Her fathers secret by Kate Wiley is the 2nd book in the Detective Margot Phalen series. You can read it as a standalone as I have not read the first one.
Margot Phalen is a good detective for the SFPD. Not only has she got her hands full with her partner Wes investigating a sniper going around killing people but the mystery of a woman’s body being found.
Not only that, but she also has her own demons, because she is the daughter of Ed Finch. The notorious killer that has killed over 70 women. Ed is know residing in St Quentin jail and often calls on his daughter giving snippets of information of where some of his victims are buried. The latest one is found at a bottom of the lake with a bag old toys weighing the body down. This upsets Margot because they where her toys her father was supposed to get rid of.
I really enjoyed this book that’s the 2nd in the series. It is well written and totally engaging and great characters. I was expecting more scenes of Margot and her father. But maybe that will happen as the series develops. 4 stars from me.

A phenomenol follow up to The Killers DAughter and a welcome return of Margot, still atoning for the sins of her Father by helping the FBI locate further victims whilst also trying to solve an active shooter case. Margot is a brilliant leading character and her relationship with her father is enough to set your teeth on edge!

Well Done Kate Wiley another great 5 star read!!!!!
Only a few months ago I came across Book 1 in the Detective Margot Phalen series The Killer's Daughter and absolutely loved it, so as soon as I could read Book 2 Her Father's secret I started it and boy it didn't disappoint!! This series is shaping up to be one of my favourite series's!! Her Father's secret is a quick read and the writing style is easy to follow. Again I enjoyed the police procedural/mystery style and the strong female lead character of Margot Phalen. I'm looking forward to continuing to follow Margot's journey in the next book in the series. Bring on number 3!!
Thank you to Netgallery, Storm publishing and Kate Wiley for the opportunity to read this ARC for my honest opinion.

Detective Margot Phalen is a good cop who pays attention to detail and doesn’t make assumptions. Her partner Wes manages to look good whatever the situation and she works well with him.
What most people don’t know is she has an assumed name and her father is a serial killer currently incarcerated for his crimes.
She is under pressure to help the FBI find the bodies of missing women they suspect were murdered by her father. To do that she has to visit him in prison and in return they will provide resources to help catch a sniper in the local area.
This was a good read but for me it wasn’t one of those hold your breath and time flies types. I’m not sure if reading the first book in the series would have changed that or there was too much happening for me to really settle in to the story.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a free digital copy of the book in return for an honest review.

⭐⭐⭐⭐
Her Father's Secret by Kate Wiley is the second book in Detective Margot Phalen's Series. It's a detective mystery with some family drama elements and active investigation. I didn't read the first one, but I didn't feel like I was missing out as there was enough background information so it could be read as a stand-alone.

Her father, Ed Finch, is a convicted serial kiIIer currently serving his sentence in a maximum-security prison. He has been found guilty of kiIIing more than 70 women, a number that law enforcement, including the police and FBI, is aware of, but there may be additional victims.

He keeps Margot close by revealing one small detail at a time. It's an exciting detective story with plenty of action and ongoing cases, but it lacks originality.

Thank you, NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this copy!

First of all: you don't have to have read the first one in the series to enjoy this one. So if you feel more drawn to this one than the first, it's no problem.

The strongest part of this book for me was the main character Margot. She is likeable from the very start. She is not perfect by any means and she has to battle some very mean inner demons but she feels very human in this. She is sarcastic, caring and pushes herself often too much but it all comes from a good heart.

The one thing that bothers me is that the main storyline isn't the biggest part of this book. I wanted to have more scenes between Margot and Ed. The ones that were there, were brilliant and you could feel the tension between them and the battle of the minds. This and the 'side case' with the sniper got me hooked to the story. I'd like to know more about Ed in the next book of the series.

This is not quite my typical genre; however, I very much enjoyed it. It was highly entertaining, and steady to fast paced throughout the book. Margot struggles with the skeletons in her past, as her serial killer father pushes himself back into her life. He refuses to reveal any of his unsolved crimes to anyone but her. The author is great at describing things so clearly, you almost feel like you are there. This was a great book, and I can’t wait for the next book in the series! Thank you #NetGalley and #StormPublishing for allowing me to read this arc!

This book has timeline jumps that can annoy me, but this book blends it effortlessly between the present and the cold cases of the past. There are the current cases being investigated, then clues to old cold cases running simultaneously (not to mention a sniper keeping everyone in fear). The characters work well together and are easy to feel for, with a few obvious exceptions. I can't wait to read the next in the series

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
I missed the first book in the series which probably would have been helpful, nonetheless it was a solid police procedural with good writing.

Wow, KAte Wiley has written another great novel featuring Detective Margot Phalen. A busy cop who along with her partner Wes are juggling deaths and snipers and although not many people know it but she is the daughter of a notorius serial killer, this serial killer likes to toy with Margot and keeps drip feeding her tidbits about some of his unsolved crimes so as she will keep visiting him in prison and as much as she doesn't want too the FBI keep pulling her back there.
The writing is well done and the characters are great and the sizzling chemistry between her and her partner is something I would like to see develop. I look forward to the next installment.

This is the first book I have read by this author, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, what I got was an intricately woven thriller, with fascinating characters, and a pleasing conclusion. Whilst this is book two in the Detective Margot Phalen series, it reads fine as a standalone as the author provides the right amount of the backstory to enable new readers to keep up.

For me, the standout character was serial killer, Ed Finch, and I really looked forward to the chapters featuring him. The author manages portray this vile man in a chilling way - she captures his manipulative and sinister side to perfection - the interactions between Ed and his daughter are incredibly intense and exceptionally well-written.

I was, however, a little thrown by the inclusion of the sniper and the murdered sex worker, and felt that, in places, the story was bouncing around a bit too much. We also have the ‘will they, won’t they’ relationship between Margot and her partner, Wes. I personally don’t enjoy these storylines, but I know they are popular with many readers. All in all, this is a well-written and gripping tale, and I am very much looking forward to the release of book three!

Fantastic book. Characters work well together. A very well thought out story. Can’t wait for the next instalment.

I haven't read the previous entry of the series, but it was fine, this worked as a standalone for the most part. Her Father's Secret is a well constructed thriller, with intriguing characters, with a satisfying conclusion. Ed is a particular standout, I actively looked forward to his parts, as the tension was so thick, and the dialogue was a careful game of chess.

I will say though, the internal dialogue needs to be cut down, it goes on too long at times, and kind of badgers the point home.

I love this series! I love that the main character and heroine has a serial killer as a father and that his story line is also told thorough these books. The plot was fantastic. It oozed suspense and creepiness. It moved at a fast pace and kept me guessing until the very last page. I can not wait until the next book!

Detective Phalen has worked hard to run from her past. Having a serial killer as a father has numerous drawbacks. But she’s a good detective who works hard to right the wrongs she’s able to. Then her father tells the FBI he will tell where some of his victims are IF his daughter comes to see him. Al this in the midst of numerous ongoing investigations and cases she’s working. I love the character of Margot and look forward to more stories with her!

One thing to note before staring this book, its a page turner.

From the moment i started the book i was captivated. I loved the way the characters are developing in the story, and that we really get to know them.

I really like a book that goes back and forth in time, and here we read about Margot as a woman, but also as a child through her fathers eyes.

Margot is an incredible strong woman. With the history of her father being a serial killer, losing her mother and having a difficult relationship with her brother. But at the same time she shows up to work, is strong, smart, tough and everything one can hope for in a police woman.

Her father decides that she needs to visit him in prison, and if she does, he will tell her a secret. So Margot teams up with the FBI and tries to talk to her father Ed Finch.

This book was really good, and i loved the story line. I will defiantly continue with the series and i am patiently waiting for the third book.

Her Father’s Secret, the second in the series, is a dark, fast-paced, thrilling novel. As an SFPD Detective, Margot Phalen works hard to solve the homicides that are given to her. Add to that the cold cases that daddy dearest, AKA serial killer Ed Finch, unveils during her few visits to San Quentin. As if that is not enough to keep her busy, it looks like her father has a fan copying his works. Another fantastic read by Kate Wiley. This is definitely a go-to author as she delivers every time. Storytelling was spot on, and the rich and engaging characters kept me turning the pages until the very end.

Daughter, now a fairly hard-nosed detective, but still reliving her traumatic past. Father in prison, serial killer and, frankly, a psychopath. Current investigations - sniper haphazardly killing people in touristy areas. Margot has her work cut out and there's a lot going on. She has a supportive work partner, Wes, but that's getting muddied by her feelings for him. Fast paced, a lot of action. A fast read but one that isn't tat memorable I'm afraid. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy.

First page and I was hooked. I devoured this read in two days and I just couldn't stop. It was sooooo good!
There was so much going on, but not once did I actually get caught up in the chaos, somehow Wiley managed to lay it all out so perfectly, I didn't even blink, I just read.
Usually third pov books can be quite difficult for me to get into a good rhythm in before getting to enjoy the book, did not have that problem here at all!
Only once I finished this book did I realise it's part of a series. (So of course the first one is sitting in my tbr right now. ) it didn't feel like I was missing any foundation that has been laid out in the first book, it read so well as a standalone, excluding the cliffhanger ending.
Absolutely loved!!

LOVED! This is such a good back. This is book 2 in a series. I am going to go back and read the 1st one now! My first book by this author and will definitely be reading more by her again!

Wow!! Father’s a serial killer! Great twist & I can’t for more from this series! If you love physiological thrillers & the police being a main character this is for you! Also I live in the Bay Area where is is based; so, I am definite biased about where this book takes place.

This is our June 26th - mark your calendar. It’s also a KU book!

❤️ thanks to net galley & to the publisher for letting me review this arc.