📚 E-ARC BOOK REVIEW 📚

In The Blood By Kate Wiley
Publication Date: May 14, 2025
Publisher: Storm Publishing

📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
(Rounded Up To 5⭐)

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this #gifted e-arc in exchange for my honest review!

📚MY REVIEW:

When I was approved to read In The Blood, the upcoming fourth book in the Detective Margot Phelan series by Kate Wiley, my heart did a little flip-flop with excitement. I'm a MASSIVE fan of this series and I can tell you that this fourth installment is just as gripping and suspenseful - if not moreso - as the first three books.

If you're not yet familiar with the series, I'll give you a brief summary: Detective Margot Phelan works in the homicide division of the San Francisco Police Department and she continues to be assigned to cases in which the victims appear to be the work of a serial killer, dinner the Redwoods Killer by the media. Phelan is also the estranged daughter of Ed Finch, one of the most prolific and notorious serial killers in modern history. Ed has decided to reveal more details about his killings and his victims to the FBI -- but he'll only speak to Phelan and only if she comes to the prison in which he's housed.

Each book features the brutal cases in Margot's work as a homicide detective -- along with the revelations shared by her serial killer father. Even though we're four books into this series, nothing Wiley writes in this series feels repetitive or redundant. The story always feels new and the tension continues with each layer of the mystery uncovered -- both in her current police work and with her father's horrific history.

When I was 88% of the way into the book, I felt a jolt of excitement as I realized there was no way this series could wrap up in this book's remaining pages ...Which meant another book was coming. And I now know Book #5 will be the final book in this series. I'll just be over here, waiting with bated breath.

If you haven't yet discovered this series, I cannot recommend it enough! If you're a fan of badass female MCs, police procedurals, and tense family drama that keeps on giving -- the Detective Margot Phelan series is one that you have to jump into as soon as you can. And with four bingeworthy books available (as of May 14th!!) -- you will be so happy that you did!

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Detective Margot Phalen is always anxious about her connection to a serial murderer -- her father, Ed Finch. She does her job motivated by her guilt over not seeing her dad for who he was even when she was a child. While she and her partner, Wes, investigate a new case, her troubled brother shows up in her apartment with a strange request. He would like for Margot to be a part of a show about their dad, but she is resistant to the idea. Meanwhile, Ed once again is offering to share more information about his murders if Margot visits the prison for a chat. Specifically, he has indicated that for a while he had a partner in his murderous past. Even though this will cost her personally, Margot agrees because she wants to find a murderer who is still living free, especially after she starts to worry if her brother is that murdering partner. Through all the extreme stress, Margot and Wes seem to be getting closer, and she is not sure how she feels about that possibility. I can't wait to see what happens next.

This is the Author's 4th book in this dark murder/mystery series and whilst it can be read as a standalone I
would recommend reading some of the previous books to set the characters and their relationships in place

Detective Margot Phalen has changed everything about herself ...... from her face to her name , to her job
and location .
Very few new her real identity , for who would want to be associated with her father , evil serial
killer , Ed Finch . He has discovered her new identity and is determined to use her , play
upon her emotions / paranoia , play upon her need for justice and perhaps redemption .
He has revealed that he had an accomplice but refuses to give further details , playing with her
emotions yet again.......... is it someone she knows ?
When her brother turns up trying to pressurize her into doing a podcast on her fathers crimes
she doesn't know what to think except NO ! NO ! - why now ?
Her mind is swirling with suspicions , are the drops of blood on her brother's shoes an indication
of his involvement in a recent murder .......... how can she suspect him ? Does the darkness her father
carry pass down the bloodline ???? even to herself ?
This is yet another fast paced murder mystery by the Author , full of twists and turns - a real page turner
from start to finish ..... I cannot wait for the next book

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Things are finally coming together in Book 4—and I can’t wait for Book 5!

I’ve been hooked on the Detective Margot Phalen series ever since I received the first book as my very first ARC from NetGalley. It’s been such a ride following Margot through every twist and turn—and this fourth installment delivered big time! I especially loved getting more Margot and Wes moments here; their dynamic added warmth and tension that really worked. I did miss Ed’s POV a bit, but the way everything is coming together makes me feel like it’s all building toward something big.

I’m beyond excited to see how it all wraps up in the final book!

Huge thanks to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Kate Wiley for the ARC—though I didn’t get the usual email update for this one, I’m so glad I didn’t miss it. Another gripping and satisfying read from the series!

Imagine growing up with your father being one of the worst serial killers in history. You spend you life trying to make name for yourself that includes no connection to your father. That is what Detective Margot Phalen did. However, the past cannot always stay buried. In The Blood is book 4 of Kate Wiley's Detective Margot Phalen series of books. While the book can be read as a stand alone, I highly recommend reading the previous 3 books. It will help with better understanding and the sets the backdrop of the main character's of this saga. What made her serial killer dad want to kill? Does Margot posses any of these character traits? Could she one day herself become a killer? The author does a great job with the smooth transitions between the father in the past and present day Margot's thoughts.

Full of twist and turns., if you want a series that you will not be able to stop once you start, this is for you.

Set to publish May 14, 2025, do not wait to get your copy! This is a must have for any thriller collection!

Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my eARC.

Thank you NetGalley! Another great addition to the Margot Phalen series. I’m currently obsessed with people whose family members are serial killers. Such a great premise. The back and forth between the main character and her father from the past really helped set up the story

I'm really enjoying this series, they are great thrillers, so I was very happy to see book 4 available! I really would suggest reading them in order, to fully understand the relationship between Margot and her father Ed, and to follow the continual crime story.

I liked how the author made a lot of suggestions in this book, confusing both her characters and the reader. The pace was fast, and the writing excellent as usual. I loved the ending - bring on book 5!

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. Book 4 in the series which has only got better. I was totally hooked from the beginning and this book doesn't disappoint. I read it in just 2 days! The story of Detective Margot Phalen and her father Ed Finch is horrible, but totally addictive. There is always enough mystery and questions to keep you guessing. The characters are particularly well written, both those that I hope are as good, clean cut as I believe, and those who are worryingly nasty. It is scary that these sorts of people exist in society. I can't wait for the final book. I imagine it will be just as thrilling and keep me on edge until the final page.

In the blood by Kate Wiley is Book 4 of the Detective Margot Phalen series, Margot is the daughter of an infamous serial killer she has a lot of issues and although she likes and wants her partner Wes she keeps him at arms length and is trying her best to put her past behind her but her father likes to keep trying to reel her back in by playing mind games with her and implying that there are more of his victims to find and this time he might of had an accomplice. I like the pace of these novels and the characters are intriguing and as always the story is left on a cliff hanger so you are left wanting to read more, I can’t wait to see how this series will end.

In the Blood by Kate Wiley is a dark and gripping thriller that totally pulls you in from the first page. It follows Margot Phalen, a homicide detective who's also the daughter of a serial killer, a fact she’s tried to keep buried. But when a TV show wants to make a documentary about Ed, she’s forced to either face the past she’s been running from or push everyone away.

Margot is a really compelling character tough but human, dealing with anxiety and the weight of her father’s legacy. The story blends crime, family drama, and psychological twists in a way that keeps things intense and emotional. I really have enjoyed the overall growth of the relationship with Fox. I’m definitely rooting for them, but we will see what happens! We are still learning more about the redwood killer and have a new story as we follow what happened to Angela. This book also has Ed hint that he had a partner with some of his crimes. It was very interesting to dig into that and we see a lot more of Margot’s brother. It was really interesting to see that dynamic and how the toll of being a serial killers child affected both of them in their own way.

If you’re into thrillers with strong characters and a dark, twisty plot, this series is definitely worth a read. I love how it goes back-and-forth between the past and the present. I can’t believe this series is coming to an end, but I’m glad there is one more book left!

Thank you, NetGallery, the author and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

What an incredible story - absolutely devoured it

I couldn’t put this book down, definitely a page turner
Every chapter is full of suspense. Just brilliant

This book can be made into a Netflix series - loved it

Kate Wiley can we have some more plz ?

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing

Although you can read this book as a stand-alone it is the fourth book in the Margot Phalen series. The red line in this series is her struggle to come to terms with the history of her serial killer father. Even though I missed the previous instalment and only noticed this when I was a couple of chapters into the book it was quite easy to follow what had happened in the meantime.
This book focussed on Margot's brother and his relation with his father as well as on Margot herself.
The main storyline of the book itself is about a woman who is found very badly burned in the vicinity of a burned out car. As it turns out she has been set on fire on purpose.
I love the way the characters are well rounded and the interaction between the main characters. Starting to like this series more and more and cannot wait to read the fifth and ultimate book. Will love to see all the plot threads come together.

Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy to preview.

i shall be so sad when this series ends. i think you could read this as a standalone but i dont think youd want to. this series is too good and the arcs too brilliant to pass up and not follow all the way through.
what i will say to Kate is that if she doesnt get our two detectives together i wont be ok. i will not be ok. please! there connection and care for eachother is one of my favorite things about these books. her writing of both light and shade, people and plot is part of how these books just hold your whole head and heart in their grips.
we are still following on including the serial killer father. except this time Margot's brother comes back into her life wanting her help. but there is something going on with him. and somehow she has a creeping dread that it could link to her father and this new case. alongside other case regarding a man in the woods and a burnt victim. these detective are busy and not in the nicest of ways. at the back of her mind Margot always his this past and her father diminishing her from seeing herself in any normal or worthy way. she is scared of people getting close and scared of feeling certain things.
these books you can not put down. they a gripping. and they are gripping in the best way because they are so emotionally grabbing too. i love this series and would love to own and put it on a shelf in pride of place. Kate is such a clever and skilled author. she really cant do no wrong with these books.

In The Blood (Detective Margot Phalen Series #4)

By: Kate Wiley

5 Stars

This book started off fast-paced and continued throughout. I have become such a fan of this series. Margot is a great character, with a not so great dad, a serial killer. This book leads Margot on a big mystery at work and a new path with her father. When her brother comes to town, things get super weird, and she doesn't know what is to come.

Wow. This story was another great installment. It was so real and so dark. It seemed a little darker and more gory than the previous books have been. It's almost like watching a true crime show. It had it all. The gore, the serial killer dad, the family drama, and even a bit of romance. It was also filled with a bit more danger. This was the best book yet.


*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*

Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Reviews

In The Blood is book four of the Detective Margot Phalen series. I'd say you could read this as a stand-alone, but it is a continuation of the previous books. So I would start at the beginning so you get a feel for the characters and story.

With the Redwood Killer still at large, Detective Margot Phalen and her partner Detective Wes Fox are called to investigate a new case. After being called to check out a car that's been set alight, a figure appears to be walking towards them, a person who has been badly burnt. When crime boss the untouchable Riga is linked to the crime Phalen realises how difficult her case has just become.

I enjoyed this just as much as the previous book. I love how it switches pov between Margot in the present and her serial killer father in the past. It gives you an insight into the notorious Ed Finch's life before he was caught. We get to see what made him tick, what his motives are, and how he works. Margot and Wes's characters are so likeable. They Both care about each other so much and throughout this book, I kept questioning when are they going to get together! They need to.


All the plot threads in this one were easy to follow and I loved seeing how they all played out and came together at the end. I loved the shock cliffhanger ending. I never guessed the twists and it kept me guessing up to the end. It had suspense and tension, and was so easy to read.

I can't wait for the next and last book in this series.

Thank you, Storm Publishing for my ARC of this book.
My opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I wish I realized this was book four in a series before I started reading, but I feel like it held up fine as a stand alone. The writing was very repetitive. This was the first book I’ve read by this author so I don’t know if that’s just her writing style or if it was intentional, but I think it worked with the anxiety of the character. My biggest complaint is that it ended on a cliffhanger and I don’t want to wait to find out what happens.

With that being said, I’ve already download books 1-3 onto my kindle.

Many thanks to Storm and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of this fabulous book. It was a thrilling read, and although I was unaware of the previous books in the series it took no time at all to get really involved in this one. The writing is excellent, the pace is great, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next. Really, really good and a worthy 5 stars.

Author Kate Wiley has a winner in this series starring Margo Phalen. She is the daughter of the prolific serial killer, Ed Finch. Although her life was drastically changed when Ed was arrested, she has overcome many obstacles to become a homicide detective.
She and her partner, Wes Fox, are dealing with several cases including a serial killer case with a suspect that is well connected. Also her father requests she visit him as he has something to tell her. Hoping he will disclose where more of his victims are buried, she is shocked instead when he tells her a secret that will have Margot revisiting her past with horrific consequences.
With plenty of drama, great characters and the traumatic internal feelings of Margot keep the tension high and this book very enjoyable. Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the arc. This voluntarily review is my personal opinion.

This was so good! I love not knowing what's going on while immersed in palpable tension! I only wish Margot was not all the time mentioning her trauma. This gets a little irritating. A creepy thriller whose conclusion just makes the reader absolutely impatient for the last book and the whole truth! I really enjoyed it!
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

Margot’s story is so interesting to me because it goes beyond just being the child of a serial killer. She’s also a detective who is still trying to find the victims of her father. And realistically, I know it would be extremely unlikely that she would be allowed to be this involved in the case in the real world because of the conflict of interest, her stories are still wildly entertaining. Add to that the insane amount of baggage this poor woman has, and you have a woman that is pulling herself in a million directions. This book made things a hell of a lot more interest with the sudden shift in the relationship between Margot and Will. The closer she gets to finding all the previously undiscovered victims of Ed Finch, the closer she gets to Will. But her baggage gets in her way. There’s so much going on in this story, but in a really good way. I’m bummed out that the next book in the series is the end of it, but I also can’t wait to read it. There’s a lot of storylines to tie up: Ed Finch’s last victims, her relationship with Will, her relationship with Justin, the documentary, and of course, we can’t forget about that as of yet unsolved cases between the Rigas and the Redwood Killer, both of which may involve someone close to Margot. I’m excited to see how this will all end!

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