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

Another thrilling and wild novel!
A DVD is delivered to the police station in the dead of night and DCI Cara Elliott is the first to watch the contents. A man, brutally murdered and as the story continues, more of the same are uncovered. The killer abducts victims and they wait 48 hours to execute them. But as the team draw closer to finding their identity, one of their own goes missing and they must race to find them before time is up.

This was another wild and twisted novel by the author! It was terrifying and gruesome in places and so well written, I could not stop reading. This is #4 in the series and while I think it is possible to read it as a stand alone, as the author provides some background, I recommend reading it as a series.

My favourite of the series so far I think, all the characters involved, a seriously dark storyline, all the emotions under the sun, and I still wanted more!

Review: The Countdown Killer is a brilliant addition to Sam Holland’s Major Crimes series — honestly, my favourite so far - which says a lot as I was obsessed with The Echo Man! It’s packed with twists and kept me hooked from start to finish. I absolutely love the returning characters — Cara, Griffin, Brody, Charlie, Jamie — and it’s fantastic to see Noah Deakin’s story continue with such depth.

The plot is dark and gripping. When Cara receives a disturbing video showing a brutal murder, the team is thrown into a race against time. The killer is selecting victims to order, with each crime happening on a strict forty-eight-hour cycle. But things get even more intense when the next target is revealed to be one of their own, turning the investigation into a desperate fight for survival.

The pacing is electric, with tension that never lets up and twists that genuinely surprised me, and terrified me! Holland’s great strength is balancing the suspense with real emotional weight — you care deeply about the characters as much as the case.

I’d highly recommend reading the earlier books first, as you’ll get much more out of the character arcs and relationships. If you enjoy clever, fast-paced crime fiction with a brilliant cast, The Countdown Killer is an absolute must-read.

I really enjoy this series and was pleased to start reading the fourth and final book in the series. I thought the fourth book wouldn’t be able to top The Echo Man (which is one of my favourite books I read last year) but it exceeded my expectations massively.

Again we have a fast paced storyline which links very closely to the first book in the series, Echo Man. We finally learn the truth and who he really is following a series of killings of people who seemed to have gotten away with their crimes. When DCI Elliot starts digging again she soon realises that these killings are connected to the Echo man but how can that be when he is already is prison?

The book is also deeply disturbing and gorey, all which made for another fantastic read. I loved it!!

I really think they should make a fantastic tv series or films out of these four books. My fingers are crossed 🤞

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of the ebook in exchange for my honest review.

This is book 4 in the Major Crimes series, following on from The Echo Man, The Twenty and The Puppet Master, and is the one that we’ve all been waiting for. Will the killer be revealed? Will they get their comeuppance?

I have absolutely loved the previous books in this series (especially The Echo Man) so I was really looking forward to this but also a little apprehensive as surely we all know how it’s going to go by now… we all know the killer it’s just whether they’re going to get away with it or not.

The level of gore from the previous books is still in this one but it is toned down slightly at times. It’s a binge worthy book, I read the entire second half in one sitting, staying up way past my bed time but hey ho - it’s been a while since a books had me that engaged! All of our favourite characters are back, Adam less so but he’s still there in the background, Cara, Griffin and Jamie are the big stars in this and they are just amazing characters. I don’t know if it’s just me but there’s still something I’m not quite sure with about Charlie though… he just gives me that uneasy feeling!

My only falling point in this was that I kinda guessed a lot of the reveals - I mean if you’ve read the others you already know the main one - but I even guessed some of the little ones. Maybe I’ve read too many thrillers - if there was such a thing 😜

I’m definitely intrigued to see what Sam’s going to come up with next as it’ll still be an auto buy for me

Thank you so much to NetGalley for giving me an arc of this, it has been one of my most anticipated reads, and it did not disappoint!

The Countdown Killer is the 4th, and final, instalment in the Major Crime series by Sam Holland, which has been one of my all time favourite thriller reads. I was excited and cautious for this as I really didn’t know where it was going to go and how the storylines would be wrapped up but it was brilliant!

The only reason this has got 4.75 stars rather than 5 is that The 20 is still my favourite, which surprises me as Griffin is my favourite character.

I am still conflicted with how I feel about Cara, and I know that she is written in quite a polarising way, but I found myself feeling really negative towards her in the last 2 books.

I feel like this was a really good conclusion, and whilst some of the ending is left open to interpretation it’s not not enough that I don’t feel satisfied with how it ended, whilst I could read so many more books following these characters and their stories, I am ok with leaving it where they are.

This really took me on a journey, through every emotion possible, and broke my heart for so many different reasons. I also like how it really made me think about revenge, and what I think is acceptable, I do like a story that makes me question my morals!

This is a dark thriller which cover rather graphic murder so please do check your trigger warnings before you go into this.

The Major Crime series has been one of my top reads

Another great read by Sam Holland! 📖 🔪 🩸

This is the fourth book in the Major Crimes series and links back significantly to the first book, The Echo Man. This can be read as a standalone, but the reader will get far more from the story if they have read the first book (which was amazing by the way).

The story picks back up with DCI Cara Elliott, DS Griffin and DI Hoxton and the Major Crimes Team. A DVD is handed into the police station and DCI Elliott is the only one around to receive it, little does she know what she is about to view.

Each character has back stories and depth, however, I could not identify with all DCI Elliott’s family troubles, as many of these seemed to be of her own making.

This is a brilliant and quite gruesome read, which at times made me squirm. Sam Holland creates a page turner of a story with enough detail to keep you guessing, whilst allowing you to enjoy your own investigation into events.

In addition, not all storylines continued or concluded in the way that I would like. For me, that is good, I really like unpredictability in a book as many can sadly be quite similar.

Well recommended and I look forward to the next!

Thank you to Netgalley, HarperCollins UK, Harper Fiction/Hemlock Press and Sam Holland for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review. Due to be published on 5 June 2025.

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!)