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.

Her father was one of the most prolific serial killers in American history. Now Detective Margot Phalen must face a chilling possibility: what if it runs in the family?! Great book and series! I highly recommend reading this one! It had great suspense, gruesome murders, mystery, intrigue, action, a great who done it and some wild twists and turns! The story was very interesting! I highly recommend reading this book and series! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Detective Margot Phalen has a serial killer father that will only disclose his secrets to her personally....
Her brother arrives to stay with her, and she notices spots of blood on his shoes. Could he have picked up the serial killer gene as well?

I enjoy the Margot Phalen novels. She is damaged and unsuccessfully trying to escape her past.
She finds it difficult to form relationships, and has been so damaged by her father that she doesn't trust anyone.

The book is fast paced and very suspenseful. Somewhat gory, but all of the books in the series are.

Margot is neck deep into worries again. Ed, her father, is still playing games. Her brother is floundering, she’s got a horrific case to deal with. Then there is Wes. At times it’s a very intense read. I enjoyed following the clues. There’s a lot of tension. The end is shocking and sets us up for the conclusion of the series. It’s a tightly woven story that leaves us begging for more. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced free copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I received a copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

I feel like everything is coming full circle and I don’t know what to do about that because I don’t want it to end!!
This is the FOURTH book in Detective Margot Phalen series and OH MY GOD!!!!
This was action packed and man did I devour it!!!

Like the other books we see Detective Margot working with her partner Wes to solve a homicide while dealing with the taunts from her serial killer father which he uses to draw her in and keep the FBI on the hook.
But again like I mentioned earlier is seems like things are coming full circle and a lot of the mysteries (both her fathers crimes and one of her current cases) surrounding what’s happening is going to be revealed!

This series is one of the first thriller SERIES to just drew me in and keep me guessing and turning the page! Each book is like a Criminal Minds episode and leaves me wanting more!!
I’m obsessed with these books and characters!!

Giant thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for allowing me to ARC read this book!

Detective Margot Phelan has an unusual heritage…her father is an infamous serial killer. She has changed her name and tried to heal from learning at age 15 of her father’s crimes. In this story, the team is working on a serial killer who leaves his victims in the Redwoods, but they are called to a local crime where the victim has been deliberately burned and is still barely alive. Between tracking down the person who would commit such a horrendous crime, Margot must deal with her imprisoned father who keeps dangling more information to keep drawing her into his sphere. Margot fears that she may inherit her father’s horrific traits. Margot and her brother may finally be able to free themselves from their father’s influence on their lives.
This is a fascinating story and great characters. Once you start reading the story, you want to keep reading to find out what is coming next. I highly recommend this book.
Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

I just finished In the Blood by Kate Wiley, and I couldn’t put it down. This thriller really kept me on the edge of my seat. The story follows Juliet, a woman trying to escape her troubled past. When she starts a new life in a quiet town, things seem peaceful at first, but she quickly discovers that nothing is as it seems. A string of mysterious events and the dark secrets of the town’s inhabitants pull her into a complex web of danger and deception.

What I loved about this book was how the tension builds throughout. Wiley did an excellent job of creating an atmosphere of suspense, where every small detail felt significant. The twists were unpredictable, and just when I thought I had it figured out, another revelation kept me hooked.

Juliet was a fantastic protagonist. Her internal struggles and vulnerability made her so relatable, and her growth throughout the story felt realistic. The secondary characters were equally intriguing, and each one brought something different to the story, making it feel rich and layered.

In the Blood was a fast-paced, gripping read with a perfect balance of mystery, suspense, and emotional depth. If you enjoy a psychological thriller with well-developed characters and plenty of twists, I definitely recommend giving this one a try. Kate Wiley has definitely earned a spot on my list of authors to watch!

This talented author has written a cannot put down novel of suspense. Realistic characters kept the story moving quickly. Red herrings and secrets kept me guessing. Enjoy…thanks Netgalley

From the opening chapter to the end, I was utterly hooked. I love the way Kate Wiley balances a compelling mysteries along with the machinations of Ed Finch. What is his endgame? I'm dying to know.

What I really appreciate is the character development over the series. With all the complex trauma she has, Margot has grown in leaps and bounds from the first book. You really feel for her, there's no such thing as normality for her having been raised by a serial killer father. And YAY, we're treated to more of the very slow-burn will they/won't they with her delectable partner Wes Fox. He's steadfast, always has her back, and so in tune with her. Don't fuck this up, Margot! I am, extremely nosy to know what Wes was trying to say to her though. Oh the suspense.

I am utterly hooked on this series and think this is the best one yet. I need this book hooked up into *my* blood. Bring on the final installment.

Thanks to Storm and NetGalley for the ARC.