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A compelling, clever plot with a brilliant cast of diverse characters. Utterly riveting' - RACHEL ABBOTT, million-selling author of ONLY THE INNOCENT What was the point of the investigation? The family history was so all over the place and by the end of the book the whole thing seemed like a waste of time. With a brand new character introduced, an elusive foil to Warr, the cat-and-mouse game begins. Expect an explosive showdown! Both sets of parents were awful, Eddies less so, and Jane’s sister didn’t seem to be anyone you’d want to grab a drink with either. This installment surely opened my appetite for more in the series so I’m looking forward to read more soon.
When the investigation uncovers an international drugs operation on the widow's property, the case grows even more complex. And as the hunt for the widow's lodger hits dead end after dead end, it seems that the prime suspect has vanished without a trace. The trip to Australia - how utterly utterly unnecessary. In the time period it’s set, surely this was a huge expense, and whilst international phone calls were expensive too, they would have been a damn sight cheaper than sending two coppers over for 36 hours. So so strange. On the upside we got to see loads more entitled and judgemental attitude from Jane, so that was delightful. Her first TV series as a scriptwriter was the six part robbery series Widows, in 1983, in which the widows of four armed robbers carry out a heist planned by their deceased husbands.
However, and believe me I hate to leave a negative review, but wow; there was very little I enjoyed of this book. I also doubt this book was ever proof read considering the amount of mistakes i noticed while reading! I have read none of the previous books in the series, but I enjoyed this book with no problems regarding who the main characters are and what’s their part in the story is. Dark Rooms' is the eighth book in the Jane Tennison series, prequel to the 'Prime Suspect' TV series (and the novelisations of the first three seasons). Lynda La Plante presents an intricate case for the recently promoted Jane Tennison, her first investigation as a Detective Inspector following her required time spent in uniform. It is now the mid-80s, and we meet up with Jane as she's moved into her new home and is having it renovated. Jane continues to be somewhat a lone wolf, something that continues to cause her problems amongst the team. Yet her clashes with her DCI set the scene for her determination to resolve this case, even if it means working alone.
I thought Detective Warr was a great main character, he is determined and a intelligent person. I liked reading about his family life as well. We got to read about a variety of different characters in this book, some were criminals who I wasn’t sure who I wanted Detective Warr to trust.Now the police will have to pay attention and the stakes are raised when the investigation uncovers an international drugs operation on the widow’s property. The police are searching for the widow’s lodger but it appears he has vanished. The characters were all, ALL, incredibly unlikeable. Eddie was probably the least unlikeable and seemed mostly ok, except for some reason seemed to hate everything about Jane’s job and automatically disagreed with her and put her down when she tried to talk about it with him. Red flag there, Jane! This journey takes a bit of a European tour and encompasses at least two fascinating themes which is compelling reading and keeping you glued. It’s set up very nicely for number four which I look forward to reading. My only negative is that it’s quite long and although I cannot deny it interesting it could have been refined somewhat. Laced with gothic undertones in the centrepiece of the decaying Victorian mansion and the horrors hiding within, once home to an eccentric family with a long history of tragedy, this is a tightly plotted police procedural featuring realistic forensic science of the time period, and even a touch of romance for Jane, as well as trips to the coast and as far as Australia, exploring some dark and disturbing themes and complex characters through every navigation of the twisting plot. Throughout the series, discrimination - and specifically misogyny - within the police has been a running theme, once more explored in this novel alongside other abuses of power and the elusiveness of long-buried secrets. I always devour books by Lynda La Plante and 'Dark Rooms' was no exception. As well as the core investigation per novel, this series is as much about Jane's life and career. Lynda has teased both ninth and tenth books, which may bring the series full circle as we approach 'Prime Suspect'. I love this series and always enjoy the evolution of Jane's character - it was very exciting to see her once again take a step forward in career with her promotion. I cannot wait to see what is next in store for DI Tennison.
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