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Detective Margot Phalen Series #3
The Killer Instinct
Detective Margot Phalen knows the mind of a serial killer better than most. She learned from the her father, Ed Finch.
When bodies keep appearing in the tranquil Muir Woods, California, and a woman is killed in Chinatown, Margot begins to realize these are no ordinary homicides. The eerie similarities to her infamous father's crimes send chills down her spine. But Ed’s been behind bars for years now – surely he couldn’t mastermind this from his cell, could he?
As evidence mounts – a bloodied image of Ed’s first target found in a victim’s home, stab wounds that match Ed’s trademark pattern – Margot uncovers a sinister obsession that hits far too close to home. She must use all her skills to outwit a killer who seems to know her history better than she does.
To solve this case, she’ll need to confront the dark secrets of her past, and face her worst that she may be more like her father than she ever dared imagine.
The Killer Instinct is a gripping crime thriller that will keep you turning the pages. Fans of Karin Slaughter, Michael Connelly and Tana French won’t want to miss this unforgettable series.
When bodies keep appearing in the tranquil Muir Woods, California, and a woman is killed in Chinatown, Margot begins to realize these are no ordinary homicides. The eerie similarities to her infamous father's crimes send chills down her spine. But Ed’s been behind bars for years now – surely he couldn’t mastermind this from his cell, could he?
As evidence mounts – a bloodied image of Ed’s first target found in a victim’s home, stab wounds that match Ed’s trademark pattern – Margot uncovers a sinister obsession that hits far too close to home. She must use all her skills to outwit a killer who seems to know her history better than she does.
To solve this case, she’ll need to confront the dark secrets of her past, and face her worst that she may be more like her father than she ever dared imagine.
The Killer Instinct is a gripping crime thriller that will keep you turning the pages. Fans of Karin Slaughter, Michael Connelly and Tana French won’t want to miss this unforgettable series.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 28, 2024
177 people are currently reading
263 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 147 reviews
November 1, 2024
As this series grows, we are learning more about both Margot and her serial killer father Ed and with another body found in the Muir Woods and the body of an elderly Chinese woman in China Town, Detective Phalen is seeing a close resemblance to her father’s victim’s, could they be linked in some way, she knows her father didn’t commit them but could he be masterminding them from behind bars, Margot is determined to find out.
Searching for evidence in China Town sees them find a page torn out of the book on her father’s first victim has the hairs on her body stand on end, what her and Wes discover bring them in contact with someone who obviously has an obsession with her father but are there reasons this young man hold Ed in such esteem?
This case is going to have Margot digging deep into her mind to confront her past, wondering more and more about herself and with her father pushing her for more visits telling them about more victims, Margot is just about at the end of her tether with him, will the visits continue and will they ever find out the truth about the serial killer, Margot’s father Ed Finch?
This is another great installment in this series one that I highly recommend to any reader who loves a good mystery thriller, I do look forward to the next book.
My thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
Searching for evidence in China Town sees them find a page torn out of the book on her father’s first victim has the hairs on her body stand on end, what her and Wes discover bring them in contact with someone who obviously has an obsession with her father but are there reasons this young man hold Ed in such esteem?
This case is going to have Margot digging deep into her mind to confront her past, wondering more and more about herself and with her father pushing her for more visits telling them about more victims, Margot is just about at the end of her tether with him, will the visits continue and will they ever find out the truth about the serial killer, Margot’s father Ed Finch?
This is another great installment in this series one that I highly recommend to any reader who loves a good mystery thriller, I do look forward to the next book.
My thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for my copy to read and review.
September 26, 2024
I really enjoyed this book. Crime fiction, serial killers, and well written characters that had depth to them. It's definitely a book for me.
From the get-go, this book pulled me in. It didn't matter that I hadn't read the previous books. This is completely fine as a stand-alone. That being said, now I need to read the other two.
One of the things I loved enjoyed was how Wiley gave you insight into Ed's character. I found this part so fascinating to read this. How he gets under your skin and the hatred I felt for him. You get to see how Margot is the way she is and the chemistry she has with the partner. I really enjoyed the plot. The pacing was just right for me, and I didn't see the twists coming. Addictive reading. I can't fault this book. It was a pleasure to read.
I eagerly await book 4. Brilliant.
From the get-go, this book pulled me in. It didn't matter that I hadn't read the previous books. This is completely fine as a stand-alone. That being said, now I need to read the other two.
One of the things I loved enjoyed was how Wiley gave you insight into Ed's character. I found this part so fascinating to read this. How he gets under your skin and the hatred I felt for him. You get to see how Margot is the way she is and the chemistry she has with the partner. I really enjoyed the plot. The pacing was just right for me, and I didn't see the twists coming. Addictive reading. I can't fault this book. It was a pleasure to read.
I eagerly await book 4. Brilliant.
September 5, 2024
This book was absolutely amazing. The twist and the ending literally gave me the chills. The best part is the series is not over, anxious for book 4 from Kate Wiley!!
November 3, 2024
My favourite book of the series so far! She writes such realistic police thrillers and manages to seamless integrate multiple storylines throughout the novel made even better by detailed and enthralling character development
November 20, 2024
And the same as the last one, what annoyed tf out of me in the second one just continued. Like eye roll, we get it. 🙄
September 25, 2024
Slow to start.
The last 40% of the book really picked up and I didn’t want to stop reading. The last page of the book is crazy. I can’t wait for book 4 to come out.
Definitely recommend this series!
The last 40% of the book really picked up and I didn’t want to stop reading. The last page of the book is crazy. I can’t wait for book 4 to come out.
Definitely recommend this series!
August 31, 2024
Oh is that what time it is? I devoured this book straight through dinner, didn’t put down once! (Yay for ebooks)
It is without fail that I get sucked into these books every time! This is the third book in the Detective Margot Phalen series & each book just gets more and more addictive.
I think in my review of book 1 that I said this reads like a Criminal Minds episode and that continues to be true!
The chapters of the past with Ed give us so much more to the story I find myself obsessing over them! There’s still so much we have to uncover but I’m loving making notes to see if what I think comes true!
Wes is one of my favorite characters, as Margot’s partner and one of her close friends we get a lot of him and I live for their banter and back and forth!
There is so much to unpack in the book and everything that it’s so hard to talk about without spoiling.
It’s insane the connections that unravel between Margot’s cases and Ed
Simply put you’ll become obsessed with not only the sneak peeks into Ed’s past, but also Margot, and the cases and connections you uncover!
I have yet to find another true crime thriller/series that I obsessive over like this one, because that’s what it boils down to. An obsession.
And the ending doesn’t help with my obsession if anything it has me saying “holy shit” over and over again.
TLDR:
If you love true crime thrillers and you haven’t started this series yet then what are you waiting for?
This will have you obsessed trying to find all the connections and quite frankly wanting to get into the mind of Ed. I cannot wait to uncover what’s next.
I’m SO FOREVER grateful to Storm Publishing, Kate Wiley herself, and NetGalley for this ARC copy!
It is without fail that I get sucked into these books every time! This is the third book in the Detective Margot Phalen series & each book just gets more and more addictive.
I think in my review of book 1 that I said this reads like a Criminal Minds episode and that continues to be true!
The chapters of the past with Ed give us so much more to the story I find myself obsessing over them! There’s still so much we have to uncover but I’m loving making notes to see if what I think comes true!
Wes is one of my favorite characters, as Margot’s partner and one of her close friends we get a lot of him and I live for their banter and back and forth!
There is so much to unpack in the book and everything that it’s so hard to talk about without spoiling.
It’s insane the connections that unravel between Margot’s cases and Ed
Simply put you’ll become obsessed with not only the sneak peeks into Ed’s past, but also Margot, and the cases and connections you uncover!
I have yet to find another true crime thriller/series that I obsessive over like this one, because that’s what it boils down to. An obsession.
And the ending doesn’t help with my obsession if anything it has me saying “holy shit” over and over again.
TLDR:
If you love true crime thrillers and you haven’t started this series yet then what are you waiting for?
This will have you obsessed trying to find all the connections and quite frankly wanting to get into the mind of Ed. I cannot wait to uncover what’s next.
I’m SO FOREVER grateful to Storm Publishing, Kate Wiley herself, and NetGalley for this ARC copy!
August 31, 2024
I had previously read the first two books in this series and loved them, so I was thrilled to read this one.
More murders in California – Muir Woods and Chinatown. Surely her father, the infamous serial killer, Ed, can’t be the mastermind behind these. Patterns seem to say otherwise, but Ed is incarcerated, so who could be committing these similar murders?
The Killer Instinct was just as good as the first two. Margot’s continuing relationship with “Ed” continues as does her wannabe relationship with her partner, Wes. This time, though, she must make more visits to Ed to figure out who killed a wonderful older woman in Chinatown. This book also alternates between Ed’s adult life and his as a child to reveal more insight into his gruesome history.
I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
More murders in California – Muir Woods and Chinatown. Surely her father, the infamous serial killer, Ed, can’t be the mastermind behind these. Patterns seem to say otherwise, but Ed is incarcerated, so who could be committing these similar murders?
The Killer Instinct was just as good as the first two. Margot’s continuing relationship with “Ed” continues as does her wannabe relationship with her partner, Wes. This time, though, she must make more visits to Ed to figure out who killed a wonderful older woman in Chinatown. This book also alternates between Ed’s adult life and his as a child to reveal more insight into his gruesome history.
I can’t wait for the next book in the series!
September 4, 2024
Twisty, Turny and VERY chilling!
I've read the other Margot Phalen books in series and they all gave me "Silence of the Lambs" vibes, but this one sealed that.
Margot's father is a serial killer, and she is back "working" with him, but in this one we get a TON of backstory and it's brilliant!
While I recommend reading the first two, this could be good as a standalone for his storyline alone.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review!
#TheKillerInstinct
I've read the other Margot Phalen books in series and they all gave me "Silence of the Lambs" vibes, but this one sealed that.
Margot's father is a serial killer, and she is back "working" with him, but in this one we get a TON of backstory and it's brilliant!
While I recommend reading the first two, this could be good as a standalone for his storyline alone.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review!
#TheKillerInstinct
September 17, 2024
I read the first two books in this series and absolutely loved them so I was extremely pleased when I was granted an ARC of this book on NetGalley.
This book follows on from the first two in the series with Detective Margot Phalen investigating more murders alongside her partner, Wes. As well as investigating recent murders, Margot is continuing her visits to her serial killer father, Ed Finch, who is currently in prison serving a life sentence, in order to help the FBI in solving more of his crimes. I think that the way the author has written this book really enabled the reader to connect with and become even more invested in the characters. Whilst most of the book is written in the present time, it also flashes back to Ed’s childhood and we see how his life of crime started, which I feel added a lot of depth to the book and really built upon the previous two in the series.
This book was unpredictable and extremely gripping, a real page turner right from the get go. I have thoroughly enjoyed all three books and this is without a doubt one of my favourite series that I’ve read in a long time. I would highly recommend this book, and have already done so to friends and family, definitely deserving of 5* in my opinion. I am already eagerly awaiting the next book in the series!
This book follows on from the first two in the series with Detective Margot Phalen investigating more murders alongside her partner, Wes. As well as investigating recent murders, Margot is continuing her visits to her serial killer father, Ed Finch, who is currently in prison serving a life sentence, in order to help the FBI in solving more of his crimes. I think that the way the author has written this book really enabled the reader to connect with and become even more invested in the characters. Whilst most of the book is written in the present time, it also flashes back to Ed’s childhood and we see how his life of crime started, which I feel added a lot of depth to the book and really built upon the previous two in the series.
This book was unpredictable and extremely gripping, a real page turner right from the get go. I have thoroughly enjoyed all three books and this is without a doubt one of my favourite series that I’ve read in a long time. I would highly recommend this book, and have already done so to friends and family, definitely deserving of 5* in my opinion. I am already eagerly awaiting the next book in the series!
August 17, 2025
I am really loving this series and the character development of Margot. This one was just as fast paced and gripping as the other two.
October 2, 2025
A solid 3.5!
I haven’t read the two prequels so I was going into this one completely blind. From my experience this can be read as a standalone book just fine, but having read the previous two you’d probably be more acquainted with the characters.
What I liked about this story is that we get flashbacks to Ed’s childhood which shows how he was shaped into the killer he later ends up becoming. It seems like a new addition to the series as it starts from his very early childhood. I thought it was a very great touch.
Another thing I quite enjoy was Ewan’s character. In my opinion he was very interesting and quite well written.
What I was somewhat disappointed by is that
A) There is no real mystery who the killer is, not enough intrigue but maybe that’s the point of this one.
B) We never get the closure for the second case aka Redwood Killler, but you got to get a sequel from somewhere.
C) Our main character isn’t as sympathetic as I’d like. Obviously this makes her even more human but I felt she was somewhat cold and cruel at times.
Overall a quite enjoyable fast paced read. Definitely good for fans of detective novels but maybe not that good for fans of mystery and intrigue.
This is an ARC review.
I haven’t read the two prequels so I was going into this one completely blind. From my experience this can be read as a standalone book just fine, but having read the previous two you’d probably be more acquainted with the characters.
What I liked about this story is that we get flashbacks to Ed’s childhood which shows how he was shaped into the killer he later ends up becoming. It seems like a new addition to the series as it starts from his very early childhood. I thought it was a very great touch.
Another thing I quite enjoy was Ewan’s character. In my opinion he was very interesting and quite well written.
What I was somewhat disappointed by is that
A) There is no real mystery who the killer is, not enough intrigue but maybe that’s the point of this one.
B) We never get the closure for the second case aka Redwood Killler, but you got to get a sequel from somewhere.
C) Our main character isn’t as sympathetic as I’d like. Obviously this makes her even more human but I felt she was somewhat cold and cruel at times.
Overall a quite enjoyable fast paced read. Definitely good for fans of detective novels but maybe not that good for fans of mystery and intrigue.
This is an ARC review.
January 27, 2025
⭐️4.7
This was such a fun series! Enjoyed every bit of it.
This was such a fun series! Enjoyed every bit of it.
October 25, 2024
The Killer Instinct by Kate Wiley is the third 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)
Margot and Wes are called to investigate the death of an elderly Chinese woman, who had been stabbed 22 times....the same number of times as Ed Finch's first victim. More evidence emerges that this may be a copycat killer.
Meanwhile, a third body is found in Muir Woods, and Margot and Leon are no closer to finding the perpetrator. If only they could connect the three women.
Margot is continuing to visit Ed in prison, in hopes of finding more victims so that their families can find peace. However Margot is getting tired of trying to placate her father. Then she finds out that Ed has been hiding something else from her.
My Opinions:
This was a great addition to this series. Everything flows very well. The book is told from Margot's perspective, interspersed with chapters from Ed's perspective as a child. We learned a lot about Ed's up-bringing, and how early his psychopathic tendencies started.
I continue to love Margot. Although a strong, independent woman, she is starting to show a softer side, mainly because of Wes. I love their relationship, which is becoming deeper with each book. No, I'm not a romance reader, but I could see them together.
Margot's anxiety and panic attacks make her human, and I think the author is right in giving her these characteristics, because she would not come through her childhood unscathed.
I am definitely looking forward to the next book....but I hope it doesn't come out too soon....3 in a year is more than enough. This author should realize I have other books to read!
For a more complete review of this book and others (including the reason I chose to read/review this book, as well as author information), please visit my blog: http://katlovesbooksblog.wordpress.com/
November 15, 2024
Absolutely phenomenal. This book is told from two different point of views, Margot, who is a Detective and assists the FBI with gathering information from a serial killer about his past victims and those that have not yet been accounted for, who is actively working to solve several murders that may possibly be related to the same serial killer, and Ed, Margot's father, the infamous serial killer.
Ed's chapters are from the past, when he was young and shows how his childhood was and the signs that indicated that he was different from the other kids, and how he had become a serial killer. So much insight was given for Ed and his actions/what was in his mind, which is not often seen in these types of books.
Margot's chapters focus on her active investigation, along with her assistance with another case of a potential serial killer, and her helping the FBI with getting more information from her father about his passed murders. Margot was such a complex character that I found myself rooting for every step of the way. Every time she had to confront her father about his crimes, she was so strong and did her best to get what she could out of the master manipulator. There were also times where she wondered if what she was doing as a profession, was actually doing anything when she began to question why victories and breaks in her cases, didn't help her feel happy anymore.
In the end, most of my questions were answered, although I do hope we get closure on the murders in the woods in the next book, even if Margot was just assisting, and it wasn't technically her case. But the ENDING, the last couple of pages, threw me for a loop and I really need the next book right now. The story of Margot and her father intrigues me so much. I need more.
Ed's chapters are from the past, when he was young and shows how his childhood was and the signs that indicated that he was different from the other kids, and how he had become a serial killer. So much insight was given for Ed and his actions/what was in his mind, which is not often seen in these types of books.
Margot's chapters focus on her active investigation, along with her assistance with another case of a potential serial killer, and her helping the FBI with getting more information from her father about his passed murders. Margot was such a complex character that I found myself rooting for every step of the way. Every time she had to confront her father about his crimes, she was so strong and did her best to get what she could out of the master manipulator. There were also times where she wondered if what she was doing as a profession, was actually doing anything when she began to question why victories and breaks in her cases, didn't help her feel happy anymore.
In the end, most of my questions were answered, although I do hope we get closure on the murders in the woods in the next book, even if Margot was just assisting, and it wasn't technically her case. But the ENDING, the last couple of pages, threw me for a loop and I really need the next book right now. The story of Margot and her father intrigues me so much. I need more.
September 20, 2024
When I tell you I am obsessed with this series, I MEAN IT! Each book in this series keeps getting better and better!
I really enjoyed the cases this book focused on. The "Redwood Killer" and then the possible Finch copycat... I didn't want to put the book down. I don't want to spoil anything but wow! Margot really stood her ground in this book and wasn't taking any shit. I am excited to see her character continue to develop and grow into this new stronger self.
Just like I said during my book 1 review of the series, I love Margot's relationship with her partner Wes. They definitely started to cross over into forbidden lover vibes for me, which I am so here for! Their banter and coworker/friend relationship is so relatable. I cannot get enough of them. If they ever aren't detectives, I need a whole book of just them.
The ending of this book had me reeling! I NEVER saw the ending come... my jaw was on the floor. I am not so patiently waiting for book 4! I never want this series to end, Kate Wiley has such a good writing style, and a perfect balance of explanation and dialogue.
Everyone needs to run out and get a copy of The Killer Instinct when it releases Oct 28, 2024!
———————————————————————
Thank you, NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed the cases this book focused on. The "Redwood Killer" and then the possible Finch copycat... I didn't want to put the book down. I don't want to spoil anything but wow! Margot really stood her ground in this book and wasn't taking any shit. I am excited to see her character continue to develop and grow into this new stronger self.
Just like I said during my book 1 review of the series, I love Margot's relationship with her partner Wes. They definitely started to cross over into forbidden lover vibes for me, which I am so here for! Their banter and coworker/friend relationship is so relatable. I cannot get enough of them. If they ever aren't detectives, I need a whole book of just them.
The ending of this book had me reeling! I NEVER saw the ending come... my jaw was on the floor. I am not so patiently waiting for book 4! I never want this series to end, Kate Wiley has such a good writing style, and a perfect balance of explanation and dialogue.
Everyone needs to run out and get a copy of The Killer Instinct when it releases Oct 28, 2024!
———————————————————————
Thank you, NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 10, 2024
WELL, this is a ‘read with the lights bright 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 Phelan.
The procedural format is well filled out in this book. Sadly, it’s my first
in the series (I did not realize it until it was too late) meaning even though
the book reads well as a standalone I’m certain there is a lot of background
you miss by starting with the third book.
I was glued to my chair trying to look around corners to figure out where we
were headed and by the last part of the book I was stunned! [NO Spoilers]
What a great book. And the back drops of Marin County, San Quentin~
and the woods~just gorgeous all year around.
My thanks to Storm Publishers via NetGalley for the download of this
book for review purposes.
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 Phelan.
The procedural format is well filled out in this book. Sadly, it’s my first
in the series (I did not realize it until it was too late) meaning even though
the book reads well as a standalone I’m certain there is a lot of background
you miss by starting with the third book.
I was glued to my chair trying to look around corners to figure out where we
were headed and by the last part of the book I was stunned! [NO Spoilers]
What a great book. And the back drops of Marin County, San Quentin~
and the woods~just gorgeous all year around.
My thanks to Storm Publishers via NetGalley for the download of this
book for review purposes.
October 5, 2024
If you like serial killer, true crime novels you will love this one. This is dark and twisty and sucks you in from the beginning. Det. Margot Phalen and her partner Wes are partner goals. They work perfectly together at work and out of work. Margot has a lot of dark in her past that has caused her to struggle at times with anxiety and Wes is there for her. I guess anyone with a serial killer father would have some issues right? One of the most prolific killers ever is still calling the shots and controlling his daughter from his prison cell and she is getting fed up with it. Margot’s past, her infamous father, and her current case all intertwine throughout the book and the ending is a bit of a shocker.
September 7, 2024
I didn't realize until I'd finished that this is the 3rd in a series of three, but it didn't matter. Two bodies are found in Muir Woods and Detective Phalen is worried there will be more even though her famous father, Ed Finch is in prison for killing 78 women and is known as the Classified Killer. Is it happening again with a copycat killer? And who on earth would marry a psychotic killer? The novel vacillates in time between the present and the past as we see how it all plays out. This book gave me the chills so many times but I raced through it as it's fascinating!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!
Read
December 29, 2024Not rating because I wrote it, but I DID read it this year.
September 19, 2024
(3.5 rounded up)
I LOVED the first book in the series (The Killer's Daughter) and also enjoyed the second book (Her Father's Secret). I thought Wiley did a great job keeping the overarching story of Margot's complicated relationship with her father and the copycat killings lurking in the background while she worked on other crimes... however... still having no answers about the copycat by the end of book 3 is starting to make things feel a bit overly drawn out. I need some forward momentum on that plot line! That said, I still overall love this series and think Margot is a fantastic character. I think fans of Louisa Scarr would like this!
* thanks to Storm Publishing for the NetGalley review copy. The Killer Instinct publishes October 28.
I LOVED the first book in the series (The Killer's Daughter) and also enjoyed the second book (Her Father's Secret). I thought Wiley did a great job keeping the overarching story of Margot's complicated relationship with her father and the copycat killings lurking in the background while she worked on other crimes... however... still having no answers about the copycat by the end of book 3 is starting to make things feel a bit overly drawn out. I need some forward momentum on that plot line! That said, I still overall love this series and think Margot is a fantastic character. I think fans of Louisa Scarr would like this!
* thanks to Storm Publishing for the NetGalley review copy. The Killer Instinct publishes October 28.
October 28, 2024
A good premise which caught my attention. A detective is investigating murders which seem oh so familiar because they’re reminiscent of the way her serial killer father operated. The problem with attributing the recent killings to him is that he’s safely incarcerated in prison, which begs the question is this a copy cat killer or is he somehow orchestrating them?
The start is a little too slow for me and I drifted in and out of engagement with the main body of the story. When it was good it was definitely worth sitting up and taking notice but overall it passed me by a bit, sorry.
The start is a little too slow for me and I drifted in and out of engagement with the main body of the story. When it was good it was definitely worth sitting up and taking notice but overall it passed me by a bit, sorry.
May 9, 2025
Book 3 in the Detective Margot Phalen series and one thing you must know about Margot is her dad, the famous Ed Finch is a serial killer. I’m really enjoying this series, and this instalment sees copycat killings, more bodies in Muir Woods and Ed only willing to talk to Margot about his previous victims and more (it’s already 78 and counting!!!!!) There’s a lot of Ed’s past and his childhood in this book which I loved learning about how he progressed to be the notorious murderer that he is. Book 4 is one of my arcs coming up and I’m so excited for that too! Keep up the good work Kate Riley!
January 14, 2025
Book 3 of the Detective Margot Phalen series is just another layer of twisted, suspenseful great reading. In this installment, Margot is working on two new homicides, one in the woods, and one in an apartment in Chinatown. As the investigation intensifies, there is no denying a link to Margot's father, an infamous serial killer. Can she find out the link between these latest victims and her father before the killer strikes again? Is this just a copycat, or is it more nefarious...her father using someone else to continue his legacy?
The way Kate Wiley amplifies both Margot's strength and anxiety over her connection to her father, as well as the FBI's manipulation on this to get her to help solve cold cases, is so well done. I can feel the emotions just pouring out through the pages. In each book, you can see her getting stronger, almost to the point where she might just stand up for herself and not be used as a pawn anymore. The shift in the father-daughter dynamics is also perfection. I am also enjoying Margot starting to explore more of her feminine/sexual side, with the added vulnerability that comes with all of that. Margot is skirting the line of no longer being just professional partners with Wes. I love that she is letting her guard down with him, and that he makes her feel safe. She hasn't had a connection like that in probably her whole life.
I cannot wait to see how more of this story unfolds in the next books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced copy of this book!
The way Kate Wiley amplifies both Margot's strength and anxiety over her connection to her father, as well as the FBI's manipulation on this to get her to help solve cold cases, is so well done. I can feel the emotions just pouring out through the pages. In each book, you can see her getting stronger, almost to the point where she might just stand up for herself and not be used as a pawn anymore. The shift in the father-daughter dynamics is also perfection. I am also enjoying Margot starting to explore more of her feminine/sexual side, with the added vulnerability that comes with all of that. Margot is skirting the line of no longer being just professional partners with Wes. I love that she is letting her guard down with him, and that he makes her feel safe. She hasn't had a connection like that in probably her whole life.
I cannot wait to see how more of this story unfolds in the next books.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced copy of this book!
September 27, 2024
Let me bring by saying that although this is the third book in this series, it can easily be read as a stand alone. In fact, I have not read either of the prior two novels and I had no trouble understanding the characters in this one and their relationships to one another.
Now before I get into my review, as this was an advanced reader copy, I am going to talk about the mistakes that I found while reading the novel. Please keep in mind that these mistakes may have been found and corrected prior to release, but I am reviewing the copy that I was given, hence I will be speaking on them.
The first comes in Chapter 19 when Ed refers to his daughter as Margot. This is not her birth name (that was Megan), but rather the name that she took after he was arrested so he would have no way of knowing that. Based on information that happens later on in the novel, at first I was inclined to believe maybe this hadn't been a mistake but when I went back to look I realized it must have been as neither Margot nor the other agent with her had any reaction to him calling her by that name.
Then in Chapter 22, Margot tells the FBI task force team (who supposedly know Ed better than anyone else except maybe her), about a man named Jim. She tells him that he was a friend of her father's from work, but that Ed spent so much time with him that she and her brother referred to him as "Uncle Jim". Only for some reason, these highly-trained FBI agents are suddenly incapable of understanding English because they ask her who Jim is considering she had no biological uncle (nor an uncle through marriage) named Jim. This causes Margot to once again repeat the information that his man was merely a friend of her fathers that she called Uncle Jim. It made me wonder how these agents could be tasked with solving anything if they did not understand her the first time around.
The final mistake I found came in Chapter 39 when Margot thinks back on a letter she read that had been sent (but marked as undelivered due to the content) to Ed wondering if he would have remembered it. Which led me to wonder how could he possibly remember a letter that he never received?
Now that I've spoken on those things (that again may be corrected before the final print), I can talk about the rest of this novel.
Let's start with the characters. Margot was a neurotic mess (but with good reason). And while I could completely understand why she never stuck to a routine of any kind (going so far as to take alternate routes home), it became tiring to hear about. Yes, I know you don't usually eat IN at restaurants preferring delivery (that she makes her doorman call in for her). Yes, I know that Sebastian the reporter, and her collogues at work (a few of them anyway) are some of the few people in her life. I got that message the first time it was delivered, so to have it constantly mentioned felt like a bit of a slap to my intelligence. I liked her partner Wes more, the way he seemed to be able to counter some of her moods made for a good balance against her intense personality. I harder a harder time with Andrew, the FBI Agent who was constantly pushing her to see her father in jail. He had to know the kind of toll it was taking on her, and while I understand his reasoning, when it was clear that Ed played games more than he gave them anything useful, if I were Andrew, I wouldn't have been so quick to jump when Ed demanded it.
But what really killed this one for me was the plot. Throughout this story we are treated to three different story-lines happening at once. First we have the dead women found in Muir Woods, then a brutal murder in Chinatown. And while Margot should be focused on these cases, she is also constantly being pulled off to either speak with Ed in prison, or go speak to the FBI team dedicated to him. Now I know a lot of authors who would be able to seamlessly weave these together without an issue, sadly, I did not find that to be the case here. For starters, the meetings with Ed contributed nothing to the current cases (which is both funny and disappointing considering how things eventually turn out), except put Margot off her game, distracting her with memories of Ed.
As for the investigations? Yes. One of them is solved. But the other? Is not. And while I suppose the author might be intending to use this as the main plot point in the next book, I'm not sure that I enjoyed this one enough to read another to find out.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
Now before I get into my review, as this was an advanced reader copy, I am going to talk about the mistakes that I found while reading the novel. Please keep in mind that these mistakes may have been found and corrected prior to release, but I am reviewing the copy that I was given, hence I will be speaking on them.
The first comes in Chapter 19 when Ed refers to his daughter as Margot. This is not her birth name (that was Megan), but rather the name that she took after he was arrested so he would have no way of knowing that. Based on information that happens later on in the novel, at first I was inclined to believe maybe this hadn't been a mistake but when I went back to look I realized it must have been as neither Margot nor the other agent with her had any reaction to him calling her by that name.
Then in Chapter 22, Margot tells the FBI task force team (who supposedly know Ed better than anyone else except maybe her), about a man named Jim. She tells him that he was a friend of her father's from work, but that Ed spent so much time with him that she and her brother referred to him as "Uncle Jim". Only for some reason, these highly-trained FBI agents are suddenly incapable of understanding English because they ask her who Jim is considering she had no biological uncle (nor an uncle through marriage) named Jim. This causes Margot to once again repeat the information that his man was merely a friend of her fathers that she called Uncle Jim. It made me wonder how these agents could be tasked with solving anything if they did not understand her the first time around.
The final mistake I found came in Chapter 39 when Margot thinks back on a letter she read that had been sent (but marked as undelivered due to the content) to Ed wondering if he would have remembered it. Which led me to wonder how could he possibly remember a letter that he never received?
Now that I've spoken on those things (that again may be corrected before the final print), I can talk about the rest of this novel.
Let's start with the characters. Margot was a neurotic mess (but with good reason). And while I could completely understand why she never stuck to a routine of any kind (going so far as to take alternate routes home), it became tiring to hear about. Yes, I know you don't usually eat IN at restaurants preferring delivery (that she makes her doorman call in for her). Yes, I know that Sebastian the reporter, and her collogues at work (a few of them anyway) are some of the few people in her life. I got that message the first time it was delivered, so to have it constantly mentioned felt like a bit of a slap to my intelligence. I liked her partner Wes more, the way he seemed to be able to counter some of her moods made for a good balance against her intense personality. I harder a harder time with Andrew, the FBI Agent who was constantly pushing her to see her father in jail. He had to know the kind of toll it was taking on her, and while I understand his reasoning, when it was clear that Ed played games more than he gave them anything useful, if I were Andrew, I wouldn't have been so quick to jump when Ed demanded it.
But what really killed this one for me was the plot. Throughout this story we are treated to three different story-lines happening at once. First we have the dead women found in Muir Woods, then a brutal murder in Chinatown. And while Margot should be focused on these cases, she is also constantly being pulled off to either speak with Ed in prison, or go speak to the FBI team dedicated to him. Now I know a lot of authors who would be able to seamlessly weave these together without an issue, sadly, I did not find that to be the case here. For starters, the meetings with Ed contributed nothing to the current cases (which is both funny and disappointing considering how things eventually turn out), except put Margot off her game, distracting her with memories of Ed.
As for the investigations? Yes. One of them is solved. But the other? Is not. And while I suppose the author might be intending to use this as the main plot point in the next book, I'm not sure that I enjoyed this one enough to read another to find out.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
September 8, 2024
Name of Book: The Killer Instinct
Series: Detective Margot Phalen Book #3
Author: Kate Wiley
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Pub Date: October 28, 2024
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pages: 311
Detective Margot Phalen knows the mind of a serial killer better than most.
Twenty years ago Ed Finch – America’s most notorious serial killer – used the Bay Area as his hunting ground.
Now, his daughter Margot Phalen is a homicide detective with the San Francisco Police Department.
Margo has spent her whole life trying to forget her past; she has and still suffers from the PTSD that occurred when she found out her father was a serial killer.
So far she has not been able to escape the terrible knowledge – will she ever escape it and live a “normal” life?
This is third in the series and I read the two as well. Although the stories have been intense stories on the dark side, but have kept me interested.
In Book #2 Her Father’s Secret Margo's father while at the maximum security prison makes a request to call Margo via his lawyer Rosenthal. When Rosenthal turns to phone to Ed, he asks –
“Did I ever tell you about the summer you turned eight?
Hmmm - seems to me that this just might be setting the stage for this story.
When several bodies turn up in Muir Woods and another in Chinatown, Margot’s thoughts are that these cases are very similar to her father’s crimes – however Ed Finch is still behind bars. Could he be behind these crimes from his cell?
Although this story does not give us the insight mentioned regarding when Margo was eight, it reveals more back when Ed was Eddy and his relationship with his abusive mother. We know more about him but we also know there is still far more to his story.
In this story Margo makes more visits to the prison to question Ed. She believes she needs his help in solving these recent murders.
I am NOT a big true crime fan. I lover thrillers but I am almost obsessed with this series. I honestly had no idea where this was going and I could NOT put it down.
The ending once leaves me wanting more. I am hopeful that Book #4 will go deeper into to what really goes on in Ed Finch’s mind!
I always enjoy reading the author’s motes and/or Acknowledgements. Ms. Wiley tells us of the on-site research she did in the San Francisco area – visiting Chinatown over Lunar New Year, a tour of Muir Woods via Gray Line Yours.
About the Author- I also enjoy reading more about the author and found nothing regarding
Kate Wiley.
However, she has written 47 books as Sierra Dean - Sierra Dean is a reformed historian. She
was born and raised in the Canadian prairies and is allowed annual exit visas- in order to
continue her quest of steadily conquering the world one city at a time.
She has used her overactive imagination to create her own version of the world, where
vampire, werewolves, fairies, gods and monsters all walk among us.
Want to thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for granting me this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for October 28, 2024.
Series: Detective Margot Phalen Book #3
Author: Kate Wiley
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Pub Date: October 28, 2024
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pages: 311
Detective Margot Phalen knows the mind of a serial killer better than most.
Twenty years ago Ed Finch – America’s most notorious serial killer – used the Bay Area as his hunting ground.
Now, his daughter Margot Phalen is a homicide detective with the San Francisco Police Department.
Margo has spent her whole life trying to forget her past; she has and still suffers from the PTSD that occurred when she found out her father was a serial killer.
So far she has not been able to escape the terrible knowledge – will she ever escape it and live a “normal” life?
This is third in the series and I read the two as well. Although the stories have been intense stories on the dark side, but have kept me interested.
In Book #2 Her Father’s Secret Margo's father while at the maximum security prison makes a request to call Margo via his lawyer Rosenthal. When Rosenthal turns to phone to Ed, he asks –
“Did I ever tell you about the summer you turned eight?
Hmmm - seems to me that this just might be setting the stage for this story.
When several bodies turn up in Muir Woods and another in Chinatown, Margot’s thoughts are that these cases are very similar to her father’s crimes – however Ed Finch is still behind bars. Could he be behind these crimes from his cell?
Although this story does not give us the insight mentioned regarding when Margo was eight, it reveals more back when Ed was Eddy and his relationship with his abusive mother. We know more about him but we also know there is still far more to his story.
In this story Margo makes more visits to the prison to question Ed. She believes she needs his help in solving these recent murders.
I am NOT a big true crime fan. I lover thrillers but I am almost obsessed with this series. I honestly had no idea where this was going and I could NOT put it down.
The ending once leaves me wanting more. I am hopeful that Book #4 will go deeper into to what really goes on in Ed Finch’s mind!
I always enjoy reading the author’s motes and/or Acknowledgements. Ms. Wiley tells us of the on-site research she did in the San Francisco area – visiting Chinatown over Lunar New Year, a tour of Muir Woods via Gray Line Yours.
About the Author- I also enjoy reading more about the author and found nothing regarding
Kate Wiley.
However, she has written 47 books as Sierra Dean - Sierra Dean is a reformed historian. She
was born and raised in the Canadian prairies and is allowed annual exit visas- in order to
continue her quest of steadily conquering the world one city at a time.
She has used her overactive imagination to create her own version of the world, where
vampire, werewolves, fairies, gods and monsters all walk among us.
Want to thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for granting me this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for October 28, 2024.
September 5, 2024
Rating :★★★★★
4.6 out of 5 Stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for providing this ARC.
In the third installment of the series, Detective Margot Phalen returns to confront a case that is too close to home for her comfort. In the deep forests of Muir Woods, California, bodies keep piling up and time seems to be running out. Follwing the murder of a woman is murdered in Chinatown, Margot is realizes that the crimes bear uncanny similarities to those of her father, Ed Finch, an infamous serial killer now behind bars.
As she delves deeper into the investigation, we go along with her and watch as Margot grapples with her darkest fears: could her father still be pulling strings from his prison cell, or is there a copycat who knows more about the killings she does?
Following Margot from book 1 we see her internal struggle and fear of the darkness lurking inside her become too much to handle as she struggle to keep all the secrets from bursting out. Throughout the book Margot is very much on the edge and we, the readers are also forced to take a look behind us in search of hidden dangers.
The mystry is compelling and the connections between Margot and Ed is riveting as the all the threads start to become untangled.
Pros:
Complex Protagonist: Margot Phalen is a well-developed character with a unique backstory, making her a compelling lead in this dark tale. Her past is constantly haunting her throughout this book, never too far away from the light of day. Her introverted nature as a direct result of her time with her father and his subsequent arrest is well developed in this book.
Suspenseful Plot: The mystery is engaging, with plenty of twists which is one of the strongest point in this novel. A mystry novel is often judged by how well the crime was planned out and how the protagonist follows the leads. In this regard, Kate Wiley did a truely fantastic job.
Psychological Depth: The novel explores themes of inherited evil and the psychological impact of living in the shadow of a serial killer. The nature vs nurture is a central theme explored in this book.
Cons:
Graphic Content: The novel’s descriptions of violence and the killer’s depravity may be too intense for some readers. Readers who are easily disturbed should stay away from it. This might as well be an attractive point for some but for most the content is very disturbing.
Repetitive Themes: By the third book, the recurring theme of Margot’s struggle with her father’s legacy may feel a bit repetitive. While her upbringining with a serial killer father is a unique selling point for the book especially at the begining, but the third book the repetitative mention of the fact may be boring.
Conclusion
The Killer Instinct is a compelling addition to the seires, offering a thrilling mystery and a deep dive into the psychological struggles of its protagonist, Margot. While the graphic content may not be for everyone, fans of dark and chilling serial killer novels will likely find this book hard to put down.
4.6 out of 5 Stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for providing this ARC.
In the third installment of the series, Detective Margot Phalen returns to confront a case that is too close to home for her comfort. In the deep forests of Muir Woods, California, bodies keep piling up and time seems to be running out. Follwing the murder of a woman is murdered in Chinatown, Margot is realizes that the crimes bear uncanny similarities to those of her father, Ed Finch, an infamous serial killer now behind bars.
As she delves deeper into the investigation, we go along with her and watch as Margot grapples with her darkest fears: could her father still be pulling strings from his prison cell, or is there a copycat who knows more about the killings she does?
Following Margot from book 1 we see her internal struggle and fear of the darkness lurking inside her become too much to handle as she struggle to keep all the secrets from bursting out. Throughout the book Margot is very much on the edge and we, the readers are also forced to take a look behind us in search of hidden dangers.
The mystry is compelling and the connections between Margot and Ed is riveting as the all the threads start to become untangled.
Pros:
Complex Protagonist: Margot Phalen is a well-developed character with a unique backstory, making her a compelling lead in this dark tale. Her past is constantly haunting her throughout this book, never too far away from the light of day. Her introverted nature as a direct result of her time with her father and his subsequent arrest is well developed in this book.
Suspenseful Plot: The mystery is engaging, with plenty of twists which is one of the strongest point in this novel. A mystry novel is often judged by how well the crime was planned out and how the protagonist follows the leads. In this regard, Kate Wiley did a truely fantastic job.
Psychological Depth: The novel explores themes of inherited evil and the psychological impact of living in the shadow of a serial killer. The nature vs nurture is a central theme explored in this book.
Cons:
Graphic Content: The novel’s descriptions of violence and the killer’s depravity may be too intense for some readers. Readers who are easily disturbed should stay away from it. This might as well be an attractive point for some but for most the content is very disturbing.
Repetitive Themes: By the third book, the recurring theme of Margot’s struggle with her father’s legacy may feel a bit repetitive. While her upbringining with a serial killer father is a unique selling point for the book especially at the begining, but the third book the repetitative mention of the fact may be boring.
Conclusion
The Killer Instinct is a compelling addition to the seires, offering a thrilling mystery and a deep dive into the psychological struggles of its protagonist, Margot. While the graphic content may not be for everyone, fans of dark and chilling serial killer novels will likely find this book hard to put down.
October 3, 2024
📚 PRE-PUBLICATION BOOK REVIEW 📚
The Killer Instinct By Kate Wiley
Publication Date: October 28, 2024
Publisher: Storm Publishing
📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
(Rounded Up To 5⭐)
📚MY REVIEW:
I swear, this series just gets more and more intense and my heart races even faster with every book! If you've not yet introduced yourself to Detective Margot Phelan, it's long past time for you to do so! Fans of strong female main characters and police procedurals are going to be just as obsessed with these books as I am!
Kate Wiley's upcoming third book in this series definitely did not disappoint when it came to the continuing story of Margot, a San Francisco detective who just happens to be the daughter of a notoriousm serial killer. The storyline in each book continues to create a masterful juxtaposition between the current captivating cases of Margot's work as a homicide detective and her past trauma with her serial killer dad. The way the ongoing storyline continues to require Margot to visit and communicate with her dad, while he serves his life sentence behind bars, is just as thrilling as it was in the first book. Wiley continues to captivate as she creates new twists and turns to the dynamic of father and daughter relationship.
Each book brings greater depth to the characters in this series, and I somehow love them even more with each book that is written. This is a fast-paced book with non-stop mystery that you won't want to put down once you start reading. You probably could read this as a stand-alone, but there are continuing police cases that are parts of the first two books. And honestly, the first two books are so phenomenal, and include so much of the backstory about Margot's serial killer dad and her childhood, you don't want to skip them!
When I reached the cliffhanger end to this one (no spoilers here!) and saw there's another book to come in this series, I cheered... And immediately signed up for Wiley's newsletter so I can get the latest updates.
I'm telling you, friends, this is one of my favorite thriller series and I cannot rave enough about these books. If you like thrillers with strong female main characters, police work, and fast-paced mysteries -- do yourself a favor and pick up these books. With this one coming out on October 28th, it's the perfect time to catch up with the first two books in the series! A huge thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review!
#TheKillerInstinct #KateWiley #NetGalley #NetGalleyReviews #ARC #bookreviews #bookrecommendations #bookrecs #thrillerbooks #thrilleraddict #thrillerlover #thrillerreads
The Killer Instinct By Kate Wiley
Publication Date: October 28, 2024
Publisher: Storm Publishing
📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
(Rounded Up To 5⭐)
📚MY REVIEW:
I swear, this series just gets more and more intense and my heart races even faster with every book! If you've not yet introduced yourself to Detective Margot Phelan, it's long past time for you to do so! Fans of strong female main characters and police procedurals are going to be just as obsessed with these books as I am!
Kate Wiley's upcoming third book in this series definitely did not disappoint when it came to the continuing story of Margot, a San Francisco detective who just happens to be the daughter of a notoriousm serial killer. The storyline in each book continues to create a masterful juxtaposition between the current captivating cases of Margot's work as a homicide detective and her past trauma with her serial killer dad. The way the ongoing storyline continues to require Margot to visit and communicate with her dad, while he serves his life sentence behind bars, is just as thrilling as it was in the first book. Wiley continues to captivate as she creates new twists and turns to the dynamic of father and daughter relationship.
Each book brings greater depth to the characters in this series, and I somehow love them even more with each book that is written. This is a fast-paced book with non-stop mystery that you won't want to put down once you start reading. You probably could read this as a stand-alone, but there are continuing police cases that are parts of the first two books. And honestly, the first two books are so phenomenal, and include so much of the backstory about Margot's serial killer dad and her childhood, you don't want to skip them!
When I reached the cliffhanger end to this one (no spoilers here!) and saw there's another book to come in this series, I cheered... And immediately signed up for Wiley's newsletter so I can get the latest updates.
I'm telling you, friends, this is one of my favorite thriller series and I cannot rave enough about these books. If you like thrillers with strong female main characters, police work, and fast-paced mysteries -- do yourself a favor and pick up these books. With this one coming out on October 28th, it's the perfect time to catch up with the first two books in the series! A huge thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this advanced reader's copy in exchange for my honest review!
#TheKillerInstinct #KateWiley #NetGalley #NetGalleyReviews #ARC #bookreviews #bookrecommendations #bookrecs #thrillerbooks #thrilleraddict #thrillerlover #thrillerreads
October 28, 2024
"The Killer Instinct" by Kate Wiley ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Kate Wiley’s "The Killer Instinct" is a masterclass in psychological suspense that grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go until the final page. As an ARC reader, I was completely captivated by the intricate web of mystery and emotion woven around Detective Margot Phalen, a character who navigates the murky waters of her past while confronting the chilling reality of her present. Margot, whose childhood was overshadowed by her father’s infamous legacy as a serial killer, finds herself thrust into a case that echoes his horrific crimes. The juxtaposition of her familial ties and professional duties creates a riveting tension that propels the narrative forward. The Muir Woods setting, with its serene beauty juxtaposed against the horrific murders, adds an eerie layer that enhances the novel's chilling atmosphere. Wiley’s writing is taut and atmospheric, painting vivid scenes that pull you deeper into the investigation. The pacing is relentless, with twists that keep you guessing and a mounting sense of dread that lingers like a fog. The shocking revelations about Margot’s father and the disturbing patterns of the current murders build a suspenseful crescendo that is both compelling and harrowing. What truly sets "The Killer Instinct" apart is its exploration of identity and the fear of becoming what you despise. Margot’s internal struggle to differentiate herself from her father adds depth to her character, making her journey not just one of solving crimes but of self-discovery. The emotional stakes are high, and Wiley navigates them with a deft hand, ensuring readers are fully invested in Margot’s fate. The supporting characters are equally well-developed, providing a rich backdrop against which Margot’s story unfolds. Their dynamics add layers of complexity and tension, enhancing the overall narrative without detracting from the main plot. In a market flooded with crime thrillers, "The Killer Instinct" stands out as a must-read for fans of authors like Karin Slaughter, Michael Connelly, and Tana French. It’s a thrilling ride filled with unexpected turns and a haunting exploration of the darkest corners of the human psyche. Prepare for a rollercoaster of emotions and a gripping plot that will keep you up at night—this book is a true page-turner. I found myself unable to put it down, eagerly devouring each chapter and craving more. Kate Wiley has outdone herself with this unforgettable sequel, and I can’t wait to see where she takes us next!
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