What do you think?
Rate this book
Margot Phalen FBI Series #1
Tell Me Her Name
She profiles killers for a living. The man she loves just became a prime suspect.
When FBI special agent Margot Phalen enters a prison interview room, she knows how to make killers talk. She’s spent six years coaxing confessions from men already behind bars, uncovering the victims no one knew existed. Missing girls whose cases went cold. Families still searching for answers.
It’s dark work, but she can do it. She learned from the best. Her father was a serial killer.
But while on location interviewing a killer who targeted child beauty pageant contestants, she gets a call that almost breaks her. A teenage girl has been murdered in Margot’s small California hometown, and her partner Wes—the last person to see the victim alive—is under arrest. The evidence is damning. The timeline is impossible to explain.
Margot’s entire life depends on being able to read killers. What if she’s wrong about the one person she’s let into her carefully guarded world? The only man she’s ever trusted?
Some cases hit too close to home. This one might destroy everything she has.
An utterly gripping crime thriller that will have you holding your breath until the final confession. Perfect for readers who love Lisa Regan, A.J. Rivers and Robert Dugoni.
When FBI special agent Margot Phalen enters a prison interview room, she knows how to make killers talk. She’s spent six years coaxing confessions from men already behind bars, uncovering the victims no one knew existed. Missing girls whose cases went cold. Families still searching for answers.
It’s dark work, but she can do it. She learned from the best. Her father was a serial killer.
But while on location interviewing a killer who targeted child beauty pageant contestants, she gets a call that almost breaks her. A teenage girl has been murdered in Margot’s small California hometown, and her partner Wes—the last person to see the victim alive—is under arrest. The evidence is damning. The timeline is impossible to explain.
Margot’s entire life depends on being able to read killers. What if she’s wrong about the one person she’s let into her carefully guarded world? The only man she’s ever trusted?
Some cases hit too close to home. This one might destroy everything she has.
An utterly gripping crime thriller that will have you holding your breath until the final confession. Perfect for readers who love Lisa Regan, A.J. Rivers and Robert Dugoni.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 18, 2026
61 people are currently reading
410 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews
February 21, 2026
I am so glad Kate Wiley is writing another series with Margot Phalen as the lead because I loved the first one and this one had me turning the pages.
It is five years since Margot and Wes left SFPD as homicide detectives, they have moved to a ranch started a new life with dogs and cats and Margot has taken up the job with the FBI investigating cold cases after years of interviewing killers in prison she is very good at her job and the search is on to get answers for the families who still have missing family members.
While Margo and the team are busy questioning and investigating a killer who had been killing young pageant contestants, a young teenage student of her partner Wes’s is murdered in their home town and seeing as he was the last one to see her the sheriff has arrested Wes for murder after all that Margot has been through in her life, this could be the worst to happen and her mind is going in all directions she knows Wes so well.
WOW I loved this one from start to finish, Margot is at her best with the pressure of the case she is on and then what happens at home surely their new lives could not be turned upside down already, Margot is under pressure from all ends and she cannot let Wes’s case go by without some investigating but will they get answers? As for the FBI case wow what they uncover throughout this one had me stumped.
I do highly recommend this one and am hoping that book two is not far away, Margot and Wes and the FBI team are fabulous characters, don’t’ miss this one.
My thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for my digital copy to read and review.
It is five years since Margot and Wes left SFPD as homicide detectives, they have moved to a ranch started a new life with dogs and cats and Margot has taken up the job with the FBI investigating cold cases after years of interviewing killers in prison she is very good at her job and the search is on to get answers for the families who still have missing family members.
While Margo and the team are busy questioning and investigating a killer who had been killing young pageant contestants, a young teenage student of her partner Wes’s is murdered in their home town and seeing as he was the last one to see her the sheriff has arrested Wes for murder after all that Margot has been through in her life, this could be the worst to happen and her mind is going in all directions she knows Wes so well.
WOW I loved this one from start to finish, Margot is at her best with the pressure of the case she is on and then what happens at home surely their new lives could not be turned upside down already, Margot is under pressure from all ends and she cannot let Wes’s case go by without some investigating but will they get answers? As for the FBI case wow what they uncover throughout this one had me stumped.
I do highly recommend this one and am hoping that book two is not far away, Margot and Wes and the FBI team are fabulous characters, don’t’ miss this one.
My thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for my digital copy to read and review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I really enjoyed this thriller! Margot is an FBI agent tasked with a team to get the truth from a serial killer that's away for life for unaliving young beauty pageant girls. While away out of state, things at home begin to turn upside down as another murder takes place. Margot who lives and breathes for this job has the overwhelming feeling to solve both cases. Will she or will things become too much? I cannot wait to grab the second book!
![Profile Image for Terence M [Quot libros, quam breve tempus!].](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.gr-assets.com%2Fimages%2FS%2Fcompressed.photo.goodreads.com%2Fusers%2F1712357414i%2F6658001._UY200_CR4%2C0%2C200%2C200_.jpg&w=128&q=75)
Read
March 9, 2026 1-Star DNF @ 41% for "Tell Me Her Name"
- Way too slow and dreary for me -
Following my last attempt on 8 March, 2026, after about three hours of listening, the following is what I noted in my 'Listening Activity':
"I have given up and returned this title to Audible @ 41% heard. I started on 27 February and 10 days later I am bored bootless! Narrator Lauren Allman hasn't helped with her unimaginative reading, lack of vocal characterisation and differentiation.
DNF @ 41%."
Kate Wiley - Margot Phalen #1 - Tell Me her Name - 2026
Audible Direct: 10:13 Hours - Narrator: Lauryn Allman
Commenced: 27/02/2026 - Returned to Audible:
Heard: 04:11 Hours - Balance: 06:02 - Heard 41%
- Way too slow and dreary for me -
Following my last attempt on 8 March, 2026, after about three hours of listening, the following is what I noted in my 'Listening Activity':
"I have given up and returned this title to Audible @ 41% heard. I started on 27 February and 10 days later I am bored bootless! Narrator Lauren Allman hasn't helped with her unimaginative reading, lack of vocal characterisation and differentiation.
DNF @ 41%."
Kate Wiley - Margot Phalen #1 - Tell Me her Name - 2026
Audible Direct: 10:13 Hours - Narrator: Lauryn Allman
Commenced: 27/02/2026 - Returned to Audible:
Heard: 04:11 Hours - Balance: 06:02 - Heard 41%
February 4, 2026
Tell Me Her Name is a dark, compelling crime thriller with strong psychological depth. The tension builds steadily, and by the second half I couldn’t put it down. The emotional stakes surprised me, adding a tenderness beneath the darkness that makes the twists feel earned. The ending left me unsettled and thinking about it long after the final page.
So glad that this is the beginning of a series, I can’t wait to continue!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.
So glad that this is the beginning of a series, I can’t wait to continue!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy.
February 26, 2026
I guess your daddy being a serial k i l l e r is one way to become an FBI special agent huh? Growing up in the house with one can definitely make you want to profile them for a living. But what happens when the case hits too close to home?
The story grip me from the beginning, and I was fully invested in Margot and Wes’ outcome. Accused of a crime, I was very anxious to see with Margot be able to stay objective when her partner was the accused. The story absolutely kept me at the edge of my seat with an explosive ending. That makes me excited to read book 2. This was my first read by Kate Wiley, but I will absolutely be reading more and very much anticipating the book 2 release in May of this series. I went into this one blind based on the tagline and cover, and it did not disappoint. Thank you NetGalley & Storm Publishing for an advanced reader copy.
The story grip me from the beginning, and I was fully invested in Margot and Wes’ outcome. Accused of a crime, I was very anxious to see with Margot be able to stay objective when her partner was the accused. The story absolutely kept me at the edge of my seat with an explosive ending. That makes me excited to read book 2. This was my first read by Kate Wiley, but I will absolutely be reading more and very much anticipating the book 2 release in May of this series. I went into this one blind based on the tagline and cover, and it did not disappoint. Thank you NetGalley & Storm Publishing for an advanced reader copy.
February 22, 2026
4.5 ⭐️’s round up! Oh this is a good one! Even with all the going’s on it was still easy to follow and it had an emotional edge to it. I felt like I was right there with the main character feeling what she was feeling, seeing what she was seeing and uncomfortable in her internal conflict. Above and beyond storytelling here! Bravo 👏🏽 and the ending had me wanting more!!!
Buckle up get on the ride and you can thank me later. Highly recommend, very well done……thank you!
Buckle up get on the ride and you can thank me later. Highly recommend, very well done……thank you!
January 18, 2026
ARC: NetGallery / Storm Publishing
I really enjoyed this book. It was fast paced and had me hooked from the very beginning. I couldn’t put the book down!
The case follows Margot as she works with convicted serial killer Ricky as he sits in prison convicted of murdering pageant girls in an attempt to uncover the identity of his accomplice.
Another case closer to home that Margot isn’t working on. Gets involved due to her partner being a prime suspect to a murder of a teenager girl and ends in a cliffhanger!
The whole vibe reminded me of Criminal Minds and The Hunting Party with the FBI flying around on their own private plane.
Also includes a cliche where the female agent / detective has a serial killer dad. But that doesn’t stop me from reading those crime thrillers!
I really enjoyed this book. It was fast paced and had me hooked from the very beginning. I couldn’t put the book down!
The case follows Margot as she works with convicted serial killer Ricky as he sits in prison convicted of murdering pageant girls in an attempt to uncover the identity of his accomplice.
Another case closer to home that Margot isn’t working on. Gets involved due to her partner being a prime suspect to a murder of a teenager girl and ends in a cliffhanger!
The whole vibe reminded me of Criminal Minds and The Hunting Party with the FBI flying around on their own private plane.
Also includes a cliche where the female agent / detective has a serial killer dad. But that doesn’t stop me from reading those crime thrillers!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 6, 2026
!!! So excited to be back in the world of Margot Phalen !!!
Already dying to read the second book (in May, unless I can get my hands on an arc before then…)
Already dying to read the second book (in May, unless I can get my hands on an arc before then…)
February 22, 2026
Kate Wiley brought back one of my favorite characters in crime fiction and I can say it was spectacular! Margot Phalen is a former detective turned FBI cold case agent and this is the first book in a new series spin off. After reading all 5 books of her Detective years, I’m one of those fans who is so delighted to read even more of the cases she investigates. I also especially looked forward to watching her relationship with Wes has developed. We have fast forward 5 years from her last book but we get brought up to speed.
If you have not read any of the previous books, you definitely could understand the story without the previous novels but I promise you will be so glad you did go back and read them first.
This one ends on a cliffhanger so hurry up Ms. Wiley and release that next book!
If you have not read any of the previous books, you definitely could understand the story without the previous novels but I promise you will be so glad you did go back and read them first.
This one ends on a cliffhanger so hurry up Ms. Wiley and release that next book!
February 28, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ HOW DARE YOU END IT LIKE THAT (I LOVED IT)
Okay. I need a moment. Tell Me Her Name by Kate Wiley absolutely wrecked me, and I mean that as the highest compliment.
Margot Phalen is already such a compelling main character. An FBI agent who interviews serial killers… and whose father was one? The psychological layers are already THERE. But then you add in a murdered teenage girl in her hometown and her partner being arrested as the prime suspect?? The tension was unreal.
I devoured this.
The profiling elements were sharp and fascinating, the emotional stakes were sky-high, and the way Margot’s personal and professional worlds collide made everything feel so intense and personal. I kept thinking, “There’s no way this can get worse,” and then it absolutely did.
And then.
THAT ENDING.
You cannot end a book like that. You just can’t. I should deduct a star on principle 😂 but I won’t because I was fully invested from beginning to end. Now I need a part two because I have to know the truth. I need answers. I need a name. I need closure.
If you love psychological thrillers with strong female leads, emotional depth, and twists that hit hard, this is absolutely worth it.
Five stars. But also… respectfully… I’m stressed.
Okay. I need a moment. Tell Me Her Name by Kate Wiley absolutely wrecked me, and I mean that as the highest compliment.
Margot Phalen is already such a compelling main character. An FBI agent who interviews serial killers… and whose father was one? The psychological layers are already THERE. But then you add in a murdered teenage girl in her hometown and her partner being arrested as the prime suspect?? The tension was unreal.
I devoured this.
The profiling elements were sharp and fascinating, the emotional stakes were sky-high, and the way Margot’s personal and professional worlds collide made everything feel so intense and personal. I kept thinking, “There’s no way this can get worse,” and then it absolutely did.
And then.
THAT ENDING.
You cannot end a book like that. You just can’t. I should deduct a star on principle 😂 but I won’t because I was fully invested from beginning to end. Now I need a part two because I have to know the truth. I need answers. I need a name. I need closure.
If you love psychological thrillers with strong female leads, emotional depth, and twists that hit hard, this is absolutely worth it.
Five stars. But also… respectfully… I’m stressed.
February 23, 2026
Introducing detective Margot Phalen, daughter of serial killer Ed Finch, this is the first book in a series, a police procedural crime thriller with all the trimmings.
Margot is navigating two cases, a murdered family and the bodies of young girls found in a national park when her Fathers lawyer makes contact to inform her Ed would like to see her in exchange for details on his 77th victim. He was charged with the murders of 76 women and Margot wants justice, if what he claims is true about another girl.
There is great character development and the pull to keep reading, the ending leaves us with an unsolved case which I hope continues in the next book along with more of Ed’s secrets being revealed.
Margot is navigating two cases, a murdered family and the bodies of young girls found in a national park when her Fathers lawyer makes contact to inform her Ed would like to see her in exchange for details on his 77th victim. He was charged with the murders of 76 women and Margot wants justice, if what he claims is true about another girl.
There is great character development and the pull to keep reading, the ending leaves us with an unsolved case which I hope continues in the next book along with more of Ed’s secrets being revealed.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Before I started this one, I didn't know it was part of a series. But it didn't matter I understood it perfectly because some things were explained without spoiling the previous ones.
This is a police procedural which I really love! The pace is fast, every sentence is important so no nonsense. This is why I read this book in a day. I devoured this one, ate it up.
The characters are well developed and you come to like them. It is beautifully written, so it was like I was there on the farm. Than the end, need to read the next one!
I really recommend this one and I probably read some other books in this series.
This is a police procedural which I really love! The pace is fast, every sentence is important so no nonsense. This is why I read this book in a day. I devoured this one, ate it up.
The characters are well developed and you come to like them. It is beautifully written, so it was like I was there on the farm. Than the end, need to read the next one!
I really recommend this one and I probably read some other books in this series.
February 2, 2026
Received this ARC and was so excited! Thank you NetGalley!
Wow!! This book was outstanding! I found myself reading it at any opportunity I had! The twist and turns were unexpected! The ending was great and set it up for the next book in the series nicely! First time reading this author and will continue to read other books published!
Wow!! This book was outstanding! I found myself reading it at any opportunity I had! The twist and turns were unexpected! The ending was great and set it up for the next book in the series nicely! First time reading this author and will continue to read other books published!
February 21, 2026
Tell Me Her Name is book 1 in the Margot Phalen FBI series by Kate Wiley. Margot will be familiar to those that read the first series featuring her solving crimes and profiling killers. Margot knows more than most about the subject as her father was a serial killer who was caught. Margot is now a special agent for the FBI and she and Wes are living in a remote farmhouse with enough land to have chickens, senior rescue dogs, and cats. They are both very happy and love the new life they've found. Wes is working as a P.E. teacher at the local high school and volunteers at the sheriff's office as he didn't want to leave law enforcement totally in his past. Margot works from home most of the time, but is called away to interview serial killers in prison for about 5 days a month or so.
When Margot is out of town interviewing a serial killer who targeted child beauty pageant contestants, she gets a call from Wes. This is odd as Wes normally waits for her to call him in the evening. Margot knows something must be wrong and excuses herself to take the call. A young girl from the school Wes works at has been found murdered and Wes was the last person to see her. The victim was found with Wes' coat and the sheriff told Wes he was under arrest. Wes gave the girl and her 2 friends a ride home from practice when the girl's car wouldn't start. The other girls saw Wes loan the dead girl his coat as it was pouring rain. Things look bad, but Margot knows Wes would never hurt anyone. She starts questioning herself because of her past with her father and wonders to herself if she's been wrong about Wes. Did Wes do this?
As Margot works with her FBI team and prepares each day to interview the pageant serial killer, her mind is always on Wes and the case back home. Margot's sister-in-law comes to stay at the farm to take care of the animals while Wes and Margot aren't able to. Margot gets Wes a good lawyer and tries to talk to him each day. Will Wes be able to prove he's innocent? When things start happening at the house, things get scary. Margot has seen this house as a sanctuary from the madness she deals with in her job. It's peaceful and she loves taking care of the animals. Will all of that be threatened now? Will her future plans have to change because of how the community feels about Wes? This book will keep you reading way too late and thinking about it when you can't read it! I absolutely devoured Tell Me Her Name and rate it 5 stars. I love the character of Margot Phalen and look forward to the next book in the FBI series. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of Tell Me Her Name in exchange for a fair review. #TellMeHerName
When Margot is out of town interviewing a serial killer who targeted child beauty pageant contestants, she gets a call from Wes. This is odd as Wes normally waits for her to call him in the evening. Margot knows something must be wrong and excuses herself to take the call. A young girl from the school Wes works at has been found murdered and Wes was the last person to see her. The victim was found with Wes' coat and the sheriff told Wes he was under arrest. Wes gave the girl and her 2 friends a ride home from practice when the girl's car wouldn't start. The other girls saw Wes loan the dead girl his coat as it was pouring rain. Things look bad, but Margot knows Wes would never hurt anyone. She starts questioning herself because of her past with her father and wonders to herself if she's been wrong about Wes. Did Wes do this?
As Margot works with her FBI team and prepares each day to interview the pageant serial killer, her mind is always on Wes and the case back home. Margot's sister-in-law comes to stay at the farm to take care of the animals while Wes and Margot aren't able to. Margot gets Wes a good lawyer and tries to talk to him each day. Will Wes be able to prove he's innocent? When things start happening at the house, things get scary. Margot has seen this house as a sanctuary from the madness she deals with in her job. It's peaceful and she loves taking care of the animals. Will all of that be threatened now? Will her future plans have to change because of how the community feels about Wes? This book will keep you reading way too late and thinking about it when you can't read it! I absolutely devoured Tell Me Her Name and rate it 5 stars. I love the character of Margot Phalen and look forward to the next book in the FBI series. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of Tell Me Her Name in exchange for a fair review. #TellMeHerName
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
About the book:
FBI Special Agent Margo Phalen moves to a small town with her partner, Wes, and begins working with her team on cold cases. They reopen the investigation of Ricky DeGraff, a man imprisoned for the murder of several girls. One of the girls is still missing, and they try to uncover what really happened to her.
At the same time, Margo’s life is turned upside down when she receives a call from Wes telling her that he has been accused of murdering a schoolgirl from the small town in California where they live.
My thoughts:
I am honestly shocked that I hadn’t picked up a book by Kate Wiley until now. This book deserves so much more hype - it is truly one of the best thrillers I have ever read.
It is incredibly well written and deeply impactful. After the fifth time, I stopped counting how many times I got goosebumps - especially during the chapters told from Ricky DeGraff’s point of view. Those chapters were absolutely terrifying.
I have always been afraid of porcelain dolls… well, this book definitely made that fear even stronger.
There are five previous books about Agent Margo, and this is the first book in a new series for her. After finishing this one, there is no way you won’t want to read the rest. The author hints so skillfully at Margo’s past that I am dying to learn more about her father, who he really was, and how her relationship with Wes began.
At the same time, the ending teases a new serial killer who will be explored in the next book - and yes, I already want to read that one too.
This book had nothing unnecessary and nothing I disliked. In my opinion, every fan of high-quality thrillers should read it.
I am extremely grateful to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to meet Agent Margo and read this book in advance❤
FBI Special Agent Margo Phalen moves to a small town with her partner, Wes, and begins working with her team on cold cases. They reopen the investigation of Ricky DeGraff, a man imprisoned for the murder of several girls. One of the girls is still missing, and they try to uncover what really happened to her.
At the same time, Margo’s life is turned upside down when she receives a call from Wes telling her that he has been accused of murdering a schoolgirl from the small town in California where they live.
My thoughts:
I am honestly shocked that I hadn’t picked up a book by Kate Wiley until now. This book deserves so much more hype - it is truly one of the best thrillers I have ever read.
It is incredibly well written and deeply impactful. After the fifth time, I stopped counting how many times I got goosebumps - especially during the chapters told from Ricky DeGraff’s point of view. Those chapters were absolutely terrifying.
I have always been afraid of porcelain dolls… well, this book definitely made that fear even stronger.
There are five previous books about Agent Margo, and this is the first book in a new series for her. After finishing this one, there is no way you won’t want to read the rest. The author hints so skillfully at Margo’s past that I am dying to learn more about her father, who he really was, and how her relationship with Wes began.
At the same time, the ending teases a new serial killer who will be explored in the next book - and yes, I already want to read that one too.
This book had nothing unnecessary and nothing I disliked. In my opinion, every fan of high-quality thrillers should read it.
I am extremely grateful to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to meet Agent Margo and read this book in advance❤
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
I received this book as an ARC and quickly realized I needed to go back and read the previous series first because I wanted the full backstory. Best decision ever.
Let me tell you, I was HOOKED immediately. I blew through all five books in the previous series in about a week, which honestly says everything. Kate Wiley has created such lovable, relatable characters with realistic banter and just a touch of humor.
Watching Margot’s growth throughout the series has been one of my favorite parts. Each case she works is unique and genuinely interesting, and I found myself completely invested every single time.
It’s been a very long time since I’ve been this absorbed in a series, and now I’m impatiently waiting for the next book!
HUGE thanks to NetGalley for this ARC
I received this book as an ARC and quickly realized I needed to go back and read the previous series first because I wanted the full backstory. Best decision ever.
Let me tell you, I was HOOKED immediately. I blew through all five books in the previous series in about a week, which honestly says everything. Kate Wiley has created such lovable, relatable characters with realistic banter and just a touch of humor.
Watching Margot’s growth throughout the series has been one of my favorite parts. Each case she works is unique and genuinely interesting, and I found myself completely invested every single time.
It’s been a very long time since I’ve been this absorbed in a series, and now I’m impatiently waiting for the next book!
HUGE thanks to NetGalley for this ARC
February 13, 2026
This was a little emotional for me because Kate Wiley’s Detective Margot Phalen series was the first true series that got me into thrillers and crime thrillers. There’s just something about her writing style that I love.
So I’ve been with Margot and Wes from the beginning and the thought that HE could be hiding this massive secret all this time…shook me before I even started reading
I find it hard not to draw comparisons to the Detective Margot Phalen series I mean after all it’s the same FMC just a new series years later. Honestly this book though was just as bingable as the others, and since this one is an FBI series it’s definitely more like a criminal minds episode (which might have a little something to do with my obsession with it)
I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what was happening next, and who was behind everything!! Needless to say I’m hooked!! I love this new book by Kate Wiley and I can’t wait to see what’s next!
Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!!
So I’ve been with Margot and Wes from the beginning and the thought that HE could be hiding this massive secret all this time…shook me before I even started reading
I find it hard not to draw comparisons to the Detective Margot Phalen series I mean after all it’s the same FMC just a new series years later. Honestly this book though was just as bingable as the others, and since this one is an FBI series it’s definitely more like a criminal minds episode (which might have a little something to do with my obsession with it)
I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what was happening next, and who was behind everything!! Needless to say I’m hooked!! I love this new book by Kate Wiley and I can’t wait to see what’s next!
Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!!
February 16, 2026
The writing is solid and the premise pulled me in right away, but the ending landed squarely in “cliffhanger territory,” which isn’t my thing. If I’d known it was setting up a series, I probably would’ve skipped it. The story itself is engaging and well‑paced, but I prefer thrillers that wrap up cleanly, and this one leaves too much hanging for my taste. Great craft, just not the format I enjoy.
February 28, 2026
TELL ME HER NAME (MARGOT PHALEN FBI SERIES #1)
BY: KATE WILEY
As evidenced above in the title this is an excellent new series featuring an old friend from a prior one with the Main Female Character Margot Phalen. She loves her new farm that she and her Life partner, which is Wes Fox, her romantic, and love interest, Life Partner share a new life that they have built together. Here she has always felt safe at Elm Creek, and who doesn't love a Woman who has created this safe life in Willows, California who loves getting up at Dawn and sits outside after enjoying her first cup of Coffee she feeds the multitude of rescued dogs, and the Alpha cat Lucy, who is so smart she does something on their guest room bed as keeping her spot secure as to be the most significant cat among the rest. They also have Chickens as pets and here, in Margot's wonderful home she can sleep in peace with her former SPFD partner, Wes Fox with their windows open at night letting in the fresh air. She's grateful for the comfortable home the two of them have created together both for each other and their love for their animals. This life represents the type of peace to decompress from her stressful job where she feels she is able to make a difference towards keeping the rest of the world safer. It's a job she also can't imagine leaving since she is both personally, and professionally has reasons to feel well equipped to be in it since her past may have influenced her decision to keep pursuing the criminals, plus she is experienced, and can't see herself ready to leave it. Margot Phalen's father was a Serial Killer that her current boss wrote a book about her father who she helped bring him to his demise, haunts her since she often hears his voice speaking in her mindset, and she sometimes can't distinguish her thoughts are her own or her father's. Her learning about her father at thirteen affected her family and youth, but her participation in him being brought to his end, gives her that edge, and an expert insight that I feel has to be difficult even though she is driven towards her law enforcement career. That she is so different, which just has so apparent by her capacity towards her deep love towards her animals, and her lifestyle to protect mankind from predators makes me admire her as a person, she has a depth to her character development that makes this novel such addictive reading. I'm new to discovering this Author, KATE WILEY. This newest one which is the start called, "TELL ME HER NAME," drew me in with her captivating writing by the first few pages about how she has made this so page turning by a multitude of reasons why I LOVED this even though it's not my usual choice of genres. I loved how Margot Phalen is introduced by her passion for her Oasis of a meaningful life of her rescuing dogs on a farm that brings relaxation and comfort that is essential for the nervous system that needs recovery if you do the type of job that she does. This farm that she loves with all the animals who she's providing for with her former SFPD detective experience that as a reader I appreciate how the narrative is inclusive of the former series. There's enough of blending her past experience, that strikes a perfect balance by how her former SPFD detective former partner's in the former series have moved North and they have a mutual love, and respect in their crime free small town life in a home they are both happy and content with. This is rewarding, and a rich life is something that she hasn't always felt safe doing. She doesn't worry about a broken latch that locks a window, and nobody locks their car since the whole idea of moving here is because it's low crime, at least until she was away at work in Montana with her Cold Case FBI team and she receives a call from her man of her dreams, Wes Fox, and he has been arrested for a missing high school girl named Whitney who he as a High School Coach drove her and two of her friends home since Whitney's car wouldn't start.
Wes is even a Volunteer Deputy, as needed part time which should exclude him from not just suspicion, even more so to not being a suspect. I'll admit it doesn't look good him giving those girls a ride home, but since it was pouring rain he gave her his Coach's jacket and the Sheriff arrested Wes Fox, since he was the last one to see her before she went missing since her parents were both out. Circumstantial evidence he tells Margot that night over the phone which she is in Montana with her team interviewing Richard "Rickey" DeGraff, Jr, who is a depraved, Serial Killer who is on Death Row for murdering at least ten Beauty Pageant contestants who Margot is trying to crack his hard shell, which she is extremely competent at doing in the past. The team of FBI Cold Case Unit was located adjacent to the BSU-the Behavioral Science Unit. Yes. They profile criminals but in their field office they are nothing like the well known show "Criminal Minds," at least according to this first book in this new Series by Author, KATE WILEY. In this field office the Behavioral Science Unit involvement in cases looked very different to what FBI Agent Margo Phalen's Cold Case Unit in that their BSU Agents duties on a case could be up to one hour or one day.
According to this book which the BSU were brought in to look at things about a case through an untainted or objective lens. They had no personal or emotional connection to the criminal case. Their task was to provide their professionally experienced insights either individually or or with a larger group view of unbiased view of the details, and then move on to the next case. In the Cold Case Unit, they got much more involved. Where a BSU Agent might never know the final outcome of a case they provided their expert opinion on, Margot's group saw things from a different perspective. Margot by pouring over the case files and other pertinent duties got to know the killers better than they knew themselves, learning aspects about their lives that the people who originally hunted them didn't have any access to. It meant she was able to speak to them with a better understanding of who they were. The funny thing is if this information is correct it's interesting to note that they used a lot of language from the famous show, "Criminal Minds," like calling the already incarcerated criminals which in this case they spend more time after the fact trying to extract more information about additional victims, so that they can get justice for the families. In this case they are certain that Serial Killers most usually have murdered others who they haven't been charged with the crimes, yet.
In Margot's job as in this review I am keeping it limited to Richard "Rickey" DeGraff, Jr. since he was the Serial Killer who had access to these Beauty Pageant girls which as it seemed the younger the better he liked them since before anybody suspected him he would especially target Single mothers with very young girls, since he was the photographer at these Pageants. I loved the book but I don't normally read about Serial Killers, as much as maybe over a couple of decades ago, but I did enjoy this because I liked the kind, but dedicated, and complex character Special Agent Margo Phalen, and her unmarried but totally devoted Wes Fox were as people who loved animals, and loved each other were committed to doing great things for their dedication to preventing killers from harming even more people as they're prone to do. It was sad that the resources were wasted on a good person like Wes, which shocked me by how little evidence they had to arrest Wes. Especially when he was only looking out for those girls in the first place. In the second place he was part of the law enforcement with years devoted to fighting crime as a former detective with nothing but good intentions with plenty of colleagues to vouch for his goodness as it was his concern for those girls welfare, and nothing to indicate him to be remotely justifying how far fetched it was that he was arrested. Margot wanted to immediately support Wes, but the Special Agent in charge of this five day trip interviewing Rickey took her presence which she has so much empathy, love and compassion for Wes Fox, she wanted to leave right away. I felt so bad for both Wes, and Margot. She couldn't go home since her team had spent a great deal of time getting these interviews with Ricky in which she was able to think about her team who probably all had pressing personal lives that this five day trip to Montana interfered with. Margot spent her time laser focused to accomplish what she set out to do by being Professionally prepared which is no easy task, sitting across from a repulsive killer switching up her different tactics trying to study the case files of other victims that as it seems there are more victims that just didn't get convicted of, so she was able to compartmentalize.
This was so excellent in the masterful writing that even though this isn't my usual genre, it has captured me to wait anxiously for the next one in the Series. It is really compelling with lovable characters that is easy to root for the great, and immersive storytelling that as a new reader to this Author, I found it informative, and accessible to me that I highly, highly recommend this to new readers since it's easy to read without having to read the former series since Kate Wiley is talented enough to have sprinkled enough background information that invites new readers won't be disappointed. I didn't ever want to put this down, and it has ended on a cliffhanger intriguing enough to make me anxiously highly anticipating her next one in this fantastic new series. I am so impressed that when I get the time I plan on reading her previous work.Exquisite character development combined with a gift for storytelling that is unputdownable!
Publication Date: February 18, 2026! Available for purchase now, and I'd be surprised if this doesn't become one of your favorite Series like it has become one of mine.
Thank you to Net Galley, Kate Wiley, and Storm Publishing for generously providing me with my Terrefic ARC, in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own, as always.
#TellMeHerName #KateWiley #StormPublishing #NetGalley
BY: KATE WILEY
As evidenced above in the title this is an excellent new series featuring an old friend from a prior one with the Main Female Character Margot Phalen. She loves her new farm that she and her Life partner, which is Wes Fox, her romantic, and love interest, Life Partner share a new life that they have built together. Here she has always felt safe at Elm Creek, and who doesn't love a Woman who has created this safe life in Willows, California who loves getting up at Dawn and sits outside after enjoying her first cup of Coffee she feeds the multitude of rescued dogs, and the Alpha cat Lucy, who is so smart she does something on their guest room bed as keeping her spot secure as to be the most significant cat among the rest. They also have Chickens as pets and here, in Margot's wonderful home she can sleep in peace with her former SPFD partner, Wes Fox with their windows open at night letting in the fresh air. She's grateful for the comfortable home the two of them have created together both for each other and their love for their animals. This life represents the type of peace to decompress from her stressful job where she feels she is able to make a difference towards keeping the rest of the world safer. It's a job she also can't imagine leaving since she is both personally, and professionally has reasons to feel well equipped to be in it since her past may have influenced her decision to keep pursuing the criminals, plus she is experienced, and can't see herself ready to leave it. Margot Phalen's father was a Serial Killer that her current boss wrote a book about her father who she helped bring him to his demise, haunts her since she often hears his voice speaking in her mindset, and she sometimes can't distinguish her thoughts are her own or her father's. Her learning about her father at thirteen affected her family and youth, but her participation in him being brought to his end, gives her that edge, and an expert insight that I feel has to be difficult even though she is driven towards her law enforcement career. That she is so different, which just has so apparent by her capacity towards her deep love towards her animals, and her lifestyle to protect mankind from predators makes me admire her as a person, she has a depth to her character development that makes this novel such addictive reading. I'm new to discovering this Author, KATE WILEY. This newest one which is the start called, "TELL ME HER NAME," drew me in with her captivating writing by the first few pages about how she has made this so page turning by a multitude of reasons why I LOVED this even though it's not my usual choice of genres. I loved how Margot Phalen is introduced by her passion for her Oasis of a meaningful life of her rescuing dogs on a farm that brings relaxation and comfort that is essential for the nervous system that needs recovery if you do the type of job that she does. This farm that she loves with all the animals who she's providing for with her former SFPD detective experience that as a reader I appreciate how the narrative is inclusive of the former series. There's enough of blending her past experience, that strikes a perfect balance by how her former SPFD detective former partner's in the former series have moved North and they have a mutual love, and respect in their crime free small town life in a home they are both happy and content with. This is rewarding, and a rich life is something that she hasn't always felt safe doing. She doesn't worry about a broken latch that locks a window, and nobody locks their car since the whole idea of moving here is because it's low crime, at least until she was away at work in Montana with her Cold Case FBI team and she receives a call from her man of her dreams, Wes Fox, and he has been arrested for a missing high school girl named Whitney who he as a High School Coach drove her and two of her friends home since Whitney's car wouldn't start.
Wes is even a Volunteer Deputy, as needed part time which should exclude him from not just suspicion, even more so to not being a suspect. I'll admit it doesn't look good him giving those girls a ride home, but since it was pouring rain he gave her his Coach's jacket and the Sheriff arrested Wes Fox, since he was the last one to see her before she went missing since her parents were both out. Circumstantial evidence he tells Margot that night over the phone which she is in Montana with her team interviewing Richard "Rickey" DeGraff, Jr, who is a depraved, Serial Killer who is on Death Row for murdering at least ten Beauty Pageant contestants who Margot is trying to crack his hard shell, which she is extremely competent at doing in the past. The team of FBI Cold Case Unit was located adjacent to the BSU-the Behavioral Science Unit. Yes. They profile criminals but in their field office they are nothing like the well known show "Criminal Minds," at least according to this first book in this new Series by Author, KATE WILEY. In this field office the Behavioral Science Unit involvement in cases looked very different to what FBI Agent Margo Phalen's Cold Case Unit in that their BSU Agents duties on a case could be up to one hour or one day.
According to this book which the BSU were brought in to look at things about a case through an untainted or objective lens. They had no personal or emotional connection to the criminal case. Their task was to provide their professionally experienced insights either individually or or with a larger group view of unbiased view of the details, and then move on to the next case. In the Cold Case Unit, they got much more involved. Where a BSU Agent might never know the final outcome of a case they provided their expert opinion on, Margot's group saw things from a different perspective. Margot by pouring over the case files and other pertinent duties got to know the killers better than they knew themselves, learning aspects about their lives that the people who originally hunted them didn't have any access to. It meant she was able to speak to them with a better understanding of who they were. The funny thing is if this information is correct it's interesting to note that they used a lot of language from the famous show, "Criminal Minds," like calling the already incarcerated criminals which in this case they spend more time after the fact trying to extract more information about additional victims, so that they can get justice for the families. In this case they are certain that Serial Killers most usually have murdered others who they haven't been charged with the crimes, yet.
In Margot's job as in this review I am keeping it limited to Richard "Rickey" DeGraff, Jr. since he was the Serial Killer who had access to these Beauty Pageant girls which as it seemed the younger the better he liked them since before anybody suspected him he would especially target Single mothers with very young girls, since he was the photographer at these Pageants. I loved the book but I don't normally read about Serial Killers, as much as maybe over a couple of decades ago, but I did enjoy this because I liked the kind, but dedicated, and complex character Special Agent Margo Phalen, and her unmarried but totally devoted Wes Fox were as people who loved animals, and loved each other were committed to doing great things for their dedication to preventing killers from harming even more people as they're prone to do. It was sad that the resources were wasted on a good person like Wes, which shocked me by how little evidence they had to arrest Wes. Especially when he was only looking out for those girls in the first place. In the second place he was part of the law enforcement with years devoted to fighting crime as a former detective with nothing but good intentions with plenty of colleagues to vouch for his goodness as it was his concern for those girls welfare, and nothing to indicate him to be remotely justifying how far fetched it was that he was arrested. Margot wanted to immediately support Wes, but the Special Agent in charge of this five day trip interviewing Rickey took her presence which she has so much empathy, love and compassion for Wes Fox, she wanted to leave right away. I felt so bad for both Wes, and Margot. She couldn't go home since her team had spent a great deal of time getting these interviews with Ricky in which she was able to think about her team who probably all had pressing personal lives that this five day trip to Montana interfered with. Margot spent her time laser focused to accomplish what she set out to do by being Professionally prepared which is no easy task, sitting across from a repulsive killer switching up her different tactics trying to study the case files of other victims that as it seems there are more victims that just didn't get convicted of, so she was able to compartmentalize.
This was so excellent in the masterful writing that even though this isn't my usual genre, it has captured me to wait anxiously for the next one in the Series. It is really compelling with lovable characters that is easy to root for the great, and immersive storytelling that as a new reader to this Author, I found it informative, and accessible to me that I highly, highly recommend this to new readers since it's easy to read without having to read the former series since Kate Wiley is talented enough to have sprinkled enough background information that invites new readers won't be disappointed. I didn't ever want to put this down, and it has ended on a cliffhanger intriguing enough to make me anxiously highly anticipating her next one in this fantastic new series. I am so impressed that when I get the time I plan on reading her previous work.Exquisite character development combined with a gift for storytelling that is unputdownable!
Publication Date: February 18, 2026! Available for purchase now, and I'd be surprised if this doesn't become one of your favorite Series like it has become one of mine.
Thank you to Net Galley, Kate Wiley, and Storm Publishing for generously providing me with my Terrefic ARC, in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own, as always.
#TellMeHerName #KateWiley #StormPublishing #NetGalley
February 23, 2026
This is the first book I havd read by Kate Wiley and I have to say I really enjoyed. I enjoyed her style of writing, the chapters have just the right amount of depth to them.
I enjoy a good crime thriller and although I have read books that have you more on the edge of your seat, there was enough suspense in this to make you want to keep reading.
You can relate to each character in one way or another, even the rubbish sides of them.
I would definately pick up some of earlier books and look forward to reading the next chapter of this timeliness.
Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC.
I enjoy a good crime thriller and although I have read books that have you more on the edge of your seat, there was enough suspense in this to make you want to keep reading.
You can relate to each character in one way or another, even the rubbish sides of them.
I would definately pick up some of earlier books and look forward to reading the next chapter of this timeliness.
Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Tell Me Her Name by Kate Wiley
Synopsis /
When FBI special agent Margot Phalen enters a prison interview room, she knows how to make killers talk. She’s spent six years coaxing confessions from men already behind bars, uncovering the victims no one knew existed. Missing girls whose cases went cold. Families still searching for answers.
It’s dark work, but she can do it. She learned from the best. Her father was a serial killer.
But while on location interviewing a killer who targeted child beauty pageant contestants, she gets a call that almost breaks her. A teenage girl has been murdered in Margot’s small California hometown, and her partner Wes—the last person to see the victim alive—is under arrest. The evidence is damning. The timeline is impossible to explain.
Margot’s entire life depends on being able to read killers. What if she’s wrong about the one person she’s let into her carefully guarded world? The only man she’s ever trusted?
Some cases hit too close to home. This one might destroy everything she has.
My Thoughts /
First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and author, Kate Wiley for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
I first met Kate Wiley's bookish protagonist, Margot Phalen, when I read The Killer's Daughter. Back then, Margot was a homicide detective working for the San Francisco PD. What is unique about Margot is that she is the daughter of serial killer, Ed Finch. Finch admitted to seventy-six kills and is serving life in prison. Margot had a hand in putting him behind bars.
It was hard to trust that the good thing was good when your own father had turned out to be a serial killer.
Now, six years and whole lot of books later, Margot Phalen now works as a Special Agent for the FBI's cold case unit. They operate alongside their counterparts in BSU (Behavioural Science Unit), but Margot's group does a deep dive into the minds of serial killers. Delving into their psyche enables the Unit to understand who they are, what drives them, and importantly, what their triggers might be. Because it is likely, there are still victims of these killers that haven't yet been recovered.
Margot Phalen refused to think about serial killers until at least her second cup of coffee of the day.
In Tell Me Her Name, the Cold Case Unit has sought and been granted permission for a series of interviews with a notorious serial killer called Ricky DeGraff. Richard Floyd DeGraff had been arrested in the early 2000's following several high-profile child murders. His victims ranged in age from six to sixteen. Most had been beauty pageant contestants – DeGraff worked as a photographer developing photographic portfolios for pageant contestants. The Unit is investigating DeGraff as they suspect he has more kills to his name than he's owned up to.
While interviewing DeGraff, Margot receives news that a teenage girl has been murdered in her California hometown and Wes, as the last person to see the victim alive, has been implicated.
Wes Fox, who was her partner in the San Fran PD in the initial series, has now retired from the force but is still Margot's 'partner' in life. He is now a respected sports coach at the local school and a part-time volunteer local law enforcement officer. The couple now have a farm, rescue dogs, cats, and chickens and are living a quieter life. Margot's new boss/partner at the FBI is a guy called Andrew Rhodes. Rhodes runs the Unit his way and, by intent, keeps his team small. Margot was grateful for Rhodes, he granted her special privileges – allowing her to work from home, unless some part of the case required her to be elsewhere.
As Margot works to prove Wes's innocence, she discovers chilling links between current cases and cold murders from decades past, suggesting that DeGraff has been working with an accomplice, and that person is still at large.
Wiley’s prose is sharp and lean, focusing on high tension without unnecessary filler. The tone lends itself to being on the darker side, as you learn of the trauma of the protagonist's past as the daughter of a serial killer. Combined with vivid descriptions of the Northern California landscape, using locations like Muir Woods, Wiley creates a very haunting, chilling atmosphere.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to one of my favourite publishers, Storm Publishing 💗 for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for February 18, 2026.
Synopsis /
When FBI special agent Margot Phalen enters a prison interview room, she knows how to make killers talk. She’s spent six years coaxing confessions from men already behind bars, uncovering the victims no one knew existed. Missing girls whose cases went cold. Families still searching for answers.
It’s dark work, but she can do it. She learned from the best. Her father was a serial killer.
But while on location interviewing a killer who targeted child beauty pageant contestants, she gets a call that almost breaks her. A teenage girl has been murdered in Margot’s small California hometown, and her partner Wes—the last person to see the victim alive—is under arrest. The evidence is damning. The timeline is impossible to explain.
Margot’s entire life depends on being able to read killers. What if she’s wrong about the one person she’s let into her carefully guarded world? The only man she’s ever trusted?
Some cases hit too close to home. This one might destroy everything she has.
My Thoughts /
First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and author, Kate Wiley for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
I first met Kate Wiley's bookish protagonist, Margot Phalen, when I read The Killer's Daughter. Back then, Margot was a homicide detective working for the San Francisco PD. What is unique about Margot is that she is the daughter of serial killer, Ed Finch. Finch admitted to seventy-six kills and is serving life in prison. Margot had a hand in putting him behind bars.
It was hard to trust that the good thing was good when your own father had turned out to be a serial killer.
Now, six years and whole lot of books later, Margot Phalen now works as a Special Agent for the FBI's cold case unit. They operate alongside their counterparts in BSU (Behavioural Science Unit), but Margot's group does a deep dive into the minds of serial killers. Delving into their psyche enables the Unit to understand who they are, what drives them, and importantly, what their triggers might be. Because it is likely, there are still victims of these killers that haven't yet been recovered.
Margot Phalen refused to think about serial killers until at least her second cup of coffee of the day.
In Tell Me Her Name, the Cold Case Unit has sought and been granted permission for a series of interviews with a notorious serial killer called Ricky DeGraff. Richard Floyd DeGraff had been arrested in the early 2000's following several high-profile child murders. His victims ranged in age from six to sixteen. Most had been beauty pageant contestants – DeGraff worked as a photographer developing photographic portfolios for pageant contestants. The Unit is investigating DeGraff as they suspect he has more kills to his name than he's owned up to.
While interviewing DeGraff, Margot receives news that a teenage girl has been murdered in her California hometown and Wes, as the last person to see the victim alive, has been implicated.
Wes Fox, who was her partner in the San Fran PD in the initial series, has now retired from the force but is still Margot's 'partner' in life. He is now a respected sports coach at the local school and a part-time volunteer local law enforcement officer. The couple now have a farm, rescue dogs, cats, and chickens and are living a quieter life. Margot's new boss/partner at the FBI is a guy called Andrew Rhodes. Rhodes runs the Unit his way and, by intent, keeps his team small. Margot was grateful for Rhodes, he granted her special privileges – allowing her to work from home, unless some part of the case required her to be elsewhere.
As Margot works to prove Wes's innocence, she discovers chilling links between current cases and cold murders from decades past, suggesting that DeGraff has been working with an accomplice, and that person is still at large.
Wiley’s prose is sharp and lean, focusing on high tension without unnecessary filler. The tone lends itself to being on the darker side, as you learn of the trauma of the protagonist's past as the daughter of a serial killer. Combined with vivid descriptions of the Northern California landscape, using locations like Muir Woods, Wiley creates a very haunting, chilling atmosphere.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to one of my favourite publishers, Storm Publishing 💗 for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for February 18, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Tell Me Her Name by Kate Wiley is the kind of book that politely ruins your plans and then watches you cancel them without remorse.
Storm Publishing, thank you for the gifted ARC, and thank you to NetGalley for enabling yet another late-night reading spiral I absolutely do not regret.
This book starts with a simple, horrifying idea: what if the one person you trust most becomes the one person you can’t defend with certainty? From that moment on, the story never loosens its grip. Margot Phalen has built her entire career on understanding killers. She interviews them, studies them, dissects their lies for a living. She is very good at it. Which makes it deeply unsettling when the man she loves becomes a suspect in a murder that hits far too close to home. If anyone should know whether someone is capable of killing, it’s Margot. And yet doubt creeps in anyway.
Kate Wiley excels at writing tension that feels personal rather than flashy. This isn’t a nonstop action thriller. It’s quieter, sharper, and more psychologically invasive. The dread builds in layers. Small-town suspicion. Damning timelines. Evidence that refuses to cooperate. And running parallel to all of this is Margot’s work with an imprisoned killer whose calm, calculated presence adds an entirely different flavor of menace. The prison interview scenes are chilling in a low-key way, the kind that makes your skin prickle because the danger feels intellectual, not loud.
Margot herself is a standout character. She’s not written to be endlessly likable. She’s guarded, blunt, emotionally bruised, and occasionally frustrating. That’s what makes her feel real. Her internal monologue carries much of the story, and it works because it’s honest and unsentimental. She doesn’t romanticize her trauma or her instincts. She questions them. She questions herself. And she keeps moving forward anyway, even when the cost is high.
The dual storylines are handled with care, never feeling disjointed. Instead, they mirror each other in uncomfortable ways. One case is professional, the other painfully intimate, but both force Margot to confront the same question: how well can you ever truly know another person? The pacing tightens steadily, and by the second half I was fully locked in, reading with that familiar thriller-reader anxiety where you don’t want to turn the page but also cannot stop.
The emotional stakes here surprised me. There’s a tenderness beneath the darkness, particularly in Margot’s relationship with Wes, that makes the danger feel sharper. When the story twists, it doesn’t feel cheap or purely shocking. It feels earned. And the ending? Let’s just say Kate Wiley has no problem leaving readers emotionally unbalanced and desperate for the next book. I closed this one feeling impressed, unsettled, and slightly betrayed in the best possible way.
“If you make your life studying monsters, sooner or later one will step into your home.”
Tell Me Her Name is a dark, compelling crime thriller that blends psychological depth with procedural tension. It asks uncomfortable questions, delivers genuine suspense, and leaves plenty of scars behind. If you enjoy FBI thrillers, morally complex characters, and stories that linger long after the final page, this one deserves a spot at the top of your list.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars
#TellMeHerName #KateWiley #StormPublishing #NetGalley #BookReview #ARCReview #CrimeThriller #PsychologicalThriller #MysteryBooks #FBIThriller #Bookstagram #BookTok
Storm Publishing, thank you for the gifted ARC, and thank you to NetGalley for enabling yet another late-night reading spiral I absolutely do not regret.
This book starts with a simple, horrifying idea: what if the one person you trust most becomes the one person you can’t defend with certainty? From that moment on, the story never loosens its grip. Margot Phalen has built her entire career on understanding killers. She interviews them, studies them, dissects their lies for a living. She is very good at it. Which makes it deeply unsettling when the man she loves becomes a suspect in a murder that hits far too close to home. If anyone should know whether someone is capable of killing, it’s Margot. And yet doubt creeps in anyway.
Kate Wiley excels at writing tension that feels personal rather than flashy. This isn’t a nonstop action thriller. It’s quieter, sharper, and more psychologically invasive. The dread builds in layers. Small-town suspicion. Damning timelines. Evidence that refuses to cooperate. And running parallel to all of this is Margot’s work with an imprisoned killer whose calm, calculated presence adds an entirely different flavor of menace. The prison interview scenes are chilling in a low-key way, the kind that makes your skin prickle because the danger feels intellectual, not loud.
Margot herself is a standout character. She’s not written to be endlessly likable. She’s guarded, blunt, emotionally bruised, and occasionally frustrating. That’s what makes her feel real. Her internal monologue carries much of the story, and it works because it’s honest and unsentimental. She doesn’t romanticize her trauma or her instincts. She questions them. She questions herself. And she keeps moving forward anyway, even when the cost is high.
The dual storylines are handled with care, never feeling disjointed. Instead, they mirror each other in uncomfortable ways. One case is professional, the other painfully intimate, but both force Margot to confront the same question: how well can you ever truly know another person? The pacing tightens steadily, and by the second half I was fully locked in, reading with that familiar thriller-reader anxiety where you don’t want to turn the page but also cannot stop.
The emotional stakes here surprised me. There’s a tenderness beneath the darkness, particularly in Margot’s relationship with Wes, that makes the danger feel sharper. When the story twists, it doesn’t feel cheap or purely shocking. It feels earned. And the ending? Let’s just say Kate Wiley has no problem leaving readers emotionally unbalanced and desperate for the next book. I closed this one feeling impressed, unsettled, and slightly betrayed in the best possible way.
“If you make your life studying monsters, sooner or later one will step into your home.”
Tell Me Her Name is a dark, compelling crime thriller that blends psychological depth with procedural tension. It asks uncomfortable questions, delivers genuine suspense, and leaves plenty of scars behind. If you enjoy FBI thrillers, morally complex characters, and stories that linger long after the final page, this one deserves a spot at the top of your list.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 stars
#TellMeHerName #KateWiley #StormPublishing #NetGalley #BookReview #ARCReview #CrimeThriller #PsychologicalThriller #MysteryBooks #FBIThriller #Bookstagram #BookTok
January 26, 2026
If you love Criminal Minds, this is 100% the book for you!
3.7 out of 5 Stars, rounded up to 4 on Goodreads.
Kate Wiley’s newest book, Tell Me Her Name, follows Margot Phalen, an FBI profiler who works cold cases for the Behavioral Surveillance Unit, interviewing serial killers who are serving life sentences or on death row to identify victims that may have gone undiscovered during their convictions. In this book, Margot is off to interview Richard DeGraff, the Sleeping Beauty Killer, who kidnapped and murdered girls whom he photographed for beauty pageants. But while she is away, she gets a call from her former partner at the San Francisco PD and current live-in boyfriend, Wes Fox, telling her that he’s been arrested. A girl in their hometown (one of the students Wes was coaching and drove home) has gone missing and turned up dead, and he was the last person to see her alive.
Torn between doing her job, interviewing DeGraff, and going home to help Wes, Margot is dealing with some significant emotional turmoil. And, as the daughter of a famous serial killer herself, Wes’s arrest is dredging up some old feelings for her, making everything that much more difficult! Watch two different stories unfold in Tell Me Her Name: DeGraff’s cold case and the mystery of Wes’s arrest.
This book was SOOOO interesting to read as someone who ADORES Criminal Minds and crime-related TV. I honestly typically limit the number of thrillers and true crime that I read, but this one was so well done! The author did such a great job at setting up Margot and Wes’s relationship as something you root for, even though it isn’t a romance. So, even though the book jacket/description already tells you he will be under suspicion, the reader is still shocked when it happens.
All of the characters in this book were very interesting, and I would have loved to learn more about each of them. I am hoping that future books in the series offer more context on these characters.
I hadn’t read the previous series on Margot, so I wasn’t fully aware of her background as the daughter of a serial killer, and when I requested this ARC, I saw that it was the first in a series, so I didn’t read Kate Wiley’s other books. That wasn’t at all an issue for me. While I do want to go back and read the Margot Phalen detective series, I think I got enough background and understanding from this book to say that you can hop in here and be OK!
Overall, the writing was really engaging, and I thought the plot remained interesting, with multiple twists that I could not anticipate or predict.
Now for critiques. ****THESE CONTAIN MINOR SPOILERS****
I will say throughout the whole book I felt like I was following two different storylines, which was a little odd for me. I didn’t necessarily mind it, but for some reason, I was expecting them to converge, and they didn’t, which was odd. The perspective from Whitney’s killer was strange to get when we never actually got any information or resolution about him in the end; however, I understand that this is a series, so I will likely be waiting until future books come out so I can get some closure.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for giving me an eARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
3.7 out of 5 Stars, rounded up to 4 on Goodreads.
Kate Wiley’s newest book, Tell Me Her Name, follows Margot Phalen, an FBI profiler who works cold cases for the Behavioral Surveillance Unit, interviewing serial killers who are serving life sentences or on death row to identify victims that may have gone undiscovered during their convictions. In this book, Margot is off to interview Richard DeGraff, the Sleeping Beauty Killer, who kidnapped and murdered girls whom he photographed for beauty pageants. But while she is away, she gets a call from her former partner at the San Francisco PD and current live-in boyfriend, Wes Fox, telling her that he’s been arrested. A girl in their hometown (one of the students Wes was coaching and drove home) has gone missing and turned up dead, and he was the last person to see her alive.
Torn between doing her job, interviewing DeGraff, and going home to help Wes, Margot is dealing with some significant emotional turmoil. And, as the daughter of a famous serial killer herself, Wes’s arrest is dredging up some old feelings for her, making everything that much more difficult! Watch two different stories unfold in Tell Me Her Name: DeGraff’s cold case and the mystery of Wes’s arrest.
This book was SOOOO interesting to read as someone who ADORES Criminal Minds and crime-related TV. I honestly typically limit the number of thrillers and true crime that I read, but this one was so well done! The author did such a great job at setting up Margot and Wes’s relationship as something you root for, even though it isn’t a romance. So, even though the book jacket/description already tells you he will be under suspicion, the reader is still shocked when it happens.
All of the characters in this book were very interesting, and I would have loved to learn more about each of them. I am hoping that future books in the series offer more context on these characters.
I hadn’t read the previous series on Margot, so I wasn’t fully aware of her background as the daughter of a serial killer, and when I requested this ARC, I saw that it was the first in a series, so I didn’t read Kate Wiley’s other books. That wasn’t at all an issue for me. While I do want to go back and read the Margot Phalen detective series, I think I got enough background and understanding from this book to say that you can hop in here and be OK!
Overall, the writing was really engaging, and I thought the plot remained interesting, with multiple twists that I could not anticipate or predict.
Now for critiques. ****THESE CONTAIN MINOR SPOILERS****
I will say throughout the whole book I felt like I was following two different storylines, which was a little odd for me. I didn’t necessarily mind it, but for some reason, I was expecting them to converge, and they didn’t, which was odd. The perspective from Whitney’s killer was strange to get when we never actually got any information or resolution about him in the end; however, I understand that this is a series, so I will likely be waiting until future books come out so I can get some closure.
Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for giving me an eARC in exchange for an unbiased review.
February 22, 2026
★★★★½ (4.5 stars)
Tell Me Her Name is the first book in the Margot Phalen FBI Series — a spin-off of the five-book Detective Margot Phalen Series — and it delivers a tense, emotionally layered thriller that kept me completely engaged.
Margot Phalen profiles killers for a living. For six years she’s interviewed convicted murderers, uncovering hidden victims and extracting long-buried confessions. It’s dark work — but she understands darkness better than most. Her father was a serial killer. When a teenage girl is murdered in her small California hometown and her long-time partner Wes becomes the prime suspect, Margot is forced to confront the one thing she’s always trusted most: her ability to read killers. What if she’s wrong about the man she loves?
Before I started this, I didn’t realise it was connected to a previous five-book series. I do wish I’d known, as I prefer to read everything in order for the full backstory. That said, you don’t need to have read the earlier series to follow this one. It very much works as the beginning of a new series — enough context is woven in to understand Margot’s history without spoiling what came before. It does clearly set up the next instalment, though, so I wouldn’t call it a true standalone.
The pacing was fantastic. Every chapter felt purposeful, steadily tightening the suspense without dragging or rushing. Nothing feels sensationalised or gratuitous; the darker subject matter serves the story and deepens its emotional impact. I particularly appreciated the strong exploration of inherited trauma and how Margot’s past continues to shape her choices.
There were elements that reminded me of Criminal Minds: Evolution, especially the kill kit angle and the broader serial offender undertones. I’m very interested to see where that thread goes in subsequent books.
The investigative arc felt logical and well constructed, and the accomplice storyline wraps up in a satisfying way. And that twist? I genuinely did not see it coming — which always makes a thriller more enjoyable for me. The ending was strong and sets up book two perfectly without feeling cheap or forced.
A couple of small details did pull me out slightly. The references to the FBI’s Behavioural Science Unit (BSU) rather than the Behavioural Analysis Unit (BAU) confused me, as my understanding is that the name changed decades ago. Small procedural inaccuracies like that tend to stand out to me. I also found it difficult to believe that the sister of Margot’s long-time partner wouldn’t know what the BSU/BAU was — with true crime media being so mainstream, that knowledge feels fairly common.
I also connected with Sadie’s perspective, particularly her frustration over Margot not immediately returning home when Wes was arrested. I found myself questioning that too, which made the emotional tension feel even more real.
This was my first time reading this author and I’ll definitely be continuing with the series. Margot, Wes, and the FBI team are compelling, well-developed characters, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of them in future instalments. Highly recommend for fans of character-driven FBI thrillers.
Thank you to the author, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
Tell Me Her Name is the first book in the Margot Phalen FBI Series — a spin-off of the five-book Detective Margot Phalen Series — and it delivers a tense, emotionally layered thriller that kept me completely engaged.
Margot Phalen profiles killers for a living. For six years she’s interviewed convicted murderers, uncovering hidden victims and extracting long-buried confessions. It’s dark work — but she understands darkness better than most. Her father was a serial killer. When a teenage girl is murdered in her small California hometown and her long-time partner Wes becomes the prime suspect, Margot is forced to confront the one thing she’s always trusted most: her ability to read killers. What if she’s wrong about the man she loves?
Before I started this, I didn’t realise it was connected to a previous five-book series. I do wish I’d known, as I prefer to read everything in order for the full backstory. That said, you don’t need to have read the earlier series to follow this one. It very much works as the beginning of a new series — enough context is woven in to understand Margot’s history without spoiling what came before. It does clearly set up the next instalment, though, so I wouldn’t call it a true standalone.
The pacing was fantastic. Every chapter felt purposeful, steadily tightening the suspense without dragging or rushing. Nothing feels sensationalised or gratuitous; the darker subject matter serves the story and deepens its emotional impact. I particularly appreciated the strong exploration of inherited trauma and how Margot’s past continues to shape her choices.
There were elements that reminded me of Criminal Minds: Evolution, especially the kill kit angle and the broader serial offender undertones. I’m very interested to see where that thread goes in subsequent books.
The investigative arc felt logical and well constructed, and the accomplice storyline wraps up in a satisfying way. And that twist? I genuinely did not see it coming — which always makes a thriller more enjoyable for me. The ending was strong and sets up book two perfectly without feeling cheap or forced.
A couple of small details did pull me out slightly. The references to the FBI’s Behavioural Science Unit (BSU) rather than the Behavioural Analysis Unit (BAU) confused me, as my understanding is that the name changed decades ago. Small procedural inaccuracies like that tend to stand out to me. I also found it difficult to believe that the sister of Margot’s long-time partner wouldn’t know what the BSU/BAU was — with true crime media being so mainstream, that knowledge feels fairly common.
I also connected with Sadie’s perspective, particularly her frustration over Margot not immediately returning home when Wes was arrested. I found myself questioning that too, which made the emotional tension feel even more real.
This was my first time reading this author and I’ll definitely be continuing with the series. Margot, Wes, and the FBI team are compelling, well-developed characters, and I’m looking forward to seeing more of them in future instalments. Highly recommend for fans of character-driven FBI thrillers.
Thank you to the author, Storm Publishing, and NetGalley for the advanced copy.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
First of all, a huge thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and Kate Wiley for the ARC. All opinions are entirely my own.
I’m honestly shocked it took me this long to pick up a Kate Wiley book because Tell Me Her Name is hands down one of the strongest, most chilling thrillers I’ve read in a long time.
This novel follows FBI Special Agent Margot Phalen, a woman uniquely qualified to read killers… because her own father was one. Margot now works in the FBI’s cold case unit, interviewing imprisoned serial killers to uncover victims who were never found. It’s dark, heavy work, and Wiley doesn’t flinch from it. While Margot is interviewing convicted serial killer Ricky DeGraff (whose crimes against child beauty pageant contestants are genuinely horrifying), her personal life implodes, a teenage girl is murdered in Margot’s small California hometown, and the last person to see her alive is Wes, Margot’s partner, the one person she has ever trusted. Suddenly, Margot is forced to confront the question she’s spent her entire life avoiding: what if she’s wrong about him?
From that point on, the tension is relentless. The chapters from DeGraff’s point of view were absolutely terrifying, the kind that make your skin crawl and force you to take breaks. I lost count of how many times I got goosebumps. And yes… if you’re already afraid of porcelain dolls, consider this your warning. 😭
Kate Wiley’s writing is sharp, lean, and incredibly effective. There’s no filler here; every scene matters. The Northern California setting adds such a haunting atmosphere, and the emotional weight of Margot’s past as a serial killer’s daughter makes everything feel raw and deeply personal.
What impressed me most is how skillfully Wiley balances plot with character. This is a thriller, but it’s also a story about trust, inherited trauma, and what it means to know someone truly. The twists feel earned, not cheap, and the ending? Absolutely unhinged (in the best way). It teases a new serial killer, and I already need the next book immediately.
There are five previous books featuring Margot Phalen, and this marks the start of a new chapter in her story. After finishing this, there is no way you won’t want to read them all.
This book had nothing unnecessary and nothing I disliked. If you’re a fan of dark, intelligent, high-quality thrillers, this one is a must-read.
Final verdict: read it. Then clear your schedule for the rest of the series. Dark, emotional, and incredibly raw. I found myself reading well into the night because I just couldn’t bear to stop… perfectly blends suspense and character-driven storytelling.”
I’m honestly shocked it took me this long to pick up a Kate Wiley book because Tell Me Her Name is hands down one of the strongest, most chilling thrillers I’ve read in a long time.
This novel follows FBI Special Agent Margot Phalen, a woman uniquely qualified to read killers… because her own father was one. Margot now works in the FBI’s cold case unit, interviewing imprisoned serial killers to uncover victims who were never found. It’s dark, heavy work, and Wiley doesn’t flinch from it. While Margot is interviewing convicted serial killer Ricky DeGraff (whose crimes against child beauty pageant contestants are genuinely horrifying), her personal life implodes, a teenage girl is murdered in Margot’s small California hometown, and the last person to see her alive is Wes, Margot’s partner, the one person she has ever trusted. Suddenly, Margot is forced to confront the question she’s spent her entire life avoiding: what if she’s wrong about him?
From that point on, the tension is relentless. The chapters from DeGraff’s point of view were absolutely terrifying, the kind that make your skin crawl and force you to take breaks. I lost count of how many times I got goosebumps. And yes… if you’re already afraid of porcelain dolls, consider this your warning. 😭
Kate Wiley’s writing is sharp, lean, and incredibly effective. There’s no filler here; every scene matters. The Northern California setting adds such a haunting atmosphere, and the emotional weight of Margot’s past as a serial killer’s daughter makes everything feel raw and deeply personal.
What impressed me most is how skillfully Wiley balances plot with character. This is a thriller, but it’s also a story about trust, inherited trauma, and what it means to know someone truly. The twists feel earned, not cheap, and the ending? Absolutely unhinged (in the best way). It teases a new serial killer, and I already need the next book immediately.
There are five previous books featuring Margot Phalen, and this marks the start of a new chapter in her story. After finishing this, there is no way you won’t want to read them all.
This book had nothing unnecessary and nothing I disliked. If you’re a fan of dark, intelligent, high-quality thrillers, this one is a must-read.
Final verdict: read it. Then clear your schedule for the rest of the series. Dark, emotional, and incredibly raw. I found myself reading well into the night because I just couldn’t bear to stop… perfectly blends suspense and character-driven storytelling.”
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Margot's back, all right - and she's not pulling any punches.
Tell Me Her Name, the first entry in Kate Wiley's new FBI series featuring Special Agent Margot Phalen, is a dark, twisty, and compulsively readable thriller that marks a triumphant return for Wiley's heroine.
Though technically the launch of a new series, readers of Wiley's earlier Detective Margot Phalen books will recognize both Margot and her partner, Wes. While it isn't necessary to have read the earlier series to find your footing, it's one I'd highly recommend checking out - and longtime fans will appreciate that Wiley just keeps getting better.
Tell Me Her Name takes place several years after the previous series' conclusion, Out of the Woods . Margot has left her detective badge behind for a quieter life in the countryside with Wes and a mostly remote job consulting for the FBI's cold case unit. That is, until an investigation of a convicted serial killer's crimes produces a new lead - while at the same time, Wes is implicated in a crime that hits much too close to home.
Wiley writes with precision and perfect pacing, moving the story between prison interviews, small-town tension, and Margot's own haunted past - her father, after all, was a serial killer - without ever losing its momentum. Margot remains a wonderfully complex protagonist: smart, empathetic, and just damaged enough to keep things interesting. In Tell Me Her Name, she's better than ever - more self-aware, she has a handle on her demons, but still remains as sharp, intuitive, and compelling as before.
Tell Me Her Name is both a masterful procedural and a gripping psychological portrait - proof that Wiley knows exactly how to keep her readers guessing and desperate for the next case. I was absolutely engrossed by this fast-paced thriller and its many twists, and cannot wait to follow wherever Margot leads next.
Many thanks to Storm Publishing and the author for providing me with an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"Tell Me Her Name" is slated to be released on February 18, 2026.
Tell Me Her Name, the first entry in Kate Wiley's new FBI series featuring Special Agent Margot Phalen, is a dark, twisty, and compulsively readable thriller that marks a triumphant return for Wiley's heroine.
Though technically the launch of a new series, readers of Wiley's earlier Detective Margot Phalen books will recognize both Margot and her partner, Wes. While it isn't necessary to have read the earlier series to find your footing, it's one I'd highly recommend checking out - and longtime fans will appreciate that Wiley just keeps getting better.
Tell Me Her Name takes place several years after the previous series' conclusion, Out of the Woods . Margot has left her detective badge behind for a quieter life in the countryside with Wes and a mostly remote job consulting for the FBI's cold case unit. That is, until an investigation of a convicted serial killer's crimes produces a new lead - while at the same time, Wes is implicated in a crime that hits much too close to home.
Wiley writes with precision and perfect pacing, moving the story between prison interviews, small-town tension, and Margot's own haunted past - her father, after all, was a serial killer - without ever losing its momentum. Margot remains a wonderfully complex protagonist: smart, empathetic, and just damaged enough to keep things interesting. In Tell Me Her Name, she's better than ever - more self-aware, she has a handle on her demons, but still remains as sharp, intuitive, and compelling as before.
Tell Me Her Name is both a masterful procedural and a gripping psychological portrait - proof that Wiley knows exactly how to keep her readers guessing and desperate for the next case. I was absolutely engrossed by this fast-paced thriller and its many twists, and cannot wait to follow wherever Margot leads next.
Many thanks to Storm Publishing and the author for providing me with an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
"Tell Me Her Name" is slated to be released on February 18, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
5* That KW is such a prolific writer makes me forgive the utter cliffhanger this 1st tale in Margot Phelan's new series ends in.
Though this tale comes out around 6 months after the 5th and last book in the original Margot Phelan series, it starts 6 years later. Margot and Wes are settled about 3 hours outside of San Francisco and she's still working for law enforcement, now for the FBI manager that'd wanted to poach her, Andrew. A guy she's got a complex relationship with.
Wes is a sports coach and part-time volunteer local law enforcement officer. They're raising rescue dogs, cats and chickens, living a quiet life. They're happy, she's off the booze, more trusting and learning to not be paranoid and listen to her late dad's teachings. She's succeeding with some but not all, which in fact, ends up helping her out professionally and personally. In some ways, she's her father's daughter and always will be. It's her superpower.
Then Wes gets arrested when a local student last seen in his company is found dead, and he's the only suspect. This happens whilst Margot is away on the case of a jailed pageant photographer serial killer, trying to find the bodies of more little girls that are unaccounted for, and who fit the guy's M.O.
Margot is torn between her home, her lover and her job. A job she excels at and gets results at. What ensues is an excellent tale where she's torn between people and places, and doing the right thing, but for whom?
It's a very good tale but we find out absolutely almost nothing about the current-day killer. We find out some troubled and sad things about the jailed killer, Ricky, and Margot ends up unwittingly finding his accomplices, with things coming good for one person/victim; a possible breakthrough in Ricky's past killings, but also the possibility of more time away from Wes and her new, mostly healthy, happy life.
At the end, her cop's - to use the word loosely - antenna finds a clue that will completely exonerate Wes. It felt a little too convenient and easy, but we'd been in the current killer's mind by this point and she's lucky that the timing of her discovery wasn't worse and that she didn't become his next victim. From the synopsis of the next book, it sounds like it's already written and will be out soon. It, too, sounds like it'll have 2 storylines running concurrently. I can't wait.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my reading pleasure.
Though this tale comes out around 6 months after the 5th and last book in the original Margot Phelan series, it starts 6 years later. Margot and Wes are settled about 3 hours outside of San Francisco and she's still working for law enforcement, now for the FBI manager that'd wanted to poach her, Andrew. A guy she's got a complex relationship with.
Wes is a sports coach and part-time volunteer local law enforcement officer. They're raising rescue dogs, cats and chickens, living a quiet life. They're happy, she's off the booze, more trusting and learning to not be paranoid and listen to her late dad's teachings. She's succeeding with some but not all, which in fact, ends up helping her out professionally and personally. In some ways, she's her father's daughter and always will be. It's her superpower.
Then Wes gets arrested when a local student last seen in his company is found dead, and he's the only suspect. This happens whilst Margot is away on the case of a jailed pageant photographer serial killer, trying to find the bodies of more little girls that are unaccounted for, and who fit the guy's M.O.
Margot is torn between her home, her lover and her job. A job she excels at and gets results at. What ensues is an excellent tale where she's torn between people and places, and doing the right thing, but for whom?
It's a very good tale but we find out absolutely almost nothing about the current-day killer. We find out some troubled and sad things about the jailed killer, Ricky, and Margot ends up unwittingly finding his accomplices, with things coming good for one person/victim; a possible breakthrough in Ricky's past killings, but also the possibility of more time away from Wes and her new, mostly healthy, happy life.
At the end, her cop's - to use the word loosely - antenna finds a clue that will completely exonerate Wes. It felt a little too convenient and easy, but we'd been in the current killer's mind by this point and she's lucky that the timing of her discovery wasn't worse and that she didn't become his next victim. From the synopsis of the next book, it sounds like it's already written and will be out soon. It, too, sounds like it'll have 2 storylines running concurrently. I can't wait.
ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my reading pleasure.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
📚 E-ARC BOOK REVIEW 📚
Tell Me Her Name By Kate Wiley
Publication Date: February 18, 2026
Publisher: Storm Publishing
📚MY RATING: 4.75/5
(Rounded Up To 5⭐)
Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this #gifted e-arc in exchange for my honest review!
📚MY REVIEW:
Fans of Kate Wiley's Detective Margot Phelan series, REJOICE! Phelan is back -- and badass as ever -- in the first book of the brilliant new Margot Phelan FBI Thriller series from Wiley! Tell Me Her Name is another unputdownable crime thriller from Wiley, with the fast-paced plotlines that fans of Detective Margot Phelan have always loved. I'm already eagerly anticipating the second book in this new series... and I've only finished Book #1 moments ago.
Tell Me Her Name picks up 6 years after the last book in the original Detective Margot Phelan series. Now, however, it's FBI Special Agent Phelan, who has been hired as a part of a team of FBI investigators who profile serial killers to coax confessions from those already behind bars, uncovering the victims no one knew existed. Missing girls whose cases went cold. Families still searching for answers. This new role gives Phelan an opportunity to do the work she's born to do, because if anyone can get serial killers to talk, it's her. After all, she's the daughter of one of the most notorious serial killers of all time.
If you were a fan of the Detective Phelan series, you're going to absolutely love this continuation of her story. This book was just as gripping as the first series - maybe even moreso if that's possible. Phelan is such a captivating and well-developed character, and Wiley's writing of her is masterful. Fans of crime thrillers, police procedurals, and heart-pounding suspense will love both of these series. And though I honestly don't know why you wouldn't want to read all 5 books of the Detective Phelan series, you could very easily read this book as a standalone since it's kicking off a new series. You won't have all the details of Phelan's life before, but the important info is shared throughout this book in a way that will allow you to dive right in!
This book publishes February 18th from Storm Publishing and I highly recommend you grab it as soon as you can!
#TellMeHerName #KateWiley #StormPublishing #NetGalley #NetGalleyReviews #ARC #bookreviews #bookrecommendations #bookrecs #crimethrillerseries #thrillerbooks #thrilleraddict #thrillerlover #thrillerreads #thrillerseries
Tell Me Her Name By Kate Wiley
Publication Date: February 18, 2026
Publisher: Storm Publishing
📚MY RATING: 4.75/5
(Rounded Up To 5⭐)
Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this #gifted e-arc in exchange for my honest review!
📚MY REVIEW:
Fans of Kate Wiley's Detective Margot Phelan series, REJOICE! Phelan is back -- and badass as ever -- in the first book of the brilliant new Margot Phelan FBI Thriller series from Wiley! Tell Me Her Name is another unputdownable crime thriller from Wiley, with the fast-paced plotlines that fans of Detective Margot Phelan have always loved. I'm already eagerly anticipating the second book in this new series... and I've only finished Book #1 moments ago.
Tell Me Her Name picks up 6 years after the last book in the original Detective Margot Phelan series. Now, however, it's FBI Special Agent Phelan, who has been hired as a part of a team of FBI investigators who profile serial killers to coax confessions from those already behind bars, uncovering the victims no one knew existed. Missing girls whose cases went cold. Families still searching for answers. This new role gives Phelan an opportunity to do the work she's born to do, because if anyone can get serial killers to talk, it's her. After all, she's the daughter of one of the most notorious serial killers of all time.
If you were a fan of the Detective Phelan series, you're going to absolutely love this continuation of her story. This book was just as gripping as the first series - maybe even moreso if that's possible. Phelan is such a captivating and well-developed character, and Wiley's writing of her is masterful. Fans of crime thrillers, police procedurals, and heart-pounding suspense will love both of these series. And though I honestly don't know why you wouldn't want to read all 5 books of the Detective Phelan series, you could very easily read this book as a standalone since it's kicking off a new series. You won't have all the details of Phelan's life before, but the important info is shared throughout this book in a way that will allow you to dive right in!
This book publishes February 18th from Storm Publishing and I highly recommend you grab it as soon as you can!
#TellMeHerName #KateWiley #StormPublishing #NetGalley #NetGalleyReviews #ARC #bookreviews #bookrecommendations #bookrecs #crimethrillerseries #thrillerbooks #thrilleraddict #thrillerlover #thrillerreads #thrillerseries
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Amazing Crime Thriller
Margot Phalan and Wes, both former detectives, relocated from the demanding urban environment of San Francisco to a modest ranch in Elk Creek.
Margot is currently affiliated with a specialized FBI team that investigates cold cases and conducts interviews with serial killers on death row, seeking confessions to additional crimes, given the subjects have no further punitive exposure.
Wes is employed part-time at the sheriff's office on an as-needed basis and also contributes to the local high school by assisting with coaching the girls' softball team.
Margot becomes involved in a case centered on the child serial killer Ricky DeGraff. With the expectation that DeGraff may admit to the murders of other girls who fit his established killing profile, she and her team proceed to interview him at the correctional facility where he awaits execution.
During Margot's absence, Wes is apprehended in connection with the demise of a local Elk Creek teenager, as he was the last person to have seen her alive.
Margot endeavors to make progress with the serial killer interviews while simultaneously coping with the anxiety concerning Wes's incarceration and the wrongful accusation regarding the murder of the teen, Whitney.
The situation escalates when Margot discovers that Ricky DeGraff maintained an obsession with a doll he named Mathilda, and that his child victims were selected so that Mathilda would have a companion.
As the narrative unfolds, further details concerning Mathilda are revealed, illuminating the true origin of the name.
Navigating between her responsibilities with the FBI and her personal life with Wes, Margot seeks to unravel the mystery surrounding the missing or deceased teenagers, and the missing local teen, Whitney.
The novel culminates with a significant plot twist, providing Margot with some of the answers she has been seeking. As the story concludes, she discovers a kill kit situated near her residence on an abandoned property. This volume represents the inaugural installment in a new series focusing on FBI agent Margot Phalan, and the second book is slated to reveal the identity of Whitney's killer.
Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC read of this book. #TellMeHerName #KateWiley
Margot Phalan and Wes, both former detectives, relocated from the demanding urban environment of San Francisco to a modest ranch in Elk Creek.
Margot is currently affiliated with a specialized FBI team that investigates cold cases and conducts interviews with serial killers on death row, seeking confessions to additional crimes, given the subjects have no further punitive exposure.
Wes is employed part-time at the sheriff's office on an as-needed basis and also contributes to the local high school by assisting with coaching the girls' softball team.
Margot becomes involved in a case centered on the child serial killer Ricky DeGraff. With the expectation that DeGraff may admit to the murders of other girls who fit his established killing profile, she and her team proceed to interview him at the correctional facility where he awaits execution.
During Margot's absence, Wes is apprehended in connection with the demise of a local Elk Creek teenager, as he was the last person to have seen her alive.
Margot endeavors to make progress with the serial killer interviews while simultaneously coping with the anxiety concerning Wes's incarceration and the wrongful accusation regarding the murder of the teen, Whitney.
The situation escalates when Margot discovers that Ricky DeGraff maintained an obsession with a doll he named Mathilda, and that his child victims were selected so that Mathilda would have a companion.
As the narrative unfolds, further details concerning Mathilda are revealed, illuminating the true origin of the name.
Navigating between her responsibilities with the FBI and her personal life with Wes, Margot seeks to unravel the mystery surrounding the missing or deceased teenagers, and the missing local teen, Whitney.
The novel culminates with a significant plot twist, providing Margot with some of the answers she has been seeking. As the story concludes, she discovers a kill kit situated near her residence on an abandoned property. This volume represents the inaugural installment in a new series focusing on FBI agent Margot Phalan, and the second book is slated to reveal the identity of Whitney's killer.
Thank you #NetGalley for the ARC read of this book. #TellMeHerName #KateWiley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (4.5/5)
I was completely sucked into Tell Me Her Name from the very first chapter. This is one of those books that seeps into your thoughts when you’re not reading it—I kept replaying scenes in my head and counting down the hours until I could pick it back up again. If life hadn’t gotten in the way, I absolutely would have devoured this in one sitting.
The premise alone hooked me: Margot Phalen profiles killers for a living… and the man she loves becomes a prime suspect in a murder. Margot is an FBI special agent who interviews incarcerated serial killers, extracting long-buried confessions and uncovering forgotten victims. The fact that her own father was a serial killer adds such a chilling, layered depth to her character. It makes her both fascinating and fragile in ways that feel incredibly real.
When a teenage girl is murdered in her small California hometown and her partner Wes is arrested, the tension skyrockets. The evidence against him is damning, and suddenly Margot’s greatest strength—her ability to read killers—is turned against her. What if she’s wrong about the one person she’s trusted most?
The pacing was fantastic. Every chapter felt purposeful, steadily tightening the suspense without ever dragging. The prison interview scenes were especially gripping—dark, psychological, and impossible to look away from. The emotional stakes were just as intense as the investigative ones, which made this more than just a procedural thriller.
Without spoiling anything, there was one moment involving pets that was a little too much for me personally. That single element is the only reason this wasn’t a full five stars. Otherwise, it was nearly perfect.
The ending delivers a mild cliffhanger that absolutely has me itching to get my hands on the second book in the series. I need to know what happens next.
If you love twisty, emotionally charged crime thrillers in the vein of Lisa Regan, A.J. Rivers, or Robert Dugoni, this one should be at the top of your list.
Dark, gripping, and impossible to forget — 4.5 stars
*Thank you NetGalley & Storm Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review*
I was completely sucked into Tell Me Her Name from the very first chapter. This is one of those books that seeps into your thoughts when you’re not reading it—I kept replaying scenes in my head and counting down the hours until I could pick it back up again. If life hadn’t gotten in the way, I absolutely would have devoured this in one sitting.
The premise alone hooked me: Margot Phalen profiles killers for a living… and the man she loves becomes a prime suspect in a murder. Margot is an FBI special agent who interviews incarcerated serial killers, extracting long-buried confessions and uncovering forgotten victims. The fact that her own father was a serial killer adds such a chilling, layered depth to her character. It makes her both fascinating and fragile in ways that feel incredibly real.
When a teenage girl is murdered in her small California hometown and her partner Wes is arrested, the tension skyrockets. The evidence against him is damning, and suddenly Margot’s greatest strength—her ability to read killers—is turned against her. What if she’s wrong about the one person she’s trusted most?
The pacing was fantastic. Every chapter felt purposeful, steadily tightening the suspense without ever dragging. The prison interview scenes were especially gripping—dark, psychological, and impossible to look away from. The emotional stakes were just as intense as the investigative ones, which made this more than just a procedural thriller.
Without spoiling anything, there was one moment involving pets that was a little too much for me personally. That single element is the only reason this wasn’t a full five stars. Otherwise, it was nearly perfect.
The ending delivers a mild cliffhanger that absolutely has me itching to get my hands on the second book in the series. I need to know what happens next.
If you love twisty, emotionally charged crime thrillers in the vein of Lisa Regan, A.J. Rivers, or Robert Dugoni, this one should be at the top of your list.
Dark, gripping, and impossible to forget — 4.5 stars
*Thank you NetGalley & Storm Publishing for this ARC in exchange for my honest review*
Displaying 1 - 30 of 241 reviews