Haven's Rock is a small, remote town in the Yukon. Founded by Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton, it’s a place where people who need to disappear and not be found can go, but not just anyone can be admitted. There are strict rules the residents must follow. One being not to wander off into the surrounding woods alone where many predators lurk. Casey and Eric know the woods well and take residents on hikes if they’re interested. Max is one of two children living in the town, and he’s very interested in going on hikes and learning to track animals. When Max claims to have seen a bear on one of the hikes, Casey and Eric take it seriously and start a search. What’s strange is that Max claims the bear has human eyes.

This was an intriguing book with many unique individuals, each with their own story. There’s a dead body, twists, turns, trust issues, and more. When Max goes missing, the race is on to find him and bring him back safely. But what will the teams find during the search?

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I was not aware that this was the second book in a series. It can be read as a stand alone mystery, but I would recommend reading the first book ‘Murder in Haven’s Rock’ to learn more about the continuing characters and understand the reason for the town.

A young boy, Max, while on a hike thinks he sees a bear but with human eyes. Few believe him. Seeking proof, he goes back into the forest. When he doesn’t return, Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton go searching for him.
But the rugged dense forest holds many secrets and predators, both animal and human.

The many fans of author, Kelley Armstrong will no doubt enjoy this new book. It was an okay read for me. Slow at first, but with enough mystery that I did want to finish it. Thank you to Netgally and St. Martins for the arc. The comments and review are my opinion.

A great mystery which is atmospheric of The Yukon Territory. Several twists. I look forward to the next installment.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

Kelley Armstrong’s Haven’s Rock series keeps getting better and better. The Boy Who Cried Bear , the second book in the series, has a significant mystery along with plenty of suspense and atmosphere that keeps readers rapidly turning the pages. This is a spin-off continuation series after the Rockton series ended with book 7, The Deepest of Secrets. The unique setting adds another layer to the tone of the book. Haven’s Rock is a hidden town built somewhere in the Yukon wilderness of Canada. It’s a place for people to disappear and a sanctuary for those that need a refuge.

Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton met in the original town of Rockton and are feeling at home in their new town. While they know how to navigate the woods, their town’s residents don’t. People aren’t allowed to wander in the woods alone. When ten-year-old Max believes he saw a bear while on a group hike, there are concerns that it was stalking the hikers. But Max says it had human eyes. Casey and Eric take the sighting seriously despite not knowing exactly what it was. When a dead body is found, it adds to the mystery.

Casey and Eric are well-developed characters with plenty of depth. Casey is driven, a great investigator, and frequently finds dead bodies. She’s a good listener, empathetic, and understanding. Eric is a fantastic tracker, needs alone time in the woods occasionally, is truthful and intelligent, and asserts himself when needed. He also gets short-tempered and blunt with annoying or bothersome people at times, and isn’t good at small talk. Max is smart, intuitive, empathetic, and responsible. He is also suffering from a trauma that affected his family. It was great to see some of the secondary and tertiary characters again. Each book adds some depth to them.

Overall, this is well-written and entertaining with a solid mystery and complex characters set in an off-the-grid sanctuary town. An intriguing start quickly accelerates as the plot develops and Casey’s investigation takes off. Murder, trust, secrets, lies, concealment, and respect are all threads that are explored during the novel. It was also great to see more of Casey’s and Eric’s personal lives and how they work through the challenges. While the main mysteries are solved, there are some threads for the next book that should prove fascinating. I can’t wait to read it. While this novel can be read as a stand-alone, readers will gain a better understanding of the key characters and their backgrounds if they read the Rockton series first or start at the beginning of this series. Fans of Kelley Armstrong and the Rockton series will likely thoroughly enjoy this novel.

St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Kelley Armstrong for a digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley and the opportunity to provide an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently set for February 20, 2023. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

A continuation of the Haven’s Rock series. Casey and Dalton are dealing with some of the same issues as before: wild animals in an untamed and dangerous environment with people who may not be completely trustworthy. There are new challenges when they allow kids in the refuge. Their miner neighbors are hiding something possibly nefarious. And a personal surprise for Casey could change her whole life.
This series never gets old. In fact, I get more and more invested in the characters and want more!

I love to read a good mystery but when the ending is left hanging, it spoils the whole book for me. This story is set in Alaska and the town is "hidden" for those in witness protection. Two of the main characters are married to each other and are also witness protection people. They are starting this second town and allowing children. Keeping the children engaged is tough but on one of the hikes, Max says he saw a "bear man". Without giving too much away, Max goes into the woods on his own and is taken. In hunting for him, the hunting parties engage with the miners. These two groups of people are trying to stay away from each other but for different reasons. Max is found but the person who took Max is not the person who murdered a miner who was found on the searches. The book ends with the safe return of Max but finding the murderer is left up in the air. Not the way I like my murder mysteries to end.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review "The Boy Who Cried Bear", by Kelley Armstrong.
I have read all of the original Rockton books, which led up to the new series, set in Haven's Rock, where the remnants of Rockton are making their new, even further-off-the-grid town. Casey Butler, Eric Dalton and Will Anders are continuing the legacy of the original Rockton, providing refuge for those who really need it.
Dana, Carson and Max are the latest to join the group, and the first 'family' to do so, plunging Casey and Eric into new territory, while at the same time dealing with their 'neighbours" ( a mining crew and an even more isolated hermitess).
While on a hike in the woods, Max - the youngest - spies what looks to be a bear-man (Bigfoot?); but nobody really believes him, most of all his big brother.
Until Max suddenly disappears, and the hunt is on!
Clashes of personalities abound, between Haven's Rock residents and their neighbours as everyone has their own theory as to what's become of Max. Will they find him? And will he be alive or dead?
Simultaneously, Casey and Eric are dealing with what might become a life-changing situation and how that will affect their community.
If you liked Ms. Armstrong's Rockton series, and have read the first book in this series "Murder At Haven's Rock" you will certainly want to include this one on your reading list. I cannot wait to see where things go from here.

Haven's Rock is a town off the grid in Canada. The residents, because of something in their past, do not want their whereabouts to be known. When Max, the youngest child from the town, witnessed a bear while he was on a nature walk, the leaders of the community look for it, but cannot find it. Then later, when Max disappears the leadership of the town makes it a priority to find him. The presence of a secretive mining camp close to the Haven's Rock area complicates matters, as does the potential pregnancy of the chief investigator. This is the second in a series, but can easily be read as a stand alone, though I will probably look for the first one as I was intrigued by the situation and the characters. Thanks to NetGalley for the introduction with an arc, and for no pressure for a positive review.

The second book in the Haven's Rock series has two focuses.

Haven's Rock provides shelter for families, couples, and individuals who need to disappear for a while because of some threat to them. The first family there consists of a mother and her two young sons. Carson and Max are the first children who have been in the program. Max is the youngest and is adjusting pretty well to the isolation and all the nature surrounding the new town. He's learning about the wilderness from Eric.

When Max spots something odd on a hike, Eric and Casey first think it is a grizzly who has come too near the town and who might be sick. They don't find it when they go out searching. Then Max sees it again and is grabbed by someone when he goes out to look for it. Eric and Casey go out looking for him, but neither they nor their trained dog can find him.

His disappearance causes some fractures to show up in the town with suspicions and rumors indicating the mother might have had something to do with the disappearance. Casey works on investigating in town while Eric conducts the search out of town.

Their search has them running into the secretive mining operation going on nearby. The leader asks them to look for a missing miner while searching for the boy. They soon find the miner's body with more than 30 stab wounds on the back and indications that he has crossed tracks with Max. Questions arise about his motive for being near the boy but his death indicates that, if he was the kidnapper, he wasn't working alone.

All the while this is going on, Casey is dealing with a possible pregnancy. She was told, after physical trauma she suffered earlier in her life, that she couldn't have children or couldn't carry a child to term. However, avoidance kept her from finding out which was true. Until Eric, she had no intention of having a child with anyone. Now, she finds herself pregnant and doesn't know what to do. She and Eric are partners as well as a married couple which means whatever happens they are in it together. She doesn't know how she feels about this untimely and unexpected pregnancy and is worried about Eric's reactions.

This was an engaging story. I liked the parts told from Max's point of view. I like seeing how the community is building in the new Haven's Rock settlement. I thought the mystery was least successful part of the story. Casey and Eric find answers, but they don't feel satisfied with them. The whole issue of the secretive mining company is left for solving in a later story which gave this one a slightly unfinished quality.

I'm so glad Armstrong is continuing her Casey Duncan books in this Rockton spinoff series. There's something so appealing about this remote community in the Yukon, and I love Casey and Eric's strong relationship. As usual, there are a preposterous number of unknown people, both alive and dead, in this remote wilderness, and in this installment a young boy from Haven's Rock is kidnapped. The mystery in this one was better than the last few, I think, but mainly I keep reading for all the characters, including the character of the Yukon setting itself. Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Minotaur Books for a digital review copy.

I'm on the fence with The Boy Who Cried Bear their was aspects of the storyline that was entertaining and enjoyable the characters are well rounded and intresting but the ending was lacking and left you feeling a little disappointed.
I received a advance reader's copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review

I really liked this. When Rockton was shut down I was worried that it would be the end of this town of characters. This book brings them back in a newish setting. They are still out in the wilderness and Havens Rock also seems to have its mysteries. The town is a bit different from Rockton in that they are allowing couples and a family to move in. Emilie is the benefactor and seems to be vetting people and no longer allowing criminals to buy their way in.

One family that has moved in is a woman with two young boys. Eric has been teaching one of the boys, Max, about the wilderness including tracking and survival skills. On a town wilderness hike he notices what he thinks is a bear following the group. He mentions it to his brother who doesn’t believe him. Gunnar hears about it and they hang back. They both see the bear but it is behaving abnormally including walking upright. Max says the bear has human eyes. The next day a search for the bear begins but is unsuccessful. Meanwhile, Eric and Casey meet up with the leader of the new neighboring mining operation and “Mr. Roger’s reports a “wild man” on the loose. Eric and Casey agree to investigate. Suddenly Max is missing and they are worried the wild man has taken him. They begin a search. Searching the wilderness uncovers clues about other mysteries, strange behavior by Havens Rock residents, the menacing mining camp and other ritualistic scenes. Will they find Max in time to save him? Did they make a mistake in allowing children into the town? Is this the right time for them to think about having children?

All in all this is another great Kelley Armstrong book. I love this series and these characters and am looking forward to the next book. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is a very good read. I loved the twists and turns though the situation with Max was troubling. I need the next book to see what happens next.

I'm loving this new series. Casey and Eric are back and the mystery they face is a wild one. The cast of characters are interesting and complex. The setting comes alive. This one kept me guessing at every turn. It's a whole new chapter in these characters lives and it promises to be great reading. I think this may top Rockton!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC! I really enjoyed this book, wow! It had me on the edge of my seat wanting to know more. The little “town” in the book is fascinating and so unique and I loved all of the characters. The storyline was very intriguing, I’ve never read anything like it! I’d highly recommend this book!

When an author is writing a long series like this one (and like the previous one, the Rockton series) they have to balance a lot of things. They need to stick with what's worked for their readers, but they also need to add in new elements - they can't just write the same book over and over again. But how do you up the stakes each time, without getting to jump-the-shark territory? They also need to balance episodic plots and villains with the series Big Bad and overarching mythos. (Think X-Files, where you had the Monster of the Week episode, vs the alien invasion mytharc of the series.) So the reader needs to finish each book feeling like the book plot was resolved, and the series arc was advanced but still leaving questions unanswered - but in a satisfying way.

I think Kelley Armstrong is a master of this. She did a fantastic job with this in the Rockton series, and is continuing here in Haven's Rock. We have a smaller scale antagonist and mystery that is mostly wrapped up by the end of the book, and yet also have introduced what might be our Big Bad for the series, and opened up a LOT of questions that will probably take many books to explore and resolve. New town, new stakes, new baddies, new townsfolk, and new interpersonal issues. All in all, a really great addition and absolutely worth picking up; I finished it in just two days because I could NOT put it down.

If you've never read the Rockton series, I highly recommend going back and picking that one up before starting on Haven's Rock. You'll be missing out on a lot of background if you don't, as well as just missing out on another fantastic series.

(Also, is that cover art gorgeous or what?! I couldn't find the name of the cover artist, but kudos to them.)

The Boy Who Cries Bear by Kelly Armstrong


Sheriff Eric and Casey are one of my favorites in the world of crime-fighting couples. I already loved Kelly Armstrong's supernatural books, but somehow the world of Rockton and now New Haven captures me way more than other detective story do.

The villain-turned-hero and found family tropes can be found everywhere throughout the book. Anders, Isabella, Casey, Dalton, & even some of the wacky ex-cons.

Serial killer psychiatrists, traumatized children. This series is never boring! Mathias, Dana. Max. Yolanda. All the familiar faces. Louie.

Wolves. Bears. Baby scares. Is it the right time? Is it ever the right time? Casey's thoughts mirror my own internal struggles. Gunnar.

The miners. Lilith. All new lovely neighbors to contend with. Hostiles. Emilie. Storm, the best doggo to ever exist.

Aurora Borealius. The northern lights. Painted foxes. Truly, I can not get enough of this series! I will be waiting in eager anticipation for Casey Butler's next adventure! 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5 Stars!

I absolutely adore this series and the original. It's just so darn fun and always manages to keep me on my toes and more importantly, completely enthralled with the writing, with the town, with the quirky characters...in short, with everything. I have yet to read one from the series that hasn't kept me up at night eagerly turning the pages guessing what was going to happen next. This series continues to grow in all the right ways and I couldn't ask for anything more.

Armstrong is an amazing writer and each new book shows that talent growing more and more. I can't wait for the next installment!

Haven's Rock doesn't quite live up to its name as there are hidden dangers. One of those dangers for residents that live in the hidden town is what could happen to them in the forest. When Max, only one of two children in a quite unusual community is being taught survival skills, and this includes tracking skills. Max says he saw a bear, and then says that he saw human eyes.

Detective Casey Duncan and her husband Sheriff Eric Dalton try to deal with the danger that a bear could present to their town. The pair met in Rockton, which was a community much like they have now, but they were only residents. Now, they are actually founders of Haven's Rock and they want everyone to be safe.

Even before the possible bear sighting is confirmed, Max goes missing. He is only a ten-year-old boy and would be ill-equipped to survive in the woods on his own. Did Max wander off and get lost, or could something more nefarious have happened to the boy?

The Rockton/Casey Duncan series, which comprises of seven books, would be an excellent start for one wanting to read The Boy Who Cried Bear. Then, the first book in this Haven's Rock series, Murder at Haven's Rock, all contain excellent background of all of the characters and their way of life. Yes, this book could be read as a standalone if need be, but for full appreciation of what Casey and Dalton experience and how they work hard to protect their town, reading both series in order would be highly recommended.

This book, and all of the books in these two series, were excellent reads that kept me tapping my Kindle consistently until I reached the satisfying conclusion. I cannot wait to see what lies in store for Casey, Dalton and the rest of Haven's Rock residents.

Many thanks to Minotaur Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

THE BOY WHO CRIED BEAR is the second book in Armstrong's Haven's Rock series. With intense characters, a tautly woven plot and a foreboding atmosphere, it's sure to please fans of book one and those who love a good mystery.

Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton, have moved on from Rockton to create a remote town called Haven's Rock in a highly unapproachable area of the Yukon. Haven's Rock is a haven for those looking to disappear off the map - a sanctuary that can only be entered if approved by Casey and Eric after careful scrutiny and background checks. Being a new community, most of the residents are unaware of the dangers lurking in the woods of the area and so they're schooled in strict rules about protection and never venturing out alone. Unfortunately, the restrictions create curiosity in people, especially children like ten-year-old Max who's learning about the wild from Eric. One day on a hiking trip with a group, Max sees a bear . . . one with human eyes. Many ridicule him, but Casey and Eric take all potential threats seriously and begin a search of the woods. It's soon clear something or someone is stalking the town and in spite of being repeatedly warned to stay out of the woods, Max's determination to prove he's not making up stories sends him back out alone. Max never returns and a search party begins scouting the woods. When dead bodies start showing up, chaos ensues, and fingers are pointed. What happened to Max? Will they find him dead or alive?

THE BOY WHO CRIED BEAR is a take on the old fairy tale The Boy Who Cried Wolf in that a child claims to have seen a bear one too many times until no one believes him when he tries to warn them. Most of the characters are highly unreliable making it difficult to figure out who's trustworthy and who's wearing a mask. The setting with its surrounding woods and total isolation gives the story a locked room ambiance which helps drive a tone of malice and impending doom. The authors manipulation of characters and readers keeps everyone on their toes while trying to solve the mystery. Several subplot lines muddy the waters a bit, but Armstrong brings it all together by the end.

Author Kelley Armstrong expertly delivers an intense, mesmerizing thriller in THE BOY WHO CRIED BEAR. With several characters dealing with past trauma and PTSD, she handles the subject manner with care and grace while rendering a captivating story I found hard to put down. While this book stands alone with great backstory filled in, I do advise picking up book one for the character development of main characters. Highly recommended to fans of mysteries and suspense thrillers.