First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Marc Cameron and Kensington Books for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

A great fan of Marc Cameron’s work, I was pleased to read this second novel in the Arliss Cutter series. Set in Alaska, Cameron takes the reader on quite the adventure and uses the setting as an integral part of the thriller. Stationed in Anchorage, Arliss Cutter is a key member of the US Marshal’s Fugitive Apprehension Team, while also trying to care for his widowed sister-in-law and her family. When he is asked to help with security for a federal judge, Cutter is not entirely sure he is well-suited for the job. It would seem that this judge has a hearing in a remote community, but threats have arisen that might cause his time there to be less than peaceful. Even with the judge dismissing the needed for security, Cutter takes his job seriously and agrees to help. When they arrive in the community of Stone Cross, Cutter realises just how remote things are for a city dweller like himself. A predominantly Inuit community, Cutter sees the poverty that pervades the town, but also the tight-knit nature of those who share the area. While trying his best to provide security, Cutter and his team become aware of a missing couple and a few murders that have stirred up trouble. Working both protection and some investigation as best he can, Cutter learns that crime of a serious nature is rampant. With a killer lurking in the dark and cold, Cutter must determine what he can do, or whether the local lore of a ‘Hairy Man’ might hold some truth after all. A great piece by Cameron that takes the reader well out of their comfort zone and to a locale about which few with have experience. Recommended to those readers who enjoy a thriller that uses unique settings, as well as those who love the world of Marc Cameron.

While I became addicted to Marc Cameron’s other series, this one surely has grown on me after two books. Taking the action to rural Alaska had me hooked from the early going and I am looking forward to learning more with additional books. Arliss Cutter is back as a strong protagonist, working as best he can in the somewhat isolation of Alaska, far away from his native Florida. As well as being a stellar US Marshal, Cutter has a military past that he chooses to lock away, much like his idol, a grandfather whose work ethic drives him to be the best he can. Compassionate but slow to show it, Cutter finds ways to keep himself involved in both work and family life, without becoming too ensconced in either. His drive and ability to cut through the erroneous makes for a highly intriguing character that many will enjoy. Others, both returnees and new faces, help to support this book, which surely offers much for the open-minded reader. There is a strong sense of community found in some of the Stone Cross locals, which helps support the plot and ever-advancing narrative throughout. The story was strong and while not entirely unique, the setting makes it a story that will stand out for many. Poverty in remote communities is one thing, but with crime and limited resources, the reader is forced to see how things can be done on a shoe-string budget. Cameron conveys this effectively, while also pulling the reader in for more throughout this impactful piece. I learned a great deal throughout and hope Cameron will work at building this series, which has begun to rival his other work in its intensity.

Kudos, Mr. Cameron, for another winner. I cannot wait to see what else you come up with soon!

I'd never read a book by Marc Cameron but in the last 3 days, I've finished 2! This series about US Marshal Arliss Cutter is very good. Stone Cross is action packed, while also giving a detailed glimpse of life in remote Alaska. The characters are vividly drawn and the world that Marshal Cutter inhabits is well fleshed out and you want to continue to learn more and more about them. Also, any action-thriller that can move you to tears is well done. Highly recommend this series and author, and I'm going to check out his other series next!

I received an e-ARC from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Stone Cross is the second book in the Arliss Cutter series, but can be read as a stand-alone. In his book, Cutter, a US Marshal, is tasked with guarding a federal judge who received a threat. His assignment takes him to the Alaskan bush country, where he gets involved in a murder investigation. Author Marc Cameron does a fantastic job of setting the scene, and he makes you feel like you’re battling the cold and snow along with him, and the little tidbits about Alaskan life and the native people are integral to the story, and are interspersed just enough that you’re completely enthralled and not bored with a history lesson. The plot itself explodes with action, it’s not overloaded with characters to confuse the reader, and the suspense keeps you on the edge of your seat as you burn through the pages. I’m a huge fan of Marc Cameron, and this book (and series) just adds to my admiration. If you haven’t read any of the Jericho Quinn series, then you’re in for a treat. I can’t wait for the next book in this series as well. Easily a five star read! I received an ARC of this book from the publisher @Kensingtonbooks through @NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Deputy U.S. Marshall Arliss Cutter beats up bad guys, sticks up for the abused and the mistreated, and battles the Alaskan elements in this compelling, action-packed novel. It’s a movie waiting to be made. The “Grumpy’s rules” (basically, instructions on how to be a proper man) sections might have been more effective if they had been mentioned a little less frequently, but who can resist an action hero with psychological scars and an unshakeable personal code? The setting is richly detailed, with an abundance of fascinating information about the way of life in a remote Alaskan village—everything from the existence of subsistence hunting personal days to the difficulties of transportation by plane and dogsled. Lola Teariki is an excellent partner for Arliss. The other characters—both good and bad—all have enough complexities to keep the reader engaged, and the sense of looming danger makes the book hard to put down. I look forward to the next adventures of this team.

Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for a digital advance review copy.

I got an ARC from Net Galley the #1 source for digital reads

Does Marc Cameron write bad books? Marshall's, madness, and Mayhem as even the Alaskan weather is featured prominently as a major character in the book as it should because it is part of the great storyline. I like this Arliss character and will continue to read the books of this author.

Grumpy's Rules continue to guide US Marshall Arliss Cutter as he fights for those who can't fend for themselves and steps in to take care of business when business needs taking care of. Leaving the thriving city of Anchorage, Cutter finds himself in bush country protecting a threatened judge. But along the way other threats arise, and Arliss cannot resist stepping in. Lots of action, but also lots introspection for our hero.

This is a gritty, no holds barred book. The reality of life in the bush of Alaska is that everything is dangerous, and can kill. This book shows the difficulty of US Marshalls trying to protect a judge out in the bush and running into an assault, kidnapping, murder etc. while combating bad weather, fog and a storm impeding travel and the ability to get help. I found it to be a interesting and enjoyable read and the end with the funeral of the police dog made me cry. #StoneCross #NetGalley

Stone Cross is the second book in The Deputy Marshal Arliss Cutter series by Marc Cameron.

It can be read as a stand-alone, the author providing us with all necessary information about the main characters.

A silver cross decorated army veteran, originally based in Florida, Arliss Cutter has settled in Alaska to look after his brother’s widow and family. Cutter and his deputy, Lola Teariki, of Maoi origin, are tasked to escort a judge for an arbitration in Stone Cross, a small town in the Alaska bush, home to a native community of a few hundred inhabitants. Kind of a burden at first, this Judge will prove to be a much more compelling character as the story moves forward.

Several plot points are put into motion before the Marshalls even arrive in Stone Cross. The main one being the abduction of a couple overseeing a remote lodge for the winter, and the murder of the lodge’s handyman. It doesn’t fall under the Marshalls’ purview (and neither do the other happenings in Stone Cross), but circumstances won’t leave them any other choice than to get involved.

Stone Cross is home to a sheer number of interesting characters, on which the author gives enough background to get us to care about the goings in their lives. The number of characters is so overwhelming that Marc Cameron put a cast summary at the beginning of the book. It proved to be unnecessary, as the characters are so well introduced and fleshed out that I never had to go back to it for reference.

All the crimes and mysteries moving the story forward are interesting in themselves but, the strength of this book lies elsewhere. Marc Cameron is a retired US Marshall. In 1998, he moved to Alaska to serve as deputy in charge of the multi-agency Alaska Fugitive Task Force, as well as a member of the Tactical Tracking Unit, before spending the last six years of his career as Chief Deputy for Alaska (according to a 2016 interview given to wickedauthors.com).

As such, he knows what he’s writing about. He gifts us with an incredible account of what life is in the remote Alaska bush. And, it’s a whole other world. A world in which our taken for granted commodities are sparse, communication, infrastructure and transportation are unreliable. A world in which everything we’re used to buy without a second thought is expensive, and workers are given subsistence days to go hunting for food. A place where one can remain pinned by cold storms, cut from any help or medical services, hopefully used to fend for oneself.

The isolated Alaska bush is known for a high number of crimes and misdemeanors, and Marc Cameron doesn’t try to hide this fact. But, he makes a point to show us that it’s also mainly home to good people, and pretty strong characters, with a high sense of community.

This depiction of rural Alaska is the most fascinating part of this novel. Marc Cameron immerses his story in an authentic setting, fueled by his years of experience in the field, his knowledge of the area, of its inhabitants, and its folklore. I don’t think I’ve ever read a novel teaching me so many things, and I don’t think I would have gotten much more from a documentary.

it sure wouldn’t have been as thrilling, as the mystery isn’t to be overlooked. It evolves at a good pace in this rich environment, a sense of urgency slowly climbing as we witness the evolving predicament of the victims, before picking up in parallel thrilling final acts neatly resolving all the plot points.

This is a book not to be missed by those liking their thrillers with authenticity and substance.

Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington books for the ARC granted in exchange for this unbiased review.

Don’t miss the yummy bonus at the very end of the book.