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A Stranger in Town

(Rockton #6)

Kelley Armstrong (Goodreads Author)

4.32 · Rating details · 1,028 ratings · 230 reviews

In #1 New York Times bestselling author Kelley Armstrong's next Rockton book, A Stranger in Town, the biggest mystery is the fate of the town itself.

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 n ...more

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Hardcover, 368 pages

Published February 9th 2021 by Minotaur Books (first published February 2nd 2021)

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Oct 07, 2020 Lisa rated it it was amazing

Shelves: net-galley

My thanks to St. Martin's/Minataur Books, Kelley Armstrong and Netgalley.
Stuffs going down in Rockton, and I'm loving it!
A few of the older mysteries are solved and a few others pop up! People die, and of course there is a lot of trekking through the woods.
I loved every moment. Can't wait to see what happens now.
This is a series that should be read from the beginning. Even though I hated it. But, something kept me coming back. I think every book is better than the last!I
Matter of fact, I spent ...more

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Oct 30, 2020 Kaceey rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: buddy-read, arc-from-publisher, netgalley

2.75*
This entire series has been a hit and miss experience for me. I actually gave up on it a few books back.... but just like potato chips, I craved more!

Unfortunately, this latest release found its way directly into the ‘miss’ pile for me. After loving her previous release Alone in the Wild, I was anxious to dive in.
But…oh my! I just couldn’t keep up with all the characters.

When Casey and Eric come across an injured woman in the forest, they rush in to help. Terrified and disoriented the wom ...more

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Oct 19, 2020 Susanne Strong rated it it was ok

Shelves: buddy-read, netgalley

A new Rockton novel by Kelley Armstrong that unfortunately left me wanting.

Gosh.. What can I say here: I started out liking “A Stranger in Town” and then the storyline just completely lost me.

This novel included too many characters and too many groups of people - the hostiles, the settlers, the hikers, the danish, Emilie, Jay - a new resident, Sophie - the injured hiker, all of whom simply confused me and made it such that I was unsure as to who actually was “A Stranger in Town.” Simply put, I j ...more

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Jan 29, 2021 Maureen Carden rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: there-is-a-great-dog, thriller, wild-ass-adventure, detective, favorites, mystery, just-so-damn-good, murder, netgalley

I am disappointed there are still no killer rabbits in A Stranger in Town…or any rabbits. Nor is there bear bowling-although there are bears, oh my. In A Stranger in Town human predators take center stage and hold it they do in another Rockton tour de force.
Rockton is the little Yukon town that does not exist on any map, nor do very many people know about it. Due to some sophisticated technology, it is almost impossible to find, unless you just stumble across it. It was started more that sixty I am disappointed there are still no killer rabbits in A Stranger in Town…or any rabbits. Nor is there bear bowling-although there are bears, oh my. In A Stranger in Town human predators take center stage and hold it they do in another Rockton tour de force.
Rockton is the little Yukon town that does not exist on any map, nor do very many people know about it. Due to some sophisticated technology, it is almost impossible to find, unless you just stumble across it. It was started more that sixty years ago as a hide-out for the idealists who were caught up in ugly governmental witch hunts. Later, much later it became the home of last resort for those who are wrongly accused, wrongly convicted, or hunted by loved one. In very recent years it seems as if the main requirement is large amounts of money, morality not required. In Rockton you can reinvent yourself. Become who or want you want. Sometimes you can even become a better person.
Staying within the confines of Rockton, unless you are being guided, is a requirement. The forest isn’t really trying to kill you, it just seems that way. There are apex predators of both the human and animal kind. Not to mention how easy it is to lose your bearings.
Casey Duncan is the town detective who was tricked into coming to Rockton, but has since fallen in love, first with the loved/hated Sheriff Eric Dalton then with both Rockton and the Yukon. Oddly enough, with a town filled with criminals her work load is fairly light, until the times it isn’t.
One day she and Eric set out from Rockton to do a bit of trading with a group of settler teenagers who are partying at a lake along with teenaged Sebastian from Rockton. They are the children and grandchildren of people who left Rockton, not wanting to return south. They have a hard life, but they did not turn into “hostiles” as the main group of forest human predators is known.
While visiting with the teens a severely injured woman comes stumbling from the forest. They get her back to Rockton and Casey’s sister saves her from her injuries. It is almost impossible to find out her story as she is Danish, until they find a new resident who knows Danish.
Casey and Eric find her campsite and two other bodies, all showing signs of murder by hostiles and animal predation.
While Casey and Eric try to discover what is behind the death of the Danish campers, two other mysteries occupy Casey; how and why did the hostiles evolve from hippie type settlement, and why are people no longer arriving in Rockton or giving extensions to stay? Casey and Eric have always said they have a plan B in case the Council who runs Rockton try to separate them, they just didn’t think it would be needed for other reasons. Nor do they really have a plan B. Now the main question, who will stand with them?
Casey’s sister, April, although a brilliant doctor and researcher is on the autism spectrum and has always gone untreated, which has also had a very negative effect on Casey. Another Rockton resident is a young sociopath who killed his parents at age ll. He is being treated, but Casey and Eric hold their breaths hoping for the best. Not having experience with either condition, it still strikes me that Armstrong handles these two characters in a knowledgeable and sensitive way.
This is world building at its best. Kelley Armstrong’s world of Rockton is just as intriguing, just as fascinating as her paranormal and fantasy worlds. Her characters and storytelling is exceptional. I can’t think of anyone who does it better. Maybe as well, but not better.
I’ve told everyone I know who is interested in books that the Rockton series is in my top six series-fluid order; and that the first book City of the Lost is in my top five favorite books, again fluid order. With A Stranger in Town Rockton #6, I find no reason to change these comments. So once again I will be hounding friends and family to start or continue with the Rockton series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Press for an ARC. ...more

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Nov 11, 2020 Marialyce rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley, books-of-2020

I have loved all the books in this series and sometimes wish I could become one of the residents of Rockton, even though I hate the cold.

On this, the sixth outing of the series, we are given a fine look at the town, its establishment, and the circumstances that have given rise to the first and second settlements, and the dreaded hostiles who are also inhabitants of this remote area.

When a stranger who is seriously hurt is found, it is the job of Casey and and Erik plus some other community memb I have loved all the books in this series and sometimes wish I could become one of the residents of Rockton, even though I hate the cold.

On this, the sixth outing of the series, we are given a fine look at the town, its establishment, and the circumstances that have given rise to the first and second settlements, and the dreaded hostiles who are also inhabitants of this remote area.

When a stranger who is seriously hurt is found, it is the job of Casey and and Erik plus some other community members to figure out what happened. Their task is made more difficult by the fact that the woman does not speak English but Danish. Luckily a somewhat newer person to the area is able to understand Danish, so he becomes an integral part of the story. Also baffling, it seems the town's population is diminishing while extensions are not granted to those residents and no new people have been assigned to enter. Surely, there are many who still need to hide away in Rockton so this happening bodes ominous for Casey and the others. Something is amiss and it is Casey and Erik's job to find the clues and solve the mystery before more people die.

If the finding of dead bodies and tensions rising isn't enough, the appearance of one of the original Rockton founders add a sense of concern and worry and when a group of Danish adventure seekers turn up dead, the hunt is on to find the killers. Suspected of course is the hostiles, but as other clues pop up, they might not be the culprits and a more sinister reason might just be the answer.

Told once again with a good deal of excitement, danger, and mystery, this story builds upon itself and gives the reader lots to consider as they join Casey and Erik in the hunt for the killer or killers while battling the environment they have come to love.

Thank you to Kelley Armstrong, Minotaur Books, and Net Galley for a copy of this book that has a fine share of perilous, risky, and precarious happenings that are sure to keep the reader engaged. This story is due out February 2, 2021. ...more

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Jan 22, 2021 Diane S ☔ rated it liked it

From the beginning the premise of this series was intriguing. Set in the Yukon, an off the grid town where people who had trouble in their real lives, could stay for a period of time, with extensions granted if necessary. A chance to remake themselves with only a few who need to know, why you are there, who you were. Also of course, continuing to read the series makes one comfortable with the characters. An invested interest.

This one though, the plot just seemed a stretch, a jumbled conundrum th ...more

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Nov 05, 2020 Carole (Carole's Random Life in Books) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: thriller, 2020, 2020-netgalley-challenge, reviewed, mystery, arc-digital, net-galley, series

This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.

I loved this book! I am a huge fan of this series so I went into this book with rather high expectations and I am happy to report that they were all met. I was so excited to check in with Casey, Eric, and the rest of the Rockton residents and to find out what their next adventure would be. This was a book that I didn't want to put down once I started reading. I had a fantastic time with this book!

Casey and Eric encounter a wounded wo This review can also be found at Carole's Random Life in Books.

I loved this book! I am a huge fan of this series so I went into this book with rather high expectations and I am happy to report that they were all met. I was so excited to check in with Casey, Eric, and the rest of the Rockton residents and to find out what their next adventure would be. This was a book that I didn't want to put down once I started reading. I had a fantastic time with this book!

Casey and Eric encounter a wounded woman in the woods who is in very bad shape. It looks like the rest of her party has died and they are not sure what might have happened to the woman they are caring for in town. Rockton soon receives an important visitor, who brings a few answers but a lot more questions. Casey and Eric need to figure out what happened to the woman and what is going on with their town.

This book kept me guessing! There was a lot of excitement in this story and the mystery element was very well done. It was so good to finally get some answers to some of the bigger mysteries surrounding the town of Rockton. I wasn't sure how everything would be connected but I loved that we saw so many characters and elements from previous books play a role in this installment.

I would highly recommend this series to others! I do think that this is a series that is best when read in order since each book builds on the events from previous installments. I had a great time with this page-turner and believe that readers will find this to be a book filled with great characters and a nicely plotted mystery. I cannot wait to find out what will happen next in Rockton!

I received a digital review copy of this book from St. Martin's Press - Minotaur Books via NetGalley.

Initial Thoughts
I am a huge fan of this series so I went into this book with pretty high expectations and they were all met. I was drawn into the mystery and couldn't wait to see how everything would come together in the end. There were some pretty unexpected developments and enough action to keep things very interesting. I do think that this series needs to be read in order since a lot of the things that they are dealing with in this book tie into previous mysteries. It was nice to check in with Casey, Dalton, and the rest of the Rockton crew. ...more

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Feb 19, 2021 Luvtoread rated it it was amazing

Shelves: adventure, mystery, supense, crime, thriller

Mesmerizing And Captivating!

The story takes place out in the desolate wilderness of the Yukon in the very small town called Rockton where all the residents are in hiding or exile from their old lives in society. There isn't any access to wifi or other outside communications because this town is completely isolated and hidden from the public for specific reasons and must remain that way to keep all of the residents safe. There are only about 200 citizens who live in Rockton and each individual mu Mesmerizing And Captivating!

The story takes place out in the desolate wilderness of the Yukon in the very small town called Rockton where all the residents are in hiding or exile from their old lives in society. There isn't any access to wifi or other outside communications because this town is completely isolated and hidden from the public for specific reasons and must remain that way to keep all of the residents safe. There are only about 200 citizens who live in Rockton and each individual must be approved by a special council in order to be relocated to this special and highly unusual community. Erik (The sheriff) and his wife Casey (a detective) are in charge of the safety and well-being of the residents and currently they are trying to find out the identity of a young woman presumably a.lost tourist who came stumbling out of the woods after she was viciously attacked and to find out where her companions are since there is no way anyone would be traveling in the Yukon alone. The story behind this woman goes much deeper than the couple could ever imagine and if they don't find answers soon many lives will be at risk and unfortunately many will be lost.

This was a captivating story for me. It was reminiscent of the old west without all the modern conveniences of normal everyday life. The atmospheric storytelling and stellar writing was spot-on and I could almost feel the chill of the air and sense the scent of the wildlife and solitude of the nearby woods that surrounded the town and I was mesmerized by the intoxicating writing that brought myself into this special, unknown little world that I felt I was part of and kept wanting to know more of this life and it's mysteries. This book is part of a series but it did well as a stand-alone read but now I want to read all the previous books in the series to find out everything I can about all the mysteries of Rockton. Maybe the author "Kelley Armstrong" would bestow a few of these fantastic books on this humble reader ( hint, hint - smile ). Well, a reader can just keep dreaming, right? I loved this book, the world of Rocton, the wilderness behind the story and just everything about this story. I can't wait to read another book from this series and I highly recommend it to any reader who wants to get away from the modern world for a little while.

I want to thank the author "Kelley Armstrong", the publisher "St Martin's Press" and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this terrific book and any thoughts and opinions expressed are unbiased and mine alone!

I have given this Highly Captivating story 5 Mesmerizing 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 Stars!!

Publication Date - February 9, 2021 ...more

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Dec 22, 2020 Mlpmom (Book Reviewer) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kindle-books, arc-book-read

This series with it's quirky little town and even stranger residents almost immediately became a favorite and that love, over time, over each new book, has only grown.

I adore these characters and as strange as they all are, I absolutely care about them and can't wait each time a new book gets into my hands. I want to devour it. I want to savor it, but mostly, I want all my beloved characters to stay strange, to stay true to themselves and to stay a part of Rockton and all it implies and holds.

I ...more

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Sep 27, 2020 Jennifer rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: most-anticipated-books-of-2021, 2020-book-hoarder-reading-challenge, netgalley-ebooks, favorites-2020

4.5/ 5 stars

A Stranger in Town is the sixth book in the Rockton/Casey Duncan series.

The mystery in A Stranger in Town is self-contained to this book. However I would highly recommend reading these books in order. It is possible to read this book without having read the others. But IMO the enjoyment will not be the same. There is so much history and character development. So I feel like a reader would not really understand the relationships if this series is not read in order.

I absolutely love Ke ...more

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Feb 09, 2021 ♥Rachel♥ rated it it was amazing

Shelves: romance, favorites, mystery, thriller-and-or-action

Rockton is a secret, off-the-grid town in the Yukon. A place formed for those on the run from danger as a refuge. An abusive husband, a stalker, unfair conviction? Rockton is your place to hide until the dust settles. Supposedly, inhabitants are vetted so that no violent criminals are allowed in, but in the past books we’ve learned that this isn’t true.

The series is best read in order, and as this is the sixth installment reading on in my review would give spoilers if you haven’t the previous b Rockton is a secret, off-the-grid town in the Yukon. A place formed for those on the run from danger as a refuge. An abusive husband, a stalker, unfair conviction? Rockton is your place to hide until the dust settles. Supposedly, inhabitants are vetted so that no violent criminals are allowed in, but in the past books we’ve learned that this isn’t true.

The series is best read in order, and as this is the sixth installment reading on in my review would give spoilers if you haven’t the previous books.

I think the book description is a bit misleading as it suggests that the plot revolves around Rockton being dismantled and Casey and Eric working at a solution. While that is an issue, it’s not revealed/focused on until late in the story. The plot, IMO, was more centered on the injured hiker, her companions and how their attack came about. Is this another aggression from the Hostiles? Edwin (from the First Settlement) flings blame about and wants action. An arrival from the council in the thick of things adds another interesting dimension to the story.

There’s a lot of plot threads here and it was interesting to see how they all connect. As usual, my attention was captured and held fast right from the beginning! Of course, Eric and Casey are the heart of the story, but there are so many interesting side characters! Casey’s sister April, the brilliant on-the-spectrum doctor, Sebastian the young, dangerous sociopath (who I’ve become real fond of!), Petra, Isabel and Phil. Felicity, Edwin’s granddaughter and probable successor, and Mathias. All the animals, tame and wild.

Rockton/Casey Duncan series’ is one of my very favorites! Casey is smart, always weighing her next move to get the desired outcome. Her analytical, forward thinking makes her perfectly suited to the position of Detective in the town of Rockton. Good thing, as she needs all her wits about her to deal with all the personalities of Rockton and its Council, the Settlements, and the Hostiles! After six books, the series still manages to be riveting, keeping me on the edge of my seat at every twist and turn! I loved how everyone came together at the end! I can’t wait until the next installment!

I read an e-copy, but I’ve already purchased the audio to re-read *listen* to with my husband. He’s a big fan as well, and we’ve listened to every installment on road trips together. Therese Plummer is such a fantastic narrator! She makes the characters and story come to life!

A copy was kindly provided by Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. ...more

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Feb 21, 2021 Michelle rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2021

A Stranger in Town is Kelley Armstrong's sixth book in the Rockton series. As always Armstrong constructs a challenging mystery as newcomers arrive in the secluded town and bodies begin piling up.

This is an overall fantastic series with a strong female lead and action-packed plotlines. I love reading about the Yukon. The wildness of the region--its unpredictable weather, deadly animals, and inhospitable terrain is the most compelling character of all. While reading Armstrong's captivating descr ...more

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Feb 09, 2021 Robin Loves Reading rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2021-challenge, robin-loves-reading-2021-challenge, kindle, netgalley, 2021-january-march, pages, reading-challenge, mystery-thriller

The hidden town of Rockton in Alaska is unusual in many aspects. It is a refuge of sorts, whether wrongly accused, escaping a dangerous family member, or the like. Rockton is a place where you have to have permission to reside, and there is a time limit as to how long you can remain there. The town's members are people who truly benefit from escape in one way or another. One of the long-time residents, Detective Casey Duncan, has a job and that job of policing has given her more than ample oppor The hidden town of Rockton in Alaska is unusual in many aspects. It is a refuge of sorts, whether wrongly accused, escaping a dangerous family member, or the like. Rockton is a place where you have to have permission to reside, and there is a time limit as to how long you can remain there. The town's members are people who truly benefit from escape in one way or another. One of the long-time residents, Detective Casey Duncan, has a job and that job of policing has given her more than ample opportunity to solve murders. She often works quite closely with the town's Sheriff, Eric Dalton, who is also her boyfriend, and the two are quite close.

Casey and Eric are beginning to notice some changes in their unusual town. For one thing, they notice they are getting less applicants for new residents. There is also something happening with some of their neighbors and these are encroaching on the restricted way of life that Rockton demands.

While Rockton has been in existence, they have remained wary of the neighbors referred to as the hostiles. Actually, the hostiles are former Rockton residents who have created a different lifestyle, one that incorporates elements that involve things like narcotics that Rockton's board members do not support. One day a hiker stumbles into town, injured by what could only be a hostile attack. Rockton's town council comes together to deal with the hostile situation before anyone else is injured or even killed.

Casey and Eric love their town. They do not want it lost, which is exactly what could happen if they do not get a handle on the hostiles. Meanwhile, whenever possible, Eric and Casey try to assist a group of teenagers that live near Rockton. They are not part of the hostiles, but neither do they live in Rockton any longer. As they happen upon the injured woman while visiting the teens, they try to save her life and keep her safe until they can discover what happened to her. There is a language barrier, and this fact just might be the key do solving other mysteries that have been occurring.

A Stranger in Town is the most complicated book in the series thus far. I would not say that this book would work well as a standalone. The facts of the town itself, as well as some specifics regarding the town's members are just two factors that would warrant following this series from the beginning. I absolutely loved this book as I have loved every previous book in the series. For a series like this to work, you have to be able to get into the mind of the author, Kelley Armstrong, and see how she developed the unique town and its residents, all while developing various plots across each book in the series. I adore this series and truly hope it goes on and on. I cannot wait to see what Casey and Eric, as well as others, come across while striving to maintain the integrity of the town that is known as Rockton.

Many thanks to Minotaur Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion. ...more

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Feb 07, 2021 Carolyn rated it it was amazing

Shelves: armstrong-kelley

WOW! Big things happening in Rockton. Huge mysteries that are prevalent background threads in all the books are at the forefront here. Yes, it is a long time between books with a lot of characters that have been added along the way, but Kelley Armstrong does a great job of reminding us of who each character is and their significance as they reappear in this book. A Stranger in Town is a stellar addition to an outstanding series. It is another roller coaster ride with lots of twists and turns wit ...more

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Jan 23, 2021 ☕️Kimberly rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Since Casey arrived in Rockton, an off the grid town, nestled in the remote Yukon territory, she has questioned how the other settlers and Hostiles came to be. In this sixth installment of the series, we finally get answers. Answers that may change everything for the people of Rockton.

While each of the books could work as a standalone, I feel that character & relationship development along with the series arc demand that the series be read in the order of its release.

Eric and Casey make a trip o ...more

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Feb 14, 2021 Terri ♥ (aka Mrs. Christian Grey) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: audio

I’ve started several books by my favorite authors this past year and only managed to finish one over several weeks. It’s been all me. Covid has made reading not my thing which is sad.

This is the first book I finished start to finish in a few days like normal. I hope my love for reading is back.

This is one of my favorite series by a favorite author and I’m happy to report lived up to her standards.

I loved it, start to finish. I love the main characters. I look forward to the next.

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Feb 01, 2021 Sophia rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: 2021-coyer-community, 2021-mt-tbr-challenge, 2021-coyer-seasons, net-galley-reads, romantic-suspense

Returning to the world of Rockton is the most electric, sensational feeling and each book leaves me insatiated for what comes next.

A Stranger in Town is the sixth of the closely tied series of thrilling romantic suspenses and is not a good series to get out of order.

Casey and Eric along with the residents of the hidden remote Canadian wilderness town of Rockton are not in the midst of crisis at the moment so she and Eric join some of the young people from another settlement and one of their own Returning to the world of Rockton is the most electric, sensational feeling and each book leaves me insatiated for what comes next.

A Stranger in Town is the sixth of the closely tied series of thrilling romantic suspenses and is not a good series to get out of order.

Casey and Eric along with the residents of the hidden remote Canadian wilderness town of Rockton are not in the midst of crisis at the moment so she and Eric join some of the young people from another settlement and one of their own by the lake for a bonfire only to have a frantic and severely injured woman rush out of the woods and collapse at their feet setting off another dangerous chain of events involving the conspiracy of the hostiles, the political intrigue of the past history of Rockton with the other settlements and the council, and the complexities of the relationships of those living in the raw wild away from civilization. Casey and Eric have a new case to solve before the inflamed fear and anger around them explodes into hostilities.

The author has a gift for a macabre tone, a twisting suspense, and complexity of character and series plot. Casey has been working on the mystery and origin of the Hostiles who are like ravenous beasts and her curiosity has her curious how the other settlements came to be and the background of the main players. This is good because it keeps her and Eric in the game when this latest mystery can only be solved by delving into the past. The injured woman who doesn't seem to speak English is the tip of the iceberg when she is only the first of strange incidents for them to deal with including another surprise visit.

Other than a few precious moments of sitting on the deck or getting some fleeting moments as a couple, Casey and Eric are going full throttle. Several recurring side characters are part of this including some newer side characters that showed up in later books. It is good to have Casey and Eric in a solid, deep place in their relationship so they can face what comes together. The council's plans for the town are coming to a head and they have to be ready to do what they can for this place and people that are their home.

For all that I figured out what was going on in this latest mystery, there were still some good twists and exciting moments that left me flipping pages breathlessly. These always read so fast for me because of how much I get into the story. All in all, this was riveting and I am chomping at the bit for the next installment. Those who enjoy thrillers, romantic suspense, survival-wilderness settings and macabre mysteries should give this series a try.

I rec'd this book from Net Galley to read in exchange for an honest review.

I buddy read this for COYER Community off a friends' TBR RAT with Anne @ Books Are My Heart who gave it 4.5 ...more

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Feb 01, 2021 Shelley rated it really liked it

Shelves: mysteries-thrillers, arc-netgalley, 2021-release

*Source* NetGalley
*Genre* Mystery / Thriller
*Rating* 3.5-4

*Thoughts*

A Stranger in Town is the Sixth installment in author Kelly Armstrong's Rockton series. In this story, Detective Casey Duncan and Sheriff Eric Dalton will have to solve multiple mysteries while also trying to figure out how to save Rockton's future. As the story opens, Casey and Eric are out in the forest on a training exercise with their dog Scout. After catching up with some teens from the First Settlement and asking questions ...more

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Sep 27, 2020 Denice Langley rated it it was amazing

Disclaimer: I am a Kelley Armstrong fan. I have read all of her books and loved them all. But, there is a reason why I and at least a million other readers consider her a world class author. Her books may be fictional, her characters not someone you'd meet on the street, but you easily get to know them as she builds them from page 1 of the 1st book. Yes, this is the 6th Rockton book. It can easily be read as a stand alone, but the first 5 are just as good as this one and you really do not want t Disclaimer: I am a Kelley Armstrong fan. I have read all of her books and loved them all. But, there is a reason why I and at least a million other readers consider her a world class author. Her books may be fictional, her characters not someone you'd meet on the street, but you easily get to know them as she builds them from page 1 of the 1st book. Yes, this is the 6th Rockton book. It can easily be read as a stand alone, but the first 5 are just as good as this one and you really do not want to miss out. No spoilers here but I could easily go on all day about how good this series is.

Rockton is a manufactured town in Yukon territory. The citizens are all there to hide from something or someone in their past. There is a core group, sheriff Eric Dalton, detective Casey Butler, deputy Anders, doctor April Butler (Casey's sister) and a handful of others that anchor the story and the town. There are even a couple of psychopaths running from their crimes and their psyches. Eric and Casey are married, a team emotionally and physically. The town is self contained, they have the basic needs with few extras. Everyone in Rockton works to keep the town safe and operational. There are also two small settlements know simply as the First Settlement and the Second Settlement, along with small groups and individuals who live in the surrounding forest and trade with Rockton for supplies.

Book 6 starts with a day on the lake becoming an emergency situation when a hiker crashes into the group, injured and unable to speak English. She has wounds consistent with an attack by a group of settlers that have become increasing violent. Unable to give Eric and Casey information, they do understand that she was part of a larger group. All of Kelley Armstrong's books give the readers a quick jump into the multiple puzzles and keep the story moving seamlessly and quickly to the point where they all meet and must now be solved and the criminal punished. I consistently have to stay up all night to finish because there is no way I can sit the book down.

There are no boring or slow chapters in Kelley's books. Each book moves the series forward while giving readers another chance to visit a town that is not on the maps anywhere. I have reread them many times and will reread them again. Rockton could easily become the next Netflix series. ...more

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Jan 24, 2021 Mogsy (MMOGC) rated it really liked it

Shelves: audiobook, arcs-and-galleys, netgalley, mystery, review-copy, thriller-suspense

4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2021/01/31/...

It’s hard to believe that what initially began as a serial novel in six parts ultimately expanded to become one of my favorite crime mystery thriller series in recent years. Given how it basically takes place in the literal middle of nowhere, I’m frankly amazed at the way Rockton just keeps spawning stories, each one more addictive than the last.

A Stranger in Town is the sixth volume, opening once more on the remote commun 4 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum https://bibliosanctum.com/2021/01/31/...

It’s hard to believe that what initially began as a serial novel in six parts ultimately expanded to become one of my favorite crime mystery thriller series in recent years. Given how it basically takes place in the literal middle of nowhere, I’m frankly amazed at the way Rockton just keeps spawning stories, each one more addictive than the last.

A Stranger in Town is the sixth volume, opening once more on the remote community deep in the Yukon wilderness where people go to disappear. But as spring approaches, bringing warmer weather and tourists to the north, the residents of Rockton find that they must work a little harder to keep their little settlement off the map. One day, despite their efforts, the town is shaken when a lone hiker stumbles onto their doorstep, bloodied and delirious with fever, seemingly injured from a bad fall. However, upon inspection of the woman’s days old wounds, Detective Casey Duncan determines that they could not have been caused by an accident—the victim had been violently stabbed, likely by one of the wild people who live out in the woods, known as hostiles.

Of course, it doesn’t help that our hiker doesn’t speak any English, and thus is unable to answer any of Casey’s questions. What is determined, though, is that the woman had not come alone. Handling the investigation the old-fashioned way, Casey and her boyfriend Sheriff Eric Dalton head out into the wilderness and come across the mutilated bodies of two more hikers, and evidence that one might be still alive. Now they’re looking at a possible rescue mission on top of trying to find the killers, and that’s just the beginning. A deadly incident back in town leaves one of their own in a coma, and coming in hot on the heels of that disaster is the arrival of Emilie, a Rockton council member and one of its original founders, here to impart bad news. Rumor is that the town won’t be around for much longer; the hostile situation is getting out of hand, and rather than fix the problem, the council wants to put an end to Rockton and start over somewhere else.

For many though, Rockton has become more than a home. For some, it is their only sanctuary. Something bigger is going on here, and Casey and Dalton must race against the clock to solve the mystery before their little town gets shut down.

Like all the previous books, this one was a lot of fun. For the first time though, the story also involves a conflict dealing with a prominent outside force, that of the council of Rockton and other shadowy parties of foreign origin. I think this had both positive and negative consequences. First, the good: I liked that the involvement of the council gave us more of the history behind Rockton and its founding. Thus far, we’ve only caught snippets about the town in the decades before Casey’s arrival in fleeting conversations, but Emilie’s appearance had a way of turning much of what we know on its head. Along with this came the introduction of a greater conspiracy. Needless to say, I felt this expanded the scope of the series and made the characters’ obstacles seem far more insurmountable, dramatically raising the stakes.

But now, for the bad. In another first with this series, I found myself lost more than once, especially when the plot continuously pulled in new characters and groups of people, when I was already struggling to recall the identities of some of the existing townsfolk and settlers. It’s amazing how many names there are to keep track of after six books, even in an isolated setting like Rockton! Furthermore, the story grew overly complex and at times completely over-the-top, and to really appreciate the developments, you had to suspend some of your disbelief.

Still, I loved that Casey and Dalton got to get back to doing some real detective work, as I felt we’d been steadily losing this sleuthing element over the last few installments in favor of promoting more family relationship and small-town shenanigans. That said, April has become one of my favorite characters in this series and I love how she and Casey are slowly reconnecting, so I certainly don’t mind some family drama.

All told, A Stranger in Town was another strong entry into the Rockton series. Despite the novel’s ups and downs, I can see how at this point a real shakeup was needed, and in this, the plot delivered. Fans of the series will definitely not want to miss this next chapter of Casey Duncan’s adventure, and the ending made me even more curious to see what her future holds.

Audiobook Comments: The first time I ever listened to Therese Plummer’s narration was with the first book of this series, City of the Lost, and now six books later, I am still a huge fan. For me, she will always be the voice of Casey. Simply outstanding. ...more

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Feb 09, 2021 The Captain rated it liked it

Shelves: thriller-mystery

Ahoy there me mateys! I received an eArc of this thriller through NetGalley in exchange for me honest musings. This be the sixth book of a series. While I try to post no spoilers, if ye keep reading this log then ye have been forewarned and continue at yer own peril . . .

I love Kelley Armstrong! I discovered her through her young adult book, sea of shadows, and she became me most read author of 2016. I have really been enjoying this series and I didn't even read the blurb before I requested Ahoy there me mateys! I received an eArc of this thriller through NetGalley in exchange for me honest musings. This be the sixth book of a series. While I try to post no spoilers, if ye keep reading this log then ye have been forewarned and continue at yer own peril . . .

I love Kelley Armstrong! I discovered her through her young adult book, sea of shadows, and she became me most read author of 2016. I have really been enjoying this series and I didn't even read the blurb before I requested this one. While ye can read books 1 - 3 and get the gist, books 4 - 6 build on each other. I do recommend starting at the beginning.

This novel continues the adventures of Rockton's detective, Casey Duncan. For those who be adventurous and are readin' this post having not read the previous books, Rockton is an off-the-grid town in the Yukon. People pay a council to spend time in this town to hide from their pasts. Some flee domestic abuse. Some flee other more unsavory problems. Suffice to say, the town is not an idyllic wonderland.

Casey is always getting pulled into trouble. This time, an injured hiker is found in the woods. It seems as though she has been attacked . . . and not by a wild animal. Where are her companions? Who tried to kill her? And how is Rockton supposed to maintain its secrecy now?

I will admit that this plot was way more ridiculous than the previous novels. I will also admit that I did not care. This was a quick, fun read that made me happy. This book solves the major mysteries of the previous books. I truly did enjoy watching Casey investigate. I enjoyed getting the watch many of the relationships develop. I didn't love the big reveals but I do love the world and characters.

Some minor issues: I would have preferred more Jacob, Sebastian, and Mattias. There was a bit too much repetition of the background of Rockton and residents that ye already know from previous books. I feel that this impeded the pacing a bit. And the bear thing was SO silly!

Apparently the author is contractually obligated for a seventh Rockton novel which she is working on now. I cannot quite imagine where the story is going to go from here. Arrr!

So lastly . . .

Thank ye kindly St. Martin's Press! ...more

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Feb 03, 2021 julia ☆ [owls reads] rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 5-stars, mystery

"But now comes the big question..."

me reading book 5: does Armstrong even know where she's going with this?
Kelley Armstrong writing book 6: I know exactly where I'm going with this, thank you.

A Stranger in Town was fantastic! I'd missed Rockton quite a bit and I was very happy that ...more

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Feb 15, 2021 Katie rated it really liked it

Shelves: how-own, 2021-new, format-ebook, 2021

Ah yes, time for my annual "still so grateful for this series, but don't have a ton to say" review.

Owned book 2/2 for the month
Overall owned book 2/5 for the month ...more

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Feb 07, 2021 Kate rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2021-read, ebooks, annoying-heroines, rom-contemp, best-book-boyfriends, suspense-crime, broody-alphas, 4-stars, guys-be-a-steaming, kick-ass-heroine

A letter to the author.
Dear Ms. Armstrong,

I have loved this series of Rockton ever since I read the City of The Lost. A town off grid for those in need, sign me up. There are great characters and unique situations. You have truly created indepth characters and the backtories that they have.

However what I am not happy with is that it took so long for the situation with the hostiles to be cleared up, a total of what three books and finally you have given it to us. However what now? How can one b ...more

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Jan 27, 2021 Kari Marie rated it really liked it

Shelves: netgalley-reviewed

A Stranger in Town by Kelley Armstrong is the 6th book in the Rockton series. A small hidden town in Alaska has some unexpected visitors. One a severely injured hiker and an enigmatic backer of the town. Are these people coming into the town the signs that town is being shut down? Can Casey and Dalton solve the newest crime and save their city?

I am in love with this series. It has an interesting premise, flawed but intriguing characters, consistency, steady flow in the books and overall, the ser ...more

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Feb 01, 2021 Chrissy rated it it was amazing

Shelves: vwf-7500-books-in-2021, favorites

Why, yes! I did actually take the day off work today, so that I could start this at midnight, finish it by morning, and then get a few hours of sleep instead of getting ready for a bleary-eyed day of work. I’m still tired after only three hours of sleep and will probably spend the day napping a lot. But the book was totally worth it!

This is one of my favorite series and this latest installment is no exception. Casey and Eric come across an injured Danish woman in the forest, who has been attacke Why, yes! I did actually take the day off work today, so that I could start this at midnight, finish it by morning, and then get a few hours of sleep instead of getting ready for a bleary-eyed day of work. I’m still tired after only three hours of sleep and will probably spend the day napping a lot. But the book was totally worth it!

This is one of my favorite series and this latest installment is no exception. Casey and Eric come across an injured Danish woman in the forest, who has been attacked by hostiles, which leads to Casey solving the final bit of the hostile mystery. Now that I’m pretty sure this overarching plotline is finished for good, I’m curious to see where the series will go next. There’s one more book coming next year, but there hasn’t been any news yet if that’ll be the last or if there’ll be more Rockton to come after that.

The first few books dealt mainly with Rockton, with how the town works and with the dynamics between characters inside the town, but the later ones have zoomed out a bit and expanded the setting and cast of characters to go beyond Rockton’s borders. This wider view and growing cast of characters means that we do not have time to check in with every one of the secondary characters in every book. Matthias only played a small role in this, Jacob and Nicole only got a mention, but didn’t actually show up in any scene at all. Instead relations with some of the people from outside Rockton (Cherise and Owen, Edwin and Felicity) were further explored. And we got more Sebastian (teen sociopath) and April (Casey’s sister). Again, I enjoyed the characters we did get, but also missed the ones we didn’t spend much, or any, time with.

Casey and Eric are still one of my favorite book couples and I love how drama free their relationship is. I mean, they have plenty of challenges and drama that they have to deal with together, but there’s never any drama between them. They just understand and support each other. I also really loved getting more relationship development between Casey and April, who is on the autism spectrum, which – because it was undiagnosed until recently – led to the sisters never really understanding each other growing up. April is one of my favorite secondary characters here. We also get some development for Phil, the council liaison, who needs to figure out where he actually stands between the council and the residents of Rockton.

Despite the fact that the characters probably wished they’d get a second to catch their breath with everything going on here, to me as a reader the pace of this one felt slower. There were a lot of scenes of the characters talking through the mystery and their theories and not as many nail-biting action-y scenes, though we did get some of that too.

With the threat of the council shutting down Rockton hanging over our characters, I can’t wait to see what comes next for this series. ...more

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Jan 30, 2021 Anne - Books of My Heart rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 7arcs, audio, 2021, coyer

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart

Review copy was received from Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

4.5 hearts

I continue to love the Rockton series. I would not try to read this as a standalone. The characters grow and change throughout the series. But mostly, each book is so good I would hate to miss any! I highly recommend them.

Rockton is more set up and has more things than the other people in the area. A St ...more

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Jan 24, 2021 Brenda Feinen rated it it was ok

Shelves: 2021-netgalley

I have not read the previous books in this series. Though I was able to understand backstory, I feel it hindered my enjoyment. However, if I had read the previous books, the amount of time and detail for the backstory would have irritated me.
Casey and Dalton are checking on friends - a bonfire on a warm spring night in the Yukon. A woman stumbles out of the bushes, in shock. She has a serious abdominal wound, shrieking in a foreign tongue.
Casey and Dalton search and find her camp - with two ot ...more

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Feb 21, 2021 Jennifer rated it really liked it

This was actually the first Rockton mystery of hers that I have read.

I thought it was well written but a little hard to follow the audiobook at times because of the amount of characters.

I did enjoy the story and the main characters

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Nov 13, 2020 Tracy rated it it was amazing

I am a SERIOUS Rockton fan! I doubt I could live there, cause I'm kinda wimpy and hate to be cold, but I would totally watch a "good" Netflix series ;) Tons of excitement here, love the bear attack. Waiting for the next part will be hard! ...more

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About Kelley Armstrong

Kelley Armstrong

28,164 followers

Kelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers' dismay. All efforts to make her produce "normal" stories failed.

Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked a ...more