Above Suspicion

In the footsteps of Jane Tennison, immortalized by Helen Mirren in Prime Suspect, comes Anna Travis, a rookie female detective about to embark on her first murder case. The murders couldn't be more gruesome. The method of killing is identical, the backgrounds of the girls very similar — all are prostitutes. As the book opens, a seventh body is found, same modus operandi but the victim this time is a sweet young student. Anna stumbles on a vital piece of information that links one man to the killings, a well-known, much-loved actor. His protestation of innocence is convincing, and Anna might be succumbing to his flattering attention. What if he is arrested, the media erupts, and he is the wrong man?

"La Plante's gripping thriller (after Cold Shoulder, Cold Blood and the Prime Suspect television series) launches the crime-fighting career of another brainy, sexy female homicide detective, fledgling London copper Anna Travis. As the bright and eager young daughter of recently deceased Detective Chief Superintendent Travis, Anna is hired by Detective Chief Inspector Langton, whose murder team has been completely outfoxed by a serial killer with a trail of six murdered prostitutes dating back 12 years. Anna joins the team just as they identify the corpse of a younger victim with no history of prostitution, a casualty that Langton takes as a sign of the killer's escalating blood lust. Further investigation reveals handsome up-and-coming film actor Alan Daniels as a potential suspect, and Anna and Langton widen their inquiry to include Daniels's past movie locations in the U.S., following a trail of victims to Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago. Suspense builds and circumstantial evidence continues to pile up, but absolute proof eludes Anna and Langton as the sociopathic suspect attempts to turn his seductive powers on Anna. With crime lab authenticity, a sympathetic heroine and an affecting undercurrent of May-December romance between Anna and Langton, this spellbinder spirals down to an edge-of-the-seat denouement." Publishers Weekly (Copyright Reed Business Information, Inc.)

"Though the mystery is not all that gripping, the cat-and-mouse game between cop and killer is. And as always, La Plante excels at involving readers in the inner workings of a police investigation." Library Journal

"Think Jane Tennyson in her salad days." Kirkus Reviews

"For readers wondering if veteran La Plante has still got it, Above Suspicion leaves no doubt." Booklist

The creator of the blockbuster "Prime Suspect" TV series launches a new series with her most compelling female detective since Jane Tennison.

La Plante began her career as a stage and TV actress, then turned to scriptwriting, and made her breakthrough with the phenomenally successful British television series Widows. She also lives in London.