Rockton and Haven's Rock series.
Awesome suspense ,mystery, murder, twists.
Really great characters especially Casey and Eric.
Max thinks he sees a strange looking bear stalking the group.
Casey and Eric goes to investigate that when they find a body.
Was it attacked by a bear or something else.
Love the series can't wait for the next story..
Voluntarily reviewed.

Deep in the Yukon wilderness lies the town of Haven’s Rock. It’s a refuge for those who need to disappear from the outside world, and Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton, are its protectors. They try to keep less wilderness-savvy residents from wandering off alone. So when 10-year-old Max spies what he thinks is a bear stalking their hunting party, Casey and Eric take it seriously. But even stranger, the boy swears the bear had human eyes.

All is not as it seems in the wilderness. When a dead body turns up, and Max goes missing, Haven’s Rock seems anything but a safe haven. Casey and Eric must work to find their missing resident, while negotiating their town’s needs against the needs of a nearby mining camp.

Casey and Eric are strong, believable protagonists, and the wilderness mystery unfolds in an intriguing way. Armstrong does an excellent job of keeping the suspense going until the final page.

I mean, its Kelley Armstrong! You KNOW you can't go wrong, but with this newest from the Rockton series, I'm just tickled to death that she's making this ongoing. LOVE it!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book.
I loved the Rockton series and recommend it to everyone. I’m really intrigued with the Haven’s Rock series. Love that some of the old characters are present and chose to follow them to a new town. Though I feel in both books they briefly mention the characters. Im hoping in the future books we can get more time with our beloved characters. I really want to see what happens with Kenny and April. I’m loving April and Casey’s relationship. In the beginning I worried it was going to be a book about the little boy being murdered but luckily that was wrong. I never expected the who behind the kidnapping. I thought it would have been something more connected to Rockton. With what they learned after being in Rockton it is interesting to see what changes they make to that model and how it’s working out so far. With the mining camp nextdoor this book has shown how the different takes on living up there and wanting no one to know you are there and what you are doing. It shows how green the mining group is at living in the Yukon. The mining camp had a nasty surprise for themselves. I’m interested in finding out more on what their intent is.

Thank you Netgalley and Minotaur Books for the chance to read an advance copy of The boy who cried bear by Kelley Armstrong. This is the 2nd book in the Haven's Rock series, but you can read it by itself, as each book is a standalone mystery, but with the same narrator, Casey Duncan. The town of Haven's Rock has been started by Casey and Dalton, when their town of Rockton was closed down. Children are now welcomed to Haven's Rock, and when Max, a new resident, see a bear stalking the hiking party, he raises the alarm. After some don't believe him, he sets out to check what he saw, a bear with human eyes and quickly disappears. It is up to Casey and Dalton to discover what happened to Max, and solve the mystery.
A long fan of the Rockton series, and main characters, Casey and Dalton, this 2nd book in the sequel series had me hooked. I enjoyed the mystery, loved finding out what is happening to my favourite characters, and was intrigued by the new residents. As stated you can read this by itself, but one of the best part is how the series is character driven. Totally recommend!

The Boy Who Cried Bear had all the elements I've come to love from Kelley Armstrong's Rockton and Haven's Rock series: an interesting plot, expansion on the pre-existing relationships between characters, the Yukon setting, and of course the mystery. Overall, this thriller is another great addition to her catalogue.

always love a good mystery book and this one mostly delivered. The Yukon setting was definitely unique and intriguing as was the concept of a Utopian type community that is a haven for people who want to disappear.

I had not read the first book in this series, so was a bit lost in the beginning. However, Armstrong did a good job of repeating names, along with references to the roles of various people in the community, so that I was eventually able to straighten out everyone's identity.and significance to the plot.

The characters of Casey and Dalton were well developed and endearing. They have a respectful, loving, mutually beneficial relationship that seemed real and appropriate for their roles in the community and the plot. I did get tired of all the "negotiating a relationship" and "respecting boundaries", etc. talk. Just seemed to slow down the action. Max, the other main character, was very resourceful as he tried to survive captivity. He did seem a bit mature for a ten- year- old, Maybe surviving severe trauma made him more savvy about escaping captivity.

The title was puzzling. While the book centered on finding the missing boy, it was much more about the people searching for him and the problems they had with the miners. Some chapters did focus on Max, but very few compared to the total number of chapters.

The ending left readers with lots of questions. Were the two miners really child predators? ( Seems unlikely.) or were they set up by a nefarious mining boss? Why are the miners so secretive? What is really going on with the mining operation? Were some of the Haven's Rock residents in on the abduction, and just weren't caught? There were a lot of loose ends that left me dissatisfied. Maybe things will come to light in the sequel. However, it seemed things should be better resolved in this book.

I was really enjoying this book until the end. Lots of plot twists keep you interested but I did not like how it ended. To me,it felt unfinished. I wanted to know more about the "neighbors" as well as what happened to the occupants of the town

Another enjoyable title in the Haven series. Casey is well developed and complex, with a new twist she needs to deal with. I did feel the Dalton didn't have as much depth or character arc in this one as the previous books. He felt a bit secondary, which was unfortunate as this series is as much about his character development and that was missing. What is happening for Casey will affect him, and I wanted to see more of his struggles and character development as well.

Still a great book and perhaps some of those issues with be dealt with in the next book in the series.

I’ve now read several of this author’s books from different series and they are always consistently great. This one was no exception. She does such a nice job with genre novels, where even if the premise is unrealistic the story still feels real and believable.

I was a bit skeptical of this one at first because thrillers that focus on kids can go a bit sideways, but I shouldn’t have worried. This book was a page-turner with just the right amount of narration from the child’s perspective but a lot of adult themes interwoven as well. I love the Haven’s Rock story and look forward to more installments in the series.

I’m an avid Kelley Armstrong reader and was grateful for the opportunity to read this book in advance. “The Boy Who Cried Bear” is the second in the Haven’s Rock series. I would recommend reading the first book to better understand some of the connections., though this could work as a standalone. Haven’s Rock is a town that houses the most at-risk people from the witness protection program. This series installment introduces the newest residents. There is so much tension and mystery in this book. It’s a real pageturner! I will definitely recommend near publication day.

A solid addition to the Rockton world! I am always happy to read another story about Casey, Dalton & Co. This book is similar to the others where they’re solving a case and they’re out in the woods. Even in its formula it’s an interesting, easy read. There are some serious unanswered questions about their neighbors that make me excited for the next installment!

My thanks to St. Martin's Press, Kelley Armstrong and Netgalley.
There's just something about this series that I love. There is a certain warmth of feeling and a love of place that somehow grounds me. Does that sound a bit silly and stupid? Fine. Call me silly and stupid. Sticks and stones.
I've always had an ideal place in my head. That place would be far, far out of reach from anyone, but also smack dab in wild life country! Not too hard to imagine, as I live in Montana. Nobody here wants to see grizzly bears, but they turn up in the most unlikely places! I saw a bobcat in my neighbor's yard not too long ago. Weird? Nope. Just Montana. Still, I've been here since 1995 and had never seen a bobcat before.
I was initially hesitant about this new series. How would the new dynamics change? Well, not much as it turns out, and that right there may be where Ms. Armstrong and I part.
I've read a few series of books by various author's and have found that they can't change their habits. I personally think that I'm ready for more of a change. Into what? Don't know. Man, I'm a reader not a writer!
I love this series and the characters. Even the back drop is a character. Yukon? Please. Since I was 4 and read Jack London the Yukon has always been alive.
I do love the newest arrivals and am curious about the next book.
I will say that sometimes these books come up lacking on the whodunit. This? Definitely one of her better mysteries.
I love and actually anticipate new books in this series.
With a warning...something must change, or else a new and deadly threat must emerge.I
Otherwise I will read elsewhere.
Please don't become Janet Evanovich! Talented but tiresome.

Special thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books for an e-arc of this novel. Publication date 20 Feb 2024.

As usual, Kelley Armstrong has another 5 star thriller on her hands. This book will keep you on the edge of your seat guessing. I couldn't put it down. If you want a quick, one day read that will keep your attention this will do it.

I have been an avid reader of the Rockton series and now Haven's Rock and I am thrilled I was able to get an ARC from NetGalley for the 2nd book in the Haven's Rock series. Thank you NetGalley.

Detective Casey and her husband Sheriff Dalton do not want their Haven's Rock residents to wander into the woods alone where dangers abound in the remote Yukon Territory. When 10 year old Max tells them he has seen a bear stalking a hiking party its up to Casey and Dalton to figure out what is going on especially when Max says the bear had human eyes. Once that is established this story takes off at a rapid pace with many twists and turns. This story kept me engaged all the way to the end. I hope the next book in the series takes a deeper dive into the miners who are also out in Yukon wilderness.

I wish I would have read the first book before reading this one. However that did not take away from the gripping plot and the storyline that was easy to follow. This book kept me on the edge the entire time waiting to see the next development in the story! I can’t wait to read the first book and read more from this author

Fast paced, hard to put down mystery.

Deep in the Yukon is a small town/community called Haven's Rock. People come here to start a new life. Dana and her two children have come to start a new life after her husband was murdered. This is the first time the town has allowed children into the community. Max who is 10 years old sees a bear in the woods. Although this bear has human eyes.

Detective Casey and her husband Eric begin to go into the forest to hunt for the bear. Max sees the bear again and goes back into the forest alone. He get's taken by this so called bear.

It was very fast paced. Lot's of tension and suspense created me to fly through this book. There was some redudancy at times but it was still and excellent read.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Havens Rock is a small town I. The remote woods where people go to disappear. There latest residents are a Mother and her 2 young sons. When one of the sons disappears suspicion falls on residents, but could it be their past catching up with them. There is plenty of suspense in this book with a few twists. The ending leaves room for a sequel. This book is part of a series but could be read as a stand alone. Thank you to net galley for an advanced readers copy.

The Boy Who Cried Bear
by Kelley Armstrong
Pub Date: February 20, 2024
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
This book is second in the series- A Haven's Rock Novel-
If you are looking for small town mystery this is one! It could be read as a stand alone, but I wish I would have started with book one so I knew the background story between characters.
In The Boy Who Cried Bear, New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong keeps readers on the edge of their seats while detective Casey Duncan tries to locate the threat before it’s too late. . .

Haven’s Rock is a well-hidden town surrounded by forest. And it’s supposed to be, being that it’s a refuge for those who need to disappear. Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton already feel at home in their new town, which reminds them of where they first met in Rockton. And while they know how to navigate the woods and its various dangers, other residents don’t. Which is why people aren't allowed to wander off alone.
4 star

Thank you @minotaur_books for the #gifted copy of this e-arc!

Looking for a small town crime mystery book?! Well look no further!! This is book 2 in the Haven’s Rock series and can be read as a standalone although I would start with the first to gather more background on the characters.

If you’re not already familiar, Haven’s Rock is a small town nestled away in a remote forest. People go there to disappear amongst the trees. 🌲 Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton know these woods well and the dangers that creep within its perimeters. They warn to not wander off but not everyone in this town listens. Max, the town’s youngest member and one with a difficult past thinks he spots a bear he reports it to his he town. He knows he saw a large mass but not convinced it moved quite like an animal. Left with questions and more doubt the town isn’t sure what to expect. Soon dead bodies turn up and people disappear and the hunt is on to find out what is at play here!

Thoughts: I do think this one was a solid slow burn mystery but do wish I would have started with the first book because I wanted to know more background between the sheriff and detective. I appreciated the side story with their own personal struggle discussed in addition to the mystery surrounding Max’s disappearance. The missing child and sense of dread created around him and his background made me so much more invested in his disappearance. Max’s trauma felt real and you couldn’t help but root for him and his safety! I think my favorite part of this book was the setting in the remote woods. For some reason I am always drawn to the outdoors and the author did a great job painting a remote setting that felt eery, cold and foreboding. I’m interested to see where this author will take this series next!