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Tennison #10
Whole Life Sentence
Lynda La Plante's final Tennison crime novel, bringing readers up to the point at which the famous television series Prime Suspect began.
Newly promoted Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison has elbowed her way into the Area Major Incident Pool, or AMIP, an elite team investigating non-domestic murders.
With her new position, she hopes things will the rampant sexism, the snide remarks, the undermining. Then she gets her first a five-year-old cold case of a missing teenager no one else has any interest in investigating, and an assumed suicide Tennison suspects is, in fact, murder.
But as Tennison gathers the crucial evidence to secure arrests, her new colleagues watch like vultures circling prey. And one by one the cases that she has built from the ground up are taken from her - and the glory along with them.
Tennison has seen it all before - but this time feels different. Get the job done here and she will rise to a level never before reached by a woman. It's hers for the taking. She just has to do what she's been doing brilliantly for find her prime suspect . . .
Newly promoted Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison has elbowed her way into the Area Major Incident Pool, or AMIP, an elite team investigating non-domestic murders.
With her new position, she hopes things will the rampant sexism, the snide remarks, the undermining. Then she gets her first a five-year-old cold case of a missing teenager no one else has any interest in investigating, and an assumed suicide Tennison suspects is, in fact, murder.
But as Tennison gathers the crucial evidence to secure arrests, her new colleagues watch like vultures circling prey. And one by one the cases that she has built from the ground up are taken from her - and the glory along with them.
Tennison has seen it all before - but this time feels different. Get the job done here and she will rise to a level never before reached by a woman. It's hers for the taking. She just has to do what she's been doing brilliantly for find her prime suspect . . .
454 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 17, 2024
684 people are currently reading
393 people want to read
About the author
Lynda La Plante
109 books1,789 followersLynda La Plante, CBE (born Lynda Titchmarsh) is a British author, screenwriter, and erstwhile actress (her performances in Rentaghost and other programmes were under her stage name of Lynda Marchal), best known for writing the Prime Suspect television crime series.
Her first TV series as a scriptwriter was the six part robbery series Widows, in 1983, in which the widows of four armed robbers carry out a heist planned by their deceased husbands.
In 1991 ITV released Prime Suspect which has now run to seven series and stars Helen Mirren as DCI Jane Tennison. (In the United States Prime Suspect airs on PBS as part of the anthology program Mystery!) In 1993 La Plante won an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for her work on the series. In 1992 she wrote at TV movie called Seekers, starring Brenda Fricker and Josette Simon, produced by Sarah Lawson.
She formed her own television production company, La Plante Productions, in 1994 and as La Plante Productions she wrote and produced the sequel to Widows, the equally gutsy She's Out (ITV, 1995). The name "La Plante" comes from her marriage to writer Richard La Plante, author of the book Mantis and Hog Fever. La Plante divorced Lynda in the early 1990s.
Her output continued with The Governor (ITV 1995-96), a series focusing on the female governor of a high security prison, and was followed by a string of ratings pulling miniseries: the psycho killer nightmare events of Trial & Retribution (ITV 1997-), the widows' revenge of the murders of their husbands & children Bella Mafia (1997) (starring Vanessa Redgrave), the undercover police unit operations of Supply and Demand (ITV 1998), videogame/internet murder mystery Killer Net (Channel 4 1998) and the female criminal profiler cases of Mind Games (ITV 2001).
Two additions to the Trial and Retribution miniseries were broadcast during 2006.
Her first TV series as a scriptwriter was the six part robbery series Widows, in 1983, in which the widows of four armed robbers carry out a heist planned by their deceased husbands.
In 1991 ITV released Prime Suspect which has now run to seven series and stars Helen Mirren as DCI Jane Tennison. (In the United States Prime Suspect airs on PBS as part of the anthology program Mystery!) In 1993 La Plante won an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for her work on the series. In 1992 she wrote at TV movie called Seekers, starring Brenda Fricker and Josette Simon, produced by Sarah Lawson.
She formed her own television production company, La Plante Productions, in 1994 and as La Plante Productions she wrote and produced the sequel to Widows, the equally gutsy She's Out (ITV, 1995). The name "La Plante" comes from her marriage to writer Richard La Plante, author of the book Mantis and Hog Fever. La Plante divorced Lynda in the early 1990s.
Her output continued with The Governor (ITV 1995-96), a series focusing on the female governor of a high security prison, and was followed by a string of ratings pulling miniseries: the psycho killer nightmare events of Trial & Retribution (ITV 1997-), the widows' revenge of the murders of their husbands & children Bella Mafia (1997) (starring Vanessa Redgrave), the undercover police unit operations of Supply and Demand (ITV 1998), videogame/internet murder mystery Killer Net (Channel 4 1998) and the female criminal profiler cases of Mind Games (ITV 2001).
Two additions to the Trial and Retribution miniseries were broadcast during 2006.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
May 1, 2024
It’s 1991 and despite the negativity, sexism and being patronised by male officers, Jane Tennison applies for promotion at AMIT (Area Major Incident Team). She is delighted to get it, especially as it’s one in the eye for the overt misogyny of many on the interview panel. However, her reception at AMIT HQ by DCS Kiernan is less than warm and could even be described as ice cold. Appropriately perhaps, but much to her disappointment, he allocates a cold case to her instead of a live case that she’s hoping for. She’s to investigate the disappearance in June 1986 of college student Brittany Hall, last seen at a pub and reported to be intoxicated. Jane is determined despite the many obstacles that the male dominated team throw at her, that she will do her absolute best. A senior officer also hands her an apparent suicide to investigate but Tennison is suspicious from the start. How will she navigate the male hostility? Will it be a case of bring it on chaps and ultimately underestimate Jane at your peril? I do sincerely hope so.
As always, Lynda La Plante delivers an immersive read with incisive characterisations and an interesting plot to follow with several twists along the way. It’s not fast paced but that suits the cold case investigation and the tenacious enquiries of both cases. It’s a character driven mystery thriller and I like that as the storyline follows Jane‘s travails with this team, their constant undermining and awful sniping. My sympathies lie with Jane all the way with this lot. It captures the time period well, you view the male officers in all their awful ‘glory’ and it makes you angry, making me want to yell at them to get over it and accept her as an equal.
Jane feels very authentic, I like her and admire her for her resilience. She is feisty, she needs to have fight in her with all she’s up against but she knows when to bite her tongue. This also follows a new relationship she develops and you wonder if it will work out. I also applaud that she can get up in the morning and function as the pair of them do like a glass or two or even three.
I like the inexperienced WPC Maureen that Jane is assigned and although she’s initially very green, she soon gets into her stride.Her actions at the end make me cheer very loudly, well done Maureen … and more to come there.
Overall this is a compelling novel which I enjoy very much.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bonnier Books, Zaffre for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
As always, Lynda La Plante delivers an immersive read with incisive characterisations and an interesting plot to follow with several twists along the way. It’s not fast paced but that suits the cold case investigation and the tenacious enquiries of both cases. It’s a character driven mystery thriller and I like that as the storyline follows Jane‘s travails with this team, their constant undermining and awful sniping. My sympathies lie with Jane all the way with this lot. It captures the time period well, you view the male officers in all their awful ‘glory’ and it makes you angry, making me want to yell at them to get over it and accept her as an equal.
Jane feels very authentic, I like her and admire her for her resilience. She is feisty, she needs to have fight in her with all she’s up against but she knows when to bite her tongue. This also follows a new relationship she develops and you wonder if it will work out. I also applaud that she can get up in the morning and function as the pair of them do like a glass or two or even three.
I like the inexperienced WPC Maureen that Jane is assigned and although she’s initially very green, she soon gets into her stride.Her actions at the end make me cheer very loudly, well done Maureen … and more to come there.
Overall this is a compelling novel which I enjoy very much.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bonnier Books, Zaffre for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
August 5, 2024
Love the Tennison series, sadly this is the last one.
Strong 4 stars, not my fav sadly. The Insta romance in this book and the previous book were so unnecessary and not believable.
This one is set in early 90’s Jane is promoted to DCI and manages to secure a posting at highly sort after AMIP. Having a female DCI in a station full of males. The sexism, discrimination, Misogyny and being ostracised is a daily occurrence. Jane fights to yet again prove herself is a male dominated chauvinistic workplace.
I was appalled at the treatment Jane received, relevant and shamefully accurate to its time. But also Jane’s in turn treatment of her assistant was pretty full on and at times appalling
I liked this one, but def not my fav in the series
I’m now keen to pickup the Prime Suspect series
Strong 4 stars, not my fav sadly. The Insta romance in this book and the previous book were so unnecessary and not believable.
This one is set in early 90’s Jane is promoted to DCI and manages to secure a posting at highly sort after AMIP. Having a female DCI in a station full of males. The sexism, discrimination, Misogyny and being ostracised is a daily occurrence. Jane fights to yet again prove herself is a male dominated chauvinistic workplace.
I was appalled at the treatment Jane received, relevant and shamefully accurate to its time. But also Jane’s in turn treatment of her assistant was pretty full on and at times appalling
I liked this one, but def not my fav in the series
I’m now keen to pickup the Prime Suspect series
July 22, 2025
This is the final volume in the series, sigh. According to the author's note at the end this series is the result of ten years of research and following actual female detectives. In this volume Jane Tennison joins AMIT (the Met's top murder squad) based on her hard work and success so far. "Nothing prepares her for the misogyny, the discrimination and outright abusive attitude towards her arrival."
It was a brilliant yet uncomfortable book to read, as Tennison is continually up against the entire AMIT squad and is continually having to fight against their efforts to hold her back and even force her to voluntarily transfer out.
I really felt for her assistant Maureen, who was selected for her lack of experience as part of the plan to thwart Tennison, however as the book progressed Maureen displays her determination, loyalty and critical thinking skills. She is truly excited to finally be accepted by Tennison and earn her place on her team.
Framed quote (author unknown) Jane Tennison has her assistant Maureen place on her wall toward the end of the book:
"No greater honor will ever be bestowed on an officer, or a more profound duty imposed, than when he or she is entrusted with the investigation of the death of a human being.
It is their duty to find the facts regardless of color or creed, without prejudice, to the living we owe respect, but to the dead we owe only the truth."
It was a brilliant yet uncomfortable book to read, as Tennison is continually up against the entire AMIT squad and is continually having to fight against their efforts to hold her back and even force her to voluntarily transfer out.
I really felt for her assistant Maureen, who was selected for her lack of experience as part of the plan to thwart Tennison, however as the book progressed Maureen displays her determination, loyalty and critical thinking skills. She is truly excited to finally be accepted by Tennison and earn her place on her team.
Framed quote (author unknown) Jane Tennison has her assistant Maureen place on her wall toward the end of the book:
"No greater honor will ever be bestowed on an officer, or a more profound duty imposed, than when he or she is entrusted with the investigation of the death of a human being.
It is their duty to find the facts regardless of color or creed, without prejudice, to the living we owe respect, but to the dead we owe only the truth."
July 29, 2024
4.0 / 5.0
Its sad that this series has come to the end with the final 10th book being the last installment. Although I joined late in the series, I've come to truly appreciate DCI Jane Tennison but the journey she has been on to get to where she is now. The book follows on from the after math of the previous book in a trial hearing, shortly after Tennison is promoted to AMIT (Area major Incident team). A role with higher responsibility and prestigious value - only catch is the team surrounding her minus her personal assistant are highly misogynistic (which rattled me alot!)
I really admire the strength of Tennison, during a period of time where senior positions along the police force was unheard of for a women to take lead. I'm glad that now society has improved drastically today but still has work to do. Reminding me of those before me that has sacrificed and paved the way to break social norms and challenge what we see and face without being disheartened.
This is an immerse, thrilling read - I think the beauty about this book is the ability to make it seem still relevant to now but the book is dated back 20 years ago. I liked the twists along the plot, but I think the best thing was the character of development of Jane who we just saw come out of a relationship she had and is going through changes in her life. There a sense of authenticity which you often don't get with other plots which adds to the credibility that I have reading the series - I will miss so dearly.
Its sad that this series has come to the end with the final 10th book being the last installment. Although I joined late in the series, I've come to truly appreciate DCI Jane Tennison but the journey she has been on to get to where she is now. The book follows on from the after math of the previous book in a trial hearing, shortly after Tennison is promoted to AMIT (Area major Incident team). A role with higher responsibility and prestigious value - only catch is the team surrounding her minus her personal assistant are highly misogynistic (which rattled me alot!)
I really admire the strength of Tennison, during a period of time where senior positions along the police force was unheard of for a women to take lead. I'm glad that now society has improved drastically today but still has work to do. Reminding me of those before me that has sacrificed and paved the way to break social norms and challenge what we see and face without being disheartened.
This is an immerse, thrilling read - I think the beauty about this book is the ability to make it seem still relevant to now but the book is dated back 20 years ago. I liked the twists along the plot, but I think the best thing was the character of development of Jane who we just saw come out of a relationship she had and is going through changes in her life. There a sense of authenticity which you often don't get with other plots which adds to the credibility that I have reading the series - I will miss so dearly.
September 10, 2024
Huge disappointment.
I usually devour La Plante’s Jane Tennison books within 24 hours, however this one felt a little like wading through treacle.
A plot that was solved within a couple of chapters, a huge amount of wafflly, unnecessary padding, ultimately fizzling out like a damp squib.
Hugely disappointing
I usually devour La Plante’s Jane Tennison books within 24 hours, however this one felt a little like wading through treacle.
A plot that was solved within a couple of chapters, a huge amount of wafflly, unnecessary padding, ultimately fizzling out like a damp squib.
Hugely disappointing
September 12, 2024
What am I missing? My first Lynda La Plant book and I won’t be reading another one. Loose plot, contradicting characters and totally unsatisfactory ending.
August 10, 2024
Was enjoying the book initially, then it seemed very slow, and the ending was very disappointing. I appreciate the police force was suggested to be misogynistic and sexist and this comes across as the main point of the book. I was hoping Tennison would be acknowledged in her efforts, but sadly not. Maybe the book is more realistic but sadly a depressing read, for me anyway. As this is the last in the Tennison series, I was hoping for more.
August 13, 2024
And that’s a wrap!……the final chapter in the formidable DI Jane Tennison series, a headstrong female police officer who shaped the Met Police for women for generations to come.
Transferred from Bromley on a promotion to DCI, Jane requests a posting to AMIT, one of the toughest units in the Met handling serious major crimes, fully aware it’s a completely male dominated unit. Keen to be attached to such a prestigious team, she knows her work will be cut out at being accepted, though she could never foresee how much blatant misogyny she would encounter.
After being given a dirty office in the direct position over the canteen extractors, she gets off on the wrong foot with the other staff when her complaints cause the canteen to be temporarily shut down. Allocated a five year old cold case to solve, whilst bigger and more time sensitive investigations continue to come into the AMIT department, Jane throws everything into finding the missing girl and bring the culprits to justice. But yet again, she has the case steamrolled over her when she nears an arrest and other officers take the credit.
Sadly, Jane is still dismissed by male colleagues and worse than discrimination, she is shamelessly disregarded of her ability and achievements as a police detective and everything she has strove to achieve. If I was frustrated for Jane earlier in the series, this book tipped me over the edge! As a DCI, I was astounded at how she was treated by similarly ranked officers. I’m not sure I’d have had the dedication to remain in the job and her experience of life as a female officer ended exactly as it began with misogyny, sexism and a toxic male culture but knowing the job is a whole life sentence, Jane will not allow them to get her down and she continues to fight the deep rooted attitudes towards women.
I have adored this series, seeing Jane develop from a trainee to DCI, I feel like she has become a friend and the sickening experiences she has had to live through to advance her career, makes me proud to be a woman. She is a credit to herself and the female race.
Next up is the ‘Prime Suspect’ series (most recognised for Helen Mirren playing the television version of Jane) and I’m excited for this next chapter in her career!
#WholeLifeSentence - 4.5 stars
Transferred from Bromley on a promotion to DCI, Jane requests a posting to AMIT, one of the toughest units in the Met handling serious major crimes, fully aware it’s a completely male dominated unit. Keen to be attached to such a prestigious team, she knows her work will be cut out at being accepted, though she could never foresee how much blatant misogyny she would encounter.
After being given a dirty office in the direct position over the canteen extractors, she gets off on the wrong foot with the other staff when her complaints cause the canteen to be temporarily shut down. Allocated a five year old cold case to solve, whilst bigger and more time sensitive investigations continue to come into the AMIT department, Jane throws everything into finding the missing girl and bring the culprits to justice. But yet again, she has the case steamrolled over her when she nears an arrest and other officers take the credit.
Sadly, Jane is still dismissed by male colleagues and worse than discrimination, she is shamelessly disregarded of her ability and achievements as a police detective and everything she has strove to achieve. If I was frustrated for Jane earlier in the series, this book tipped me over the edge! As a DCI, I was astounded at how she was treated by similarly ranked officers. I’m not sure I’d have had the dedication to remain in the job and her experience of life as a female officer ended exactly as it began with misogyny, sexism and a toxic male culture but knowing the job is a whole life sentence, Jane will not allow them to get her down and she continues to fight the deep rooted attitudes towards women.
I have adored this series, seeing Jane develop from a trainee to DCI, I feel like she has become a friend and the sickening experiences she has had to live through to advance her career, makes me proud to be a woman. She is a credit to herself and the female race.
Next up is the ‘Prime Suspect’ series (most recognised for Helen Mirren playing the television version of Jane) and I’m excited for this next chapter in her career!
#WholeLifeSentence - 4.5 stars
October 5, 2024
There's a final chapter missing, we are left not knowing the outcome of the cases and situations mentioned in the book.
Do we get to write this final chapter ourselves yet we still pay the author for the rest of the book.
Given this is the final book in the series I was expecting a more complete ending. Very disappointed with the authors arrogance. Well I won't be reading any more of her books.
Do we get to write this final chapter ourselves yet we still pay the author for the rest of the book.
Given this is the final book in the series I was expecting a more complete ending. Very disappointed with the authors arrogance. Well I won't be reading any more of her books.
August 20, 2024
I was abit taken aback as I felt it ended all of a sudden. What about her personal life? Her sister, mam and dad? What about where she wants to go next?
July 13, 2024
4.5 stars RTC ❤️
July 10, 2024
The final book in the Jane Tennison series, which takes us up to the timeline of Prime Suspect. Whole Life Sentence is a book I couldn't wait to read, but then I didn't want to finish!
Jane is now a DCI and has been transferred to an elite team that investigates non-domestic murders. This is where the reader is introduced to some of the characters from Prime Suspect, ones who are vivid and as large as life. Beside that, Jane finds herself sidelined as she has come to experience throughout the years.
She is given a five year old cold case that seems to be the run of the mill until Jane gets on the job anyway.
Watched by every single male colleague as they hope to witness her fall. Each one has forgotten one very important detail, and that is, she is DCI Jane Tennison.
The fact that Jane still has to prove her worth, even at this point in the series, is just flabbergasting. This final instalment gives us a fuller picture of Jane and her life. We get to see more of the real Jane, the one without DCI attached to her name.
I loved every single second I spent reading Whole Life Sentence. Lynda La Plante is an author who created Jane Tennison from nothing and then, years later, revisited the character and wrote this prequel series. It proves what a skilled weaver of stories she is! I am planning to reread Prime Suspect now.
Thanks to Tracy Fenton for allowing me to be part of #teamtennison and Zaffre Books for my gifted copy of this excellent book!
Jane is now a DCI and has been transferred to an elite team that investigates non-domestic murders. This is where the reader is introduced to some of the characters from Prime Suspect, ones who are vivid and as large as life. Beside that, Jane finds herself sidelined as she has come to experience throughout the years.
She is given a five year old cold case that seems to be the run of the mill until Jane gets on the job anyway.
Watched by every single male colleague as they hope to witness her fall. Each one has forgotten one very important detail, and that is, she is DCI Jane Tennison.
The fact that Jane still has to prove her worth, even at this point in the series, is just flabbergasting. This final instalment gives us a fuller picture of Jane and her life. We get to see more of the real Jane, the one without DCI attached to her name.
I loved every single second I spent reading Whole Life Sentence. Lynda La Plante is an author who created Jane Tennison from nothing and then, years later, revisited the character and wrote this prequel series. It proves what a skilled weaver of stories she is! I am planning to reread Prime Suspect now.
Thanks to Tracy Fenton for allowing me to be part of #teamtennison and Zaffre Books for my gifted copy of this excellent book!
June 18, 2024
I've always wanted to read a book by Lynda La Plante so I jumped at the chance to read her latest. I was worried I might feel out of my depth with this being the final book in the Tennison series, which itself is a prequel to Prime Suspect, as I knew there was a lot of character development that I would have missed out on. But I immediately felt like I knew Jane and liked her immensely.
From the start, I didn't want to put this book down. The were two cases developing alongside each other, both of which were really interesting, and the police procedural aspects were described really well. Even though Jane was settling into a new job, it was great to see her in action, taking charge, and knowing where to look for answers. I also appreciated that she had a life outside of the office, which you don't often see in detective stories!
Although the crimes were just my cup of tea - with murder, motives, and misdirections - what gripped me the most was the atmosphere in the workplace. Sexism is rife, and it was both thought-provoking to think how women made it through the day having to deal with these kinds of people, but also triumphant to see Jane succeed (mostly) despite every male character trying to stop her.
However, as someone who hasn't read any of the other books in this series, the misogyny did feel like an obstacle to me, as a reader, as well. At the start, it feels like an important part to the story and it's shocking to think that not much has changed for women in this career since this book was set. But towards the end, it means that Jane is shut out of investigation, at a time when I wanted her to be getting to an epic conclusion.
Had this been the first book in the series, I imagine it would have been handled differently, keeping the reader at the centre of the investigation. But instead, it's obvious that these obstacles for Jane are a big part of her story in Prime Suspect as "it ends where it all began". Therefore, I imagine that Jane had to be shut out because this is what drives her character in the following books, meaning that these developments are important to Jane's character arch, so I can appreciate these decisions at the same time, and I'm sure they will feel very fitting for fans of the series.
And even so, Jane works hard to ensure that she gets the answers she needs, and I loved her determination despite everybody blocking her path. She's definitely a character I want to read more about. I can already tell that this will be a new favourite series for me!
Now where do I begin - Prime Suspect, or the start of Tennison?!
From the start, I didn't want to put this book down. The were two cases developing alongside each other, both of which were really interesting, and the police procedural aspects were described really well. Even though Jane was settling into a new job, it was great to see her in action, taking charge, and knowing where to look for answers. I also appreciated that she had a life outside of the office, which you don't often see in detective stories!
Although the crimes were just my cup of tea - with murder, motives, and misdirections - what gripped me the most was the atmosphere in the workplace. Sexism is rife, and it was both thought-provoking to think how women made it through the day having to deal with these kinds of people, but also triumphant to see Jane succeed (mostly) despite every male character trying to stop her.
However, as someone who hasn't read any of the other books in this series, the misogyny did feel like an obstacle to me, as a reader, as well. At the start, it feels like an important part to the story and it's shocking to think that not much has changed for women in this career since this book was set. But towards the end, it means that Jane is shut out of investigation, at a time when I wanted her to be getting to an epic conclusion.
Had this been the first book in the series, I imagine it would have been handled differently, keeping the reader at the centre of the investigation. But instead, it's obvious that these obstacles for Jane are a big part of her story in Prime Suspect as "it ends where it all began". Therefore, I imagine that Jane had to be shut out because this is what drives her character in the following books, meaning that these developments are important to Jane's character arch, so I can appreciate these decisions at the same time, and I'm sure they will feel very fitting for fans of the series.
And even so, Jane works hard to ensure that she gets the answers she needs, and I loved her determination despite everybody blocking her path. She's definitely a character I want to read more about. I can already tell that this will be a new favourite series for me!
Now where do I begin - Prime Suspect, or the start of Tennison?!
July 6, 2024
Sorry to say, I struggled with this book, possibly as I haven’t read the rest of the series, but as it’s a prequel, i thought I’d give it a go and the premise looked brilliant.
I found it difficult to connect with any of the characters, in particular the main character, police detective, Jane Tennison, who was intensely unlikeable. On the one hand, claiming to struggle as a woman in a man’s world in the 1990s, but then doing her very best to make life as difficult as possible for those around her and completely alienating everyone who crossed her path. As a woman, I have no sympathy for women who behave badly and then claim gender discrimination.
Maybe she could be the next murder victim and give everyone a break?!!
The plot itself was ok, two different cases, not mind blowing, slow, and a bit repetitive in the end when I was just wanting them to get on with it!
I imagine if other readers have stuck with this character this far, they will likely love it, but it wasn’t for me.
1.5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.
I found it difficult to connect with any of the characters, in particular the main character, police detective, Jane Tennison, who was intensely unlikeable. On the one hand, claiming to struggle as a woman in a man’s world in the 1990s, but then doing her very best to make life as difficult as possible for those around her and completely alienating everyone who crossed her path. As a woman, I have no sympathy for women who behave badly and then claim gender discrimination.
Maybe she could be the next murder victim and give everyone a break?!!
The plot itself was ok, two different cases, not mind blowing, slow, and a bit repetitive in the end when I was just wanting them to get on with it!
I imagine if other readers have stuck with this character this far, they will likely love it, but it wasn’t for me.
1.5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.
November 13, 2024
The first half kept me pretty interested but the second half was repetitive and long without much happening. Too much description of mundane tasks. For a tough detective I found it extremely unrealistic that she would date someone two or three times then ask him to move in with her and let’s have your son stay for weekends!! I thought he was a bit strange and the plot would somehow turn on him. Unlikeable characters including Jane. Editing was terrible too. Annoying when mistakes are being found.
Ending was extremely poor. It was almost like the author was also bored by then and just wanted it finished.
Ending was extremely poor. It was almost like the author was also bored by then and just wanted it finished.
April 13, 2025
This opens as Jane's about to have her DCI interview and decides she wants to apply to the new Area Major Incident Team (AMIT), a sought-after gig whose membership initially seems off-limits given her gender. Surprisingly she gets the opportunity though it very much feels like we've stepped back into early novels in the series where her presence was barely tolerated. Here she's handed an inexperienced constable as her offsider and given a five-year old cold-case while the two other AMIT DCIs get the high profile cases.
This was a 'dense' read and took several nights (given I only read in the bath). It's packed with layers of texture and LaPlante is—as always—scrupulous in her attention to detail reminding us why she became the queen of police procedurals and why her books (and TV series) garnered popularity and accolades when first released... dealing with distasteful fodder in a way that allowed us to separate our reaction to the crime and experience of the victim and focus on the investigation itself.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
This was a 'dense' read and took several nights (given I only read in the bath). It's packed with layers of texture and LaPlante is—as always—scrupulous in her attention to detail reminding us why she became the queen of police procedurals and why her books (and TV series) garnered popularity and accolades when first released... dealing with distasteful fodder in a way that allowed us to separate our reaction to the crime and experience of the victim and focus on the investigation itself.
Read my review here: https://www.debbish.com/books-literat...
August 29, 2024
Again lynda la plante delivers. I have read all the prime suspect Tennison prequels and every book has been as good as the last , this final Tennison instalment brings us to the start of the Prime Suspect's.
September 5, 2024
I am so invested in these characters and the narrative that it is impossible to "review" sensibly!
All I can say is it worked for me!!!
All I can say is it worked for me!!!
January 23, 2025
Disappointing end to the series, as the investigations ended up being none investigations, and the secondary love story was a waste of time.
Disappointing.
Disappointing.
Read
January 30, 2025Terrific book will read more of this author.
July 17, 2025
Good book, was about a female police offier investogating a young girls death. Was slow start then got really good around how she died. End was ok
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 24, 2024
This is the last book in this series but thankfully not the end of Jane as the prime suspect books take over from where this one ends. As usual Lynda La Plante writes another gripping read that sees Jane being given a cold case to solve while trying to deal with the hostility and lack of support in her new department . It is as always for me a five star read and I’m already looking forward to reading the next book that the author writes
July 5, 2024
Jane Tennison has now been promoted to Detective Chief Inspector and has managed to get a coveted role on the Area Major Incident Team (AMIT) who investigate non-domestic murders. Jane’s first assignment is a cold case involving the disappearance of teenager Brittany Hall. Can Jane solve the case?
The highlight of my day/week/month is when the next Jane Tennison book arrives because this is a series and character that I’ve grown to love. However, when this book arrived I had both a feeling of happiness and sadness. Happiness to catch up with Jane but sadness in knowing this was the last book in the Tennison series.
The story was everything that I would expect in a Jane Tennison novel. It was brilliantly written, action packed with plot twists along the way. From the first page to the last I was drawn once again into Jane’s world and her next investigation. Jane joining AMIT is definitely a big achievement especially because from the outset she was pretty much told that she would never be successful because she was female. But Jane proved everyone wrong and became the first female Detective Chief Inspector to join that unit. You would think that joining the team would mean that Jane had proven herself and would earn the respect that she deserves but that's not the case. It was sad to see how Jane was treated when she joined AMIT because she was belittled, disrespected and wasn't treated like an equal. It was heart breaking to see the amount of work that Jane put into the cases that she was assigned but that this was unappreciated and wasn’t acknowledged. Jane was working on both a cold case and a case that appeared to be a suicide until Jane looked at the bigger picture. Jane quickly realised that the suicide might not be as straightforward as it appeared and that there may have been foul play. With the cold case Jane used her investigation skills to find out what happened to Brittany and that meant asking some really difficult questions and delving into the past. Seeing her colleagues ignore Jane and then try to take credit for her work and try to take her cases away made me angry especially because if Jane had been a man it never would have happened. Throughout Jane’s career she has faced misogyny and discrimination but she has managed to gain the respect of her colleagues. But as soon as she joined AMIT it's clear that she will never be accepted as one of their own and so Jane fights for her place on the team and makes it clear in no uncertain terms that she won’t be driven away and that she’s there to stay.
Jane has become one of my favourite characters of all time. I have loved following Jane’s journey from the first book to this book and seeing her character grow. She is strong willed and determined. Jane is what I would describe as the perfect role model especially because of everything she has been through to make it in the police force which is a man’s world. She has experienced highs and lows in her career and when investigating cases some of which have been truly upsetting. What I love about Jane's character is her spirit. She never gives up even when it would be easier to walk away. She embraces every challenge that is thrown at her and this shows her strength of character.
It has been a privilege and an honour to read this series. I’m going to miss Jane but I’ll definitely be rereading this series again in the future once I’ve watched Prime Suspect. This author has become one of my new favourite authors and I can’t wait to read more of their work.
A must read book and series.
The highlight of my day/week/month is when the next Jane Tennison book arrives because this is a series and character that I’ve grown to love. However, when this book arrived I had both a feeling of happiness and sadness. Happiness to catch up with Jane but sadness in knowing this was the last book in the Tennison series.
The story was everything that I would expect in a Jane Tennison novel. It was brilliantly written, action packed with plot twists along the way. From the first page to the last I was drawn once again into Jane’s world and her next investigation. Jane joining AMIT is definitely a big achievement especially because from the outset she was pretty much told that she would never be successful because she was female. But Jane proved everyone wrong and became the first female Detective Chief Inspector to join that unit. You would think that joining the team would mean that Jane had proven herself and would earn the respect that she deserves but that's not the case. It was sad to see how Jane was treated when she joined AMIT because she was belittled, disrespected and wasn't treated like an equal. It was heart breaking to see the amount of work that Jane put into the cases that she was assigned but that this was unappreciated and wasn’t acknowledged. Jane was working on both a cold case and a case that appeared to be a suicide until Jane looked at the bigger picture. Jane quickly realised that the suicide might not be as straightforward as it appeared and that there may have been foul play. With the cold case Jane used her investigation skills to find out what happened to Brittany and that meant asking some really difficult questions and delving into the past. Seeing her colleagues ignore Jane and then try to take credit for her work and try to take her cases away made me angry especially because if Jane had been a man it never would have happened. Throughout Jane’s career she has faced misogyny and discrimination but she has managed to gain the respect of her colleagues. But as soon as she joined AMIT it's clear that she will never be accepted as one of their own and so Jane fights for her place on the team and makes it clear in no uncertain terms that she won’t be driven away and that she’s there to stay.
Jane has become one of my favourite characters of all time. I have loved following Jane’s journey from the first book to this book and seeing her character grow. She is strong willed and determined. Jane is what I would describe as the perfect role model especially because of everything she has been through to make it in the police force which is a man’s world. She has experienced highs and lows in her career and when investigating cases some of which have been truly upsetting. What I love about Jane's character is her spirit. She never gives up even when it would be easier to walk away. She embraces every challenge that is thrown at her and this shows her strength of character.
It has been a privilege and an honour to read this series. I’m going to miss Jane but I’ll definitely be rereading this series again in the future once I’ve watched Prime Suspect. This author has become one of my new favourite authors and I can’t wait to read more of their work.
A must read book and series.
July 11, 2024
I was excited to read this, despite having missed the first nine books in the series, as I had many years ago devoured La Plante’s Prime Suspect books and, like many other viewers, been glued to the TV series, with the incomparable Helen Mirren playing the role of Jane Tennison.
Whole Life Sentence brings us the Tennison we recognize from the beginning of Prime Suspect — the bold, smart, newly promoted DCI, determined to cement her place in the elite Area Major Incident Team. She’s immediately made to feel unwelcome by her misogynistic boss and colleagues, and is handed two cases, deliberately chosen to either frustrate or bore her. What none of the men reckon with are Jane’s doggedness and superior investigative skills.
This felt very different to the crime procedurals that I normally read, but not in a negative way. It was definitely slower paced and lacked a lot of the forensic detail I’m used to. However, this fit with the era (1991), and I enjoyed what felt like a good, old-fashioned form of investigation. Set in the days before satnavs and mobile phones, I smiled at the frequent references to the A to Z and at how often Tennison had to hunt for a phone box to make important calls when out and about.
I also appreciated how much focus was given to Tennison’s private life and how she juggles this with her career. For me, the most compelling procedural series always have a detective you want to come back to, as much to follow their character development as to experience the thrill of a new investigation. La Plante gets this balance just right.
The misogyny, gaslighting and marginalization that Tennison is subjected to makes for difficult reading at times, all the more so when you know that 30 years later, such a culture continues to exist in the UK justice system. Full credit to La Plante for shining a light on this.
I will almost certainly go back and read the earlier instalments of this series, as I’m keen now to know how Tennison manages to overcome this blatant discrimination and rise through the ranks despite the limitations imposed by her gender.
Whole Life Sentence brings us the Tennison we recognize from the beginning of Prime Suspect — the bold, smart, newly promoted DCI, determined to cement her place in the elite Area Major Incident Team. She’s immediately made to feel unwelcome by her misogynistic boss and colleagues, and is handed two cases, deliberately chosen to either frustrate or bore her. What none of the men reckon with are Jane’s doggedness and superior investigative skills.
This felt very different to the crime procedurals that I normally read, but not in a negative way. It was definitely slower paced and lacked a lot of the forensic detail I’m used to. However, this fit with the era (1991), and I enjoyed what felt like a good, old-fashioned form of investigation. Set in the days before satnavs and mobile phones, I smiled at the frequent references to the A to Z and at how often Tennison had to hunt for a phone box to make important calls when out and about.
I also appreciated how much focus was given to Tennison’s private life and how she juggles this with her career. For me, the most compelling procedural series always have a detective you want to come back to, as much to follow their character development as to experience the thrill of a new investigation. La Plante gets this balance just right.
The misogyny, gaslighting and marginalization that Tennison is subjected to makes for difficult reading at times, all the more so when you know that 30 years later, such a culture continues to exist in the UK justice system. Full credit to La Plante for shining a light on this.
I will almost certainly go back and read the earlier instalments of this series, as I’m keen now to know how Tennison manages to overcome this blatant discrimination and rise through the ranks despite the limitations imposed by her gender.
November 15, 2024
An engrossing final chapter in the ‘Prime Suspect’ prequel series.
Jane Tennison has achieved her goal of promotion to DCI and transfer to an elite new major investigations team.
But from her first day, her colleagues are intent on making her work and life difficult. Assigned a cold case her superior believes is a dead end, Jane is determined to prove everyone wrong.
But as her hard work continues to be undermined and credit taken away from her, Jane begins to question if her ambition and dedication has been worth it, or if she is simply fighting battles she cannot win.
‘Whole Life Sentence’ is the tenth and final novel in the Jane Tennison series by Lynda La Plante, and the direct prequel to ‘Prime Suspect’, following the previous nine novels exploring Jane’s life and career since joining the police in 1973 and her climb from naive WPC to a skilled and experienced detective and AMIT's first female DCI. We pick up Jane’s story following the events of 'Taste of Blood', with the murder trial finally reaching its conclusion and Jane preparing to face the promotion board. Having been filling the role of Acting DCI at her previous station, Jane secures her promotion and requests her transfer be to AMIT – newly set up for investigation of major and serious crime.
It is now 1991, only months before we originally met Jane in ‘Prime Suspect’, when she finally has the opportunity to lead her first major murder inquiry. The novel focuses on two cases that Jane finds herself investigating – a heartbreaking cold case concerning the disappearance of a teenage girl five years earlier, which her superior officer believes is unsolvable and only requests Jane investigate to waste her time; and the apparent suicide of a married woman, discovered by her husband when he arrived home from work, something about which strikes Jane as suspicious when she is asked to initially assist by a fellow DCI.
La Plante’s attention to detail is always superb – her thrilling plotting revolving on the intricacies of police procedure and forensic science, while creating a true sense of the time at which the story is set. We witness the misogyny Jane experiences from her male colleagues, exposing the systemic and institutional prejudice of the police force, as her superior officer and colleagues undertake a malicious campaign in the hopes she will quit, leading Jane to fear her entire career has been for nothing. But, against the odds, Jane is determined to fight for justice for the missing teenager and find closure for her mother, even if she will ultimately decide this is the final case she investigates.
With references to events of the previous nine novels and foreshadowing of events to come in the TV series, this is a perfectly poised final prequel novel, also introducing Jane to several characters whom we met in the first season of the series, including DS Bill Otley, WPC Maureen Havers, Detective Superintendent Kernan, and Peter Rawlins. Compelling and character-driven, ‘Whole Life Sentence’ is the culmination of a journey and final piece of the story – a captivating addition to the legacy of La Plante’s iconic and groundbreaking series, working brilliantly as both a conclusion to the prequel series and an immediate prequel to ‘Prime Suspect’ (it feels seamless, as if this was always the first part of that original story), and, of course, as its own standalone entry amongst the overall series of thirteen novels and the ongoing story of Jane’s life we witnessed in seasons four to seven of the TV series.
Throughout each novel, we have followed Jane’s development, unearthing her history and the many tragedies, trials and tribulations that led her to become the highly skilled and formidable senior police officer portrayed by Helen Mirren – full of passion and drive, an unwavering commitment to justice, and a burgeoning emotional attachment to each case that lies beneath the layers of her tough exterior and her learned need to survive in a man's world.
'Prime Suspect' was always ahead of its time, immediately striking and significant for being led by a senior female detective, in its first three seasons exploring institutional and societal sexism, racism, and homophobia and transphobia. The prequel series has honoured that tradition through its return to the 70s and 80s and now into 1991, exploring subject matter that remains as critical and timely over thirty years after the TV series began.
I still remember my excitement when ‘Tennison’ was announced and how I devoured it over a Christmas break. To have gone on to read a series of ten novels following Jane’s journey to ‘Prime Suspect’ has been a dream; it has been an absolute joy and I have loved every novel in this stellar series of gripping police procedurals. It’s a series I hope to revisit in the future (as I’ve done with several of Lynda’s other series), and in the meantime I now want to revisit the entire ‘Prime Suspect’ series to once again experience Jane’s story continuing from the conclusion of this novel.
Thank you, Lynda, for this fantastic series and such an incredible character!
Jane Tennison has achieved her goal of promotion to DCI and transfer to an elite new major investigations team.
But from her first day, her colleagues are intent on making her work and life difficult. Assigned a cold case her superior believes is a dead end, Jane is determined to prove everyone wrong.
But as her hard work continues to be undermined and credit taken away from her, Jane begins to question if her ambition and dedication has been worth it, or if she is simply fighting battles she cannot win.
‘Whole Life Sentence’ is the tenth and final novel in the Jane Tennison series by Lynda La Plante, and the direct prequel to ‘Prime Suspect’, following the previous nine novels exploring Jane’s life and career since joining the police in 1973 and her climb from naive WPC to a skilled and experienced detective and AMIT's first female DCI. We pick up Jane’s story following the events of 'Taste of Blood', with the murder trial finally reaching its conclusion and Jane preparing to face the promotion board. Having been filling the role of Acting DCI at her previous station, Jane secures her promotion and requests her transfer be to AMIT – newly set up for investigation of major and serious crime.
It is now 1991, only months before we originally met Jane in ‘Prime Suspect’, when she finally has the opportunity to lead her first major murder inquiry. The novel focuses on two cases that Jane finds herself investigating – a heartbreaking cold case concerning the disappearance of a teenage girl five years earlier, which her superior officer believes is unsolvable and only requests Jane investigate to waste her time; and the apparent suicide of a married woman, discovered by her husband when he arrived home from work, something about which strikes Jane as suspicious when she is asked to initially assist by a fellow DCI.
La Plante’s attention to detail is always superb – her thrilling plotting revolving on the intricacies of police procedure and forensic science, while creating a true sense of the time at which the story is set. We witness the misogyny Jane experiences from her male colleagues, exposing the systemic and institutional prejudice of the police force, as her superior officer and colleagues undertake a malicious campaign in the hopes she will quit, leading Jane to fear her entire career has been for nothing. But, against the odds, Jane is determined to fight for justice for the missing teenager and find closure for her mother, even if she will ultimately decide this is the final case she investigates.
With references to events of the previous nine novels and foreshadowing of events to come in the TV series, this is a perfectly poised final prequel novel, also introducing Jane to several characters whom we met in the first season of the series, including DS Bill Otley, WPC Maureen Havers, Detective Superintendent Kernan, and Peter Rawlins. Compelling and character-driven, ‘Whole Life Sentence’ is the culmination of a journey and final piece of the story – a captivating addition to the legacy of La Plante’s iconic and groundbreaking series, working brilliantly as both a conclusion to the prequel series and an immediate prequel to ‘Prime Suspect’ (it feels seamless, as if this was always the first part of that original story), and, of course, as its own standalone entry amongst the overall series of thirteen novels and the ongoing story of Jane’s life we witnessed in seasons four to seven of the TV series.
Throughout each novel, we have followed Jane’s development, unearthing her history and the many tragedies, trials and tribulations that led her to become the highly skilled and formidable senior police officer portrayed by Helen Mirren – full of passion and drive, an unwavering commitment to justice, and a burgeoning emotional attachment to each case that lies beneath the layers of her tough exterior and her learned need to survive in a man's world.
'Prime Suspect' was always ahead of its time, immediately striking and significant for being led by a senior female detective, in its first three seasons exploring institutional and societal sexism, racism, and homophobia and transphobia. The prequel series has honoured that tradition through its return to the 70s and 80s and now into 1991, exploring subject matter that remains as critical and timely over thirty years after the TV series began.
I still remember my excitement when ‘Tennison’ was announced and how I devoured it over a Christmas break. To have gone on to read a series of ten novels following Jane’s journey to ‘Prime Suspect’ has been a dream; it has been an absolute joy and I have loved every novel in this stellar series of gripping police procedurals. It’s a series I hope to revisit in the future (as I’ve done with several of Lynda’s other series), and in the meantime I now want to revisit the entire ‘Prime Suspect’ series to once again experience Jane’s story continuing from the conclusion of this novel.
Thank you, Lynda, for this fantastic series and such an incredible character!
December 6, 2024
The story begins with Jane as acting DCI at Bromley covering for DCI Hutton’s maternity leave. Keen to progress she decides to take the DCI exams and faces a promotion board. She has been told of the creation of AMITs (Area Major Incident Team) and is desperate to join as this is the only way she will get the murder cases she is determined to work on. The board is tough and doesn’t go to plan, with one member DCS Kernan set against her. She does pass though and is assigned to head up one of Kernan’s teams much to his disgust. A victory for Jane but the beginning of a whole heap of trouble for her.
Now starting at a newish building at Southampton Row, she quickly discovers that she has been both dumped and sidelined at once. Dumped in an office packed with tatty cast-off furniture and used as a bit of a tip; sidelined from anything worthwhile to investigate. She is clearly not welcome; they are making that quite evident. Jane is given a cold case to review and only has one PC, Maureen, to assist her. Determined not to let the others get to her Jane immerses herself in the case and through a combination of diligence and empathy begins to make progress.
DCI Hickock is busy when the wife of one his golfing friends is found hanging, an apparent suicide, so he takes the opportunity of pushing the case Jane’s way. Undeterred Jane gives it careful consideration, asks the right questions and raises seeds of doubt.
With Eddie now history, Jane is back in the dating game. She is introduced to a work colleague of brother-in-law Ray, Peter a man who works in property development and refurbishment, and a relationship quickly blossoms.
All is rosy it seems until she is sidelined on those cases that nobody wanted. A career turning point for Jane, rage against those who belittle her or give up her career. A difficult choice.
In a story that I’m sure many will identify with elements within, there are textbook examples of passive-aggressive bullying, sexism and misogyny. So accurate and heartfelt one wonders if personal experience plays a part in the writing, either way its convincingly done. It’s a measure of how Jane has changed over the series that when important and secret information falls into her hands, she now uses it in an opportunistic way, something she wouldn’t have dreamed of earlier in the series. Jane has also realised the importance of evidence to support her actions if her career progression is going to continue. When it comes to taking on men in future she will need proof, documentation and so she will now diarise all sexist and misogynist comments and behaviour against Maureen and her.
The characterisation of the men is cleverly done, they are dismissive and offensive towards Jane before realising she is an excellent investigator and then stealing her ideas and cases once progress is made. Of the new characters Maureen was my favourite. Plump and self-conscious she doesn’t know what to make of Jane, especially when she explodes into action. At times she is afraid of her, certainly doesn’t enjoy her driving, but as the story progresses, she comes to see what makes Jane tick.
They two cases on the face of it appear very different, but the more they are uncovered it becomes clear that both involve family disagreements with an element of disgrace. More importantly both have moments where a separate, less lethal, course of action could have been taken if only they had considered a second option. Jane is quick to recognise these moments within the cases and takes this into account with her own position with her career at a crossroads. Subtly done but a perfectly judged piece of writing.
Now starting at a newish building at Southampton Row, she quickly discovers that she has been both dumped and sidelined at once. Dumped in an office packed with tatty cast-off furniture and used as a bit of a tip; sidelined from anything worthwhile to investigate. She is clearly not welcome; they are making that quite evident. Jane is given a cold case to review and only has one PC, Maureen, to assist her. Determined not to let the others get to her Jane immerses herself in the case and through a combination of diligence and empathy begins to make progress.
DCI Hickock is busy when the wife of one his golfing friends is found hanging, an apparent suicide, so he takes the opportunity of pushing the case Jane’s way. Undeterred Jane gives it careful consideration, asks the right questions and raises seeds of doubt.
With Eddie now history, Jane is back in the dating game. She is introduced to a work colleague of brother-in-law Ray, Peter a man who works in property development and refurbishment, and a relationship quickly blossoms.
All is rosy it seems until she is sidelined on those cases that nobody wanted. A career turning point for Jane, rage against those who belittle her or give up her career. A difficult choice.
In a story that I’m sure many will identify with elements within, there are textbook examples of passive-aggressive bullying, sexism and misogyny. So accurate and heartfelt one wonders if personal experience plays a part in the writing, either way its convincingly done. It’s a measure of how Jane has changed over the series that when important and secret information falls into her hands, she now uses it in an opportunistic way, something she wouldn’t have dreamed of earlier in the series. Jane has also realised the importance of evidence to support her actions if her career progression is going to continue. When it comes to taking on men in future she will need proof, documentation and so she will now diarise all sexist and misogynist comments and behaviour against Maureen and her.
The characterisation of the men is cleverly done, they are dismissive and offensive towards Jane before realising she is an excellent investigator and then stealing her ideas and cases once progress is made. Of the new characters Maureen was my favourite. Plump and self-conscious she doesn’t know what to make of Jane, especially when she explodes into action. At times she is afraid of her, certainly doesn’t enjoy her driving, but as the story progresses, she comes to see what makes Jane tick.
They two cases on the face of it appear very different, but the more they are uncovered it becomes clear that both involve family disagreements with an element of disgrace. More importantly both have moments where a separate, less lethal, course of action could have been taken if only they had considered a second option. Jane is quick to recognise these moments within the cases and takes this into account with her own position with her career at a crossroads. Subtly done but a perfectly judged piece of writing.
June 17, 2024
Time taken to read - 2 days
Pages - 454
Publisher - Zaffre
Source - Arc
Blurb from Goodreads
IT ENDS WHERE IT ALL BEGAN . . .
THE FINAL DETECTIVE JANE TENNISON THRILLER - AND THE PREQUEL TO TV HIT PRIME SUSPECT - FROM SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING CRIME FICTION ICON, LYNDA LA PLANTE. Now available to pre-order in hardback, eBook and audiobook.
_____________________________
Newly promoted Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison has elbowed her way into the Area Major Incident Pool, or AMIP, an elite team investigating non-domestic murders.
With her new position, she hopes things will the rampant sexism, the snide remarks, the undermining. Then she gets her first a five-year-old cold case of a missing teenager no one else has any interest in investigating, and an assumed suicide Tennison suspects is, in fact, murder.
But as Tennison gathers the crucial evidence to secure arrests, her new colleagues watch like vultures circling prey. And one by one the cases that she has built from the ground up are taken from her - and the glory along with them.
My Review
Aw man I am so gutted this is the final book, I want Tennison to go on and on and absolutely could so going to live in hope the author may change her mind some day and give us more. Anyway I digress, lets get to the book. So Jane has always had aspirations when it comes to her career despite always being told she couldn't do X,Y,Z because she is a woman. She has never let it stop her and this time it is no different, now a DCI Jane has made plenty of menamies in the job but also got respect even if grudgingly so from some of her male colleagues. This time she has her eyes on "Area Major Incident Pool" team (AMIP) and even her guy colleagues who respect her tell her she has no chance and yet Jane continues to prove them wrong. This time though it seems to be the ultimate boys club and despite her getting an in she is treated with contempt, rudeness, misogyny and all the badness we have seen in the previous books, I hate some of these so called cops!
Given a cold case they hope to keep her out of their hair but Jane does what she always does, gives it her all and soon is fighting an uphill battle to investigate properly and get the access she needs.
Add to that she feels that a current case - a suicide isn't as straight forward as it looks and yet instead of gratitude she is ridiculed Honestly they think she is rubbish and so toxic towards her yet have no issue pinching any credit if they can get to it first. They are absolute cretins and I was desperate for comeuppance towards them. She was constantly meeting attitudes, walls, dodgy witnesses, toxic work environments and road blocks at almost every corner. I think we get as frustrated as Jane at times yet she is like a dug with a bone and is such an advocate for victims/families, she is an absolute force to be reckoned with. I did like her colleague Wendy, despite being a bit wet around the ears she is keen, respects Jane and also held herself in an environment I cannot imagine walking into every day to try and work with people like that!
Jane really shows her mettle in this with the new position/colleagues but the book isn't just the two cases although the focus/investigations are central. We do get a bit of Jane's personal life which adds dimension to the character and you see the vulnerable side to her too as I don't know how she manages against so much negativity. 4/5 for me this time, I have a fair few La Plante books on my tbrm and I will be bumping them up, this series reminded me how much I enjoy her writing!
Pages - 454
Publisher - Zaffre
Source - Arc
Blurb from Goodreads
IT ENDS WHERE IT ALL BEGAN . . .
THE FINAL DETECTIVE JANE TENNISON THRILLER - AND THE PREQUEL TO TV HIT PRIME SUSPECT - FROM SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING CRIME FICTION ICON, LYNDA LA PLANTE. Now available to pre-order in hardback, eBook and audiobook.
_____________________________
Newly promoted Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison has elbowed her way into the Area Major Incident Pool, or AMIP, an elite team investigating non-domestic murders.
With her new position, she hopes things will the rampant sexism, the snide remarks, the undermining. Then she gets her first a five-year-old cold case of a missing teenager no one else has any interest in investigating, and an assumed suicide Tennison suspects is, in fact, murder.
But as Tennison gathers the crucial evidence to secure arrests, her new colleagues watch like vultures circling prey. And one by one the cases that she has built from the ground up are taken from her - and the glory along with them.
My Review
Aw man I am so gutted this is the final book, I want Tennison to go on and on and absolutely could so going to live in hope the author may change her mind some day and give us more. Anyway I digress, lets get to the book. So Jane has always had aspirations when it comes to her career despite always being told she couldn't do X,Y,Z because she is a woman. She has never let it stop her and this time it is no different, now a DCI Jane has made plenty of menamies in the job but also got respect even if grudgingly so from some of her male colleagues. This time she has her eyes on "Area Major Incident Pool" team (AMIP) and even her guy colleagues who respect her tell her she has no chance and yet Jane continues to prove them wrong. This time though it seems to be the ultimate boys club and despite her getting an in she is treated with contempt, rudeness, misogyny and all the badness we have seen in the previous books, I hate some of these so called cops!
Given a cold case they hope to keep her out of their hair but Jane does what she always does, gives it her all and soon is fighting an uphill battle to investigate properly and get the access she needs.
Add to that she feels that a current case - a suicide isn't as straight forward as it looks and yet instead of gratitude she is ridiculed Honestly they think she is rubbish and so toxic towards her yet have no issue pinching any credit if they can get to it first. They are absolute cretins and I was desperate for comeuppance towards them. She was constantly meeting attitudes, walls, dodgy witnesses, toxic work environments and road blocks at almost every corner. I think we get as frustrated as Jane at times yet she is like a dug with a bone and is such an advocate for victims/families, she is an absolute force to be reckoned with. I did like her colleague Wendy, despite being a bit wet around the ears she is keen, respects Jane and also held herself in an environment I cannot imagine walking into every day to try and work with people like that!
Jane really shows her mettle in this with the new position/colleagues but the book isn't just the two cases although the focus/investigations are central. We do get a bit of Jane's personal life which adds dimension to the character and you see the vulnerable side to her too as I don't know how she manages against so much negativity. 4/5 for me this time, I have a fair few La Plante books on my tbrm and I will be bumping them up, this series reminded me how much I enjoy her writing!
May 23, 2024
FROM THE COVER📖
Newly promoted Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison has elbowed her way into the Area Major Incident Pool, an elite team investigating non-domestic murders.
With her new position, she hopes things will change: the rampant sexism, the snide remarks, the undermining. Then she gets her first assignment: a five-year-old cold case of a missing teenager no one else has any interest in investigating - and an assumed suicide Tennison suspects is, in fact, murder.
But as she gathers the crucial evidence to secure arrests, Tennison's new colleagues watch like vultures circling prey. And one by one the cases that she has built from the ground up are taken from her - and the glory along with them.
Tennison has seen it all before - but this time feels different. Get the job done here and she will rise to a level never before reached by a woman. It's hers for the taking. She just has to do what she's been doing brilliantly for years: find her prime suspect . . .
REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a fitting end to a tremendous series of books. Tennison is one of the all time great fictional detectives, a lioness of a woman who was ahead of her time.
Jane Tennison is one of the best crime characters around, and it’s been fascinating reading the path of her career, as she’s risen through the ranks in a totally male orientated society, It feels so authentic with the scale of the misogyny of the time, which unfortunately is still around today. This book continues to highlight just how bad it was for women but shows how woman like Jane Tennison broke the mould from the naive WPC we met in the first Tennison book to the whip smart Helen Mirren Tennison we are familiar with. It was great to see the development of Jane thought out the 10 books in the series.
Whole Life Sentence picks up around a year after a Taste of Blood. Ever ambitious, Jane secures her latest promotion and place on the team where we meet her in Prime Suspect. We get to see her meet characters like Maureen and Peter.
La Plante provides us with two fascinating cases: the cold case of missing student Brittney Hall and the suspected suicide of the wife of an associate of DCI Hickock.
Through dogged determination and sharp mind Jane advances and all but solves the cases only to have them removed at the pivotal moment. Due to La Plante's immersive writing, you genuinely feel Tennison's drive and frustration. The Brittney Hall case is complex and moving and displays La Plante's unequaled understanding of forensics, from the early conception of forensics to the more modern advancements as the novels progress she hits the mark each time.
As always the cases act as a plot with the on going plot of Jane though out all the books. I have found each book has fresh unique case/cases for Jane to get her teeth into not one has been remotely the same, they keep you guessing and invested in the outcomes all the way. This final outing was no exception and I'd say was one of the better ones.
As can be the issue with a series of books there is a sense of format and a feel of tick the books in parts- Jane gets a new job, Jane's family annoy her, Jane gets a new love interest, Jane gets a hair cut etc etc but given the writing in terms of the cases is so fresh this can be forgiven.
This was great ending to the Tennsion books it brought the reader right to the point of Prime Suspect Jane if you haven't read them I suggest you start the second you finish this.
Newly promoted Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison has elbowed her way into the Area Major Incident Pool, an elite team investigating non-domestic murders.
With her new position, she hopes things will change: the rampant sexism, the snide remarks, the undermining. Then she gets her first assignment: a five-year-old cold case of a missing teenager no one else has any interest in investigating - and an assumed suicide Tennison suspects is, in fact, murder.
But as she gathers the crucial evidence to secure arrests, Tennison's new colleagues watch like vultures circling prey. And one by one the cases that she has built from the ground up are taken from her - and the glory along with them.
Tennison has seen it all before - but this time feels different. Get the job done here and she will rise to a level never before reached by a woman. It's hers for the taking. She just has to do what she's been doing brilliantly for years: find her prime suspect . . .
REVIEW ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This is a fitting end to a tremendous series of books. Tennison is one of the all time great fictional detectives, a lioness of a woman who was ahead of her time.
Jane Tennison is one of the best crime characters around, and it’s been fascinating reading the path of her career, as she’s risen through the ranks in a totally male orientated society, It feels so authentic with the scale of the misogyny of the time, which unfortunately is still around today. This book continues to highlight just how bad it was for women but shows how woman like Jane Tennison broke the mould from the naive WPC we met in the first Tennison book to the whip smart Helen Mirren Tennison we are familiar with. It was great to see the development of Jane thought out the 10 books in the series.
Whole Life Sentence picks up around a year after a Taste of Blood. Ever ambitious, Jane secures her latest promotion and place on the team where we meet her in Prime Suspect. We get to see her meet characters like Maureen and Peter.
La Plante provides us with two fascinating cases: the cold case of missing student Brittney Hall and the suspected suicide of the wife of an associate of DCI Hickock.
Through dogged determination and sharp mind Jane advances and all but solves the cases only to have them removed at the pivotal moment. Due to La Plante's immersive writing, you genuinely feel Tennison's drive and frustration. The Brittney Hall case is complex and moving and displays La Plante's unequaled understanding of forensics, from the early conception of forensics to the more modern advancements as the novels progress she hits the mark each time.
As always the cases act as a plot with the on going plot of Jane though out all the books. I have found each book has fresh unique case/cases for Jane to get her teeth into not one has been remotely the same, they keep you guessing and invested in the outcomes all the way. This final outing was no exception and I'd say was one of the better ones.
As can be the issue with a series of books there is a sense of format and a feel of tick the books in parts- Jane gets a new job, Jane's family annoy her, Jane gets a new love interest, Jane gets a hair cut etc etc but given the writing in terms of the cases is so fresh this can be forgiven.
This was great ending to the Tennsion books it brought the reader right to the point of Prime Suspect Jane if you haven't read them I suggest you start the second you finish this.
July 3, 2024
It’s the very last story in this great series that charts Jane Tennison’s career from fledgling constable to DCI working serious murder cases and what a journey it has been! The story opens with DI Jane Tennison seeing justice being served on the murderer of Sebastian Martinez. Preparing for this case, whilst acting as DCI in place of her boss who is on maternity leave and studying for her DCI promotion interview has taken up all her time lately, and she has hardly had time to grieve for the loss of her pregnancy and split with builder Eddie. Now she hears the news she has been waiting for – she has received her promotion and also has gained a place on the newly formed AMIT (Area Major Incident Pool) at Southampton Row working under Detective Chief Superintendent Kernan who has made it plain he has no time for her on his squad. With the house she shared with Eddie now sold, she moves into a rented flat and begins the posting in AMIT which could just be the career break she needs if only she can get them to take her seriously. Immediately the knives are out. She finds herself with a dirty office, tatty furniture, an inexperienced WPC as her “bag man” and the five-year-old cold case of a missing student while the other DCIs have exciting live cases but gets stuck in, determined to prove she can handle the misogyny and do her best to get a result. She begins to unearth evidence that the three witnesses were lying but gets put to the back of the queue for resources as the other two DCIS get preference. The assumed suicide of a golfing acquaintance of DCI Hickock also piques her interest and soon she is finding discrepancies, leading to the coroner requesting an AMIT investigation but once again the case is taken off her hands, despite her being instrumental in getting it opened. With her every move being thwarted, will she manage to get the recognition she believes she deserves and beat them at their own game?
This is definitely the best in the series. I really enjoyed the detection aspect of both cases, as Hickock also proved to be a good investigator, and both crimes were very gripping stories in their own right. New methods of detection, such as DNA and cctv are beginning to become more common place compared to the early days of her career, and it was nice to see an old face making another appearance. It was good to see the introduction of characters well known from the Prime Suspect series, such as WPC Maureen Havers, DCIs Brian Hickock and John Shefford, DS Bill Ottley, DCS Mike Kernan and her new boyfriend Peter, and this story leads beautifully into the tv series that became such a huge hit when it was first screened.
This is definitely the best in the series. I really enjoyed the detection aspect of both cases, as Hickock also proved to be a good investigator, and both crimes were very gripping stories in their own right. New methods of detection, such as DNA and cctv are beginning to become more common place compared to the early days of her career, and it was nice to see an old face making another appearance. It was good to see the introduction of characters well known from the Prime Suspect series, such as WPC Maureen Havers, DCIs Brian Hickock and John Shefford, DS Bill Ottley, DCS Mike Kernan and her new boyfriend Peter, and this story leads beautifully into the tv series that became such a huge hit when it was first screened.
July 3, 2024
This is the last book in the Tennison series. It has to be as it brings Jane's story right up to where we began with the Prime Suspect series, A series that I haven't actually read so, for me anyway, means that I still have another three Jane Tennison books to read!
So... in this book, newly promoted DCI (oooo get her) Jane Tennison realises her dream and manages to get herself a place on the prestigious Area Major Incident Pool (AMIP) which is an elite team who investigate non-domestic murders. She is a bit shocked (but not surprised) when she turns up for her first day and sees what they have supplied her in terms of office and support staff. But, this is Jane we are talking about and it is not long until she has overcome these obstacles. She is less successful initially with sorting the misogynistic behaviour, snide remarks, and practical jokes. But as we all know from reading the previous books (and I am assuming you have) she is well used to this and has her own ways of dealing with it.
Anyway... as her first case, they also try and stitch her up by giving her an old cold case that everyone else has given up with and no one else wants anything to do with. Which is a bit nasty and out of order as it concerns a missing teenager, assumed suicide. But it's not one that will give anyone any glory and plaudits so it has been shelved. But Jane is not like that and she is determined to get stuck in...
As expected though, as she starts to chip away at the case, as she starts to uncover new leads and new evidence comes to light that indicates murder, the vultures (her colleagues) start circling, ready to swoop in, steal the case and take all the glory...
As with all the previous books, I blooming loved this book. I love Jane as a character and, although I haven't read the PS books, I was familiar with her as a character from the TV, and was very excited when I heard that the author was going to go back to the start of her career. I've been with her every step of her journey and witnessed her development, as a character, a person, and a cop, all the way through and and excited to revisit the latter days of her career...
And the story being investigated is an absolute doozy. With all the twists and turns you'd expect from the author and the series. And one that, at the end of the day, also satisfies.
All in all, a fitting final book in this series which brings us up to date with what has gone before. I'm off to start Prime Suspect... My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
So... in this book, newly promoted DCI (oooo get her) Jane Tennison realises her dream and manages to get herself a place on the prestigious Area Major Incident Pool (AMIP) which is an elite team who investigate non-domestic murders. She is a bit shocked (but not surprised) when she turns up for her first day and sees what they have supplied her in terms of office and support staff. But, this is Jane we are talking about and it is not long until she has overcome these obstacles. She is less successful initially with sorting the misogynistic behaviour, snide remarks, and practical jokes. But as we all know from reading the previous books (and I am assuming you have) she is well used to this and has her own ways of dealing with it.
Anyway... as her first case, they also try and stitch her up by giving her an old cold case that everyone else has given up with and no one else wants anything to do with. Which is a bit nasty and out of order as it concerns a missing teenager, assumed suicide. But it's not one that will give anyone any glory and plaudits so it has been shelved. But Jane is not like that and she is determined to get stuck in...
As expected though, as she starts to chip away at the case, as she starts to uncover new leads and new evidence comes to light that indicates murder, the vultures (her colleagues) start circling, ready to swoop in, steal the case and take all the glory...
As with all the previous books, I blooming loved this book. I love Jane as a character and, although I haven't read the PS books, I was familiar with her as a character from the TV, and was very excited when I heard that the author was going to go back to the start of her career. I've been with her every step of her journey and witnessed her development, as a character, a person, and a cop, all the way through and and excited to revisit the latter days of her career...
And the story being investigated is an absolute doozy. With all the twists and turns you'd expect from the author and the series. And one that, at the end of the day, also satisfies.
All in all, a fitting final book in this series which brings us up to date with what has gone before. I'm off to start Prime Suspect... My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
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