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Sam Shephard #5
Expectant
A killer targeting pregnant women.
A detective expecting her first baby…
The shocking murder of a heavily pregnant woman throws the New Zealand city of Dunedin into a tailspin, and the devastating crime feels uncomfortably close to home for Detective Sam Shephard as she counts down the days to her own maternity leave.
Confined to a desk job in the department, Sam must find the missing link between this brutal crime and a string of cases involving mothers and children in the past. As the pieces start to come together and the realisation dawns that the killer’s actions are escalating, drastic measures must be taken to prevent more tragedy.
For Sam, the case becomes personal, when it becomes increasingly clear that no one is safe and the clock is ticking…
A detective expecting her first baby…
The shocking murder of a heavily pregnant woman throws the New Zealand city of Dunedin into a tailspin, and the devastating crime feels uncomfortably close to home for Detective Sam Shephard as she counts down the days to her own maternity leave.
Confined to a desk job in the department, Sam must find the missing link between this brutal crime and a string of cases involving mothers and children in the past. As the pieces start to come together and the realisation dawns that the killer’s actions are escalating, drastic measures must be taken to prevent more tragedy.
For Sam, the case becomes personal, when it becomes increasingly clear that no one is safe and the clock is ticking…
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 16, 2023
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219 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
March 21, 2023
EXCERPT: My allocated task du jour was to read up on recent incidents involving baby snatching. I knew I was tossed this one because it was a desk job, and therefore safe for the pregnant woman - keeping the resident arsehole happy. And even though I knew everyone was looking out for my interests, it didn't stop me from resenting it a bit.
The office felt very empty, as everyone else was out in the big, wide world doing what seemed like more hands-on and productive work. The lack of people energy in the room made the task feel even more grim and lonely, but, nevertheless, I settled down to do the bizzo.
I was aware there had been a couple of examples of baby abduction in Dunedin in recent years. Smithy had given me the heads-up on them. He was a born and bred Dunedinite, and although not assigned to those particular cases at the time, he remembered the furore they caused. I was only a recent arrival to the city, so they hadn't lodged in my memory. The case that did loom large in my consciousness though, was the alleged baby trafficking exploits of Minnie Dean, who was a legend in these parts, and not for good reasons. But considering that all went down in the late 1800s, I didn't think she'd be on the current list of suspects. Hers was a bloody sad case all around, really, and she had the dubious honour of being the only woman ever to be hanged in New Zealand. After the demise of some of her charges - and carelessly burying the bodies in her backyard - she was found guilty of infanticide. She was hanged in the Invercargill jail in 1895. Being a Southland girl, I was brought up on threats of being sent to Minnie to be 'looked after' if I misbehaved, which being young and impressionable at the time, resulted in plenty of nightmares. Gee, thanks for that, Mum.
ABOUT 'EXPECTANT': A killer targeting pregnant women.
A detective expecting her first baby…
The shocking murder of a heavily pregnant woman throws the New Zealand city of Dunedin into a tailspin, and the devastating crime feels uncomfortably close to home for Detective Sam Shephard as she counts down the days to her own maternity leave.
Confined to a desk job in the department, Sam must find the missing link between this brutal crime and a string of cases involving mothers and children in the past. As the pieces start to come together and the realisation dawns that the killer’ s actions are escalating, drastic measures must be taken to prevent more tragedy.
For Sam, the case becomes personal, when it becomes increasingly clear that no one is safe and the clock is ticking…
MY THOUGHTS: Where have I been? How come I have never read anything by this brilliant New Zealand author before this? I have not been living under a rock - honest - though you may be forgiven for thinking so. And it's so refreshing to read something set in Dunedin, a city that has been largely ignored in New Zealand fiction.
Expectant is a whirlwind of a book. Relatively short at 246 pages, each and every one of them packs a punch. I loved every page. I loved the characters of Sam Shepherd and her best friend and flatmate Maggie. I really want to know what happened between Sam and Smithy - she no longer trusts him. Her boss is a thorn in her side - attention-grabbing and misogynistic, Sam thinks of him as 'the resident arsehole'. She has a great relationship with the pathologist, a childhood friend, and several other allied professionals. But Paul - the father of her child? She loves him but continues to keep a little of herself in reserve, detached, and Paul knows it.
I read this with my heart in my mouth. Occasionally I just had to close my eyes and just breathe for a while before I read on.
Although Expectant is #5 in a series, it is easily read as a stand-alone and, having done that, I am now going back to #1 and play catch up.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#Expectant #SamIsBack #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.
The office felt very empty, as everyone else was out in the big, wide world doing what seemed like more hands-on and productive work. The lack of people energy in the room made the task feel even more grim and lonely, but, nevertheless, I settled down to do the bizzo.
I was aware there had been a couple of examples of baby abduction in Dunedin in recent years. Smithy had given me the heads-up on them. He was a born and bred Dunedinite, and although not assigned to those particular cases at the time, he remembered the furore they caused. I was only a recent arrival to the city, so they hadn't lodged in my memory. The case that did loom large in my consciousness though, was the alleged baby trafficking exploits of Minnie Dean, who was a legend in these parts, and not for good reasons. But considering that all went down in the late 1800s, I didn't think she'd be on the current list of suspects. Hers was a bloody sad case all around, really, and she had the dubious honour of being the only woman ever to be hanged in New Zealand. After the demise of some of her charges - and carelessly burying the bodies in her backyard - she was found guilty of infanticide. She was hanged in the Invercargill jail in 1895. Being a Southland girl, I was brought up on threats of being sent to Minnie to be 'looked after' if I misbehaved, which being young and impressionable at the time, resulted in plenty of nightmares. Gee, thanks for that, Mum.
ABOUT 'EXPECTANT': A killer targeting pregnant women.
A detective expecting her first baby…
The shocking murder of a heavily pregnant woman throws the New Zealand city of Dunedin into a tailspin, and the devastating crime feels uncomfortably close to home for Detective Sam Shephard as she counts down the days to her own maternity leave.
Confined to a desk job in the department, Sam must find the missing link between this brutal crime and a string of cases involving mothers and children in the past. As the pieces start to come together and the realisation dawns that the killer’ s actions are escalating, drastic measures must be taken to prevent more tragedy.
For Sam, the case becomes personal, when it becomes increasingly clear that no one is safe and the clock is ticking…
MY THOUGHTS: Where have I been? How come I have never read anything by this brilliant New Zealand author before this? I have not been living under a rock - honest - though you may be forgiven for thinking so. And it's so refreshing to read something set in Dunedin, a city that has been largely ignored in New Zealand fiction.
Expectant is a whirlwind of a book. Relatively short at 246 pages, each and every one of them packs a punch. I loved every page. I loved the characters of Sam Shepherd and her best friend and flatmate Maggie. I really want to know what happened between Sam and Smithy - she no longer trusts him. Her boss is a thorn in her side - attention-grabbing and misogynistic, Sam thinks of him as 'the resident arsehole'. She has a great relationship with the pathologist, a childhood friend, and several other allied professionals. But Paul - the father of her child? She loves him but continues to keep a little of herself in reserve, detached, and Paul knows it.
I read this with my heart in my mouth. Occasionally I just had to close my eyes and just breathe for a while before I read on.
Although Expectant is #5 in a series, it is easily read as a stand-alone and, having done that, I am now going back to #1 and play catch up.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
#Expectant #SamIsBack #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.
February 6, 2023
Sixteen-year old Timi Felipo, is out late tagging with his friends, when he hears someone in distress. He finds an injured woman, covered in blood, calls for help and waits with her until the ambulance arrives, but unfortunately, the woman dies.
This woman was Aleisha Newman, who was 38 weeks pregnant. Her belly was cut open and her child and placenta taken out of the womb. The police are treating the case as murder and kidnapping.
Sam Shephard is a detective on the case. She is confined to ‘light duties’ as she is heavily pregnant herself and about to start her maternity leave. This case resonates deeply with Sam, because of her pregnancy and she is desperate to find the killer.
She starts by looking into other baby snatching cases to see if she can find any similarities, whereas her colleagues are out there searching for the missing baby.
When Sam finds the link and the reason for the abduction of Aleisha Newman’s baby, she doesn’t know that her actions will put herself and her unborn baby in grave danger…
I found this book gripping and extremely emotive, especially when the case started coming together and the reader discovers the killer’s motivations. I have no idea what I would have done when faced in a similar position.
I found myself racing through the last few chapters, I was so engrossed with the story. I thought it was original and gripping.
Sam was such a force of nature, not to be messed with. I was rooting for her when she put herself and her unborn child in such danger. She took a risk and it paid off.
I definitely recommend this book.
This woman was Aleisha Newman, who was 38 weeks pregnant. Her belly was cut open and her child and placenta taken out of the womb. The police are treating the case as murder and kidnapping.
Sam Shephard is a detective on the case. She is confined to ‘light duties’ as she is heavily pregnant herself and about to start her maternity leave. This case resonates deeply with Sam, because of her pregnancy and she is desperate to find the killer.
She starts by looking into other baby snatching cases to see if she can find any similarities, whereas her colleagues are out there searching for the missing baby.
When Sam finds the link and the reason for the abduction of Aleisha Newman’s baby, she doesn’t know that her actions will put herself and her unborn baby in grave danger…
I found this book gripping and extremely emotive, especially when the case started coming together and the reader discovers the killer’s motivations. I have no idea what I would have done when faced in a similar position.
I found myself racing through the last few chapters, I was so engrossed with the story. I thought it was original and gripping.
Sam was such a force of nature, not to be messed with. I was rooting for her when she put herself and her unborn child in such danger. She took a risk and it paid off.
I definitely recommend this book.
June 16, 2023
These never fail to disappoint! Been so long since a new title has come out from this author so was great to sink my teeth into the rare well written NZ fiction! Love the accuracy of the NZ places and factual cases being popped into the storyline
December 21, 2022
From the ominous and shocking beginning to the heart-pounding ending, Expectant had me in its grasp.
Expectant is such an intelligent, cleverly plotted book. Detective Sam Shephard is working on a case where a pregnant woman is murdered and her baby taken. And what really heightens everything about this story is that Sam is pregnant herself - and from the very beginning this made the book all about the ticking clock - both the search for the killer and Sam's impending delivery.
It was great being with Sam as she (often hilariously) made her way through the last few weeks of her pregnancy, confined to her desk because of her 'condition' but still deciding to do everything she can to solve the case.
But more than the great plotting and storyline are the characters themselves and the relationship they have with Sam, all slightly different, all which come with their own history.
It was great to be back in Sam's world again. Sam is an every-woman, witty, clever, hilarious, vulnerable and so extremely relatable and in being so, I'm fully invested in her.
Thanks to Orenda Books for my ARC.
Expectant is such an intelligent, cleverly plotted book. Detective Sam Shephard is working on a case where a pregnant woman is murdered and her baby taken. And what really heightens everything about this story is that Sam is pregnant herself - and from the very beginning this made the book all about the ticking clock - both the search for the killer and Sam's impending delivery.
It was great being with Sam as she (often hilariously) made her way through the last few weeks of her pregnancy, confined to her desk because of her 'condition' but still deciding to do everything she can to solve the case.
But more than the great plotting and storyline are the characters themselves and the relationship they have with Sam, all slightly different, all which come with their own history.
It was great to be back in Sam's world again. Sam is an every-woman, witty, clever, hilarious, vulnerable and so extremely relatable and in being so, I'm fully invested in her.
Thanks to Orenda Books for my ARC.
December 5, 2025
I'm a little disappointed with this book. The action picked up from the first page, but just meandered around because there wasn't a lot of there there. The plot twists mostly kept me guessing, up to a point, but the final reveal was so telegraphed as to be laughable. The climax was paint by numbers and full of cliche, but the resolution was a nice touch. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series.
June 1, 2025
Another great read by our Kiwi crime writer. Heavily pregnant Sam Shephard is keen to find the answers after another pregnant woman is left to die in an alleyway in Dunedin. Despite being confined to her desk she doesn't stop trying to find the answers. Hopefully, Sam will reappear in further stories despite now having another family member to tend to.
March 21, 2023
I have enjoyed all the Sam Shephard books and this one is well up to standard. Sam in heavily pregnant and about to go on maternity leave in her town of Dunedin when a heavily pregnant woman is attacked and killed late one night. Strangely her baby is removed from the womb too.
Good plot with a bit of a twist at the end which I suspected as we headed towards it but all well done.
Good plot with a bit of a twist at the end which I suspected as we headed towards it but all well done.
March 26, 2025
I enjoyed the local setting of this book, and it was good to catch up with this series so far. The characters are well drawn and seem familiar - not because they are stereotypes, but because they seem so real. The main character, Sam Shephard, is pregnant in this book and about to go on maternity leave, but has one more case to solve. The realities of pregnancy, particularly in a work setting, are well portrayed.
December 12, 2023
It has been such a long time since reading a book that peaks my interest and keeps me guessing until the end. One of the best books I've read this year
August 8, 2023
Detective Sam Shephard's latest adventure treads familiar ground in some respects - she's still suffering under DI Johns - but goes to new places in others - the case we follow here is even more personal than usual. Sam is shortly to give birth, so the murder and mutilation of a pregnant woman in a Dunedin backstreet obviously comes very close to home (and gives DI Johns a new excuse to try and shut her out of the investigation).
Beneath the shocking horror, it's a cleverly constructed mystery, Sam's condition however giving her few natural insights into why somebody would do such a thing. That, and DI Johns' success in keeping her away from the centre of things, leaves time and space to explore how Sam is feeling at this juncture in her life: her partner Paul, and her ever disapproving mother, coming and going through the narrative to give us different perspectives. As readers of this series will be aware, Sam's life is never straightforward and we've seen her change from the carefree young woman of the early books to, well, nearly a mother (but emphatically not one who will be a clone of her own mother - the tension between the two is still palpable, even if here things are a bit more peaceable than before).
But Sam being Sam, she's never going to let herself be kept out of things, is she? It's just a matter of interpreting DI Johns' orders creatively... and of not being afraid to have a stand-up slanging match with him when the time comes (go, Sam!) As ever, Sam places her quest for justice ahead of common sense and self-preservation. And you can guess the outcome of that when Johns finds out about it.
All in all, a satisfying and engaging return to one of my favourite detectives doing what she does best - ie causing trouble. This series shows no sign of flagging and I have high hopes that in the next instalment we'll see Sam coping with new complications as a mother and again firmly keeping Johns in his place.
Beneath the shocking horror, it's a cleverly constructed mystery, Sam's condition however giving her few natural insights into why somebody would do such a thing. That, and DI Johns' success in keeping her away from the centre of things, leaves time and space to explore how Sam is feeling at this juncture in her life: her partner Paul, and her ever disapproving mother, coming and going through the narrative to give us different perspectives. As readers of this series will be aware, Sam's life is never straightforward and we've seen her change from the carefree young woman of the early books to, well, nearly a mother (but emphatically not one who will be a clone of her own mother - the tension between the two is still palpable, even if here things are a bit more peaceable than before).
But Sam being Sam, she's never going to let herself be kept out of things, is she? It's just a matter of interpreting DI Johns' orders creatively... and of not being afraid to have a stand-up slanging match with him when the time comes (go, Sam!) As ever, Sam places her quest for justice ahead of common sense and self-preservation. And you can guess the outcome of that when Johns finds out about it.
All in all, a satisfying and engaging return to one of my favourite detectives doing what she does best - ie causing trouble. This series shows no sign of flagging and I have high hopes that in the next instalment we'll see Sam coping with new complications as a mother and again firmly keeping Johns in his place.
June 28, 2023
I love the vibrant cover and was looking forward to reading another in the Sam Shephard series. Vanda Symon's writing is lively, pacy, and reflects Sam's sassy personality - it's in the vein of Sue Grafton or Janet Evanovich.
The book opens with the shocking discovery of a murdered pregnant woman, and as Sam herself is hugely pregnant she is highly motivated to find the killer. Sam's pregnancy features strongly, authentically, and often humorously as she waddles around and finds herself confined by her boss to desk work. I did get a bit over the frequent and repeated use of baby and pregnancy metaphors like "bundle of joy" and "ready to pop".
It's a highly readable novel, but I found the motivation for murder to be lacking and not believable. Also I tripped over the opening lines of the book where some teenagers are walking on Moray Place "heading downhill to George St". Knowing Dunedin intimately, I immediately pictured where they were, but then realised the landmarks were wrong - it wasn't George St they were heading to, it was in fact Princes St. Not major, but it threw me a bit at the beginning of the book. There were a few other minor editing errors (trust an editor to spot them).
If you can suspend disbelief you'll find this an enjoyable read.
The book opens with the shocking discovery of a murdered pregnant woman, and as Sam herself is hugely pregnant she is highly motivated to find the killer. Sam's pregnancy features strongly, authentically, and often humorously as she waddles around and finds herself confined by her boss to desk work. I did get a bit over the frequent and repeated use of baby and pregnancy metaphors like "bundle of joy" and "ready to pop".
It's a highly readable novel, but I found the motivation for murder to be lacking and not believable. Also I tripped over the opening lines of the book where some teenagers are walking on Moray Place "heading downhill to George St". Knowing Dunedin intimately, I immediately pictured where they were, but then realised the landmarks were wrong - it wasn't George St they were heading to, it was in fact Princes St. Not major, but it threw me a bit at the beginning of the book. There were a few other minor editing errors (trust an editor to spot them).
If you can suspend disbelief you'll find this an enjoyable read.
January 8, 2023
Wowsers. This books starts in the most dramatic way. The discovery of a dying women would be traumatic enough, but to discover that the victim was pregnant when she was attacked adds a whole new layer of urgency and jeopardy to an already emotive case. The opening scene may not be over gratuitous, although it is certainly graphic enough, and it really packs a punch, setting readers up for what will be a race against time to catch a murderer before they strike again. It's doubly poignant for Detective Sam Shephard as she is only weeks away from having her own child, which only increases her determination to see justice for the murdered woman and her family.
I love this series. Sam Shephard is such a wonderful character, full of determination and bravado, down to earth and as witty and sarcastic as you could ask for. She has an acute sense of right and wrong and is completely set on seeking justice for those who can no longer obtain it for themselves. Her relationships with family echo that of so many of us and the familiarity breeds and extra kind of kinship with her as a character. With her personal life about to go through some major changes - her best friend and roommate moving out and the impending arrival of Baby Shephard, you'd think she might start to relax and take a back seat, but fear not. That's just not in her make up and she is as delightfully embroiled in this case, much to her superiors annoyance, as she would ever be.
There is an emotional core to this book, touching as it does on the subject of murder, infant trafficking, and abduction. As she investigates Sam looks back to some of New Zealand's previous infant related crimes, highlighting the various motives that may be behind the murder. It is one of those cases that when the final reveal comes it is hard not to feel a modicum of sympathy towards the perpetrator, even if their actions can never be condoned. It's definitely a story that will give you pause for thought, especially if a parent, and the turmoil and pain that is evident in the victims family is perfectly captured on the page, enhancing my need to read on if only to see justice done. The case is not black and white though and those shadows, the wisps of grey that unfurl and envelop the ending, make for a perfect conclusion to the story. It's dramatic, pulse-pounding and full of tension - just the way we like it.
If you've never read any of this series before then you have missed a treat. Vanda Symon encapsulates that wonderful Kiwi humour of hers in stories which are emotional, tense, dramatic and just bloody good fun to read. Start at the beginning to see the full progression of Sam as a Police Officer and as a character, and to better understand the entanglements and traumas that the major characters have endured along the way. That and because it's too good a series to miss out on any of it. This does stand well as a standalone case, full resolved within the pages, so if you just want a taster of what the series is about, you can drop in right here. One thing is certain, it's most definitely recommended by me.
I love this series. Sam Shephard is such a wonderful character, full of determination and bravado, down to earth and as witty and sarcastic as you could ask for. She has an acute sense of right and wrong and is completely set on seeking justice for those who can no longer obtain it for themselves. Her relationships with family echo that of so many of us and the familiarity breeds and extra kind of kinship with her as a character. With her personal life about to go through some major changes - her best friend and roommate moving out and the impending arrival of Baby Shephard, you'd think she might start to relax and take a back seat, but fear not. That's just not in her make up and she is as delightfully embroiled in this case, much to her superiors annoyance, as she would ever be.
There is an emotional core to this book, touching as it does on the subject of murder, infant trafficking, and abduction. As she investigates Sam looks back to some of New Zealand's previous infant related crimes, highlighting the various motives that may be behind the murder. It is one of those cases that when the final reveal comes it is hard not to feel a modicum of sympathy towards the perpetrator, even if their actions can never be condoned. It's definitely a story that will give you pause for thought, especially if a parent, and the turmoil and pain that is evident in the victims family is perfectly captured on the page, enhancing my need to read on if only to see justice done. The case is not black and white though and those shadows, the wisps of grey that unfurl and envelop the ending, make for a perfect conclusion to the story. It's dramatic, pulse-pounding and full of tension - just the way we like it.
If you've never read any of this series before then you have missed a treat. Vanda Symon encapsulates that wonderful Kiwi humour of hers in stories which are emotional, tense, dramatic and just bloody good fun to read. Start at the beginning to see the full progression of Sam as a Police Officer and as a character, and to better understand the entanglements and traumas that the major characters have endured along the way. That and because it's too good a series to miss out on any of it. This does stand well as a standalone case, full resolved within the pages, so if you just want a taster of what the series is about, you can drop in right here. One thing is certain, it's most definitely recommended by me.
August 11, 2023
This was a very good read.
It was well written and the story flowed at a good pace.
I liked how well the characters were written especially with Sam and her anxiety and fears in relation to her pregnancy. I thought that was really well portrayed. I liked both her and Paul as characters.
I do have to admit though, that some of the scientific bits possibly went over my head. I'd probably have to read it again to properly understand it.
I haven't read the previous books in the Sam Shephard series, but I might give them a go.
Thank you to The Book Club Reviewer Group for a copy of this one.
It was well written and the story flowed at a good pace.
I liked how well the characters were written especially with Sam and her anxiety and fears in relation to her pregnancy. I thought that was really well portrayed. I liked both her and Paul as characters.
I do have to admit though, that some of the scientific bits possibly went over my head. I'd probably have to read it again to properly understand it.
I haven't read the previous books in the Sam Shephard series, but I might give them a go.
Thank you to The Book Club Reviewer Group for a copy of this one.
February 28, 2023
Loved this! And very pleased to see Detective Sam Shephard working again.
Sam may be pregnant but she's not letting that get in her way! She is determined to be involved in this latest murder investigation, even though her boss is keen to side-line her and put her on desk duties because of her condition - but this seems to give her extra impetus to solve the gruesome murder of a heavily pregnant woman and the removal / kidnapping of the baby.
The gruesome start aside, this is a rollicking good who-done-it -and-why.
Sam may be pregnant but she's not letting that get in her way! She is determined to be involved in this latest murder investigation, even though her boss is keen to side-line her and put her on desk duties because of her condition - but this seems to give her extra impetus to solve the gruesome murder of a heavily pregnant woman and the removal / kidnapping of the baby.
The gruesome start aside, this is a rollicking good who-done-it -and-why.
February 15, 2023
Vanda Symon's previous book, Faceless was a stand-alone and I thought it was wonderful but I have to admit to being thrilled to welcome back Detective Sam Shephard. After reading Bound a couple of years ago I mused that it felt like a pivotal novel and a significant moment for Sam, particularly regarding her relationship with her fellow detective, Paul. Bound was an emotive story, she lost her father and discovered she was pregnant but although it quickly becomes clear that the pending new arrival has brought Sam and Paul closer together, Vanda Symon doesn't give her immensely likeable lead character an easy time here either.
The gripping prologue ends with a truly grisly scene and although the violence has happened off the page, the visceral horror of what has occurred is almost too dreadful to contemplate. Aleisha Newman's murder is the stuff of nightmares and especially difficult for Sam who understandably feels a connection to the case, despite being informed by her perennially misogynistic boss that her condition means she is to be sidelined and confined to a desk until her maternity leave starts. Expectant can be read as a stand-alone novel but I'd really recommend reading the previous books to fully understand the dynamics between the characters. D.I. Johns, for example, is a character I can't help but love to hate, any brief glimpses of what may be redeeming qualities are swiftly quashed and he is the epitome of the sort of condescending, sexist boss any woman hopes never crosses their path. Sam being Sam refuses to be cowed by his bullying tactics, even when she realises she could be overstepping the mark. After one particularly fraught clash with Johns, her former mentor Smithy asks which Sam she'd been – "sweary-shouty Sam or just shouty-shouty Sam." I'll leave you to find out exactly what she said but I can't believe anybody won't be cheering her on...
There are many reasons why I love this series but if I had to narrow them down to just one, then that's an easy choice. There are many brilliant detectives in crime fiction, with several I'd be happy to be investigating my case but I can't think of many I can imagine being friends with. Sam is different; she has her flaws – most notably her aforementioned temper, plus her tendency to shy away from commitment and to take risks with her own safety – but she is just so relatably normal. Even her complex relationship with her mother is underpinned by the understanding that for all her criticism, she loves her daughter. Sam. She doesn't have a drinking problem, other than being accused of leaving the lid off the Milo at work, and while she's always had a sweet tooth, her pregnancy induced cravings are only too excusable here.
I love the blooming love affair between her and Paul and as she notes several times in Expectant, his hard-shell exterior belies a much softer side. They don't always agree but their relationship appears to be refreshingly settled, despite the imminent huge changes to their life. Sam's empathetic personality means she's never going to accept a desk job but Vanda Symon ensures her involvement with the case feels natural and not forced for the sake of drama.
The sense of place is excellent as ever, and it's not just due to the atmospheric descriptions of Dunedin's streets or its unpredictable weather; the conversational flow of the first-person narrative ensures readers feel immersed in New Zealand life. It's a harrowing investigation; as Sam observes, similar cases are often perpetrated by desperate people and and it's heartbreaking to learn that a country that most of us would consider to be more progressive, has one of the worst records of child abuse in the developed world.
It's not an easy investigation emotionally and because there are few leads and a number of red herrings, either through malicious intent or due to misguided assumptions. However, as the net finally tightens on the killer, the closing chapters are unbearably tense and deeply moving. Vanda Symon's perceptive thriller takes a reflective look at what drives people to commit atrocious crimes and without ever excusing the heinous nature, Expectant is as thought-provoking and poignant as it is compellingly suspenseful. I'm sure I won't be the only person left with tears in my eyes at the end. I almost hesitate to say this is the best in the series so far because every Sam Shephard book is utterly first-rate but this is an outstanding novel. I loved it!
The gripping prologue ends with a truly grisly scene and although the violence has happened off the page, the visceral horror of what has occurred is almost too dreadful to contemplate. Aleisha Newman's murder is the stuff of nightmares and especially difficult for Sam who understandably feels a connection to the case, despite being informed by her perennially misogynistic boss that her condition means she is to be sidelined and confined to a desk until her maternity leave starts. Expectant can be read as a stand-alone novel but I'd really recommend reading the previous books to fully understand the dynamics between the characters. D.I. Johns, for example, is a character I can't help but love to hate, any brief glimpses of what may be redeeming qualities are swiftly quashed and he is the epitome of the sort of condescending, sexist boss any woman hopes never crosses their path. Sam being Sam refuses to be cowed by his bullying tactics, even when she realises she could be overstepping the mark. After one particularly fraught clash with Johns, her former mentor Smithy asks which Sam she'd been – "sweary-shouty Sam or just shouty-shouty Sam." I'll leave you to find out exactly what she said but I can't believe anybody won't be cheering her on...
There are many reasons why I love this series but if I had to narrow them down to just one, then that's an easy choice. There are many brilliant detectives in crime fiction, with several I'd be happy to be investigating my case but I can't think of many I can imagine being friends with. Sam is different; she has her flaws – most notably her aforementioned temper, plus her tendency to shy away from commitment and to take risks with her own safety – but she is just so relatably normal. Even her complex relationship with her mother is underpinned by the understanding that for all her criticism, she loves her daughter. Sam. She doesn't have a drinking problem, other than being accused of leaving the lid off the Milo at work, and while she's always had a sweet tooth, her pregnancy induced cravings are only too excusable here.
I love the blooming love affair between her and Paul and as she notes several times in Expectant, his hard-shell exterior belies a much softer side. They don't always agree but their relationship appears to be refreshingly settled, despite the imminent huge changes to their life. Sam's empathetic personality means she's never going to accept a desk job but Vanda Symon ensures her involvement with the case feels natural and not forced for the sake of drama.
The sense of place is excellent as ever, and it's not just due to the atmospheric descriptions of Dunedin's streets or its unpredictable weather; the conversational flow of the first-person narrative ensures readers feel immersed in New Zealand life. It's a harrowing investigation; as Sam observes, similar cases are often perpetrated by desperate people and and it's heartbreaking to learn that a country that most of us would consider to be more progressive, has one of the worst records of child abuse in the developed world.
It's not an easy investigation emotionally and because there are few leads and a number of red herrings, either through malicious intent or due to misguided assumptions. However, as the net finally tightens on the killer, the closing chapters are unbearably tense and deeply moving. Vanda Symon's perceptive thriller takes a reflective look at what drives people to commit atrocious crimes and without ever excusing the heinous nature, Expectant is as thought-provoking and poignant as it is compellingly suspenseful. I'm sure I won't be the only person left with tears in my eyes at the end. I almost hesitate to say this is the best in the series so far because every Sam Shephard book is utterly first-rate but this is an outstanding novel. I loved it!
March 24, 2023
My Rating ~ 4.5*
Expectant by Vanda Symon published February 16th, 2023 with Orenda Books and is rightfully described as ‘shocking and twisty'. Vanda Symon has been given the moniker of ‘New Zealand’s modern Queen of Crime’ by the great Scottish crime writer Val McDermid and I can see why. Expectant is the first Sam Shephard mystery in twelve years and the fifth book in this crime fiction series. Featuring the formidable and feisty Detective Sam Shephard, it follows on from Overkill, The Ringmaster, Containment and Bound.
Dunedin, located on New Zealand’s South Island, is home to Vanda Symon and her family and is where Sam Shephard is based. Through the words of Vanda Symon, we are all transported to this city, one that is recognised for its Scottish and Maori heritage and even has its own Spotify playlist Dunnerstunner (which is pretty cool!)
Expectant sees Vanda Symon return with, what is quite possibly, one of the most disturbing opening scenes in a book I have ever read. Anyone reading those pages will feel a chill down their spine, but as a mother myself, I was completely rattled and disconcerted by the images depicted. I just could not and still cannot get them out of my head which is an absolute credit to the writing of Vanda Symon. From the book description, it’s clear that a heavily pregnant woman, Aleisha Newman, is murdered leaving a city and its population shocked and afraid.
“Dunedin was waking up to the news of the horrendous crime committed on its streets overnight, and I was waking up to the shocking details the media and general public still weren’t party to – details we didn’t have last night.”
With such a violent and abhorrent attack on the streets of Dunedin, the police must act fast to catch this brutal killer before they strike again. For Detective Sam Shephard this case feels all too personal. In the latter stages of pregnancy she is immediately side-lined by her boss, DI Johns, which infuriates her. There is no love lost between Sam and DI Johns and she is frustrated by being confined to a desk job. But Sam Shephard is not one to tow the line and with her ingenuity and tenacity she slowly begins to piece together the truth behind this barbaric crime.
“Rage that someone could have committed such an atrocity against someone else – someone so vulnerable. It was that anger that would sustain me through this. It was that anger that would focus my mind, channel my critical thinking. I would find justice for Aleisha Newman. This felt personal.”
But Sam Shephard’s feistiness has also put her into very threatening situations and in Expectant it’s no different. Her partner Peter and her best friend Maggie are concerned for Sam. Her involvement in this case is no longer just about her safety but also for that of her unborn child. But Sam is angry, Sam is stubborn and Sam wants justice.
The appeal of Vanda Symon’s writing is her empathy, her down-to-earth descriptions and her excellent characterisations and descriptions. Sam Shephard is a top protagonist. She is steadfast in her search for the truth but, in this book, there is also a more intimate side to her personality as she struggles with her own imminent life-changing experience. She is more exposed, more raw than ever before, which will appeal to all, adding another layer of credibility to Vanda Symon’s writing.
I am being deliberately vague in my review because, when I picked up Expectant, I had very little knowledge of what was ahead of me, except what I read at the back of the book. This meant that my shock on discovery was authentic and genuinely distressing. Expectant is hard-hitting and heart-wrenching, portraying some very harrowing scenes but Sam Shephard’s character takes the edge off and reins in the fear because we trust her and we know she will solve the case and see justice done.
Expectant is another great addition to this series, with snappy short chapters that keep the pace moving at page-turning speed and with heightened tension. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next to the indomitable Detective Sam Shephard. Keep then coming Vanda Symon!
Expectant by Vanda Symon published February 16th, 2023 with Orenda Books and is rightfully described as ‘shocking and twisty'. Vanda Symon has been given the moniker of ‘New Zealand’s modern Queen of Crime’ by the great Scottish crime writer Val McDermid and I can see why. Expectant is the first Sam Shephard mystery in twelve years and the fifth book in this crime fiction series. Featuring the formidable and feisty Detective Sam Shephard, it follows on from Overkill, The Ringmaster, Containment and Bound.
Dunedin, located on New Zealand’s South Island, is home to Vanda Symon and her family and is where Sam Shephard is based. Through the words of Vanda Symon, we are all transported to this city, one that is recognised for its Scottish and Maori heritage and even has its own Spotify playlist Dunnerstunner (which is pretty cool!)
Expectant sees Vanda Symon return with, what is quite possibly, one of the most disturbing opening scenes in a book I have ever read. Anyone reading those pages will feel a chill down their spine, but as a mother myself, I was completely rattled and disconcerted by the images depicted. I just could not and still cannot get them out of my head which is an absolute credit to the writing of Vanda Symon. From the book description, it’s clear that a heavily pregnant woman, Aleisha Newman, is murdered leaving a city and its population shocked and afraid.
“Dunedin was waking up to the news of the horrendous crime committed on its streets overnight, and I was waking up to the shocking details the media and general public still weren’t party to – details we didn’t have last night.”
With such a violent and abhorrent attack on the streets of Dunedin, the police must act fast to catch this brutal killer before they strike again. For Detective Sam Shephard this case feels all too personal. In the latter stages of pregnancy she is immediately side-lined by her boss, DI Johns, which infuriates her. There is no love lost between Sam and DI Johns and she is frustrated by being confined to a desk job. But Sam Shephard is not one to tow the line and with her ingenuity and tenacity she slowly begins to piece together the truth behind this barbaric crime.
“Rage that someone could have committed such an atrocity against someone else – someone so vulnerable. It was that anger that would sustain me through this. It was that anger that would focus my mind, channel my critical thinking. I would find justice for Aleisha Newman. This felt personal.”
But Sam Shephard’s feistiness has also put her into very threatening situations and in Expectant it’s no different. Her partner Peter and her best friend Maggie are concerned for Sam. Her involvement in this case is no longer just about her safety but also for that of her unborn child. But Sam is angry, Sam is stubborn and Sam wants justice.
The appeal of Vanda Symon’s writing is her empathy, her down-to-earth descriptions and her excellent characterisations and descriptions. Sam Shephard is a top protagonist. She is steadfast in her search for the truth but, in this book, there is also a more intimate side to her personality as she struggles with her own imminent life-changing experience. She is more exposed, more raw than ever before, which will appeal to all, adding another layer of credibility to Vanda Symon’s writing.
I am being deliberately vague in my review because, when I picked up Expectant, I had very little knowledge of what was ahead of me, except what I read at the back of the book. This meant that my shock on discovery was authentic and genuinely distressing. Expectant is hard-hitting and heart-wrenching, portraying some very harrowing scenes but Sam Shephard’s character takes the edge off and reins in the fear because we trust her and we know she will solve the case and see justice done.
Expectant is another great addition to this series, with snappy short chapters that keep the pace moving at page-turning speed and with heightened tension. I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next to the indomitable Detective Sam Shephard. Keep then coming Vanda Symon!
January 23, 2023
Detective Sam Shephard is back - but not for long, hopefully. She's spending her last few weeks at work getting ready and eagerly awaiting her maternity leave.
But then, the brutal murder of a pregnant woman sends shockwaves through Dunedin, and through Sam. As it becomes clearer that the culprit is growing more desperate and dangerous, they realise it's going to take something drastic to end their reign of terror. She might be on the side-lines, but she isn't going to let this go without a fight.
Soon it's obvious that nobody is safe, including Sam. She'll stop at nothing to put an end to this nightmare - but can she put herself and her pregnancy in the path of danger to make sure mothers and children are safe again? There might not be another option.
"The image of her last moments crept into my brain, playing like an old-school noir movie, and I could almost feel the trace of cold steel against my belly."
An explosive new thriller from the Queen of New Zealand Noir - Expectant is a dark and disturbing take of murder and mystery that cuts deep. Symons creates a nightmare in real life - one where the monsters of Sams own nightmares enter the real world and nobody can be trusted. It's cinematic, electrifying and painfully intense right up to the last few words.
If you haven't read any Sam Shephard novels before, don't worry! Her characterisation is so strong that you'll know her within minutes, and the story doesn't rely on you knowing her previous novels so it packs a strong punch even as a stand-alone. I'd definitely still recommend them, but here's a great place to jump in!
I couldn't help but immediately find a connection with Sam - she's frightened, not just for her but for the other mothers and children facing this nameless threat, but despite her fear she is fiercely loyal and determined to protect those in need. There's a vulnerability and authenticity to her that doesn't cancel out her bravery and boldness, but empowers it.
This reads a bit like a procedural, but with the high-octane action and intense atmosphere of a block-buster thriller. As we move along, the motivations of our villain are called into question and we're left not knowing who could do this or why. As the sheer and strange desperation of their actions reach a fever pitch, the only thing that's clear is this is personal, and they're closing in. But is that because Sam is catching up to them, or they're catching up to her?
Symons writing is always striking, smart and snappy - with short chapters that get the story moving quickly and keep the pace. But somehow, she always finds time to paint a detailed picture of our setting, transporting us to beautiful cities, stifling offices and terrifying lairs in painstaking clarity. When it comes to the most horrific of murder scenes we find ourselves at, Symons handles it well - they're graphic and disturbing so should be read with caution but never go too far and glorify the gorier side of crime.
According to the Oxford Dictionary, Expectant is "having or showing an excited feeling that something is about to happen, especially something good." - and you will definitely spend this story excitedly waiting for something to happen, but don't expect a clear-cut good ending from this gritty noir novel as we delve into the depths of what humans are really capable of - the heroes, the monsters, and the people lost in between.
"I felt like I almost had all the pieces for this case, but just had to figure out how they slotted together, and of course, who they would reveal in the end. It was like one of those Wasgij puzzles, where they gave you the clues - the view from the other side, or hints from the past - but they were too bloody mean to print the solution on the box for you."
But then, the brutal murder of a pregnant woman sends shockwaves through Dunedin, and through Sam. As it becomes clearer that the culprit is growing more desperate and dangerous, they realise it's going to take something drastic to end their reign of terror. She might be on the side-lines, but she isn't going to let this go without a fight.
Soon it's obvious that nobody is safe, including Sam. She'll stop at nothing to put an end to this nightmare - but can she put herself and her pregnancy in the path of danger to make sure mothers and children are safe again? There might not be another option.
"The image of her last moments crept into my brain, playing like an old-school noir movie, and I could almost feel the trace of cold steel against my belly."
An explosive new thriller from the Queen of New Zealand Noir - Expectant is a dark and disturbing take of murder and mystery that cuts deep. Symons creates a nightmare in real life - one where the monsters of Sams own nightmares enter the real world and nobody can be trusted. It's cinematic, electrifying and painfully intense right up to the last few words.
If you haven't read any Sam Shephard novels before, don't worry! Her characterisation is so strong that you'll know her within minutes, and the story doesn't rely on you knowing her previous novels so it packs a strong punch even as a stand-alone. I'd definitely still recommend them, but here's a great place to jump in!
I couldn't help but immediately find a connection with Sam - she's frightened, not just for her but for the other mothers and children facing this nameless threat, but despite her fear she is fiercely loyal and determined to protect those in need. There's a vulnerability and authenticity to her that doesn't cancel out her bravery and boldness, but empowers it.
This reads a bit like a procedural, but with the high-octane action and intense atmosphere of a block-buster thriller. As we move along, the motivations of our villain are called into question and we're left not knowing who could do this or why. As the sheer and strange desperation of their actions reach a fever pitch, the only thing that's clear is this is personal, and they're closing in. But is that because Sam is catching up to them, or they're catching up to her?
Symons writing is always striking, smart and snappy - with short chapters that get the story moving quickly and keep the pace. But somehow, she always finds time to paint a detailed picture of our setting, transporting us to beautiful cities, stifling offices and terrifying lairs in painstaking clarity. When it comes to the most horrific of murder scenes we find ourselves at, Symons handles it well - they're graphic and disturbing so should be read with caution but never go too far and glorify the gorier side of crime.
According to the Oxford Dictionary, Expectant is "having or showing an excited feeling that something is about to happen, especially something good." - and you will definitely spend this story excitedly waiting for something to happen, but don't expect a clear-cut good ending from this gritty noir novel as we delve into the depths of what humans are really capable of - the heroes, the monsters, and the people lost in between.
"I felt like I almost had all the pieces for this case, but just had to figure out how they slotted together, and of course, who they would reveal in the end. It was like one of those Wasgij puzzles, where they gave you the clues - the view from the other side, or hints from the past - but they were too bloody mean to print the solution on the box for you."
February 21, 2023
The story starts with a graffiti ‘tagging crew’ the ‘Blood Broz’ at work down a secluded side street when one of the boys hears a noise. Investigating he finds a woman barely alive covered in blood. The rest of the crew decide to scarper to avoid trouble, but Timi faces the moral dilemma (of which there are several in the novel) to flee or not and decides to stay and try to save the woman and give some comfort to her until help arrives. Alas she dies from massive bloodless as her abdomen was sliced open. The jaw dropping twist is she was pregnant, her baby was delivered and taken.
The plot then focuses on first trying to recover the baby, if it survived, and locating the killer. This is the procedural part which is conventional with a few false alarms and twists along the way. So, an attention-grabbing plot.
At times the plot is secondary to the examination of human feelings which is beautifully handled and raises the story above a mere gory murder investigation. The central character Sam is also pregnant so the effect on her is profound, equally terrified for the ‘precious load’ she is carrying but also determined to catch the killer. The latter part is complicated by her being confined to the office as she is only a month from her expected date. Her boss thinks Sam contacting the family would be too upsetting for them, but they want to meet her, making strong emotional bonds even though they are devastated. The procedure sees the police looking into those who have tried to take children in the past and its natural to feel some of their pain which drives them to do the unthinkable. Consideration is also given to those whose personal circumstances make motherhood near impossible, those women who find themselves homeless or underage mothers with unsupportive family. All of this is written with a delicacy and compassion for something so many take for granted whilst for others it remains an all-consuming desire.
Sam naturally is central to the story and its her thoughts and feelings that push the story along. We see her as a determined woman battling in a male dominated environment but at the same time also very vulnerable. She has the doubts all expectant mothers have, will the delivery go well, feeling not being ready, will she be a good mother and does she really love Paul the baby’s father. Thankfully she has her flat sharing friend Maggie on hand for the necessary pep talk as both of their futures are to change.
The pacing is variable and nicely judged, with gradual build ups and then quick let downs as successive avenues of investigation each prove fruitless, before the build up to a frantic finale. After the gory start the danger becomes psychological rather than physical until the jeopardy close to the end. There are a few twists along the way with the ending surprising me somewhat being one that presents a terrible choice but turns out quite touching.
The dialogue is smart, the interactions and banter amongst the detectives convincing with some jibes stinging like a whiplash. Sam can hold her own and appears adept at deflating testosterone inflated egos like a pin bursting a balloon. There’s also a lovely cameo where a midwife berates senior officers, her fury and scorn being palpable and beautifully if coarsely expressed.
Expectant is a scalpel sharp crime thriller able to shock and touch the reader in equal measure. Now to start the series at the beginning.
The plot then focuses on first trying to recover the baby, if it survived, and locating the killer. This is the procedural part which is conventional with a few false alarms and twists along the way. So, an attention-grabbing plot.
At times the plot is secondary to the examination of human feelings which is beautifully handled and raises the story above a mere gory murder investigation. The central character Sam is also pregnant so the effect on her is profound, equally terrified for the ‘precious load’ she is carrying but also determined to catch the killer. The latter part is complicated by her being confined to the office as she is only a month from her expected date. Her boss thinks Sam contacting the family would be too upsetting for them, but they want to meet her, making strong emotional bonds even though they are devastated. The procedure sees the police looking into those who have tried to take children in the past and its natural to feel some of their pain which drives them to do the unthinkable. Consideration is also given to those whose personal circumstances make motherhood near impossible, those women who find themselves homeless or underage mothers with unsupportive family. All of this is written with a delicacy and compassion for something so many take for granted whilst for others it remains an all-consuming desire.
Sam naturally is central to the story and its her thoughts and feelings that push the story along. We see her as a determined woman battling in a male dominated environment but at the same time also very vulnerable. She has the doubts all expectant mothers have, will the delivery go well, feeling not being ready, will she be a good mother and does she really love Paul the baby’s father. Thankfully she has her flat sharing friend Maggie on hand for the necessary pep talk as both of their futures are to change.
The pacing is variable and nicely judged, with gradual build ups and then quick let downs as successive avenues of investigation each prove fruitless, before the build up to a frantic finale. After the gory start the danger becomes psychological rather than physical until the jeopardy close to the end. There are a few twists along the way with the ending surprising me somewhat being one that presents a terrible choice but turns out quite touching.
The dialogue is smart, the interactions and banter amongst the detectives convincing with some jibes stinging like a whiplash. Sam can hold her own and appears adept at deflating testosterone inflated egos like a pin bursting a balloon. There’s also a lovely cameo where a midwife berates senior officers, her fury and scorn being palpable and beautifully if coarsely expressed.
Expectant is a scalpel sharp crime thriller able to shock and touch the reader in equal measure. Now to start the series at the beginning.
February 28, 2023
When a heavily-pregnant woman is found murdered in an alley, with her baby missing, quiet Dunedin is shocked to the core. It is a crime that hits Detective Sam Shephard hard, being only a few weeks away from the birth of her own child.
Her boss is keen to keep Sam well away from this investigation, but they need every hand they can get to track down the person capable of such a brutal crime, so she finds herself doing all she can to help from the confines of her desk... and her painstaking work uncovers a trail that paints a picture of someone desperate to achieve their aim by any means necessary.
Sam is sure that the only way to catch this killer will be to make this case even more personal, but has she gone too far this time...
It is a joy to be back with Sam Shephard as she undertakes another investigation, and this story is one that pulls no punches right from the word go, with a crime that grips you with icy fingers around your heart - fingers that do not let you go for the entire story.
Sam is doing her level best to ignore the fact that she is just about to become a mother, despite the ever increasing baby-bump, but this crime gives her little choice but to examine motherhood in a very intense way. This is a slightly different Sam to the firecracker we are used to, although she has some feisty moments. She is still recovering from the loss of her father, and has to acknowledge that she is a lot more vulnerable than she wants to admit. Naturally, there are fewer busting down of physical doors moments from my favourite New Zealand detective in this story, but her mind is just as active as ever, and this allows her to make headway through the hard graft of sifting information and being guided by her instincts. Along the way she is forced to confront her fears about the unknown territory that awaits her, and how much this momentous event will change her life.
It is rather difficult to tell you how cleverly Vanda Symon shapes this story to delve into very thought provoking subjects without spoilers, but suffice to say that she has Sam gradually uncovering some facts that are highly disturbing on a number of levels. Symon drops her reveals slowly, like a trail of breadcrumbs, giving you just enough to tweak your perception of what is going on here with every morsel you pick up. I was a whisker ahead of Sam just as she gets to the heart of the matter, but even so, the cracking climax still hit me broadside with a deliciously terrifying twist.
I guarantee that this story will set you pondering about whether the ends can ever justify the means, when the whys behind the crime are finally exposed. The obvious answer is a resounding negative, but nevertheless Symon beautifully poses some timely questions about the grey areas that motivate the murderer to act as they do.
This is a book to consume in a single, heart-racing session. It has a particularly visceral impact if you have ever carried a child, and brings back many of the fears of first time motherhood. Sam's character develops in so many unexpected ways in this tale, maturing in a way that cannot fail to change how she see the world in the future.
I think this is Sam's most emotional story yet, and the conclusion made me shed more than a few tears. I cannot wait to see what Symon has in store for Sam next.
Her boss is keen to keep Sam well away from this investigation, but they need every hand they can get to track down the person capable of such a brutal crime, so she finds herself doing all she can to help from the confines of her desk... and her painstaking work uncovers a trail that paints a picture of someone desperate to achieve their aim by any means necessary.
Sam is sure that the only way to catch this killer will be to make this case even more personal, but has she gone too far this time...
It is a joy to be back with Sam Shephard as she undertakes another investigation, and this story is one that pulls no punches right from the word go, with a crime that grips you with icy fingers around your heart - fingers that do not let you go for the entire story.
Sam is doing her level best to ignore the fact that she is just about to become a mother, despite the ever increasing baby-bump, but this crime gives her little choice but to examine motherhood in a very intense way. This is a slightly different Sam to the firecracker we are used to, although she has some feisty moments. She is still recovering from the loss of her father, and has to acknowledge that she is a lot more vulnerable than she wants to admit. Naturally, there are fewer busting down of physical doors moments from my favourite New Zealand detective in this story, but her mind is just as active as ever, and this allows her to make headway through the hard graft of sifting information and being guided by her instincts. Along the way she is forced to confront her fears about the unknown territory that awaits her, and how much this momentous event will change her life.
It is rather difficult to tell you how cleverly Vanda Symon shapes this story to delve into very thought provoking subjects without spoilers, but suffice to say that she has Sam gradually uncovering some facts that are highly disturbing on a number of levels. Symon drops her reveals slowly, like a trail of breadcrumbs, giving you just enough to tweak your perception of what is going on here with every morsel you pick up. I was a whisker ahead of Sam just as she gets to the heart of the matter, but even so, the cracking climax still hit me broadside with a deliciously terrifying twist.
I guarantee that this story will set you pondering about whether the ends can ever justify the means, when the whys behind the crime are finally exposed. The obvious answer is a resounding negative, but nevertheless Symon beautifully poses some timely questions about the grey areas that motivate the murderer to act as they do.
This is a book to consume in a single, heart-racing session. It has a particularly visceral impact if you have ever carried a child, and brings back many of the fears of first time motherhood. Sam's character develops in so many unexpected ways in this tale, maturing in a way that cannot fail to change how she see the world in the future.
I think this is Sam's most emotional story yet, and the conclusion made me shed more than a few tears. I cannot wait to see what Symon has in store for Sam next.
September 30, 2024
This one took a little longer to read purely because I got a kitten. Turns out they’re distracting little fluffballs that object to anything else holding your attention, and hold it this story did!
Whenever I picked it up I was instantly drawn in and didn’t want to put it down, which resulted in my thumb being chewed on a few times.
The 6th instalment in the series, and yet Vanda Symon just keeps getting better. The storyline is so unique, and so disturbing initially but… Ok I won’t say in a good way, but in a way that has you glued to the story because you CANNOT relax without seeing how this scenario will play out. It was uncomfortable in many ways but so so well done. It feels wrong to say that I enjoyed it because of the topic but… I was absolutely riveted.
My mind kept wandering back to the story, needing to know how this was going to play out and what was going to happen next. It was interesting seeing our MC while pregnant, and seeing how despite the previous books and her progress in showing how effective she is as a detective, being heavily pregnant was like a backstep in that regard. All of a sudden she is being sidelined because of it, and it irks her.
I love how this was done though, because some of the attitudes were so relatable! It can be infuriating how people assume being pregnant means you’re suddenly incapable, and yet it also shows how they can be caring and compassionate, the joyful moments and the terror as the end looms. There is so much emotion to this story and it is often done so subtly that you can feel how Sam feels without being explicitly told. Instead, the emotions are built, layer by layer until it’s like you’re inside Sams body, in the none creepy way, and please Vanda don’t take that idea on board *shudders*.
To be honest I would say this was a brave subject to tackle, because the overall premise of this story is one that I don’t think many could do and have it not only believable, but feeling like you’re there. Not the most comfortable of feelings at times, but ohhhh so effective. I’ve said it once, but it bears repeating, because I could not get this story out of my head. I kept wondering what was going to happen next, thinking over what had already happened, desperately trying to figure it out! And yet. Once again. Vanda Symon, Queen of surprises, left me completely off track.
I have absolutely loved seeing Sam and Pauls relationship in this book, they’re so imperfect it’s in itself, perfect. Neither is completely certain how the other feels, Sam is having moments of “but what if” just as we all do, and panicking about the end bit of pregnancy. Those hormones! It’s so easy to empathise with both of them even if you haven’t physically experienced it because Vanda puts you there.
And then, that ending. That was terrifying from and “oh my Gosh what is going to happen?!” Perspective, nervewracking, and yet… truly beautiful. I actually cried, both from relief and being so damned happy for the characters.
Overall… another amazing ride from Vanda Symon, full of emotion from start to very end. Vanda and Sam have become my new favourite Crime Series, replacing J D Robb at the top spot, and that’s saying a lot considering it has been up there since I was 17.
5 stars, and I would give more if Goodreads and amazon allowed it.
Whenever I picked it up I was instantly drawn in and didn’t want to put it down, which resulted in my thumb being chewed on a few times.
The 6th instalment in the series, and yet Vanda Symon just keeps getting better. The storyline is so unique, and so disturbing initially but… Ok I won’t say in a good way, but in a way that has you glued to the story because you CANNOT relax without seeing how this scenario will play out. It was uncomfortable in many ways but so so well done. It feels wrong to say that I enjoyed it because of the topic but… I was absolutely riveted.
My mind kept wandering back to the story, needing to know how this was going to play out and what was going to happen next. It was interesting seeing our MC while pregnant, and seeing how despite the previous books and her progress in showing how effective she is as a detective, being heavily pregnant was like a backstep in that regard. All of a sudden she is being sidelined because of it, and it irks her.
I love how this was done though, because some of the attitudes were so relatable! It can be infuriating how people assume being pregnant means you’re suddenly incapable, and yet it also shows how they can be caring and compassionate, the joyful moments and the terror as the end looms. There is so much emotion to this story and it is often done so subtly that you can feel how Sam feels without being explicitly told. Instead, the emotions are built, layer by layer until it’s like you’re inside Sams body, in the none creepy way, and please Vanda don’t take that idea on board *shudders*.
To be honest I would say this was a brave subject to tackle, because the overall premise of this story is one that I don’t think many could do and have it not only believable, but feeling like you’re there. Not the most comfortable of feelings at times, but ohhhh so effective. I’ve said it once, but it bears repeating, because I could not get this story out of my head. I kept wondering what was going to happen next, thinking over what had already happened, desperately trying to figure it out! And yet. Once again. Vanda Symon, Queen of surprises, left me completely off track.
I have absolutely loved seeing Sam and Pauls relationship in this book, they’re so imperfect it’s in itself, perfect. Neither is completely certain how the other feels, Sam is having moments of “but what if” just as we all do, and panicking about the end bit of pregnancy. Those hormones! It’s so easy to empathise with both of them even if you haven’t physically experienced it because Vanda puts you there.
And then, that ending. That was terrifying from and “oh my Gosh what is going to happen?!” Perspective, nervewracking, and yet… truly beautiful. I actually cried, both from relief and being so damned happy for the characters.
Overall… another amazing ride from Vanda Symon, full of emotion from start to very end. Vanda and Sam have become my new favourite Crime Series, replacing J D Robb at the top spot, and that’s saying a lot considering it has been up there since I was 17.
5 stars, and I would give more if Goodreads and amazon allowed it.
March 27, 2023
There is something innately comforting about returning to a character and a familiar series of books! Like cwtching up with a hot drink, sunk into your very favourite chair. The Sam Shephard series is one of those books, for which any other plans are dropped and the world outside ceases to exist. All that matters is the words and the story. Don’t misinterpret this to suggest that it is a cosy drama, it isn’t, but it is consistently welcoming and both the characters and story are compulsive and engaging. The minute I open the page, I know that me and Sam Shepherd are going to face danger, navigate tricky relationships and face evil.
In this, book five in the series, writer Vanda Symon tested my resolve never to read the last page of a book, to see if Sam and the child she is carrying survive. I never do this, but as the story progressed, I thought about it, just to relieve the building anxiety, to the point that my fingers teased at the pages and I came close to giving in. She built the tension up within the story to such a degree, it was like having a weight sitting on my chest. She took us from a horrifying murder, weaved in Sam frustrations at being confined to a desk job and ended it with a almost unbearable last few chapters. This created for me the perfect narrative. Because it allows the reader to take a breath and makes the next moment of peril Sam faces feel all the more menacing. You don’t see where the threat comes from and that creates venerability in the reader, when your ripped from the safety of a chat with friends, to the heroine face to face with a killer who just maybe the one that ends her life.
I love Sam as a character and I really like how we get to know her more with each installment. Here she is caught between boredom and frustration at being sidelined from the investigation because of impending motherhood. Now on it’s own it wouldn’t work, so added in is her compulsive nature, her passion for her work and a reckless disregard for her own safety and you have a character perfectly in tune with the story. The story needed her vulnerability to be at its maximum to work and it does, because it invests her in catching a killer of women just like herself. Without Sam Shepherd being so invested, it would simply be another run of the mill thriller, but it’s not because she is fighting not just to catch a killer and bring justice to the victims family, but to protect herself and her unborn child. As a reader, you love her passion, but her lack of regard for her own safety terrifies you. That is why I was tempted to read the last page, because of who she is and the sure and certain knowledge that this time, she might push her luck to far.
Once again the New Zealand Queen of crime, left me a bag of nerves and threatened to break my heart.
In this, book five in the series, writer Vanda Symon tested my resolve never to read the last page of a book, to see if Sam and the child she is carrying survive. I never do this, but as the story progressed, I thought about it, just to relieve the building anxiety, to the point that my fingers teased at the pages and I came close to giving in. She built the tension up within the story to such a degree, it was like having a weight sitting on my chest. She took us from a horrifying murder, weaved in Sam frustrations at being confined to a desk job and ended it with a almost unbearable last few chapters. This created for me the perfect narrative. Because it allows the reader to take a breath and makes the next moment of peril Sam faces feel all the more menacing. You don’t see where the threat comes from and that creates venerability in the reader, when your ripped from the safety of a chat with friends, to the heroine face to face with a killer who just maybe the one that ends her life.
I love Sam as a character and I really like how we get to know her more with each installment. Here she is caught between boredom and frustration at being sidelined from the investigation because of impending motherhood. Now on it’s own it wouldn’t work, so added in is her compulsive nature, her passion for her work and a reckless disregard for her own safety and you have a character perfectly in tune with the story. The story needed her vulnerability to be at its maximum to work and it does, because it invests her in catching a killer of women just like herself. Without Sam Shepherd being so invested, it would simply be another run of the mill thriller, but it’s not because she is fighting not just to catch a killer and bring justice to the victims family, but to protect herself and her unborn child. As a reader, you love her passion, but her lack of regard for her own safety terrifies you. That is why I was tempted to read the last page, because of who she is and the sure and certain knowledge that this time, she might push her luck to far.
Once again the New Zealand Queen of crime, left me a bag of nerves and threatened to break my heart.
February 23, 2023
Over the past few years, Vanda Symon has become one of my favourite authors and a new Sam Shephard book is always something to get excited about so I am delighted to be sharing my review of her latest book, Expectant. My thanks to Anne Cater of Random Things Tours for inviting me to take part in the tour and to the publisher for my digital copy of the book, which I have reviewed honestly and impartially.
This Sam Shepard book was always going to be a little bit different, given what state she found herself in at the end of the last book, and this has turned out to be Sam’s most personal investigation yet. Regular readers of this series will know that Sam can’t help but get over involved in her cases which is one of the reasons the readers all love her but she isn’t so popular with some of her more senior colleagues, but she takes it to a whole new level this time and the degree of peril involved ramps up the tension to an almost unbearable level, this is real heart-in-your-mouth stuff.
As well as at work, this book is a lot more personal because of how Sam is developing as a character herself. Impending motherhood seems to be softening her slightly, and she finds herself opening up more to everyone – Paul, Maggie, her mother – and we get to know her and her internal feelings even better, just as she is discovering them herself in fact. Pregnancy Sam is a raw, open Sam who is just figuring out that, with the impending arrival of a new life, she needs to allow other people to love and help her, she isn’t going to be able to do it all herself any more. She doesn’t always get this right, of course, but it is absolutely fascinating to watch her try.
The way Vanda has developed the character of Sam over the course of these books is, of course, why we all keep coming back to read them. They are always brilliantly crafted crime novels, with intricate and absorbing cases to be resolved, but it is the added draw of Sam herself that elevates them to something special. She puts so much of herself into everything she does, and is so unguarded and natural bout it, that the reader cannot help but feel the same level of involvement and care in the crime as they are reading it. You can tell by the way I am talking about her as if she is a real person, just how vivid she has become to me over the years. I’m fully invested in Sam Shephard and everything she does.
The crime in this book is disturbing and brutal and may be hard for some readers to stomach, but it is necessary for the story and to cement Sam’s reaction to it, and Vanda handles it with sensitivity and care as always, and you can see the trouble that has been taken to get everything right. The fact that, by the end, I could completely understand why Sam does what she does, despite the evil nature of the crime, and even felt the tiniest stab of sympathy for the perpetrator, and was welling up with emotion, is testament to the strength of the writing. These books are just superb.
What is going to be next for Sam, because this surely can’t be the end? She has so much more to give to her career, and I need to know how she manages as a mother too. More please, Vanda and, if you haven’t yet discovered this amazing series of books, you lucky thing, now is the perfect time to start.
This Sam Shepard book was always going to be a little bit different, given what state she found herself in at the end of the last book, and this has turned out to be Sam’s most personal investigation yet. Regular readers of this series will know that Sam can’t help but get over involved in her cases which is one of the reasons the readers all love her but she isn’t so popular with some of her more senior colleagues, but she takes it to a whole new level this time and the degree of peril involved ramps up the tension to an almost unbearable level, this is real heart-in-your-mouth stuff.
As well as at work, this book is a lot more personal because of how Sam is developing as a character herself. Impending motherhood seems to be softening her slightly, and she finds herself opening up more to everyone – Paul, Maggie, her mother – and we get to know her and her internal feelings even better, just as she is discovering them herself in fact. Pregnancy Sam is a raw, open Sam who is just figuring out that, with the impending arrival of a new life, she needs to allow other people to love and help her, she isn’t going to be able to do it all herself any more. She doesn’t always get this right, of course, but it is absolutely fascinating to watch her try.
The way Vanda has developed the character of Sam over the course of these books is, of course, why we all keep coming back to read them. They are always brilliantly crafted crime novels, with intricate and absorbing cases to be resolved, but it is the added draw of Sam herself that elevates them to something special. She puts so much of herself into everything she does, and is so unguarded and natural bout it, that the reader cannot help but feel the same level of involvement and care in the crime as they are reading it. You can tell by the way I am talking about her as if she is a real person, just how vivid she has become to me over the years. I’m fully invested in Sam Shephard and everything she does.
The crime in this book is disturbing and brutal and may be hard for some readers to stomach, but it is necessary for the story and to cement Sam’s reaction to it, and Vanda handles it with sensitivity and care as always, and you can see the trouble that has been taken to get everything right. The fact that, by the end, I could completely understand why Sam does what she does, despite the evil nature of the crime, and even felt the tiniest stab of sympathy for the perpetrator, and was welling up with emotion, is testament to the strength of the writing. These books are just superb.
What is going to be next for Sam, because this surely can’t be the end? She has so much more to give to her career, and I need to know how she manages as a mother too. More please, Vanda and, if you haven’t yet discovered this amazing series of books, you lucky thing, now is the perfect time to start.
February 15, 2023
We're straight into the action here, there's no easing in - and despite reading the blurb on the jacket it's still a shock to read the scene where a group of teens find a dying woman covered in blood in a dark alleyway. Aleisha was 38 weeks pregnant when she was cut open and left to bleed to death. The team now have a kidnapping as well as a murder to solve.
A hugely pregnant Sam, stuck with desk duties as she counts down to her maternity leave, is obviously going to feel a connection to the case, and take it even more personally than normal. So a clash with the big boss, DI Johns, is inevitable - thank goodness her partner, Paul, is also part of the squad, and her best friend Maggie is still at hand to dole out great advice.
Sam digs into previous cases of baby kidnapping, and every one would break your heart - so much pain and anguish for the victims, but so often there's just as much pain in those who commit the crime. Symon's empathy washes through all these cases, seeing all sides amd sparking all emotions in Sam and in the reader.
Finally there's some good news for Aleisha's family - but still no firm answers, upping the tension among the detectives. And then Sam gets away from her desk and involved a little too personally for good measure, as we and the cops race towards the finale, which is a knot of formal justice and intimately human action and emotion.
How far will you go for your family? It's a question that features in a lot of crime novels, and for good reason: on a planet with six billion or so inhabitants, there are six billion answers. Expectant gives us not just one, but a whole host of answers - all equally valid in the moment to the person doing the deed, even if they are, if seen from another perspective, utterly appalling. A full spectrum of family life is on show here, one way and another. It's not always pretty, but it's all very real. And in a world still dominated by men (in the case of Sam's working life, literally) this book is a quiet but determined claiming of space for women, mothers or otherwise, which was hugely satisfying.
Symon's writing has always had power, empathy underpinning everything, even while the surface crackled with humour and the slings and arrows of life that someone unable to keep their mouth shut in front of the boss experiences. But there's something more to this instalment - slightly less jokey, slightly more intense, slightly more distilled - and the result is absolutely golden.
A hugely pregnant Sam, stuck with desk duties as she counts down to her maternity leave, is obviously going to feel a connection to the case, and take it even more personally than normal. So a clash with the big boss, DI Johns, is inevitable - thank goodness her partner, Paul, is also part of the squad, and her best friend Maggie is still at hand to dole out great advice.
Sam digs into previous cases of baby kidnapping, and every one would break your heart - so much pain and anguish for the victims, but so often there's just as much pain in those who commit the crime. Symon's empathy washes through all these cases, seeing all sides amd sparking all emotions in Sam and in the reader.
Finally there's some good news for Aleisha's family - but still no firm answers, upping the tension among the detectives. And then Sam gets away from her desk and involved a little too personally for good measure, as we and the cops race towards the finale, which is a knot of formal justice and intimately human action and emotion.
How far will you go for your family? It's a question that features in a lot of crime novels, and for good reason: on a planet with six billion or so inhabitants, there are six billion answers. Expectant gives us not just one, but a whole host of answers - all equally valid in the moment to the person doing the deed, even if they are, if seen from another perspective, utterly appalling. A full spectrum of family life is on show here, one way and another. It's not always pretty, but it's all very real. And in a world still dominated by men (in the case of Sam's working life, literally) this book is a quiet but determined claiming of space for women, mothers or otherwise, which was hugely satisfying.
Symon's writing has always had power, empathy underpinning everything, even while the surface crackled with humour and the slings and arrows of life that someone unable to keep their mouth shut in front of the boss experiences. But there's something more to this instalment - slightly less jokey, slightly more intense, slightly more distilled - and the result is absolutely golden.
August 10, 2023
3.5 Stars
This is the fifth and latest installment in the Sam Shephard series set in Dunedin, New Zealand. Released earlier this year, it was published 12 years after the previous book, though it picks up just months after the ending of Bound.
The novel focuses on a murder and kidnapping case. A pregnant woman is murdered and her almost-full-term baby missing after having been removed from the womb. The case resonates with Sam, who is just about to begin her maternity leave, so she is determined to find justice. Because of her late-stage pregnancy, Sam is given desk work, but what she uncovers proves crucial to solving the case, though not before she puts herself and her unborn child in danger.
Readers who have read the series will find much that is familiar. Sam remains as feisty and stubborn as ever, and her wit and sarcasm have not diminished. Events follow the established pattern: there’s the inevitable confrontation with her misogynistic boss, and though she is somewhat sidelined, Sam is again the one who steers the investigation into the right direction so the perpetrator is apprehended. There is also some focus on Sam’s personal life, this time her relationship with her child’s father and her struggles with various changes happening in her life.
Having read all the previous books, I predicted the ending. After the reveal of the perpetrator in The Ringmaster, it is not unexpected that there be a direct connection to Sam. The motive of the killer is credible, but the circumstances of the crimes (place and method) are not so.
What I was looking for and did not find in this book is an explanation for the bombshell at the end of Bound. There is a reference to Sam’s mother being required to live with her son and daughter-in-law, but there’s no explanation as to the reasoning behind this “consequence." I can understand the author not wanting to directly mention the shocking revelation in the previous book and thereby spoil it for those who have not read it, but she should have addressed this issue for readers who have followed the series and would reasonably expect some explanation.
With its short, snappy chapters, this is a quick read. I certainly found it kept my interest on my morning walks.
Please check out my reader's blog (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/) and follow me on Twitter (https://twitter.com/DCYakabuski).
This is the fifth and latest installment in the Sam Shephard series set in Dunedin, New Zealand. Released earlier this year, it was published 12 years after the previous book, though it picks up just months after the ending of Bound.
The novel focuses on a murder and kidnapping case. A pregnant woman is murdered and her almost-full-term baby missing after having been removed from the womb. The case resonates with Sam, who is just about to begin her maternity leave, so she is determined to find justice. Because of her late-stage pregnancy, Sam is given desk work, but what she uncovers proves crucial to solving the case, though not before she puts herself and her unborn child in danger.
Readers who have read the series will find much that is familiar. Sam remains as feisty and stubborn as ever, and her wit and sarcasm have not diminished. Events follow the established pattern: there’s the inevitable confrontation with her misogynistic boss, and though she is somewhat sidelined, Sam is again the one who steers the investigation into the right direction so the perpetrator is apprehended. There is also some focus on Sam’s personal life, this time her relationship with her child’s father and her struggles with various changes happening in her life.
Having read all the previous books, I predicted the ending. After the reveal of the perpetrator in The Ringmaster, it is not unexpected that there be a direct connection to Sam. The motive of the killer is credible, but the circumstances of the crimes (place and method) are not so.
What I was looking for and did not find in this book is an explanation for the bombshell at the end of Bound. There is a reference to Sam’s mother being required to live with her son and daughter-in-law, but there’s no explanation as to the reasoning behind this “consequence." I can understand the author not wanting to directly mention the shocking revelation in the previous book and thereby spoil it for those who have not read it, but she should have addressed this issue for readers who have followed the series and would reasonably expect some explanation.
With its short, snappy chapters, this is a quick read. I certainly found it kept my interest on my morning walks.
Please check out my reader's blog (https://schatjesshelves.blogspot.com/) and follow me on Twitter (https://twitter.com/DCYakabuski).
February 15, 2023
‘Expectant’ is a triumphant return for the New Zealand Queen of Crime! This book is gripping to the extreme - I read it in one sitting and didn't move from the sofa until I read the final page! It is very emotive, honest, thought-provoking and full of heart and love. ‘Expectant’ raises the question of what a mother would do to protect their children and makes you measure where on your moral stance this issue would find the reader themselves. Obviously, we know taking a life takes it one step too far but it conjures an emotional response of reflection and consideration.
Sixteen-year-old Timi is out tagging with friends when he hears what he thinks is an animal in pain but what he finds is much worse. A woman lies in a back alley with her innards spilling out onto the cobbles, he calls for help but unfortunately she dies. The victim Aleisha has been ripped open and her baby has been taken. Sam Shepherd is being sidelined on the case as she is on ‘light duties’ due to her being about to take her maternity leave. However, due to her pregnancy, she finds herself drawn to the case and wants to help the family. Whilst looking at other examples of baby snatching she stumbles upon the link for this case and unwittingly put herself and her babies life at danger!
Expectant is how I am waiting for a new Sam Shepherd to be born into the world every year! Vanda is one of my go-to authors and one of the few times that I will contemplate rereading a book. I love this series as it is full of heart. Vanda has created a character in Sam Shepherd that I will always have lodged in my mind alongside oldies like Marple, Poirot, Logan, Laidlaw and Rebus. Plus, you get a food tour of Dunedin at the same time as a cracking crime book!
I had a visceral reaction to this book, it still makes me feel uncomfortable to think about even a few weeks after reading it. And yes it is probably because I am a woman and it contains the most horrific crime you could think about happening to someone who is bringing a life into the world. I can currently feel my womb clenching at the thought of it. Such a powerful and emotive subject has been handled with grace, control and empathy. Bravo!
Let me know if you pick this one up!
Sixteen-year-old Timi is out tagging with friends when he hears what he thinks is an animal in pain but what he finds is much worse. A woman lies in a back alley with her innards spilling out onto the cobbles, he calls for help but unfortunately she dies. The victim Aleisha has been ripped open and her baby has been taken. Sam Shepherd is being sidelined on the case as she is on ‘light duties’ due to her being about to take her maternity leave. However, due to her pregnancy, she finds herself drawn to the case and wants to help the family. Whilst looking at other examples of baby snatching she stumbles upon the link for this case and unwittingly put herself and her babies life at danger!
Expectant is how I am waiting for a new Sam Shepherd to be born into the world every year! Vanda is one of my go-to authors and one of the few times that I will contemplate rereading a book. I love this series as it is full of heart. Vanda has created a character in Sam Shepherd that I will always have lodged in my mind alongside oldies like Marple, Poirot, Logan, Laidlaw and Rebus. Plus, you get a food tour of Dunedin at the same time as a cracking crime book!
I had a visceral reaction to this book, it still makes me feel uncomfortable to think about even a few weeks after reading it. And yes it is probably because I am a woman and it contains the most horrific crime you could think about happening to someone who is bringing a life into the world. I can currently feel my womb clenching at the thought of it. Such a powerful and emotive subject has been handled with grace, control and empathy. Bravo!
Let me know if you pick this one up!
May 22, 2023
Another Vanda Symon book that I liked! Looks like New Zealand is an exciting place to be!
The Story:
A brutal killer is on the loose. A pregnant woman has been found murdered. But this is not a simple murder. The murderer has done something far more horrific than just killing her.
The sleepy town of Dunedin is shaken. Who is this murderer and why would they target a pregnant woman? Why would they commit such a horrific crime?
The Dunedin police force is out to get the killer. Sam Shephard, heavily pregnant and counting the days to her maternity leave, wants it solved before she is off. But will she be able to get through the case without getting emotionally involved? Will she catch the killer? And will she and her baby survive?
What I Liked:
1. After a lifetime of books set in either the US or the UK, I am now reading books by English authors from New Zealand, Australia, and Canada. This makes me happy :)
2. The procedural was pretty good. There were no sudden flashes of brilliance. Instead, the book highlighted the legwork and elbow grease the police have to put in before they get one single credible informant.
3. Most of the threads were neatly tied off by the end. And surprisingly, I did not guess the killer this time.
4. Sam Shephard was the perfect combination of gritty and emotional. She will be the first to visit the murder site but she will also be the one on time for OBGYN appointments. Her love story, though present, is not overwhelming and it does not shadow the crime.
5. The book was a total pageturner and unputdownable.
What I Disliked:
1. Too lengthy. Some of the information was repeated though it never felt like a repetition. The editor could have done a better job and cut off a few pages.
2. Though I agreed with the motive of the killer, I could not but wonder at the place of the crime and the method. How had they managed to slip out without anyone noticing them?
Final Thoughts:
I have read The Faceless by Vanda Symon and I loved it. This is my first Sam Shephard book and though I didn't love it as much as The Faceless, I liked it enough to want to read the other books in the series.
4 stars.
The Story:
A brutal killer is on the loose. A pregnant woman has been found murdered. But this is not a simple murder. The murderer has done something far more horrific than just killing her.
The sleepy town of Dunedin is shaken. Who is this murderer and why would they target a pregnant woman? Why would they commit such a horrific crime?
The Dunedin police force is out to get the killer. Sam Shephard, heavily pregnant and counting the days to her maternity leave, wants it solved before she is off. But will she be able to get through the case without getting emotionally involved? Will she catch the killer? And will she and her baby survive?
What I Liked:
1. After a lifetime of books set in either the US or the UK, I am now reading books by English authors from New Zealand, Australia, and Canada. This makes me happy :)
2. The procedural was pretty good. There were no sudden flashes of brilliance. Instead, the book highlighted the legwork and elbow grease the police have to put in before they get one single credible informant.
3. Most of the threads were neatly tied off by the end. And surprisingly, I did not guess the killer this time.
4. Sam Shephard was the perfect combination of gritty and emotional. She will be the first to visit the murder site but she will also be the one on time for OBGYN appointments. Her love story, though present, is not overwhelming and it does not shadow the crime.
5. The book was a total pageturner and unputdownable.
What I Disliked:
1. Too lengthy. Some of the information was repeated though it never felt like a repetition. The editor could have done a better job and cut off a few pages.
2. Though I agreed with the motive of the killer, I could not but wonder at the place of the crime and the method. How had they managed to slip out without anyone noticing them?
Final Thoughts:
I have read The Faceless by Vanda Symon and I loved it. This is my first Sam Shephard book and though I didn't love it as much as The Faceless, I liked it enough to want to read the other books in the series.
4 stars.
January 28, 2023
Vanda Symon knows how to write a gripping first chapter. Expectant is the latest book in her Detective Sam Shepherd series, and it is another belter of a crime novel. We are launched into the story with the discovery of a murdered woman by a group of teenagers, and even more horrifying, it soon becomes apparent that the woman was pregnant, and that her unborn child was taken from her.
This case hits very close to home for Sam. Sam, herself, is pregnant and just about to give birth. You know that the case of the murdered woman is going to become a very personal case for Sam. You can clearly see her determination to get to the bottom of this, and how frustrated she is, when her boss insists on taking her off the case, because she might be too emotionally close to the investigation. I wanted Sam to be the one to get to the bottom of things as I knew she would make sure that no stone would be left unturned, and I thought her boss was treating her very unfairly in this book, which made me want to yell at him in anger. But I was also worried that Sam might be putting herself and her unborn child in danger. There is still no understanding of what the motive is behind the killing of the young woman, and there is a sense of real threat that they may strike again, and this tension continues to build.
There is a real sense of foreboding throughout the novel as Sam and the team race to find the killer. As Sam and the team try and find a motive behind the killing of the woman, Sam looks into recent similar events to see if she can find a link. Although Expectant is a work of fiction, it is horrifying to think that there are cases, like what Vanda Symon describes in her book, that exist in real life. You can see the effect that learning about these cases has on Sam, as she prepares to give birth to her own child.
I was not expecting the revelations that came as Vanda Symon wrapped up the book. There are some heart-breaking reveals, that had me flying through the final chapters at top speed to see what the final outcome was going to be. I would have to say that Expectant is the best book in this series to date.
I can’t wait to see what’s next for Sam Shepherd. This series continues to go from strength to strength. I highly recommend Expectant.
This case hits very close to home for Sam. Sam, herself, is pregnant and just about to give birth. You know that the case of the murdered woman is going to become a very personal case for Sam. You can clearly see her determination to get to the bottom of this, and how frustrated she is, when her boss insists on taking her off the case, because she might be too emotionally close to the investigation. I wanted Sam to be the one to get to the bottom of things as I knew she would make sure that no stone would be left unturned, and I thought her boss was treating her very unfairly in this book, which made me want to yell at him in anger. But I was also worried that Sam might be putting herself and her unborn child in danger. There is still no understanding of what the motive is behind the killing of the young woman, and there is a sense of real threat that they may strike again, and this tension continues to build.
There is a real sense of foreboding throughout the novel as Sam and the team race to find the killer. As Sam and the team try and find a motive behind the killing of the woman, Sam looks into recent similar events to see if she can find a link. Although Expectant is a work of fiction, it is horrifying to think that there are cases, like what Vanda Symon describes in her book, that exist in real life. You can see the effect that learning about these cases has on Sam, as she prepares to give birth to her own child.
I was not expecting the revelations that came as Vanda Symon wrapped up the book. There are some heart-breaking reveals, that had me flying through the final chapters at top speed to see what the final outcome was going to be. I would have to say that Expectant is the best book in this series to date.
I can’t wait to see what’s next for Sam Shepherd. This series continues to go from strength to strength. I highly recommend Expectant.
April 24, 2023
I have really been looking forward to getting reacquainted with Sam Shephard just to see what case she finds herself in the middle of this time and if she can manage not to get on the wrong side of her bosses for once.
The book opens with a young boy out with his friends who comes across a woman who has been fatally attacked. What is initially less evident is that at the time of the attack she was pregnant but there is no sign of the baby. Sam is initially the officer who questions the boy but as she is heavily pregnant herself her bosses are keen to keep her as far away from the case and the murdered woman’s family as they possibly can by assigning her to desk duties and background checking. Sam being Sam is not happy about this and does everything she can to stay on the case and under the radar whilst doing it.
I think that Sam struggled with this case more than any other as it made her more aware of what she was about to embark on and made her question if she was even ready to be a mother and how she would ever keep her baby safe. That being said her sense of humour/fun and sarcasm were still there in full force and her interactions with her mother gave some of the lighter times in the book. We get to see more of Sam the person rather than Sam the detective and its nice to see her flaws and understand what is behind some of them, and what’s not to love about someone who gets asked if she was shouty Sam or sweary shouty Sam (makes her someone I can relate to)
Well Vanda Symon certainly takes you on quite the rollercoaster with the latest instalment of the series. The subject matter at the heart of the book may seem a little dark and at times unpalatable but it is handled with care so that by the end of it you even feel a little sorry for the lengths that the killer went to and the reasons why. It doesn’t excuse what they did but I could imagine myself in their shoes and the desperation they felt. Once again I was transported to Dunedin and reminded of my love of Toffee Pops (the New Zealand version are way better than the British version in my opinion) and I cant wait to see what happens for Sam and her career now that her priorities may have to shift somewhat
The book opens with a young boy out with his friends who comes across a woman who has been fatally attacked. What is initially less evident is that at the time of the attack she was pregnant but there is no sign of the baby. Sam is initially the officer who questions the boy but as she is heavily pregnant herself her bosses are keen to keep her as far away from the case and the murdered woman’s family as they possibly can by assigning her to desk duties and background checking. Sam being Sam is not happy about this and does everything she can to stay on the case and under the radar whilst doing it.
I think that Sam struggled with this case more than any other as it made her more aware of what she was about to embark on and made her question if she was even ready to be a mother and how she would ever keep her baby safe. That being said her sense of humour/fun and sarcasm were still there in full force and her interactions with her mother gave some of the lighter times in the book. We get to see more of Sam the person rather than Sam the detective and its nice to see her flaws and understand what is behind some of them, and what’s not to love about someone who gets asked if she was shouty Sam or sweary shouty Sam (makes her someone I can relate to)
Well Vanda Symon certainly takes you on quite the rollercoaster with the latest instalment of the series. The subject matter at the heart of the book may seem a little dark and at times unpalatable but it is handled with care so that by the end of it you even feel a little sorry for the lengths that the killer went to and the reasons why. It doesn’t excuse what they did but I could imagine myself in their shoes and the desperation they felt. Once again I was transported to Dunedin and reminded of my love of Toffee Pops (the New Zealand version are way better than the British version in my opinion) and I cant wait to see what happens for Sam and her career now that her priorities may have to shift somewhat
February 16, 2023
Chilling thriller set in DUNEDIN, New Zealand
Expectant is the fifth book in the Sam Shephard detective set in Dunedin, New Zealand. It is every bit as readable as the previous four,
A heavily pregnant woman is brutally murdered on the streets of Dunedin. Her baby is cut from her by a crudely executed Caesarean operation, the placenta is also taken. The whole city is thrown into shock. Sam is herself heavily pregnant so the crime strikes home in a way that some others may not have done. Because she has only a couple of weeks more work before her maternity leave kicks in, Sam is sidelined in the investigation – essentially doing desk research on baby abductions from the past to look for anything that could help the current case.
The baby is found safe and well. Was accessing the placenta, rather than the baby itself, the true motive of the crime? Sam investigates and begins to learn about stem cell research – stem cells (quite easily obtained from the umbilical cord) are essential in creating treatments for some inherited diseases. The cells have to be a precise match. Who would have the knowledge and ability to commit such a crime? And now would they convert the cells that had stolen into suitable medication? Sam and the team soon decide that stem cell access was the most likely scenario – and the race is on to find the perpetrator. But where to start?
There follows a major search in which Sam’s own life is placed in jeopardy as the net closes. She ends up a long way removed from her initial desk research role.
As ever with Vanda’s books, Dunedin comes through loud and clear. The series is recommended for anyone heading for the South Island of New Zealand.
Expectant is the fifth book in the Sam Shephard detective set in Dunedin, New Zealand. It is every bit as readable as the previous four,
A heavily pregnant woman is brutally murdered on the streets of Dunedin. Her baby is cut from her by a crudely executed Caesarean operation, the placenta is also taken. The whole city is thrown into shock. Sam is herself heavily pregnant so the crime strikes home in a way that some others may not have done. Because she has only a couple of weeks more work before her maternity leave kicks in, Sam is sidelined in the investigation – essentially doing desk research on baby abductions from the past to look for anything that could help the current case.
The baby is found safe and well. Was accessing the placenta, rather than the baby itself, the true motive of the crime? Sam investigates and begins to learn about stem cell research – stem cells (quite easily obtained from the umbilical cord) are essential in creating treatments for some inherited diseases. The cells have to be a precise match. Who would have the knowledge and ability to commit such a crime? And now would they convert the cells that had stolen into suitable medication? Sam and the team soon decide that stem cell access was the most likely scenario – and the race is on to find the perpetrator. But where to start?
There follows a major search in which Sam’s own life is placed in jeopardy as the net closes. She ends up a long way removed from her initial desk research role.
As ever with Vanda’s books, Dunedin comes through loud and clear. The series is recommended for anyone heading for the South Island of New Zealand.
February 10, 2023
I don’t think I have ever been so moved by the opening of a book as I was with the prologue of Expectant the horrific attack on a pregnant woman and the courage and compassion shown by a young lad who discovers her completely floored me. I was instantly engrossed in the story. I wanted to know who could commit such a loathsome act, why this horrendous thing happened and whether Sam and her colleagues would find out who was responsible.
The story moved on to the investigation. The details shocked and dismayed the team who realise just how urgent it is to find the perpetrator as they don’t know what the motive might be it is all to possible that there could be further attacks. Tensions run high as they the team look for a motive and anything that could help them find who did this.
Sam who is herself pregnant and soon to go on maternity leave has been given desk duties. She isn’t happy about it and is determined to help with the case. As more information is gathered she forms a theory about what has driven the attacker to commit this crime. Following her instincts Sam looks into past crimes involving mothers and children. It is a heartbreaking task for Sam but as she continues her efforts lead her to a crucial link.
As they race to find the perpetrator Sam finds herself in a dire situation and confronted with an appalling choice!
Vanda Symon has written a tense, stunning story which not only delivers a compelling and gripping narrative it explores through Sam Shephard, a terrific character, the heartbreaking circumstances that may compel someone to commit such an odious crime.
This is a book which delivers on every aspect – character, place and storyline. I was completely immersed in this compelling story and would highly recommend it.
The story moved on to the investigation. The details shocked and dismayed the team who realise just how urgent it is to find the perpetrator as they don’t know what the motive might be it is all to possible that there could be further attacks. Tensions run high as they the team look for a motive and anything that could help them find who did this.
Sam who is herself pregnant and soon to go on maternity leave has been given desk duties. She isn’t happy about it and is determined to help with the case. As more information is gathered she forms a theory about what has driven the attacker to commit this crime. Following her instincts Sam looks into past crimes involving mothers and children. It is a heartbreaking task for Sam but as she continues her efforts lead her to a crucial link.
As they race to find the perpetrator Sam finds herself in a dire situation and confronted with an appalling choice!
Vanda Symon has written a tense, stunning story which not only delivers a compelling and gripping narrative it explores through Sam Shephard, a terrific character, the heartbreaking circumstances that may compel someone to commit such an odious crime.
This is a book which delivers on every aspect – character, place and storyline. I was completely immersed in this compelling story and would highly recommend it.
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