This is the fifth book in the #Tennison series by La Plante. I have not read any of the previous ones.
However, the aurhor needs to be congratulated on managing to make the 5th as stand alone as possible
The Dirty Dozen is a very goid very detailed and isightful police procedural novel. Plus, you get interesting insight on gender and race battles within British police force.
The bank robbery, the investigation - the crime and criminals themselves are fun, but all the ins and ours of elite Flying Squad, from ladies only toilets to felt pens and movie posters are so much more interesting.
Also, you don't even notice that it is early 80s... only when typewriters are metioned.
The Dirty Dozen defies the time and geography.
A must for Lynda La Plante fans

This book begins with DI Jane Tennison’s first day on The Flying Squad. aka The Sweeney.
The team is made up of all males, some quite hostile to a female joining the team. They tell her that she is not up to the job, but Jane is determined to prove them wrong. Jane goes to the scene of an armed incident, this takes place outside a pub. Although other officers question the witnesses she fears that there is more to learn. Through thorough investigation will Jane be accepted to apprehend the villains, and be accepted by her fellow offers and be part of The Sweeney. I thoroughly enjoyed this book, a must for readers who enjoy crime thrillers.

This is a classic Lynda la Plante as she follows the early years of Jane Tennison. As an avid reader of the authors books and having watched the TV adaptations, I have little difficulty in mentally visualising the happenings in this book.
Jane takes a very bold move in moving to the male dominated "Flying Squad" where she battles to prove herself. The story line hides little, and portrays the other members of the squad as some willing to accept her and others with a prove yourself attitude. The office clerk's jealousy tests Jane to her limits as she struggles to accept her.
I recommend other readers to read this book without being told about the story line. If they do this they will enjoy this chapter in the life of a favourite literary character.
Thank you Lynda for this enjoyable trip through Jane"s life.

I enjoyed this fifth book in the young Jane Tennison series. Jane, who must be in her mid- to late twenties now, has been promoted to Detective Sergeant and assigned to the Flying Squad, also know as the Sweeny. Their specialty is catching big-time bank robbers. When Jane arrives at the office on her first morning, the squad is all leaving, as an armoured car is being robbed. After the event ends with the robbers escaping and an off-duty cop being shot, she assists with the house to house and collecting and labeling evidence. Her new boss is impressed by her thoroughness and clarity in written reports, but tells her she's only there as an "experiment" as she's the first woman ever in the Flying Squad, and he feels she doesn't have the strength to take down a criminal on the run. Jane is frustrated but determined to win his respect. She is assigned to talk to a woman who overheard some men discussing a robbery at a cafe. What she learns from the woman and her twin sister gives the squad a great deal of progress in the case, and the prejudice against her starts to ease up.

I really like the character of young Jane Tennison. She has great integrity and respect for her job. I will now read the two in this series that I have missed. Lynda La Plante books are always a treat to read.

Many thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy.

This is the fifth book in this series about Jane Tennison. It is a police procedural set in the 1980’s
Jane is joining the Flying Squad as the first female detective. The Squad is known for its maverick ways and the brass have sent Jane there to help fix this. It is a fast-paced book from the beginning and sucks you right into the story. I really like books that feature more than one point of view. Jane is trying to break into a male dominated field. We read about Jane’s home life which makes her human. Most of the work is done in the old fashion way, it is the 1980’s after all. I recommend this book and I plan to go back and read the other books in the series. I voluntary reviewed the book from Net Galley.

Another good story by Lynda La Plante. Kept me turning the pages, liked the characters especially Jane Tennison.

The Dirty Dozen is part of a series, and I have not read the other books yet. It's okay as a standalone, though. This is an interesting look at a woman, Jane, in a man's world. The world is the police, as this story is a police procedural. It's intriguing and entertaining but a bit mundane at times. Still, it's a good overall look at what a strong intelligent woman is capable of when faced with obstacles and, well, men and their superiority complexes. Thanks to NetGalley for an arc in exchange for an honest review.

I have always enjoyed the character Jane Tennison by author Lynda La Plante and was a big fan of the television series 'Prime Suspect' so was more than happy to read this latest book in the series.
This is the fifth book in the series and follows Tennisons early career when she became a member of the notorious 'Flying Squad' known as the Sweeney. The book is based in 1980 before mobile phones were commonly used. Tennison is the first first female detective to work for the Flying Squad and is seen as an experiment. This is not a popular appointment and she is not accepted easily by her colleagues and bosses who see themselves as the 'Dirty Dozen'. Based in East London, they investigate armed robberies on banks, cash in transit and other business premises, so there is plenty of action. Jane Tennison is up for a fight and keen to prove herself as capable as her male colleagues.
This book is full of action, good gritty characters and a plot that works. Good read and recommended.
I would like to thank both Net Galley and Zaffre for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

Thankyou to NetGalley, Bonnier Zaffre and the author, Lynda La Plante, for the opportunity to read a digital copy of The Dirty Dozen in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.
This is the 5th book in the Tennison series. I thought it was a great read.
The storyline itself was well thought out and written. The variety of characters are described well with the lead female character, Jane Tennison, is amazing. I was hooked from the start.
Well worth a read.

A good read. It gives you a taste of what police procedure entails. Jane Tennison is joining the Flying Squad as the first female detective. It is not easy and she finds they do things differently there. Their main cases are robberies. Jane is good at what she does and can teach these old boys a thing or two about police work. She is involved with the team from day one and works her heart out to show them what she can do.

As a police procedural, this book is just as slow and tedious as normal police work. Luckily, it's well written and with great characters, so that it's a good read, even though the plot is rather thin.

Lynda La Plante's Jane Tennison series has set itself apart by featuring an intelligent woman who is not afraid to be human. She finds herself in the unique position of being the first woman on a special unit known for being a team of mavericks that have no limits and do not necessarily follow procedural rules. While Jane is a top notch police investigator, superiors assign her to the unit hoping her feminine influence will temper some of the wilder actions of her male counterparts. Jane, of course, see's this as an insult and a challenge. Set as the back story, Jane's actions are influenced by this challenge.
This is an excellent series of murder/ thrillers that will keep readers turning pages quickly. Linda La Plante has made Jane a very human character that you'll recognize from your own life. You will quickly finish this book and wait impatiently for the next.

I enjoyed reading this book. It had a good story to it. I liked the variety of characters in it. It was a well written book. I hope to read more books by this author.

Great book will be reading other books by this author.
Will also recommend this book to others.
Great read! 5*****

In 1980, Jane is the first woman appointed to the Sweeney Squad, a financial crimes unit. It’s fair for Jane to assume she’s been appointed the post because of all her hard work, but the reality is more bizarre than she could have imagined. She’s on the unit because headquarters believe her female presence will have a calming effect on her male counterparts, the Dirty Dozen. But Jane isn’t planning to hold anyone’s hand or soothe their tempers, she’s got an informant who has tipped her off about a multi million dollar heist in the works and she intends to make sure it doesn’t happen. LaPlante’s look at the earlier days of Jane’s policing days are always a shock, it’s amazing any women stayed in the field after the treatment they received