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Bloodlines #1
The Ferryman's Daughter
Not yet published
Expected 1 Oct 26The daughter of an infamous murderer gets caught up in a copycat’s sick game in this thriller about legacy, self-determination, and corrosive secrecy from the bestselling author of Not What She Seems.
Forensic science teacher Sanaa Karrem buried her past as deep as she could. When her serial killer father, known as “the Ferryman,” disappeared eighteen years ago, she tried to disappear with him. She changed her name, built a new life. And for a while, it all felt like a distant nightmare.
But when bodies turn up with pennies on their eyes, Sanaa recognizes her father’s signature. The nightmare becomes real again. Soon, Sanaa starts receiving threatening messages and increasingly disturbing “gifts.” The killer is toying with her, and she can’t tell anyone—not even her own fiancé, Detective Marcus Morelli, lead investigator on the case.
As the body count rises, Sanaa leans on her expertise as a former medical examiner to close in on the killer. What she finds is a horrific manifestation of her father’s legacy, hitting shockingly close to home. But what disturbs her most is how much that legacy still lingers within her…
Forensic science teacher Sanaa Karrem buried her past as deep as she could. When her serial killer father, known as “the Ferryman,” disappeared eighteen years ago, she tried to disappear with him. She changed her name, built a new life. And for a while, it all felt like a distant nightmare.
But when bodies turn up with pennies on their eyes, Sanaa recognizes her father’s signature. The nightmare becomes real again. Soon, Sanaa starts receiving threatening messages and increasingly disturbing “gifts.” The killer is toying with her, and she can’t tell anyone—not even her own fiancé, Detective Marcus Morelli, lead investigator on the case.
As the body count rises, Sanaa leans on her expertise as a former medical examiner to close in on the killer. What she finds is a horrific manifestation of her father’s legacy, hitting shockingly close to home. But what disturbs her most is how much that legacy still lingers within her…
411 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 1, 2026
About the author
Yasmin Angoe
11 books713 followersYasmin Angoe is an action and psychological suspense thriller author, Library of Virginia People’s Choice Award Fiction Finalist, and Anthony-award nominee of the critically acclaimed Her Name is Knight and Not What She Seems. Her Knight series has been featured in The New York Times, Oprah Daily, The Guardian, PopSugar, and Woman’s World book club, and the series is currently optioned for a feature. Yasmin is the recipient of the 2020 Eleanor Taylor Bland Award for Emerging Writers of Color and has been nominated for the Anthony Awards and the Library of Virginia’s People’s Choice Award. She is a proud member of organizations such as Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, Crime Writers of Color, International Thriller Writers, and the Women’s National Book Association. Hailing from Northern Virginia, Yasmin Angoe is a first-generation Ghanaian American and a former English teacher and instructional coach,
She received a Kirkus review calling Her Name Is Knight, “A parable of reclaiming personal and tribal identity by seizing power at all costs".
She received a Kirkus review calling Her Name Is Knight, “A parable of reclaiming personal and tribal identity by seizing power at all costs".
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May 17, 2026The Ferryman's Daughter by Yasmin Angoe is the first book in the Bloodlines Series. The book is published by Thomas & Mercer, is a thriller/ mystery.
I read the blurb and was intrigued by the story.
I started reading and soon I was confused. I couldn't really connect with story and characters. The fmc is the daughter of a wanted man. For 18 years there was no clue of him. But when bodies show up, she recognizes his handiwork. Ummm yes, no joke. So in a race against time and family bonds she's hunting her father.
This book has me torn, the writing is ok, but I just couldn't connect.
I read the blurb and was intrigued by the story.
I started reading and soon I was confused. I couldn't really connect with story and characters. The fmc is the daughter of a wanted man. For 18 years there was no clue of him. But when bodies show up, she recognizes his handiwork. Ummm yes, no joke. So in a race against time and family bonds she's hunting her father.
This book has me torn, the writing is ok, but I just couldn't connect.
May 21, 2026
Thank you NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my unpaid review.
I was drawn to this book after watching Patrick Dempsey’s new show Memory of a Killer. I had never heard of the Ferryman before, but after the show — and now this book — I’m well acquainted with the legend. In Greek mythology, the Ferryman transports the dead between life and death, often requiring coins left with the deceased as payment for passage.
The main character, Sanaa, is the Ferryman’s daughter, and now a Mimic has started killing again decades later. Before I get into what I loved (and my loving critiques), I have to say this: I regularly guess twists and endings in books — much to the annoyance of my friends and family. The author did an excellent job of foreshadowing and leaving breadcrumbs without making the twists obvious.
✨ Loves:
• The characters were well developed
• Lots of twists and turns — just when you thought you had it figured out, the story twisted again
• Psychologically, I appreciated the representation of trauma. Some readers may wonder why Sanaa didn’t speak up sooner, but that’s the reality of trauma. It can cause people to freeze, question themselves, and stay silent longer than others expect.
✨ Loving Critiques:
• At times, the pacing felt slow and some characters were difficult to connect with
• Readers sensitive to gruesome content should check trigger warnings beforehand
• A few subplots felt unfinished by the end
Overall, I would recommend this book, and thank you again to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC!
I was drawn to this book after watching Patrick Dempsey’s new show Memory of a Killer. I had never heard of the Ferryman before, but after the show — and now this book — I’m well acquainted with the legend. In Greek mythology, the Ferryman transports the dead between life and death, often requiring coins left with the deceased as payment for passage.
The main character, Sanaa, is the Ferryman’s daughter, and now a Mimic has started killing again decades later. Before I get into what I loved (and my loving critiques), I have to say this: I regularly guess twists and endings in books — much to the annoyance of my friends and family. The author did an excellent job of foreshadowing and leaving breadcrumbs without making the twists obvious.
✨ Loves:
• The characters were well developed
• Lots of twists and turns — just when you thought you had it figured out, the story twisted again
• Psychologically, I appreciated the representation of trauma. Some readers may wonder why Sanaa didn’t speak up sooner, but that’s the reality of trauma. It can cause people to freeze, question themselves, and stay silent longer than others expect.
✨ Loving Critiques:
• At times, the pacing felt slow and some characters were difficult to connect with
• Readers sensitive to gruesome content should check trigger warnings beforehand
• A few subplots felt unfinished by the end
Overall, I would recommend this book, and thank you again to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Ferryman's Daughter is a gripping, twist-filled thriller that hooked me from the very first pages and never let go. Yasmin Angoe has crafted a dark, emotionally charged mystery that combines family secrets, psychological suspense, and a relentless cat-and-mouse game into an unforgettable read.
Sanaa Karrem is a fascinating protagonist. As the daughter of the infamous serial killer known as the Ferryman, she's spent years trying to bury her past and build a normal life. When a copycat killer begins recreating her father's crimes, she's forced to confront everything she's been running from. I especially appreciated how realistically the novel explores trauma and its long-lasting effects. Sanaa's fears, doubts, and decisions felt authentic, making her a character I couldn't help but root for.
The mystery itself is expertly constructed. Angoe leaves just enough clues and breadcrumbs for attentive readers to piece things together without making the answers obvious. I love thrillers that play fair with the reader, and this one delivers. There are plenty of twists and surprises along the way, and even when I suspected certain developments, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how everything unfolded.
The supporting cast is equally compelling, particularly Sanaa's fiancé, Detective Marcus Morelli, and the complicated relationships surrounding the investigation. The emotional stakes feel just as important as the hunt for the killer, giving the story real depth beyond the suspense.
What stood out most to me was the atmosphere of constant tension. Even during quieter moments, there was an underlying sense of dread that kept me turning pages. More than once, I found myself thinking about the book when I wasn't reading, trying to piece together motives and connections. For me, that's always the sign of a truly engaging thriller.
Dark, intelligent, and packed with suspense, The Ferryman's Daughter is an outstanding start to what promises to be a fantastic new series. I can't wait to see where the Bloodlines series goes next and will definitely be seeking out more of Yasmin Angoe's work.
The Ferryman's Daughter is a gripping, twist-filled thriller that hooked me from the very first pages and never let go. Yasmin Angoe has crafted a dark, emotionally charged mystery that combines family secrets, psychological suspense, and a relentless cat-and-mouse game into an unforgettable read.
Sanaa Karrem is a fascinating protagonist. As the daughter of the infamous serial killer known as the Ferryman, she's spent years trying to bury her past and build a normal life. When a copycat killer begins recreating her father's crimes, she's forced to confront everything she's been running from. I especially appreciated how realistically the novel explores trauma and its long-lasting effects. Sanaa's fears, doubts, and decisions felt authentic, making her a character I couldn't help but root for.
The mystery itself is expertly constructed. Angoe leaves just enough clues and breadcrumbs for attentive readers to piece things together without making the answers obvious. I love thrillers that play fair with the reader, and this one delivers. There are plenty of twists and surprises along the way, and even when I suspected certain developments, I thoroughly enjoyed seeing how everything unfolded.
The supporting cast is equally compelling, particularly Sanaa's fiancé, Detective Marcus Morelli, and the complicated relationships surrounding the investigation. The emotional stakes feel just as important as the hunt for the killer, giving the story real depth beyond the suspense.
What stood out most to me was the atmosphere of constant tension. Even during quieter moments, there was an underlying sense of dread that kept me turning pages. More than once, I found myself thinking about the book when I wasn't reading, trying to piece together motives and connections. For me, that's always the sign of a truly engaging thriller.
Dark, intelligent, and packed with suspense, The Ferryman's Daughter is an outstanding start to what promises to be a fantastic new series. I can't wait to see where the Bloodlines series goes next and will definitely be seeking out more of Yasmin Angoe's work.
May 22, 2026
This book uncannily reminded me of Sharon Bolton’s stories right from the very first couple of pages, and got me just as hooked just as fast. I must note that she was the first writer who introduced me to the world of well-written mystery thrillers, so this is not a comparison I make lightly! Furthermore, I always love stories that explore and expose family secrets, and you can hardly get closer to a looming family secret in this genre than with a daughter of a serial killer who is trying to hide this huge aspect of her life from her cop fiancé while simultaneously trying to find her father’s copycat before he kills her, reveals her secret to the world or all of the above.
At its core, this book describes what happens when we unsuccessfully try to escape events that shaped us, for better or worse, which is a sentiment any reader, even one without such a memorable past, can easily identify with. When it comes to the writing, I felt like some passages lost the tension they were meant to convey because there was too much of an insight into the main character’s thoughts while not enough happened on the outside; I also wished for more of a backstory about some of the minor characters. The final reveal will not be a total surprise to anyone who is familiar with the genre, but there is something to be said about books that allow you to figure out the “who” by yourself without coming out of left field with a random reveal a couple of pages before the end, so don’t let this bother you. The main characters are wonderfully complex people, and you cannot help but root for them, even when their decisions seem less than sane, which happens quite often (and that’s all I can safely say without any spoilers!).
I was previously unfamiliar with Yasmin Angoe’s books, but I’ll definitely check out her previous work and am looking forward to upcoming books in the Bloodlines series!
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Yasmin Angoe for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
At its core, this book describes what happens when we unsuccessfully try to escape events that shaped us, for better or worse, which is a sentiment any reader, even one without such a memorable past, can easily identify with. When it comes to the writing, I felt like some passages lost the tension they were meant to convey because there was too much of an insight into the main character’s thoughts while not enough happened on the outside; I also wished for more of a backstory about some of the minor characters. The final reveal will not be a total surprise to anyone who is familiar with the genre, but there is something to be said about books that allow you to figure out the “who” by yourself without coming out of left field with a random reveal a couple of pages before the end, so don’t let this bother you. The main characters are wonderfully complex people, and you cannot help but root for them, even when their decisions seem less than sane, which happens quite often (and that’s all I can safely say without any spoilers!).
I was previously unfamiliar with Yasmin Angoe’s books, but I’ll definitely check out her previous work and am looking forward to upcoming books in the Bloodlines series!
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer and Yasmin Angoe for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Great premise and highly addictive, but with a few minor speed bumps.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 stars)
As a massive fan of psychological thrillers, I am always a sucker for a "child of a serial killer" trope, and Yasmin Angoe absolutely nails the setup here.
What I Loved
The Hook: Sanaa is a great protagonist. Having her be a forensic science teacher and former medical examiner gave her a brilliant, logical edge that made her actions feel earned rather than forced.
The Atmosphere: The copycat aspect—leaving pennies on the victims' eyes—was delightfully creepy and set a dark, tense mood right from the opening chapters.
The Structure: I really enjoyed that this was told from multiple POVs. It kept the pacing incredibly brisk and allowed us to see the investigation from different angles, which kept me turning the pages late into the night.
My Gripes
The Secret-Keeping: The main reason this is a 4-star read instead of a 5 is Sanaa’s insistence on keeping her fiancé, Marcus (who is literally the lead detective!), completely in the dark. I get that she was terrified of her past getting out, but the "lying to the partner" trope always frustrates me a bit when a simple conversation could solve half the tension.
The Ending: While the build-up was fantastic, the final reveal and wrap-up felt just a fraction too rushed compared to the excellent, slow-burn cat-and-mouse game that preceded it.
Final Verdict
If you love a dark, fast-paced thriller that explores whether we can ever truly escape our family legacy, The Ferryman's Daughter is well worth your time. Angoe is a fantastic storyteller, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for her next book!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5 stars)
As a massive fan of psychological thrillers, I am always a sucker for a "child of a serial killer" trope, and Yasmin Angoe absolutely nails the setup here.
What I Loved
The Hook: Sanaa is a great protagonist. Having her be a forensic science teacher and former medical examiner gave her a brilliant, logical edge that made her actions feel earned rather than forced.
The Atmosphere: The copycat aspect—leaving pennies on the victims' eyes—was delightfully creepy and set a dark, tense mood right from the opening chapters.
The Structure: I really enjoyed that this was told from multiple POVs. It kept the pacing incredibly brisk and allowed us to see the investigation from different angles, which kept me turning the pages late into the night.
My Gripes
The Secret-Keeping: The main reason this is a 4-star read instead of a 5 is Sanaa’s insistence on keeping her fiancé, Marcus (who is literally the lead detective!), completely in the dark. I get that she was terrified of her past getting out, but the "lying to the partner" trope always frustrates me a bit when a simple conversation could solve half the tension.
The Ending: While the build-up was fantastic, the final reveal and wrap-up felt just a fraction too rushed compared to the excellent, slow-burn cat-and-mouse game that preceded it.
Final Verdict
If you love a dark, fast-paced thriller that explores whether we can ever truly escape our family legacy, The Ferryman's Daughter is well worth your time. Angoe is a fantastic storyteller, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for her next book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Ferryman’s Daughter is a taut, unsettling thriller that hooked me from the very first chapter. Yasmin Angoe weaves a story that’s as much about inherited trauma and identity as it is about a chilling new string of murders — and the result is compulsive, atmospheric, and deeply human.
Sanaa Karrem is a standout protagonist. Strong, brilliant, and fiercely guarded, she’s spent nearly two decades trying to bury the truth of who her father was. Watching her carefully constructed life begin to crack — first with the discovery of bodies marked with the Ferryman’s signature, then with the threatening messages that hit far too close to home — is both heartbreaking and riveting. Her fear feels real, and her determination to protect her daughter and fiancé adds emotional weight to every decision she makes.
The tension builds beautifully. Angoe balances forensic detail with psychological depth, and the pacing never falters. Each new “gift,” each echo of her father’s crimes, tightens the noose around Sanaa, and the sense of being hunted is palpable. I especially loved how the story explores the idea of legacy — not just what we inherit, but what we fear we might become.
The final reveals land with impact, tying together the mystery and the emotional threads in a way that feels both shocking and inevitable.
Perfect for readers who enjoy dark, character‑driven thrillers with a true‑crime edge, The Ferryman’s Daughter is tense, smart, and impossible to put down. A chilling, emotionally charged thriller about the past we bury and the monsters we fear live inside us.
With thanks to Yasmin Angoe, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Sanaa Karrem is a standout protagonist. Strong, brilliant, and fiercely guarded, she’s spent nearly two decades trying to bury the truth of who her father was. Watching her carefully constructed life begin to crack — first with the discovery of bodies marked with the Ferryman’s signature, then with the threatening messages that hit far too close to home — is both heartbreaking and riveting. Her fear feels real, and her determination to protect her daughter and fiancé adds emotional weight to every decision she makes.
The tension builds beautifully. Angoe balances forensic detail with psychological depth, and the pacing never falters. Each new “gift,” each echo of her father’s crimes, tightens the noose around Sanaa, and the sense of being hunted is palpable. I especially loved how the story explores the idea of legacy — not just what we inherit, but what we fear we might become.
The final reveals land with impact, tying together the mystery and the emotional threads in a way that feels both shocking and inevitable.
Perfect for readers who enjoy dark, character‑driven thrillers with a true‑crime edge, The Ferryman’s Daughter is tense, smart, and impossible to put down. A chilling, emotionally charged thriller about the past we bury and the monsters we fear live inside us.
With thanks to Yasmin Angoe, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
June 2, 2026
The idea behind this book is very good, but the execution leaves much to be desired.
Unfortunately, one logical error follows another throughout the story, and the resolution leaves out several important points that would have made the narrative feel complete and cohesive. Yes, I know that in reality a murderer often needs very little reason to take someone's life, but in a novel you need that initial trigger to understand why everything began at that particular moment and in that particular place. At the same time, countless questions arise while reading, yet the author leaves them unanswered, while repeatedly revisiting certain points that do not need to be repeated.
Other authors have explored the theme of serial killers' children as well, such as Rachel Caine in her Stillhouse Lake series and Freida McFadden in The Locked Door. This book has the potential to be a worthy successor to those works, but it still needs more development. In its current form, it feels rather weak.
Unfortunately, one logical error follows another throughout the story, and the resolution leaves out several important points that would have made the narrative feel complete and cohesive. Yes, I know that in reality a murderer often needs very little reason to take someone's life, but in a novel you need that initial trigger to understand why everything began at that particular moment and in that particular place. At the same time, countless questions arise while reading, yet the author leaves them unanswered, while repeatedly revisiting certain points that do not need to be repeated.
Other authors have explored the theme of serial killers' children as well, such as Rachel Caine in her Stillhouse Lake series and Freida McFadden in The Locked Door. This book has the potential to be a worthy successor to those works, but it still needs more development. In its current form, it feels rather weak.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Ferryman's Daughter follows teacher Sanaa as a wave of murders takes place that follow the same methods as her serial killer father.
Overall, this book was good but not great. The first 2/3 dragged a little, and I couldn't really get into it. Sanaa does a lot of stuff that makes her look guilty as hell. The last 1/3, on the other hand, flew by for me. I only worked out the killer about 2 chapters before the author spells it out, and the payoff felt good.
The writing lacked a little for me, some scenes had what felt like continuity issues and there were some very repetitive lines (3 references in the same chapter to "bringing a knife to a gunfight").
However the premise and broad execution were good.
Overall, this book was good but not great. The first 2/3 dragged a little, and I couldn't really get into it. Sanaa does a lot of stuff that makes her look guilty as hell. The last 1/3, on the other hand, flew by for me. I only worked out the killer about 2 chapters before the author spells it out, and the payoff felt good.
The writing lacked a little for me, some scenes had what felt like continuity issues and there were some very repetitive lines (3 references in the same chapter to "bringing a knife to a gunfight").
However the premise and broad execution were good.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2026
took my time because I really wanted to savour this one. Everything about it appealed to me and if it’s not made into a film someone isn’t doing their job properly.
I had anxiety waiting for what happened next, I guessed things before they happened but I loved being right.
I don’t want to do spoilers, I just want to say it’s very enjoyable with great characters, I was rooting for the killer with one of them … not sure what that says about me … but when I was away from the book doing normal things I was trying to piece together who and why which is the sign of something special as far as I’m concerned.
I had anxiety waiting for what happened next, I guessed things before they happened but I loved being right.
I don’t want to do spoilers, I just want to say it’s very enjoyable with great characters, I was rooting for the killer with one of them … not sure what that says about me … but when I was away from the book doing normal things I was trying to piece together who and why which is the sign of something special as far as I’m concerned.
June 7, 2026
Thank you NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Yasmin Angoe for the opportunity to read The Ferryman's Daughter in advance.
The Ferryman's Daughter was an exciting psychological thriller with a multi-dimensional lead character who explored what it means to overcome a troubling childhood and battle past traumas. My main takeaway from this novel is that love can conquer evilness, despite it coming back to haunt you when you least expect it. This was my first novel by Yasmin Angoe and cannot wait for the next book in the Bloodline series.
4 out of 5 stars.
I loved the twists and turns in the story and my mind was racing throughout reading with "WHO DONE IT"?
The Ferryman's Daughter was an exciting psychological thriller with a multi-dimensional lead character who explored what it means to overcome a troubling childhood and battle past traumas. My main takeaway from this novel is that love can conquer evilness, despite it coming back to haunt you when you least expect it. This was my first novel by Yasmin Angoe and cannot wait for the next book in the Bloodline series.
4 out of 5 stars.
I loved the twists and turns in the story and my mind was racing throughout reading with "WHO DONE IT"?
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book publishes in Oct 2026. Thanks to NetGalley for giving me the chance to read this!
This book was right up my alley: serial killer, forensic science, and of course the psychology behind it all. I am used to some books getting very technical into the forensics, but this book gives you just enough for interest but doesn't let it take away from the action. I had a few guesses along the way, and I liked how the author wrapped it together.
This book introduced a "new to me author" and I cannot wait to check out her other books!
This book was right up my alley: serial killer, forensic science, and of course the psychology behind it all. I am used to some books getting very technical into the forensics, but this book gives you just enough for interest but doesn't let it take away from the action. I had a few guesses along the way, and I liked how the author wrapped it together.
This book introduced a "new to me author" and I cannot wait to check out her other books!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Rounding up to 3 ⭐
This started well. Setting the scene of serial killers daughter, hiding big truths from everyone around her.But didn't really get beyond that.
It was at times super slow.
I didn't ever feel tension, and when the murderer started talking it all felt a bit as if I'd heard it all before.
Didn't get beyond ok for me unfortunately.
Thanks to netgalley for the free digital copy
This started well. Setting the scene of serial killers daughter, hiding big truths from everyone around her.But didn't really get beyond that.
It was at times super slow.
I didn't ever feel tension, and when the murderer started talking it all felt a bit as if I'd heard it all before.
Didn't get beyond ok for me unfortunately.
Thanks to netgalley for the free digital copy
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The first instalment for the Bloodlines series-it was a gripping story that was packed with suspense and twisty moments. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this unputdownable book. With so much thanks NetGalley and to the publisher Thomas & Mercer for the arc.
June 16, 2026
ARC NetGallery & Thomas & Mercer
Pub Date Oct 01 2026
… Review Coming Soon …
Pub Date Oct 01 2026
… Review Coming Soon …
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.5
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed this book more than I expected to. The Ferryman’s Daughter was a slow burn game of cat and mouse with a ton of twists and turns. Every time I thought I had something figured out, I very quickly realized I did not.
The characters were well-developed and the trauma representation was excellent. I will say, there were times that the writing slowed down and seemed to drag on a bit and the ending felt a tad rushed.
Overall, an enjoyable 4 star read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
The characters were well-developed and the trauma representation was excellent. I will say, there were times that the writing slowed down and seemed to drag on a bit and the ending felt a tad rushed.
Overall, an enjoyable 4 star read.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!
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