My Five Word TL:DR Review : Maybe One Twist Too Many

To be honest, I’m enjoying this author, I read and enjoyed The Echo Man and so of course was keen also to pick up The Twenty.  Yet again we have a dark, gritty, sometimes quite violently graphic, police procedural involving a serial killer who seems to be marking the scenes of his crimes with roman numerals that in the clear light of day are counting down – to what though? I mean, in a way, this is even more creepy somehow – because this serial killer isn’t just planning out his next murder scene – he has a particular end in mind.

And, I would say that although this is set in the same world and period as the Echo Man, and in fact a character from that book makes an appearance here, this can definitely be read as a standalone.

DCI Adam Bishop is the man in charge of the investigation although as the plot twists his involvement becomes personal.  It eventually becomes clear that the killer is carrying on the work of another serial killer who is now in prison, and that through those previous character’s Adam has a connection to both the past and present cases which puts him in a rather dubious position.

This book is very gritty.  It’s fast paced and has a very cinematic feel with constant twists and red herrings leading readers over and over down the garden path.  It does jump about a bit at first between the past and present but I like this form of storytelling and enjoyed the insights that this style brought to the plot.

On top of this, flipping heck, Sam Holland is brutal. If you’re going to pick this one up, beware of forming attachments.  It feels like not only do potential suspects abound but also nobody is safe. And, Holland doesn’t take the easy approach taking victims that really tug on your heartstrings.

I’m not going to elaborate too much more to be honest as I’m keen not to include spoilers.

In terms of criticisms. Well, this book is very twisty turny.  You know that point when you reach your saturation level, this one teetered on the edge of that but even with perhaps ‘one too many twists’ I was still pretty much hooked.

If you fancy a gripping, sometimes brutal, fast paced, twisted and crazy police procedural story with violent crimes and intense characters then give this a try.

I received a copy through Netgalley, courtesy of the publisher, for which my thanks.  The above is my own opinion.

My rating 4 of 5 stars