Book Review: Trial and Retribution IV

Reviewed By: Luke Croll - RAM

Trial and Retribution IV     Amazon UK PB
Lynda La Plante , Robin Blake
Class/Genre:   Mystery
Series: Trial & Retribution # 4
Pan; 2000; £5.99; pp. 259
Classification: Adult fiction (Police thriller)

Hardback version also available

With this novel, Lynda La Plante continues her series of 'Trial And Retribution' books, starring DI Pat North and Detective Superintendent Mike Walker. However, this novel has been written with the help of Robin Blake, as it was originally a TV programme. Quite why is not clear to me.

North is reinvestigating an eight-year-old murder case in which she discovers her partner led the original enquiry. Since he seems to be covering things up, she wonders if her lover could have falsified evidence to frame an innocent man. Can Walker prove that he is innocent?

Whilst I am a great fan of the writing of Lynda La Plante, I have started to feel that this series is becoming a little tired. North and Walker have seen four major investigations now and each book has been called 'Trial & Retribution'. It would not be so bad if they had new titles, etc., but it just seems to be the same old story rehashed.

'Trial & Retribution IV' is mediocre. The character of McCready, the alleged killer, is flat and the book has no real power within it, making it a fast and simple read. There also seem to be loose ends and it seemed to me that La Plante could have developed the characters so much more. I do not know if this is something to do with the fact that Robin Blake has novelised it, but it is certainly not as good as her previous books.

I feel that La Plante would be better concentrating on TV dramas and new books away from this series. As a TV drama, I think the 'Trial & Retribution ' series works better. In a book, the reader wants something reasonably meaty - you are not going to find it here. One of her weaker novels in a long time.

Luke Croll - RAM

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