The Deepest of Secrets is book seven in the Rockton Series.

In a town full of secrets, someone is sharing those secrets. When coming to this town they sign an agreement to keep their secrets to themselves and to respect those of the other residents. Now, when the residents suspect that Rockton will be shut down soon, a respected member is outed on a billboard for all to see.

Rockton is home to detective Casey Butler and her partner Sherriff Eric Dalton. This town is off the grid and run by the mysterious group called "the council." As they investigate who is responsible for the sign, Conrad who appears to have instigated the problem, is later found buried alive, and rescued. Others are missing and one is found murdered. Butler and Dalton have their hands full while trying to solve the murder and the council finally saying the town is to be closed and the murder left unsolved. Several characters will rise above the orders and do what is right with many twists and turns in this action packed thriller.

This my second book of the series with this being the finale. An off the grid town has it's appeal and is the perfect setting for a town with people hiding secrets from their past. It was kind of strange to see a secret revealed in such a manner since the premise is these people have escaped their past for a new one, so why disclose a secret past when their own then become at risk. But the reward was the surprising resolution of the main character's true character coming through.

The Deepest of Secrets is the final installment of the Rockton series by Kelley Armstrong. I hate to see these stories come to an end. The Deepest of Secrets is a stand alone with the forward that is included. Casey is the main character and part of the police force in Rockton. Some residents begin the trouble by outing some resident's deep secrets. I want to thank NetGalley and Minotaur Books for an early copy to review.

Kelley Armstrong is one of those authors who seems to be able to write in any genre and provide a suspenseful, imaginative, and action-packed experience for the reader. Nowhere has her ability been more evident than in her seven-book Rockton series. Rockton is a village in the Canadian Yukon, established to be deliberately off the grid, invisible to even overhead air traffic. The town was founded decades ago as a refuge for people on the run from abuse or victimhood, primarily political persecution. Governed by the shadowy "council," it has slowly devolved into a money-maker. Once for only non-violent people, the council has gradually allowed violent criminals in for vast sums. The changes are no secret to Sherriff Eric Dalton and his Deputy, Casey Duncan. Casey came to Rockton, running from her problems, but Eric was born there. It also is clear that the council is closing the town down. They just aren't saying so.

Secrets are the essential currency in Rockton. The residents promise never to divulge the reasons why they are there. But when the history of another deputy's presence is revealed very publicly, things begin to fall apart. Everyone wonders what other secrets are hiding and trust, never much in evidence, disappears completely. Eric and Casey must find out who revealed it and why. When they do, the person is nearly dead. Rockton has a desperate resident willing to do anything to hide his secrets.

The Deepest of Secrets brings the Rockton series to an end, at least in its present form. Eric and Casey are well-developed characters, as are others who have been front and center in the series. I will be sorry to see them go. One thing I am sure of is that Kelley Armstrong has more exciting stories to tell.

This has been one of my favorite series for the last couple of years. I started reading, (listening), to it in early 2020. I am going to be sad to see these so familiar characters dissolve into the ether.

This book did have all of the feel of a finale of a series. Unlike the previous books there is a "murder" to solve, but it takes second place to all of the other commotion in the story line.

Rockton is a place of refuge. It was started to give abuse victims and white collar criminals who could afford it a place to hide in a completely off grid location. But, in recent years, "The Council" has been diverting hardened criminals and serial killers to Rockton. If you can afford it, you can get in. Lately, the Council is all about the money and not about the refuge.

Sheriff Eric Dalton and his partner/common law wife, Detective Casey Duncan are trying to keep an unruly at best and downright hostile at worst settlement under control. When a previously unknown fact about their deputy comes to light, the town hints of vigilantism and it starts to split apart. Using this schism of opposing factions, the Council decides to close down Rockton. Throughout the series, this has always been a possibility and for the full time Rockton residents, there has been a contingency plan in the works for some time.

As conflict ramps up against the deputy, a body is found that seems to implicate either the deputy or that the victim itself has a sordid past too..

We get a visit from a couple of previous characters and we get to see that their lives are working out. It's a common and happy way to conclude a series, or a story arc.

This was a very enjoyable read and I hope that this isn't the last of the Rockton crew.

This review is wholly my own and I have gratefully received an ARC from St. Martin's Press through NetGalley

I'm going to sulk in the corner because I didn't realize until halfway through that this is the last book in the Rockton series. It doesn't say anywhere on the description, but on Kelly Armstrong's website, she said she was contracted for seven books, and this is the 7th. The ending felt very conclusive, and I'm sad that it's over. It would be nice if there were a short story about each character's life after Rockton.

Hilariously, when I was informed where certain characters are, I kept on thinking, 'who?'

This review is based on an advanced reader's copy provided from Netgalley for an honest review.

This was an okay read. I’ve enjoyed other novels in this series more, but this one felt conclusive to the series. I enjoyed the author’s writing style, though for me the chapters were a bit too long based on the action-to-chapter length ratio (I read this on my Kindle for context). I really struggled to get to the end, but I’m not sure why. The characters were interesting, some more easily like-able and relatable than others and the plot was intriguing. I think my main pain point was that although it was a fine read, at this point in the series, it seems repetitive. I think it’s a good place to end the series on a semi-positive note. I’m looking forward to other work by this author.

3.75 stars

This is the seventh book in the Rockton series. Casey Duncan and her boyfriend Sheriff Eric Dalton are the law in this secret town that is supposed to be a refuge for those who need to disappear. However, things are changing. The Board of Directors have taken to sending them violent criminals instead of victims and white-collar criminals. The residents' pasts are supposed to be secret. They come in with a cover story.

When one of the new arrivals named Conrad ferrets out the secret of Deputy Will Anders and publicizes it, tensions rise, and trust is fractured. This isn't a good time for that to happen because the Board of Directors is looking for any excuse to shut down Rockton.

Then the shutdown order comes, and shutdown is quickly approaching. But that doesn't stop the crime. When Conrad is attacked and buried alive, but rescued before he dies, Casey needs to investigate to learn who is willing to kill to keep their secret. Then a second resident is buried alive and dies. And a third is also attacked.

There was a mix between tension and humor in this story since some of the criminals were far from being rocket scientists. There was also the uncertainty about the future for Casey and Eric and a small core of residents who want to start their own Rockton and return to the original principles and purposes.

This was an engaging and entertaining story that feels like the conclusion to the series.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.

As the characters are all too aware, things are really coming to a head for Rockton in Kelley Armstrong’s The Deepest of Secrets, as Casey, Eric, & Will work to solve a new mystery before things in Rockton become even more volatile than usual.

The impetus for their investigation this time is an anonymous note that someone puts up making Rockton’s residents aware of Will’s big, violent secret.

Like other Rockton mysteries, The Deepest of Secrets is told in Casey’s measured & captivating voice, & I love how she & Eric work together & respect each other. I’m always excited to return to this world that feels both potentially deadly & hopeful, depending on the character focused on, & to solve the mystery after Casey solves it 😆.

But on the whole this installment just doesn’t flow as well for me & the ending feels abrupt. It’s not my fave in the series, although I’m still really looking forward to seeing what happens next & rooting for Casey & Eric & their friends all the way.

4 ⭐️. Release date: 02/15.

Lots of content warnings including murder.

[ID: an ebook rests on two touching fabrics, one white with gold dots & one blue. ]

This is a hard book to rate.

On the one hand, the main plot was interesting, with twists and turns and misdirections. We get cameos from all the side characters, and I like being in Casey’s mind as she unravels the mysteries. The pacing was good and even though I figured it all out a few pages before Casey did, the tension and intrigue kept me turning pages.

The fact that this is the series finale is what keeps me from giving this a higher rating. At about the 90% mark I started having serious doubts about how this was going to wrap up. At that point the main mystery was still underway, Rockton was still being dissolved and there wasn’t a clear sense that we’d get a HEA.

Although all the characters we’ve grown to love made an appearance, all their interactions with Casey seemed transactional. She meets up with them, they talk about her investigation, next scene. I’m not sure that she and Dalton had a single scene that was romantic in really any context. (I know that this series is not a romance but I’m still invested in their relationship after seven books.)

**Mild spoiler: The ending of the book implies that none of the main characters are even in the same location but will maybe, one day, end up in some mutual yet undisclosed location. Wow, really?! Also is the Council just going to have all these core people go about their business no strings attached? This doesn’t seem like the sinister council that everyone has been afraid of crossing in previous books. Anyway, very unsatisfying ending to a series I’ve really enjoyed. Maybe there’s a spin-off in the works?

This was a great ending for this chapter of Rockton. I know a lot of people have said this is the final book in the series. And it is in a way. The author has stated this Rockton series is done but it's not the end for these characters. She has mentioned that details will come about how things will move forward so readers there's more to come!
In this story there is a lot going on. People are being outted, there's murder, the council plans to shut things down, and on top of all that, the natives are getting restless. Action packed with twists you won't see coming, this will have you up way past your bedtime. Casey, Duncan, Will and the others have come to feel like old friends. I'm looking forward to the next chapter.

Where do we go from here? The latest in the Rockton series revives my interest in living off the grid. There are many advantages of living in a developed area such as indoor plumbing and ... spas. The many disadvantages denoted by the complaints from residents are surmountable. This book is when the pot boils over, so to speak. I loved how the constant pressure from the last few books is finally released.

Casey and Eric once again have a murder. I swear between Bliss (Lexi Blake's books) and Rockton, it is hard to figure out which one is the #1 murder capital city per capita. The yet another set of betrayals in this story hit Casey and Eric hard. Their authority is constantly undermined and when it comes to ahead, I am relieved. Because now, Casey and Eric can say, "we have zero fucks left to give". Their attempts to broker a better deal for residents speak loudly of their loyalty and commitment. The group behind the scenes are asshats and I am glad they figure out their mistake way too late. I felt unbelievable satisfaction. Because Casey and Eric have their BATNA and they execute it beautifully.

This resonates with me because I read this book not too long after suffering for years at a job that I had begun to hate. The toxicity at that job reached a crescendo and the similar move that I see happen to Casey and Eric...I experienced. I didn't fight to keep the job, I walked and have been lighter and happier ever since. Those left behind, well, it hasn't been pretty, just like how it comes across in this book. I loved seeing the regret from those in power in this book. I am excited to see how Casey and Eric's plan come to fruition. There are still threads that need to be tied up. This book is highly recommended to suspense readers who enjoy witnessing a well-deserved comeuppance and a mea culpa.

Rockton is a secret town that has been built on secrets. Its citizens all have secrets; the main one being why they are in Rockton to begin with. Someone begins to divulge these secrets, creating a rift and distrust that might just be the final blow to the floundering town. Can Casey and Eric discover what is happening before someone dies?

The Deepest of Secrets is a typical solid Kelley Armstrong read with enough mystery and plot twists to keep the reader engaged–Armstrong does love her plot twists, and frankly so do I.

However, as much as I’ve liked this series and enjoyed the mysteries, if this is the last book in the series as Armstrong has suggested since she was only contracted to write seven novels, I found it a bit of a let down. The summing up didn’t feel like the full-blown tidying up of a package but rather someone slapping an adhesive bow on a box. There seemed to be enough hemming and hawing at the end that led me to believe that we might see where Casey and Eric go. Yet. Yet. Yet. If we do, what will happen? Will we care? I 90% don’t think that I would care and just wish this one had ended more tidily. We will see.

While The Deepest of Secrets is a good mystery on its own, it’s just not a solid ending to a solid series.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have been a long time fan of Armstrong (since her YA days) and the Rockton series is so brilliantly done. It’s such a unique premise and the series is solid. Dalton and Casey’s relationship has flourished in this small odd town of criminals and people in hiding… this picks up quickly where the last book left off. Rockton is my escape… I will deeply miss these characters. I recommend starting at the beginning just because they are worth it. My hard copies have been through many hands. I just love this series. First off, there’s a murder. People turn on each other. There’s secrets and this is just the beginning of the end… the town is closing and everyone’s secrets are coming out into the open. I don’t want to spoil it but this left me with a book hangover and this series has a special place in my heart.

The Deepest of Secrets is another strong mystery/thriller in the Rockton series that picks up not long after the last book. Although the introduction may be skipped by those familiar with the series, it does an excellent job summarizing the previous books so that memories may be refreshed as well as new readers informed. As usual the story line, characters and setting are all well developed and the action fast paced. Plan on having enough time to read the whole book in a day—it’s that good!

This is the conclusion to the Rockton series. This series is about a town that is completely off the grid which offers sanctuary for people who need to temporarily escape their lives and regroup. Casey Duncan was not the typical applicant as she killed her boyfriend in college but as a homicide detective she has skills the town needs. The characters are well drawn and you could read this as a stand alone novel. I would recommend that you start with book 1 as characters do develop throughout the series. The book also gives a glimpse of living with the land and respecting fellow wildlife, and gives a sense of the rugged beauty that surrounds the town. The mystery this time is bifold. There is a homicide to solve as a well as the appearance that the town is on borrowed time. If you have read Rockton from episode one there is a call back to events from book one and the book ends with an earned and satisfying conclusion and gives a good glimpse of how these people's lives will continue.
Many thanks to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to review this title.

Once again, Kelley Armstrong leaves me with a 'book hangover', not wanting to read anything else for a while because nothing else could live up to the book I just finished. The Deepest of Secrets is a page turner of a book that is exquisitely written and almost impossible to put down.
I found the first half of the book stressful to read, so well does Armstrong portray an echo of one of today's societal problems within the confines of her Rockton setting. The situation in which the lies and vitriol of a few nasty people with agendas matters more than the word and record of well-meaning, honest people is portrayed poignantly, shining a light on the current atmosphere in the larger world as fear of becoming a target makes even good people ignore the nastiness. Yet Armstrong resists the urge to preach, just laying out the problem as her characters struggle to deal with it as best as they can.
Beyond that first, uncomfortable issue that permeates the first half of the book, the intricacies of who is behind the hate mongering and later the attempted murder and murder of various residents forms a mystery for Casey to solve on a timeline and amid resistance at every turn. The story is fast paced and fun, with the added stresses brought on by politics, and multiple viable suspects that keep the reader guessing to the very end.
Kelley Armstrong once again cements her place as one of the premier Canadian storytellers of her generation.
I consider myself fortunate to have received an ARC of this book from #NetGalley and sincerely hope this is not the end of the Rockton series, in whatever future form that may take.

I received a free copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was bittersweet. I knew going in that this would be the end of the series, but I wasn’t quite ready for how it all ended.

There is so much to discuss, but spoilers. The secrets are starting to come out as the town prepares to close, and it’s a race to the metaphorical and real finish. This wrapped up the series well, if a little quietly. However, I would like to think of them going off to a fun new adventure in the new town, should we ever be gifted with such a story…..

Everyone in Rockton has a secret past...that's the whole point of this super secret community built in the wilds of Yukon. But when those secrets start to leak, the townspeople start to turn on each other and Casey and Dalton need to find the culprit before he uncovers even more secrets. But when the suspect is found nearly dead. they know they have an even bigger problem to solve before the council decides to shut them down.
This series finale is full of secrets and excitement. I was satisfied with how the loose ends were all tied up in the ending. I've loved this entire series and I'm sorry to see it end.
I received a complimentary copy of this book. The views and opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and given voluntarily.

Knowing that this is the last book for Rockton has made me a bit sad, but Ill stay hopeful that we will get more books of Casey, Eric, and the rest of our favorite establishing their own version..

At the beginning of the book one of our favorite deputies has the secret of why hes in Rockton revealed... that is a big no no.. The reason each of our residents have made it to the town is supposed to remain a secret to all but the council and eric.. So Casey needs to figure out who is behind the reveal, and make sure that they arent planning on revealing an more.

This book has everything action, intrigue, a mystery to solve, and a bigger picture problem that all needs to be figured out by the end. Thankfully Casey, Eric and Storm are on the case.. .Especially as one of the people they are after ends up being comically stupid when it comes to trying to escape into the woods and confessing his crime. It had me laughing out loud.. especially at Casey and Erics reaction to what this person is saying and doing..

I love these books so much, and plan on reading them all again as soon as this one is released.. Its such a unique story.. A town where people go to dissapear, completely off the grid.. Every resident has something that they are running or hiding from.. and the only people that are policing it are Casey, Eric and Will..
I can't wait to see what new things Kelley Armstong comes out with next...

The last book in the Rockton series shows the closing of the town while murder and mayhem happen. I do wish that we had focused a bit more on how "New Rockton" is going to come about instead of running after murderers, but that's because I'm sad to see it go. Maybe Kelley Armstrong will write a new series about how our cast of characters will continue in their new town.