I’m not going to lie and say I was immediately hooked by this one. It took me a little while to get into but once it started going, I couldn’t stop reading. I can’t wait for the next one to be released in this series.

Book 2 of the Detective Margot Phalen series finds her facing a challenging array of cases that test her investigative skills and emotional resilience: the murder of a sex worker, stopping a sniper terrorizing the city, and the Muir Woods murders from the first book, which remain unsolved. To complicate matters further, Margot's estranged father, a notorious serial killer, demands another visit in exchange for information regarding the whereabouts of one of his undiscovered victims.

Margot continues to be a complex and well-written character, navigating the dark and twisting paths of her professional and personal life. While the pace of this book is somewhat slower than the first, the storyline remains compelling and keeps readers engaged from start to finish. I am looking forward to seeing where Margot's journey takes her next.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and author Kate Wiley for the opportunity to review the advance copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Firstly thank you to the publishers for my early access to read in exchange for a review.
I didn’t realise this was book 2 in a series but it definitely didn’t affect my enjoyment or understanding of the premise of the storyline.

This was a fantastic read and one that goes right into the psyche of someone who is not your average person in society. In this case a serial killer!
Written in alternate narratives and timelines this gives the reader insight into the past and how those events have shaped the present .
Fast paced , thrilling and engaging.
Dark and chilling in places .
Exciting and thought provoking.
I really enjoyed this and look forward to the next instalment.

Although this is the second book in a series and I hadn't read the first, I was quickly drawn into the story and realised that it is easily read as a standalone.
I enjoyed Kate Wiley's style of writing and I loved her characters, I will definitively look for more of her books.
Detective Margot Phelan's name had been changed, only three people knew her real name, only three people knew that she was the daughter of a notorious, psychopathic serial killer, a serial killer who gloried in the fact that only he knew just how many people he had murdered.
Margot was good at her job in homicide and she was backed by the best partner ever, tall, good looking Wes Fox, there was a chemistry between Margot and Wes that is gently smoldering but a comforting hug is as far as it gets.
As well as using her skills and gut instinct solving crimes at the local PD Margot is also called on by the FBI, they needed information, information that only her father could give them, information that he would only give to her.
Margot's past was tearing her apart, the visits to the prison were pulling her down deeper but people needed answers, answers that only she could get for them.
I love how the author has illustrated the mind of a psychotic killer, Ed's narrative is superb, he knows just what buttons to push, he plays with his interrogators. I could feel the sinister atmosphere in the prison interview room, I could hear his chains rattling, I could feel Margot trying to hold things together whilst at the same time showing her father that he couldn't control her.......but could he ?
A great psychological thriller that has nail biting suspense and is action packed.
Thank you Storm Publishing and Net Gallery for this ARC, my review is completely voluntary.

Kate Wiley’s writing shines in this second boo as it did in its predecessor, The Killer’s Daughter. She has created an authentic, fully fleshed-out character in SFPD Detective Margot Phelan, drawing us into her world. Her understandable PTSD and lack of trust are drawn so believably, traits to be expected as an infamous serial killer’s daughter. The subplot of a sniper loose on the streets of San Francisco and Margot’s amazing performance in the midst of it also kept me in suspense. Only a few rushed scenes at the end kept this from being a 5-star read for me.

Her Father's Secret
by Kate Wiley
Pub Date: Jun 26 2024

After recently reading and reviewing the first book in the Detective Margot Phalen series, "The Killer's Daughter" I was excited to get my hands on the next book in the series, Her Father's Secret! I thought the first book was a good read, I was really impressed with the second book. Definitely another 5 star rating!

Overall, this book is a fast read, especially if you like detective mysteries with some drama. It can be read as a stand-alone but I do think after reading it you will want to read the first book and if there's a third book in the horizon, you will be anxiously awaiting that book also! I'd definitely recommend this series!

Many thanks to #HerFathersSecret #NetGalley and #StormPublishing for providing me with an E-ARC of this book.

Thank you Storm Publishing & Kat Wiley for this great read.

This second instalment of the series was just as gripping as the first. I am thoroughly invested in Margot's story and I cant wait for more.

This book was again unexpectedly dark in all the right ways. The crimes were gruesome but that's what makes me so motivated to find out who the killers are. This book was pretty action packed with multiple crimes to solve alongside the back drop of Margot dealing with her own father's chilling crimes of the past. There is never a dull moment and if you're anything like me you will speed through this in no time.

I cant wait for more in this series and I really am impressed at how much I love this series already. Dark gruesome crimes, fast paced, multiple timelines, many crimes to solve and a protagonist that you can't help but care for

4.5/5

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Her Father's Secret picks up right where The Killer's Daughter left off. Detective Margot Phalen is working on multiple cases at once, it's no wonder the poor woman is always a wreck. There is still the case where girls are being found in parks, a new one where a sniper is shooting random people on city streets, and of course a new one given to her by her serial killer father, Ed Finch. I really empathize with Margot. She's the daughter of an infamous serial killer, who had to relocate and change her name after her father was finally arrested when she was a young teen. She's practically estranged from her brother, and her mother committed suicide a few years after her father was taken into custody. She is unable to form meaningful attachments to other people, and is so lonely as a result. (The only people she really even trusts are her partner at work and her therapist.) But as much of an emotional wreck as Margot is, she always puts others first and deals with her father in order to be able to close many cold cases on missing women. The end leaves off nicely, where I'm sure the next in this series will jump right off from.

This was my first book by Kate Wiley. I really enjoyed the writing style and figuring out where the story was going to take you. It kept you guessing what was to come and figuring out the characters as you were reading. I can’t wait for another installment

Her Father’s Secret is the second book in the Margot Phalen series(if you haven’t read the first one, run it’s solid gold). I absolutely loved the first book and was counting the days until I could get the second!

And NO it did not disappoint. Another one I couldn’t put down! I love the flashbacks so much, they are my favorite part of the story. Yes, I’m already counting down the days for book three. What a great series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

OMG another cracker from Kate Wiley! I loved the first book in this series and begged for another. I’m over the moon that she quickly obliged and this second book in the Margot Phelan/Ed Finch story is as good as the first. I love a flawed hero and you don’t get more flawed than Margot - daughter of a serial killer (78 women in the San Francisco Bay Area) now approaching 40 years old with a career in SFPD. Her father keeps in touch by dangling the possibility of solving some outstanding missing women’s whereabouts if she keeps visiting him in prison. That part also runs alongside ongoing homicide investigations. Fabulously written with wonderful characters and a great story - what’s not to like! Can’t wait for book 3.

Yessss, Margot Phalen is back!! After ‘The Killer’s Daughter’, we have part 2 in this series ‘Her Father's Secret’. I was honoured to ARC read Kate Wiley her second book as the first one did absolutely not disappoint me.
You could read this one as a stand-alone as there is enough backstory provided, although I would recommend reading the first book and this one ends again on a cliffhanger. As in book 1. the characters were well developed and I like how strong Margot is but still vulnerable. I do love Ed his POV, the look into his mind and conversations with his daughter are so well done. The slow-burn chemistry between Margot and Wes is keeping my hopes up that those two will become more than just ‘partners’. The dark edges of the story and Margot having multiple criminal cases is something else I thoroughly enjoyed. The scene settings give that extra chill to the story and the tension is something you feel throughout the story.
This is such a great psychological crime series and can't wait to read the 3rd book. If you love Psychological Thrillers combined with murder mysteries, this is a series you will enjoy.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you, NetGalley, and Storm Publishing for this ARC.

This is the first book I've read in this series and can be read as a standalone.
I liked Margot our main character and her partner Wes, I also liked that while we see Margot visiting her father in prison the case he's using to get her to visit him doesn't take up the entire book. Margot and Wes are working and closing other cases while Margot is trying to get info from her father.
The story was fascinating, and while the pace did slow a bit towards the middle it didn't impact my enjoyment of the story. The plot and the characters definitely hooked me, and I'll be reading the first book in this series and any new books that come out.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the advanced copy.

Margot, Wes, Ed, and Leon are all back in the second book of this series. Margot and Wes are detectives and partners. Margot’s father is on death row for serial killings back in the 80s. Each book he has revealed more victims the police were never able to find.

I felt the middle of this book was a tad slow and everything happened in the last few chapters. I really liked the suspense of the sniper hunting around the city though and was glad that storyline was well thought out.

I’m excited for the third book and can’t wait to read it asap!

I really enjoyed this and didn’t miss out on any enjoyment having missed the first title in the series. Loved the setting and characters. The father made my skin crawl in the most effective way. Will read more from this author!

I was fortunate to receive a copy of this book via NetGalley, for which I really appreciate.

I have never heard of this author but the cover and short description of the story really appealed to me.

Whilst I did really enjoy the book, I sometimes felt there were too many issues going on.
The main storyline of Margot and her serial killer father is a great base to the story and one I will enjoy reading g more of in the future.

I enjoyed that the story was always from Margot’s perspective (apart from the flash backs to the fathers crimes) as with so much going on it could have been hard to follow, however Margot’s challenges for each situation kept the story together.

I will defo read more and look forward to Margot’s story

I was SO excited to see the second installment of the series, and I wasn't disappointed. Could be read on it's own, but do yourself a favor and read The Killer's Daughter first.

Detective Margot Phalen is still battling her internal stigma and secret of being a prolific serial killer's daughter. And her unique understanding puts her in a special position when a sniper begins a killing spree throughout San Francisco. We continue to see her tough as ice exterior, and the nuances and sensitivity internally.

Well done, and hard to review without giving out spoilers to the first in the series. Speaking of which... when do we get #3?? :)

Thanks to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and Kate Wiley for the eARC.

After recently reading and loving the first book in the Detective Margot Phalen series, I was excited to get my hands on the next in the series.

Again, I enjoyed that Detective Phalen was investigating several cases at once, some that she was assigned in the first book as well as some new cases in this one. I feel that is an accurate portrayal of what a detective's day to day must look like - and how it is that mistakes can happen. I enjoyed reading insights about the way these different investigations are worked - in fact, that's my favorite part of this particular installment in the series.

My main reason for starting this series was the serial killer Ed Finch. I have a love/hate relationship with this character though. I feel so bad for poor Margot having to meet with her horrible father, but also I am so intrigued to see how many of his victims were undiscovered. I thought we would have a lot of focus on Ed in this book, but was left wanting in that regard.

I'm currently on the fence about continuing the series - the next installment will have to really have a killer book description to get me to pick it up.

Thank you for allowing me to review this excellent book. The second in the series about Detective Margot Phalen, and her father Ed Finch. He is a life prisoner who has started to share his secrets with her. This is a good follow up to the first book and has left me wanting the next one.
The characters are particularly well written. The mental and emotional struggles Margot deals with whilst maintaining her conscientious attention to rules and detail are described very well. An enthralling read that kept me gripped to the end which came to soon.

"Her Father's Secret" by Kate Wiley is the second book in a series about detective Margot Phalen. I was thrilled to dive back into the world of Detective Margot Phalen and her complicated relationship with her father, after enjoying the first book in the series, "The Killer's Daughter".
From the moment I started reading, I was hooked. The story is expertly crafted, with a slow-burning tension that kept me on the edge of my seat. Margot is an amazing protagonist, with a complex and troubled past that makes her even more relatable. Her struggle to reconcile her own identity with her father's dark legacy is deeply affecting, and I found myself completely invested in her journey.
The mystery itself is engaging and suspenseful, with a cast of characters that are all expertly drawn. The author does a great job of weaving together the threads of the story, slowly revealing clues and secrets that kept me guessing until the very end.
What really stands out about this book is how it explores trauma, family, and redemption themes. Margot's relationship with her father is toxic and manipulative, but it's also deeply human. Her struggle to come to terms with his actions is heartbreaking and relatable, and I found myself feeling all sorts of emotions as I read.
The writing style is easy to follow, with clear and concise prose that makes it easy to get lost in the story. The police procedural elements are well-handled, with a good balance of action and suspense.
Overall, I'm thoroughly impressed with "Her Father's Secret". It's a fantastic sequel to "The Killer's Daughter", and I'm already counting down the days until the next book in the series is released. If you're a fan of police procedurals, psychological thrillers, or just great storytelling, this book is worth checking out.