Imagine you find your safe haven, only to discover there is a perpetrator in your midst.

Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton, have made their home and their respective law-enforcement careers in Haven’s Rock, a small, secret town with 70-odd residents in the middle of the Yukon offering sanctuary and refuge to those that need to disappear from their previous lives. With mere weeks weeks from the birth of their first child, Casey and Eric’s seemingly only worry is whether her high-risk pregnancy will require her to leave Haven‘s Rock to deliver the baby. But when one woman narrowly escapes an abduction into the forrest at the edge of Haven’s Rock, and the naked body of another town resident is found mere days later, Casey and Eric realize that their safe haven has an intruder in its midst.

The idea of Haven‘s Rock as a community of people fleeing their former lives for various reasons is certainly interesting and had me hooked, though its execution reminded me of a socialist commune at times. I also enjoyed Casey and Eric‘s relationship, their wonderful dog, Storm, and some of the quirkier residents of Haven Rock. And the weather was very much a character in its own right in this novel.

However, the further into the story the book got, the more security issues there were with the town - that seemingly no one seemed to have previously thought of (and mind you, this is the third book in the series, so the residents have been there a while)!

I also wasn‘t crazy about the use of Casey‘s pregnancy - with it being high-risk, it basically unnecessarily complicated everything during the investigation, but then when it came right down to it, Casey still ended up making the most irresponsible choice most of the time.

Because of this, there were certainly some frustrating, eye-rolling moments.

Overall, this was a solid and creepy mystery, but I‘m not sure I‘ll be returning to Haven‘s Rock.

I listened to the audiobook, which was impeccable.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

„Cold as Hell“ is slated to be released on February 18, 2025.

Book #3 in the Haven’s Rock Series.
To be released tomorrow, February 18, 2025!

So, Detective Casey and Sheriff Eric are back and trying to keep the small, off the grid town, safe…as always.

When one of their good friends ends up drugged and led into the woods and almost gets killed, they are in an uproar…trying to track down WHO the culprit is, and why…

As they are investigating, another woman goes missing. One who’s been having some problems with her husband… So now they are investigating the attempted murder, AND, the new missing woman.
Unfortunately, things do not turn out as planned, and they realize that there is a murderer living among them…

Now remember, from book #2… this town is off the grid. (Think Witness Protection type of off the grid…) Strict process for getting admitted into the town. No cell phones/service. So, really, you’re out there on your own…except for the townspeople…one of which MIGHT be a murderer! 😮

Oh, and the way the women were found…. the first one, who actually escaped, but still almost died….and the second… just horrible.

Oh…and Casey and Eric are VERY pregnant…but as usual, nothing is going to stop her….not…even…labor…

4 1/2 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 for me, rounded up to 5!

#ColdAsHell by #KelleyArmstrong and narrated beautifully (by another of my favorites), #TheresePlummer.

Terrific psychological thriller read!!

Thanks to #NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for an ARC of the audiobook which releases 2/18/25! So, look 👀 for it then!

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Kelley Armstrong delivers another gripping mystery in the Haven’s Rock series, and what a ride it is! This book is packed with suspense, tension, and enough twists to give you whiplash. The snowy, isolated Yukon setting adds to the eerie atmosphere, making every discovery more chilling—especially when a body is found frozen in the woods. Detective Casey Duncan is as fearless as ever, despite being near the end of her pregnancy. Her dynamic with Sheriff Eric Dalton continues to be one of the highlights of the series. The final face-off scene is absolutely off the charts crazy—I can't stop thinking about it! The narration by Thérèse Plummer was outstanding, adding an extra layer of intensity to an already chilling story. Her delivery gave me actual chills! I love how this series remains binge-worthy with its strong character relationships and unpredictable mysteries. Hoping for many more books to come!

Kelley Armstrong returns with her popular Haven's Rock Series COLD AS HELL #3, The Boy Who Cried Bear#2, and Murder at Haven's Rock#1.

This time around, things get scary as their haven may no longer be secure. Casey hunts down a dangerous killer among them during a deadly blizzard while ready to deliver her baby in this spine-chilling latest installment, Whodunit Suspense thriller.

About...

As you may know, if you have read this series, Haven's Rock is a sanctuary town hidden in the Yukon for those who need to escape from the world.

Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton, are starting a family, but of course, they must make plans since they are in the middle of nowhere.

As Casey gets close to her due date, there is a crime, and Casey will not rest until the murderer is found. Who among them is a killer?

What starts as one of the women in town is drugged and then carried into the woods, luckily saved, but now everyone is worried.

Then Casey and Eric are investigating an assault, a brutal crime that shakes the entire community. This leads them into a snowstorm blizzard, where they discover a frozen body naked in the snow, adding another layer of mystery and danger to their investigation.

TRUST NO ONE!

My thoughts...

COLD AS HELL is another gripping suspense thriller to the Haven's Rock collection. This time around, the stakes are high as their small community needs to feel safe, so who among them could be a murderer, and what is the motive?

From Murder, Mystery, and Intrigue in this twisty and complex WHODUNIT.

With Casey being pregnant and her hubby worried for her and the baby, they get stuck in the storm with a killer, making this another riveting suspense thriller.

Atmospheric, the author keeps you in suspense with each gripping page turn, introducing red herrings and suspects in their (off the grid) now not-so-safe haven. The action is packed with a diverse and engaging cast of characters, each with their secrets and motives.

Audiobook...

I read the e-book and listened to the audiobook narrated by the fabulously talented Thérèse Plummer, which elevated the story and made the characters come alive in this atmospheric setting with intensity and suspense.

I recommend reading the first two books in the series to get to know the characters! I have enjoyed all three.

Recs...

COLD AS HELL is for fans of the author, the series, and those who enjoy cop/detective procedurals by Robin Mahle, Tami Hoag, and Willow Rose.

Thanks to Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for an advanced review and listening copy via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4 Stars (book); 5 Stars (audio)
Pub Date: Feb 18, 2025
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Gosh this is a dependably good series! As thrillers go, they're pretty dark and lurid, but it's impossible to put them down. Ms. Armstrong is a pro at plotting and pacing, but I think the special sauce here is the terrific cast of characters she's assembled. Knowing the history of this series and the one that preceeded is nice, but additional kudos on how well each installment stands on its own. They may be slightly guilty pleasures, but the pleasure is real!

Thank you to MacMillan audio for the ALC and Minotaur for the ARC!

I really love the Haven’s Rock series. In the third installment, we pick right up where the second leaves off. It’s winter now, our FMC Casey is heavily pregnant, and due to her past injuries, is high risk. But she and her husband/partner Eric still have a job to do when a resident of their community is found disoriented and another goes missing.

Casey is the ultimate badass. She doesn’t let anything (small spoiler - even giving birth) - stop her from protecting the people she and her husband are responsible for. The concept of Haven’s Rock has always appealed to me - a safe, separate community that is a fresh start for people. All the books in this series are very atmospheric, with the Yukon wilderness playing a big role in the story. But the winter weather in this story gives the wilderness an added layer, reminding readers of how dangerous it could get.

“Cold As Hell” is out February 18, 2025! This review will be shared to my Instagram blog @books_by_the_bottle shortly :)

First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Kelley Armstrong, and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

This is the third installment of the Haven Rock series and it continues to be worth the read. The style of writing Armstrong provides is fast paced, easy to read, and keeps you wanting more. I hope this story line continues, but this book gave good closure if it does not.

I really enjoyed this thriller mystery audiobook. Had me hooked from the first chapter. Narrator was really good too, she didn’t seem robotic like some I’ve heard. This is the first book I have listened to by this author and I now understand it’s part of a series but that didn’t seem to affect anything. I could easily follow along and understand everything that was happening.

I loved the first two ch l books but I just couldn't get into this one the same way. What a bummer because I was looking forward to it

Deep in the Yukon, Haven's Rock was built as a sanctuary for people who need to disappear. One of the town's residents gets drugged and wanders away but is found before anything serious could happen to her. Casey and Eric start their investigation to find out what happened but more women are targeted.

This is the third book in the Haven's Rock novels but can easily be a standalone as the author does a good job filling in the background information. When I realized this was a series, I got my hands on the previous 2 books and I'm so glad I did. Each book was very well done and kept you in suspense. As this is a review for Cold as Hell, I'll stop with the prior books but after each book I was getting more and more excited for this installment. I also highly recommend the first two books, not because you need them to understand Cold as Hell but because they're really good :) I did find this book to be more mature than the other 2. I found the writing to be very detailed and the characters were well developed and complex and I love the remote setting and atmosphere of the book. The book is full of suspense and keeps you on your toes, I didn't want to stop listening to the book. I'm so glad i found this series and will be recommending the whole series.

The audiobook narration by Thérèse Plummer is done flawlessly. The way they quicken the pace for the suspense of the scene is fantastic. It really adds to the whole chilling atmosphere of the book. They do a great job distinguishing the characters of the book so you always know who the scene is about.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for sending me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thérèse Plummer is as always a FANTASTIC narrator. This was almost hard to read at times because of Casey being in such a vulnerable position -- being 8 months pregnant and tracking a serial killer -- but I still loved the latest installment. I can't wait for more and feel like this series is still going strong! If you like this series, you will be on the edge of your seat in this latest installment.

Cold as Hell comes out next week on February 18, 2025, and you can purchase HERE!

This was one of the best Haven's Rock books yet. A serial killer is hunting the citizens of Haven's Rock, and the killer is one of their own. There are scenes with pulse-pounding excitement. Casey is also very pregnant, so that makes hunting down the killer difficult. However, she has a whole town to support her. The narrator was excellent as well and kept good pace with story's energy.

Thank you, Net Galley for the advanced audio of COLD AS HELL by Kelley Armstrong. I didn't read the blurb completely since I requested this because of the author so do give you fair warning this is the third in the series and after reading this, I have to read the whole series. This novel captured my interest immediately. The characters were extremely relatable, and the plot was interesting. Though I had a few moments of 'would that really happen', the author explains the logic behind her premise making it quite plausible. The narrator's voice felt to me like the main character reading to me and was very good.

Thrilling suspense, twisted serial killer, small isolated town, Cold As Hell… So good! I was at the edge of my seat! Definitely recommend! Storm, the Newfoundland tracking dog is amazing! This is my first book in the Haven’s Rock series. I am definitely going to read the others!

Thank you to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for this ALC and ARC!

Thank you @NetGalley and @MacmillanAudio for the ARC. I did not realize that this was book 3 in a series. I think it can also be read as a stand alone. Kelley Armstrong does a great job making you think something sinister is around the corner. Haven's Rock is supposed to be a second chance from violence and a safe haven. Yet, someone is playing a game of cat and mouse and hurting the residents. Casey Duncan has to find out before she delivers her baby and they both become victims. Lots of suspense, a good read.

It’s always good to catch up with the crew from Haven’s Rock (and formerly Rockton). This time around, Casey is very pregnant with her and Eric’s child, but unfortunately the remaining days before she gives birth are not going to be peaceful ones. A female resident at Haven’s Rock is nearly assaulted, and then another woman is murdered. Despite being quite physically limited, Casey is on the case, once again investigating to see who is the latest threat to the community (definitely time to work on the vetting process!).

While the storylines.in the Haven’s Rock/Rockton series can feel a little repetitive at times (only so much variety of mayhem can occur out in the middle of the woods I guess) this continues to be an engaging, well-written group of characters that carries the series. I’m personally more intrigued to see how Casey and Eric adapt to parenting in the wilderness than the next threat lurking in the forest, but I’ll be back for more either way!

Kelley Armstrong returns to her secluded town in the Canadian North, Haven's Rock, for another, tense instalment in this offshoot series of her Rockton stories.

Casey and Dalton are trying to create the town they really wanted after experiencing various failures at Rockton. And things do seem to be going well. Except….this novel opens with Kendra stumbling about after a couple of drinks at the Rock, and wondering how she can keep losing time when all she had were two drinks. Then, she's grabbed and dragged into the forest. Thankfully, Sebastian was walking his dog at the time, and gets to her in time.

This puts Casey and Dalton on alert: who would do this? Why, when it's not clear exactly clear what the intent was, despite sexual assault being a possible cause.

Casey is constrained in her investigating by her 8-month along pregnancy, which has various risks, and a need to very carefully manage her energy and actions. She and Dalton begin questioning people, but have to halt things temporarily because of a blizzard. The next day, they discover another woman is missing, and begin searching as soon as conditions are clear. They eventually find the woman, dead, seemingly from exposure. Not only is something bugging Casey about the dead woman's condition, but Casey's body is complaining, and she has genuine fears for her baby. A trip to a larger centre for medical care is necessary, even during this second investigation, and a realization that even with the changes they've made at Haven's Rock, more care and rules will be necessary in the future, once they can figure out what is really happening and who the culprit is.

Wow. I could not put this book down. Having read some of the Rockton series as well as the two previous entries in this series, I was familiar with the setup of the isolated towns and the reasons behind them, and how people end up there. It's not at all critical knowledge, as Kelley Armstrong easily conveys necessary backstory in her confident and economical way. Armstrong never lets up on the tension that just keeps building till the reveal of the perpetrator, and their twisted aims. And then, she ratchets things up further, and though I'm used to Casey in danger from previous stories, this time I felt even more concerned, what with her compromised mobility. But Casey's greatest strength is her ability to keep thinking even when faced with dangerous situations, and she shows, again, why she's such a great character, and why I keep returning to this author's work: it's tautly written, with great characters at its centre, with the action and emotional moments well balanced.

I switched back and forth between the text and the audio, and Thérèse Plummer again does a great job with voicing all the characters. I love Casey's confident tones, as well as how Plummer takes us through Casey's thought processes. I also have a particular fondness for her prickly Yolanda and the wonderful Anders.

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for these ARCs in exchange for my review.

I enjoy how elements of the isolated setting in Northern Canada, where Haven's Rock is located, play a big role in this series. Nature is an extra character, creating obstacles and altering events. I also like the cast of characters, and the concept of Haven's Rock offering refuge to those facing danger, only for them to find danger there. The main character of the series, Detective Casey Duncan, is back working alongside her husband Sheriff Eric Dalton, and this time Casey is dealing with the added complication of being very pregnant while trying to find a killer. This one is a slower burn that took a while to get going, but I liked how it all played out in the end. The narration by Therese Plummer pulled me into the story and did a great job of conveying the tone of the story.

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

(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.