Previously, my experience with Lynda La Plante's books have been one of my favourite crime/thriller series The Anna Travis series which I love! So I was excited to try a different series by this author.
Good Friday takes us back to 1975 when the IRA were at large, bombing and attacking London on regular occasions. Jane Tennison who later stars as the main character in the more famous book and tv series' Prime Suspect is the main character in this book and Good Friday is the 3rd book in new series Tennison which focuses on Jane's earlier career before Prime Suspect. Jane is one of the only women in the Police Force and specifically one of the only ones ranked as CID.
This novel is all about the IRA bombings which Jane inadvertently ends up caught up in and becomes a key witness. But in addition Good Friday is also about Jane trying to make it in what is essentially a man's world. This is highlighted almost immediately at the beginning of the novel when Jane is appearing at court on a petty crime, only to see a man from her class at the police academy who has now become a high flyer in the infamous Flying Squad.
Jane is constantly treat like a 'ditzy' woman and blamed for pretty much everything, although in some instances I could see why. She is a very frustrating character at times as she too easily plays into the role that's been cast for her.
However overall I really enjoyed this novel. Lynda La Plante writes in a style which I particularly like, wonderfully descriptive about outfits and food and settings. I've always liked that kind of writing it's perfect when sitting in a comfy chair with something nice to eat or drink. I hope that makes sense!!
The story is interesting and well put together. I didn't know a lot about the IRA and the bombings of the 70s my sole experience of this has been my grandmother narrowly escaping a bombing sometime back then. So it was interesting to learn more about this. I did figure out who the suspect was pretty early on but this made for better reading as I waited for the characters to catch on. There were also a couple of well placed red herrings in there as well which threw me off the scent for a while! Reading Good Friday has definitely encouraged me to read more in this series and the Prime Suspect series as well!