writing: classic british crime writing | plot: dark af | ending: *shrugs*

BIG TW for suicide (ideation and act), rape, pedophilia

my opinion

This is undoubtedly dark, but after that one scene from The Echo Man, it seemed somehow more... tame? Feels wrong to say that considering what transpires in those pages but I digress. If you "liked" the premise of Dead Scared by Sharon Bolton, you may really "enjoy" this. Using scare quotes because it feels icky saying that one can enjoy such a plot.

THIS BOOK CONTAINS MAJOR SPOILERS FOR BOOKS #1 & #2 SO EITHER READ THEM IN ORDER OR ACCEPT YOUR FATE I recommend reading them in order – a rarity for me – so you understand Cara Elliot's full character arc. Also if you hated a certain someone from The Echo Man, I have great news for you: they've been kicked to the curb.

Honestly I don't have anything constructive to say about this one (calling my other reviews constructive is a bit of a stretch, I'm aware). It's a Honda Civic Reliable thriller. Was it groundbreaking? No. But did it make me want to punch myself in the face? Also no. So take that as you will. If you enjoyed the first two books, I'd be shocked if this one didn't tickle your pickle as well.

pros & cons

pros: didn't annoy me or disgust me as books 1 & 2, least fave character from book #1 was voted off the island, well-written, dark subject matter (tired of these basic: mr and mrs smith had it all but is mr smith actually a rapist? domestic thrillers).

cons: despite being dark, it didn't wow me

Tysm Harper Collins UK for the ARC

Another fab read from Sam Holland. Id definitely recommend reading the echo man first as otherwise this would give spoilers!

Fast paced, edge of your seat thriller with a great story line

Thank you to the author, publishers Hemlock Press and NetGalley UK for access to this as an advance reader’s ebook. This is an honest and voluntary review.

Scarred by previous investigations and a massive betrayal of trust DCI Cara Elliott is desperate to prove herself. When a seeming suicide raises questions Cara and her team investigate whether someone is manipulating people behind the scenes.

I didn’t initially appreciate that this is the third in a series, but I don’t think you need to have read the previous instalments to follow this one. Necessary backstory is referenced enough that it’s easy to catch up on the key points.

It’s an interesting plot and an idea I would like to have seen explored more. But, in the delivery I found it quite hard to get fully engaged in. I think there were too many characters, not helped by switching between referring to them by surname and first name without other identifiers to show that it’s the same person (or a different one). To the extent that it was only in the very final section, that I realised that a character I finally felt I’d got to grips with his second name to recognise him by that as well as his first name, actually had a completely different surname. So for about half the book I’d been picturing one of the secondary leads every time this surname was mentioned, but it turns out those references were actually to another supporting character. The fact that, that hadn’t tripped up my reading for the whole second half of the book until that time probably shows how unnecessary that secondary character was to the entire plot. But, overall between a lengthy victim list, their friends and family and an extended investigation team the character count could have been halved with great benefit to the clarity of the story.

Another great read from Sam Holland following on more from her first novel the Echo Man, its more about DCI Cara Elliot and her team who are still reeling from the horrors that occured in the previous books but it was good to get to know the team better but as before this is a rollercoaster of a tale, that will definitely keep you guessing to the end and what an end, it has been set up perfectly for a enthralling finale I can not wait as this will be a must read, That being said The Puppet Master might be triggering for anyone who is or has been dealing with suicide or self harm issues.

FANTASTIC!

This was my first Sam Holland book and it absolutely delivered! I'm now going back to read books 1&2.

I was gripped from the very beginning until the very last page!

Highly recommend

I love a dark and messed up serial killer book and The Puppet Master is exactly that! If you have read The Echo Man The Twenty you will know how good Sam Holland is. Always unique and very clever, with a team of detectives you can help but get attached to. This is book 3 with these characters and already I am desperate for book 4.

DCI Cara Hunter and the Major Crimes Unit are called to the scene of a man who has been hit by a speeding train. Immediate thoughts are suicide but there are too many things that don’t add up. The team start to investigate and they soon find more apparent suicides that leave many questions.

This is a tough book to read due to its subject matter and themes. I have to admit that I caught my breath a few times, with some scenes bringing back painful memories from my own past. It is incredibly emotional but the author has taken care to write the story respectfully.

This is so much more than a police procedural, serial killer book. The members of the team are all going through personal struggles all the while trying to stop a madman and protect the community.

Thank you so much to Harper Collins UK for my advanced copy of this book to read. I highly recommend it and the rest of this authors amazing books. Publishes on May 9th

What a read. 5*
LoVE Sam Holland Books. My auto buy author now hands down!! Never fails to let me down! Book 3 now! The Echo Man, The Twenty and Now The Puppet Master and outstanding read. Thank you for and early review read.

Another excellent read in this series. This is a very dark follow on to the previous books with a very real focus on the lives of the main characters, alongside a string of seemingly unrelated deaths. This is an addictive read and keeps you guessing right to the end. You definitely need to read the first two books in the series before reading this one and you’ll be in for a treat when you do.

I have to admit i was a little disappointed in this book. Given the title, the synopsis and bringing together characters from the past books i expected a much bigger storyline that gathered unanswered plots from the first two books and brought everything together for a big reveal. It really felt like that was what was going to happen at the start but then it trailed off into a story about fake suicides. I do feel that might be what's going to happen with the series as a whole but this was a let down after the first two. I didn't feel invested in the mystery like with The Echo Man or The Twenty and even with Jamies story there didn't feel to be any real jeopardy or stakes.

When an agoraphobic jumps in front of a train everyone assumes suicide. DCI Cara Elliot isn’t so sure. Why would an agoraphobic leave their home to end their life? Two more suspicious deaths in quick succession have the team wondering if they have a serial killer on their hands.

The Puppet Master by Sam Holland is book 3 in the Major Crimes series. Anyone who has read the previous books, The Echo Man and The Twenty will know that the author pulls no punches regarding serial killers. This time around the killing is far more insidious with someone seemingly persuading people to end their lives. Some of the descriptions are graphic so we still have the same dark and disturbing tone we expect from the author.

It is when three suicides take place in a short space of time that Cara realises that something is wrong. Her team is depleted following the events of the previous two books. She also needs someone she can trust, who thinks outside the box, and who understands what it is to reach rock bottom. Hence, Cara persuades her brother Nate Griffin to return to policing.

There are no obvious links between the victims so the team is expanded again by introducing a tech expert, someone who can search the internet looking for connections. However, no matter how deep they dig nothing seems to connect the individuals. While they investigate the killer claims more victims.

Fans of the series will be well aware that no one is safe in a Sam Holland book, even those trying to track down the killer. With a murderer intent on killing those struggling with their mental health more than one of the team could be in danger of becoming prey.

Unexplained deaths, fallible characters and an unrelenting pace keep you turning the pages. The conclusion will have you holding your breath. As for the epilogue, I just wonder what is lined up for the next book in the series.

This is the 3rd book in the series following the Major Crimes team. I haven't read the previous books, but can't wait to pick them up.

DCI Cara Elliot and her team are called to the scene of a suicide by train, but something niggles at Cara. Upon investigation, her gut tells her there is more to it. This is beginning of a spate of suicides that seem innocent on first look, but with a little investigation prove to be linked.

The Puppet Master always seems to be a step ahead as he gives his victims a little push toward their death.

This was a gritty, emotional rollercoaster of a story. It's outstanding. It's chilling to think someone can do such things. I couldn't put it down, I was glued to the pages right from the very beginning.

The main characters are vulnerable and relatable. The villain is easy to dislike. His cold demeanor and flippancy towards his victims is disturbing.

Sam Holland is a fantastic thriller writer and I'd highly recommend this book to crime thriller readers. I'd give this book 4.5 stars, rounded to 5.

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

Was really looking forward to this because the other books in the series were so edge of the seat. I wasn't disappointed. OMG what a nail-biting read. It was so chilling and the plotting was brilliant - definitely kept me on the edge of my seat.

My Rating: 4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ action packed, full on and dark!!

He watches your every move…
We’ve all experienced it, that creeping sensation of eyes on your back.
The faint echo of footsteps following you.
He controls you … across the country, a madman is carefully choosing his victims.
Once he has you in his sights, you won’t let you go.
He will make you pay… You think you’re in control of your own life? Think again!!!
Because the Puppet Master is coming for you, and he won’t stop until you’re dead…

I went back and forth on what I would rate this one… my rating is probably closer to a 3.5 but I did enjoy it so I have rounded up. I enjoyed this one HEAPS more than the Echo Man which I have also read. I didn’t read the second book in this series but you don’t need to to understand what is going on. You don’t even need to have read Echo Man but there are references to what in that book which the author explains so its all good.

I did mostly enjoy the writing in this one… I was pretty intrigued by the premise and I thought I would give Sam Holland a second chance. The issue I had with the first book was that it was so far over the top and then some that I just couldn’t buy into it… I had some other issues with the story as well. This one was also over the top but I think thats the style and I don’t mind it when its goes wild but its when it gets ridiculous beyond words that I can’t handle it.

This one is definitely full on… its dark and its got some really seriously sick subject matter. I personally was all good with it… not that I was OK about what was happening but it didn’t make me want to stop reading. To be fair I have read every single Chris Carter book and they are sick and twisted… so this is pretty up there but not at that level so I was doing ok. If you aren’t up for sick and twisted I recommend maybe skipping this one.

The story was engaging and I do like Cara and Nate as characters they are pretty flawed but believably so and for reasons that make sense. There is never a dull moment in this book… if you need action packed you will always get it here. I felt like there were a few plot holes but nothing that really bothered me too much… I followed along the story pretty well.

I did kind of guess the baddie in this one… but I wasn’t 100% certain… the reasons for the crimes were a bit… hmmm really… but I also see where the links were I mean the baddie is a criminal soooo… i guess it doesn’t really matter the reason.

Overall, I don’t really have any complaints, this one was definitely heaps better than the first one for me so I do recommend it but watch your TWs. I would actually go and try the next one after reading this. I would like to see more Cara and Nate storyline… they are a good crime fighting Bro/Sis team.

Thank you to Harper Collins UK, Sam Holland and NetGalley for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

An apparent suicide may be more complicated than it seems, siblings DCI Cara and DS Nate Griffin discover in what kicks off an investigation into a sadistic perpetrator.

The latest story in this series delivers fast-paced, action-packed and suspenseful storytelling. This is a chilling tale and not for those who don't have strong stomachs. But Sam Holland knows how to tell a mesmerising tale. It gets 3.5 stars.

Sam Holland can do no wrong in my eyes! This is the third book of hers that I’ve read and I was absolutely enthralled (as I was with the others). Just brilliant, that’s all I can say. Real on-the-edge-of-your-seat stuff. Roll on the next one please. Would give more than 5 stars if I could. Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read.

Another fast paced thriller read in this series which kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.

The storyline was great, also the characters and I was involved in the storyline all the way.

Thank you to Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for this ARC which I can thoroughly recommend.

DCI Cara Elliott and her brother Nate Griffin are investigating a case they suspect to be a suicide but after further investigation there seems to be a lot more going on.
Another exciting story by Sam Holland that kept me on the edge of my seat, with unforgettable characters and a plot that kept me guessing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins UK, Harper Fiction for my e-copy in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 rounded up

Major Crimes #3
This is the highly anticipated follow-up to The Echo Man and The Twenty and although it doesn’t blow my mind in quite the same way as Echo Man which still lives in my head, it still an excellent read and a great addition to this gritty and dark series.

A man jumps in front of the train in what appears to be an act of suicide, but every instinct in DCI Cara Elliott‘s body tells her that it’s not. This is just the start of an incredibly difficult and emotional enquiry, but thankfully Cara’s brother DS Nate Griffin joins the understaffed team to help them
try to make sense of what’s in front of them. However, the Puppet Master is watching and seems to be one step ahead.

It’s hard to know where to start with this except maybe with another wow at the quality of the storytelling from Sam Holland. I’m not going to lie, this is a tough one in the chilling nature of the plot and at times it’s so horrifying that it freezes the blood. The perpetrator is sadistic and evil, tapping into vulnerabilities, and you need a strong stomach on occasions, so it’s not for the feint of heart. There are numerous moments of tension and on occasions it is off the scale. It’s fast paced, it rarely lets up so you can catch your breath as the team of ‘misfits’ are pushed to their limits, struggling to make sense of it all. It builds to an adrenaline fuelled ending, although one dramatic incident might require disbelief suspenders, but it’s so good, that I find I don’t care!

I love the characters and the characterisation is top-notch. There are all struggling with the toll left by previous enquiries and this is conveyed so strongly. There’s one good subplot, featuring Cara and Griffin which helps you to understand them better and I thoroughly enjoy this.

Overall, this is another outstanding read, which is moving and emotional in places. It hook you in from the start and keeps you glued to the pages from beginning to end. Highly recommended.

With thanks to NetGalley, and especially to HarperCollins, HarperFiction, Hemlock Press for the much appreciated in return for an honest review.

Another winner! This book sunk its teeth into me from the start and I could not out it down until I'd finished. I proved seeing the familiar characters fron the previous book and seeing them develop and evolve as people. The struggles humanised them and they really show a lot of depth and emotion. The twists and turns were fantastic! It felt like I was so wrapped up in the main plot that twists were coming into of nowhere and making rethink everything I knew. It's dark, it's creepy, just just so unsettling and I loved every second

Thank you to netgalley for the book.

I enjoyed the books, enjoyed being back with some old characters and with some great plot twists and turns