I am loving this series and this one is no exception, in this one Margot finds herself pushed into visiting her serial killer father Ed Finch again, something that she said she would never do again but when he dangles clues she must get the answers and then her young brother turns up on her doorstep asking her to do a documentary with him about their father, not to mention the murders from the park that she is still working on and then another horrific attack on a woman, this one will keep you turning the pages.

Margot is struggling big time in this one and there seems to be more and more happening, her partner Wes Fox is a rock someone that she knows she can lean on, could there be more to the relationship other than a work one, Margot is way too busy to find out at the moment, the tension mounts and Margot never stops uncovering clues to solve the cases, and of course meeting her father is very hard, where will it all end?

I loved this one and I do highly recommend it and the series, Margot is a fabulous character, there is so much, it is filled with suspense and so many emotions, Wes is the best partner for Margot and the next one will be the last, and I can’t wait to read it, I can’t wait to see how everything turns out. A fabulous story.

My thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for my copy to read and review.

Detective Margot Phalen is back with a bang. Matgot and Will come across a young woman burning alive, she's alive but can she reveal her attackers identity. Plenty of twists along the way especially when her killer father whats to tell her more about his murders and her drunk brother turns up. A lot going on for Margot can she solve the case. Highly addictive read can't wait for the next book. Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for this review copy.

In The Blood is book 4 in the Detective Margot Phalen series by Kate Wiley. This is a fantastic series that I am reading for the first time. I jumped in at book 4 and found my way as Kate Wiley does a great job of filling the reader in on what has happened in previous books. I will definitely be reading this series from now on as it's one of the best out there! Margot is the daughter of one of the most notorious serial killers, Ed Finch. He is currently in prison and will be for the rest of his life. Margot has changed her name and appearance to get as far away from that life as possible. There are some things you just can't change though. Margot struggles with letting people get close to her, both emotionally and physically. She has her father's teachings ingrained in her. and finds herself always taking a different route, to stay unpredictable in your day to day activities, to always check the backseat before getting in your car, etc. Margot avoids social situations like dinner out, movies, concerts, etc. Luckily, Margot has her work and she's very good at it.

Margot's brother, Justin, drops in to try to convince her to take part in a documentary about her father. Justin wants to do it because he'll get paid nicely and if he can convince Margot to take part, he'll get even more. The case that Margot is working on involves a serial killer and some things remind her of her Dad's ways. Could he be involved in some way? Did he have a partner who was never caught? Why did Margot see blood on her brother's shoes the same day that a body was discovered in a dumpster close to her apartment? Could Justin be more like their father than she knows? The FBI wants Margot's help as they want her to visit Ed and get information from him about a partner. Margot doesn't want to visit her father, but knows that she must get that information to solve the case. Will Ed cooperate with Margot? Will he tell her something about Justin that she doesn't want to hear?

In The Blood is a fantastic thriller that keeps the suspense building until you just can't put the book down. There are a few series that I look forward to reading with each new book and this series will be added to that list. The ending will leave you wanting more and book 5 is going to be awesome! In The Blood is out now and should not be missed if you love a good thriller. I rate In The Blood 5 stars with my highest recommendation. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of In The Blood in exchange for a fair review. #InTheBlood

In the Blood can be read as a standalone, but I highly recommend starting with the earlier books to fully appreciate the depth of the story—especially since many previous plot points are referenced throughout.

In this installment, Margot juggles multiple investigations, including the lingering Redwood Killer case, her strained (or nearly nonexistent) relationship with Wes, and Ed’s continuing storyline. The book starts off strong and immediately pulled me in. However, the pacing slows midway as Margot grapples with anxiety related to her father, which made me question how effectively she can carry out her demanding role as a detective.

That said, once the plot picks back up, it really takes off—I was so immersed that I reached the final page without even realizing it. The author mentions the next book will be the conclusion, and I’m eagerly hoping it ties up all the loose ends left.

Don't start reading this book if you have something important to do because you won't be able to put it down, it could be read as a standalone but I seriously urge reading the series in sequence, you won't be disappointed. Kate Wiley writes such wonderful, fascinatingly complex characters, characters like Margot Phelan.
Detective Margot Phelan is the daughter who helped put her notorious serial killer father, Ed Finch, behind bars but the brutal psychopath still had a hold over Margot, who, despite changing her name, her appearance and building barriers, she couldn't seem to shake him off.
The one constant in her life was her partner, Det. Wes Fox, he was there for her every step of the way despite the high barriers that she had put up.
Margo never wanted to see her father again, her therapist was doing a good job but there was only so much that she could do.
When it came to the FBIs attention that Ed had been working with a partner, a partner who was still at large and the only person that he would speak to was Margo, Margo knew that he was playing her but she also knew that she had to do it, she just hoped that Wes was there to pick up the pieces.
This story flows beautifully between the present drama and time past when Ed was with Margot's younger brother, Justin, the brother that her father disliked.
Margo always felt responsible for Justin, life hadn't been good to him but Margot's life was about to take a downward spiral again when she began to suspect that Justin was more like her father than she thought. Throw in a indescribably brutal murder of a young woman, a video with jaw dropping revelations and you have a suspense filled action packed thriller that will leave you screaming for the, sadly, final book in the series.
Thank you Storm publishing and Net Gallery foy this ARC, me review is totally voluntary.

In The Blood, book four in the Detective Margot Phalen series, is a dark, emotionally charged, riveting thriller. Margot, a hardworking homicide detective along with her partner Wes Fox are still investigating a serial killer, one that is quite elusive. Serial killers are something she is familiar with as her father is incarcerated for exactly that crime. Meanwhile, her brother’s arrival adds to her turmoil in her already tense life. This story is an adrenaline pumping action thriller. It gripped me from the first page and didn’t let up. The suspense had me holding my breath, and the twist at the end, WOW! I look forward to reading the next book in this fantastic series. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Book Four of the Detective Margot Phalen series: Margot and her partner, Wes, are called to a car fire where a woman—soaked in gasoline—staggers out of the brush. She has no ID, and her injuries are so severe she may never be able to tell them who she is.

As that investigation unfolds, the FBI asks Margot to return and speak with her notorious serial killer father, who delivers yet another chilling revelation. Meanwhile, her brother begins pressuring her to take part in a true-crime documentary about their family.

Then, just as a body turns up in a dumpster near her apartment, Margot notices fresh blood on her brother’s shoes. She’s left to wonder: is her paranoia getting the better of her, or has her father’s legacy come full circle?

If you enjoy whip-smart mysteries with intricate plots and complex, tough-as-nails characters, this book is for you.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and author Kate Wiley for the opportunity to review the advance copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I must say that I am hooked on this series - even though I started reading with book 3. There is such a complicated relationship between Margot Phalen and her father and brother. And the result of that bleeds over into her relationships (or lack thereof) with others. I love how her work partner, Wes, is so patient with her and meets her where she's at in the moment.

There were certainly some surprising twists as this story progressed. So much happened that now I feel like I need to take a deep breath and prepare for what might happen in the next book. I can't wait to see if the relationship between her and Wes will develop into something more outside of work.

4.5 stars

In The Blood Kate Wiley is the fourth in the Detective Margot Phalen series.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Storm Publishing for sending me a widget, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

  

Series Background: (Warning – Contains spoilers from previous books)
Detective Margot Phalen is a homicide detective with the San Francisco Police Department.  She was born Megan Finch, but her father is the notorious serial killer Ed Finch, and she wants no part of his name. Only three people on the force know her identity -- her Captain (Gordon Tate), her partner (Wes Fox), and another detective, Leon Telly.   Margot's anxiety sometimes rears its ugly head.  Over twenty years have passed, but Margot is still trying to forget the fact that her father is a serial killer.   Margot also has a brother (now called David), who has not faired well either.  Recently, her father was transferred from New York to San Quentin, and will provide Margot with information on more of his victims -- if she visits him.  She is working with FBI Special Agent Andrew Rhodes to deal with Ed.

 

My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
They are still on the hunt of the Redwood Killer, and another body has turned up that may be his work, but it's a little different.

When Wes and Margot attend the scene of a burning vehicle, a woman staggers out of the nearby bush.  It is quickly evident that she has been doused in gasoline.  Even identifying this poor woman will be an issue, and she may not live long enough to tell them.  But as they learn more about her, they discover that they may be dealing with people who feel they are above the law.

Then, on a visit to the prison to see her father, he reveals that he had an accomplice.

Meanwhile, Margot's brother comes to visit, and she finds herself wondering if either of them has escaped their father's pull.  Is killing in their blood?




My Opinions:
First, discovering that there is only one more book in this series is both a relief and a disappointment.  Relief because I am reading some series that seem never-ending, and it's hard to stop.  Disappointment, because this is one of the good ones.

Margot is a wonderful character.  She is a woman who has grown up in a horrendous situation, and became a strong, woman because of it.  Yes, her anxiety issues are a problem, but she has learned to deal with them.  She has a problem with intimacy, but is learning to deal with that too.  She continues to be in therapy -- good for her!   I even love and appreciate her relationship with Wes.

The plot was really interesting, as it looks like things are being tied together.  I liked the chapters about Margot's brother and his relationship with their father.

These books are very well paced, fast and entertaining.

Anyway, I am looking forward to the next book, maybe more so because it's the last.

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this awesome book

he taught her how to look after herself
to see danger at every corner
to vary her routes home
how to not be vulnerable to attack

but he didnt teach her how to live with the knowledge that he was a psychopath and was now locked away in maximum prison for the rest of his life

margot was now a homicide detective, she had changed her name and became a hunter of murderers... but she also helped the FBI when it came to her father and would try to get information out of him about the murders that happened around the time of his killing spree but he never acknowledged them

margot was also busy with her own job and had numerous cases on the go at any one time... but it was the call to a burnt out car wreck that would haunt her for years to come.... they werent even sure if there was a body in the car as the heat from the fire was keeping everyone back but they were hoping for some hints to who was driving or whose car it was... they just didnt expect what would happen at the scene....

omg this book kept me reading till all hours but its the bigger story line being built for the next book and i for one cant wait, this has been a brillinat series to get into and i have to say i have a soft spot for margot and what she is going through... i have high hopes for her...

In The Blood is the fourth book in this gripping Detective Margot Phalen Series. by Kate Wiley this series has me hooked. While I do read thrillers, I must find the detective or main character to be relatable, Margot is that and more. Just when she thinks she know the worst, there is more for her serial killer father to share. To give anything new, she must visit him in prison. It’s like he holds her hostage figuratively speaking. As I am cringing while reading those scenes, my heart still goes out to Margot. Now he tells of having a partner in his crimes. Is it her brother? Somehow it seems that Margot feels it is her duty to stop other killers but fears what she will discover.

What a story. An addictive series that must be read to fully appreciate all that happens. I am glad to have read the entire series but still think that one could enjoy this story on its own. If you love thrillers where the heroine is struggling with her family’s history while also trying to do what is right than this is the series for you.

Margot and Wes are working on the Redwood Serial Killer Case, which has stalled as there are no leads, when they are requested to go to a park where a car is burning. For everyone's amazement, a very burnt woman, comes out of the woods in the park asking for help - was she in the car? Was she the driver? What happened to her? Whilst they are looking for answers Margot is requested by the FBI to return to speak to her father, the serial killer, as he has let them know he had someone helping him with the killings. As if things could not get worse, Margot's brother (whose phone calls she had been avoiding) turns up on her doorstep. Everything starts to happen fast, eventually her father says the name of the man who helped him, her brother leaves town, she decides to talk to the TV producers who will be making a series about her father's crimes, although she is not able to recognize or to admit she is having feelings again and might be "normal" in the near future. In the Blood is fast-paced, well-written, and one of those books that get you hooked from the beginning. Looking forward to reading the next book in series! Highly recommended!
I thank the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

Margot Phalen! Dear old serial killer Dad, drunk Brother, a walking corpse and new leads on a cold case. Margot Phalen is one of my favorite female protagonist. We catch up with Margot and Was being calldd to the scene of a homicide, but they are met with a female burnt beyond recognition that walks out of the small patch of trees. She is alive but can barely speak. Her Dad has offered additional information regarding his murders. Margot's brother shows up at her apartment. Full of twists and turns, Wiley never fails to deliver. Very fast paced and quite enjoyable.

Thank you to Storm Publishing for the ARC.

The Redwood killer is still at large, and Detectives Phalen and Fox have been pulled into a brand new case after a woman has been lit on fire - and somehow survived. Desperate to figure out who she is, who did this to her, and how this may tie into her other cases, Phalen crosses paths with an unforgiving crime family, and is pulled back yet again into the grips of her serial killer father.

*****

This is the fourth of five books in the Detective Phalen series. You could read this as a stand-alone, but it definitely is better if you've read the previous books as you miss a lot of history and context without it.

As someone who's come into the series with fresh eyes, I loved how we see how the layers of Margot's past continue to shape who she is today. Her caution, her hyper-vigilance, and her ability to bounce back from trauma after trauma in her life and work showcase how being raised by a prolific serial killer has truly shaped who she is. We also get to see how being her fathers favourite shaped how her younger brother grew up, and we get to experience it through the fathers eyes.

The dual POV between Margot in the present and her father Ed in the past, gave insight into the mind of a killer that was both intriguing and also absolutely chilling. Seeing their interactions in current day and how it pulls from who we know he is inside and who Margot sees him as added so much depth to an already interesting novel. Although the overall progress was slightly slower in this novel, so much happens at once, and sets us up for a massive finish in the fifth and final novel.

*****

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the digital ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

💫💫💫💫💫
Detective Margot Phalen and her partner Detective Wes Fox are in the middle of a case, the Redwood Killer. While also dealing with Margot's father, who is in jail, he is a serial killer. Margot is still trying to find out more about her father. This book smoothly switches between Margot and her father. We get to see what a serial killer thinks and what drives him to kill. Margot also has to deal with her brother coming into her life again and old feelings that have resurfaced. Overall, this book was really good, fast-paced, and enticing. First time reading Kate Wiley, and I am hooked. Will most definitely be reading the other books in this series.

Thank you, Netgalley and Storm Publishing, for this thrilling ARC!

A continuation of Margots amazing journey with a brilliant twist at the end that I had not anticipated. Four books read, looking forward to reading more soon. Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the chance to ARC this book.

I am really enjoying the ongoing series featuring Margot, a San Francisco detective who also is the daughter of America’s most prolific serial killer. This is the third book in this series and although it technically could be read alone, I think a reader would enjoy the story and characters more if they had read the previous two books. Margot is certainly a flawed individual but those flaws make her more interesting and more real. She is lured back to San Quentin prison for another encounter with her father who once again dangles tidbits of information as to his previously undiscovered tally of kills, this time mentioning an accomplice for some of them. Margot is drawn back in but has to also deal with her ongoing cases: The Redwood Killer of women who all have a connection to an escort agency and the horrific burning of another woman. Are these connected? Will she get more from talking to her father? Why has her brother turned up unexpectedly? Some of these questions will be answered in this book but some will carry over to the next one. I’ve taken a star away from this book because I find the non resolution irritating. I think I would have preferred a longer book with resolutions rather than having to remember all the characters and details for the interim time between publications.

I really enjoyed In the Blood by Kate Wiley—it’s a smart, layered police procedural with a strong emotional core. Detective Margot Phalen is one of the more compelling leads I’ve come across lately; she’s carrying the weight of discovering, as a teenager, that her own father was a serial killer.

That trauma isn't just a backstory gimmick—it genuinely shapes how she approaches the world, her work, and this particular case, which cleverly mirrors her past without feeling forced. The pacing is steady, more brooding than breakneck, which worked for me because it let the atmosphere and character work breathe.

I liked how Wiley didn’t rush to tie everything up or overexplain—there’s confidence in the writing, and it pays off. I’ll definitely be back for the next one.

Kate Wiley has done it again. Another great chapter for Margot Phalen and her partner Wes.

Fantastic read, absolutely no spoilers, just highly recommend.

Can't wait for the next installment!

My thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy in return for an honest review.

This family's secrets are next level. Being the daughter of one of the most prolific serial killers is hard for Detective Margot Phalen. She even changed her name and appearance to try and sever ties with her sadistic, narcissistic father, Ed Finch. She spends her days catching men like him, but the past still haunts her, and her father is asking for her once again.

The beginning scenes are gruesome when they are called to the scene of a vehicle fire. You can feel the tension knotting in your neck because you just know there is going to be something to tie all of this together. The author is working it all together and things are beginning to make sense in book 4 of this series, but the author is not quite finished.

I suggest that you do not start this book if you have anything else to do with your time, including work, sleep or chores. It is beyond creepy as the story goes back and forth between Ed's early years and the present. There were definitely some shocking twists, goosebumps and chills. There is still a killer on the loose, and law enforcement is baffled. There is so much going on in this book, and I am so ready for resolution. I need book #5 now.

You do not have to read the other three books, but I highly recommend it so that you can more fully understand the characters.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.