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Tennison #6
Blunt Force
From Lynda La Plante, the international bestselling author who "practically invented the thriller," (Karin Slaughter) comes a brilliant new page-turner that follows Jane Tennison into the salacious world of theatre to solve a brutal murder in the heart of London's West End
Things can't get much worse for detective Jane Tennison. Unceremoniously kicked off the adrenaline-fuelled Flying Squad, she now plies her trade in Gerald Road, a small and sleepy police station in the heart of London's affluent Knightsbridge.
With only petty crime to sink her teeth into, Tennison can feel her career slowly flatlining. That is until the discovery of the most brutal murder Jane has ever seen: Charlie Foxley has been found viciously beaten to death with a cricket bat - his body dismembered and disembowelled.
As a big-time theatrical agent, Foxley had a lot of powerful friends - but just as many enemies. And alongside her old friend DS Spencer Gibbs, Tennison must journey into the salacious world of show business to find out which one is the killer, before they strike again.
Things can't get much worse for detective Jane Tennison. Unceremoniously kicked off the adrenaline-fuelled Flying Squad, she now plies her trade in Gerald Road, a small and sleepy police station in the heart of London's affluent Knightsbridge.
With only petty crime to sink her teeth into, Tennison can feel her career slowly flatlining. That is until the discovery of the most brutal murder Jane has ever seen: Charlie Foxley has been found viciously beaten to death with a cricket bat - his body dismembered and disembowelled.
As a big-time theatrical agent, Foxley had a lot of powerful friends - but just as many enemies. And alongside her old friend DS Spencer Gibbs, Tennison must journey into the salacious world of show business to find out which one is the killer, before they strike again.
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First published August 25, 2020
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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 308 reviews
July 23, 2020
I’ve enjoyed LaPlante’s Anna Travis books but my knowledge of Jane Tennison has been limited to the two tv series. This, the 6th book in the Tennison series, takes place in 1983. Jane has been transferred from the Flying Squad to Knightsbridge, where she is limited to shoplifting, burglaries and other paperwork nightmares. Of course, it doesn’t take long before there’s a ghastly murder to investigate. The victim had more than his share of enemies, including his ex-wife, several clients and the previous owner of his apartment. But senior management isn’t happy with their progress, and a new DI is brought in to lead the investigation. Both Jane and Spencer are relegated to second tier and aren’t happy campers.
Lately, I’ve gotten fed up with psychological thrillers that are all about unreliable narrators and a twisty ending. So, I was happy to retreat to a good old fashioned police procedural. LaPlante goes into lots of detail. This is not a fast paced book. And she also doesn’t fall for the need to have a big, banged up ending. I liked that it felt so realistic. But trust me, it was a very satisfactory ending.
La Plante states in her Author’s Note that this series is meant to show how Jane becomes the strong woman we know from Prime Suspect. So, she wisely doesn’t paint Jane as some young DS savant. She makes mistakes, including some stupid ones. But we can see the beginnings of those smart instincts that end up serving her so well.
The segments (not even chapters) bounce between Jane’s and Spencer’s perspectives. This occasionally comes across as choppier than need be.
I recommend this for those who like down to earth police procedurals.
My thanks to netgalley and Bonnier Zaffre for an advance copy of this book.
Lately, I’ve gotten fed up with psychological thrillers that are all about unreliable narrators and a twisty ending. So, I was happy to retreat to a good old fashioned police procedural. LaPlante goes into lots of detail. This is not a fast paced book. And she also doesn’t fall for the need to have a big, banged up ending. I liked that it felt so realistic. But trust me, it was a very satisfactory ending.
La Plante states in her Author’s Note that this series is meant to show how Jane becomes the strong woman we know from Prime Suspect. So, she wisely doesn’t paint Jane as some young DS savant. She makes mistakes, including some stupid ones. But we can see the beginnings of those smart instincts that end up serving her so well.
The segments (not even chapters) bounce between Jane’s and Spencer’s perspectives. This occasionally comes across as choppier than need be.
I recommend this for those who like down to earth police procedurals.
My thanks to netgalley and Bonnier Zaffre for an advance copy of this book.
October 8, 2020
Lynda La Plants is a new to me author. This is book six in a series, but can also be read as a standalone.
I love “who done it” type books, but it took me a long time to finish this one! That’s usually a sign to me that it was just not my cup of tea! Although I liked the main characters of the book, Detective Jane Tennisons and DS Spencer Gibbs, old friends that team up again to find the killer, I felt like it moved to slow. There were side stories throughout the whole book that I felt were a distraction and by the end of the book, I really didn’t care “who done it” anymore!
I would like to read one of Lynda La Plante’s other books. In all fairness, this book might have been better if I had read the other five books in the series first!
Thank you #NetGalley and #BonnierZaffreUSA for providing me with an Advance Reader Copy of #BluntForce in exchange for my unbiased review.
I love “who done it” type books, but it took me a long time to finish this one! That’s usually a sign to me that it was just not my cup of tea! Although I liked the main characters of the book, Detective Jane Tennisons and DS Spencer Gibbs, old friends that team up again to find the killer, I felt like it moved to slow. There were side stories throughout the whole book that I felt were a distraction and by the end of the book, I really didn’t care “who done it” anymore!
I would like to read one of Lynda La Plante’s other books. In all fairness, this book might have been better if I had read the other five books in the series first!
Thank you #NetGalley and #BonnierZaffreUSA for providing me with an Advance Reader Copy of #BluntForce in exchange for my unbiased review.
August 19, 2020
After Jane Tennison was kicked out of the Flying Squad – under a cloud - she was sent to a small police station in Knightsbridge, where she found herself bored most days solving petty crimes and doing never ending paperwork. When DS Spencer Gibbs received a call about a distressed, barking dog, Gibbs and Tennison found themselves deep into a murder case in which the victim had been brutally beaten to death.
Charlie Foxley was a well-known theatrical agent who owned a business alongside other agents. He was both liked and disliked, but most agreed that not many would be sorry he was dead. Digging deeply into Foxley’s life, Jane and Spencer found themselves hitting one brick wall after another. Would they discover who the killer was? And could Jane redeem herself after the terrible events in The Dirty Dozen?
Blunt Force is the 6th in the Jane Tennison series by Lynda La Plante and I found it long winded and overly descriptive. That said, the plot was intriguing, and the mystery was well done. I dislike the way Jane is treated by her male peers – not all of them, but most – and it was good to see her prove how good a detective she is. Recommended.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
Charlie Foxley was a well-known theatrical agent who owned a business alongside other agents. He was both liked and disliked, but most agreed that not many would be sorry he was dead. Digging deeply into Foxley’s life, Jane and Spencer found themselves hitting one brick wall after another. Would they discover who the killer was? And could Jane redeem herself after the terrible events in The Dirty Dozen?
Blunt Force is the 6th in the Jane Tennison series by Lynda La Plante and I found it long winded and overly descriptive. That said, the plot was intriguing, and the mystery was well done. I dislike the way Jane is treated by her male peers – not all of them, but most – and it was good to see her prove how good a detective she is. Recommended.
With thanks to Allen & Unwin AU for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.
August 8, 2020
I’d read a few Lynda La Plante books many years ago and really enjoyed them so I was really looking forward to this. However, I must admit that I found this rather long and complicated story less than exhilarating. This book is like a prequel to the Jane Tennison story. She has recently been kicked out of the Sweeney under a cloud as a raid went wrong, Jane froze and another officer was shot and injured. So now, working as a Detective Sargeant in an ordinary police station she is spending her days chasing shoplifters and other minor criminals - until a murder occurs on her patch. Charles Foxley, a well known and successful theatrical agent, is brutally killed in his home.
Foxley was a complex and haunted man and there is no shortage of people who may have wanted him dead. But there is a distinct lack of anything concrete to tie anyone to the crime. The police investigation is laborious and it was a bit laborious reading about it as every aspect of the case is chronicled in minute detail. What was lacking for me was a sense of drama, of something exciting about to happen. Instead it was exceedingly matter-of-fact.
In summary I can’t say that I particularly enjoyed this. It was well written and the characters were well developed but I thought it was overly detailed and I just didn’t find it that interesting. I am sure, however, that Jane Tennison fans will enjoy reading this and learning how Jane came to be the formidable police officer that we are all familiar with. Thanks to Netgalley, Bonnier Zaffre USA and Lynda La Plante for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Foxley was a complex and haunted man and there is no shortage of people who may have wanted him dead. But there is a distinct lack of anything concrete to tie anyone to the crime. The police investigation is laborious and it was a bit laborious reading about it as every aspect of the case is chronicled in minute detail. What was lacking for me was a sense of drama, of something exciting about to happen. Instead it was exceedingly matter-of-fact.
In summary I can’t say that I particularly enjoyed this. It was well written and the characters were well developed but I thought it was overly detailed and I just didn’t find it that interesting. I am sure, however, that Jane Tennison fans will enjoy reading this and learning how Jane came to be the formidable police officer that we are all familiar with. Thanks to Netgalley, Bonnier Zaffre USA and Lynda La Plante for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
June 20, 2020
This is the 6th book in the Tennison series by author Lynda La Plante. I was a big fan of the television series 'Prime Suspect' and have subsequently read many of the Tennison series with the image of Helen Mirren in my mind while doing so. In fact I think that helps me get instantly into the books. Tennison is a tough, determined woman battling to succeed in what has always been a mans world.
In this book Jane Tennison has been moved off the flying squad after committing an unforgivable error and now working in a police station in Knightsbridge, London. A life more subdued than the adrenaline pumped flying squad, Jane is aware her career rise is stalling dealing with petty crime on a daily basis. But police life get more interesting when the brutal murder of Charlie Foxley is discovered, viciously beaten with a cricket bat, dismembered and disembowelled.
Charlie Foxley was a theatrical agent with a lot of powerful friends but unfortunately for him many enemies. Tennison works with her old friend DS Spencer Gibbs to attempt to thwart the killer before he strikes again.
One of the things I enjoy about Lynda La Plante's writing is that she doesn't rush the plot, so you get a good background of the characters. Probably why her books tend to be 450 pages or so rather than 300, a turn off for some readers maybe, but not for me. The story starts fairly slowly but it is worth the build up for the finish. Well plotted, good established characters and lots of sub plots that I feel improve the enjoyment of these books.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Zaffre for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
In this book Jane Tennison has been moved off the flying squad after committing an unforgivable error and now working in a police station in Knightsbridge, London. A life more subdued than the adrenaline pumped flying squad, Jane is aware her career rise is stalling dealing with petty crime on a daily basis. But police life get more interesting when the brutal murder of Charlie Foxley is discovered, viciously beaten with a cricket bat, dismembered and disembowelled.
Charlie Foxley was a theatrical agent with a lot of powerful friends but unfortunately for him many enemies. Tennison works with her old friend DS Spencer Gibbs to attempt to thwart the killer before he strikes again.
One of the things I enjoy about Lynda La Plante's writing is that she doesn't rush the plot, so you get a good background of the characters. Probably why her books tend to be 450 pages or so rather than 300, a turn off for some readers maybe, but not for me. The story starts fairly slowly but it is worth the build up for the finish. Well plotted, good established characters and lots of sub plots that I feel improve the enjoyment of these books.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Zaffre for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
December 23, 2024
Detective Jane Tennison’s career has definitely seen better days!
A mistake has resulted in Detective Tennison’s unceremonious heave-ho from the action-packed, career enhancing Flying Squad. She’s still on active duty but her assignment is such a sleepy station in such an affluent “crime-free” area that she’s all but relegated to paper work and desk duty.
Then along comes Charlie Foxley, a show business agent with a somewhat deviant sexual proclivity for a spectacularly obese dominatrix and a reputation à la Jeffrey Epstein for providing cute little pieces of party arm candy (or more) without any particular care as to how young they might have been! Somebody obviously didn’t care for the man as his body was found not just beaten to death but also disemboweled and dismembered! Ouch, that’s gotta hurt!
A UK style police procedural much more than a suspense thriller or even a basic noir mystery, BLUNT FORCE is a good quality class in the use of “show, don’t tell” character development as Tennison struggles to regain her reputation in the face of a police error and a rather relentless barrage of misogynistic attitudes.
Although the solution to the mystery becomes reasonably obvious somewhere around the ¾ mark of the novel, BLUNT FORCE is workmanlike and enjoyable novel that neither droops to pedestrian nor aspires to compelling or gripping. Three stars seemed an obvious rating for me!
Paul Weiss
A mistake has resulted in Detective Tennison’s unceremonious heave-ho from the action-packed, career enhancing Flying Squad. She’s still on active duty but her assignment is such a sleepy station in such an affluent “crime-free” area that she’s all but relegated to paper work and desk duty.
Then along comes Charlie Foxley, a show business agent with a somewhat deviant sexual proclivity for a spectacularly obese dominatrix and a reputation à la Jeffrey Epstein for providing cute little pieces of party arm candy (or more) without any particular care as to how young they might have been! Somebody obviously didn’t care for the man as his body was found not just beaten to death but also disemboweled and dismembered! Ouch, that’s gotta hurt!
A UK style police procedural much more than a suspense thriller or even a basic noir mystery, BLUNT FORCE is a good quality class in the use of “show, don’t tell” character development as Tennison struggles to regain her reputation in the face of a police error and a rather relentless barrage of misogynistic attitudes.
Although the solution to the mystery becomes reasonably obvious somewhere around the ¾ mark of the novel, BLUNT FORCE is workmanlike and enjoyable novel that neither droops to pedestrian nor aspires to compelling or gripping. Three stars seemed an obvious rating for me!
Paul Weiss
September 8, 2020
One big thing that struck me about how Blunt Force is how in-depth we went into the murder of Charles Foxley. We researched so much of his history, family, secrets, hobbies... if I were to ever be murdered hopefully it doesn't become a Jane Tennison novel where my life is completely exposed!
But that's definitely something Blunt Force did well, is just how much we examined the murder and how legitimate it felt. But at times, was realism necessarily entertaining during parts of the book? Not all the time, but I still enjoyed how straight forward it almost was.
One thing I would've liked to see with the 100 pages over average this book had, would be to revisit some of the older suspects. There were some very unique ones like Justine, while others I think could've needed some more development and could've been more than just information holders.
A very solid mystery novel whodunit, that has a mix of cop plot and murder plot. If you want something to sink your teeth into and never be deterred, Blunt Force is for you.
But that's definitely something Blunt Force did well, is just how much we examined the murder and how legitimate it felt. But at times, was realism necessarily entertaining during parts of the book? Not all the time, but I still enjoyed how straight forward it almost was.
One thing I would've liked to see with the 100 pages over average this book had, would be to revisit some of the older suspects. There were some very unique ones like Justine, while others I think could've needed some more development and could've been more than just information holders.
A very solid mystery novel whodunit, that has a mix of cop plot and murder plot. If you want something to sink your teeth into and never be deterred, Blunt Force is for you.
September 28, 2020
“Blunt Force” immediately immerses readers into the police procedure, the action, and the characters. Jane Tennison is now working out of Gerald Road police station. As a woman officer, she is still not totally accepted in the force, plus during her past assignments, she rattled a few cages.
The narrative is filled with visual descriptions, everyday conversations, and emotional outcomes. There are departmental politics, petty gripes, and justified indignation. The pages bring characters to life by documenting everyday activities with family and friends. There are lots of “petty” crimes and nuisance calls, and the officers all wanted just want something they can get their teeth into, a decent violent crime. When a report comes in of a dog barking all night and still whining in the morning, they get their wish.
The plot is complex and sensational. The police have a victim who is a member of the show business community, so the case is all over the media. During the investigation, all sorts of surprising things come to the surface, and everything is complicated, very, very complicated. Things get nastier minute by minute. An incident from Tennison’s past comes back into play with surprising implications. There are mistakes, successes, missteps, bad hunches, good decisions and the solid investigative police work that readers have come to expect from DS Tennison.
“Blunt Force” is easy to read with likeable and realistic characters. I received a copy of “Blunt Force” from Lynda La Plante and Bonnier Zaffre USA. It is part of a series, but new readers will easily follow. Any information needed from past books is seamlessly included as part of the current narrative, and will encourage readers to explore previous books.
The narrative is filled with visual descriptions, everyday conversations, and emotional outcomes. There are departmental politics, petty gripes, and justified indignation. The pages bring characters to life by documenting everyday activities with family and friends. There are lots of “petty” crimes and nuisance calls, and the officers all wanted just want something they can get their teeth into, a decent violent crime. When a report comes in of a dog barking all night and still whining in the morning, they get their wish.
The plot is complex and sensational. The police have a victim who is a member of the show business community, so the case is all over the media. During the investigation, all sorts of surprising things come to the surface, and everything is complicated, very, very complicated. Things get nastier minute by minute. An incident from Tennison’s past comes back into play with surprising implications. There are mistakes, successes, missteps, bad hunches, good decisions and the solid investigative police work that readers have come to expect from DS Tennison.
“Blunt Force” is easy to read with likeable and realistic characters. I received a copy of “Blunt Force” from Lynda La Plante and Bonnier Zaffre USA. It is part of a series, but new readers will easily follow. Any information needed from past books is seamlessly included as part of the current narrative, and will encourage readers to explore previous books.
February 18, 2021
Blunt Force by Lynda La Plante is the sixth addition to the Jane Tennison series.
I love this series and recommend it to anyone who loves a good crime thriller with plenty of excitement and edge of your seat entertainment also where there's fun guessing whodunit, but this one I felt was lacking in something, I can't quite figure out what it is but it's something.
The storyline continues where Jane was kicked out of the all boys club "The Flying Squad" only to be dumped in a police jurisdiction where nothing happens, when there's a brutal murder.
I definitely recommend this series even if there's that one book you don't care for it's still a fun series 📖
I love this series and recommend it to anyone who loves a good crime thriller with plenty of excitement and edge of your seat entertainment also where there's fun guessing whodunit, but this one I felt was lacking in something, I can't quite figure out what it is but it's something.
The storyline continues where Jane was kicked out of the all boys club "The Flying Squad" only to be dumped in a police jurisdiction where nothing happens, when there's a brutal murder.
I definitely recommend this series even if there's that one book you don't care for it's still a fun series 📖
November 15, 2020
A very average read.
Firstly, I have read the entire series and yes, this book did tie a few loose ends together. But, this leads to my second comment, Lynda La Plante usually has a multi-faceted, intricate plot weaving through the entire story - this was not one of those reads!
As a stand-alone, quick police procedural read it will do but I did not find any of the usual magic of her writing in this novel.
Firstly, I have read the entire series and yes, this book did tie a few loose ends together. But, this leads to my second comment, Lynda La Plante usually has a multi-faceted, intricate plot weaving through the entire story - this was not one of those reads!
As a stand-alone, quick police procedural read it will do but I did not find any of the usual magic of her writing in this novel.
January 25, 2021
This is my first book to read from author Lynda la Plante, but I won’t judge her by it. You see my favorite author ever, Karen Slaughter, speaks highly of La Plante saying that she invented the thriller. So I’ll be reading one of her stand alone books in hopes of a more ‘thrilling’ read.
Blunt Force Trauma is the sixth in a series of books I’ve never read before. This book was a slow, complex read that seem to go on forever. The author does an excellent job with descriptions and because of this you know she has thoroughly researched her topics. By the time I finished reading, I was really disappointed.
It opens with main character, Jane Tennison, at a shooting range practicing. Here the reader gets a well described lesson on gun ranges and shooting. We learn what Jane has been doing since being relieved of her duties on the Flying Squad. Her new job is cushy with mostly petty crimes, if any crimes at all. Tennison and her partner, Spence, receive a call about a blood stained dog running on the loose. This leads them to the dead body of a well-known talent agent. Tennison and her partner launch into a thorough investigation with the goal of finding the killer.
Blunt Force Trauma is the sixth in a series of books I’ve never read before. This book was a slow, complex read that seem to go on forever. The author does an excellent job with descriptions and because of this you know she has thoroughly researched her topics. By the time I finished reading, I was really disappointed.
It opens with main character, Jane Tennison, at a shooting range practicing. Here the reader gets a well described lesson on gun ranges and shooting. We learn what Jane has been doing since being relieved of her duties on the Flying Squad. Her new job is cushy with mostly petty crimes, if any crimes at all. Tennison and her partner, Spence, receive a call about a blood stained dog running on the loose. This leads them to the dead body of a well-known talent agent. Tennison and her partner launch into a thorough investigation with the goal of finding the killer.
June 28, 2020
This is a totally serviceable, ably written police procedural that you will probably enjoy if more traditional police procedurals are your favorite. The level of detail on police practice and procedure is clearly very well-researched and feels accurate. But I’ve been spoiled lately by a lot of great psychological thrillers, and more psychologically oriented, darker police procedurals like the Harry Bosch books. This one to me was traditional to the point of feeling slightly old-fashioned, with more focus on the procedure and police and less focus and perspective on what was motivating the killer. I find the procedural aspects less interesting to read about and am more into motive and psychology and characters so this was less interesting to me.
This is a book that I might have rather picked up in person and read a few pages of, or have read a chapter sampler first, because I could see from the start that the slower pace and higher level of detail on policing was not going to capture my interest. But again, for anyone who loves that kind of book, this one was well written. If you’re into a more traditional police story, Jane Tennison is a likable and smart protagonist. But if, like me, you like a faster pace and more psychological thrills, this one may not be as fun for you.
Thanks to Lynda La Plante, NetGalley and Zaffre Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
This is a book that I might have rather picked up in person and read a few pages of, or have read a chapter sampler first, because I could see from the start that the slower pace and higher level of detail on policing was not going to capture my interest. But again, for anyone who loves that kind of book, this one was well written. If you’re into a more traditional police story, Jane Tennison is a likable and smart protagonist. But if, like me, you like a faster pace and more psychological thrills, this one may not be as fun for you.
Thanks to Lynda La Plante, NetGalley and Zaffre Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.
November 16, 2020
The pre-story of the 'Prime Suspect' television series continues in this sixth book installment. Knowledge of the iconic TV role is unnecessary but to read the books in order is important, as they build on the character and the rise of Jane Tennison in the met police. Following on from her forced transfer in the last adventure, Jane is assigned to a sleepy station with minor crimes to investigate. Her near boredom is overcome when a viscous murder is discovered and Jane ventures into the show business world to unearth the killer. La Plante builds the tension whilst capturing the true essence of Tennison, whilst referencing it to an actual historic event. Another classic and most enjoyable adventure with a rating of 5 stars.
July 8, 2020
2 1/2 stars rounded down bc I finished it. This book needed a ruthless editor though to go at some of the pages like the dudes killer did. There were like 5 plots, 10 red herrings, confusing characterization, and the ending actually made me annoyed. Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.
What was the point of the ex wife storyline at all?
What was wrong with Clara? Why did that never get addressed?
What was the point of the endless interviews?
The B plot and anything to do with Jane only makes sense if you read other books AND she seemed like a crummy cop
What was the point of the FBI profile dude talking abt the ex wife
Why all the backwards thinking about sex/fetish work and making fun of all those characters
The ending with Yasmin was rushed and a disservice to the entire book and where they wanted to go with it. What a backwards characterization of Muslims (even if the book is set back in time there's no need for it)
What was the point of the ex wife storyline at all?
What was wrong with Clara? Why did that never get addressed?
What was the point of the endless interviews?
The B plot and anything to do with Jane only makes sense if you read other books AND she seemed like a crummy cop
What was the point of the FBI profile dude talking abt the ex wife
Why all the backwards thinking about sex/fetish work and making fun of all those characters
The ending with Yasmin was rushed and a disservice to the entire book and where they wanted to go with it. What a backwards characterization of Muslims (even if the book is set back in time there's no need for it)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2021
'Blunt Force' is the 6th book in the Tennison series. Detective Jane Tennison's career is going downhill after her job with the Flying Squad comes to an end. Working in a posh London suburb with her old friend D.S. Spencer Gibbs, Jane finally has a case worth solving after a string of petty crimes take up her day. A well-known theatre agent named Charlie Foxley is brutally murdered in his luxury home. Jane and Gibbs are sent to investigate Foxley's murder. Lynda La Plante is my favorite author and I love her unique writing style. Thanks to NetGalley for my digital copy.
May 21, 2025
This is the sixth volume in this excellent series. I became immersed in the story very quickly and remained invested throughout. There's a lot going on, but Lynda La Plante's skillful writing leads us deftly through all the evidence and the characters are well drawn. It's an interesting look back in time to policing in 1980s London, England.
June 25, 2020
This was my first introduction to the Tennison series, although I’ve viewed the television series and also read one of Lynda La Plante’s Anna Travis novels (Above Suspicion). Even though this is the sixth book, it was easy to understand the dynamics between the characters and to sense that Jane was troubled, and in trouble, after having been demoted from the Flying Squad in the previous book. The story of the murder of a theatrical agent, Charles Foxley, intertwines with Jane’s work on an undercover case, which picks up speed and detail as the reader approaches the end of the book. The first part focuses mainly on the world of actresses and agents and exes surrounding Foxley. All might have a motive to kill him.
Blunt Force is a straightforward police procedural, well-written and thorough in its detail of the inner workings of a murder squad, and I appreciated that traditional approach in this age of psychological thrillers. Although there is some interest in motive, the author doesn’t dwell on the psychological underpinnings of the crime. Dogged, thorough police work resolves both storylines. I would definitely read another book in this series, and may go back and start at the beginning.
I am grateful to have received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Blunt Force is a straightforward police procedural, well-written and thorough in its detail of the inner workings of a murder squad, and I appreciated that traditional approach in this age of psychological thrillers. Although there is some interest in motive, the author doesn’t dwell on the psychological underpinnings of the crime. Dogged, thorough police work resolves both storylines. I would definitely read another book in this series, and may go back and start at the beginning.
I am grateful to have received an advance copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 27, 2020
Thank you Netgalley and Zaffre for the eARC of this book for free. This review is my honest opinion and strictly voluntary.
I was excited to read Blunt Force as this was my first Lynda La Plante book. Not being familiar with the author I found the book a bit long and thought things could have evolved at a quicker pace.
While I found Blunt Force to be a straightforward “who done it” murder mystery of an entertainment exec with a lot of possible suspects. The storylines slowness with other minor storylines weaved throughout was all over the place for me.
While I liked the main characters Jane and Spencer for the most part. Jane at times was missing the mark for me. The other characters or “suspects” had a wide range of characteristics which was amusing.
I would definitely give another La Plante book a read maybe just not the sixth in a series.
I was excited to read Blunt Force as this was my first Lynda La Plante book. Not being familiar with the author I found the book a bit long and thought things could have evolved at a quicker pace.
While I found Blunt Force to be a straightforward “who done it” murder mystery of an entertainment exec with a lot of possible suspects. The storylines slowness with other minor storylines weaved throughout was all over the place for me.
While I liked the main characters Jane and Spencer for the most part. Jane at times was missing the mark for me. The other characters or “suspects” had a wide range of characteristics which was amusing.
I would definitely give another La Plante book a read maybe just not the sixth in a series.
May 10, 2021
Hmmm... it was a good book. Quite descriptive with characters you could ‘get involved with’
Not sure where it was going regarding the constant updates with the canteen trips and food consumed??
Various story lines going on... perhaps for the red herring’ surprise element?
A blantant portrayal of the misogyny that was around in the 80’s in that the police woman was expected to make the (many) canteen trips and be chief tea maker and general gofa..
The Clara character was somewhat nebulous and I found the ending rather abrupt.. was expecting perhaps a pat in the back/ promotion after the undercover operation but hey ho....
Not sure where it was going regarding the constant updates with the canteen trips and food consumed??
Various story lines going on... perhaps for the red herring’ surprise element?
A blantant portrayal of the misogyny that was around in the 80’s in that the police woman was expected to make the (many) canteen trips and be chief tea maker and general gofa..
The Clara character was somewhat nebulous and I found the ending rather abrupt.. was expecting perhaps a pat in the back/ promotion after the undercover operation but hey ho....
Read
October 27, 2021Recommended for Tennison enthusiasts who are eager for the next step in her origin story. If you are not already a Tennison fan, this may not be the book to begin to learn about the strong, complex, lonely, driven, and compassionate detective she ultimately becomes.
This long (432 pages), sometimes slow-moving book picks up Tennison after her banishment from the elite Flying Squad. She is trying to rehabilitate her career in a sleepy police station, where the maximum action seems to be people stealing from Harrods. Salvation of a sort arrives in the form of the grisly murder of an important theatrical agent, and in the mysterious intentions of her private firearm instructor.
I enjoyed this book because I am a Tennyson fan and want the specifics of her origin story. If you are not in that mindset, you may become frustrated with the pace and focus. Clothing and furnishings are described in minute detail. There was little organic suspense in the step-by-step of the police procedure. For two-thirds of the book, the major reason I was invested was the development of Jane's career.
For me, though, it is always a pleasure to spend time with Jane. Here we see her growing lonelier, stronger, seeing the victims whom others overlook. She makes mistakes and is not always effective, which just stokes the fire inside her. I believe this is the sixth book of Tennison's origin series. I look forward to the seventh.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This long (432 pages), sometimes slow-moving book picks up Tennison after her banishment from the elite Flying Squad. She is trying to rehabilitate her career in a sleepy police station, where the maximum action seems to be people stealing from Harrods. Salvation of a sort arrives in the form of the grisly murder of an important theatrical agent, and in the mysterious intentions of her private firearm instructor.
I enjoyed this book because I am a Tennyson fan and want the specifics of her origin story. If you are not in that mindset, you may become frustrated with the pace and focus. Clothing and furnishings are described in minute detail. There was little organic suspense in the step-by-step of the police procedure. For two-thirds of the book, the major reason I was invested was the development of Jane's career.
For me, though, it is always a pleasure to spend time with Jane. Here we see her growing lonelier, stronger, seeing the victims whom others overlook. She makes mistakes and is not always effective, which just stokes the fire inside her. I believe this is the sixth book of Tennison's origin series. I look forward to the seventh.
Many thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 16, 2020
I enjoy both the old Prime Suspect and the more recent Prime Suspect:Tennison series on PBS, so a while I thought I tried one of the Jane Tennison series books and enjoyed it.
Blunt Force is the sixth in this series about the early career of Tennison.
Jane has been kicked off the Flying Squad, which investigates armed robberies, and is now working in the usually quiet district of Knightsbridge, seeing to such crimes as shoplifting from Harrod’s. But a grisly murder of a famous theatrical agent changes that.
A sub plot refers back to the time Jane was on the Squad.
Although I was engaged throughout, this is not a page turner; but this is not a criticism. It is a true police procedural with emphasis on the procedural. Well written, with a solid plot, there is good character development and interactions as we begin to see the evolution of Jane into one of the first female Detective Chief Inspectors in London whom we know so wel from Prime Suspect.
Blunt Force is the sixth in this series about the early career of Tennison.
Jane has been kicked off the Flying Squad, which investigates armed robberies, and is now working in the usually quiet district of Knightsbridge, seeing to such crimes as shoplifting from Harrod’s. But a grisly murder of a famous theatrical agent changes that.
A sub plot refers back to the time Jane was on the Squad.
Although I was engaged throughout, this is not a page turner; but this is not a criticism. It is a true police procedural with emphasis on the procedural. Well written, with a solid plot, there is good character development and interactions as we begin to see the evolution of Jane into one of the first female Detective Chief Inspectors in London whom we know so wel from Prime Suspect.
August 21, 2020
I love Lynda LaPlante's Jane Tennison!
Ever since watching the BBC Prime Suspect tv series, I have always been interested in how Jane started in her career and how she holds her own and brings a new angle to solving a case, often through sheer determination.
She is compassionate, yet level headed.
Jane keeps her cool while delivering some zingers to those who deserve it!
In this book, Jane is reassigned to a different department, after a close call.
The narative starts with a heinous murder of a Hollywood-type agent, who leads a sordid double life and seemed a little convoluted to me towards the middle. I feel the police work was very long and involved and I was sometimes confused about who did what, but the twist at the end was great!
Ever since watching the BBC Prime Suspect tv series, I have always been interested in how Jane started in her career and how she holds her own and brings a new angle to solving a case, often through sheer determination.
She is compassionate, yet level headed.
Jane keeps her cool while delivering some zingers to those who deserve it!
In this book, Jane is reassigned to a different department, after a close call.
The narative starts with a heinous murder of a Hollywood-type agent, who leads a sordid double life and seemed a little convoluted to me towards the middle. I feel the police work was very long and involved and I was sometimes confused about who did what, but the twist at the end was great!
June 17, 2021
I have fond memories of Helen Mirren in Prime Suspect on TV all those years ago, but had not, until now, read any of La Plante’s books. It appears that she’s written about 50! This one, a precursor to Prime Suspect, was a hard slog and proved too much for me. It reads like a TV script with excruciatingly lengthy dialogue, what are almost stage directions, but little character development beyond cardboard cut out stereotype caricatures. I gave up at around p 120. I couldn’t even be bothered skipping to the end to see whodunnit.
January 30, 2024
“Blunt Force” is the sixth book in Lynda La Plante’s ‘Jane Tennison’ series, the prelude books to ‘Prime Suspect’.
Having followed Jane’s progress throughout her early career, I’m always interested to see what challenge the author has next for her. No matter what case she is given to solve, her unique problem solving and dogged determination can often be detrimental to her desired rise in ranks but she never leaves a case not fully solved, dotting all the i’s and crossing all the t’s. Her people skills are a joy to read, whatever their rank she isn’t frightened to tackle any misogyny or put her point across regarding any suspicions she may have of the case.
Now although this book is part of the ongoing series, this was a bit different to La Plante’s normal style of writing, since predominantly there was only one plot throughout and that was the brutal murder of Charles Foxley. No previous sub plots to tie in, no interweaving threads the other officers are working on. Subsequently this makes an ideal standalone and actually read like a real ‘whodunnit’. Only at the end of the book do we read a couple of scenes that sees some justice being dealt, leftover from the previous book “The Dirty Dozen”, which was actually quite satisfying.
I really did enjoy this book and loved the intense concentration on the one case only, the eccentric world of theatrical agents and their clients and the less than salubrious world of BDSM. Highly recommended for fans of the series or one off visitors to La Plante’s writing.
#BluntForce - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Having followed Jane’s progress throughout her early career, I’m always interested to see what challenge the author has next for her. No matter what case she is given to solve, her unique problem solving and dogged determination can often be detrimental to her desired rise in ranks but she never leaves a case not fully solved, dotting all the i’s and crossing all the t’s. Her people skills are a joy to read, whatever their rank she isn’t frightened to tackle any misogyny or put her point across regarding any suspicions she may have of the case.
Now although this book is part of the ongoing series, this was a bit different to La Plante’s normal style of writing, since predominantly there was only one plot throughout and that was the brutal murder of Charles Foxley. No previous sub plots to tie in, no interweaving threads the other officers are working on. Subsequently this makes an ideal standalone and actually read like a real ‘whodunnit’. Only at the end of the book do we read a couple of scenes that sees some justice being dealt, leftover from the previous book “The Dirty Dozen”, which was actually quite satisfying.
I really did enjoy this book and loved the intense concentration on the one case only, the eccentric world of theatrical agents and their clients and the less than salubrious world of BDSM. Highly recommended for fans of the series or one off visitors to La Plante’s writing.
#BluntForce - ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 5, 2024
3.5 ⭐️
Jane Tennison is thrusted into the world of theatre when a big theatrical agent is found dead in their home. Who wanted them dead? And will Jane catch the killer?
So far, this is my least favourite book of the series. This book felt so frustrating at times, it felt like they were making progress on the case, just to go 10 steps back. As a consequence, I didn’t find myself as interested in the storyline apart from a minor storyline that’s briefly mentioned towards the end. This book also started incredibly slow and unfortunately, that continued throughout the book.
I did love seeing some of my favourite characters like Dexter and my main man, Gibbs. Concerning Jane, she was sidelined from her previous position in the police force and I didn’t feel like this was concluded properly - I still have questions. This was the same for some of the other things mentioned within the book.
There was some errors too like in chapter 21 where it says “Julia wrote a few things down in her notebooks and without looking up at Julia, she quietly asked…” - the first Julia should be Jane.
⚠️ CWs: ableist language, suicide attempt, cursing, fatphobia, overdose, child abuse, sexual acts, physical assault, sexual assault; mentions death, cancer, miscarriage and self harm ⚠️
Jane Tennison is thrusted into the world of theatre when a big theatrical agent is found dead in their home. Who wanted them dead? And will Jane catch the killer?
So far, this is my least favourite book of the series. This book felt so frustrating at times, it felt like they were making progress on the case, just to go 10 steps back. As a consequence, I didn’t find myself as interested in the storyline apart from a minor storyline that’s briefly mentioned towards the end. This book also started incredibly slow and unfortunately, that continued throughout the book.
I did love seeing some of my favourite characters like Dexter and my main man, Gibbs. Concerning Jane, she was sidelined from her previous position in the police force and I didn’t feel like this was concluded properly - I still have questions. This was the same for some of the other things mentioned within the book.
There was some errors too like in chapter 21 where it says “Julia wrote a few things down in her notebooks and without looking up at Julia, she quietly asked…” - the first Julia should be Jane.
⚠️ CWs: ableist language, suicide attempt, cursing, fatphobia, overdose, child abuse, sexual acts, physical assault, sexual assault; mentions death, cancer, miscarriage and self harm ⚠️
July 30, 2020
Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book.
Jane Tennison is celebrating her 30th birthday as this book starts. She has just been released from the Sweeney (aka the Flying Squad) and is now working in an upper class part of town (Belgravia) and most calls are about shoplifting from department stores. Then there's a call about a howling blood covered dog in an apartment - the police find a man who been beaten in the head, throat slit and his intestines removed - one of the most brutal crimes Tennison has heard of. They learn he owned a firm that represented actors and directors. His ex-wife is a former actress who has mental problems and she is their first suspect, but her story keeps changing so much the squad realize she's telling stories.
This glamorous world involves sex, drugs and rape and Jane is rather sickened by it all. She's been taking training in shooting guns so she can look for a promotion.
I found this book was overlong and dragged a little. I feel several chapters could be tightened up and I didn't need to hear about all the trips to the canteen and what the cops ate!
Jane Tennison is celebrating her 30th birthday as this book starts. She has just been released from the Sweeney (aka the Flying Squad) and is now working in an upper class part of town (Belgravia) and most calls are about shoplifting from department stores. Then there's a call about a howling blood covered dog in an apartment - the police find a man who been beaten in the head, throat slit and his intestines removed - one of the most brutal crimes Tennison has heard of. They learn he owned a firm that represented actors and directors. His ex-wife is a former actress who has mental problems and she is their first suspect, but her story keeps changing so much the squad realize she's telling stories.
This glamorous world involves sex, drugs and rape and Jane is rather sickened by it all. She's been taking training in shooting guns so she can look for a promotion.
I found this book was overlong and dragged a little. I feel several chapters could be tightened up and I didn't need to hear about all the trips to the canteen and what the cops ate!
June 16, 2020
4 stars
Charles Foxley, an entertainment representative, gets himself killed in a most hideous manner.
DS Jane Tennison and DS Spencer Gibbs are on the team to ferret out the killer. The problem is that Foxley had many enemies – but no one believes that anyone hated him enough to kill him in such a dramatic way. Obviously, someone is lying. From his drama queen associates at the agency to his wildly histrionic ex-wife, Jane, (they are all in the theater after all...), Spencer and the rest of the team must find this vicious murderer.
At the same time, both Jane and Spencer are dealing with their transfers to a new station somewhat under a cloud and all the guilt/shame the transfers engender.
Also a subplot runs through the story about a covert operation in which Jane gets involved.
This is a very convoluted investigation. Just when the police think that they are on to something, another clue arises and takes them in a different direction. They discover that Foxley was not a very likable guy and had his fingers in many pies, some of them not so honorable. The degree of Foxley's ex-wife's problems are revealed to be much more serious than an unpredictable temperament. Jane feels sure that her developing theory of the murder is valid, but the brass is not taking her seriously.
This is a well written and plotted novel. It started out slowly, but then picked up rather quickly. Ms. La Plante has a very real talent for writing subtle tension in her stories. I wasn't sure about Jane though. Her character seemed a little uneven to me. I liked Spence, even though he had a chip on his shoulder, but fights to overcome it. The author shows her characters to be all too human, complete with warts and all. I appreciate that about her writing. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading her next offer.
I want to thank NetGalley and Bonnier Zaffre USA for forwarding to me a copy of this very good book for me to read, enjoy and review.
Charles Foxley, an entertainment representative, gets himself killed in a most hideous manner.
DS Jane Tennison and DS Spencer Gibbs are on the team to ferret out the killer. The problem is that Foxley had many enemies – but no one believes that anyone hated him enough to kill him in such a dramatic way. Obviously, someone is lying. From his drama queen associates at the agency to his wildly histrionic ex-wife, Jane, (they are all in the theater after all...), Spencer and the rest of the team must find this vicious murderer.
At the same time, both Jane and Spencer are dealing with their transfers to a new station somewhat under a cloud and all the guilt/shame the transfers engender.
Also a subplot runs through the story about a covert operation in which Jane gets involved.
This is a very convoluted investigation. Just when the police think that they are on to something, another clue arises and takes them in a different direction. They discover that Foxley was not a very likable guy and had his fingers in many pies, some of them not so honorable. The degree of Foxley's ex-wife's problems are revealed to be much more serious than an unpredictable temperament. Jane feels sure that her developing theory of the murder is valid, but the brass is not taking her seriously.
This is a well written and plotted novel. It started out slowly, but then picked up rather quickly. Ms. La Plante has a very real talent for writing subtle tension in her stories. I wasn't sure about Jane though. Her character seemed a little uneven to me. I liked Spence, even though he had a chip on his shoulder, but fights to overcome it. The author shows her characters to be all too human, complete with warts and all. I appreciate that about her writing. I enjoyed this book and look forward to reading her next offer.
I want to thank NetGalley and Bonnier Zaffre USA for forwarding to me a copy of this very good book for me to read, enjoy and review.
June 14, 2021
I've read most of La Plante's books and all of the Tennison series, both Prime Suspect and Tennison and enjoyed all of them. This one however, did not hit the spot.
The constant detailed descriptions of the visits and interviewing of the staff at the theatrical agency which the victim owned were not necessary and didn't add to the plot. The constant referral to the dogs nearly drove me barking mad (pun intended).
Are English detectives really as "dumb" and over-bearing as La Plante makes out? Not one of her superiors is interested in listening to Tennison's theories about the suspects, especially towards the end of the book. This constant deprecation of her skills and talents as a detective gets a bit wearing. If that were me I'd have changed jobs long ago!
I was very disappointed at the ending of the book. Just as you think they are getting somewhere with solving the crime, suddenly a new plot is thrust into the limelight, that of her getting even with the Flying Squad chief who clearly didn't want her in his squad in the last book. It had nothing to do with the main plot, it seemed to be just thrown in there as an added extra. OK, so it tidied up a part of her life which had caused her grief, I get that. So let's move on...
I had (I thought) figured out who the real murderer was and it wasn't the guy they'd arrested for the crime but the book came to an abrupt ending without giving an answer. No doubt this will be carried over to the next book but I dislike books which do this. It's always too long before the next one comes out and I've generally forgotten all about it by then!
The constant detailed descriptions of the visits and interviewing of the staff at the theatrical agency which the victim owned were not necessary and didn't add to the plot. The constant referral to the dogs nearly drove me barking mad (pun intended).
Are English detectives really as "dumb" and over-bearing as La Plante makes out? Not one of her superiors is interested in listening to Tennison's theories about the suspects, especially towards the end of the book. This constant deprecation of her skills and talents as a detective gets a bit wearing. If that were me I'd have changed jobs long ago!
I was very disappointed at the ending of the book. Just as you think they are getting somewhere with solving the crime, suddenly a new plot is thrust into the limelight, that of her getting even with the Flying Squad chief who clearly didn't want her in his squad in the last book. It had nothing to do with the main plot, it seemed to be just thrown in there as an added extra. OK, so it tidied up a part of her life which had caused her grief, I get that. So let's move on...
I had (I thought) figured out who the real murderer was and it wasn't the guy they'd arrested for the crime but the book came to an abrupt ending without giving an answer. No doubt this will be carried over to the next book but I dislike books which do this. It's always too long before the next one comes out and I've generally forgotten all about it by then!
June 29, 2020
I am not the biggest fan of Lynda La Plante's writing style - it's a bit blunt for me - (no pun intended) - I am more lyrical waxing and poetic prose, but boy can she write a cracking good story. Not for the fainthearted, Blunt Force is chock full of dodgy characters, murder, drugs, prostitution and screaming ex-wives.
Just when Jane Tennison was getting bored in wealthy Knightsbridge, the brutal killing of Theatrical Agent Charles Foxley takes place right on her patch. This is my first Jane Tennison book (not my first La Plante) and I have never seen Prime Suspect, but it didn't take me long to find out about her previous job (with the Sweeney), why she left and who her friends were.
The story rattles along - there's also a side story going on related to her time with the Sweeney - and all sorts of interesting minor characters - Elliott, and Mandy Pilkington to name but two, and plenty of red herrings. I was hoping for a bit of romance and humour. More of the latter than the former - even some of the darker characters have their moments of fun.
We were left hanging with one part at the end, but then I have the feeling that Jane has opened a nest of vipers and we will see them in the next book.
Many thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Just when Jane Tennison was getting bored in wealthy Knightsbridge, the brutal killing of Theatrical Agent Charles Foxley takes place right on her patch. This is my first Jane Tennison book (not my first La Plante) and I have never seen Prime Suspect, but it didn't take me long to find out about her previous job (with the Sweeney), why she left and who her friends were.
The story rattles along - there's also a side story going on related to her time with the Sweeney - and all sorts of interesting minor characters - Elliott, and Mandy Pilkington to name but two, and plenty of red herrings. I was hoping for a bit of romance and humour. More of the latter than the former - even some of the darker characters have their moments of fun.
We were left hanging with one part at the end, but then I have the feeling that Jane has opened a nest of vipers and we will see them in the next book.
Many thanks to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
did-not-finish
September 24, 2020I feel like a terrible human being whenever I give up on a book (which has only ever happened once, but it still kills me). After 100 pages, I still couldn't get into the story and felt no attachment to the detectives or police team. There are so many detective stories, that I have to be pulled into the plot right away in order to be invested in it. I just didn't get that feeling and lacked motivation to finish.
That being said, the general premise of the book is that a rich theatrical agent is brutally murdered. His house is going to need some serious cleaning up and hopefully someone will take care of his dogs, because that's what really matters in this story. Detective Tennison, who is bored out of her mind investigating petty theft, gets a big break with this case, and from there, the story begins.
If you like slow burn mystery books, the author's writing style, or want to get invested in a police detective series, by all means, read this book!
Thank you, BookishFirst, the publisher, and the author for providing me a copy to review. I'm not tagging any of you because I am a bad bibliophile.
That being said, the general premise of the book is that a rich theatrical agent is brutally murdered. His house is going to need some serious cleaning up and hopefully someone will take care of his dogs, because that's what really matters in this story. Detective Tennison, who is bored out of her mind investigating petty theft, gets a big break with this case, and from there, the story begins.
If you like slow burn mystery books, the author's writing style, or want to get invested in a police detective series, by all means, read this book!
Thank you, BookishFirst, the publisher, and the author for providing me a copy to review. I'm not tagging any of you because I am a bad bibliophile.
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