by Kelley Armstrong
Series: Casey Duncan #1
Genres: Suspense Thriller
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Casey Duncan is a homicide detective with a secret: when she was in college, she killed a man. She was never caught, but he was the grandson of a mobster and she knows that someday this crime will catch up to her. Casey's best friend, Diana, is on the run from a violent, abusive ex-husband. When Diana's husband finds her, and Casey herself is attacked shortly after, Casey knows it's time for the two of them to disappear again.
Diana has heard of a town made for people like her, a town that takes in people on the run who want to shed their old lives. You must apply to live in Rockton and if you're accepted, it means walking away entirely from your old life, and living off the grid in the wilds of Canada: no cell phones, no Internet, no mail, no computers, very little electricity, and no way of getting in or out without the town council's approval. As a murderer, Casey isn't a good candidate, but she has something they want: She's a homicide detective, and Rockton has just had its first real murder. She and Diana are in. However, soon after arriving, Casey realizes that the identity of a murderer isn't the only secret Rockton is hiding—in fact, she starts to wonder if she and Diana might be in even more danger in Rockton than they were in their old lives.
City of the Lost by Kelley Armstrong is the first in the Casey Duncan series and delivered a quirky, intense, mystery suspense, thriller with a touch of romance. Come to Rockton, an off the grid community in the wilds of Canada where murder and things that go thump in the night will keep you flipping the pages.
I am coming to appreciate Armstrong’s gift for story-telling. Casey Duncan is a homicide detective with a dark secret. When her friend’s ex-begins stalking her again, and Casey’s past meets her present, the two relocate with the help of a contact to the remote town of Rockton. The community is rustic, and the residents are all hiding from their pasts. Casey joins the local law, as a detective under Sheriff Eric Dalton and begins working the murder mysteries. Things get complicated as bodies pile up and Casey gets the lay of the land so to speak.
The worldbuilding was brilliant, providing readers with just enough information to visualize Rockton and the surrounding landscape. There are no cell phones, electric or computers. Rockton is wholly cut off from the outside world with its own currency. No one can get in or out without the help of the council. The “council” is a secretive (faceless) group who have control over the town. Sounds like a government experiment right? The town is full of dysfunctional folks, most for safety reasons but we quickly learn that politics and money sway the council. For every detail, we learn new questions arise.
Armstrong does an excellent job of delivering characters that allow the readers to become emotionally connected. Some you admire and others you will loathe. I like Casey. She is a tough, somewhat jaded heroine who is a damn fine investigator. Sheriff Eric Dalton seems cold at first, and the man can be gruff, but we quickly learn his story, and I enjoyed the interaction between Eric and Casey. Secondary characters, suspects and others added depth and kept the pacing tight.
The story has some dark elements from rogues in the woods to mutilated bodies. I loved this darker thread. When you add in the town, council, and residents you get a creepy vibe. We are treated to a romantic thread that moves from trust and respect to something unexpected. It felt genuine from wicked banter, to shared interests. While I don’t necessarily need a romance, this thread was useful in making the characters, and their circumstances feel realistic.
City of the Lost is a genre-bender, part mystery, part romantic suspense and equal parts thriller and horror. We get a conclusion to the current murder-mystery, but other loose threads have me reaching for A Darkness Absolute. The third book, This Fallen Prey releases in February 2018.
City of the Lost, is a genre-bender, part mystery, part romantic suspense and equal parts thriller and horror Share on XCurrently on SALE for $2.99. Grab it on Amazon Here
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram
Kay @ It's a Book Life
I wasn’t aware that she had a new series coming out! I look forward to giving this one a try. It sounds very interesting. Great review as always!
Carole @ Carole's Random Life in Books
I loved this book when I read it earlier this year. I thought that the town Armstrong created was brilliant. I can’t wait to start reading the third book.
Jenea's Book Obsession
Yay, a new series! I love the sounds of it too! *grabby hands*
Melanie Simmons
I’ve listened to the first two books and I just love them so much. Like you said, the characters are great. I love the world she has built in this town and just outside of it. Glad you enjoyed it as much as I did.
Debbie Haupt
Wow that’s quite a secret she’s carrying. This looks right up my alley. Love the snowflakes Kim!
Christy LoveOfBooks
Ohhh well hello there. I do believe I need to read this.
Sophia Rose
Okay, enough dinking around. I need to read this gal’s books. I keep saying it, but I need to make it a bookish resolution apparently.
Angela Adams
As I was reading the blurb, I thought to myself, “this story sounds really intense and deep.” Thanks for the post.
Heidi
I didn’t realize you hadn’t read this series. It is so darn creepy and good. I am eagerly awaiting book three!
Kimberly
I read these over the summer…lol Book three is on NetGalley, unless you’re waiting for audio 🙂
Leona
I can’t wait to read this!!!!
Dragonfly @ Our Familiarium
I’ve heard so much about this book! and can you believe Kim I still haven;t read my first Kelley Armstrong book??? crazy! I like that she creates great characters to connect with and this pushes the genre boundaries! win win!
Stormi Johnson
I recommended this one to my online library in hopes that they get it. 🙂 It’s on my wishlist!
sherry fundin
Great cover and I do not hesitate to pick it up, when an Armstrong book is in front of me.
Ethan
I’m intrigued to find out how Casey balances the moral implications of her past with the requirements of her job. You can’t go wrong with a tricky situation like that. I recently watched the movie Roman J. Israel, Esq, where Denzel Washington’s character finds himself in a similar situation.
Vanessa
I haven’t read romantic suspense for quite a while now and after the previous book that I just read, this kind of book is exactly what I needed. Awesome review Kim 🙂
Kristin @ Addicted to HEA
CRAP! I totally remember wanting to read this book! And you know I don’t normally read romantic suspense. But the “world” is what got my attention. And now knowing that each book’s mystery is tied up but there is carry over, I think I can “manage” these 😉
… making sure it’s on my wishlist… don’t know why it wasn’t on my TBR but I’m checking on that!!! Grrrrrr….
Kristin @ Addicted to HEA
Phhhhtttt… just bought for $2.99 😀
Kimberly
Sweet! Guess they put it on sale in anticipation of book three.
Steph
Thank you for this review. I had not heard about this series but really like Armstrong’s Darkest Powers books.
Silvia
I have this one as well, but I still have to bring myself to try it. However, your review got me really curious and it might have pushed the right buttons 😉
Melliane
I have this one at home and I confess that I’m really curious to read it too!