Sam Holland ~ The Puppet Master
Synopsis
He watches your every move…
We’ve all experienced it. That creeping sensation of eyes on your back, the faint echo of footsteps following yours.
He controls you…
Across the country, a madman is carefully choosing his victims. Once he has you in his sights, he won’t let go.
He will make you pay…
You think you’re in control of your own life? Think again. Because The Puppet Master is coming for you, and he won’t stop until you’re dead…
Review
Considering I’m quite squeamish, I love a dark thriller and The Puppet Master – like Sam’s other books – succeeded in making me feel pretty sick. The opening – horrific – chapter immediately hooks you and compels you to keep reading.
The concept for this is super interesting, as at first glance all deaths appear to be suicide, but the reality is much more terrifying: the idea that people are being manipulated, coerced and forced into suicide. I have to say I did glance over my shoulder a few times whilst reading this (which – for my sins – was during CrimeFest when I was surrounded by myriad authors who know how to dispose of a body…), because this is one creepy book.
Sam’s imagination really taps into our own fears and the way the characters are all interwoven makes the endings satisfying, because it’s always someone we’ve met, so we have the ability to work it out. Characters are well-rounded, even though many of them are dead before we get to know them, but we gradually get to know those we’ve met before. Griffin and Cara are quite closed characters, but they are starting to open up to each other and there is still time for redemption for each of them – who doesn’t love a flawed detective?
It is a little slower than the other Major Crimes books, but the pace matches the plot and allows the story to unfold; the nature of the tragedies would feel wrong in a faster book.
Dark, chilling and fascinating – another fantastic read from Sam Holland. Although I am still scarred by a particularly gross part… One word for you: cats!
Thanks to Hemlock Books for my advanced copy and to Insta Book Tours for having me on the tour. Opinions my own.
Other books by Sam Holland:
Paradise is a Library 