One of the big draws of Kelley Armstrong’s two mystery series that take place in the frigid Yukon is the setting. Both her Rockton series and the current Haven’s Rock series are set in small settlements that were created as sanctuaries for those desperate to hide from their “normal” lives for a few years. Some of those fleeing to safety in the Yukon include financial victims, those who testified against cartels and can’t be kept safe, and those fleeing abusive spouses.

The main character is Casey Butler, and her first person narrative makes these novels quick reading as we follow her life from her first flight to the Yukon in the very first book in the first series to be the town’s detective, to her current life in the second settlement, Haven’s Rock, as she and sheriff/husband Eric Dalton work to keep the residents safe and their baby happy. “First Sign of Danger” opens with Casey, Eric, and their baby outside the settlement for a walk when they encounter a woman who asks for help for her husband, who is injured. That’s very strange because they are in the middle of the wilderness in Yukon, far from towns or other settlements, and it’s disconcerting to both Eric and Casey because of the need to keep Haven’s Rock’s existence a secret. They don’t like it when strangers are around.

There has already, in the past novels, been friction with the mining camp that is set up much too close to Haven’s Rock for Casey and Eric’s comfort. They have encountered the miners and guards, and all have been very unfriendly. There have been deaths. They have worked out a coexistence treaty of sorts, but Casey does not trust them at all. And when they find the woman’s husband, murdered, the tension rises.

Armstrong herself lives at least part of the year in the Yukon. Her description of the surrounding forests, mountains, caves, the ice-cold creeks, and the lake, really help readers picture the wilderness in all its majestic glory. And all its frightening danger. She is able to describe authentically what it feels like to encounter a hungry grizzly bear and other dangers that lurk in the forest. Of course, in the novels, the biggest dangers are usually not from wild animals, but from perhaps the most dangerous predator: humans. Sometimes the danger lurks within the camp, other times the danger is from outside.

In addition to solving the murders, reading these books allows us to feel as if we are part of the community, and that we are invested in Casey’s life as she moves from detective to girlfriend, to wife, to mother over the course of the two series. Now in Haven’s Rock, there have been new additions to the town, and they bring different problems and new friendships. Casey’s spot-on detective skills are important in this novel as she learns more about the mining camp and their possible involvement in the murders. But is the danger only from outside the camp? Are any of the residents involved?

And while it’s not yet winter in the Yukon, the autumn air is biting. Prepare for a chilling adventure as bodies are unearthed and grizzlies are confronted and Casey must protect those she loves and those she is entrusted to keep safe. But when past enemies are determined to interfere with Haven’s Rock, to what lengths will Casey and Eric have to resort? Armstrong’s fabulous writing and plotting make this not only a marvelous mystery, but also one that moves the story arc of the series forward to its almost conclusion. Readers will really miss Haven’s Rock when the series ends, but in the meantime, let’s enjoy watching Casey do what she does best – protect her family, protect the town, and work for justice.

This review was first posted on Bookreporter.com.