I loved this book! It was so scary and hard put to down! It was very cinematic in description, I felt like I was watching a movie. Then characters were well developed, especially Adam. I liked his demeanor and intelligence. I have heard others say the last 100 pages were intense and that is NO JOKE. I will read anything Sam Holland writes from here on out. Loved this one.

“The Twenty” by Sam Holland is the second in the Major Crimes series, and it follows DCI Adam Bishop as he grapples with a chilling case that hits too close to home. The story begins with a gruesome discovery near Northbrook Bridge—the bodies of five victims, each marked with Roman numerals, indicating a sinister countdown. The plot thickens when Dr. Romilly Cole, an oncologist with a personal connection to a series of murders twenty-five years prior, brings forward evidence that could link the past to the present. Her father, a convicted killer, seems to be the inspiration for the current string of murders, or worse, he might be involved from his cell. As Bishop and his team race against time, the story takes us on a dark journey through the underbelly of crime and the psyche of a serial killer. The story is not just about catching a murderer; it’s also a deep dive into the effects of crime on the victims and the investigators themselves.

One of the most compelling aspects of the book is the moral ambiguity that Holland weaves into the story. The characters are flawed, and their decisions often reside in a gray area, which makes them feel real and relatable. The tension between Bishop and his ex-wife Romilly adds an emotional layer to the already complex investigation. I’m eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series

I really enjoyed the first novel The Echo Man, and it’s safe to say I loved this book too. While this is the second book in a series it can be completely read as a standalone. I was blind for most of it - I had some things right but I was completely off on the main twist. It’s got all the things I love in a police procedural, full of gore and suspense. My one thing is I wish the relationship between Romilly and Adam wasn’t so front and centre. But I cannot wait for book three to drop.

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review*

A great thriller - I would recommend it!

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

I finally sat down and read this book and it was fine. I don't know if I would read anything else by this author but I would probably give them a second chance at some point

This book follows the echo man but could be read as a standalone. The tension throughout the book kept me engaged and guessing who was the killer. Although a good read felt a few times skimming parts in regard to the romance. I felt it didn't add to the story.

This read was a fun sequel of the Echo Man! While I enjoyed the Echo Man more this one still was a wild ride and I will continue reading from Sam Holland

A brutal series killer lurks. Sam Holland tells a brilliant tale of a crime police procedural. It had me gripping the pages with white knuckles.

"The Twenty," Sam Holland's riveting Crime Fiction sequel within the Major Crimes series, commences with the chilling discovery of not one, but five lifeless bodies at a local illegal dumping site, each marked with nearby Roman numeral tags. DCI Adam Bishop takes the helm as the lead investigator, supported by DS Jamie Hoxton and fresh recruit DC Ellie Quinn. As the bodies are gradually identified, Bishop's team grapples to uncover connections that could point the way to a perpetrator.

Interspersed with the investigative narrative, we glimpse brief perspectives from a stalker turned ruthless killer, adding an unsettling layer of anticipation as they draw nearer to their next prey. Additionally, the storyline delves into a 1995 criminal inquiry, its eerie similarities to the current string of murders further intensifying the suspense. Events unfurl, propelling us toward an electrifying conclusion.

I can't wait to read what the author's next book. Highly recommend.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for sending a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars

After the blockbuster success of The Echo Man, who would have thought that Sam Holland could pull it off again? I’m sure I wasn’t alone in having my doubts, but blow me, if she hasn’t gone and produced yet another outstanding crime thriller. Dark, brutal, and definitely not for the squeamish, The Twenty is a compulsive, superbly plotted, rollercoaster of a read.

Once again, we find ourselves in the twisted mind of a serial killer; one who appears to be counting their victims down from 20 and whose modus operandi is chillingly similar to that of a jailed killer from 15 years ago.

DCI Adam Bishop is on the case but frustrated at every turn. Then, suddenly, it gets personal, and Bishop and his team find themselves in a frantic, heart-stopping race against time.

This is a book that you do not want to put down. With its relentless pace, palpable tension, and a plot that grips like a vice, it’s a one-sitter read. Holland’s mastery of the procedural and forensic elements is superb. Some readers may find her language too graphic, but for me, it adds an extra frisson of macabre to the whole narrative.

The ending is explosive. The build up to it frenetic. I wouldn’t have guessed the perpetrator in a million years. But here’s the rub: I wasn’t wholly convinced of their plausibility, which felt like a bit of a let down and knocks half a star off my rating.

That said, Sam Holland is a remarkable talent, and I eagerly look forward to her next book.

I enjoyed this dark serial killer thriller with a lot of suspense, twists and turns, and a complex storyline with wonderfully written police procedural. It was emotional, graphic, disturbing, and intense.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC that was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Unsettling: 😬😬😬😬😬
DEATH: 💀💀💀💀💀
INTRIGUE: 🧠🧠🧠🧠🧠
Plot: 5/5

Series: Major Crimes #2

Place: UK

Tropes: Serial Killer, Murder Mystery, Suspense

TW: Murder, Serial Killer, Blood, Strangulation, Kidnapping, Needles, Torture, Rape, Abandonment, Confinement, Suicide, Infidelity, Divorce

Main Characters: Adam, Jamie, Romilyn, DCIS Marsh


There is soooo much to be said about this book. I read this in between some of the other books I had committed to read and I'm so glad I was able to savor this through to the end. This is a book worth savoring while devouring the words that are presented.

I can't even begin to say how shocked I was through the last 50% of the book. There were so many twists and turns and WTF's. My jaw was wide open through several scenes. I can't help but love this book. I can't wait for more to be written to bring me back to this world.

Not only is there the Hallmark things of a thriller and suspense novel but they include a little romance to help ease out some of the gore.

I’ve read other Sam Holland books in the past. For this reason I had a good feeling about reading this book. My ‘good feeling’ was right.
There were a few plot twists. Some I saw coming while others took me by surprise! The characters were fully developed. I could easily visualize the events in the book happening as written.
I’d like to thank Netgalley, the publisher & Sam Holland. For providing me with the digital copy of The Twenty for my honest review

This is a great murder mystery, The story moves at a fast pace and kept me on the edge of my seat. With twists along the way I wasn't sure what would happen next. I love a book that is action packed and completely surprises me and this one was both - great read!

Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the advanced reading copy.

Oh. My. God. What. A. Ride. I'm left in shock at how this ended and what I went through while reading. I was constantly on edge with so much suspense building up until the final page. Sam Holland writes serial killers like no other. I felt for every single character, including the bad guy. But man... I was angry by the final page (in such a good way). I'm pretty sure my heart is still pounding from the final pages.

This really is a must read for those who LOVE serial killers and Criminal Minds. This might as well get adapted into a Criminal Minds episode because it's PERFECTION.

Book Review
The Twenty
By: Sam Holland
Published: May 2, 2023
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and the author for allowing me to review this book. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis:
"When DCI Adam Bishop arrives at the crime scene in the dead of night, the sight of the body is bad enough—but what Adam notices next chills him to his core. More bodies surface. And the spray-painted numbers daubed above the corpses reveal the horrific truth: the killer is counting down. But to what end?
Adam has no idea—until Dr. Romilly Cole knocks on his door with damning evidence pointing to a series of murders twenty five years earlier—a case she knows intimately from her past. Now, it’s personal—and the next knock on his door could be fatal.
Sam Holland’s gripping debut novel, The Echo Man, riveted readers and critics alike with its raw and brutal depiction of the unthinkable depredations of a serial killer. With The Twenty, Holland kicks her depraved milieu into even higher gear with a page-turning, up-all-night read that will leave readers breathless."

My thoughts: Ladies and gents, Sam Holland did it again! Another thrilling novel that takes off with breakneck speed and rarely slows to allow you to catch your breath. I loved the nods to the first story, too. It was so well written and well thought up. I couldn't figure out anything in this story. Surprises abounded around every corner. If you enjoy police thriller/suspense or you're just looking for a great book, check out Sam Holland. This book sealed auto-buy status for me.

#review #netgalley #thetwenty #samholland #autobuy #thriller #suspense #policethriller #five-star #fivestarread #amazing #mustread #theechoman #genre #bookreviews

ohhh I loved this one !! I love detective lead books and this one was epic.
a serial killer who is making their way down from 20 victims to 1 and marking the crime scenes in roman numerals above the bodies !!!

this book is told from multiple POV's- Detective Adam Bishop, his ex-wife Romilly Cole and of course the serial killer (my favorite) This was my first book by Sam Holland and I can't wait to read more. This was the perfect combination of thriller/police work and the horror that comes along with a gruesome killings. And the TWISTS !! omg, I had no idea any of them were coming !! absolutely loved this one !!

I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher in return for an honest review. This review is based entirely on my own thoughts and feelings.

Overall rating : 4*
Writing skill : 4*
Plot: 5*
Pace: 4*
Characters: 5*
Twist: 2*

This was a brilliant follow up to The Echo Man, which I adored last year. I wasnt sure it was a sequel but by the end i realised it was (I again didnt read the blurb). The graphicness of this one was great, LOADS of blood.
I loved the new characters, and the name drops and cameos from the first. The only let down for me was the twist, there were too many hints as to who it was an I felt let down I guessed it. However the epilogue was FANTASTIC, and if I remember rightly, the prologue in the first book is one of my all time faves!! If you liked The Echo Man, I'm sure youll love this one.

The Echo Man was one of my favorite books last year so I just had to get my hands on this! It is just as good, if not better. It is an emotional book. One that won’t let go of you even after you finish reading the last page. I’ll be thinking about this book for a while. It’ll live rent free in my head.