This was another one sitting read for me. It gave clues to who the killer was from almost the moment the body was found, but without the evidence to initially back up suspicions. This book didn't focus so much on Ed's murders, but snippets of his life growing up, so I barely noticed the time jumps.. the characters are well written and interact well with each other. I look forward to the next book, especially considering how this one ended!!

I’ve read the 2 previous books in this series. Which I read both super fast! Great series! Can’t wait to read more of her books!

I read this book in two sittings! It really is an unputdownable book. Without going into much detail so as not to ruin it for others I will say that I loved the characters in this book so much I decided to purchase the 1st and 2nd book! I had no idea this was the 3rd but I am so glad I found this author! The storyline hooked me in immediately, and the chemistry between Margot and Wes is incredible. I’m torn between them becoming romantically involved to them staying friends and partners so as not to ruin a good thing. This book made me check my locks and windows, no joke! I highly recommend this book and thank you to #netgalley, Storm Publishing and Jate Wiley for allowing me to read this book early!

The game of cat and mouse lives on in this book. Here we have Ed Finch a serial killer who is the father of officerMargot Phalean. A new case pops up and Margot is summoned to see Ed. This new case has Ed written all over it. Yet how could that be with Ed locked up for years and years. Is this a copycat, a fan of Ed’s? Margot wants no part of her father but she is still dragged into his drama. On top of it all he has a new wife. This book kept me at the edge of my seat. I wanted more and that’s exactly what I got.

If you like thrillers this book is for you. I also liked the background into Ed’s life as a young boy. How he became the person he is now. He has that strong hold over Margot which really comes to light at the very end. Hopefully there is another book I need to know what happens next. Well written,great characters and many surprises.

Thank you NetGalley and Storm for the ARC. 4.5 stars. The half star for the ending.

A police procedural on speed! With a possible serial killer in the making, Detective Margot Phalen goes against the system to track down a killer.  The daughter of a convicted serial killer works overtime to stop the killer from taking his next victim.  The chemistry between Margot and her police partner is awesome. A dual storyline intensifies story. A very unputdownable thriller. Packed with some twists that I didn't see coming. Very fast paced and engaging. 

4 stars

Love this series. Can’t wait to see what comes next.

A father so twisted, a daughter disgusted but a bond by blood that won’t let go.

I adore Margot and Wes’s relationship as well as Leon’s with Margot’s.

This series is one you must read if you like thriller murder mysteries.

Keep the books in this series coming!

I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that this was available on from the publisher, it feels like forever since I've been waiting for this installment in the series. So what did I do? I binged-read this so fast.

Kate Wiley's Detective Margot Phalen series has become my favorite books to date. Each one is just so great and never falls flat. The Killer Instinct is no exception. It's twisty, it's fun (the banter between Margot and Wes is top tier), and it's so chilling (I lost track of how many times I got goosebumps). The character development really continues to grow with this installment. Especially with Ed's chapters. So crazy good.

I'm still obsessed and obsessing over this book. Do not read these as a standalone, start with the first book, The Killer's Daughter. You won't be disappointed.

Thank you so so much, Netgalley, and the publisher, for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Killer Instinct by Kate Wiley kept me on the edge of my seat. I really like this series and am anticipating more! The characters in this book are well-written, intriguing, and believable. The plot made sense and kept me guessing until the end.

The Killer Instinct is a good crime suspense novel with false clues and tension that have you turning the pages well into the night.

Detective Margot Phalen knows the mind of a serial killer better than most. She learned from the worst: her father, Ed Finch.

When bodies keep appearing in the tranquil Muir Woods, California, and a woman is killed in Chinatown, Margot begins to realize these are no ordinary homicides. The eerie similarities to her infamous father's crimes send chills down her spine. But Ed’s been behind bars.

As evidence mounts, Margot uncovers a sinister obsession that hits far too close to home. She must use all her skills to outwit a killer who seems to know her history better than she does.

I cannot wait to read more in this series and to get to know Margot even more. The ending was shocking and had me gasping out loud.

I would recommend this author, this book, and this series.

#TheKillerInstinct #NetGalley @Stormbooks_co

I've quickly become hooked on this series. It has everything that I enjoy when it comes to a crime thriller. The way the author is able to weave a few story lines together without losing the over all picture is great, I love the "will they/won't they" between Margot and Wes. I really loved that Margot started to branch out a bit more in this book when it came to her friendship/partnership with Wes.

Once again the Ed flashbacks added a nice touch and gave us some extra insight into the mind of a killer. They worked well and never disrupted the flow of the story.

The way this book ended! Boy oh boy, I am on pins and needles waiting for the next one! I can't wait to see where the next book in the series goes. Honestly, this would make a great TV show!

This detective Margot Phelan series takes things up a notch. San Francisco police detective Margot Phelan is the daughter of a serial killer Ed Finch. Margot and partner Wes try to solve the brutal murder of an elderly tenant in Chinatown. Meanwhile, in a continuation of a plot thread running through the first two books, it's becoming increasingly possible that a serial killer is responsible for the bodies of woman is found in Muir Woods. Margot also learns disturbing news about Ed.

I'd been worried that this book was going to continue the same formula i.e. Margot and Wes deal with a case, Ed jerks Margot around and Margot keeps hitting the bottle. Refreshingly, this book takes a leap forward. While Margot struggles with her visits to Ed, she is at least trying to be healthier. She pushes herself to open up to the very supportive Wes, while also being aware she may have deeper feelings, but can't risk messing that relationship up. I also appreciated more development with the Ed storyline (and, to be honest I hope there is a conclusion to Ed so we can see Margot move on).

While I guessed what was going on with Ed, the final lines of the book had me eager for more. I can't wait for the next book!

Thanks to Storm and NetGalley for the ARC.

Name of Book: The Killer Instinct
Series: Detective Margot Phalen Book #3
Author: Kate Wiley
Publisher: Storm Publishing
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Pub Date: October 28, 2024
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pages: 311

Detective Margot Phalen knows the mind of a serial killer better than most.

Twenty years ago Ed Finch – America’s most notorious serial killer – used the Bay Area as his hunting ground.

Now, his daughter Margot Phalen is a homicide detective with the San Francisco Police Department.
Margo has spent her whole life trying to forget her past; she has and still suffers from the PTSD that occurred when she found out her father was a serial killer.
So far she has not been able to escape the terrible knowledge – will she ever escape it and live a “normal” life?

This is third in the series and I read the two as well. Although the stories have been intense stories on the dark side, but have kept me interested.

In Book #2 "Her Father’s Secret" Margo's father while at the maximum security prison makes a request to call Margo via his lawyer Rosenthal. When Rosenthal turns to phone to Ed, he asks –
Did I ever tell you about the summer you turned eight?
Hmmm - seems to me that this just might be setting the stage for this story.

When several bodies turn up in Muir Woods and another in Chinatown, Margot’s thoughts are that these cases are very similar to her father’s crimes – however Ed Finch is still behind bars. Could he be behind these crimes from his cell?

Although this story does not give us the insight mentioned regarding when Margo was eight, it reveals more back when Ed was Eddy and his relationship with his abusive mother. We know more about him but we also know there is still far more to his story.

In this story Margo makes more visits to the prison to question Ed. She believes she needs his help in solving these recent murders.

I am NOT a big true crime fan. I lover thrillers but I am almost obsessed with this series. I honestly had no idea where this was going and I could NOT put it down.
The ending once leaves me wanting more. I am hopeful that Book #4 will go deeper into to what really goes on in Ed Finch’s mind!


I always enjoy reading the author’s motes and/or Acknowledgements. Ms. Wiley tells us of the on-site research she did in the San Francisco area – visiting Chinatown over Lunar New Year, a tour of Muir Woods via Gray Line Yours.

About the Author- I also enjoy reading more about the author and found nothing regarding Kate Wiley.
She has written 47 books as Sierra Dean - Sierra Dean is a reformed historian. She was born and raised in the Canadian prairies and is
allowed annual exit visas- in order to continue her quest of steadily conquering the world one city at a time.
She has used her overactive imagination to create her own version of the world, where vampire, werewolves, fairies, gods and monsters all
walk among us.

Want to thank NetGalley and Storm Publishing for granting me this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for October 28, 2024.

The third in the series.
A slow burner and dark and creepy.
Great storyline and well written characters.
I look forward to the fourth in the series.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

I like this talented author. The title is intriguing. Is there an instinct for crime? Is it learned? Is is mimicked? Questions…red herrings kept me guessing in this novel. Realistic characters brought the story to life…almost like nonfiction. The protagonists has real fears, and others can relate. Follow along with the facts on this mystery. Thanks Netgalley

I didn't realize until I'd finished that this is the 3rd in a series of three, but it didn't matter. Two bodies are found in Muir Woods and Detective Phalen is worried there will be more even though her famous father, Ed Finch is in prison for killing 78 women and is known as the Classified Killer. Is it happening again with a copycat killer? And who on earth would marry a psychotic killer? The novel vacillates in time between the present and the past as we see how it all plays out. This book gave me the chills so many times but I raced through it as it's fascinating!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

A continuation of the Detective Phalen series.

Detective Margot Phalen works on murder cases in the Bay Area of San Francisco, alongside Detective Wes Fox. They are a well suited duo, with Wes totally aware of Margot’s complicated and difficult past. As the daughter of incarcerated serial killer Ed Finch, Margot is also working with the FBI to discover more about Finch’s murders and what motivated him to commit such heinous crimes.

When more murdered women are discovered, Phalen and Fox are once again out to bring justice to the bereaved families.

As in The Killer’s Daughter, the story is told across two time frames with two main protagonists. And again, the Ed chapters are much the better read.

An easy, quick read, covering the usual bases of crime books, nothing exceptional to report. However this offering is a marked improvement in the last, with more background given and a nicely executed cliffhanger promising more from Phalen, Fox and Finch.


Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing.

This is third book in the series, and goodness, what a ride we were taken on. Finding out more about Ed's childhood was fascinating, as well as the present day murders that needed to be solved. The tie in with Margot's father was so creepy. On the lighter side, the developing relationship between Margot and Wes is delightful, and the way Margot is coming to terms with her own background. A stunning ending, that will leave all of us who are heavily invested in this series, waiting impatiently for the next book. Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for a chance to read and review this book.

The 3rd book in the Detective Margot Phalen series,and we find Margot still struggling with her familys dark past as well as trying to get to the bottom of a case from book 2 which is still unsolved.
This time we find out more about her serial killer father Ed's early life while living with his mother and sister.The characters are well developed and I'm still loving the relationship between Margot and her partner Wes it's a slow burner but it's definitely heading in the right direction.
The unexpected twist towards the end of the book is brilliant, and yet again, we are left on a cliffhanger.
This series has become an obsession I can't get enough of.
If you like your books with a touch of darkness added to a great storyline, then this is one series not to be missed.
Highly Recommended
Thanks to Netgalley and Storm books for the ARC.

This is the first of Kate Wiley’s books that I’ve read and it certainly won’t be the last, I am off now to download her back catalogue and just hope her earlier books are as good as this!

Margot and her father could not be more different. She is a Detective and her father is in prison, convicted as serial killer.

When bodies are found and murders occur the similarities to her fathers MO are striking.

A copycat is on the loose so it seems but Margot is just about to have her life upended once again.

This twisty thriller is just brilliant. It is superbly written and the story is fabulously told. I loved it.

worth all the stars

This book was absolutely amazing. The twist and the ending literally gave me the chills. The best part is the series is not over, anxious for book 4 from Kate Wiley!!