Fantastic read that I found to be a real page turner, it was a gripping thriller with a different narrative than the stereotypical POV of the serial killer, or a detective. I thoroughly enjoyed the originality within this book, not only a different style of POV but also a different storyline than one may expect from a serial killer/ thriller. I found that taking the approach of focusing on ancestry and online DNA websites that now exist was an original and thought provoking idea in the modern world, which was enjoyable to see in fiction.

The book was brilliantly written and at times created so much suspense that I was anxious for the characters wellbeing to the point I had to take a break, showing the authors great ability to draw in the audience. Between chapters the author switched to be from the POV of the victim, the killer, or the main protagonist which was unusual and enjoyable as it helped the reader create a more well rounded understanding of not only the life of the main character but also the related crimes, and the killers personality. Furthermore the victims were portrayed as fully rounded characters, and despite there being 25, all in similar circumstances, they were written to show their different experiences. I believe this took great skill to show their different outlooks, thoughts and personality rather than just a generic "victim" identity so I greatly enjoyed the scenes from their point of view.

I enjoyed the relationships and different character personalities that were demonstrated throughout the book, showing how they interacted and reacted off each other as fully rounded individuals. Furthermore I enjoyed that there was developed cultural representation, with the main character being raised in an Italian family, and learning about her Mexican roots. Despite this I did find the protagonist, Liz, annoying and difficult to like at times. I found that she made at the least questionable, and regularly unsafe and stupid decisions which made her character frustrating. However, given the fact that she was undergoing the stress of discovering she was adopted, and that her biological family may have a serial killer in it, it is easy to believe that she may make some irrational and unsafe choices as a reaction to these stresses.

There was intensity throughout the book however the ending truly had me gripped, with a shocking twist. Following this the epilogue had me on the edge of my seat with another unexpected twist, as well as leaving room for the chance of a sequel, which I would immediately read. Overall I truly enjoyed this book and would recommend it, I could find only minor flaws whilst reading none of which detracted from my overall enjoyment of the story.

A big thank you to Avon Books and Netgalley for providing an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Interesting and somewhat unique story. The writing is also not bad and did not make me want to stop reading after a few pages, which a lot of novels make me want to do these days.

However, I found the detailed scenes from the viewpoint of the victims quite spine chilling and I did not want to read those parts. They remind me of the CSI TV series.

I hope to see more of these authors' books.

I was so intrigued by the premise of this book, and this book did not disappoint! .  Imagine finding out you're adopted by doing a 23andMe test, and then having that test lead to finding out you're related to one of the most notorious and unidentified Serial Killers in your area.  This is what happens to Liz Catalano, when she is gifted a test by her cousin Andie.  Liz deals with a number of startling revelations and betrayals by deciding to face them all head on, and help identify the killer. 

I really enjoyed this story for so many reasons.  The plot was twisty and unusual with a satisfying ending.  Liz, her cousin Andie and her family were thoughtful and respectful people who worked together to heal when family secrets lead Liz to feel betrayed.  Most importantly, I really appreciated how the victims of the killer, are humanized and thoughtfully portrayed.  So often in books with serial killer villains, the killer is glamorized and the victims largely forgotten, and I like how the authors took their story in a different direction.

When Liz takes a dna test, the results shock her and her cousin, Andie. Liz learns there is a family link to a serial killer which leads her to an ongoing fbi investigation. Is Liz putting her own life on the line.

This was such a great read. I enjoyed having the two chapter points of view which really gripped without going into anything too horrific.

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

This book was such a fun ride I had a hard time putting it down! I was immediately interested in it because it focuses on using DNA results in a public database to find a serial killer. This is a story that I had just started hearing about in the news/true crime genre (Golden State Killer - Gone in the Dark) but thought would be an interesting premise in fiction. Turns out it was a page turner for me which is exactly what I needed after being in a year long reading slump.

I loved how the chapters went between the serial killer’s POV and Liz in the present. Typically I hate dual timelines but the way it unraveled felt very clear and easy to follow chronologically. It also added to the story by helping me to piece it together from two perspectives in a unique way that felt unlike other dual timeline stories I’ve read before.
This book also features a normal girl who gets thrown into a criminal investigation as it happens. Since she came from such an ordinary world it helped to ground the shocking things going on around her. I also thought she and her cousin were well developed and had great banter between them that felt realistic. Especially for later scenes in the book as Liz begins to research and interact with her blood family.

As thrilling as this book was my favorite part had to be the cultural representation - Liz being raised in an Italian family then learning about her Mexican roots. A main protagonist is rarely ever a Hispanic woman so it was refreshing for me to read since I am Hispanic and hardly ever see representation in a lead character from this genre.

Overall, I think it’s great if you enjoy thrillers and if you are interested in a fast-paced read about how a DNA database could be crucial in a decades long ongoing case.

#TheFamilyTree #NetGalley
A good read.
Liz Catalano is shocked when an ancestry kit reveals she’s adopted. But she could never have imagined connecting with her unknown family would plunge her into an FBI investigation of a notorious serial killer…
The Tri-State Killer has been abducting pairs of women for forty years, leaving no clues behind – only bodies.Can Liz figure out who the killer in her new family is? And can she save his newest victims before it’s too latey.
Thanks to NetGalley and Avon for giving me an advanced copy of this book.

Fantastic read. I have been completely unable to put this one down. I cannot wait to read more by this author.
Full review to follow on publication.

The cover and the blurb sets an ominous tone, hooking you right in. Liz Catalans takes a DNA test and learns she is adopted. But that’s not the only shocker, she discovers she is related to the Tri-State Killer! The Tri-State Killer has been abducting pairs of women for forty years, leaving their bodies but no clues. Liz has so many questions and is full of emotions. The story is good, I like the blending of true crime within a story. It’s fast paced and has a lot of action! Thank you to the authors, Avon Books, and NetGalley for a gifted copy. This is my honest review.

This was brilliant! I couldn't put it down, it was a fast paced, page turner. First book I've read by these authors, but most definitely not my last. I love books that have several POV set in past & present as you can get a clearer picture of what's happening & why.

I haven't unearthed anything like this in my family tree yet, but can you imagine finding out you were an adopted child & you now had to work closely with the FBI as it seems one of your new found relatives is the Tri-state Killer 😱

Many thanks to Netgalley for my ARC in return for my honest review

𝗜 𝗴𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗮 5 ⭐ 𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴

Utterly captivating, dark and twisted an excellent read that I couldn’t bear to put down. The idea behind it is stunning, current and ingenious, that a killer is tracked down due to a genealogical DNA testing result. We follow the highs and lows of the main character, discovering all is not what it seemed with her current family, the excitement of discovering her real roots and ‘new’ family members to bond with and then the horror of the family secrets she might really discover. The narrative is believable, terrifying and edgy and there are red herrings along the way. I loved the ending, if indeed it is the ending, much as it was chilling.

A great book with loads of twists and turns and shocks galore. This was an absolute roller-coaster. Amazing. Loved it. Xx

I can really recommend this thriller, I am an avid family historian and have done my DNA. I can imagine this happening in real life.

I could not put this book down!

I read this within a few days and was captivated and interested from the get go. I really enjoyed the storyline and it really kept me guessing until the end. I enjoyed the twists and turns that the story offered, especially at the end although slightly disappointed that who I thought was the bad guy was actually someone else. My investigating skills must not be up to scratch.

It's a relatable story and could easily be something that could happen in real life, so I would think twice about undertaking a DNA kit!

The story was dark, inviting and captivating as I went on the journey with Liz. Her best friend Andie gave a light and humorous feel to a dangerous situation.

I loved this book and I look forward to seeing more from this author in the future.

This book did not disappoint. I found it quite intriguing and a definite page turner. Thank you Avon books and NetGalley for the chance to read this book! Excellent!

Pub Date: June 2021

To summarise is one word: wow! Loved this book. Liz Catalano has a DNA test as a gift and the results reveal a family secret - that she is adopted. While searching for her birth family, Liz is contacted by FBI as her DNA links her to the Tri State Killer, a serial killer active for last 40 years. Liz is determined to get to know her new family and discover who could possibly be the Tri State Killer.
I enjoyed how the story was told by Liz, interjected with the victims experience. A great whodunnit. 5 stars.

This is a really gripping, fast paced and exciting psychological thriller!
Topical, current and so relevant to the increasingly more common way that killers are being found these days, using familial DNA as a topic is genius!
I raced through the 400 pages and relished every chapter.
A great read!

As i am currently researching my family tree i was drawn to this book and also by its stunning cover. DNA testing has become very popular recently and is used widely now as a way of tracing your roots. The main protagonist, Liz Catalano, is given the test as a present by her cousin and best friend Andie, who has already done one. What follows is a rollercoaster of emotions for Liz as at 29 she finds out she was adopted. She sets out to find out the truth about her birth mother and family, when the FBI gets evolved the story becomes darker and even dangerous for Liz. I really enjoyed reading this novel, although towards the end i found myself getting annoyed at the bad decisions Liz was making especially knowing there was a serial killer at large. It was an usual storyline with plenty of red herring along the way and an intriguing ending.

Gripping book from start to finish!
Really enjoyed this book, loved the twists and turns in it, kept me guessing throughout the book as to who was the serial killer...great style of writing and also liked the way it went from past victims and back to the present, looking forward to these authors duetting again hopefully soon!

A scary and innovative thriller showing the effects of nature vs. nurture. Just how ready are we as a society for the sudden revelations of DNA kits is the question I kept asking myself throughout the course of this book.

I liked this, it's one of those books that you have to carry on reading to get to the bottom of what's going on.

Liz's cousin and housemate Andie buys her a DNA testing kit for them both just for some fun, they want to learn more about their family origins. But the test comes back with a big shock.... They're not actually related, this causes a lot of upset as Liz finds out she was actually adopted as a baby and her records are sealed. Liz is the sort of person who needs to know everything about everything and so she starts researching as much as she can, but when the FBI get in touch and say they've found her DNA is a match for a notorious serial killer she's worried. Could the new family she has finally found be capable of this?

The story is a good one, and I liked the entries from all of the victims then Liz's story. It's definitely worth a read.

Imagine sending off for an ancestry kit with your cousin, only to find that she's not your cousin, at age 27 you discover you're adopted and theres a serial killer in your family. Well this is what happened to Liz. Can Liz trust her newly found Great Uncle and his wife? Is he the decades old Tri State Killer? Liz turns sleuth to try and find out.
A really enjoyable page turner
Received this book from Netgalley and publishers in exchange for an honest review

When I got this book I just had to drop everything and read it. It was really really good and did not disappoint. The premise is really interesting - I remember a podcast re something like this recently. I loved the narrative device used it was very different.

These authors are definitely on my list now to watch out for.

It was so gripping that I read it all in one session.

I was given an advance copy by Avon and netgalley but the review is entirely my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and Avon Books Uk for the arc of The Family Tree by Steph Mullin And Nicole Mabry.

5 star read- This has a very interesting premise and plot to it and something in which I haven't seen in a book before. This follows and goes on about DNA databases and ancestry, to find a serial killer, it circulates between Liz's POV and the serial killers POV. This was such a page turning, gripping book had me on edge of my seat.

Highly Recommend
5 stars⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This book is very creepy. When Liz went searching for her birth family, she never thought it would rock her world. I was quite terrified by the circumstances in this book. It disturbs me on so many levels. That being said, I was also strangely fascinated by how smart the serial killer really is and how he avoided capture. I could not put this book down. I was drawn to the story. I finished this book in a weekend. If you like disturbing crime than this is the book for you.

When I read the blurb for this novel, I knew it would be right up my street! A mystery thriller about Liz Catalano who discovers that not only is she adopted, but that a member of her newly discovered biological family might be a serial killer. A killer that has been active for forty years, abducting victims in pairs and holding them captive for months at a time.

The novel is well written and fast paced. The authors have also used alternating chapters, which provide viewpoints from both Liz Catalano and those of the killers victims. The storyline is gripping, with lots of twists and turns which makes it hard to put down.

Liz received an ancestry kit as a gift, and finds out she is adopted. She gets another shock when the FBI contacts, informing her that her DNA is a familial match to a serial killer they’ve been hunting. Loved the premise, which was fairly different for this genre, and the book did keep my interest, as you’re eager to see where the story goes. You’ll have to ignore some plot holes here and there, and the ending felt a little rushed, but overall it was a quick and entertaining read. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Amazing!! I really really enjoyed this thriller. It was one that kept me on my feet the entire time, with that brooding dark undertone throughout the entire story. Really good. Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

A refreshingly original plot in an easy writing style that did nothing to compromise what was also a chilling story line.
In fact, it was so well written that at 88% of the book, I wouldn't have minded if it didn't close with a twist However, there it was in the final pages and was enough to leave me even more impressed.

Wow, this was a rollercoaster of a read which I devoured in one day.

This had me hooked from the outset . Dark tale, plenty of twists and turns, totally gripping.

Thoroughly recommended.

Liz jokingly uploads her DNA onto a testing site, only to get the shock of her life when she realizes she was adopted. As she sets out on a quest to discover more about her biological family, she also finds herself embroiled in an investigation into a serial killer in her family line.

This was a very interesting read, both a story of self-discovery as well as a thriller. It was told in dual points of view, that of Lizzie, as well as a look into what the victims of the killer went through over the years, tying together neatly at the end!

And that epilogue was a true cliffhanger!! Great read, highly recommended.

This book should come with a warning because once you pick it up you are going to find it near impossible to put it down... well I certainly did it was a brilliant read.
What I really loved was the way the book was set out and the way the chapters were interspersed with the stories of the tristate killer and victims this gave a chilling and disturbing edge to the read making it so damn hard to put down.
The slow burn of the story is compelling as Liz after finding she is adopted is trying to connect with her birth family only to find someone in this family could be a serial killer I’m not saying more but it’s a creepy and chilling read with some excellent characters and a book that I completely enjoyed, I do hope the authors will collaborate again as if they do I will be first in the queue to read it.
So do yourselves a favour and grab a copy of this one it’s a real goodie!
My thanks to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for giving me the chance to read the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Firstly a big thank you to the publishers for my copy to review on netgalley.

For someone who’s adopted and interested in true crime this was a fantastic book to read.We all want to know where we come from but what happens if its not from good things!

Completely original and unpredictable this had me hooked. Cleverly written with tension and anxiety running through the pages.

Harrowing accounts of the victims are written alongside Lizs journey to discover her story but also the truth.

I highly recommend and this is published June 10th