A High-Octane First Person Crime Thiller: Overkill by Vanda Symon

$8.99 on Amazon

First published in 2007 in New Zealand by Penguin Books, a re-edited and updated version of Vanda Symon's Overkill, the first Sam Shephard series novel is now available to U.S. crime thriller fans.

Vanda Symon is a full-time mystery/thriller writer and mother from Dunedin, New Zealand. She hosts a  monthly books-focused radio show "Write On" on the second Wednesday of each month, and serves as the Chair of the Otago Southland Branch of the New Zealand Society of Authors.

The first thing you notice when reading Overkill is the vivid, convincing, and near cinematographic descriptions of South Island New Zealand, the backdrop for the story. The story details a murder case dressed up to look like a suicide. Readers start out a little ahead of the cops here knowing the suicide was staged because Symon let's us in on it with the prologue. But, that advantage doesn't least long when Sam Shephard, a sole-charge police constable in Mataura starts digging into the case.

The story does feature a well-used trope, a cop gets thrown off a case after becoming a suspect, and has to continue investigating alone. But, that doesn't detract a bit from the well-plotted, high-octane tale. Best of all, Overkill provides one of the best character growth stories I've read in a long while. Symon gives us plenty of insight into the thoughts and fears of the protagonist, Sam Shephard, a hard-charging and endearing character with plenty of spirit and pluck to spare. She’s capable and bright and caring, but not a bit arrogant. We watch Sam run the gamut of emotions as you tries to solve the case almost single-handedly to clear her name and to bring justice to the victim.

"I couldn't put it down" has become a cliche in book review circles, but certainly applies to this brilliant thriller. Symon hits the gas from the get go and the pace doesn't slow until we reach the exciting climax.

Overkill gets a five-star rating from Best Crime Thriller Books. If you enjoy spending a few entertaining hours on a white-knuckle ride with a likable, gutsy female protagonist, it won't disappoint. If you're interested, read the full review here.

Orenda Books will be publishing a re-edited and updated version of Ringmaster, the second Sam Shephard series novel this April. Until then, U.S. crime thriller fans can find Overkill on Amazon.