Do you like stories about serial killers? You do? Then I would suggest The Echo Man is the book for you as the killer in this story is paying homage to all the most infamous murderers from history and the body count is high. Really high. And Sam Holland isn’t messing around as The Echo Man is one of the darker crime thrillers I have read lately.

Not that I found any of those qualities to be a negative factor. I like the darker edgier stories and this book very much ticked all the boxes for me. But if you’re not a fan of the more descriptive crime scenes then I feel it only fair to warn you that this story may bring some uncomfortable reading moments.

Still with me? Good stuff. The Echo Man is tagged as being Major Crimes Book 1. Very pleasing to know as I liked the team of investigating officers and the author has done a great job of balancing their development and spinning a great murder mystery around them (while also throwing lots of dilemmas, murders and moments of terror into the paths of her principle cast).

Early in the story we meet Jess. She isn’t one of the investigative team but her life is about to radically change when a fire rips through her home and leaves her husband dead. Jess is the police’s primary suspect and when she sees the opportunity to take herself away from possible arrest she runs. But Jess doesn’t run too far and she finds a safe port in her personal storm when she meets Nate Griffin. Nate was a police officer but a year ago he had his own personal trauma and now he can’t be part of the Major Crimes Team – in fact Nate can hardly function such was the impact of his traumatic experience.

Nate does still have connections in the Major Crimes Team (family connections at that) so when events start ramping up and the body count rises he finds himself drawn back to the station and back to face his demons. As the pressure builds so too does Nate’s inability to deal with the investigation in a lucid and rational manner. Tension builds and builds under the careful moderation of Sam Holland and you’ll want to keep reading – I certainly did! It got to the point in the night I knew I could not put the book down until I had reached the end, I just had to know how things were to be resolved.

Great introduction to a new series and I’m very much looking forward to seeing where this may go next.

This one is definitely not for the squeamish or sensitive!

There are soooo many trigger warnings here: self-harm; child abuse; violence against animals, women, men, children and the unborn; loads of rape and torture, and murders, of course. No gory detail is spared and the excessively graphic lingering is clearly intended to provide maximum shock value.

Despite this excess, this was nearly a 5* read for me, as I took to the characters very quickly and the mystery plot had me totally gripped. We follow four main viewpoints – Jess, detectives Griffin and Cara, and the anonymous killer – as they investigate/perpetrate respectively a series of varied copy-murders from multiple well-known real life cases.

The story content and tone are super dark and the twisty plot really kept my adrenaline pumping right up to the big reveal. Which is where it all fell disappointingly flat for me, unfortunately!

The ‘resolution’ at the ending pretty much cancelled out the effect of the climactic events, leaving the reader with the feeling that all of the violence, action and intrigue had been for nothing and nothing had changed at all. I can see why the author threw in that ‘last word’ but as final twists go, it was a very unsatisfying one. Which was a shame, as the rest of the book is a really great read for dark thriller fans.

Review by Steph Warren of Bookshine and Readbows blog

Detectives Cara Elliott and Noah Deakin seem to be knee deep in bodies! There have been a spate of murders, all very gory & a variety of methods. It is not too long before someone spots that they seem to be mirroring various serial killers. Cara's brother, Nate Griffin recognises this as one of the victims was his wife. Nate is also a police officer but has been suspended for hitting Deakin. Along with a suspect they attempt to work off grid to clear her name so she can get her daughter back.

This was a very dark story with lots of guts & gore & some pretty dislikeable characters. I did like Nate but that was about it. The least said about the ending the better- but it cost it a star in my opinion. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book

⭐️ 4 ⭐️

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC, in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.

The Echo Man is a brilliant read an an excellent debut novel.

Firstly, the book is gruesome, gory and graphic — definitely not one for the squeamish or faint-hearted.

Brilliantly written, I was pulled onboard from the start of this this chilling, addictive read. The short, snappy chapters give the story an extra layer of tension and the suspense builds gradually throughout.

There are plenty of twists, turns and stinky red herrings to keep you on your toes. I didn’t predict the ending either which was a huge bonus.

A fabulous debut and a gripping, entertaining read.

So let me start by saying every one I know in the book community have been recommending this book to me for such a long time and my goodness I'm so glad I've finally read it.

Thanks for the chance to read and review.

I loved this one. It was very graphic but at same time it was so gripping and intense. I was flicking from page to page and couldn't put it down.
Hoping for another book with Griffin.

5 stars

This is an enjoyable 'serial killer' novel. The characters are well drawn and the intricate plot keeps you guessing. It is a page turner!

The Echo Man is a dark, twisty serial killer thriller. Filled with twists, gruesome murders, and an unpredictable plot, this is one sure to hook readers from the start. It is one rollercoaster ride of a novel. The tension remains taut throughout. If you enjoy fast-paced dark thrillers, this is one that cannot be missed. Be sure to check out The Echo Man today. Highly recommended!

*TRIGGER WARNING* be aware that this book has ALOT of triggers that could be upsetting/unsettling for many readers including gory violence, child abuse, rape...

Now if you're like me and love a good serial killer thriller that's at the right side of gory then this is definitely the book for you! You definitely need a strong stomach for this one.

DCI Cara Elliot is heading up a team, alongside her right man Noah Deakin, investigating supposed unconnected murders. The team are baffled by the quick succession of murders happening on their patch, all meticulously clean of forensic evidence and all carried out differently... can they really be the work of one killer?

A vicious serial killer is on the prowl re creating crime scenes based on other notorious serial killers including Dahmer and Mason but the copy cat killer has his own added sick twist. DCI Elliot and her team have the job of trying to connect these murders.

Alongside the main story we have Nate Griffin's story. A suspended detective with a complex character. He crosses paths with Jessica Ambrose who is on the run after its presumed that she killed her husband, hurt her daughter and burned their house down. They team up and try to connect her own case to those of the brutal murders.

This is one hell of a debut for Sam Holland.. Gruesome, graphic, intense and eerie... The perfect mix.

Thanks to netgalley and Harper Collins UK for the ARC.

I enjoyed this book, it was easy to read and held my attention. I will be reading more from this author :)

When Jess is a victim of a house fire it’s terrifying enough but when other gruesome murders happen it’s a race against time to catch a killer.

Oh wow. What an absolutely fantastic crime thriller. I haven’t read one as good as this in a long time. The murderer is going around copying real life crime scenes which were quite gruesomely described but added so much to the story. I loved the characters, the plot and I just didn’t work out what was going on until the shocking twist at the end. I didn’t want this book to end and stayed up late into the night reading it. This wasn’t first by the author and I really want to read more.

*Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.*

It's been a while since I read this so going from what I can remember ... it wasn't great? I think. It hasn't stuck in my memory so it probably wasn't wonderful, but the concept was fab.

Firstly I would like to thank the author, the publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC of this book. Wow what did I just read? An absolutely amazing book, so many twists and every time I thought I had it worked out something happened to change my mind, I hope there will be more from this author.

The Echo Man Sam Holland
This book is a whopper of a debut. I lost track of the body count after a while, which added to the intrigue.
I alternated between reading and audio for this book and enjoyed it equally in each form.
The pace never lets up, so I found myself staying up late to see what happened next.

Brilliant debut.

Wow! This book is brilliant. I couldn't put it down. The characters are so engaging, and as the book goes on you see past their flaws. Full of twists and turns, and an excellent story.

A thank you to @netgalley for this audiobook, I enjoyed this book.
I can't say too much without giving away spoilers, I did guess one of the twists it didn't ruin anything as there was many more I didn't guess. Sometimes I had to switch the audiobook off as at times it got too tense and gritty.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC.

Great start to this. Lots of blood and gore so be warned before you indulge.

A series of murders are being carried out across the north of England but it's only when Jess Ambrose is accused of setting her house on fire and killing her husband that the cases become connected. The murderer is copying the MO's of infamous serial killers from over the years. Jess goes on the run with the help of disgraced detective Nate Griffin. Griffin has his own problems and by heading back to the team run by his sister he hopes to finally catch the killer that nearly cost him his life and free Jess from being wrongly convicted.

I really enjoyed this and the twists and turns (as well as the gore!) but felt the end left me wanting more and with questions unanswered. Hopefully there will be a book 2 and all will be revealed

A copycat killer mystery full of suspense and twists and turns. The ending was a little unbelievable but I still enjoyed this novel

A spectacular, darkly stylish and horror-flecked police crime thriller debut. Dubbed 'The Echo Man', a copycat is recreating the kills of some of the most notorious serial killers. This utterly compelling tale will haunt your waking and sleeping moments.

A troubled police detective currented suspended from work becomes mixed up with a murder suspect after a house is set on fire and a man dies. Clues at the scene link this case to another brutal murder and assault, and the detective becomes convinced that the crimes, despite their differences, are the work of the same killer.

The characters are interesting if a little cliched (maverick detective suffering with chronic pain that requires him to take increasingly strong pain killers, troubled but innocent murder suspect with apparent mental health condition) although I couldn't say I liked them very much. The murders are brutal, cosy murder mystery this ain't, but I was gripped by the story and eager to find out who the killer was, and whether he would be brought to justice. My one (small) complaint is how the killer finds the time to murder as many people as he does without it being flagged up as the work of one or more serial killers, but ignoring that tiny plot point I thought it was a very good book.

*Audiobook review*
This was a dark, dark book, with triggers all over the pages. Had to warn you.
I am not put off by anything in thrillers these days, as I have come to expect it. From the premise, a copycat killer who replicates the murders of notorious killers, it was bound to have dark and gruesome deaths in it.
That said, even with the murders and suspense, I did struggle to stay engaged with the audio. I know my attention span is struggling at the moment, but some audios are gripping me. I can't even really put my finger on what it was.
I think there was so much content on the murders, some could have been saved for another book! But I loved the premise and the ending was fantastic.