I did not realize when I received this ARC that Rough Justice was book #5.5 out of the series. Personally, I do not ever like to read books out of order ever, but I did my best to make sense of the established cast of characters and their relationships. Thankfully, there was plenty to keep me entertained, with an interesting main character and a supernatural entity dealing out justice to wrongdoers in a brutal and murderous hunt with actual hell-hounds, and I would like to read the rest of the series *in order* sometime.



I loved everything having to do with the Wild Hunt. I did not really grasp the full details of the organization to the Hunt or how people became members, but I loved the description of the cloaks and especially the flashbacks to past hunts. Somehow these throwbacks to older time periods, when the hunt was notorious and widely feared made them seem that much more mysterious and sinister. My favorite was when the when the self-righteous lady wrongfully seeking Hunt justice got spooked by one of the hounds of the Hunt as a lesson; it made for a very powerful image.



But unfortunately, I did not really understand all the references in the book, especially to the relationship stuff between Liv, Ricky, and Gabe. It was clear it was really fleshed out and there was a lot of history there. Despite not understanding everything that was going on between them, I was able to really get a feel for the characters from the beginning and just jump into the middle of their relationship.



Liv by far was my favorite character. I loved that she was a private investigator, something that reminded me a lot of Veronica Mars, and enjoyed when she disguised herself as a spoiled rich girl in a platinum blonde wig to get answers to her case. I also enjoyed the mystery that was developing with private investigator Liv and did not unravel it before the characters did, which was nice. Though the book did not delve into her past too extensively, it is clear she has a complicated past, and one that I would like to discover more about. She seems like a very capable person and I especially loved her no-nonsense attitude in reference to Gabe’s mother, who is clearly a toxic hanger-on, though apparently there is some heavy supernatural crap surrounding her circumstances that makes everyone doubt that. Sadly, this was another situation that was beyond my comprehension.



Though I loved Liv’s role as a private investigator and practical girlfriend, I was not as big of a fan as her role as the Matilda of the Hunt. I was annoyed by her dedication to and obsession with justice, mainly because it did not seem that rough at all. I thought it was a little silly that she needed to investigate the Hunt’s latest victim because she was not sure exactly how he was guilty—only that he was, because the Hunt comes equipped with supernatural guilt detectors. Why go to all of that trouble if you know without a doubt that someone is guilty? Seemed like a waste of time to me and a trope for being considered about being explicitly right or wrong or just is one of which I have really had enough, to be honest.



Furthermore, I was completely confused by all the different roles of Olivia within the hunt. From what I gleamed, she is part of two different factions of the Hunt that decide the roles of the group, but I do not really understand how that comes into play or what tensions are occurring as part of her decision to remain in both groups, rather than simply and traditionally choosing one.  Again, my confusion is probably just because I stupidly jumped into the middle of the series simply because it reminded me of The Witcher 3, and through no fault of the author. Plus, I was on an airplane and having trouble remembering and concentrating on all the fancy Irish words, complete with five thousand accent marks, used to describe the roles of the Hunt—totally my fault, and not the author’s.



I am sure if you are a consistent follower of this series this was a great addition to it, especially if you are waiting for the release of next full-length novel. However, as someone jumping in completely blind into the series, I really do not feel it was meant as a standalone novel. There was simply too much back story too fully comprehend something as large as a Wild Hunt or as complicated as Olivia’s love life. I did, however, really enjoy the heroine’s characterization and career, as well as the existence of the Wild Hunt and would recommend reading this series from the beginning to truly appreciate it.   I hope to read the rest sometime in the future.

It's lovely to get another, novella-length story about the Cainsville crew, after the official completion of their series arc in Rituals. In this story, Olivia participates in her first Wild Hunt, which doesn't go exactly as planned. There's a mystery to investigate, and some space to see how the characters are growing and adapting to their new roles in the world and in each others' lives.

Olivia and Gabriel delve in to a case when The Wild Hunt, with Olivia as Matilda on her first hunt, is called in to question. This convoluted "discovery" with Gabriel's law firm centers on the question of guilt Olivia has on the intended victim of the hounds for a murder. A side story involving Gabriels mother Sienna is included. I found this novella slow, and just okay. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC from Netgalley.

I love reading Gabriel and Liv. We join the crew for Liv first Wild Hunt and of course she has questions over the guilt of the accused. I have missed these characters! I don't want to give anything away but the questions get answered and there are a few twists too. Can I say I really dislike Gabriel's mother? I hope there will be more Cainsville stories to come!

Kelley Armstrong never lets us down! Cainsville residents live on and off the page just as the rest of her stories. Immediately you are part of the story...and it's difficult to break away to everyday life. Olivia and friends are as real as my neighbors and friends. I've been recommending Kelley Armstrong books for many years and will continue to do so as long as she keeps writing!

Didn't know this was from a series and I haven't read the rest yet... so can't read this... sorry!

If you are a fan of the Cainsville series, this is an enjoyable read. I do wish the reader would be allowed to read between the lines. I’ve already fallen in love with characters, the friendships, the town, the mystical in the mundane, and the mysteries to unravel. There was no need to explain an emotional arc. I was already there.

A great continuation of the Cainsville series. I liked seeing how Liv's decision from the previous novels is working regarding her continued relationships with Gabriel and Ricky. In "Rough Justice," Liv has to confront her feelings regarding her first hunt as Mallt-y-Nos, Matilda of the Hunt. She delves into the concept of guilt as viewed by the Cŵn, specific as to whether Keith Johnson is truly guilty but also how and when the Cŵn determine guilt. With Gabriel's help, she looks into what actually happened between Johnson and the Nansens and there are a lot of surprising twists to what they uncover.

Gabriel is true to character, but Liv knows him well enough to help him learn to trust her more by talking about what he's feeling, thus allowing their relationship to grow. Additionally, Gabriel has to face conflicting developments with Seanna and Rose.

While Ricky doesn't play a large part in this particular novella, we see how he approaches his first hunt as Arawn, Lord of the Otherworld and legendary king of the Cŵn Annwn.

Kelley Armstrong is an amazing author and I look forward to everything she writes. "Rough Justice" is just one more example of how she presents characters and situations that grab your attention and keep you interested throughout. I'm looking forward to further developments in this series and hope there are many more short stories and/or novellas to follow.

I loved the cainsville series and am so happy that we get these little novellas to see what happens after the last book. I really enjoyed this book. The mystery of who killed Alan was interesting and kept you wondering. It reminded me a little of strangers on a train even though there was no agreement between the two suspects. I like that Olivia and Ricky are trying to embrace their roles with the cwn annwn even though it’s not as easy as they thought it would be. Love Gabriel and Olivia together and that it’s not without it’s bumps. It makes it seem more realistic and I like that Gabriel is still learning how to be in a relationship

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/2317308120?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1