Above Suspicion

By Lynda La Plante

The first instalment in the bestselling Anna Travis series from the BAFTA-winning writer Lynda La Plante, author of Widows, now a major motion picture

Young Anna Travis has been assigned to her first murder case - a series of killings that has shocked even the most hardened of detectives. They started eight years ago - now the body count is up to six. The method of killing is identical, the backgrounds of the girls identical - all drug-users and prostitutes. Then a seventh body is found. The modus operandi is the same - but the victim is a young student with the 'face of an angel'. The profile of the murderer has changed dramatically.

Determined to earn the respect of her male colleagues, Anna stumbles on a vital piece of information which links one man to the killings, a much-loved actor on the brink of international stardom. His arrest would create a media frenzy. But if he were foundinnocent, his wouldn't be the only career over - Anna's hard fought for reputation would be destroyed once and for all …

'Lynda La Plante practically invented the thriller. Above Suspicion blew me away - it grabs you and doesn't let go until the last page' KARIN SLAUGHTER

'La Plante is building up an interesting body of writing that is underrated… Anna proves a resourceful and believable heroine and heralds the launch of a major new character' GUARDIAN

'The prime suspect here is an adored actor, poised to hit the big time. Could he really be behind a string of grisly murders? It's up to Anna Travis, La Plante's gutsy new heroine, to find out' MAIL ON SUNDAY

'Like Jane Tennison, Anna Travis has to work a world which is still rampantly chauvinistic… it is a novel to read about the complexity of relationships, as well as for its compelling plot' DAILY EXPRESS

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
• Release date: Oct 30, 2008
• ISBN: 9781847395092

Lynda La Plante

Lynda La Plante's many novels, including the Prime Suspect series, have all been international bestsellers. She is an honorary fellow of the British Film Institute and a member of the UK Crime Writers Awards Hall of Fame. She was awarded a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours list in 2008. She runs her own television production company and lives in London and Easthampton, New York. Visit her website at LyndaLaPlante.com.

Reviews for Above Suspicion

[Heather · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

It's been years since I read a 500 page book in such a short time. Four stars - only because the romance made it less believable.

[downtownlibrarian · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

The first book in the Anna Travis series. It's twisty and dark; it's also very good.

[scuzzy_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

So, to the second book mates of mine left here when they came to stay. This book is a beaut! Crime fiction can be so hit and miss but Linda has got the story telling down pat. From hooking you in with some gruesome autopsy to becoming fascinated in the lives of the two main characters, a seasoned homicide detective and the rookie, a young female cop roped in to help with a possible serial killer. In the vein of the Ross & Rachel “will they, won’t they” the side story of the two cops had me somewhat hooked, and personally I hate how writers feel obliged to put in some sort of love story or gratuitous sex…but not this time which had hints of both. So, back to the story…London seems to have a serial killer and while the cops are continually frustrated with trying to catch a break they also have to battle with internal politics and their own demons. And when it seems the killer may also be involved in killings across the Atlantic, the case takes on biblical proportions. Then they finally have a suspect. But as a high-profile actor with all the schmooze and graces of royalty it becomes a battle between the two characters; one believing he is the killer, the other believing otherwise. It is the classic ‘circumstantial’ evidence versus hard facts. Loved the book, and it has come to my knowledge there are more in the ‘series’. Well put me down for one of two and lets hope she can keep up the great story telling.

[deltaqueen50 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Just what I need, I thought to myself, another first in a series, after all I am only following at least 40 series already. But once picked up and started, I couldn’t have stopped if I tried. Above Suspicion by Lynda La Plante is a great police procedural that pulled me in right from the start. As with all series no matter their subject, it is the characters that make you want to continue on. In Above Suspicion, the main character Anna Travis has certainly encouraged me to read more. Newly promoted to the Murder Squad, we learn methods and procedures along with Anna. We see the other members of the Squad through her eyes, and what she sees makes me want to continue with these people. From her hard driven, work obsessed, attractive boss and his rock-steady second, to a slightly jealous co-worker who thinks he sees Anna getting ahead of him, they immediately engaged me. Being inside Anna’s head enabled the reader to see how she processed information and came to certain decisions, this inside look also made Anna an appealing heroine.Although the plot of the book was a familiar one, it was a well written page turner that kept me engaged through to the end. The author is probably better known for her writing of the Prime Suspect series, but this series shows lots of promise and I am glad that I have the second book waiting on my shelves.

[cyderry · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

DCI James Langton is trying to solve the old cold cases of 6 serial murders of prostitute/drug addicts when a new unlikely 7th victim may have materialized. Having convinced his superiors that he needs a large task force, DS Anna Travis is transferred to his team and together they review old cases and Travis finds a connection that links all the victims except for the newest.DCI Langton is a strong character whose handling of the team has some issues that may endanger Anna Travis both physically or emotionally, but together they solve the murders with good detective work.Lynda La Plante is the writer who developed the Prime Suspect series that brought Helen Mirren to the attention of many TV viewers and I believe that this series will probably be worth further pursuit. What amazes me is that I found this book on the $1 table at Barnes & Noble a few years ago. Definitely worth the investment.

[maneekuhi · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Excellent. First in a series of Anna Travis, a DS on a London police murder team. Case involves a serial killer of prostitutes and a celebrity suspect. And Anna fitting in with a new tam. And Anna having a relationship with her boss. Very well done - author wrote for the highly regarded Prime Suspect TV series with Helen Mirren. Looking forward to future books. This had lots of tension, sparked by a crazy, violent killer still on the loose. It becomes pretty clear early on who the killer is, and this knowledge only serves to ratchet up the tension. This is not a highly rated book for la Plante and I'm not sure why.

[kanata_2 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Wonderful start to a new series. Drew me in from the beginning. Loved all the characters. Picked it up as it is by the author who's books turned into Prime Suspect. Will be searching out those books as well.

[fluffyblue_1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I haven't read a Lynda La Plante book for ages, and having recently watched one of her TV series, I decided to dive right in.Lynda's books are really easy to read quickly and run at a good pace, and I found myself not wanting to put this book down. I really enjoyed the plot, and the police procedure that was described - it was a real page-turner for me. The only thing I wasn't so keen on was the main female character - I found her to be a bit weak and a bit of a cliche really. Because the story was so strong, it didn't put me off too much though. I'd definitely be open to reading more books with her in - she could turn into a really good character with a bit of imagination.

[smik_3 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

#1 In the Anna Travis series. Detective Chief Inspector Langton has the opportunity to had an extra DS to his team investigating a series of murders when one of his team goes sick. He chooses DS Anna Travis a graduate in economics who has experience in number of squads but has never worked on a murder team. Her father was a well respected DCS. Anna gets an instant introduction to murder when the body of a young female student is found on Clapham Common, and she first views the body in situ and then attends the post mortem. At first the murder team incident room treat Anna as an inexperienced rookie, but then her dedication to her work proves her worth to them as she stumbles across a vital connection that identifies the possible killer. An excellent read. I look forward to the next in the series.