Rockton, a place of last resort, hidden deep in the Yukon territory. Such a multifaceted place, filled with people being given a second chance. In this fourth outing, Casey and Eric face another possible crisis, someone in town who is maybe more dangerous than previously thought. But who? And how did someone unexpected find their town? Also brings another newcomer, closely related to Casey.

Love this series, such a great blend of mystery and adventure. So enjoy the idea of this place, the mysteriousness of it and the mix of people that have been brought together. A great blending of a thriller, with some interesting character development. Find Matthias absolutely fascinating, and hope we see more of him in future outings.

For some reason this reminds me of one of a few TV shows I used to diligently watch. The series Lost, I think because of the atmosphere and never knowing where this is headed. A very enticing series.

ARC from Netgalley.

What more can I say about this series? I love it. I love that we get into real backstory with some of our Rockton residents. I love that we’re getting to see behind the curtain. This series is so well-written. I have to read these books in one sitting, they’re absolutely addictive.

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I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was not paid for this review.

The town of Rockton is where people go to hide from their past. Contact with the outside world is strictly regulated, and a mysterious council is in charge. When a U.S. Marshal shows up to arrest a fugitive and is killed, suspects abound. Casey's sister April has also come to Rockton to give badly needed medical attention to a wounded man, which allows us to learn more about Casey's background. I enjoyed the mystery and the characters, but I especially liked the premise and the setting (in the wilds of the Yukon). The mystery itself is contained within the story, but there is also an overarching story about the town and the council, and I suspect a lot of revelations regarding that will come in future installments. I will definitely be looking for more books in this series and by this author.

I did not care for this book at all. I really struggled through it. It was a little all over the place. I only kept at it because one of the characters mentioned someone possibly being autistic. My son has autism so that part intrigued me. I usually like books by Kelley Armstrong. Unfortunately, this book wasn't one of them.

I did not realize this was the 4th book in the series. Fortunately, the author took to time to give some background in the beginning so that I wasn't completely lost. I quickly got up to speed and really enjoyed this eccentric town and its story. The characters are all too human with flaws and good points. The interaction among the various groups and individuals in the town was interesting. I found the mystery to be well written. I now have the first three books in my TBR pile! I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

Casey Duncan is back in this fourth installment of the Rockton saga – a series involving the secluded town and its people in the frozen Yukon of Canada.

Admittedly, Watcher in the Woods is part of my favorite series. It’s got a terrific cast of characters, all of whom are quite flawed or they wouldn’t be in the town of Rockton. Rockton, you see, is a secret, very secluded town for those who need to escape either because they are the worst in society or from the very worst in society. It makes for an eclectic and often frightening mix of personalities. In addition to the town’s people, you have a two group of renegades living (wandering/surviving) in the forest surrounding Rockton: those who are true survivalists who didn’t want to go back down south after their time in Rockton was finished and those who are simply too savage to live anywhere at all. They add an additional layer of worry and suspense to the story line.

Watcher in the Woods takes place approximately 2-3 weeks after the last book which means the characters are still reeling from a murder, a crazed woman whom they intimately trusted and a wounded man who is part of their patrol. They have been without a doctor in the town since the former doctor was killed and they desperately need to get medical help for their resident, Kenny. Secreting away in the night, Casey and the sheriff bring back help but they also bring back more than they bargain for as they are followed by a US Marshall looking for his bounty. He refuses to say who it is or why it is so important that he finds “his man” – or woman. When the Marshall is killed, it becomes imperative that Casey – the town’s only detective – discovers who the Marshall was after and why. More importantly, she has to find out how the Marshall was able to follow them and plug any leaks there might be regarding Rockton’s well kept secret location.

All of the Rockton tales are action packed and full of secrets, double backs and, yes, romance. That is what makes them so entertaining to read. This one, however, was a bit slow for me in the beginning and I suspect that it was because there was a great deal of minutia laid out for readers who might be joining here at book four rather than at the beginning. There was quite a bit of repetitiveness, who’s who, explanations about the town and how it works, which is fine if you are new to the series but by the fourth book in, it was a little tedious. Once that was past, the book was actually better than any of the previous stories. It was more complex, there was more action, an introduction of new characters, two of whom I suspect are going to be key in future books, and quite a few secrets revealed that led to some “aha” moments. All of this had me looking forward to the next book already and forgetting the tedium that had me skimming in the beginning.
If you haven’t read any of this series you should be able to read this one as a stand alone but I highly recommend that you begin at the start and work up to this one. There is a lot of back story and past history that will make it more interesting for you. Then you can join me in skimming over the mundane catch-up in this book but completely enjoying the majority of the rest. It IS a series that I highly recommend. It’s fun, entertaining, suspenseful and, generally, a quick read.

My thanks to #Netgalley, @StMartinsPress, @MinotaurBooks and Kelley Armstrong for my advanced copy of #WatcherintheWoods.

An absolute delight to read. Casey and Dalton make an impressive pair both as a couple and as the law in Rockton. The unique personalities of each character is like being at a banquet and faced with a host of exotic dishes. Each one needs to be opened up, tasted and savored to get the full effect of what and who they are. This is brilliant work by the author. The pace is quick, without being confusing. There are splashes of fun and color even among the murder and mayhem. I would definitely read this more than once.

Watcher in the Woods is the fourth book in the Rockton series. I was really excited to read this one because the last book left one of the character's life in the balance. This is another book that I would really suggest reading the whole series before this one. A lot happens and things are mentioned that assume you know what is going on in the series. Watcher in the Woods picks up pretty much right after the events of This Fallen Prey. Casey and Dalton have just snuck in her surgeon sister to perform surgery on a wounded Rockland citizen. A US Marshal shows up and starts to cause trouble for the secret town.

Once again, this was a really enjoyable mystery. The events take place over only a few days, so it's fast paced with a couple of twists. I definitely didn't call the culprit, nor the reason for the US Marshal's visit. The best part about this installment is that we get to see more into Casey's childhood and how she related to her older sister. We also get to know more about Dalton's background and where he came from. But, the most devastating back story is Petra's. You'll have to read to find out what that is, but it really explains more about why she made the decisions that she did in the last book.

If you haven't read this series, I highly recommend it. This is a solid addition to it and I can't wait to see what awaits Casey and the citizens of Rockton next.

Thanks to NetGalley for a Kindle ARC of Watcher in the Woods.

Watcher in the Woods is the fourth book in the Rockton series, and picks up immediately from the events of the third book, This Fallen Prey.

Casey reaches out to her estranged, brilliant neurosurgeon sister, April, for help in saving the life of Kenny, who was critically injured from earlier events.

At the same time, a US Marshall shows up unannounced in Rockton, seeking a criminal he has been tasked to bring back to receive justice. Unfortunately, he does not survive to accomplish this.

As Casey and Dalton investigate the felonious pasts of the Rockton citizens and who may have been the agent's target, numerous other issues crop up including Casey's damaged relationship with her sister, the crimes of another new citizen, a couple of disreputable locals causing the usual problems and further revelations from ex-friends of Casey's.

There is a lot going on yet Ms. Armstrong manages to keep all the balls in the air but some narrative threads remain the same:

How easy it is for anyone to escape into the woods and not be found
Threatening people with abandonment in the woods if he or she is untruthful
Locals working for the council and the council working for themselves

I like the idea of a safe haven for certain individuals who wish to remain hidden, such as from an abusive partner but the idea that anyone can buy their way into such a haven, regardless of their heinous crimes, is oxymoronic, which is a point I always come back to.

I would have liked to learn more about Casey and April's relationship. April came off as rude and selfish but upon learning more about her, she is someone I would have liked to learn more of, including their shared childhood experiences.

Casey and Dalton's relationship remains strong and I like the both of them together and as individuals; they are capable, loyal and intelligent people with flaws and strengths like everyone else.

I enjoy Ms. Armstrong's writing and the original premise but its starting to show signs of overuse.

How many plots will almost always revolve around a shady citizen who causes trouble for the residents of Rockton?

On the plus side, I love Casey and Mathias' dogs!

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC of Watcher in the woods by Kelley Armstrong. This is the 4th Rockton novel, and takes up right where This fallen prey ends. We learn more about the residents of the mysterious town in the Yukon when a surprise visit from a US Marshal looking for someone winds up dead; leads Casey on a merry chase of who did it. Add a reunion with Cassie’s sister, and, a cameo from one of my favorite characters Cypher (not sure why but he is!!!) and you have a book you can’t put down!!!!
I love the relationship between Casey and Dalton they both have issues, but they work at dealing with them, and her friendship with Anders. That is a big part of Kelley’s writing. That Men and women can be friends. You see it in her Otherworld series (Elena/Clay and Nick) and Cainsville (Liv/Gabriel and Ricky), even the Nadia series has it (which Cypher shows up in). The ending again is wide open....leaving room for book 5…

Not realizing this was the 4th book in a series, I wish I had started from book 1 so I could have more of the background story. Once I was well into the book I was able to follow along. This book reminded me of the plot from the movie “The Village” by M. Night Shymalan.
Rockton, deep in the Canadian Yukon, is a place where people go to hide out or pass through. It’s a place where even a criminal can blend in with the small group of people in the community. Detective Casey Duncan and her boyfriend Sheriff Dalton are patrolling the small settlement community. They uncover an armed mystery man lurking in the woods. They fear the “hostiles” are watching from the woods. They find a U.S. Marshall is the intruder to their quiet little town and he is hunting a criminal that is living among them. Soon the Marshall is murdered and someone in the town is responsible. Even Casey’s sister April, in town to assist with a medical procedure, is not ruled out as a possible suspect. With only a police force of three, they work to uncover the truth and find the killer.

5 stars!

*

Watcher in the Woods is a fast paced and intriguing story. The incredible character development and the eerie atmosphere that surrounds Rockton come together in a tale filled with plot twists and reveals that showcase how interesting this universe is. Casey is back, with new murders to solve, and the introduction of new characters enrich her story and make this a delightful read.

Kelley Armstrong’s writing continues to be engrossing, weaving a story that is emotional, tense, and that brings all sorts of action. The series keeps getting better with each passing installment as the puzzle pieces slowly start to fit together and show the bigger picture of Rockton and its history. And what a compelling history it is, oh my god.

I am still in love with this entire series! The overall series arc that brings each installment together just keeps getting better and better. Armstrong does an incredible job developing the world-building and plot so that secrets slowly trickle in and give readers glues of what’s really happening. I cannot wait to figure out how all of this comes together, as Armstrong still keeps the mystery and suspense going with every novel.

Casey continues to be her amazing self, but I do love that this book kind of brings her down a notch and forces her to look at her own actions and fast judgement of people. The introduction of one major character not only furthers Casey’s character development, but also brings to the story another voice of reason and needed new perspective. The humor is also a nice addition!

The main mystery in this novel is engaging all the way, even more so as it also develops all the really intriguing subplots that exist in the series. The murders and action scenes keep you on your toes as you read, and the final reveal is rather surprising and leaves you with a taste of wanting more of Rockton and all the trouble that exists there.

In the end, Watcher in the Woods is a lovely and intriguing read. It has action, a bit of romance, murder, and quite a few plot twists and reveals. It tightens the overall series arc and sets things up for the final installment, while still developing the characters and keeping the world-building and setting fresh. Definitely recommend it to all Mystery and Suspense fans!

Watcher in the Woods by Kelley Armstrong was sent to me by NetGalley for an honest review.
This one was a little hard for me to get in to and find believable but I am sure places like this do exist.
That being said the book is well written , Set in the wilderness of the Yukon in a secret town called Rockton .
Rockton is a plac ecreated for criminals , victims or misfits to hide from all of society. You sign a contract, follow the rules , do your part and the council decides who stays , who leaves and consequences for various offenses.
The two main characters are Detective Casey Duncan and Sheriff Eric Dalton the two enforcers of the council.
Casey and Eric not only work together but are involved in a serious relationship and also live together.
When a US Marshall starts snooping around the town of Rocton becomes very uneasy , espicially those running from the law.
If he can find them who else can and are they really safe?
I am glad I read this as it ended up being a darn good book.
Read this book and find out as the story unfolds!

This was really, really good. I could not figure out who did it! A rollercoaster of a ride for me. I definitely while read the rest of the series. I received a download copy from NetGalley. Big thank you to the author and publisher of this book. I hope your working on the next book because I want more!

Watcher in the Woods by Kelley Armstrong is the 4th installment in the Rockton series. The story starts about 2 weeks after the close of book 3.

In my opinion, the book starts out with 2 main themes. Casey’s sister April comes to Rockton to provide short term medical attention to Kenny, who was shot in the previous book and a stranger on a mission shows up in Rockton. The book only adds a few new characters to the vast list of those already associated to Rockton.

With the introduction of April, we learn a bit more of Casey’s background and see the tension between the sisters and how they had been treated by their parents. I found this to be helpful as it explains some of Casey’s insecurities and helps to make her more personable.

The mystery visitor turns out to be a US Marshall, who claims to be looking for a fugitive. Since Rockton was established as a refuge for those who may be avoiding legal issues, poor decisions, or are escaping horrible things in their past, the arrival of the Marshall causes a two-fold issue – how did he find Rockton and who is he looking for?

Overall I enjoy the Rockton series, I look forward to watching the maturing relationship between Casey and Dalton; learning how a collection of people with secrets and varied backgrounds all get along with each other and the outsiders (those outside of Rockton, including the Hostile’s).

That said, I did have issues with this story. I felt that there was just too much going.

• April coming to Rockton – how this could affect Casey
• Kenny's surgery and recovery - brings up rules for remaining in Rockton
• The US Marshall's arrival and all of the questions surrounding it; then his death and the solving of that crime
• Petra charged with murder; her later admission to consol ties
• Paul's suicide attempt
• Roy's behavior and its effects on Rockton
• Phil's presence in Rockton and the growing lack of console support for him
• Sebastian - a new character; his past and the likelihood of him remaining in Rockton
• Possible corruption in the console itself - what could be their ulterior motives?

I also felt that the use of threats, and holding people hostage to make a point or to get info out in the open was a bit high. I also missed the moments when the townspeople just got together for a good time.

I have to admit to being a sucker for animals and enjoyed Mathis and the wolf cub, and of course Storm.

I think the ending was positive but opened the door to lots of questions, that I hope will be addressed in future books; sooner rather than later I hope.

I wish to thank Kelly Armstrong the Author, St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books the Publisher and NetGalley for the advanced reader’s copy in exchange for an honest review. The expected publication date is Feb. 5th, 2019. The book will be published in multiple formats including Audio.

For me, this was a three out of five-star read.

I have not read the other books in the series, but I don't think that hindered my understanding of Watcher in the Woods. I liked the setting. I'm always intrigued by remote towns and such in stories. The Yukon added to the mystery of the whole thing. I enjoyed the characters and found them believable. It's a thrilling story and I will go back and read the series now.

Wow, what a mystery ride. Watcher in the Woods is book #4 out of Kelley Armstrong's Casey Duncan's series. Intense suspense and characters that all have stories you want to know.... Watcher in the Woods captured my interest from the beginning. I would have preferred to read the books in order (so now I have more books to add to my list) but this book reads pretty well as a standalone. (There are many references to previous books so it just would be easier to start at the beginning.)

In the middle of an adventure, a US Marshal follows them to town demanding for one of its residents to be released. Before the Marshall can reveal who the resident is, he is killed...

For readers of the Casey Duncan series, Watcher in the Woods offers more insight into Casey's relationships and past. Learning more about how the city of Rockton was founded helped many things in the book click for me. Each resident in this off the grid town has a story, but it is unknown whether the person is innocent or guilty.... So Casey and her boyfriend, Sheriff Eric Dalton put their minds to work to find the killer I like the way Armstrong writes this novel...with care and precision letting the reader develop their own conclusions. Well done!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Kelley Armstrong, and St. Martin's Press for the Advanced review copy for me to enjoy! As always, my review and my opinion are my own!

Having not read the first 3 of this series, I was a bit in the dark with a few of the characters. However, it wasn't an issue with the storyline. This book went quickly and I enjoyed the pace, characters and the different personalities in this "unique" community. I lead a bit of a sheltered life, so I finished this book wondering if there are actual places like this around. :-)

I found this book difficult to read. First I'll say that I was unaware it was part of an ongoing series. Maybe this is why I just couldn't get into it. I couldn't quit grasp some of the characters, again perhaps if I had read the previous books i would be been better able to. It is very well written tho. If I recommended this book it would only be with the urging of starting at the beginning of the series.

I am a big fan of this series. I’ve enjoyed every book as I find the writing very descriptive and the characters are well written.