I’m delighted to be part of Team Tennison, where, over the next few months, I’ll be reading and reviewing the books in the Tennison series, in the build up to the release of the tenth book later in the year. My review of the second book in the series, Good Friday, is written with thanks to Tracy Fenton for inviting me to be part of Team Tennison, and to the publisher for my copy of the book.

Blurb:

BEFORE PRIME SUSPECT THERE WAS TENNISON.

Every legend has 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?

I’m really enjoying the Tennison series so far, and Good Friday is no exception. Jane Tennison is still relatively new to detective work, but I love her tenacious, yet caring attitude which runs through everything she does. She does make mistakes, but it’s great to see her grow and I love that with each book so far, Lynda La Plante has placed Jane in a different department with different colleagues and different situations so we can see how she reacts to each one.

Good Friday is set in 1976, just after the IRA bombings in London. The novel is heavily based on historical events, and Lynda La Plante has researched this in great detail, so we can see how these events affected the people living in the area at the time and how it affected the police and public services, both in terms of how they approached their work and the personal cost. I was taken back to the 1970s with ease and I became immersed in the lives of the characters.

Obviously, in such a fraught situation as the one which Lynda La Plante creates in Good Friday, there is a huge sense of danger, which rises as the plot gathers pace. I loved the tension and I struggled to tear my eyes away from the page. It’s not a straightforward plot by any means and I was enthralled as it took several twists and turns.

I look forward to seeing what Jane does next!

Review:

Good Friday is available from Amazon.