Actor, Writer, Producer, Author. Lynda La Plante is a creative force to be reckoned with.
We loved hearing from Lynda La Plante about her top book recommendations and thrilled to share these recommendations with our Goldsboro Crime Collective members below.
-----
The Sphinx by Hugo Vickers
Mr Vickers owes me lunch as I have, from the moment I read his book, encouraged everyone I meet to purchase a copy. It tells the story of the life of Gladys Deacon, Duchess of Marlborough, and it is absolutely riveting. Her life was exceptionally long and remarkable, some of it you would not believe. Gladys was considered extremely beautiful (hence the title) and lived a life of immense privilege. Hugo Vickers must have spent hundreds of hours researching his subject, and the book is overflowing with fascinating stories and detail. If you are looking for an excellent biography, look no further.
Past Lying by Val McDermid
I have read all of Val’s novels, but this is my absolute favourite. I read it whilst we were both taking part in a literary festival with a twist. It took place on the Queen Mary 2, crossing the Atlantic from Southampton to New York. Although the ship was magnificent and we were on board with wonderful fellow authors for terrific book events, for most of the journey we encountered very rough seas. Some of our fellow travellers were sick, but Val and I discovered we had sea legs. In the book, Val creates an extraordinary and unusual concept of combining two crime novels, one shockingly begins to investigate a murder of a crime writer, the other is equally as fascinating as it opens up a cold case. It’s hard to believe that this exciting beautifully written crime within a crime novel has never been attempted before. I wish I had thought of it!
Traces by Patricia Wiltshire
Research for my novels is extremely important to me, getting the police procedure and forensic science right. Patricia is a forensic ecologist, botanist, and palynologist, and I have had the good fortune to have worked with and met her numerous times. Her formidable knowledge of forensic science is astonishing, and I would recommend any crime writer and anyone with an interest in forensic science, to have Traces by their side. The appreciation of her abilities as your read about her work for the Met Police on one infamous case after another, makes her unique. Another added note from me, if you get the opportunity to meet her or go to one of her lectures, waste no time, she is the most delightful, humble lady, and I admire and have a deep affection for her brilliant work.
-----
Order Lynda's hilarious and moving tell-all memoir here!
