Ahoy there me mateys!  I received an eArc of this thriller through NetGalley in exchange for me honest musings.  Though this log’s focus is on sci-fi, fantasy, and young adult, this Captain does have broader reading tastes. So occasionally I will share some novels that I enjoyed that are off the charts (a non sci-fi, fantasy, or young adult novel), as it were. This be the fifth book of a series.  If ye haven’t read the other four, then ye might want to skip this post and go get caught up.  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.

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.

I loved that, unlike in the previous books, all the important action in this mystery takes place in the forest and the communities outside of Rockton.  Rockton has been weirdly well-behaved and is focused on the preparation for December's holidays.  Casey is supposed to be enjoying a mini vacation but that goes out the window when she hears a baby cry while out in the middle of the woods.  Aye, a baby.  But with that baby is a dead body that clearly shows signs of murder.  Casey be determined to find the babies relatives.  She just has to figure out who they are first.

This case involves visiting the other settlements in the forest who don't like outsiders.  I really enjoyed getting insight into how the other Yukon groups choose to live.  Also some questions about hostiles are answered which of course lead to bigger questions for Casey to eventually solve.  Ye get more answers (and questions) about Dalton's past too.  I can't wait to see where those plot lines go in future books.

The first three books were more self-contained.  Books four and five hint at a larger picture and have had interwoven threads.  The nice part is that each book's problems are solved even while the ramifications of Rockton's existence are getting more tricky.  I did miss not having much time with Rockton residents but got a ton of fun in exchange.  I read this book in one sitting and time flew by.  If ye haven't visited Rockton yet, ye should!

So lastly . . .

Thank ye kindly St. Martin's Press!