Family Lies

San Diego #4

by Karen Rose

The fourth nerve-shattering installment of the San Diego Case Files from New York Times bestselling author Karen Rose sees Kit McKittrick’s sister caught in a maelstrom of deadly family secrets.

As an infant, Kit McKittrick’s foster sister Akiko was abandoned at a firehouse. Now 32, Akiko has received an unsettling phone call from a woman who says that she knew her birth mother but refuses to divulge any details except in person. Akiko is nervous but also thrilled at the prospect of finally learning about her blood relations.

Kit has a bad feeling about this and insists on accompanying Akiko to meet the woman. Sure enough, as they stand on Mary Sherman’s doorstep, shots are fired and Kit is hit...and inside the house is a corpse: Mary Sherman herself.

Although she’s on medical leave and forbidden to work the case, Kit cannot rest. With police psychologist Sam Reeves, she undertakes a covert investigation into the mysterious Mary Sherman. Was she Akiko’s birth mother? Why did she reach out after all these years? And who had a motive to kill her?

As more bodies pile up, Kit starts to put together the pieces of the frightening puzzle that is Akiko’s birth family, and she’ll come to wonder whether some secrets should stay buried after all.

Genres: Romantic Suspense, Mystery, Romance, Suspense, Mystery Romance, Fiction

528 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication March 31, 2026

About the author

OFFICIAL WEBSITE:
www.karenrosebooks.com

Internationally bestselling, RITA-award winning, author Karen Rose was born and raised in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC. She met her husband, Martin, on a blind date when they were seventeen and after they both graduated from the University of Maryland, (Karen with a degree in Chemical Engineering) they moved to Cincinnati, Ohio. Karen worked as an engineer for a large consumer goods company, earning two patents, but as Karen says, “scenes were roiling in my head and I couldn't concentrate on my job so I started writing them down. I started out writing for fun, and soon found I was hooked.”

Her debut suspense novel, DON'T TELL, was released in July, 2003. Since then, she has published fifteen more novels and two novellas. Her seventeenth novel, ALONE IN THE DARK, will be released in 2016.

Karen's books have appeared on the bestseller lists of the New York Times, USA Today, London's Sunday Times, and Germany's der Spiegel (#1), and the Irish Times, as well as lists in South Africa (#1) and Australia!

Her novels, I'M WATCHING YOU and SILENT SCREAM, received the Romance Writers of America's RITA award for Best Romantic Suspense for 2005 and 2011. Five of her other books have been RITA finalists. To date, her books have been translated into twenty-four languages.

A former high school teacher of chemistry and physics, Karen lives in Florida with her husband of more than twenty years, her two daughters, two dogs, and a cat.

Reviews

[Marta · Rating 3 out of 5]

6/10: 3⭐️’s

Kit’s adopted sister, Akiko, receives a phone call from a woman who claims to have information about her biological mother. When the woman doesn’t show at the arranged meeting time, Sam, Kit, and Akiko go to the woman’s house. Shots are fired at them and in hopes of escaping the shots, they go inside the unlocked house. There, they find the woman they were supposed to meet dead. What follows, holy fields of jumping frogs (no idea where that came from, I don’t think fields or frogs were mentioned in the book) is a bit of a confusing tangle of lots of stuff that I won’t even try to explain. I don’t think I know how to explain that. It had more going on than a soap opera. Goodness me.

I mostly liked this book? Yes, that is a question, not a statement! I mostly followed along, much to my surprise. There was SO much. Almost too much. There was also so much recapping of events that it often pulled me out of the story just as I would start to get back into it. There was way too much of Kit and Sam’s internal and external thoughts of needing each other; of being there for each other, of thanking each other for needing the other or being there for the other. It was honestly annoying and was a huge part of why I was pulled out of the story.

I did not read book 3 of this series, I realized. I really liked book 1. Wasn’t a huge fan of book 2 because it was too slow paced for me, if I am remembering correctly, and this one is on the lower end of the 3⭐️ rating for me.

Based on the ending, I am guessing there will be a book 5.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of this book and for having the read aloud option for when my eyes needed a break. All thoughts are my own.

Rating and review posted: 3/10/26
Expected publishing date: 3/31/26

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Karen Rose for the ARC of this!

4 stars for me!

I've read so many of Rose's books, there's so many on my bookshelf, and one of my favourite things about her books is that even if you "enter" into a series a few books in, the books can and do hold up as standalone books as well as a series.
The same goes for Family Lies, as I know this is a few books into the San Diego Case Files series. I love how Rose always loops you into previous books with a sprinkle of information, not enough to give spoilers, just enough so that you understand why things are happening in this story.

This was a whirlwind! I loved the relationship between Kit and Akiko, proving that love and family is more than blood.
This story takes you on a winding path of found family, birth families, struggling identity and so much more. The depth in all of the characters is amazing. You can feel the love, emotion and drive pouring out of every page. How Rose can write such captivating characters and stories is amazing.

I found this a very enjoyable read, and only marked it as 4 stars because I found at the end there was a lot of side characters (No spoilers!) and I was struggling to keep up with who was associated with who and what was going on at times. However this was a book I was excited to pick up each day, I needed to know what was happening and I felt the ending was very satisfying.

Although I do need to read the rest of the series now, I need to know if Kit ever uncovers and solves her big life mystery! Is there going to be a 3 man team with Kit and her partners? So exciting.

Loved this, and if you're a crime, mystery, and fiction lover, you will too. Not once have I ever regretted reading a Karen Rose book!

[PamG · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an emotional and intense romantic suspense novel! Family Lies by Karen Rose is the fourth book in the San Diego Case Files series. The author knows how to hook readers with a prologue and keep them engaged throughout a novel. Featuring San Diego homicide detective Kit McKittrick and police psychologist Sam Reeves, the story is a great crime and romantic thriller that keeps readers on an emotional rollercoaster.

This story is focused around Kit’s adopted sister, Akiko who was abandoned at a firehouse as a baby. Akiko is now 32 and has received a phone call from a woman who says she knew Akiko’s birth mother, but will only divulge information in person. Nervous, she asks Kit and Sam to go with her. On the steps of Mary Sherman’s house, shots are fired and Kit is hit. Inside is a corpse. Kit and Sam investigate even though she is on medical leave. More bodies are found as they work to solve them and the truth around Akiko’s birth family.

Kit loves her family fiercely, but isn’t overly demonstrative. She’s independent, driven, protective, and rarely asks for help. She can be sarcastic, doesn’t tolerate laziness or ineptitude, and she tends to listen to her gut. She’s a rising star in the homicide department with her high closure rate. Sam has his own practice in addition to being a police psychologist. He’s loyal, kind, thorough and empathetic. He also keeps his promises, loves Kit, and is good at reading people and getting past their defenses. Akiko runs a charter fishing boat business. She’s confident, capable, independent, organized, and competent.

Once again, the author pulled me into the novel with an intriguing prologue that grabbed my interest and built on the story from there. The dynamic plot is exciting and intense as well as being multi-layered. The author did a great job in bringing together the past and present within the story. The romance is a slow-burn romance so don’t expect a lot of progress in any one book. There’s plenty of action throughout the novel. However, there were a few spots that the pacing slowed a bit too much. Themes include secrets, lies, family, found family, friendship, trust, murder, assault, and much more. I do have a couple of quibbles thought. The story was a little repetitive in places and there are a lot of characters, sometimes with multiple names. For this latter situation, it helps to have read the previous books so you are familiar with the repetitive characters.

Overall, this was intriguing and suspenseful with plenty of action-packed and compelling characters that kept me turning the pages. With exciting scenes and a fascinating story line, this fantastic thriller kept me fully engaged. It also pulls on the heartstrings and on the reader’s emotions. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Those who enjoy crime thrillers, police procedurals, mysteries, and romantic thrillers will likely enjoy this series.

Berkley Publishing Group – Berkley and Karen Rose provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for March 31, 2026.
---------------
My 4.23 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.

[John Glover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Homicide Detective Kit McKittrick and psychologist Sam Reeves arrive at Mary Sherman's house after she fails to turn up for an arranged meeting with Kit's foster sister Akiko. Three weeks earlier, Akiko received a call from Mary out of the blue claiming she had information about her birth mother. Now, Kit, Sam and Akiko land on her doorstep only to come under fire from an unknown shooter and to discover Mary's dead body inside the house.

Who was Mary to Akiko? What information did she have, and why did she choose now to come forward? If her murder is not a coincidence, Akiko's safety could be at risk.

Kit is determined to find answers for her sister, but every piece of information revealed just leads to more questions, and no one connected to Akiko's story is quite who they seem. And there's a major stumbling block: an injured Kit has been officially taken off the investigation, and ignoring the order could have lasting consequences for her career. But how can she sit back when she, her sister and the people around them are in serious danger?

A highlight for me was the bond between Kit and Akiko. Their relationship is an interesting thread throughout the story, giving real emotional grounding to the high stakes. Akiko’s parallel journey, investigating her family tree while under attack from an unknown assailant, added a fresh and personal layer to the plot. I appreciated how her quest for answers about her past was seamlessly integrated with the central crime narrative, adding depth without slowing the pace.

This story relies on so many characters that you have to try to keep track of them. I lost track. Not only do you have a new characters but you also have name changes within those characters. All of them have to do with Akiko’s family. The Japanese plot was convoluted and hard to keep on top of who cheated on who, who'd lied to who, who'd killed who, who'd fathered who.


It’s 4 stars from me, a good read but not her best book.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advance copy in return for a fair and honest review

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family Lies is another gripping, high‑tension addition to Karen Rose’s San Diego Case Files series—packed with emotional stakes, relentless danger, and the kind of twisty family secrets that keep you turning pages long after you meant to stop.

From the opening scene, the tension is razor‑sharp. Homicide Detective Kit McKittrick and psychologist Sam Reeves arrive at Mary Sherman’s home expecting answers for Kit’s foster sister, Akiko. Instead, they walk straight into gunfire and the discovery of Mary’s body. It’s a shocking, cinematic start that sets the tone for a story where every revelation only deepens the mystery.

What makes this instalment especially compelling is the emotional core running beneath the suspense. Akiko’s search for the truth about her birth mother is handled with sensitivity, and Kit’s fierce protectiveness adds a powerful layer of urgency. The bond between the sisters—chosen, not biological—is one of the novel’s strongest threads, grounding the danger in something deeply human.

As the investigation spirals outward, Rose expertly builds a web of lies, hidden connections, and shifting motives. No one in Akiko’s orbit is quite who they seem, and the sense of paranoia is deliciously intense. Adding to the tension is Kit’s injury and forced removal from the case—a complication that tests her loyalty, her limits, and her willingness to risk everything for the people she loves.

The pacing is brisk, the stakes escalate beautifully, and the blend of procedural detail with emotional depth makes this a standout thriller. Fans of the series will appreciate the continued development of Kit and Sam’s dynamic, while newcomers will find plenty to latch onto. A taut, emotionally charged thriller that delivers suspense, heart, and a cascade of secrets—Karen Rose at her best.

With thanks to Karen Rose, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[janine · Rating 5 out of 5]

One thing I've come to really love about the Kit McKittrick/San Diego Case Files series is the characters. The way they feel so real, relatable and touchable. Nothing is better than being able to fully visualise and invest in the characters and Karen Rose hits the spot every time. She makes you take her characters into your heart and care for them and when you care for the characters, you invest more.

In book #4, as any KR readers have come to expect, not only do we have the main plot but so much else running alongside it.

Kit is a Detective with a past, growing up in the care system she has built an armour around herself but loves deeply for those she holds close. Especially her family and now her new relationship with Police Psychologist Sam Reeves.

When Kit's foster sister Akiko receives a phone call from a lady called Mary Sherman, saying she may have information on Akiko's birth mother, Kit takes it upon herself to go with her and check it out, she doesn’t want Akiko to get her hopes up and won't let her face this alone. Something in her gut tells her there is more to this!

Arriving at Mary's home, Kit's gut was right. Shots are fired, Kit is injured and inside is the body of Mary. What information could she have had that has got her killed? And is Akiko now in danger?

Kit is taken off the investigation due to her injury but is determined to get the answers for her beloved sister. Ignoring the order to stand down and knowing it could have dire consequences to her career, Kit carries on investigating.

This installment also delves into the Betsy and Harlan fostering story which was a huge back bone of this tale and an absolute joy to read.

This was a real multi layered, twisty, action packed storyline with a perfectly paced plot that holds your interest from the very beginning and keeps you fully engrossed.

Thanks to Netgalley and Headline for the ARC.

[Amber Boos · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been a Karen Rose fan for over 20 years! I can always count on her for fast-paced, heart-stopping suspense. With romance thrown in. Funny, I am not a big romantic suspense reader, but the suspense is always so good with this author, and I always get involved in the characters along the way. I had previously read Books 1-3 and Family Lies is #4 in the San Diego Case Files series. The story begins in typical Karen Rose fashion with a banger of a Prologue. Kit McKittrick grew up in the foster system along with her foster sister Akiko. Kit is now a Homicide detective, which turns out to be a good thing for Akiko. Akiko was abandoned as a baby at a firehouse. Now at 32, she receives a call from a Mary Sherman, claiming to have information about Akiko's birth mother. The catch? She will only give the information in person. Wisley, Akiko brings Kit and police psychologist Sam along. Wise because when they arrive, shots are fired, Kit is hit and there is a homicide. Mary Sherman. Just who was she? Kit is now on medical leave and still investigating the case. Along with Sam, her love interest. Karen always has many moving parts in her stories, so you always get your money's worth. There are a lot of characters to keep up with, but everything comes together nicely and as usual, by then I feel as if the characters are family and I hate saying goodbye. But another good thing about this authors' books is that most major characters make an appearance or two in the other books in the series, so it never actually feels they are completely gone. If you are a fan of murders, police procedurals, unconventional family stories and some romance, then Karen Rose is for you!

Thank you to Karen Rose, #NetGalley and Berkley Publishing Group | Berkley for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

[Kathy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fourth book in the San Diego Case Files is centered around Akiko McKittrick. Detective Kit McKittrick goes with her adopted sister Akiko when she receives a call from a woman who says she knows something about her mother. Since Akiko was left in a box outside a firehouse when she was only a couple of days old, she wants to know about her mother.

When Akiko, Kit and Kit's boyfriend psychologist Sam Reeves, arrive at Mary Sherman's house, they are shot at. Kit is hit in the arm but only because she bent her head to look at something which caused the shooter to miss the head shot. They go into the house to find that Mary Sherman has been murdered.

Kit is determined to find answers for her sister but is surprised when her lieutenant takes her off the case in favor of another pair of detectives one of whom really hates Kit. The lieutenant tells her to stop investigating and puts her on medical leave. But it's Kit's sister. She can't step aside especially since she knows one of the investigator's assigned to the case is incompetent.

Kit keeps investigating and soon finds herself suspended from her job which just adds additional stress to her life. Choosing between her job and her sister is a no-brainer though. Kit will always put family first no matter how much she loves her job.

Kit, Sam and Kit's retired partner Baz keep investigating and trying to uncover the events that led to Akiko's abandonment as an infant. They discover a tangled and twisty past for Akiko's relatives and face all sorts of dangers along the way including another couple of deaths and more attacks on Kit.

This was an excellent thriller filled with engaging characters. I enjoyed Kit's tentative steps into love and letting someone else into her life.

[Karen Morgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Family Lies Karen Rose

3 stars

The 4th book in the San Diego series

I read the first book in this series and thoroughly enjoyed it with the introduction of Detective Kit Matthews and Police Psychologist Sam Reeves who are the main protagonists in this new book.

However somehow I seem to have missed the two books in between in this series and I feel this may be why I found this book quite confusing when it came to working out who all of the characters are.

Akiko is Kit's foster sister and when a lady called Mary Sherman contacts Kit saying she may have information about Akiko's biological mother, Kit immediately goes to investigate. However upon arrival she finds Mary Sherman murdered and is also shot and injured whilst at the house.

I have read many of Karen Roses' books and absolutely love them although she is such a prolific writer I find it hard to manage to read them all.

This series is fascinating and I am really enjoying the slow-burning romance between Kit and Sam but as the story progresses I got very confused between who was related to who in Akiko's family and why the whole family tree was so complicated. I ended up writing down the various characters in an effort to decipher the various relationships.

I feel the whole story was just a little too complicated for me but I will still continue to look out for future books in this series as we are promised a possibility of discovering what actually happened to Wren, Kit's sister who had been murdered many years before.




Karen Deborah
Netgalley

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve read and enjoyed all the Kit McKitrick books so was excited to be able to read this, the latest”FamilyLies”
It is about Kit’s adopted sister, Akiko, who is about to find some information regarding her birth family.
As Kit, Sam and Akiko arrive at the home of the woman who contacted Akiko, they are shot at and the they then find, Mary, the caller dead.
This is a complicated story which traces Akiko’s family and it contains many characters and connections.
Sections of the plot were very fast moving and I could not turn the pages quick enough although other parts dragged and it was difficult to keep track of all the characters from Akiko’s past and their motivations were difficult to fathom.
I think the book could have been a bit shorter so judicious editing might have helped.
However as I’m invested in Kit, Sam and the others from the earlier books, I persevered and finished the novel which ended on a cliffhanger making me excited to read the next book.
In summary, I enjoyed this novel but it was not my favourite in the series. Parts of the book were so exciting I couldn’t stop reading but other bits were confusing. I’m looking forward to the next book as it seems that it is about what happened to Wren, Kit’s younger sister who was murdered as a teenager.
Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my advance copy.

[Catharine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mesmeric.

I’ve yet to read a Karen Rose book that disappoints, and “Family Lies” is more impressive than most. Although this is the fourth book in the San Diego Case Files series, I was blissfully unaware of that when I started reading — and happily, it works perfectly well as a standalone.

That said, this isn’t a simple story. From the opening page we’re introduced to a flawed character in an uncomfortable position, and I found myself connecting with Katherine Matthews almost immediately. Rose has a real gift for grounding high-stakes drama in deeply human emotion, and it’s that balance that makes her books so compelling.

The plot is multi-layered, exciting and genuinely pacy — not a dull moment to be had, yet never overly convoluted or ridiculously over the top. There’s tension, there’s heart, and there’s that signature slow-burn build of dread that keeps you thinking “just one more chapter” at 1am.

I’ve been a devoted Karen Rose fan since “Don’t Tell” came out in the early 2000s, and she continues to deliver consistently creative, intelligent thrillers that keep me thoroughly enthralled and entertained. Honestly, it’s almost rude to be this reliably brilliant.

My thanks to NetGalley and Headline for the DRC of “Family Lies” by Karen Rose.

“Family Lies” is due to be published on 31 March 2026.

[Roroblu'sMum · Rating 2 out of 5]

2* I got offered this ARC, didn't ask for it, and would've felt guilty not finishing it. It's not up to this author's previous works, sadly.

Reading this overly fussy, overly and unnecessarily complicated book, made me wonder if it was being offered up as a non-requested ARC because the editors had the same thoughts I did. It wasn't very good. I wondered if it was by the actual Karen Rose, that I do rate, or a ghostwriter.

The amount of repetition about the Kit character was annoying. The mollycoddling by father, step-sibs, almost-boyfriend and more, was annoying. How this woman was a cop and not in front of a psych, was beyond me. She was unprofessional, rude, stupidly putting people in danger 3 times before people's brains started working. The stepsister whose name I've forgotten was equally annoying. And why did Kit always travel with her psych boyfriend, who was on police staff? Is that because so much of the American population is in need of one? No offense, but it's not that unrealistic.

The Japanese plot/arc? Aarrgghh!! Ridiculously convoluted and hard to keep on top of who was who, who'd cheated on who, who'd lied to who, who'd offed who, who'd fathered who - I kid you not. I honestly stop-started this part of the book about 20 times, not wanting to DNF at 80% gone. It needed simplifying. It needed weeding. It needed editing. It needed clarification.

What happened to the Wren storyline? I think, but can't be sure, that there might've been a lead towards the end of the book, but tbh, I'd pretty much lost the will.

I'm sorry there'd very little I liked about this book. I probably should've DNF'd it a few pages in.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Berkeley for my reading pleasure.

[Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Family Lies is a good addition to the authors San Diego series with Kit McKittrick as the main character. I enjoyed this read but it didn't wow me. I felt at times the story was overly long, there are lots of threads to keep up with and I think the book could be shorter without losing anything major from the plot line. Kit and her foster sister Akiko go to meet a woman who has information about her mother and find her murdered. How did she know Akiko's mother? The authors writing is good and I've always liked that her stories take place over a short period of time. For me, this book had far to many characters and I found it hard to keep track of them all. There is a lot going on too and I really enjoyed the first half of the book but feel it lost its way a bit after that, the pacing slowed down and my interest in the story dipped a little. I really like Lennox though and hope to see more of her in the future. The romance with
Kit and Sam picked up more which I liked. Karen Rose always brings tension and suspense into her writing and I felt both were lacking here. The ending sets up the next book nicely which I hope provides answers about Wren.

Overall, yes I enjoyed this read although I think it is not one of this authors best books.

3 stars

[Dani · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Family Lies by Karen Rose

This was a tense and thoroughly engaging thriller that grabbed my attention from beginning to end. There was a strong cast of characters, each well developed without ever overtaking the main storyline. Their individual struggles and secrets are woven into a gripping mystery that explores how far people will go to protect those they love and the truths they hide.

A highlight for me was the bond between Kit and Akiko. Their relationship is an interesting thread throughout the story, giving real emotional grounding to the high stakes. Akiko’s parallel journey, investigating her family tree while under attack from an unknown assailant, added a fresh and personal layer to the plot. I appreciated how her quest for answers about her past was seamlessly integrated with the central crime narrative, adding depth without slowing the pace.

The procedural elements and twists are confidently handled, giving the investigation a realistic feel without overwhelming the personal dynamics. A compelling, character rich read that I hugely enjoyed and one that comfortably earns four stars.

[Claire Turkington · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this gripping thriller where some family secrets are deadly. @karenrosebooks never disappoints and I enjoyed reading this next instalment from the San Diego case files series, although this makes a good standalone book too as the author is very good at weaving in backstory from previous books. I loved getting drawn into the world of Detective Kit McKittrick, her family and her work life. This book follows the story of Kit’s adopted sister Akiko, in an action packed, fast paced twisty storyline as she learns information about her birth family. It’s definitely a page turner and kept me guessing right until the end. It’s full of intrigue and suspense. A rollercoaster ride of emotions and red herrings throughout. Just brilliant.
I just loved Kit and akiko’s relationship, and all the characters have such depth. You can just feel the emotions, love and tension coming right off the pages.
I highly recommend this book, with its mix of police procedural and emotional depth making it a brilliant thriller with plenty of suspense, secrets and heart. It is well worth a read. I can’t wait for the next instalment.
With thanks to #NetGallery #Headline @headlinebooks for an arc of #FamilyLies in exchange for a honest review.
Book publishes 31 March 2026.

[Mrs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the story line of this book. Probably a little longwinded but I did enjoy getting used the characters again. Kit’s family – one of the adopted family is Akiko – receives a call from a stranger asking her to meet as she has some news for Akiko. This phone call opens a huge can of worms which causes trouble for the family and could have become horrendous. Kit, Sam (\Kit’s “boyfriend”) go to the designated meeting point but the lady does not turn up. They go to the house and find their first murder victim. The story is littered with bodies and intrigue and sometimes I struggled with the Japanese characters and found I was not sure who was who etc. On saying all this I did enjoy the book and would read more of this series in the future. I liked he premises of Harlan and Betsy taking in foster children and then adopting them and how they all melded together in one family. Kit has her troubles with trust and this is dealt with in the book and I can imagine her overcoming this and look forward to seeing that in another book.

[Chris C - A Midlife Wife · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars -
One of the things I enjoy about the way Karyn Rose writes her stories is that she’s not in a hurry to divulge secrets. Her stories are multifaceted and deeply layered.

Now that the main character, Kit, is falling for her love interest, Sam, a police psychologist, we get even more layers to her story.

This particular book is focused on foster sister, Akiko. Rose wraps the story around the mystery of her adoption and who her parents truly are. Family Lies starts off with a bang, and its fast-paced action keeps you on your toes.

We see a lot more of Sam in this story. So much so, I even questioned if this is a normal activity for a Police psychologist. He is one of the few who actually truly understands Kit. The romance continues to build at an extremely slow rate. That can be a major frustration for the reader.

This story also relies on so many characters that you have to try to keep track of them. I lost track. I’m not gonna lie. Not only do you have a new character(s), but you also have name changes within those characters. All of them have to do with Akiko’s family.

I also found the “why” this plot was based on certainly plausible, but not overly strong. That was kind of disappointing.

This is my 12th novel by Karen Rose, so I think it’s safe to say I truly enjoy her writing. This one just didn’t connect enough to the rest of the series for me.

~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
** Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/family-lies-...

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family Lies is book 4 of the San Diego Case Files series by Karen Rose.
In short, this time Homicide Detective, Kim McKittrick, is on a mission to help her foster sister, Akiko, who out of the blue received a call from a woman claiming she had information about her birth mother and now this woman is dead. So begins the tricky & messy investigation into unraveling Akiko’s back story.
I’ve read a lot of Karen Rose’s books, all big fat meaty, well written, full of drama books. This book had an awful lot going on, an intricate plot involving a lot of foreign named characters, 3 families & 3 generations….thankfully it was a fast paced page turner, it’s not a book which you can put down & pick up whenever, there’s a lot of characters to remember! The ending was intriguing, I can’t wait until the next book.

[Erica Binges Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars. I love love love Karen Rose’s books. And I especially love the San Diego (Kit’s) books. Unfortunately, Family Lies has ended up being my least favorite of the bunch. I was really excited that we’d get a bit more of Akiko’s (kit’s foster sister) backstory, but I felt a lot of it to be confusing and convoluted. Turns out that Akiko has A LOT of family members, but because I was so confused, I feel like I missed out on appreciating any of the twists or reveals. That said, I still love Kit and her family. Love the relationship that’s blossoming between her and Sam. And I’m really excited that based on the ending, we are definitely getting at least on more book in this series, which I 100% plan to continue with.

Thank you to Berkley and netgalley for the ARC.

[Whispers From · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kit McKittrick is a detective and she went with her foster sister and Kit’s boyfriend Sam to meet a woman who claims to know her mother. Kit and her sister Akiko were in foster care growing up. Sam is a psychologist and works for the police department. When they arrive at the woman’s house, she been killed. As they investigate, even though Kit is not supposed to, more secrets are revealed. As more secrets are discovered, more people are found dead that connect to Akiko. Will the secrets be worth the destruction that is left behind?
A little confusing. Action. Danger. Secrets. It takes Kit a while to believe people won’t hurt her. She’s tough and kind hearted but doesn’t like to show it.

* VOLUNTARILY READ AND REVIEWED FOR NETGALLEY *

[Christine Jalili · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really love this series and I think it’s best to be read in order. This book really has me on edge, so many twists and didn’t know who to trust. Who is Akiko’s biological family? So many secrets and loved wondering who was protecting her, and who wasn’t. Kit will do anything to keep her safe, even risking her job as a detective. Loved how Sam proves how important Kit is to him and that she’s really giving him a chance, that she feels safe with him. I did have some tears at one point. Thankfully there’s a happy ever after. I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy through NetGalley and I highly recommend this book.

[Cc Readsss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Release: March 31, 2026
Author: Karen Rose
Publisher: Berkley

Rating: 4★ 

When Kit McKittrick’s foster sister Akiko is contacted by a woman claiming to know the truth about her birth mother, the long-awaited meeting quickly turns deadly. Shots are fired, a woman is found murdered, and Kit becomes determined to uncover the truth—even while she’s sidelined from the case. As more bodies surface, the search for Akiko’s origins reveals a terrifying web of family secrets that someone will kill to keep buried.

Favorite Quote:
"family isn't always blood. It's the people in your life who want you in theirs; the ones who accept you for who you are."

[Fiona Pullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

With Karen Rose's series the characters start to feel like family once you're a few books in and this one is no exception. This books explores Akiko's background in a twisty action packed storyline.

I spent most of the book trying to figure out what the connection between the targets was, and I definitely never would have guessed it! It kept me guessing right to the end.

I like that Kit and Sam's romance is progressing at a slower pace as I felt the romance side of Karen's books was always very predictable.

[Vicky Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective Kit Mckitterick's sister Akiko was abandoned as a baby. Now 32 she has been approached by someone who offers information in her mother. Kit agrees to go with her to get information but when they reach Mary Sherman's house Kit is shot and they find Mary murdered. Despite being banned from inveatigating Kit vows to keep her sister safe anr find out the truth.

As bodies continue to fall and finding who to trust grows more and more difficult will Kitt survive? Will she find the truth and keep her sister safe?

Karen Rose delivers again. A master piece full of twists and turns delving into the tangled webs of family secrets. 5 stars would definitely recommend.

[Martha Brindley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh wow! This is a bit of a ride from start to finish, with it's complex and multi layered plotting. There is a host of interesting characters to get to grips with, not to mention the complicated plotting. I loved the character of Kit, she is strong, tenacious and fiercely loyal to her family and friends. My only complaint is I found the book too long and drawn out, as well as struggling with so many characters. Overall though, it is a very good mystery which I enjoyed. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kit will do anything to protect her family—anything—and helping Akiko uncover the truth about her birth mother is no exception. This installment is nonstop action, full of twists and high-stakes moments that kept me turning the pages. I also love seeing how much Kit has grown in her relationships; it adds so much heart to the adventure. Another fantastic read, and I can’t wait for more Kit & Sam!

*ARC provided by NetGalley for an honest review.

[Anna J · Rating 3 out of 5]

Detective Kit McKittrick goes with her foster sister Akiko to see a Mary who says she knows Akiko's birth mother. Mary doesn't show up to the meeting spot so they go to her house. At the house Kit gets shot and they enter the house to find Mary deceased.

Things go off the rails pretty quickly. Who was Mary and what did she know? Kit wants to protect her sister and as more bodies pile up she is determined to keep her and her family safe. Some secrets are better left unknown.

[Lovely Loveday]

Family Lies is a gripping fourth installment in the San Diego Case Files that pulled me right back into the tension. This time, Kit McKittrick’s sister is at the center of a dangerous web of family secrets, and I felt the stakes immediately. The story kept me on edge as each new revelation made things even more intense. I liked how the emotional layers added depth to the suspense. It made for a fast-paced, nerve-wracking read that was hard to put down.

[Celia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another success I'm sure for Karen Rose. It certainly has a lot to digest and unravel. Unfortunately I found the storyline of Akiko's biological family confusing and hard to understand but others may understand it with no problems.

My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy in return for an honest review.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh Wow. This book is absolutely superb. The plot line is so intricate I don't know how the author kept everything straight in her head worked everything out! But she totally did. I was totally hooked from the first to the very last page.

I am really enjoying getting to know these characters and I can't wait to read the next book in this fabulous series.