Review of THE RINGMASTER by Vanda Symon

 3 Stars

This, the second in the Sam Shephard series set in New Zealand, begins not long after the ending of Overkill. 

Sam is now a detective in training in Dunedin and living with her friend Maggie in the home of Maggie’s aunt and uncle.  A university student is found murdered and an investigation ensues.  Sam is kept on the margins of the case because her superior, DI Johns, holds a grudge because of their previous encounters and is determined not to give her anything but the most menial of tasks.  Nonetheless, Sam uncovers other deaths in other communities that occurred when a travelling circus was visiting. 

The first-person narrator is Sam.  Her personality is as developed in the first book.  She is brash and sarcastic, and it is inevitable that her outspokenness will get her into trouble.  Of course, her frustration at the pointless jobs she is assigned is understandable and I couldn’t help but cheer her on when she stands up to her bully.  It is obvious, however, that Sam is vulnerable beneath her tough exterior.  She has lots of self-doubt and needs the support of others.  Her relentlessness is extraordinary.  Her involvement in an event involving an incident at the circus emphasizes both her strengths and empathy.

There are some elements that annoyed or bothered me.   One is the many short chapters; there seems little reason for the narrative breaks.  Some events seem unlikely:  the circus owner’s insisting on Sam’s presence during police interviews and Sam’s taking two weapons at the end.  Sam’s mother is an over-the-top character; she is so controlling, unsupportive and manipulative.  The misleading cover photo is manipulative.  The murderer’s identity is not difficult to guess because there are so few suspects.  Unfortunately, the motive lacks credibility; such extreme behaviour requires a stronger motive. 

The ending is sudden.  Much is unexplained.  The stalker angle is never fully explained and neither is Sam’s father’s illness clarified.  Considering what happens, there would inevitably be emotional fallout, but it is never addressed.  Perhaps the next book in the series, Containment, will fill in some gaps?  

Despite its weaknesses, I will continue listening to the series during my morning walks.  The books are entertaining and I’m interested to see how Sam matures in both her personal and professional life.