The Dirty Dozen by Lynda La Plante
Jane Tennison has worked hard to become the first female detective ever post to the infamous Flying Squad, or 'the Sweeney'. But the Dirty Dozen is a notorious boys' club, and Jane's new colleagues make it clear that they don't think a woman is up to the dangers of the job.
Dealing with some of London's most ruthless armed criminals, who think the only good cop is a dead cop, is no joke. Determined to prove she's as good as the men, Jane discovers from a reliable witness that a gang is going to carry out a massive robbery.
But she doesn't know who they are, or where and when they will strike . . .
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
‘The Dirty Dozen’ finds Jane Tennison working in the ‘flying squad’ and its a heart-stopping read in which Jane really comes into her own! This is the fifth book in the Tennison series but it could be read as a standalone novel. I do recommend reading the full series though as it allows you to really understand the character and the pressures of being a female in a male-dominated profession.
It's April 1980 and Jane is now a WDS in the police and its also her first day on the infamous ‘flying squad’. It is a unit that is dedicated to dealing with bank and armed robberies and Jane is the first woman to ever be on the squad. Her boss doesn't want her to be on the team as he doesn't believe women have a place in such a dangerous role but we all know that Jane is going to win him round! I felt she really came into own in this book, she has a secure confidence, took directions and criticism more fairly and was determined that she was going to prove that she belonged on the team. Of course, she is still naive and making mistakes but that shows she is human and that we are all constantly learning from our experiences.
On her first day the team are called to the scene of an armed robbery of a Securior van at a local bank. The team find themselves up against a group of experienced criminals and its only when they receive a tip off that they start to gain some information and leads. Of course, Jane manages to find the breaking clues that are needed and slowly begins to earn the teams respect.
Let me know if you pick this one up!
