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!

Another very solid novel in the Rockton mysteries by Kelley Armstrong. This one I found much more compelling than the previous entry - with some new arrivals at their newly completed settlement, Detective Casey and Sheriff Eric are making full use of the town's mental health professionals. Two traumatized children and their injured mother are hiding from a failed attempt at witness protection - the children witnessed the murder of their father and are trying to learn to cope with the loss in the remote wilderness of Haven's Rock. When one of them sees something strange on a hike the whole town decides to take action, but too late - one of the boys goes missing. Lots of twists of turns, and lots of ways the mystery could play out makes for a page-turning read. Plus it's always nice to revisit likable Casey and Eric, and their fellow colorful townies. This entry reminded me of how much I enjoyed the first few entries of the series and made me eager for the next one.

This is book two in this series. When I requested it from NetGalley, I did not realize it was book two. As I started reading it, I felt I knew the characters that I had heard of them before. I learned they are the same characters as another part of this series that I had started reading on Kindle Unlimited. Did I miss a lot and have no clue what is going on? Not at all. I had questions about why Casey and Eric moved to Haven's Rock and what happened in Rockton to make them move. Haven's Rock is still a place where people live to escape from something they are hiding. There should never be any children, or that is what I gathered because Rockton had none. So when the youngest person living in Haven's Rock goes missing, it all starts with him seeing a bear with human eyes. All hands are on deck, and some people seem to want things to stay buried, especially things from their past. There are two groups within Haven's Rock: the miners and the residents. We see how the two groups try to avoid each other, though it seems it can not be avoided this time. I need to read book one and the rest of the books in the Rockton series because I want to know what has been happening with these characters. I do hope that Casey and Eric get the ending they want in their life because it seems they have been through some things. The pace of the story was great, and so were the characters.

As Casey and Eric work to build a new safe town in the Yukon wilderness, they accept a mother with two boys who fled witness protection when her husband was killed. Eric has been teaching them tracking and survival skills, but when 10 yr-old Max insists he saw a bear with human eyes, he is ridiculed by his older brother and takes off alone to find it.

As the townspeople hunt for Max, they try to work out an uneasy truce between their town and a mysterious group of miners who just might know more than they’re willing to share.

Second in the Haven’s Rock series with many of the same characters from Armstrong’s previous Rockton series. Enough of a cliffhanger to make it hard to wait for the next one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I am a big fan of the author and have enjoyed many of her books.
With this book I think I rather hit a wall with the whole Rockton/Haven's Rock idea. The writing was excellent as usual and I was very interested in following the progress of Eric and Casey and their base cronies (April, etc).
The plot of this book seemed like a replay of the theme of a wild animal/evil human loose in the forest. A lot of time hunting the woods to figure out what was going on. The ending particularly fell flat for me.
The story also involved children traumatized and in danger which is not something I particulary enjoy reading about.
The book is an interesting addition to the series and I will continue to read more but was just not the right book for me at the right time. Definitely a minority opinion.
Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur/St Martins for the ARC to read in exchange for my honest review.

The Boy Who cried Bear by Kelley Armstrong was an engaging thriller about a refuge in Alaska for those needing a place to hide. The characters were all interesting and the plot was well done. I hope there will be more books coming with Sheriff Dalton and Detective Duncan.

In this sequel to Haven's Rock, the isolated community receives new residents. The first family to be allowed into the community arrives in hopes of being protected from a group of would be assassins. One family member is ten year old Max. He is intrigued by the forest and has been shadowing Eric on his rounds in order to learn tracking techniques. Sometimes Max goes into the forest alone. On one such day he does not return, prompting a search.
The plot focuses on the efforts taken to track and find young Max, with a side story involving Casey & Eric.
The writing makes this an easy read, even somewhat predictable in places.
Those already invested in the ongoing Casey & Eric saga will enjoy this new addition.

This was so good, like hard to put down good. When life gave me no choice but to pause, I couldn’t stop thinking about it. Of course, I love these characters and following their growth, from Rockton to Haven’s Rock. But this story jumped right in, and gave an entirely new feel because of the changes (having families/children) to the town setup. It was very interesting, and had me on the edge of my seat the entire time. Great read!

The Boy Who Cried Bear was a mystery novel by Kelley Armstrong and it was cleverly told with mystery and intrigue. I always felt on guard because of where this location was. It’s a safe place or is it?
Alaska is beautiful and scary and the author used it to her advantage with this Bearman. Who’s doing this and why? It had several twists and turns and I only want more of this author’s work. I recommend this and can’t wait for the next book.
4.5⭐️
This was a Goodreads giveaway and I truly enjoyed it. All thoughts are my own.

When a ten year old boy is taken from a tiny settlement shrouded in secrecy by a ... creature ... that looks like a bear, the hunt is on - to save the boy, to uncover the secrets of the residents and neighbors, and to untangle the mystery lurking in the woods.

I say this every time I read another book in this series, but I just love the background settings of Haven's Rock and Rocktown before it. This book has a heavy focus on children and how they fit into setting of Haven's rock. I really enjoyed that we didn't get all the answers because it means that will be more books coming. I also appreciate how healthy the relationship between Dalton and Casey is. The try very hard to communicate what they need in the marriage.

I really enjoyed this book. It’s more emotional and feels more urgent, maybe because a kid is involved. The dynamics among te residents is definitely different. I feel bad about how Gunnar is treated with suspicion when he’s just relating. I do feel like some of the story was left untold about the mining outfit. I can’t wait to see what happens in the future. #TheBoyWhoCriedBear #NettGalley

The Casey Duncan series is fantastic and the most recent Haven's Rock book is another terrific story. Max and his brother Carson are hiding with their mother in the new community and Max is abducted. The story switches perspectives and within a few sentences, Max becomes such a rice, clear secondary character. Armstrong writes complex, detailed stories with wonderful characters. Without giving spoilers, its it clear that subsequent books will have big changes for Casey, Dalton, and Haven's Rock. Kudos!

In Kelley Armstrong's The Boy Who Cried Bear, the second installment of the Haven's Rock series, the author skillfully navigates the mysterious and suspenseful landscape of a secluded refuge town. Following the familiar characters of Detective Casey Duncan and Sheriff Eric Dalton, the narrative weaves a standalone mystery that revolves around the disappearance of a young resident, Max. Armstrong's adept character development shines through, offering a rich tapestry of personalities, both old and new, while introducing fresh dynamics with the arrival of two children in Haven's Rock. The atmospheric Yukon setting adds a chilling backdrop to the central mystery, creating a page-turning experience filled with tension, dread, and authentic portrayals of trauma. Armstrong's storytelling prowess delivers a well-paced, immersive thriller that leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this captivating series.

Woo hoo! Casey and Dalton are back!

Yeah, I have no chill. I was so happy to get back into Haven’s Rock and our inimitable cast of characters.

Now, I do think that you should read the first book prior to this one – actually, if you haven’t done so, I think you should read the entire Rockton series first – but it should work well enough as a standalone. New readers may find some of our townspeople a little odd and may not quite understand who they are and what roles they play.

This newest book is extremely suspenseful. I definitely didn’t expect what happened and I was extremely worried for our young boy. Casey is also dealing with a little something something…unexpected…that really adds to our story.

Loved this, want the next book, and really want more Sebastian and April next time!

• ARC via Publisher

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

I think this series is shaping up quite nicely. The stage is being set and the players are being assembled. I enjoyed the Rockton series however I feel like Haven’s Rock is a more gritty with the potential for more of the unexpected to happen.

In this novel, we continue to be introduced to characters and in this case a young family with children is sent to the town. The youngest boy thinks he sees a bear with human eyes in the woods and this sets off a whole series of unexpected events which leave you trying very hard to figure out what’s going on.

There’s lots of twists, suspense and surprises. Definitely a great book in the series and can’t wait to read the next one

I’m glad this series continued, in its new location. Changing the town a bit, adding new characters and adversaries, keeps things fresh. But there’s enough of the old to keep it familiar and comforting.

The mystery of this book was engaging but I think the process and the dynamics of all the characters, old and new, friend and foe, are always more interesting than the mystery that needs solving. Don’t get me wrong, they’re good too, if not a little convulsed sometimes, but I think it’s the rest that really drives the plot.

After being in such a book rut lately, this was a nice way to break out of it. As always, I look forward to the next installment.

Another great installment by Kelly Armstrong!!! Great suspense se that keeps you wanting to tune the pages to see what comes next. I really do enjoy this series quite a bit and recommend!!

Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me to read this ARC.

Book Title: The Boy Who Cried Bear
Series: Haven’s Rock #2
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Publisher: Saint Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: February 20, 2024
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pages: 352

The Boy Who Cried Bear is the second in the Haven's Rock series. I read "Murder at Haven’s Rock" which was first in this series. I also read "Deepest of Secrets" which was #7 as well as the last in the Casey Duncan/Rockton series.
I believe this story can be read as a standalone- yes it is spinoff to the Rockton series as Detective Casey Duncan the main character is in both.

Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Duncan already feel at home in Haven’s Rock.
It is a well-hidden town surrounded by forest and refuge for those who need to disappear! We know from reading Book #1 that is why Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton are there plus it reminds them of where they first met in Rockton.

In this story there is ten year old Max the town’s youngest resident, in fact he and his brother Carson are the only kids in town. Their family is in the ‘‘Witness Protection Program’ However now Dad is dead and Mom is injured. Carson hates it there and since Haven’s Rock is a unique place. Carson is seeing Mathias a psychiatrist also the town butcher. Just as Kendra is a social worker but also the town plumber and hike leader. Isabel is a psychologist but also runs the town saloon.

Max likes Haven’s Rock and thinks it is cool like being at summer camp. When Max and Carson are hiking Max thinks he sees a bear but he says the eyes looked like human eyes!

This was a fast read and there is no doubt you too will fall in love with Max and look forward to next in this series.

Want to thank NetGalley and Saint Martin’s Press ~ Minotaur Books for this early uncorrected proof.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for February 20, 2024.