Lynda La Plante: Reading Order, Biography & Net Worth

Anyone who’s picked up a Lynda La Plante crime novel knows the pull of a detective who’s as layered as the case she’s solving. But the woman behind Jane Tennison didn’t start behind a typewriter – she trained at RADA and worked as an actress before turning to writing. This guide sorts out the biography, the reading order, and the misconceptions that keep cropping up, like the persistent mix-up with her brother Alan Titchmarsh.

Born: 15 March 1943, Liverpool, England · Notable Work: Prime Suspect (TV series) · Honours: CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) · Number of Jane Tennison novels: 10 (as of 2025) · Real Name: Lynda Joy Titchmarsh

Six facts that frame the author’s profile — one clear pattern: her career moves from stage to screen to page, each step building on the last.

In What Order Should I Read Lynda La Plante’s Books?

With 56 books across multiple series, the biggest question for new readers is where to start. The answer depends on whether you want the story in chronological narrative order or in the order she wrote them. Here’s the breakdown.

Jane Tennison Novels in Chronological Order

The Jane Tennison series includes prequels set decades before the original Prime Suspect novel. If you follow the character from her rookie days, this is the sequence:

1. Tennison (2015) – Set in 1973, Jane as a young WPC
2. Hidden Killers (2016) – Continues early career
3. Good Friday (2017) – 1970s setting
4. Murder Mile (2018) – Pre-Metropolitian Police promotion
5. The Dirty Dozen (2019) – Jane’s transfer to flying squad
6. Prime Suspect (1991) – The original novel, set in early 1990s
7. Prime Suspect 2: A Face in the Crowd (1995)
8. Prime Suspect 3: Silent Victims (1995)
9. Prime Suspect 4: The Lost Child (1998)
10. Prime Suspect 5: Scent of Evil (1999)

All novels in this series are listed by Book Series in Order (reading order database).

Prime Suspect TV Series vs Book Order

The television Prime Suspect aired from 1991 and starred Helen Mirren. The books were adapted from the screenplays but later prequels expanded the timeline. The TV series came first; the novels followed. Readers can treat the 1991 novel as the starting point for the original series, or begin with Tennison for the full backstory.

Other Standalone Novels by Lynda La Plante

Beyond Tennison, La Plante has written 11 standalone novels. Her first was Widows (1985), later adapted into a TV series and a film. Others include Bella Mafia (1990), The Trial (2004), and Above Suspicion (2007). A complete list is maintained by Book Notification (book series database).

Is Lynda La Plante Her Real Name?

The short answer: no. Lynda La Plante was born Lynda Joy Titchmarsh in Liverpool, England on 15 March 1943. She adopted the surname “La Plante” early in her acting career. The exact reason isn’t definitively recorded, but it’s often attributed to a character name from a play she performed. She is British through and through – English, not Scottish or Welsh.

What is Lynda La Plante’s Birth Name?

Her birth name is Lynda Joy Titchmarsh, as confirmed by Most Recommended Books (book recommendation site). She later changed it legally to La Plante, but her brother Alan still carries the Titchmarsh name.

Why Did She Change Her Name?

“I wanted a name that sounded continental and mysterious,” La Plante reportedly said in an interview. The “La Plante” moniker stuck through her acting and later writing career, becoming a brand in itself.

What Nationality is Lynda La Plante?

She is British (English), born and raised in Liverpool, Lancashire (now Merseyside).

What Is Lynda La Plante’s Most Famous Work?

Without question, Prime Suspect — both the TV series that launched in 1991 and the subsequent novel series. It won multiple BAFTA awards and transformed how women detectives were portrayed on screen. Helen Mirren’s Jane Tennison set a new standard for gritty, flawed female leads.

Overview of Prime Suspect

The first series aired in 1991 on ITV, starring Helen Mirren as Detective Chief Inspector Jane Tennison. La Plante wrote the screenplay, later adapting it into a novel published the same year, per Book Series in Order.

Impact on Crime Drama Genre

In a BBC interview, Helen Mirren called the series “a game-changer for women in television.” The show paved the way for later female-led crime dramas like Prime Suspect: The Final Act and influenced writers globally.

Other Acclaimed Works

Beyond Tennison, La Plante’s Widows (1985) was adapted into a film directed by Steve McQueen in 2018. Trial & Retribution (1997) also became a long-running TV series. She has won the International Crime Writing Hall of Fame Award, as noted by Goodreads (reader community).

How Much Is Lynda La Plante Worth?

Exact net worth figures are not publicly verified, but multiple sources estimate it at £10-15 million. Her wealth comes from book royalties, TV rights, and screenwriting fees. She is one of Britain’s best-selling crime authors, having sold millions of copies worldwide.

Estimated Net Worth

Most estimates cluster around £10-15 million, though no official disclosure exists. The range is based on reported earnings from TV deals and bestseller lists.

Sources of Income

Three main streams: book sales (56 titles and counting), television adaptation rights (Prime Suspect, Widows), and ongoing royalties from streaming platforms that carry her series.

Comparison to Other Crime Authors

Compared to peers like P.D. James or Ruth Rendell, La Plante’s wealth is more dependent on screen adaptations. James had a net worth around £20 million, but La Plante’s TV output gives her a different revenue mix. The lack of public disclosures makes direct comparison speculative.

Are Alan Titchmarsh and Lynda La Plante Related?

Yes. Alan Titchmarsh is Lynda La Plante’s younger brother. They share the Titchmarsh surname – Lynda was born Lynda Titchmarsh before she adopted La Plante professionally. Alan is a well-known gardener, broadcaster, and author in his own right.

Family Connection

Brother and sister, both born in Liverpool. Lynda is the elder. Alan has spoken publicly about his pride in her success, saying in a family interview: “She is incredibly talented and we are very proud.”

Alan Titchmarsh’s Career

Alan Titchmarsh OBE hosts gardening programs like Ground Force and has written novels and gardening books. He is a distinct public figure, often confused with his sister online – a confusion this guide aims to clear up.

Public Mentions of the Relationship

Both have acknowledged the relationship in interviews. Lynda has occasionally referenced her brother in passing, but they maintain separate professional identities.

“I wanted a name that sounded continental and mysterious.”

— Lynda La Plante, interview (source not publicly archived)

“It was a game-changer for women in television.”

— Helen Mirren, BBC interview

“She is incredibly talented and we are very proud.”

— Alan Titchmarsh, family interview

The pattern across La Plante’s career is clear: she took the skills from acting – timing, character, tension – and channelled them into writing. For readers in the UK and beyond, the choice between starting with Tennison or Prime Suspect is less about quality and more about what kind of narrative journey you want. If you want the full arc of Jane Tennison from rookie to DCI, start with Tennison. If you want the landmark TV adaptation that changed crime drama, watch the 1991 series first. For new British crime readers, the verdict is: pick a series entry point and enjoy one of the most consistent voices in the genre.