Above Suspicion [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Lynda LaPlante (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2006

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 of the girls very similar -- all are prostitutes. As the book opens, a seventh body is found, same modus operandi but the victim this time is a sweet young student. Anna stumbles on a vital piece of information that links one man to the killings, a well-known, much-loved actor. His protestation of innocence is convincing, and Anna might be succumbing to his flattering attention. What if he is arrested, the media erupts, and he is the wrong man?

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

La Plante's gripping thriller (after Cold Shoulder, Cold Blood and the Prime Suspect television series) launches the crime-fighting career of another brainy, sexy female homicide detective, fledgling London copper Anna Travis. As the bright and eager young daughter of recently deceased Detective Chief Superintendent Travis, Anna is hired by Detective Chief Inspector Langton, whose murder team has been completely outfoxed by a serial killer with a trail of six murdered prostitutes dating back 12 years. Anna joins the team just as they identify the corpse of a younger victim with no history of prostitution, a casualty that Langton takes as a sign of the killer's escalating blood lust. Further investigation reveals handsome up-and-coming film actor Alan Daniels as a potential suspect, and Anna and Langton widen their inquiry to include Daniels's past movie locations in the U.S., following a trail of victims to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago. Suspense builds and circumstantial evidence continues to pile up, but absolute proof eludes Anna and Langton as the sociopathic suspect attempts to turn his seductive powers on Anna. With crime lab authenticity, a sympathetic heroine and an affecting undercurrent of May-December romance between Anna and Langton, this spellbinder spirals down to an edge-of-the-seat denouement. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

From Booklist

Creator of the popular Detective Jane Tennison, heroine of the Prime Suspect TV drama, Londoner La Plante brings a new crime series to America. Originally published in Great Britain in 2004, Above Suspicion follows young Detective Sergeant Anna Travis, daughter of the late Detective Chief Superintendent Jack Travis, as she works her first homicide case. And what a case it is: a serial killer who has brutally murdered prostitutes for the past eight years has suddenly switched to a beautiful young student. DCI Langton, who chose Anna for the team out of respect for her father, pushes her mercilessly. In fact, Anna's complex and heated relationship with her boss is almost as compelling as the chase for the serial killer. When a popular actor is identified as a subject, he denies it all and begins an amorous pursuit of Anna. Flattered by his attention and confused by her feelings for Langton, Anna finds herself in grave danger. For readers wondering if veteran La Plante has still got it, Above Suspicionleaves no doubt. Jenny McLarin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 672 pages
• Publisher: Wheeler Publishing (April 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1597221813
• ISBN-13: 978-1597221818
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,078,513 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Rookie Detective and the Serial Killer, April 19, 2006

By 

George Webster, Ph.D., (Orlando, FL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Above Suspicion (Anna Travis Mysteries) (Hardcover)

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.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "Watch the eyes. Wait for the fear.", March 7, 2006

By 

Luan Gaines "luansos" (Dana Point, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Above Suspicion (Anna Travis Mysteries) (Hardcover)

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.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Above Suspicion, May 19, 2009

By 

Carolyn Jolly "British Book Lover" (Laurinburg, N.C.) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Above Suspicion (Paperback)

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.