Book Review – Prime Suspect 3: Silent Victims

Today I’m reviewing Prime Suspect 3: Silent Victims by Lynda LaPlante for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am provided with a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

This 3 book series of Prime Suspect mysteries has recently been reissued. Originally written in the 90’s to accompany the very successful TV series of the same name starring the marvelous Helen Mirren, they are just as riveting today. I reviewed the first two books here. This book, Silent Victims, continues with the story of Jane Tennison, a DCI in the London police force, whose work ethic and talent for investigation is often overshadowed and marginalized by the sexism running rampant on the force.

In this story, Jane is starting a new job as head of the Vice Squad and a new case involving the gruesome murder of a 16 year old ‘rent boy’ lands on her desk. Rent boy is the British name for a young male prostitute – emphasis on ‘young.’ As Jane investigates further, she discovers that public figures and politicians are linked to the scandal and she is pressured to go in another direction with her investigation. This case could threaten her career.

I won’t say more than that. As in the first two books, this mystery is tightly plotted, with a cast of memorable characters. LaPlante has a gift for creating a vivid picture of life in a London squad room as well as the seamier side of life in the city. I really love the fact that the characters, including Tennison, are fully realized, warts and all. They make mistakes, they have biases, they care about their work, they get exhausted, they drink too much. Tension and the pressure to solve a case, which can be enormous, take their toll. This is a gritty look at Jane’s world and the work that consumes her.

I know you will love this mystery. I cannot say enough about LaPlante’s writing talent or this series. Oh yes, I could: I wish there were more books in the series!

About the author:

Lynda La Plante’s fourteen novels, including the Prime Suspect Series, have all been international bestsellers. She is an honorary fellow of the British Film Institute and a member of the UK Crime Writers Awards Hall of Fame. She runs her own television production company and lives in London and Easthampton, NY.