Lynda La Plante Best Books

The Anna Travis series is your best bet for a pure, novel-first experience. Start with 'Above Suspicion' and proceed from there. The character evolves significantly across the books, dealing with professional rivalries, personal losses, and increasingly complex cases.

La Plante's research into police procedure is impeccable, and you feel every step of the investigation. It's more satisfying to see Travis's skills and confidence grow from a somewhat naive DC to a seasoned DI, so order matters within that specific series.

I'm just here to lurk and take notes. Everyone's suggestions are way more detailed than my 'I just picked one off the shelf' method. Carry on, I'm learning a lot.

Check out used bookstores. They often have a ton of her paperbacks. You might grab a few first-in-series for cheap and compare opening chapters. The one that pulls you in after 20 pages is your winner. Sometimes a practical, tactile method beats all the online advice.

It's less connected than her last few, which were clearly part of series. This feels like a deliberate step back into standalone territory, and it's all the stronger for it. The plot has a self-contained perfection that a series book often sacrifices for future hooks.

The pressure to connect it to past work seems to come more from fans and marketers than from the text itself. The book itself is blissfully unconcerned with anything but its own mystery. In an age of endless franchises, that's a bold and refreshing choice.

Hope you enjoy them! They’re a staple of the genre. Don’t overthink it too much—grab 'Above Suspicion' and see if you like the vibe. If you do, you’ve got a long, satisfying journey ahead with a character who feels real. That’s the best part of finding a good series.

If you're just starting with Lynda Mullaly Hunt, I can't recommend 'Fish in a Tree' enough. The story revolves around a girl named Ally who struggles with dyslexia, which makes navigating school feel like a huge challenge. I found myself really connecting with Ally's journey because it hits home how important it is to embrace our differences. The supporting characters are incredible too—especially her teacher, Mr. Daniels, who really makes a difference in her life. The blend of humor and heartfelt moments kept me engaged, and it's a fantastic read for all ages. Anyone who has ever felt out of place will find solace and inspiration through Ally's experiences.

Another great entry point is 'One for the Murphys.' It's a powerful tale about a girl named Carley, who moves in with a foster family after a traumatic event. The complexities of her emotions, charted against the backdrop of her new home, are portrayed beautifully. It’s about healing and family, and there are moments that had me laughing as well as tearing up. Lynda Mullaly Hunt has this way of capturing the essence of what it feels like to be a kid trying to navigate a complex world, making it relatable and impactful.

Lastly, 'Your One and Only' is another excellent choice, particularly if you enjoy stories that venture into more speculative territory. It presents a unique perspective on friendship, identity, and some philosophical questions about what it means to be human, all wrapped up in a gripping narrative. Hunt's writing style is engaging, and her ability to tackle tough topics with compassion and insight makes her books not just stories, but meaningful experiences.

Why does it feel like her publisher is slower with digital releases for some markets? I had to wait an extra week for the ebook to show up in my region.

From a collector's perspective, her standalones were published sporadically between her major series. 'The Governor' came out in the mid-90s, around the same time as early 'Prime Suspect' fever. 'Cold Blood' was later, in the early 2000s. 'Sleeping Cruelty' was somewhere in between.

So if you want to experience her writing evolution, you could read them in publication order alongside her series releases. But story-wise? Zero connection. They're their own beasts. I found it interesting to see how her style tightened in the standalones compared to the sprawling series, but that's just an analytical pleasure, not a requirement.

2023 was a fantastic year for her fans. Her latest release is 'West with Giraffes,' a historical fiction novel that captures the heart and imagination. This book tells the incredible true story of two giraffes transported across America during the Great Depression. Rutledge's storytelling is vivid and emotional, making you feel like you're right there on the journey. The characters are deeply developed, and the historical details are spot-on. If you love books that blend history with heart, this one is a must-read. It's already one of my favorites of the year, and I can't recommend it enough.