Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to be able to read and review this book!

3.5/5

I think the idea behind this was good but could have been executed a lot better, took me a while to read as the story didn’t grip me like I thought it would.

Thank you for Netgalley, author and publisher for a copy of this book.

Loved it and can't wait for the next one!

5/5

Absolutely loved this. I liked that it was 3 story’s in 1. Margot’s character is strong and I wanna know more about her n her dad. Give me 78.
Thank you NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this. 5 stars and I’d definitely recommend

I knew I had to request this as soon as I read the description! I’m so glad I did! The story follows the daughter of a serial killer who is also in law enforcement. Quick read!

There is a potential serial killer committing heinous crimes and our main character is called to investigate. Because of this, her father wants to discuss the cases with her… potentially to help solve and stop what’s happening.

This book was perfectly fine but didn’t leave a strong impression. The storyline was engaging enough to keep me turning the pages, but it didn’t offer any particularly memorable moments or twists. It’s a decent choice for a light read when you don’t want anything too challenging or exciting.

"The Killer's Daughter" by Kate Wiley takes up the very familiar trope of a police inspector who is the offspring of a serial killer. In this book, it is Margot Phelan who has to overcome the trauma she has undergone ever since she knows that her father is a notorious serial killer who has killed 70 young women. She is a homicide detective and only a select few people know about the truth of her family, her partner Wes Fox one amongst them.

When her father expresses his desire to meet her in exchange for information regarding one of his unknown victims, Margot gives in to it despite the many reasons not to do it. Her team meanwhile investigates the murder of almost an entire family, with a sole survivor, namely the son of the family. We also get a glimpse into the chaotic life that a police officers with Margot also looking to solve the many disappearances of hikers over the years.

Kate Wiley has created a book which is surely a worthy addition to the psychological thriller formats of story telling. This story consists of interesting characters and the authors decision to make the investigation aspect of it very real helps the book to set itself apart. This book is basically an introduction into Phelan and the many people who are in her life, with slight insights into her father.

Wiley has created interest and I would like to know what happens next in this book.

Thank you NetGalley for this advance reader copy in exchange for my free and honest review. Although this book grabbed me from the first page, I must admit I was a bit let down with the “serial killer Dad in prison contacting his now law enforcement daughter dangling a carrot of details to solve a murder” scenario, as I recently finished another novel with that twist. However, although the same, this one was different and I felt myself drawn to this storyline and the main characters. Therefore, don’t let that stand in your way of reading this wonderful novel, because you will be missing out if you don’t read this one.

The first book in Detective Margot Phalen series and it promises to be a brilliant series. I found the book very hard to put down once I started reading. Looking forward to more books by this author and in the series.

I just finished reading "The Killer's Daughter". It's a very, very intense book. It is very easy to find ourselves in a place of intense darkness. But despite the terrible stories we find in serial murders, we can always learn something. It's worth reading.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of this book.

I found this book to be a quick exciting read, I really enjoyed the aspect of seeing the after effects done to family members of someone who had committed crimes. This story being told from the perspective of the daughter and seeing how she’s tried to distance herself from all things her father. One could say she may or may not have done a good job of this since she became a homicide detective and spends her time hunting down people like her father. Maybe in doing her job and finding justice and helping people could alleviate some guilt of be associated with someone who did horrible things? Would say this is a great book for those who enjoy mystery/thriller cop books with some razzle dazzle moments that make you go “well I don’t like that”.

The Killer’s Daughter by Kate Wiley is the first in the Detective Margot Phalen  series.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Storm Publishing and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
 

Series Information:
Detective Margot Phalen is a homicide detective with the San Francisco Police Department.  Her father was the notorious serial killer Ed Finch, and at one point Margot's name was Megan Finch.  For obvious reasons, she changed it.   Very few people know her true identity. Over twenty years have passed, but Margot is still trying to forget the fact that her father is a serial killer.  Her partner is Wes Fox, and their Captain let Wes in on the secret, because sometimes Margot has some emotional set-backs.  Margot also has a brother (now called David), who has not fared well either.
 

My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Margot and Wes are called to the scene of a horrific crime.  A man and his wife, their daughter, and a friend of their daughters have been murdered in the family home.  It isn't long before Margot realizes that their young son is missing.  Something isn't adding up.

Margot is also helping fellow detective Leon Telly on a case where the body of a young woman was found in the woods, dead from multiple stab wounds.   That one is reminding her a little too much of her father's work.

Meanwhile, her father's lawyer calls.  Ed Finch, after 20 years in a New York prison, has been transferred back to the Bay area....and he wants to see Margot.  He will tell her where to find Victim #77.  She calls FBI Special Agent Andrew Rhodes, who became a father-figure to her throughout her ordeal as the daughter of a serial killer.  Together, they decide to visit Ed in prison.

 

My Opinions:
This was quite good.  I've read a number of "serial killer daughter" books in recent years, but this one held some surprises.  

The story is told from Margot's perspective, but also from her father's perspective during his reign of terror.

The plot, although somewhat familiar, had some interesting twists.

I really liked Margot, and really appreciated how the author looked at her mental health, and appropriately (I thought), gave her anxiety issues.  It felt real.   I also liked the banter between Margot and Wes.  Wes seems to be the voice of reason.  As well, I liked the relationship between Margot and Andrew, and Margot and Leon.  The author created some very intriguing characters.

 Overall, it was a rather dark tale (most serial killer novels are), but I am looking forward to Book 2 (which I already have, since I'm behind on reading this one....)

"The Killer’s Daughter" by Kate Wiley proved to be a riveting 5-star read! At the center of this gripping story stands Margot Phalen, an SFPD detective with a haunting past. As the daughter of the notorious serial killer Ed Finch, Margot grapples with her troubled past as she navigates through the complexities of her career.

The tale unfolds as Margot and her partner, Wes Fox, are thrust into the midst of a chilling crime scene—an entire family brutally murdered in their own home. This grim discovery sets the stage for a series of investigations that Margot must confront head-on.

I was thoroughly captivated by "The Killer’s Daughter" and am eager to explore more of Kate Wiley's work. The narrative primarily unfolds through Margot’s perspective, interspersed with chapters delving into Ed Finch's sinister past, depicting his methods of tracking, torturing, and killing his victims during the 1980s. While not excessively graphic, these chapters may be triggering for some readers. Through Margot's journey, we gain profound insights into the psychological struggles of being raised by a notorious killer.

One of the highlights of the book for me was the dynamic between Margot and Wes—a partnership filled with tension, trust, and unspoken secrets. Their evolving relationship added depth and intrigue to the story. I am eagerly anticipating the next book in this series.

Thanks to Storm Publishing, Kate Wiley, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.

This is the first time I read a book from this author. While the writing style wasn't really my cup of tea, I still enjoyed reading everything Margot went through, her feelings and how they came to close that case. I'm guessing the second case will be picked up in the sequel ?

Thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for access to this arc in exchange for my honest review.

This is my first book by this author. I throughly enjoyed this book. It intertwines several crimes together which is always interesting. I will read more books by her. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of the book.

Lots of fun, 3 cases to keep you guessing and keep the interest peaked. A fab main character you can’t help but root for & all the true crime goodness you could ask for tied up into this fun little thriller

I really enjoyed this book. I love Margot character and found her relatable. I’d recommend this and I can’t wait for number two. My first book by this author so I may need to look at her others

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC. I enjoyed the story and the characters in it. A bit bummed that Leon's case wasn't solved though!

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. Detective Margot has a story to hide, which is very well written against the backdrop of her investigations into the murder of a family, and then unknown women whose bodies were discovered buried. Alongside her partner Wes and also Leon she soles these mysteries. The link to her own past is also unravelled in parts. I could feel her stress and torments as the author has made an excellent job of writing her character. I am looking forward to the next instalment of her story. Not always an easy read, but definitely a must read. Recommended to lovers of crime fiction.

Happy #caturday 🐈💚

As a long time fan of this author (under a different pen name) I was excited to see them come out with a crime mystery/thriller, so I knew right away I needed to pick this one up!

THE KILLERS DAUGHTER cleverly weaves several crimes together and includes a few twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. Margot is such an interesting character and I can’t wait to see how her story progresses throughout this series!

Thank you to netgalley for my #arc!