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

Also left on Kobo Audio, Facebook an Pinterest

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.



THE READING CAFÉ: https://www.thereadingcafe.com/cold-as-hell-havens-rock-3-by-kelley-armstrong-review/


GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6908210604


BOOKBUB: https://www.bookbub.com/reviews/2607195785


B&N (Sandy_thereadingcafe) https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/cold-as-hell-kelley-armstrong/1145317404?ean=9781250351791&bvnotificationId=ca30d86a-eed8-11ef-9b96-12bcb48d996f&bvmessageType=REVIEW_APPROVED&bvrecipientDomain=hotmail.com#review/337949766


Ibooks (Sandy Sch) poited

GOOGLE PLAY (Sandy Sch) posted

BINGEBOOKS (Sandy Sch) posted

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.

I want to thank NetGalley, St.Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, and the author Kelley Armstrong for the opportunity to read an ARC of her February 18, 2025 release, Cold as Hell, This review reflects my honest opinion. Cold as Hell is the third book in Armstrong's Haven's Rock series and a spinoff of her Rockton series. I really struggled through the first part of the book; actually thought it might be a DNF. I am glad I stayed with it, but there were times that I was quite confused. In order to fully enjoy Cold as Hell, I highly recommend reading the first two Haven's Rock books first. Haven's Rock is a town hidden deep in the Yukon of seventy residents and three police officers. "Haven's Rock is a town of refugees, of people who need sanctuary, people who may have fled abuse, stalkers or would be killers." The main characters are: Sheriff Eric Dalton and his wife Detective Casey Duncan; Casey is pregnant with their first child. The "controlled community" is funded by a wealthy philanthropic woman who reviews the applications for residency and after a thorough investigation is conducted decides who will be admitted. The story begins with a foiled abduction of Kendra, a social worker and the community plumber, after being drugged in the Roc, the local pub." Following that incident another woman goes missing. I won't share anymore of the storyline; suffice to say in spite of my initial misgivings I was hooked. I found the number of characters overwhelming, and frequently had to reference my notes. The "controlled community/world building" concept was foreign to me, initially I had trouble wrapping my head around it. Honestly I ended up en joying the book; it was a definite page turner. I am going to read the first two book, and then I am confident that I will have an even greater appreciation for Cold as Hell. 3.5 stars

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, and honestly? It scared the shit out of me.

I know it's weird, but I love this series so much. They give me major bouts of anxiety, and I am not strong hearted enough for the murders and violence sometimes, but god, do I love this series so much.

I love Casey, and her character progression over time. She has grown so much since she first arrived in Rockton, and I really appreciated how much she talked about her past trauma, even if it was just to herself, and also discussed learning how to show people she loves them, though she could do without the hormonal crying.

Eric? How I love him so much. He's so strong, but he too has changed, and learned when it's okay to be hard and when it's okay to be soft, especially when it comes to dealing with survivors, his friends and of course, Casey.

Will remains steadfast, strong and loyal, and there wasn't near enough of him in this book.

The setting as always is a character in itself, warmer weather turning suddenly into a abrupt, deadly snowstorm. The Yukon is not for the faint of heart, and it shouldn't be, as people learn in this book.

The mystery as always is addicting, and there were parts of this book that had me talking to myself, the book and then basically screaming at friends. I read half of it in one night, and had to force myself to put it down before reading the second half the next day, fittingly, during snowmageddon here in Canada.

I received a complimentary ARC copy of Cold As Hell by Kelley Armstrong from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press /Minotaur Books in order to read and give an honest review.

A huge fan of author Kelley Armstrong and Cold As Hell,the third installment in this spin-off series, delivers another gripping thriller. Set in Haven’s Rock,a small hidden town in the wilds of Yukon, Canada, a haven for people who need a place to hide is so small and isolated it was intended to be just that. Detective Casey Duncan and Sheriff Eric Dalton, now expecting their first child, find their peaceful existence shattered when a resident is drugged and nearly assaulted, with the town’s isolation means that someone who lives there is stalking the women of Haven’s Rock. When another woman goes missing and with the discovery of a of her frozen body, it appears the perpetrator has struck again. As a blizzard descends, cutting Haven’s Rock off from the outside world, Casey and Eric must unravel a complex web of secrets and lies within their seemingly safe haven, questioning who they can truly trust. Armstrong expertly weaves suspense and atmosphere, creating a palpable sense of unease within the remote and unforgiving landscape.

I think Casey and Eric are truly a dynamic duo, their individual strengths and vulnerabilities add depth and believability to their characters. Casey’s determination to solve the case, even as her pregnancy progresses, clashes with Eric’s protective instincts, creating compelling tension. The supporting cast, includes quirky characters all with a secret to hide and pasts that are less than perfect. Armstrong’s skillful world-building continues to impress, with the unique setting of Haven’s Rock playing a crucial role in the story’s overall tone. The isolated community, populated by individuals seeking refuge from their pasts, becomes a breeding ground for suspicion, deception and hidden agendas.

While Cold As Hell can be enjoyed as a standalone novel, readers familiar with the Rockton series and the previous Haven’s Rock books will find this a natural progression for the characters as they move through each book in the series. Armstrong’s knack for crafting suspenseful plots, combined with her ability to capture the atmosphere of the Yukon wilderness, makes this a truly captivating read. The story is full of twists and turns, keeping readers guessing until the very end. This is a compelling thriller that will leave readers eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series. I highly recommend!

My first in this series, though that was ok. Knowing more of their back story would have been good, but it didn’t hinder me in any way. I still enjoyed the mystery, danger, and suspense of the story. On the edge & stressed at times lol. I’ll definitely go back & start from the beginning

This series just keeps getting better. Cold as Hell is the third book in the Haven’s Rock series, which is actually a spinoff series of Armstrong’s Rockton series. Haven’s Rock is a small town hidden in the Yukon. It’s a place for people to disappear from regular society. A place for a fresh start. Of course just because it’s secluded doesn’t mean it’s problem free by any stretch. After a number of trying times, Detective Casey Duncan and Sheriff Eric Dalton (yes, from the Rockton series, though note that you don’t have to have read that series to enjoy these books, and each of these could be read as a standalone if you wanted.) are now settled in, and with Casey pregnant it would great if things were calm/boring. But of course that isn’t the case, far from it. It starts with a woman being drugged and dragged off into the woods, but that’s only the beginning. Wonderfully atmospheric, great characters, and a tight, tense story make Cold as Hell another winner. I’d like to thank St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of Cold as Hell.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R218F8X0B01BPY/ref=pe_123899240_1043597390_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

Cold as hell is now my fav of this series. The return of Casey & Eric and their hidden town is full of interesting characters and a sadistic killer. And the suspense of whodunnit kept me flipping the pages. I’m glad the bad guy got what he deserved in the end instead of just getting caught and tossed in jail. Another highlight in this book is the new addition to Casey & Eric’s family. Can’t wait to see what their next adventure will entail.

The murder mystery held my attention but overall, I don't think I will be coming back for more.

Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton, do their best to keep the citizens of their tiny hidden oasis safe, even from each other. Most of the citizens of Haven's Rock are in hiding for one reason or another, some from abusive spouses, some like Casey are hiding from a mob hit. When it looks like someone tried to drug and assault one of their residents, the whole town is on high alert but even high alerts can't keep everyone safe when a white-out blizzard hits the town.

One of the woman is found out in the snow, not more that 500 yards from the town, naked. With no evidence of assault, they might have chalked it up to an accidental freezing and the loss of clothing due to "paradoxical undressing" where the body feels a burst of heat while freezing to death. The problem is that the body defrosts they catch the slight ligature marks which are popping up on the arms and legs. Did someone strip her and stake her to the ground? More horrifying, did they sit there and watch while she died?

Casey is about the give birth and she and Eric trying to get down to a major hospital but how can they leave with someone that dangerous out in their woods, or worse, someone that dangerous hiding in their midst.

THOUGHTS:
This is the third book of the Haven's Rock series, spinoff of the Rockton series. Both series take place in an off the-grid-town in the Canadian Yukon where people are hiding for one reason or another. This is an interesting premise even though I was reading about the frozen Yukon tundra while it snowed outside my own window and made me feel even colder and more miserable.

This was also a very closed-room mystery since there are only about 70 people in the town, and we only focused on a handful of the closer acquaintances and friends to Casey and Eric. I started highlighting names and makes notes of questionable answers they gave. I was definitely invested in the who's and why's of what was happening, and one of my notes was on point. Ha!

There were also some interesting secondary characters in the story which I won't discuss as to not give away any of the suspects but I did enjoy meeting most of them.

It was a good premise with good characters and an engaging mystery so why am I not more invested in more Haven's Rock? There was a lot of discussion of the original Town (series) Rockton and the corruption involved in the ultimate failure of that Town. They are supposedly more scrutinizing with Haven's Rock but as this is the third story, they still can't keep the people there safe. I don't know if it a feeling of how can we have more issues with a tiny town of 70 people who are all hiding from the world themselves or that I had a hard time accepting this weird modern Little House on the Prairie (in a snowstorm) lifestyle. I have a hard enough time with small town novels as there is nothing small town about where I live. I barely know my neighbors, let alone the business of everyone in town.  How do 70 people trust each other when you don't know the details but you do know there is something off about everyone in Town.  I would be locking and barring my door every night, not from the bears or dangers lurking in the woods but from those questionable neighbors.

I might have to wait and see what the next story is about but if anyone wants to convince me to keep up with this series, I am willing to listen.

Did i binge-read the first two books of this series so I could finish this by publication day? Yes. Was it extremely enjoyable? Also, yes. Reading 3 books in 48 hours isn't my typical reading speed, but thanks to #KelleyArmstrong and her absolutely beautiful literary abilities, i just could not put these books down! After reading Murder At Haven's Rock, I immediately wanted to jump into The Boy Who Cried Bear (the first two books in the series), and after finishing the both of them, I knew I was going to spend my day reading Cold as Hell.

Kelley Armstrong has truly mastered the art of character and story building while creating layers of suspense and the most thrilling action scenes! Reading this series felt like I was watching the most bingeworthy TV series (note: I would LOVE to see this series turned into a TV show), it had EVERYTHING!

A small, isolated sanctuary community filled with residents harboring their own hidden truths and pasts, all while attempting to uncover the mysteries that their neighbors may be keeping. Unpredictable weather that can turn even the most mundane daily tasks into challenges in an instant. A terrible crime committed right outside of the town.... a town full of people who needed a place to start over. A dangerous individual is amongst them. Who can they trust?


Thank you, #netgalley, Martin's press & minotaur books for the #ARC.

Cold as Hell is book 3 in the Haven’s Rock series and best read as part of the series. Once again the sanctuary of Haven’s Rock is threatened by a killer. This case finds Casey with a lot more on the line as she’s over eight months pregnant, fighting off early labor and other complications. Someone is taking women out in the woods and watching them die from exposure and hypothermia. Casey and her husband Eric must pursue a killer among one of their own residents while protecting their unborn child. Suspenseful and action packed, book three is probably the best Haven’s Rock story yet. The environment is hostile and everyone is keeping secrets in Haven’s Rock for a page turner in the series that always has me coming back for more. My voluntary, unbiased, and non-mandatory review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.