The Boy Who Cried Bear is the 2nd book in Haven's Rock, which was a spinoff from the Rockton/Casey Duncan series. I did not read Rockton but have had no problem enjoying and following this series. Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton, created a town called Haven’s Rock in a remote area of the Yukon for people who want to disappear. It is surrounded by forests and a mountain, but there is a mining camp not too far away. People who want to come and live there are carefully vetted and they do not accept dangerous criminals. In order to keep people safe, they must follow the rules. One very important rule is not to go into the forest alone, there are wild animals and perhaps other dangers. With new residents, Casey organized a hike to take them out to satisfy their curiosity. There is a new family in town, one that is hiding after giving evidence against criminals and the father being killed. Max, the ten year old son, is on this walk and is sure that he sees a bear, but not just any bear, one that also has human characteristics and eyes. When Max is teased by his brother, he runs off into the woods and disappears. Was he taken by the "bigfoot" creature or something else. When Casey and Eric go out to search for him, they come across another body, and several men from the mining camp looking for the missing man. What is going on in the forest near Haven's Rock?

I am enjoying the Haven's Rock stories and love getting to know Casey and Eric. I wish I had read the Rockton series and still might, to find out what happened to this original town they set up. It is an interesting premise to me, to move to the remote wilderness areas to live in order to remain in hiding with others in the same situation. This book has interesting characters, a great setting, an interesting mystery and great story. There are elements of a mystery, a crime, and also suspense with twists like a thriller. There are many interesting characters, some seemed untrustworthy and kept me guessing. Of course, you don't know why most of them have relocated to Haven's Rock, so I didn't know if they are unreliable narrators. As the mystery is unveiled, we also learn a bit about the mining operation, that left me with an uneasy feeling, as well as assuming they may play a part in future stories. I was kept guessing right until the reveal of what had happened was shared and it was a fitting conclusion. Thérèse Plummer narrated this audiobook and she does an amazing job. With her voices, I felt like I was listening to more than one narrator. I definitely enjoyed listening to this book, with the narration adding to that enjoyment. If you enjoy a mystery set in a remote setting, then this book and series is one that I recommend.

When I realized this was the second in the Haven’s Rock series, I was concerned that I would not be able to follow the story. But I think this works well as a standalone; it wasn't confusing at all. Although, now that I have finished, I do want to go back and read the first book to get more of Casey Duncan’s story. “The Boy Who Cried Bear” is spooky, and the idea of a child seeing a bear “with human eyes” can make the hair on your neck stand on end. This was a great thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat!

I wanted to update since I have gone back and read the first book now -

Thank you to Minotaur books for the ARC!

In this second installment of the Haven’s Rock series, Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton, are loving the small community they helped found. Hidden away in the Yukon, Haven’s Rock is meant to be a safe space for those who want to disappear. People are carefully screened before they are allowed to reside there, and all residents have certain duties and responsibilities to make the community work. Since it is deep in the forest, there are also strict safety protocols, such as not wandering off alone. When Max, the town’s youngest resident, claims he saw a bear stalking a hiking party, Casey and Eric take the threat seriously. Even stranger, Max swears the bear had human eyes.

I loved the first book in this series and the setting of Haven’s Rock. In this sequel, Kelley Armstrong somehow managed to top that, still bringing the rich setting of the Yukon wilderness and adding an even more complex mystery. With Max being the youngest resident of Haven’s Rock, the pressure to protect him was a huge concern and a bear with human eyes sounded so creepy! The fast-paced mystery drew me in from the first few pages. I had no idea where the story was going but I enjoyed the wild ride to get there. As with the last book, the setting played a huge part in the story - the forests were endless and filled with the unknown. And I enjoyed getting to know the characters a little bit more too. I hope this series continues for a long time :)

”The Boy Who Cried Bear” is out NOW! This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)

This spin-off series from the Rockton books by Kelley Armstrong keeps getting better and better! I loved the Rockton series. The concept of a town hidden in remote Canada where people can go to disappear for awhile just really intrigued me. I read every single book, and every plot kept my attention from start to finish.

Some residents of Rockton were criminals, some people were running from danger, and others just wanted to disappear for reasons of their own. Nobody knew their stories except for Sheriff Eric Dalton and his deputy, Casey Duncan. Rockton fell apart as more and more dangerous people came into town, and ulterior motives for the existence of the town were revealed. So, Eric and Casey plus several residents of Rockton, set out to form a new town, Haven's Rock.

But it seems trouble has followed them.

I'm loving this new series just as much as I enjoyed the Rockton books! Eric and Casey are now in charge, but they are finding that the basic premise of a very remote town for people who need to disappear is just a dangerous situation.The location is dangerous -- residents of Haven's Rock are told firmly that nobody is to wander into the forest alone. The forest isn't safe. And, people are dangerous. Those who need to disappear and live totally off the grid often have dark secrets, dark pasts or even darker intentions.

In this second book in the series, a young boy reports a seeing a strange man-bear thing while on a group hike in the woods. Then soon after, a dead body is discovered and the boy goes missing.

This story can be read as a stand-alone book, but I really recommend reading the Rockton series before delving into the Haven's Rock books to fully understand the characters and background.

As usual I got totally sucked into this story from the start and it kept my attention to the very last word. There is a lot going on! The suspense is awesome!

I actually read an ebook copy of this story while listening to the audio book. I love to do that especially with horror or suspense novels. I don't miss a word....and there's just something about having a suspenseful story read out loud! The audio book is a bit over 10 hours long and is narrated by Therese Plummer. Plummer did a great job of voice acting as usual! She reads at a steady pace, does a great job of voicing each character, and brings out the suspense of the story in her performance.

Another great book in this series! I can't wait for the next one! Kelley Armstrong states on her website that she is editing Book 3 while writing Book 4 in this series. Yay!! I can't wait to find out what happens in Haven's Rock next!

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from St Martin's Press and listened to the audio book from Macmillan Audio. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

This was a good one. I've enjoyed all of her books that I've tried so far, so definitely going to continue the back log

This book had a perfect setting to allow for the creepy element to it! A town that all the residents are there because they are running away from something. So many residents have a dark past, even murder. Plus the bear(is it really one?) and the woods add to that thriller feel.

I felt like the book to awhile to get going even after Max was lost in the woods. The twists and turns near the end kept me guessing and wanting more. This book has a bit of a classic mystery feel with Detective Casey, but really felt thriller closer to the end.

Each character's unique backstory really made this book, since that provided a lot of potential suspects.

The audiobook really added to this book and brought out the creepiness. I definitely would recommend this book a great one to listen to.

Thank you to MacMillan Audio and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this Audiobook for my honest review.

I expected something more supernatural based on the description, but this was more about what happens when people are trying to deal with and heal from violence. Which wouldn't be bad, but the story was disappointing. Two little boys have witnessed violence, their mother is having trouble dealing with it, and they are hiding in a remote location. One of the boys is seeing a bear/man mix, and the conversations around it are kind of annoying, and he feels as though he has to do things on his own. In the wilderness. After watching his family terrorized. The final reveal was also disappointing, as were the conversations about one of the character's pregnancy. Pregnancy is a common plot device, but the way it's written, it really limited the characters. The narrator did a great job emoting and pulling the mood up. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this.

he Boy Who Cried Bear (Haven's Rock #2) by Kelley Armstrong
Narrated by Thérèse Plummer
Publisher: Macmillan Audio
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
Expected Publication Date: February 20, 2024

The Boy Who Cried Bear is the second book in the Haven's Rock series by Kelley Armstrong. This can be enjoyed as a standalone mystery or as part of the series. Haven’s Rock is a spin off of the author’s Rockton/Casey Duncan series and can be enjoyed without reading those first. (I’m definitely going to read them soon though!)

There is so much depth in this book. I found the characters to be fascinating and I look forward to learning more about them! The mystery is intense. There are so many viable suspects and there is so much that is hidden. It was awesome!

The narration by Thérèse Plummer was absolutely incredible! I loved how she brought this book to life!

I highly recommend this book! I will definitely be diving into the Rockton/Casey Duncan series because I could not get enough of Murder at Haven's Rock! I can't wait to see what happens next. I know it'll be intense!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillian Audio for allowing me to listen to this edge of your seat thriller. When I started this book I wasn't aware that this was book two of the Haven's Rock Novel. I definitely will be reading the first. The Boy Who Cried Bear is set in the Canadian wilderness, hidden away, protecting the community from outsiders with Casey and Eric overlooking the town. Each resident has there own reason to be there, in particular a mother and her two sons who think they have found safety when witness protection failed them. Who is hunting the residents of this secluded community? I guess you'll have to read this book to find out.

I didn't know when I requested this book that it's the second book in the Haven's Rock series. However, I still found the story easy enough to follow despite that fact, although I think I'd have understood more of the characters' backstories if I'd read the books in order.

I found the setting interesting because the story is set in the middle of nowhere. Haven's Rock is essentially a secret town intended to give people who need it a second chance.

Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton, are the de facto leaders of the community. And when one of their own goes missing, thought to have been taken by a grizzly, they lead the search team to figure out exactly what happened.

This story was unlike any other I've ever read, and I really enjoyed the mix of mystery, police procedural and coming of age threads in it.

Thank you to Kelley Armstrong, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

I have been a fan of Kelley Armstrong’s for years and have enjoyed all of her series, from Elena and Clay in Bitten/Otherworld all the way up to Rockton. This is the first Haven’s Rock story that I have done, but it did not disappoint. Armstrong is great at writing women characters, they are as strong if not stronger than their male counterparts, and the male protagonists usually realize this and respect them. This is something I value in my own relationships, so I expect nothing less in the fictional lives with which I interact. Elena, Savannah, Casey, they are all women I would want as friends, particularly in a crisis. You can probably start her books anywhere along the series and find enjoyment in them, but start at the beginning to fully enjoy the depth of the characters.

I jumped into this series at the first Rock Have book. It is a spin off to the initial series and I think if you aren't looking to commit to 7 books in the prior series that is a great place to hop on board.

We are in the Yukon in a new town being set up for those that need a safe haven due to something in their life going really wrong. They need a place to disappear off the grid and out of the way where no one can find them. Casey and her husband Eric used to be a part of a community like this that seemed to have some other drama issues going on with how it was run. This is there go at an idealic community set in the middle of no where. Only problem, well they have some neighbors they weren't really expecting and that is causing some issues they weren't really prepared for.

This is the first time they have let kids in the community and that has given them some new things to have to consider when trying to keep the kids safe too. Max sees something that looks like a bear out in the forest, only it had human eyes. While most are sure that Max is telling the truth as he sees it he has been through some trauma and might not have understood what he really saw. Thing is now he is missing and not one seems to be find him. Casey and Eric will have to pull out all their tricks to be able to figure out who took Max and why.

I enjoyed this who dun it. At the end we are not all wrapped up with a neat little bow, there are still some questions to be answered and the people working the nearby mine seem to have something else going on there as well that I was just left with more questions about and not less. Still I enjoyed my time in this small town meant to save people and the small crew of people who run it.

Narration:

Therese Plummer has a huge catalog of around 500 titles to her name. Narration seemed effortless to her and you could tell she was a pro. I was used to her voice from the first book in the series and she picked up the roles and voices fantastically. I listened to this at my usual 1.5x speed.

I always look forward to listening to Ms. Armstrong's Casey Duncan books. Thérèse Plummer does a great job narrating them--it's easy to tell who is speaking and she knows how to amp up the suspense when needed. I find it hard to stop listening when I need to do something else. I love the premise of a hidden town in the Canadian wilderness because it's so far from my reality of living in the suburbs my entire life. The plots of the books are all similar (people going missing in the woods for varying reasons), but I have come to enjoy spending time with the characters.

The Boy Who Cried Bear is a well-written, meticulously plotted, entertaining mystery with multifaceted characters set in a quirky town with a community that feels like family. The book has it all: murder, secrets, corruption, mystery, and plenty of suspense and atmosphere that keeps readers turning the pages into the wee hours of the morning; I would highly recommend it.….…

I have enjoyed everything I have read from author Kelley Armstrong and The Boy Who Cried Bear; the second book in her Haven's Rock series is no exception.

Haven's Rock is a small hidden town in the wilds of Yukon, Canada, a haven for people who need a place to lay low. Built by a wealthy benefactor, Haven Rock is so remote that it is a perfect place to hide. When Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton, start bringing people in, no questions asked. They live in close quarters and, although consisting of vastly different personalities, they get along for the most part. For the first time, the town has let in children; a young Mother, Dana and her two young sons, Max and Carson, find refuge there after witness protection fails to protect them, leaving Dana widowed and severely injured to care for her children. Much to his brother's dismay, Max thrives as the only child in Haven's Rock. Max loves the wilderness and spends time getting trained by a group led by Eric and Casey on how to survive in the woods. On a group hike, ten-year-old Max believes he saw a bear stalking the hikers, but no ordinary bear; it walked on two legs and had human eyes. Although Casey and Eric take Max's sighting seriously, they both agree it is just a bear, but it is still concerning, as it is out of the bear's normal behaviour.

When Max fights with his older brother, he runs away to sit by the woods only to be blindfolded, kidnapped, and taken deep in the woods by a man dressed head to toe in bear skins. After days and nights spent in the woods searching for Max, Casey becomes ill, but there seems more to it. The town comes together, and strange notes appear as the investigation remains fruitless, implying that someone from Dana's past has returned to exact revenge. The more they dive into the case, the more the leads point in different directions, including to the town's neighbours, a corrupt mining company with a mysterious facility secured by armed guards.



Once again, Armstrong delivered a well-written, compelling mystery with multifaceted characters set in a quirky town that kept me glued to the pages. Alternating between Casey and Max's POVs, the reader has insight into what Max was going through while Casey and Eric searched for him. I couldn't swipe the pages on my iPad fast enough!

The book has it all: murder, secrets, corruption, mystery, and plenty of suspense and atmosphere that keeps readers turning the pages into the wee hours of the morning; I highly recommend it! I look forward to the next book in the Haven's Rock series. I was lucky enough to get an ADC and ALC I paired the ADC and ALC (IMO) Therese Plummer did a fantastic job narrating this story. She is one of my favourites and this performance was up to her usual high standards. I felt like I was there with Casey and Eric, trying to find this boy in the woods. The voices she used for the characters brought the story to life, and I thought she added just the right amount of emotion to her performance, which fully immersed me in the plot.

<b><br />Plot 4 stars Audio 5 stars

<b><br /> I would like to thank NetGalley St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for the ADC and ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Love this series. The thought that there is a place to go when needed, even for a short time. Is a balm. Rockton ended but not Casey and Eric's dream, so they opened a new place where they are the boss's and have only one benefactor that they need to keep in contact. The difference is that in Haven's Rock they have a few children.

Although they are n a different location the Yukon, there are still woods. A suspicious mining company and of course bad people who exist everywhere. There is still plenty of mystery. Plus, most of my favorite characters from Rockton have stayed with Haven's Rock.

Happy to know there are plenty new books coming in this series.

The narration was terrific.

I read book 1 to prepare for this ARC only to find out there are 7 more books of the previous series I needed to read! I am so glad that I did, I could not love this series more!! I love all the relationships in the series, even the tense ones! I can't wait to see what happens in the next installment and to see what kind of parents they are going to be!

Write fast, Kelley Armstrong! This is my 2nd series from her that I have enjoyed very much, she is now on my always-read list!

The newest installment of Kelley Armstrong's Haven's Rock series is just the right amount of fun, scary, and mysterious. With easy, breezy storytelling and a heart of gold, this series is always an enjoyable romp. I'm so grateful to have gotten to visit again with Casey and Eric, and to see what the townspeople are up to; like visiting old friends who live a much more exciting life than I'd ever want to!

This is the second book of a series which is also a spin off from another series by this author. This was my first book by this author. This book reads as a stand alone without any issues keeping up with the story.

I found myself drawn to the main characters and the mystery of Max’s disappearance (the boy who cried bear). While the story left you with a little bit of unresolved mystery, it didn’t leave me unsatisfied with the book but ready to read the next book.

I will be looking for other books by this author as I truly enjoyed the writing and feel invested in this story.

Of note, I listened to the audiobook and found the narrator a pleasant voice to listen to.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this story. All opinions are my own.

The Boy Who Cried Bear is the next installation in Casey’s story. This installation faces new challenges and dynamics that keeps the storyline fresh and evolving from the Rockton series. As always, I enjoyed exploring the Yukon wilderness through the vivid descriptions. The cast of characters, features old and new faces who are hilarious, beloved, and frustrating in complicated ways. The mystery is solid with the continued growth of Dalton and Casey’s relationship. Looking forward to the next chapter. Therese Plummer continues to bring the story to life with her narration.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ALC.

I really liked the first book in this series so I was excited that there was another about this secret small town! I love the characters and was so glad that what I thought was going to happen didn’t happen. I’m excited for the next one!

An isolated community in the Yukon where people with pasts that need to be forgotten come to live. Add in a bear man who is seen stalking a hike, a miner's camp that has mysterious things occurring and there are plenty of mysteries to solve. Story was ok and I lived the narrator.