Above Suspicion

Just what I need, I thought to myself, another first in a series, after all I am only following at least 40 series already. But once picked up and started, I couldn’t have stopped if I tried. Above Suspicion by Lynda La Plante is a great police procedural that pulled me in right from the start.

As with all series no matter their subject, it is the characters that make you want to continue on. In Above Suspicion, the main character Anna Travis has certainly encouraged me to read more. Newly promoted to the Murder Squad, we learn methods and procedures along with Anna. We see the other members of the Squad through her eyes, and what she sees makes me want to continue with these people. From her hard driven, work obsessed, attractive show more boss and his rock-steady second, to a slightly jealous co-worker who thinks he sees Anna getting ahead of him, they immediately engaged me. Being inside Anna’s head enabled the reader to see how she processed information and came to certain decisions, this inside look also made Anna an appealing heroine.

Although the plot of the book was a familiar one, it was a well written page turner that kept me engaged through to the end. The author is probably better known for her writing of the Prime Suspect series, but this series shows lots of promise and I am glad that I have the second book waiting on my shelves. show less

This was an odd book in a lot of ways. The procedural aspect was strong and I enjoyed how the case was investigated. The romance sucked and would've been better for either excluding it or giving her someone unattached. The characters weren't as developed as I would've liked considering the 400 odd pages to slog through.

Langton was a hot mess and for all he was a good detective I just plain didn't like him. Anna was not a hot mess exactly, but she was also not very strong in her mental fortitude or resilience. I kind of expect my female protagonists to be more badass.

The rest of the office is pretty much ignored beyond there are other officers working there. So I never really felt I got to know any of them and they were barely show more distinguishable from each other. One female can't get a sandwich without tomatoes, the other female isn't made to get lunch, one male has a newborn baby and the other male does not.

Overall, it's not a bad start to a series - just depends on your expectations. I'll likely pick up the next one - I did really enjoy the procedural part - and hopefully the romance either gets better or goes away. 3.5 stars. show less

So, to the second book mates of mine left here when they came to stay. This book is a beaut! Crime fiction can be so hit and miss but Linda has got the story telling down pat. From hooking you in with some gruesome autopsy to becoming fascinated in the lives of the two main characters, a seasoned homicide detective and the rookie, a young female cop roped in to help with a possible serial killer. In the vein of the Ross & Rachel “will they, won’t they” the side story of the two cops had me somewhat hooked, and personally I hate how writers feel obliged to put in some sort of love story or gratuitous sex…but not this time which had hints of both.

So, back to the story…London seems to have a serial killer and while the cops are show more continually frustrated with trying to catch a break they also have to battle with internal politics and their own demons. And when it seems the killer may also be involved in killings across the Atlantic, the case takes on biblical proportions.

Then they finally have a suspect. But as a high-profile actor with all the schmooze and graces of royalty it becomes a battle between the two characters; one believing he is the killer, the other believing otherwise. It is the classic ‘circumstantial’ evidence versus hard facts.

Loved the book, and it has come to my knowledge there are more in the ‘series’. Well put me down for one of two and lets hope she can keep up the great story telling. show less

Lynda La Plante is the successful author of the "Prime Suspect" series, translated so brilliantly to British television by Helen Mirren; Above Suspicion is the first of a new (-ish, first publication in 2001) series once again featuring a female police officer in the lead. Detective Sergeant Anna Travis is assigned to her first "murder squad," led by the unconventional DCI James Langton, who with his team is investigating a series of murders of aging, drug-addicted prostitutes, all killed the same way, with the murders taking place over a period of years. Langton is certain he's dealing with a serial killer, but he has no leads and since they're all "cold cases" and deal with people nobody cares about, he's going to be shut down soon. show more Until a murder takes place with the exact same features of these deaths, except the victim is a 17-year-old virgin, not a "slag," and he's given one last chance to connect them all up. It's rookie Anna, of course, who first identifies a suspect - a well-known, rising actor - and of course she finds herself becoming involved with both the suspect and the DCI. How much danger is she in is the question, along with how much danger Langton is prepared to place her in, in the hopes of catching a ruthless killer....Well, the outcome is known from the outset, really, so what's left is the journey. And this story is strong on graphic grue, weak on some facts (no, you cannot drive from SFO to the Tenderloin in 15 minutes, nor do I believe you can drive from SF to LA in 4 hours - yes the main story takes place in London, but at one point some cops travel to the States to check on a few other possible victims of the same serial killer). The characters are reasonably interesting, and I'll probably read more in the series if I stumble across later books, but I won't go out of my way to find them; this just felt kind of sloppy to me. show less

This is the first book I have ever read by Lynda La Plante, and I got the sequel to it before finishing this - so I was definitely enjoying this!

The story introduces us to Detective Sergeant Anna Travis, a young Police Officer who finds herself part of the team handling a series of grisly murders.

The main suspect is a well known actor, so the team have to tread carefully, and Anna finds herself getting firmly entrenched in the case, to the point where she herself is potentially in danger.

The story twists and turns at a fast pace, and is a real page turner.

There is a romantic sub-plot, and to be honest, I am not a fan of such sub-plots in detective stories; although it does not detract from the main narrative, it seems a little show more unnecessary.

Apart from that however, this is a terrific read. I would recommend it to fans of the genre. show less

I haven't read a Lynda La Plante book for ages, and having recently watched one of her TV series, I decided to dive right in.

Lynda's books are really easy to read quickly and run at a good pace, and I found myself not wanting to put this book down. I really enjoyed the plot, and the police procedure that was described - it was a real page-turner for me. The only thing I wasn't so keen on was the main female character - I found her to be a bit weak and a bit of a cliche really. Because the story was so strong, it didn't put me off too much though. I'd definitely be open to reading more books with her in - she could turn into a really good character with a bit of imagination.

DCI James Langton is trying to solve the old cold cases of 6 serial murders of prostitute/drug addicts when a new unlikely 7th victim may have materialized. Having convinced his superiors that he needs a large task force, DS Anna Travis is transferred to his team and together they review old cases and Travis finds a connection that links all the victims except for the newest.

DCI Langton is a strong character whose handling of the team has some issues that may endanger Anna Travis both physically or emotionally, but together they solve the murders with good detective work.

Lynda La Plante is the writer who developed the Prime Suspect series that brought Helen Mirren to the attention of many TV viewers and I believe that this series will show more probably be worth further pursuit. What amazes me is that I found this book on the $1 table at Barnes & Noble a few years ago. Definitely worth the investment. show less