A really satisfying end to a great series. I really enjoyed the pace and flow of the story. Some of the ending seemed hurried but I guess we did need to tie up a lot of loose ends. This book was a great companion for a couple of days and I would recommend the series to all fans of detective fiction.
I was provided a copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was worried this would be the last Margot book! Thankfully it’s not. I enjoy this series so much I’m not ready to say goodbye. This one was no exception, it was fast paced and twisty turny. Our favourites finally come together. Some major changes take place and one of their past cases finally comes to an explosive heard.
One wild ride that is unputdownable

This really was a great ending to the series. The reader is left with no questions, with everything tied up - Also, a new series of books awaits detective Margot. Thank you Storm Publishing for introducing met to Kate Wiley - I loved this series.

I really really enjoyed this book!
I love a good thriller/true crime feeling in a book and a detective on top of that? I couldn’t put this book down and I really loved it!

Detective Margot Phalen has a lot of things going on in this book - the Redwood killer case, the ties to the chief of police and other too powerful men, her own serial killer father still trying to get her to do what he wants.. And on top of that her own heart finally wanting to experience love.

This was quite an odd book to me - I enjoyed it in some parts, not so much in others. I'll admit, I read only 2 of the previous books, I missed that there were already two more, but I knew the overall story and thought I'd be fine. And I was! Storywise you're not lost at all, even if you don't know anything about previous books, or just not everything like me.

This book felt very compartmentalized to me. The first third was fine, you get to follow along for regular police work, working on the case after bodies are found etc, private life developing alongside, other things going on at the same time.. And then Margot has time off and her private life gets a thorough visit. This was pretty much the spot where it started feeling like a checklist compared to organic story telling - first love life, then case, then this etc. Things up until that point felt like developing at the same time, after that only one by one. That's what I mean by odd book. It's not bad but it was.. Odd. Didn't even feel rushed, just split a little too cleanly, maybe to make sure every plot line got finished - and they really all did.

It's the finale of the series and no threads are left loose at all. That's something important to me - I want to know what happened and I need the closure! You definitively get that here, nothing is forgotten, everything is wrapped up beautifully. Just a little separated. The police work is described well because it's realistic - not all cases get solved by going door to door, catching the criminal in the act etc, those are probably in the minority. That does make the middle part a little slow though, it feels like there's not much going on and you're also stuck there, waiting for some test results. Sure, you get the love life development, but due to the strict split in the story, for a few pages it feels like you're suddenly reading a romance and I just wasn't the biggest fan of that.

Overall, I really enjoyed the writing style - this is a book I liked reading just because it was actually well written and it's just fun to pick it up. While yes, I didn't love the split I mentioned above, I liked the characters; they're well rounded, their actions make sense and fit to them, they could be real people. I even love that little old dog, Betty, and how she got to be with Margot - again, held realistically, this is something I could see her character do. Margot still caring about Angela is another one of those things that just round out her character so well.

If you're looking for pretty realistic characters doing their pretty realistically described jobs, this series is definitively for you. The character development is great to watch, especially if you know where everyone is coming from. And again - this series just got wrapped up so beautifully, it's worth the read!

Thank you Storm Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Detective Margot Phalen has been living in the shadow of her father, a serial murderer now in prison. This aspect of her life lies behind her motivation to solve murder cases. In particular, she and her partner have been chasing the Redwood Killer for quite some time. In this new book, the search continues. Just as she thinks she is free from having to visit her father to get clues to find the bodies of his victims, he tosses one more bone before the FBI. There is a body out there that only he knows the location, and it will require the FBI to get him a day pass from prison to find the body. Despite all the potential dangers, his wish is granted. This sets up a very dangerous and suspenseful scenario that keeps Katie on her toes. The outcome will set the stage for the rest of her life, both professional and personal. It's a great read, and I look forward to the next installment in the series.

I think this entire series is so underrated. I have enjoyed every book so far and this one was no exception!

But here's the thing: while the plot is engaging, it doesn't quite hit the emotional depth I was hoping for. Margot's journey is compelling, but at times, it felt like the narrative was more focused on the crime than her internal struggles. I wanted to dive deeper into her psyche, understand her motivations more intimately. Given that this is the 5th book, I was hoping to feel more connected to her as a character by now.

That said, the pacing is tight, the suspense is real, and the ending delivers a satisfying conclusion. If you're a fan of crime thrillers with strong female leads, this one is worth the read. Just don't expect it to linger in your mind long after you've turned the last page.

3.5 stars.

If you haven’t read the previous books in this series, I personally urge you to! Firstly because it is a MAGNIFICENT series, and secondly, because this is a series that has a flowing backstory that is weaved through each book.

In Book #5, Homicide Detective Margot Phalen from San Francisco Police Dept is still hunting the Redwood Killer, the serial killer that has evaded her and her team for two years and they never seem to get any closer. Dead body after dead body keeps turning up. The killer is always a few steps ahead, but finally, Margot feels they are catching up!

But, then they catch a lead *no spoilers* and I've got to admit, the interrogation that Margot gave had me actually smirking at the suspect. She is one hell of a detective. Strong willed, tenacious, and with a spirit that won't be broken.

If you've read the previous installments, you'll know just how haunted Margot is by her past. Having an infamous serial killer as a father would do that to anybody, but having to face him on a regular basis, just so he can slowly drip feed her information on his victims has taken it's toll. So when inevitably she receives the call that Ed wants to see her again, she decides it will be the last time, but does she really believe that?

This was a multi layered plot, with dual POVs from Margot and Ed but with the perfect ending that had every tiny loose thread that may have been left frayed throughout the series, all tied off in a perfect bow.

I have absolutely loved the evolution of Margot's character through the series, especially her friendship/relationship with Wes, showcasing their loyalty and trust to each other, with a tiny sprinkling of romance.

Dark, gritty, and gripping with suspense and tension that you can feel in your bones, I honestly could not get enough of this series and am so pleased that this is not the end for Margot.

Huge thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing the ARC.

WOW!! Thank you NetGalley and Storm Publishing for this ARC. I absolutely LOVED this book and could not put it down!! This story follows Margot Phalen, a homicide detective in San Francisco, as she hunts down a serial killer- known as the Redwood Killer, who has been targeting young women in the city for over a year. Not only does Margot have to bring down the Redwood Killer, but has to face her own father, also a serial killer, who offers to lead her to his last two undiscovered victims. If you’re a fan of exciting, fast-paced thrillers or true crime, this book has it all. It was a wild ride and I can’t wait to check out more of Kate’s work!!

Another fantastic read from kate Wiley perfect ending for ed . So glad that there is going to be more books can't wait for next one .

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Solid, atmospheric finale with deep character arcs — but I wish I’d started at book one.

I picked up Out of the Woods without having read the first four Detective Margot Phalen books, which probably affected my overall experience. The case is dark and gripping, the family threads are complex, and Margot is a layered, believable protagonist — but some emotional beats and past connections didn’t hit as hard for me since I didn’t have the full backstory.

That said, Wiley’s writing is sharp, the pacing is tight, and the Redwood Killer storyline is tense and satisfying. If you’re a fan of character-driven crime thrillers, I’d definitely recommend this series — just start at the beginning for the best payoff.

#MysteryThriller #CrimeFiction #KateWiley #DetectiveMargotPhalen #BookReview #SerialKillerThriller #ReadingCommunity #BookFive #OutOfTheWoods

Obsessed obsessed obsessed!! Such a great read and love this series! Loved how it ended and that is the biggest thing is the ending as it makes it or breaks it for me. The suspense and thriller and even action that happens had me at the edge of my seat! Can’t wait to keep reading more of this author with the same aspect and more of Margot Phalen! Thank you NetGalley for this great and best opportunity!!

I picked up Out of the Woods (book 5) by Kate Wiley without having read any of the other books in the series, and I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it — even without any prior context.

The protagonist’s journey — both literal and emotional — is compelling enough to stand on its own. I never felt completely lost, although there were moments where it was clear that certain relationships or backstory threads would have carried more weight if I’d read the previous books.

My only gripe as a standalone reader is that a few side characters felt thin, probably because their development relies on what came before. A few plot points seemed to lean on the larger arc of the series too. But overall, the story’s core — about survival, self-discovery, and what we find when we’re forced out of our comfort zones — is strong enough to resonate on its own.

WOW!! Detective Margot Phalen is a force to be reckoned with in this page-turning finale! Out of the Woods is the 5th book in the Detective Margot Phalen series, but was the first in the series that I had read. This fast paced crime thriller works well as a standalone novel, but I’m definitely going to go back and read the first four books in the series to properly get to know Margot and her story now! GREAT book!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Out of the Woods was the perfect ending to one of my favorite thriller series. It was intense, emotional, and had me hooked from the first page.

I loved how Margot faced both the killer she’s been chasing and the monster from her past. The tension was nonstop and the stakes felt higher than ever. That final showdown with her father was chilling and so well done.

I’m sad the series is over but excited that Kate Wiley is continuing Margot’s story in a new series. I’m not ready to let her go and I can’t wait to see what comes next 😍

This is a hard one to review, I’ve inadvertently read the final book in a long running series.

That said, it’s brilliantly written and the characters (as you’d expect) are well constructed and the dialogue has a good mix of banter and backstory to just about keep up.

I enjoyed it massively but it did take me a while to read as I was planning and packing for holiday. I think I would have enjoyed it more if I’d started the series earlier. I’d definitely check out another of of these books - even though I know how it all ends haha

Thanks to NetGalley for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

What a fantastic read - loved it

The finale of Detective Margot Phelan who is still hunting the Redwood killer, current case and her serial killer father had promised to reveal the location of the final bodies. Margot wants this over so she don’t have anything else to do with her father.

Can’t wait to see if FBI Phalen returns

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing

A fantastic conclusion to a great series. Lots of loose ends tied up and new beginnings. Really hope we get more of Margot and Wes together in future as they work so well together. Once more, Ed Finch plays a part in the book, and the impact of his crimes still have a big effect of Margot in all aspects of her life. I can't really say any more about the plot without giving away spoilers, suffice to say it is a fitting end to a great series,

Loved this series and this newest addition. Loved everything about it! Sad to see this is the end of the series but ... wow. Great way to end it.

Highly recommend. Love the strong, badass female lead character Margot Phalen.

Thank you #netgalley and #stormpublishing for the eARC.

Wow, what an end to the series. I've read all of them and without any spoilers, this is a fantastic book. The main characters continue to develop and the plot line is stunning. It's hard to say too much without spoiling it so just get on and read it, you won't be disappointed.