I'm loving this new series. Casey and Eric are back and the mystery they face is a wild one. The cast of characters are interesting and complex. The setting comes alive. This one kept me guessing at every turn. It's a whole new chapter in these characters lives and it promises to be great reading. I think this may top Rockton!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC! I really enjoyed this book, wow! It had me on the edge of my seat wanting to know more. The little “town” in the book is fascinating and so unique and I loved all of the characters. The storyline was very intriguing, I’ve never read anything like it! I’d highly recommend this book!

When an author is writing a long series like this one (and like the previous one, the Rockton series) they have to balance a lot of things. They need to stick with what's worked for their readers, but they also need to add in new elements - they can't just write the same book over and over again. But how do you up the stakes each time, without getting to jump-the-shark territory? They also need to balance episodic plots and villains with the series Big Bad and overarching mythos. (Think X-Files, where you had the Monster of the Week episode, vs the alien invasion mytharc of the series.) So the reader needs to finish each book feeling like the book plot was resolved, and the series arc was advanced but still leaving questions unanswered - but in a satisfying way.

I think Kelley Armstrong is a master of this. She did a fantastic job with this in the Rockton series, and is continuing here in Haven's Rock. We have a smaller scale antagonist and mystery that is mostly wrapped up by the end of the book, and yet also have introduced what might be our Big Bad for the series, and opened up a LOT of questions that will probably take many books to explore and resolve. New town, new stakes, new baddies, new townsfolk, and new interpersonal issues. All in all, a really great addition and absolutely worth picking up; I finished it in just two days because I could NOT put it down.

If you've never read the Rockton series, I highly recommend going back and picking that one up before starting on Haven's Rock. You'll be missing out on a lot of background if you don't, as well as just missing out on another fantastic series.

(Also, is that cover art gorgeous or what?! I couldn't find the name of the cover artist, but kudos to them.)

The Boy Who Cries Bear by Kelly Armstrong


Sheriff Eric and Casey are one of my favorites in the world of crime-fighting couples. I already loved Kelly Armstrong's supernatural books, but somehow the world of Rockton and now New Haven captures me way more than other detective story do.

The villain-turned-hero and found family tropes can be found everywhere throughout the book. Anders, Isabella, Casey, Dalton, & even some of the wacky ex-cons.

Serial killer psychiatrists, traumatized children. This series is never boring! Mathias, Dana. Max. Yolanda. All the familiar faces. Louie.

Wolves. Bears. Baby scares. Is it the right time? Is it ever the right time? Casey's thoughts mirror my own internal struggles. Gunnar.

The miners. Lilith. All new lovely neighbors to contend with. Hostiles. Emilie. Storm, the best doggo to ever exist.

Aurora Borealius. The northern lights. Painted foxes. Truly, I can not get enough of this series! I will be waiting in eager anticipation for Casey Butler's next adventure! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 Stars!

I absolutely adore this series and the original. It's just so darn fun and always manages to keep me on my toes and more importantly, completely enthralled with the writing, with the town, with the quirky characters...in short, with everything. I have yet to read one from the series that hasn't kept me up at night eagerly turning the pages guessing what was going to happen next. This series continues to grow in all the right ways and I couldn't ask for anything more.

Armstrong is an amazing writer and each new book shows that talent growing more and more. I can't wait for the next installment!

Haven's Rock doesn't quite live up to its name as there are hidden dangers. One of those dangers for residents that live in the hidden town is what could happen to them in the forest. When Max, only one of two children in a quite unusual community is being taught survival skills, and this includes tracking skills. Max says he saw a bear, and then says that he saw human eyes.

Detective Casey Duncan and her husband Sheriff Eric Dalton try to deal with the danger that a bear could present to their town. The pair met in Rockton, which was a community much like they have now, but they were only residents. Now, they are actually founders of Haven's Rock and they want everyone to be safe.

Even before the possible bear sighting is confirmed, Max goes missing. He is only a ten-year-old boy and would be ill-equipped to survive in the woods on his own. Did Max wander off and get lost, or could something more nefarious have happened to the boy?

The Rockton/Casey Duncan series, which comprises of seven books, would be an excellent start for one wanting to read The Boy Who Cried Bear. Then, the first book in this Haven's Rock series, Murder at Haven's Rock, all contain excellent background of all of the characters and their way of life. Yes, this book could be read as a standalone if need be, but for full appreciation of what Casey and Dalton experience and how they work hard to protect their town, reading both series in order would be highly recommended.

This book, and all of the books in these two series, were excellent reads that kept me tapping my Kindle consistently until I reached the satisfying conclusion. I cannot wait to see what lies in store for Casey, Dalton and the rest of Haven's Rock residents.

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

THE BOY WHO CRIED BEAR is the second book in Armstrong's Haven's Rock series. With intense characters, a tautly woven plot and a foreboding atmosphere, it's sure to please fans of book one and those who love a good mystery.

Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton, have moved on from Rockton to create a remote town called Haven's Rock in a highly unapproachable area of the Yukon. Haven's Rock is a haven for those looking to disappear off the map - a sanctuary that can only be entered if approved by Casey and Eric after careful scrutiny and background checks. Being a new community, most of the residents are unaware of the dangers lurking in the woods of the area and so they're schooled in strict rules about protection and never venturing out alone. Unfortunately, the restrictions create curiosity in people, especially children like ten-year-old Max who's learning about the wild from Eric. One day on a hiking trip with a group, Max sees a bear . . . one with human eyes. Many ridicule him, but Casey and Eric take all potential threats seriously and begin a search of the woods. It's soon clear something or someone is stalking the town and in spite of being repeatedly warned to stay out of the woods, Max's determination to prove he's not making up stories sends him back out alone. Max never returns and a search party begins scouting the woods. When dead bodies start showing up, chaos ensues, and fingers are pointed. What happened to Max? Will they find him dead or alive?

THE BOY WHO CRIED BEAR is a take on the old fairy tale The Boy Who Cried Wolf in that a child claims to have seen a bear one too many times until no one believes him when he tries to warn them. Most of the characters are highly unreliable making it difficult to figure out who's trustworthy and who's wearing a mask. The setting with its surrounding woods and total isolation gives the story a locked room ambiance which helps drive a tone of malice and impending doom. The authors manipulation of characters and readers keeps everyone on their toes while trying to solve the mystery. Several subplot lines muddy the waters a bit, but Armstrong brings it all together by the end.

Author Kelley Armstrong expertly delivers an intense, mesmerizing thriller in THE BOY WHO CRIED BEAR. With several characters dealing with past trauma and PTSD, she handles the subject manner with care and grace while rendering a captivating story I found hard to put down. While this book stands alone with great backstory filled in, I do advise picking up book one for the character development of main characters. Highly recommended to fans of mysteries and suspense thrillers.

The second book in the Haven's Rock series has Casey and Eric trying to incorporate all the things they learned in Rockton and their dreams for a new home and safe haven for others. The first children, Max and his older brother, Carson, are in Haven's Rock. Max sees a bear or bear man. While Casey and Eric investigate, Max disappears. The rest of the book has them searching for Max, the bear man, and the reason why the miners in the next camp are so secretive.

THe mystery is a grabber. You will stay up to the wee hours of the morning to find out who the killer is. That is solved but the dreaded cliffhanger is present. Now the wait for the third book in the series starts. Curse you, Kelley Armstrong. Just kidding. Great story!

I did it again, I started a series on book two. I do it every single time! This is one I wished I had read the first book, Murder at Haven's Rock. There were some characters and back story I needed to know. However, I was able to figure things out and really enjoyed the book. Kelley Armstrong has a way of hooking you right off the bat. The characters are strong, determined, and vastly different. The town of Haven's Rock is tucked deep into the Yukon Territory. No one would know the town is there unless they stumble upon it. It is beyond the grasp of modern society. Each townsperson depending on one another. They have it set up so anyone can disappear from the face of the earth. A little bit like witness protection on steroids.

Max is the youngest member of Haven's Rock. He has witnessed some horrifying things in his brief ten years on this earth. His father being shot to death, his mother also shot, and his brother Carson watching it all play out. They moved to Haven's Rock after their first disastrous experience with Witness Protection. Max loves the forest, and Eric Dalton is enjoying spreading his wealth of knowledge to him. Max is soaking it up like a sponge. When Max and another man see a bear, with the eyes of a human. Does everything begin to turn upside down? Max disappears. Dalton and his detective wife Casey are on his trail, which vanishes. Everyone is on their radar, especially the miners next door. Things become more desperate as days go by and there is still no sign of Max. Did he just wander off and become lost or did someone take him?

This book had me running through the dense forest. Trying to uncover the truth. The trails are turned and twisted, leaving me to listen for the faint crack of twigs or rustle of branches. Hoping the next turn will lead to a new clue. Thank you to Kelley Armstrong and Minotaur Books for my gifted copy of this intense read.

This book is apparently part of a series, which I didn't know when I picked it up. It did well as a stand-alone book, but there are references to previous events that happened earlier in the series. You don't need to be up to speed on all the previous events to understand this story though.

Haven's Rock is a sort of wilderness retreat town that is hidden deep in the Yukon, away from anyone who might want to do the residents harm. All the residents seem to be there because they are hiding from people or events in their pasts that put them in danger. It's an interesting concept for a book setting, and unique too. There is an eclectic mix of characters living in the town. The leaders are Casey and Eric, who were essentially the founders of this town. They are also its protectors.

A young resident named Max goes missing in the woods, which are off-limits to town residents. But Max likes to explore and wanders off on his own, getting himself kidnapped by a bad guy, who remains a mystery throughout the book, until the end. Max had claimed to see a bear with human eyes in the woods, causing a ripple through the community. The story is told through Casey and Max's voices, alternating.

There is also a nearby colony of miners who seem overly protective of their campsite. They do not want visitors and have armed security to keep people away. Casey and Eric are able to speak with the leader of the miners and continue their search closer to the camp, with permission. We never really learn what the miners are up to. It is probably going to be in a future book in the series. The characters were well developed and had interesting back stories. There is room for future stories too, as events in this book leave some things left unresolved.

It's a good solid read and an interesting story set in a beautiful wilderness area. I was curious how they kept the existence of the town so secret, when most of those areas are public lands. How do they hide from satellites, for example? Maybe that was addressed in another book. But, it was a nice read and certainly kept my attention. I might pick up some of the other books in the series to find out more details.

The Boy Who Cried Bear by Kelley Armstrong is the second in the spinoff series, Haven’s Rock. The new town in the isolated Yukon is finally getting up and running after the move from Rockton. Casey and her husband Erik are in charge now but find themselves still dealing with residents who can’t stay out of the forest, too-close neighbors who are likely up to no good, plus the environment and wildlife. In this book, Casey and Erik must find a new resident’s missing son.
I’m really enjoying the mix of long-term characters with interesting new ones. They may not always be likable, but they are well drawn, with the understandable emotions that come from most of the folks suffering from some pretty serious traumas in their pasts. As always, the plot is quick paced and the twists and turns in this title are the best yet. Just when I thought I knew who the villain was, something changed or was shown from a different angle.
I am also really looking forward to seeing how things progress with Casey’s personal life and the new changes there. Armstrong is such an amazing storyteller, it should be riveting.
My concern with this new series was that it would have all the same issues, just in a slightly different place. While that is a little true, new dangers and new types of people were introduced here, and they are being approached differently so that keeps things fresh.
All in all, another fantastic read from Kelley Armstrong.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the e-ARC.

First things first, The Boy Who Cried Bear is not the place to start reading this series. While this is the second book in the Rockton series "spinoff", this is the 9th novel in the Casey Duncan saga. The best way to read this series is to start at the beginning with City of the Lost: A Rockton Novel. The development of Casey and Eric's relationship and all of the dynamics of the side characters is vital to this new town Haven's Rock.

In The Boy Who Cried Bear, we see the change in not only the residents but also in the general running of the new "haven" town. Gone are the unseen Council members who sought the almighty dollar over the protection of the residents.

That said, because there is always a melting pot of personalities, trouble and prejudices erupt. People trying to establish a pecking order and also those who will take advantage of any tragedy, try their hand because they are under the mistaken assumption that Casey and Eric are just playing a role recently established for them as a Sheriff and Deputy. One person thinks that Casey followed her husband there and she is only acting the part of his deputy.

Specific to Haven's Rock, couples and young children are allowed to reside there, and on more than one occasion Casey wonders if this was a good idea.

This novel is about saving a kidnapped young boy and the chapters vary between Casey's point of view, and the missing boy Max's. This layering of chapters adds a dimension that would be flat if Casey just merely told her side of the search.

Well written, compellingly, and open to other storylines, (Adjacent Encampment of Miners anyone?) Armstrong has written another gem of a novel.

Opinions expressed are strictly my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this ARC.

Haven’s Rock is a refuge set up to protect the residents. So when a young boy goes missing, everything is turned upside down! I enjoyed the incredible level of suspense throughout the search for the boy and whoever was guilty of taking him. It was also interesting to see how most of the residents forged bonds as they searched for the boy.

Haven's Rock has recently been set up as a secret place of sanctuary, but it's in situated in the Canadian wilderness. On a group hike through the forest, ten year old boy Max believes that they are being stalked by a bear, but then he thinks he sees human eyes. Max disappears and Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton search for him in town and in the wilderness. A second mystery pops up when they find a dead man not from their town. I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. I love how the story is told through both Max's and Casey's point of view. This is an excellent mystery that kept me guessing until the end. I look forward to the next book in the series.

The new town of Haven’s Rock is up and running with changes from its predecessor Rockton. While it remains a haven for those in need of a place to hide from mistakes they may have made one change is the admittance of couples as well as families, including a mother with two children. When one of the children goes missing after seeing a “bear man” Casey and Dalton lead the search but is it for a possible wild man in a bear skin or is the culprit from the neighboring secretive mining camp or even one of Haven Rock’s residents. Coupled with the search for the missing boy Casey is facing a health crisis, she may be pregnant!
We continue to follow the lives of the residents of Rockton as they establish their new sanctuary, Haven’s Rock. This time out we learn a bit more about the past of one of the newer characters, Gunnar. While the immediate mystery of the missing boy is solved we are left with a cliff hanger as to what the miners are really doing which we will hopefully learn more about in the next book in the series. I read this entry in one sitting and really want the next one right now though I fear I will not have my curiosity satisfied until next year. Ms Armstrong recommends, and I agree, that this is not a good place to start this series. At the very least the reader should start with book 1 of this sequel series - Murder at Haven’s Rock,. I will admit that having read Murder at Haven’s Rock I went and found all the Rockton books and devoured them as well. This series as well as its set-up predecessor series, Rockton, are both highly recommended.

Another great story from Kelley Armstrong. There were so many twists and turns as more of the story was revealed. I get the feeling that this story line will carry-on into future books (no I am not talking about the obvious continuation) and that we will find out more about some of their back stories as the series continues.

Kelley never disappoints and I can't wait to read Finding Mr. Write, Disturbing the Dead, and Known to the Victim when they are released later this year.

Another wonderful entry in the Rockton series. A fun and engaging mystery that has all the things you love if you have been keeping up with this series, now 9 books in. Moving our main characters out of Rockton to Haven’s Rock and mixing up the setting and drama brought new life into the series. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for letting me enjoy this one early. Reading about Casey and Eric solving mysteries and doing everything they can to save the day never gets old. And there is so much to love in this book. New characters to explore, new shadowy antagonists to be wary of, and as always a twisty mystery to unravel.
The only thing this book lacked that I would have loved more of was scenes and interactions with the main side characters. While all were mentioned or may have even appeared a few times, they felt largely absent from the story. Even Will Anders was in it less than usual. But as the story and cast of characters expands that is perhaps a natural progression. All in all though I really enjoyed my time with this story and felt the introduction of continual second POV chapters were a great new addition. The ending left me excited and quite impatient for the next installment. Definitely recommend.

I really enjoyed jumping back into the swing of things with the Rockton crew, but in our new home. Haven's Rock. In this installment we have a fresh of breath air with a couple of children, which is a new and needed element for this story. Loved the unexpected twists at the end, and really looking forward to the next one!

This is the second in the series, Casey and Dalton have a intriguing case to investigate when one of the new residents come up missing . I like that they are introducing bso e new residents plus there is going to be some interesting stories coming from the "miners" who share the land . Can't wait for more !

If I could give this more than 5 stars I would.

Absolutely fantastic. I tried really hard to read this slow. And once I hit a certain spot I just could not put it down. It had so many twisted layers to it. And I can’t wait to see what is next. I truly could not imagine this spin off topping the last series. But it really has and so much more. There are so many intriguing possibilities with how the author has left this. What I love most about this author is her ability to write so many series that are so different but yet equally outstanding!

Can’t wait to see what is next in this series.