Prime Suspect

DCI Jane Tennison has been trying to get ahead on the major crimes unit, but she is continually assigned menial tasks.  After a recent murder case is given to a male DCI, John Shefford, Tennison complains to her superior to no avail.

Fortunately for Tennison, Shefford suddenly collapses and dies from a massive heart attack.  Tennison demands, and is given the case, much to the disgust of Shefford's team.  She now embarks on learning about the case as quickly as possible.   She quickly discovers that the victim has been wrongly identified.  That in itself can get the case the team had put together earlier against a man thrown out of court.

Tennison orders the team to gather new evidence, which they resent.  DS Otley is doing everything to hamper her work and at the same time pin it on the man they have arrested.  Unfortunately time runs out on them, and he must be released.

However, moments after the man is released, Otley is apprised of the discovery of another victim.  He informs Tennison and later tells her that Shefford was sure that there was another victim in the north of similar circumstances.  Tennison persists in her belief that they are following up on the prime suspect despite his claims of innocence.

Although author Lynda La Plante's novel "Prime Suspect" gets off to a slow start, it slowly builds up steam, turning into a very good murder mystery.  Well worth the read, and making me want to read the two sequels.