Cold as Hell by Kelley Armstrong is third book in Haven’s Rock series where Casey Duncan and Sheriff Eric Dalton are back, trying to keep their off-the-grid town, Haven’s Rock, from turning into a true-crime podcast.
If you are bookworm too, and like to get Free Book reviews of latest release, you can Follow our Newsletter by clicking on the bell icon aside or join us on Telegram given at the bottom.
Haven’s Rock is a town hidden deep in the Yukon for those who need to disappear from the regular world. As Casey nears the end of her pregnancy, she lets nothing, including her worried husband, stop her from investigating what happens in the forbidden forest outside the town of Haven’s Rock.
| Author | Kelley Armstrong |
| Genre | Mystery Thriller |
| Number of Pages | 352 pages |
| Goodreads Rating | 4.33 ⭐⭐️⭐️⭐️(as of now) |
| My Rating | 3.75⭐⭐️⭐️ |
| Expected Release Date | February 18, 2025 |
Book Review: Cold as Hell by Kelley Armstrong
Imagine this: you’re eight months pregnant, stuck in the middle of nowhere, a blizzard’s howling outside, and oh yeah—there’s a murderer on the loose. Fun times, right?
Plot changes when one woman is attacked, it’s clear someone didn’t read the “No Crime Allowed” rule. And with Casey waddling (I mean, investigating) her way through danger, tensions are high.
The mystery? Solid. The setting? Deliciously atmospheric. The pacing? A bit uneven. While the tension kept me hooked, the constant “Rockton vs. Haven’s Rock“ comparisons got old. And Eric’s overprotectiveness? Cute but whew.
And the best part? This isn’t just about catching a killer. It’s about survival, trust, and the growing pains of building a new town from scratch. Haven’s Rock is no Rockton, and Casey and Eric are learning that the hard way.(or by adaptation)
Still, that finale? Chef’s kiss. A thrilling, snowy murder mystery with just enough chaos to keep things spicy. 3.75 stars—because Casey deserves a nap.
If you are into thriller books, you can’t miss All the colors of the dark by Chris Whitaker.
Plot Summary of Cold as Hell by Kelley Armstrong
Deep in the unforgiving Yukon wilderness lies Haven’s Rock, a secret town built for people who need to disappear. No maps, no outsiders, and definitely no crime—at least, that was the plan. But Detective Casey Duncan and Sheriff Eric Dalton know better. Because when you gather a group of people with hidden pasts, trouble has a way of finding you.
And trouble does come, in the form of a woman drugged at the town’s only bar and dragged into the woods in the dead of night. Lucky for her, someone hears her screams. But was it luck… or something more suspicious?
Casey, eight months pregnant and just so done with being treated like a delicate flower, is ready to dive into the investigation. Eric? Not so much. The man is in full-on protective husband mode, which is adorable but also infuriating when you’re, you know, a homicide detective who literally lives for this stuff.
Then things take an even darker turn. Another woman—frozen solid, found just outside town. Murder? Or an unfortunate case of wandering off into the snow? With a blizzard rolling in and their only lifeline to the outside world cut off, Casey and Eric are stuck with a terrifying realization: one of their own is a killer.
Theme of Cold as Hell- More than a Mystery
Now, let’s pause for a second—who exactly do we trust in this town? Haven’s Rock is supposed to be a fresh start for its residents, but someone is bringing their old sins with them. Is it the so-called hero who saved the first victim? The quiet neighbor who never quite fits in? Or—plot twist—is it someone Casey and Eric have known all along?
As they dig deeper, false labor pains add an extra layer of chaos to Casey’s life. Because nothing says stressful murder investigation like also wondering if you’re about to go into labor in a town with no hospital.
Then, just when you think things can’t get any more intense—BOOM. The finale hits like a blizzard-fueled freight train. Secrets explode, suspects are unmasked, and Casey, despite being eight months pregnant, proves yet again why she’s the most badass detective in the Yukon. Let’s just say, the final confrontation is one for the books.
So, the real question is—who else is hiding secrets in Haven’s Rock? And how long before Casey finds herself knee-deep in yet another murder? (Let’s be real. Probably not long.)
Also Read: Nobody Book Summary & Ending
Quotes from Cold as Hell by Kelley Armstrong:
“Being snowed in with a murderer is exactly as fun as it sounds. Especially when you’re the one supposed to catch them.”
“Trust is the foundation of Haven’s Rock. And yet, here we are, wondering who among us is a killer.”
Final Thoughts- Who should read it?
The book Cold as Hell is perfect for:
- Enjoy no-nonsense female leads, here Casey Duncan is pregnant still brilliant.
- If you like slow character development – Casey, Eric continue to evolve.
- If you like thrillers with a side of humor.(along side a murder)
- If you are fans of Kelley Armstrong’s Rockton series – It’s the Rockton sequel, so if you loved that, you’ll enjoy this!
Books like Cold as Hell:
- One by One by Ruth Ware
- The Sanatorium by Sarah Pearse
Tags:
Cold as Hell: A Haven’s Rock Novel
Kelley Armstrong Novel
Haven’s Rock #3
About the Author:
Kelley Armstrong is a canada based author and novelist famous foe her writing in fantasy and thriller genre. She is also #1 NY Times Bestselling author.
Reviewed: Cold as Hell by Kelley Armstrong - Thriller
Cold as Hell by Kelley Armstrong is third book in Haven's Rock series where Casey Duncan and Sheriff Eric Dalton are back, trying to keep their off-the-grid town, Haven’s Rock, from turning into a true-crime podcast.
URL: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/211003790-cold-as-hell
Author: Kelley Armstrong
3.75
