Her Father's secret. Good book which held my interest. Was a quick read and I felt the characters were very relatable. I would read the other books in this series just to see where the relationships led.

I did enjoy this book but there was a bit too much going on. Too many cases to keep track of. A lot of characters. I found myself confused at times.

I was so excited to see the second book! I loved the first one and I reviewed that I would loooove to read more about Ed, as that part was the best!

the "then" Ed part : LOVE IT! I really enjoy reading from his POV and still it was not enough - I need more about Ed Finch! there are over 70 victims so there would be a lot to read about that time.

the "now" Ed part: He was quiet annoying this time and he didn't really offer much more. and it ended with a cliffhanger..

The actual case was great and solved pretty tights. There is still another case going on.

Based on all this, Margot is a great character, you can really feel what she is feeling and it makes her authentic!

I just hope that the Ed cliffhangers won't be a way to just get to read the next book and that in book 3 we really receive more from him.

Thank you Netgalley!

Great series. Interesting to delve into Margot’s family history more and the side stories were a good way to mix it up.

I look forward to reading the next one in the series.

3.5 stars

"The sun is beginning to set as Margot watches the dive team haul the girl’s body from the lake, untangling the bag that had been used to weight it down among the rocks and the reeds. But it isn’t the cool evening air that chills Margot to the bone as the bag is opened up. It is the glimpse of its contents. The old toys. Margot’s toys. Detective Margot Phalen has spent years running from her father’s shadow – and the awful truth of her own past as the daughter of a serial killer. But then she receives a message from him. He’s willing to share his darkest secret – but only with her."

The author wrote a very well constructed book that kept me interested. The mystery was well written with a few shocking twists and turns that all raced towards a very satisfying conclusion. The characters were well written and easy to connect to. The book featured flash backs to the past that were interwoven really well. This book definitely set us up for book 3 and I am looking forward to reading that one also. My only minor complaint was that I felt that at times there were a few too many pages dedicated to her inner thoughts on the case and I found myself skimming through those.

Thank you NetGalley for the Arc review.

Her Father’s Secret

Kate Wiley is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors! I loved the first book in this series and the second book did not disappoint! I love that there are 3 overarching stories in her books. The current case they are working on at the time. The case in the woods that has not been solved is continued into the 2nd book. And of course, the start of the show is the story line with Margot and her father giving her tidbits of information to find more of his victims. If this book was a man, it would be my type. I love the tension between the main character and her partner, all the cases she is working on and of course her serial killer father. I cannot wait for the next book in this series, and I hope the publisher decided that we need more books in this series than they were planning. I recommend this book and enjoyed this 5 star read!

Thank you, Net Galley, the author, and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I learned after the fact that this was book two of a series. I had no idea going into this and throughout the read, which I was grateful that this is. as series that can be picked up and read out of order. However, like any series I do recommend starting at the beginning with book one. Overall, despite not reading book one, and jumping into this book, I was pleased how easy the book was to get into and understand. I personally took away how real life the book played on from a detective point of view, detectives do not work just one case at a time, and this was the first book in a long long time that portrayed that element of a true life detective working multiple cases. And the writing, to include multiple cases that did not have one thing to do with the other and the book flow so expertly was highly impressive to me. The ending however was unimpressive to me. After reading the exquisite intricateness of the other cases and the build up of the main case/plot, I was expecting the ending to be a big bang, and I felt the ending is where the book fell flat from giving that feeling. This however would not deter me from going back to book 1, and continuing to follow the series for any further books that are published later.

So, so good! Margot is neck deep in cases again. How she actually manages to keep it together most of the time is astonishing to me, most people would be in pieces. This time we have a domestic violence case, a sniper spreading terror through San Francisco, and a murdered sex worker. And, of course, her father. The scenes with him are just seriously creepy. He's dangling another carrot, another victim in front of Margot and the FBI. Despite all her misgivings, Margot meets with him again. This was another woman who just disappeared but was never really thought to be one of Ed's victims. All these things happen in the space of one week from hell. And she's taking another look at the case that went cold in book 1. Margot is a great character and a much stronger woman than she realises. I'm curious to see if anything develops between her and Wes! A very fast paced, well put together story. I read it in one sitting! Looking forward to book 3.
Thanks to Netgalley, Storm Publishing and Kate Wiley for the free ARC in return for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! I was a little apprehensive at first because I requested the ARC without realizing that it was book 2, but I was able to figure out what was going on quickly. There were a couple references to book 1, but I don't think much was spoiled.

I think this was my first detective book and it was really interesting. I liked how Margot had several cases at a time to solve as it kept the story going, all while the overarching serial killer father story went on. It was intriguing to read Ed's POV from Margot's childhood in tandem with her interactions with him in the present, trying to unravel all the murders he committed. I think in all there were 5 mysteries/crimes to solve?

I really liked Margot's character, she was very hardworking and smart--not unrealistically smart when it came to solving cases, but clever enough that the story flowed well. Wes seemed like a great character but wasn't super fleshed out--I may have missed that in the first book. I liked the small hints of romance between Margot and Wes and hopefully it plays out a little more in the next book!

I really need to track down book 1, I very much want to read it now but am having a hard time finding it.

Thank you to NetGalley + Storm Publishing for the ARC!

This is the second book in a series, but my first by this author. I can honestly say I have transferred her name to my list of favorite authors and it did not take me long to do this. 

As soon as I opened the book, I was sold. I loved the characters, the writing style and the premise.

Margot is a strong woman. Not only does she still have to come to terms with her personal life, but she also has a few cases to solve together with her partner. 

She is a detective in heart and soul and when a dangerous situations presents itself, she dives straight into it even though it might be a big risk to her own life. 

She has an immense sense of duty and protecting others is on the top of her list. 

I liked Margot a lot. She is like a brick wall on the outside, when sometimes she dies on the inside. To the outside world she is unstoppable, but she cannot forget to unwind from time to time and there is one person who might be the one to turn to.

I cannot wait for the next book. 5 stars

Thank you

Having read The Killers Daughter (book 1) in the series, I could not wait to start Her Father's Secret and again it did not disappoint at all.

We are back with main character Detective Margot Phalen, her side kick Wes and Margot's infamous father - serial killer Ed Finch.

Margot aka as Megan has only visited her father once, after having had to live with the aftermath of his murders and he has once again enticed her back when he reveals he has information of a missing person.

The chapters switch between Margot trying her best to survive, be a good detective and live with the knowledge of who her father is and then Ed's chapters detailing himself and his victims.

Kate Wiley's writing style is addictive, fast paced and such good and well rounded characters. I hope that there will be a book 3.

Thanks to Netgalley, Kate Wiley and the publishers for allowing me a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Margot Phalen is a San Francisco police detective who is also the daughter of the notorious serial killer Ed Finch.

I was hooked with 'The Killers Daughter' so I instantly devoured 'Her Father's Secret' as there were still loose threads with a plot about bodies of women dumped in a national park that I'm dying to know more about. Margot is a bit of a mess. She's dedicated to her job, no dount as penance for the murders her father committed. Throwing herself into cases as her way of coping with her PTSD and anxiety attacks.Strengths of this book is her working relationship and chemistry with partner Wes Fox, who clearly dotes on her.

I read this easily in one sitting. Though I do think, like the first book, there's too many plots threads with the two cases plus the Ed storyline. While I am interested in what other murders Ed is finally confessing to, I can see this becoming repetitious every book with the same frustrating jail visits and Ed's games. For me, series fiction needs to show character growth so I do hope we resolve this plot so Margot can move on from her life (and hopefully start sorting her life out a bit!). I'd like to see more momentum and detective work with Margot and Wes working together as the focus.

Overall, this is another winner and I hope for more Margot and Wes soon because I am greedy for more!


Thanks to Storm and NetGalley for the ARC.

I am going to say that I enjoyed this book much more than the first installment.
We get to learn more of Margot Phalen. Her development in the storyline is good showing that she is accepting her flaws. Wes is a sweetheart and their interactions are the highlight of this book.

Everytime the timeline switches to Ed, it gives me the chills. Kudos to the author for keeping the reader hooked without making it unnecessarily gross. I do hope though that this doesn't turn out into a long series as there is only so much serial killer rants we can take. Also the newer cases added in the book were a good combination.

For keeping me hooked and making me excited for the next, I give this book 4 stars .

I thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the E-Arc and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

In this book you learn more about Margot and her life before her fathers arrest through her eyes and thise of her serial killer father.
The psychological tension and the anger she has with him for being who he is, but also the lossmof a father play out in his cat and mouse games withnthe FBI.
The will they wont they between Wes and Margot is a real page turner.
Through in a serial killer, a sniper and potential loss of career and you have a fantastic page turner.

Thank you Storm Publishing and Netgalley for this E-ARC of Her Fathers Secret by Kate Wiley.

This is book 2 of the Margot Phalen detective series. Margot, a detective is called upon a crime scene- a dead girl's body is pulled out of a lake. But this is not an open and shut murder case, and Margot has a chilling backstory of her own. She is the daughter of a notorious serial killer.

This story does shift back and forth from Margot's past to her present, as she is forced to meet and confront her father who's in prison. There are some triggers as gory scenes of murder are described in great detail.

Her father's secret does not disappoint, it is twisty, and the book concluded well.. I felt like there is definitely a few more books to come.

I read this as a standalone, but, I think this series definitely need to be read in the reading order. As there are some Easter eggs thrown in from the first book.

I found it engaging and can definitely see myself reading more should Kate decide to release more in the Margot Phalen series.

This is the second book in this series and I enjoyed just as much as the first book. Margot was such a strong character, that I absolutely love. Total thriller and absolutely a must read!

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced reader copy!!

Absolutely spellbinding.
Actually, five stars almost seem too mundane for this incredibly riveting thriller.
Margot Phalen, a San Fran Det. is back answering her serial killer father's demand, from prison, to meet so he can give her and the FBI the details of another missing young woman's death and body location. Her dad is one of the country's most heinous serial killers, responsible for over 50 deaths, that they know of. She agrees to meet with him to help the FBI solve missing persons cases. Each visit takes a horrendous toll on her, both mentally and physically.
While this is going on, she is also involved with her partner Wes, in the search for a sniper
operating in and around downtown San Fran, who gas killed police officers, as well as the beaten death of a sex worker.
Margot is anything but weak and this story continues to showcase the fabulous and relentless strength of character, and determination to move beyond her father's horrible crimes and find her own way forward.
She has a new name, a new life and a job she loves.
This was another great Margot tale with hopefully, more to follow.
Great story development with amazingly intriguing characters.
Bravo all the way.

This is the second book in the series and I was so excited to read this, as I fully enjoyed the first in the series. The story opens with Margot and Wes called to the scene of a murdered woman. Then we segue to the summer of 1988, when her father Ed Finch was in the middle of his serial killing spree. And from there, we are back in the present when Margot and WEs are called to the scene on Pier 39 where there has been a sniper spree. And Margot's father has requested a meeting with her, saying he will reveal where the body of one of his victims is!

So, Margot is having a very stressful day! However, all of this is really written well, with smooth transitions and connections. We get to see the effect of her past (her father) and how it is an important element in who she has become, and how she reacts/handles situations. I was glad to see that the author is developing Margot to acknowledge and deal with her past/present in healthy ways, and Margot is opening up to that. I really like Margot and Wes and the slooooow burn that might possibly be happening, and the other supporting characters. The investigation is interesting and for the most part fast paced. There are some twists- but the main case has a satisfying conclusion.

This is a darker series, and there are some descriptions of victims that I skimmed over. There are also times when Margot is going to do a task- interview someone, check out a place, etc., where she goes into "over explanation" of her thoughts, facts, etc. I counted one time when she was getting ready to phone a witness where there were 4 pages of her internal thoughts about the call she was going to make! This happened quite a few times. I do not mind detail, and feel it is necessary to develop a well written mystery- but this was a bit much and I would skim over those areas. They could have been shaved down a lot. Thus, I detracted 1 star because it would all of a sudden slow my reading and engagement.

Overall, I do highly recommend this series. I feel that overall it is very well developed, and I want to know what is going to happen with Margot, Wes, and her relationship with her father!

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.

Kate Wiley has done it again! This book hooks you from the very beginning and keeps you there throughout the entire book. I cannot wait until the next book comes out!

Margot is back in the second mystery thriller of this excellent series!! Kate Wiley does it again with another fast-paced plot with shocking revelations and a WOW ending. Highly recommend this series; this book can definitely be read as a standalone too. Cannot wait for the third book!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.