Above Suspicion

by Lynda La Plante

Book Overview

From the author of Prime Suspect comes a series about Anna Travis, Lynda La Plante's​ most memorable female detective since Jane Tennison.

In the footsteps of Jane Tennison, immortalized by Helen Mirren in Prime Suspect, comes Anna Travis, a rookie female detective about to embark on her first murder case. The murders couldn't be more gruesome. The method of killing is identical, the backgrounds...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 074327685X
• ISBN13: 9780743276856
• Release Date: January 2006
• Publisher: Atria Books
• Length: 400 Pages
• Weight: 0.75 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

A Tenderfoot Detective Inspector Makes Her Mark

Anna Travis is determined to follow in the footsteps of her beloved and recently deceased father, the revered Detective Chief Superintendent Jack Travis. She is hired by Detective Chief Inspector James Langton for his Murder Squad because of her father. Wanting to make her father proud, Anna is determined to succeed no matter what the cost. As she puts in long hours, makes the usual rookie mistakes, and tries to fit in with the rest of the team, she finally begins to find her pace as she is immersed in the case of a serial killer. The killer has left a trail of six bodies over a 12-year period, and now has struck again. This time, the body is of a young college student rather than the usual prostitute of the past. As public pressure mounts to find the killer, clues are few and tension among the team builds. Langton seems to blow hot and cold with Anna, although as time goes on he begins to see how dedicated and discerning she is. The team determines their prime suspect is a handsome and popular actor by the name of Alan Daniels. Unfortunately, all they have is circumstantial evidence. Langton and Travis take a trip to the US where they visit San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Chicago and find that their suspect has visited all three cities, filling in their timeline of his whereabouts. As the net closes in on Daniels, he seemingly takes a liking to Travis. Can the newbie detective hold her own against the cunning suspect, or will she be his next victim? Lynda La Plante's debut novel in the new Anna Travis series is a brillant beginning. With great detail, La Plante takes her time in introducing her characters, building their storyline, and melding the whole team together as the pace of the novel increases. The reader is deftly drawn into the tension and drama of the Murder Squad as they race against time. There is a depth to the story as well as an earthy reality as the suspense builds to the shocking end. This book is well worth the read, and I strongly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good thriller. Above Suspicion (Anna Travis Mysteries)

Above Suspicion

I recently fell in love with books written by Lynda La Plante. I want to read all she has written. Her style keeps you turning the page and at the end wanting to read another book. I especially love the Anna Travis Mysteries.

"Watch the eyes. Wait for the fear."

Being the new kid on the block is disconcerting to say the least, as Anna Travis joins a bustling murder squad in search of a serial killer who has just claimed his seventh victim. Getting up to speed by taking home victim files, Travis is sorely tested by her first corpse and coroner's exam, but in the spirit of her father, a revered cop known as "Jack the Knife", the fledging murder detective throws herself into the case. The last victim brings a much-needed break in the case, the squad subject to constant budget constraints and the good will of their superiors, who in turn must answer to the people. Far from glamorous, this is tedious labor, checking and rechecking facts, witnesses, necessary minutiae by which a strong case is built. Travis finds her presence increasingly requested by DCI Langton, perhaps because she puts a female face on a primarily male venue, but also for her tenacity and willingness to get the job done. From one lead to another, Travis takes her cues from an unpredictable Langton, who is by turns elated by new information and depressed by a lack of progress. Finally, the meager leads bear fruit, all leading to the son of a prostitute, one of the serial killer's victims; the son's name is Anthony Duffy, now a well-known actor, Alan Daniels. Everything points to this man, but the evidence is circumstantial at best. If Daniels is the killer, he is brilliantly circumspect, going out of his way to be cooperative and charming, even paying special attention to Anna. Unnerved by his interest, Anna is confused and begins to doubt her cop instincts. Is Alan genuinely attracted to her or is he a practiced sociopath? In either case, Langton suggests Travis take advantage of Daniel's interest to ingratiate herself, in hopes of finding the critical piece of evidence that will put him away. In spite of being her father's daughter, Anna is hampered by a lack of self-confidence in her relationships with men, a tempting target for the inscrutable actor, Daniels. LaPlante is a gifted writer of this genre, shuffling characters, clues and plot elements for maximum suspense. While the sardonic Langton is a perfect boss, waxing hot and cold in equal measure, Travis, the new female detective, is both sympathetic and likeable, a compelling combination. Smart and increasingly savvy in this new job, Travis takes to murder, although she first suffers the usual pangs of initiation, foolish mistakes and dangerous situations born of her naiveté. This police procedural combines the inner workings of a tough occupation, with the loyal, determined personalities that dedicate their lives to making the world a safer place. Anna Travis is at home on her new turf, ready for her next assignment. Luan Gaines/ 2006.

Fast paced thriller

This was a very quick and entertaining book to read. At times it is rather graphic but it moves quickly past these bits. It is one of the better English novels that I've read.

GREAT READING

DISCOVERED LYNDA LA PLANTE BOOK WHILE ON VACATION. EXCELLENT READING, AM DEFINITELY A NEW FAN OF HERS.