Thanks to #NetGalley and #StormPublishing for the book #OutOfTheWoods by #KateWiley. This is the fifth of the Margot Phalen series and it’s absolutely amazing. This book wrapped up a chapter in Margot’s life but I am hoping there will be another chapter soon. Margot is dealing with the Redwood killer, a corrupt police chief and of course her serial killer father, Ed Finch. Everything is overwhelming and she is dealing with other feelings. Can she wrap up all the destruction going on?

What a way to bring this series to a close! Kate Wiley wastes no time dropping readers right back into the action, as this installment picks up seamlessly from where the last book left off. Margot once again finds herself caught in an impossible balancing act: pursuing a serial killer while also confronting the terrifying truth about her father—who is not only alive but also a serial killer himself. The dual weight of chasing justice and grappling with blood ties makes this one of Margot’s most harrowing challenges yet.

The tension in this story builds with precision. Each chapter adds new layers of unease, whether it’s the psychological toll of facing her father, the moral questions surrounding her pursuit, or the increasing danger of her investigation. Wiley has crafted Margot into a deeply complex character, one who is both strong and vulnerable, driven by a relentless need for answers but haunted by the shadows of her past. Watching her navigate these internal and external battles makes for a compelling and emotionally charged read.

What stands out most is how Wiley doesn’t shy away from the darker themes of identity, family legacy, and the blurred lines between justice and vengeance. These threads are woven tightly into the central mystery, giving the story depth beyond the thrilling chase. At the same time, the pacing keeps the reader on edge, with revelations and twists arriving at just the right moments.

The finale delivers everything a reader could want—closure, intensity, and a sense that Margot’s journey, while painful, has come full circle. Out of the Woods is both a gripping thriller and a poignant exploration of how far someone will go to break free from the chains of the past. It’s a bold and satisfying ending to a series that has consistently delivered suspense, heart, and unforgettable characters.

Well written with a good storyline. The pages are filled with action, murder, love, closure and so much more. I like the characters of Margot and Wes; they make a good team. A highly recommended crime thriller. Read as an ARC and my review is voluntary.

Absolutely LOVED this book! It was the perfect ending to a 5 book series! I love all things true crime and I felt this book really hit on a lot of things I love reading about with serial killers.

The 5th and final book in the Detective Margot Phalen series brings all of the continuing threads to a surprising but satisfying conclusion. Margot has battled against those who would judge her for her father's history, but will face him again when he gives her an offer she can't refuse. At the same time, she has numerous cases that demand her attention. Kate Wiley pushes the investigations into high gear to build the tension and suspense, and readers will turn pages faster and faster as the story nears the twists that made me want to throw the book. Those of us who follow Margot's story were happy to see her moving into a new job to turn the series into another must read on my TBR.

Just WOW! The amazing Kate Wiley knocks another one right out of the park! We always think monsters are lurking far away, we don’t look for him in our home. This was a dark and gritty book and I loved every creepy minute of it. Boy can monsters play games. Brilliant 5 star read.
Thank you NetGalley, Kate Wiley and Storm Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this gem of a book.

Out Of The Woods is another great thriller by Kate Wiley! This book is a good combination of mystery thriller .
The writing is clear and concise which leads to a very enjoyable read. I could feel my heart pounding as the tension rose and they got closer to the truth.
Margot is a compelling character, and the tension between her past and present kept me turning pages.
A fantastic thriller that keeps the suspense building until you just can't put the book down.

Kate Wiley did not disappoint with the conclusion to this series! 5 stars. The series tied up beautifully and I can't wait for the next chapter in Margot's story

I’m really enjoying this series! I read the first two books and jumped right into this one without realizing it was book 5 (oops!). I definitely think you need to at least read the first book to fully understand and appreciate what’s happening, and honestly I wish I had read 3 & 4 first since I know I missed some details. Totally my mistake, and I’ll be going back to catch up soon!

Margot is such a likeable character—tough, determined, and dedicated to doing the job right no matter the cost. This book is action-packed and full of twists, with corruption and secrets that reach farther than I expected. Many heads roll (figuratively and literally), and it had me wondering the whole way through: can Margot—and her career—survive the dirt she has to expose and the dangerous people hiding in plain sight?

A strong, fast-paced read and a satisfying installment in the series.

The story is dark, gritty, and intense—a perfect blend for anyone who loves mysteries and serial killer thrillers.
Margot has been relentlessly hunting the Redwood Killer for over a year, and each new victim seems to get her closer to her own department’s dark secrets. I really appreciated her as a protagonist—she’s tough, smart, and deeply human, battling her own demons while trying to do what’s right. The stakes are high, especially with evidence that could take down her own Chief of Police, which puts her in a precarious position between justice and self-preservation.
What really kept me turning the pages was the personal connection—her father, Ed Finch, the notorious serial killer, makes a chilling return in this finale. Learning about Margot’s past and her complex relationship with her father added layers of emotional depth that made the story resonate even more. The suspense was relentless, and the tension between wanting to solve the case and dealing with her own haunted history kept me engaged throughout.
I listened to the audiobook, and Lauryn Allman did a fantastic job with the narration—she brought Margot’s strength and vulnerability to life. My only quibble was that the pacing felt a little slow at times for my taste, but overall, it was a compelling listen.
Margot is a strong, layered character with secrets and hope, and I loved how the case unfolded—full of twists, though nothing too shocking, which I actually appreciated. It felt satisfying to see her confront her past and face her demons head-on.
By the end, I was genuinely satisfied—and a little relieved—that things finally came to a head with Ed Finch and Wes. It felt like the perfect, explosive conclusion to an intense series. If you enjoy dark mysteries with complex characters and a dose of family drama, I highly recommend giving this series a shot.

Having read the previous books in thsi series I was so pleased to read this one.
What a journey this is for the reader and the wonderfully strange charachter of Margot.
This book takes you on a journey with her serial killer father again whilst also investigating another serial killer.
But what will please a number of fans is Margots journey in life.
A fast paced and incredible read which you want to take slowly but the story once again grabs you.
Im just so pleased theer is more to come

would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for letting me read this awesome book

its the finale of the series and this author hasnt let us down....

theres another serial killer in town.... hes not leaving anything at the scene so margot and wes really need a break for them to crack on with the case

also margots father is the infamous serial killer and he has one last request and its a doozy....can margot put behind her everything she holds to bring two more bodies home to their families....

and if thats not enough theres also the court case that margot has been called to testify in... can she be less aggressive and more likeable... only time will tell

man this book had it all... kept me reading till very late just to see how it ends...and i wasnt disappointed at all....

cant wait to see whats next from this author

Out Of The Woods by Kate Wiley is the final book in this superb series. All the loose ends in Detective Margot Phalen’s life and work are all tied up in this book. I could be more amazed or pleased by all that happened and how the book concluded. Totally addictive series with book five being just as riveting as book one. In fact, addictive is an understatement. This is one series by an unknown author to me that blew me away from the first book. Then this one is such a staggering finish, that all I can say is splendid, splendid, splendid!

You might not get the true effect of this book if you haven’t read the others. If you love police procedural thrillers then this is a series, you will love too. Out Of The Woods by Kate Wiley is the grand finale and it is grand indeed. Now to see what Detective Margot Phalen does next. I can hardly wait.

Out of the Woods, the final installment in the Margot Phalen series.

I've come to really like and enjoy Margot ( Megan) as a strong character with a dark sense of humor and smart wit. I am happy how things ended. The Redwood Killer caught, her father Ed Finch got what he had coming, she got to really enjoy how she ended the Chief of police. But my ultimate favorite was her joining the FBI and how things ended or are starting with Wes. Overall, I am so happy for her, and I am excited because, in the end, the author hinted that she will be bringing Margot back but in another series.
Thank you, Netgalley and Storm Publishing, for this eARC. All opinions are entirely my own.

Margot Phalen is a dedicated detective in San Francisco working to hunt down a serial killer. She is determined to find answers for the dead women left along trails in the nearby woods. The victims all share a tiny tattoo of a bird leading the police to nickname them the "Larks". Hopefully finding how they are connected will lead to the killer. Meanwhile, Margot's imprisoned serial killer father, has decided to share his secrets but only with her.i
I did not realize that this thriller was part of a series, which was probably why I was a bit confused to start with. But it was a good book and now that I know there are more to these characters - I will seek them out.


Thanks to Storm Publishing, NetGalley & the author for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Margot Phelan always gets her man. It is never truer then in this latest instalment of this series. She has a lot to deal with and goes above an beyond to solve a case. Great story and love these charecters!

Out of the Woods (book 5) is a tense finale to Kate Wiley’s Margot Phalen series. I received a copy from Storm Publishing via Netgalley, and it's out today!

From the start, I was, again, pulled in by the atmospheric setting of Muir Woods and the haunting presence of the Redwood Killer. The story wastes no time raising the stakes, and the result is a fast-paced, satisfying read.

What really stood out was the depth of Margot’s internal conflict. Wiley doesn’t just give us a detective chasing down a serial killer, she gives us a woman fighting with her own past: her family’s legacy, and how far she’s willing to go to protect what matters. The dynamic between Margot and her partner Wes added something extra, which was fun to read.

This series is an absolute recommendation!

4,5/5⭐️

Wow, wow, wow. What an explosive ending to this series. Part of me is sad to see it go, but we did get a resolution to many overarching storylines and we have a new series to look forward to. Margot has certainly had her hands full - between trying to find a serial killer and having to deal with her father so that closure can be brought to the families of the victims he killed.

I loved the mix of main characters in this series and watching the growing attraction between Margot and Wes. It's understandable why Margot would have trouble trusting people but Wes has managed to get past her walls by his unconditional support and not pushing her beyond what she is comfortable with.

There was plenty happening in this story which helped to fill in the search for the Redwood Killer while they waited on the DNA results. It was a satisfying conclusion to the series and I look forward to seeing what is in store for Margot and Wes in the new series.

Thank you to NetGalley, Storm Publishing and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Oh, wow! This book was perfect EXCEPT for one thing: It brings the suspenseful series to its end. I’ve enjoyed all of Kate Wiley’s five books that unfold the story of Margot Phelan, intrepid homicide detective and daughter of Ed Finch, a notorious serial killer now residing at San Quentin penitentiary. This may be my favorite, because the FBI and police work is written so well— and of course because it ties up all the storylines in a believable and quite satisfying manner. I eagerly look forward to the next offering by author Kate Wiley. Thank you, Storm Publishing and NetGalley, for providing an advance review galley of this riveting title.

📚 E-ARC PUB DAY BOOK REVIEW 📚

Out of the Woods By Kate Wiley
Publication Date: August 20, 2025
Publisher: Storm Publishing

📚MY RATING: ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
(Rounded Up To 5⭐)

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this #gifted e-arc in exchange for my honest review!

📚MY REVIEW:

Happy Pub Day to Out of the Woods, the fifth and final book in Kate Wiley's Detective Margot Phelan series! This was the brilliantly perfect ending to the series -- one that was filled with five tension-filled and fast-paced crime thrillers that thoroughly gripped me from start to finish.

I was procrastinating to read this book because I didn't want this series to come to an end. However, I learned that there's a NEW series coming that features Margot, my favorite badass female detective, which thrilled me. And as I did with every other book in this series, I devoured Out Of The Woods in one sitting.

I don't dare give any spoilers about how this series comes to its riveting conclusion -- so I'll just give you a synopsis of what these reads are all about: Detective Margot Phelan works in the homicide division of the San Francisco Police Department and is assigned to cases in which the victims appear to be the work of a serial killer, named "The Redwoods Killer" by media. Margot is the estranged daughter of Ed Finch, one of the most prolific and notorious serial killers in modern history, and she has worked really hard to distance herself from that connection. However, Ed says he'll reveal more details about additional killings and more victims to the FBI -- but he'll only speak to Margot.

Each book features the brutal cases in Margot's work as a homicide detective -- along with the revelations shared through her meetings with her serial killer dad. Every one of these five books felt new - never repetitive - even with the same major storylines continuing throughout the entire series. There's components of police procedurals, crime thrillers, suspense, mystery, and even a love story on the periphery of the plot.

If you haven't yet read this series, I highly recommend adding it to your TBR if you're a fan of badass female MCs, police procedurals, and tension-filled crime thrillers. And good news to you: with the release of the final book in the series today, you can binge all five books back-to-back! And trust me, you'll want to! 😉

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