The Countdown Killer – Major Crimes Series #4

Author: Sam Holland
Genre: Crime Thriller
448 pages
Publisher: Hemlock Press, 2025

Synopsis
A MAN MURDERED, LIVE ON CAMERA
When a DVD is delivered in the dead of night, DCI Cara Elliott hits play on a horrifying showreel of violence… This is death, on demand.

A KILLER COUNTING DOWN
Avid viewers are paying for the killings, with twisted specifications. A request, an abduction, a murder. And always in a forty-eight-hour pattern.

A MISSING DETECTIVE
But when the killer finds out they’re being investigated, they reveal their next target. In forty-eight hours, a police officer will be the one in front of the camera. The hunters have become the hunted, and the clock is ticking…

My review
The Countdown Killer by Sam Holland is the fourth book in the Major Crimes Series, and an impressive, engrossing addition that showcases Holland’s exceptional skill for gripping and dark storytelling. While this installment can be read as a standalone, I strongly recommend starting with The Echo Man (the first in the series) since The Countdown Killer serves as the long-awaited and thrilling conclusion to the story arc introduced there.

I’m a huge fan of Holland’s work, and this novel delivered exactly what I hoped for – great writing, a dark and gritty atmosphere, and complex characters. While The Echo Man remains my favorite, The Countdown Killer is a close second. Holland’s novels are a must-read for anyone who enjoys gruesome, gritty serial killer narratives, with bonus points for her likable, well-rounded characters.

The dark tone is set from the beginning when a video tape is delivered to the police station showing the brutal murder of a captive man. The crime is shocking enough to rattle the Major Crimes team, led by Cara Elliott, who finds herself and her team navigating their emotional and logistical limits as they tackle a new serial killer case. What follows is Holland’s distinctive mix of suspense and twisted violence. The investigation uncovers a killer who has been quietly operating for years, delivering gruesome punishments to those believed to have evaded justice. The stakes rise when Elliott uncovers links to a previous case and the hunters now become the hunted!

Holland’s character development shines in this installment. She strikes a perfect balance between fleshing out her characters and maintaining a fast-paced narrative. Fans of the series will enjoy a limited return of Adam Bishop from the second installment, and of course Cara, her brother Griffin, and Jamie Hoxton, all of whom have grown into vibrant, memorable characters. While Hoxton remains a standout for me, I wish his story had taken a different direction. Elliott’s impulsiveness still feels excessive at times, but her complexity adds depth to the narrative. And then there’s Charlie. There’s something about him that still leaves me unsettled, and I’m curious to see where Holland takes him next.

Holland’s short, punchy chapters make this lengthy novel a breeze to read. The pacing is spot-on, keeping the momentum alive while revealing more of the character’s emotional and psychological depths. Her accessible writing style makes it easy to devour this lengthy book in just a few sittings.

Overall, The Countdown Killer is a dark, grisly, and engrossing read, providing a strong conclusion to the storyline introduced in The Echo Man. I’m excited to see what Holland writes next, and I truly hope she continues this series!

My recommendation: great read, and solid conclusion to The Echo Man.