The Real Prime Suspect

From the Beat to the Screen. My Life as a Female Detective.

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The Real Prime Suspect

By: Jackie Malton, Hélène Mulholland - contributor

Narrated by: Joan Walker

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About this listen

HIGHLY COMMENDED FOR BOOK OF THE YEAR AT THE TRUE CRIME AWARDS 2023

When Jackie Malton joined the police force in 1970, male recruits were given a truncheon and female recruits were given a handbag. At every step, she fought sexism and homophobia on top of the rapists, murderers, and armed robbers she tackled in the streets. And when she was harassed by her own colleagues for reporting bent coppers, Jackie was thrown into a shame and isolation that she tried to dim with alcohol. At the height of her success, as she became one of only three female detective chief inspectors in the Met, and as a chance meeting with the writer Lynda La Plante catapulted her into the world of TV, Jackie was battling her own demons harder than ever before.

In this thrilling and revealing memoir, meet the real woman behind the iconic character Jane Tennison - every bit as tenacious, determined, and fearless, with an extraordinary story to tell.

Women

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Critic reviews

"Jackie Malton lifts the lid on the jaw-dropping day-to-day realities that have faced women cops." (Val McDermid)

"Jackie Malton was one of the women who blazed a trail in the very macho world of policing. She was indeed the real Prime Suspect, viewed with suspicion because of her gender and her sexuality and, while it took its toll, she stood out, proud and independent. She gave policing a good name. A terrific read!" (Baroness Helena Kennedy QC)

"Unputdownable. A uniquely personal journey through recent decades of policing. Searingly honest, shocking and funny." (Barbara Machin, creator and showrunner, Waking the Dead)

Most relevant

The book is full of stories and cases that definitely will keep you engaged until the end. Also, you learn the reality of a woman working in a mainly male environment, it's not easy sometimes. The narration is very good!!!