Having read the two previous books in the series I was looking forward to this one. I was not disappointed. After a sudden dramatic increase in apparent suicides DI Cara Elliott and her team start thinking the unimaginable, that all the cases are linked somehow and a race against time begins to solve the cases. I love Sam Holland’s style of writing and every book I’ve read has had me gripped from beginning to end. This one was also full of suspense and led to many late nights as I didn’t want to put it down. Look forward to many more books by this author.

I really enjoyed this book. It wasnt as graphic as the previous books in the series and the storyline in the first half was quite simple but then the second half was really tense and twisty and I didnt predict the ending. It was good and I would recommend this series.

Loved this book - it was so clever in premise and, although I had not read the previous ones in the series, the characters really added to the story. Lots of individual subplots from previous books - but nothing that made me feel as if I was missing out - more like encouraging me to go back and read the earlier ones!

I liked that a lot of the characters were flawed in some way, but strong enough to show their vulnerabilities, rather than it just being the lead female character who had weak moments. Really clever premise and I was struggling along with the detectives to understand how it was all happening. The reveal was well done and satisfying. Highly recommended.

The Puppet Master by Sam Holland is an extraordinary dive into the dark and intricate world of psychological thrillers. From the very first page, Holland captivates the reader with a gripping narrative and an intricate plot that keeps you guessing until the very end.
The character development is superb. Each individual, from the puppet master to the unsuspecting victims, is crafted with depth and precision. Their motivations, fears, and secrets are unraveled masterfully, creating a tapestry of suspense that is both chilling and compelling. The protagonist, in particular, is portrayed with such raw emotion and complexity that you can't help but root for them despite the odds.
Holland's writing style is both elegant and gritty, seamlessly blending vivid descriptions with sharp dialogue. The pacing is impeccable, with each chapter ending on a note that makes it impossible to put the book down. The twists and turns are cleverly executed, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat and constantly questioning who can be trusted.
The exploration of control, manipulation, and the human psyche adds a layer to the narrative, making it more than just a thriller. It's a deep dive into the dark corners of the mind, exploring how far one would go when pushed to their limits.

I loved this book, my only regret is that I didn’t read the two preceding books first. Tense and scary but with bags of empathy inducing details about the characters lives which drew me in and made me care about all of them. Very eager to see what happens to them all next, I thoroughly recommend any thriller lovers to read this story - but clear your diary because you won’t want to stop once you inevitably get sucked in!

The third in the series this book absolutely didn’t disappoint! Fast paced, gripping full of twists and turns. What more could you ask for in a book! I was totally hooked from start to finish.
Thank you so much for allowing me to read this!

I thoroughly enjoyed this fast paced police procedural thriller. The characters are so well developed and are so believable, making the story come to life. It’s a tense and sometimes gritty read but it completely held my attention and I couldn’t read it fast enough. My only regret is that I hadn’t read the previous book and there are many references to the past. However it’s definitely readable as a stand alone.

My thanks to the author, to the publisher and to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK for this eCopy to review

The Puppet Master is the 3rd book in the @samhollandbooks major crime series. This time we are tracking down The Puppet Master who is forcing people to commit suicide by exploiting their greatest fears. Full of twists and turns this was a fast paced dark thriller that had me hooked and scared whilst reading. Cannot wait to see what Cara faces next

So I freaking loved Sam’s first two books, and while The Echo Man will always be my favourite, The Puppet Master was amazing. I was gripped from the get go, wondering what kind of person Cara would be dealing with this time. Turns out, she has another time of it, and has to deal with a lot of bodies, and another crazed killer on the loose.

The Puppet Master was brilliantly written, had some great twists along the way, and Griffin is still there, which brightened my day right up!

This is book number 3 in @samhollandbooks major crime series, and boy, is it just as good as the first two.

Lots of twists and turns, and gore. My favourite. A serial killer who prays on the worst fears and traumatic experiences of his victims hits a little close to home. I spent the whole book wonder what they would have used against me.

The race against time to find out who is behind it all is always my favourte part of the major crime series books and this one did not disappoint.

I connected with all the characters, and genuinely cared what happened to them, even if some of them were right grumpy!

Yet another successful hit from Sam, and I am very excited to see what Cara, Griffin and co get up to next!

✩✩✩✩✩

***4.5***

This is the 3rd installment in the major crime series. (The Echo Man and The 20) We are back with DCI Elliott and her brother Griffin. DCI Elliott is called to a suicide on a train track but she is not convinced that it was suicide. Soon they are on the hunt for a dangerous serial killer.

Sam Holland does it again another solid thriller that had me on the edge of my seat. This was fast paced and kept me guessing till the end I could not put this down. Each book gives us a bit more of these characters and I love them all more. Can't wait to see where this series goes next ! Definitely recommend reading these books in order even though they could be read as standalones there are spoilers for the other books.

Thank you to Netgalley, Harper Collins UK and Sam Holland for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

There is no words that can adequately describe this book. I couldn't put it down, and kept on paging and turning, paging and turning, just to see where it ended! Book was very well written, full of twists and turns, humanity and great detective work. Really enjoyed it, and can't wait to read more by this very very talented author! Highly recommended.

Cara and her team are called to a grizzly suicide when a man jumps in front of a train. Then Nate is informed of another suicide, but knowing the victim, he knows this couldn’t b possible. Soon it transpires, a lot of recent suicides are not as they are first perceived. There is a killer out there, watching and always ahead of the game.
Gruesome in places, this outstanding read won’t leave you feeling disappointed. Another great read in the series that will keep you hooked to the end. Possible best to read the previous books first to understand the characters a little better, plus references about the Echo Man may be a spoiler!

This is the third book in Sam Holland's major crimes series and I found it linked a bit closer to The Echo Man than The 20 did as we're back in the capable hands of Cara Elliot and Nate Griffin. Jaimie from the previous book is now in the same team as Elliot and Griffin which creates a really strong set of characters and detectives and feels like it's bringing everything to a nice clean cut finish - who am I kidding eh!

When numerous suicides happen on Elliot's watch in a number of days she starts getting that feeling that everything isn't quite as it seems, surely this must just be a coincidence and they can't be experiencing another serial killer out there... Alas, the investigations into the suicides begin and you quickly get swept up in the fast paced nature of Holland's writing, there are sub stories that reveal themselves as we go but you feel like you're uncovering more secrets and clues at every turn - although like the team I couldn't put this one together.

I really liked the character development you got in this book which I felt more than in the previous two books where the characters are quite new, in this we get to see the three MC's in a bit more detail, their emotions, backstories and what drives them as detectives, especially as Elliot and Griffin works closely together again. I have to say that I do have a little bit on unease about Charlie though... there's just something a little off about him but I can't quite put my finger on it and hope that I'm wrong as Elliot deserves something happy in her life!

As I've already mentioned this is a fast paced thriller that will get you scratching your head and trying to tie all of the knots together! I think in the end I guessed the finished moments before it was revealed but boy it was a goodun! Bring on book 4 now please!!!!

The Puppet Master by Sam Holland is the #3 book in the series; Major Crimes. This one is an excellent follow up book in this incredible series. Sam Holland is an exceptional crime thriller author and writes so well that you feel immersed in her stories. I’ve read all three and highly recommend starting from the beginning but you could jump in here and still understand enough to enjoy this one. The story here has such an interesting and unique premise and that was what held my interest the most. While perhaps not as strong as the first book, this dark police thriller has all you would expect from this genre, including complex well-fleshed out characters, twists and red herrings, and a heart-stopping finale. I’m looking forward to seeing where this series goes next. Sam Holland is an auto-buy author for me.

This is a dark and chilling story, full of suspense.
I loved the great storytelling and the relatable characters who all have struggles of their own.
Following those in the Major Crimes Unit, Cara and her brother Nate work together to try and find out who is behind a series of deaths which appear to be suicides but the Unit does not believe that to be the case.
There is emotional parts to the book which left me with tears in my eyes.
A fast paced, thrilling book and looking forward to the next one.
Excellent plot and characters.

A excellent sequel to The Echo Man. Full of twists and turns and lots of surprises. All in all a great read.

Read the first 2 books and loved them
This is absolutely a fast paced read with a compelling storyline
I had to hold my breath a few times, definitely keeps you on the edge of your seat

I look forward to book 4

Thank you netgalley, Harper Collins and Sam Holland

I just reviewed The Puppet Master by Sam Holland. #NetGalley

I LOVE this authors work so much that I also bought the audiobook of all her books so I can listen whilst on-the-go!

Another brilliant crime thriller to shake you up from the brilliant Sam Holland.

Full of twists and turns that keep the reader fully engaged.

If you like twisty crime thrillers like Wire in the Blood or Call of Duty then this authors work is DEFINITELY for you as she never disappoints!

My second Sam Holland and again whilst I enjoy the writing style the book as a whole just didn’t work. I don’t want to give any spoilers but as the subject matter covers suicide very early on I think it’s safe for me to say that in the real world I can’t imagine anyone would have delved so deeply as they do in this one to confirm the cause of death.