“Hell is empty. And all the devils are here.”

The Countdown Killer follows DCI Cara Elliott’s latest case when a DVD is delivered to the station, containing a horrifying showreel of violence… This is death, on demand - and viewers are paying for the killings. The pattern: twisted specifications and a forty-eight-hour pattern. But when the killer finds out they’re being investigated, they reveal their next target: a police officer. The hunters have become the hunted, and the clock is ticking…

The Countdown Killer is told over three parts, and is the 4th book in the major crimes series. It's hard to fully express just how much I adore this series and its characters. I enjoyed being reunited with Cara and her team (well, some of them - iykyk), but this comfort was soon overpowered by a mix of horror and admiration as I was drawn into yet another masterfully crafted, suspense filled narrative.

Sam Holland has one of the most brilliant and darkly fascinating minds, and it is this that sets her apart as an author and makes this whole series 5 stars for me. This book was graphic, intense and so gripping it genuinely gave me palpitations. Each chapter was packed full of action and ingenious writing, often ending on a cliffhanger or a case-breaking that made it impossible to stop reading. The twists had my head spinning, and the ending was beautifully constructed and flawlessly executed.

I don’t want to say too much more that could spoil anything for those eagerly awaiting this book, but trust me - you won’t be disappointed. And if you haven’t started this series yet, do yourself a favor and grab every book now!

Thank you so much to Sam Holland and HarperCollins/Hemlock Press for this advanced copy of The Countdown Killer to read and review. My opinions are my own.

Omg this book was a wild ride and one of my faves this year.

I loved the fast pace and tense atmosphere created by Holland’s fantastic descriptive writing. I was sucked in from the first page and I didn’t (couldn’t) ease up, not even at the end, when I was left with so many playbacks of scenes.

This book shook me and it’s not often that I am affected by these types of books but there was one scene in particular that challenged me. This book made me cry and o my Holland, you may have ruined me a bit and written one of the most memorable scenes that will live with me for a long time.
I loved the developing relationships and we finally had some closure in Noah and how his childhood journey led him to his current predicament.

Overall a phenomenal book. If you loved The Echo Man you are absolutely going to LOVE this one!

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for the chance to read this amazing book in exchange for an honest review.

DCI Cara Elliot receives a dvd delivered to the police station on it is a snuff film. As Cara and her team investigates, the killer targets people she loves. A thriller that stands with the best. Fast paced with wonderful characters. Edge of you seat plotting. Sam Holland is now one of my go to authors. Thanks to Harpercollins UK and Netgalley for this review ARC.

This is a brilliant crime thriller that ties up some elements of previous books, so I’d recommend reading those first.
Cara can’t believe her eyes when she watches a DVD that has been delivered to the station, as it contains a snuff film.
Cara and the team are sickened by what they’ve seen and know they need to catch this killer quickly.
They have a few leads and soon realise this killer has struck many times in the past.
Things soon turn personal for Cara when people she knows and cares about are targeted, and even though she’s taken off the case, it doesn’t stop her following more leads.
This is a fast paced crime thriller with a few gruesome descriptions that add to story.
Thanks to Harper Collins UK for the opportunity to read this book.

This is the fourth book in the Major Crimes series, and it relates back to The Echo Man, so I’d definitely recommend reading that (and the other two excellent books in the series) first.

The familiar faces and personalities from the series are back, and although things seem to have quieted down for the team, a new case is about to throw everything back into turmoil.

In this book we have the dubious pleasure of meeting the insufferable, ambitious DCI Ryder from the Basingstoke Major Crimes team. I liked the glimpse we had of her character, but less was definitely more with everything else going on…

I did feel the book started slowly, which is by no means a bad thing because it helps to be invested in the characters and their lives. From about halfway the stakes were raised and became almost unbearably tense.

With 25% to go, no way I was going to sleep without finishing this book. I’m here for the thrills, even if some elements are far-fetched, and The Countdown Killer delivered. A twisty plot, plenty of nasty murders, and a pulse-raising race to find the killer. Sam Holland has become one of my favourite crime/thriller authors, and although this book hasn’t hit the shelves yet (it’s out 5th June), I can’t wait to see what her next will be!

My thanks to the author, publisher and to NetGalley for the advance review copy.

A very intense and dark read as we see the depravity of people willing to pay for death on camera. Very gripping and twisted read overall.

Wow, this was a rollercoaster of a read. DCI Cara Elliott and her team are facing a tough case and they have to race to find the culprit. It all begins when an innocent DVD is handed into the police station by an unknown person. I found the story to be well written and very descriptive. It was gripping, gritty, suspenseful, taut and tense, which made me carry on reading late into the evening as it was unputdownable. All the subplots come together to a dramatic ending!

This is the fourth book of the Major Crimes series. You do need to read the first book The Echo Man to keep up with some of the incidents that are mentioned in the book.

Cara gets a DVD in the middle of the night at the precinct. While watching the DVD, she finds that she is watching an actual live murder happening in the footage. They realize that they are handling one of the most dangerous murder crime cases that they had ever solved in the lives. These murder victims were once involved in incidents where the law has let them go scot-free. And as such, a group of murderers kidnap them and let them taste their own medicine by filming out the murder.

This was a fast paced thriller and is unputdownable. The main characters Cara and Griffin were likable. I really like the author's style of writing as the author manage to keep the reader at the edge of the story. There were some gory details in the book and of course as expected in the most thrillers, there were twists and turns. The ending was unexpected and shocking. Sam Holland is one of my favorite psychological thriller authors and ever since I read the Echo Man, which was fast paced and intriguing and horrifying, this one was also intriguing and unputdownable thriller. Not too sure if there will be a fifth book of the series but none the same, I cannot wait to read more books from this author--worth 4.5 stars.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Harper Collins for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

I honestly devoured this read from start to finish. Sam Holland's writing is so addictive and I simply couldn't put this down. She has such an intriguing and engaging way of writing, and I was convinced that this book was real life - the characters and setting were described so well. I always find that Holland's ideas for the plots are so fresh and unique and this is what makes her writing stand out above the crowd.

I honestly felt gripped from the very first page until the minute I finished the novel, and I keep thinking about it, even hours after I have finished it.

This book was so twisted, terrifying and spine chilling. The beginning is horrifying. A serial killer is on loose and they are killing people. A DVD has been delivered to DCI and their team. They see a violent death. Before the killer targets anyone else, they must be stopped. As the investigation deepens, the unthinkable keeps happening and shocking secrets are being revealed. There are secrets not only related to the killer but other characters are also harbouring secrets. There are shocking revelations at the end and it took the team so long to figure out the killer’s motive. More lives were at stake. And then the truth comes out and killer has been revealed. You won’t be able to guess the killer. I loved the investigation and how twisted this book was. Author’s writing will pull you in and it won’t let you go until the end.

Book 4 in the Major Crimes series.

Oh wow!! What a book this is. The previous 3 were brilliant but this just raises the bar even higher.

The plot is very dark, gruesome and very graphic in places. It's certainly not for the faint hearted.

I was hooked from the very first page and I couldn't bare to put it down. I can't recommend this fantastic book highly enough. I'd give it more than 5 stars if I could.

Loved it

DCI Cara Elliott and her team are thrust into one of their most chilling cases yet when a DVD arrives - capturing the live execution of a man in horrifying detail. But this is no one-off killing. As the investigation deepens, it becomes clear: a sadistic killer is working to a 48-hour cycle - from abduction to broadcasted murder.

With each passing day, the pressure mounts to stop the next atrocity. Then, a disturbing link to The Echo Man surfaces, and the next victim strikes alarmingly close to home. As the case spirals, long-buried traumas resurface, forcing Cara and her team to face the ghosts of their past - before the killer strikes again.

The tension is immediate and unrelenting. The 48-hour countdown injects urgency into every chapter, while quieter moments carry a haunting emotional weight - a perfect balance between high-stakes action and raw character exploration.

Cara and Nate remain the heart of the story - flawed, loyal, and deeply compelling. Cara’s recklessness and Nate’s simmering volatility make for an electrifying sibling dynamic, while supporting characters are given space to shine. Small moments of warmth (yes, even Frank the cat) bring relief amidst the darkness.

The Countdown Killer is the most intense and emotionally charged installment in Holland’s Major Crimes series. Visceral, complex, and unapologetically dark, it’s a brilliant conclusion with high-stakes closure and gut-punch twists. Bold, bloody, and unforgettable.

This book takes what you think you know and flips it on its head. I (somehow!) guessed the killer within the first fifth of the book - but the real shocks came later. The twists hit harder than the reveal itself.

If you’re planning to read The Echo Man, start there - this finale contains major spoilers. I can’t recommend this series enough. Brutal. Brilliant. Unmissable.

A huge thanks to Hemlock Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book for review consideration.  All opinions are my own.

𝐒𝐚𝐦 𝐇𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 ~ 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐝𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐊𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

🔪 Police Procedural Thriller
🔪 Mystery Chapters
🔪 Nail-bitingly tense
🔪 Fiercely Frightening
🔪 Complex Characters

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

This is book four in the Major Crimes Series. I have to confess this is my absolute favourite series so being able to read an advanced copy via @netgalley was an amazing feeling. In this instalment the Major Crime Team is being headed up by the wonderfully complex DCI Cara Elliott. She is strong and determined yet vulnerable and self critical making her a realistic character displaying light and shade. She is fiercely loyal yet struggles with the balance between motherhood and work.

It’s great to catch up with the team who I have grown to love. I have a particular soft spot for Griffen who is Elliott’s brother. He is powerful, intense and flawed but there is something endearing and lovable about him. Overcoming addiction and in the depths of grief you can still see his core beliefs are solid.

A DVD arrives at the police station showing a man being violently murdered, this is no standard murder, this is a snuff film. It becomes apparent that this is not a one off murder, there is a serial killer, murdering victims on demand within 48 hours for a financial exchange.

A photo at the first scene shows a direct link to The Echo Man. Those loose ends that may have been niggling you in book one are completely wrapped up in this book and what we thought we knew we realise we didn’t. I don’t want to give away any spoilers but wow wow wow. Deliciously dark and dramatically dangerous. This was chefs kiss 😘 💋 My book of the year so far! ⭐️

2.5 rounded up for goodreads and netgalley.
I did not enjoy this book very much, unfortunately. It was too slow-paced for me, and it deeply affected my reading experience. It wasn’t a bad story per se, but it wasn’t gripping like I thought it would. Some aspects of the plot were rather interesting, but overall it could have been shorter. And also, I truly did not like the main character, Cara. In fact, I ended up hating her.
Despite that, I would still recommend it. It is a solid story, dark and quite detailed which I liked. But I will not read any other books in the series because of its main character.

Thank you to Netgalley for an e-ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Another FANTASTIC book by Sam Holland! The last 3 have been phenomenal and this one more than loved up to my expectations!
5*

I'd been eagerly awaiting this fourth book since finishing the puppet master last year - and this was everything I'd hoped for and more!
As delectably dark and disturbing as the rest, I was held in a vice-like grip from the first until the very last page as I devoured this captivating story.
I love this group of characters - with a particular soft spot for Griffin.
I honestly can't wait to see what Sam Holland comes up with next.
With huge thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc ebook.

This is the fourth book in the Major Crimes series. I've read all three of the previous books and couldn't wait for the arrival of the fourth. As you can imagine I was delighted to be approved to read this ARC and can honestly say Sam Holland wrote another incredible book!

The story continues to follow DCI Cara Elliot and her team at Major Crimes as they unravel a complex case.

Incredibly well written, this book had me on the edge of my seat throughout. The twists and turns make it hard to put the book down for any length of time because you just can't wait to find out what happens next.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When a DVD is delivered in the dead of night, DCI Cara Elliott hits play on a horrifying showreel of violence… This is death, on demand.
Avid viewers are paying for the killings, with twisted specifications. A request, an abduction, a murder. And always in a forty-eight-hour pattern.

This book is a real page turner. Great characters, cliff edge moments. Quite graphic at times but not over the top. I read the previous book a while ago and I enjoyed it but this is much better as it ties up some loose ends. It seems to end and then leaps off into another part of the story. It's a very enjoyable read.

DCI Cara Elliott and her team are still recovering from the harrowing events caused by the serial killer, The Puppet Master, when they find themselves dealing with a new foe, a killer who is exacting retribution on individuals who seem to have evaded punishment for crimes they committed.

The Countdown Killer by Sam Holland is book 4 in the Major Crimes series. This book draws together lots of threads from previous books, if you're new to the series I'd recommend reading the previous three books first to get a full understanding of the dynamics between the characters. The Countdown Killer also contains lots of spoilers for the earlier books.

The opening pages, the murder of a man held captive, are gritty and give an idea of what is to follow in the rest of the book. The level of violence is brutal, enough to shock the members of the Major Crimes team who end up investigating the crime. Cara and her team are at a relatively good point in their lives, although they are still coming to terms with past events. Cara knows that realistically they don't have the capacity, emotionally and in terms of numbers, to deal with another possible serial killer but she fights for the case.

Investigations lead to the shocking discovery that a killer has been operating in the area for years. The motive is revenge against people who have either gotten away with a crime or it was felt they were dealt with too leniently. The form of punishment follows 48 hours of captivity and is a more horrific and twisted version of the crime they committed. During the investigation, Cara soon discovers links to a previous case, one that had devastating consequences for her team.

You can understand Cara's turmoil, wondering how the two cases are connected. Doubts begin to arise as she questions if they caught the right man previously. Cara becomes obsessed with the case, causing problems in her personal relationships. Other members of the team are also adjusting to normality after everything they suffered and the rise of a new killer brings difficult memories to the surface. If you've read the previous books this is a group of characters you care about, people who have suffered unimaginable horrors, individuals who you don't want to have to deal with any more sorrow.

As I read I felt one of those niggles, a feeling that something major was about to be revealed. Sam Holland keeps you dangling, with lots of tantalising hints. When the reveal happens it's not one but two big shocks and I wanted to punch myself for not spotting them earlier. I do hope that this isn't the end for the Major Crimes team.

Absolutely loved catching up with Cara and the major Crimes Team in this 4th instalment of the series. Another gruesome serial killer to find and lots of loose ends get tied. Excellent story and impeccably written to ensure full engagement at all times.