Wow - Sam Holland has done it again!
Ever since reading the Echo Man this series has had me in a chokehold and the third installment doesn't disappoint.
Deliciously dark and disturbingly brutal storytelling at its finest - it's a heart pounding read I didn't want to put down - and much like the two before I'm sure this one will stay with me for a long time.
I'm already eagerly awaiting the next one - and this still hasn't been released yet!
Huge thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc ebook.

A most unusual angle on the serial killer genre and as such, quite a refreshing change.
Extremely well written with an engaging plot and it also adds content to the back story of the main characters without detracting from it's 'stand alone' status.
A great read and one by an author I will definitely look out for from now on.

I was very excited (and a little nervous..) to get stuck into Sam Holland’s third book in the Major Crimes series, after really enjoying the first two. The Puppet Master did not disappoint!

We join Cara Elliott and her team as they’re called to the scene of an apparent suicide, where a man has jumped in front of a train. But some things are not adding up about the scene. Then as more suicide cases appear in the same small area, Cara begins to think that the victims are being coerced in some way…

As ever with Sam Holland, this is not your average crime/detective/thriller novel. There are some extremely dark and twisted parts to this story, and some that are really not very pleasant to read and quite upsetting and disturbing. That aside, it is told brilliantly and is so very gripping and hard to put down. I could not wait to find out who was behind it all.. and could not have predicted how it turned out!

The characters continue to develop and we learn a lot more about what motivates Cara and Griffin – the sub-plot about their father was as compelling as the main storyline!

Another excellent addition to this series, and I will be looking forward to the next instalment!

From GoodReads:
As a bit of a serial killer nerd this was right up my street. A real page turner with mounting tension along the way in the attempt to solve a very unique crime.
My own fault, but I haven't read the first 2 and probably won't now as some fairly hefty spoilers (I think I would have loved #1)

This book carries on from the first one Echo Man and the second book The 20, I really enjoyed the characters development and how they are coping with past events. This story follows Cara and her team as they investigate some suspicious deaths. They must find the mastermind behind all these deaths and put a stop to it. The book is gripping and thrilling and I couldn’t put it down

To me this book was a definite page turner. At times I had tears in my eyes, but the plot wouldn't let me stop reading. I didn't suspect the person responsible until that person was revealed. I enjoyed the whole range of characters involved. Admittedly I had other plans for my day, but I started reading with breakfast and have now finished the whole book. I can't wait to see what happens next

Thank you Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I WISH I READ THE PREVIOUS TWO BOOKS BECAUSE THEY SOUND EPIC. This is my first Sam Holland book and my first book in this series, it absolutely could read as a standalone so that isn't an issue - it just sounds like they'd be RIGHT UP MY STREET.

I loved this book, it was smart, tense, twisty. IT WAS HORRIBLY graphic, but it added SO MUCH to the story. I started this book on my lunch break at work and quickly had to stop until I'd eaten ha!, however I was itching to pick it straight back up.

I liked how the characters were all scarred, had their own issues going on - but were still committed. I liked the development. I liked the side storylines in the main storyline. I liked how everything linked. I just LIKED IT ALL.

This is definitely an author I'd read again, I'll be going back over the other books and I'm already ITCHING to read the next one too.

AMAZING!

I really enjoyed this book, fast paced and atmospheric with interesting and well written characters.
Cara Elliot was a strong lead and nicely described, going into her back story just enough to make me want to read more books with her in them and I loved Griffin, was very happy how his story turned out.
A paranoid, addictive read from beginning to end.

I really enjoyed this book, the characters were intriguing and the story was engaging. I'll look out for more by this author.

Another fabulous instalment in the series featuring DCI Cara Elliott. A clever and fast paced storyline sees the detectives racing to find the truth before another body is found. I loved that the team also have their own personal issues they are dealing with. A very well written and engaging book.

The Puppet Master by Sam Holland is book three in the Major crimes series and after reading the previous books in the series ‘The Echo Man’ and ‘The twenty’ I was excited to read this.
DCI Cara Elliot is back again investigating what first appears to be a string of suicides. But Cara is not sure. Her team thinks that these are all a cut and dry case. But tells them that they need to delve further and find that all these deaths are a result of a serial killer. The team are on a race to find them before more bodies turn up. With the help of her brother Griffin back on the team.
This is another fabulous episode in the series. I found it a bit tamer. Not as gritty and dark, more of a Police procedural than the previous two but I enjoyed it all the same. 5 stars.

Dark, twisted and very tense, this latest offering from the very talented Sam Holland sees Major Crime Unit DCI Cara Elliot face her toughest case yet. With the team still reeling from events in The Echo Man and The Twenty ( would definitely recommend reading these 2 novels first) they are first called to an apparent suicide. But something doesn't add up, and as the body count rises Cara and the team discover someone is pulling the strings from afar and manipulating the victims thoughts.. The Puppet Master is watching and who will be next ?
I've loved this entire series, in this 3rd novel we see the more vulnerable side to the team, but this doesn't detract from their workrate or workload. A fabulous read

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC of this book.

I think Sam Holland will be one of my favourite authors after reading this.
It was fast paced and constantly kept me on the edge of my seat. Plus I never would have guessed the twist at the end.

The only thing that disappointed me was that I hadn't read the previous 2 books before this one and there were major spoilers so don't go into this one first.

Overall, loved the writing style, the story telling and characters were brilliant and I already can't wait for the next one.

This is the first book I have read by this author, and initially didn’t realise that it is book three in a series. I don’t think you need to have read the previous instalments to follow this one, as the backstories are refenced a great deal including some pretty heavy spoilers, so I won’t be going back to read books one and two. I was drawn to the book by the synopsis as this is an interesting idea, and whilst there are some undoubtedly dark parts, I don’t think the plot was explored to its full extent. I personally, found the storyline plodded and because of this, I was unable to become fully engaged in the tale or the characters – of which there are a lot! We have a myriad of victims, and a large investigation team together with usual smattering of friends and family, of both the team and the victims – it was hard to keep track of who’s who. In conclusion, I wasn’t blown away by this book.

YES!!!! Round of applause to Sam again - she has yet again provided another incredible book making this the third in the series. We yet again follow DCI Cara Elliott and her odd bunch of detectives to find the newest serial killer that’s sprung up. I have to agree with Elliott, she is definitely unlucky to have found herself embroiled in investigating now her third serial killer - the story unfolds nice and steadily, plenty of variation and some brilliant twists and turns in the lead up to the climactic finish. Sam Holland has brought back some favourites, I.e. Griffin; has introduced some new I.e. Brody and has lessened some of the less likeable I.e. Roo. I’m already looking forward to the next one and will be recommending this to everyone who will listen to me.

Thanks to NetGalley, Sam Holland and HarperCollins UK for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

With many thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for this free arc and I am leaving this unbiased review voluntarily

Whatever name this author chooses to write under you always know you are in for a cracking read. As Sam Holland she brings us the third instalment in this captivating series and Cara Elliot is once again back as the main character. This book is ingenious as it brings together the first two books - which were separate stories- into the storyline of the third book. The writing is absolutely sublime and the pace is bang on point. The dark and disturbing theme adds to the ever growing tension , but it’s the truly wonderful flawed characters that give this book depth and an edge. This is an insanely brilliant piece of work and I cannot fault this book on any level - it’s a breathtaking and flawless 5 star (and then some) read

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC.

Cara Elliott and her team are back for instalment number three. A lot has happened in the first two books, The Echo Man and The Twenty, so I would advise reading these first to get an idea of what the team has been through and how the relationships have been formed.

Sam Holland is an author of wow moments, not afraid to 'upset' people with things happening to the main characters.

This time round the team are landed with what seems to be an open and shut suicide case. As more and more suicides happen in such a small period of time, Cara and the team suspect there are more to them. Surely not another serial killer. But how can there be when the victims have seemingly done these things to themselves.

Following her gut instinct Cara investigates further and with the help of her broken team, and re enlistment of her troubled brother Nate, and finds The Puppet Master is a very dangerous killer that needs to be caught.

Brilliant 5 star read. Love this series.

This book follows DCI Elliot and her team, in uncovering the truth around a series of suspicious suicides. After still recovering from the tragic and horrific events of the previous case, DCI Elliot and her team are determined to solve these mysterious deaths before more lives are lost. Can they find the link between these deaths and crack the case?

The third book in the Major Crime series, although this book can be read as a stand alone, I would highly recommend reading the first two books in the series. The previous book, The Echo Man is highly referenced throughout and contains quite a few spoilers! Also by reading the first two books you gain more of an understanding of the characters and their backstories.

From the moment I picked this book up, I could not put it down. It was fast paced, very cleverly written and just kept me guessing. I thought the characters had great depth too them and as the story progressed I could really get an understanding of what they were like and their individual personalities, adding more interest to the storyline. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a great crime book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

All the applause for Sam Holland on yet another incredible read. Unbelievable storytelling, keeping you on edge the whole way through with the twistiest and harrowing plot.

At times, the plot is so grippingly horrifying that you have to give yourself a minute. The antagonist's sadistic nature, exploiting vulnerabilities, makes it a very different read to the previous two - but also a really intense one. This one definitely hits different and I don’t think I’ve ever read anything quite like it.

The constant build up and tension throughout leaves you on edge, while the relentless pace pushes the team to their breaking point. Despite occasional moments requiring suspension of disbelief, the overall impact is so immersive that any such concerns pale in comparison.

Characterization is perfection as always, with each member of the cast grappling with the lingering effects of past endeavors. A particularly poignant subplot involving Cara and Griffin enriches their personas, adding layers of complexity. I’ve had such a soft spot for Griffin since The Echo Man and I just loved having more of him again this time!

In summary, this is a narrative that grabs the reader from the outset, not letting up until that final page. Highly recommended for those seeking a tale that seamlessly blends suspense and emotion, crafting yet another unforgettable read.

The Queen of thrillers has done it again 👏 I am obsessed with these books. I get so excited when I see another one is coming out so you can imagine how excited I was to be accepted for an ARC on this!

This book felt different from the other two but the writing was just as gripping and the storyline just as good. I loved that we got to see an insight into the characters lives following the aftermath of serious cases such as the Echo Man and OMG that last sentence has me eager for the next book!

If you love a good thriller, detective series then you really need to get your hands on these books!!

Thank you @samhollandbooks and @netgalley for the early copy! I can't wait to pick up my paperback for my shelves as I will certainly be reading this book again.