27 May 2025

From the moment I picked up The Twenty, I was hooked. This is one of those rare thrillers that grabs you by the throat in the first few pages and doesn’t let go. With its chilling crime scenes, layered characters, and a plot that twists tighter with every chapter, Sam Holland has delivered an absolute knockout in this second instalment of the Major Crimes series.

The premise is immediately gripping: five bodies, all marked with numbers, and a killer who is just getting started. DCI Adam Bishop is thrown into a case unlike anything he’s faced before, and the urgency is palpable—especially with the killer counting down. I loved the pacing here—tense and relentless without ever feeling rushed. The countdown element adds a brutal edge that kept me tearing through the chapters, desperate to know who would be next.

What elevated this book for me, though, was the emotional complexity woven into the investigation. Dr. Romilly Cole, a forensic psychiatrist with a traumatic past, is pulled into the case despite every instinct telling her to stay away. Her shared history with Bishop adds another layer of tension, but it’s never melodramatic—it’s raw, realistic, and handled with care. The chemistry between them crackles, even as they try to navigate a case that hits far too close to home.

Romilly is a standout character—brilliant, vulnerable, and fiercely determined. Her past trauma is integral to the plot, and Holland does an excellent job exploring how it shapes her choices without reducing her to a victim. Watching her reclaim her strength as the case unfolds was one of the most satisfying arcs of the book.

The mystery itself is clever and tightly plotted. Clues are peppered in at just the right pace, and while I had a few theories, the final reveal still managed to surprise me. Everything ties back to a decades-old case in a way that feels both shocking and believable. And as the body count rises, so does the emotional weight—this isn’t just a puzzle to solve; it’s a deeply personal story of revenge, grief, and long-buried secrets.

If you’re a fan of dark, emotionally charged crime fiction with high stakes and smart plotting, The Twenty is a must-read. It’s gritty, compelling, and full of heart. Sam Holland writes with a sharp edge and a deep understanding of trauma and justice. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough—and I already can’t wait for the next in the series.

Highly recommended.