COLD AS HELL is a title that is extremely appropriate for Kelley Armstrong's latest addition to her gripping Haven’s Rock series. Not only is it set in the Yukon in March, there are events in the story that bring the title to mind as we read. While it could be read as a stand-alone novel, there would be so much missing from the backstory that it makes more sense to either start with the opening installment, MURDER AT HAVEN’S ROCK, or go back to the first book in the previous series, CITY OF THE LOST, and read forward from there. That way you'll be able to savor how Armstrong expertly develops her characters and uses the unique setting as almost another character, because it's so much a part of each novel.

"Get ready for a chilling (in more ways than one) ride as we wade through deep snow, brave frozen lakes, barrel through blizzard conditions, and thaw in front of a roaring fire along with Casey as she solves this puzzling, surprising and intriguing mystery."

The earlier books riveted me, and this follow-up series is no less thrilling. Haven's Rock is the replacement for the settlement in the first series, Rockton, where those needing to escape from danger in their lives can stay for a few years. The hope is that the danger eventually will go away. So those who might have witnessed a crime and whose lives have been threatened might ask for sanctuary at Haven's Rock. Or, in one case, a young sociopath who murdered his parents at the age of 11, served his time, and has worked to be a productive member of society --- but cannot live a normal life because of the notoriety of his crimes --- finds a place at Haven's Rock. Armstrong's writing is so capable and evocative, we feel as if we know Sebastian and his mentor, Mathias. They are just two of the people who live in the settlement.

The main characters are Eric Dalton and Casey Butler. Eric was the sheriff when Casey was hired as a detective to help solve crimes. When people pay a lot of money to escape from danger, they expect to be in a place that is safe. But of course, there would be no story without murder, which explains Casey's entrance into the narrative. At first, the pace seems slow and relaxing, like the rhythm of a rocking horse. Because Casey is eight months along in a very fragile pregnancy, I thought that the novel might be about attempted crimes and mostly focus on what happens to Casey and the baby. A woman is drugged and dragged into the forest, but she is saved before anything really bad takes place.

I was very mistaken. Not only is there a murder, it's clear that Armstrong pulls no punches just because Casey is a mother-to-be. The killing is brutal and shocking; we are appalled and rocked to our core. But what is worrisome is that Casey has no idea who the culprit might be. There are several possibilities. When a crime is committed on a night during a white-out blizzard in sub-zero weather, there aren't many people outside who could be witnesses.

In addition to what seems like a cold-blooded killer (pun intended), Casey goes into what might be premature labor. Protecting the women in Haven's Rock from a human predator might hurt her chances of having her pregnancy go to full term and delivering a healthy baby.

The second half of the book is anything but relaxed and soporific. The possible perpetrators pile up as Casey tries to determine whodunit. It's when she's able to conduct her own research into the residents of Haven's Rock, and when a surprise witness tells her what he saw that at first seemed totally innocuous, that she figures it all out. But can she stop the killer when another resident of Haven's Rock, a friend, is taken?

Get ready for a chilling (in more ways than one) ride as we wade through deep snow, brave frozen lakes, barrel through blizzard conditions, and thaw in front of a roaring fire along with Casey as she solves this puzzling, surprising and intriguing mystery. It's Kelley Armstrong at her best.