Overkill

New Zealand author Symon makes her U.S. debut with this underwhelming series launch featuring female constable Sam Shephard. The only police officer stationed in the small town of Mataura, New Zealand, Sam follows up on a missing person report. Gaby Knowes, the wife of Sam’s ex-husband, Lockie, has disappeared, leaving their infant daughter, Angel, alone in their house, along with a farewell note. A chilling prologue has shown Gaby being forced to write the note, and to take pills, by someone disguised as a telephone repairman who threatens to harm Angel. When Gaby is found drowned on a nearby riverbank, the evidence suggests suicide, but Lockie and Gaby’s mother insist she was killed. After more senior officers are brought in to investigate, Sam, who fails to reveal her past relationship with Lockie, becomes a suspect and is suspended from the force. Of course, she pursues the case on her own. The plot is replete with other instances of Sam acting thoughtlessly, and the surprising reveal isn’t enough to compensate for the off-putting lead. Hopefully, the sequel will be better.[em] (May) [/em]