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.

This is one of my favorite series and this book blew me away. I love Margot. And Wes! The story is intense and my heart was racing several times. I was up way past bedtime, I couldn't put it down. My jaw dropped several times. I loved the ending and I cannot wait for the final book.

This is the fourth book of the Detective Meghan Phalen series and boy I simply couldn't put the book down.

Detective Margot Phalen is the daughter of America's most prolific serial killers Ed. Her father is incarcerated but someone is copying what her father had done many years ago. Meanwhile, Margot and her partner are set to investigate an arson case where a woman was almost burned to death and Margot and Wes must find the person responsible for the arson.

I couldn't follow up with most of the characters since I haven't read the first three books but it didn't really matter to me. I really liked the pacing--it was fast paced and unputdownable in my opinion. There are some twists and turns and I like how the author managed to put the reader on the edge. I really enjoyed reading this book and couldn't wait for the fifth book to come soon.

Many thanks to Netgalley and Storm publishing for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.

I cannot get enough of this series!! This is book four & I am just as invested as I was at the end of book 1.
While we are still stuck with no answers from the "Redwood Killer" cases discussed in book 3, it pops up again, possibly being related to the case in this book. Margot & Wes are called to the scene of a burning car, but no body in sight... until a woman burned so badly starts to emerge from the woods. Not only is Margot always drowning in work but her personal life takes a tool on her again when she is requested to go back to visit Ed Finch, her serial killer father. And on top of that her brother, Justin re-enteres her life begging her to do a docu-series. Margot is dead set on not doing it, not wanting to rehash all the memories or waste another breath on the "legacy" that is Ed Finch. While trying to balance her personal and work life, Margot is still balancing her feelings for her partner Wes. While I did love the chemistry between them more in book 3, it lacked her for me but I am excited to see where it could go.
It will be hard to say goodbye to these characters in the next book, the final book of this series. Kate Wiley does an amazing job drawing her readers in. I never want the series to end because of it but I am excited to see how Margots story wraps up.
I want to share some of my favorite quotes;
- "The horrors persist, but so do I."
- "This would not be the first time a witness assumed something was a mannequin." I listen to a lot of Crime junkies podcast and this is a life rule of theirs, IT'S NEVER A MANNEQUIN!!
- "The thing about trauma was, it didn't leave just because you gave it time."
All my true crime-loving people need to grab this book when it's released May 14th!
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Thank you, NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I didn't expect to rate this way, as I was loving this book, but felt like it abruptly ended without any real answers to this books case, which is a shame.
I have a feeling the final book is going to (hopefully) jam packed from cover to cover and I can't wait to get my hands on it.
I did love that Margot is finally finding herself.

I love this author and I love the concept of the daughter of a serial killer. The perspective is so unique. This one was no exception and I enjoyed the side of her father and the way he saw his son and daughter. It brings a real depth and reality to this series. I read this in one sitting it was so good. The creepy serial killer psyche gives me chills

Wow!!!! This one was so good! I was hooked from the start! This is the fourth book in the series so if you read them, start with book one!

That ending and the twist…my mouth dropped open! I cannot wait for book five to come out!! I need it NOW!!

4⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of In The Blood.

Detective Margot Phalen and her partner Wes are called to a crime scene to investigate a potential murder. The victim is holding on for dear life and they are trying to get as much information from her as possible. Margot returns home to find her brother drunk at her apartment complex. He wants her to participate in a series about their serial killer father. She wants no part of it because the visits she has with him in prison are difficult enough but she dies them to find his other victims. He reveals that he had a partner for a few of his kills and she does not know if that is true or if he is just trying to keep her coming back.

This is the fourth book in this series and I have enjoyed every book! I love the characters and the storyline. I cannot wait to see what happens in the fifth and final book!

When you are the daughter of a serial killer, nothing is going to be simple. As Margot attempts to deal the the crazy going on around her, and try to deal with her father, she is frazzled.

This case was just as good as the others, and I had a really hard time putting this book down. I am loving the developing relationship between Margot and Wes. I cannot wait to read more in this series.

I highly recommend this one, and of course, the entire series. Hopefully there is another installment coming soon!

In the Blood is a fast paced, gripping thriller that pulls you in and does not let go. It's dark, and it's twisty, and it's oh so enjoyable. The majority of the characters are likeable, but there are the obligatory loathsome ones too. This is an action packed thriller you don’t want to put down. I love the characters, this is very well written and I can’t wait to find out how the conclusion will be. This really was a great read and I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm publishing for the ARC of In The Blood by Kate Wiley in return for my honest review.
This is the forth book in the Detective Margot Phalen series although you could read this as a standalone I would recommend reading from the beginning as each book is a continuation of the last you certainly won’t be disappointed this is such a great series, really well written storylines and brilliant characters. I can’t wait for the next and final book to see how it concludes.

an interesting story and book of Detective Margot Phalen and Wes a serious crime happens a girl gets set on fire and detectives are trying to piece together the evidence
it has suspense and drama

In The Blood
by Kate Wiley
Pub Date: May 14 2025

In the Blood is the fourth installment in Kate Wiley’s Detective Margot Phalen series. Each book features the brutal cases in Margot's work as a homicide detective -- along with the revelations shared by her serial killer father. It's a dark thriller, unsettling and gripping, I simply could not put it down and am anxiously awaiting the next book in the series!

Synopsis: Her father was one of the most prolific serial killers in American history. Now Detective Margot Phalen must face a chilling what if it runs in the family? As the daughter of notorious serial killer Ed Finch, Margot has spent decades escaping her past—changing her name, her appearance, and building walls no one can breach, except her partner, Detective Wes Fox, whose growing closeness threatens the isolation she depends on.

Many thanks to #InTheBlood #NetGalley and #StormPublishing for providing an E-ARC of this book!

I really enjoy this series featuring Detective Margot Phalen, they make for compulsive reading. The book switches between Margot's father in the past and present day. I love the characterisation and the California setting, the plotting follows on from the previous books, which I recommend. It's gritty, suspenseful and a brilliant read which I am sure readers will enjoy. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

Margot remains a great character and her growing relationship with Wes as well as her hate-hate relationship with Ed continue apace through this latest installment! CAn't wait for the concluding book of the series!

In The Blood

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“ As the daughter of notorious serial killer Ed Finch, Margot has spent decades escaping her past—changing her name, her appearance, and building walls no one can breach, except her partner, Detective Wes Fox, whose growing closeness threatens the isolation she depends on.”

I have never read any books in this series but I have added the others to my TBR. I really enjoyed how the characters were written and the depth Margot’s thoughts are written. The mystery was a very good one and I can’t wait to see it all wrapped up in the next book. I took one star for the book feeling a bit draggy like it was drawn out a little but overall I would recommend this book and can’t wait for the next one!