Oh my god, I don’t know if I want to cry and scream or just celebrate. This was such an epic conclusion to one of my favorite crime thrillers.
I can’t help but squeal in excitement for Margot and Wes and them finally getting their chance, but more than that, the mystery we’ve been following for so many books finally got its conclusion and if it wasn’t the best mic drop moment for Margot I don’t know what is.

This is such a page turner of a series and once it’s released I’ll need to binge read the entire series again because it’s just SO good!

I’m so grateful to Storm publishing and Kate Wiley for giving me the chance to ARC read this! I cannot wait for what’s next for Margot with the new series!!!

When I first realised that Out of the Woods is the final book in this series, I was devastated. But then it occurred to me how much I was craving closure on several fronts. Book 5 delivers in spades. I think it's the best book out of all five novels.

Kate Wiley ticks a lot of boxes with this detective series. There's plenty of mystery and suspense, it's gritty without being graphic, the main character is easy to like, there is just the right amount of simmering affection between the main character and her work partner and there's a great combination of storylines that resolve within one book and others that stretch across all five. The interactions between Margot and her serial killer father are expertly played out and the flashback chapters perfectly complement the story by shining a light on Ed's mindset.

I've long held Ellie Marney (None Shall Sleep) as my favourite crime author but Kate Wiley must take equal ranking.

This crime thriller delivers on all fronts, a truly excellent read!
Although part of a series, this is easily read as a standalone.
We have Detective Margot and her partner Wes relentlessly pursuing a serial killer targeting young female escorts from the same company. Margot's gutsy, gritty determination leads her to do everything she can to bring the killer to justice.
The story is peppered by a simmering romantic tension with Wes that adds another layer to their partnership.
The ingenious twist of Margot's father, Ed, a jailed serial killer, has her assisting the FBI in locating his victims, providing a unique and gripping dimension. The narrative builds to an explosive and utterly amazing climax that took my breath away. A must-read for fans of high-stakes police procedurals full of drama and suspense. I can't wait for the next instalment!

One of the BEST crime series out there! Well written, strong and complex characters, and always a complex and compulsive set of mysteries interwoven to keep you glued to the page. The end of the series, definitely bittersweet and ends on a bang - but new adventures for Margot and Wes apparently in the works, yay!

Margot works for the police department and her father is a serial killer who is serving time. He was caught when she was fifteen and she joined the police force to try and gain justice for the victims of crime and some how make amends for her fathers actions. In the last of the series Margot has spent months visiting her father in prison for the FBI to find out were he left his victims. She also has her day to day work as a police officer to do. And some decisions to make.
Even though I have not read any of the other books in the series it did not stop me from understanding what was going on or prevent me from thoroughly enjoying the book.

The FINAL book in the Detective Margot Phalen series is here!!!! I have loved this series since the very first book. I have been very impatiently waiting for the last book in the series and it did not disappoint! Everything is wrapped up so nicely. Margot Phalen is absolutely amazing in everything she does including overcoming everything that has happened in her life. This book kept me on the edge of my seat.

I am excited to see what is in store for Margot in her next series!!! Yes you read that correctly.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm publishing for a gifted copy in exchange for a honest review.

This series gives me life! I could not stop reading. When the monster is someone there with you it's crazy! Twists on every page.

Out of the Woods is the fifth, and final, book in the Detective Margot Phalen series. Admittedly, I haven't read the first three, and I might not have read the fourth had I not received an invitation to do so, from the publisher. I gleaned enough of Margot's back story in that one, to keep me in the loop. 🗡
And so, to the final book. Margot and Wes are still on the hunt for the Redwood Killer, with two new murders credited to him. Alongside that, notorious serial killer Ed Finch requests an interview with Margot. He wants to tell her the location of two more bodies, hinting that this is the last of them. 🗡
The action is non-stop with this one, as we hurtle to the possible conclusion of a maddening investigation. The pace is fast, and there's not a red herring in sight. Wiley brings the series to a conclusion in a most satisfying way. Best of all, this not the last we will see of Margot Phalen. I for one, look forward to catching up with her when her new series comes out. 🗡
Thanks to Storm Publishing and Netgalley for the digital ARC.

Margot is back. Suspense…edge of the seat secrets…mystery…love…friends…serial killer…the recipe for a page turner. Wiley has done it again. I could not stop reading. Margot and Wes…add in her murdering dad…don’t miss this. Enjoy trying to discern the ending. Thanks Netgalley.

Another brilliant book by Kate Wiley. Unfortunately,the last in the current series involving Margot and Wes, but at least I know that they will return in a brand new series of books.

No spoilers as this was the 'grand finale', just a fabulous read, highly recommend.

My thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced digital copy in return for an honest review.

A Gripping and Emotional Conclusion

Out of the Woods by Kate Wiley delivers a compelling and emotionally charged conclusion to the Detective Margot Phalen series. With sharp pacing and masterful plotting, Wiley draws readers into a final case that tests Margot professionally and personally. The emotional weight of her father’s crimes continues to cast a long shadow, but Margot’s resilience and determination shine through as she faces the truth head-on.
Wiley weaves a powerful narrative, blending intricate police work with deep psychological insight. Long-time readers will appreciate the evolution of Margot’s character, the resolution of long-running threads, and the sense of closure that this final instalment provides. A powerful and satisfying end to a standout crime series. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This is the last book in the Detective Margot Phalen series and I’m happy to say that plenty of loose ends are tied up. She and her partner, Wes, are finally close to catching the Redwood Killer, who has been leaving bodies in Muir Woods for the past few years. She’s also on her last visit to her father, the serial killer Ed Finch, who has been manipulating her into visiting him with promises of information about other victims. He says these are the last unknown women and he needs to show them where the bodies are. But who can really trust anything he says?

I binge-read this series and while I enjoyed it a lot, there is a lot of repetition to each one. Not just because of explaining the back story each time, but also because of the will they / won’t they between her and Wes which has been on ‘not yet’ since almost the first book in the series. Each book is pretty much composed of the newest on the Redwood Killer, another current case, a visit with her father that she swears she won’t make and then does, and all the reasons she keeps putting Wes off. Very formulaic, even for a formulaic procedural genre. And then in the very last book, suddenly she about-faces her assistance with Ed, her relationship with Wes, and taking action on the corruption in her department, just in time to wrap up the series.

I do appreciate Margot’s love of coffee and Bob’s Burgers, though. Maybe if there was more of that quirkiness and maybe one less book in the series, then it would have felt fresher by the end. And the tease in the author’s note after the story definitely piqued my interest, so be sure you read it!

Margot and her partner Wes are able to wrap up the Redwood Killer mystery and Margot is able to begin putting her past and her serial killer father behind her. We see Margot’s character evolving as she begins moving on. The story is fast-paced and a wonderfully satisfying conclusion to this series. Best of all, Margot and Wes now have a new series for fans to look forward to.
Thanks to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

As a finale this novel really delivers. The fifth in the series, author Kate Wiley masterfully brings it all together in an epic, tense and satisfying conclusion.

A welcome return for Detectives Margot Phalen & Wes Fox of San Francisco PD, they're still hunting The Redwood Killer and she's still unable to shrug off those ties with her father who knows exactly when to dangle the proverbial carrot to lure her back in.

A great mix of drama, relationships and good old fashioned police work, this series has it all. Having followed it from the beginning I'm almost sorry that its reached its conclusion.

For those unfamiliar with the series I'd definitely recommend going back to the beginning and starting with The Killers Daughter, you won't be disappointed.

My thanks to Storm Publishing for the early read, all opinions expressed are my own

What an ending to the current series - Margot is finally free from her father's malign
influence , the last two bodies found ........ but at what cost . !!
Both her working life and relationship with Wes appear to be the start of a new adventure ,
but , with the 'clues' of a new series I can see some of the unresolved past cases raising
their heads once again to entertain us once more
A series well worth reading with great worldbuilding and characters that draw you in ,
fast paced , with suspense around every corner .......... an emotional rollercoaster

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Oh, wow! This book was perfect EXCEPT for one thing: It brings the series to its end. I’ve enjoyed all of KateWiley’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 police work is so well done— and of course because it ties up all the storylines in a believable and quite satisfying manner.

As usual Kate delivered a great book! Defiantly recommend if you’ve read #1-4! She really gets you know know the characters well.

From the very first page Out Of The Woods doesn't let up.This is a relentlessly gripping thriller that delivers everything fans have come to love-and more.
Stakes are higher and more intense,you'll find yourself shouting "You Go Girl" as Margot fights to solve the elusive Redwood Killer case and darker forces inside her department as well as within herself.
As much as I didn't want this series to end it offers a satisfying and powerful send off that leaves you fulfilled yet eager to see what's next for Margot in the new series, that i hope we don't wait to long for.
A flawless conclusion to a strong must-read series.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED
Thanks to Netgalley and Storm Publishing for the Arc.

The most spectacular and satisfying conclusion to a series I've ever read! I even re-read the last few chapters, cheering for Margot (and Wes) all the way. Everything got wrapped up beautifully and in some unconventional ways. I'm thrilled that we'll get to see more of Margot in the new series as she takes on a new challenge. Outstanding.
Thanks to Netgalley, Storm Publishing, and Kate Wiley for the free ARC. All opinions are my own.

This book does what so many detective series can't, which is to provide a definite, and meaningful conclusion. This is a complex book that is well structured, plotted, and paced that kept me hooked throughout, just like the rest of the series.

Some of the character choices seemed a bit questionable and the inter-personal dynamics were the only bumps for me, but they were never why I read these books in the first place..

For anyone who has read the rest of this series,Out of the Woods is a no brainer buy. For anyone who hasn't, they should get started on book one right away.