Casey finds herself in the middle of yet another gripping investigation—only this time, she’s navigating the case while heavily pregnant, which adds an extra layer of tension and urgency. When a local resident is drugged and taken into the woods, barely surviving the ordeal, it quickly becomes clear that this was not an isolated incident. As Casey and Eric race to uncover the truth, the stakes rise when another woman from town vanishes and is later found dead. Determining the cause of death—and whether it was murder—becomes a top priority, making it essential to stay vigilant and wary of those around them.

I loved how the mystery kept me guessing, with plenty of action and suspense woven throughout to keep things engaging. Kelley Armstrong masterfully crafts a thrilling atmosphere, and listening to her books on audio enhances the experience, making it feel like a full cinematic event.

The tension, the richly developed characters, and the unpredictable twists make this a must-read (or listen) for mystery and thriller fans.

Kudos to Kelley Armstrong for crafting another suspense filled masterpiece. This was my first tango with an audiobook and I must admit, I thoroughly enjoyed every second. Therese Plummer was a brilliant voice for our beloved protagonist, Casey.

Despite being the third book in the Rockton spinoff series Havens Rock - Cold As Ice can be read as a standalone. While it can add to the reading experience, it is not necessary to have read the first two books. The story flows seamlessly enough to be appreciated on its own.

The environment and world of Havens Rock is a fully rounded character on its own. The hostile and unpredictable state of the climate creates an antagonistic setting for the real story to build on. I’ve always been intrigued by remote, Northern communities. The endurance and resilience of humankind is a testament to the power of the human spirit. It’s one thing to live in an area with extreme weather, it’s another thing entirely to seek out these places and feel empowered by the lack of technological advancements that exist in the wilderness. To live in an area so remote that there is little to no emergency help available, if you ever should need it.

All these factors considered, it’s scary place to live whilst experiencing a high risk pregnancy. Book three opens with a hot mess of realworld drama - small town acts of violence and Casey and Dalton having a major health scare.

As a reader, you’re thoroughly engrossed from beginning to end. Equal parts riveting action and suspense, driven forward by a charismatic cast of key players. Casey and Dalton are my favourite fictional couple. They truly operate as a team and have a successful marriage rooted in respect, love and honesty. Their playful banter is ever-so charming. Casey and their darling doggo Storm are the investigative dream team. I love just how much detail Armstrong has included on the canine member of the family. It takes the believability/real-world elements of the series up a few notches.

Full review available at:

https://maisonmoonchild.wordpress.com/2025/02/26/audiobook-review-cold-as-ice-by-kelley-armstrong/

When one of the town’s residents is drugged and wanders too close to the edge of town, she’s dragged into the woods kicking and screaming. She’s saved in the nick of time, but the women of the town are alarmed. Casey and Eric investigate the assault just as a snowstorm hits Haven’s Rock, covering the forest. It’s there they find a frozen body, naked in the snow. With mixed accounts of the woman’s last movements, the two begin to question who they can trust—and who they can’t—in their seemingly safe haven.

I enjoy this series. It is full of intensity and has a great setting! It is not necessary that you read them in order.

Now, I did think Casey’s pregnancy and the way she had her baby was a bit predictable. But I did enjoy the action. And let me tell you this is action packed and full of intensity. I mean, Casey has all kinds of safe guards in place but someone slipped by all of those and lived among them.

I love the narrator by Thérèse Plummer. She has some wonderful narrations. However, in this book, she tended to get faster during the tense moments…and there are a lot of those!

Need a good hunt for a killer…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.

I really enjoyed this book even thought it was book 3, I feel I have to read the first 2 books too, no spoilers!

Cold as Hell is just another great trip to the Canadian Yukon. Casey and Dalton have the extra pressure of her pregnancy that was not supposed to be. And then the fact that Haven’s Rock is full of people with questionable pasts. And the others in the few settlements around them are not to be trusted. All of that always leads to trouble. Each installment of the two series has new residence and the chance for new trouble. This time, of course, there are murders. Our two sheriffs have to balance trying to solve the murder, keep everyone safe, and have this baby.

I really like these characters. That is what kleeps me coming back to Rockton and Haven’s Rock. I like them and I love their dog. The mostly changing supporting cast is often hit and miss. I am also often left wondering if they will ever figure that this place is just a murderer’s haven, too.

I went into this one not realizing that it was part of a series. I think I would have enjoyed the full story, and it made me want to go back and read the others, but I don't think it is necessary in order to enjoy the book.

The book is set in what seems to be an off the grid commune (which I think this is where I would have understood the background more if I had read the previous books. It is a tight community until there is a killer afoot.

Our main character is one of the three people on the police force. It was kind of a police procedural with a different kind of spin since they were their own small community.

I don't have much more to say other than I enjoyed it but would encourage people to start at the beginning of the series.

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!

This was great! I am a huge fan of Kelley Armstrong’s writing and have really enjoyed the books featuring this group of characters. This is the third book in the Haven’s Rock series, a spin-off of the Rockton series, where we first meet these characters. I went into this book with high expectations and am happy to report they were all met. This was a highly entertaining read!

Casey is thrown into the middle of another investigation. This time she trying to solve the case while hugely pregnant, which makes things even more interesting. It appears that one of their residents was drugged and taken into the woods. She survived but it was a close call. Unfortunately, it isn’t an isolated encounter so Casey and Eric need to figure things out before more people are put at risk. I loved that the mystery kept me guessing and there was plenty of action mixed in to keep things interesting.

Therese Plummer does a fantastic job with the narration. I am a big fan of this narrator’s work and was excited to see that she performs this series. I thought that she did a great job of bringing this cast of characters to life through her reading. She adds just the right amount of emotion to her reading to take the story to the next level. I am certain that her performance added to my overall enjoyment.

I would highly recommend this series to others. I have grown to love this group of characters and was eager to see how things would work out both in the mystery and in their personal lives. I can’t wait to read more of this talented author’s work.

I received a review copy of this book from Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio.

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!

The narrator is fabulous and continues this story on with excellence.

Thanks to NetGalley, MacMillan Audio for St. Martin’s Publishing and Kelley Armstrong for a copy of this audiobook.

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.

Kelley Armstrong brings plenty of suspense and action, as well as a unique setting to her latest book, Cold As Hell!

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆?

Cold As Hell is book 3 in the Haven's Rock series which is a spinoff to the Rockton series. I have truly enjoyed each and every book in both series and trying to solve the layered mysteries. Not to mention the setting and winter atmosphere add a bit more to the danger and suspense.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:

Bad ass FMC
Mystery
Sweetest scene stealing dog
Strong married couple
Mystery
Drama
Spin-off series
Isolated community that gives everyone a fresh start

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲?

Fast! This series as a whole is quite riveting and you just can’t stop once you start.

𝗗𝗼 𝗜 𝗻𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿?

Nope! Each book in this series and the previous one can easily be read a stand-alone.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?

I love listening to Kelley Armstrong’s books on audio because they become a complete cinematic experience full of tension, suspense and characters that pull you into their world.

𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?

If you are looking for a captivating series, then pick this one up!

P.S. You guys have to go read the about the author section on Amazon for Kelley Armstrong😂

Thank you Minotaur books and MacMillan Audio for the gifted copy.

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

✨ ARC Review ✨

Thanks to @netgalley and @kelleyarmstrongauthor for this advanced copy!

I had not read the first 2 books in the series but I’ll definitely be going back to check them out! Detective Casey m and her Husband/Partner, Eric, were fun characters to get to know.

In the middle of a deadly blizzard one of the townspeople went missing right after a different one was drugged and almost taken.
Detective Casey is very pregnant and on bedrest with a high risk pregnancy after unfortunately suffering pregnancy losses before. She can only be on her feet for so long but she’s determined to help figure out what’s going on. Went the missing woman turns up dead she knows she can’t sit this one out. Someone has clearly infiltrated their private little small town.
I found the concept very intriguing that the people of Havens Rock have all done something in their real life that made them change identities and escape/ hide here.
This one really kept me on the edge of my seat as each piece of information was revealed to us. It was impossible to figure out and I love a book that can keep me stumped on who the killer is!

I most definitely recommend this to my thriller loving friends on here!

It’s #coldashell here today and this wind is ridiculous!!! ❓How’s the weather where you are?

And yes, I just HAD to use #iceicebaby as the song choice since ice was a big part of this book and Casey was very pregnant 🤣 iykyk

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

I received an ALC (Advanced Listener Copy) of this audiobook from NetGalley & Macmillan Audio.

⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
Another great addition to the Haven’s Rock series. I very much enjoy the small-town survivalist feel of these books.

Casey and Eric are about to embark on a brand new adventure becoming parents, but first, they have to find out who is luring their residents into the woods. But it’s a race against time because their baby may or may not want to come a little earlier than planned. Also, the weather is giving them all fits it’s not easy to live remotely, but then you add in winter storms, and anything can and will go wrong.
The world-building and character development only get sharper and smarter with each book.
Even if I am not a huge fan of all the pregnancy talk throughout the book it still didn’t detour me for wanting to know who and what will happen next.

I would love to see more of April in the next book she is a favourite character of mine.
The narration as always is top-notch. It’s rare to find a narrator who can give you all the emotions, and give each character their distinct voice the way that Thérèse Plummer does with this series.

When I picked this book up, I didn't realize that it was book 3 in a spin-off series, but the author did a great job informing me about the town and people in the town without making it an info dump. I loved Casey and Dalton, as investigators and as a couple. The blizzard and cold setting increased the tension and suspense. It made the investigation harder, which kept me on the edge of my seat wondering how Casey was going to solve this problem. The solution to the mystery was nothing I would have expected! It was such a great twist.
If you are new to this series, you can pick up here and not be lost. Be aware though. It will make you want to pick up all the previous books in the series.
If you have read this series before, I think you will be pleased to see how the members of the town of Haven Rock are progressing, as well as how this mystery gets solved.

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I love this Rockton series, now Haven's Rock series which is a spin-off as well as a direct continuation of the previous series. I personally would start with the previous series because of the background and character development but also because it is amazing! Haven's Rock is a new town with Casey and Eric along with a few others as the owners, making a fresh start and hopefully better situation than Rockton.

Casey is the whole point of view for this world. She is smart, skilled and compassionate. She does so well at keeping her capabilities strong or she'd have died in at least 7 of the 10 books already! I was pretty worried about her in Cold As Hell with her being pregnant and all. Casey handles everything with her usual strength and intelligence.

Women are being drugged and hauled off into the wilderness, it seems. It starts with someone who is obviously drugged and wondering but found and brought back to town. Then another woman goes missing as a big snow storm starts. They have to search in the snow. The evidence makes it clear it is not their unwanted gold mining neighbors. As more women are abducted, it's a race against time to save them before they die.

Casey and Eric look at the information about when the women were last seen and try to mesh up the accounts. No matter how they analyze, it's clear the threat is in their town, someone they probably trust. It's heartbreaking for them trying to set up a good place for people.

Casey and Eric are hard working, and better people than I could be at times. My respect and love for them continues to grow. Casey in addition to her marriage, pregnancy and detective work, manages to deal with all the personalities including her neurodivergent sister April. I'm not exactly a fan of Yolanda who got some FAFO here. Casey and Eric learned a lot this time about safeguards they need as they process applications for living in Haven's Rock.

I'm excited to see how a baby works into their lives and the community. I hope Casey doesn't always have to be the one facing danger for her child's sake. I really love this series and will read every one Kelley Armstrong writes.

Narration:
Therese Plummer is completely in my head for this series and I love her work. She has distinctive voices for the characters and I recognize them easily. Her performance IS Casey, Eric, Will, April and more. I was able to listen comfortably at my usual 1.5x speed.

I aways get excited when I see that Kelley Armstrong has a new book out. Especially when it's a Haven's Rock novel! The third entry, Cold as Hell, has just arrived. And I feel like I’m settling down with old friends. What’s happening?!

Haven’s Rock is a hidden village up in the Yukon, for those who don’t want to live in a regular town…or can’t.

Armstrong has given her lead characters rich personal lives that are always moving forward. I am just as curious about their personal lives as I am in the newest mystery. Detective Casey and her husband Sheriff Dalton are the law in Haven's Rock.

The book is told from Casey’s point of view. The reader is privy to her thoughts and investigative skills. There's been a horrific murder and it looks to be one of the residents that is the culprit. But who? Armstrong's mysteries are not easy to solve. And a blizzard is not going to make things any easier.

I find that some stories are even better in a audio format. That's the case for this title for me. The narrator was Thérèse Plummer and she did a great job. The voice matched the mental image I'd created for Casey. She has an interesting undertone to her voice that works. She's pleasant on the ears and enunciates well. Voices have been created for other characters including males that are believable and recognizable. Plummer captured and presented the story very well!

When I started this, I had no idea that it was book 3 of a spinoff series until I went to mark it on goodreads. I still went for it, and you can easily read this without reading the others. I'm sure there is plenty of backstory that explains the setting and history, but I was able to follow the story easily with no issue.

That said, it was pretty good. A classic whodunit situation in a very small, secluded town of people, each hiding from their past. I honestly couldn't figure it out, but I was mainly just enjoying the story. It was a bit slower as to be expected with police procedural type of stories, but the ending was crazy! This is the second book I've read by this author, and I would definitely read more.

Book 3 in the Haven’s Rock series
I read the book and listened to the audio about a month apart. I give it a 5-star rating for both versions.
We see Casey and Eric dealing with the latest problems in the newly established safe area. A woman disappears out the camp during a major snowstorm. This after one other woman had been drugged and abducted. Luckily, someone else appeared, leaving the abductor to flee into the woods.
Casey has a tough time at 8 months pregnant to accept the limitations of her body. A good thing Eric and her sister April are managing to enforce a couple of rules for her safety and that of the baby. This does not stop Casey from getting herself into a predicament. To be fair it really was not her fault.
I really loved the audio book. Now I admit that some of the reaction might be from hearing the story for a second time. The emotions came through more by how the narrator presented it. The scene while been in the plane. The husband wife relationship. The worry of the snowstorm.
Casey’s fear after been captured and her worry about her unborn child not surviving. Even with already knowing the outcome the Narrator had me captivated.