The Watcher in the Woods is the fourth book in the Rockton series. Kelly Armstrong is a fabulous author who pulls you right into her stories. The thought of a town existing like this is scary. This is a thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

In the Canadian Wilderness there exists a small town called Rockton. This town is miles away from anything, you need a bush plane to get to it, you need to know exactly where it is to find it. But very few people know about it and fewer still about where it is situated.

The whole purpose of the town is to provide a place for people to hide out for two years to allow their troubles to pass them by. The people living there might be hiding from an abusive spouse, an abusive boyfriend, or just society at large. Maybe they are a sociopath, maybe a psychopath, maybe a criminal who has done their time but there are people who want to harm them.

Whatever the situation, they pay good money to come to Rockton and hide. They must commit to a stay of two years minimum. Some have stayed longer, either voluntarily or because they are a risk to society. The Corporation Board who runs the town (from a distance) makes the decision.

But to enforce that decision you need law enforcement. Thus three people have charge of enforcing the rules and sometimes carrying out judgment. It’s not perfectly legal, but then again, those who are there have signed away their rights, they have agreed to the set up.

But sometimes crime happens here. Some times people kill each other. That’s what has happened this time. The law enforcement must root out the killer and deal with them in the best way possible.

The story is very well written. It is very interesting and draws a vivid picture of what life would be like in the wilderness where the summer sun is up 20 hours a day, but the reverse is true, the winter sun only 4 hours a day. Could you survive? Would you want to try and survive there? Would you be desperate enough to sign away your civil rights and move there for two years to let trouble pass you by?

Armstrong has invented a wonderful town with a wonderful story line that combines several plot lines to make it fun and riveting at the same time.

Enjoy!

Watcher in the Woods is the latest in Kelley Armstrong’s Rockton series. It follows immediately upon the previous book, This Fallen Prey, dealing with the aftermath of events therein. Then, an interloper arrives, starting a new mystery tumbling forward. There are many story threads moving through this book at one time, which feels realistic to what could happen in a town like Rockton. This is a great addition to the series, which should definitely be read in order. I look forward to the next book.

I received an early copy of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

As book four of this series I have to say it's a smooth transition from book 3. Everything picks up where Armstrong left off. Of course being an unedited draft I found many spelling errors. This series is set in Canada. Yukon territory to be exact. I love the fast pace this series sets. I'm afraid there isn't a lot of depth to the characters. Which isn't necessarily a bad thing. Some ships in the book I think need to be more evolved than others. All in all this book is a great story continuation in the series.

I found this novel to be an interesting, well-plotted and thoughtful novel. I’ve not read any novels by Kelley Armstrong until I read this novel. I was so enamored of her writing, I plan to read more novels by this author.
By the time I was three-quarters through the story, I found that “Watcher in the Woods” was book four of Ms. Armstrong’s “Casey Duncan” series. Which goes to show one doesn’t always have to read the novels in series order. Although it’s much better to do so. There were a few incidents that were briefly described in book four which occurred in the three prior novels. I would have had a better understanding of the current scenes if I’d read the earlier novels. I would have better understood Casey’s motivation in coming to Rockton if I’d read book one. But one doesn’t have to. That’s another reason I liked this novel so much. A lot of us (readers) find it difficult to plunk down $34 (+ tax) to read a series in order.
There were many characters, most of whom played an integral part in the story line. This novel was set in a town called Rockton (population of 200), situated in the cold and frozen province of the Canadian Yukon. The reader knows, upon the first several pages, that Rockton is a “secret town” in which its inhabitants apply to “the Council” for approval to live there. Very few people know about Rockton, as its location is hidden from the masses. There is no phone, TV, or internet service. With hardly any exceptions, once a resident is slated to leave, they can never return. In addition, former residents take a kind of oath to never reveal the existence of Rockton. If one has to leave the town for a medical emergency, he/she can never return. The term of citizenship lasts anywhere from one to five years. Each person is given a maximum time limit by the council, depending upon their situation. At the end of their term they can reapply for an extension, which may or may not be granted. I was surprised to read that many townsfolk enjoy their time in Rockton so much that they reapply for another term.
Ms. Armstrong reveals these fascinating details initially, through one of the main characters Casey Duncan, who is a homicide detective in Rockton. Casey’s boyfriend is Eric Dalton the town’s sheriff. One of their officers, Kenny, is shot in the back by Oliver Brady, a serial killer the council deigned to temporarily house in Rockton. Casey calls her sister April (a neurosurgeon and neuroscience research fellow) to assist a former army medic in the surgery via satellite phone link up. April decides to fly to Rockton to perform the surgery. Because of the council’s residency rules, Casey and Eric plan to sneak April into Rockton,then to sneak her out three to four days later.
And so begins this unique and mesmerizing novel. The drama, gravity and comedy of this novel is demonstrated via polished writing, sharp and vivid descriptions that take the reader into the town’s life.
The pages of this story are populated by eccentric and colorful characters. There’s Mathias, a psychiatrist turned butcher, whose pet is a wolf-dog cub named Raoul; Phil, the council representative, good looking, “impeccably dressed” and disliked by most of the townspeople; Storm, Casey and Eric’s 80 pound Newfoundland pup, a tracker dog in training, who bounces with joy when she goes on a hunt; Will Anders, a deputy and resident sci-fi geek sporting a military buzz-cut and a U.S. Army tatoo, six-foot-two and full of muscle; Diana, Casey’s former best friend who Casey relocated with; Isabel the resident Madam, who looks like she belongs on the set of a wild-west movie; Petra, Casey’s good friend who is steady and dependable.
For readers who are getting a bit tired of those dystopian novels; and novels about teenage girls with “special gifts”; novels of witches and wizards out to save their planets, “Watcher inthe Woods” is a terrific novel that goes against the grain of most contemporary novels.
Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the chance to read and review Kelley Armstrong’s “Watcher in the Woods”.

Rockton is located in the Yukon. With the exception of residents and the Council who approve all residents, no one really knows about Rockton or where it is. Casey is a resident (she killed someone in a previous life) and a homicide detective. She lives with and works with Dalton, the town Sheriff. The residents of Rockton are all there for a reason and must remain there for a set period of time. Most are there because of various crimes and have paid for their “escape” to Rockton. An unknown man comes into town and Casey, after interviewing him, learns he is a US Marshal looking for someone. He is killed and the plot turns over to the investigation of his murder and the fringe aspects of it. It is filled with action and is remarkably visual to the point where the reader could see the adventures taking place in Rockton as a TV series or movie series. Great escapist reading. Thanks to Net Galley and Minotaur Books for an e-Galley for an honest review.

Book was much more interesting then I expected when I turned to page one. The author creates tension from the very beginning. I found it to drag in the middle and wished to skip forward to the later chapters so I could return to that “tension”. Overall I am glad that I was able to hav enjoyed the book thanks to NetGalley.

Rockton is a secret, hideaway hidden in the Yukon frontier for people to escape from either the law or for people who are being persecuted. It's a little town. Everybody knows everybody, or do they? It kept me on the edge of my seat, a real thriller. Highly recommended. ARC provided by publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Watcher in the Woods is the latest in Kelley Armstrong's Rockton series and I would recommend reading the series in order. Holy moley, this series has a lot going on. Rockton is a refuge or hideaway for people with enough money, isolated in the middle of the Canadian tundra. Casey Duncan and her boyfriend, sheriff Eric Dalton try to bring some sort of law and order to town. Casey sneaks her sister, a doctor, into town to treat a town resident with a spinal injury. A US marshal shows up hinting that someone bad is in town and then said marshal is murdered. Casey and Dalton try to solve the murder in a town of secrets and lies when everyone appears not to be who they pretend to be. The suspense is real, as everyone seems to be capable of murder. The hostiles are out in force and the town council is playing its own games. Danger runs rampant and the pages fly by with each twist and turn in the story line. This book keeps you guessing until the end, a definite whodunit that is unexpected. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy.

A secret town Rockton characters so well written each with unusual back stories .Twisty turning multi layered plot,this is an excellent series.#netgalley #watcherinthe woods #minotaur #st.Martinsr books

This was frightening and thrilling. Kept me 9n the edge 9f my seat and kept me guessing. I look forward to redo g more from this author

Twists and turns abound in this fourth installment of Kelley Armstrong’s Rockton series. Watcher in the Woods continues the story of Detective Casey Butler as she continues her new life in the secret, hidden Yukon town of Rockton. The suspenseful plot interweaves several storylines of dysfunctional and interesting residents of the town, all while trying to solve a murder in their midst. I thoroughly enjoyed the book’s story arc and the characters Armstrong created within it. I sincerely look forward to book five of the series.

Wow, are there really towns like this? That's scary to even think about. I thought the book was interesting with a town full of characters, each with a whole back story that only a few in the town know. April sounds weird and didn't think she added much. The book was good and held my interest. I really like the main characters.

The hidden town of Rockton, a refuge for both criminals and victims fleeing society, has been through some difficult times. And now, it appears that some of the council members are no longer acting in Rockton’s best interests.

But the unexpected arrival of a United States marshal, demanding custody of one of the town’s residents, is a cause for alarm. But before Casey and Sheriff Dalton can get any answers from the man, he’s murdered. And one of the prime suspects is Casey’s sister, April.

Now Casey, the only detective on the three-member police force, must track down a killer. Can she discover the killer’s secret, the one that compelled one of the town’s residents to murder the marshal?

The fourth in the Rockton series, the narrative keeps the tension mounting and the suspense building. All of the expected characters are in place; backstories for several of them give strength to the character development. The uniqueness of a town where people must apply to live and where everyone has secrets translates to a distinctive plot, tightly-woven and filled with unexpected twists. This latest tale is a strong addition to the series but the overuse of coarse language, unnecessary for the storyline, is likely to be off-putting for many readers.

I received an uncorrected digital galley of this book from St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley.
#WatcherInTheWoods #NetGalley

This is the fourth book in the fabulous Rockton series. Casey engages her estranged sister, a neuroscientist to help with Kenny, who's been shot, and secretly brings her to Rockton. Soon after, a US Marshal sneaks into town unsanctioned by the council, looking to nab one of their residents. Casey and Eric track him down but he is uncooperative and won't tell them who he seeking. Suddenly, he is shot dead and once again Casey and Eric must not only discover who the Marshal was after but also solve his murder. They must figure out how he even knows about Rockton and suspect there might be a leak in the council. The council is in flux and there is trouble brewing with the hostiles. It is never easy but Eric and Casey work together as a team to keep everyone in Rockton safe. A lot of back stories are revealed in this book that provide in-depth insight into many of the main characters. There is also more information about Rockton, it's founders and the machinations of the governing council . As usual, not everyone is as they seem. I loved this but I love all the books I've read by Kelley Armstrong and I've read most of her books. I am looking forward to the next book(s) in this series. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Rockton is a town in the Canadian Yukon wilderness, hidden, secret; a hideaway for folks to escape from either prosecution or persecution: manhunt or witch hunt. It's a small town; everybody knows everybody, yet no one REALLY knows another, do they?
Rockton is not easily found and impossible to stumble upon, so why would the US Marshall Service try to send an agent here? Is he really an agent? How did he find them? What does he want?

Armstrong is a master storyteller; her characters are vividly alive and delightfully 3 dimensional. I don't even care so much about the mystery, but I want to live in that town. I want to know those people. I loved this book so much, I went looking for others in the series. This is definitely an author I will be on the lookout for.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martin's Press for this arc.

Another roller coaster ride through Rockton (a very secret location somewhere in the vast Yukon Territory... full up of people keeping very dark & deep secrets). Whatever can go wrong? Everything. The "Sheriff's Department" have their hands full in this 4th installment of the Rockton chronicles. There are philosophical fractures developing among the individual members of "the Council" (a super, super secret organization that populates Rockton in exchange for providing financial funding) concerning the "mission statement" of Rockton's purpose. Don't really need a crystal ball to see where that is heading. It's still a compelling read with likeable characters and great entertainment.