Casey Butler

Eight stars

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Kelley Armstrong, and Macmillan Audio for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

Those who know Kelley Armstrong’s Rockton series are aware of her great Canadian police procedural series that connects to this newer and more revelatory collection. I devoured the previous stories in short order, all in a hope of getting to this, the second novel in the Haven’s Rock series. Detective Casey Butler (Duncan) and Sheriff Eric Dalton left Rockton, Yukon and have been coordinating the new community of Haven’s Rock. They are put on guard when a young boy goes missing, out long after saying that he saw a ‘bear-man’ around the community. With children finally welcome in the community, the change is an experiment of sorts. Haven’s Rock is supposed to be a safe place for those fleeing trouble, but this has been a disaster. Juggling news in their personal lives as well, Casey and Eric must work quickly to locate the boy and try to uncover the truth behind this bear-like creature or dispel the mystery in short order. Armstrong does a masterful job with this piece, adding to the new series and impressing readers who go as far back as Rockton’s creation.

Haven’s Rock is a town tucked away in the Yukon Territory, among Canada’s northern region. Surrounded by forest, it is not on any maps or the radar of most people who arrive, which is the purpose Casey Butler and Eric Dalton hope to provide for those who are trying to get away from trouble elsewhere. With Casey as the town’s detective and Eric its sheriff, they try to keep the peace while strengthening their own relationship which has been developing since they met in Rockton, a previous attempt at solitude that fell apart.

With the decision to allow children in Haven’s Rock, young Max is the youngest resident and has quite the story to tell. While out with a hiking party, he vows that he saw some sort of bear, one with human eyes. This raises alarms and sends the authorities in to check it out. Haven’s Rock has one primary rule, do not wander into the forest, which has been met with some push back, but this ‘bear man’ sighting might strengthen the argument. It is only when a dead body turns up that the gravity of the issue is solidified, leaving Casey and Eric to rush into action to find out what’s happened.

Max goes missing and many wonder if the ‘bear man’ is to blame. It’s one option, but Casey and Eric are not yet ready to admit failure. Rushing for the truth will force them to examine the locals and see if they can eke out information about each resident’s backstory, something that has been kept silent until now.

Was Max targeted because of his mother’s past? Could there be someone in Haven’s Rock who has a past that includes young children? Might Max simply have wandered off, leaving this a missing person case? All options are on the table, but time is of the essence and no one is ready to sit around to wait. Whatever happened, it’s chilling and there are many options none of them pretty. Armstrong keeps things intense and provides the reader with another winning novel in this new and exciting series.

Kelley Armstrong impressed me with the Rockton series, which had me eager to see how this spinoff might work. Her narrative style has been stunning and kept me wondering as I pushed forward to see what might occur, while also adding intense moments and great story building. Strong characters emerge, some from back in Rockton and others new to the scene. The struggles, both professional and personal, for Casey and Eric, pave to be a strong thread that emerges through the novel and the series in general. I cannot wait to see what’s to come and how Armstrong will add depth and flavouring to the series.

Armstrong has never struggled with plot development or delivery. Her twists are plentiful and keep the story from being too transparent at any point. Great ideas blossom and fork throughout the story, leaving the reader to wonder what’s to come and how it will add to the larger story. There are many moments one might think they can predict the outcome, only to be stymied by Armstrong’s new and exciting ideas. I am eager to see what’s going on and how things might turn out, especially with the two protagonists, who are deeply rooted with one another and their passion to stay off the grid. I cannot wait to see what’s next for Haven’s Rock and its small community.

Kudos, Madam Armstrong, for another great read!

Eight stars

Kelley Armstrong penned a great Canadian police procedural series that I devoured in short order. As the Rockton series ran its course, it was time for something new, or at least something with a different flavouring. Armstrong created a spin-off series that picks up just after Rockton fell apart. Now, with Casey Butler (Duncan) and Eric Dalton coordinating the new community of Haven’s Rock, they are thrust into the action before the town officially opens, with a murder on their hands and suspects all around. With new faces and many returning from Rockton, Armstrong develops a stunning debut thriller that is sure to have all the needed elements for success.

With Rockton in the rear-view mirror, Casey Butler and Eric Dalton begin trying to set up a new community. Welcome to Haven’s Rock, Yukon. Population: 0, but with a great deal of potential. Nestled in the wilderness, this is a new place for people to flee from their troubles, though the screening process is meant to ensure that trouble in Haven’s Rock is minimal. At least that’s the plan.

The sole rule in Haven’s Rock is to stay out of the forest, which is still quite unknown. When a few members of the crew building the community break it, they go missing and begin a stream of panic. Casey and Eric receive word and rush in to investigate before it can spread. Once a body is discovered, it is apparent that there has been foul play, which opens up a major investigation.

When a crew member dead and another missing, questions arise and that pushes the investigation into high gear. Casey and Eric will have to put themselves into the middle of it all to learn what’s happened and what the victim might have seen. While Haven’s Rock is supposed to be a place to get away, Casey and Eric will have to clear things up before allowing others to come and set up roots of their own. Armstrong does well to keep the reader hooked from the opening salvo.

Kelley Armstrong has impressed me with the Rockton series, so I had high hopes with this novel. The book begins well and does not let up at any point. A great extension of the Rockton stories, the narrative moves at break-neck speed and never ceases until thing come crashing to a halt on the final pages. Armstrong knows how to develop the story effectively and uses great characters to help flavour the narrative and add needed depth. I can only hope things this will continue as the series gains even more momentum.

To keep the reader engaged, Armstrong must have strong plot ideas that she can hash out throughout the book. She does well with this and provides points of both interest and intrigue, providing twists that keep things from becoming too linear. I am pleased to see this and hope that things keep in the same vein as the novels increase. Armstrong provides a crime thriller and something the reader can enjoy, especially those who have loved Rockton’s strong storytelling. With the latest novel awaiting me, I am eager to see how things in Haven’s Rock will continue use and what new ideas Armstrong will bring to the storytelling.

Kudos, Madam Armstrong, for this great debut in the spin-off series that has all the intensity I needed.