The Twenty – Major Crimes Series #2

Author: Sam Holland
Genre: Crime Thriller
464 pages
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books, 2023

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 fifteen 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 left us breathless.

My review
Sam Holland’s The Twenty, is the second book in the Major Crimes series, and delivers a dark, gripping police procedural that kept me hooked from start to finish. While it doesn’t quite reach the heights of her debut, The Echo Man, it’s still a thoroughly entertaining serial killer thriller and a strong continuation of the series. Brace yourself – no one is safe in this story. Don’t get too attached to any characters. They’re either in danger or harboring dark secrets.

Following the events of The Echo Man, this installment centers on DCI Adam Bishop. While Cara Elliott, the main character from the first book, makes a few appearances, she doesn’t take center stage, making The Twenty easy to enjoy as a standalone. If you’re a fan of graphic, twisty, and violent crime novels, this is the book for you. And if you haven’t read The Echo Man, you’re missing out! Holland excels at diving into the dark, depraved, and gritty, crafting tales that plunge straight into the macabre.

Holland’s character development shines, particularly with Bishop. He’s relentless, unorthodox, and deeply flawed, making him an intriguing and complex lead. The supporting characters are equally compelling, many of whom struggle with desperation, cynicism, or a need for redemption. This layer of emotional depth adds richness and tension to the narrative.

The novel’s pacing is on point, with short chapters and steady momentum that make it hard to put down. Holland skillfully handles the twists and turns, weaving a narrative that’s both shocking and seamless without resorting to unnecessary filler or dragging out the suspense. My only criticism is that the recurring drama between Bishop and his ex-wife occasionally felt overemphasized. While it contributes to Bishop’s character development, I felt it was a bit overdone.

Plot twists and psychological tension are the heart of The Twenty. The story unfolds over two weeks, with brief yet effective flashbacks that blend seamlessly into the narrative. Be warned – this is not a light read. It contains sexual abuse, child abuse, torture, and sexual violence. It’s a chilling exploration of whether evil is born or bred and whether it can be passed through generations.

For fans of the macabre, The Twenty is a chilling must-read. I’m planning to dive straight into the next installment, The Puppet Master!

My recommendation: read it!