Loved it! I love this series of books, detective margot is a fabulous character and the developing relationship with wes just adds to the appeal. I have read the previous books in the series but could be read as a stand alone. Was nice to read about eds younger years and how he became the man he is today.
Fantastic!

I have loved this series and being granted an advance copy of the third book was such a thrill. I listened to the first two books on audio and read the digital version for the third. The narrator for this series brings to life the character of Margot and I urge the readers to check it out if you have the opportunity. There is a continuation of cases that has occurred in the first two books and it still has not been resolved so we shall see where that leads in future books.

The first half of this story moves at a slower speed and the last half goes so fast I almost missed some of the details that lead to the final conclusion.

We get flashback scenes of Eddie at 8-10 years old but I found those stories and recollections not matching an 8 year old mentality. We get a glimpse into his upbringing and what may have led to his monstrous behavior later in life.

The Wes/Margot friendship is building but would love to know what is in the mind of Wes when it comes to his feelings.

The cases are pretty gruesome but the mindset and emotional care that the detectives exude make these murders feel personal and more real.

Recommend starting with book one and reading them all.

Let me bring by saying that although this is the third book in this series, it can easily be read as a stand alone. In fact, I have not read either of the prior two novels and I had no trouble understanding the characters in this one and their relationships to one another.

Now before I get into my review, as this was an advanced reader copy, I am going to talk about the mistakes that I found while reading the novel. Please keep in mind that these mistakes may have been found and corrected prior to release, but I am reviewing the copy that I was given, hence I will be speaking on them.

The first comes in Chapter 19 when Ed refers to his daughter as Margot. This is not her birth name (that was Megan), but rather the name that she took after he was arrested so he would have no way of knowing that. Based on information that happens later on in the novel, at first I was inclined to believe maybe this hadn't been a mistake but when I went back to look I realized it must have been as neither Margot nor the other agent with her had any reaction to him calling her by that name.

Then in Chapter 22, Margot tells the FBI task force team (who supposedly know Ed better than anyone else except maybe her), about a man named Jim. She tells him that he was a friend of her father's from work, but that Ed spent so much time with him that she and her brother referred to him as "Uncle Jim". Only for some reason, these highly-trained FBI agents are suddenly incapable of understanding English because they ask her who Jim is considering she had no biological uncle (nor an uncle through marriage) named Jim. This causes Margot to once again repeat the information that his man was merely a friend of her fathers that she called Uncle Jim. It made me wonder how these agents could be tasked with solving anything if they did not understand her the first time around.

The final mistake I found came in Chapter 39 when Margot thinks back on a letter she read that had been sent (but marked as undelivered due to the content) to Ed wondering if he would have remembered it. Which led me to wonder how could he possibly remember a letter that he never received?

Now that I've spoken on those things (that again may be corrected before the final print), I can talk about the rest of this novel.

Let's start with the characters. Margot was a neurotic mess (but with good reason). And while I could completely understand why she never stuck to a routine of any kind (going so far as to take alternate routes home), it became tiring to hear about. Yes, I know you don't usually eat IN at restaurants preferring delivery (that she makes her doorman call in for her). Yes, I know that Sebastian the reporter, and her collogues at work (a few of them anyway) are some of the few people in her life. I got that message the first time it was delivered, so to have it constantly mentioned felt like a bit of a slap to my intelligence. I liked her partner Wes more, the way he seemed to be able to counter some of her moods made for a good balance against her intense personality. I harder a harder time with Andrew, the FBI Agent who was constantly pushing her to see her father in jail. He had to know the kind of toll it was taking on her, and while I understand his reasoning, when it was clear that Ed played games more than he gave them anything useful, if I were Andrew, I wouldn't have been so quick to jump when Ed demanded it.

But what really killed this one for me was the plot. Throughout this story we are treated to three different story-lines happening at once. First we have the dead women found in Muir Woods, then a brutal murder in Chinatown. And while Margot should be focused on these cases, she is also constantly being pulled off to either speak with Ed in prison, or go speak to the FBI team dedicated to him. Now I know a lot of authors who would be able to seamlessly weave these together without an issue, sadly, I did not find that to be the case here. For starters, the meetings with Ed contributed nothing to the current cases (which is both funny and disappointing considering how things eventually turn out), except put Margot off her game, distracting her with memories of Ed.

As for the investigations? Yes. One of them is solved. But the other? Is not. And while I suppose the author might be intending to use this as the main plot point in the next book, I'm not sure that I enjoyed this one enough to read another to find out.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

This is a standalone review of Canadian author Kate Wiley’s The Killer Instinct (2024), the third book of a police procedural crime series. San Fransico homicide Detective Margot Phalen attends Muir Woods, where a second woman’s body is discovered. The closeness in time and location suggests the work of a serial killer. Margot and her partner, Detective Fox then land another case, this time a body discovered in Chinatown. As they investigate this case, they are called to the woods once again as a third body has been dumped. Margot’s father, Ed is a notorious serial killer known as The Classified Killer and she is assisting an FBI task force looking into cold cases that may be further victims of her father. The narrative includes flashbacks to Eddie’s childhood and the lasting impact on Margot as she deals with panic attacks, neurosis and lack of friends, while solving murder cases. An enjoyable crime mystery unfolds with all too human characters and a substantive serial killer tale that is a four stars read rating. With thanks to Storm Publishing and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without any inducement.

This book was amazing! I read it as a stand alone without reading the other 2 or 3 books but it didn’t affect the way this one was read at all! I was hooked from the very start, I was kept wondering what was happening (in a good way) and so excited to keep reading and the pacing was quick which was enjoyable for me. I liked the writing and the thrill!

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for this complimentary ARC in exchange for an honest review!!

I really enjoyed this book. Crime fiction, serial killers, and well written characters that had depth to them. It's definitely a book for me.

From the get-go, this book pulled me in. It didn't matter that I hadn't read the previous books. This is completely fine as a stand-alone. That being said, now I need to read the other two.

One of the things I loved enjoyed was how Wiley gave you insight into Ed's character. I found this part so fascinating to read this. How he gets under your skin and the hatred I felt for him. You get to see how Margot is the way she is and the chemistry she has with the partner. I really enjoyed the plot. The pacing was just right for me, and I didn't see the twists coming. Addictive reading. I can't fault this book. It was a pleasure to read.

I eagerly await book 4. Brilliant.

Thank you Storm Publishing for my advanced copy.
My opinions are my own

The 3rd book was a blast!

I love reading the scene from Margot and Wes!

Their chemistry is amazing and her opening to him slowly.

The Muir Woods case is getting interesting, however I hope they can solved it in the 4th book. (keeps getting long).

I love how the author include scenes from Ed's childhood.

And lastly I want to give my thanks to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Kate Wiley for allowing me to read this ARC!

Can't wait for the 4th book!

Slow to start.
The last 40% of the book really picked up and I didn’t want to stop reading. The last page of the book is crazy. I can’t wait for book 4 to come out.

Definitely recommend this series!

This book was good. It was a little bit slower paced than what I’m used to but it was good nonetheless.

The third book in the series featuring Detective Margot Phalen has to be the best yet! it's packed full of suspense, great characterisation and the usual twisty plot line. If you have yet to discover this series, you are in for a treat. The ending left me eagerly waiting for book 4 in this highly recommended series. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

The detective Margot Phalen series has me in a chokehold 😮‍💨 this is the third book in the series and each book gets better and better. I love the character development the author has done in this series. I love the serial killer aspect of this series and the interviews with the detectives serial killer father in prison. Each page leaves me wanting more and I can’t wait for book four🤞🏽👏🏽

Synopsis:
Detective Margot Phalen knows the mind of a serial killer better than most. She learned from the her father, Ed Finch.

When bodies keep appearing in the tranquil Muir Woods, California, and a woman is killed in Chinatown, Margot begins to realize these are no ordinary homicides. The eerie similarities to her infamous father’s crimes send chills down her spine. But Ed’s been behind bars for years now – surely he couldn’t mastermind this from his cell, could he?

As evidence mounts – a bloodied image of Ed’s first target found in a victim’s home, stab wounds that match Ed’s trademark pattern – Margot uncovers a sinister obsession that hits far too close to home. She must use all her skills to outwit a killer who seems to know her history better than she does.

To solve this case, she’ll need to confront the dark secrets of her past, and face her worst that she may be more like her father than she ever dared imagine.

Thanks to @stormbooks_co for the NetGalley review copy. The Killer Instinct publishes October 28.

We continue in Book 3 with the Muir Wood case or the Redwood Killer ( to quote Margot " Stupid goddamn Sebastian" ). This continue to be a great case which spans over multiple books. and the Chinatown case drops us into a storyline which is absolutely chilling and leads us to the ending that made me go "oh NO"!
This is how you end a book and how you build the suspension for the next book.

Also in this book we get again a lot of Ed, especially his childhood which is brilliant!

Can't wait for Book 4!

Kate Wiley has found the perfect balance of mystery, suspense and character driven drama. I was so excited to see there was a third arc available in this series and was in no way disappointed once I started reading.

I like the way there is a new crime to solve while continuing an unsolved case from the previous book. I love the dynamics between the two detectives. I enjoy the level of suspense which is much more than a cosy mystery but not so gritty that I'm traumatised.

Anticipating the next book in this series!

A cracker of a read. Every time I thought I had a handle on the murders and I could see what was coming next there was a twist or a surprise, Margot is very damaged and lives her life in a very particular way. She doesn’t let people in and has protection measures in place to get through each day, the ongoing park murders are almost background for this series of books, with the murder of an elderly lady the focus of this one. Central to the power and strength of this book are the relationships that, despite it all, Margot manages to have with those in her circle.

When I picked up The Killer Instinct, I didn’t realize it was book 3 in a series. Now that I’ve finished it, I will be going back to read the first two books and will be waiting impatiently for book four!
This book had me on the edge of my seat and dying to read it every chance I had!
Detective Margot Phalen is on the case, or cases, of a copycat and a serial killer. Bodies keep turning up in the forest and an old woman is found stabbed to death in her apartment. With her past, Phalen always has to wonder what part her father is playing in these cases.

This brilliant series just keeps giving! Yet another amazing installment that is a story itself. The way the plot unravels is brilliant and the background longer story plays beside it so well. Excellent characters, can't wait for the next book

This is easily becoming one of my most favourite series!

As what I've started to come to expect, Kate delivers the most immersive storyline, told over dual timeslines and points of view.

Now, whilst I absolutely loved the first two installments, this has got to be my favourite so far. To say it kept me engrossed was an understatement, it literally kept me up ALL NIGHT, I just couldn't put it down, that promise to myself of 'just one more chapter' was a promise I couldn't keep.

I'm fully invested in the dynamics of Margot and Wes and love how she is realising that someone truly has her back for the first time in her life.

The character development is sublime, Ed's character throughout has been one of pure evil and manipulation, but in book #3, he is just absolutely despicable - which is a testament to the authors writing.

In this book, Margot and Wes are investigating 'The Redwood Killer' and a possible copycat of her serial killer father, Ed Finch. On top of heavy caseloads, Margot is still working alongside her colleague Leon on the Muir Woods killings, will they finally get some answers?

This one was a lot more insightful to Ed's past and childhood. It shows just how his life was not only shaped but also how young he was when he realised he was 'different' to his peers around him.

This is an absolute masterclass in psychological suspense. As with the previous two books, there is SO much going on, so many plates spinning, but I found it really easy to stay immersed as the writing style has you gripped from the very first page and does not let go of its hold at all. The vivid scenes depicted and the oppressive atmosphere this book creates is phenomenal

I can't wait for book #4, patience will not be my friend in this case 😄

Huge thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC.

Taught and intense detective mystery with an interesting take on the serial killer child trope. Strong characters and many twists weave through two murder investigations and flashbacks to the early development of the serial killer, as they also work to get cold case info from him. Complex plot all works, and the main detectives are well developed and likeable. Definitely recommended!

Kate Wiley has done it again! In this book, there are two different timelines and points of view, similar to the other books in this series. Although the twists were predictable for me, it is so well-written that one can not help but be engrossed in it. Margot and Wes are fantastic. I adore their dynamic, and their banter is simply delightful. I rate this book 4.5 out of 5 stars, only because it was somewhat predictable. If you enjoyed the other Detective Margot Phalen books, you will undoubtedly enjoy this one as well.

I would like to express my gratitude to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing me with the opportunity to read another Kate Wiley thriller.

The Killer Instinct will be available on October 28, 2024.

Impressive!!!!!
My heart was pounding as I read the last line.

What a book! I must say after the last one, I didn't want to keep my hopes up for The Killer Instinct. But this one delivered.

This book shows more progress in terms of character development for Margot. She is more accepting and her friendship with Wes is charming. The back and forth of the timelines especially when we get Ed's background always leaves a sour taste in my mouth. But this is a compliment to the author. He is despicable.

I liked that they made progress with the Muir murders and the recent homicide just elevated the book. Overall, i enjoyed every page and I really hope now that Margot gets the upper hand with Ed. As a reader, I am not sure how many more books I can go with dealing with Ed.

I give this book 5 stars because I couldn't just put it down.

Thank you Net Galley and Storm Publishing for the E-Arc and I am leaving this review voluntarily.