I’m over the moon to be part of #teamtennison and bring you my review of Tennison by Lynda La Plante. So many thanks to Tracy Fenton of Compulsive Readers to allow me to be a part of this team.
From the creator of the award-winning ITV series Prime Suspect, starring Helen Mirren, comes the fascinating back story of the iconic DCI Jane Tennison.
In 1973 Jane Tennison, aged 22, leaves the Metropolitan Police Training Academy to be placed on probationary exercise in Hackney where criminality thrives. We witness her struggle to cope in a male-dominated, chauvinistic environment, learning fast to deal with shocking situations with no help or sympathy from her superiors. Then comes her involvement in her first murder case.
Who hasnt heard of Lynda La Plante and Jane Tennison? From being young, I have watched with a passion every Prime Suspect series and read every book. I class myself as one of her biggest fans.
This series takes us back to Jane Tennisons’ early years. A time when women were treated as second class citizens by their male counterparts. Jane is a 22 year old, fresh out of the Metropolitan Police Training Academy. She is placed as a probationer in Hackney, and she has a battle waiting for her… Although she doesn’t know it yet.
I almost inhaled this book! Reading about Jane Tennison as a young woman, having to fight tooth and nail to get the better jobs in the station. We see the tenacity and grit that carries over the years. This is what makes her the copper she becomes. The sexism, the manipulation, and the racism all of these are interwoven into the story to create such an authentic setting of the 1970s.
Lynda La Plante has created such a strong sense of place. I was there with Jane as her journey begins to take shape. It’s not all lows or highs. It’s a bumpy one, and Jane never gives up. I felt like I knew Jane. Her character is so strong and realistic. I finished this book in one sitting and am so glad I have this opportunity to be part of #teamtennison. I am so looking forward to the next book!
Author Bio
Lynda La Plante was born in Liverpool. She trained for the stage at RADA and worked with the National Theatre and RDC before becoming a television actress. She then turned to writing – and made her breakthrough with the phenomenally successful TV series WIDOWS.
Her novels have all been international bestsellers. Her original script for the much-acclaimed PRIME SUSPECT won awards from BAFTA, Emmys, British Broadcasting and Royal Television Society as well as the 1993 Edgar Allan Poe Writer’s Award.
Since 1993 Lynda has spearheaded La Plante Productions. In that time the company has produced a stunning slate of innovative dramas with proven success and enduring international appeal.
Based on Lynda’s best selling series of Anna Travis novels, Above Suspicion, Silent Scream, Deadly Intent and Silent Scream have all adapted into TV scripts and received impressive viewing figures.
Lynda has been made honorary fellow of the British Film Institute and was awarded the BAFTA Dennis Potter Writer’s Award 2000.
On 14th June 2008 Lynda was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List (Writer and Producer for services to Literature, Drama and to Charity).
On 3rd October 2009, Lynda was honoured at the Cologne Conference International Film and Television Festival with the prestigious TV Spielfilm Award for her television adaptation of her novel, Above Suspicion.
Books penned by Lynda La Plante include: The Legacy, The Talisman, Bella Mafia, Entwined, Cold Shoulder, Cold Blood, Cold Heart, Sleeping Cruelty, Royal Flush, Above Suspicion, The Red Dahlia, Clean Cut, Deadly Intent and Silent Scream, Blind Fury (this entered the UK Sunday Times Bestsellers List at number 1 having sold 9,500 copies in its first two weeks), Blood Line, Backlash, Wrongful Death, and Twisted, which have all been international best-sellers.
In Feb 2012 Lynda’s chilling tale of THE LITTLE ONE was published in conjunction with Quick Reads through Simon & Schuster UK.
Lynda’s latest book, Tennison, was published on 24th September 2015 and is the prequel the highly acclaimed Prime Suspect. The story charts Jane Tennison’s entry into the police force as a 22 year old Probationary Officer at Hackney Police Station in 1973.
Lynda La Plante is published in the UK by Simon & Schuster.
Lynda La Plante is published in the US by HarperCollins Publishers.
Please visit http://www.lyndalaplante.com for further information. You can also follow Lynda on Facebook and Twitter.
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