An ITV version of Tennison, rebranded Prime Suspect 1973 by the broadcaster, aired this year to widespread poor reviews and falling audience figures.

Many of the highly negative reviews focussed on the cast, especially Stefanie Martini who was deemed to be unbelievable in the role of young Jane.

La Plante, who initially worked on the TV version but left the production last year, today said she’d shared audience and critic dislike of ITV’s casting which said was “far from how I had written” the characters and complained that the series wasn’t “an accurate adaptation of my novel”.

Posting on Facebook the author added: “My decision to leave the production was one of the most difficult and painful experiences in all my years of writing for television.”

She also revealed that news of the show’s axing was broken to her “by email”.

La Plante said: “My readers are a huge part of my life, and I am immensely grateful for the feedback and encouragement I receive at book signings, on social media and via my website. You are the reason I keep writing, so thank you!”