Eight stars
I have been thoroughly enjoying this police procedural series by Kelley Armstrong. She does a stellar job developing things in a thriller style, using northern Canada as a setting. In a small community, someone new appears on the scene, which causes a great deal of panic for those trying to uphold the law. Casey Duncan and Sheriff Dalton will have their hands full as they try to decipher what the town council might have been thinking. While things need o be calm for the next six months, they soon push into the realm of chaotic, with a new killer on the loose and the bodies piling up. Armstrong adds new edge in this piece that is sure to impress series fans.
When Casey Duncan arrived in Rockton, Yukon Territory, she was not sure what to expect, save that her past would be kept away from her daily life. In this off the grid community, there are no electronics, internet or even cell phones, but it could be the only thing that saves her. Casey could not have expected to be thrust into the role of local homicide detective, juggling cases on a daily basis, while a blossoming relationship with Sheriff Eric Dalton seems to be getting more intense.
It was a shocking revelation when the town council—gatekeepers of the highest order—agrees to bring a serial killer to Rockton to keep him isolated and in custody until a more formal plan can be enacted. Sheriff Dalton and Casey explode with rage, sure that Rockton is not the place for long-term custody, but the council will not hear of it. Oliver Brady claims that the accusations are false and that someone has been setting him up for the crimes. While this is surely a possibility, the clues are too strong to ignore.
The longer Brady is in town, the more problems arise in Rockton, which is soon topped off by his escape from custody. While Sheriff Dalton and Casey rush to begin a search, it is soon apparent that someone within the town has likely been helping Brady, an accomplice that could trace back to the earlier crimes that saw him in custody. The race is on to locate the killer, who has made sure to scatter bodies and violence in his wake, while also trying to capture the accomplice and plug that hole securely. Racing for safety and protecting Rockton, Casey and Sheriff Dalton will have to use all their prowess, even if they can trust no one. Armstrong does well upping the tension with this piece and keeping the reader hooked.
Kelley Armstrong captured my attention when I learned that this was a series set in Canada, especially in the north, where I have not explored or visited. She prepares a strong story with great twist to keep the reader engaged for long periods to learn the truth. Narrative developments are non-stop and the momentum keeps things on track, while never letting the reader catch their breath. I can only hope that this will continue as things develop with ease. Characters find their way onto the page and show their attitudes, adding depth and flavouring to the story from the outset. I can see developments emerging, both with the central and secondary characters, which has me eager to see what's waiting as the series continues.
The story works well from the start and keeps getting better. The plot is strong and not as linear as it might seem. Twists and constant changes in the story keep things from getting too predictable and allows the reader to get lost in all the drama and intensity that await them. I want to see what will come of Rockton and some of the threads left to hang by the end of this book, which shows that Armstrong has a great way to lure the reader in for something amazing.
Kudos, Madam Armstrong, for a strong police procedural series that never gets old.
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