I loved this book! I didn't know it was a part of a series, but it made sense as a stand alone. Had I realized there were 2 other books before it I would have read them, this author is amazing. Action packed and always on my toes, this is a book I wish I could read again for the first time.

*3.8-ish rounded up*
As for the story & the characters - really great! I loved the scene setting & how well I got to know everyone, even the side characters. There was just enough description to help me perfectly imagine the setting, and even feel a little cold, but not so much that it would mess up the pacing, which was a huge positive. I felt the story was extremely well paced & I never once got bored.

There were a couple of downsides, which put it slightly below 4-stars for me. This was not the first book in a series that I've read as a standalone, but the only one that truly confused the crap out of me & made me feel like I needed to start from book #1. It took me a while to understand what Haven's Rock was & why it didn't seem like the real world. I still don't think I fully have that answer, which probably would've taken only 1-2 very appreciated paragraphs to explain.

Also, interchangeable names can make an audio book confusing, depending on how they're used. For example, Casey's husband is Eric Dalton. If she called him Eric, then he was referred to at other times as "Sheriff Dalton," that would make sense, but simply referring to him as "Eric" in one sentence, then "Dalton" the next was confusing.

One other tiny frustration I had was, during some of the intense, serious moments (e.g. when they're hurrying to track down someone in the woods & have only minutes/seconds to MAYBE find a person alive, with their own lives possibly in danger), there was flirty or silly joking/banter. It just felt unserious & out of place. It took me out of the "edge of my seat" mindset & made me feel like I had just read a snippet from a cheesy rom com.

All things said, I really liked this book. I will have to go back and read the first two of the series & more by this author. Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for this ARC!

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to review this eaudiobook.

Haven's Rock is somewhat of a sanctuary town hidden off the beaten path and requires specific steps for entrance for those who need to disappear. Casey is an investigator who is starting a life with Eric the sheriff, but she is not letting her pregnancy get in her way of investigation during this novel.

A town resident is drugged and goes too far towards the edge of town, she's taken further into the woods. This alarms everyone in the town, and a snowstorm hits Haven's Rock blanketing the forest in white. This novel will keep you guessing about who you can and cannot trust as a woman's body is discovered.

Great title for those who enjoy a good mystery.

Intriguing, slow story the first half building the story line but then the last few chapters moved pretty quick and keep you on edge. The narrator Thérèse Plummer did a good job adding emotion and suspense in her voice when reading from Detective Casey Duncan point of view.

“Cold as Hell” by Kelly Armstrong is book 3 of the Haven Rock series, however you can read it as a stand alone which is what I did. I will definitely be going back and reading book 1 (‘Murder at Haven Rock’) and book 2 (‘The Boy Who Cried Bear’).

**Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and Kelly Armstrong for an eARC of “Cold as Hell”.

Title: Cols As Cold
Series: Haven’s Rock #3
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Therese Plummer
Publisher: Macmillian Audio – Minotaur Books
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: February 18, 2025
My Rating: 2.6 Stars
Pages: 352

Haven's Rock is a haven/sanctuary deep in the Yukon. It is a place for people to disappear and start over. It is beautiful but also very isolated.
Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton, are dedicated to their jobs and do everything they can to keep the residence of Haven’s Rock safe.

Casey and Eric are excited about starting a family. As Casey nears the end of her pregnancy, she lets nothing, including an overprotective worried husband; stop her from investigating what happens in the forbidden forest outside the town of Haven’s Rock.

During a snowstorm, they find themselves searching for a sinister and vicious killer who has been taking women into the snow filled woods to kill them. Making things more difficult is that Casey is nearing the end of her pregnancy and trudging through the snow is not as easy as it once was.
I have read other Kelley Armstrong stories as well others in this series. There is background information in the earlier books – they are a fast read so I suggest reading at least one of the earlier stories,

I was disappointed with the amount of foul language- I like both Casey and Eric but I guess the blizzard and fearing things wouldn’t go well with the baby’s delivery had them on edge.
On the positive side narrator Therese Plummer is one of my favorite audio performers.
~I just wish I had a bleep out function! ~

Author, Kelley Armstrong is without a doubt a very interesting writer. I have read at least ten of her stories and loved most and other times I have said to myself – This must have been written by Kelley Armstrong’s evil twin!!!
Okay NOT THAT bad but some stories were very different. Usually I like an author’s style – in this Ms. Armstrong is a truly a diverse, multi-talented writer!

Want to thank NetGalley and Macmillian Audio ~ Minotaur Books for this early uncorrected eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for February 18, 2025.

I genuinely love this author and frankly don't understand how she isn't more popular--such a gift! My first time doing an audiobook with this narrator (I think) and she did a fine job as well!!

After reading books two and three (I still haven't read the first), Haven's Rock has rapidly become one of my favorite mystery series. With a secluded Yukon setting, the weather is often a character in itself, and the murders are practically locked room.

Casey's experienced a couple of scares during her unexpected, complicated pregnancy, but she's made it to her eighth month. She and sheriff husband Eric are choosing names and excited to become parents. And then a woman is attacked. She narrowly escapes, but didn't see her attacker. The next woman isn't as lucky. With a murderer on the loose in Haven's Rock (population around 70), Casey and Eric have their work cut out for them. The safety of Haven's Rock and its residents is their first priority.

As with the last novel in this series, I didn't guess the identity of the culprit. All my suspicions were incorrect. The last 20% of the novel is so gripping, I think I held my breath for most of it. While tracking the murderer, the characters battle the elements and lack of tech (snowstorm, iced over river, sat phones missing) and Casey is dealing with additional stress. All I can say is that she's a badass, and my hat's off to her. Shoutout to Storm for being the best tracking dog/protector ever.

Perfectly paced, red herrings to throw readers off track, nail-biting scenes - mystery/thriller fans can't go wrong with this series. Each book can be read as a standalone. Recommended to readers who enjoy secluded settings, locked room-type mysteries, and well-crafted characters.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Cold as Hell is an atmospheric thriller that immerses you in the icy isolation of Haven’s Rock, a small, off-the-grid Yukon sanctuary.

Detective Casey Duncan, eight months pregnant, races to solve chilling crimes—including an assault and a frozen body in the woods—while navigating the harsh wilderness and town secrets.

Interesting points: atmospheric Yukon winter, unique sanctuary-town concept, strong female lead, pregnancy challenges, excellent narration

Though starting with book three in this series left me slightly disoriented, I quickly caught up. Kelley Armstrong’s suspenseful writing kept me hooked, and Thérèse Plummer’s narration was outstanding.

Overall: A gripping, character-driven mystery with a unique backdrop.

Thanks to @macmillan.audio for the e-ARC

Detective Casey Butler returns February 18th for her third mission in Haven’s Rock, but this time, she’s 37 weeks pregnant and racing against the clock to stop a serial killer in their remote Yukon town. I had no idea this was part of a series when I requested it, but I had no trouble piecing things together as a standalone.

The narration, story line, and action completely hooked me. The suspense kept me guessing, and just when I thought I had things figured out—I was proven wrong. It was refreshing to be truly blindsided for once! Now, I can’t wait to go back and read the first three books in the series.

If you’re looking for a gripping thriller to keep you on edge while embracing the winter vibes, this one is a perfect choice. The icy Yukon setting makes it an especially fitting read while we’re battling the winter blues!

This book is the 3rd in the Haven’s Rock series. This unique story is about a group of people living in Haven’s Rock, a sanctuary community in rural Alaska. The married main characters, Detective Casey Duncan & Sheriff Erik Dalton lead the community. I enjoyed the learning about life and dealing with the unforgiving elements in rural Alaska all while trying to solve a crime.

This is my first book by Kelley Armstrong. I have already downloaded the first book in the series. Thérèse Plummer did an excellent job with the narration.

Thank you to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for letting me read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Kelley Armstrong delivers another chilling and suspenseful story in Cold as Hell, a fantastic continuation of the Haven's Rock Novel series. Set in the remote sanctuary town of Haven’s Rock, Detective Casey Duncan and Sheriff Eric Dalton face new challenges as they prepare for parenthood. Armstrong expertly balances the couple’s personal dynamics with the gripping investigation of a drugging, an abduction, and a frozen body found in the forbidding wilderness. With a snowstorm closing in and tensions rising, the mystery deepens as trust becomes a scarce commodity. Packed with atmospheric tension, complex characters, and a web of secrets, Cold as Hell keeps readers hooked from start to finish.

Cold as Hell picks up 8 months after the events from The Boy Who Cried Bear. Casey is 8 months pregnant and preparing for the possibility of a difficult delivery. When a woman is drugged and assaulted, Casey must investigate. While she is investigating, Casey and Eric find a frozen body, naked in the snow. Together, they must determine who is responsible for both crimes while questioning who they can trust in Haven's Rock.

This series is fantastic! I think Cold as Hell is my favorite so far from the Haven's Rock series and I would highly recommend the audiobook. The narrator is the same throughout the series and always does a great job in bringing the story to life. I was completely captivated from the first chapter, and I couldn't put this book down. I loved the character growth of Casey and Eric as they prepare for Casey's delivery and enjoyed how they worked together to investigate the possibility of a killer in Haven's Rock during a snowstorm. I am excited to see what is next for Haven's Rock in the next installment.

Cold as Hell is out February 18th.

Thank you to NetGalley, MacMillan Audio and St. Martin's Press. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What an intense opening. Kendra may have been drugged, and is being attacked, maybe? Maybe being followed? And then we begin the story.

No, this could be deemed my fault as a reader for jumping in with book number three… But in my experience, you can easily jump into a series like this, because the author usually circles back with a summary of what’s happened in the other books… However, this was fairly confusing. These people live in like a secret came in snowy Northern Canada, with no Internet, no cell phones, and everyone’s like a criminal… A little more background would’ve been helpful, because I was confused almost immediately. The story, however, was an interesting one!

Women are being targeted and left to die in horrifying ways in a small, secluded northern town. With a high risk pregnancy nearing 40 weeks, detective Casey Duncan must race against the clock to solve the case before she delivers the baby. Add in a few pregnancy complications, a serial killer, and some thin ice, and we’ve got ourselves a page-turner!

Winter is hanging on in Haven's Rock. Casey is now eight months pregnant and only allowed limited activity. When a resident is drugged, Casey knows she is the best person to figure out who did it. Thankfully, the resident was saved from abduction by another resident. Days later, a blizzard hits. And the next morning they discover another woman is missing. Did she get lost in the snow? Or is something more sinister happening? Casey starts looking at the residents- as it has to be one of them.

The overall plotline was intriguing- especially the culprit and their back story. However, I felt this was 95% Casey and her thoughts. Very little interaction with the other characters. Not my favorite. Or maybe the series has run its course. I do want to see how Casey and Eric handle a baby with their duties. So I'll for sure give it one more book before deciding whether it is time for me to move on.

Thérèse Plummer narrates. And she is a wonderful narrator. But she is too darn upbeat for Haven's Rock.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

I didn’t realize I was starting with the third book in the series, which led me to miss some crucial background information. It was a strong thriller that kept me engaged, but I didn’t fully connect with the character’s journey.

I was surprised by how much of the plot focused on the main character’s pregnancy. Normally, I don’t mind it too much, but the details about contractions and delivery made me a bit uncomfortable.

I’ don’t think I’ll revisit the first two in the series. But The concept was solid, but the characters didn’t resonate with me as much, likely due to my oversight in starting with the third book.

The narrator, however, did an excellent job bringing the story to life.

Haven’s Rock is a small community with few residents. Detective Casey and Sheriff Eric, husband and wife, are expecting their non planned baby very soon. Living in a very remote area in itself causes concern for a possible early birth problem.

Determined to keep their community safe and dedicated to their jobs they find themselves searching for a killer abducting women and killing them in the snowy woods.

Cold As Hell is #3 in the Haven’s Rock series. I loved this book and would highly recommend it.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audio ARC copy for an honest review.

Cold as Hell
A Haven's Rock Novel
by Kelley Armstrong
Narrated by Thérèse Plummer

I received an ARC of this audiobook through Netgalley.

Trigger warnings: Serial killers, sexual assault, gruesome murder, gunpoint, child endangerment, and more.

This was an excellent 3rd book in the Haven’s Rock series. This book didn’t disappoint me at all. It was really quite perfect!

Kelley Armstrong’s Haven’s Rock is centered around a very small town of 70 people. They live without most modern conveniences like excess clothing, their own kitchen appliances, their own bathroom, internet access, access to more than one diner or pub. They live very off-grid and with very little light after dark. They squirrel themselves away for a variety of reasons where they need to disappear. It is for those that need protection from something. Maybe they witnessed a murder, are aware of a crime, found out something dangerous, etc.

A small town meant to keep you safe is great but not without it’s own unique set of dangers. If that sounds interesting to you - then I highly recommend this book.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The prologue really drew me into the story as it unfolded, chapter after chapter with intriguing characters. I guess this can technically be read as a stand alone but I would have liked to have known, this was part of a series before requesting it. I never read books out of sequence. There were characters already introduced in former books that I would have liked to know their origin. All in all, I liked the book and I’m also a sucker for a great cover!

This was an audio book I am writing a review for this advanced copy of Cold as Hell, by Kelley Armstrong.

The narrator was very good. It was easy to follow along and recognize the different characters. However this is may be a YA mystery because the dialog is very simple and repetitive and flips from first person often.

The story was interesting, the deep cold of Yukon was described so well it was a great read on a freezing day.

Thank you NetGalley, Kelly Armstrong and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read/listen and review this book.

3.75 stars, rounded up

Excellent audiobook narration! The narrator had great voice inflection and was able to do the female and male parts well.

Storyline:
Casey Duncan is expecting her first baby. She is the detective of Haven’s Rock, an exclusive sanctuary town where everyone who enters is fully vetted. The residents hardly ever leave this little town and all work together to operate it.
One of the few women who lives there gets killed pretty early on in the book and now the couple/few police officers are on the hunt to figure out who the did it.

The positives
- I like the sanctuary town idea.
- I like the narration.

The negatives
- I found the story to be too drawn out in the beginning.
- There were just too many characters.

Overall, it was entertaining enough, but could’ve been cut down by a couple of hours and it wouldn’t have changed the storyline at all.


Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and MacMillan Audio for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review. I really appreciate it!