Margot’s story reminds me a bit of the show Prodigal Son (which was canceled way too soon in my opinion!) There are so many stories about serial killers, which I love, but not nearly enough about the families that are left to deal with the aftermath of their actions. I think Margot navigates her life much like I would in that situation. Though she is a deeply damaged individual, she’s used it to her advantage. She’s a great cop, and that is in spite of her father, not because of him. It’s an interesting juxtaposition though, his father’s “relationship” with her. In his flashbacks, we see something emulating love for her. He talks about knowing she will do great things one day, and I almost wonder if his original plan was to mold her into a carbon copy of him. But when she visits him in prison, he toys with her like she’s just any other cop. It would be really interesting if we were to get a future story with some repressed memory of him trying to teach her what he does right before he gets caught. In any case, this is a great series and I’m excited to read the next book!

Huge thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!

As an ARC reader, I had the privilege of diving into the pages of "Her Father's Secret" by Kae Wiley, and I must say, it was an intense and gripping read from start to finish.

The story follows Detective Margot Phalen, who has spent her life trying to escape the shadow of her father, a notorious serial killer. However, when she receives a message from him offering to share his darkest secret, Margot finds herself drawn back into the darkness she's been running from. The narrative kicks off with a chilling discovery – a body pulled from a lake, and Margot's own childhood toys tangled in the tragedy. From there, the tension only escalates as Margot delves deeper into her father's twisted mind, risking her own sanity to solve a haunting missing persons case.

Wiley masterfully builds suspense with each chapter, keeping readers on the edge of their seats as they follow Margot's harrowing journey. The psychological depth of the characters, particularly Margot herself, adds layers of complexity to the narrative. Margot's internal struggle with her family's dark history and her own identity creates a compelling emotional arc that resonates throughout the story.

One of the strengths of "Her Father's Secret" lies in its ability to keep readers guessing. Wiley skillfully plants clues and red herrings, leading to shocking twists and revelations that will leave readers breathless. The pacing is relentless, driving the narrative forward with a sense of urgency that makes it difficult to put the book down.

The atmospheric setting of California adds to the story's allure, with its dark secrets and haunting landscapes serving as the perfect backdrop for Margot's investigation. Wiley's vivid descriptions paint a picture that is both beautiful and sinister, adding depth to the story's atmosphere.

Overall, "Her Father's Secret" is a must-read for fans of suspenseful thrillers. With its pulse-pounding suspense, compelling characters, and shocking twists, it's a book that will keep you guessing until the very end. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a riveting read that will leave them breathless.

The 2nd book in this excellent series and yet again Margots serial killer father holds all the cards, promising her he'll tell all about other victims if she's willing to visit him in prison. Told in dual timelines with well written police procedures and characterisations.As well as other cases to solve, Margot is following a case that begins in book 1 and runs through this book, and I'm sure to continue into book 3.
Love the partnership between Margot and fellow detective Wes. There is definitely something simmering between them.We find out more about Margot through her chats with her therapist, who, for some reason, I don't trust!!
The whole book is so well written that you feel your part of the action, and the ending has definitely left me wanting more.Really hope it's not long before book 3 is here.
Highly recommended.Thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC.

I want to like this book, as I love the premise of the story. However, much of the book focused on Margot solving crimes, which is expected given her role as a detective. There were numerous crimes involved and very little about Ed Finch, her father who is also known as the Classified Killer, or any shocking new revelations. I found myself disappointed by this.

Thank you Netgalley and Publisher for the eARC.

Margot Phalen is an SFPD detective and the daughter of notorious serial killer Ed Finch. Ed has recently been transferred to San Quentin, and he's willing to talk about his crimes, including murders he hadn't previously been connected to ... but he'll only talk to Margot.

Margot should be a mess. She's dealing with all of the murdery dad drama + her already stressful job as a homicide detective + her lack of a personal life + an ongoing murder investigation of what appears to be a copycat of her creepy dad + some increasingly confusing feelings about her partner Wes + finding herself in the wrong place at the wrong time alarmingly frequently. So... she is a mess, but she's also extremely competent and smart, and I love her.

I'm already dying to read book three in the series because holy cow there are some loose ends that need wrapping up!

I read this knowing there is a previous book in the series, but thankfully you don’t have to start with the first (however, I was so intrigued with this story, I will be reading the the first book). Her Fathers Secret was not a fast paced, action packed on every page book, but it was a solid, detailed, well written story from beginning to end. I found the characters relatable and real, and I wanted to know more about them as the book went on. I was invested in the storyline right away and couldn’t put it down. I thoroughly enjoyed the authors writing style and will be looking for other books from her.

Margot is a detective in San Francisco trying to solve the never ending cases coming her way while simultaneously helping the FBI try to get a serial killer talking, when a sniper opens fire in the city. With the city on edge, Margot (and her colleagues) try to find the unknown gunman while continuing to work her other cases.

Even better than the first book, I was hooked from the start. The characters are interesting. The mysteries are compelling. I am completely invested in Margot. I love Wes as well. The scenes with Ed have me on the edge of my seat. I read it in one sitting and couldn't read fast enough. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite series.

#📚ARC Book Review 📚

🔖Her Fathers Secret by Kate Wiley
Genre : General Fiction | Mystery, thriller
Pub date : 26th June 2024

Detective Margot Phalen, haunted by her father's legacy as a serial killer, receives a message from him. He offers to reveal his darkest secret, but only to her. As she prepares to confront him in his prison cell, Margot braces herself for the challenging journey ahead. The key to solving a notorious missing persons case in California lies within her father's mind, a place that terrifies her. However, she understands that going into his twisted psyche comes with the risk of him getting under her skin. Unraveling the missing girl's final moments will force Margot to question everything she believed about herself and confront her family's disturbing history.

📖: This book is apparently the second installment in a series, with the first book titled "The Killer's Daughter." I hadn't read the first book prior to reading this one, but the author provided a summary of the previous events, bringing me up to speed.

I was initially drawn to this book by its title and synopsis, expecting a thorough exploration of the character of the father, who is a serial killer. However, I was disappointed to discover that this aspect was not delved into extensively. The book did not reveal any significant revelations about Ed Finch, the classified Killer. Instead, the majority of the narrative focused on Margot, the daughter, and her endeavors in solving crimes, which is understandable given her role as a detective.

While I did enjoy the investigation and the overall police environment, there were numerous backstories and parallel investigations that made it challenging to keep track of the premise, names, and the progress of each investigation.

It was very slow paced and dragged a couple of times and lacked thrill or mystery.

Thank you NetGalley and storm publishing for a copy of this book

Rating: ⭐️ 6/10

I flew through the first installment in this series earlier this year so when I saw Her Father’s Secret was available I immediately started reading it. I would definitely recommend reading The Killer’s Daughter if you haven’t already. Not because you need to have read it in order to enjoy this one, but it will add so much more to your experience of Her Father’s Secret

Margot is the type of FMC that I just can’t get enough of. She feels tough, smart, capable - all the things we typically hope for in a FMC, but add in a significant amount of trauma, and flawed coping strategies. Margot has always felt very ‘real’ and after this second book she’s become even more well developed as a character for me.

Her Father’s Secret follows much of the same pattern as the first book, which I didn’t mind at all. I will say that I’m hoping there will be some more digging into Ed Finch and some more reveals around him in the third though as there’s only so many books you can do with the same format (I’m hoping we’re not just going to get the same reveal from him in every book). I am hopeful of the story developing further though as I feel like there were a few breadcrumbs dropped in this one which will hopefully turn into something in later books.

I think the best way to encapsulate my views on this book is to tell you that as soon as I finished it I went online to see if the third book has been confirmed. I am not usually a huge crime reader but I can already feel myself becoming addicted to this series!

Thank you so much to Storm Publishing and to NetGalley for this much enjoyed E-ARC

Detective Margot Phalen has changed her name to escape any association with her serial killer father. All his victims are not yet known, and he insists on seeing her to give snippets of information of other victims.
She is working hard on a sniper case, and her father, Ed Finch gives her some insight to the sniper.

This is the second book in this series, and Margot's character is being developed very well.
She is a complex character, because of her past, and finds it difficult to trust and have a romantic relationship.

Margot has good hunches, the gut feeling that a lot of investigators often have. Her non relationship with her father and brother are only due to duty. She is tasked by the FBI to get more information about the victims of Ed Finch's crimes, and she does so to give the families some closure.
It breaks her spirit, but her strength sees her through.

I recommend this series, sometimes gory, quite emotional and it is fast paced with excellent policing.

I am officially hooked on this series with a female lead.

Thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read this book

Detective Margot Phalen returns, this time she’s dealing with a sniper. On top of trying to find their identity, her father has called and wants to tell her about his 78th kill, if she’ll visit him in prison. This one we see Margot sinking a little deeper, but also her ability to keep moving. I really liked this one, and I felt like I had more answers this time around. Thanks to Netgalley for the free copy in exchange for an honest review.

One thing I love about detective books, is everything in this one, it's perfectly paced and not rushed at the end
I ignored all of my responsibilities to finish this in one sitting and now I'm sad it's over!

WOW! Another page turner!
This book kept me up reading, I didn’t want it to end, I am so enamored with this story/series! It honestly reads like a criminal minds episode/true crime podcast and I’m obsessed!
I’ve read other thrillers/crime thrillers and while I’ve enjoyed them none have kept me as involved and interested the Detective Margot Phalen series!
Kate Wiley is incredible at giving us a story that just grips you and doesn’t let go!

Margot is our Detective and the daughter of the serial killer Ed Finch. He of course keeps taunting her and the FBI with details about crimes he committed and got away with, and with the flashbacks to when Ed was committing these crimes it’s hard not to get hooked into the story!

Wes is amazing I love him and all the moments that made me snort/laugh with him! I honestly think he is the best partner/friend for Margot because he’s so easy going and a flirt!
I have so many questions about FBI Agent Andrew and what makes him tick and his motivations. . .he’s an intriguing character

I have so many questions and so much I want to know, I’m already anxiously awaiting for the next book!

I’m so grateful and thankful to have been able to get an ARC copy from NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Kate Wiley!!!

Her Father's Secret by K. Wiley, published by Storm Publishing, is the second book in the Detective Margot Phalen Series. For best reading experience I recommend to read the books in order. The previous book is The Killer's Daughter.
Detective Margot Phalen and her partner Wes's next case seems an easy one. Family homicide with the wife the victim, straight out of the book, yes? No, its never as easy as it seems. A twisty and tricky story that keeps the reader in suspense from start till the very last page.

The sun is beginning to set as Margot watches the dive team haul the girl’s body from the lake, untangling the bag that had been used to weight it down among the rocks and the reeds. But it isn’t the cool evening air that chills Margot to the bone as the bag is opened up. It is the glimpse of its contents. The old toys. Margot’s toys! Great read!! I definitely got chills with this one! This book had suspense, intrigue, murder, mystery, serial killers, action, a great who done it and a few crazy twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting! I definitely recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me!

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of Her Father’s Secret by Kate Wiley due to be published June 26, 2024.
Another body has been found for Margot and her partner, Wes, to solve. Meanwhile, her serial killer father has requested another visit with her to give Margot more information about an unsolved murder. Will Margot ever be able to escape the shadow of her infamous father and live a “normal” life?
I had read the first book in the series, The Killer’s Daughter, and loved it so I was thrilled to get the second book. It was as good as the first! I love the way the author alternates between Margot growing up with her serial killer father, her sessions with her therapist, her father relating on how he committed some of his murders, and her current cases without getting confused.
Her Father’s Secret kept me interested the entire book, and I couldn’t wait to see what happened next.
I am looking forward to the next book in the series!
#NetGalley #KateWiley #StormPublishing #HerFathersSecret

After devouring the first book to this series, The Killer's Daughter, I just knew I needed to get my hands on the next book! I was so excited to receive this ARC, having very high expectations that it would exceed its predecessor. Given the title and where we left off in the first book, I thought we'd touch more on Ed Finch, but unfortunately, we didn't. It was pretty much the same secret Ed revealed at the end of the first book- there may be another victim. We didn't really dive into Ed Finch, the Classifed Killer, or make any shocking new discoveries, which I found myself disappointed by. Much of the book was Margot solving crimes, which is to be expected with her being a detective.
Overall, this book is a good quick read, especially if you like detective mysteries with some drama. Even as a stand-alone, it's quite entertaining, and I'd definitely recommend!
Thank you NetGalley, Storm Publishing,  and Kate Wiley for this ARC!