Hidden Killers by Lynda La Plante
When WPC Jane Tennison is promoted to the role of Detective Constable in London's Bow Street CID, she is immediately conflicted.
While her more experienced colleagues move on swiftly from one criminal case to another, Jane is often left doubting their methods and findings. As she becomes inextricably involved in a multiple rape case, Jane must put her life at risk in her search for answers. Will she toe the line, or endanger her position by seeking the truth?
About the author
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.
Review
‘Hidden Killers’ is an engaging and thought provoking book that I devoured in one day! This is the second book in the series and it can be read as a stand-alone very easily. However, I would recommend reading the first book ‘Tennison’ as it is a brilliant read! Plus I always love getting into a new series from the beginning if you can manage it. There are over arching stories from the previous book that appear in ‘Hidden Killers’ but Lynda gives the reader enough details to understand what is going on.
When WPC Jane Tennison is promoted to the rank of Detective Constable she is transferred to Bow Street station. But just before she left Hackney she was involved in a sting for a string of indecent assaults. As she grows into her new position she is left questioning the methods and thought processes of the more experienced detectives in both stations. When Jane is asked to join on a shout to a suspicious death she feels out of her depth. Especially, when she begins to question whether it should be written up as a non-suspicious death as for her things don't add up…
You can really see the growth and character development of Jane in ‘Hidden Killers’. Her naivety is beginning to show in places and she is having her judgment questioned at all angles but she still has her inner strength of wanting justice for those who have been hurt. How she survives in such a patriarchal system is a wonder and again shows that strength. She is determined and definitely doesn't mind putting herself in danger to help those who need it. I really liked the inclusion of the character Edith to show how Jane’s attitude is compared to a different generation.
Once again we have two cases running throughout the narrative and this works brilliantly, it's a true reflection of how the police have to juggle multiple cases at once. Both cases were interesting to read and I found it to be a great page-turner of a book! I'm already looking forward to reading book three. I think I have begun to fall for Jane Tennison, not just because she is a great character but because the standard of writing ensures that you as a reader are rooting for her to do well. I know have a feeling that this series is only going to get better with every book!
Let me know if you pick this one up!
