3.5

I am having a difficult time reviewing this book because it feels the exact same as Her Father's Secret (book #2 in the series). It revolves around Margot assisting the FBI with her serial killer father's case and the crimes that she is assigned to investigate with her partner Wes. Along with those 2 main storylines, this book continues the Muir Woods bodies case from the book before.

It doesn't seem like we got a lot of new information in the 2 continued storylines (Muir + Ed)--there were new bodies identified, more backstory with Ed, and not a ton else. It makes me wonder where these plot points are going to go. Ed's story doesn't seem like it will have an ending as he likely murdered dozens of women, so at the rate of identifying 1-2 per book this will take many more books to conclude. I thought the Muir Woods case could be concluded in this book, as Margot discovered more information through one of the bodies, but alas, no ending for it either.

I thought the case that was solved in this book was fairly interesting, Margot and Wes are certainly proficient detectives and were able to identify the killer quickly. The end revelation for this case was unusual and I thought that it was a unique ending for an otherwise straightforward case.

Overall, this felt so similar to book 2. If you loved Her Father's Secret and the rest of the Margot Phalen series, you would enjoy this book. If that isn't your cup of tea, I wouldn't recommend continuing the series with this one. It follows a similar format as the other book and 2/3 of the storylines are the exact same.

Thank you to NetGalley + Storm Publishing for this ARC

Detective Margot Phalen, daughter of notorious serial killer Ed Finch is back!

Margot and team have numerous bodies appear in the woods nearby, and oddly, the mo seems similar to her father's. But how can that be when he is locked up for life in San Quentin? I particularly love this series as it takes us through areas local to me from years past. Thoroughly enjoyable, and as always, I was unable to put this book down!


Thanks to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Kate Wiley for the eARC.

This book has it all crie fiction with serial killers. Well written chacters and a story that draws you in from the start. I will defanitly be going back to read the first two books of the series. I didn't relize it was a series but the story held its own as a stand alone too.

Thank you netgalley and Storm Publishing for this arc.

We are back with Detective Pahlen for the 3rd installment. This time the murder hits a little too close to home with immediate connections to her serial killer father, Ed.

It was interesting to get a childhood POV from Ed in this book, but also slightly terrifying given what he did at such a young age.

Margot and Wes as usual get the bad guy and are even closer to cracking the Muir woods cases.

I have to admit I didn't see that twist coming. The ending leaves me wanting more. I can't wait to see what is in store for Margot now with that twist at the end!

A well written and engaging, psychological thriller. When murders occur, are they linked to a jailed killer, Ed Finch or is there another serial killer on the loose? Margot heads the case, while her father Ed, manipulates her and others from his prison cell. A great ending with unexpected revelations. I received an ARC copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I just love this series so was especially excited to read The Killer Instinct where we meet again detective Margot and her imprisoned serial killer father, Ed. The characters just get more layered and we become more invested in Margot, who is realistically portrayed, neurosis and all. In this book Margot is investigating a brutal murder of an elderly Chinese lady in Chinatown but at the same time helping the special task force within the FBI to uncover more of Ed’s victims. This is another cracking read from Kate Wiley and I can’t wait to read what she writes next.

This is the 3rd awesome book in the Detective Margot Phelan series. With the past/present timeline, we learn more about Ed and his childhood in this story. The chemistry between Margot and Wes heats up. The past few chapters were explosive!
Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. OMG! This book is a fast paced, action packed thriller which doesn't let up. The 3rd book in the series about DI Margot Phalen, that has a cliffhanger ending. I can't wait to read more.
Kate Wiley has a very good writing style. Her characters are developed and feel real, sometimes threatening. The scenes and depth of research she must do into police practices, crime scenes, post mortem, and the psychological make up of those who commit crime, feels second to none.

The Killer Instinct is book 3 in the Detective Margot Phalen series. Margot is a detective who works on investigating homicides. Her and her partner are tasked with investigating a series of bodies that pop up in the Muir Woods and then a body that turns up near where Margot lives in Chinatown. While balancing the investigations of the crimes, evidence presents itself that links to Margot’s father’s crimes as a serial killer. She must force herself to not only confront her father to assist in the investigations as well as the details from her past that she’d rather keep buried. I loved the complexity of the characters in this book. The author is very talented at building upon the story in a believable way all the while keeping the reader on the edge of their seat. The ending of the book paves the way for future books without leaving the reader frustrated. lewp This author was new to me, as was this series, but I definitely plan to go back and read the first two books and look forward to upcoming works by this author.

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for allowing me to read and review this arc.

This book grips from the first page - which doesnt happen for me very often.

A crime thriller that feels realistic - who'd have thought it?

The book is very fast paced from page one and it leaves you to want to read 'just one more chapter.'

Can be read as a stand alone - but it will make you want to read the others!

Ive never read a book by this author before, but I would consider reading more!

This fast paced thriller kept me engaged the whole time! Twists and turns in every chapter. 5 stars!!!!

The is the third book in the Detective Margot Phalen series. The story continues through the books, so I would definitely suggest reading the first two books before this one.

Margot and her partner Wes are investigating the grisly murder of an elderly lady, a murder with apparent links to those of Margot's serial killer father Ed. Can Margot and Wes discover exactly how the murder is linked to imprisoned Ed before more bodies are discovered?

I like the thread of ongoing investigations throughout all three books so far, with a fourth in the offing - the last few lines of this book are chilling, I can't wait for the next! Ed is a great character, reading Margot so well. I also like the blossoming relationship between Margot and Wes.

This was an intriguing, engaging, suspenseful mystery. There's some "making of a serial killer" type flashback chapters, stuff that's been stereotypically found in studied real-life killers but it adds to the background. I enjoyed the partnership and friendship between Margot and Wes. Some of the minor characters we don't know a lot about. Not sure if any of that's been explored before- I haven't read the first two books, though now I'm wanting to because I enjoyed this. I had a couple questions, minor things that may or may not have been mentioned previously, but nothing major or that took away from the plot at all. If I really want to get particular I did notice a couple times I felt there was a bit of a leap to the next step or clue, advancing the story without knowing how they reached that point. But again, nothing that distracting. Ends with some unsolved cases and cliffhanger that make me curious to read the next book as well as go back for the previous.

This is such a good book! The characters were well written with depth, the crime who done it, along with serial killers was such a great mix. This is my first Kate Wiley book and it definitely won't be my last. I didn't read the first two books but I 100% have to have them now. I need more Wes & Margot!! I felt the character development was fantastic, along with the current crimes and past crimes and I loved how the book went back in time to the serial killers early days, it really brought it all together. I couldn't put it down and found myself thinking about it when I wasn't reading it. I'll definitely be getting the first two of this series and eagerly awaiting the fourth book. Honestly, with how well this book is put together I could really see it being made into a TV series!!

Part of a series, Margot, the detective has baggage and is a private person, despite being the daughter of a serial killer. This book felt familiar, though I'm not sure I have read either of the others in the series. It was fine as a stand alone . It is set in San Francisco and is told from 2 perspectives, by Margot and her father Ed. The investigations are interesting, though there are multiple crimes and Margot works with different collegues so that takes a little concentration . The crimes are bloody, but not particularly graphic . The main angle here is psychological , regarding Margot's relationship with her father and others and dealing with her past. If I was nitpicking I would have liked a little more description about why someone's behaviour felt off but I enjoyed this book .
Thanks to Net Galley for the ARC

The Killer instinct by Kate Wiley is the third book in the Detective Margot Phalen series, but it can easily be read as a standalone.
When bodies turn up in Muir Woods California and another in Chinatown there is similarities to Ed Finch’s MO. But it can be him as he has been incarcerated in prison for many years. Margot knows all about the killer as he is her father. Evidence shows that there is similarities between the bodies in the woods and in Chinatown Margot has her hands full as she knows that means this person is a serial killer.
I was really excited to get a copy of this as I read the previous book in the series which I really enjoyed it. I did find the premise of this story interesting, but I found this to be really slow and really over descriptive that I struggled to connect with it until maybe the last third of the book. Three stars from me.

Well, this is a ‘read with the lights on and the blinds pulled’ book, without question. Detectives Finch and Phalen will have their hands full
and their nerves tested with continuing work on their cold case load. There are also the new case(s) that are more than personal to Det.
Phalen. This is a superbly well constructed Law Enforcement investigative procedural run for your money that kept me glued for the entirety.
While this is part of a series, I am new to the books and while I know I missed out on the background, I thoroughly enjoyed the book.
I’d suggest starting with the first book since the series is still in its infancy.
I was glued to my chair trying desperately to look around corners to learn where we were headed since my guesswork was shabby!
I was stunned [no spoilers] as we approached the conclusion of the story. This is a great way to enjoy a book! Also, the backdrop of
gorgeous Marin County, the Woods and the San Quentin Prison (which is in the Bay) makes the book more enjoyable as I’ve been to
all three places.
My thanks to Storm Publishing via NetGalley for the download of this book for review purposes.

Five out of five stars , ever since I've started the Detective Margot Phalen series I've been hooked , because it's the right mixture of suspense, and with each tour of the page the tension keeps building up ,to the point where you literally setting on the edge of your set .

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Kate Wiley’s The Killer Instinct is the third installment in the Detective Margot Phalen series, and it does not disappoint. This crime thriller is a masterclass in suspense, blending psychological depth with relentless pacing to create a story that is truly unputdownable.

The novel follows Detective Margot Phalen as she confronts a series of chilling murders in Muir Woods, California, and Chinatown. The eerie similarities between these new crimes and those committed by her infamous father, Ed Finch, who is currently behind bars, send shivers down her spine. 

Wiley expertly explores themes of inherited evil, the psychological scars of familial ties, and the thin line between hunter and hunted. The narrative is a gripping exploration of how the past can haunt the present, and how one’s lineage can shape their destiny.

Margot Phalen is a complex and compelling protagonist. Her intimate knowledge of a serial killer’s mind, thanks to her father, adds a unique layer to her character. Wiley does an excellent job of portraying Margot’s internal struggles and her determination to outwit a killer who seems to know her better than she knows herself.

Wiley’s writing is sharp and evocative, with a pace that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The descriptive passages bring the settings to life, from the tranquil yet ominous Muir Woods to the bustling streets of Chinatown. The dialogue is crisp and realistic, enhancing the tension and driving the plot forward.

While The Killer Instinct is a thrilling read, some readers might find the constant tension and dark themes a bit overwhelming. The novel’s intensity is both its strength and its potential drawback, depending on the reader’s preference for psychological thrillers. However, for fans of the genre, this book delivers on all fronts.

The Killer Instinct is a standout entry in the Detective Margot Phalen series, showcasing Kate Wiley’s talent for crafting intricate plots and deeply flawed, yet relatable characters. This novel is a must-read for fans of crime thrillers and psychological suspense.

Highly recommended for readers who enjoy intense psychological thrillers, complex characters, and stories that delve into the dark recesses of the human mind. Fans of Karin Slaughter, Michael Connelly, and Tana French will find much to love in this gripping novel.

This series just keeps getting better, Detective Margot Phalen & her partner Wes are great characters and I like the way there is a continuity between each book but Kate Wiley doesn’t keep referring back to the previous stories she just keeps building up the tension and serial killer dad Ed is still playing his games and the ending was brilliant, I can’t wait for the next chapter.