The Twenty is the second book in Sam Holland’s crime thriller series and joins DCI Adam Bishop and his team on the hunt for a brutal copy-cat serial killer.

The story is definitely a page turner and kept me gripped for the first 2/3rds with exciting twists and engaging characters.

Unfortunately, much like with The Echo Man, I felt that the ending let it down - feeling far-fetched with a couple of twists too far. The murders are also very dark and the descriptions of the treatment of women in particular may be too much for some readers.

DCI Adam Bishop gets called out to a grisly scene. A number of bodies have been discovered each with a roman numeral beside them. When Adam's ex- Dr Romilly Cole gets in touch with him with evidence that points to murders she knows a lot about. It looks like a serial killer & they are counting down. This bears a horrifying similarity to a previous case. However the killer is is jail so what is going on? Is there a copy cat?

This was a grisly tale that didn't spare the reader. It certainly put the detectives through the wringer- to say nothing of the reader. It was the sort of book you didn't really want to read any more but at the same time there was no way you are not going to read through to the end. Thanks to Netgalley & the publisher for letting me read & review this book.

Absolutely loved everything about this book, especially the storyline. I was hooked very early on and struggled to put it down, often reading well in to the early hours.
Liked the relationships between the main characters and the ups and downs of the said relationships. Very sad at times but this added greatly to the brilliant storyline.
Cleverly written and it had me guessing until the end. I thought I’d fathomed out who the killer was but turned out my deduction skills were only lukewarm at best. Clever twist at the end.
Look forward to reading more from Sam Holland.

Another cracking story from this great author. I loved Echo Man so was eagerly looking forward to reading The Twenty and it didn’t disappoint. Great characters, well plotted and researched and it certainly didn’t hold back on the gory details (which I loved but don’t judge me!). This could be read as a stand alone but then you’d be missing out on another treat. Sam Holland is fast becoming one of my favourite authors and I’m looking forward to reading more - hurry up please.

Sam Holland does it again 🙌🏼 This was one of my most highly anticipated 2023 reads after THE ECHO MAN firmly secured the spot of favourite book last year. This was a super strong five star read. I will read anything Holland writes; she is the absolute queen of exhilarating serial killer thrillers.

Captivating, gripping and gory, this book has it all: brilliant characterisation, super short and fast paced chapters, and packed with tension, twists + of course completely brutal murders. A COMPLETE page turner that I read in just one sitting because I could 👏🏼 not 👏🏼 put it down.

The characters were complex and interesting, the killings twisted, brutal and described in all their gory detail, and the pacing is edge-of-your-seat from the first page to the very last. I (correctly) guessed who the killer was about a third of the way in, BUT that only made it all the more satisfying when it was revealed and I still got literal goosebumps.

Heart-racing, disturbing, twisted and INCREDIBLY written; I’m super excited for Holland’s next book + you absolutely MUST add this to your TBR (right now). I cannot recommend her books enough 🫶🏼

📍 𝙏𝙝𝙖𝙣𝙠 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙩𝙤 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙥𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧, 𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙧 + 𝙉𝙚𝙩𝙂𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙖𝙣 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙘𝙤𝙥𝙮. 𝘼𝙡𝙡 𝙤𝙥𝙞𝙣𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙨 𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙢𝙮 𝙤𝙬𝙣. 𝙍𝙚𝙫𝙞𝙚𝙬 𝙖𝙡𝙨𝙤 𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 @𝙧𝙚𝙙𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠𝙜𝙞𝙧𝙡 (𝙄𝙂), 𝙂𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙨 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙎𝙩𝙤𝙧𝙮𝙜𝙧𝙖𝙥𝙝.

𝑬𝒇𝒇𝒚 @ 𝒓𝒆𝒅𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍 🥀

Do you like your crime and thrillers dark? Well, step on in. This is a rollercoaster of emotion, with vicious deaths and the mystery of who’s causing these as it’s central thread. I found the religious aspects to be well done, and the characters were certainly fleshed out (pardon the pun!). I’m not really saying much about the content as I honestly found this novel best experienced with as little insight as possible. One thing I will mention, this is almost a standalone novel in, what I’m hoping, will continue to be a great series.

DCI Adam Bishop gets called to many crime scenes. But this one is something he has never seen the likes of. Five victims, murdered, all with numbers above their bodies. Laid out implying a countdown. Dr Romilly Cole hears about the murders, and they trigger a traumatic memory from her past, that she has worked long and hard to keep buried. In the hopes of preventing further murders, she brings the information to DCI Bishop. She knows Bishop is not going to be happy to see her, he is her ex, and she has moved on to another relationship. But she doesn’t expect him to dismiss her information and tell her she is overreacting. But as the case ramps up and the body count increases Romilly and Bishop are going to have to find a way to put their past behind them, and focus on what in Romilly’s past can help this case. DS Hoxton, Bishop’s partner gets called back from his honeymoon early to help out with the case, all personnel are needed.

I really enjoyed Sam Hollands' last book, the Echo Man, so was really looking forward to this book. I was not disappointed. This book can be read stand-alone, but as is the case in many of these types of books, reading the previous one does give some extra depth to the characters. That being said, the characters are really well-written, with the mix of their work and personal lives a good balance to give you a really good feel for them and how and why they are doing what they do. Bishop, for example, is flawed and broken, but at the core, a good man, and an excellent detective.

The Twenty is fast-paced, with the countdown putting pressure on all characters involved, and leaving you with no doubt that failure to stop it is not an option. As a reader you find your pace picking up, turning pages to keep up with the speed of the investigation, and racing alongside them to try to save the next person. You feel for the characters, the loss they suffer is written so well. You want them to succeed, to catch the killer, to end this rampage, and to find their own peace. It is definitely one of the darker crime thrillers out there, but I love it for that. Nothing more can be said without giving away the story, but I would simply say, go read it, now!

*I received this book from NetGalley for review, but all opinions are my own.

This was a real edge of the seat thriller and I enjoyed this one tremendously. A page turner which I couldn’t put down. My thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book in return for an honest review.

The Twenty is an unnerving, gruesome, fast paced crime thriller. Some of the scenes, though necessary to the narrative were very bloody in their description. The characters were well written and the denouement very satisfactory. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

I loved the Echo Man so was really looking for to this book. The Twenty did not disappoint. it can be read as a standalone or book 2. A fast paced police/serial killer read that has tension and graphic scenes. The plot and characters were well written and I found I was totally engaged from beginning to end. The main character DCI Adam Bishop's work life and personal life collide and he is faced with a gory murder he must solve. If you love a very unexpected thriller then this would tick all the boxes.

Dark and atmospheric thriller.

The characters are so well done and make the book relatable instead of just gratuitous.

The story is well written and I enjoyed every page, genuinely excellent.

This is a serial killer police procedural. It's difficult to explain my dislikes without spoilers. Although I warmed to the main character straightaway, I started to get annoyed with him, his ambition and his love life. As the plot unfolded, I also started to get annoyed with the manipulator. However, the author saved the day in the end with reasonable explanations. Overall, there are twists you don't see coming and I'm pleased to have read it.

I really enjoyed this authors last book - The Echo Man, so was looking forward to this one.

DCI Bishop is having a rare night off when his partner DS Hoxton, just back from honeymoon, calls him away to a gruesome crime scene. A neglected patch of wasteland has been used to dump 5 bodies, but when they notice each has a roman numeral painted near them, they realise these may not be only bodies they will find.
Bishop is also having to deal with his ex-wife Romilly who, still recovering from a horrific childhood, thinks there is a link from the murders to her past, and despite Adam trying to talk her down, she will not let it go.

This was a fast-paced read that is graphic in several places so, much like The Echo Man, not for the faint-hearted! But if you do like your police procedurals on the darker side, I definitely recommend both books in this Major Crimes series.

I had the pleasure of reading "The Twenty" by Sam Holland, and I must say, it was an intense and gripping read from start to finish. The story had me hooked from the first page, and I couldn't put it down until the very end.
The characters were exceptionally well-written, and I found myself becoming emotionally invested in their lives and their struggles. DCI Adam Bishop, in particular, was a standout character. I wanted to slap him for not listening to his ex-wife's thoughts and dismissing her concerns, but I also couldn't help but root for him as he worked tirelessly to solve the case.
The plot was intricate and expertly woven, and the pacing was spot-on. The tension never let up, and I was on the edge of my seat throughout the entire book. I simply couldn't stop reading, and I found myself staying up way too late just to find out what happened next.
Overall, "The Twenty" was a really entertaining and I highly recommended the Major Crimes series. While it's best to read the books in order, it can also be enjoyed as a standalone novel. Sam Holland is a talented writer, and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next. Five stars all around!

The Echo Man was one of my favorite reads last year so I was eager to see what Sam Holland had in store for us again - and she didn't disappoint!
The Twenty is incredible - wonderfully written characters and an unrelentingly brutal story from the get go.
I couldn't put it down, and I have a feeling it will stay with me for a long time just like her first book last year.
Huge thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc ebook.

Sam Holland is one of my favourite horror thriller writers and I've read all of her books, so this was no hard choice to read her newest book!.
The synopsis made it sound gorey and quick paced so I started it in the early hours of a morning after not being able to sleep!. This follows on from Echo Man so it got my attention straightaway when the prologue describes the first victim's ordeal. The chapters following on from that tell of DCI Adam Bishop who is leading the murder investigation after finding multiple dead in a rubbish dump. A serial killer is on the loose.
There are some characters we get to know well , some of the murder squad, some suspects, but this great writer throws in some red herrings so when I was trying to work out who the killer was, I had a couple that I thought they might be!. How wrong I was!!. A total twist I did not see coming!!. Very cleverly written, I thoroughly enjoyed this story!. Ten out of ten!!!
I received this free ARC book for an honest review.
#Netgalley, #HarperCollins, #samhollandbooks.

I chose to read a free eARC of The Twenty but that has in no way influenced my review.

If you’ve been following damppebbles for any length of time you will probably know that we’re all about crime fiction here (and psychological thrillers, suspense, a little bit of horror…but mainly crime fiction!). Favourites being police procedurals and serial killer thrillers. Of which, of course, there are plenty of options to choose from out there. But when you find a corker, one that stands out from the crowd, then that is a moment to remember. As soon as I saw the cover and read the blurb of The Twenty, I knew I had to read it. And what an incredible book it is! A strong contender for my books of the year list, without a doubt.

When DCI Adam Bishop and DS Jamie Hoxton are called to a grisly discovery on a construction site, they don’t initially fully comprehend what has been unearthed. Their one victim suddenly becomes two victims. Then three, four and five. Five bodies in different states of decomposition surround them. Each with a number daubed in green paint above it. They have a serial killer on their hands and the condition of the bodies gives a very clear message. Their killer is counting down and they have a long way to go before their horrific spree is over…

The Twenty is a thrilling, gruesome, full-on crime thriller which I found impossible to put down and ended up reading in two sittings (on average it’s taking me a week and a half to read a 330 page book at the moment – just for context!). It was enticing and perfectly plotted with outstanding characters and a gritty, grimy setting which only added to the overall darkness of the book. I do love a serial killer thriller but this one had something extra, it felt original and totally unpredictable. I loved it! The three main characters were all believable and well-drawn. DCI Adam Bishop is a man with a past. He’s flawed but has the drive and the determination to get the job done. Perhaps his reasons for doing so are more selfish than altruistic at times but he’s solving the tough cases. Will this be the case that sends his career skyrocketing, or the case that breaks him? Alongside Bishop is his DS, Jamie Hoxton. Bishop and Hoxton complement each other perfectly. There’s a connection between the two that really worked. And finally, Dr Romilly Cole whose traumatic past and history with Bishop means she should steer well clear of the investigation. But she can’t. And she won’t. I loved the backstory, the history and the whole set up of the book.

The Twenty is a thrilling, gruesome read which made even my tummy turn a couple of times whilst reading (and I read a lot of dark, gory books!). The plot is well paced with lots of exciting, edge of your seat moments mixed perfectly with the slower, operational, ‘police procedurally type’ scenes. It’s a highly compelling book which gets under the readers skin and doesn’t let go. I couldn’t tear myself away from this one. Nor did I want to. I became fully immersed in the lives of the characters and their mission to catch a crazed and sadistic killer.

Would I recommend this book? I would, yes. The Twenty is the best serial killer thriller I have read this year. I loved every suspense laden, thrilling second of it and I hope we get to see more of these characters again in the future. What I don’t think I’ve mentioned yet is that The Twenty is actually the second book in the Major Crimes Series by Sam Holland. The first book, The Echo Man, was a huge success last year and mentioned on many a ‘top books of the year list’. However, The Twenty can easily be read as a standalone as it features a completely different team of characters in a different police station. The Echo Man case is mentioned and referred to but not in any detail and DCI Cara Elliot (who was in charge of The Echo Man case) does make a fleeting cameo in this latest books but that’s it. All in all I loved everything about The Twenty. The dark and twisted concept, and the excellent delivery far outweigh others in the crime fiction genre. Holland is a very talented writer and if you have the stomach for a little blood-shed, then you MUST get yourself a copy of this book. Highly recommended.

I chose to read and review a free eARC of The Twenty. The above review is my own unbiased opinion.

If you loved the echo man you will love this. It’s gritty and dark and you need a strong stomach to read this but o loved it. It’s tight up my street, no holds barred and I love that. Highly recommended for a deep crime thriller. # The Twenty by Sam Holland. #NetGalley

Another great thriller from the author of The Echo Man. I liked that this one was a bit more character driven and didn't go for full shock and awe. Still pretty grisly enough for me though! A good solid plot and an unexpected twists at the end.

I’ve never really understood why I enjoy a really good serial killer book, but this is one and I loved it. From the outset the pace and tone is set with a gruesome, bloody crime scene which leaves you in no doubt that this is a killer with serious issues.

Following on from her successful novel, The Echo Man, this book can very easily be read as a stand-alone.

A grotesque crime scene awaits D.C.I. Adam Bishop and DS Jamie Hoxton as they are pulled away from a rare night off to a dark and violent crime scene. The killer has spray painted a Roman numeral above the victim and just as the pair fear, this proves to lead to a number of other murder victims. We’re looking at a macabre countdown, and the main question is whether Jones and Hoxton can catch this killer before the final victims are revealed?

Holland’s short, sharp chapters punctuate the urgency that this gives to the plot. Told from multiple perspectives, the plot is interspersed with chilling chapters told in the voice of the serial killer – a clearly angry and unhinged individual whose motivation provides the key to detecting this killer, if only our detectives can discern it.

Dr. Romilly Cole was once married to Adam Bishop and she believes she recognises some traits from these current killings. Does she hold the key to finding our murderer?

Holland’s characterisation is very good and her willingness to dispose of her characters helps to make this a surprising and tense read as we have to discard our suppositions and find that the plot is much more twisted than we at first envisaged. News cuttings, autopsy and psychiatric reports all help to embed the reader in the heart of the story.

Verdict: A brilliantly fast paced and very chilling serial killer thriller that is so propulsive it will have your heart pounding and leave your mouth dry and gaping.