Thank you NetGalley! I have loved this series! And keep wanting to read more. It immediately drew me back into Margot Phalen’s world. I could not put it down, as I had to find out how it ended

This is a conclusion of a 5 part series and Kate Wiley did an amazing job wrapping things up. Super fast pacing and great plot. You get to see the ins and outs of policing work and the mind of a serial killer. A must read for high stakes procedurals full of drama and suspense!

This was an intense read, when bodies start turning up Detective Margot Phalen has the job to find the killer. It’s all closer than she thinks. A great creepy read, not read any of the others, but going to. Margot was a great character and the author writes her very well. A chilling 5 star read. Thanks to Netgalley and the publishers for a copy.

Oh my! This one is best read during the daylight hours or you will need to watch cartoons or a comedy afterwards. Even if you read it during the day, it is creepy and scary, which was right up my dark and twisty alley.

The Redwood Killer is scattering bodies everywhere. Detective Margot Phalen and company are determined to bring this evil individual down. They are also sitting on damning evidence that will shatter the perfect lives of some of the San Francisco elite.

To add to her already full plate, Margot has to spend time with her serial killer father in order to find his final two victims, as he will only talk to her. This poor woman obviously has nerves of steel.

The deep secrets and inherent evil will give you goosebumps as you are taken into the dark underbelly of people who are not who they portray themselves to be in the public and in the daylight hours. People who devalue human lives and have no problem crushing the less fortunate for their own wicked delight. This book was an emotional landmine that showcased the resilience of a little girl (Margot) who loved her daddy a long time ago, not knowing his heart was black.

This is the final book in this spectacular series. Although I am sad to see it end, the author did a dynamite job of wrapping it up.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Simply put: this is a five-star read that I couldn’t put down and won’t soon forget! An addictive crime thriller packed with suspense, this is book 5 for Detective Margot Phalen and can be read as a standalone.

This novel weaves together a narrative that is both deeply personal and universally resonant. Wiley's prose is as stunning as the rugged landscape she describes, and she writes her characters with a raw, emotional honesty that makes them feel incredibly real.

The pacing is a slow-burn that hooks you from the very first page, building a quiet tension that pays off in a way that feels both earned and profound. It’s a powerful exploration of resilience and the paths we take to find our way back to ourselves.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for a temporary e-ARC!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dreamscape Select for the free book in exchange for my honest review.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE this series and have now read every single book in it, 1-5. I HOPE this is not the end of Margot and Wes' story but that the author will write a new chapter as Margo is off on her new adventure.

If you are new to this series, no worries as you will be able to follow without issues. BUT you must read the first 4 books to catch the nuances between the characters and situations that have been layered throughout.

This series has it all: serial killers, murder, police and FBI procedure, a little romance and a kickass protagonist! Grab this one as soon as its published!!!

OUT OF THE WOODS - It seems that somehow I missed the fourth book of this series, darn. Again, it did not matter since this final addition to the series is awesome. Everything about it was great: The story lines; the characters; the emotions; the happenings; the corruption finale. Source: Netgalley. 5*

THE KILLER INSTINCT - I did not know this is the third book of a series and it did not matter. There was little rehashing of the previous stories. Interesting and immersing, the story lines set a good pace with good characters and realistic dialog. The Detective and her partner have a good relationship and there is no silly drama or silly self-doubt. Of course, there is a bit of mental issues but Margot is normal. Source: Netgalley. 4*

Another absolute winner in the Margot Phalen Series! If you didn’t already know, this is the last book in the series. It’s a bit bittersweet because I’ve followed this series from the beginning and loved every second of it. Margot is a great character, and she’s really easy to root for. Even through her baggage (and she has a lot), you still want to fight anyone who does her wrong. And there are quite a few people intent on doing so! Luckily, Margot always has a trick up her sleeve and a nice cast of supporting characters. But talk about tension! I like this series because Margot is always juggling more than one case, which is more realistic in law enforcement than what books/movies would have you believe. (My own included). Being the end of this series, everything gets tied up nicely. And for those of you, who, like me were saddened to hear that this is the end, don’t fret! The ending was set up nicely for a spin-off series with Margot at the helm. I’m honestly so excited for that! I can’t wait to see what Margot gets up to now that she’s put some things to bed!

Huge thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!

This was a great murder mystery with some gripping descriptions. Although you can read this as a stand-alone, sadly I feel I would’ve enjoyed it more if I’d read all the others in the series, as I didn’t get into the characters properly, and I felt I was maybe missing some understanding. I expect the character relationships have been built over the series, but there were some good themes of bonds and tension built in this book too.

Thank you to NetGalley & Storm Publishing for the ARC.

4.25
Firstly, I want to thank @@stormbooks_co and @netgalley for allowing me access to this e-arc in exchange for an honest review!
This is book 5 of the Margot Phalen series, and it is the final book in the series! I have followed this series from the beginning as an ARC reader and I have loved every second of this series 🥰
This book is no different, as it follows Margot as she continues to work through living her life as a serial killers daughter, whilst working as a homicide detective! I have to say, this was a quick and easy read and I feel that the series was wrapped up well, with potential to branch off into a new series! It was twisty and fast paced with a satisfying few plot twists thrown in there too!
If you haven't read this series, then this is your sign! All of the series are on KU and this book (book 5) releases TODAY, August 20th!
Well done Kate on a fantastic series! I cannot wait to see the comeback of Margot Phalen in another capacity! ❤️

The final book in the Detective Margot Phalen series is every bit as good as the previous 4 books. I cannot recommend this series enough. I loved them all. I would recommend reading them in order to understand the complexities of the personalities involved. The characters are well written, although some have very flawed personalities. This book brings to a conclusion the two main investigations she has been working on, both are murderers of young women. Margot is also finally able to come to terms her own personal family history, with its affects on her own mental health and ability to enjoy a normal relationship with others. The corruption within the police force is also addressed. As always the pace is fast and it is hard to put down once you begin reading. The conclusion was unexpected.

I look forward to reading the next series as Margot Phalen takes on a new phase in her career and personal life.

The fifth and final book in the Detective Margot Phalen series see Margot and partner Wes continue their hunt for the Redwood Killer. Margot also continues to visit her serial killer father Ed in prison to help give closure to the families of his victims.

A wonderful final book, with lots of loose ends tied up, and some great story telling, Well paced, with some comedic elements as well as emotive ones. I can't wait to see where Wes and Margot's story takes them next.

A great series, would definitely recommend to read in order.

oh no! How is this our last book with this series and this character. not fair. not fair. can i do a foot stomping book tantrum? but no seriously, what a series and also now what an ending to it.
i have enjoyed every second of these books and getting to know every instalment and every moment with our character. she is one tough cookie. you've come to care more and more for our detective. so each time you come to her next book you feel ready but also worried for her.
this is an emotional ending but a good one. and i found myself almost wanting a future future epilogue to know that Margot truly would be and was ok for years to come. that she was healing and happy?
another book and just because its the last doesn't mean it leaves you wanting. nor does the usual tight plot and brilliant pacing stop for anyone.
and once again Margot is bought another case which will hit hard. always following her is the shadow of what her father did and she has to fight harder than most to keep plodding on and getting through that. but boy does she do it.
the emotional parts of this book is woven closely and perfectly alongside the thriller and crime aspect of it. nothing overtakes the other so it just feel smart, natural, and like it all belongs. each part give you more investment into the next.
this books also doesn't leave threads open which i dont think i could have coped with. it wraps everything up in maybe not a neat bow but a satisfying one. we get closure on parts we all needed them including in her person life. i was not going to be happy if a certain aspect wasn't given to us, haha!
fantastic ending. sad to leave Margot but fantastic all the same. it was almost like Kate was doing a kindness too. she needed some conclusion and proper line in the sand for her character. like we all needed to see Margot come good with some hope for her future but a definite ending to a tough time had. and this gave Margot and us just that.

'Out of the Woods' is a stunning conclusion to the Margot Phalen series that kept me on the edge of my seat! From the start, I was fully immersed in Margot's world as she hunts the elusive Redwood Killer, which is intricately tied to the dark secrets of powerful families in San Francisco.

What struck me most was Margot’s emotional journey as she grapples with her past, especially her complicated relationship with her father, Ed Finch. The tension between her duty as a detective and the personal ghosts she faces adds a rich layer to the story.

The chemistry between Margot and her partner, Wes, is beautifully handled, bringing a touch of warmth amid the chaos. Wiley’s writing shines with sharp twists and high stakes that had me flipping pages late into the night. While a few plot points felt a bit predictable, the emotional depth and thrilling conclusion made it all worthwhile.

Overall, 'Out of the Woods' ties up Margot’s journey in an explosive and satisfying way. It’s a must-read for fans who have followed her story, and I couldn't have asked for a more gripping finale!

I had no idea this book was part of a series, but now I just have to read the other 4 books lol. This happened to me quite a lot lately, and this shows I really have to look more into the books I read before actually committing to reading them, because some books, unlike this one, make no sense without reading the others in the series. I have been lucky enough that this one makes sense on its on.

This book was really fast paced, and it made me forget I was reading sometimes. I really enjoyed the main character and the Criminal Minds vibes.

I would 100% recommend it, but I will make sure to recommend also the first 4 books in the series after I read them :)

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest opinion! Needless to say, as always, all thoughts are my own and I have not been influenced in any way.

This was such an interesting read!! Definitely for fans of criminal minds, I loved being able to follow along with the investigation and see the series conclude the way it did! Looking forward to seeing the next series Kate Wiley creates with Margot!

The story of Detective Margot Phalen continues in an unexpected way in Out of the Woods by Kate Wiley. As this thriller unfolds readers can see Margot truly become her own person.

Sheer genius once again from the author. Loved every book from the series and this was no different, a corker of a book thank you so much!

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