Another fantastic read by an author who is becoming one of my favourite crime writers, Bound by Vanda Symon is impossible to put down.

The plot:

The New Zealand city of Dunedin is rocked when a wealthy and apparently respectable businessman is murdered in his luxurious home while his wife is bound and gagged, and forced to watch. But when Detective Sam Shephard and her team start investigating the case, they discover that the victim had links with some dubious characters.

The case seems cut and dried, but Sam has other ideas. Weighed down by her dad’s terminal cancer diagnosis, and by complications in her relationship with Paul, she needs a distraction, and launches her own investigation.

And when another murder throws the official case into chaos, it’s up to Sam to prove that the killer is someone no one could ever suspect.

It’s bloody shocking and mind-bending

This has to be my favourite plot so far out of all 4 of Symon’s books I’ve read – they just keep getting better and better, and honestly, I consider Sam Shepherd to be like a close friend who you only hear from once a year, but boooooy, is that one of the best days of the year.

I say this, because honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever read one of these books and it’s taken longer than a day – especially as they’re the type of book that you get settled into and have to read in one sitting. The quick chapters and expert writing makes you lose time.

One of my favourite things about this Sam Shephard series is Sam herself – this book really shows how strong she is, and whilst battling two (yes, two) personal side-plots, you also have her just being the best version of herself. I ADORE how she is built – more please!

From the plot above, it sounds like it’s going to be a good ride. BUT. It’s not just a good ride – it’s complex and clever, with things to throw you off and smaller twists, and an ending which actually got me in the feels (I cried).

I don’t think this is a book which will particularly make your jaw drop, but it’s bloody shocking and mind-bending. And when you think it’s over, it’s not. I consider myself to be a bit of a detective when it comes to working out the twists, but this got me, and I felt like a fool for not seeing it (I’m happy to play the fool here).

Excellent writing, as always, and Symon brings everything to life in front of you, with the gorgeous backdrop of New Zealand. This made me feel like I was part of the investigation, and none of you can take that away from me.

Highly recommend – a solid 5-stars.

I look forward to this author’s work every year, and I can’t wait to see what else is up her sleeve. See you in another year, friend!

Bound, Vanda Symon, RRP £8.99 (paperback); Book Depository 

Pages: 265

Publisher: Orenda

Genre: Crime Fiction

Links to my previous reviews for book one (Overkill) and book three (Containment).