Eight stars
I continue to find solace in this well-paced police procedural series by Kelley Armstrong. Set in the northern community of Rockton, Yukon Territory, this Canadian series has all the elements of a great set of mysteries, peppered with strong character development and vivid descriptions. Armstrong has planted some wonderful seeds and captivates the reader with all that is going on, even with a small collection of individuals in this secreted community. I entered the series with high hopes, all of which have been met or surpassed. I am eager to keep reading to see how things will morph and what will occur to further my enjoyment.
The covert town of Rockton—tucked into the rural landscape of Canada's Yukon Territory—has its moments of solitude and others of extreme drama. This is to be expected, as its residents are a mix of victims, criminals, and those who have something weighing on their consciences. Casey Duncan is one of those, having fled a murder charge in Southern Ontario. After joining the police force as a homicide detective, she's shown her mettle, all while falling for the local law enforcement leader, Sheriff Eric Dalton. After sneaking her older sister, April, into Rockton, in the guise of running some medical tests, Casey finds herself in more trouble.
A US Marshal has made his way up to Rockton and is searching for someone, though he will not tip his hat as to who it might be. While Casey and Sheriff Dalton are not sure this is all real, things definitely take a turn when the Marshal is shot and killed hours later. It is up to Casey to look for the killer and determine what the Marshal was seeking, all while keeping the calm in this community.
As her relationship with Sheriff Dalton grows, Casey knows that her past could come crashing into the present, Many know of her past, especially Sheriff Dalton, who admitted her to the exclusive community, but this is nothing compared to the issues that could ensue if she is discovered and brought to face justice. Juggling emotions, law and order, as well as making permanent roots, Casey will have to face them all, with April eager to share the 'real Casey' with anyone who will listen. Armstrong does a great job with new story arcs to enrich the already strong series once more.
Kelley Armstrong is both a strong writer and a great storyteller. She uses her knowledge of surroundings and great styles to keep the reader enthused. I quite enjoy her narrative approach, which paints vivid pictures of threatening struggles and characters who pepper the pages to deliver great bits to the larger piece. The momentum of the book grows with each passing chapter, which vary in length to tell detailed or superficial aspects of the story's elements and keep the reader guessing. More faces emerge, while other characters add depth to their personalities in this piece that has just what I needed to stay connected.
There are strong plot elements that keep the story fresh and the reader on the edge of their seats. Armstrong builds both within this novel and connects the previous ones in arcs that tell poignant aspects of Rockton and its citizenry. The action is high and the twists are always revealing something, leaving the reader to bask in all that is going on, while remaining curious as to what awaits them. I am eager to see how things will develop, as Armstrong has more books ready for me to devour, given the time and effort.
Kudos, Madam Armstrong, for an ongoing dedication to great writing.
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