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Sam Shephard #1
Overkill
Book 1 in the PC Sam Shephard series. Action-packed, tension-filled and atmospheric police procedural set in rural New Zealand.
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.
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.
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2007
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 175 reviews
March 21, 2023
EXCERPT: The day it was ordained that Gabriella Knowes would die, there were no harbingers of death, omens or owl calls. No tolling of bells. With the unquestioning courtesy of the well brought up, she invited Death in.
ABOUT 'OVERKILL': Book 1 in the PC Sam Shephard series. Action-packed, tension-filled and atmospheric police procedural set in rural New Zealand.
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.
MY THOUGHTS: I started reading this series with #5, Expectant, the newest in the series, and loved it so much I immediately ordered the first, and dropped everything else to begin reading.
19 year old Sam Shepherd is sole charge of the station in the small rural South Island town. She loves her job, even if her parents don't approve.
Sam is a wonderful, down to earth character, but is still at that age when she doesn't always think her decisions through, putting her own life, and the lives of others, at risk. She is dogged, determined and tenacious. She won't let a little thing like the fact that she is suspended from duty stop her from following her intuition.
Vanda Symon writes a chilling prologue which instantly reeled me in. She kept me hooked throughout with great plot and character development and several stunning twists.
She has a wonderful flatmate in her friend, Maggie. She's a great foil to Sam's impulsiveness. She's a civilian and Sam's sounding board. Paul Frost is the thorn in Sam's side. A detective from Gore, a nearby larger town, he's a known womanizer, but is often in the position to be able to save Sam's ass.
Alistair Gibb is an old childhood friend and now the junior pathologist at Invercargill, a useful contact for Sam and another sounding board.
Because of the small town setting, Sam has 'history' with several of the characters who feature in this book. And we all know about the 'small town gossip grapevine'!
Sam is such a realistic character, and I love her bluntness. She is master of the 'may your private parts wither and die' look, something I need to work on.
Overkill is everything a great crime thriller should be. The full five stars from me, and I'm off to order the second book in the series, The Ringmaster.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#Overkill #YeahNoir
I: @vandasymon @orendabooks
T: @vandasymon @OrendaBooks
THE AUTHOR: Vanda’s first novel Overkill, was written while juggling the demands of a 6 month old baby and a two year old. She suspects the prologue to Overkill was written in a state of sleep deprivation induced paranoia brought about by middle of the night feeds and imagining every awful thing that could possibly happen to her family. None of them ever did. Reading that prologue still makes her cry.
A little time has elapsed and the six-month old and two-year old are now young men. As well as trying to raise two wonderful human beings, she has added three more Detective Sam Shephard novels to the series and written the stand alone psychological thriller The Faceless.
As well as being a crime writer, she hosts a monthly radio show on Dunedin’s Otago Access Radio called Write On, where she interviews local writers, and catches the odd international super-star if they’re in town.
ABOUT 'OVERKILL': Book 1 in the PC Sam Shephard series. Action-packed, tension-filled and atmospheric police procedural set in rural New Zealand.
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.
MY THOUGHTS: I started reading this series with #5, Expectant, the newest in the series, and loved it so much I immediately ordered the first, and dropped everything else to begin reading.
19 year old Sam Shepherd is sole charge of the station in the small rural South Island town. She loves her job, even if her parents don't approve.
Sam is a wonderful, down to earth character, but is still at that age when she doesn't always think her decisions through, putting her own life, and the lives of others, at risk. She is dogged, determined and tenacious. She won't let a little thing like the fact that she is suspended from duty stop her from following her intuition.
Vanda Symon writes a chilling prologue which instantly reeled me in. She kept me hooked throughout with great plot and character development and several stunning twists.
She has a wonderful flatmate in her friend, Maggie. She's a great foil to Sam's impulsiveness. She's a civilian and Sam's sounding board. Paul Frost is the thorn in Sam's side. A detective from Gore, a nearby larger town, he's a known womanizer, but is often in the position to be able to save Sam's ass.
Alistair Gibb is an old childhood friend and now the junior pathologist at Invercargill, a useful contact for Sam and another sounding board.
Because of the small town setting, Sam has 'history' with several of the characters who feature in this book. And we all know about the 'small town gossip grapevine'!
Sam is such a realistic character, and I love her bluntness. She is master of the 'may your private parts wither and die' look, something I need to work on.
Overkill is everything a great crime thriller should be. The full five stars from me, and I'm off to order the second book in the series, The Ringmaster.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#Overkill #YeahNoir
I: @vandasymon @orendabooks
T: @vandasymon @OrendaBooks
THE AUTHOR: Vanda’s first novel Overkill, was written while juggling the demands of a 6 month old baby and a two year old. She suspects the prologue to Overkill was written in a state of sleep deprivation induced paranoia brought about by middle of the night feeds and imagining every awful thing that could possibly happen to her family. None of them ever did. Reading that prologue still makes her cry.
A little time has elapsed and the six-month old and two-year old are now young men. As well as trying to raise two wonderful human beings, she has added three more Detective Sam Shephard novels to the series and written the stand alone psychological thriller The Faceless.
As well as being a crime writer, she hosts a monthly radio show on Dunedin’s Otago Access Radio called Write On, where she interviews local writers, and catches the odd international super-star if they’re in town.
September 9, 2018
Atmospheric! Dark! Beautiful!
This is the first book in a crime thriller series that takes place in New Zealand... first off I loved the setting! The book made me feel as though I had journeyed to New Zealand, and was in this small rural village... The descriptions and vernacular seemed so authentic.... Love when a book takes you away from reality for a little while...
This book starts out with a huge BAM!!! A prologue that will leave you speechless and suck you completely into the story.... Sam Shepard is a constable in this small town where nothing ever happens, until now! A woman is found dead, is it suicide? Is it murder? After it is discovered that Sam is the victim’s husband’s ex lover she is dismissed from the case... but as an all good crime thrillers Sam is determined to find out the truth so she investigates on her own....
Sam was an extremely well crafted character... she had both a strong and soft side.... a friend you’d want in a fight who would also give you a shoulder to cry on! Love when there is a strong yet relatable female protagonist in a crime thriller book...
This book started out so fast paced I felt as though I was trying to catch my breath... the pace then slowed down so I could relax, it did slow down a bit too much for me for a brief period... but then it picked up again! I found the ending to be very satisfying and believable... cannot wait to see what we have in store for us in the next installment of this compelling crime thriller!
Recommend to fans of the crime thriller genre who enjoy a book with a captivating female protagonist...
*** many thanks to The publisher for my copy of this book ***
This is the first book in a crime thriller series that takes place in New Zealand... first off I loved the setting! The book made me feel as though I had journeyed to New Zealand, and was in this small rural village... The descriptions and vernacular seemed so authentic.... Love when a book takes you away from reality for a little while...
This book starts out with a huge BAM!!! A prologue that will leave you speechless and suck you completely into the story.... Sam Shepard is a constable in this small town where nothing ever happens, until now! A woman is found dead, is it suicide? Is it murder? After it is discovered that Sam is the victim’s husband’s ex lover she is dismissed from the case... but as an all good crime thrillers Sam is determined to find out the truth so she investigates on her own....
Sam was an extremely well crafted character... she had both a strong and soft side.... a friend you’d want in a fight who would also give you a shoulder to cry on! Love when there is a strong yet relatable female protagonist in a crime thriller book...
This book started out so fast paced I felt as though I was trying to catch my breath... the pace then slowed down so I could relax, it did slow down a bit too much for me for a brief period... but then it picked up again! I found the ending to be very satisfying and believable... cannot wait to see what we have in store for us in the next installment of this compelling crime thriller!
Recommend to fans of the crime thriller genre who enjoy a book with a captivating female protagonist...
*** many thanks to The publisher for my copy of this book ***
September 27, 2018
Constable Sam Shepard had her sparkling dreams of becoming a detective one day and serve her small New Zealand community to the best of her abilities. That was, before her ex-boyfriend's wife was found on the banks of the Mataura River, and she herself became a suspect. She would soon discover that small communities had a mean streak with bigger, nasty nails than a Bengal tiger.
Standing slightly more than five feet in her shoes, she had a lot to prove, and had her innocence to rip from the cruel log books of history. With high-octane action and suspenseful drama, she proved her point. That is to be expected. She is our heroine, after all.
However, the book also had a deeper story about serious issues with international consequences woven into it, which I really appreciated. It rendered the book much more than a little bit of the usual chick-lit fluff. So, although it was a light murder mystery, it was also informative, and of course, highly entertaining. Loved it.
This is the first book in the [Sam Sheppard] series. It can be expected that the ending would be constructed to kick off the sequel, but for me it was a good ending if you would like to read it as a standalone. Chicken-soup-for-the-soul, relaxing read right from New Zealand. Go for it!
Standing slightly more than five feet in her shoes, she had a lot to prove, and had her innocence to rip from the cruel log books of history. With high-octane action and suspenseful drama, she proved her point. That is to be expected. She is our heroine, after all.
However, the book also had a deeper story about serious issues with international consequences woven into it, which I really appreciated. It rendered the book much more than a little bit of the usual chick-lit fluff. So, although it was a light murder mystery, it was also informative, and of course, highly entertaining. Loved it.
This is the first book in the [Sam Sheppard] series. It can be expected that the ending would be constructed to kick off the sequel, but for me it was a good ending if you would like to read it as a standalone. Chicken-soup-for-the-soul, relaxing read right from New Zealand. Go for it!
September 25, 2018
First, I want to say that no, you shouldn't pick books because of covers. Second, I just LOVE this cover. So, ignore what I said first. Especially if you like a good crime novel because this is a book that has both a great story AND great cover!
OVERKILL is the first book in Sam Shephard series. Sam is a young cop that is called to a house in which a young woman has disappeared from. A suicide note has been found and soon after the body of the woman is found. An easy case, or not. Sam is not so sure and shortly after she discovers that it's, not suicide, it's murder. And, to top it all she's herself a suspect because of the dead women is the wife of her old boyfriend. Now she has to both find the murderer and clear her name.
Sam Shepard is easy to like. A bit too outspoken now perhaps, which isn't good when her career and life in freedom is at risk. But, she's a good cop and she's hellbent on finding the killer. The question is why would anyone want to kill a nice young mother. Sam has to dig deep to get some answers and the truth is truly surprising. There are also some really hilarious moments in the book, like for instance when Sam is trying to change a tire. I love it when in all seriousness there is a moment like that. Moments that make you smile.
OVERKILL is a great book and I hope to get the chance of reading the rest of the books in the series.
OVERKILL is the first book in Sam Shephard series. Sam is a young cop that is called to a house in which a young woman has disappeared from. A suicide note has been found and soon after the body of the woman is found. An easy case, or not. Sam is not so sure and shortly after she discovers that it's, not suicide, it's murder. And, to top it all she's herself a suspect because of the dead women is the wife of her old boyfriend. Now she has to both find the murderer and clear her name.
Sam Shepard is easy to like. A bit too outspoken now perhaps, which isn't good when her career and life in freedom is at risk. But, she's a good cop and she's hellbent on finding the killer. The question is why would anyone want to kill a nice young mother. Sam has to dig deep to get some answers and the truth is truly surprising. There are also some really hilarious moments in the book, like for instance when Sam is trying to change a tire. I love it when in all seriousness there is a moment like that. Moments that make you smile.
OVERKILL is a great book and I hope to get the chance of reading the rest of the books in the series.
August 11, 2019
This gripping mystery, set in New Zealand, is by a new, talented writer, Vanda Symon. She displays a vivid sense of place, a small rural community in decline which conceals an ugly, underlying crime with worldwide economic repercussions.
I was immediately drawn in by the startling, tension-packed beginning which was quite upsetting. The protagonist is a young, rookie policewoman, Sam Shephard, tiny in stature but tough. She is a well written, relatable character. She is the sole law enforcement officer in the small village surrounded by cattle and sheep ranches. Its principal industry was meatpacking plants which are closing or moving elsewhere. Sam displays diligence, determination, and insight in her police duties, and hopes to become a detective. She is a loyal friend, but is also outspoken, quick to anger, and has some jealousy issues.
A young woman has been killed, leaving behind a distraught husband and young daughter. Signs point to suicide, but Sam calls out a search party and her body is found. Evidence points to murder. The husband happens to be the past boyfriend of Sam, and they lived together for two years. After their relationship ended, the heartbroken Sam displayed anger and jealousy when he married the now-deceased woman. Because of her previous relationship with the murdered woman’s husband, Sam is suspended from her duties and becomes a suspect. She becomes the victim of animosity of many of the townspeople and ordered to avoid any investigation or interference with the case. Nevertheless, Sam becomes relentless in pursuing the killer and discovering their motivation and is determined to clear her name.
This leads to a suspenseful, dangerous and action-packed conclusion. Recommended, and I have already downloaded the second book in the Sam Shephard series.
I was immediately drawn in by the startling, tension-packed beginning which was quite upsetting. The protagonist is a young, rookie policewoman, Sam Shephard, tiny in stature but tough. She is a well written, relatable character. She is the sole law enforcement officer in the small village surrounded by cattle and sheep ranches. Its principal industry was meatpacking plants which are closing or moving elsewhere. Sam displays diligence, determination, and insight in her police duties, and hopes to become a detective. She is a loyal friend, but is also outspoken, quick to anger, and has some jealousy issues.
A young woman has been killed, leaving behind a distraught husband and young daughter. Signs point to suicide, but Sam calls out a search party and her body is found. Evidence points to murder. The husband happens to be the past boyfriend of Sam, and they lived together for two years. After their relationship ended, the heartbroken Sam displayed anger and jealousy when he married the now-deceased woman. Because of her previous relationship with the murdered woman’s husband, Sam is suspended from her duties and becomes a suspect. She becomes the victim of animosity of many of the townspeople and ordered to avoid any investigation or interference with the case. Nevertheless, Sam becomes relentless in pursuing the killer and discovering their motivation and is determined to clear her name.
This leads to a suspenseful, dangerous and action-packed conclusion. Recommended, and I have already downloaded the second book in the Sam Shephard series.
September 5, 2022
I can't remember a murder mystery opening chapter with more impact or
I felt there were pacing problems in the middle & I don't know how long it took Symons to get published as it seemed longer ago than 2007. Still felt like small town NZ - just from a time slightly earlier than that though.
Ending tied everything together very well & I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.
I felt there were pacing problems in the middle & I don't know how long it took Symons to get published as it seemed longer ago than 2007. Still felt like small town NZ - just from a time slightly earlier than that though.
Ending tied everything together very well & I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.
October 5, 2014
This book started out fast paced and with an unusual beginning, but sadly went downhill from there, with the main character. In the book more concerned with her previous relationship with the dead woman's husband and her own personal life that with the plot. The book dragged in the middle and became boring.
July 8, 2018
Atmospheric sense of place in this murder mystery which features an excellent main protagonist. Review for the tour.
June 19, 2018
GIVE ME MORE!! I finished this book & literally ran to figure out how I could read more from VS! A great version of a police procedural with a different twist. The characterization was amazing! Once again, another no bookmark needed book from Orenda!
Thanks so much to Orenda for this free copy:)
Thanks so much to Orenda for this free copy:)
March 22, 2011
We've got this little dog... Jedda is a 3 year old Australian terrier female. She's short, red-golden haired, extremely independent, determined to the point of obsession, friendly but can switch quickly into extreme bolshie and she is absolutely and utterly incapable of stepping away from an argument. She's the sort of dog that will continue the fight after she's been physically picked up and carried away from the conflict point. I suspect if I'd read OVERKILL before we'd got that dog, there would have been a strong case put for naming her Sam.
OVERKILL is written from Sam's viewpoint. Which is a tricky approach as the reader is going to have to like Sam, or at least feel some sense of connection with her, and be comfortable that Sam is fairly investigating this death. Which is complicated because the grief-stricken widower is Sam's ex-lover. Somebody that you'd have to be dead or thick not have noticed Sam still holds quite a torch for. That, and some really ... well let's go with naive rather than stupid actions, means it's not a big step for the powers that be to suspend Sam from the investigation because she's made herself more than suspicious. Perhaps a little unfairly as it was Sam that first wonders if this death wasn't more than a tragic suicide and it's her sniffing around that finds the forged prescription that triggers the murder enquiry in the first place.
Needless to say, a piddling little technicality like "suspicion" and "suspended" isn't going to stop Sam, anymore than a cow manure shampoo or a few stitches in the head. (And that's got to be one of the funniest scenes I've read in years - thinking about it still made me cry with laughter when we were changing our own ute tyre the other day!)
Whilst there's always the exception to the rule, in the main there are some elements that are kind of expected in some forms of Crime Fiction. With your cop protagonist it doesn't hurt that they are a bit of a self-starter. It works well if there's conflict with higher authorities, and suspension allows your cop to head off into somewhat tricky "procedural" territory. There's really nothing wrong with using some formulaic elements in a book provided that they aren't one-dimensional and there's enough other elements for a reader to identify with to allow you to forgive the occasional blatant setup. Where OVERKILL compensates in spades is in the main characters. Sam and her best friend, housemate Maggie are a good pairing - whilst Maggie takes no active part in the investigation part of the novel, she's the calm in Sam's chaos. And the affection, sarcasm, pithy commentary and observations between the two of them are frequently very very touching and funny.
Part of what I really liked about these books was that sense of humour. Frequently self-deprecating, the humorous touches are part of what makes the first-person voice work. At no stage is Sam overbearingly smug or self-serving. She's flawed and human and probably harder on herself than anybody around her could ever hope to be. OVERKILL is the first book in what is now a 4 book series, and having read the next two before I went back to re-read this one, I can see the developmental elements in this debut. Every series, after all, has to start somewhere and there's nothing worse than a debut book that says and does it all. Sam has places to go, people to annoy, problems to solve, ladders to climb, snakes to slide back down again. You just have to hope that 4 books isn't the end and there's a lot more of Sam in the future. (Expect a flurry of these reviews - I've been slack and need to catch up with talking about this terrific series!)
OVERKILL is written from Sam's viewpoint. Which is a tricky approach as the reader is going to have to like Sam, or at least feel some sense of connection with her, and be comfortable that Sam is fairly investigating this death. Which is complicated because the grief-stricken widower is Sam's ex-lover. Somebody that you'd have to be dead or thick not have noticed Sam still holds quite a torch for. That, and some really ... well let's go with naive rather than stupid actions, means it's not a big step for the powers that be to suspend Sam from the investigation because she's made herself more than suspicious. Perhaps a little unfairly as it was Sam that first wonders if this death wasn't more than a tragic suicide and it's her sniffing around that finds the forged prescription that triggers the murder enquiry in the first place.
Needless to say, a piddling little technicality like "suspicion" and "suspended" isn't going to stop Sam, anymore than a cow manure shampoo or a few stitches in the head. (And that's got to be one of the funniest scenes I've read in years - thinking about it still made me cry with laughter when we were changing our own ute tyre the other day!)
Whilst there's always the exception to the rule, in the main there are some elements that are kind of expected in some forms of Crime Fiction. With your cop protagonist it doesn't hurt that they are a bit of a self-starter. It works well if there's conflict with higher authorities, and suspension allows your cop to head off into somewhat tricky "procedural" territory. There's really nothing wrong with using some formulaic elements in a book provided that they aren't one-dimensional and there's enough other elements for a reader to identify with to allow you to forgive the occasional blatant setup. Where OVERKILL compensates in spades is in the main characters. Sam and her best friend, housemate Maggie are a good pairing - whilst Maggie takes no active part in the investigation part of the novel, she's the calm in Sam's chaos. And the affection, sarcasm, pithy commentary and observations between the two of them are frequently very very touching and funny.
Part of what I really liked about these books was that sense of humour. Frequently self-deprecating, the humorous touches are part of what makes the first-person voice work. At no stage is Sam overbearingly smug or self-serving. She's flawed and human and probably harder on herself than anybody around her could ever hope to be. OVERKILL is the first book in what is now a 4 book series, and having read the next two before I went back to re-read this one, I can see the developmental elements in this debut. Every series, after all, has to start somewhere and there's nothing worse than a debut book that says and does it all. Sam has places to go, people to annoy, problems to solve, ladders to climb, snakes to slide back down again. You just have to hope that 4 books isn't the end and there's a lot more of Sam in the future. (Expect a flurry of these reviews - I've been slack and need to catch up with talking about this terrific series!)
September 18, 2018
I’ve read crime thrillers set in many different countries, but until now, none that have been set in New Zealand. Visiting the country has been on my bucket list forever but until I can achieve that, reading a book set there is the next best thing!
The prologue to Overkill had me in bits, it was just so chilling and calculated in its execution – literally! I just can’t imagine what would go through your mind in those circumstances. That has to be one of the strongest beginnings to a crime story that I’ve read and I’m delighted to say that the rest of the story had me just as hooked.
The town of Mataura is one of those places where everybody knows everyone else and their business. Until the death of Gaby Knowes the worst crime that police constable Sam Shephard had to deal with was cattle rustling. However the death of Gaby was devastating for the small-knit community and for Sam personally.
Sam’s past association with Gaby’s husband Lockie very much goes against her and although she tries to be impartial in her professional capacity, she can’t help having preconceived ideas about Gaby’s life and what led to her death. It was her reactions and feelings that made her so believable and more human than just a character on a page. Lockie may have been in her past but even though she is investigating his wife’s death, she still can’t just switch off her feelings for him. Unfortunately for her, her superiors believe her to be a suspect and she is treated like a pariah by most colleagues and many of the townspeople.
The one shining light in Sam’s life was her friend and housemate Maggie. Maggie was an absolute star and gave Sam support and sympathy when she needed it and a kick up the bum at other times. We could all do with a friend like that!
Sam is a tenacious and stubborn character and despite being officially off the case, she wouldn’t give up and decided to carry out her own investigations, feeling that as she knew the people and area, she would have an advantage over the neighbouring police team that had been brought in. There were times when I thought she was being especially reckless and foolish in pursuing a particular course of action and I was almost shouting “noooo don’t do that you silly woman”.
The characterisation was excellent – even for those playing a minor role and the sense of place was atmospheric and easily imagined. I could easily see in my mind the track roads leading to remote farms (– far too remote for my liking). After reading, I Googled ‘Mataura’ and there are some fabulous images of the river and surrounding landscape.
As you would expect from a crime thriller, there are surprises in store and one or two wrong garden paths. I had a few suspects in mind at various times but there were certain areas where I was way off beam. I think it’s fair to say that Overkill is not your run of the mill crime thriller!
Overkill was a fabulously gripping read and as the first in the series, it’s got off to a fine start. This will be a series I will be keen to follow
The prologue to Overkill had me in bits, it was just so chilling and calculated in its execution – literally! I just can’t imagine what would go through your mind in those circumstances. That has to be one of the strongest beginnings to a crime story that I’ve read and I’m delighted to say that the rest of the story had me just as hooked.
The town of Mataura is one of those places where everybody knows everyone else and their business. Until the death of Gaby Knowes the worst crime that police constable Sam Shephard had to deal with was cattle rustling. However the death of Gaby was devastating for the small-knit community and for Sam personally.
Sam’s past association with Gaby’s husband Lockie very much goes against her and although she tries to be impartial in her professional capacity, she can’t help having preconceived ideas about Gaby’s life and what led to her death. It was her reactions and feelings that made her so believable and more human than just a character on a page. Lockie may have been in her past but even though she is investigating his wife’s death, she still can’t just switch off her feelings for him. Unfortunately for her, her superiors believe her to be a suspect and she is treated like a pariah by most colleagues and many of the townspeople.
The one shining light in Sam’s life was her friend and housemate Maggie. Maggie was an absolute star and gave Sam support and sympathy when she needed it and a kick up the bum at other times. We could all do with a friend like that!
Sam is a tenacious and stubborn character and despite being officially off the case, she wouldn’t give up and decided to carry out her own investigations, feeling that as she knew the people and area, she would have an advantage over the neighbouring police team that had been brought in. There were times when I thought she was being especially reckless and foolish in pursuing a particular course of action and I was almost shouting “noooo don’t do that you silly woman”.
The characterisation was excellent – even for those playing a minor role and the sense of place was atmospheric and easily imagined. I could easily see in my mind the track roads leading to remote farms (– far too remote for my liking). After reading, I Googled ‘Mataura’ and there are some fabulous images of the river and surrounding landscape.
As you would expect from a crime thriller, there are surprises in store and one or two wrong garden paths. I had a few suspects in mind at various times but there were certain areas where I was way off beam. I think it’s fair to say that Overkill is not your run of the mill crime thriller!
Overkill was a fabulously gripping read and as the first in the series, it’s got off to a fine start. This will be a series I will be keen to follow
December 30, 2018
Before I rave about the contents of Vanda Symon’s Overkill I want to quickly mention the cover. I’m ashamed to admit that I often judge a book by its cover and Orenda are well known for their stunning book jackets. However, with Overkill they have really outdone themselves. I could look at it for hours it is just so stunning! I would happily have this on my wall. But I’m here to discuss the inside of the book, not the outside.
Without doubt Overkill will be on my final ‘books of the year’ list as it ticks so many crime fiction boxes and it is wonderfully written. Overkill is the first in Symon’s PC Sam Shephard series and I am already eagerly anticipating the next book. Set in a rural community in New Zealand, the town is shocked when a young mother is found dead. It quickly becomes apparent to Matuara’s only police constable, Sam, that this is not the suicide it originally appeared to be. Sam is soon suspended from her job when she is viewed as the prime suspect in the woman’s murder due to the victim being the wife of her former partner. Sam sets out to clear her name and find the killer on her own.
The beginning of Overkill literally left me breathless. It is startling and I haven’t had the reaction that I had to the start of Overkill for a long time. Brutally beautiful, Symon gets right to the emotional core of absolute fear and the writing is uncomfortably outstanding. It’s clichéd to say, but I was immediately hooked.
Overkill continues to deliver on all fronts as the book progresses. Police Inspector Sam Shephard is a fantastic character and Symon has ensured that readers will want to meet her again in further books. While Overkill is crime fiction at its best, the sense of humour displayed by Sam adds an additional appeal. Sam’s humour is sarcastic, dry and she is the kind of woman you want to go to the pub with. She is incredibly human and it was her honesty about her feelings along with her humour that really made me warm to her. I have no doubt that everyone who reads this book will love Sam. Symon’s characterisation is second to none.
The plot is perfectly paced with twists and turns that constantly keep you on the back foot. Prepare to be constantly second guessing and looking at everyone with suspicion. The small community setting aids this perfectly with a cast of characters who all potentially have something to hide. Secrets and lies abound as Sam tries to get to the bottom of the murder. Overkill is a real page turner with shocks and surprises throughout.
The sense of place is created well and the reader is completely transported to New Zealand. The setting shines through via Symon’s prose and it also ensures that the crime is unique in the reasons behind it, making it totally original.
With a twisty plot, a protagonist who shines and beautifully written observations of the cruellest things, Overkill is crime fiction at its best and this is an outstanding book. I predict that this series is going to soar here in the UK and it deserves to. I adored this book and can’t wait for the next in the series. If you read and enjoy crime fiction, you will adore it too.
Without doubt Overkill will be on my final ‘books of the year’ list as it ticks so many crime fiction boxes and it is wonderfully written. Overkill is the first in Symon’s PC Sam Shephard series and I am already eagerly anticipating the next book. Set in a rural community in New Zealand, the town is shocked when a young mother is found dead. It quickly becomes apparent to Matuara’s only police constable, Sam, that this is not the suicide it originally appeared to be. Sam is soon suspended from her job when she is viewed as the prime suspect in the woman’s murder due to the victim being the wife of her former partner. Sam sets out to clear her name and find the killer on her own.
The beginning of Overkill literally left me breathless. It is startling and I haven’t had the reaction that I had to the start of Overkill for a long time. Brutally beautiful, Symon gets right to the emotional core of absolute fear and the writing is uncomfortably outstanding. It’s clichéd to say, but I was immediately hooked.
Overkill continues to deliver on all fronts as the book progresses. Police Inspector Sam Shephard is a fantastic character and Symon has ensured that readers will want to meet her again in further books. While Overkill is crime fiction at its best, the sense of humour displayed by Sam adds an additional appeal. Sam’s humour is sarcastic, dry and she is the kind of woman you want to go to the pub with. She is incredibly human and it was her honesty about her feelings along with her humour that really made me warm to her. I have no doubt that everyone who reads this book will love Sam. Symon’s characterisation is second to none.
The plot is perfectly paced with twists and turns that constantly keep you on the back foot. Prepare to be constantly second guessing and looking at everyone with suspicion. The small community setting aids this perfectly with a cast of characters who all potentially have something to hide. Secrets and lies abound as Sam tries to get to the bottom of the murder. Overkill is a real page turner with shocks and surprises throughout.
The sense of place is created well and the reader is completely transported to New Zealand. The setting shines through via Symon’s prose and it also ensures that the crime is unique in the reasons behind it, making it totally original.
With a twisty plot, a protagonist who shines and beautifully written observations of the cruellest things, Overkill is crime fiction at its best and this is an outstanding book. I predict that this series is going to soar here in the UK and it deserves to. I adored this book and can’t wait for the next in the series. If you read and enjoy crime fiction, you will adore it too.
September 18, 2018
As soon as you read the first page, you’re hooked! Overkill has a killer opening, emphasis on ‘killer’ – the prologue to this novel ensures it grabs your full attention, it emotionally involves you from the offset. It also excites you from the offset because it sets the scene for an interesting story, and you immediately find out just how engaging Symon’s writing is.
Let’s talk setting, I haven’t read a novel set in New Zealand before, let alone visited the country, but after finishing this novel, I feel like it’s somewhere I’ve been, such is Symon’s ability to place you in the location. Overkill encompasses all that you want from novels set in small towns, that almost claustrophobic feeling of everyone knowing everyone, the vivid details that will attack the senses, and I’m not just talking about the visuals – I promise that will make more sense once you’ve read this novel! And as with small towns, you have your tight-knit communities, but it also means rumours spread, and you find out how you can be surrounded by so many people, yet feel so alone.
Overkill is full of great characterisation, all the characters felt authentic. Sam, particularly, was a fantastic character, exactly what you want in a main protagonist – likeable, determined, someone you can get behind and root for. What I really liked was how real Sam felt, especially when you see her relationship with her best friend, Maggie – you can just picture it, the banter, the support, the genuine friendship.
The idea that a police officer has been taken off a case, but continues to investigate it, is not a new one. Yet, this novel felt entirely original. Partly due to the location, but what Symon did is take something we’ve seen before and make it her own, with the direction of the plot, and the characters, this novel has a fresh feel to it; different from the norm, in a way that makes you want more. Also, Overkill is such a fitting title. The originality also came from Symon’s writing style, there’s something so natural about it, nothing feels forced, it just works! A fresh, new [to me], and exciting voice in crime fiction!
I’m really excited for the future of this series, and looking forward to reading the next book
*My thanks to Orenda Books for providing me with a copy of this book*
Let’s talk setting, I haven’t read a novel set in New Zealand before, let alone visited the country, but after finishing this novel, I feel like it’s somewhere I’ve been, such is Symon’s ability to place you in the location. Overkill encompasses all that you want from novels set in small towns, that almost claustrophobic feeling of everyone knowing everyone, the vivid details that will attack the senses, and I’m not just talking about the visuals – I promise that will make more sense once you’ve read this novel! And as with small towns, you have your tight-knit communities, but it also means rumours spread, and you find out how you can be surrounded by so many people, yet feel so alone.
Overkill is full of great characterisation, all the characters felt authentic. Sam, particularly, was a fantastic character, exactly what you want in a main protagonist – likeable, determined, someone you can get behind and root for. What I really liked was how real Sam felt, especially when you see her relationship with her best friend, Maggie – you can just picture it, the banter, the support, the genuine friendship.
The idea that a police officer has been taken off a case, but continues to investigate it, is not a new one. Yet, this novel felt entirely original. Partly due to the location, but what Symon did is take something we’ve seen before and make it her own, with the direction of the plot, and the characters, this novel has a fresh feel to it; different from the norm, in a way that makes you want more. Also, Overkill is such a fitting title. The originality also came from Symon’s writing style, there’s something so natural about it, nothing feels forced, it just works! A fresh, new [to me], and exciting voice in crime fiction!
I’m really excited for the future of this series, and looking forward to reading the next book
*My thanks to Orenda Books for providing me with a copy of this book*
March 25, 2019
Overkill marked a bold beginning for a new voice, and a new hero, in crime fiction. Former pharmacist and Dunedin-based debutant author Vanda Symon wastes no time, immediately stunning readers with an opening-pages haymaker, as an intruder forces a stay-at-home mother to submit to her own death, in order to save her baby daughter.
Soon after, sole-charge rural policewoman Sam Shepherd finds herself co-ordinating the search for the missing mother, and then investigating the looks-like suicide drowning once the body is found. The case is complicated by stroppy Sam’s clashes with authority, her past connections to the deceased’s husband, and the finger of blame beginning to point her own way. She soon feels like a pariah amongst the salt-of-the-earth citizens of small-town Mataura.
Overkill is an excellent first novel from a talented storyteller. Symon nicely balances action, character and story in a well-drawn rural New Zealand setting, and realistically speckles the book with light-hearted moments and humour throughout. Symon drops Sam right in it (literally in one case), and the reader can’t help but be taken along for the ride, willingly and wonderfully.
Symon builds the book to a satisfying conclusion, weaving throughout real issues relevant to such rural communities, along with the loves, hates, hopes, and fears universal to people anywhere. Highly recommended.
Soon after, sole-charge rural policewoman Sam Shepherd finds herself co-ordinating the search for the missing mother, and then investigating the looks-like suicide drowning once the body is found. The case is complicated by stroppy Sam’s clashes with authority, her past connections to the deceased’s husband, and the finger of blame beginning to point her own way. She soon feels like a pariah amongst the salt-of-the-earth citizens of small-town Mataura.
Overkill is an excellent first novel from a talented storyteller. Symon nicely balances action, character and story in a well-drawn rural New Zealand setting, and realistically speckles the book with light-hearted moments and humour throughout. Symon drops Sam right in it (literally in one case), and the reader can’t help but be taken along for the ride, willingly and wonderfully.
Symon builds the book to a satisfying conclusion, weaving throughout real issues relevant to such rural communities, along with the loves, hates, hopes, and fears universal to people anywhere. Highly recommended.
October 1, 2022
The book started dark and with so much action my head was spinning. Immediately I started my review praising the new voice of Kiwi Noir. Well that was chapter one but when I read chapter two the author takes us on a long stroll through Mayberry included was Andy Griffith’s way of dispensing the law.
The use of first person narrative is very effective in order to introduce us to Sam Shepard, but also points at so many of her flaws. I know she is only a police officer in a rural town but she is portrayed as immature, too eager and I am using this word in order not to use another; reckless. I have never seen someone physically hurt herself by clumsiness so much in a book before! Sam also spends a large amount of time thinking about her ex boyfriend.
I purchased the second installment the same day as the first, since everything has changed in her life I want to know how she will cope with new responsibilities (so I will read it) but if chapters are dedicated to spending her time with her flatmate while opening candy bars, wearing funny pajamas and looking at their Mickey Mouse clock then I am out.
This author can definitely write, she gave us a fantastic opener in the book, gave us really good and thrilling action scenes and she is also good at comedy but Sam needs to mature in order for this series to be crime fiction.
The use of first person narrative is very effective in order to introduce us to Sam Shepard, but also points at so many of her flaws. I know she is only a police officer in a rural town but she is portrayed as immature, too eager and I am using this word in order not to use another; reckless. I have never seen someone physically hurt herself by clumsiness so much in a book before! Sam also spends a large amount of time thinking about her ex boyfriend.
I purchased the second installment the same day as the first, since everything has changed in her life I want to know how she will cope with new responsibilities (so I will read it) but if chapters are dedicated to spending her time with her flatmate while opening candy bars, wearing funny pajamas and looking at their Mickey Mouse clock then I am out.
This author can definitely write, she gave us a fantastic opener in the book, gave us really good and thrilling action scenes and she is also good at comedy but Sam needs to mature in order for this series to be crime fiction.
March 27, 2021
Ridiculous. If the protagonist were a teenager "investigating" a crime,it might appeal to certain readers. As it is,it´s absurd to depict a policewoman having tantrums, "almost wetting her pants" because the phone rings, shouting at her superior officer,behaving irresponsibly and acting like a 12 year old throughout the whole awful book. The solve is far fetched and as absurd as all the rest.
No idea why this has good reviews.
No idea why this has good reviews.
March 27, 2018
I found this a rather enjoyable read about a small town policewoman being caught up in something much much larger. The plot twists came thick and fast, and while I questioned adding in a subplot, they came together deliciously in an explosive climax. I was saddened by the lack of any real resolution, but I will have to read the next in this series.
September 7, 2018
Rounded up from 4.5
Constable Sam Shephard is the sole police officer in the town of Mataura so when a young mum Gabriella Knowes goes missing it’s up to her to find out what happened to her. One problem, the woman is the wife of her former boyfriend Lockie, a man who she still has feelings for.
When Gabriella’s body is found at the side of the river, dead from an apparent suicide, something doesn’t feel right to Sam. She soon finds evidence that Gabriella has been murdered and has to call in the police from the neighbouring town of Gore who quickly mark her as a suspect.
Sam stumbles upon a catastrophic conspiracy that will put her life in danger. Will she catch the killer and clear her name?
I found this to be a really quick read, gripping me from the very beginning. I devoured the three hundred or so pages in two sittings, which for me is super fast!
I loved Sam. She got a bit of a temper and can be a little sarcastic at times but she makes up for that by having a good heart. She puts aside her feelings, even though Lockie moved on so quickly after they broke up, to try and solve the case. The relationship between her and her best friend Maggie was also a joy to read. Maggie is straight talking and can always be counted on to bring Sam back down to Earth.
You really get a feel of New Zealand from the wildlife to the unusually named trees and plants. There’s a nice smattering of local lingo and words native to New Zealand which give it that authentic feel. Even the local food gets a look in. There’s something called a Toffee pop which gets mentioned a fair bit and is Sam’s favourite biscuit, I don’t know what they are but I’d really like to try one!
While I did find the reasons behind the murder a little far fetched, the ending has left me wanting more!
Overkill is perfect if you’re looking for a fast paced crime novel with a unique setting and a strong female lead.
Constable Sam Shephard is the sole police officer in the town of Mataura so when a young mum Gabriella Knowes goes missing it’s up to her to find out what happened to her. One problem, the woman is the wife of her former boyfriend Lockie, a man who she still has feelings for.
When Gabriella’s body is found at the side of the river, dead from an apparent suicide, something doesn’t feel right to Sam. She soon finds evidence that Gabriella has been murdered and has to call in the police from the neighbouring town of Gore who quickly mark her as a suspect.
Sam stumbles upon a catastrophic conspiracy that will put her life in danger. Will she catch the killer and clear her name?
I found this to be a really quick read, gripping me from the very beginning. I devoured the three hundred or so pages in two sittings, which for me is super fast!
I loved Sam. She got a bit of a temper and can be a little sarcastic at times but she makes up for that by having a good heart. She puts aside her feelings, even though Lockie moved on so quickly after they broke up, to try and solve the case. The relationship between her and her best friend Maggie was also a joy to read. Maggie is straight talking and can always be counted on to bring Sam back down to Earth.
You really get a feel of New Zealand from the wildlife to the unusually named trees and plants. There’s a nice smattering of local lingo and words native to New Zealand which give it that authentic feel. Even the local food gets a look in. There’s something called a Toffee pop which gets mentioned a fair bit and is Sam’s favourite biscuit, I don’t know what they are but I’d really like to try one!
While I did find the reasons behind the murder a little far fetched, the ending has left me wanting more!
Overkill is perfect if you’re looking for a fast paced crime novel with a unique setting and a strong female lead.
August 25, 2018
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This was a really enjoyable story, I loved Sam as the lead character and I warmed to her straight away. I thought she was excellent and was rooting for her throughout the story as the developments came through in the case.
This book flowed really well for me and I was able to pick it up and jump straight back in to the story after leaving it for a few hours. I loved the writing style and how the story progressed to the ending.
Four stars from me for this one, definitely an author I'm going to be looking out for and I loved the insight in to New Zealand, a fabulous setting for the book and that cover is amazing!!
This was a really enjoyable story, I loved Sam as the lead character and I warmed to her straight away. I thought she was excellent and was rooting for her throughout the story as the developments came through in the case.
This book flowed really well for me and I was able to pick it up and jump straight back in to the story after leaving it for a few hours. I loved the writing style and how the story progressed to the ending.
Four stars from me for this one, definitely an author I'm going to be looking out for and I loved the insight in to New Zealand, a fabulous setting for the book and that cover is amazing!!
July 31, 2018
** Full review to come as part of blog tour **
September 9, 2018
Sometimes a book comes along which you just want to shout from the rooftops about, and Overkill for me is that book. I’d heard many great things about it so my expectations were high and they were certainly met. I’m going to be pressing this book into the hands of everyone who I know who loves crime fiction. This is one of the best introductions to a new crime series that I have read. As I was reading the prologue, I was just staring wide-eyed at the page, completely engrossed by the character’s dilemma and what she was facing at that moment. And I knew that this wasn’t going to be an easy case for the police to investigate.
What first drew me to Overkill was the book’s setting. The author, Vanda Symon, sets the novel in her home country, New Zealand. I haven’t read any books set in this part of the world before. In her debut novel, Vanda Symon paints a portrait of a friendly, tight knit community and it seems an idyllic place to live, everyone knows each other’s business. The crime rate appears to be low, and nothing untoward seems to happen, which is why the discovery of the body of one of their own, sends the community, and even the police working on the case into shock. I did wonder how the case was going to affect the town in the long run, especially if there wasn’t a quick resolution. I was beginning to imagine that there would be many pointing the finger at each other and playing the blame game.
Detective Constable Sam Shepherd, who is on the team investigating the case, is acquainted with the woman who has been found and with the victim’s husband as well. Her connection to the individuals at the heart of the crime is what makes this case particularly personal and difficult for her, even more so as she still has strong feelings for the victim’s husband. But Sam tries her best to find out what happened, even when there are many obstacles thrown in her way. She certainly isn’t given an easy time with this case, and this is what makes this book tense and exciting, I wanted to see how she was going to get out of the situation she was now in. But to find out what happens to Sam, you’re going to have to pick up the book to find out as I won’t be revealing anything here.
I did have a huge amount of empathy for Sam throughout the book. I think she is a character who fears change, and she is a person who becomes very attached to people who she knows well, particularly her friend Maggie. But when it comes down to the case, she is determined to get to the bottom of what has happened, and she is feisty in her determination to bring the perpetrators of the crime to justice.
I loved Vanda Symon’s writing style. When I started reading the book, I knew that it wouldn’t take me long to finish. I liked that every now and again there was a slice of humour, which really added to Sam’s characterisation and the people around her.
After reading Overkill I’m really excited to read what Vanda writes next. Overkill is an immersive, page-turner that will have you gripped from the chilling opening right through to the heart pounding conclusion. Thank you to Anne Cater at Random Things Tours for inviting me to take part in the blog tour and to Karen Sullivan at Orenda Books for sending me a copy of the book to review.
What first drew me to Overkill was the book’s setting. The author, Vanda Symon, sets the novel in her home country, New Zealand. I haven’t read any books set in this part of the world before. In her debut novel, Vanda Symon paints a portrait of a friendly, tight knit community and it seems an idyllic place to live, everyone knows each other’s business. The crime rate appears to be low, and nothing untoward seems to happen, which is why the discovery of the body of one of their own, sends the community, and even the police working on the case into shock. I did wonder how the case was going to affect the town in the long run, especially if there wasn’t a quick resolution. I was beginning to imagine that there would be many pointing the finger at each other and playing the blame game.
Detective Constable Sam Shepherd, who is on the team investigating the case, is acquainted with the woman who has been found and with the victim’s husband as well. Her connection to the individuals at the heart of the crime is what makes this case particularly personal and difficult for her, even more so as she still has strong feelings for the victim’s husband. But Sam tries her best to find out what happened, even when there are many obstacles thrown in her way. She certainly isn’t given an easy time with this case, and this is what makes this book tense and exciting, I wanted to see how she was going to get out of the situation she was now in. But to find out what happens to Sam, you’re going to have to pick up the book to find out as I won’t be revealing anything here.
I did have a huge amount of empathy for Sam throughout the book. I think she is a character who fears change, and she is a person who becomes very attached to people who she knows well, particularly her friend Maggie. But when it comes down to the case, she is determined to get to the bottom of what has happened, and she is feisty in her determination to bring the perpetrators of the crime to justice.
I loved Vanda Symon’s writing style. When I started reading the book, I knew that it wouldn’t take me long to finish. I liked that every now and again there was a slice of humour, which really added to Sam’s characterisation and the people around her.
After reading Overkill I’m really excited to read what Vanda writes next. Overkill is an immersive, page-turner that will have you gripped from the chilling opening right through to the heart pounding conclusion. Thank you to Anne Cater at Random Things Tours for inviting me to take part in the blog tour and to Karen Sullivan at Orenda Books for sending me a copy of the book to review.
February 19, 2020
I really wanted to love this book but I'm afraid it turned out to be a somewhat average read. There's nothing especially bad about it but there's nothing to make it stand out from all of the other police procedural / murder mysteries out there.
I did like the setting, I'm struggling to think of any other books I've read set in New Zealand, and I thought the opening was fantastic, it's edge of your seat stuff, but it becomes a little slow in the middle and I'm really not sure about main character Sam Shepherd (or any of the characters if I'm honest).
I just wasn't convinced by Sam as a police officer. Yes, she's the only one there and she has good instincts, but she seems to be more concerned with her personal feelings than the job or the case. Her reactions seemed a little extreme to me and she was very immature at times. I did love her relationship with BFF and flatmate Maggie but the interactions with other characters felt forced and I just didn't get any genuine emotion from it.
There is a possibility this book is simply suffering in comparison to some of my other recent reads though and if I hadn't picked it up after reading a phenomenal thriller I would have loved it more.
It is only the first in the series though so I still have high hopes for the rest of the series. There's definitely lots of potential.
I did like the setting, I'm struggling to think of any other books I've read set in New Zealand, and I thought the opening was fantastic, it's edge of your seat stuff, but it becomes a little slow in the middle and I'm really not sure about main character Sam Shepherd (or any of the characters if I'm honest).
I just wasn't convinced by Sam as a police officer. Yes, she's the only one there and she has good instincts, but she seems to be more concerned with her personal feelings than the job or the case. Her reactions seemed a little extreme to me and she was very immature at times. I did love her relationship with BFF and flatmate Maggie but the interactions with other characters felt forced and I just didn't get any genuine emotion from it.
There is a possibility this book is simply suffering in comparison to some of my other recent reads though and if I hadn't picked it up after reading a phenomenal thriller I would have loved it more.
It is only the first in the series though so I still have high hopes for the rest of the series. There's definitely lots of potential.
December 21, 2018
Visit the settings in the book
An exciting new start to a new series set in New Zealand. Sam Shephard, is a young police constable in Mataura with a lot on her plate. A young mother in the town is brutally murdered ( and it seems to be a professional job), so she is part of the team who will find the killer. But what is Sam's past relationship with the dead woman's husband? Oh this just got twistier and twistier as I read. Evocative and memorable are not the words. Sam is a strong character and headstrong at times. She is very headstrong and stubborn which I liked. In a small town where everyone knows everyone else, it's going to be hard for her to get the results she needs. But that is the kind of challenge she thrives upon.
The cover of this book really made the whole reading experience more vivid. The flashes of red, the heat, the dark shadows, all wonderfully evoking time and place and mood in the novel. Bring on the next one!
August 30, 2018
Overkill certainly starts with a blood-pressure-raising prologue which kick-starts a solid police procedural.
Overkill is really well written and the descriptions of small-town New Zealand were fresh and evocative. The pace for me did slow down a little early on while we waited for the police to catch up with what we already knew, but that gave us a chance to get to know the town and the characters.
PC Sam Shephard really made this book for me: she is a practical, likeable and very human lead character. She is smart and funny and ballsy. I could fully empathise with her feelings, thoughts and actions throughout.
I really enjoyed her relationship with her flatmate Maggie and their banter and bickering produced some real laugh out loud moments, as did Sam’s narration, in an otherwise fairly serious book. I will be interested to see where Vanda Symons takes her next!
A huge thank you to Orenda Books for my copy of Overkill
Overkill is really well written and the descriptions of small-town New Zealand were fresh and evocative. The pace for me did slow down a little early on while we waited for the police to catch up with what we already knew, but that gave us a chance to get to know the town and the characters.
PC Sam Shephard really made this book for me: she is a practical, likeable and very human lead character. She is smart and funny and ballsy. I could fully empathise with her feelings, thoughts and actions throughout.
I really enjoyed her relationship with her flatmate Maggie and their banter and bickering produced some real laugh out loud moments, as did Sam’s narration, in an otherwise fairly serious book. I will be interested to see where Vanda Symons takes her next!
A huge thank you to Orenda Books for my copy of Overkill
March 9, 2014
This book pleasantly surprised me with the intensity of the murder to set the reader off, and then the actual reason for the murder. I enjoyed the very Kiwi vernacular and the addition of some swearing from both sexes, in that special Kiwi way, as I relate well to swearing those same words quite naturally. Some aspects of the writing annoyed me somewhat. The main character was tough but when she broke down it was a bit ridiculous. Will look for another by the same author to see how she is improving in her writing.
August 27, 2018
WTF That prologue! I had to put the book down and go for a cigarette before I could even continue to read it! Talk about the ultimate #KillerHook! It struck fear into my core as one of the most brutal scenes played out in front of my eyes. No gratuitous violence, however, simply the skill to terrify through the power of words alone!
Sam Shephard is a police officer in Mataura station, a small town in New Zealand. A small town where nothing really bad ever happens. Until now that is. It's a town where most people know each other and when she is called out to the disappearance of a young mother it soon becomes clear there is a personal connection to the case. Once it has been established as a murder investigation and Sams relationship with Lockie comes out she's taken off the case but worse than that she is thrown off the job as they suspect her of murder. Oh at that point I wanted to shake her superiors, really they thought that of her! And were they not a wee bit over the top suspending her, man I wanted to go in and give them an earful for that! It was intriguing to read about policing in a small rural New Zealand community and compare it to the UK police operations in a large city.
Sam's investigations uncover some suspicious behaviours which cast shadows of doubt over the innocence of a number of the town's residents. Plenty of red-herrings swimming about along the way to keep the twists coming. While probably not as strong as the prologue and without giving any spoilers away, it was totally relevant to the location the book is set in and it all made perfect sense and kept me firmly engrossed throughout!
The author has created a fantastic sense of place, despite never having been to New Zealand it was easy to conjure up a picture in my head of this small rural location. That small-town suffocation was evident throughout, the sense of claustrophobia as everyone knows your business and has something to say about it. I loved how she married the two elements of small towns, the one where the real sense of community comes to the fore in times of trouble and folks all want to help and support juxtaposed with that interference and gossip where everyone feels entitled to have a view about you. A fairly accurate reflection on small towns across the globe, I should imagine.
Sam was a conundrum to me. On one hand, I found her totally relatable yet on the other she struck me almost as a stroppy teenager at times, almost more caught up in her own feelings about her relationship with Lockie than the murder of his wife. I totally applauded her decision to ignore the instruction from above to stay away from the investigation yet at times there was a real sense of Sam feeling out her depth both in terms of having to deal with an investigation of this nature but also her underlying feelings for Lockie. Her relationship with her flatmate Maggie was heartwarming and I certainly felt a real sense of Sam's dependence on the other woman to keep her on the straight and narrow. I definitely want to meet her again as I enjoyed her dry wit and sarcasm and there was just something quite engaging about her "middle finger up" attitude to authority and social expectations of women. There was a bit of raw honesty about her as a character that warmed me to her and maybe I wouldn't want her to grow up from that stroppy teenage stage after all!
An intriguing debut from the author that has taken me on a fascinating journey to New Zealand and I definitely look forward to seeing where Vanda Symon takes us next in the series.
Sam Shephard is a police officer in Mataura station, a small town in New Zealand. A small town where nothing really bad ever happens. Until now that is. It's a town where most people know each other and when she is called out to the disappearance of a young mother it soon becomes clear there is a personal connection to the case. Once it has been established as a murder investigation and Sams relationship with Lockie comes out she's taken off the case but worse than that she is thrown off the job as they suspect her of murder. Oh at that point I wanted to shake her superiors, really they thought that of her! And were they not a wee bit over the top suspending her, man I wanted to go in and give them an earful for that! It was intriguing to read about policing in a small rural New Zealand community and compare it to the UK police operations in a large city.
Sam's investigations uncover some suspicious behaviours which cast shadows of doubt over the innocence of a number of the town's residents. Plenty of red-herrings swimming about along the way to keep the twists coming. While probably not as strong as the prologue and without giving any spoilers away, it was totally relevant to the location the book is set in and it all made perfect sense and kept me firmly engrossed throughout!
The author has created a fantastic sense of place, despite never having been to New Zealand it was easy to conjure up a picture in my head of this small rural location. That small-town suffocation was evident throughout, the sense of claustrophobia as everyone knows your business and has something to say about it. I loved how she married the two elements of small towns, the one where the real sense of community comes to the fore in times of trouble and folks all want to help and support juxtaposed with that interference and gossip where everyone feels entitled to have a view about you. A fairly accurate reflection on small towns across the globe, I should imagine.
Sam was a conundrum to me. On one hand, I found her totally relatable yet on the other she struck me almost as a stroppy teenager at times, almost more caught up in her own feelings about her relationship with Lockie than the murder of his wife. I totally applauded her decision to ignore the instruction from above to stay away from the investigation yet at times there was a real sense of Sam feeling out her depth both in terms of having to deal with an investigation of this nature but also her underlying feelings for Lockie. Her relationship with her flatmate Maggie was heartwarming and I certainly felt a real sense of Sam's dependence on the other woman to keep her on the straight and narrow. I definitely want to meet her again as I enjoyed her dry wit and sarcasm and there was just something quite engaging about her "middle finger up" attitude to authority and social expectations of women. There was a bit of raw honesty about her as a character that warmed me to her and maybe I wouldn't want her to grow up from that stroppy teenage stage after all!
An intriguing debut from the author that has taken me on a fascinating journey to New Zealand and I definitely look forward to seeing where Vanda Symon takes us next in the series.
February 24, 2020
I have travelled the world thanks to my literary choices over the years; it’s something I love to do. Reading about a place far from home is always interesting and exciting – a different way of living, different cultures. Until recently I had not managed to make my bookish way to New Zealand. Australia, yes. New Zealand, no. However, thanks to Overkill I can now add a New Zealand stamp to my literary passport as this delightful piece of crime fiction is set in Mataura.
I am a huge fan of books set in small, close-knit towns. The claustrophobia, the suspicion, the uncomfortable feeling you get as the characters start to realise that you can’t trust anyone. The small town feeling Vanda Symon conveys in Overkill is wonderful. The residents of Mataura have all been mucking along quite nicely together for years. Then the body of a young mother is discovered in the river; the suicide note left behind confirms she couldn’t face life any more. But PC Sam Shephard’s gut is telling her differently, something is wrong. Before long Sam is investigating a murder. What she doesn’t realise is that she’s the main suspect in her detective colleague’s eyes. Can Sam solve the murder and clear her name…?
I loved Sam. She’s so wonderfully human, so normal. She has a chequered history with the victim’s husband which hangs precariously over her head throughout the entire investigation. Her conflicted emotions and her self-deprecating manner made her all the more likeable. I was also very fond of her flatmate and best friend, Maggie who stands by Sam when others don’t. The writing and the narrative had a wonderful Kiwi flavour to it; it felt very real and I was pleased to see Sam wasn’t dressed up to be something she wasn’t. She’s tough, resilient and doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty. She certainly needs to be tough as the only police officer stationed in Mataura!
Would I recommend this book? I would. Sam is a very likeable character who will appeal to many readers and Symon’s honest, no-nonsense writing brings her gloriously to life. If you’re looking for thrills and spills a minute then maybe Overkill isn’t the book for you. But if you’re wanting a cleverly woven mystery with characters who shine through then it’s well worth a read. Claustrophobic, delightfully mysterious and a with a fierce female lead you can’t help but like. I can’t wait to read the next book in the Sam Shephard series!
Four out of five stars.
I chose to read and review an eARC of Overkill. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.
I am a huge fan of books set in small, close-knit towns. The claustrophobia, the suspicion, the uncomfortable feeling you get as the characters start to realise that you can’t trust anyone. The small town feeling Vanda Symon conveys in Overkill is wonderful. The residents of Mataura have all been mucking along quite nicely together for years. Then the body of a young mother is discovered in the river; the suicide note left behind confirms she couldn’t face life any more. But PC Sam Shephard’s gut is telling her differently, something is wrong. Before long Sam is investigating a murder. What she doesn’t realise is that she’s the main suspect in her detective colleague’s eyes. Can Sam solve the murder and clear her name…?
I loved Sam. She’s so wonderfully human, so normal. She has a chequered history with the victim’s husband which hangs precariously over her head throughout the entire investigation. Her conflicted emotions and her self-deprecating manner made her all the more likeable. I was also very fond of her flatmate and best friend, Maggie who stands by Sam when others don’t. The writing and the narrative had a wonderful Kiwi flavour to it; it felt very real and I was pleased to see Sam wasn’t dressed up to be something she wasn’t. She’s tough, resilient and doesn’t mind getting her hands dirty. She certainly needs to be tough as the only police officer stationed in Mataura!
Would I recommend this book? I would. Sam is a very likeable character who will appeal to many readers and Symon’s honest, no-nonsense writing brings her gloriously to life. If you’re looking for thrills and spills a minute then maybe Overkill isn’t the book for you. But if you’re wanting a cleverly woven mystery with characters who shine through then it’s well worth a read. Claustrophobic, delightfully mysterious and a with a fierce female lead you can’t help but like. I can’t wait to read the next book in the Sam Shephard series!
Four out of five stars.
I chose to read and review an eARC of Overkill. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.
September 5, 2018
So, this is my first book in the new genre of New Zealand Noir and anyone thinking that this is just another label and that it isn’t really anything different from standard crime needs to read it as, having devoured the book, it is quite clear that the location is extremely distinctive and a very important element in the novel – this book and the plot could not have been set anywhere else in order to have worked.
The book is set in a small, rural town in a remote corner of New Zealand – the Kiwi version of a one horse town – where Sam Shepherd is the sole police officer. When the wife of her ex-boyfriend goes missing, she is torn between her personal and professional positions as she begins to investigate. Once the young woman’s body is found, supposedly the victim of suicide, things get even more complicated.
As I said, this book and its plot only works is because of its very particular setting. The fact that this is a small, rural town is extremely important to the plot, but also lends the book a focused and slightly claustrophobic atmosphere that ramps up the tension of the book. And tension there definitely is, this is a tautly plotted and well-paced crime novel that will keep you gripped from the disturbing opening scenes until the final frantic pages. The juxtaposition of sleepy town and violent crime, and familiar faces and suspicion are a major source of the conflict and unease in the book.
The character of Sam is a fascinating one to carry the book. She is strong-willed and determined but also often shows her humanity and weakness and the internal struggle between her professional duties and personal feelings is a fascinating aspect of the book and makes her very human and easy to relate to. Her intimate knowledge of the town and its people both assists and hampers her investigations, which is an interesting spin on the investigation and another reason why this plot only works in its very specific environment.
The plot did not at all go the way I had expected at the beginning and the final motivations for the crime so novel and unexpected that it would have been impossible to guess what was coming and I wonder where the writer got her inspiration. This is a book that I believe could only have been written by a New Zealander and set in New Zealand, It gave the book a very distinct flavour which I really enjoyed and I will look out for more from this author.
One for any crime fans looking for something new and a bit different.
The book is set in a small, rural town in a remote corner of New Zealand – the Kiwi version of a one horse town – where Sam Shepherd is the sole police officer. When the wife of her ex-boyfriend goes missing, she is torn between her personal and professional positions as she begins to investigate. Once the young woman’s body is found, supposedly the victim of suicide, things get even more complicated.
As I said, this book and its plot only works is because of its very particular setting. The fact that this is a small, rural town is extremely important to the plot, but also lends the book a focused and slightly claustrophobic atmosphere that ramps up the tension of the book. And tension there definitely is, this is a tautly plotted and well-paced crime novel that will keep you gripped from the disturbing opening scenes until the final frantic pages. The juxtaposition of sleepy town and violent crime, and familiar faces and suspicion are a major source of the conflict and unease in the book.
The character of Sam is a fascinating one to carry the book. She is strong-willed and determined but also often shows her humanity and weakness and the internal struggle between her professional duties and personal feelings is a fascinating aspect of the book and makes her very human and easy to relate to. Her intimate knowledge of the town and its people both assists and hampers her investigations, which is an interesting spin on the investigation and another reason why this plot only works in its very specific environment.
The plot did not at all go the way I had expected at the beginning and the final motivations for the crime so novel and unexpected that it would have been impossible to guess what was coming and I wonder where the writer got her inspiration. This is a book that I believe could only have been written by a New Zealander and set in New Zealand, It gave the book a very distinct flavour which I really enjoyed and I will look out for more from this author.
One for any crime fans looking for something new and a bit different.
July 27, 2018
Look! Look at that cover! Isn't it stunning? I love it so much, and it exactly depicts the contents of the pages inside. Honestly, that oppressive dark cloud is just the perfect visual depiction of this extraordinary story.
It's been a long time since a prologue hooked me in quite the way that this one does. The reader is thrust, smack bang, into the centre of the horrifying incident that forms the central plot in this novel.
It's unforgiving in its brutality, but the violence is almost unspoken, it's implied with a force that conjures up the desperation of a woman attacked in her her own home, in front of her own child. A woman who, finally, has to accept that she cannot get out of this situation.
That woman is Gaby Knowes and when her body is washed up on the banks of the Mataura River, and a suicide note is found in her kitchen, the small rural town in New Zealand is rocked to the core. Sam Shephard is the only police officer in the town and it doesn't take her long to realise that this is not a suicide, this is a murder. Calling in external help from the CIB plunges Sam into a nightmare and when the powers that be discover that Gaby Knowes was married to Sam's ex-lover Lockie, she's suspended from duty and becomes a prime suspect.
Sam Shephard is an absolute delight, she's a fabulously created character who I loved. She's determined and gritty and loyal. Despite her suspension from duty, there is absolutely no way that Sam is going to let this one go. Risking her job, and her future, she continues, in her own way to gather as much evidence as possible.
Overkill moves at break-neck speed, plunging the reader and Sam into a mystery that is cleverly thought out and impeccably told. The tense atmosphere and the multiple twists and false leads make this a breathtaking and compelling read. The sense of place is amazing, this author has created a community that is close, yet divided; there's a claustrophobic feeling about Mataura and its residents that adds such depth to the story.
Sam Shephard is my new hero. She's perfectly flawed and incredibly human. I can't wait to find out what she gets up to next.
It's been a long time since a prologue hooked me in quite the way that this one does. The reader is thrust, smack bang, into the centre of the horrifying incident that forms the central plot in this novel.
It's unforgiving in its brutality, but the violence is almost unspoken, it's implied with a force that conjures up the desperation of a woman attacked in her her own home, in front of her own child. A woman who, finally, has to accept that she cannot get out of this situation.
That woman is Gaby Knowes and when her body is washed up on the banks of the Mataura River, and a suicide note is found in her kitchen, the small rural town in New Zealand is rocked to the core. Sam Shephard is the only police officer in the town and it doesn't take her long to realise that this is not a suicide, this is a murder. Calling in external help from the CIB plunges Sam into a nightmare and when the powers that be discover that Gaby Knowes was married to Sam's ex-lover Lockie, she's suspended from duty and becomes a prime suspect.
Sam Shephard is an absolute delight, she's a fabulously created character who I loved. She's determined and gritty and loyal. Despite her suspension from duty, there is absolutely no way that Sam is going to let this one go. Risking her job, and her future, she continues, in her own way to gather as much evidence as possible.
Overkill moves at break-neck speed, plunging the reader and Sam into a mystery that is cleverly thought out and impeccably told. The tense atmosphere and the multiple twists and false leads make this a breathtaking and compelling read. The sense of place is amazing, this author has created a community that is close, yet divided; there's a claustrophobic feeling about Mataura and its residents that adds such depth to the story.
Sam Shephard is my new hero. She's perfectly flawed and incredibly human. I can't wait to find out what she gets up to next.
September 7, 2018
A great introduction to the world of NEW ZEALAND Noir (set in Mataura)
Constable Sam Shepherd is the police presence in Mataura, a real life small town at the base of New Zealand’s South Island. Gaby, the wife of Lockie – a former lover of Sam’s – is found dead. The death is very cleverly made to look like suicide, but she had been murdered. Sam starts the investigation, but is hampered by her feelings towards Lockie. Her bosses in Dunedin find out about her past, and she is taken off the case. Indeed, she is named as a suspect and suspended from duty. But Sam is determined to press on regardless, and identify and apprehend the murderer.
She established that Gaby was taking a remote learning course in journalism, and was working on a story that may – somehow – have been linked to her death. But what had she found out, and what was so significant that she needed to be disposed of? Violent murders don’t often happen in a sleepy place like Mataura.
Sam’s investigations take her deep into the farming community. The piece Gaby was working on revolved around the instances and treatment of TB in cattle. A pretty mundane subject. Who could she possibly have offended?
The story moves to a violent and eventful conclusion.
A really good book in TripFiction terms. The rural community of Southern New Zealand is well painted – as is its environment, and there is much fascinating detail about the regulations concerning the import of livestock into New Zealand as the government strives to keep the country disease free and its export meat industry thriving.
Overkill was first published in New Zealand in 2007, and it is only now making its UK debut. It is the first of five titles in the Sam Shepherd series, and I look forward to reading the others.
Overkill is a great introduction to the world of New Zealand noir. I’m sure Sam is a character who will develop and mature over time.
Constable Sam Shepherd is the police presence in Mataura, a real life small town at the base of New Zealand’s South Island. Gaby, the wife of Lockie – a former lover of Sam’s – is found dead. The death is very cleverly made to look like suicide, but she had been murdered. Sam starts the investigation, but is hampered by her feelings towards Lockie. Her bosses in Dunedin find out about her past, and she is taken off the case. Indeed, she is named as a suspect and suspended from duty. But Sam is determined to press on regardless, and identify and apprehend the murderer.
She established that Gaby was taking a remote learning course in journalism, and was working on a story that may – somehow – have been linked to her death. But what had she found out, and what was so significant that she needed to be disposed of? Violent murders don’t often happen in a sleepy place like Mataura.
Sam’s investigations take her deep into the farming community. The piece Gaby was working on revolved around the instances and treatment of TB in cattle. A pretty mundane subject. Who could she possibly have offended?
The story moves to a violent and eventful conclusion.
A really good book in TripFiction terms. The rural community of Southern New Zealand is well painted – as is its environment, and there is much fascinating detail about the regulations concerning the import of livestock into New Zealand as the government strives to keep the country disease free and its export meat industry thriving.
Overkill was first published in New Zealand in 2007, and it is only now making its UK debut. It is the first of five titles in the Sam Shepherd series, and I look forward to reading the others.
Overkill is a great introduction to the world of New Zealand noir. I’m sure Sam is a character who will develop and mature over time.
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