4.75 ⭐️

The Major Crimes series by Sam Holland is one of my favourite crime thriller series. The serial killer story lines are somewhat brutal, but they make for an intense and explosive read.

I loved how book 4 brings together all of the previous books and all of the various character plot lines, particularly The Echo Man which is book 1. This is an absolute must read before this one! But you should just read the entire series if you haven’t already!

The writing is immersive and addictive - I completely binged the second half in one sitting. There are twists and turns throughout so you’ll be on the edge of your seat the entire book.

I’ve fallen in love with the characters in this series. Cara is such a strong woman and goes through absolute hell in this book! And Nate is the morally grey man you need in every book in my opinion!!

If you love dark and twisty police procedural thrillers, with serial killers and intense scenes - this one is for you!

• The fourth book in the DCI Cara Elliot series.
• Can be read as a standalone, but recommend reading at least the first in the series, The Echo Man, for the backstory.
• This is a tense, fast paced, gory serial killer thriller with deep character development and intricate plotting.
• Recommend for fans of Chris Carter, M.W.
Craven, and Karin Slaughter.
• Overall a thrilling, well crafted thriller.

I’m new to the books of Sam Holland and just wish I’d done my research, realised this was the fourth book in a series and read the previous books first as there are definite spoilers in this that would detract from reading them now. That said, the book is excellent and I did enjoy it a lot so may well give it a little time then start the series from the beginning. The writing is fast paced and suspenseful, the main characters are well depicted and likeable and it keeps you gripped from the start.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to review and to the author for your work.

This was a brilliant book!
As soon as I saw it listed I was hoping I would be accepted! Thank you for the ARC copy of this I really appreciate it!

Thankyou Harper Collins & NetGalley for the arc copy of this book for my honest review.

The book follows on from the aftermath of the echo man I would recommend reading all 3 books before this to get the gist of the background of the characters and what happened in the past that brought to where they was in the present.

At first it starts off with the characters tryin to find their new normal after what had happened in the past, I won’t be discussing this as it will ruin all the other books 🤣.

Although they felt like they had victory in solving the case the main Cara still questions if they have got the right person. Then ensues the plot, Cara and her team are provided with a live action scene of a man being killed in the dead of night.

As the chaos unfolds of trying to find the killer more bodies appear to Throw Cara and her team off track and from discovering why all these bodies are disappearing and being murdered.

The plot was good the twist didn’t make me gasp 😦 I felt the book took plots and twists from other thriller books that made me guess the killer in the storyline. I did enjoy some entities of the book but I wanted a bit more shock factor especially as there was POV from the countdown killer their self I wish there was more hunt & more suspense

Wow!!! What an epic conclusion! I have been a huge fan of Sam Hollands books ever since The Echo Man got me in its claws a couple of years ago, and I have been FERAL for this book since!

I thoroughly enjoyed revisiting each and every one of the characters from Sam’s previous instalments, but my favourite part was the intricate way in which this story is linked with The Echo Man - so it’s absolutely imperative that you read that one first. I suggest reading them all but you will not get the full experience of The Countdown Killer without reading Echo Man.

I loved Cara so much. Her character really went through it, and I enjoyed the slightly rebellious side we got from her this time!

I’m genuinely quite sad that this story is done with now, and I do feel like it was wrapped up nicely with a little bow.

I wish we’d have had more of a confrontation ending… however I am ultimately happy with how it finished!

Dark, disturbing, and utterly addictive – The Countdown Killer by Sam Holland delivers a chilling ride from start to finish. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill police procedural. It’s gritty, graphic, and gloriously intense, and I couldn’t put it down. Naturally I have started the series with book number four, so now I have some more back list titles to add to my TBR.
DCI Cara Elliott is thrown into a waking nightmare when a DVD lands in her hands, showcasing a live murder. What follows is a twisted game orchestrated by a sadistic killer who’s not just methodical but horrifyingly interactive – accepting requests from viewers and broadcasting death like it’s entertainment. The concept is horrifyingly clever, and Holland doesn’t shy away from the psychological darkness at its core.
What really stood out to me was the pacing. The forty-eight-hour countdown for each kill creates this ever-present tension that had me racing through chapters, needing to know if the team would catch a break before the next victim met their fate. And when the killer turns their sights on the police? Game-changer. It amps everything up and suddenly, no one feels safe.
Cara Elliott is a fantastic lead – sharp, flawed, determined. I loved how the book didn’t just focus on the investigation but also gave us glimpses into her vulnerabilities and what drives her. The supporting cast was solid too, especially the dynamics within her team. You can feel the pressure they’re under, and it adds a real sense of urgency to the narrative.
This book does get dark – think serial killer thrillers with a seriously brutal edge – so it won’t be for the faint-hearted. But if you’re a fan of Chris Carter, M.W. Craven, or the more intense side of Karin Slaughter, this one’s absolutely in your wheelhouse.
The Countdown Killer is a tense, fast-paced thriller that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go. It’s disturbing in all the right ways, and I’ll definitely be keeping my eye out for more from Sam Holland. (And add her previous three books to my TBR!)

An absolutely cracking sequel to The Echo Man. It would have been 5 stars had I not guessed who the murderer was. It's a grim, unrelenting, horrendous story but totally compelling . I couldn't put it down. I do recommend you read The Echo Man first though. A great crime series.

Sam Holland has outdone herself with The Countdown Killer!! The Echo Man is one of my favourite serial killer books but this one may have just topped it. What an incredible book. I seriously could not get enough. I am really glad I saved it for a time that I could just keep reading f because it was impossible to put down. It is everything that you want in a dark crime fiction book, it is intense, it is so messed up and it is fascinating. One of the best books that I have read so far in 2025.

This is book 4 in the major crimes series and I highly recommend that you at least read Echo Man. Fore this one. But seriously, you need to read all of them, they are just a cut above in all aspects. The team are given a DVD that has been handed into the station containing a snuff film. They think it will an open and shut case but it is far from it. It will take them to places they never imagined. This is one dangerous case for them all and it will have a huge impact on their lives forever.

Sam Holland is just a brilliant writer. She really gets the reader into the story from the very start and poles on the twist. Thee is never a dull moment. It is a book that I won’t forget, with its detailed descriptions of crime scenes and murder that made my stomach churn.

Brilliant and deserves all the love and all the stars 🌟

Thanks so so so much to Harper Collins UK for my early copy of this book to read. I need a physical copy for my shelves ASAP . Publishes on June 5th.

DCI Cara Elliott is at work when a DVD is handed into the station showing a murder on demand. It becomes clear that viewers are paying for these killings with specific instructions and a set timeframe of 48 hours. When one of their own becomes a target it’s a race against the clock to catch the culprits.

I love Sam Holland ever since I read the Echo Man and she is one of my top authors in both the names she writes under. This is another fantastic addition to the Major Crimes series and having read some average books recently, it was refreshing to read something I couldn’t tear myself away from, staying up way too late reading!

This started with a bang and kept going at a fast pace. By the end I was holding my breath, desperate to see what would happen next. What I really enjoy about this series is that the author does not shy away from incredibly dark and disturbing scenes. While at times this seemed bleak and emotional, this was infused with tension, rawness and a purely chilling atmosphere. It was great to see many past characters returning, watch their development and the way they work together. Full of twists and turns, this was another shocking, addictive addition to this series and one I suggest anyone who enjoys a twisted serial killer thriller reads. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this copy in return for an honest review.

For me, this was Sam Holland's best so far.
Love the characters. Plot was just the right length and very suspenseful and the writing style was excellent.
It is one of a series but definitely works well as a stand alone.
More than just a police procedural thriller as it has a darker side which allows the team to bend rules and push the envelope.
Great stuff. Cheers.

Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read this book in return for an honest review. The Countdown Killer is the 4th instalment in the Echo Man series and in my opinion the best yet! A highly suspenseful and energetic thriller that had me hooked from the first page. I love the characters in this book and I felt the conclusion of Noah’s story was perfect. I would definitely recommend reading the first 3 books before reading the new one as so much of the story is intertwined with the original book. One of my favourite crime series books of all time and I regularly recommend them to people. 5 stars.

Did I (silently) scream when I got approved for this book? YES. YES I DID. This series is one of my all-time favorite thrillers, and The Countdown Killer totally lived up to the hype. Actually, scratch that—it might be my favorite one yet. I was flying through the pages like my life depended on it. It was intense, suspenseful, and honestly impossible to put down.

This is book 4 in the Major Crimes series, and while the previous books can work as standalones, I’d definitely recommend reading The Echo Man (book 1) before diving into this one. There are major callbacks and connections that add so much depth to the story, and you'd be missing out if you skipped it.

What continues to blow me away is the character development - especially Cara and Griffin. After four books, you'd think we’d seen it all, but Sam Holland just keeps deepening their stories in such a satisfying, believable way. It’s rare to feel this invested in characters in a thriller series, but here we are.

And as always with Sam Holland, the pacing is spot-on. There’s literally no dull moment. His writing oozes tension—you can feel it in your bones. His books are like magnets: one page turns into five, turns into fifty, and suddenly it’s 2 a.m.

Go mark June 5, 2025 in your calendars to get your own copy - ok just maybe clear your schedule first—you won’t want to stop once you start.

Many many thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Words cannot explain how much I loved this book, but I will try my best in my review.

The Countdown Killer is the long awaited wrap-up to the masterpiece that is The Echo Man. I really enjoyed catching up with my favourite collection of misfits. The book is fast-paced, immediately thrusting me into a world of chaos and suspense in the very first chapter. It is foot to the pedal, full speed fast.

As usual the team brings their own drama to the story, but it's always perfectly balanced with the plot. Never overshadowing the investigation. The suspense is so high with this one. I didn't know if to sit down, stand up, lie down or what when reading. I just know that I could not put this one down. My spine was tingling with anticipation and my anxiety was through the roof. I was mad at myself for not being able to read at warp speed.

This book has everything I love. Great writing, solid but complex characters, a stellar storyline and so much more. These characters mean so much to me. They draw me in and keep me there from cover to cover. So many emotions were evoked from me with this one, including grief.
I cannot say enough good things about this series other than read it!!!! These books cannot be read as standalones. However, each one is well worth your time.

Thank you to Netgalley, HarperCollins UK and Sam Holland for my eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: June 5th, 2025.

A video handed in to DCI Cara Elliot's team gives them a gruesome case to investigate. A man tortured while the cameras were running. Discovering who passed over the video the team discover that Edward Morris, an esteemed filmmaker, had more of these snuff videos in his study. Sensing an open and shut case, they're horrified to discover he was having hospital treatment while many of the videos were taken and they have another depraved killer to hunt down.
I have recently re-read the previous 3 books in this major crime series in anticipation of reading this novel,each one just gets better and better. They are not necessarily for the squeamish, no punches are pulled in the description of some of the killings or the aftermath but this is what makes Sam Holland such an accomplished writer.
I loved the character depiction, and the softer side of Nate Griffin. I think Frank the cat is who we need to thank for that.
This whole series would make a fantastic TV series. I hope there are more in the pipeline

Wow, wow, wow - brilliant - thank you so much.
The fourth in the Major Crimes Series and absolutely brilliant, had me hooked from the start to the end.
I literally could not put this down, fast paced, unbelievably brutal murders, great characters - I think I have a bit of a thing for Nate!!
This was so hard to put down and where is it going to go next - there must be more.
Best book I've read this year.

The best yet from Sam Holland.
Yes her books are graphic and particularly gory in certain parts but she can't half tell a story.
Have read all of her books to date and I can honestly say this one is the best to date and considering how much I've enjoyed those that went before it, then thats quite a claim.
Re-introduced to The Echo Man this takes us on a journey back in time as well as Cara and her team investigating a series of brutal killings that appear to be revenge actions. Expect the unexpected and a massive twist in the tale in the latter part of the book.
Without hesitation FIVE STARS.
Intrigued as to where Sam Holland goes next in her writing and look forward to finding out
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for the ARC in return for an unbiased review.

This book was absolutely incredible. I have loved the whole series so far but this book just might be my favourite. It made me feel all sorts of feelings especially that ending. I was so happy we got closure of a previous storyline and past characters coming back. I was trying so hard with all my different theories to work out the mystery and Sam Holland never fails to have me guessing the whole book and being so far off. I would 100% recommend this book if you love a gritty, action packed, police procedural thriller. A five star read for me!

This is the fourth book in the Major crimes series and it didn’t disappoint.
DCI Cara Elliott is given a DVD of a man being killed.
It looks like a revenge killing and her team are now looking for the killers.
A harrowing story with some twists.
Thank you to Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Countdown Killer was everything I hoped it would be!

I loved the revenge killings on camera storyline, every death had its own twisted specification, and they were all gory and darkly intriguing. Then, to top it all off, it looped back to the Echo Man and gave us a slightly bittersweet conclusion to Noah Deakin’s story.
As a reader, my only real complaints are personal preferences. I wish Jamie’s storyline had been different and there’s only so much moaning about being a bad mum from Cara I can have sympathy with especially as she never seemed to really try to be better. In addition, I think her impulsiveness without justification/reason borderlines too out there at times.
The biggest flaw, however, was Noah revealing too much to Cara. After being so tight-lipped, it felt out of place for him to give away obvious hints. It seemed like a convenient way to tie back into the Echo Man storyline, maybe a bit too lazily.
Despite these minor issues, this was my second favourite in the series. I really enjoyed how everything came together, and the darkness of the crimes was gripping!
Big thanks to NetGalley, Hemlock Press, and Sam Holland for approving my ARC in exchange for an honest review!