The first in a spinoff series, Murder at Haven's Rock presents a new locale with strangely familiar problems. Casey and Dalton are on the case when two workers go missing at Haven's Rock. Casey quickly realizes how different it is for them in a place they don't know the forest in. Then they find a body and have a list of never ending theories - until a new piece of the puzzle comes into play.
I really liked the kind of fish out of water feeling with this one. They may have more control than in Rockton, but that doesn't mean they have more help. It's a great way to continue their adventures and crime solving in the wilderness, and the series remains a solid recommendation from me.

Ahoy there me mateys!  I love Kelley Armstrong!  This is the 20th book I read by her.  This series deals with what happens to Casey Duncan and gang after the events of Rockton's ending.  If ye have not read that series, I do not recommend that ye start here.  The author tries to give the new reader enough information to jump in but there is so much history and interpersonal relationship drama that enrich and explain the set-up for this new series.

Casey and Eric were excited about moving into Haven's Rock, the new off-the-grid town in the Yukon.  The town is supposed function like Rockton did but  now with the two of them in charge, life should be much easier.  Then the duo is called in early when two construction workers go missing in the forest.  Finding them is anything but easy.

I loved this!  It is still over-the-top but was so much fun.  It was lovely to see many of the characters I loved from Rockton appear and I can't wait to get more of how they adapt to the new town.  The mystery aspects were entertaining and I enjoyed watching Casey try to solve the case.  I can't get into things because spoilers but I want the next one!  Arrr! 

***SPOILERY THOUGHTS BELOW****
Much like the Rockton books, I am amazed at how in the lonely and sparse Yukon wilderness there are insane amounts of random animal encounters and random people encounters.  Animal-human run-ins in this novel included a moose, a bear den (with sleeping bears), and a wolf-dog hybrid. Random people encounters included a nature photographer and a miner.  The miners are the set-up for future drama in books.  I am both entertained and slightly annoyed.  Seriously how are all these people's camps so near each other?  Arrrr!

Kicking off a new series spin-off, Casey and Eric are back. This is now maybe version 3.0 of this experiment to have a safe haven for people. They are going to be off the grid in Alaska and perhaps in a nicer facility than the previous "encampment". As the title hints at, things go awry even before they can open up and move into their new home.

I LOVE IT! There are already subplots created as well as conspiracies going on that make me wonder if Casey does attract all the crazies. This is a wonderful start to a new series and I'm so excited for them. This is their chance to make their Haven their own. This kind of off grid and setting things up always makes me happy and excited. The logistics of it makes me swoon in delight.

The murder part of it makes me a little more nervous and whilst I understand few here are allowed to carry. . . you betcha that I'd be one that would get in line to be carrying. It helps that I also am licensed. I enjoy how Ms. Armstrong sets the stage in this "new world". I also appreciate the frustrations Casey goes through as her work takes precedence and overshadows this new joyous occasion. Following along with Casey to solve the murder and determine who these other players may be is riveting. I started this book and ended it all in one reading. Yes, I stayed up all night and ended up with a terrible book hangover. It was worth it.

Many of our favourite characters show back up here at Haven's Rock. They each have their parts and the insight in how they set up their place to be off grid is helpful. It gives me ideas to research. I hope never to be in this situation but at least I will have some ideas instead of being completely in the dark. This is what I love about great authors like Ms. Armstrong. They do the research and create a story that unintentionally educates their readers about subjects we would never normally read or learn about. The method of this information comes in such an easy to understand way, that it helps readers expand their knowledge. This murder mystery is highly recommended to readers who enjoy stories with mayhem, murder, and new beginnings.

Murder at Haven's Rock (Haven's Rock #1) is written by master writer Kelley Armstrong. Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton can’t even get moved into the new sanctuary of the Yukon Haven's Rock before worker’s are reported missing. Bodies and injured victims are found, not necessarily all of the ones reported missing, Casey and Eric are on the hunt. While Haven’s Rock will be unusual, off the grid, these two still maintain police procedural as they work.

Casey and Eric are such amazing characters with some unique personalities joining in this story. Like Casey and Eric, I suspected just about everyone and anyone in this story of being guilty. When I was sure I know who the culprit was, a twist came that blew that idea out of the water. Amazing police work with sheer determination for this one to be solved by Casey. Absolutely fast paced with several threads that must be tied together by the end. Still there were other area secrets are revealed that could affect the town in the future.

A top-notched murder mystery with a unique setting and colorful characters.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I received a complimentary electronic ARC of this excellent novel from Netgalley, author Kelley Armstrong, and publisher Minotaur Books. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read Murder at Haven's Rock of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. This is the first of a series that I will want to follow, and Kellye Armstrong is an author I will follow, and happily recommend to friends and family.

This mystery is set in the wild, forested western lands of Canada layered with rivers, lakes and mountains, and our protagonists Casey and Dalton Butler are the policing force of a tiny structured community, about half-built and privately owned, in the middle of that wilderness. The town, Haven's Rock, is built from scratch, utilizing some of the accruements and personnel from the now-defunct community of Rockport and incorporating leading-edge utilities. Construction is dynamic, making the small community almost invisible in the forest. Though rumored to be a center for climate and environmental research, or perhaps an oil-drilling operation, Haven's Rock is to be a rescue center for abused and misused women and children, a new beginning to replace the now-defunct Rockton, a small community with the same aim, but one beleaguered by the misapplied and mistaken set-up that grew untenable over time. This time it will work - the community is funded by the inheritance of former detective Casey Butler and her physician sister Alice, and by the grandmother of Yolanda, who is heading the build. These dedicated folks are in this for the long haul.

If they can just finish the build and get started. They are running out of time. And body bags.

What's it about (in a nutshell):
Murder at Haven's Rock by Kelley Armstrong is the first book in a series that originated in a now-completed seven-book series about another sanctuary town called Rockton. Led by married couple Casey Butler, a former detective, and Eric Dalton, the former sheriff of Rockton and a lifelong resident of the Yukon, Haven's Rock is designed to be a secluded sanctuary for people who need it.

Actual Reading Experience:
Wow! What an incredible start to a new series! I loved it and enjoyed every page of this murder mystery. Armstrong completely duped me into following red herrings to the wrong conclusion, for which I applaud her.

I found Casey and Eric so richly developed and authentic that it was as if I knew them in real life rather than on the page. And the atmosphere of a remote town in the middle of a dangerous forest is just the cherry on top of what's going to be an excellent mystery series. Casey is the first-person narrator, and her detective background makes her the perfect character to tell the story. She quickly leads the reader into exciting action scenes and through a myriad of red herrings that are delightfully deceptive.

In this first book, two people from the construction team working on Haven's Rock disappear into the forest – the one place they were told not to go. Casey, Eric, and their tracker dog, Storm, travel to Haven's Rock ahead of schedule to find the missing workers. However, what they discover is much more complex and dangerous than they could have ever expected.

Read if you like:
Deceptively intricate mysteries
Relatable, authentic central character team
Dangerous atmospheric setting

NYT bestselling author Kelley Armstrong of the popular Rockton Novels returns with a new spin-off series, (Haven's Rock #1) — MURDER AT HAVEN'S ROCK, set in the wilderness of Yukon.

Detective Casey Duncan (a former homicide detective) and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton (Sherriff and tracker), are financing a new town, Haven's Rock—a place for people to disappear. They have a tracking dog named Storm. Casey's sister, April, is their physician on the autism spectrum.

A modern wilderness town with a touch of the old west. They have a crew of 30 working on building the village and have isolated for more than two months.

The couple met in Rockton, a Yukon town, to serve as a refuge for domestic abuse victims and those for whom the legal system's protections were insufficient. Casey and her sister are using their inheritance to fund the construction of a similar community, Haven's Rock. Evidently, things at Rockton were compromised.

This is an isolated secret sanctuary, and shortly after the book opens, the architect, Penny, and the engineer, Bruno, disappear. What does Yolanda, the contractor, know?

They do not want any outsiders. They need privacy. They must find who is invading their space.

As the book opens, Penny is eavesdropping on a heated conversation as the participants storm off— Bruno, the engineer, and Yolanda, the contractor.

There is one rule at Haven's Rock. NEVER GO INTO THE FOREST. Wolves, moose, grizzlies, and more dangers exist in the dark woods.

Where are Penny and Bruno, and did they leave together? Who can be trusted?

Someone steals Casey's backpack, and then she discovers a woman that had been stabbed. Who is this woman, a stranger? The woman was murdered. It is not Penny.

There are lots of dark secrets in this atmospheric mystery whodunit.

I have not read the Rockton series, so this can be read as a standalone; however, it may be more enjoyable if you have read the previous series, as there are cameo appearances and some major characters back in the spin-off series.

Haven's Rock, like Rockton, is a new town designed to provide a temporary refuge for people in danger. The protagonists of the previous novels, who managed the last village and protected its residents, plan to continue in those roles.

I enjoyed Casey and Eric's characters and look forward to seeing how the town develops and what new crimes the duo will be called to solve in the upcoming books. I did not care for Yolanda's character or her attitude.

AUDIOBOOK: I listened to the audiobook narrated by the fabulous Thérèse Plummer for an outstanding performance and listening experience for all voices. I also enjoyed the accompanying ebook.

MURDER AT HAVEN'S ROCK is ideal for those who enjoy danger, nature, wilderness, cop procedurals, and mysteries.

Thanks to #MinotaurBooks #StMartinsPress #MacmillanAudio and #NetGalley for a gifted ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review. #MinotaurInfluencers #SMPInfluencers

Blog Review Posted @
www.JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: Feb 21, 2023
Feb 2023 Must-Read Books

Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton are financing this new town, a place for people to disappear, since their previous refuge had to be dismantled due to greed and deception. They are calling this new place Haven's Rock, but so far it is no haven. As soon as they arrived, they were notified by the people in charge of constructing the town, that two of their team had disappeared. There’s only one rule in Haven’s Rock: stay out of the forest....but Bruno and Penny have broken it and now they are missing. When a body is discovered, well-hidden with evidence of foul play, Casey and Eric must find out what happened to the dead woman, and locate those still missing. The longer Casey and Eric don’t know what happened, the more danger everyone is in.

I was a huge fan of the Rockton series so I am really excited to see the development of this new town. This had a great mystery that kept me guessiing until the end. I loved the setting of the Yukon wilderness, the wildlife there, and the introduction of new characters that live near this new settlement. I look forward to seeing how the town develops and what new murders Casey & Eric will be called to solve in the upcoming books. If you are a mystery buff, then you need to check this one out!

Casey and her sister have sunk their savings into developing a secret sanctuary town in the Yukon wilderness. With the town nearing completion, the architect and the engineer both missing in the forbidden forest. Casey and her sheriff husband Dalton fly in to find them. When Casey finds a dead woman in the forest, it adds to the mystery. I received a free copy of this ebook from the publisher through Netgalley. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. I enjoyed reading this suspenseful mystery and I was intrigued by the sanctuary city they were building. It's interesting to see and hear how they planned on keeping their town hidden and self-sufficient. There are also a lot of intriguing secondary characters, who I hope to see in future books. I had only read one of the later books in the previous series, but I was still able to enjoy reading this one. (I thought that I put the earlier series on my TBR list, but I will definitely go back and read them all.)

A secret town in the Yukon forest to allow people who need a fresh start to disappear to. This town is being built by people who met at a town for the same purpose but greed and dishonesty ruined it. When two people from the crew doing the building disappear into the forest, Casey and her husband Eric, the owners of the town come to search for them. While searching another body is found along with other people residing in the dense area. Any connection to the dead body and the missing crew members?

I was delighted to read this first installment of the reboot of Armstrong's Rockton series. In this new book, the world-building involves actually building a new world, or at least a new town in the Yukon. Like Rockton, this new town is designed to provide a temporary refuge for people in danger, and the protagonists of the previous novels, who managed the previous town and protected its residents (often from the other residents), plan to continue in those roles.

What I loved about this book:
- like always, Armstrong gives us a satisfying mystery to solve
- the main characters, Casey Butler and Eric Dalton, are hard-working, competent people with integrity. If I am ever lost in the Yukon, I seriously hope they find me before a bear does.
- the descriptions of the wilderness are realistic but also captivating
- the action sequences are just superb
- at the same time, I'm a wimp when faced with non-stop suspense, so I am very grateful that in between the tense scenes, Casey and Eric make time for rest, recuperation, and reassessment, etc.
- the supporting cast is quirky and multi-faceted

I can't gauge whether this book would stand alone for new readers, even though Armstrong expertly and unobtrusively provided enough backstory to remind me of key previous details. Honestly, though, the seven books of the Rockton series are outstanding, too, so you should also read them. Even writing about them here makes me want to go back and reread all of them.

***Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review***
I am beyond excited that Kelley Armstrong decided to continue this series! Rockton 2.0 has new problems and new characters, but keeps the main characters who I've come to love.
Casey and Dalton are back, married, and united in their creation of a new home where people can find a safe haven without dealing with outside forces controlling and manipulating the settlement. New problems arise and I am excited to see how this group of quirky, flawed characters handle themselves. Can't wait for more installments.

Armstrong and her Rockton series have been long time favorites, so I was thrilled to read this spin-off. Armstrong’s world building is superb and she effortlessly blends a great police procedural style mystery with non-stop action that has plenty of twists and turns that will keep you guessing till the end. Her characters are not only complex but endlessly fascinating. I’m excited that we’ll be getting more stories about Casey, Eric and the folks of Haven’s Rock / Rockton. This book can be read without first reading the Rockton series as Armstrong does a great job of briefing the general plot but if you’d like to read Casey and Eric’s adventures from the start check out, City of the Lost.

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

I came to the Rockton series with the last book in the series. Before I could fully catch up with the previous entries Kelley Armstrong presented a spin-off and I dropped everything to dive into the world of Haven's Rock. It's the same premise of an isolated community giving shelter to people who need to get off the grid. This time, though, the rules are being written by Det. Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton. They learned what didn't work with Rockton and there will be big changes. They have sunk lots of money into this new venture and will be very careful about who will be living in the new town. Before much has been built they already have a handful of people in need of a haven. They all know the one rule - don't go into the woods. Well two of the construction crew turn a blind eye to that rule and enter the woods. Now they are missing and Casey and Eric set out to track them down with the help of their Newfie, Storm. It isn't long before they find the dead body of an unknown woman and then things really heat up. The mystery had me staying up past my bedtime with enough twists in the puzzle to make me read faster. I'll say no more for fear of spoilers. Now I'll finish up the Rockton series in time for the next Haven's Rock to arrive.
My thanks to the publisher St. Martin's and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book was fantastic! This was an offshoot of the Rockton series, also by Armstrong, and is the first in a brand new continuation series. They are building a new settlement, one that will be run by Emilie and Casey and Eric. Casey and Eric have gotten married (yay! Finally!) and plan on using this trip as a bit of a honeymoon, but before they can a murder gets dropped in their lap, and before they know it they're swimming in bodies and suspects and making themselves the target of assaults and all kinds of fun stuff. This is Rockton 2.0 and I gotta say I am here for it. This book was excellent, with return characters and new ones alike, and I can't wait for book 2!!

From the Prologue we know we are going to be part of a mystery that begins with breaking the main rule of Haven's Rock....don't go into the forest alone. This book begins the spinoff series from a favorite Rockton series, with the main characters of husband and wife team - Detective Casey Duncan and Sherriff Eric Dalton. Note that I have not read the Rockton series and worried that I would lose some of the main connections -- however, the author fills in information relating to the back story very well as this story evolves - so I was happy to know that this series would be able to stand on its own. Casey and Eric come to check out Haven's Rock and have to hit the ground running as they learn that two of their construction crew are missing. What follows is an ever-evolving case where there are multiple suspects, secrets hidden and learned, the myserious freedom of the Yukon where people want to "disappear" but can be found, and characters that are going to add lots of depth to both this story and those to come. This was a very enjoyable read in the Kelley Armstrong style, which keeps the reader guessing and all options for an ending open to change the closer we get to the last page. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read and review this advance reader copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #NetGalley #MurderAtHaven'sRock

I loved the Rockton series so was very excited to pick up the first book in the sequel series, and it did not disappoint!

Casey and Dalton are so close to their dream of a new Rockton - a secret town in the Yukon for people to disappear to - where they don’t have to bend to the will of the council. But weeks before completion some members of the crew have mysteriously disappeared, and their project manager has called them in to solve the mystery, or she’s pulling her whole crew out to keep them safe. As usual, nothing is at it appears in the Yukon, and Casey and Dalton must pull out all the stops to work out what has happened and who is responsible.

I always love Kelley Armstrong’s thrillers, and this was no exception. Getting to see familiar characters is always a joy, and I love that they can’t rely on technology and large teams to solve the mysteries being so isolated and secret. The setting really adds an extra layer to the stories.
The mystery was interesting, I enjoyed the twists and turns and trying to work out who was responsible, as well as getting to see the beginning of the new Rockton.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to continue the series!

This is the first book in her new Rockton Novels spinoff series, Haven's Rock, which picks up after the Rockton books and sees some of the characters from that series getting a fresh start in a new town.

Haven's Rock is a town under construction deep in the Yukon wilderness of Canada. Casey and her Sheriff husband Eric met at Rockton and are now helping settle Haven's Rock. It's a place for people to disappear or get a fresh start after being on the run. One rule, though--do not go into the forest. But two people break the rule and go missing. Casey and Eric investigate, leading to the discovery of the body of a murdered woman.

Armstrong delivers a suspenseful and atmospheric procedural! Characters from Rockton combine with some colorful new ones (even if we can't be sure who can be trusted) for a series that feels both familiar and new. I am thrilled to read more of Casey, the strong female MC.

I love Armstrong's writing style, characters, world-building, and ability to keep the plot moving at a good pace while building a sense of foreboding and danger. Adventure-filled, I was on the edge of my seat and kept guessing on multiple fronts until the action-packed end! If you are a fan of procedurals, Kelley Armstrong, and her Rockton series, you will most definitely want to pick this up. It does not disappoint!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press Minotaur Books for the opportunity to review this ARC. I enjoyed it!

This novel is the perfect start to the spin off of the Rockton series. You can read this as a stand alone but I will be going back to read that series.

I had heard great things about Kelly Armstrong but I hadn't yet read anything by her. I am so glad I did ! I've been missing out.

There is one rule. Don't go into the forrest. Someone has broken that rule and a dead body is discovered. What has gone on ? Can Casey and Eric figure out what had happened here?

This atmospheric thriller is perfect for a cold winters read. You will get sucked in and race through the book to find out what is happening at havens rock. I will be reading more of Kelly's novels from now on! So glad I got this arc!

Thank you to netgalley, St Martins press and Minotaur books for this read!

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC publication for an honest review.

Murder at Haven's Rock
by Kelley Armstrong
Pub Date: 21 Feb 2023

I am a fan of Kelley Armstong's Rockton series and was thrilled to hear there was going to be a spin off. Murder at Haven's Rock is a solid start to this next chapter of the Rockton gang in a new setting. While you do not need to read the initial Rockton books, I highly recommend starting at the beginning to get the most bang for your buck! You won't regret it...

Once again, Casey and Eric/Dalton are our leading couple. (Who are now married! And I am pleading for a short story dedicated to their wedding!) Haven's Rock is being constructed as the new secret community except now the people of the town will be independent from "the Council" who controlled Rockton. Not all of our previous characters from Rockton have arrived yet, but we had appearances from some of our favorites with the knowledge that more will come once the town is finished.

This book had a similar feel from the Rockton series. Mystery, suspense, murder in the wilderness, romance...I absolutely love Casey and Eric together. I have watched their relationship grow from the very beginning and the two have such a special, sweet, mature partnership. They know how to work together as a team. They know how to utilize each other's strengths and weaknesses. They can both be stubborn, make mistakes, but then they own up to their failings. Talk about relationship goals...

I am looking forward to the next installment and seeing more of the Rockton crew come together mingled with some of this new cast.

4 stars