Overkill by Vanda Symon ** Blog Tour Review**

Overkill is the first in the PC Sam Shephard series. Prepare for an action-packed, tension-filled and atmospheric police procedural set in rural New Zealand. It is part of an award-winning series of four books, with more to follow, which so far have only been published in New Zealand. Now, thanks to the wonderful Orenda Books, we have a chance to read it in the UK, from September 6th.

When the body of a young mother is found washed up on the banks of the Mataura River, a small rural community is rocked by her tragic suicide. But all is not what it seems. Sam Shephard, sole-charge police constable in Mataura, soon discovers the death was no suicide and has to face the realisation that there is a killer in town. To complicate the situation, the murdered woman was the wife of her former lover. When Sam finds herself on the list of suspects and suspended from duty, she must cast said her personal feelings and take matters into her own hands. To find the murderer … and clear her name. A taut, atmospheric and pageturning thriller, Overkill marks the start of an unputdownable and unforgettable series from one of New Zealand’s finest crime writers.

 ‘Vanda Symon’s fast-paced crime novels are as good as anything the US has to offer – a sassy heroine, fabulous sense of place, and rip-roaring stories with a twist. Perfect curl-up-on-the-sofa reading’ author Kate Mosse

Crimewatch has described Vanda as ‘part of a new wave of Kiwi crime writers… Symon’s talent for creating well-rounded characters permeates throughout’.

My Thoughts

The joy of Overkill lies for me in the creation of its central character, Sam Shepherd. She is impulsive yet insightful and we get to see her human side. She can be brave and yet vulnerable. Considering this is the first in the series, I am hoping to find out a lot more about her as she develops as a character.

    Overkill begins with a shocking situation which you cannot help but feel the horror of and to wonder what you would do if in that situation. The tension builds slowly throughout the book as you begin to realise that not everyone can be taken at face value and the ending is quite thrilling. This series is a great find by Orenda and I can't wait to discover what Sam Shepherd gets up to next.

In short: A masterly crime novel which has a genuine surprise waiting for you. 
 

About the Author

Vanda Symon (born 1969) is a crime writer, TV presenter and radio host from Dunedin, New Zealand, and the chair of the Otago Southland branch of the New Zealand Society of Authors. The Sam Shephard series has hit number one on the New Zealand bestseller list, and also been shortlisted for the Ngaio Marsh Award for best crime novel. She currently lives in Dunedin, with her husband and two sons. 

You can follow Vanda here: Website |  Facebook   |  Instagram  |                                                     Twitter

Book links: Amazon UK 

Thanks to Vanda Symon, Karen Sullivan and Anne Cater of Orenda Books for a copy of the book and a place on the tour.  

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