Book Review: Above Suspicion

Reviewed By: Carol - SLC - RAM

Above Suspicion     Amazon US TPB Amazon US HC Amazon UK PB Amazon Canada TPB Amazon Canada HC
Lynda La Plante
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Police Procedural   Woman Main Character   Serial Killer
Touchstone, 2006, 392 pages, $14.00

Several years ago I watched a forensic documentary about a serial killer who had murdered women in two different countries. The cases were finally connected because of the unusual knots the killer used on the ligatures used to strangle his victims. While reading Above Suspicion, I couldn't help but wonder if Lynda LaPlante had seen and/or been influenced by the same documentary. But no matter, Ms. LaPlante weaves a very complicated plot of her own, with plenty of unexpected twists and turns to keep the reader guessing, and manages to tie things up neatly by the end. The story she tells is frighteningly believable.

Detective Sergeant Anna Travis is a rookie murder investigator who is finally given the chance to prove herself by Detective Chief Inspector Langton. Langton had been mentored by Anna's father, the late Detective Chief Superintendent Jack Travis, or Anna would have probably been passed over yet again in her bid to join a murder investigation. Anna proves herself quite capable of following in her father's footsteps when she pits herself against a very cunning serial killer and manages to crack the case. But things are just starting to heat up at this point, as Anna realizes she might have to put herself in harm's way in order to get enough evidence to actually arrest and convict the killer.

Above Suspicion is an edge-of-your-seat page turner. It's a great read, and with just the right combination of suspense and romance, it would undoubtedly make a great movie.

Carol - SLC - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Carol - SLC - RAM