This is an interesting book written by a former female police officer. It explains what it was like working in a male dominated world. It is both fascinating and inspiring.

I love anything to do with true crime and I especially love a memoir, especially one as honest and raw as Jackie's.
I enjoyed the way she described the difficulties of being in the police force in the '70's due to the overwhelming amount of homophobia and racism and how women like her had to fight harder to be taken seriously.

It's always a fascinating read when I get to see and hear from a woman who has overcome adversity in a male dominated world to become truly successful.

Jackie Marlon is the inspiration behind the tv show ‘prime suspect’. Her career (and what a career she’s had) was also used to influence Lynda La Plante’s character Jane Tennison in the prime suspect.

I have seen the show prime suspect so thought it would nice to read this book, and get the real story that influenced it. The book in my opinion is better than the show :).

It was Interesting to read about Jackie‘a life and experiences and how these influences the tv show.

Jackie is so open and honest in this book and speaks so candid about her own personal issues she’s experienced such as her sexuality, and her alcoholism. It’s refreshing to read. She gives a raw and insightful look into life in the police force,


*I was given an advance readers copy (ARC) from NetGalley for my honest opinion of this book*

Pacy, witty and completely captivating, this was a fascinating look into the life of a Detective Chief Inspector, both inside and outside the workplace. I loved the writing style and it was really interesting to learn how Jackie influenced a series. A great read!

An insightful and fascinating look into the life of Jackie, both personally and professionally as a Detective Chief Inspector. Her honesty is refreshing and how she dealt with the sexism she faced whilst coming up the ranks is something that you hope would not be shown in this day and age. As a fan of the Jane Tennis on series by Lynda La Plante, it was great to learn how Jackie influenced the TV series. A wonderful read. 10 out of 10!

I found this book absolutely fascinating. It charts Jackie Malton's life on the Police force. She was the inspiration for Lynda La Plante's DCI Jane Tennison in Prime Suspect. An eye-opener of a read.

As a fan of Lynda La Plante's Prime Suspect books, I was eager to read this account by Jackie Malton, the inspiration for the series. This is a fascinating and well-written account that makes an engrossing read. I was shocked to read the extent of the sexism and homophobia in the police force and am full of admiration for Jackie's bravery in the face of great provocation. The book also details a number of crimes that Jackie worked on throughout her career. Highly recommended.

I thank NetGalley and Octopus Publishing for this review copy. All opinions are my own

A fantastic book and insight to the life of Jackie Malton during her life in the police force and also as the inspiration for DCI Jane Tennison in the Prime suspect series by Lynda La Plant.
It really gives a look into the treatment of women officers in the Met and the dedication of the women in the force at the that time.
A great book highly recommend
Thanks to NetGalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review

Cracking read. Jackie conveys the sense of period very convincingly. The misogynistic behaviour of her some of her colleagues is brutal but she takes it in her stride. Pleased to say that things have obviously moved on a pace since those dark days of the seventies!

Memoir of Jackie, a woman who worked in the police forces from the 70s. The author presented some cases she worked on in great details. Good and interesting read.

I* love prime suspect and looked forward to this. I enjoyed the book and the stories, unfortunately some of the talk about Prime suspect was rather indulgent after a while. I read the quickly but was upset how Jackie was treated not only as a woman but also being gay within the police I hope that attitudes have moved on. Jackie's story is an inspiring one especially with the fact that many people would have given up or stayed put in her career. I would recommend this to any lovers of true crime and interested in the Police.

Wow this was an eye opener of a memoir……. Jackie has spent her life working in crime. Now she's ready to share her story. Definitely worth a read!

Such an interesting book, and goes into great detail about how the police force worked throughout the 70s, 80s and 90s. The level of racism and sexism back then was shocking, but really enjoyed reading about the different cases Jackie worked on. Thoroughly recommend.

Unable to review as Netgalley app not working and the book is not able to be sent to Kindle. Happy to re-review when/if these problems are rectified.

'Once a detective always a detective'

I've really enjoyed reading about Jackie's life as woman in the police force, from the seventies to date, in a white, male privileged institution. She joined at a time where women were thought to be only capable of making tea and running errands. She she so strongminded and soon began to rise up the ranks with grit and determination. Each time she faced different challenges. Some almost broke her.

She was also consultant on many police TV shows and was the inspiration for the show The Prime Suspect. She later worked on The Bill and many others. After retiring she became an AA councillor after becoming an alcoholic herself. I wasn't surprised after the treatment she received.

Despite so many changes to the police force it's still not enough. I found it really fascinating and quite an eye-opener. Such an inspirational woman and told with raw honesty. My review is only a small snapshot of what she achieved.

What a fantastic career. The development, obstacles and determination faced by Jackie in her police career.
The basis of Prime Suspect is testament to her and how that inspired a generation.
Forever looking for development and opportunities that stretched her personally at the detriment of her own well being.
A very honest and inspiring book.
I would recommend this book to anyone considering a role in the police forces.

I was always a fan of the Prime suspect series and watched it regularly - I think reading Jackie's real life story of being a detective in the times of sexism and a man dominant world add to my memories of the programme. While I am not part of the burn the bra brigade I love a strong female story! Well written and Jackie well done on being a strong woman!

As a fan of Prime Suspect I was super excited to see this released.

Jane is incredibly brave to have written her account of being a woman, referred to as “Cocky Chops”, in a supremely misogynistic era where her being a lesbian was because she ‘hadn’t met the right man’.

Jane’s bravery under constant scrutiny and misogyny is applaudable. The things she went through… sexual assault from her colleagues, constant insults, being told people would refuse to work with her because of her gender… I take my hat off to her for being so strong and brave.

She volunteers working in prisons and overcame a debilitating disease - alcoholism.

This was an eye opening book and a very brave one at that. I’ll be recommending it to friends and family - particularly the woman in my circle. Jane is an inspiration of how strong and powerful women can be, and how they can use their voices and stories to inspire others.

This is a memoir by Jackie Malton who was the real life inspiration for the character of Jane Tennison in Prime Suspect. It showed that she's led an interesting life from starting her police career in Leicester then transferring to the Met where she rose to become Detective Chief Inspector and as you'll read in the book should have been appointed Superintendent.

I didn't realise that as well as Prime Suspect that she was consultant to a lot of tv series helping a lot of experiences positive and negative make it to the screen and also presenting tv shows.

She also mentions her battles with alcohol and how she helps prisoners as a volunteer.

What is sad is how badly she was treated at various points throughout her time as a police officer due to being a woman and because of her sexuality and that some things haven't really changed. What is good that she has found peace and is happy in herself. Well worth buying.

Jackie Malton joined the police in the 1970s. This is her memoir of being one of the first senior female police officers and the discrimination she faced.
It’s quite an eye-opener reading about some of the behaviour in the 70s and 80s including humiliating initiation ceremonies and male colleagues making her life a misery.
But what is also shocking and humbling is the toll it takes on Jackie and what it leads to later in her life.
It’s also humbling to read about her advisory work to police series including The Bill and Prime Suspect (Jane Tennison is based on Jackie).
In summary this is a fascinating window into the world of policing and it’s sobering to realise that many of the issues are the same today as they were in the 20th century.
Recommended: inspiring, honest and brave.