A more extensive review will follow. Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Part of Detective Margot Phalen series and a gripping fast paced read that will keep you hooked from the first page.

Love this series of the serial killer dad and his influence on the present. This killing was influenced by him and the connections discovered are even creepier than anticipated. Can’t wait for the next one.

I really enjoy this series. I can’t wait for the next book. The relationship between Margot and her dad has me so intrigued!

Book 3 of the Detective Margot Phalen series is just another layer of twisted, suspenseful great reading. In this installment, Margot is working on two new homicides, one in the woods, and one in an apartment in Chinatown. As the investigation intensifies, there is no denying a link to Margot's father, an infamous serial killer. Can she find out the link between these latest victims and her father before the killer strikes again? Is this just a copycat, or is it more nefarious...her father using someone else to continue his legacy?

The way Kate Wiley amplifies both Margot's strength and anxiety over her connection to her father, as well as the FBI's manipulation on this to get her to help solve cold cases, is so well done. I can feel the emotions just pouring out through the pages. In each book, you can see her getting stronger, almost to the point where she might just stand up for herself and not be used as a pawn anymore. The shift in the father-daughter dynamics is also perfection. I am also enjoying Margot starting to explore more of her feminine/sexual side, with the added vulnerability that comes with all of that. Margot is skirting the line of no longer being just professional partners with Wes. I love that she is letting her guard down with him, and that he makes her feel safe. She hasn't had a connection like that in probably her whole life.

I cannot wait to see how more of this story unfolds in the next books.

A Gripping Crime Thriller
I absolutely loved The Killer Instinct! Even without reading the first two books, I never felt lost—this works perfectly as a stand-alone. The plot was addictive, with well-paced twists that kept me hooked until the chilling ending. The characters, especially Ed, were so well-written that they got under my skin, and I loved exploring Margot’s depth and her dynamic with her partner. A solid 4.5 stars, and I’m now eager to dive into the rest of the series!
My thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this eARC

I couldn’t put this book down! From the very first page, I was completely hooked by the twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end. Detective Margot Phalen is such a compelling character, and her journey to solve the case while confronting her haunting family history added a chilling and emotional depth to the story.

The suspense was masterfully crafted, and the connection to her father’s crimes made the stakes feel so real and personal. The writing pulled me in, and every chapter left me wanting more.

If you love fast-paced mysteries with complex characters and plenty of surprises, I 100% recommend this book. I’m already counting down the days until the next one in the series!

This is the 3rd book in the series.

Was a little hard to read not knowing the other 2 books before it. Definitely read those first.

Characters are great and very interesting. Story kept me intrigued and pressing on. Lots of twists and turns to keep you going

Now to read 1 and 2

Thank you NetGalley for the copy

I enjoyed this book. I have to admit not being a fan of detective stories where the lead detective carries a lot of baggage. So at first I was unsure but as the story unfolded I was drawn in and thoroughly enjoyed the read. I thought the characters were well developed and the plot clever. A very good read.

"The Killer Instinct" by Kate Wiley is a fantastic 5-star read! Margot, a detective with the SFPD, continues to investigate murders while collaborating with the FBI on cold cases connected to her estranged father.

This third book in the series is just as gripping as the first two! The growing tension between Wes and Margot adds depth to their evolving friendship. Meanwhile, Margot struggles with her relationship with her father, as she works tirelessly to provide closure to families affected by murders from decades earlier. The chapters set in the past offer a frightening glimpse into Eddie's childhood, giving readers a firsthand look at the events that shaped him into the killer he would become.

If you enjoyed the first two books, this third installment is a must-read. The final page left me eager to dive into the fourth book—I can’t wait!"

Thanks to Storm Publishing, Kate Wiley, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.

If I could recommend one book or series it would be this one, I absolutely love them. I get totally hooked in at the first word and can’t put them down until it’s over, then when it’s over I’m devastated I have to wait for the next one!! Love, love, love!!!

Margot Phalen faces her darkest fears in The Killer Instinct, a chilling crime thriller that plunges deep into the complexities of familial bonds and inherited darkness. When a series of grisly murders in California’s Muir Woods and Chinatown echo the trademark methods of her father—infamous serial killer Ed Finch—Margot is thrust into a case that’s as personal as it is haunting.

Ed Finch has been behind bars for years, but the evidence implicates a chilling connection. Margot must confront the horrifying possibility that someone is mirroring her father’s crimes—or that Ed’s influence extends far beyond the prison walls. Flashbacks to Ed’s childhood offer new insights into his transformation into a killer, adding depth to the series and elevating the psychological tension.

Despite not having read the two previous books, I found this instalment worked well as a standalone. However, series fans may have a richer understanding of Margot’s character arc and relationships. The interwoven timelines and psychological exploration were standout elements, offering a fresh perspective on what shapes both victim and predator.

A highlight of the book is Ewan, a character whose complexity and sharp wit add an intriguing counterbalance to the intense narrative. His dynamic with Margot brings depth to the story and helps ground it amidst the high-stakes investigation.

Fans of Karin Slaughter and Tana French will appreciate the expertly crafted tension, while Michael Connelly readers will enjoy the procedural elements. The Killer Instinct is an engrossing and thought-provoking thriller that probes the boundaries of nature versus nurture, delivering a compelling and unforgettable ride.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

*The Killer Instinct* is a gripping psychological thriller and the third book in the Detective Margot Phalen series. It follows Margot, a tough yet vulnerable detective grappling with the trauma of being the daughter of a notorious serial killer, Ed. Despite changing her identity and starting fresh, her father’s reach persists, forcing her to meet with him in prison as part of her FBI work to help victims' families.

The story alternates between Margot’s current cases in San Francisco and flashbacks to Ed’s abusive childhood, revealing the roots of his sinister nature. Margot’s guarded personality, her rare connection with her partner, and her struggles to overcome her past make her a compelling character.

Packed with action, suspense, and unexpected twists, the book works as a standalone but also sets up future installments. A must-read for fans of psychological thrillers.

The Killer Instinct is book 3 in the series. I highly recommend this book and series especially if you enjoy crime thrillers. I have read the other books as well and they're all fantastic! I couldn't put this book down!! I can't wait to read more!

AHHH!! I absolutely devoured this book! I managed to read it in one sitting as I just couldn’t put it down, what a terrific author and book, I need the next book right now!

Kate Wiley’s The Killer Instinct is a masterful exploration of human psychology wrapped in the tense, edge-of-your-seat storytelling of a stellar thriller. Wiley crafts a narrative that delves into the darker corners of the mind, examining the fine line between instinct and morality, and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets.
Wiley’s pacing is impeccable, with each chapter ending on a note that leaves readers hungry for more. The plot twists are sharp and unpredictable, yet carefully foreshadowed, ensuring they feel earned rather than contrived. Her prose is both sharp and evocative, creating vivid imagery and a mood of simmering unease.
The theme of "killer instinct" is woven brilliantly throughout, challenging readers to question their own capacity for self-preservation and morality under extreme circumstances. The novel’s exploration of these primal urges adds depth to the suspense, elevating it beyond a conventional thriller.
While the book is nearly flawless, some readers might wish for a more expansive backstory for certain secondary characters. Nonetheless, the intensity and intrigue of the narrative more than compensate for these minor shortcomings.
The Killer Instinct is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and anyone who enjoys a story that is as thought-provoking as it is gripping. Kate Wiley has proven herself to be a remarkable storyteller, delivering a novel that is both thrilling and unforgettable.

Huge thank you to Storm Publishing, Kate Wiley, and NetGalley for this advanced copy.

This is the third book in one of my favourite series featuring Detective Margot Phelan. It reads well as a stand-alone but I would definitely recommend reading the previous two books first. Margot is still struggling to deal with her father who is a convicted serial killer. He keeps wanting her to visit him as there are victims still out there that have not yet been found and he will only give Margot the information. She complies with his request as she feels she owes it to the victims and their families. Margot and Wes (her partner) are also investigating the discovery of bodies that seem like copycat murders of her father. They realise that they must have another serial killer on the loose as Ed Finch, her father, is still in prison. The book was divided into two timelines with insights into Ed’s childhood and past. This was another amazing book that had me totally captivated. I cannot wait for book number four.
Thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Just finished reading this book, and damn. I LOVE IT.

Firstly, I'd like to thank Netgalley and Storm Publishers for providing me the ARC of this book. And I am expressing gratefulness because MANY publishers have rejected me, and while I understand why they did it, little old me still felt hurt every time I saw the 'rejected' response to my requests. I have never even THOUGHT of letting someone know I want to be friends with them unless I'm 100% sure they won't reject me...

Now, moving on to the book! The cover was pretty, the title and description really inviting, so I dived in. I also needed to read a book whose title starts with the letter 'K' (articles don't count) for my reading challenge. So I started reading it. And oh God, I need a LOT of people (who're into the genre, of course!) to give it a try! This isn't exactly a "suspense" thriller, but it's the kind of thriller that keeps you asking the "how's" and "why's" instead of the "who". And I, for one, really welcomed the change, because it's something I haven't found much in thrillers before.

In the simplest words, the book has the POV of a detective trying to free herself from the haunting shadow of her past and her serial killer father (warning: his POV can have some really disturbing scenes, so please check the trigger warnings if needed!). There were times when I got the chills while reading this. I don't know how much more I can say without giving a spoiler, but I really think you should try it if you like thrillers with a focus on the characters! I myself want to read the entire series, but I'm not rich enough to buy it, and I wouldn't want a pirated copy of an indie author's book! That would be REALLY UNETHICAL. So, I'll just hope to get more ARCs of this series in the future!

Another fast read and great addition to the Phalen series. I look forward to seeing what happens next.

Thank you #netgalley and #stormpublishing for the eARC.

What a great addition to this series! Margot is such an interesting character to me. She could have a whole team of psychiatrists studying her life, the poor thing. Even though we didn’t get to see as much of Ed as I had hoped, I still feel like we got more from him than we did in the previous two books. Of course, that could be because of what he did during his one and the ending. At first glance, everything in the book seems to be completely unrelated, but oh man! Of course, I knew it had to happen eventually. But still, it was chilling! What a piece of work! The question is, what happens from here? Margot is just starting to think about life outside of Ed Finch, and then he turns everything upside down - again. This left a beautiful setup for the next book in the series. But it also makes me wonder if Margot is going to shut down again so she can avoid any meaningful relationships. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see!

Huge thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!