The reasoning behind the idea of utopia depends on the basis of people sharing a common goal. The reality of the human race is that it is constantly at odds. Some players are altruisitic. Some are out for their own. Some are a little bit of both. In "Murder At Haven's Rock" [Kelley Armstrong/Minotaur/352pgs], the lead character of Casey continues to search for a piece of paradise but human fallacy always seems to find her in her own space, even peripherally. Haven Rock is set further off the grid in the wilderness of the Yukon and is meant to be a place of healing and context. However, even the building of a place has its own issues. Casey has a great partner in Dalton. Heunderstands her and he appreciates him, a combo that doesn't likely happen always happen and is a little bit wishful thinking but runs in context with this story.

They arrive at their new dream town which is just being built but a missing persons case turns a little more dire and motivations, connections and coincidences play together. Many of the characters are well drawn with a modicum of caricature but good motivations none the less. The aspect of approaching certain forensic investigation in the woods with a sense of humor and unusual characters bodes well for the most part. There is a sense of warmth to Casey and Dalton and the extended family in Anders and April works well in context even if the latter two become more muted in the progression by the end. The underlying concept of greed within mining versus the intent of people escaping from the city is not a lost intent. One of the successes of the book is showing how people mask certain things while being abundantly clear on others. Granted as a reveal, it accomplishes its job admirably but without too heavy of a fanfare making "Murder At Haven's Rock" vivid but fairly rote in other ways. B

By Tim Wassberg

This is a continuation of the Rockton series, with the beginnings of a new town. When two of the workers disappear, Casey and Eric come early to see if they can find the missing people.

I like the idea of this series (and I liked the idea of Rockton) and this book makes me want to see more of Haven's Rock, when actual residents start to move in. The mystery was good - between the death, the missing, and some new strangers in the woods I was interested and didn't guess what exactly had happened. One thing I really liked is how careful Casey and Eric were to be positive about who was guilty. I also love Casey's doctor sister. And my favorite character was probably the stranger in the woods.

I'll be watching for more in this series.

This is a suspense thriller. I love the setting. The Yukon is not a setting that I am familiar with - this made the story even more exciting. As I experienced more of the Yukon the better picture I got in my mind. This added to the suspense for me. I am looking forward to the future books to come.

Murder at Haven Rock by Kelley Armstrong is a spinoff of one of her previous series. I have not read any of those books and I don't usually like to jump into an already developed story. Because this book has a new setting and a different plotline from prior series it does well as a standalone. Though you still experience the tension and flashbacks from the other stories. The setting of this book is quite unique and provides the readers with the perfect atmosphere for this suspenseful book. Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton are building their own town in the remote Yukon wilderness. This town will be a refuge for those in need of a fresh start at life. There is only 1 major rule! Do NOT go into the forest! As the story progresses people do not heed the warning and go missing. soon a body is discovered. Casey & Eric must find out what happened and find the other missing person. There is no lack to the mystery and suspense this book provides. The characters are well written and the descriptions of the setting is done in a way that draws you in making you feel like you are there in person experiencing everything first hand. This book captivates the reader keeping you on the edge of your seat. I felt like I couldn't put the book down. I just had to know what was going to happen. I definitely could see this bring made into a series on Netflix or Hulu. I hope to eventually read the books in the prior series.

Rockton in Alaska had been a haven to countless people for years, but Rockton is no more. The powers that be have destructed the town and everyone is scattered. Haven's Rock is taking its place, sort of. How did Sheriff Eric Dalton and his wife Casey Duncan come up with the name of their new town? The town will still be a HAVEN and it is former ROCKton, thus HAVEN'S ROCK.

Will the newest residents of the town make it a success? From day one with Eric and Casey bringing the population from 0 to 2, they have a firm idea as to how things will be done. The first change is, instead of a committee deciding on the residents, it is up to Eric and Casey who to let in. The main rule is that residents must stay out of the forest. As the town is being built, one of the crew members apparently wanders into the forest and immediately goes missing. Casey and Eric are desperate to locate her, and eliminate any danger that might be facing their new town.

As a fan of the Rockton series, I hated for it to end. No worries at all because Kelley Armstrong has literally come in strong with Haven's Rock. I was curious as to what members from Rockton would reside in Haven's Rock, and I definitely can say that I was not disappointed. Then, factor in suspense from the very beginning and this first book got off to a great start. I am excited, with what will be a bit of an anxious wait, for The Boy Who Cried Bear, set for release February, 2024.

For most of the Rockton books, I had the pleasure of listening to them being narrated by Thérèse Plummer, and I absolutely love the job she did with Haven's Rock, and I hope she will be narrating the second book in the new series as well.

Many thanks to Minotaur Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Rockton is gone but Haven's Rock is coming soon. Before the doors are even open on the town of Haven's Rock there is already a murder that Casey & Eric need to solve.

This is the first book of the Rockton spinoff series with some of the Rockton favorites and some new characters to spice things up. A few weeks before Haven's Rock is to be handed over to the new residents Casey & Eric are called in by the head of the construction when the architect and the construction manager disappear. Casey & Eric need to find them and fast since neither is equipped to be out in the Yukon on their own.

While they search and find bodies (some they are looking for and some they are not), they also meet some new denizens of the Yukon both friend and foe. This is an interesting start to a new series but since so many of the original cast is back the feel is just the same.

Murder at Haven's Rock is a phenomenal thriller from start to finish. Filled to the brim with twists and a captivating plot, this one is sure to keep readers hooked. The characters are well-developed. The story is incredibly fast-paced. This is one not to be missed! Highly recommended! Be sure to check out Murder at Haven's Rock asap.

This book is a spinoff to Rockton and is just as fast paced and engaging as that series. Casey and Eric are building a new town where they will approve the residents hopefully avoiding Haven's Rock becoming another Rockton. Trouble begins with the construction crew when two go missing after going into the forest. When I pick up a Kelley Armstrong book, I know I'm going to be drawn in right from the start and have a hard time putting the book down and that's what happened. I think I finished it in a day. The mystery was very well done and I love Casey, Eric and Storm. I can't wait for more in the series.

Casey and Eric have put the town of Rockton behind them for a new town they're building in the Yukon. They're excited for this new opportunity, but when two workers disappear they'll have to figure what's happening before anything else happens.

I'm so excited for this new Rockton spin-off. Since this is the first book, there's plenty of new characters and world-building to go along with the mystery and suspense. I'm already looking forward to the next book.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

I love this series by Kelly Armstrong. Set somewhere very remote in the Yukon, life is never boring.

I recommend you read the whole series before starting this book. Trust me, you’ll be thankful you did.

Murder at Haven’s Rock is set in the Yukon wilderness, Detective Casey Duncan and her husband Sheriff Eric Dalton have instigated the construction of a small town (Haven’s Rock) which will provide safe haven for those in need. As it nears completion, they are called in early to investigate the disappearance of two of the construction crew. I was hooked from the beginning. Very fast paced and quick read! I LOVED Casey! I was suspicious of absolutely everyone. I highly recommend it. I was fortunate to receive this novel from Netgalley as an Advance Reader Copy in exchange for an honest review.

Kelley Armstrong's Rockton series continues in a new location, Haven's Rock, where detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton are building a new Yukon refuge for people running from their pasts.

As this first episode opens, an architect and engineer go missing, even though they've been ordered to stay out of the forest. Of course, Casey, Eric and Storm head out in search of them - and find a body.

Though the main plotline is trending same old, I do still enjoy spending time with this engaging case of characters.

I could not be more excited for this! Casey and Dalton are back!!! A new location, a new town, and new murders. The usual suspects return the building of a new town that Casey and Eric will be in charge of with the intent to actually help those in need. But then people disappear, then they find a dead body but it doesn't belong to anybody on the crew. It takes Eric and Casey to get to the bottom of this in there usual way.

At this point, I'd read anything Kelley Armstrong writes. I actually think I have and her series are among my favorites. I thoroughly devoured The Rockton series and am very happy we aren't done with them. I mean, who doesn't have a little crush on Eric and even a GIRL crush on Casey?

Rockton is basically over, so Casey, Eric, April & some of the others have decided to make their own hidden town to be used for refuge and this time they decide who gets in. So hopefully things will go smoother. But trouble starts before construction is complete...two of the workers are missing and Casey & Eric decide to investigate for themselves before involving outsiders. All the employees signed NDA's and know they aren't supposed to go into the woods alone...but they do it anyway.

Casey & Eric meet a couple of the "locals", end up with more bodies than they thought they could have on the front end.

If you liked Rockton, you will enjoy this book. I don't think the author could write a bad book.

Omg. Omg. Omg. She did it again! I was worried I was really gonna miss Rockton, and I do. By now the forest is more familiar, the town, characters and all the inner workings were like a warm blanket. Cozy and familiar. But, my goodness! I’m ready to get lost - not literally - in Haven’s Rock.

This book started off bittersweet because Casey and Dalton were the only real people that we knew from the series. The new town site is still under construction and then two crew members go missing. They get flown in to find them, off the bat the construction site lead starts throwing her weight around. Then someone matching the description of one of their missing persons is found dead, and it goes from there.

A whole new cast of characters are introduced, because obviously the construction crew is still onsite working. This story takes you throughout the forest, exploring their new home. There are some cameos by old favorites. It was very well done and that ending?? It set up the next book perfectly, the people from “The Town Formerly Known as Rockton” still have plenty of stories to tell. I for one and super excited to see what new adventures Kelley Armstrong plans on taking us on with them!!

I really enjoyed this book. It was my first by this author and I wasn’t aware it was a spinoff. Nevertheless the suspense and setting were great. There was a good amount of characters/suspects. I will definitely be looking for the next in the series. Thanks to NetGalley for the privilege to read and review this book.

I was kindly sent this book for an honest review on NetGalley by the publisher.

I’ve devoured the entire Rockton series. I absolutely adore Casey and Eric! So I was extremely excited to find out a new spin off series was coming out.

In this book we follow Casey and Eric in the beginning stages of their new town when 2 of the workers went missing in the woods. They have to find them and the truth of how they went missing. We’re introduced to some new characters and places. I loved this story and am looking forward to the rest of the series to come out.

I loved the original series this was spun off of and this book was no different. I thought the new town was a great way to start over and give the series a new life. I'm looking forward to more from these characters and this town!

Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton are building a new community that is also a sanctuary for those in need at Haven's Rock. Two construction workers go missing, a body is found and everyone is a suspect!

**I received an electronic ARC from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and unbiased review of this book.

When I saw this title pop up I was confused and super excited. Here I was thinking I was never going to get to visit Rockton and Casey and Erik again and then all of a sudden here is Haven's Rock just casually floating out here waiting for me to jump in. Keep in mind this is a "spin off" series but the world is very much established as are the characters and relationships- basically this is Rockton book X just with a new name so I do not recommend starting here.

All that being said, I adore everything about this book/world/series and I am fangirling so hard over here to be able to escape into another dangerous murder mystery with Casey and crew. If you enjoy occasionally gory murder mysteries with lots of police procedural set in the wilds of Alaska/Yukon with no real technology or civilization then this is the series for you. I have been a fan of this author for forever, starting with her urban fantasy series Women of the Otherworld and will gladly read anything she wants to write since she easily does it all and well.