In the Blood by Henry, April

When an adopted teen takes a DNA test to find her biological parents, she unknowingly puts herself in the crosshairs of a serial killer.

Adopted as a newborn, Tessa has always wondered who her biological parents are. After turning eighteen, she takes a DNA test in hopes of finding the answers. With best friend El and lab partner Victor, Tessa uses the results to start building her family tree. But they find more dead ends than answers. Her biological mother, who was raised in a religious cult, has cut all ties with her controlling family. And her biological father remains a complete mystery, at least until the police show up. For fifteen years, they've been trying to identify a serial killer known as the Portland Phantom. Tessa may be the link they've been waiting for.

April Henry delivers a twisty thriller about the families who choose us--and the ones we're born into. Biology does not have to dictate one's destiny.

And don't miss these other chilling thrillers from April Henry including:
Stay Dead
Girl Forgotten
Two Truths and a Lie
When We Go Missing

Author: April Henry
Publisher: Christy Ottaviano Books-Little Brown and Hach
Published: 05/12/2026
Pages: 304
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 0.84lbs
Size: 8.52h x 5.74w x 1.07d
ISBN: 9780316586214
Age Range: 13-17

Review Citation(s):
School Library Journal 02/01/2026 pg. 56
Booklist 03/01/2026
Kirkus Reviews 03/15/2026

About the Author
April Henry is the New York Times bestselling author of many acclaimed mysteries for adults and over fifteen novels for teens, including the bestselling Girl, Stolen; Girl Forgotten, which won the Edgar Award, Two Truths and a Lie, which was a YALSA Top Ten Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers; and The Girl I Used to Be, which was an Edgar Award finalist and won the Anthony Award for Best YA Mystery. She lives in Oregon and invites you to visit her at aprilhenry.com.