Title: The Boy Who Cried Bear
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Published: February 20, 2024
Format: e-ARC
My Rating: 5 stars/5
Synopsis: Haven’s Rock is a well-hidden town surrounded by forest. And it’s supposed to be, being that it’s a refuge for those who need to disappear. Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton already feel at home in their new town, which reminds them of where they first met in Rockton. And while they know how to navigate the woods and its various dangers, other residents don’t. Which is why people aren’t allowed to wander off alone.
When Max, the town’s youngest resident—taught to track animals by Eric—fears a bear is stalking a hiking party, alarms are raised. Even stranger, the ten-year-old swears the bear had human eyes. Casey and Eric know the dangers a bear can present, so they’re taking it seriously. But odd occurrences are happening all around them, and when a dead body turns up, they’re not sure what they’re up against.
My thoughts from the Vault
Disclaimer: I received an e-ARC of this book. I chose to review it and this in no way impacts my opinion of it.
Now, I know I’ve said it before and I will say it again. I am a huge fan of Kelley Armstrong and I will forever be obsessed with her novels. I picked up this book and in less than 3 days I had finished it. I would have finished this book in a day if I didn’t have to work, but even still, I read on all my breaks at work because I just couldn’t put it down.
This is the second novel in the Haven’s Rock series, a spin-off series of the Rockton/Casey Duncan series. It is not necessary to read the Rockton series but I will highly recommend you start with that series as it is so good.
This novel opens up with a new (for this book) narrator. Max, a 10 year old boy, is Haven’s Rock youngest resident. As children weren’t technically allowed within Rockton, I am excited to see how this affects Haven’s Rock. When Max goes missing, the residents must work together to find him, for better or for worse.
While I did thoroughly enjoy this novel, I will admit that it includes a trope that I can’t stand. I won’t say which because spoilers, but it was something I could have done without. But other than that, I absolutely loved this novel. I’ve always greatly enjoyed Casey and Duncan as characters and I can’t wait to see what happens next in the Yukon wilderness.
If you enjoy mystery novels, you will definitely love this series!
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