I read Out Of The Woods as a stand alone and really enjoyed it. The story's action and suspense were well-paced and the characters are intense but believable. Detective Margot Phalen shines as the lead character in solving the case of a serial killer's murders. Intriguing plots and storylines, and the slow-burn romance was well done. Very impressed. I will definitely be reading more of Kate Wiley's writing. Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the read of Out Of The Woods.

OUT OF THE WOODS by Kate Wiley
4.5 STARS
“Out of the Woods” is book five in the Detective Margot Phalen series, and yep, I started with the last one. Classic move for me! Turns out, it didn’t matter. This book stands on its own, but I'm tempted to binge the first four just to see what kind of chaos I missed. The silver lining? Sounds like Wiley’s planning a spinoff, so maybe I’ll actually get in on the ground floor like a normal person!

Detective Margot Phalen has been chasing the Redwood Killer for over a year. Think San Francisco, bodies in the middle of Muir Woods, and a police department that’s not exactly squeaky clean. And because Margot’s life isn’t complicated enough, her very own dad, Ed Finch, is a convicted killer who just won’t let go.

Margot and her partner, Wes, have this spark that keeps things interesting. I was actually rooting for them, and I don’t even like romance. When Margot tries to cut ties with her dad, things get messy fast. This is the kind of thriller that’ll have you double-checking your locks at night.

If you like detective series, serial killer mind games, or characters who juggle brains, grit, and messy emotions, you’ll want this series on your radar.

Thanks to the author and Storm Publishing for providing this ARC via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

#OutOfTheWoods #KateWiley #NetGalley #StormPublishing #CapCut

Margot Phalen Series - Serial Killer Thriller - Detective Read - Book Review Thriller Series - Dark And Twisty - Corruption - Trauma

A good read. I liked the cop with a Dad as a serial killer angle. It's different and was an interesting angle. Good plot, well written. Enjoyable

This book is closure to the Detective Margot Phalen series and was artfully executed! Plenty of surprises and twists to keep you from guessing the well orchestrated ending. I am eager to see what Kate Wiley plans in a new series!

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing, and the author for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Out of the Woods is the fifth and final installment in Kate Wiley’s gripping Detective Margot Phalen series, and it delivers a conclusion that is both thrilling and deeply satisfying. Wiley wastes no time pulling readers back into the hunt for the elusive Redwood Killer, all while weaving in the darker and more personal threads of Margot’s life.

Margot has been pursuing the Redwood Killer for more than eighteen months, and when another victim is found in Muir Woods, the case finally begins to take shape. Yet the investigation quickly grows more dangerous, touching some of San Francisco’s most powerful figures, including members of the police department itself. At the same time, Margot must confront the chilling reality of her father, Ed Finch, the notorious serial killer who continues to haunt her life. His offers to reveal the locations of more of his victims force her into agonizing choices, even as she vows that this will be her last contact with him.

What makes this finale so compelling is not just the case itself but Margot’s evolution. Over the course of five books, she has grown from a guarded and haunted detective into a woman who begins to release the weight of her past. Her bond with Wes Fox, her steadfast partner, adds an emotional undercurrent that is both believable and rewarding, and the slow build of their relationship is handled with subtlety and care.

The pacing is expertly managed. Every chapter adds another layer of tension, whether through chilling courtroom sequences, the psychological tug-of-war with Ed, or the cat-and-mouse pursuit of the Redwood Killer. Wiley also does an exceptional job of grounding the story in procedural detail without losing momentum.

What impressed me most is how seamlessly Wiley ties together every thread. The Redwood Killer’s unmasking feels earned and unsettling, the subplot with Ed reaches a resolution that is both satisfying and chilling, and Margot finally steps into her own with strength and clarity. It is the kind of ending that feels true to the character and her journey, while leaving just enough possibility for her future in the hinted spin-off series.

Out of the Woods is everything you want in a series finale: suspenseful, emotional, and deeply immersive. Wiley balances the darkness of the crimes with a profound exploration of identity, trauma, and resilience. This is a powerful and unforgettable conclusion to one of the most gripping thriller series I have read in years.

Out Of The Woods by Kate Wiley is the 5th book in the Detective Margot Phalen Series and I have loved this series from the very first book called The Killer's Daughter. This was a series that I did not want to end, it was one of the best Detective series you can read, sadly it ended too short. 🥲
I loved the get and go approach of Detective Margot Phalen had and she did not let anyone stand in her way. This last book was no different and it was full of brilliant twists and turns throughout that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat, with a great storyline and WoW. . . .She did it!!!
A Perfect ending for her and a new start for her coming character.

I just hope Kate Wiley carries on with Margot Phalen character in the future. She was a bad arse!

I highly recommend this series 5 ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️

💙 Detective Margot Phalen books in order - 💙
❤️ Book 1 - The Killer's Daughter
❤️ Book 2 - Her Father's Secret
❤️ Book 3 - The Killer Instinct
❤️ Book 4 - In the Blood
❤️ Book 5 - Out Of The Woods

Big Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my ARC.

When you pick up Out of the Woods, you find yourself drawn into Margot Phalen’s fight on two fronts: hunting down the Redwood Killer while still reckoning with the shadow of her father’s crimes. You get a strong sense of place in the misty, unsettling atmosphere of Muir Woods, where every trail feels like it could hide something, and that backdrop heightens the suspense without ever feeling overdone.

What keeps you turning the pages isn’t just the tension of the investigation, but the way Margot’s personal history bleeds into her work, forcing her to question who she can trust and how much of her own past she has to confront to move forward. You come away feeling like you’ve read a thriller that respects both its mystery and its characters—sharp pacing, grounded emotion, and just enough loose threads to leave you curious for where her story goes next.

#OutOfTheWoods #KateWiley #ThrillerBooks #CrimeFiction #DetectiveReads #BookstagramReads #MysteryLovers #SuspenseBooks #PsychologicalThriller #CrimeThriller #ReadersOfInstagram #BookishCommunity #CurrentlyReading #BookAddict #BookRecommendation #TBRStack #PageTurner #BookObsessed #FictionLovers #BookBloggerLife #ThrillerCommunity #ReadMoreBooks #GrippingReads #BookWormLife #NewReleaseBooks #BookReviewersOfIG #BookNerdigan #BookShelfie #BookClubReads #ReadingThrillers

I have loved this series ever since the first book. I am a huge fan of serial killer series and the author did a great job of coming up with fresh entertaining ideas in a world full of books in this genre.

Out of the Woods by Katie Wiley is the kind of psychological thriller that’ll have you on the edge of your seat. Detective Margot Phalen is a complex, sharp, and relatable protagonist, and her investigation into the Redwood Killer case quickly spirals into something far darker and more twisted than she ever expected.

Kate Wiley does a fantastic job of weaving the documentary, the trial, Ed and the Redwood Killer in this book.

The pacing is perfect; it builds tension slowly and methodically, keeping you invested in every new lead, every piece of evidence that Margot uncovers. I loved how the story isn’t just about solving a crime, but also about the emotional toll it takes on Margot herself. She's not just a detective; she's a real person with her own past, her own demons, which makes her even more compelling. I am happy that we got some answers with Wes in this book and even though I could have read 10 more books in this series, I am sad it ended. I am very excited about the new series and that we get more Margot and Wes. Margot had a lot of character growth in this book and I am glad we got to see the start of healing. I loved the ending and feel like it was the perfect way to wrap up this series.

This series is absolutely gripping. If you love psychological thrillers, complex characters, and mysteries that keep you guessing, Out of the Woods and all of Kate Wiley's books are a must-read. 10 stars.

Thank you, NetGalley, the author, and the publisher, for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Out of the Woods (Detective Margot Phalen Series 5)
By: Kate Wiley

5 Stars

This was such a great series, and this was a great book to finish it all off. I have followed
Margot and have watched her change as a character throughout. Each story was filled with murder, mystery, and everything that can go with these. The bodies, the cold cases, the daddy issues; they all lead her to a very complex and captivating ending. One that Margot never saw coming, and one that the readers won't either. By the end, I was not only shocked, but I was amazed. I was completely euphoric. Margot and Wes have such an amazing friendship, and I hope to read more from this duo. I have really enjoyed this series.

*I want to thank Netgalley and the author for this book in return for my honest review*

Stormi Ellis
Boundless Book Reviews

We are back with Detective Margot Phalen and she is still hunting the Redwood Killer, he is at the moment San Francisco’s most elusive killer and her and her partner Wes Fox are not giving up, too many young woman hade been murdered by his hands and what she has uncovered already leads them to some of the city’s most powerful families and the police department and they must tread carefully, but Margot will get her man and anyone involved.

And there is also the cold cases that she is working with the FBI and her notorious serial killer father Ed Finch now he is offering to lead them to his last killings but he has another proviso will Margot give in to him to find those last bodies and if she does what will happen one thing for sure she is sure that she will never visit her father in jail again.

This is a fabulous ending to this wonderful series I have really enjoyed reading it, Margot is a wonderful character that I have gotten to know, her life has been hard but her strength to go forward shows her courage and is there a chance that her relationship with Wes will finally move forward past just work partners? And what of her father Ed, how will that end? And will they as a team bring down the Red wood Killer and stop more killings? I do highly recommend this one and the series.

Good news is that we will see more from Margot in a new spin off series that I look forward to.

My thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for my copy to read and review.

4.5 stars

Out of the Woods by Kate Wiley is the fifth and final book in the Detective Margot Phalen series.

First, let me thank NetGalley, the publisher Storm Publishing, and of course the author, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

  

Series Background: (Warning – Contains spoilers from previous books)
Detective Margot Phalen is a homicide detective with the San Francisco Police Department.  She was born Megan Finch, but her father is the notorious serial killer Ed Finch, and she wants no part of his name. Only three people on the force know her identity -- her Captain (Gordon Tate), her partner (Wes Fox), and another detective, Leon Telly.   Margot's anxiety sometimes rears its ugly head.  Over twenty years have passed, but Margot is still trying to forget the fact that her father is a serial killer.   Margot also has a brother (now called David), who has not faired well either.  Recently, her father was transferred from New York to San Quentin, and will provide Margot with information on more of his victims -- if she visits him.  She is working with FBI Special Agent Andrew Rhodes to deal with Ed, who now says he had an accomplice.

 

My Synopsis:    (No major reveals, but if concerned, skip to My Opinions)
Margot has been hunting the Redwood Killer for about 18 months, and when a body turns up near another scenic trail in Muir Woods, they finally get a lead.

But Margot has more than that fire burning.  She and Wes have evidence against both an escort agency boss, and the Chief of Police, but they can't use it.  It would probably mean the end of their careers.  But Margot is seriously considering it, because she's just been offered a job with the FBI.  But there is Wes to consider, and she's considering him more and more.

Then there is Ed, her serial killer father.  He has been leading her to more of his kills, as long as she visits.  He finally agrees to lead her to two of his early victims, and she eventually agrees, knowing this will be the last time she ever sees him.




My Opinions:
This was a great ending to the series.  Everything got tied up...even her father.

Margot is a great character, who finally realized her strengths.  I even liked the relationship between her and Wes, probably because it was one that built slowly, and neither jumped in until the other was ready.

Needless to say, the books must be read in order, but because there are only five, it should not be an issue.

Now the part I'm not particularly fond of.  Yes, the series is over.  But....there will be a new series with Margot in it, so I assume this will be with her career change.  I'm not really sure how I feel about that, because as far as I'm concerned, it will just seem like a continuation of this one, but just with a different plot-line.

Anyway, this whole series, but in particular this book...was really good.

This is an amazing book. It is the last book in the series I am sad to say. I have enjoyed them all. Katie Wiley is a fantastic author. This one is no exception.

This one is about Margot trying to find the Redwood serial killer. Meanwhile she is dealing with corruption in her department and a not so pleasant dealing with her serial killer father. This is a very great thrill ride in the sense that it has been a great ride in general but a thriller and mystery until it's not..... read the book and you will know what I mean.

Loved it and thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the early read.

I absolutely LOVED this series and am so sad this was the last book. I have been rooting for Margot every step of the way in all aspects of her life: breaking free from her dad, solving the case she has been working so hard to close, and to love herself to know she is worth of love. While I knew something was going to happen with her dad, I was still shocked at exactly what that was. Kate Wiley absolutely tied everything up perfectly. I am content to know that Margot is on her way to getting the life she deserves.

This was a fantastic read from start to finish! The main character is so incredibly likable. I loved getting to know her, and I was truly invested in her journey. I’m now hooked and can’t wait to learn more about her backstory, meaning I need to read the previous books!

What’s even more disappointing is that my library doesn’t carry the rest of the books, so I guess I’ll have to purchase them to continue this adventure! I’m already looking forward to diving deeper into her development as a character and seeing how her story unfolds in the next installments. Kate Wiley has created such a compelling narrative, and I’m eagerly anticipating more from this series. Highly recommend!

I just finished reading Out of the Woods. I read the previous books of Detective Margot Phalen; I liked them all. Kate Wiley's writing is absolutely awesome. I had a very, very good time following Margot, Wes and Leo's investigation of the Larks girls. I recommend the book.

Detective Margot has spent over a year tracking the so-called Redwood Killer—one who lays his victims along the misty trails of Muir Woods, each connected to San Francisco’s powerful elite. The corruption she uncovers hits too close to home, entangling her in a deadly conflict where justice and self-preservation clash. Then her father, the notorious serial killer Ed Finch, re-emerges, offering to lead her to the final victim’s grave.
Out of the Woods is a gripping, edge-of-your-seat thriller that mixes intense detective work with a deep dive into the characters’ messy, emotional lives.

I think Out of the Woods was a great way to wrap up this part of Margot's story! I always enjoy Margot and Wes and their friendship. I loved getting to see a little more of that in this book and I am crossing my fingers that their journey carries over into the next stage of Margot's life. Kate Wiley never disappoints!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you for the opportunity, Out of the Woods was such a wild ride! I loved following Margot through all the twists, and the mix of suspense and emotion kept me turning pages.

I'm so glad to hear that Margot will be getting a new series, I do hope that Wes will somehow be fitted in because they make a great duo. Out of the Woods brings closure to Ed's cases as well as the search for the Redwood Killer. It also allows Margot to feel more human, less guilty, and able to live a full life of her own. Great storyline, full of suspense with a great ending emphasizing there's only one justice for all and nobody is above it!
I thank the author, her publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

4.5 rounded up

Margot is struggling with trying to come to terms with her feelings for Wes, dealing with her father still dragging her along, the Redwood Killer being as illusive and deadly as ever, and needing to be personable on the stand to get a teenage killer put away. After spending decades drowning under the weight of her secrets and burdens, the freedom in outing herself as Megan Finch, daughter of serial killer Ed Finch, has caused a massive shift not only in how she views the world, but in how she tackles everything left on her plate.

*****

This is the final novel in the Detective Margot Phalen series, and it's the perfect tie-in to finish off all of the loose ends that have settled throughout. We get to come along with Margot as her and Wes finally get a break in the case that starts to put all of the pieces together, and it's unexpected while also being the perfect resolution to the faceless man she's been hunting. The exposure of how incel and red pill society can create a culture that's a danger to women was fantastic, and the culprit was creepy and the perfectly done killer-hiding-in-plain-sight character.

The resolution to Ed Finch and Margot's relationship while he drags her along for uncovering his final kills was so well done as well, and had me burning through the pages to see what would come of the their relationship. Margot releasing her burdens while living through continuous trauma just showed how strong she truly is in the end, especially with the opportunity to change her career path moving forward. One of the things I love about this series is how much we get procedural background details and thought processes, without it feeling like they're too drawn out. Switching between Ed and Margot's perspectives was the perfect little creepy interlude to keep me hooked through them.

Also the final scenes of her in the courtroom, and the follow up to how she handled the police chief was so endlessly satisfying, and I love that we're going to see a spinoff series with her as well!

*****

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the Advanced Reader Copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.