Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Boy Who Cried Bear by Kelley Armstrong Narrator: Therese Plummer
Series: Haven's Rock #2
Published by MacMillan Audio, Minotaur Books on February 20, 2024
Genres: Mystery
Pages: 352
Length: hours, minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley
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Haven’s Rock is a well-hidden town surrounded by forest. And it’s supposed to be, being that it’s a refuge for those who need to disappear. Detective Casey Duncan and her husband, Sheriff Eric Dalton already feel at home in their new town, which reminds them of where they first met in Rockton. And while they know how to navigate the woods and its various dangers, other residents don’t. Which is why people aren't allowed to wander off alone.
When Max, the town’s youngest resident—taught to track animals by Eric—fears a bear is stalking a hiking party, alarms are raised. Even stranger, the ten-year-old swears the bear had human eyes. Casey and Eric know the dangers a bear can present, so they’re taking it seriously. But odd occurrences are happening all around them, and when a dead body turns up, they’re not sure what they’re up against.
I am always so excited and ready to read books by Kelley Armstrong, especially the Rockton series now Haven’s Rock series which is a spin-off as well as a direct continuation of the previous series. Our point of view has been and is Casey. I personally would start with the previous series because of the background and character development but also because it is amazing! Haven’s Rock is a new town with Casey and Eric along with a few others as the owners, making a fresh start and hopefully better situation than Rockton.
Haven’s Rock is set up to provide shelter for people who made a mistake and need a fresh start. An example of this is people in domestic abuse situations, or the type of folks who need witness protection. Casey and Eric make choices with such kindness and integrity. Now for the first time, they have children in their town.
Max and Carson are young boys who have suffered their father being murdered and their mother shot. Max is smart and adjusting as well as he can; he loves to learn about the wilderness animals and sounds. Carson is angry and mostly plays video games. On a supervised hike, Max sees a bear. Then a few days later, he and Gunnar see a bear except the bear is on two feet and has human eyes. Casey and Eric believe him but his brother makes fun of him. Next thing, Max is missing.
Casey and Eric spend their time hunting for a bear, looking for Max, dealing with their “neighbors,” and having some personal changes in their lives. The town’s residents are not always helpful, even when a child is missing, so they also have to handle that part of the situation.
My respect and love for them grows in each book. Casey and Eric are hard working, and better people than I could be at times. I’m SO excited to see how things will go forward to them as the town is more settled.
Narration:
Therese Plummer is completely in my head for this series and I love her work. She has distinctive voices for the characters and I recognize them easily. Her performance IS Casey, Eric, Will, April and more. I was able to listen comfortably at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Therese Plummer
Therese Plummer is an actor and voice over artist living and working in New York City. Favorite roles to date include TV: Rose Nerrick, The Good Wife, Andy in Law and Order SVU. Stage: Celebrity Row; New York Theatre Workshop, Under Tillage, The Irish Repertory Theatre. Off-off Broadway credits include The Vagina Monologues, Suzanne in Twilight of the Gold’s and Madeline in the Award Winning Samuel French Short play The Sweet Room. Comedy Credits include Improv at Upright Citizens Brigade and Stand-up at Caroline’s Comedy Club. Therese also performed her one woman show, Ribbons Undone, at the Here Arts Center.
Therese records audio books for Audible.com, Recorded Books and Talking Books, Inc. As an adolescent counselor, Therese spent five years utilizing Drama therapy techniques in individual and group settings before moving to New York. She shares a passion of creating, helping and entertaining and feels incredibly lucky to do all three.
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.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 24-COYER
I still haven’t read her books. Is there a paranormal aspect to these books or straight up contemporary mystery?
No paranormal aspects. It’s straight up contemporary mystery with a bit of romance and a wilderness setting. That part has a prepper feel in a way.
This was fantastic. I am sure the audios are wonderful but once I read and create the voices I can’t switch. However the reverse isn’t an issue.
yes Kimberley you are exactly right. I can switch from audio to ebook but not the other way sometimes. Books are always more detailed than tv and the characters are not always how I pictured them either so that can also be a rough transition. The farther apart they are the easier it is though.
Yeah, they really are so patient with people who really push their luck. Loved this one, too.
The characters are so good! They are good, bad and flawed.
We’re review twins today! I’m so happy to have more Eric and Casey and I’m enjoying the spinoff too! I was so terrified for Max!
yes! Max didn’t deserve the shade cast on him by his brother. The title is a bit misleading on that play on an old parable sort of thing. Max was dead right and did see the “bear man”. Casey and Eric are the BEST.
I’m so jealous! I really want to read this one but my library hold hasn’t come in yet. I so love this series. 😀
I hear you! I glom onto this series and read it as soon as I get my hands on it.
I’ve seen a few rave reviews for this book, and it only makes me want to start the first series more😁
The first series is excellent and I think a crucial foundation for this one. And it’s excellent! It should be plenty easy to get at the library being older now too.
The author really does have some range!
yes this author has books in many genres and all the ones I have read are amazing.
I really need to give the original series another chance. I’m seeing a lot of love for both of them. Excellent review, Anne💜
Kelley Armstrong is writing some amazing books. I have loved everything she has written which I have read the last few years. I haven’t read the new horror book Hemlock Island though. Rockton series and this spin off are some of my very favorites.
I just read the first book with Casey Duncan and absolutely loved it! It’s definitely a series I’m looking forward to reading and I can’t wait to find out how that series splits off to this series.
I’m so glad you enjoyed it Katherine. It is not cozy at all. But I love the wilderness and how truly fair and honest Eric and Casey are, even with people they don’t like or trust.
Glad this one is still a good series for you! I haven’t read her adult, as I’m sure I keep mentioning, although I am going to try her romance that is coming out later this year. Great review!
Kelley Armstrong can do no wrong, well except horror. I am loving all her books right now.