Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Deepest of Secrets by Kelley Armstrong Series: Rockton #7
Published by Minotaur Books on February 15, 2022
Genres: Mystery
Pages: 368
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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It’s not always easy to live in the hidden town of Rockton, something Detective Casey Duncan knows firsthand. Tucked away in the Yukon wilderness, the community survives―and thrives―because the residents' many secrets stay just that―secret.
But what happens when these secrets start to come out? Overnight, no one is safe. It’s not a question of if your secret will come out―but when.
Casey and her boyfriend, Sheriff Eric Dalton, need to find the culprit while protecting those who have been thrust into the spotlight. For a place built on privacy and new beginnings, Rockton isn’t handling these revelations very well. People are turning on one another, and when one of the loudest complainers turns up barely alive, it's clear that their trickster is actually a murderer.
The Rockton series has built a fantastic and riveting series arc, provided intense and intriguing murder mysteries along the way, and delivered a core group of characters who instilled deep reader love. Now, it is driving toward a climax that will hold us spellbound and keep us reading into the dark hours.
The Deepest of Secrets is the seventh installment in a very connected series of books that provided gritty suspense, sensual romance, political intrigue, captivating Canadian wilderness setting, and pulse-pounding thriller action and police work. Do yourself a solid and read them in order.
As the town of Rockton recovers from the latest murderous rampage, and the secret of the wild people is now in the open, Casey and Eric along with a few trusted others know the clock is ticking down to when the Council closes down their hidden wilderness town. It is when, not if, and they will be forced to make a huge decision.
They don’t need this latest anonymous antic that stirs the town into a frenzy. Someone has posted a huge sign at the center of town outing Deputy Will Anders’ big secret. It divides and creates a nasty atmosphere especially when the main person vocally against Will and the other leaders is nearly murdered. Casey tries to solve the case even as the Council is coming down with decisions that force her to work with one hand tied behind her back so to speak and many townspeople barely trust her to do her job because of the fervor stirred up against the police.
I have no idea if The Deepest of Secrets is to be the last book, but it certainly had that feel the whole time I was reading. All that has gone before has led to this point and still, Kelley Armstrong manages to rev it up to a whole new level. The Council has been sending in types who are dangerous and volatile and expecting Eric and his team to stay on top of it. The cauldron has reached the boiling point and is ready to boil over. In the midst of great change and time for a big decision, there is this new mystery. Someone is outing deadly secrets on people in the town and a murderer is on the prowl in their midst. The pace and tension was perfect, but so was the emotional impact especially when poor Will had to face down his past under a spotlight with witnesses. This time, I pegged the culprit early even with some other villains causing their own brand of trouble. I was just hazy on motive until later.
The character growth across the series has made it so Casey and the others are in a place personally and with each other to face what is happening. The malice was heavy on several fronts including from the Council, but Casey was one tough operator who took the hits, went down, dusted off and came up ready for more. She and Eric are an amazing team as police and as romantic partners. They faced all that got thrown at them so well.
I didn’t want to stop reading once I got started. There was never a moment when I felt it was a good place to stop. Every bit was pulling me in and most of the time I was flipping pages madly to see what came next. I felt this one wrapped things up logically, but also left room for more. Please, let there be more. If you haven’t started this series yet and you really love murder mysteries or especially outdoorsy thrillers, grab this series up.
About Kelley Armstrong
Kelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could
write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a
story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls
and evil dolls, much to her teachers’ dismay. Today, she continues to
spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked
away in her basement writing dungeon. She lives in southwestern
Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
As a lifelong reader, it was inevitable that Sophia would discover book blogs and the joy of blog reviewing.Sophia is a prolific reader and audiobook listener which allows her to experience so many wonderful books, authors, and narrators.Few genres are outside her reading tastes, but her true love is fiction particularly history, mystery, sci-fi, and romance.Though, sorry, no horror or she will run like Shaggy and Scooby.
Friend or follow me at Goodreads.
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I so agree, I didn’t want it to end.
It was a fab series and I am glad to eke out even one more entree if we can. 🙂
Yes please let there be more. I really loved this series. Excellent review Sophia!
Thanks, Anne!
I like the sound of this. Sure sounds like it was good.
Yes, these are great, Mary. Hope you get the chance at them.
I love this series and can’t wait to read this newest one. Though I’m very sad it’s sounding like it’s going to be the last. I will miss these characters!
Yes, it’s great, right? I want one more visit with the series, too.
Oh, It must be a great series since you’re sad it might be over. Great review.
Indeed it is, Wendy! I spotted it in a review and I was so glad I gave it a go. 🙂
As usual you’re ahead of me! I meant to start this one over the weekend, but I was so busy and tired. I will come back to your review. I plan on starting this one as soon as I shut down my computer. Nice to see your 5 stars!
You’ll absolutely fly through it, Rachel. 🙂
It did feel like this could be the end of the series and I was so sad about that, but I just read Anne’s comment and I’m so happy and super excited that we can look forward to more with these beloved characters.
We are saved from book depression. 🙂
Sophia! I tagged you in a Kelley Armstrong post and also posted her post to our facebook page and Twitter. She has done a Tiktok but there will be more with these characters!!!!!!
Be still my heart. This is fab news, Anne! 🙂
Oh I didn’t know that the series was still on going
This was the last book though she announced she’s revisiting the characters in something new.
I’m currently in possession of the book before this, unread. Your review was excellent! Can’t wait to get to it soon.
Oh boy, that one was such a fab read, Mia, and here is another one. 🙂
I’m a fan of this author and this was probably my favorite series of hers. I was happy with how/where it ended. I don’t think a potential spin off would add much (but then who knows what her imagination could come up with). A follow up novella so we can see what’s happened with the main and important secondary characters in a few years would definitely interest me.
Yes, I agree that the series arc ended well and wrapped up all the essentials, but like you, I just want to see them down the road a bit. Fortunately, Anne shared that her Booktok post has a few remarks to the effect that we will get our wish. 🙂
I really enjoyed this one and am eager to see where the series will go from here.
I was so relieved to discover there will be at least one more (maybe a spinoff) after this one.
Both you and Anne have me wanting to drop everything and start this series. I am glad you both enjoyed this 7th installment. I still remember when the first book came out, wanting to read it. I guess this is what happens when I wait so long . . .
I know exactly what you mean. So many wonderful books and series catch my eye, but some must wait. I think you’ll really enjoy the series.
Oh no!!! I didn’t know this was going to be the last book either. That makes me sad. Wonderful review.
Yeah, I was definitely in reader depression before I was even through, but then Anne spotted her recent post that she plans to revisit the characters in a future project which made me thrilled. 🙂