Hooked Up

by Fiona Sussman

The unforgettable detective duo from The Doctor’s Wife are back, and this time the stakes are even higher.

When DS Ramesh Bandara is asked to head up a homicide investigation in a small New Zealand beachside town, he has no idea he’s stumbled onto something much bigger. With little to go on, the investigation is frustratingly slow to get off the ground, but it’s Bandara’s unconventional colleague, Hilary Stark, who spots similarities with a murder case she worked years before.

Overnight, their suspect list expands to include the cast and crew from a controversial reality TV show, Hooked Up, that screened a decade earlier. Someone, it appears, has been holding onto a grudge for a very long time. But is Hilary’s hunch really on the money? This is New Zealand, after all . . .

‘Every twist in this addictive murder mystery is earned.’
Jacqueline Bublitz, author of Before You Knew My Name

‘A knock-out premise . . . Sussman delivers on her super-smart concept with storytelling that is as playful as it is tense.’
Michael Bennett, author of Better the Blood

‘An electric mix of intrigue and mystery.’
Tom Baragwanath, author of Paper Cage

Genres: Thriller, Crime

357 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 1, 2025

About the author

Award-winning author Fiona Sussman was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and immigrated to New Zealand over thirty years ago. A former family doctor, she hung up her stethoscope in 2003 to pursue another long-held dream, to write.

Published internationally, she is the author of four novels and numerous critically- acclaimed short stories.

Her novel 'The Last Time We Spoke' won the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Crime Novel 2017 and was shortlisted for the NZ Heritage Prize 2016. An early draft won the Kobo/NZ Society of Authors Publishing Prize.

'Addressed to Greta' launched Bateman Books’ fiction list and went on to win the NZ Booklovers Award for Best Adult Fiction 2021.

'The Doctor's Wife', her fourth novel (and first in the Bandara/Stark series), was released in October 2022. It was shortlisted for the NZBooklovers award for Best Adult Fiction 2023 and is a finalist for the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Crime Fiction.

'Hooked Up', Fiona's fifth novel (and second in the Bandara/Stark series), was released in September 2025.

To find out more about Fiona, go to her website:
www.fionasussman.co.nz

Reviews

[Brody Hitchcock · Rating 4 out of 5]

​Fiona Sussman's Hooked Up stands out as a unique entry in the detective thriller category. Instead of giving us those giant, unbelievable plot twists most books rely on, this one reads much more like a true-to-life murder investigation. It felt like a great change of pace from my usual reads because the tension comes from the slow, steady grind of police work. You find things out exactly as the main characters do, which makes the whole experience feel really grounded and authentic. Plus, it was fantastic that the entire story is based in New Zealand—it brought a great, distinctive flavor and setting to the whole procedural aspect.

​This was my first time reading a serial killer novel, and it was genuinely fun being right there with the team as they chased the killer through multiple deaths. The novel doesn't let up, keeping the detectives busy and the reader invested in seeing how they connect the dots. Because there are no easy answers or convenient surprises, you really get pulled into the effort of the chase.

[Stef O'connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hooked Up by Fiona Sussman was such an engaging and thought-provoking read. I loved the characters — they were believable and well-crafted — and the short, snappy chapters made it so easy to keep reading “just one more.”

The introduction of Gavin was perfect, and I’m really hoping we see more of him in future books. The mix of a reality TV dating show, a series of murders, and the way these worlds might be connected felt chillingly real. It really reflected my own feelings about the potential harm and manipulation behind these kinds of shows.

A clever, timely story that kept me invested from start to finish.

[Philippa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed Bandara and Stark as characters, and the interplay between them.
The story's premise was intriguing and the pace was good, but it became less believable towards the end - murderer and motive.

[Maggie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fiona Sussman never disappoints, only a third of the way in to Hooked Up and I'm hooked! I so enjoyed this story and the ongoing partnership of detectives Bandara and Stark what a great combo! Fiona manages to crime without the gore but with all the twists.

[Georgia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fiona Sussman’s latest book is perfect for fans of New Zealand crime novels! I loved the short chapters, and the scene near the end was packed full of suspense. I also liked how the development of Ramesh and Hilary’s relationship played out. It added another level of interest to the story line.

[L S · Rating 5 out of 5]

A clever and well written page turner!
Highly recommend!

[Ruth Reid · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this crime fiction set in NZ by a NZ author. linked to a dating program a chain of murders takes place. Great read

[Kiwiflora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fiona is such a great story teller, but I think her greatest gift is her crafting of characters. She seems to have huge empathy for the characters she creates, enabling the reader to identify/relate to/empathise with, even when they are not particularly pleasant. And they are all so different! In this novel we have a detective - Ramesh Bandara, and his fellow officer Hilary Stark. They are characters in Fiona's earlier novel The Doctor's Wife - the only one of her books I have not read. This is a stand-alone, you don't have to read the first one. DS Bandara has been given the task of solving a murder in a partially completed hi-spec house. Hilary Stark has an exceptional mind for detective work, and is an out-of-the-box thinker. There is a great vibe between these two as well, making them a great crime solving duo. It doesn't take long for the sleuths to uncover a possible connection to a TV dating show called Hooked Up, and before long it is a serial killer being looked for. The uncovering of the perpetrator is a gradual process, and at no time is there an Ahaa moment, so well done is the interweaving of characters and events.

Another reviewer mentions the short chapters - oh yes! Perfect for snacking on while you ponder whodunnit.

I look forward to further adventures of Bandara and Stark.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The bright pink cover and the title "hooked Up" suggest a chick lit novel. But this is a police procedural, with a believable and likeable Detective and his off-sider. Ramesh Bandura is asked to lead a team investigating the murder of a builder in a small New Zealand town. However the murder appears to be linked to another unsolved murder that took place a few years earlier, and both victims have a link to a reality tv dating show. Bandura asks his friend Hilary to assist with the investigation, despite Hilary having stepped away from the blokey atmosphere of crime investigation into the Family Harm unit. Both Ramesh and Hilary have difficult pasts, which are revealed as the book progresses.

This is the 2nd novel featuring the two characters but the first I've read, and could be read as a stand-alone. The short chapters and gentle exploration of the characters, plus the unfolding police investigation into what appears to be a serial killer, make it an interesting book to read.

[Michele Harrod · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s always rather special to read a book located it the very towns you reside in. You know the street names and can really see the described scenery- as it is your everyday view.

And when it’s by a writer who captured your heart with her first novel you read, it’s like going on a new adventure with an old friend. Sussman digs deep into the human psyche with her work. You’d best not take a moral high road when you start her books, as she’ll trip you up and make sure you tread another path and have some new perspectives by the time you finish. I love that about her work.

The opening prologue of this book is one of the most perfect depictions of how I imagine a murderous heart starts beating. And I despise reality TV, so for me, this was simply a delicious read!!

I was hooked, that’s for sure.

[Charlotte Lobb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the short chapters in this book—sharp, punchy bursts that kept the tension tight and made it impossible not to sneak in “just one more.” Even though I don’t watch much reality TV, I’ve always been fascinated by the psychology behind it: the manipulation, the pressure, the way footage is edited together. This book blends all of that with a gripping homicide investigation in a small New Zealand beachside town, where it quickly spirals into something far bigger. Overnight, the suspect list widens to include the cast and crew of a controversial reality show, Hooked Up, that aired a decade earlier. And someone, it seems, has been nursing a grudge for a very long time. Another great read by another great NZ author!

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

On the positive front this is a really easy reading novel which is well written and has good pacing.
I enjoyed the New Zealand touches and semi believable storyline.
On the negatives : the relationship between the main characters seems twee and unnecessary. It distracted from an otherwise reasonable plot. The dip into one characters mental health felt gratuitous and shallow, as the character made a remarkable (although barely remarked upon in the book) and convenient recovery. How handy.
I did enjoy the dog tho.
Overall not bad and an easy read.

[Ash’s Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ooh this was fun! Reality TV show + murder: sign me up! I saw this crime book by an NZ author advertised in our local paper lol, so I had to give it a go! It was a classic whodunnit that takes you all around Auckland. It was cool to see all the places I know and love interwoven into a murder story - but a bit strange at first lol. I loved all the pieces of Kiwiana dotted throughout. It chipped along nicely and I was very intrigued by all of the characters!

[Danielle Murray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am pleased the author hung up her stethoscope and also pleased this book is set in Mangawhai. A wonderful read! Thank you to the author!

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bandara and Stark reunited - what's not to like? I like the way the focus is on developing the interpersonal relationships of the main characters almost as much as on the plot. I enjoyed it!

[Veronica · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was slow. And the narrator was awful. Tough to listen to.

[Hastings75 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

Loved this follow up novel. Read it in 2 sittings (had to stop to eat and sleep!😉).

Loved the setting of reality TV as a backdrop for murder and the character development of the 2 leads.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

a good murder mystery

[Deborah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loving this dynamic crime duo of Ramesh and Hilary.
The setting of Auckland and the North Shore helped set the scenes in my mind. Shout out for Glenfield Mall! 😆
And maybe don’t sign up for any reality shows …
Looking forward to more in the series.