Cold as Hell is book 3 in the Haven's Rock series which is a spin-off from Rockton. We pick up where we left off in The Boy Who Cried Bear and Casey and Eric are close to being parents at this time. The setting in the frosty Yukon is perfect like always and I finished as fast as I could so I could find out who did it! The side characters are all great...Anders is one of my favorites and of course Casey's dog Storm is such a wonderful helper too. I love this series so much ....well I love all of Kelley Armstrong's books but this was fast-paced and fun to read/listen to.

Therese Plummer is one of my all-time favorite narrators and she did a wonderful job as usual!

Many thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review. All opinions are my own.

Publication date: 18 February 2025

Kelley Armstrong does not disappoint. Cold as Hell is part of the Haven's Rock series, which is a spin-off of her Rockton series. I recommend every book Armstrong writes. She is very good at world building and character development. Her writing is so good, each book immediately sucks you in, and the rest of the world disappears. You don't have to have read her previous books in the series in order to appreciate this book, but why wouldn't you read them? It is lovely to watch these characters grow. This series falls into the thriller/suspense genre, and Cold as Hell becomes heart pounding as you race to finish the book. Armstrong does a good job of getting into the mind of the killer, and [tiny spoiler] his thought processes; they will stick with you long after you finish the novel.

As this is book 3 in the Haven's Rock series, I would highly suggest reading the other 2 before reading this book. I didn't realize it was in a series when I started it. I couldn't figure out what I was missing for a good part of the book. There's so much back and forth and talking about other things that may be were discussed in previous books, I don't know. Due to the fact that there are murder investigations going on in this small town there is a lot, a lot and a lot of talking back and forth. While It's full of mystery and suspense and some great characters, I do have to say all the back and forth talking was so tiring that I got to a point where I was ready for the book to be done.

If you enjoy a cold and snowy location (Yukon) and lots of suspense while trying to solve a mystery that ends with surprise, you will for sure enjoy this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc.

When a resident of Haven's Rock is seemingly drugged and almost assaulted, Casey and Dalton are concerned that the safe haven they've cultivated so carefully has been broken. An eight-month pregnant Casey is investigating when a blizzard comes through and another woman has gone missing. What's going on in their settlement? Finding the missing woman becomes the priority, even after Casey has a pregnancy scare. When the missing woman's body is found, Casey and Dalton's fears escalate. Can they solve the murder before Casey goes into labor? And who would have possibly done this? Gathering together their militia, they go into lockdown to keep everyone safe. But if the killer is one of their own, how safe are they?

This was another great installment in the series. The book brings you right into the action, which is always a plus. With only so many people as suspects, it's hard to tell who you can really trust and there are definite red herrings. The relationship between Casey and Dalton is always relationship goals, and with them expecting their first child, there's going to be some stress and conflict. When Casey does go into labor, it will be a miracle if everything happens smoothly.

Trigger warnings for possible drugging of a drink, attempted assault, pregnancy scare, murder, and labor.

All in all, a fast-paced murder mystery with great relationships and a twisty ending. If you enjoyed the Rockton books, the other Haven's Rock novels, or just Kelley Armstrong's books in general, then you will enjoy this one! A strong female detective is always a plus.

Thank you to @Minotaur_Books and @NetGalley for a digital copy for review consideration. All opinions are honest and my own.

(4.25 stars)
Cold As Hell is the third book in the Haven's Rock series, which is a spinoff from/continuation of Kelley Armstrong’s excellent Rockton series. 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 provides some backstory without weighing down the current story.

As with the other books, the story is narrated by the female main character, Casey. Casey is a detective and her husband 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. Currently there are fewer than 100 residents, so it’s quite small. Armstrong writes such great suspense stories, with very individual and interesting characters. The townspeople all have different capabilities and personalities and it’s not hard at all to keep them straight. One of my favorite recurring characters is Casey’s sister April, who is the town’s doctor and is “on the spectrum.” Another favorite is Will, Eric’s deputy. Both of those characters can be found in the Rockton series. Among the new to Haven’s Rock characters (they are in the previous HR books) are Yolanda and Gunnar and they are both fascinating people. I love the diversity in the Haven's Rock population.

Specific to this book, Casey is almost at the end of her pregnancy, which, for various reasons, is a precarious one. She is trying to continue being an active detective but is naturally hampered physically, as she nears term. Of course, things can’t stay quiet in Haven’s Rock, just for Casey’s convenience! One of the residents, Kendra, is drugged and dragged off into the forest right outside of town. Luckily she is rescued before anything horrible can happen, but the whole town is on edge, especially the women. During a late winter/early spring snowstorm, Casey and Eric find another resident dead in unusual circumstances and the investigation moves into even higher gear.

I was really intrigued by the story and tried hard to figure out who the culprit would be! And I was so nervous for Casey and her soon-to-be-born baby!

I bounced between the audiobook and the ebook for this title, which was very convenient and helped me speed through this book in just two days. The audiobook was beautifully narrated by Thérèse Plummer, as for past books in this series.

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

Kelley Armstrong is one of my favorite authors! I was so excited to be back in the world of Haven’s Rock. I love Casey, Eric and the town residents. The mystery was well done as always. I love the isolated setting and the blizzard added extra tension. I look forward to the next in the series!

I highly recommend starting with the Rockton series first. Haven’s Rock is a spinoff that involves the same characters and there will be relationship spoilers.

Set in the town of Haven Rock Suspenseful ,mystery. drama twists.
Can Casey and Eric solve the mystery of the drugging and murder before something else happens.
Also a very good twists with Casey.
Really enjoy the series.
Voluntarily reviewed

I really tried, but I didn’t finish! I think if I had read the prior books in the series, it would have made a difference. I loved the cold setting, but there were too many characters to track. And I’m actually puzzled that I couldn’t finish. It’s usually the type of book that I love so I’m not sure why I put it down multiple times. It’s probably not advised to take my advice on this one!

I am truly honoured to have been given the opportunity to read a digital ARC of Cold as Hell by Kelley Armstrong. This book is the third instalment of the Haven’s Rock series. It follows a female detective and her husband, the sheriff, who solve crimes in a haven deep in the Yukon. This is a suspenseful and chilling book, that keeps you invested with every page.

Cold As Hell is a captivating story, as it encompasses fantastic characters and dynamic relationships, a descriptive off the grid northern setting, and a gripping and thrilling plot, with so many twists and turns that will have the reader guessing and second guessing, the entire time.

The story is beautifully written and described with immense detail that includes vivid descriptions, making the reader feel like you are Detective Casey, living in a secluded setting and solving the mystery. I highly recommend checking your triggers before beginning this series, as some of the findings are described in vivid detail and may be disturbing for some readers.

Kelley Armstrong is one of my favourite authors and I absolutely love and devour everything I read of hers. She has a way, as an author, of capturing your attention and sucking you into her stories. This book is no exception. Actually, the entire series is no exception. I absolutely cannot wait to dive back into this series. Thank you to Kelley Armstrong and NetGalley for providing me an early copy. If you are looking for a new author to dive into their books and become lost in a captivating way, look no further than Kelley Armstrong.

Finished Reading

DNF @ 19%

Pre-Read notes

I picked this book because I'm a huge fan of a cold weather setting, especially in thrillers and horror. It can really ratchet up the tension!

I'm 60 pages in and it's not going well. Why are so many writers of thrillers so relentlessly ableist?

Final Review (partial):

Reading Notes

Three (or more) things I loved:

1. This book has a really interesting setting. Sort of an old west town in Yukon Territory but that doesn't officially exist. It's cool and interesting. I feel like I need more information about this setting though, given how different it is from ordinary towns.


Three (or less) things I didn't love:

This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.

1. I am really not a fan of the numerous rhetorical questions the narrator asks. They only mean something if they inform something and they don't.

2. A construction company whose payroll is 75% female. That seems so unrealistic to me, but It's because it's introduced so off-handedly, when such a business would be a really special thing.

3. I do not appreciate the narrator's treatment of tough topics like SA and violence against women.

4. The book is repetitious. Two pages after the opening scene, there are several paragraphs dedicated to describing this scene. This is only helpful or interesting if sufficient time elapses between the first and second iterations.

5. Hero mom narratives are not my cup of tea. Sometimes I don't mind subjects like miscarriage, pregnancy complications, or birth. They can work well into plots containing pregnant characters. But when pregnancy and related topics are written into the character's development and identity, I often find the amount of this material overwhelming.

6.“I’m pregnant,” I say. “Not an invalid." p53 Yeah, but she's ableist. There is nothing wrong with being "an invalid" except the anochrism and viciousness of that term. Also, pregnancy can for sure be a qualifying condition for taking disability. This author really needs to educate herself about disability.

Rating: DNF @ 19%
Recommend? no
Finished: Feb 7 '25
Format: digital arc, NetGalley

Thank you to the author Kelley Armstrong, publishers St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for an advance digital copy of COLD AS HELL. All views are mine.
---------------

Reading Journal Details
Book: Cold as Hell by Kelley Armstrong
Format Read: Kindle eBook (343 pages)
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

Quick Take Review
Cold as Hell is a masterfully crafted mystery set in Haven's Rock, combining an immersive, chilling atmosphere with a twist-laden narrative that keeps you guessing until the very end. With richly developed characters and thoughtful Easter eggs nodding to Rockton, Kelley Armstrong has once again delivered a must-read thriller!


Full Review
Cold as Hell is a phenomenal mystery that masterfully blends heart-stopping suspense with an immersive, chilling atmosphere set in an isolated portion of the Yukon wilderness. Kelley Armstrong delivers an unexpected whodunit filled with countless twists and turns, keeping you on your toes from start to finish.

What truly elevates the novel is its standout character work. Core figures like Casey and Eric have distinctive voices and layered personalities—each with their own strengths and vulnerabilities that unfold authentically over the course of the narrative while simultaneously building upon previous installments' history and character development. Armstrong also treats longtime readers to delightful Easter eggs—a blip or two of Casey's past and several nods to Rockton—adding extra depth to the narrative.

The structure of the story feels like an open-world video game, in the sense that there are multiple narrative paths that explore both promising clues and red herrings shrouded in deception. Even as a frequent consumer of twisty, creepy, and gruesome reads, I found myself genuinely stumped by the outcome—a testament to Armstrong's flawless plotting.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and the talented Kelley Armstrong for providing me with a free advanced reader's copy (ARC). I am voluntarily leaving my review; all thoughts and opinions are my own.

I'm so excited to return to the Yukon and Havens Rock. This is the third book in this series which is a spin-off of Armstong's Rockton series where we first meet Casey, Eric, and some of the residents we know from this series. You don't have to read Rockton to enjoy this one, but I would at least start with bk 1 in this series to get all the background information you need to know about the town and the people who live there.

Kelley Armstong does an amazing job of bringing Haven's Rock and its residents to life. The characters are complex and the mystery will keep you guessing until the moment Casey puts all the pieces together. I love the slow build-up of tension going from nothing happening to an attempted abduction to a missing person all while a storm is blowing in. I loved every moment and can't wait to see where this series is going to go next!

Wilderness, warning, and weathered.

This is Kelley Armstrong’s third installment of the Haven’s Rock mystery series. I need to thank NetGalley, because I received this ARC, and went back and read the first two, before this one. I have found an author that I enjoy, especially reading about the elements in the Yukon forest, mixed with mystery. Haven’s Rock is an interesting working community, unlike anything I have experienced and read before.
Thérèse Plumber has completed 3 excellent audio books. Although there is a thriller/mystery to them, they almost feel cozy with the way she represents each character. I was also gifted the electronic ARC as well, this was such a treat to have both versions! I loved reading while at home, and listening while driving and cooking.
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin’s Press for this opportunity, in exchange for my honest review. I hope and look forward to book 4!

Absolutely love this world that Kelley Armstrong has created! The research seems impressive and the complexity of the characters is top- notch!
The sinister nature of a serial killer is heightened in a setting like Haven’s Rock. An extremely well written story to keep you coming back for more, having formed attachments to the characters through out the series. Excited to see where Rory’s story comes into play!

This captivating series follows characters who yearn to live off the grid. I’ve read all three books, and each one surpasses the last in terms of storytelling. This particular book was an absolute page-turner, hard to put down. The plot was enthralling, and the author skillfully maintained a fast-paced pace, weaving in action and mystery. While I highly recommend reading the preceding two books to fully grasp the characters and the town’s background, this one stands alone as a thrilling read.

This review is entirely voluntary, and all opinions expressed reflect my personal views.

This book is the third book in a spin-off series called Haven’s Rock. While it’s not required for you to read the original series, it’s helpful in knowing some of the character’s history. As this series has gone on, its storylines have continued to grow along with getting to know the characters more in depth.

In this book, we start off with a mystery right away, just like the last book. This is all happening while Casey and Eric are expecting their first child. Of course, with knowing Casey, she doesn’t let the pregnancy stop her from her work and keeping the town and its residents safe.

The mystery revolves around Kendra, who has been drugged and dragged a but into the woods. From there, things continue to get complicated, with everyone being a possible suspect. Casey and Eric, along with Will, have to figure out what’s going on before things get much worse.

In true Kelley Armstrong fashion, there are twists and turns you don’t see coming, and I was left flying through the chapters because I had to know what was going to happen! I can’t wait for the next installment - it’s going to be hard to wait!

Thank you to Kelley Armstrong, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the review copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.2 Stars
One Liner: Too much heropanti by the FMC

Haven’s Rock is a sanctuary deep inside Yukon for those who need a safe place away from the rest of the world. Detective Casey and her husband Eric, along with a few others, do their best to keep the place running smoothly.
However, when one of the residents is drugged and dragged into the forest on a cold night, Casey realizes they have a potential threat on their hands. As they investigate, a snowstorm hits the place and a dead body turns up. Casey and Eric need to find the killer and end this soon.
The story comes in Casey’s first-person POV in the present tense.

My Thoughts:
So, I read my reviews for the previous three books before I wrote this review. Sadly, I don’t remember much but the inability to connect with Casey continues.
The premise is cool – an abduction/ assault foiled only for another to happen during a snowstorm. Also, with the FMC being eight months pregnant, there are more limitations to the already restricted setting.
Sadly, this time around, I didn’t feel the charm of the place. Winter is my favorite season, so I should have loved the setting. A few scenes searching in the woods with Storm were great. For the rest, the charm seems to have worn off.
Storm is a darling, my constant and only favorite in the series. A wee kid appears for half a page and creates a mini-storm, lol.
This time around, only the prologue is a different character’s third-person POV. The rest was Casey, which, unfortunately, didn’t do her any favor. Being in her head wasn’t entertaining, TBH. She sounded borderline whiny at times and would overthink issues that didn’t need so much ‘moral dilemma’.
I know idealism appeals to us. It helps to an extent and encourages discussions. However, letting the main character veer into naïve and stupid territory isn’t a good idea, especially when she has experience in dealing with the worst kind of people.
The mystery is actually good. I like most of it and the arguments around it. Sebastian turns out to be another favorite character!
However, what I didn’t want had happened in the climax. I kept an eye on the % and pretty much knew how things would develop. Nope, not happy with that. I can see the appeal. It’ll keep readers on the edge of the seat; all that tension! But… for me, it was unnecessary and made the FMC appear as someone who likes to play a hero irrespective of the cost. I don’t look for realism in thrillers (or even in cozy mysteries) but maybe this one time, a toned-down version might have had a greater appeal.
At least the ending is good. There’s proper closure and a happy (cute) development with some lighthearted scenes.

To summarize, Cold as Hell has a great premise and will appeal to a lot of readers, though I’m a bit of an outliner. I recommend reading the books in order as this won’t be good as a standalone (if I say this, then you have to take it seriously).
Thank you, NetGalley and St Martin’s (Minotaur Books), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

This is my first time reading anything by this author and although it was a little hard to get into in the beginning, I ended up enjoying this book. The tension is sharp, the mystery keeps you guessing, and the setting adds a chilling edge (literally). Throw in a very pregnant detective and isolation and the suspense has been amped up. If you love atmospheric thrillers with strong characters and plenty of twists, this one’s a must-read!

This is the third book in the Haven's Rock series. Full disclosure while I have read the initial series starter, I have not yet read book two.

Set in the Yukon wilderness, Haven's Rock is a secret sanctuary town for those seeking to disappear from their previous lives (often due to some form of danger) and start over. Detective Casey Duncan and her husband Eric Dalton oversee law enforcement in this 70-person community.

On this particular outing, a young woman is drugged and dragged into the surrounding forest at what is assumed to be an attempted rape. As a blizzard threatens, an investigation is instigated. But when the body of a local woman is found in a bizarre tableau, Casey and Eric must begin to view things in a different light. Is their villain a rapist or a psychopath? And who, in their closed community could be capable of such violence? Complicating the investigation is both the blizzard and Casey's advanced complication-laden first pregnancy.

I have mixed feelings about this series. While it is exciting, and I am getting to know the ensemble cast, I'm having a hard time relating to the dynamics of the set-up of Haven's Rock itself. There are aspects that are too far-fetched to overlook and things that I feel would not have been overlooked in setting up such a sanctuary. I found myself shaking my head at times with some of the neglected infrastructure that should have been a basic tenet.

I am willing to read more in this series (largely due to the characters), but I'm also hoping to have at least some of my doubts assuaged.

My thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press / Minotaur Books for providing the early arc of Cold as Hell for review. The opinions are strictly my own.

I have enjoyed Kelley Armstrong's books for years, from her paranormal series to her YA books. I read the Rockton books and the prior two Haven's Rock books . It was interesting to see Casey and Duncan a little more vulnerable in Cold as Hell. The book begins with the two imminently expecting their 1st child, while there is a blizzard and a murderer on the loose. While you could pick this book up "cold" (wink), I think that to really understand the backgrounds of these characters, you would need to have read the 1st Rockton book that introduces Casey and Duncan and the general idea of these off grid communities. I thought this book was a little slower than the previous ones, but the writing is great as usual and the mystery stays fresh.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book.