UPDATE.
For some reason i decided to read this again. Warnings should be issued and there must be a follow up.
Read this if your dare.

Totally unputdownable (is that a word?!) This book should have come with a warning!
This was a really well written book and had me totally on the edge of my seat a few times. It was very well written and the story flowed well and I didn't want it to end. Highly recommend.

“The Echo Man” by Sam Holland is an extraordinary debut that left an indelible mark on my literary soul. Let me share my personal and positive impressions of this gripping novel:

From the very first page, I was ensnared by the chilling atmosphere Holland masterfully weaves. The air crackles with tension, and the shadows hold secrets that claw at your curiosity. Detectives Cara Elliott and Noah Deakin are not just characters; they’re companions on a heart-pounding journey.

The premise—a series of seemingly unrelated murders, each echoing infamous serial killers—sent shivers down my spine. Holland’s meticulous research shines through as she draws inspiration from real-life cases like Jeffrey Dahmer and Charles Manson. But here’s the brilliance: each murder has a unique twist, a different methodology that keeps you guessing.

Cara and Noah are more than investigators; they’re flawed, determined souls. Their pursuit of the truth is relentless, and as the body count rises, so does the weight of their responsibility. The killer’s proximity to their lives adds urgency—a race against time and memory.

And then there’s Jessica Ambrose. Her desperation leaps off the pages. Accused of arson, haunted by her past, she’s a character you root for. Her connection to the ultimate copycat killer is a revelation—one that ties the threads of this intricate tapestry.

Holland’s prose is a symphony of suspense. Each chapter crescendos, revealing layers of darkness. The pacing is impeccable, urging you to read “just one more chapter” until dawn breaks. The twists? Oh, they’re there—subtle, unexpected, and utterly satisfying.

“The Echo Man” isn’t just a thriller; it’s a descent into the human psyche. It explores obsession, legacy, and the echoes of history. As I turned the final page, I felt both exhilarated and haunted—a testament to Holland’s storytelling prowess.

If you like serial killers and crime then you will really enjoy this book.

DS Cara Elliott is the senior officer investigating a series of horrific murders but all with different MO's so the team struggle to find any connection.
Jess Ambrose is a suspect in the murder of her husband after her house burns down - she goes on the run to suspended DC Nate Griffin who is the only person that seems to believe she is innocent and that Patrick's murder is linked to the others.

They soon realise that the killer is copying notorious serial killers and its a race against time to identify him before the body count increases.

There are some parts that don't seem to fit in with the storyline but thankfully these are very few.

A terrifying debut. I’ll be honest I was a bit scared reading this. If you like reading about serial killers and know some of their ‘ways’….well you’ll like this. I particularly like knowing what someone is thinking so this was a great read.

The Echo Man by Sam Holland has definitely a good idea plot. The book was gripping and twisty, I enjoyed the darkness and creepiness. Would definitely recommend to a friend.

I've seen alot of good reviews about this book and was excited to get my hands on it as I love a good dark thrillers filled with twists and turns. It can be very gruesome so if you're squeamish keep that in mind. I highly recommend this book

If you're looking for a book with gritty, gruesome detective work then look no further. For fans of Chris Carter, this book is dark, twisted and will keep you guessing.

Wow, what a thriller. Not for the faint-hearted, quite shocking and all the more powerful for it. A wonderful debut novel of twists and turns that keeps you gripped throughout. I can't wait for the author's next novel.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for allowing me this arc!

I felt this book was a bit disjointed in the chapters and it didn’t flow as well as it could’ve. At some points I felt as though i couldn’t carry on but I did push to the end. I felt like it didn’t follow a clear narrator but bounced around

Gory and gripping, I couldn't put this book down, reading it in one weekend. Don't read this if you are faint of heart though.

Dark, gritty and very gruesome. Serial killers don’t get any gorier than this. Oh my goodness what a book. Definately not for the feint hearted. Read if you dare!
ARC copy

This book pulls no punches. A serial killer on the rampage. The police investigation to catch this person has ups and downs -goes off in all directions and certainly keeps you enthralled, and wow the twists and turns and that ending!! A great read.

The Echo Man
Sam Holland

Synopsis
Across England, a string of murders is taking place. Each different in method, but each horrifying and brutal.

Jess Ambrose is plunged into the investigation when her house is set ablaze. With her husband dead and the police pointing at her, she runs. Her only hope is disgraced detective Nate Griffin, who is convinced Jess is innocent.

Soon, Jess and Griffin discover the unthinkable; this murderer is copying the world’s most notorious serial killers. And now, imitation isn’t enough. The killer dubbed The Echo Man is ready to create his own masterpiece, and it will be more terrifying than anything that has come before…

Review
Crime book mixed with a little horror. Really liked how it was written and the characters. So many twists and turns, strong ending. Quite gruesome in places which wont be for everyone. I really enjoyed it.

Rated 4/5

I love serial killers, and this author can be compared to prolific authors like Chris Carter when it comes to serial killers! There is blood and guts galore until the end! Recommended.

Jess Ambrose wakes to find her house on fire. She manages to escape, but her husband is not so lucky. She becomes the top suspect when the police realise it was arson. The only problem is, Jess didn’t do it. She runs from the police rather than end up in jail, trying to figure out who tried to kill her, and did kill her husband. She bumps into suspended officer DS Nate Griffin, and the pair forge an unlikely alliance. Griffin believes Jess when she claims innocence. Griffin also believes the house fire is part of a countrywide series of murders.

While looking at the case notes Jess makes a startling discovery. The killer is mimicking kills from some of the most terrifying serial killers the world has known. The killer, now given the name the Echo Man is mimicking the crimes of these past killers. But he is ramping up to commit a crime of his own, more horrifying than any seen before.

While Jess and Griffin are finding their way through the case, Griffin's sister, DCI Cara Griffin leads the investigative team, struggling to keep up with the body count. Her team are panicking trying to understand the killer and his motives, and where he may strike next so that they can catch him before the body count increases. They realise the body count is stacking up and need to find the killer, fast.

This story starts out at a fast pace and never lets up. We see our lead characters in detail, building who they are, and why they are how they are from the start. They are flawed, but they care, with the exception of the Echo Man. We see him represented mainly through case files from his childhood and some snippets of his thoughts as the story progresses. This starts to build up a picture for us of the terrible person we are facing.

Thrillers about serial killers are quite common now. So starting this book, there was an expectation of a little bit of the same old formula. The Echo Man blew that formula out of the water. It was something different, exciting and new. It was fast-paced and well-written. You almost felt as panicked as Jess trying to prove her innocence, and as desperate as Griffin trying to find redemption. The pace is relentless, we don’t get a moment to breathe until we reach the end. I don’t want to say any more lest I give anything away. All I will say is read this book, you won’t be disappointed!

*I received this copy for review from NetGalley but all opinions are my own.

The Echo Man Sam Holland


5 stars

Wow what an amazing debut book! This will be hard for the author to follow but I really hope she does.

This book epitomises for me what a thriller should be but it is definitely not for the faint-hearted, there are some very graphic descriptions of the murders committed.

It begins when the house of Jess and Patrick Ambrose is burned down in an arson attack. Jess and her daughter, Alice, survive but Patrick who was in a separate bedroom due to an argument between him and Jess is horribly burnt to death. Jess is accused of the murder and flees, she meets DS Nate Griffin who is a detective currently suspended. They are both two lost souls who seem to connect. Nate had been attacked in his home and his wife, Mia, had been brutally raped and killed. He believes Jess’ story and begins to realise that both these murders and others that have been happening in increasing numbers are the work of one man who is copying the
exact ways that various famous serial killers have killed in the past.

Nate’s sister is DCI Cara Elliott and her partner DS Noah Deacon are the official detectives assigned to discover the murderer but he never leaves any evidence, forensic or otherwise at the scenes and it becomes apparent that there is some inside knowledge coming from within the police.

The plot of this book was brilliant making me suspect one person after another but never realising who the real culprit was. The characters were all interesting in their own right with traumas in their own lives and to make it even more special the ending was just so unexpected and chilling. I defy anyone who loves a good thriller to dislike this book. I would give it 6 stars if I could!

Karen Deborah
Reviewer for Net galley

This is just up your street if you like mystery and mayhem. Also lots of gory descriptions which I like but others may not. A good read altogether. #THEECHOMAN #NetGalley

This was a fast paced, page turner with a serial killer who pretty much covers every murder method possible.

An interesting group of characters who I look forward to reading more about in the future.

‘Two bodies, crumpled, broken. Two bloody necks: white bone, flesh, tendons visible. And two heads lying alongside. Casually discarded, wet hair trailing in blood, glassy eyes wide open.’

Annoyed at myself for not reading this sooner - I loved it!
Dark and twisted with some super graphic and gruesome parts, the perfect thrilling, serial killer story.
The copy cat killer recreating crimes by a string of notorious serial killers, from the likes of Dahmer to Mason - this book goes to all the dark and twisted places. With an off the chart body count, this one is gruesome and violent throughout, fast paced and relentless!
The characters were all well written, flawed and super interesting. You were totally invested in them all, even the ones you couldn’t stand!
This one kept me hooked from start to finish! A massive 5 star recommendation for me!! To check CW/TW’s though as there’s some very graphic violence and lots of dark content.

This was definitely not for the faint hearted so really dont want to say much due to the risk of spoilers. There are also so many triggers in it. So if you go into it on aware of that basis you will enjoy it, the narrator adds such a unique element to it. So all in all very enjoyable.

I was given a copy by netgalley and the publishers but the review is all my own. Will definitely read/listen to more by this author