Customer Reviews

Above Suspicion (Anna Travis Mysteries)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

For the reader that is tired of the same old stories of tough, hard-drinking detectives in Los Angeles or New York, Lynda La Plante offers a refreshing detective in a tale from London that has a gratifyingly authentic flavor. There is a hint of La Plante's excellent Prime Suspect television series, and a hint of Jack the Ripper in this story of bright, young Detective Sergeant Anna Travis, daughter of the late Detective Chief Superintendent Jack Travis. Anna is chosen by Detective Chief Inspector Langton to join his team investigating a series of murders of prostitutes. There is almost no evidence identifying anyone as the killer, but the team continues to dig until they uncover puzzling clues pointing to a handsome, famous movie star. It seems unlikely that this wealthy man is the murderer, but as the investigation continues, he turns his charm toward Anna. Or is he stalking her? Suspense builds until we reach a gripping climax to a most enjoyable story.

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.

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.

I enjoyed "Prime Suspect" and when I learned that the creator of the show had written some mysteries, I figured I'd give one a go. Having just finished "Above Suspicion," it is easy to see why LaPlante is so successful writing TV drama: she's good at plot. The novel moves at a brisk pace (at least for the first 3/4 of the way; the ending sags miserably) and the story is fairly entertaining, if not terribly original (sociopath killing prostitutes in London).

Unfortunately, a mostly-fast-paced plot does not an excellent mystery make without original, convincing characters; high quality writing; and nuanced dialogue. And "Above Suspicion" lacks all three. The characters are cardboard cutouts: the child of a detective who wants to make her father proud, the terse, but oh-so-manly chief inspector whose wife has conveniently died, the charming and handsome suspect with the prostitute mother. The dialogue is basic and formulaic. The scenes shift abruptly, without any background development. The writing is ho-hum, flat and basic to the point of simplistic. The worst sin of all: clunkers that make the reader stop and groan with exasperation. The police allow a novice detective to go out on a date with the suspected sociopath/serial killer? The detective whose primary qualities are eating fast and being rude asserts some kind of romantic pull on his subordinate (notwithstanding all concerns about sexual relationships on the job)? Adjoining hotel rooms where the female detective conveniently sleeps in the nude? Yeah, right.

If you like British police procedurals, there are many many better choices: Ruth Rendell's Wexford series, Deborah Crombie's Duncan/Gemma mysteries, Elizabeth George, P.D. James, to name a few. Or maybe you're better off renting "Prime Suspect" on video and watching master Helen Mirren inject some depth and character into your crime drama -- because "Above Suspicion" lacks either.

I loved the book. I couldn't put it down. I love trying to figure out just whats going to happen. I would definitly recommend the book it was easy reading and enjoyable.

This book, and those that follow it in series; is/are stella examples of what can be produced by a clever, intelligent and respectful author, who seeks and receives appropriate background and expertise from those who actually do and know. It reads and "feels" right.
EVERYTHING, with the most minor exceptions, is what a police procedural should be.
The protagonists and supporting players are full fleshed and "castable" from one's own real life recollections.
There is absolutely NO ambiguity. Lynda LaPlante can claim dinner and drinks from my household at her will, for her respect for the players in her novels and the equally decent respect she has gifted to her readers whom she honors with her singular skills.

Way too much use of the F word. Practically on every page and several times. The author lives in London so her English settings are probably OK. However, you simply cannot drive from San Francisco to LA and be there for a 2:30 p.m. meeting with time for lunch and a swim, too. Also I cannot fathom a Super 8 Motel in San Francisco having a concierge!

I'll not be looking for her other books.

Lynda La Plante is with out doubt the most brilliant Mystery writer of the modern
generation.Prime Suspect

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)

Nothing could be more trite and predictable that almost every detail of Above Suspicion. If you even occasionally read crime fiction, you'll recognize every plot device and character in this novel. This is a poorly written book, the likes of which have been published literally dozens and dozens of times before. New cop Ms. Travis is pretty, but quite self conscious. She is now working a tough serial-killer case (her first murder investigation), and she's really trying to live up to the memory of her father, a great police detective. Even though she has zero experience in murder cases, she seems to consistently make breakthroughs so the investigation can move forward.

Any good assignment in this investigation is given to her, so she can flirt and blush and simper around her boss. The chief suspect is coming onto her, and ooohh, it's so flattering that I can't ever be sure if he's bad or good!! Ms. La Plante obviously wrote this as a made-for-TV movie script. This should be a MIRA book on the romance-readers' summer beach-reading list. Skip this at all costs!