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Evil in the Family
Not yet published
Expected 31 Mar 26All families have demons. Some are more deadly than others…From the dark mind behind the DCI Matilda Darke series, comes the new Dr Olivia Winter novel in a twisty and gripping new series.
*Available to pre-order now*
'A hugely accomplished, immersive and thrilling read with a cracking main character' Trevor Wood
'Dark and devious in all the best ways. A sinister story that'll drag you in deep, and tease you all the way to the final twist' Robert Rutherford
***
A FAMILY SLAIN
When Detective Inspector Foley is called out to a crime scene, nothing could have prepared him for the level of brutality inflicted on the victims. And with terrifying similarities to another recent murder case, he fears there might be a serial killer running loose in London.
A PATTERN OF MURDER
With no suspects and no DNA at the crime scenes, Foley enlists the help of Forensic Psychologist Dr Olivia Winter to catch the killer before they strike again.
AN UNSTOPPABLE KILLER
As the killings become more frequent Olivia and Foley must focus on what could drive the killer to murder entire families. With his job and reputation on the line, is Foley risking everything by putting his trust in Olivia, a woman whose own past echoes an eerie similarity to the investigation?
The Dr Olivia Winter
The Mind of a MurdererThe Devil’s Code
Have you dared read a Michael Wood thriller yet?'It's beautiful, dark but gripping and a real page turner.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Clever, heartbreaking and – in parts – very gruesome!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'The Devil's Code is not for the faint hearted and is devilishly clever.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'The pace is relentless, fuelled by unexpected twists and dark revelations.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'An extremely chilling read with a twist that will blow your socks off!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'As you are reading it, you think you have it solved but you couldn’t be more wrong.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Once again, Michael Wood, the master of horror and suspense, has written a book that put me through the wringer with its taut, horrifying, dark and devious storyline.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I didn’t think he could better the Matilda Darke series which I love but I think Michael Wood might have hit the jackpot again with this one.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
*Available to pre-order now*
'A hugely accomplished, immersive and thrilling read with a cracking main character' Trevor Wood
'Dark and devious in all the best ways. A sinister story that'll drag you in deep, and tease you all the way to the final twist' Robert Rutherford
***
A FAMILY SLAIN
When Detective Inspector Foley is called out to a crime scene, nothing could have prepared him for the level of brutality inflicted on the victims. And with terrifying similarities to another recent murder case, he fears there might be a serial killer running loose in London.
A PATTERN OF MURDER
With no suspects and no DNA at the crime scenes, Foley enlists the help of Forensic Psychologist Dr Olivia Winter to catch the killer before they strike again.
AN UNSTOPPABLE KILLER
As the killings become more frequent Olivia and Foley must focus on what could drive the killer to murder entire families. With his job and reputation on the line, is Foley risking everything by putting his trust in Olivia, a woman whose own past echoes an eerie similarity to the investigation?
The Dr Olivia Winter
The Mind of a MurdererThe Devil’s Code
Have you dared read a Michael Wood thriller yet?'It's beautiful, dark but gripping and a real page turner.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Clever, heartbreaking and – in parts – very gruesome!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'The Devil's Code is not for the faint hearted and is devilishly clever.' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'The pace is relentless, fuelled by unexpected twists and dark revelations.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'An extremely chilling read with a twist that will blow your socks off!’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'As you are reading it, you think you have it solved but you couldn’t be more wrong.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Once again, Michael Wood, the master of horror and suspense, has written a book that put me through the wringer with its taut, horrifying, dark and devious storyline.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'I didn’t think he could better the Matilda Darke series which I love but I think Michael Wood might have hit the jackpot again with this one.’ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
476 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication March 31, 2026
7 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thanks to Michael and NetGalley for allowing me to read Evil in the Family before the publication date.
This is the third book in the forensic psychologist Dr Olivia Winter series and starts with a bang.
Check the windows and doors before settling in with this page turner.
Olivia lives with the trauma of her experience as a 9 year old who witnessed her father murder her mother and sister before trying to murder Olivia. Every aspect of her life is impacted by her experiences.
From the first page, the reader is taken into the scene of a house fire where people are trapped with no means of summoning help.
The tension just keeps on rising and each scene of crime becomes increasingly gory and not for the faint hearted.
To date, Olivia’s consultancy work for the Home Office has involved cold cases.
Now D.I. Foley has requested her presence at the scene of an active case where a family have been murdered.
How will this impact Olivia?
With the killer leaving no forensic clues, the pressure is brought on Olivia to draw conclusions about the killer before they kill again.
Michael Wood’s writing is realistic, portraying the officers as human beings who display their emotions and fears.
Without giving away any spoilers, he has included a line of thought which considers the argument about Nature vs Nurture in relation to characters in the book.
The horrific aspects of the crimes are slightly offset by some touches of humour by the author ( e.g. naming the C.S.I. Spencer Gore, who has a black sense of humour).
The presence of the cossetted dachshund, Stanley, provides some lighter entertainment.
Add in Stanley’s adoring playmates, the alsations Max and Dexter, owned by D.I. Foley, conjuring up comical images.
With the masterful use of misdirection, Michael has created numerous red herrings and plenty of twists and turns before the truth will out.
Looking forward to the next book.
This is the third book in the forensic psychologist Dr Olivia Winter series and starts with a bang.
Check the windows and doors before settling in with this page turner.
Olivia lives with the trauma of her experience as a 9 year old who witnessed her father murder her mother and sister before trying to murder Olivia. Every aspect of her life is impacted by her experiences.
From the first page, the reader is taken into the scene of a house fire where people are trapped with no means of summoning help.
The tension just keeps on rising and each scene of crime becomes increasingly gory and not for the faint hearted.
To date, Olivia’s consultancy work for the Home Office has involved cold cases.
Now D.I. Foley has requested her presence at the scene of an active case where a family have been murdered.
How will this impact Olivia?
With the killer leaving no forensic clues, the pressure is brought on Olivia to draw conclusions about the killer before they kill again.
Michael Wood’s writing is realistic, portraying the officers as human beings who display their emotions and fears.
Without giving away any spoilers, he has included a line of thought which considers the argument about Nature vs Nurture in relation to characters in the book.
The horrific aspects of the crimes are slightly offset by some touches of humour by the author ( e.g. naming the C.S.I. Spencer Gore, who has a black sense of humour).
The presence of the cossetted dachshund, Stanley, provides some lighter entertainment.
Add in Stanley’s adoring playmates, the alsations Max and Dexter, owned by D.I. Foley, conjuring up comical images.
With the masterful use of misdirection, Michael has created numerous red herrings and plenty of twists and turns before the truth will out.
Looking forward to the next book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5
4.5
Dr Olivia Winter and DI Amyas Foley #3
A fatal fire in which a couple die and the slaughter of a family six months later, the latter being most of the family of ex DCI Lola Duffy. There’s something about the way that the Duffy victims are placed that gives DI Amyas Foley pause for thought and to reach for the phone and call Doctor Olivia Winter at the Behavioural Science Administration. It seems there’s an utterly ruthless and apparently unstoppable killer at large with the time between his crime sprees growing ever shorter.
Thus is grim, dark, the darkest black your mind can fathom as this is a depraved killer. It’s creepy, brutal, claustrophobic, incredibly unsettling and the stuff that nightmares are made of. It’s very intense and brimful of tension and frustration as the team hit brick walls and struggle to find the identity of this very disturbed killer. This is Michael Wood so many a twist and turn in the first past storytelling is it given. It’s a gripping read though not for the faint hearted.
I really like the central characters of Foley, Winter and Dr Sebastian Lister at the BSA. Olivia‘s backstory is a tragic and harsh one and because of this she struggles to fully address what she sees at the crime scenes. My only criticism is there’s a lot of repetition in her backstory which seems unnecessary. Despite her struggles with this shocking case it becomes clear she’s stronger than she thinks – she needs to be.
Overall, a new Michael Wood book is always a cause the celebration for me as I know I’m in for a cracker of a rollercoaster read which is certainly true here. This is one you do need to buckle up as it’s a very bumpy ride.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to. HarperCollins/One More Chapter for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
4.5
Dr Olivia Winter and DI Amyas Foley #3
A fatal fire in which a couple die and the slaughter of a family six months later, the latter being most of the family of ex DCI Lola Duffy. There’s something about the way that the Duffy victims are placed that gives DI Amyas Foley pause for thought and to reach for the phone and call Doctor Olivia Winter at the Behavioural Science Administration. It seems there’s an utterly ruthless and apparently unstoppable killer at large with the time between his crime sprees growing ever shorter.
Thus is grim, dark, the darkest black your mind can fathom as this is a depraved killer. It’s creepy, brutal, claustrophobic, incredibly unsettling and the stuff that nightmares are made of. It’s very intense and brimful of tension and frustration as the team hit brick walls and struggle to find the identity of this very disturbed killer. This is Michael Wood so many a twist and turn in the first past storytelling is it given. It’s a gripping read though not for the faint hearted.
I really like the central characters of Foley, Winter and Dr Sebastian Lister at the BSA. Olivia‘s backstory is a tragic and harsh one and because of this she struggles to fully address what she sees at the crime scenes. My only criticism is there’s a lot of repetition in her backstory which seems unnecessary. Despite her struggles with this shocking case it becomes clear she’s stronger than she thinks – she needs to be.
Overall, a new Michael Wood book is always a cause the celebration for me as I know I’m in for a cracker of a rollercoaster read which is certainly true here. This is one you do need to buckle up as it’s a very bumpy ride.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to. HarperCollins/One More Chapter for the much appreciated early copy in return for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Michael Wood is one of my go to authors, love both the Matilda Darke and Olivia Winter series. ‘Evil in the Family’ is a dark police procedural that pushes the boundaries. Detective Inspector Foley is called to a brutal crime scene and faces an horrendous sight. Michael Wood doesn’t apply the brakes and we get the full picture of the brutality of the scene.
A serial killer is loose in London, a killer who leaves no DNA, no fingerprints, and zero clues. As the killings become more frequent and the victims turn out to be entire families, the pressure on Foley starts to feel suffocating.
With all enquiries reaching dead ends Foley decides to call on Forensic Psychologist Dr. Olivia Winter. Olivia is tasked with trying to understand the killer and why someone would try to kill an entire family. Olivia has her own dark past and must deal with that to have any chance of solving this case.
There are some strong characters in this well paced novel and I enjoyed the dialogue between them. This is a very good psychological thriller that gripped me from beginning to the end.
“In the search for a monster, Foley has to trust a woman who might be haunted by a monster of her own.” ‘Evil in the Family’ is a dark psychological thriller that is not for the more timid reader.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
A serial killer is loose in London, a killer who leaves no DNA, no fingerprints, and zero clues. As the killings become more frequent and the victims turn out to be entire families, the pressure on Foley starts to feel suffocating.
With all enquiries reaching dead ends Foley decides to call on Forensic Psychologist Dr. Olivia Winter. Olivia is tasked with trying to understand the killer and why someone would try to kill an entire family. Olivia has her own dark past and must deal with that to have any chance of solving this case.
There are some strong characters in this well paced novel and I enjoyed the dialogue between them. This is a very good psychological thriller that gripped me from beginning to the end.
“In the search for a monster, Foley has to trust a woman who might be haunted by a monster of her own.” ‘Evil in the Family’ is a dark psychological thriller that is not for the more timid reader.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Harper Collins UK for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Inspector Foley and forensic psychologist Dr. Olivia Winter join forces again in this third book of a series, and the crimes may be the worst yet. Entire families are being killed and posed in terrible ways, and it’s so bad that Olivia can barely stay on the scenes. She keeps seeing flashes from the past of her father mid-attack, and it’s taking its toll on her professional capabilities.
At the same time, Ryan is struggling with his new research position with Olivia and Sebastian. He’s realizing how lonely he is in London and how hard it is to make new acquaintances. Even when he tries putting himself out there, starting conversations in the pubs, for example, he’s met only with disinterest or disdain.
Will the team be able to put aside their personal struggles in order to help bring a killer to justice? DI Foley sure hopes so – his superiors have made it clear that his job depends on it.
If I hadn’t realized almost right off the bat who the perpetrator was, I probably would have enjoyed it more. But I think the author made it too obvious – at least to the reader. To think that neither the detectives nor the psychologists would have considered this person is ridiculous. The person is literally exactly of the type described, more than one of the team has interacted with them, and still, no one considers them a suspect. It’s just too unbelievable!
My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter for the free advanced reading copy of this book.
At the same time, Ryan is struggling with his new research position with Olivia and Sebastian. He’s realizing how lonely he is in London and how hard it is to make new acquaintances. Even when he tries putting himself out there, starting conversations in the pubs, for example, he’s met only with disinterest or disdain.
Will the team be able to put aside their personal struggles in order to help bring a killer to justice? DI Foley sure hopes so – his superiors have made it clear that his job depends on it.
If I hadn’t realized almost right off the bat who the perpetrator was, I probably would have enjoyed it more. But I think the author made it too obvious – at least to the reader. To think that neither the detectives nor the psychologists would have considered this person is ridiculous. The person is literally exactly of the type described, more than one of the team has interacted with them, and still, no one considers them a suspect. It’s just too unbelievable!
My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins UK/One More Chapter for the free advanced reading copy of this book.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The murders in this novel are disturbing and shocking to say the least. It makes you think of what members of the police force have to deal with and it certainly isn’t easy or something I could do. To be faced with such brutality is not for the faint hearted and you can see the effects it is having on Foley and his team. Not only them, poor Olivia is called upon for her expertise and it brings back too many memories of what happened to her and her family.
Along with the case, Olivia is still trying to deal with her own demons. Poor Ryan seems to be struggling with his own also. This is as much to do with the psychological elements of how crimes affect people as well as what makes killers do what they do. As always there are characters who made my skin crawl and my heart broke for the poor victims. It was a fascinating read trying to get into the head of a killer and it’s not a place I would want to me in for long.
Evil in the Family was a dark and intense read. I thought I had it all worked out, even though I didn’t want to be right, as the possibility would have damning effects. I should have known better though as the author plays a blinder of a twist that knocked me sideways. I really love this team of characters as they work well together and have a mutual respect. As much as this series shocks and horrifies me, it always leaves me wanting more. Insanely good!
Along with the case, Olivia is still trying to deal with her own demons. Poor Ryan seems to be struggling with his own also. This is as much to do with the psychological elements of how crimes affect people as well as what makes killers do what they do. As always there are characters who made my skin crawl and my heart broke for the poor victims. It was a fascinating read trying to get into the head of a killer and it’s not a place I would want to me in for long.
Evil in the Family was a dark and intense read. I thought I had it all worked out, even though I didn’t want to be right, as the possibility would have damning effects. I should have known better though as the author plays a blinder of a twist that knocked me sideways. I really love this team of characters as they work well together and have a mutual respect. As much as this series shocks and horrifies me, it always leaves me wanting more. Insanely good!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Evil in the Family by Michael Wood is book 3 in the Dr Olivia Winter series. It is published on 31 March. 2 families are destroyed, one of them the family of retired DCI Lola Duffy. It is Duffy who calls DI Amyas Foley to the scene of the crime. And the killings continue. Foley has a good team with DS Holly Goodfellow and DS Leon Rippner, quite different in character and strengths. Foley then calls on the services of Dr Olivia Winter. Olivia Winter has horror in her past which has brought her a unique perspective to her specialty, which is serial killers. However, it has also left her messed up in some ways. She now runs the Behavioural Science Administration with Sebastian Lister. During the book, we get into the minds of serial killers, at times both fascinating and creepy. But through it all, the horror of the killings comes through. What a fabulous read, although not for the faint-hearted.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is the third book in the Dr. Olivia Winter series. It can also be read as a standalone. When DI Foley encounters a gruesome murder scene, involving a whole family, he notices similarities between this scene and others. With no suspects and no DNA evidence, Foley enlists the help of Dr. Olivia Winter, a forensic psychologist.
Dr. Winter herself has a past with a serial killer, her own father, when she witnesses him killing her mother and her sister, and barely escapes with her own life. This tragic past both helps and hinders her with these investigations. As the killer continues on his killing spree, Olivia must wade through her feelings and her PTSD if she’s going to be useful to DI Foley.
This book is sinister, horrifying, and will keep you up at night. I hope there’s another Olivia Winter book coming because I can’t get enough of her. Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Collin’s UK One More Chapter for the digital copy of this 5-star book.
Dr. Winter herself has a past with a serial killer, her own father, when she witnesses him killing her mother and her sister, and barely escapes with her own life. This tragic past both helps and hinders her with these investigations. As the killer continues on his killing spree, Olivia must wade through her feelings and her PTSD if she’s going to be useful to DI Foley.
This book is sinister, horrifying, and will keep you up at night. I hope there’s another Olivia Winter book coming because I can’t get enough of her. Thank you, NetGalley and Harper Collin’s UK One More Chapter for the digital copy of this 5-star book.
February 5, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for inviting me to read and review this book.
A killer has struck, murdering whole families and posing them with slashed smiles. With no clues the police need Dr Olivia Winter’s input to point towards a killer.
Wow, Michael Wood has done it again. Talk about suspense! From the prologue when we first meet the killer, to the last twist and turn, I was gripped. Gruesome crime scenes, expertly described, the horror was clear in my mind. The build up to the final reveal was impressive, I didn’t expect that! There is a page near the end that had me thinking of a certain Matilda Darke book and I definitely felt my heart rate increase. This series is amazing and can’t wait to read the next one!
A killer has struck, murdering whole families and posing them with slashed smiles. With no clues the police need Dr Olivia Winter’s input to point towards a killer.
Wow, Michael Wood has done it again. Talk about suspense! From the prologue when we first meet the killer, to the last twist and turn, I was gripped. Gruesome crime scenes, expertly described, the horror was clear in my mind. The build up to the final reveal was impressive, I didn’t expect that! There is a page near the end that had me thinking of a certain Matilda Darke book and I definitely felt my heart rate increase. This series is amazing and can’t wait to read the next one!
January 31, 2026
Oh so the dark and twisted!! I really enjoyed this one I would like to say I followed them red herrings completely so the ending was a massive shock I did not see coming!
I love Olivia Amyas and the team I love how real they are and how Olivia is overcoming her own trauma. She’s really becoming her own person. The murders wow just wow dark creepy twisted I think I might even have nightmares!
Brilliant crime thriller can’t wait for book 4
I love Olivia Amyas and the team I love how real they are and how Olivia is overcoming her own trauma. She’s really becoming her own person. The murders wow just wow dark creepy twisted I think I might even have nightmares!
Brilliant crime thriller can’t wait for book 4
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The third book in the Dr Olivia Winter series and it’s an absolute belter! From the start this book will draw you in and you’re losing time devouring the pages. Olivia and Sebastian are such solid characters with their own issues but Ryan was such a broken man I felt so sorry for him. Maya’s is one of my favourites though. Be warned there is parts where you go WTF! And I loved it. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews