The Echo Man: A Novel

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Multiple streets in Anfield were sealed off tonight (August 11) after Merseyside Police received reports of a man shouting at people and carrying a machete. Officers were first called to Arkles Lane just after 5.30pm.

Before the epilogue, I just want to know why we needed the scene that graphically describes Robbie defiling his dad's corpse at nine years old. I know Holland said her agent told her to write darker, but this is the shit that gets a tap put on your devices by the NSA. There's not enough lobotomies or ECT in the world to rid my mind of this particular scene. Bodies, mutilated, shaved and worse are turning up and for a good part of this book the dynamic duo are not working together as Byrne is off doing his own thing on the case. It becomes evident that the bodies are linked to unsolved crimes and those who had helped the prime suspect in their escape from justice. A good premise! The characters were well written and I felt like I was going through the experiences with them, living these horrific moments of realization and panic. Scrambling to connect the dot for any minute detail that might help.Sam Holland, author of The Echo Man and The Twenty, has signed another two-book deal continuing her Major Crime series with HarperFiction. I love crime thrillers about serial killers and Montanari's book had it all: victim after victim; a clever but brutal killer; vividly gory descriptions and a tense, addictive and riveting plot. There were moments of light-hearted humour that made me smile, particularly because it showed the bond between Jessica and Kevin. At times, I thought the plot was digressing to characters and events that had nothing to do with the serial killer case but I was pleasantly surprised when these subplots linked in with Jessica and Kevin's case. The character depth was great because I felt that I was seeing Jessica and Kevin as real people, not just police detectives. Their personal lives were woven into the main plot which really brought these two characters alive for me. The last 20 chapters or so had me completely hooked; I was desperate to find out who the killer was and how the novel would end.

I listened to some of this book as an audiobook and the narrator, Jodie Harris, does a fantastic job of conveying both Cara and Jessica and their points of view. Got a weak stomach? Stay away from this one then! Only fans of gratuitous amounts of gore need apply. I would recommend this to those liking police procedure, serial killers, and tough intriguing characters. Sam Holland’s stellar debut is very much its own beast, wily and brawny and dangerous: a lethal new predator in an alluringly old-school skin.”

I'm talking toe-curling, grimacing, exclaiming expletives whilst listening to it, dark. Not only that though, what a solid mystery; so good! A number of cordons have been established in the area, on Utting Avenue, Ince Avenue, Cherry Lane, Stanley Park, Anfield Cemetery and Priory Road. Crime Scene Investigators are carrying out forensic examinations, while officers make house-to-house enquiries and CCTV in the area is being examined. MY THOUGHTS: As much as I wanted to like The Echo Man, I didn't. It was simply too much. The idea was great and at time did I consider abandoning this read, but . . . I have been trying to write this review for two days, since I finished reading, struggling to write what I think without giving anything away. The Echo Man.. wow! This is a debut novel from Sam Holland and he had put himself firmly on my radar. This book was so clever and addictive. When my friend Alyssa kept raving about it, I knew that ai had to bump it up my list. And she was absolutely right. This book is dark, and brutal. I love a good serial killer story and definitely got that with The Echo Man. I could see this being made into a BBC police drama in the near future.

The Echo Man is all at once captivating and terrifying. Sam Holland gives the darkness a full embrace in this violent and disturbing exploration of a serial killer and the broken people he leaves in his wake.”—Kate Myles, author of The Receptionist The book is about a duo of detectives who are trying to solve a rash of killers where the victim's head is wrapped in paper and a small tattoo is place on their finger. The killer is making a statement, creating a symphony to be revealed towards the end of the book. It comes to a head on Halloween. Jess and Nate are both seriously damaged individuals, with traumatic events in each of their pasts and significant psychological demons haunting them in the present. Together they form an unlikely investigative duo, chasing the dangerous perpetrator in parallel to the official police investigation run by Cara, providing a sort of mutual redemptive comfort to each other in the process. As a remorseless killer approaches ever closer, will they be able to solve the crimes and expose the perpetrator before one or both of them are caught in the deadly web?I loved ninety percent of the book, however I didn't care much for the conclusion. Beginning as an excellent police procedural, it morphed into a psychological thriller during the twilight stages and went over a cliff. Similiar to adding glitter to a a watercolor painting, it didn't seem cohesive. Echoes, yes: echoes of Lisa Gardner, of Jeffery Deaver, of Stuart MacBride – The Echo Man evokes that same classic, satisfying, red-blooded fear. But Sam Holland’s stellar debut is very much its own beast, wily and brawny and dangerous: a lethal new predator in an alluringly old-school skin.”

I always like to learn something when I read a novel and in this case it was about music. The mentally ill woman Byrne knows plays the cello. Music, the movements of a symphony, etc., play an important part in solving the case. Sam Holland’s chilling debut draws inspiration from infamous serial killer cases, culminating in the ultimate, heart-pounding copycat tale. The characters were all pretty interesting & I particularly liked the snippets about ‘someone’ in the past & trying to work out who it was in present day. The Jess & Nate storyline felt a little odd & unnecessary. 🤷‍♀️I understand that the circumstances will be frightening too for the wider community in Anfield. Thankfully, specialist officers attended swiftly, arrested a suspect and brought an end to the incident and there is no ongoing threat to the public. Kemper, Dahmer and Bundy are all names we know for their infamy as some of the worst serial killers in history. In “The Echo Man”, we are given the story of a police department desperately searching for someone who is replicating their kills all over again. This copycat killer is crafty, brutal, and unfortunately for the police, meticulous. The old crimes and their scenes are recreated perfectly - but this time, the killer keeps getting away. Get past the implausible start where a murder suspect and a disgraced detective team up and visit crime scenes, and you are in for a dark and twisted ride! Be aware: corpses are piling high, there are blood spatters everywhere and the high voltage speed will leave you breathless. And a note of warning as the gruesome horror is depicted graphically, including a small chapter with animal cruelty.