Lee Allen's Blog - Posts Tagged "trial-and-retribution"

Trial and Retribution by Lynda La Plante

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


The novelisation of the classic police procedural legal thriller.

Five-year-old Julie Harris never gets home for her dinner. As the hours go by, fears mount that she has been abducted.

DI Pat North is leading the police search for the little girl. When the worst happens and her body is discovered, a murder investigation is launched, headed by Detective Superintendent Mike Walker.

Walker and North soon apprehend their prime suspect, continuing to build the evidence against him. As the case nears trial, there are still questions left unanswered. Can the verdict ever bring justice for Julie?

'Trial and Retribution' is the first in the police procedural series by Lynda La Plante, novelised from the intense and emotive first season of the TV series of the same name. Introducing us to Mike Walker, Pat North and the team, we delve deep into their first investigation, following the abduction and murder of a little girl.

'Trial and Retribution' was first broadcast in 1997. Starring David Hayman as Det. Supt. Walker and Kate Buffery as DI North, it has often been labelled as La Plante's follow-up to her highly acclaimed 'Prime Suspect'. It ultimately ran for twelve seasons - comprising fourteen of La Plante's trademark feature-length mini-series and the final two seasons featuring traditionally shorter two-part episodes. High in quality across its writing, casting and direction, pioneering in its use of split-screen technology to convey multiple perspectives and the multi-faceted nature of criminal investigation, the series garnered critical acclaim and huge popularity - it was and remains a landmark crime drama.

The series' signature is that we follow the case from beginning to end - starting with the crime itself and its discovery, seen from multiple perspectives through victims and witnesses, following the ensuing police investigation, with particular attention to detail with both forensic science and police procedure as the officers follow and gather evidence, culminating in the trial as the evidence is presented, examined and assessed. As such, this is a combination of both police procedural and legal thriller – with this depth into the full criminal justice process within a single narrative still a relative rarity.

Every character is impeccably developed, following each of their entwined stories through the evidence and a compelling psychological depth. The effect of such a devastating crime is explored with empathy and respect - for the victim's family, the community, and the investigators. Walker, on page and screen, is a riveting character - an old school detective, incredibly driven, committed and passionate about his work. Between Lynda and actor David Hayman, they developed a powerhouse character in Mike Walker, so perfectly realised on the page as much as the screen and the driving force of the narrative, going on to lead the series throughout its duration.

Exploring difficult themes of child abduction, sexual assault and murder, as well as domestic violence, this is a dark and intense thriller. Despite the heaviness of its subject matter, it’s a fully immersive and fascinating novel - relentless and gripping from the first page, as the scene is set for this horrific crime, through to its tense conclusion as the verdict is read and we are left to decide if justice has been served.

My personal experience with the series began with 'Trial and Retribution VI' on screen. It was then through the series of six novelisations, beginning with II, that I first experienced the preceding five stories, before a DVD release of I-IV finally arrived in 2004, followed by V-VIII in 2005. Now the series is making a return to print (and audio), I couldn't resist revisiting them. Alongside 'Widows', this series introduced and cemented me as a lifelong fan of Lynda's work. Needless to say, I loved this story as much revisiting it again as I did when I first both read and watched it!

Tragic and captivating, ‘Trial and Retribution’ is an enthralling police thriller, marking the beginning of a masterpiece series.



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Alibi by Lynda La Plante

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


An intense police and legal thriller following the case of a dangerous predator.

The discovery of a woman's mutilated body disposed of on waste ground launches a major inquiry, police fearing this is only the beginning.

As the number of victims rises, it is clear they are hunting a man who will continue to attack and murder women if he isn't apprehended.

Miraculously, one of the victims survives. With her evidence, police believe they have their killer – but he has alibis for each of the attacks. How can justice be achieved if truth is blurred by lies?

'Alibi', previously published as 'Trial and Retribution II', is the novelisation of the second season of Lynda La Plante's police procedural legal thriller series 'Trial and Retribution', originally televised and published in 1998. Lightning-paced and intricately detailed, the novel begins with the disappearance of the first victim, the investigation rapidly developing into the pursuit of a serial offender following the discovery of three victims in quick succession. We follow the police investigation with particular focus on witness interviews and forensics, as they build their case, leading to the trial.

The team of the previous investigation returns, led by Det. Supt. Mike Walker, DI Pat North and DS Dave Satchell. With a major breakthrough leading them to identify their prime suspect, Walker becomes intensely focused on his certainty of Damon Morton's guilt, despite the evidence initially suggesting otherwise - his wife and girlfriend both provide alibis, while his employees seem determined to take responsibility for the crimes. Yet the testimony of the only surviving victim implicates Morton.

As is often the case with novelisations, the performances of the actors and the cinematography merge with your reading experience. David Hayman's intense portrayal of Walker drives his vivid realisation on the page, while the crimes are brought into sharp focus through the forensic examinations and testimony of witnesses. The investigation exposes the chilling sadism and narcissism of a killer who controls and manipulates those around him, detailing the sexual violence, mutilation and torture inflicted upon the victims, culminating in the drama of the courtroom and a final post-verdict twist, while we also witness the determination and resilience of a survivor to overcome her trauma and see justice done.

This was the first of the six novels I read after discovering the series on screen with 'Trial and Retribution VI', and remains one of my favourites in the series (which ultimately ran to twenty-two stories on screen). It was also the first Lynda La Plante novel I read, as well as one of the earliest police procedurals and legal thrillers I experienced on the page, a cornerstone in cementing me a lifelong fan of La Plante’s work and these sub-genres of crime fiction.

Dark and disturbing, ‘Alibi’ is a gripping novelisation of a riveting chapter in this landmark series.



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Accused: A Trial & Retribution thriller by Lynda La Plante

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A dark and compelling chapter in a classic thriller series.

Cassie Booth vanishes while on her paper round early one morning. An anonymous tip leads police to discover her bloodstained jacket in a boathouse, the owner becoming their prime suspect.

Meanwhile, DI North undertakes a visit to appease a routine complainant. But the man’s obsession is escalating, his behaviour becoming increasingly suspicious and volatile.

Believing they are now searching for Cassie’s body, Det. Supt. Walker leads the investigation, leading to two significant suspects, both of whom may be guilty of murder.

‘Accused’ is the third in Lynda La Plante’s ‘Trial and Retribution’ series. Originally published as ‘Trial and Retribution III’, novelised from the third season of the crime drama, broadcast and published in 1999, the story follows the disappearance of teenager Cassie Booth and the subsequent major investigation led by Detective Superintendent Mike Walker, as evidence is discovered suggesting she has likely been murdered and the focus turns to hunting her killer.

Meanwhile, Detective Inspector Pat North becomes embroiled in the complaints of one Stephen Warrington, whose calls to police quickly evolve into harassment of North herself. He is insistent that a brothel is being operated from one of his neighbours’ homes, before he himself begins to suffer accusations that he hopes North can assist him in clearing up. As Warrington’s behaviour becomes more alarming, North begins to suspect that he may be linked to Walker’s inquiry.

Lynda La Plante presents a twisted, riveting thriller, narrating a complex investigation through taut, relentlessly-paced storytelling, detailing police procedure, forensic science, psychological insights, and legal procedure, as multiple inquiries become entangled in the core murder case. In the series signature approach, the police investigation is succeeded by the criminal trial.

Featuring the return of captivating and much-loved characters, we also delve deeper into their personal lives in this novel. Walker and North are moving into a new flat, embarking on a new life together after beginning their relationship shortly after the conclusion of their previous case. But their challenges start immediately: Walker facing issues with his ex-wife, as his children struggle to accept his new relationship; while Warrington’s escalating behaviour towards North affects her deeply. Walker, as always, is intensely focused on his investigation, the team closing in on their two suspects, evidence mounting that the two men were both complicit in the young girl’s abduction and murder. Both charged with the crime, each claiming the other is responsible, they are tried as a joint enterprise, but the question remains how the jury will interpret the evidence and whether convictions of both men will be secured.

As always, the vivid reading of the novelisation is influenced by the original serial on screen, significantly Richard E. Grant’s superlative guest performance as Stephen Warrington, alongside returning lead actors David Hayman and Kate Buffery as Walker and North. I adore the blend of elements featured in this series – becoming an exhilarating mix of police procedural, psychological thriller, and legal drama.

A richly captivating thriller, ‘Accused’ is another gripping entry in a fantastic series; an immersive, nostalgic treat. I’ve been immensely enjoying revisiting the series with the first three investigations and look forward to continuing with the next three books!



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