Thanks to Raincoast books for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
“The gun jerks, and I yank away, but she has my wrist in an iron grip…She’s staring at me, blue eyes impossibly wide. She hisses a harsh stream of foreign language, as if she’s uttering a curse,” (Armstrong 10).
Casey Duncan is back in the sixth book of the Rockton series. For the past few months things have been surprisingly calm, there have been fewer new residents coming in but Casey’s boyfriend Sheriff Eric Dalton says that’s normal for Rockton but Casey isn’t so sure. But bigger concerns come to Casey in the form of a foreign traveler, the only survivor of a hostile attack, and while Casey and the other residents try to get around the language barrier and find out what happened to the hiker tensions get high and the situation gets dangerous. Add in a visit from a mysterious council member which only further complicates things, but luckily Casey and Dalton are on the case, and they’re determined to find out what exactly is going on.
The Rockton series is one of my favourites and A Stranger in Town is a stellar addition to an already amazing series. So much was happening and I was thrilled to see where the story would take me, every time I thought I knew where the story was going Armstrong created another pathway to follow into a deeper mystery. I have no idea how she continues to create new, intense, and creative mysteries in this series but I hope she never stops.
As always the setting is always so gorgeously described and it makes me want to visit the Yukon so bad (and a little sad since I had to cancel my trip their last year, but that’s a me thing). I love Casey and Dalton’s relationship, how healthy it is and the deep love and respect they have for one another. Storm is always the MVP though, even though I could never see myself with a dog anytime I read these books I find myself wanting a Newfoundland. And I’m so happy Casey’s sister April was added into the series, her and Casey’s interactions are always so memorable, and April offers some hilarious criticism on Casey’s detective skills at the beginning of the book that had me howling! But it’s the ending of A Stranger in Town that will really get readers, I was absolutely shocked by it and am so curious about what mysteries and thrills will end up happening with that ending.
A Stranger in Town is a welcome addition in the Rockton series and raises the stakes even higher in ways reader’s won’t predict. This Canadian thriller series keeps on being thrilling and I can’t wait to see where Armstrong will take reader’s next!
(And don’t forget to read my interview with Kelley Armstrong here!)
Publication: February 9th 2021
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Pages: 368 pages
Source: eARC (Thanks Raincoast Books!)
Genre: Fiction, Mystery, Thriller, Canadian
My Rating: ⛤⛤⛤⛤
Summary:
“Detective Casey Duncan has noticed fewer and fewer residents coming in to the hidden town of Rockton, and no extensions being granted. Her boyfriend, Sheriff Eric Dalton, presumes it’s the natural flux of things, but Casey’s not so sure. Something bigger is happening in the small town they call home.
When an injured hiker stumbles from the woods, the sole survivor of a hostile attack, it’s all hands on deck. Even a member of the elusive Rockton council comes in to help. This council member also comes bearing news: Rockton is being shut down due to the hostile situation.
Casey and Eric must now race to save the town that has allowed residents to have a fresh start, away from the mistakes of their past, while also getting to the bottom of this latest attack. ”
Sarah O'Connor 