Critical Mick

Reviews Free of Rules.

Reviews by the Clown that All Other Critics Want to Strangle with a Black Turtleneck

Above Suspicion
Lynda La Plante
Simon & Schuster UK, 2004

Will the Jury Please Discard that Turkey Sandwich and Rise!

Reading Trial and Retribution made me a Lynda La Plante fan. Yep: reading. Never saw the TV show.

So, it was a delight to see her brand-new Above Suspicion under the Christmas tree. This is a book that rests nicely on a stomach fat from turkey. Experience shows that such books also fit nicely into a holiday beach bag. Quick reading that keeps you guessing... ah!

All-reading and no-TV has made me a hard judge, though. With the departure of Christmas Spirit, can I recommend Above Suspicion?

Evidence clearly supports the defendant. Above Suspicion is convincingly told, rich with character, and moves at a brisk pace. Well before New Year's, my fingerprints were all over every page. 'Nuff said.

Objection One: the book opens with clichés. Serial killer who targets prostitutes? Rookie cop who barfs at the sight of her first dead body? Been done. Countless times. Objection Two: goofs. La Plante's writing is hearty with realistic detail. Above Suspicion's salient errors in (for example) geography made me wonder just how much I can trust its procedural authenticity. Is this really how investigations are performed? Unpleasant doubts are introduced. Objection Three: visual style. Some scenes felt set like... scenes. TV scenes. POV shifts and long wardrobe descriptions won't trouble less pernickety readers, but wig-wearing crime-fiction nerds like me, consider that in chambers!

Passing sentence: print run of three and a half years out of a maximum of five, with the possibility of edging up to four for good behaviour.

Bailiff, take that book to the cashier! This review is adjourned.

Lynda LaPlante-your-ass-in-that-chair-until-you-hit-the-last-page! Says Critical Mick.

This review also appeared in Crossroads Magic ezine.

Yo! This review and all content on the DFA Guide site are copyright 2005 Mick Halpin. All links to other sites and documents are copyright to whatever source wrote something cool enough for Mick to give it a referral. Try to claim them as your own work and bad karma will catch up with you, baby. Believe it.

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This Page Was Last Updated On 30 May, 2005.