CRIME QUEEN

At the age of 82 Lynda La Plante continues to be one of the world's most productive authors – and she has no intention of slowing down

- JANE VORSTER

SHE’S known for her fierce, sharp, kick-ass heroines. DCI Jane Tennison (Prime Suspect), Anna Travis (Above Suspicion), Dolly Rawlins (Widows) - they're all the memorable creations of British crime writer Lynda La Plante. And now in The Scene of the Crime, her first book of a new series, she introduces Jessica Russell, a crime scene investigator who is brilliant, emotionally scarred and facing a major challenge.

Although Jessica has degrees in psychology and criminology, she feels a bit out of her depth when she has to lead a team to solve a brutal crime, navigating interpersonal dynamics, workplace politics and the pressure from her bosses for instant results.

We chatted to Lynda about her new series, her quirky writing habits and why she loves visiting South Africa.

How does it feel to be embarking on a brand-new series?

To begin any new novel that may become a series always involves a lengthy period of research, not just for the plot, but also to create fresh characters who hopefully have no similarity to anything else out there.

Can you tell us about Jessica Russell, her personality and the challenges she's facing?