Review: The Family Tree by Steph Mullin & Nicole Mabry

Publisher: Avon

Published: June 10, 2021

Source: Publisher

 

Summary:

The DNA results are back. And there’s a serial killer in her family tree…

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 late?

A gripping, original thriller for fans of My Lovely Wife, Netflix’s Making a Murderer, and anyone who’s ever wondered what their family tree might be hiding…

 

My thoughts:

As soon as I read the synopsis of this book, I knew I had to read it…I love a good serial killer story and this one definitely delivers! And it definitely will have me thinking twice about taking a DNA test that’s for sure!

This book is so twisty and cleverly plotted. There is nothing I love more than being completely surprised and I found that to be the case time and again with this book. The story alternates between the killer’s victims each year and Liz’s investigation into who the killer really is and her biological family. I was equally invested in both timelines, loving how the authors really made the victims human and not giving the killer all the glory as is often the case.

While this is a thriller, I did feel the authors did a great job allowing us to really feel and see the emotional toll that DNA results took on Liz. I cannot even imagine how I would have felt if that had been me, so seeing that Liz had her moments was real and relatable. I also loved the ending. I was totally surprised by the final reveal, but as far as the wrap-up, I liked that while some things were tied up, the authors did leave it where they could potentially write a sequel and let me just say, I would absolutely be in for that!

This was such a thrilling read and if you don’t mind some gruesome scenes, then I definitely suggest picking this one up. I for one will definitely be keeping an eye out for what comes next for these talented authors!