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.

Wow Sam Holland has done another fantastic job with ‘The Countdown killer’. The fourth book in the Major Crime series.
DCI Cara Elliot is at work when she is given a DVD by a woman who says that her husband has just died, and she was going though his things. When she discovered a pile of DVDs. When she views the DVD, it’s of a gruesome killing, A revenge killing paid to order.
This story is action packed from the very first page and there is a race against time to find the killer as there is more bodies turning up. This is a chilling read and quite gruesome in parts. The case gets more personal with Cara when her brother goes missing and they realise that he may be a victim in all of this, and Cara realises the latest killings has something to do with her. But what?
This fantastic episode in the series you but I would advise to read the previous novels to get the full picture of the series. But you will not be disappointed. This is an unputdownable read and I read most of it in 24 hours. I couldn’t get enough. 5 stars from me.

DCI Cara Elliott is ready to leave for the evening when she is asked to take possession of a DVD that has been handed in at the station reception.
What Cara sees on disc is horrifying. A man begging for his life, then mercilessly killed, all caught on camera.
Cara and her team try to find where the DVD came from, and the trail leads to an even worse discovery. More DVD’s showing different men, being tortured to death, but only after they have been held captive for 48 hours.
It becomes clear that someone is dealing out their own kind of justice but finding them could cost Cara more than she ever thought possible.
This book captured me from the first page and didn’t let go. It’s fast paced, with more twists and turns than a roller coaster, I didn’t want to put it down.

#TheCountdownKiller #NetGalley
Sam Holland delivers a fast-paced, chilling procedural thriller in The Countdown Killer, a story where death is streamed, and the countdown to murder never stops ticking. When DCI Cara Elliott receives a mysterious DVD at her home, she discovers a horrifying snuff video. A serial killer is broadcasting made-to-order murders for paying viewers—each crime executed exactly 48 hours apart. As Cara’s team scrambles to identify the tech-savvy psychopath, the killer ups the ante by announcing their next victim: a police officer. Now, the investigation becomes personal. With the killer always one step ahead and time slipping away, Cara must risk everything to stop a murderer who treats death like entertainment.
Overall,The Countdown Killer is a gripping, disturbing, and timely thriller that dives into the psychology of crime and the voyeuristic tendencies of a digital world. With a relentless pace and a badass lead detective, it’s a must-read for fans of gritty police procedurals and serial killer fiction.
I loved it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK Harper Fiction for giving me an advance copy.

Another dark wild ride from Sam Holland as she wraps up loose threads in her Major Crimes series. At times this series has required a bit of a suspense of disbelief with some of the plot developments (that ending of ‘The Echo Man’!), so I was kinda surprised when I started tearing up at a plot development near the end of this book (WHY SAM, WHY??????).

A snuff film dropped off at the headquarters leading DCI Cara Elliott and the team, including her troubled brother DS Nate Griffin, to discover there’s another serial killer, one with links to The Echo Man. Cara, already burned out and traumatised is still harbouring guilt over her former partner and best friend Noah Deakin, finds her skills tested with pressure from above and the ambitious perfume steamroller DCI Rosie Ryder waiting to take over.

I don’t know if this is the last of the series, since it seems like there could be a return to DCI Adam Bishop leading things, but if not, I think it’s a fitting end to the characters. I certainly was glued to see when the identity of The Echo Man would finally be worked out. And boy eas it tense every time that character appeared ‘Cara look in front of you!’ I wanted to yell.

A compelling crime thriller with interestingly flawed characters you hope come out the other side intact.

Thanks to HarperCollins UK and NetGalley for the ARC.

Good book, liked the main characters. The pace of the book was good, and so was the plot. I would recommend it.

I enjoyed this book and it was a decent crime read. I felt it lacked a bit of suspense as we knew a lot about it from the start: I loved the echo man and I really enjoyed the twist and link which I didn’t guess: I don’t think it wowed me and was a little boring in parts