Good Friday by Lynda La Plante
Before Prime Suspect there was Tennison and every legend has to have a beginning . . .
During 1974 and 1975 the IRA subjected London to a terrifying bombing campaign. In one day alone, they planted seven bombs at locations across central London. Some were defused - some were not.
Jane Tennison is now a fully-fledged detective. On the way to court one morning, Jane passes through Covent Garden Underground station and is caught up in a bomb blast that leaves several people dead, and many horribly injured. Jane is a key witness, but is adamant that she can't identify the bomber.
When a photograph appears in the newspapers, showing Jane assisting the injured at the scene, it puts her and her family at risk from IRA retaliation. Good Friday is the eagerly awaited date of the annual formal CID dinner, due to take place at St Ermin's Hotel. Hundreds of detectives and their wives will be there.
It's the perfect target.
As Jane arrives for the evening, she realises that she recognises the parking attendant as the bomber from Covent Garden. Can she convince her senior officers in time, or will another bomb destroy London's entire detective force?
About the author
Lynda La Plante was born in Liverpool. She trained for the stage at RADA and worked with the National Theatre and RDC before becoming a television actress. She then turned to writing - and made her breakthrough with the phenomenally successful TV series WIDOWS.
Her novels have all been international bestsellers. Her original script for the much-acclaimed PRIME SUSPECT won awards from BAFTA, Emmys, British Broadcasting and Royal Television Society as well as the 1993 Edgar Allan Poe Writer's Award.
Since 1993 Lynda has spearheaded La Plante Productions. In that time the company has produced a stunning slate of innovative dramas with proven success and enduring international appeal.
Based on Lynda's best selling series of Anna Travis novels, Above Suspicion, Silent Scream, Deadly Intent and Silent Scream have all adapted into TV scripts and received impressive viewing figures.
Lynda has been made honorary fellow of the British Film Institute and was awarded the BAFTA Dennis Potter Writer's Award 2000.
On 14th June 2008 Lynda was awarded a CBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours List (Writer and Producer for services to Literature, Drama and to Charity).
On 3rd October 2009, Lynda was honoured at the Cologne Conference International Film and Television Festival with the prestigious TV Spielfilm Award for her television adaptation of her novel, Above Suspicion.
Books penned by Lynda La Plante include: The Legacy, The Talisman, Bella Mafia, Entwined, Cold Shoulder, Cold Blood, Cold Heart, Sleeping Cruelty, Royal Flush, Above Suspicion, The Red Dahlia, Clean Cut, Deadly Intent and Silent Scream, Blind Fury (this entered the UK Sunday Times Bestsellers List at number 1 having sold 9,500 copies in its first two weeks), Blood Line, Backlash, Wrongful Death, and Twisted, which have all been international best-sellers.
In Feb 2012 Lynda's chilling tale of THE LITTLE ONE was published in conjunction with Quick Reads through Simon & Schuster UK.
Lynda's latest book, Tennison, was published on 24th September 2015 and is the prequel the highly acclaimed Prime Suspect. The story charts Jane Tennison's entry into the police force as a 22 year old Probationary Officer at Hackney Police Station in 1973.
Review
‘Good Friday’ is the third book in the Jane Tennison series and it was extremely enjoyable! It can be read as a standalone very easily though, as all the background you need is provided by the author. But recommend reading the full series as they are very enjoyable books.
Jane Tennison has just passed her CID course and has been transferred to the ‘Dip Squad’ which focuses on the gangs of pickpockets throughout Central London. But in the case of the wrong time, wrong place Jane is on the scene when an IRA bomb explodes at Covent Garden. It kills several people and injures many others. Jane is a key witness as she tried to stop the bomber from leaving the station but she is adamant that she can't identify them as she only saw them on profile. When a photograph appears on the front page which shows Jane at the blast, she and her family are in danger as the IRA are known to intimidate witnesses and their loved ones. Will they find the bomber?!
I found that this book was very evocative in building up the tension and suspense in relation to the bombing and the IRA operatives! It definitely was an insightful look at how heightened the tensions were in the capital and how the police were on the back foot so to speak on the hunt for the operatives. The scenes were Jane was suffering from PTSD were extremely well written and full of empathy. I also loved Daphne, one of the victims of the bombing and the star witness! She really reflected the spirit of resilience.
Jane is growing as a person and as a detective, but she still has some flaws and naivety in her character. She does tend to think a bit too much of herself at times but I'm sure women in the police needed this as a battering ram for the patriarchy! It is these aspects of her character that attract me though, her nuances are what makes her great and I can see how her personality is forming into a strong individual.
Let me know if you pick this one up!
