“Cold As Hell” is a title that is extremely appropriate for Kelley Armstrong’s newest addition to her gripping “Haven Rock” series. Not only is the novel set in the Yukon in March, but there are events in the story that bring the title to mind as we read. “Cold As Hell” is the third book in this series, and 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 first novel in the series, “Murder at Haven’s Rock,” or go back to the first novel 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 the characters and uses the unique setting as almost another character, because it’s so much a part of each novel.

The first series riveted me and the second 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 retreat to for a few years. The hope is that in those years, the danger 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 eleven, served his time, and has worked to be a productive member of society, but who 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 that young adult, 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, thus Casey’s entrance into the story. In this novel, at first the pace seems slow and relaxing, like the rhythm of a rocking horse. I actually thought, almost halfway into the story, that because Casey is eight months along in a very fragile pregnancy, the story might be about attempted crimes and mostly focus on what happens to Casey and the baby. A women is drugged and dragged into the forest, but she is saved before anything really bad happens. Maybe Casey will be finding a would-be killer before any real harm happens?

I was very mistaken. Not only is there a murder, but it’s clear that Armstrong pulls no punches just because Casey is a mother-to-be. The killing, when it happens, is as brutal and shocking as any such crime could be. We are appalled and rocked to our core. But what is worrisome is that Casey has no idea who the perpetrator might be. There are several possibilities, perhaps too many possibilities. When a crime is committed on a night during a white-out blizzard in subzero weather, there aren’t many people outside who might be witnesses.

In addition to what seems like a cold-blooded killer (pun intended), Casey goes into what might be premature labor. How will she be able to find the killer and keep her unborn baby safe? She has to balance keeping the women in Haven’s Rock safe from the human predator against hurting her changes 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 figure out whodunit. It’s when she is 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 is able to figure it all out. But will she be able to 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 very puzzling, very surprising, very intriguing mystery. It’s Armstrong at her best.

This review was first posted on Bookreporter.com.