Before Prime Suspect there was Tennison – this is her story.1973. After leaving the Metropolitan Police Training Academy, 22 year-old Jane Tennison is placed on a probationary exercise in Hackney, London where criminality thrives. At first she struggles to deal with the shocking situations she faces, receiving no help or sympathy from her superiors. Jane feels out of her depth in this … male-dominated, chauvinistic environment. Then she is given her first murder case . . .
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Having recently read “Good Friday”, I had to go back to the beginning and read “Tennison.”
Fresh out of police college, WPC Jane Tennison is rushing to get to work, but unfortunately bumps into Renee Bentley, knocking her groceries to the ground.
Their collision sets up a chain of events that aid a series of police investigations led by the charismatic DCI Bradfield.
Meanwhile Jane becomes chief bridesmaid to her sister Pam, leaves the family home to stay in police accommodation nearer the station, and endures increasingly chauvinistic behaviour rampant among her colleagues.
Tennison is a gripping crime thriller with an unexpected ending.
Highly recommended.
Jane Tennison is a probationer with the police in London and is working hard to become a detective. Her character is portrayed realistically; she is a young woman on her own for the first time in her life and is making decisions that could affect her career and the lives of others. She is clever and witty, so the book is entertaining. Jane inadvertently comes across evidence that there could be a bank robbery about to happen, so she helps the police department set up an important sting to catch all of the would-be thieves. Jane befriends several people in her section, DCI Bradfield, who is her supervisor and Kath Morgan, another probationer like her. All of the characters are so lifelike that reading the book was like watching a movie. And at the end of the book, you certainly want to know more about how Jane makes out in life and if she ever becomes the detective that she wants to be. Filled with humor and wit, this is a must-read for those who enjoy British mysteries.
Disclaimer
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”
I had watched the series so was very glad to read the book which always has more depth than is possible on screen. This book delivered the depth of character I was looking for.
Have read all in the series, enjoyed each book. Just enough to keep you waiting to see how she would get the villain! Was nice to now read how she developed thru the ranks.
Skip this and watch the BBC series instad. Writing is stiff, characters don’t really come through as interesting, and it lacks what made the series of the same name and the earlier Prime Suspect watchable: believable, human characters whose flaws and messy personal lives intersect with their jobs in a compelling and realistic way. Book just doesn’t do it.
Could hardly stand the sexism. Things have changed a little, not much, more covert now
Great intro to Tennison before she was Tennison
A typical English police story that is well written and an easy read. the characters were standard, but realistic.
Love the La Plante books.
LaPlante’s characters are human and her books are easy read, without horrible graphic descriptions, and pass the time well.
Very much liked it. Liked the flow and character development. Looking forward to reading more of this series and from this author
I’m a big fan of this writer and, of course, the Masterpiece Mystery selection(s) starring Helen Mirren. I love any mystery from Great Britain and found this especially entertaining
Good escapism.
Somewhat dated (use of language and mind-set of characters)- I thought it was written long before 2011. Very average.
Not current enough
Good read. Remember, I think, that this was a PBS series at one point, although I didn’t get to see it. Thought I would find out what I missed. Glad I did.
All her books are great.