, CBE (born Lynda Titchmarsh) is a British author, screenwriter, and erstwhile actress (her performances in Rentaghost and other programmes were under her stage name of Lynda Marchal), best known for writing the Prime Suspect television crime series.
Her first TV series as a scriptwriter was the six part robbery series Widows, in 1983, in which the widows of four armed robbers carry out a heist planned by their deceased husbands.
In 1991 ITV released Prime Suspect which has now run to seven series and stars Helen Mirren as DCI Jane Tennison. (In the United States Prime Suspect airs on PBS as part of the anthology program Mystery!) In 1993 La Plante won an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for her work on the series. In 1992 she wrote at TV movie called Seekers, starring Brenda Fricker and Josette Simon, produced by Sarah Lawson.
She formed her own television production company, La Plante Productions, in 1994 and as La Plante Productions she wrote and produced the sequel to Widows, the equally gutsy She's Out (ITV, 1995). The name "La Plante" comes from her marriage to writer Richard La Plante, author of the book Mantis and Hog Fever. La Plante divorced Lynda in the early 1990s.
Her output continued with The Governor (ITV 1995-96), a series focusing on the female governor of a high security prison, and was followed by a string of ratings pulling miniseries: the psycho killer nightmare events of Trial & Retribution (ITV 1997-), the widows' revenge of the murders of their husbands & children Bella Mafia (1997) (starring Vanessa Redgrave), the undercover police unit operations of Supply and Demand (ITV 1998), videogame/internet murder mystery Killer Net (Channel 4 1998) and the female criminal profiler cases of Mind Games (ITV 2001).
Two additions to the Trial and Retribution miniseries were broadcast during 2006.
Her first TV series as a scriptwriter was the six part robbery series Widows, in 1983, in which the widows of four armed robbers carry out a heist planned by their deceased husbands.
In 1991 ITV released Prime Suspect which has now run to seven series and stars Helen Mirren as DCI Jane Tennison. (In the United States Prime Suspect airs on PBS as part of the anthology program Mystery!) In 1993 La Plante won an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for her work on the series. In 1992 she wrote at TV movie called Seekers, starring Brenda Fricker and Josette Simon, produced by Sarah Lawson.
She formed her own television production company, La Plante Productions, in 1994 and as La Plante Productions she wrote and produced the sequel to Widows, the equally gutsy She's Out (ITV, 1995). The name "La Plante" comes from her marriage to writer Richard La Plante, author of the book Mantis and Hog Fever. La Plante divorced Lynda in the early 1990s.
Her output continued with The Governor (ITV 1995-96), a series focusing on the female governor of a high security prison, and was followed by a string of ratings pulling miniseries: the psycho killer nightmare events of Trial & Retribution (ITV 1997-), the widows' revenge of the murders of their husbands & children Bella Mafia (1997) (starring Vanessa Redgrave), the undercover police unit operations of Supply and Demand (ITV 1998), videogame/internet murder mystery Killer Net (Channel 4 1998) and the female criminal profiler cases of Mind Games (ITV 2001).
Two additions to the Trial and Retribution miniseries were broadcast during 2006.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 444 reviews
January 25, 2019
Prime suspect 1973 by Lynda la Plante is the beginning of Jane Tennison (Helen Mirren) career as a young WPC.
This police drama is a book that is easy, enjoyable, fast paced and nerve jumping fun.
It has a two story into one feel about it with murdered teenagers in the first half and a bank robbery in the second half which is only joined by one tiny thread which you can forget about when reading.
This book just flows together nicely, with characters that are fun to read (and a great description of the 70's fashion) whilst it keeps you flipping the pages.
There is a slight predictability to the back story with the young WPC and the higher ranking DCI 🙄.
A part from that this book has a sense of believability to it .
With a 'Oh my god' what an ending 😱 you just don't see it coming.
I highly recommend this if you need an easy read but with a lot of story to sink your teeth into.
A buddy read with Terry Huntress Of Erudition
This police drama is a book that is easy, enjoyable, fast paced and nerve jumping fun.
It has a two story into one feel about it with murdered teenagers in the first half and a bank robbery in the second half which is only joined by one tiny thread which you can forget about when reading.
This book just flows together nicely, with characters that are fun to read (and a great description of the 70's fashion) whilst it keeps you flipping the pages.
There is a slight predictability to the back story with the young WPC and the higher ranking DCI 🙄.
A part from that this book has a sense of believability to it .
With a 'Oh my god' what an ending 😱 you just don't see it coming.
I highly recommend this if you need an easy read but with a lot of story to sink your teeth into.
A buddy read with Terry Huntress Of Erudition
![Profile Image for Terence M [on a brief semi-hiatus].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1712357414i%2F6658001._UY200_CR4%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
June 9, 2018
Audiobook - 17:21 hours - Narrator: Julie Teal
4.0 solid stars out of 5.0
Lynda La Plante’s “Anna Travis” series is a wonderful example of this writer’s ability to introduce a character, such as a rookie Detective Constable Anna Travis, and then progress the development of the character through nine books over nine years, to a time when Anna Travis has risen to the rank of Detective Chief Inspector.
“Tennison” is the back story of the iconic DCI Jane Tennison from the TV series "Prime Suspect", starring the wonderful Helen Mirren. Set in the early 1970's, this book features a very young Jane Tennison and her life as a Probationary WPC in the tough, male-dominated world of the London Police. Tennison, a naïve young trainee just out of police college, has started serving her probationary weeks as a real police constable, in a real police station, where real chauvinism abounds, and young WPCs, particularly probationers, are referred to, by the males of course, as “plonks”.
This reviewer's credibility needed to be gently cast to one side as Jane Tennison became involved in a good deal more police activity, both inside and outside the station, than one could possibly imagine would happen in the “real world”. But this is relatively light-hearted, but by no means light-weight fiction, written by an author with an excellent knowledge of the workings of the British Police and an outstanding record as a writer of British crime fiction.
At 17:21 hours, “Tennison” is a rather long but nonetheless satisfying novel, extremely well narrated by Julie Teal. Teal has an ability that few female narrators possess: she is able to vocalise different male characters, voices and accents without compromising her superb reading skills.
4.0 solid stars out of 5.0
Lynda La Plante’s “Anna Travis” series is a wonderful example of this writer’s ability to introduce a character, such as a rookie Detective Constable Anna Travis, and then progress the development of the character through nine books over nine years, to a time when Anna Travis has risen to the rank of Detective Chief Inspector.
“Tennison” is the back story of the iconic DCI Jane Tennison from the TV series "Prime Suspect", starring the wonderful Helen Mirren. Set in the early 1970's, this book features a very young Jane Tennison and her life as a Probationary WPC in the tough, male-dominated world of the London Police. Tennison, a naïve young trainee just out of police college, has started serving her probationary weeks as a real police constable, in a real police station, where real chauvinism abounds, and young WPCs, particularly probationers, are referred to, by the males of course, as “plonks”.
This reviewer's credibility needed to be gently cast to one side as Jane Tennison became involved in a good deal more police activity, both inside and outside the station, than one could possibly imagine would happen in the “real world”. But this is relatively light-hearted, but by no means light-weight fiction, written by an author with an excellent knowledge of the workings of the British Police and an outstanding record as a writer of British crime fiction.
At 17:21 hours, “Tennison” is a rather long but nonetheless satisfying novel, extremely well narrated by Julie Teal. Teal has an ability that few female narrators possess: she is able to vocalise different male characters, voices and accents without compromising her superb reading skills.
March 30, 2018
I received a free copy of Tennison (A Jane Tennison Thriller #1) by Lynda La Plante from Bookish First for my honest review.
This was a wonderful detective book with insightful writing and great characters that suck you into the book. A very enjoyable read and although it is roughly 500 pages to is a quick read.
This was a wonderful detective book with insightful writing and great characters that suck you into the book. A very enjoyable read and although it is roughly 500 pages to is a quick read.
February 6, 2017
This is the first book I have read by Lynda La Plante and it's awful.
I have only given it two stars, because I remember enjoying "Prime Suspect" and "Widows" back in the day. This gives the backstory to the protagonist of "Prime Suspect" which is the only reason that I didn't DNF.
This is obviously the work of a screenwriter and not a novelist. The characters are barely one dimensional: they are so steroptypical. ie: The gruff copper with a soft heart; the Cockney villain who slaps his old mum, the hairdresser sister who has no ambition and just wants to be married, etc.
The poor, unsung heroines are the long suffering WPC's who have to do all the thinking for the male coppers who can barely function without them. Then the sainted WPC's solve all of the cases and clean up after the brutish men.
Yes, I am sure there was and is sexism in the Met police, but surely not all men are alcoholics and morons, who need to be told how to do the most basic police work.
The dialogue is ludicrous and soooo clunky. La Plante often forgets to use contractions and characters say things like, "I am going to the toilet as I am desperate." People don't talk like that.
Even the plot which surely should be half decent is tired and old. The killer is found by some ridiculous plot contrivances and you don't believe any of it.
I can only assume that the director and actors amend the dialogue to make it realistic, when they film these things.
I have only given it two stars, because I remember enjoying "Prime Suspect" and "Widows" back in the day. This gives the backstory to the protagonist of "Prime Suspect" which is the only reason that I didn't DNF.
This is obviously the work of a screenwriter and not a novelist. The characters are barely one dimensional: they are so steroptypical. ie: The gruff copper with a soft heart; the Cockney villain who slaps his old mum, the hairdresser sister who has no ambition and just wants to be married, etc.
The poor, unsung heroines are the long suffering WPC's who have to do all the thinking for the male coppers who can barely function without them. Then the sainted WPC's solve all of the cases and clean up after the brutish men.
Yes, I am sure there was and is sexism in the Met police, but surely not all men are alcoholics and morons, who need to be told how to do the most basic police work.
The dialogue is ludicrous and soooo clunky. La Plante often forgets to use contractions and characters say things like, "I am going to the toilet as I am desperate." People don't talk like that.
Even the plot which surely should be half decent is tired and old. The killer is found by some ridiculous plot contrivances and you don't believe any of it.
I can only assume that the director and actors amend the dialogue to make it realistic, when they film these things.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2024
Lynda La Plante transported me back to London in the 1970s. Way back when, I watched with riveted attention the television series, Prime Suspect, starring Helen Mirren. It was a trip down memory lane and beyond to pre-Prime Suspect and how Jane Tennison faired as a new recruit on the Police force. I enjoyed it very much and look forward to the following volumes in the series.
September 15, 2015
My View:
I predict this will be a number one seller!
In March 2014 Lynda La Plante announced that she was returning to writing about the character she created in the Prime Suspect series which later was adapted for a very successful TV series of the same name; anyone who is over the age of thirty will immediately recognise the name DCI Jane Tennison and the name of the first victim in this series, Della Mornay.
So it goes without saying that a new book – a prequel to this series based on Jane Tennisons’s early career and life will be immensely popular. I jumped at the chance of reading and reviewing this book knowing I would be in for a treat. I wasn’t disappointed.
This is a wonderful introduction to the character many of us are already familiar with- Jane Tennison. In this book we meet WPC Jane Tennison as she embarks on her probationary period with the Metropolitan Police based at Hackney – a very violent and rough part of London at the time. The 1970’s is a time of immense change in the world in general – feminism is speaking loudly to all the world, though not necessarily being heard or embraced by all – especially not by those in such strong empires of male power – such as the police force – Jane experiences firsthand sexism, discrimination, exploitation and bullying on a daily basis. The world of policing is rapidly changing in many other areas – forensic science is forging ahead, DNA profiling is making its presence felt and crimes scenes are being read in ways not considered in the past. Criminal behaviour (on the force and in the street) is also changing – gangs are more organised, harder drugs are being touted…bribery and corruption are the norm. Jane enters a world that offers her no favours, that does not recognise her talents or her ambition but slowly her determination and intelligence is making a mark. This is the world that shaped Jane into the DCI will all grew to know and love in Prime Suspect.
By the way - I also loved the music references in this novel – especially those of Janis Joplin and The Moody Blues, the couple of tracks mentioned in the novel are favourites and instantly take me back to a different time.
Tennison is a fast moving, engaging and satisfying read. I look forward to reading the next instalment in this series.
I predict this will be a number one seller!
In March 2014 Lynda La Plante announced that she was returning to writing about the character she created in the Prime Suspect series which later was adapted for a very successful TV series of the same name; anyone who is over the age of thirty will immediately recognise the name DCI Jane Tennison and the name of the first victim in this series, Della Mornay.
So it goes without saying that a new book – a prequel to this series based on Jane Tennisons’s early career and life will be immensely popular. I jumped at the chance of reading and reviewing this book knowing I would be in for a treat. I wasn’t disappointed.
This is a wonderful introduction to the character many of us are already familiar with- Jane Tennison. In this book we meet WPC Jane Tennison as she embarks on her probationary period with the Metropolitan Police based at Hackney – a very violent and rough part of London at the time. The 1970’s is a time of immense change in the world in general – feminism is speaking loudly to all the world, though not necessarily being heard or embraced by all – especially not by those in such strong empires of male power – such as the police force – Jane experiences firsthand sexism, discrimination, exploitation and bullying on a daily basis. The world of policing is rapidly changing in many other areas – forensic science is forging ahead, DNA profiling is making its presence felt and crimes scenes are being read in ways not considered in the past. Criminal behaviour (on the force and in the street) is also changing – gangs are more organised, harder drugs are being touted…bribery and corruption are the norm. Jane enters a world that offers her no favours, that does not recognise her talents or her ambition but slowly her determination and intelligence is making a mark. This is the world that shaped Jane into the DCI will all grew to know and love in Prime Suspect.
By the way - I also loved the music references in this novel – especially those of Janis Joplin and The Moody Blues, the couple of tracks mentioned in the novel are favourites and instantly take me back to a different time.
Tennison is a fast moving, engaging and satisfying read. I look forward to reading the next instalment in this series.
November 23, 2016
I should have stopped reading this but I ploughed on. The writing is so ... drab and the language choices were poor throughout. And don't get me started on Tennison - what a pathetic, weedy character. She had no backbone and I found her unbelievable and was unsympathetic to her 'heartbreak'.
This book did do one thing for me: push me to put my own novel in for publication. If this can be mass produced, I have no doubt my own work is more than worthy of the same treatment.
This book did do one thing for me: push me to put my own novel in for publication. If this can be mass produced, I have no doubt my own work is more than worthy of the same treatment.
November 14, 2015
‘Tennison’ is a very typical police procedural novel where you follow the shifts of a young WPC named Jane. Before reading other reviews of the book I was unaware that Jane Tennison is a popular character in other La Plante novels, but it now makes sense as to why this book received such hype when it was released. I was thinking that this was because it was a great new novel, but rather the reality is that Jane is a known character with a large fan base that were keen to read more about her.
The first few chapters of the book are gripping – by chance Jane gets herself invited inside one of the most notorious crime family’s homes, is working her way through the sexism of the early 70’s as women were allowed to work alongside men as police, etc. However the novel very quickly loses it’s momentum and if the aim of the novel was to portray the tedium of police life, then this is well and truly clear by the chapters of inane commentary that lead us nowhere.
Of particular annoyance was the time dedicated to musing about Jane’s sisters wedding, and why it was so rushed. This did nothing to forward the plot on and the musings were never resolved. Unless of course they are resolved in the ‘Prime Suspect’ series, but for an uninitiated reader like myself, it just seems that this thread in the book was unnecessary.
Due to the monotony of the book, to me it felt a lot longer than it’s 400 pages. It’s certainly true to it’s genre, but I was hoping for more than the cliché plot that we were given.
The first few chapters of the book are gripping – by chance Jane gets herself invited inside one of the most notorious crime family’s homes, is working her way through the sexism of the early 70’s as women were allowed to work alongside men as police, etc. However the novel very quickly loses it’s momentum and if the aim of the novel was to portray the tedium of police life, then this is well and truly clear by the chapters of inane commentary that lead us nowhere.
Of particular annoyance was the time dedicated to musing about Jane’s sisters wedding, and why it was so rushed. This did nothing to forward the plot on and the musings were never resolved. Unless of course they are resolved in the ‘Prime Suspect’ series, but for an uninitiated reader like myself, it just seems that this thread in the book was unnecessary.
Due to the monotony of the book, to me it felt a lot longer than it’s 400 pages. It’s certainly true to it’s genre, but I was hoping for more than the cliché plot that we were given.
June 5, 2021
This is the first book in the Jane Tennison story by author Lynda La Plante and is a very good police procedural series.
Jane Tennison is a great character and the books make very entertaining read, well written, good plots and a no nonsense approach throughout. The books are full of action and not rushed with every detail covered.
Set in 1973 and 22 year old WPC Jane Tennison is a probationer at an East End police station. Jane is keen to learn and eager to make her way in the police even though it is very much a man’s world. Fresh from graduating at Hendon she becomes involved in a murder case of a young woman who has been brutally murdered.
I know this character so well having read many of the books and watched the television series and Tennison really is one of the best crime series characters. Well worth a read.
Jane Tennison is a great character and the books make very entertaining read, well written, good plots and a no nonsense approach throughout. The books are full of action and not rushed with every detail covered.
Set in 1973 and 22 year old WPC Jane Tennison is a probationer at an East End police station. Jane is keen to learn and eager to make her way in the police even though it is very much a man’s world. Fresh from graduating at Hendon she becomes involved in a murder case of a young woman who has been brutally murdered.
I know this character so well having read many of the books and watched the television series and Tennison really is one of the best crime series characters. Well worth a read.
August 21, 2023
Although it’s always interesting to read a modern, technological and forensically savvy police procedural, it often feels very refreshing to read a crime thriller that portrays policing at its most basic, with boots on the ground and good old traditional policing to solve crimes.
I fell in love with the twenty two year old Jane Tennison immediately, her naivety to the job and towards colleagues of all ranks, made her instantly adorable and she is someone I would have loved to have worked with back in the day.
Being set in the 1970’s you expect a high amount of misogyny and typical male bravado amongst the ranks but although there was some expected chauvinist behaviour from the men towards the women, a lot of it was tongue in cheek and nothing more than the pranks you may get nowadays. In fact, at times both Jane and Kath (her fellow female colleague), were protected and looked after numerous times. As the story develops the actual amount of love and respect towards one of them becomes abundantly clear.
I remember watching the program ‘Prime Suspect 1973’ which follows the book quite closely and it was enjoyable for me having that image in my head as I read the book, although this was far from necessary.
Being a Lynda La Plante fan already, it was a pleasure to read “Tennison”, the first in the series based on the start of Jane’s police career back in 1973. This is a brick of a book coming in at nearly 600 pages, so it’s worth every penny and I’m now going to read the second book in the series ‘Hidden Killers” set a year later. I look forward to reading the whole series in order to enjoy the continuity of Jane’s police career, from her probation to the fully qualified no nonsense detective of the regular prime suspect series, we all know and love.
#Tennison - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I fell in love with the twenty two year old Jane Tennison immediately, her naivety to the job and towards colleagues of all ranks, made her instantly adorable and she is someone I would have loved to have worked with back in the day.
Being set in the 1970’s you expect a high amount of misogyny and typical male bravado amongst the ranks but although there was some expected chauvinist behaviour from the men towards the women, a lot of it was tongue in cheek and nothing more than the pranks you may get nowadays. In fact, at times both Jane and Kath (her fellow female colleague), were protected and looked after numerous times. As the story develops the actual amount of love and respect towards one of them becomes abundantly clear.
I remember watching the program ‘Prime Suspect 1973’ which follows the book quite closely and it was enjoyable for me having that image in my head as I read the book, although this was far from necessary.
Being a Lynda La Plante fan already, it was a pleasure to read “Tennison”, the first in the series based on the start of Jane’s police career back in 1973. This is a brick of a book coming in at nearly 600 pages, so it’s worth every penny and I’m now going to read the second book in the series ‘Hidden Killers” set a year later. I look forward to reading the whole series in order to enjoy the continuity of Jane’s police career, from her probation to the fully qualified no nonsense detective of the regular prime suspect series, we all know and love.
#Tennison - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
September 16, 2015
In this latest offering we're taking a step back in time to meet the young Jane Tennison, a recent graduate of police training college and a probationer with the Metropolitan Police.
As well as grappling with sexual harassment and being seen as a uniformed tea lady and dogsbody, Jane's also dealing with the usual new-to-the-job hassles. She's fortunate however to catch the eye of DCI Bradfield (her boss's boss) who involves her in a murder case.
Soon Jane’s in the thick of things and her tenacity and keen mind mean she's offering key clues when they're most needed.
I LOVED this novel so I might as well get my ONE grievance off my chest early. There are basically two distinct cases in the book. It's almost two novels in one. Obviously readers get more bang for their buck, but it was a bit disconcerting to have the first crime—the murder of a young female drug addict and prostitute—wrapped up more quickly than one would expect... particularly in a novel which spans almost 600 pages.
Young Jane is engaging and likeable and we're already getting a glimpse of how the young ingenue becomes the cold and thick-skinned DCI Tennison we meet decades later.
Given the two-stories-in-one and insight into Jane grappling with personal boundaries La Plante does a great job at keeping the action moving in the novel. Indeed, I loved this book and couldn't stop turning the pages, reading the entire thing in a night.
Read the full review on my blog: http://www.debbish.com/books-literatu...
4.5 stars
As well as grappling with sexual harassment and being seen as a uniformed tea lady and dogsbody, Jane's also dealing with the usual new-to-the-job hassles. She's fortunate however to catch the eye of DCI Bradfield (her boss's boss) who involves her in a murder case.
Soon Jane’s in the thick of things and her tenacity and keen mind mean she's offering key clues when they're most needed.
I LOVED this novel so I might as well get my ONE grievance off my chest early. There are basically two distinct cases in the book. It's almost two novels in one. Obviously readers get more bang for their buck, but it was a bit disconcerting to have the first crime—the murder of a young female drug addict and prostitute—wrapped up more quickly than one would expect... particularly in a novel which spans almost 600 pages.
Young Jane is engaging and likeable and we're already getting a glimpse of how the young ingenue becomes the cold and thick-skinned DCI Tennison we meet decades later.
Given the two-stories-in-one and insight into Jane grappling with personal boundaries La Plante does a great job at keeping the action moving in the novel. Indeed, I loved this book and couldn't stop turning the pages, reading the entire thing in a night.
Read the full review on my blog: http://www.debbish.com/books-literatu...
4.5 stars
October 20, 2015
Lynda La Plante to me is the Queen of Crime and I am yet to be disappointed with one of her books. I have a real soft spot for Anna Travis but the news that Lynda would be returning to one of the genre's greatest ever characters, the fantastic Jane Tennison, was very exciting indeed. I was even more excited about this prequel because I love reading about the history of London, and Jane is such a fascinating character that I couldn't wait to read about her early days as a police officer. It was a refreshing change to read a crime fiction story not set in the present day, and it was an especially nice change for what is such a saturated and repetitive genre.
Tennison is wonderfully researched, and I immediately got a real sense of the time and place that the story is set. As Jane walks the Hackney streets, so do we. I am passionate about the East End of London and have enjoyed witnessing the changes to the area over the years. I am from an area in Liverpool not dissimilar to parts of the East End and so could relate to some of the characters and their stories throughout Tennison.
It was wonderful to witness a young, less confident Jane Tennison who became a police officer at a time when it wasn't the norm. Or even accepted by the majority and Jane soon faces criticism from both her fellow officers and her family (who I found extremely irritating for the most part but whose inclusion into the story helped endear me to Jane more, and understand the attitudes towards female officers at that time). Jane is still the fierce and headstrong woman we know and love but at the same time she is incredibly naive about crime and the people that commit it, and it was fascinating to witness that. From the first time she faced issues at work I wanted her to succeed especially in the face of some quite obnoxious and sexist male officers.
In terms of policing I think that there is something to be said for that 'old school' style of policing. Certain negative aspects of it are now thankfully a thing of the past but in terms of things like the level of paperwork and rule books that must be followed today, I think police officers in the past had greater sway than they do today and I felt that this really came across throughout the story. On the other side of that however is that negative aspect, starting with the sexism that we witness early on in the book. As a seasoned crime fiction reader I have often said in the past that some of my favourite detectives to read about are females, and so it was interesting to read a story like Tennison where women police officers are not the norm, never mind women officers in authority.
As someone who usually reveals more than I should about the story in my reviews I won't talk about it too much but I think it was really relevant for the time - rampant with sexism, cover-ups and all of those criminal elements that you would expect from the East End at that time. The investigation moves at a fair pace in the beginning, with just the right amount of red herrings and I must admit I failed to work out a couple of the twists revealed throughout the book. In fact with a major one I had to go back and remind myself of who a particular character was! All of the characters come to life on the page and I very quickly had a couple of favourites. Not all of the male characters are detestable sexist pigs and there's a couple that really help Jane settle into the force. Later in the story I was left a little bit shell-shocked by some of the events and, dare I say it, found myself getting pretty emotional. I very quickly became attached to the characters in Tennison and I wasn't expecting some of the thrilling twists that come in the story. It is an incredibly poignant story in places and readers who have met Jane Tennison before will really get to see a completely different side to her, and finish the story understanding her history a lot more.
What I particularly enjoyed is that the characters aren't perfect. Jane Tennison is far from being this superhero police officer that gets everything right or puts one over on her superiors. I loathe those books which are women versus men with the men coming off looking ridiculous. Instead, Jane does make mistakes and it is very much a learning process for her throughout the whole book and it's believable because of that and you know that Jane's story is indicative of everything that female officers faced when first starting out on the force. It's a real character study and a brutal but believable picture of that time and this is a book that I won't finish and put aside forever, but rather return to time and time again because it really was that good. Tennison will shortly become a TV series to celebrate 25 years of Prime Suspect and I for one cannot wait. Some of the scenes in this book will really lend themselves well to the small screen whether it's with some of the spectacular scenes or some of the cliffhangers you can expect to see at the end of each installment. Tennison is one of the best crime fiction books I have read in 2015 and I predict it will be one of the best TV dramas of 2016.
Tennison is wonderfully researched, and I immediately got a real sense of the time and place that the story is set. As Jane walks the Hackney streets, so do we. I am passionate about the East End of London and have enjoyed witnessing the changes to the area over the years. I am from an area in Liverpool not dissimilar to parts of the East End and so could relate to some of the characters and their stories throughout Tennison.
It was wonderful to witness a young, less confident Jane Tennison who became a police officer at a time when it wasn't the norm. Or even accepted by the majority and Jane soon faces criticism from both her fellow officers and her family (who I found extremely irritating for the most part but whose inclusion into the story helped endear me to Jane more, and understand the attitudes towards female officers at that time). Jane is still the fierce and headstrong woman we know and love but at the same time she is incredibly naive about crime and the people that commit it, and it was fascinating to witness that. From the first time she faced issues at work I wanted her to succeed especially in the face of some quite obnoxious and sexist male officers.
In terms of policing I think that there is something to be said for that 'old school' style of policing. Certain negative aspects of it are now thankfully a thing of the past but in terms of things like the level of paperwork and rule books that must be followed today, I think police officers in the past had greater sway than they do today and I felt that this really came across throughout the story. On the other side of that however is that negative aspect, starting with the sexism that we witness early on in the book. As a seasoned crime fiction reader I have often said in the past that some of my favourite detectives to read about are females, and so it was interesting to read a story like Tennison where women police officers are not the norm, never mind women officers in authority.
As someone who usually reveals more than I should about the story in my reviews I won't talk about it too much but I think it was really relevant for the time - rampant with sexism, cover-ups and all of those criminal elements that you would expect from the East End at that time. The investigation moves at a fair pace in the beginning, with just the right amount of red herrings and I must admit I failed to work out a couple of the twists revealed throughout the book. In fact with a major one I had to go back and remind myself of who a particular character was! All of the characters come to life on the page and I very quickly had a couple of favourites. Not all of the male characters are detestable sexist pigs and there's a couple that really help Jane settle into the force. Later in the story I was left a little bit shell-shocked by some of the events and, dare I say it, found myself getting pretty emotional. I very quickly became attached to the characters in Tennison and I wasn't expecting some of the thrilling twists that come in the story. It is an incredibly poignant story in places and readers who have met Jane Tennison before will really get to see a completely different side to her, and finish the story understanding her history a lot more.
What I particularly enjoyed is that the characters aren't perfect. Jane Tennison is far from being this superhero police officer that gets everything right or puts one over on her superiors. I loathe those books which are women versus men with the men coming off looking ridiculous. Instead, Jane does make mistakes and it is very much a learning process for her throughout the whole book and it's believable because of that and you know that Jane's story is indicative of everything that female officers faced when first starting out on the force. It's a real character study and a brutal but believable picture of that time and this is a book that I won't finish and put aside forever, but rather return to time and time again because it really was that good. Tennison will shortly become a TV series to celebrate 25 years of Prime Suspect and I for one cannot wait. Some of the scenes in this book will really lend themselves well to the small screen whether it's with some of the spectacular scenes or some of the cliffhangers you can expect to see at the end of each installment. Tennison is one of the best crime fiction books I have read in 2015 and I predict it will be one of the best TV dramas of 2016.
December 12, 2016
Having read a few books by Lynda la Plante in the past, although I honestly can't remember them and having been a fan of the Prime Suspect TV series, I was intrigued by a book covering Jane Tennison's early career.
I persevered until the end of the book, but found it tedious in the extreme, boring and in the end totally predictable. The characters did not come through as credible and the oft repeated lines from the Janice Joplin song "take a little bit of my heart", was obvious and irritating.
The unfortunate conclusion is that la Plante is a mediochre writer and I will be avoiding her books in the future.
I persevered until the end of the book, but found it tedious in the extreme, boring and in the end totally predictable. The characters did not come through as credible and the oft repeated lines from the Janice Joplin song "take a little bit of my heart", was obvious and irritating.
The unfortunate conclusion is that la Plante is a mediochre writer and I will be avoiding her books in the future.
October 4, 2015
This is a prequel to the Prime Suspect series. I had mixed feelings about it. The plus points were that it was a real page turner, and being set in the Met in early 1970s full of great contemporary detail. The bad points were the assumption that the reader is stipid as so many things were repeated over and over and over. Also, what happened with editing? Typos, spelling mistakes (whatever you call them) and caricatures rather than 3D characters throughout. That said, would make for great TV drama!
June 9, 2018
This book is a police procedural that takes place in London during the 1970s when women were first introduced into the same police force as men. The main character of the book is probation officer WPC Jane Tennison. The police must solve the murders of two young drug addicts as well as a planned bank robbery.
I feel most of the book was well written with a few errors here and there. However, it felt to me that this should be two separate books as the murders are solved halfway through the book, and then the next half of the bank concentrates on the planned bank robbery.
I feel most of the book was well written with a few errors here and there. However, it felt to me that this should be two separate books as the murders are solved halfway through the book, and then the next half of the bank concentrates on the planned bank robbery.
November 26, 2015
The story was exciting but I was a step ahead waiting for the detectives to catch up. I also liked that Tennison didn't solve everything as as a probationer it would have been impractical. I did find Tennison surprisingly naive and a bit infuriating for it!
could-not-finish
December 12, 2015Half way through & I'm not going to waste my time anymore. The writing is so basic. Simple things are explained, which simply don't require an explanation. The plot is basic. The characters are basic. There's no grit to this book. At all.
June 23, 2017
What a thoroughly enjoyable reading/listening experience.
November 27, 2017
Let me start off this review by saying – yes to the plot, yes to the characters, yes to all that Tennison is! What a brilliant novel! Despite being over 500 pages in length, I flew through this novel; if you usually feel overwhelmed by bigger books, don’t be put off by the page length, Tennison is such an easy and enjoyable read, you’ll glide through its pages. Tennison is what I like to call “a ‘proper’ police procedural” – it focuses, in detail, on the police investigation; it’s fleshed out in such a way, it’s like a TV series in a book. If you enjoy TV shows such as Line of Duty and Whitechapel, then I highly recommend you give this novel a read.
I’ve never watched Prime Suspect, so this was my first introduction to Jane Tennison, and I think she’s a fantastic character. At only 22 years old, I love how LaPlante displayed her naivety, as a ‘newbie’ in the police force, learning the ropes, you can’t help but be supportive of her. Both personally and professionally, we see Tennison develop in maturity and learn some harsh lessons, and I can’t wait to see her character developed further in the rest of the series. She’s extremely likeable, and I particularly enjoyed her friendship with fellow WPC Kathy Morgan; as females in a male dominated police force, they have the additional battle of not only proving themselves as police officers but proving that as a woman they can do this job.
The cases featured in this novel were high in the “reality-factor” – in fact, every element of this book breathes believability. This novel in set in 1973 and I can believe the police force and methods of investigation were portrayed accurately, especially in terms of the colloquial terms used; and it was a nice change to see an investigation unaffected by social media. I get particularly excited when novels are set in East London, as I grew up there – although not in Hackney where this novel is set, I am familiar with many of the street names used, for me, this added to the element of realism.
Another highlight of this novel was its ending, just when I thought LaPlante was winding things down, I turned the page and ‘bang’ – plot twist! The storyline was concluded and left me eager to see what’s next for Tennison, and I, for one, am really looking forward to seeing her come into her own. I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of book 2 – Hidden Killers, and continue this series!
I’ve never watched Prime Suspect, so this was my first introduction to Jane Tennison, and I think she’s a fantastic character. At only 22 years old, I love how LaPlante displayed her naivety, as a ‘newbie’ in the police force, learning the ropes, you can’t help but be supportive of her. Both personally and professionally, we see Tennison develop in maturity and learn some harsh lessons, and I can’t wait to see her character developed further in the rest of the series. She’s extremely likeable, and I particularly enjoyed her friendship with fellow WPC Kathy Morgan; as females in a male dominated police force, they have the additional battle of not only proving themselves as police officers but proving that as a woman they can do this job.
The cases featured in this novel were high in the “reality-factor” – in fact, every element of this book breathes believability. This novel in set in 1973 and I can believe the police force and methods of investigation were portrayed accurately, especially in terms of the colloquial terms used; and it was a nice change to see an investigation unaffected by social media. I get particularly excited when novels are set in East London, as I grew up there – although not in Hackney where this novel is set, I am familiar with many of the street names used, for me, this added to the element of realism.
Another highlight of this novel was its ending, just when I thought LaPlante was winding things down, I turned the page and ‘bang’ – plot twist! The storyline was concluded and left me eager to see what’s next for Tennison, and I, for one, am really looking forward to seeing her come into her own. I can’t wait to get my hands on a copy of book 2 – Hidden Killers, and continue this series!
March 11, 2018
It is my understanding this book is the first in a series that provide the back story to the main character in the TV show Prime Suspect. Having never seen that show I went into this read with an open mind and completely unbiased. What I found was a pretty likable main character and a pretty well done mystery. The setting is the early 1970's which I thought was such a great surprise. So very quickly you realize this is a time period way before all the fancy forensics of today and the author did a great job in conveying those elements of the police procedure. The author also did a great job in conveying that time period through the language and clothing descriptions. My main complaint is I really felt like this was at least 100 pages too long. I found myself getting a bit bored through the middle and wishing it was moving along at a faster clip. Many thanks to the publisher for providing with a copy in exchange for an honest opinion.
April 17, 2017
I loved this book so much! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
November 1, 2021
Quite boring. Disappointed really as i normally love a La plante book.
May 2, 2018
For fans of the Prime Suspect/ Jane Tennison series, the novel is a must read. It gives the reader a good look at the beginning formation of the character. It definitely puts a human face on Jane Tennison. Plus this is her first case as a probationary officer. Is realistic in the sense that she does make rookie as well as human mistakes
This is accomplished through the creation of a crime story combined with elements of a police procedural , and a character study, set in a seamy underbelly of British crime. This combination holds together well.
American readers may have some trouble initially with the British slang used in dialogue but the further one reads the clearer it becomes. Really, I only found one very minor fault in the book and it was what I consider an editorial error. In one or two instances the break between scenes becomes confused because of what looks like a sentence at the end of a scene would make more sense if it began the next scene after a paragraph break. Very minor.
I received my copy of the novel as a winner of a Goodreads Giveaway. I appreciate the opportunity this program gives one to explore the works of authors not necessarily on my to read lists.
This is accomplished through the creation of a crime story combined with elements of a police procedural , and a character study, set in a seamy underbelly of British crime. This combination holds together well.
American readers may have some trouble initially with the British slang used in dialogue but the further one reads the clearer it becomes. Really, I only found one very minor fault in the book and it was what I consider an editorial error. In one or two instances the break between scenes becomes confused because of what looks like a sentence at the end of a scene would make more sense if it began the next scene after a paragraph break. Very minor.
I received my copy of the novel as a winner of a Goodreads Giveaway. I appreciate the opportunity this program gives one to explore the works of authors not necessarily on my to read lists.
October 19, 2019
Like many others, I presume, I was introduced to the character of Jane Tennison through the highly commendable TV series "Suspect No.1", supremely played by Helen Mirren.
Well, now at 70, she won't be able to play this one, unfortunately. The novel describes a young Jane Tennison, recently graduated from police training college and a probationer with the Metropolitan Police. The 2 main plots are very well written and I particularly liked the way Lynda La Plante described Tennisons thoughts and feelings as a very young woman, stumbling along, unsure of herself but open to advice, while at the same time having to cope with new personal emotions and the misogyny of the era. The setting, Hackney of the 1970s, was also painted with skill: the streets and the high-rise housing estates with a certain Eastend atmosphere balancing between strong community spirit and a hotbed of criminality.
For several months I have found myself shying away from this genre, after reading several very dark and grisly crime thrillers, but "Tennison" has helped me want to embrace it again (I shall just have to be more careful when selecting them!). Altogether a very well-written and entertaining novel.
Well, now at 70, she won't be able to play this one, unfortunately. The novel describes a young Jane Tennison, recently graduated from police training college and a probationer with the Metropolitan Police. The 2 main plots are very well written and I particularly liked the way Lynda La Plante described Tennisons thoughts and feelings as a very young woman, stumbling along, unsure of herself but open to advice, while at the same time having to cope with new personal emotions and the misogyny of the era. The setting, Hackney of the 1970s, was also painted with skill: the streets and the high-rise housing estates with a certain Eastend atmosphere balancing between strong community spirit and a hotbed of criminality.
For several months I have found myself shying away from this genre, after reading several very dark and grisly crime thrillers, but "Tennison" has helped me want to embrace it again (I shall just have to be more careful when selecting them!). Altogether a very well-written and entertaining novel.
June 21, 2018
Sadly, this book was a disappointment. I love Lynda La Plante's books, am a huge fan of the Cold shoulder/Cold heart/Cold blood series and thoroughly enjoyed Bella Maffia. This book, however...
The idea of a young Jane Tennison, just getting started, very much appealed to me. Unfortunately, La Plante seems to think she needs to explain a lot of the terminology that was 'en vogue' in the MET in the seventies, so the book is interspersed with lines like: '...plonks. Jane was told this was a derogatory term used for WPCs'. Generally, even when these specific terms are used, it is pretty clear from the context what they mean. And if I don't know what they mean and really, really want to know, I Google them. Seriously, it is condescending and doesn't help the story.
Talking of 'story', I just couldn't get myself interested in the 'crime part' of the book at all. I didn't care about the characters, didn't love them, didn't hate them, just generally wasn't interested.
I honestly hope that these were teething problems of an accomplished writer trying to get a grip on this prequel thing, and that the next books will be beter. I might try one more book, just in case...
The idea of a young Jane Tennison, just getting started, very much appealed to me. Unfortunately, La Plante seems to think she needs to explain a lot of the terminology that was 'en vogue' in the MET in the seventies, so the book is interspersed with lines like: '...plonks. Jane was told this was a derogatory term used for WPCs'. Generally, even when these specific terms are used, it is pretty clear from the context what they mean. And if I don't know what they mean and really, really want to know, I Google them. Seriously, it is condescending and doesn't help the story.
Talking of 'story', I just couldn't get myself interested in the 'crime part' of the book at all. I didn't care about the characters, didn't love them, didn't hate them, just generally wasn't interested.
I honestly hope that these were teething problems of an accomplished writer trying to get a grip on this prequel thing, and that the next books will be beter. I might try one more book, just in case...
March 7, 2018
I was first intrigued with this book by reading the First Look on BookishFirst, but wasn't completely sold on it, I thought it may just be a "typical mystery" novel with nothing that made it stand out. Luckily, I was wrong! This book starts with a woman who is working in a career field where they don't respect women in the workplace and then she turns that around!
I don't want to give away the suspenseful mystery of this book, but I HIGHLY recommend reading it! I can't wait to read more by Lynda La Plante!
*A huge thank you to BookishFirst who gave me an advanced ARC to read this!
I don't want to give away the suspenseful mystery of this book, but I HIGHLY recommend reading it! I can't wait to read more by Lynda La Plante!
*A huge thank you to BookishFirst who gave me an advanced ARC to read this!
September 29, 2015
I was so interested to read this as I so loved and still love Prime Suspect and wanted to see where it all began. The story was interesting and it was nice to go back to 1972 but I found it quite boring and it was padded out so much. I think it should have been edited more. Maybe I was expecting too much. Im sure that many will love it but it was a bit lacklustre for me Im afraid.
June 27, 2017
The central character drew me in and kept me reading to the end through gritted teeth, sighs and amazement. This is cliché ridden and poorly written. It read like a first draft had been rattled off without edits.
March 7, 2018
I enjoyed reading this story of Jane Tennison's life as a young woman, before the story of Prime Suspect. It's interesting to think about the personal growth of the character between the two novels. There is insight into how she became the woman we see in Prime Suspect. Sometimes, I wanted to jump into the novel to tell her some things would be better for her in the future.
The writing is interesting. The historical context is a trip down memory lane. is still a lot of work to done in this areSexism was overt and endemic. While the #metoo movement shows there a, the book also shows that some things are better than they were 50 years ago. The plot flows nicely to a satisfying finish. I hope to read more stories about Jane in the future.
The writing is interesting. The historical context is a trip down memory lane. is still a lot of work to done in this areSexism was overt and endemic. While the #metoo movement shows there a, the book also shows that some things are better than they were 50 years ago. The plot flows nicely to a satisfying finish. I hope to read more stories about Jane in the future.
December 6, 2019
Jag vet att jag har sett några avsnitt av TV-serien I mördarens spår som Lydia La Plant har skrivit manus till. I serien är Jane Tennison huvudperson och trots att jag egentligen inte minns några detaljer ur de avsnitt jag har sett så tänker jag på Tennison som en ganska hård, kylig och avståndstagande person. Den här boken tar oss tillbaka till 1973, när Jane var nyutexaminerad och alldeles i början av sin karriär. Läs mer på min blogg
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