Member Reviews
Murder at Haven’s Rock by Kelley Armstrong
Thriller, cop procedural. Casey Duncan series book 8. New town. More murders.
With Rockton shut down, Casey, Eric and investors have built the new remote and isolated town of Haden’s Rock. The main rule stands: stay out of the forest. Before the town is fully completed, two of the construction crew disappear into the forest and Casey and Erik arrive early to investigate.
It feels like home. Rockton, that is. Similar format, bodies, manipulations, wild animals, and tracking someone through the forest. Casey works through the clues with the keen eyes of Erik and tracking skills of Storm. So much for the wish they had of low level peace keeping. The potential of a gold claim is sure to attract greed, lying and murder.
Riveting, and smart with the comfort of familiar investigations.
🎧 I read an audiobook version of this book, narrated by Therese Plummer. The performance is fantastic and the narrator holds the reader in suspense at the danger mounts. The full series is done by the same narrator and while it’s from Casey’s perspective, we also get Erik’s voice and a few others as the story progresses. The tension ramps up as the investigation and bodies appear and the suspense is clearly felt.
I listened to this at 1.4 for conversational speed comfort.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Macmillan audio.
A secret town is being built in the middle of the Yukon Wilderness. Casey and Eric soon find that their first job is to find two missing people, which turns into having to solve a murder.
I did not realize that this was a spin-off. So right away I felt somewhat disconnected from the story wondering what the history is.
What I liked: This was a quick read with lots of twists and turns.
What I didn’t like: The vagueness of what the purpose of building the town was. The book states it was to create a safe haven for certain people, but I never figured out what TYPE of people they were speaking of. I just found that really frustrating.
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur books for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Casey Duncan and her husband, Eric are building a unique town in the Yukon wilderness. As they are getting near completion, 2 members of the construction team have disappeared in the forest. So, Casey and Eric are called in early to investigate. They soon discover there is more going on around their new home than they had first thought.
First up, as most of you know, I very seldom read the blurb. So, as I was listening to this, I felt there was a back story. There is, apparently, this is a spin off from another series and I am definitely going to add those to my list. I loved Casey Duncan and I so want to know more about her and her husband! Add in the setting of Alaska and I was hooked.
This is a story which did have me guessing because of the way the author presented it. There were multiple suspects and I so enjoy a guessing game. Now, I did feel there were some over dramatization in the writing but this narrator, Thérèse Plummer, is a pro and she is one of my favorites. She did an excellent job on this book, as she does with all her books!
Need a murder mystery set in the Yukon…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today!
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
Storyline was great. I loved that you couldn't guess what was happening next. I definitely listen to another book from this author.
Murder at Haven’s Rock by Kelley Armstrong
Narrator, Therese Plummer
I very much enjoyed the original Rockton series and since this is a spinoff, I expected to love it too. And, no surprise, I did really get caught up in this first one and can’t wait for the next book. The hook at the end will pique your interest but it is not a cliffhanger that will drive you crazy. I hate those.
I am a big fan of Therese Plummer who narrated the first series also. My only complaint is how she pronounces Newfoundland when talking about the dog, Storm. Fortunately, it doesn’t come up very often so I can live with it.
Readers will benefit from reading the first series first. Otherwise there are too many characters and too many references to the first series that you won’t understand. Go ahead, start at the beginning and enjoy.
I have listened to Thérèse Plummer’s wonderful audio narration since the first Rockton book. She has always been the voice of both Casey and Eric, smoothly transitioning from one character to another. I find her voice to be magic and the perfect reader for the new Haven’s Rock series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan/Minotaur Books for and advanced audiobook of Murder at Haven’s Rock
Huge sigh of relief for all of the many fans of Kelly Armstrong’s Rockton series when she announced she had signed a contract for a new series based on the Rockton premise and many of the same Rockton characters. Murder at Haven’s Rock is the first book in the new series.
The premise of both series, is that Rockton and now Haven’s Rock were built as sanctuaries. Rockton became a money-making scheme in its last years. The most recent Rockton owners finally decided to shut it down. They had it dismantled it to the last nail.
Some of the current residents decided secretly to rebuild Rockton spending their inheritances, personal wealth and their talents in secretly re-opening a true sanctuary, calling it Haven’s Rock. Once again secretive, hidden and mostly basic living.
Readers of the Rockton series, lets recite the first rule of both places “Stay out of the Forest” Unless your name is Eric Dalton, or you are on a guided tour. The forest isn’t trying to kill you, it just does. People just can’t seem to keep that simple rule in their heads. The construction crew can’t either.
Eric and Casey are called to the well-hidden Haven’s Rock. Two members of the construction crew have gone missing into the vast Yukon Forest. Add in unknown neighbors and bodies and its like coming home.
Oh, did I forget to mention the Yukon? A forest where people can become lost and turned around in less than a tenth of a mile. About 344,000 people in an area the size of Texas.
Murder at Haven’s Rock partially serves as an introduction to some new characters; a few Rockton characters show up towards the end. For new readers, you get enough of a backstory, but also the joys of discovery.
Armstrong is known for her paranormal books, Rockton and Haven’s Rock are straight crime stories. These books are just so unusual and compelling in the characters and setting.
First off, except for Sheriff Dalton and Casey’s sister April, all of the former residents have terrible backgrounds; and I don’t mean as victims. Although there will be plenty of residents who are victims of stalkers or abusive mates.
The setting! The Yukon, where just about everything but the trees are actually trying to kill you. Have I mentioned bear bowling and killer rabbits? I guess you will need to read all of the books. Then again, Armstrong writes so beautifully of the majesty and peace of the Yukon, making it very understandable why people seek the isolated lifestyle.
Murder at Haven’s Rock serves as a outstanding introduction to the new series, leaving old and new readers anxiously awaiting the full meal of Haven’s Rock.
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur/St Martin’s press for and Advanced Reader’s Copy.
I thought the premise of this book was really interesting - a secret town being built in the middle of the Yukon wilderness... This book started out very captivating, and I was immediately drawn into the mystery surrounding the two kissing construct workers. However, the book sort of fizzled out, and after a while it just felt repetitive. During the parts that were supposed to be full of suspense and action, I just started to feel bored and uninterested. I felt that, despite being 352 pages - not much actually happens. This book felt lacking to me, and it does end on a slight cliffhanger which makes sense this is the first book in a new series. I think the next book will definitely be more interesting and fast paced now that the main storyline and characters are already set up and being developed. I did enjoy this one, and I will read the next one, but it definitely wasn't my favorite.
I read this as an audiobook and I thought it was done really well! I loved the narrator's voice and pitches, and I thought she made the story fun and interesting.
𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙚𝙣𝙟𝙤𝙮:
• wilderness survival
• mysteries
• detectives
• secret towns
• unlikable characters
𝙇𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝: 10h 33m
𝙋𝙪𝙗𝙡𝙞𝙨𝙝𝙚𝙧: Macmillan Audio
𝙉𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙤𝙧: Thérèse Plummer
Thank you to the publisher for my gifted copy!
Haven's Rock is an excellent start to the Rockton spin off series by Kelley Armstrong. This book would be a good read for both those who read the Rockton series, as well as, those who haven't. It gives enough details for new readers to join in without feeling lost, while giving those who loved the stories that came before what they expect.
Filled with mystery, and an entertaining cast of characters this is a story that grips you from the very beginning, and leaves you wanting to know what is going to happen next at the end. The narrator did an excellent job, and after listening to the audiobook, I wouldn't want to read this series any other way.
This was a really fun thriller. I am from Alaska so I found that to be an extra special touch for me. The mystery was pretty good too
Murder at Haven’s Rock is the first book in a series featuring Sherriff Dalton and Detective Duncan. The story is set in the Yukon and is full of twists that keep you engaged and wanting to read more.
I did not realize this book was a spinoff from a previous series by Armstrong. I have not read anything previously by Armstrong, but it was not necessary to have read those as this book stands on its own.
I look forward to reading more about the adventures of Dalton and Duncan.
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press (Minotaur Books) for my audiobook – ARC!
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.
Lots of sighs and eye rolls. I did listen to the whole thing.
Ummm it is a part 1 book that is run off another series. I guess some things would be known if you had read the first books.- BUT it is not necessary.
I will not be looking into anymore of this series.
This audiobook is excellently narrated. I requested it because I liked the first book in Kelley Armstrong's Rip Through Time series and I was excited to see another first in a series from her, but this is kind of a spin-off of another long running series and I found myself slightly confused at times. It's not impossible to understand by any stretch, but I'm sure reading the previous series would have been helpful and made me more excited/connected to read Murder At Havens Rock.
I liked the setting and concept of this mystery. The back country setting and this wilderness haven and all the references to gold miners and people living off grid. I enjoyed the sisters’ relationship as well.
I got a little lost with all the characters that I feel maybe o should have been familiar with from the previous series as well. The narration for the audio was really the best part.
I'd read &/or listen to more of this one.
I was so disappointed when Kelley Armstrong's Rockton series ended but greatly surprised and very happy to see that she has started a spinoff series with Casey and Eric and some of the other characters from the Rockton series. Haven's Rock is an isolated town in the Yukon where people who need to get away can go there and decide what their next step should be. Haven's Rock has been created by Casey and Eric and they can decide who comes to this town and is still under construction, People who want to come to Haven's Rock will need to be vetted by Casey and Eric. Unfortunately even before the town is completely built, two of the construction members go missing and Casey and Eric are called in to try to find them, A body is found yet they still need to find the missing man. There are lots of twists and turns to this story, new characters are introduced and some characters from the Rockton series will be in this new series.
This is a great start to a new series and I can hardly wait for the next book to come out.
Therese Plumber does an excellent job narrating.
Thank you NetGalley for an ALC of this book.
Murder at Haven's Rock by Kelley Armstrong and narrated by Thérèse Plummer was at the top of my " to-read list". I was really excited when I was approved for an audiobook ARC. I had no idea what I expected of the book, as it was the start of new series from the author of the Rockton series. I've read all of the Rockton series, enjoying some books more than others, and had high hopes for the new book.
Well I wasn't let down, the new book was very enjoyable, had the return of many of the major characters from Rockton, a good twisty mystery, and a few new secondary characters that I hope will remain.
But I really couldn't tell where the Rockton series ended and Haven's Rock began, the writing, tone, character interactions, and texture of the story were identical. It's like you could have named any of the books in the Rockton series Haven's Rock and just moved on. Granted, the story refers to Casey and Eric as the founders of Haven's Rock, and the location of the new town has moved, but for me, that's all that was different about the core.
Will I continue to read the new series? that answer is yes, it's like living a different life through these characters, and until they let me down I'm on board.
Narrator Thérèse Plummer provided a seamless transition from one series to the next. For faithful readers of Rockton, you won't be let down.
For me, this was a four-star read (one point less because the book was too similar to the previous series, and not a dramatically different storyline)
I wish to thank, Macmillan Audio, Netgalley, and the Author for the advanced reader's copy, in return for an honest review.
The book is available in all formats and was published on February 21st, 2023.
I have loved the Rockton series from the start! A town off-the-grid, hidden, a shelter for someone when conventional justice has failed, such as a victim of stalking, an abusive partner, wrongfully accused, etc., While Rockton supposedly vetted the people before granting sanctuary, only allowing the innocent, non-violent in, we found out that wasn’t always the case.
Casey and Eric have gone on to start their own town and they’re set on running things the right way. As much as they can anyhow, and we see that put to the test with the first installment in this Rockton spinoff.
Haven’s Rock is still under construction when two key workers, the architect, and the engineer, go missing. Eric and Casey are called in by Yolanda, the lead coordinator of the build, to find the workers.
As usual Casey and Eric, and their Newfoundland dog, Storm, are an impressive team working together to find out what happened. Did they get lost or is there a more nefarious reason they’re gone? The story was riveting as Casey and Eric face danger, working to uncover the truth!
Haven’s Rock is an exciting new chapter for Casey and Eric, and as usual not all is going to plan. The mystery wrapped up, but we’re left with an unsettling discovery in the end. I wonder how it will play out. Fortunately, they have their trusted friends/assets joining them at Haven’s Rock, so they’ll have a formidable group at their back. I eagerly await the next book! Murder at Haven’s Rock is technically a spinoff, but it’s best to read the Rockton series first in order.
I alternately listened and read to Murder at Haven’s Rock. I love this series! I highly recommend the audio version! Thérèse Plummer narrates, as with the previous books, and she performs all voices, male and female seamlessly! She’s one of my all-time favorite narrators and her performance here is perfection! I listened at my usual 1.5x normal speed.
There is a crew building a new town at the edge of the woods in the Yukon. Two crew members go missing in the woods and Detective Casey and her husband, Sheriff Eric, try to solve the mystery together. While looking for their two-missing people, they come upon a dead body of another woman. Who is she? Can she provide any clues as to what happened to the others? I did listen to the audiobook and that is probably the only reason why I continued through the entire story. I never read the original series that this book was a spin off from. Perhaps that is the issue? There were some twists and turns that were not expected. That was nice. There was a storyline that was easy to follow and a whodunit component which I enjoyed. I could see how others would like this, but for me it just wasn’t up to par.
Kelley Armstrong has done it again! This most recent installment of the Casey Duncan series is another success. Throughout the series, I have really enjoyed watching Casey grow from city girl to full-on minimalist who is completely comfortable living away from society into the wilderness. Her relationship with Eric Dalton is as sweet as ever.
In this particular book, I was drawn into the mystery pretty quickly. I do not want to give any spoilers, but Casey and Eric fly into what will be their new town looking for two people who have disappeared from the construction site. Soon, a murder victim is discovered, an injured person is found, and someone is still missing. As usual, Kelley provides us with quite the puzzle to figure out who-dun-it. This book is action-packed and I enjoyed every minute. This is definitely a 5/5 stars from me.
This was my first book with narrator Therese Plummer and I was NOT disappointed. She sounded exactly like I pictured Casey’s voice in my head. She did a great job switching between female and male voices as well as trying to give each person in a conversation a slightly different tone. The flow was great with no long pauses or awkward moments. I have already started searching for more books narrated by Therese.
This is definitely a 5/5 stars from me for both the book itself and the narrator.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to review this book. All opinions are my own. However, I enjoyed it enough that I have already pre-ordered the book.
THIS IS A MUST READ/LISTEN!!!
This book was an amazing listen, narrator was the one bringing the characters to life!
This authors writing was beautiful! I was blown away by this book & the plot twist!!!
This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart
Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Rockton series is much loved by me, and one of my most anticipated releases each year. I would say I have grown to be a huge fan of this author in a variety of genres and her recent series. I would not try to read this as a standalone because of character development and knowledge of the Yukon. Murder at Haven's Rock is a fresh start with their own town and rules rather than the corporation which ran Rockton. So Haven's Rock series is a spin-off as well as a direct continuation of the previous series. Our point of view has been and is Casey.
I am so excited to see this new home for Casey and Eric, April, Will Kenny, Isabel and more characters. Their new town is a more pure form of setting an environment for people who need shelter. One example of this is people in domestic abuse situations, or the type of folks who need witness protection. Many of the Rockton inhabitants, like Casey, made a horrible mistake, but overall are great trustworthy people. Casey and Eric make choices with such kindness and integrity.
Now they are a month or so away from moving into their new town and Casey and Eric get called in to find two of the construction crew who have gone missing. There is the wilderness tracking, murders, unknown people out around the town, old time forensic technology I have loved in the rest of the books. Then some of the new residents are in dire need and are coming much earlier than expected.
I figured out some of the things but far from enough. It was well paced with plenty happening and new evidence every day. Casey and Eric are off to a tenuous start in this new area and town they have created. I absolutely, as usual can't wait for more. The whole series is amazing and I highly recommend them.
Narration:
Therese Plummer is completely in my head for this series and I love her work. She has distinctive voices for the characters and I recognize them easily. Her performance IS Casey, Eric, Will, April and more. I was able to listen comfortably at my usual 1.5x speed.
First off I want to thank @netgalley, @macmillanaudio & @kelleyarmstrong for my free ALC in exchange for an honest review.
As usual Kelley always hits the mark for me. I loved this new spin off of the Rockton series, a promising debut. I love the whole concept and world the author has created and to see the characters come back is awesome.
The atmosphere and unique setting of Haven's Rock, Yukon is just amazingly done, you feel like you are there with them. The setting is so unique. The mystery and suspense in this book is wild, it will keep you on the edge of your seat trying to find out who the culprit is. The research that Armstrong goes through to make sure every thought process and investigation process is realistic is amazing.
The characters are so well developed and relatable, their feelings are well expressed throughout the pages. This is such a well written book, Kelley always engrosses me in her stories with her gripping writing.
This can be read as a standalone, as Armstrong does give some details to their prior life in Rockton, but readers will definitely gain more understanding if they read the previous series. If you've read The Rockton series, you will love this spin-off!
If you want a well written, suspenseful, atmospheric, mysterious new series with complex characters, definitely try the Rockton series.