TEST
As a fan of Kelley Armstrong’s paranormal romances, I was eager to get lost in City of the Lost, the first book in a new series featuring police detective Casey Duncan. Ms. Armstrong’s fans will be interested to learn that this novel does not contain paranormal elements, but don’t let this keep you from giving it a try. It’s a riveting story, filled with heart-stopping suspense as well as a sizzling romance.
Shortly after turning eighteen, Casey Duncan killed a man and was able to get away with it. Twelve years later, she’s still searching for a way to live with what she’s done. True, her boyfriend at the time deserved to die after leaving her to be savagely beaten by drug dealers, but Casey hasn’t been able to put her past behind her. She’s doing the best she can, working a job she loves and spending a few nights a week with a guy she might be able to care for someday.
Then trouble appears in the form of the ex-husband of Casey’s best friend Diana. Despite all Casey has done to protect her, Diana is terrified he’ll kill her, and, after finding her friend badly beaten, Casey finally realizes Graham isn’t going to give up. Obviously, her veiled threats aren’t enough to keep him away.
Diana has been preparing for this day for a little while now. She’s heard of a town created to hide people like her, but after talking to those in charge, she learns she can’t enter the town of Rockton unless Casey goes with her.
Ms. Armstrong proves her creative genius with the invention of the mythical town of Rockton. Located deep in the Yukon territory, it’s remote and desolate, making it the perfect place for people to disappear. It’s mostly self-sustaining, and would-be residents must have a skill they can use to help keep the town afloat. This is where Casey comes in. A string of vicious murders have the residents of Rockton spooked and the local sheriff baffled. He needs help from the outside, and intelligent, strong-willed Casey looks like his best hope.
Afraid people from her past are catching up with her and determined to keep Diana safe, Casey agrees to leave her old life behind and settle in Rockton. Once there, she is confronted with love and danger, both stronger than anything she’s ever experienced. Working alongside the moody sheriff, she works to bring a murderer to justice and to claim the happiness she never really thought she deserved.
I must admit to being initially put off by Sheriff Eric Dalton. He’s very rude and critical, making it hard to work out what Casey sees in him. As the story progresses, Ms. Armstrong shows us a different, softer side of our hero, and I did eventually warm up to him. I enjoyed his interactions with Casey, especially when she puts him in his place, something none of the town’s residents seem willing or able to do. I found his attraction to Casey a little difficult to understand at first, but I did become invested in their HEA.
The mystery element is what really shines about City of the Lost. Ms. Armstrong has created a group of very complex characters, each of them guarding his or her own secrets. No one is really who they seem to be, and I loved the countless twists and turns the story takes. A few things were easy for me to figure out, but on the whole, I was kept guessing until the last page.
I’m not sure what direction Ms. Armstrong plans to take for the next book, but I’m definitely eager to find out. I can’t wait to learn more about the residents of Rockton.
Buy it at Amazon/Apple Books/Barnes and Noble/Kobo
Grade: B+
Book Type: Romantic Suspense
Sensuality: Warm
Review Date: 07/05/16
Publication Date: 2016/05
Recent Comments …
Yep
This sounds delightful! I’m grabbing it, thanks
excellent book: interesting, funny dialogs, deep understanding of each character, interesting secondary characters, and also sexy.
I don’t think anyone expects you to post UK prices – it’s just a shame that such a great sale…
I’m sorry about that. We don’t have any way to post British prices as an American based site.
I have several of her books on my TBR and after reading this am moving them up the pile.
I'm Shannon from Michigan. I've been an avid reader all my life. I adore romance, psychological fiction, science fiction, fantasy, and the occasional memoir. I share my home with my life partner, two dogs, and a very feisty feline.
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I realize this is an old review now but I just fell headlong into this series (having never read any of Armstrong’s other books that she is probably more famous for) and I absolutely loved this book. I read all the books in this series (published so far) in just a few days. I found her world building fresh and imaginative. She’s managed to create a 21st century “Wild West” type of town without any kind of major world event like dystopian novels. No one is escaping zombies, plagues or aliens. It’s just a group of people who have decided (or been compelled) to give up most of the comforts of modern life in order to seek relative safety in a rustic no man’s land.
I disagree with your take on Eric Dalton. I was intrigued by him immediately as a character and understand Casey’s attraction and fascination with him. It’s not because he’s gruff and doesn’t bestow his approval easily (like many a great hero of fiction) but because Armstrong manages to convey his incredible intelligence, loyalty and strong work ethic. What’s even more attractive is his admiration of Casey. He’s no throwback caveman type who doesn’t respect women or the heroine. His feelings aren’t love or attraction at first sight (even though it’s made clear Casey is very attractive to most men) but an ever growing respect for her work, her work ethic and the way she handles herself in every sense of the word. They challenge and also compliment each other intellectually and each is eager to just soak up the unique knowledge the other one has. Eric reminds me of an old school Spencer Tracy character who is gruff and interesting in his own right, but is even more attractive when he is bowled over by the intelligence and overall charm of the Katherine Hepburn character he initially was prejudiced against. Their mutual approbation made me like both of the characters even more. Armstrong doesn’t just say they are smart and good at their jobs, she shows it but having Casey’s brain work at twice the speed of everyone else’s or by Casey gradually coaxing Eric to share the incredible wealth of knowledge he has about the people, wildlife and surroundings of Rockton.
The mystery (or mysteries) were sufficiently unnerving and unusual enough to hold my attention until the very end. I had a few theories but I certainly didn’t guess the full ending and fell for a few red herrings along the way. The supporting characters were all well fleshed out and varied and I liked how few relationships or storylines were wrapped up with a bow at the end. As soon as the book ended I was immediately picking up the next.