I'm a little late on this one, but I'm so glad I came back to it!

The first murder occurred in 1974--a single murder. The second in 1991--this time a double murder. These crimes are attributed to the Tri-State Killer. Two cousins who room together are pulled into these crimes when one gifts the other an ancestry kit--and it's revealed that the Tri-State Killer could be a relative.

This speaks to recent real-life investigation (the Garden State Killer) that have used this technology as a way to find perpetrators and, because of those real-life examples, this book is all the more chilling.

An overall good read, fast-paced, hard to put down.

The Family Tree follows Liz Catalano, who discovers through an ancestry DNA test that she is adopted. This revelation leads her to explore her biological roots, only to uncover a chilling connection to a serial killer known as the Tri-State Killer. The story alternates between Liz's perspective and that of the killer, providing a gripping narrative that intertwines Liz's quest for her identity with a suspenseful investigation.

The primary themes of The Family Tree include the quest for identity, the complexities of family dynamics, and the dark secrets that can be hidden within one's lineage. The book also explores the impact of technology and genealogy on uncovering past secrets. These themes are interwoven with the suspense of the thriller, making for a multifaceted narrative.

In summary, The Family Tree by Steph Mullin and Nicole Mabry is a gripping thriller that successfully combines the search for personal identity with a high-stakes investigation into a serial killer. Its innovative plot and well-drawn characters make it a standout read for fans of the genre.

So, I have mixed feelings about The Family Tree. I feel like the story is very plot-driven which is fine but I did find myself losing interest in parts of the storyline. The main character kind of aggravates me a little with how she is but I do love how the story ended. I wouldn't say it completely threw me for a loop or anything but it did catch me a little off guard.

While it's not exactly a new story line, the authors have added a few twists and a couple of outside clues that added to the mystery. What would you do if you found a killer in your immediate family? I didn't pick the killer before the reveal, there's surprises in store for everyone.

When I first heard about this one, it sounded like such an original book and I was excited to read it. Wow, was I wrong! The main character takes a DNA test as a lark to please her cousin. Her choice leads to some pretty horrible results, one of results in the FBI knocking at her door. I did like the alternating chapters between Liv and the victims of the serial killer. The ending was wholly set up for a sequel I will not be reading.

An interesting premise to be sure and I was captivated most of the way through this book. Based on DNA genealogy results that link an adoptee’s DNA to a serial killer, this fast paced thriller switches back and forth between adoptee, Liz Catalano, and the victims of the Tri-State Killer who has been killing women for forty years.

I found myself being annoyed, however, with Liz for being TSTL as she she searched for her new-found relatives after being contacted by the FBI and told about the connection. She even gives them her address where she and her cousin, both twenty-somethings live. I mean, stupid, right. I also wasn’t excited about the ending and thought it could have been more shocking and powerful. I suspect the author is preparing for book two.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I gave it three stars.

Absolutely Fascinating! What DNA can tell us and the path it's outcome can set one on! A great read!

#thefamilytree #stephmullins #nicolemabry #netgalley we’ve all thought about or have done a dna type test to find out more about our family trees. But what if ….. you learn more than you wanted too? What if you’re related to a serial killer? Grab this and get enraptured as Liz discovers all about her family tree #23andme #dna #murder #bookrecommendations #bookstagram #igreads

There are a lot of interesting factors to consider when you take a DNA test, but honestly this one is enough to make you not do it. I thought this was an interesting premise and look forward to reading more by these authors.

This is a fast paced thriller that centers around a DNA link to a serial killer and the main character’s desire to have a connection to her biological family. Although I was entertained, some of it seemed a bit far fetched. I questioned many of the main character’s actions and felt they were implausible. I didn’t really care for the ending, but was engaged as most of the mystery unfolded. Overall this story was entertaining and a quick read. Thank you Avon Paperbacks and NetGalley for my copy.

After receiving an ancestry DNA kit as a gift from her cousin, Liz discovers her parents are not her biological parents and she was adopted as a baby. On a search to find out as much as she can about her biological family, she finds more than she bargained for, when the FBI turns up on her doorstop, telling her someone’s DNA in her family is linked to a serial killer case. This book was such a unique concept and I loved it! Liz, although she often rushed into situations she really shouldn’t have, was an interesting and multifaceted character. The mystery was so well done and I was guessing (incorrectly) at the outcome all the way through. The story was told from several points of view – Liz’s, the Tri-State Serial killer and each of his victims. The victim accounts really added to the feeling of urgency throughout the story. A dark, twisted and intense murder mystery with a twist, I would highly recommend this one to anyone who enjoys this genre! 4.5 stars.

This is a debut read about Liz, who takes a 23 and me DNA kit for fun, and when the results are in it comes up that she is related to a serial killer. Steph Mullin and Nicole Mabry had me hooked from page one. I really liked the parts of the insight into the victims of the killer.

Thanks to Avon and Netgalley for this opportunity.

This book had me hooked from the very beginning.. Can you imagine doing a 23andMe DNA test when you’re 27, to end up finding out you're adopted and there's a serial killer in the family?! A crazy but captivating storyline and I loved the jumps in time from present-day to the different victims. I was so convinced I knew some things that were going to happen and I was so very wrong. Highly recommend this one and I can't wait to read their next book, When She Disappeared (which releases March 3rd)

This book is out now! Huge thanks to NetGalley & Harper 360 for a copy in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Liz and her cousin Andie open our novel, excited to see Liz's results from her recent 23andMe kit. When Liz's results are far from what is expected, her parents admit that she is adopted. At 27 years old, this comes as quite a blow to Liz, who being attempting to find out more about her biological family. When she doesn't get an immediate response from the closest relatives by percentage on the site, she uploads her info to a database that can be used by law enforcement in hopes of getting a hit. When she is contacted by the FBI about a DNA connection to a serial killer case, will Liz be able to help solve the mystery? Or will it just be her own mystery of The Family Tree?

I enjoyed this novel so much as a child of adoption. My parents were open from the beginning that I was adopted, even though they adopted me at two days old and could have easily hidden it. I, personally, have never had a want or need to find out about my bio family; so it was interesting to take this journey with Liz. Her heartache at finding out later in life about her adoption makes me appreciate my parents for sharing with me, however I have such a hard time with how upset she is with her parents. I can't imagine what she was going through, even as an adoptee, but from the loving and large family she was raised in it surprises me that she wouldn't just see it as a chance to get to know more relatives. The mystery itself was fun, giving us glimpses with each pair of victims as well as slowly revealing what they all went through at the hands of their killer. It was neat that the author actually tied in the killers manifesto into their captivity.

Overall, this is one I highly recommend for fans of a great mystery and it is peppered with some truth in the actual finding and convicting of the Tri State Killer. Recommend for anyone 16+ as nothing graphic is shared.

I really wish i could get into this book. I found it lack character development and i felt like the story was going slow. I like the concept of it just wish there was more too the story

Lis Catalano’s life is turned upside down when a DNA ancestry kit reveals she is adopted. As she tries to get to know her new family, she is pulled into an FBI investigation of a serial killer called the Tri-State Killer.

I really liked the premise of this book and it sounded so promising. Each chapter alternates between the present (Liz) and the past (each time that the killer kidnapped women and what they went through). I just really disliked Liz. She consistently went against the advice of her friends, family and FBI agents. I can't imagine how strange it would be to find out you're related to a serial killer so maybe some of her behavior can be pushed aside but generally lacked some common sense. If you like true crime the chapters with kidnapped women were more interesting than Liz's perspective to me.

'The DNA results are back. And there’s a serial killer in her family tree…' Who would pass on this read? Liz decided to complete a 23andme kit only to find out...you know the rest. I was intrigued with this premise and stayed interested through out the book, but a little disappointed in the main character, Liz. She was overly angry with her adoptive parents and overall a bit whiney. The last 1/4 of the book was the most suspenseful, although never getting intense (wish it would have). While overall well done, I would have like a bigger punch at the end. 4 Stars

I devoured this!

This is very well written and thought out. Normally I'm good about guessing the perpetrator, but I was wrong! It had me hooked from the start and didn't let up. It goes back and forth between the present and past, main character and the serial killer. It's so good, that's about all I can say.

If you like Thrillers and true crime, this is for you! There's also a twist at the end that I definitely did not expect. I hope to see more from these authors!

This read like a Lifetime movie version of the Golden State Killer story. The writing was bad and all the characters sounded the same.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

A young woman with a happy childhood discovers at 27 that she was adopted. Devastated but curious, she embarks on a search for her birth family only to be contacted by the FBI . It turns out that her DNA is a familial match to a serial killer.