Tennison

By Lynda La Plante

Join me as I join a project blog tour, thank to Compulsive Readers for inviting me onto and then for selecting me.

For the next few months, you will see blog posts from me and reviews about books in the Tennison series. I am part of Team Tennison. Why? Because there is a revival happening in the books and this series brings something new and joins some dots. Lots of you will know the character Jane Tennison from Prime Suspect on tv and many of you may not yet. Whether you do or not, this series is a treat to discover more about such an iconic character in a compelling back story.

So, let’s start with Tennison, the first book, with, naturally, the blurb and then my review. 

Blurb

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.

Review

Have you ever wondered what Jane Tennison was like when she was younger and just starting out in the police force? Or are you a reader who likes to know where careers and adult lives begin, before they hit the “big time” and they become experts in their field? If so Tennison is the book (and series) for you.

Meet Jane Tennison at the tender, sprightly age of 22. She has her whole life ahead of her and she’s decided the police force would be the place for her. The Metropolitan Police Training Academy certainly thinks so too, since of course, she passes and enters the force.

We see Jane from the very beginning of her career, out on probation and why she chose this career in the first place, which is very interesting as is the general attitudes of the public and the police service.

There’s certainly no soft touch in this police force and the males are brutally harsh, coupled with chauvinistic attitudes and it seems you have to learn everything at the speed of light just to keep up and be, perhaps tolerated.
There’s a humanistic quality of which is relatable as we see the young Jane Tennison struggle, but she finds that there is a colleague who is willing to be more sympathetic and empathetic and gives her advice for then and on future career prospects. It’s written in a way that engages with curious minds, such as mine, and makes you care and want to follow the arc through to how we know she was later in life.

In a world where we often see people already at the top of their career, successfully navigating their way through it, this seems essential and fascinating reading. Both plot and writing style are strong and it is very compelling and engrossing to read.

A murder case comes up on the radar and it is down to the business of solving this serious crime. There is a women who has been murdered and that is just the beginning… The case itself would also, in this age of internet and computers that we live in, be an eye-opener to those who have been brought up with only this and may feel nostalgic with those who were. It shows how policing used to be done with polaroid cameras, notebooks and pens. There’s careful and due diligence paid for the time era, that whether you lived through the 1970’s or not, you can picture it all in your ‘mind’s eye’ with consummate ease. 

In my view, not all prequels and backstories are necessary, but this one is, in the way it unfolds, it for fascinating, compelling and essential reading. Tennison leaves you wanting more, which to the delight of readers, I can say there are more.

 I am looking forward to reading and reviewing the rest of the series as part of Team Tennison.

I fully and wholeheartedly recommend Tennison, whether you know Prime Suspect or not. You’re in for a compelling read, where you will wonder what happened to the time.

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.