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The Scene of the Crime

Jessica Russell, Book 1

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The Scene of the Crime

By: Lynda La Plante
Narrated by: Gemma Whelan
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About this listen

The husband of a prominent and infamously ruthless barrister is found in horrific condition after a robbery and brutal assault. Now in a coma, a major investigation is launched using the newly formed, experimental Metropolitan Police Serious Crime Analysis Unit.

Jessica Russell is an experienced CSI with degrees in psychology and criminology with an exceptional Masters in Investigative psychology and behaviour analysis. But Jessica's first job as team leader of MSCAN is entirely new to her: to bring together a team of three trusted officers.

The four of them have dealt with every kind of murder and major crime scene - their expertise ranges from forensic DNA to blood splatter analysis, digital forensics and beyond.

Now they must piece together the complex puzzle at the heart of this brutal crime. If it was a robbery gone horrifically wrong, what was so important to have been stolen?

Like with any new police department, there is immense pressure for instant results. One careless decision, one wrong accusation from Jessica or her team and their superiors would be all too happy to close down MSCAN for good.

The brand new 2025 forensic crime series from the no.1 bestseller

©2025 Lynda La Plante (P)2025 Bonnier Books UK Crime Crime Thrillers Genre Fiction Medical Mystery Police Procedurals Psychological Thriller & Suspense Women Sleuths Forensics Exciting Murder
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Thoroughly absorbing tale and the story telling is so good, the detail and character building make this yet another outstanding Lynda La Plante intriguing and involved tale

Outstanding LLP again

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The crushing of tablets or dissolving them to inject into the giving set was most unconvincing. The tablets of K would not have fully dissolved and "fillers" might have been present in the bag. speak to a compounding pharmacist. they could have been detected.
I have read your guide

not sure about the K tablets solubility

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I've read many LLP books and enjoyed them, but sadly this didn't feel like one of hers.
I didn't warm to the characters, and felt like I was getting a lesson on forensics.
Disappointed.

Disappointing

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There was far too much forensic science explanation going on, it all got a tad overlong and tedious, that coupled with the monotone narration made this a difficult listen.
Each official character spoke in very strange and similar manner, very precise and without intonation. Not only was this boring it was difficult to differentiate between each. That said, the storyline was compelling, I really wanted to enjoy this but didn't.

A very weird narration

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I absolutely love Lynda’s books so much detail and plot twists, my only tiny niggle is that the Gemma Whelan spoke with an American accent when she portrays Anna Travis.
Anna is a British character with 9 books in her own series.

Lynda La Plante The scene of the crime

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