A new series to me, and one I shall now be reading backwards as have started with number 5!

The writing style and story had me reeled in from the start and other than I found it seemed to lose pace a little about 60% in carried on at an enjoyable speed.

Although this is a conclusion novel there is enough info to make it an enjoyable stand alone read. That said I'm eager to explore the development of the characters and relationships so will be reading the others, them re-reading this.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for this ARC which was very much appreciated.

Excellent end to an excellent series. This was the best of the bunch. Will keep an eye out for the next adventures of Margot

Absolutely love Margot and Wes!

If you want to read a story about a tough woman detective and her partner then this series is the one to read.

Margot is the daughter of a serial killer who became a detective because of all she has witnessed as a child. She wants to help the people who have been abused or murdered and their families……to bring them closure.

Along the way she is toyed with by none other than her father. He is in a maximum security prison and wants to see her and the one way he can make sure she comes back is to only give her pieces of the puzzle to the bodies.

There is a lot going on in this series but it’s easy to follow and will make you not want to put it down.
Can’t wait for the next series with Margot to start.

Didn’t realise this was the last in a series of books. That did not detract as it was fine as a stand-alone as it had plenty of backstory. I enjoyed the story but it flagged just a little in the middle. Plenty of twists and suspense to keep me reading. Would definitely read her next series.

This final book in the Detective Margot Phalen series brings everything full circle. Margot is chasing the Redwood Killer while battling corruption in her department—and dealing with her serial killer father, who’s offering one last bone-chilling “gift.”

This book is fast paced. You won’t be able to put it down! If you like detective thrillers with strong, heroines and emotional payoffs, this one’s for you.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy for an honest review.

I didn't read the first 4 books in the series, but I didn't have a hard time finding out what was going on.

The book had good suspense, but dragged a little in the middle. The characters are relatable & the book was well written.

Thank you to the publisher, Netgalley & the author for this ARC read. All opinions are my own.

~thank you to NetGalley, the author & storm publishing for giving me a chance to read & review this book~

I didn’t realize this was the last book in a series, let alone part of a series when I requested it. Oops. Probably should’ve read the others. Oh well. Hooked me in right at the beginning but I lost interest halfway through. Not sure why as this was right up my alley. Book about a serial killer? Love that. Still unsure why I lost interest but still stuck through to the end.

This explosive and gripping crime thriller offered an immersive reading experience, delivering a powerful conclusion to the Detective Margot Phalen series. I was immediately drawn into its relentless pace, which expertly weaves a hunt for a serial killer with a detective's deeply personal reckoning.

The narrative centers on Detective Margot Phalen as she races to catch San Francisco’s most elusive predator, the Redwood Killer. As I read, I felt the tension mount as Margot's investigation pulls her into a web of corruption that leads directly to her own department, complicating her mission with her partner, Wes, and stirring feelings she’s tried to ignore. The story takes a chilling turn when her own serial killer father, Ed Finch, enters the fray, promising to lead her to his final victim.

The book maintains a relentless and suspenseful pace, with each revelation and confrontation pushing Margot to her limits. The author masterfully crafts a story that is both a thrilling police procedural and a profound psychological showdown. I appreciated how the narrative forces Margot to confront the dark legacy she has spent her life trying to outrun, making me question what she would sacrifice for justice.

I found the book to be a powerful and satisfying conclusion, full of high stakes and emotional depth. It’s a solid choice for fans of dark and intense crime thrillers

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this one! I didn't pay close enough attention to realize this was the last book in the series of this detective; however, I was able to read it and follow along just fine! I need to go back and read the other books because I'm sure I would have enjoyed this conclusion even more.

We are following to solve the case of a serial killer in the redwood forest. The detective is the daughter of a convicted serial killer who has dedicated her life to trying to right the wrongs of her father, so to speak.

She has been working with the FBI to help close unsolved cases that could be connected to her father. She is also working to get bad cops out of the department.

A thrilling and gripping conclusion to this Homicide Detective, Margo Phalen series. The Author, Kate Wiley does a great job in tying up all the feelings of Kate having to deal with her murderous father and a year long serial case that involves corruption at its highest level. Tense but satisfying, I enjoyed this book. Plus the author left us a teaser that we just might see Margo again in other series. I sincerely hope so.
Thank you Netgalley and Storm Publishing for this eARC. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Comments expressed in this review are my personal opinion.

Detective Margot Phelan has several irons in the fire. The Redwood Killer Case has not been solved, her police chief is involved in shady dealings, and her serial killer father is manipulating Margot from prison.
Detectives Margot Phelan and her partner Wes need to solve The Redwood Killer murders. While working the Redwood case Margot's father, serial killer Ed Finch is requesting her presence from prison.
Even though Margot wants nothing to do with Ed, he has information about his last two victims that will give closure to their families.
With everything happening, Margot may have figured out what the police chief has been up to. Can she prove it?
This is the 5th and final book in the Margot Phelan series.
Wiley wraps things up and answers our questions nicely.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kate Wiley, and Storm Publishing for an ARC of Out of the Woods.

I absolutely loved Out of the Woods. It was so hard to put down and kept me hooked from start to finish. Margot Phalen is such a strong and layered main character, and this final book brought her story to a powerful and emotional close.

The suspense was intense, the writing was sharp, and the emotional moments really landed. The connection between Margot and Wes stood out in all the right ways, and the stakes felt higher than ever.

This was a great end to the series and a strong beginning for the next one. Margot’s story isn’t over, and I’m looking forward to what comes next.

I had no idea that this was the final book of a series when I requested it, so I review it as a stand-alone.

An engaging suspenseful thriller. I was pleasantly surprised how invested in the story I was, staying up late just to see what happens next. It's absolutely a page turner. Gripping and emotional.

Even if you haven't read the previous books it's definitely worth a read. I'll be tracking down the others now kust to get some more insight into the characters and their history.

Thanks for the ARC.

If you're anything like me, you're sad to see this chapter close BUT Wiley has shared, this is not the end of Detective Phalen, which I am estatic about! I have read and reviewed the previous 4 books in this series, so if you're interested, go check those out!
This book is the perfect conclusion to the "Redwood Killer", Ed Finch being well Ed... and Margot coming into her true self. It has been a journey to see her practically living in the shadows to be undetectable as much as she can, to never fall victim to a serial killer, like her father taught her, and then regain the control to live as she wants. She even realizes it's ok, and human to have feelings, which had me giddy because I've been kicking my feet over Wes and Margot since book one. I was happy to see some of that hidden tension between them come to fruition.
Similar to all the others in this series, it had me on the edge of my seat! From the boat scene... to Wes and Margot, to everything in between, I couldn't put this book down.
Wiley is an amazing writer, I wish I was better with words to explain how engrossing her writing is. I haven't felt this invested in a series in sooo long. I cannot wait to see what Wiley does next with Margot's story (maybe with her new job???).
All my true crime-loving people need to grab this book when it's released Aug 20, 2025.
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Thank you, NetGalley, the author and the publisher for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Out of the Woods is the gripping fifth installment in the Detective Margot Phalen series—and it might just be the best one yet. From the very first page, I was hooked. Kate Wiley delivers a fast-paced, suspenseful, and emotionally charged thriller that showcases her signature blend of sharp plotting and compelling character work.

Margot Phalen continues to shine as a fierce, intelligent, and deeply human protagonist. Her resilience and determination make her an unforgettable character, and I found myself rooting for her every step of the way. The story is filled with twists, tension, and just the right amount of emotional depth to keep things grounded.

The ending was absolutely perfect—satisfying without being predictable. I’ll miss Margot, but I’m thrilled to hear she’ll be returning in a new series. I can’t wait to see where Kate Wiley takes her next.

Huge thanks to Storm Publishing and Kate Wiley for the eARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

5 out of 5 stars!

I finished the book twenty minutes ago, and I already feel nostalgic, so glad this isn’t the end of Margot and Wes’s story.

It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a detective story as much as this one. I loved how Ed’s arc ended; it was even a little touching in a way. I’m glad the FMC overcame all the difficulties along the way and emerged from this case even stronger than before. And that, in the end, she chose herself.

Thank you to the author for this book series, it’s been a cozy refuge for me. I hope to meet Margot again in 2026, even stronger and happier.

* Copy provided by Storm Publishing via NetGalley & 100% voluntary review.

Thank you to the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book!

I think this series should be more popular than it is. Detective Margot Phalen is freakin awesome. I love Kate Wiley's writing. Side note: I'm in love with this cover.

I can remember in the first book how I fell in love with Margot and Wes together. You can see the chemistry they have and I'm here for it. I'm sad that the series is over, I loved it. I'll have to reread them all again.

This was a perfect ending to this series of thrills. Thank you!!

This whole series was just perfection. I loved every single one of these books and I think I will recommend them forever and always.

This book was a fantastic way to end one hell of a journey with Margot- everything tied up beautifully without feeling rushed. I even felt myself feeling a tad bit sorry for Ed at one point which was a bit wild.
The ending was everything it needed to be and more.
Thank you for writing this whole series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ ARC Review – Out of the Woods (Book 5, Detective Phalen Series) by Kate Wiley

This final instalment in the Detective Phalen series was such a gripping, satisfying read. With a fast-paced plot and dual POVs that intertwined seamlessly, it kept me fully immersed from start to finish.

Margot’s character development has been one of the highlights of the series, and this final chapter tied up her storyline with care and depth. The emotional weight of her journey balanced well with the high-stakes tension of the case, making this finale both powerful and poignant.

Ed’s perspective added an extra layer of insight, and I loved how their paths came together as the series reached its conclusion. Kate Wiley knows how to keep readers turning the pages—and delivers a strong, emotionally resonant end to a compelling series.

📖 Huge thanks to Storm Publishing for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. If you’ve followed Margot and Ed this far, this finale won’t disappoint!

Book 5, and the last in the Margot Phalen series, came to a perfect conclusion. I really recommend reading the previous books for all the background information on the characters. This gripped me from the beginning and held my attention to the end due to the characterisation, pacing and plotting,all skilfully narrated by the author. One of the most consistent series around. Thanks to Net Galley for my ARC.