Thanks to Netgalley, publisher and author for a copy of this book.

Highly recommended and such a great premise of a story as finding out you're related to a serial killer via DNA test! Chilling and fabulous

5/5

This was such a good idea for a book, really excellent, however, the concept was completely deadened by the two authors.
Deadened by the lack of pace, the lack of development and the absolutely awful central character Lizzie, who acted so unbelievably in the situation that I could barely read her constant repetitive questions and amateur detective reasonings.
She behaved so stupidly, calling someone about 20 times in one day, treating her adoptive parents awfully, asking the same questions over and over, not telling the FBI or her family the truth about her discoveries and arranging to meet up with potential serial killers.
The motive offered for her behaviour - in that she didn't want to offend new family members she had only just met - was absolutely ridiculous considering how high the stakes were.

And the over telling of every meal and drink was exhausting, there was far too much description of food, mouthfuls, forks, knives, chewing, swallowing etc.

This was the novel equivalent of a low budget 80s horror film but based completely around the first character that stumbles stupidly into the hands of the killer in the first scene and kind of deserves it.

MINOR SPOILERS:
Also Lizzie stresses that she hates leaving loose ends whilst the authors left us with loads! What happened to Adam? Why was the killer someone we had not met or had no knowledge of or pointers to? And then there was an unknown boy in a photo that suddenly had a massive origins story tacked on to the end, completely pointless and probably encouraged because readers realised the book actually had very little interesting content.

A couple of stars because the idea was great and the reasoning and MO of the serial killer was quite interesting and novel.

What a waste of an excellent plot, I really hope someone writes a good book about someone discovering they are related to a serial killer.

This was definitely one of the best books I have read this year... I did managed to finish this book within a few hours. It was captivating and difficult to put down.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND

Thank you @netgalley and @AvonBooks UK for my Arc. I had to request this title as soon as I read the synopsis for it. I thought it was a solid book. I gave it 4/5 stars. This was such a creepy book and the serial killer was written really good. In a way it reminded me of I'll Be Gone in the Dark since they were trying to find the identity of the killer by the DNA database and ancestry. I thought the chapters of his victims were the best ones in the story since we knew the outcome. I thought the main character Liz Catalano was a great MC although sometimes I did want to yell at her for some of the decisions she made. LOL

If you're looking for a creepy book to read with a great serial killer, I highly recommend this one.

Absolutely loved this book! Kept me guessing right to the very end and even then I still didn't see the end coming! This book will Absolutely keep you up reading past your bedtime and then you can't sleep after thinking about this book! Can't wait to read more of the authors work!

I found this book interesting from the start, a definite slow burner but one that didn't drag.
It was full of details and an very interesting plot apart from one bit for me... why was he never followed by the FBI!?
I won't put anymore spoilers or details in as that's not what my reviews are about.
I found this book kept me reading and wanting to pick it up when I needed to do other things.
Overall I really enjoyed it. Thank you to netgalley and the publishers and the authors for the opportunity to read this book for my honest opinion

I really enjoyed the majority of this book but did find the ending a little too convenient for my liking.

Discovering that someone in her recently-discovered family is a serial killer who has been murdering for several decades, forever inquisitive Liz knows she cannot wait for the FBI to feed her with clues. Although she is getting to know her great uncle, she is suspicious when he refuses to cooperate in investigations. Doubts increase, particularly when Liz is convinced that her great uncle’s behaviour could be evidence of the Tri-State Killer. Yet, there are other skeletons in her family’s closet that Liz discovers whilst learning more about her new relations.

I sympathised with Liz when she discovers she is adopted because it appears that most of her close family knew this already! The way Liz’s parents had handled this made it difficult for Liz to accept the truth and I think this is one of the key reasons that pushes her to wanting to know more about her real family, and also the serial killer that is lurking too.

Liz’s investigations take on many turns. She makes contact with a journalist who has been covering the murders for a long time. However, I was disappointed that this journalist was not as forthcoming as I would have hoped. Furthermore, one of Liz’s relations, Adam, appears on her radar for a little while. The way the writers depict his character is incredibly creepy and I wish he had featured more in the story; it felt like he was conveniently forgotten about.

And ‘convenient’ is the adjective I would use to describe the ending. When Liz is in the remote lodge, my heart was in my mouth, fearing her discovery. The atmosphere at this point is palpable and I felt really tense, worrying for her safety! Whilst there were surprising elements to this story, I did find the overall ending a little too easy in concluding the plot. The killer is discovered, a lengthy conversation with the FBI officers detail all the evidence and then the story finishes with a further wrapping-up chapter. All in all, I felt the tension quickly ebb away and the complex narrative that I was yearning for, simply fizzled away. This was a great shame as I had been really enjoying this book right until the finish line.

My favourite parts of the story were the chapters about the serial killer’s victims. As the story develops, the chapters get longer as you learn more about the killer’s behaviours. I felt like the FBI, building up a profile on who this person could be, thereby making my ‘accusing finger’ stronger than ever! These chapters added to the intensity of the story because I could not predict the killer’s actions and I felt as tense as the victims themselves. Furthermore, I liked that it detracted from Liz’s own investigations into her new family.

This was a good read, don’t get me wrong. I think the majority of the book is really well written with an interesting premise. For me, this unusual idea was not reflected in the ending. I thought the conclusion was too ‘middle of the road’ and not as ground-breaking as the page-turning chapters before it.

With thanks to Avon books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

“The DNA results are back. And there’s a serial killer in her family tree…”

Liz Catalano is shocked when an ancestry kit reveals she’s adopted. But she could never have imagined connecting with her unknown family would plunge her into an FBI investigation of a notorious serial killer…

The Tri-State Killer has been abducting pairs of women for forty years, leaving no clues behind – only bodies.

Can Liz figure out who the killer in her new family is? And can she save his newest victims before it’s too late?

Such a unique and intriguing premise! The first line itself about the DNA results caught my attention.

The plot is well written. The way it unfolds right from Liz discovering her DNA results to the FBI getting in touch with her to discuss about the possibility of her being related to a serial killer, is so interesting and manages to hold your attention throughout.

The alternating chapters between the present day and the Tri-State Killer’s activities was an excellent idea. It kept me trying to guess who the killer could be?

Definitely an original, dark, twisty thriller!

Thank You NetGalley and Avon Books, UK for this ARC!

Found this book thoroughly intriguing right from the start to the very spine chilling end. Plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing throughout.

I did feel sorry for Liz in the way she found out about being adopted, but it was also lovely to see how her adoptive parents and family still treated her the same as always, making sure she knew she was still one of them. Andie, her cousin was a great addition, with her quirky ways and comments.

Although the story was dark and captivating, it was also quite eery to think that something like this might actually happen.. I really enjoyed the way this book, was written and would definitely read another and certainly recommend it to my friends.

Liz Catalano has receive a unique gift ... an ancestry kit from her cousin and roommate. What she discovers is shocking! Nothing lines up with what she's been told since she was a child. The only thing she was never told ... she was adopted.

More shocking than that, though, is when the FBI comes calling .. with news that she is somehow related to a serial killer. The Tri-State Killer has been abducting pairs of women for forty years, leaving no clues behind – only bodies.

Wanting to connect with her 'real' family, she finds a great uncle and his wife. They are the nicest people ...surely he is not a killer .. or is he? There are other male members of the family .. again .. are they suspect? guilty? Do they know more than what they are telling?

Liz is determined to identify the killer and save his latest 2 victims before killing them.

THE FAMILY TREE has a peculiar plot and unique story line. Told in part by prior victims, the reader is given a peek at how he manages to abduct two women at the same time and what they go through under his 'care'. Why does he wait 2 years before killing current victims and taking 2 new ones.

There's plenty of action, lots of suspense, and a few twists and turns that lead to a highly unexpected conclusion. The characters are finely drawn. A page-turner for sure!

Many thanks to the author / Avon Books UK / Harper 360 UK / Netgalley for the digital copy of this crime fiction. Read and reviewed voluntarily, opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

A simple DNA test turns Liz’s life upside down. She finds out that she is adopted. While still reeling from the shock of this discovery, the FBI knock on her door and drop another bombshell. Her DNA is matched to Tri-State serial killer. A notorious killer who has been actively stalking and killing young women for decades.

The story is narrated in alternating chapters. We get to keep up with Liz as she desperately seeks to connect with her biological family while struggling with the knowledge that one of the them might be the serial killer. Other chapters are narrated by the victims of the Tri-State killer starting from 1974. We learn how he abducts his victims, holds them captive and finally kills them. Needless to say, these chapters were quite dark and chilling. I kept rooting for the captured girls but my heart dropped with each chapter.

This was a good, captivating read. I did find Liz’s narration a bit slow especially as she went back and forth in her mind about the revelations concerning her family. Some of her thoughts and actions seemed illogical especially due to the risks that she was taking. Nonetheless, I had a very hard time putting this book down. The reveal wasn’t very shocking. I had a feeling about the tri-state killer and turns out, I was right. However, I had to pick my jaw from the floor after reading the epilogue. I truly didn’t see that coming.

What a big fat disappointment!!
I honestly don't know how could two authors collaborate on a book and then it turns out like this!
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I hated every side of it, beginning from the weak plot, it literally had no interesting points, nothing to get you hooked, to the flat storyline, it was so monotonous and lame, which is weird considering it was written in the first person pov, which should have given an edge to the passages, but it didn't.
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The main character was of the kind worth hating, she was so self-absorbed, everything revolved around her and her feelings and her strong strong sleuthing habits, she was obsessive, she wanted to know everything and be part of Everything, she was the ultimate drama queen, like, i get it, you haven't been told that you were adopted, but that doesn't mean that you chalk everything your adoptive family gave you out of the window just to justify your feelings of betrayal!!
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There wasn't any major plot twist, which was so disappointing because that makes the book so much lacking, but guess you would have to see that for yourselves.
Didn't enjoy it and don't recommend at all.
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*I received an ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review via netgalley and the publisher*

It has a very intriguing background with the Tri-State Killer has been abducting pairs of women for 40 years, evading all police efforts and leaving barely a trace behind.
In capturing the impact of these on the victims, some chapters are dedicated to the experience of the women, known in ascending order by their victim numbers. Their capture and torture is replayed. Ultimately they are murdered, but just need to use our imagination for this part of their horror.
Told mainly from Liz’s perspective this is a serial killer whodunnit. Liz Catalano is shocked when a DNA ancestry test reveals she’s adopted. But she could never have imagined trying to connect with her unknown family would plunge her into an FBI investigation of a notorious serial killer.
Short pacy chapters keep you engaged and hooked, albeit about 2/3 through I found the book started to become a bit simplistic and less authentic. Quite a bit of the story is highly predictable. Liz is knocked sideways as she tries to process the betrayal of not being made aware about her adoption, finding out about her dysfunctional family and wanting to get to know her grand uncle, amidst the possibility he maybe a murderer.
Whilst this is a great premise, introducing use of genealogy in cracking murder cases, making it incredibly intriguing, Liz is very self-centred and immature, almost teenager like. Her thought processes are quite juvenile, and her behaviours and actions do not feel entirely believable as she feigns ignorance and takes excessive risks. Dialogue did become somewhat repetitive. There was however a sense of tension and impending threats, and despite some weaknesses remained an enjoyable read.

The Family Tree is a contemporary serial killer thriller about the shock of discovering you have a serial killer in your immediate family. 27-year-old Liz Catalano is in shock when a DNA test she purchased for her birthday from 23andMe reveals that she had been adopted. Along with her cousin and best friend Andie Catalano, she decides to look for relatives of her biological parents. But then FBI agents show up at her door.

WOW! I found this book to be quite original (and maybe a bit creepy haha)! I love a fast-paced, page-turner psychological thriller and this was definitely one. I'd recommend it to those who love a gripping thriller that you can't put down!

This book what not what I was expecting. I was anticipating an edge-of-your-seat mystery, fast-paced thriller, and a compelling investigation. And instead what we received was very very childish main characters and very unrealistic character side characters with a bizarre plot and an infuriating ending.

The Family Tree is an original and riveting story, that could easily be made in a TV show. Grips you from the first page and is hard to put down and not read in one sitting.

Engrossing and enjoyable. A little long winded at times and the main character is a bit ditzy. Reminded me of the typical horror movie where a girl walks into a room without turning the light on. However, still enjoyable and would make a good film. Recommend.

The family tree was my first book by the authors and I can only say WOW! What have I just read? 

I must admit that I am tempted to check out some DNA tests although I know it won’t give much insight into my family history as it’s pretty simple and known back home. After reading the blurb of this book I had to read it asap. It’s so much more than I expected. 

After doing a DNA test, Liz finds out that she’s actually adopted and goes on a hunt for finding out who are her actual parents and what happened that they had to give her up. Right away, a FBI team shows up at her door and she finds out that someone from her past is a killer and they have them under strict supervision. 

This should make her take a step back, but she’s determined to find out the truth on her own. 

The story is fast-paced and told in chapters between Liz and her friend travels and the killer’s side of the story. 

It’s gripping, shocking in places and draws you in at all times. A must read thriller for sure. 

Arc review from Netgalley

Thank you to Netgalley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, I loved this book and was disappointed when it ended. A great premise, full of suspense. just brilliant.