Another great read from Kate Wiley. Margot and Wes are getting closer to solving the murder cases, they have explosive evidence that they can’t use, and Margot is coming to terms with her life and her father’s legacy. I eagerly await the final instalment, where hopefully all the loose ends come together. It was interesting to read more about her brother and his issues. The relationship between Margot and Wes is gently brewing along, he is a wonderful character and I enjoy their banter. There’s lots of action in this book and it kept me intrigued all the way through. Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for a copy to read and review.

One day, read it in one day, just couldn't stop! In the genre of "serial killer family member" this series rises above with strong characters, complex and compelling investigations, and Margo's father looming in the background, his effects still damaging. Her chemistry with her partner, and total opposite, Wes is addictive and endearing, a breath between the horror they investigate. A must read for mystery fans, great series!

Easy 5 stars out of 5.

Such an easy read! Just a wildly intriguing detective story that pulls you into a trance and doesn’t let go until the very last minute. Every time I had to put the book down, I couldn’t wait to get back to it.

The heroine earns my respect with her approach to life and the challenges she faces. I’m so glad I stumbled upon this book series—it’s given me yet another strong woman to admire and another author to follow closely. I’ll be keeping an eye out for new releases.

I was completely mesmerized by how the author handles the genre. The sheer pleasure I got from reading this came down to how masterfully it was written. I’ve read a lot of detective novels, and this one shot straight to the top of my favorites in no time. Sending all my gratitude—thank you for such a fantastic experience!

* Copy provided by Storm Publishing via NetGalley & 100% voluntary review.

Detective Margot Phalen has spent her entire life hiding from her past – she was the daughter of Ed, a serial killer. She had been able to live a private existence – nobody knew. Then her brother Justin shows up in town and is pressuring her to participate in a true crime documentary he has organized about her father’s life.
During her brother’s stay with her, she notices blood on his shoes, and then the body of a young woman is discovered near her home. She began to have strange feelings about Justin. Could she compare him to her father?
A visit to her father, Ed, in prison left her reeling when he revealed that he had an accomplice who was still free. The dark shadow of her past remains with Margo as she continues with an investigation into his claims. Is there another monster killer like her father out there?

We are back with Margot and Wes!! I love how each book builds on from the last one!

We first met Margot in book one, where it was revealed she was the daughter of Ed Finch- a serial killer who was eventually captured and sentenced for his crimes. We see Margot visiting him from time to time, hoping to get the names of victims who were never found. It's interesting to read about their dynamic.

In this book, we see more of the clues add up from previous murders that were never solved. I can't wait to see what happens next!

Detective Margot Phalen is finally back. The minute I got the email telling me this book was available to read, I knew I had to start it immediately. This is without a doubt one of my favourite detective series and I have thoroughly enjoyed every book so far. Kate Wiley has written the most perfectly paced and gripping books that are full of twists and excitement, and this was no exception to that.

Wes and Margot are my favourite book duo and I am so invested in their characters. The plot in this book lived up to the high expectations I had following the previous three books. It built upon the situation we’ve seen previously with Margot’s dad, Ed Finch, and revealed even more unexpected twists regarding his case whilst giving more of a background to Margot and her brother’s childhood experiences. The other cases that Margot deals with with her partner Wes, contributed towards the gripping read and the last 15% or so of the book revealed twists that I would never have guessed.

This really was a great read and I would highly recommend it to anyone, however make sure you read the first three books in the series first as they provide a lot of background and the books do follow on from each other. I’ll be so disappointed when this series ends, I already can’t wait for the next one to be released! Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my ARC of this book, without a doubt 5* from me!

What a fantastic read I am loving this series of books . It keeps you hooked from page one . Can't wait for next book absolutely brilliant.

I am in love with this series.

That’s it.

No notes.

If you want to know whether it’s worth diving into this unfolding series then the answer is yes. If you want to read me gushing over the latest instalment then read on!

I picked up The Killer’s Daughter on a whim last year and I since then I have read every new instalment the same day it was offered to me. Which is saying a lot since my TBR pile is ever growing. But I cannot resist diving into Margot’s life again.

I was so worried after the first couple of books that things might start to feel repetitive but they really haven’t. Ever new book sucks me, has be manically flipping through pages, and then desperately looking for the next book!

I am so invested in these characters. The character arcs are *chefs kiss*. So perfectly done. Their progress feels painfully realistic. Truly, the character development here needs to be studied, it is so perfectly curated.


Just as an aside, I loved San Franisco when I visited and I love google mapping the locations that are mentioned. Every time I’ve done this it has brought me to a street view that looks just as described in the book and this is such a small but wonderful detail!

Overall, in case it wasn’t already obvious, I love this series. I am devastated that it’s going to end. I know it needs to and the series will be even stronger for not dragging on. But I don’t want it to. I love this series dearly.

Massive thank you to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC.

The ENDING! I didn't expect that at all - really great twist and great villains.

Love the Ed flashbacks - this time with Justin too! Finally we get to know him a little bit better.

Margot is as always a fantastic character - you can resonate with her about many aspects.

Can't wait for the next one <3

The 4th instalment in this amazing series.
This time around we are introduced properly to Margot's brother, who was Justin but is now David,we have been drip fed small snippets of him in the earlier books but his more central in this one,Im still not sure if I trust him very much but we shall see👀.I hope I'm proved wrong.
I'm really fond of both Margot and Wes and even Ed. I know his a serial killer, but his intriguing,his unexpected admission in this one is a real gasp moment.
The added storylines within the main story are cleverly written, and the descriptive element is spot on.
I'm so pleased there will be another in this brilliant series, but I'm sad it's the final one,although I'm looking forward to seeing how everything ends and the outcome between Margot and Wes.
It's an outstanding read that ticks all the boxes perfect for serial killer and thriller readers.
Thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the Arc.

I'm hooked on this series. I love how we're learning more about Margot's brother, Justin, and her father. The little hints of romance between Margot and Wes have me foaming at the mouth! I just need my girl to end up happy and healthy.

The case was very interesting too, and the victim was such a bad ass. I love how all the cases are slowly coming together, but I never want this series to end.

Another 5 star read from Kate Wiley. The Margot Phalen series is my absolute favourite. I coulnd't put this book down, just like the three that came before it. While the focus of the previous book was about how Ed became the monster he is, this book is about Margot's brother Justin. I thought I had things figured out pretty early on this time, but I was wrong. I recommend this series to everyone I know. I can't wait for the next installment, although I'm so sad it will be the final book in the series. Well done, Ms. Wiley!

Great to read more about Margot and her Father. This series just gets better. There are so many threads running though the story it is gripping and enthralling. You won't be able to put it down. Cant wait for the final book.

A must read if you’ve been following the Detective Phelan series! While In The Blood can be read as a stand alone, I recommend reading the previous books (though many anspects are mentioned in this one). Margot is dealing with multiple cases, including the previous Redwood killer, her not so existent relationship with Wes, and of course Ed’s storyline. I felt it started out amazingly and was hooked, then there was quite a bit of slow paced storyline as we read about Margot dealing with her father related anxiety (which has me questioning how she can perform her job well). But, once it picked up, the story flew by. So much so, I got to the last page and didn’t realize it. The author notes the next book is the conclusion, and I hope we get to see all the loose ends from In The Blood tied up!

I’m obsessed with Kate Wiley and her Margot Phalen series! She’s an absolute genius on her story line with her. It is a bit of a trigger warning I think on how some characters end up getting hurt. But that’s the life of a homicide detective I suppose. Now waiting on her next book and the continuing story of her and what else her insane father may say!

Thank you NetGalley for this great opportunity and discovering this author through here!!

The second this came from the publisher (thank you, Storm!) I dropped everything and started reading it immediately!

I am so invested in these characters that I am going to be very sad when the series wraps up in the next (fifth) book. That said, I’m very excited to see where everything winds up and to get some final answers to all of my questions! Definitely read the first three books before reading this one — there’s a lot of backstory and character development and buildup that you shouldn’t miss!

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of In the Blood by Kate Wiley due to be published May 14, 2025.

I loved the first three books in this series and couldn’t wait to get this one!
As the daughter of notorious serial killer Ed Finch, Margot has spent decades escaping her past. When her brother shows up needing a place to stay Margot’s world begins to unravel. She has to visit her father again and finds out Ed had an accomplice. How much more can she endure with her serial killer father?
I love these books and the character of Margot. She has reinvented herself to distance herself from her father yet keeps having things come up to make her revisit him in prison. She is getting a lot more self-assured as the series continues. I can’t wait for the next book to see what happens to Margot, Wes, and her father!

#NetGalley #KateWiley #StormPublishing #InTheBlood

The feedback of other readers is legit! I blazed through this book in one sitting. You just cannot stop reading. The pace is super fast. The characters are well developed and I loved the main character. I will be going back to read the other books in this series!

4.5* Excellent penultimate book in this series. Hoping there's not too long a wait for the last one.

Margot feels like she's ready to take a risk in life, finally, although not immediately - she's signalled to Wes that there's something to address, but not right now. And with no indication of when the right time will come. It works for them, as they're in tune with each other and care deeply about each other, which is especially evidenced when Wes gathers stuff that exonerates someone she'd have been heartbroken to find is/was Ed's accomplice.

The tale doesn't differ much from the previous ones, although Ed admits something that adds new direction to the cold cases. Is he lying? I thought maybe but when Margot and Andrew confront said something, a truly shocking incident happens.

I wondered if she might end up leaving her unit for the FBI, based on their seeming newfound appreciation of her. That could be how the author closes the series.

We sew Justin, her brother, formerly David, for the first time. He's as much a victim of their father but with the added issues of feeling second best all his life. But, I think there's a thawing between the siblings and a possible healing of both, as well as their almost nonexistent in-person relationship.

This was another good book in this so-down-to-earth-despite-the-premise series that doesn't rely on faux sensationalism to make it worth reading.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my reading pleasure.

Now I have been hooked on this series right from the first book,'The Killer's Daughter', so you can imagine the excitement I felt when book #4 landed in my TBR pile

But, if im being brutally honest, honesty is the best policy right?, book #4 left me with a feeling of annoyance and all because of one thing and one thing only.... the ending.... or lack of.... it just stopped, bluntly with no questions answered.... arrrrrggggghhhh!

Anyway, apart from my little meltdown of being left flummoxed, as what I've come to expect from this amazing author, this was one hell of a read. But be willing to commit to it because there is so much going on if your brain veers off, you'll lose track completely!

Detective Margot Phalen is one fiesty, strong, independent woman who lives for her job, a job that she excels at. On the flip side, she is damaged by her past *no spoilers*, utterly stubborn, doesn’t trust anybody (apart from her partner Wes Fox), and is traumatised in a way that at times makes her unreasonable and unreachable.

Margot & Wes are called to a scene of a burnt out car, seemingly empty, no sign of any victims, until a charred woman walks out of the woods, barely clinging to life.

Alongside this case, Margot's brother Justin makes an unexpected appearance, which brings up strange feelings for her, making her ask the question, does what there father done run 'in the blood'?. Are their destinys already mapped out for them?

Margot's father, the infamous serial killer Ed Finch is once again dangling promises of information to her, if only she'll go back on her promise and threat to never again set foot in the prison to visit, but can she keep that promise and deny justice for the sake of her sanity?

The Redwood case that Margot is still working on, alongside Leon, is still ticking along painstakingly slowly, but do they finally have a lead that will actually get them some answers?

One thing I've loved throughout the whole series is the character development. With everything Margot has been through in her life, she has changed so much over the series, and it's been an absolute joy to read her journey. Life could never be 'normal' for someone raised by a serial killer, but Margot has used it to her advantage and grown along with it. I adore Wes and his relationship with Margot, both as a partner and friend, and can not wait for the resolution of finding out what he was trying to say!

Book #4 definitely felt like the circle was nearly fully connected, and whilst Im excited to see how it all comes together, I am absolutely gutted that the series will be coming to an end 😢.

This is most definitely NOT a stand alone. If this is the first you have picked up, drop it like a hot potato and read the first 3 first. You will not be disappointed!

Huge thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC.