ARC Review--A Stranger in Town by Kelley Armstrong

 

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 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.

 

I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest and voluntary review. I was in no way compensated for this review. 

 

Kelley Armstrong brings us another spine-tingling mystery set in the remote community of Rockton. A Stranger in Town brings up the worst fears of Rockton residents where an uninvited guest comes into Rockton to shake things up! And boy, do things get shaken up in this one. You can pretty much guarantee that murder will be a foot! 

Casey and Dalton were just going to hang out with their settlement friends when a woman runs out of the forest towards them badly injured. The kicker? She doesn't speak any English. Making a quick decision, they bring her back to Rockton so April can treat her. Though when they try to ask her what happened, they are again brought up against a language barrier. But one of their newest residents happens to know what language she's speaking and speaks a little of it himself. Coincidence or just pure luck?

One thing leads to another and then another and suddenly Casey is looking multiple murders happening in this not-so-remote forest. With two opposing groups of settlers and the wild hostile group, there's no shortage of suspects. Then to make matters worse, Emilie, one of the council members and original founders of Rockton comes to town for secretive reasons. The rumor floating around town is that the council may be wanting to shut Rockton down permanently.

With murderers running around and the threat of the town's very existence, Casey has her hands full.

Like all of Kelley's mysteries this one was very well paced. Though trying to read during the holiday (as I was doing a few months back!) was a bit difficult and my focus may not have been the greatest at times. I was still able to follow along fairly well and pick up on things. There were just times I was a bit lost when we were talking about the many different groups living outside of Rockton's borders and trying to keep straight which group it was and their relationship with Rockton. Then add in the back history of the early Rockton days and its people, and you can imagine how easy it is to get a little lost when you can't focus solely on the book in your hands.

I still enjoyed the story all the same! I love it when we can get insight into the mystery council that financially backs Rockton and keeps it running. They're still a big mystery themselves. There's still a bit of romantic interludes with Casey and Dalton and that's always nice as it gives them a break from the chaos at hand, and you know, Armstrong romance! Lol.

I wouldn't say A Stranger in Town ends with a cliffhanger, but it does end with a very big question at hand, one that will ultimately decide the future books to come! At least I have the answer that we should at least have one more mystery with Casey and Dalton at hand and I'm glad of it! Kelley's worlds are so easy to get sucked into, both the paranormal and contemporary alike. I love getting the chance to visit these worlds and returning time and again! Looking forward to the next Rockton mystery! 

 

 

Overall Rating 4/5 stars

 

A Stranger in Town releases February 2, 2021