This was the absolute perfect winter thriller! The small hidden town, up in the middle of nowhere in the Yukon, was so wonderfully creepy, as were all the characters! The majority of what happens (in every situation) in this book would be my personal version of hell, but make some great true crime, lol! Highly, highly recommend!!!

Thank you to NetGalley, @kelleyarmstrongauthor, and St. Martins Press for an early copy in exchange for an honest review!!

I am always up for a Kelley Armstrong novel, so when I saw Cold As Hell was available on NetGalley, I promptly clicked, requesting a copy.

I haven’t read all the books in her unique towns series, but I don’t feel lost following along. I love books that deal with storms, and a blizzard makes for some extra danger to the characters.

Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton are expecting a child, but that does not stop her from investigating the murders in the small sanctuary town of Haven’s Rock.

The action begins from the opening pages. Kendra had grown up Indigenous in Canada, and her idea of going out means one drink. But, here she is, staggering around, being dragged through the snow, kicking and screaming. Thank goodness someone sees what’s happening and saves her from something worse. How could she be drunk on one drink? Did someone drug her?

Haven’s Rock is a small town and everyone knows everyone and all their business. It shouldn’t be that hard to figure out who is the villain.

I did get some chuckles from Kelley’s creative writing.

I’m so accustomed to lumbering around like my dog that I suspect after the baby is born, I’ll fall flat on my ass leaning backward for balance.

“Will has even promised me a T-shirt. ‘I escaped a serial killer, and all I lost was this lousy pinkie toe.’ I will be sorely disappointed if he’s joking. I want that shirt.”

I love some humor with my danger and Kelley is a pro at supplying them both. I love that the characters all have lots of baggage. Of course, they do. That seems to be a requirement to becoming a resident in Haven’s Rock. That being the case, there are lots of suspects to choose from. The villain is truly evil. The torture he submits to his victims is dark, brutal. I loved the ending, but I won’t be telling you anything about it. You’ll need to find out for yourself.

Thanks NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read Haven’s Rock by Kelley Armstrong.

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I'd love to live in a town like Rock Haven. However, it is always these types of towns that, for years go untouched and are deemed safe, only for something (or someone) to wreak terrible havoc, frightening everyone. This book also has unreliable characters, so some times you don't know who you can and can't trust, which makes for a thrilling read that will keep you up into the late hours of the night. Read this when snowed in or hunkered down in your house with cold temps, because that made this book even more appealing for me as I read it.

Cold as Hell is the third book in the Haven’s Rock series that’s best read in order. Better yet, go back and start with the original series: Rockton. Like Rockton was (or claimed to be) Haven’s Rock is a place of refuge for those on the run. A community off the grid and under the radar. A place for someone trying to escape a whole range of situations: a stalker, abusive partner, or an unjust conviction. Applicants are vetted for violence risk, meaning someone who poses a threat to others will not be admitted.

In this installment, Eric and Casey are getting ready for the birth of their baby, excited and nervous as the due date approaches when one of their members is drugged and narrowly escapes abduction. They’re both shocked and relieved, because it could’ve turned out so much worse, yet now they know there’s a predator in their midst. Their vetting process is better than Rockton’s, so they wonder how this could be. While investigating another woman goes missing with deadlier results.

Cold as Hell is one you want to make some time for because you’re not going to want to put it down! I love the methodical way Casey and Eric go over each mystery, checking and re-checking the facts and witness accounts. The devil is in the details! With this case the murderer is a special kind of evil and I was so worried for everyone involved! The ending was a nail-biter, and I stayed up late to finish! That last bit, how everything finally resolved was gratifying! Maybe that makes me a bit ruthless, but that needed to be done!

I’ve alternately read and listened to the entire series (and bought the hardcovers to keep on my shelf!) and I recommend either version. Thérèse Plummer narrates the audios and they are fantastic! She seamlessly performs both male and female characters and infuses them with just the right emotions bringing the story to life!

As always, Kelley Armstrong took me on the ride of my life with this third book in the Haven’s Rock series, Cold As Hell. Starting off like a rocket, there was enough mystery and suspense to keep me intrigued down to my core. Even better, however, was how fast-paced and riveting the plot was as it twisted and turned. And boy was the great, big twist a gasp-inducing stunner. Catching me completely unawares despite my reveal-guessing talents, my jaw dropped in ecstasy as I whispered “No f***ing way!” Perfectly teeing up an explosive climax that had my fingers burning as I flew through the pages, I couldn’t have read the last third of the book any faster even if I had tried.

As for the characters, as always they were the special sauce to Ms. Armstrong’s crime fiction novel. Complex, fully-fleshed-out, and blessedly realistic, I’ve fallen in love with Casey and Eric more with each book in the series. This time around we were blessed with the arrival of their adorable child. Does everything go to plan? Of course not. It wouldn’t be a book by this author if it did. Filling even that heartwarming subplot with dread and foreboding, I relished what this new turn of events did for all of the characters in their development. From April and her endearing yet quirky behavior to Yolanda and her often irritating personality, they were all a home run for yours truly.

The only piece of the puzzle that bothered me just a bit happened to be that propulsive, blindingly fast yet far-fetched climax. Requiring a definite need to suspend all disbelief, it just felt somewhat off in relation to the rest of the novel. After all, while the idea of an isolated town out in the middle of the bush might not be all that realistic, the world-building surrounding it made it 100% feasible despite its many questionable traits. With mostly believable events and descriptions that made Haven’s Rock come alive, the bulk of this novel felt undeniably real. The climax in comparison, however, just went a bit too far into the absurd—at least for this reader.

All said and done, Kelley Armstrong hit it out of the park yet again. Stuffed full of dark secrets, long-buried lies, and spine-tingling deceit, this book was probably my favorite out of this compulsively readable series. With precise plotting, an unguessable conclusion, and thoroughly relatable characters, there was no end to the fun as I flew through the pages. And let me tell you, that conclusion was utterly perfect. Soul-satisfying but with a dark, unexpected twist, I ate it up at an ever-ratcheting speed. So please…don’t wait. Head to Amazon and order this puppy right now. After all, you’re not going to want to miss a minute with Casey and Eric. Rating of 4.5 stars.

Thank you to Kelley Armstrong, Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

Cold as Hell by Kelley Armstrong is book three in the Haven's Rock series. Casey is very pregnant, but there seems to be a serial killer on the loose in the sanctuary town of Haven's Rock where she and her sheriff husband work. So she is on the case to find out what is going on. I really enjoy this series. This particular book was a little unbelievable at times, but it was still a fun read. Thanks to NetGalley for the free digital review copy. All opinions are my own.

This was my favourite Haven’s Rock book yet. This series just keeps gets better and better. Casey & Eric are expecting their first baby when someone starts attacking women in the community. Casey needs to leave town due to pregnancy complications but weather conditions were not cooperating so they kept investigating. When they finally got out Casey figured out the mystery & they had to make their way back to help out, The climax of this story was so amazing & kept me on edge as I tried to figure out how Casey was getting out of her predicament. I can’t say more without spoiling it if you’re a fan of this series then you want to read this book. It is soooo good & the ending was perfect!

Thanks to NetGalley, Minotaur Books and Kelley Armstrong for a copy of this book..

I was so excited to see Kelley Armstrong's name I accidentally read #3 in a series without having read the others first. But, that didn't stop me from enjoying this disturbing read. A town deep in the Yukon is supposed to be a sanctuary for people to start over, but instead it's a setting for the perfect murder. With a very limited population, anyone can be a suspect and you get to dig deeper into the secrets of the town members and why they needed sanctuary in the first place.

It felt secure as a standalone, but I would recommend starting from the beginning so you have a better understanding of the world building and characters. I look forward to reading more of this series!

Haven’s Rock, having reached a population of seventy, now faces a perplexing mystery. When one of its residents, Kendra, is drugged and dragged into the woods, Detective Casey Butler and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton, are thrust into a challenging investigation to uncover the culprit behind this heinous act. Fortunately, Kendra managed to get away safely. Haven’s Rock is a spinoff of the seven-book Rockton series, and is just as compelling.

Casey, heavily pregnant and struggling to relax, finds herself in a town plagued by a perpetrator. With only three police officers in Haven’s Rock, she faces challenges in focusing on her upcoming birth amidst the strict environment and limited amenities. Compounding her concerns are worries about her pregnancy and the impending snowstorm.

When another woman from town vanishes and is later discovered dead, Casey and the others must determine the cause of death. If it was indeed murder, then it becomes critical to exercise caution and be wary of the town’s residents.

As this is the third book in the series, readers would really benefit from reading the first two books, and even the Rockton series. Although, the backstory is touched on in this book, these previous novels are compelling reads.

Thérèse Plummer’s exceptional narration, a hallmark of her previous books in the series, set the perfect atmosphere for this remarkable novel. Sinking into its pages was an absolute delight.

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

This Haven’s Rock mystery may be the best one yet. The author deftly provides background and information without it taking up too much plot real estate. The added characters and new situation gives the story more dimension and depth. The dynamics between characters continue as crisp as ever. I could not put this book down.

This book held me captive late into the night, I could not put it down until I read the last word. Tying up all of the loose ends, the twists and turns coming to a halt. This series is one you need to read if you have not already. It will fully engulf you, making you see only the words on the page, the words turning into a heart pounding read that will have you at the edge of your seat. The setting of the book becomes one of the characters. Haven's Rock a hidden town found deep in the Yukon. Made for people to disappear and to safely live without looking over their shoulder. This all changes when one of the residents is drugged and dragged to the edge of the forest. Who could have done this and why?

Casey and Eric are snuggled down deep when the pounding on their front door wakes them. Casey is eight months pregnant and fighting it every step of the way. She wants to be able to do exactly what she always has and it is slowly dawning on her that she needs to slow up and listen to the doctor and her sister. Eric heads down to see what has happened. From that moment on there is no more rest. There is a full-on investigation that is taking them through each of the town members. The stories changing, the possibilities of who did it seem endless, and the ticking of the birth always in Casey's mind.

This is seriously one intense read. If you are looking for a thrill a second read, with a set of characters that are from every walk of life. Definitely check out this series. I cannot wait to see what book four will bring. Thank you to Kelley Armstrong and Minotaur Books for my gifted copy.

Cold as Hell by Kelley Armstrong is the third novel in the Haven’s Rock mystery thriller series. Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton, have their hands full when a woman is attacked and dragged into the woods. Now more than ever it’s important who they trust.

The Haven’s Rock series is a spinoff of her Rockton series featuring Detective Casey Duncan. While each book offers a standalone mystery, I recommend reading the series in order.

Set in a remote location, the town of Haven’s Rock lives entirely off the grid. The town is hidden deep in the Yukon and offers sanctuary for its residents. Until one of the woman is attacked and dragged into the woods before being rescued.

A riveting mystery and relationship growth had me flipping the pages late into the night. Armstrong is a favorite author of mine, and she created a good mystery with plenty of suspense, suspects, and twists. All the residents have secrets, some Casey and Eric know others are – need to know.

The climate of their remote town is almost a character in itself with winter blizzards, dangers in the surrounding forest and their isolation from society. The police team comprises three and they will all need to work together as a suspect becomes clear, but doubts are raised. When a second victim is found, it becomes clear they are dealing with something darker.

Casey’s pregnancy adds another complication. She is due any day, and April is concerned. She wants Casey to travel down the mountain to deliver. Weather and Casey’s own stubbornness have Eric pulling out his hair. I love seeing their relationship evolve and having the townsfolk come to their aid.

Cold As Hell was a gripping edition to the Haven’s Rock mystery series. I am not sure I will ever grow tired of these characters and cases they tackle.

I received an ARC of this book but this review reflects my honest opinion of the book.

When reading this book, I worried that my impressions would be colored by what is going on in the United States today. Yes, this is in Canada, but the whole idea of people creating their own justice system has traditionally never worked for minorities and militia have a certain reputation in Armstrong's southern neighborhood that i was sensitive about while reading it. But that is on me, not the author, so I put that all aside to honestly review this book.

Overall, it was a clever story, and I'm enjoying the development in the characters and their stories. This one unfortunately was overpowered by the pregnancy subplot. There was also a strange judgment in it, almost preaching, about women not taking risks because their bodies aren't just theirs anymore, and simultaneously a lot of stupid decisions were made, culminating in the tropeist of childbirth scenes. Yes, graphic, but also cliche, and it's disappointing because what i like about this series is that it takes a cliche and turns it on its head. This is a rough community hiding from the central government, but one where people of color and members of the LGBTQI+ community are welcomed. Still, the central mystery is clever, and for fans of the main and secondary characters, it shouldn't be missed. Kelley Armstrong is very clever at drawing out characters over the course of multiple books that has you rooting for even the less likable ones. And the action scenes are great as always.

Kelley Armstrong is back with her newest novel in the Haven’s Rock series, that spinoff of the Rockton/Casey Duncan series, entitled Cold As Hell. In the latest mystery, Casey and Eric investigate who drugged and dragged one of the town’s citizens into the woods where she managed to get away before anything worse could happen. Casey, meanwhile, is also nearing the end of a problematic pregnancy when complications force them to the city to give birth. Except that Casey soon discovers after some research that one of their new citizens is not who they say they are. With time not on their side, Casey and Eric have to return to Haven’s Rock before the “something worse” happens.

By moving Casey and Eric to a new town, adding and removing characters, Kelley Armstrong has really breathed fresh life into this series. Cold As Hell is gripping, absorbing, and will seriously have you turning pages during the tension-filled climax. And what a climax it is.

The title is as clever as the plot. Not only does it describe the weather in this isolated part of the Yukon, but it describes the emotional behavior of the murderer. Drawing on her psychology background, Armstrong writes characters with depth so that her mysteries are as character-oriented as plot driven. A treat in all respects.

Highly recommended new addition to the Haven’s Rock series.

Many thanks to the publisher for sending me a copy.

This series spin off and the original just cover all the bases for me. The plot never fails to deliver. The concept of the town and how it plays out, all the astronomical challenges, weather, complex people with issues and our never ending law enforcement team just rock. Sheriff Eric Dalton Detective Casey Duncan and lets not forget Enders. I love the twists and am surprised 99% of the time on who the perp is. The psychotic personalities, the a**hats and the ones we all love trying to mesh together in camp and the tundra. I love this series and the narrator Therese Plummer so much that I buy the audio just to listen to. Thank you for the advanced copy! I freely volunteer my honest thoughts and opinions.
#ColdAsHell #HavensRock #KelleyArmstrong #StMartins #MinotaurBooks #NetGalley

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4.5stars-COLD AS HELL is the third instalment in Kelley Armstrong’s contemporary adult HAVEN’S ROCK mystery, thriller series set in the fictional town of Haven’s Rock, Yukon focusing on Detective Casey Duncan and her husband Sheriff Eric Dalton. The HAVEN’S ROCK series is a spin off from the author’s ROCKTON series with several of the original series characters moving to Haven’s Rock.

SOME BACKGROUND: Rockton Yukon did not exist on any map, and the residents all had a questionable past, fake names and false histories. Most were once considered to be white collar crimes but with increasing regularity, hardened criminals have somehow paid their way into Rockton, seeking sanctuary against future prosecution, a safe place for two years before seeking asylum somewhere else. A serial killer destroyed the people and ultimately the town of Rockton Yukon, and with the help of some of their former friends and a big influx of cash, Detective Casey Duncan and her husband Sheriff Eric Dalton, begin the task of building a new town, known as Haven’s Rock, a town that will expose our couple to more murders and questionable inhabitants.

Told from first person perspective (Casey Duncan) COLD AS HELL focuses on several happenings in Haven’s Rock. A drugging at the local bar finds a very pregnant Detective Casey Duncan and her husband Sheriff Eric Dalton searching for a missing woman but when one woman is found, another is discovered dead, and the entire town begins to suspect everyone connected. Meanwhile Casey’s pregnancy reaches a critical point, and our heroine struggles between doing her job and protecting her unborn child, a struggle that becomes dangerous and deadly.

The world building follows several intersecting paths including the possibility of one of their own wreaking havoc on the town’s residents but not everyone is who they claim to be, and Casey and Eric will face down an enemy with deadly intent.

There is a large ensemble cast of colorful and questionable secondary and supporting characters, all of whom have a past. Accusations are made; threats are compounded with issues of trust-not everyone will survive.

COLD AS HELL is a story of secrets and lies, betrayal and vengeance, madness and murder, love and loss. The slow building story is dark, dramatic and edgy; the characters are determined, charismatic and energetic. Kelley Armstrong pulls the reader into a world of ice and cold, snow and blizzards-you can feel the temperature drop.



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Casey is in her last month of pregnancy and doesn't have time for any shenanigans from the people who live in Haven Rock. When a woman is attacked Casey knows she can't let her condition stop her from helping her Sheriff husband investigate. They soon learn the woman was drugged and her screaming is the only thing that saved her. The two begin to look into things but with a storm approaching and pregnancy issues will they be able to find the culprit? Follow along as the two make headway into this mystery. Will they figure out who is behind the attack before someone else ends up hurt or dead?

This is the first book I've read by this author. It was an intriguing mystery. I liked the mystery aspect but found the setting a little odd. There are more books related that I haven't read and this book doesn't provide a lot of backstory, just bits and pieces. The story can be enjoyed without reading the others but I missed out on some things without the backstory. I liked the main female lead. The challenges they face based on where and how they live adds another dimension to the mystery. Once I got started, I couldn't stop as I wanted to know who was responsible. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Cold as Hell by Kelley Armstrong
Haven’s Rock series #3. Spin off from the Rockton / Casey Duncan series. Thriller. Police procedural. Best read in series order but can be read as a stand-alone.
In the hidden small town in the Yukon, Detective Casey Duncan and her husband Sheriff Eric Dalton are the main police force. They’ve had some harrowing close calls and when one of the women in town is drugged and dragged into the forest, they immediately lock down and find out where all residents were at the time. Snow storms and limited resources don’t stop the investigation, nor does the pregnancy slow Casey down. Much. There are only seventy residents. They need to figure it out before someone else dies.


🎧 I alternate between an ecopy and an audiobook. The narration is performed by Therese Plummer who does a fantastic job with voices, emotions, and keeping the suspense intense when appropriate. This narrator does the full series and it’s like being with Casey each time and following her life and cases.
Too cold for me up on that isolated frozen tundra. And because of the frozen land, they plan out exactly how many toilets there are per person as well as having to ship in almost all supplies. And no internet! What would I do without new books every week?

Thrilling and intense.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher Macmillan Audio.

Cold As Hell, is the third book in the Havens Rock mystery series by Kelley Armstrong, when the book starts, Kendra is going home from the rock, which is the bar in the small community and she’s only had two drinks, but feels immensely intoxicated when someone grabs her and tries to drag her into the woods. She is saved only because Sebastian, was out walking Raul. when Cassie and Eric find out despite her being almost full-term, she wants to investigate it and she does. The investigation is hampered by a blizzard and when the blizzard is over, another resident is missing, but everything only gets worse when Cassie has a pregnancy scare and must leave Haven’s rock to get medical attention. Will they be able to find out the predator before they leave or will they find out at all? Is there a serial killer among them? let me just say, I listen to the Kindle and the audio version of this book with the great narration of. Terez Plummer and this author‘s books are among some of my favorites, but as far as this book goes, although I love the series I did find everyone in the villages overwhelming concern for Cassie‘s pregnancy really got all my nerves. I mean, they really overdid it not to mention how they refer to everyone by both their first name and that other times by their last name which really confuses things for those who are new to the series or doesn’t have a great memory to begin with. I love the whole concept of this book, but in this one, I found everything to be so packed and perfect and something about it annoyed me because no one is perfect and the fact that they don’t judge anyone because they immediately know the psychology of why they feel that way just really graded on me. I don’t know why. I still enjoyed the mystery but not as much as I did the other books in the series. It made it be me IDK. I still recommend this book, but you must read it in order because I do think if you read it as a standalone, you will be lost as this is an ad junk series to a whole Nother series. You can still start with the first book in the Haven’s rock and know what is happening, but I wouldn’t start with this one. furthermore, I did find it odd that people can create their own village their own rules, their own police system, and if Eric is in charge, why does everyone do what Cassie says? These just things I ponder while reading the book. This is still worth reading don’t get me wrong. I’m just being a negative nanny because this is a book I recommend as it’s a book by an author love her books so much but this one wasn’t amongst the best of them. #NetGalley, #SaintMartin’sPress, #TheBlindReviewer, #KelleyArmstrong, #Haven’sRock, #ColdAsHell,j

This is a review of the audiobook.