I was half afraid on the last outing with Casey Duncan and the crew from Rockton that Kelley Armstrong might be closing down shop on this excellent series, but A Stranger in Town shows that isn’t true. I hope.

While I may have found the last novel, Alone in the Wild (see my review here), a bit too talky and introspective for a thriller/mystery novel, A Stranger in Town is not that. From the very first chapter the reader is launched into the action involving people and creatures and what may or may not be actors in a conspiracy.

In other series when a romantic couple comes together as Casey and Sheriff Eric Dalton have done in the Rockton series, there always seems to be a let-down, but that hasn’t happened her. Armstrong has sensibly allowed them their romance and cuddling but hasn’t shoved it down our throats. The two play so well off of each other, filling in the gaps where the other is lacking. I love that Eric lets Casey piece through things in their police work, and she is self-aware enough to see him doing the same while coming to the conclusion that maybe they don’t need to do their piecing together in the privacy of their heads.

A Stranger in Town has lots of twists and turns that I never saw coming but which fit together I could see in retrospect, a demonstration of just how well plotted this novel is. This is a puzzle where all of the pieces fit together ever so neatly. Normally I’d complain about the influx of so many characters, but they are not too many and all are necessary to fulfilling their bit in the puzzle.

Maybe you can tell that I’m writing this after just having finished the novel since I feel so hyped up about it. I loved it!

If you love mystery/thrillers, love the idea of characters being “isolated” in the vast Yukon wilderness, and you haven’t read any of the Rockton novels, you’ve got to remedy that now.

Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Rockton series never disappoints. I’m in awe of the way Kelley Armstrong has created a unique, vibrant, complex world full of fascinating characters without dropping a single ball or even fumbling. In addition to the newest mystery — and a terrifying, thrilling grizzly attack — “A Stranger in a Town” sets up books to come with the town of Rockton in jeopardy. Print review will be linked after 2-7.

Thanks so much to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for my review copy of this book.

This series as a whole for me has been kind of hit and miss. I like it and find it entertaining enough to read, but it's not my favourite. I keep coming back for more because I find the plot lines intriguing but ultimately it always leaves me a little let down. This is just a personal opinion and there are plenty of awesome reviews out there, so this book definitely has an audience.

I think one of the problems for me is that there are a lot of characters to keep track of. At times I found myself a little bit confused. The middle lagged a bit for me and I found myself struggling at times to push through. But I will say that the book kept me turning the pages because I wanted to see what would happen!

I do think this series will have a lot of fans out there, so if this sounds like something you would enjoy after reading the synopsis, check it out!

It’s hard to believe that what initially began as a serial novel in six parts ultimately expanded to become one of my favorite crime mystery thriller series in recent years. Given how it basically takes place in the literal middle of nowhere, I’m frankly amazed at the way Rockton just keeps spawning stories, each one more addictive than the last.

A Stranger in Town is the sixth volume, opening once more on the remote community deep in the Yukon wilderness where people go to disappear. But as spring approaches, bringing warmer weather and tourists to the north, the residents of Rockton find that they must work a little harder to keep their little settlement off the map. One day, despite their efforts, the town is shaken when a lone hiker stumbles onto their doorstep, bloodied and delirious with fever, seemingly injured from a bad fall. However, upon inspection of the woman’s days old wounds, Detective Casey Duncan determines that they could not have been caused by an accident—the victim had been violently stabbed, likely by one of the wild people who live out in the woods, known as hostiles.

Of course, it doesn’t help that our hiker doesn’t speak any English, and thus is unable to answer any of Casey’s questions. What is determined, though, is that the woman had not come alone. Handling the investigation the old-fashioned way, Casey and her boyfriend Sheriff Eric Dalton head out into the wilderness and come across the mutilated bodies of two more hikers, and evidence that one might be still alive. Now they’re looking at a possible rescue mission on top of trying to find the killers, and that’s just the beginning. A deadly incident back in town leaves one of their own in a coma, and coming in hot on the heels of that disaster is the arrival of Emilie, a Rockton council member and one of its original founders, here to impart bad news. Rumor is that the town won’t be around for much longer; the hostile situation is getting out of hand, and rather than fix the problem, the council wants to put an end to Rockton and start over somewhere else.
For many though, Rockton has become more than a home. For some, it is their only sanctuary. Something bigger is going on here, and Casey and Dalton must race against the clock to solve the mystery before their little town gets shut down.

Like all the previous books, this one was a lot of fun. For the first time though, the story also involves a conflict dealing with a prominent outside force, that of the council of Rockton and other shadowy parties of foreign origin. I think this had both positive and negative consequences. First, the good: I liked that the involvement of the council gave us more of the history behind Rockton and its founding. Thus far, we’ve only caught snippets about the town in the decades before Casey’s arrival in fleeting conversations, but Emilie’s appearance had a way of turning much of what we know on its head. Along with this came the introduction of a greater conspiracy. Needless to say, I felt this expanded the scope of the series and made the characters’ obstacles seem far more insurmountable, dramatically raising the stakes.

But now, for the bad. In another first with this series, I found myself lost more than once, especially when the plot continuously pulled in new characters and groups of people, when I was already struggling to recall the identities of some of the existing townsfolk and settlers. It’s amazing how many names there are to keep track of after six books, even in an isolated setting like Rockton! Furthermore, the story grew overly complex and at times completely over-the-top, and to really appreciate the developments, you had to suspend some of your disbelief.

Still, I loved that Casey and Dalton got to get back to doing some real detective work, as I felt we’d been steadily losing this sleuthing element over the last few installments in favor of promoting more family relationship and small-town shenanigans. That said, April has become one of my favorite characters in this series and I love how she and Casey are slowly reconnecting, so I certainly don’t mind some family drama.
All told, A Stranger in Town was another strong entry into the Rockton series. Despite the novel’s ups and downs, I can see how at this point a real shakeup was needed, and in this, the plot delivered. Fans of the series will definitely not want to miss this next chapter of Casey Duncan’s adventure, and the ending made me even more curious to see what her future holds.

Audiobook Comments: The first time I ever listened to Therese Plummer’s narration was with the first book of this series, City of the Lost, and now six books later, I am still a huge fan. For me, she will always be the voice of Casey. Simply outstanding.

A Stranger in Town by Kelley Armstrong is the 6th book in the Rockton series. A small hidden town in Alaska has some unexpected visitors. One a severely injured hiker and an enigmatic backer of the town. Are these people coming into the town the signs that town is being shut down? Can Casey and Dalton solve the newest crime and save their city?

I am in love with this series. It has an interesting premise, flawed but intriguing characters, consistency, steady flow in the books and overall, the series, and I could go on. I think this was a good book, I mean its not mind blowing, but it’s a solid enjoyable read that is building block for the next book. It is a slower paced and predictable book but it is essentially setting up book seven.

4 stars for continuing the series and keeping the characters consistent while allowing them to grow. Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Kelley Armstrong for the ARC. This was an honest review.

Ahoy there me mateys!  I received an eArc of this thriller through NetGalley in exchange for me honest musings.  This be the sixth book of a series.  While I try to post no spoilers, if ye keep reading this log then ye have been forewarned and continue at yer own peril . . .

I love Kelley Armstrong!  I discovered her through her young adult book, sea of shadows, and she became me most read author of 2016. I have really been enjoying this series and I didn't even read the blurb before I requested this one.  While ye can read books 1 - 3 and get the gist, books 4 - 6 build on each other.  I do recommend starting at the beginning.

This novel continues the adventures of Rockton's detective, Casey Duncan.  For those who be adventurous and are readin' this post having not read the previous books, Rockton is an off-the-grid town in the Yukon.  People pay a council to spend time in this town to hide from their pasts.  Some flee domestic abuse.  Some flee other more unsavory problems.  Suffice to say, the town is not an idyllic wonderland.

Casey is always getting pulled into trouble.  This time, an injured hiker is found in the woods.  It seems as though she has been attacked . . . and not by a wild animal.  Where are her companions?  Who tried to kill her?  And how is Rockton supposed to maintain its secrecy now?

I will admit that this plot was way more ridiculous than the previous novels.  I will also admit that I did not care.  This was a quick, fun read that made me happy.  This book solves the major mysteries of the previous books.  I truly did enjoy watching Casey investigate.  I enjoyed getting the watch many of the relationships develop.  I didn't love the big reveals but I do love the world and characters.

Some minor issues:  I would have preferred more Jacob, Sebastian, and Mattias. There was a bit too much repetition of the background of Rockton and residents that ye already know from previous books.  I feel that this impeded the pacing a bit.  And the bear thing was SO silly!

Apparently the author is contractually obligated for a seventh Rockton novel which she is working on now.  I cannot quite imagine where the story is going to go from here. Arrr!

So lastly . . .

Thank ye kindly St. Martin's Press!

I absolutely loved this series from the beginning. I loved the pace, the character and plot build up, as well as that some of the main characters are not heroes or perfect.

I want to thank net galley for giving me access to read this book prior to release.

I have mixed emotions about this one hence why I haven't given it 5 stars.

Casey and Dalton are my favorite and I enjoy watching their relationship build and that they both can respect eachother personally and in their professions. In this one and it could just be me I felt there was too many characters to talk about where I couldn't really enjoy what each of them had to offer or how they are continuing to grow. I understood the need for them though as the ending opens up many opportunities for growth and start paths many of these characters will take and how it will effect Rockton as a whole. I am looking forward to where Armstrong is gonna take this series as I felt this wasn't as exciting as her previous books in the series.

Without spoiling it, The council does have more direct involvement in this book then previous ones but I still have more questions then answers about them after reading this one. Who will pick which side? Who will stay, who will go? Will there be anything left to stay? Who benefits? As much as I felt this book was just a build up to the next one, I hope the next one is paced like the earlier books of this series. This one took me weeks to finish compared to her others that I usually finish in a weekend. I am still a faithful fan and look forward to read the next in the series even though there is not much to say on this one.

I have not read the previous books in this series. Though I was able to understand backstory, I feel it hindered my enjoyment. However, if I had read the previous books, the amount of time and detail for the backstory would have irritated me.
Casey and Dalton are checking on friends - a bonfire on a warm spring night in the Yukon. A woman stumbles out of the bushes, in shock. She has a serious abdominal wound, shrieking in a foreign tongue.
Casey and Dalton search and find her camp - with two other bodies.
Was it hostiles? A small community of settlers who often partake in a hallucinogenic tea.
Casey and Dalton search for additional evidence while questioning the real creation of the hostiles. What is Rocton's governing council hiding?
Slow and little excitement.

I received an ARC of this from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This series keeps getting better and better. This instalment has some of the long awaited answers surrounding Rockton, it’s history, it’s inhabitants, the settlements and everyone’s favourite, the hostiles.

It starts of with a mystery of its own when a very distraught and very severely hurt Danish woman bursts out of the woods and into Casey’s arms. This leads not only to an effort to save her, but to find out who she’s with, are there any other survivors, who attacked her and why.

I don’t want to say too much because it’s fun to watch the mystery unravel on its own. But I really enjoyed it as always. Can’t wait for the next one!

A Stranger in Town is the most mind-bending addition to this series yet. Casey has had her theories about where the “hostiles” originated but even she had no idea how depraved the situation would get. Casey, Eric and their fellow Rockton citizenry are about to experience major upheaval when old secrets come to light. Solving this murder may cost them their home. I enjoyed this twisted tale and hope this series continues.

Thank you Netgalley and St Martin's Press for the chance to read A stranger in town by Kelley Armstrong the latest in her Rockton series. While some of have said you can read this without reading the others books, I really think you need to start at the beginning to get the enjoyment and the feel for the characters who inhabit the town and the surroundings...which is very much the heart of this story.
Detective Casey Duncan has noticed fewer people coming in to the hidden town of Rockton, and no extensions being granted. Something is happening in the small town they call home.
When an injured hiker stumbles from the woods, the sole survivor of a hostile attack, Casey starts investigating but becomes suspicious especially when a member of the elusive Rockton council comes in to help. This council member also comes bearing news: Rockton is being shut down due to the hostile situation. Casey and Eric must save the town that has allowed residents to have a fresh start, away from the mistakes of their past, while also getting to the bottom of this latest attack.
A stranger in town had quite a few extra characters this time around, and if you are not familiar with the series it may be confusing. However, I really enjoyed this book, and how we are finally getting to know the real mystery behind the hostiles, and what happened in the early days of Rockton. This had some great scenes between Casey and April, who have not had the best family relationship, and I truly enjoyed not only reading them, I hope we see more of April. The relationship between Casey and Dalton has always been a favourite, the love and respect each has for the other shine through. The one scene that definitely stands out for me was the bear scene...OMG!!! I can almost see where this series is heading, but I hope we have a few more books to go.

Kelly Armstrong has done it again!

I recently discovered and fell in love with this series and after devouring all 5 books in less than 10 days I knew I had to get my hands on A Stranger in Town! And it did not disappoint!

In this installment of the Rockton Series we have one injured, unconscious tourist and a few dead ones with lots of speculations and no answers. Add to that the danger the hostile are presenting, causing the council to start moving towards shutting it down, and Casey and Eric have their work cut out for them.

We finally get answers to some of our most burning questions, though of course the book doesn’t end without adding a few more new questions to the mix. There is never a dull moment in this series and this time was no exception. I love how fast paced these books are, once I pick them up I really can’t put them down anymore.

I gave this book 4.5 stars, I took away half a star for 2 main reasons:
1. While I loved seeing Casey do what she’s best at and uncovering the secrets of this town and the mysterious wilderness around it, I felt that the Casey/Eric moments that I loved and cherished so much in the previous books were lacking in this one. I’ve never read about a healthier relationship before and I wanted to see more of that
2. Jacob!! I need more Jacob! There is still so much to unpack there in Jacob and Eric’s relationship and past. At the end of the last book (Alone in the Wild) we were promised some answers, and I really hope we still get them.

I can’t wait for book 7 of the series and I know Kelly Armstrong loves her novellas so is too much to hope that we get one for Jacob and Nicole?

This series with it's quirky little town and even stranger residents almost immediately became a favorite and that love, over time, over each new book, has only grown.

I adore these characters and as strange as they all are, I absolutely care about them and can't wait each time a new book gets into my hands. I want to devour it. I want to savor it, but mostly, I want all my beloved characters to stay strange, to stay true to themselves and to stay a part of Rockton and all it implies and holds.

I love the suspenseful mystery, how each new book brings out more information about Rockton, how it was founded, who founded it, and more importantly, about all it's residents and their lurid pasts. I love the relationships that have developed and the ones that are brand new. Simply put, it is unlike anything I have read before and I love it's absolutely unique addictive-ness.

I truly hope this is just the beginning of so much more for these wonderful characters and this incredible town and all it's weirdos.

Thanks St. Martin's/Minataur Books, author Kelley Armstrong, and Netgalley for allowing me to read a free E book Arc of this book in exchange for an honest review! All thought and opinions are my own.
3.75 stars
I crave this series like junk food. I just can't help reading the next installment! This book follows around our favorite Rockton residents. There are previous mysteries solved that have come to light in the previous books as well as new ones. The author spent a lot of time reminding the readers of the past actions and histories of the main Rockton residents. While I appreciate the reminder, it took the reader somewhat out of the current story. I always love the adventures in the woods. They always provide the readers with lots of action. Sebastian is one of my favorite Rockton residents. I just wished he had more page time! (Here's hoping for the next book) Overall, I really enjoyed this book! The cliffhanger left the reader wanting more!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I love the Rockton Series, and so was excited to see where this next book takes us. Some of the books in the series have been hit or miss, so I wondered what to expect, as well. But, overall, I think this was a hit!

Not only did this have a new mystery for Casey to solve, but it also wrapped up some outstanding *questions* from other books. Over the whole series, there is so much character development, and this next installment is no exception. The characters are relatable, true to life with their complexities, and it's easy to think of them walking off the page. The case/mystery is obviously far fetched (I mean, the whole series is, tbh) but it is unique, which makes it fun to read. (Well, unless violence and death bother you, and in that case, don't read it...) She has really set the scene for this community and it's goings on, and though there is gore and death, it is handled well.

The downsides: things get weighed down a bit with details from other books that aren't necessarily relevant to this one, there is seemingly a little too much "filler" instead of action, and things get a little repetitive in explanations. I would assume that this is in case someone reads this as a stand alone, but I can't imagine anyone wanting to not read a series from the beginning... (If this is you, STOP, and start from the beginning, trust me, it's worth it!)

Overall, I loved it, with a few meh's, so wouldn't give it 5 stars, but it is for sure a 4.5 star, and reminded me why I love this series so much!

A Stranger in Town is the latest glimpse the readers get of the "city" of Rockton. Kelley Armstrong gives new readers a stand alone story and her faithful readers another mystery to solve with Casey. I really enjoy the back and forth between Casey and her sister, April. As always I can't wait to visit again. I want to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an early copy to review.

I’ll start by saying thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I love this series and was happy when I got the email saying I was given the opportunity to read this book before it’s published.
I was hooked from the beginning. I love Kelley Armstrong’s mystery books. This series the most I’m always on my toes wondering what way she’s going to take the story. What I loved the most about this books is finally learning more about groups that the other books have been leading up to and finally getting more answers. Though I will say I don’t think we’ve been given the full answers quite yet. I can’t wait for the next book in this series. I have a feeling it might be that last.

Let me start by saying right off: I love the Rockton series and I was really looking forward to reading this next book! It did not disappoint. For anyone not already familiar with the premise of the series, Rockton is a hidden, secret small town (village, really) of about 200 people, far north in the Yukon in Canada. People are sent there (or ask to go there) to disappear for a couple of years. Many of them are victims seeking safety, but some are criminals, which makes for an interesting assortment of residents. The two main characters are the sheriff, Eric Dalton, and his detective, Casey Butler (also known “down south” as Casey Duncan). They have become a couple, so in addition to mysteries and detective action, there’s also some romance in these books.

There is a LOT going on in this book and while I generally like to read a series in order, I feel that it is virtually a requirement for this series. The author, Kelley Armstrong, certainly tries to give enough background info for new readers, but you lose so much backstory if you haven’t read the other books. For those who have read the others in this series, it will feel like you are checking in on old friends. The central mystery of this particular volume revolves around the deaths in the forest of four people who, at least at first, appear to be Danish wilderness tourists. The plotting is intricate and uncovers some long-standing mysteries about the early years of Rockton, the two settlements “nearby” and the wild people who live deep in the woods, referred to as “hostiles.”

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read an advance readers copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Let me straight up clear at the beginning: This was my most anticipated book of 2021.

Because of that I was incredibly thankful to get an ARC (thanks NetGalley & St Martins) but I was equally nervous.

Not just because this is my favorite series and I was thrilled to get the newest book, but because (in my opinion) the last book didn't live up to the standard Rockton reputation -- it lacked the emotional dynamics of the town and left us hanging on 3 major secondary relationships (2 romantic, 1 mentoring) while we were out in the woods meeting new people.

With Stranger in Town, we got back to the core of our world: Rockton and how the surrounding communities impact our locals.

With that being said, I'm stating 5 stars, then hiding for spoilers because the rest of the review is SERIES spoilers.

<spoiler>
This book wraps up so much but doesn't feel like a rushed wrap of a bunch of things. It brings the secrets of Peta & her grandmother as well as the early council and settlements to a head, showing us the past crashing into the present in a way that would make a Jon Krauker book proud.

The complexity of overlapping stories and relationships is standard Rockton, but in this book, instead of building into the series, we seem to be bringing all plotlines to a head -- and Armstrong does that with such a deft hand that even while you begin to think that's what's going on, even as your MCs begin to fear that's what's going on, you still wonder if it's all possible.

In the end, you're left on a new ground, watching out onto a new horizon and hoping that the publishers are smart enough to let us continue this journey knowing that the path may have just take a hard right turn. </spoiler>

With all that being said, I would HIGHLY recommend a series reread, or maybe a reread of your reviews so you come in hot and ready for the ride of this current book.

And block out a day, because it's a one-sitting read.

I really enjoyed this one! This is a great thriller with a lot of different mysteries all tied in to one book. I haven’t read this from the beginning, so I was a little confused at times. I would definitely say you need to read the whole series to fully understand. It definitely leaves you with the feeling of wanting more, so I definitely think there will be more books to come. This is a fast paced, page turner with a lot of substance to the story. 4/5⭐️