What do you think?
Rate this book
Trial and Retribution #2
Trial and Retribution II
Identical and brutal assaults on three women. One woman survives to give a detailed description of her attacker.
The police arrest a suspect, Damon Morton, confident he is their man. But three of his employees admit to the crimes, and Morton’s wife and girlfriend provide him with an alibi.
They all declare Damon Morton innocent. The police know he did it. But if people lie under oath in a court of law - who can the jury believe?
The police arrest a suspect, Damon Morton, confident he is their man. But three of his employees admit to the crimes, and Morton’s wife and girlfriend provide him with an alibi.
They all declare Damon Morton innocent. The police know he did it. But if people lie under oath in a court of law - who can the jury believe?
Audio CD
First published July 1, 1998
5 people are currently reading
249 people want to read
About the author
Lynda La Plante
118 books1,840 followersLynda La Plante, CBE (born Lynda Titchmarsh) is a British author, screenwriter, and erstwhile actress (her performances in Rentaghost and other programmes were under her stage name of Lynda Marchal), best known for writing the Prime Suspect television crime series.
Her first TV series as a scriptwriter was the six part robbery series Widows, in 1983, in which the widows of four armed robbers carry out a heist planned by their deceased husbands.
In 1991 ITV released Prime Suspect which has now run to seven series and stars Helen Mirren as DCI Jane Tennison. (In the United States Prime Suspect airs on PBS as part of the anthology program Mystery!) In 1993 La Plante won an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for her work on the series. In 1992 she wrote at TV movie called Seekers, starring Brenda Fricker and Josette Simon, produced by Sarah Lawson.
She formed her own television production company, La Plante Productions, in 1994 and as La Plante Productions she wrote and produced the sequel to Widows, the equally gutsy She's Out (ITV, 1995). The name "La Plante" comes from her marriage to writer Richard La Plante, author of the book Mantis and Hog Fever. La Plante divorced Lynda in the early 1990s.
Her output continued with The Governor (ITV 1995-96), a series focusing on the female governor of a high security prison, and was followed by a string of ratings pulling miniseries: the psycho killer nightmare events of Trial & Retribution (ITV 1997-), the widows' revenge of the murders of their husbands & children Bella Mafia (1997) (starring Vanessa Redgrave), the undercover police unit operations of Supply and Demand (ITV 1998), videogame/internet murder mystery Killer Net (Channel 4 1998) and the female criminal profiler cases of Mind Games (ITV 2001).
Two additions to the Trial and Retribution miniseries were broadcast during 2006.
Her first TV series as a scriptwriter was the six part robbery series Widows, in 1983, in which the widows of four armed robbers carry out a heist planned by their deceased husbands.
In 1991 ITV released Prime Suspect which has now run to seven series and stars Helen Mirren as DCI Jane Tennison. (In the United States Prime Suspect airs on PBS as part of the anthology program Mystery!) In 1993 La Plante won an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for her work on the series. In 1992 she wrote at TV movie called Seekers, starring Brenda Fricker and Josette Simon, produced by Sarah Lawson.
She formed her own television production company, La Plante Productions, in 1994 and as La Plante Productions she wrote and produced the sequel to Widows, the equally gutsy She's Out (ITV, 1995). The name "La Plante" comes from her marriage to writer Richard La Plante, author of the book Mantis and Hog Fever. La Plante divorced Lynda in the early 1990s.
Her output continued with The Governor (ITV 1995-96), a series focusing on the female governor of a high security prison, and was followed by a string of ratings pulling miniseries: the psycho killer nightmare events of Trial & Retribution (ITV 1997-), the widows' revenge of the murders of their husbands & children Bella Mafia (1997) (starring Vanessa Redgrave), the undercover police unit operations of Supply and Demand (ITV 1998), videogame/internet murder mystery Killer Net (Channel 4 1998) and the female criminal profiler cases of Mind Games (ITV 2001).
Two additions to the Trial and Retribution miniseries were broadcast during 2006.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
August 5, 2025
This was truly dark and compelling, and left me contemplating the work of the various individuals and teams as they uncover the details and often horror of murder investigations. Not only the work, but the effect of the work on their minds and lives. My husband sometimes jokes that I would have made a good detective, however I think my mind would be shattered by sifting through the evidence of the evil that people can do.
Lynda La Plante describes processes and procedures in a clear way without over explaining or using jargon. I felt like I had a good grasp of the investigation and court proceedings of this time period. She is a master storyteller and the suspense was intense with a truly nail biting court case toward the end.
Lynda La Plante describes processes and procedures in a clear way without over explaining or using jargon. I felt like I had a good grasp of the investigation and court proceedings of this time period. She is a master storyteller and the suspense was intense with a truly nail biting court case toward the end.
April 2, 2023
Another great crime novel by my favourite author. The Trial and Retribution series was written in the late 90s so I'm trying to get my hands on this whole gruesome series.
April 18, 2023
A decent police procedural mapped from the TV serial, with a decent twist at the end.
March 2, 2022
Another cracker!
July 16, 2017
I kept getting confused between cindy, charmaine and the other c.
Also this author tends to mention things later on in the book which she has apparently referred to earlier, which she hasn't.
Also this author tends to mention things later on in the book which she has apparently referred to earlier, which she hasn't.
August 13, 2023
4/5 Stars
Trial and Retribution 2 is a book that has sat on my tbr shelf for a long time. Many readers will be familiar with LaPlante, and her reputation for crime writing, and the mini-series that have been born from her brain. So there's always the fear that you'll be that one reader in a hundred that doesn't like the novel...
Fortunately, that wasn't the case! In this story, LaPlante's story unfolds from us meeting the first victim and getting to know her a little before tragedy strikes. I thought this was a brilliant technique as it allows the reader to pad out the victim - instead of them just being a nameless, faceless individual, you are invested in finding her killer and justice for her family.
There is less shared on the other victims, however by the time the reader meets them, they already want the guilty to be caught. So another layer of emotion is added when the OBVIOUS criminal mastermind looks like he may not get his dues. And, even worse, that others may go down in his stead.
The genius of this story, for me, was the trial where the writing is so sharp that - even though you know you know who did it - you find yourself questioning that assumption when the defence lawyer spins what you know... LaPlante didn't pull any punches with the ammunition she gives her pivotal characters!
This was an engrossing and well-written story with the murder trial being front and centre, although there's still the usual amount of "police family drama" unfolding in the background. I look forward to reading more by LaPlante and would recommend this to anyone looking for a fast-paced, captivating read.
Trial and Retribution 2 is a book that has sat on my tbr shelf for a long time. Many readers will be familiar with LaPlante, and her reputation for crime writing, and the mini-series that have been born from her brain. So there's always the fear that you'll be that one reader in a hundred that doesn't like the novel...
Fortunately, that wasn't the case! In this story, LaPlante's story unfolds from us meeting the first victim and getting to know her a little before tragedy strikes. I thought this was a brilliant technique as it allows the reader to pad out the victim - instead of them just being a nameless, faceless individual, you are invested in finding her killer and justice for her family.
There is less shared on the other victims, however by the time the reader meets them, they already want the guilty to be caught. So another layer of emotion is added when the OBVIOUS criminal mastermind looks like he may not get his dues. And, even worse, that others may go down in his stead.
The genius of this story, for me, was the trial where the writing is so sharp that - even though you know you know who did it - you find yourself questioning that assumption when the defence lawyer spins what you know... LaPlante didn't pull any punches with the ammunition she gives her pivotal characters!
This was an engrossing and well-written story with the murder trial being front and centre, although there's still the usual amount of "police family drama" unfolding in the background. I look forward to reading more by LaPlante and would recommend this to anyone looking for a fast-paced, captivating read.
January 22, 2022
I'm going to do a review for the series as a whole and post it for each book, this is because I feel that the further along the series and especially the last book are mostly about the private lives of the detectives rather than the crimes themselves.
I do feel that of all the series of Linda La Plante's that I've read/watched this is probably the weakest as far as story and character development go.
The character of Mike Walker is not someone I like, yes he may get the job done, but he really is a dinosaur, and frankly I don't think he is that good of a detective. He guesses a lot or plays a hunch, which by luck has been proved correct, so often no more follow up is done once a case has either had a confession or thought to be proved. Finding evidence whilst the case is going through trial seems really far fetched to me and also not professional.
The character of Pat North has a lot of potential, she should have stayed well away from getting involved in a relationship with Mike Walker, and frankly that whole scenario is completely unnecessary.
The Detective Sargent character of Dave Satchwell starts off predictable, seems to move forward, and then de-evolves by the last book.
How much of all of this is due to the fact that the author was writing for television, rather than writing a "book" I don't know, but the story does seem to suffer because of it.
I won't be revisiting the tv series, and I doubt very much that I will listen to the books again.
I do feel that of all the series of Linda La Plante's that I've read/watched this is probably the weakest as far as story and character development go.
The character of Mike Walker is not someone I like, yes he may get the job done, but he really is a dinosaur, and frankly I don't think he is that good of a detective. He guesses a lot or plays a hunch, which by luck has been proved correct, so often no more follow up is done once a case has either had a confession or thought to be proved. Finding evidence whilst the case is going through trial seems really far fetched to me and also not professional.
The character of Pat North has a lot of potential, she should have stayed well away from getting involved in a relationship with Mike Walker, and frankly that whole scenario is completely unnecessary.
The Detective Sargent character of Dave Satchwell starts off predictable, seems to move forward, and then de-evolves by the last book.
How much of all of this is due to the fact that the author was writing for television, rather than writing a "book" I don't know, but the story does seem to suffer because of it.
I won't be revisiting the tv series, and I doubt very much that I will listen to the books again.
September 18, 2021
When DSI Walker & DCI North investigate a series of brutal murders and mutilations, they are surprised to find three employees of an electrical business pleading guilty despite the improbability. Every one of those in his inner circle give evidence for why the business owner, Damon Morton, is not guilty - how does he command such blind allegiance? This is an enthralling but gruesome svengali case - Lynda La Plante paints a chilling portrait of a master manipulator, a frustrated police force, and an indifferent law system. Audio narrator Colin Mace does a great job.
July 25, 2023
I listened to the audiobook of this sequel as it was narrated again by the brilliant Colin Mace!
Not only gripped by the story but also by the fantastic narration. I’ve now downloaded all the sequels narrated by Colin Mace as his narration is SO much better then reading the books!
Not only gripped by the story but also by the fantastic narration. I’ve now downloaded all the sequels narrated by Colin Mace as his narration is SO much better then reading the books!
April 6, 2022
I borrow boxes this by mistake .. I like a la plante that has some some back story of the detective like Tennison but this didn't have that. Brutal detective story if you like that sort of thing !
September 12, 2022
Good detective novel
January 27, 2024
3.75, nearly 4 for the ending 👍🏼
January 29, 2024
Continuing to work my way through the Trial and Retribution books. I enjoyed it!
February 19, 2024
Good read
Read
January 16, 2009Trial and Retribution II, by Lynda La Plante. B-plus.
Two bodies of women are found. They have been murdered and brutally cut, probably before dying. The first one works in a massage parlor, and the police sort of casually write her off as a prostitute, except for Pat North and Inspector Walker. The second one is a middle-clas schoolteacher, so the public pays more attention. Then a third woman is mutilated, but she manages to survive. The police get a description of the attacker and his van. They track him and the van down. But he claims he didn’t do it, and states that his employees are allowed to use the van. He has three employees, who all admit to “doing the women.” The prostitute who survived, however, said it was one lone man, and that is the owner of the van, who says he didn’t do it. The police believe he did, and that he, and the witnesses who support him, are all lying. Police believes he has some kind of power over them. . The prosecution’s evidence may not be strong enough to convict, and if not, he’ll go free. But is there retribution after a trial? It would seem so.
These are interesting books. Having read two now, it seems that the trials themselves don’t necessarily solve anything, but perhaps things turn out okay in the long run. Some of the same police officers in this book, so she must be viewing this as a series.
Two bodies of women are found. They have been murdered and brutally cut, probably before dying. The first one works in a massage parlor, and the police sort of casually write her off as a prostitute, except for Pat North and Inspector Walker. The second one is a middle-clas schoolteacher, so the public pays more attention. Then a third woman is mutilated, but she manages to survive. The police get a description of the attacker and his van. They track him and the van down. But he claims he didn’t do it, and states that his employees are allowed to use the van. He has three employees, who all admit to “doing the women.” The prostitute who survived, however, said it was one lone man, and that is the owner of the van, who says he didn’t do it. The police believe he did, and that he, and the witnesses who support him, are all lying. Police believes he has some kind of power over them. . The prosecution’s evidence may not be strong enough to convict, and if not, he’ll go free. But is there retribution after a trial? It would seem so.
These are interesting books. Having read two now, it seems that the trials themselves don’t necessarily solve anything, but perhaps things turn out okay in the long run. Some of the same police officers in this book, so she must be viewing this as a series.
July 23, 2011
c1998. For all that I have read this nearly 13 years after it was first written, it certainly does not seem dated at all. The main theme as stated on Amazon is "How much evidence do you need to convict a guilty man; and how much fear can be instilled to make an innocent one plead guilt? ". Interesing premise and still topical today. Watching the news, I think that a lot of this goes on and if it wasn't for a dedicated group of individuals then a lot more people may be at risk. Not a comfortable read though but recommended.
April 28, 2024
5⭐️ This book introduced me to this thriller type genre, which I thought I wouldn’t like. I can confidently say Lynda LaPlante has converted me to love crime and thrillers now, as well as my usual romcoms. The ending was phenomenal.
August 13, 2010
Gruesome and dark
May 7, 2016
Really enjoyed my first La Plante novel and will certainly read more of this series.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews