Monday, February 22, 2021

A Stranger in Town

Title: A Stranger in Town
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Published: February 9th 2021 by Minotaur Books
Format: Kindle, Hardcover, 368 pages
Genre: Police Procedural
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for an opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Casey Duncan / Rockton #6

I love this series but almost gave up on this book. A slow monotonous start that did not pick-up speed until the last third, and then I couldn’t get to the end fast enough.

Things are changing in Rockton, subtle changes, but Det. Casey Duncan and her boyfriend, Sheriff Eric Dalton, will figure it out - they always do. But first, they must deal with a hiker that has stumbled out of the forest with an infected wound, possible head injury, bare feet, and incoherent babbling in an unfamiliar language. Coincidentally, a Nordic studies professor has just moved to Rockton and begins to translate a farfetched story of a wild man and that her three companions are missing.

Sounding like a description of the local hostiles, Casey and Eric set out to find what has riled up the locals only to discover that the backstory of Rockton goes deeper than they thought. Once the narrative gets going, Kelley Armstrong weaves a deep tail of duplicity, experimentation, and the possible downfall of the sanctuary they call home.

To understand the interaction of all the characters, this is a series best started from the beginning. There is odd humor, and each book has you liking some more than others. I do have to admit, April and Sebastian are turning into the most fascinating facets of Rockton, with Mathias finishing out the group. As I said, a slog of a start, but stick with it -- the ending leaves you with more questions and a profound wonder of where they will go next.

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