Bloodlines: A Psychological Thriller

soo good. this dark and twisted psychological thriller had me from the very beginning.

if you found out that you had a serial killer in your bloodline would you keep looking into it to find the truth or would you say that's not worth risking my life? that's the question Alyssa has to keep asking herself.

This book was amazing it kept me on the edge of my seat the whole time.

ARC Review
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Bloodlines – Carly Black
Arc review Release: February 6, 2026

First off: thank you, Carly Black and Inside Story, for this ARC. Truly. And also—thanks for making me question my moral compass, my curiosity, and whether some questions should just be left buried where they belong. Love that for me.

Let’s talk trigger warnings. Because wow. You name it, it’s there. There’s basically a full page politely warning you that this book may emotionally ruin you if you possess a weak stomach, a fragile psyche, or a strong desire to remain mentally well-adjusted.
Obviously, I ignored that and kept reading.

I won’t lie—the start was a bit wobbly for me. Slow-ish. Slightly unsure of itself. And if you know me, you know that’s not my favorite flavor. I almost side-eyed it. Almost.
Because once this story found its footing? I was gone.

I became the shadow on the wall. Watching. Listening. Following every crack in the narrative as things slowly, deliberately unraveled. And I loved being that shadow—wanting answers while also quietly panicking about what those answers might cost.

This book asks uncomfortable questions and then refuses to apologize for them.
What would you do for family?
What would you do just to belong somewhere—anywhere?
Does knowing where you come from change who you are… or does it just explain what’s been lurking under the surface all along, patiently waiting its turn?

This wasn’t a mystery to me—and honestly? That didn’t bother me at all. The why and the how mattered far more than the reveal. Watching the chain of choices, the justifications, the morally grey decisions stack on top of each other—that’s where the real damage happens. And I found myself constantly thinking: What would I do?
Which is a dangerous game, because the answers were… not comforting.

By the time I finished, one question refused to let go:
Is Alyssa better off knowing the truth?
Or could she have lived a perfectly full life without it—maybe with fewer people, but not fewer connections?

I’m not here to spoil your morally questionable inner debates. You’ll have those all on your own.

Four and a half stars from me. The only reason it’s not a full five is that shaky start—but once it hits, it hits.
Read this when you’re ready to stare directly at the darkest parts of what made you you.
And don’t expect to come out unchanged.

This book was really good! I would love to have more of the story! Also... as someone who was adopted I am now wondering if there is a serial killer somewhere in my bloodline!

There were several places that seemed repetitive and the way that the characters were talking seemed to rigid and not like how people actually talk but other than that I really enjoyed it and it kept me on the edge of my seat!!!

Now this was a fun read!

Everyone wants to submit DNA samples these days to search for family and find those connections. That's all Alyssa wanted to do. Find out where she came from.

When her search for relatives goes a little sideways, she finds herself investigating a string of cold cases that are linked to her biological family.

I had some ideas on where this was going, but I did not have it figured out!

Bloodlines took me off guard. I expected a murder mystery thriller after the first few chapters. What unfolded was anything but. There was mystery, yes. Was there murder, but of course. But what stuck with me the most was a true desire to journey with Alyssa while she searched for answers to her past; the family she longed for.
This was a fast read as tension grips you throughout your time in Bloodlines and by the end, your mind is sent reeling, flying off the rails in a testament to justice and where your morals truly lie when confronted with its loss. A wonderfully tortuous dive into the psyche of loss, grief and the search for love. Thriller lovers rejoice!

Bloodlines by Carly Black is a dark, gritty thriller that successfully captures a "Dexter" vibe, plunging readers into a world of obsession and uncomfortable truths. While the story starts off a bit wobbly, it eventually finds its stride, evolving into a tense exploration of how one tiny decision can ripple out and change a life forever. It’s the kind of book that pushes your boundaries and presents moral dilemmas that make you question exactly how far you would go to uncover your own history.

The mystery is engaging, and though I managed to guess the main twist, it felt earned and logically sound—a satisfying "I knew it!" moment. However, the book isn't without its frustrations. The protagonist, Alyssa, often feels like she isn't the "brightest bulb in the room," making several questionable choices that lead to some far-fetched scenarios, particularly regarding the strange lack of FBI involvement. I found myself wishing her friend Karen had a larger role, as she was a standout character. Despite some conflicting feelings about the lead, it is a compelling, boundary-pushing read. It earns 4 bloody stars.

This book was dark and intriguing. I was on the edge of my seat. My heart was pounding. I couldn’t stop reading. I had to know what happened next. All the things. I do recommend this book to everyone.

The book held my attention, based off teasers I thought the book would be a quicker pace. I enjoyed it and I look forward to reading what the author publishes in the future.

This book completely captivated me from the very first page, keeping me hooked and on edge the entire way through. Every chapter seemed to pull me deeper into the story, creating a sense of tension that never let up. It really makes you realize that sometimes, it’s best to leave certain things alone, because curiosity can lead to unexpected consequences. And then came the twist at the end—absolutely brilliant and completely unexpected! It tied everything together in a way that left me stunned and thinking about it long after I finished. Truly, such a good read and one I would highly recommend to anyone who loves a gripping story. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This was a great book for a "wtf did I just read" mantra. I said that to myself quite a few times throughout reading. This is about one woman's plight to find out who her family is, since her parents clam anytime she asks. So she submits a DNA swab to an ancestry-type site. What happens next is a whole lot of events that get your anxiousness kicking in. Annnnddd this is why I will never do any of these DNA ancestry sites lol.

A fantastic read from start to finish. The storyline was excellent—full of twists that kept me on my toes and eager to see what would unfold next. The writing was smooth, engaging, and pulled me straight into the world of the characters. An all-round great book and an easy five stars from me.

Short version? This book slaps. 🩸🧬

Alyssa Carter takes a DNA test and accidentally unlocks a family secret tied to a serial killer—cue the FBI, creepy clues, and the awful realization that the past is not done with her. The plot is tight and unsettling, with crimes staged like twisted theater and danger bleeding straight into Alyssa’s present life.

Alyssa is a fantastic lead: smart, shaken, obsessive in a way that feels painfully real. Watching her unravel her family history while slowly realizing she might be the next target is deliciously nerve-wracking. You feel her paranoia—every moved object, every “coincidence,” every quiet moment feels loaded. 👀

Carly Black’s writing is sharp, controlled, and atmospheric. No wasted words, no cheap shocks—just a slow, creeping dread that builds and builds until you’re fully locked in. If you love dark family dynamics, psychological tension, and twists that land hard, Bloodlines is a must-read. Absolutely chilling. 🔥📖

⚠️ Dark content—check warnings if needed.

Alyssa's life is definitely not going as she planned it. Her job, her life, and even her family are all falling down around her. Her parents weren't exactly forthcoming with family history. Old family records don't help much. She finally breaks down and buys a DNA test kit. She sends the completed kit back, but in the process she kicks off a chain of events that will see her already shattered world fall to pieces around her. All she wanted was a family. What she got was a whole lot more.

First off, the author owes me lunch. I started reading at the start of my lunch hour at work and promptly lost track of time. It's just that good. I found myself feeling the unease and the dread in every page. The author is able to blend a perfectly paced story with a unique concept that kept me guessing all the way up to the jaw dropping conclusion. When I say I was shocked, I mean it. Wow.

I recently did a DNA test kit and now I'm seriously considering looking deeper into the results, but after Alyssa's problems I am very apprehensive.

If you're looking for a fast paced and tense read, you definitely want to grab this book. Just make sure you do everything you need to get done first before the book sucks you in.

Alyssa does a DNA test and finds out she has been adopted. So she sets out to find out everything she can about her family.

Is knowing where you truly come from all the rage? What traits get passed down through DNA? "Blood doesn't lie. " Join Alyssa on her journey to find out who makes her the person she is.

Bloodlines By Carly Black was written for people who enjoy dark themes, suspense, family drama, deceit, & psychological thriller/horror! The fmc has had the absolute worst luck, from her person relationships to her family relationships. The writer shows no mercy to the main character, the poor girl was going through hell at the very start of the book. Things just get progressively worse & progressively dangerous! The things that start happening to her, make you question YOUR OWN sanity! I was in complete shock at the end of this book, that ending was totally unexpected. I am definitely recommending this book to all my friends! (Well, the ones who can handle it! 😉)

I loved Bloodlines! Alyssa wants to fill in her family tree. But when DNA results lead her to find she is connected to a serial killer, she is determined to find the truth of the murders. But someone is watching her, entering her home and leaving threatening messages. She must decide if finding the truth of who she's related to is worth continuing to dig into the murders of a serial killer whose DNA is a close match to her.

How important would it be to know where you came from? Whose blood runs in your veins? How much danger are you willing to face to find your past? Alyssa faces all these questions when she takes a DNA test. What she didn’t expect was the FBI showing up on her door, she didn’t expect to be stalked or hunted down either and she sure didn’t expect to come face to face with a killer. But she wants the truth - she’ll keep going. This book was a pleasure and a little creepy to read - with an interaction/ending that I didn’t see coming but I’m so glad it did!!! First time author Carly Black really knocked it out of the park. I read this in less than 8 hours just could not put it down

Whew. Bloodlines is an amazing story. If you can handle the anxiety that comes with it. This one follows Alyssa, who has some life troubles that leaves her divorced and unemployed. During this time she decides to submit a DNA sample to check on her genealogy. She doesn’t know a whole lot about her family and she’s extremely curious. Then all of a sudden an FBI agent rolls up talking about her DNA being tied to murders. No. Not just one. She then thrusts herself into an investigation into her past that digs up some very unfortunate information and a person she never thought existed.
This story had me hooked and didn’t let go. Carly’s writing is amazing. So many times throughout I swear I could hear and feel our main characters heartbeat and blood pressure go through the roof. Turns out it was MINE. Well done and I cannot wait to read more from Carly Black.

Thank you to Inside Story for a copy of this book! This one was so great. Alyssa trying to figure out who her family is and running into a stalker who tells her to keep quiet. The twists were so good!