Skip to main content

Member Reviews

Cold as Hell by Kelley Armstrong expertly blends mystery and supernatural elements, creating a story that immerses readers in a cold, tense world fraught with danger and intrigue. The novel delivers the perfect balance of suspense and paranormal thrills, keeping readers hooked from the first page to the last. Armstrong’s skillful storytelling and vivid atmosphere make this book a must-read for fans of suspense and supernatural fiction.

Was this review helpful?

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

This is another great addition to the Haven's Rock series. While it is the third in the series, it can easily be read as a standalone.

Casey and Eric are investigating a murder in Haven's Rock which is supposed to be a safe sanctuary town. Casey is nearing the end of her pregnancy and has been ordered back to civilization. Before that can happen a blizzard bears down on the town and the investigation must continue.

I enjoyed this newest Haven's Rock thriller and look forward to others.

Was this review helpful?

Set in the isolated Yukon town of Haven’s Rock, Cold as Hell continues the tradition of the Detective Casey Duncan series blending mystery and survival with just enough chill to keep readers turning the pages.

This time around, Duncan, pregnant but always unstoppable, is as sharp and stubborn as ever, refusing to sit on the sidelines when unseen danger creeps into the hidden sanctuary she and her husband have built. 

A thwarted attack, a body in the snow, and a rising storm make for a gripping mystery full of twists and building tension. While the pacing does slow a bit mid-book, the strong dynamics between characters and the eerie, isolated setting more than make up for it. Armstrong delivers another solid entry in this off-the-grid thriller series.

Thank you to Kelley Armstrong, St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I received Cold As Hell by Kelley Armstrong for free in exchange for an honest review through NetGalley. Five stars! It is part of a series, so it is best if you read that first. I honestly love every book that I get written by Kelley Armstrong-- of all genres! Cannot lose with her!

Was this review helpful?

Really frustrating to read this book during a trip because I had to put my book down to visit places. Again well done! The mystery planes until the end and what an ending!

Was this review helpful?

Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy.

Was this review helpful?

Interesting story. My second one from this author. When someone winds up dead in the Yukon it’s Casey’s job to figure out who and while being pregnant. I enjoyed this book and the writing.

Was this review helpful?

MAN. I am really behind on my reviews (mood reader problems!(, and even though this released in March, it's now June and I just finished this book. This is one of my VERY few 5 star reads of this year, and I am so so so mad that I waited to read it!!! Kelley never misses, and her Rockton/Haven's Rock series are among my favorites, and books that I look forward to every year. I DO need to specify that there are pregnancy related matters in the book, so if you don't want to read anything with intense pregnancy scares/issues, don't read this book. Otherwise, give it a shot!! 5 stars!

Was this review helpful?

A thrilling novel set in the Yukon wilderness. The story blends survival, suspense, and psychological tension and it hooked me from the beginning. There are twists and revelations around every corner.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Was this review helpful?

I've loved both the Rockton series and Armstrong's new Haven's Rock spinoff, but this one missed the mark for me. This felt too locked-room mystery for me, which is a trope I always avoid; it was also very dark, which I was not expecting. I wanted more of Casey and Eric's relationship, too!

Was this review helpful?

Cold as Hell is book #3 of the Haven's Rock series, which follows immediately after the Rockton Series. I love Kelley Armstrong as a writer, and this novel just makes me want more. It follows Casey Butler (Duncan) and Sheriff Eric Dalton, deep in the Yukon, where they have setup their new Haven's Rock after Rockton was shut down. In this novel, Casey is very pregnant and looking to head to civilization before the baby's arrival Unfortunately, just before they leave, a town resident is drugged and almost dragged into the woods before someone comes to rescue her, hearing her screams. Shortly after, before they can investigate, a snowstorm hits. The next day, another resident is missing and later found, frozen to death and leaving them questioning her cause of death. Is there another serial killer on the loose? Can they find him before he kills again?

After reading all of Rockton and now the Haven's Rock series, I feel like I know Casey and Eric. They have been developed as strong and relatable characters. This book kept me reading into the wee hours of the night to find out what would happen next. Just when you thought you knew, bam, you were wrong again. I completely enjoyed this book and can't wait for the next in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this e-book, in exchange for my honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I have read and enjoyed each book in this series, but this was the darkest/goriest of the bunch. The plot was perfectly snappy, especially considering how small Haven’s Rock is and how much of the investigation is just them walking around talking to people. This suffered a bit from me not having read #2 recently… I had a hard time remembering some of the side characters. I’d recommend this for crime fiction lovers who are OK with some grittiness. And a lot of snow.

Thank you to the publisher - I received a complimentary eARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

This is the third book in the Haven’s Rock series. Casey is heavily pregnant as she is tasked with investigating an attempted kidnapping of a resident woman. Despite Dalton’s protests, Casey is determined to catch the culprit before anyone else is harmed…and before she gives birth. I really enjoy this series, and the addition of a baby in Haven’s Rock will move the series along nicely.

Was this review helpful?

I love this spinoff series and the original series. I just can’t get enough of Casey and her crew as they solve these murders.

I love the setting of Haven’s Rock because it’s such a small community but this book definitely reinforces that anyone can infiltrate the community and they will never see it coming.

It had me on the edge of my seat and I couldn’t put it down until I reached the end.

Was this review helpful?

I love any book with the word “cold” in the title for some strange reason. I’m not sure why but It just draws me into a book and I’m so glad it did with this one! This book is chock full of thrills and suspense! I scrambled to turn the pages as fast as I could. I totally love the set up of a small sanctuary community in the Yukon. Our main characters are a detective, extremely pregnant, Casey and her husband, Eric, the sheriff. Things heat up when a member of the community gets drugged and almost gets dragged away into the woods. Casey and Eric try to figure out who tried to take her while dealing with escalating problems with her pregnancy. This book was a thrill ride!

Was this review helpful?

I did not realize this was part of a series when I started so it absolutely can be read as a standalone. I loved the setting and I'm super intrigued by the town in general. I may go back to the beginning of the series at some point and find out more about the town and townspeople. I truly did not figure this mystery out while reading and it made for a great reading experience.

Thank you to Minotaur Books, Netgalley and St. Martins Press for access to an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

First of all, *deep breath* everything is fine with Casey's pregnancy so go ahead and dive into this book.

In case you didn't know, this is the third in the Haven's Rock series which is a spin-off from the seven book Rockton series. While it is possible to jump-in either at the start of Haven's Rock or with this book Cold As Hell, you will be missing so much context to the world that Armstrong has built and the relationships she's developed between these characters. I'd highly recommend starting from the beginning.

Cold as Hell follows Casey and Eric as their off the grid town once again encounters inexplicable violence. There's such a good blend of tension and suspense, along with the introduction of some new long term foes, plus we get a side of romance with Casey and Eric's relationship developing even more.

I have read so many books from Kelley Armstrong across multiple genres and I think her two series following Casey Duncan are possibly her very best. Every book in the series is better than the last. I don't know how I'm going to be able to wait until the next one comes out.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for my ARC.

Was this review helpful?

I really love this series and the author Kelley Armstrong has a talent for creating characters that keep me coming back for more. Excitement, romance, danger, mystery and suspense all wrapped up in one book!

Was this review helpful?

This third installment in the series is a remarkable literary achievement. From the outset, readers will be captivated by the engaging plot and well-developed characters. The protagonist, a formidable female, embodies unwavering determination in pursuit of justice.

The setting serves as a catalyst for the unfolding of the narrative, compelling the characters to confront their own challenges. The author’s creative writing prowess is evident throughout, showcasing their exceptional storytelling abilities. Readers will develop a profound sense of camaraderie with these unconventional characters.

It is not necessary to have read the preceding two books in the series to fully comprehend the narrative or develop an affinity for the story.

Was this review helpful?

A fast-paced supernatural western with a strong female lead and plenty of action. Kelley Armstrong blends paranormal elements and classic Wild West tropes in a way that feels fresh. The world-building was rich, and I loved the sister dynamic. I did find the pacing a little uneven at times, but overall, it’s a unique and entertaining start to a promising series.

Was this review helpful?