From her Otherworld novels, to Nadia Stanford, to Cainsville, to Rockton, plus many, many others, Kelley Amstrong’s name on a book as its author pretty much guarantees a great read. I was disappointed when the Rockton series came to an end, but she has continued with the best characters in Haven’s Rock. The Boy Who Cried Bear was excellent and I couldn’t put it down, though it left just enough of a cliff hanger to make me wait anxiously for the next novel in this series.

Up front- this will be most appreciated (and welcomed) by those who have been following along in the saga of first Rockton and now Haven's Rock, the community deep in the Yukon that's meant as a safe place for a small number of those fleeing trouble. Casey and her husband Dalton have worked hard to build the Haven's Rock and they've made same policy changes- they now accept couples and, in one case, a family. Max is 10, a smart and clever kid, who sees a bear- or is it- while he's on a careful hike in the woods. Gunnar sees it too. And the miners who live close (4 miles is close in the Yukon) have information about a wild man. So what's going on? Casey and Dalton are investigating (along with their loyal dog) when Max disappears- setting off a hunt that uncovers- well, no spoilers. I love the characters in this series (I'm a big fan of April) and each time a small back story (this time it's Gunnar) is revealed. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I'm a big fan and this is a terrific addition. Casey and Dalton have big (big) change ahead so I'm especially eager for the next installment.

For me, this book was a 3.5 star. I'm rounding up to 4, because I do think part of that rating is the very personal 'I missed this was book 2' and a little bit 'I'm not particularly in the mood for series books at this time'.
I enjoyed Kelley Armstrong's writing, and found this story to be compulsively readable. The occasional third person POV with Max and the primary POV of Casey being in first person does take some time to get used to, but I adjusted a lot faster than I'd expected.

I did enjoy the mystery and the snippets about the purpose of Haven's Rock. I thought Gunnar deserved a lot better than the shite Dana put him through, frankly. Gunnar was one of my favorite side characters, admittedly, so I am certainly biased.

There are, of course, because this is a series, unanswered questions. I do kind of want to know the secrets behind the miners, but I don't think I want to know badly enough to continue this series myself. I do think that the odds of retention are a lot better if you start with the first book, and if you - unlike the version of me writing this review - are in the mood for series reading to begin with.

As a note, because I know it can be a turnoff for some readers, this book does feature the early days of a surprise pregnancy.

Thank you to netgalley and St. Martins Press/ Minotaurs books for a copy of this arc

I really enjoyed this continuation of the haven rock series. It had me guessing at every turn and every time my guess was wrong! The new character that have been added into the story are great. But there are some point when characters are speaking it just dosent seem real like most people wouldn't speak like that in a conversation and seems a little forced. That throws me off a bit when reading. Other then that it was a good continuation of the series and it leaves you wondering what's going to happen in the next book!

4.5 rounded to 4

This is the second book in a spin off series called Haven's Rock. You will at the very least need to read the first book in this series Murder at Haven's Rock in order to understand what Haven's rock is about. However, if you have time I highly reccomend the series that this one is a spin off from, the Rockton series, first book is City of the Lost. Even just reading the first book in that series will set you up with a bit more understanding for this one.

Detective Casey Duncan and Sheriff Eric Dalton already feel comfortable in their new town, hidden in the Yukon Forest but even they are still learning the new forest around them and the new residents in town are even more unprepared in the forest coming from "down south" which is why people are not allowed to wander in the forest alone. While on a planned hike, the youngest member of the town Max (10 years old) is started to see a bear chasing them, but this is no ordinary Bear, Max swears that it was running on two legs and had human eyes. Casey and Eric know the dangers a bear can present, and they set off to find the bear, but while they are gone Max disappears into the forest. Some say he has run off, some say he was taken. it is up to Casey and Eric to find him, but strange occurrences are happening all around them, in town and in the forest and they are not sure what they are up against.
What I really enjoy about Armstrong's writing is that she does not rely on dead body after dead body in order to keep readers attention, instead she relies on old fashion detective work, tracking and creatine a tense atmosphere to keep it.

In this book, we have a missing child which is the main focus for Casey and Dalton and it is about uncovering clues hidden within the forest and from the residents in town in order to piece together what happened and where Max could have gone and if someone had him. Are there additional interesting side plots where things will be taken further in additional books, absolutely but I found that they were done in a way that intertwined well with this story that it did not become confusing. It personally just made me want to read further in the series to see where Armstrong will take things.

As Haven's Rock is a new place for those who need a place to hide for a few year, it has new rules compared to Rockton. This is really seen with having kids and couples in town instead of just allowing singles to enter. This has created a new dynamic that Casey and Dalton must deal with, as well couples fight, children are curious and Casey and Dalton are still getting a feel for the place. Their authority get questioned a lot more here as well. I personally love the new dynamic and it adds something new from the previous series. And wow, the bomb that gets dropped in this book is just amazing.

I enjoy that Casey and Dalton spent a lot of time in the forest and that the forest is a big unknown here as Dalton did not grow up here and it is not as predictable of a place as it was in their previous home. I think that this unknown forest gives the book additional suspense as they look for Max, as they don’t know the woods like they did before. Their hands are more tied here and they must rely more on Storm and Dalton's tracking skills to try and find him. You can tell on more than one occasion that they are frustrated with their progress and you have to even wonder how much easier their job might have been if they were still in Rockton

One of my favorite additions to this book/setting is their mysterious neighbours, Casey and Dalton know that they cannot trust them, but cannot quite figure out what they are doing way out in the Yukon. There was a lot more interaction with them as well in this book and I can't wait to see that subplot unfold even further in future books. I feel like there is more to come to head with them sooner rather than later

I like Alice’s character growth. even though we don’t see a lot of her in this book, the scene with Kenny is super sweet.

Another solid book by Armstrong. I am a big fan of Dalton and Casey so anytime they are in a book you know i'm going to pick it up. I highly recommend this series, and reading it in order, to fully appreciate the characters, setting and storylines that Armstrong has set up.

Enjoy!!!!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur books, and Net Galley for an Arc of this book.

This book is exactly what I needed to take me back to the feelings I got when I read the OG Rockton series. The mystery of what lies in the woods outside of the "safety" of Haven's Rock. We question motives of the new inhabitants of the town, as well as Detective Casey and Sherrif Eric's choices with allowing children into the town. How will all of the new developments and residents affect the town and the safety it represents? Are the new neighbors a danger to the town's existence? Will this be the end of Haven's Rock?

Always happy to spend time with Casey and Dalton, and this was a solid Yukon wilderness thriller, as we've come to expect. I'm enjoying seeing how Haven's Rock is developing, with its new residents and new (yet similar) problems. Are there dead bodies? Of course, it's Casey. But I feel we're left with a sense of hopefulness that we never really had with Rockton, and I can't wait to see what comes next.

4.5 stars

I liked the second installment so much more in than the first one in this Rockton spin-off series. Having some new characters--especially the younger ones--and more of the old characters back in the mix really helped. The pacing was great and kept me turning pages. The mystery kept me guessing, and I'm intrigued by the larger mystery regarding the mining settlement that this built on from book one.
As always, I appreciate Casey and Eric's supportive relationship and that romantic angst doesn't figure into the plot. They're partners who lead a community and solve crimes together. I also appreciate how the author allows for differences in temperament and points of view. Just because someone is harder to like, doesn't mean that person is an enemy. I do think sometimes she's trying a little too hard to convey how liberal-minded her characters are by their terminology and conversations. Occasionally, this feels forced rather than natural. That's my only quibble this time around, and it's minor compared to all I liked. I absolutely recommend this series to folks who didn't get enough of Eric and Casey with Rockton, and I think for people who start with this instead of the original series, there's enough recap they won't be confused. Eventually, they will probably want to circle back to Rockton.

I have been provided with a review copy of The Boy Who Cried Bear from NetGalley for an impartial review. This book was just so easy to get lost in. I completely got lost in the story and I just loved getting to see these new characters come together. I just absolutely love this story and I just didn’t want to put it down. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.

This is such a good series! As much as I loved the mystery and thrills, I also love the continuing story of the residents and those in charge. Haven’s Rock is a community out in the wilderness which was established for those who need to get out of the general population, sort of like witness protection. This story deals with a kidnapping, monsters in the forest and a brave and resilient 10 year old boy called Max. I can’t wait for the next installment.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Kelley Armstrong is one of my favourite authors, so I jumped at the chance to read this book.

This is another solid book in the Havens Rock series (offshoot if Rockton Series). I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It starts with a young boy seeing something in the woods that looks half man half bear. Casey and Eric must work hard to solve the mystery and run their new settlement, which true to its name is a Haven for those that the law couldn’t protect.

Armstrong has exceptionally talented in both character and world building which is apparent in this book.

Kept me entertained from start to finish.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martins Press for providing me with an ARC of this book to read and review.

THE BOY WHO CRIED BEAR by Kelley Armstrong is the second book in a series, but it reads perfectly as a standalone. Haven Rock, deep in the Yukon territory, is a small town where people from the witness protection program have safely resettled.

Max, the main character, is still adjusting to life in the Yukon; but one day, the boy sees what he thinks to be a bear while hiking in the forest with a group. But something is off—the eyes seem to be human. An alarm is raised, and the community gathers to begin a search for the bear. Having been bold enough to approach residents, the animal is certain to be a threat to the inhabitants. But working on the other side of the mountain are miners who have been pushing for more land from the Haven Rock residents. Bad blood is brewing.
The story is a fast-moving nailbiter and certainly not the book to carry with you on a camping trip.

Havens Rock is progressing with a few new residents in the last few month. Two young boys and their mother are some of the new ones. The youngest boy, Max, loves going for hikes in the forest with the adult guides and learning. He tells one of the adults, Gunner, that he saw a bear across the way. Gunner sees it, but not the human eyes that Max says he saw. Casey, Eric and Anders go into the forest searching for the bear and find nothing. Then the race is on to find Max who went into the forest alone and disappeared. During the search for Max one of the miners from the neighboring settlement is found dead and more evidence is found of more than one attacker. Can Casey and Eric find Max alive and figure out the secrets the mining boss is hiding?

We return to Haven's rock, Casey and Eric's new town after the fall of Rockton. Unlike Rockton, Haven's Rock has children and families.

While out for a hike a 10 year old boy sees what looks like a bear but moves like a human. Days after the town starts hunting for it the boy disappears. While fighting rumors, misinformation and residents who think they know better they struggle to find the boy as well as find the man dressed as a bear.

This book really showcases the differences between Rockton and Havens Rock and also brings into question what is going on at the mining camp that lives next door. I have a feeling we will be seeing much more about that in future books. Casey also finds herself under the weather and struggling to give 100% to solve the case of the missing boy and help track the person who took him. We see prejudices flourish within the community and the difference in running a town full of single people vs. one with families. I flew through this book and love this series. I love returning to these characters and witnessing their trials.

This second entry to the Haven’s Rock series was a great follow up to the first book. Kendra is such a great strong female lead character. When you add in the rest of the cast of characters there is a bit of everything. I like the addition of a family with kids. Dana bringing Max & Carson to the remote outpost is an interesting plot twist, I liked the way the storyline moved between Kendra and Max’ viewpoints. I would have liked more check ins with Max since I felt nervous for his situation. The miners complicated things & I think they are doing something in their area they shouldn’t be. That’s the problem with being so remote….who can stop them? I feel like Kendra & Eric have some of that in their future. I thought the plot line of Kendra being pregnant was great and I thought that story arc had many different aspects to it. It will be interesting to read how that changes Kendra & Eric’s life in the next book.

Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press & Kelley Armstrong for an advanced copy of this story..

This is an excellent addition to the Haven's Rock Series! I would recommend reading the first book in this spin-off before reading this one, and well it's a great series so you should DEFINITELY read the Rockton Series as well!!
The Boy Who Cried Bear was entertaining and sucked me in from the beginning! I just love following Eric and Casey in everything they do, and I'm so excited to see how Haven's Rock is going to grow into what they wanted Rockton to be.

In the new town of Havens Rock there are some differences in the town itself, one of those is the addition of couples and families with children. Max is a super adorable kid who along with his older brother and mom has been through some horrible things before arriving in Haven's Rock. When while walking through the woods he thinks he spots a bear, it sends Casey and Eric off to see if they can find him. A bear that is close to the town is a dangerous thing.
But what they discover is something else, and when Max goes missing it sends everyone in the town into a tailspin. Now Eric and Casey with the help of my favorite doggy sidekick Storm are off into the woods to find Max and the person who took him.

Max is scared but also smart and uses what he's learned from Eric to survive until help finds him. As always I love Erica and Casey together and enjoy watching them investigate. Dalton is another favorite along with a few others who've slowly.. very slowly been growing on me. We see more of the miners whom we found out about in the first book and find out all is not what it seems when it comes to them and I think we will get to dig even deeper into them in the next book. Along with all the things going on in the town, and between Eric and Casey (nothing bad!) and the miners I cannot wait to see what's going to happen with it all next!

Kelley Armstrong is one of my top comfort authors: I know I will enjoy anything she writes, in any genre.  

Haven’s Rock is a mystery/thriller series spun off from Armstrong’s Rockton series.  It’s about an isolated, secret town in the wilderness in the Yukon where people go when they need to disappear.

Casey and Eric run the town and also investigate any crimes or mysteries.  In this one, a young boy named Max sees a bear following a group of hikers — but the bear had human eyes.  Is it Bigfoot?  I am always here for a book involving Bigfoot.

I love thrillers with smart kids trying to get out of danger, so Max, the youngest child in Haven’s Rock, is a wonderful addition.  I really looked forward to his scenes and his combination of age-appropriate fear and practical smarts.  Great character.

When a dead body turns up, the story gets nice and twisty...loved the mystery in this one, it kept me guessing.

I’m a little less interested in the politics of the town itself, but very intrigued by some of the other ongoing mysteries — there’s a mining operation nearby that clearly has secrets, and some other fun characters living in the wild.

I wouldn’t recommend reading this one as a standalone. I think it works much better as part of the series, and the ending doesn’t really resolve.  I’m completely hooked for book 3 though and very curious about some of the secrets hinted at in this one.

Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for my review copy of this book

The Boy Who Cried Bear is the second book in the Haven's Rock series, which in itself is a spinoff from Kelley Armstrong’s terrific Rockton series. I believe this could be read as a standalone, although as with any good series, you would have a richer reading experience if you’ve read the previous books. Armstrong does give some good backstory without weighing down the current story.

Most of the book is narrated by the female main character, Casey, although some chapters are narrated by a 10-year-old boy named Max. Casey and Eric are a power couple! Casey is a detective and Eric serves as the sheriff of their new town, set in the midst of the Yukon wilderness in Canada. The location is purposeful, as they are trying to be a sanctuary of sorts for people who really need sanctuary. (Rockton was founded on a similar notion but got into problems when the leaders of that town let in criminals; Casey and Eric are determined to make sure that doesn’t happen with Haven’s Rock.)

Armstrong knows how to write gripping stories with wonderful characters. it seems she can write well in pretty much any genre (and she does!). This series is a mystery / thriller and it keeps you on your toes, trying to figure out who is responsible for (NO SPOILERS!). It was great to revisit with old favorites like Casey and Eric, along with Casey’s on-the-spectrum doctor sister, April; Isabel; Will; Kendra, and others, and to meet some of the new residents of Haven’s Rock, which now include a mother and two young sons (one of whom is the Max mentioned above). There is a mining company working the land not too far away from Haven’s Rock, which isn’t ideal in terms of keeping their town safe and separate. Relations with the miners are a bit tense.

There was an excellent subplot that centers on Casey and Eric’s personal lives and I look forward to reading more about that in future installments of this terrific series.

I bounced between the audiobook and the ebook for this title, which was very convenient. The audiobook was beautifully narrated by Thérèse Plummer.

Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book and to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook. All opinions are my own.

The Boy Who Cried Bear was such a suspenseful and thrilling ride. It is the second installment in the Haven’s Rock series but totally works as a standalone. The suspense never let up and I was on the edge of my seat for it all. I really love this spin-off series from the Rockton series. The concept of this series is so amazing and original.

Casey & Eric are just such fantastic characters to follow. I love seeing their growth from book to book and their relationship evolve. Casey is such a badass, she's so smart and the best cop.

Armstrong is one of my favorite writers as she is able to make you see such a vivid image of the scenery and the scenes happening. Her writing always drags me in from the start. This was a great crime fiction/thriller with police procedural and it was truly well done. Can't wait for the third book.

✨️Thank you to @netgalley, @minotaurbooks & @kelleyarmstrong for my free ALC in exchange for an honest review.

An absolutely fantastic continuation of the series.

I adored the Rockton series and have been thoroughly enjoying this sequel series as well.

The Boy Who Cried Bear introduced a whole host of new characters and dynamics to the existing plot, by bringing children to the Yukon wilderness. I enjoyed getting to see how the new town is developing and what Casey and co want to keep the same and hope to change. It was definitely amusing seeing certain people not realise quite how in charge they are!

A thriller series I recommend to everyone, I can’t wait for the next book!