Aisling Cooley would have never dreamed that submitting a DNA sample to try to find her father would turn into a nightmare.

The Bonfire Killer was on the loose, and unknown to Aisling someone whose blood type matched blood at the newest murder scene belonged to a close relative of hers. It could be her father, brother, or son.

Aisling had two sons, but she told the police they are both mild mannered and would never have killed anyone, but could it have been her estranged father's blood?

A KILLER IN THE FAMILY has a bit of a slow start, but as the tension grows, as we wait for the results of the DNA samples from Aisling’s sons, and as surprises pop up, you will be glued to the pages.

Fans of Gytha won't want to miss this one...will you figure it out? 5/5

This book was given to me by the publisher via NetGalley for an honest review. ( )

A Killer in the Family by Gytha Lodge is a highly recommended murder mystery/procedural and the fifth book in the series featuring Detective Chief Inspector Jonah Sheens.

In Southampton, England, the "Bonfire Killer" has struck again. Three months earlier his first victim was burned beyond recognition. The latest victim did not burn. Even more hopeful for the investigation is that blood was found at the scene. In the meantime, Aisling Cooley, single mom to two teenage boys, decides to upload her DNA to an ancestry website in a search for her father who left his family 30 years earlier. What she has is DCI Jonah Sheens contact her because her DNA is a close match with that of the Bonfire Killer, who apparently is a close relative of hers.

This is another well written novel by Lodge. After a attention grabbing opening, the beginning moves at an even pace until all the pieces are set into place and then A Killer in the Family takes off, racing against time. The plot is interesting, compelling, and realistic while also providing plenty of twists along the way. Although it is the fifth book in the series, this solid procedural works well as a stand alone novel too. The characters are all fully realized and realistic. A Killer in the Family is another excellent novel by Lodge.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Random House via NetGalley.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2023/08/a-killer-in-family.html ( )

The “Bonfire Killer” has struck again but this time is different. The pyre upon which he places his dead middle-aged female victims did not burn. It has been three months since the burned body of his previous victim was discovered and DCI Jonah Sheens and his team are no closer to solving the case. However, their luck may be changing. Blood was found at the most recent scene and while there is no DNA match in the system, they are trying something new: searching genealogy websites for possible matches. The results and further DNA analysis concludes the blood belongs to one of four people: Aisling Cooley, her two sons or her father, who has been missing since he ran out on the family in 1987. Have there been more murders with a similar M.O.? Will the killer strike again before he is caught? It is a race against time to identify and locate all suspects.
This fifth book in the DCI Jonah Sheens series (Little Sister, 2022) stands on its own. It is a solid police procedural with a believable and interesting plot, good characters, excellent pacing and multiple twists and turns. Perfect for fans of Peter Robinson. ( )

I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via NetGalley.

I debated requesting this, because I wasn't so keen on the last two in this series. This instalment however, is excellent. I like the characterization of the various police officers: the messy Domnall, the inscrutable but vulnerable Ben, and so on. I thought Jonah was strangely absent here - mainly musing on how good it is that his partner Michelle is going out every night getting drunk while he works late and their nanny (whom I hope they are paying double) raises their daughter.

The actual mystery was also excellent - twisty and turny in a logical way, although the DNA ramifications and the inter-relatedness (or not) of the characters made my brain hurt at times. I liked the relationships Aisling had with her sons - it felt real. The ending was sad but satisfying. ( )