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Haven's Rock #0.5
Dead Letter Days
Eric Dalton spent most of his life in Rockton, a hidden town in the Yukon for people who need to disappear. Now that sanctuary is gone, and he’s holed up in a wilderness lodge with his girlfriend, Casey Duncan, and their friends, as they scout for a place to build their own Rockton. When Eric and Casey find a literal message-in-a-bottle, it leads them to the mystery of a woman who went missing decades ago, having never received that vital message. As they investigate that cold case, Dalton must finally lay to rest the ghosts of his own past and make some overdue decisions before he’s ready to step forward in his new life with Casey.
Note: This is not a full-length novel. It’s a novella set between the end of the Rockton series and the beginning of the Haven’s Rock spinoff
Note: This is not a full-length novel. It’s a novella set between the end of the Rockton series and the beginning of the Haven’s Rock spinoff
87 pages, ebook
First published February 20, 2023
376 people are currently reading
2106 people want to read
About the author
Kelley Armstrong
302 books33.8k followersKelley 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. All efforts to make her produce "normal" stories failed.
Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 188 reviews
January 16, 2024
Dead Letter Days
by Kelley Armstrong is a novella set between the end of the Rockton series and the beginning of the Haven’s Rock series. It’s set in and near a wilderness lodge in British Columbia as Casey Duncan and Eric Dalton, along with some of their friends and staff from Rockton, are planning where to build their new refuge and what they need for it. It’s to be a sanctuary for people to escape whatever they need to escape. Eric and Casey find a message-in-a-bottle while they are out walking with Casey’s dog, Storm. It leads them to a cold case where a woman went missing thirty years ago. As they investigate the cold case, readers learn about Eric’s past and his need to make some decisions.
Casey and Eric are well-developed characters with plenty of depth. Casey is driven, a great investigator, and frequently finds dead bodies. She’s a good listener, empathetic, and understanding. However, she stumbles when she doesn’t feel competent. Eric is a fantastic tracker, needs alone time in the woods occasionally, is truthful and intelligent, and asserts himself when needed. He also gets short-tempered and blunt with annoying or bothersome people at times, and isn’t good at small talk. In this novella, it was great to see some of the secondary and tertiary characters again including getting a better feeling for Casey’s sister April.
While solving the cold case, it was great to get Eric’s background and see him make some overdue decisions. Additionally, this story was from Eric’s point of view instead of Casey’s. It was great to see his internal thinking process as he mulled his decisions. Themes include domestic abuse, emotional versus logical choices, companionship, love, friendship, family, and much more.
Overall, this is well-written and entertaining with a solid mystery and complex characters. While this can be read as a stand-alone, readers will gain a better understanding of the key characters and their backgrounds if they read the Rockton series first. Fans of Kelley Armstrong and the Rockton series will likely thoroughly enjoy this novella.
I purchased a copy of this novella. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date was July 3, 2023.
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My 4.36 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Casey and Eric are well-developed characters with plenty of depth. Casey is driven, a great investigator, and frequently finds dead bodies. She’s a good listener, empathetic, and understanding. However, she stumbles when she doesn’t feel competent. Eric is a fantastic tracker, needs alone time in the woods occasionally, is truthful and intelligent, and asserts himself when needed. He also gets short-tempered and blunt with annoying or bothersome people at times, and isn’t good at small talk. In this novella, it was great to see some of the secondary and tertiary characters again including getting a better feeling for Casey’s sister April.
While solving the cold case, it was great to get Eric’s background and see him make some overdue decisions. Additionally, this story was from Eric’s point of view instead of Casey’s. It was great to see his internal thinking process as he mulled his decisions. Themes include domestic abuse, emotional versus logical choices, companionship, love, friendship, family, and much more.
Overall, this is well-written and entertaining with a solid mystery and complex characters. While this can be read as a stand-alone, readers will gain a better understanding of the key characters and their backgrounds if they read the Rockton series first. Fans of Kelley Armstrong and the Rockton series will likely thoroughly enjoy this novella.
I purchased a copy of this novella. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date was July 3, 2023.
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My 4.36 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
February 26, 2024
3.5 Stars
One Liner: Informative
Eric Dalton and his girlfriend, Casey, along with their friends, are currently holed up in luxury lodges in the wilderness. After the destruction of Rockton, a haven for those who want to disappear, they decide to build a similar community with a lesser focus on profit and hopefully fewer murders. One day, Eric and Casey find an old love letter and try to find out what happened to the woman who wrote it.
The story comes from Eric’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts:
This novelette does what it is supposed to do – connect two series and act as an introduction for the new series. Readers who haven’t read the seven Rockton books can start with this one to dive into the Haven’s Rock series (with the same lead characters but in a different setting).
The book gives a light summary of what happened earlier while also bringing closure to Eric’s past and solving a simple mystery on the side. We get an idea of the characters, their relationship, the dynamic between the friends, etc. It also helps to see things from Eric’s POV (since the series comes from Casey’s perspective).
To summarize, Dead Letter Days is a short read and a necessary one if you want to begin Haven’s Rock series. That’s the only reason I grabbed this book.
One Liner: Informative
Eric Dalton and his girlfriend, Casey, along with their friends, are currently holed up in luxury lodges in the wilderness. After the destruction of Rockton, a haven for those who want to disappear, they decide to build a similar community with a lesser focus on profit and hopefully fewer murders. One day, Eric and Casey find an old love letter and try to find out what happened to the woman who wrote it.
The story comes from Eric’s first-person POV.
My Thoughts:
This novelette does what it is supposed to do – connect two series and act as an introduction for the new series. Readers who haven’t read the seven Rockton books can start with this one to dive into the Haven’s Rock series (with the same lead characters but in a different setting).
The book gives a light summary of what happened earlier while also bringing closure to Eric’s past and solving a simple mystery on the side. We get an idea of the characters, their relationship, the dynamic between the friends, etc. It also helps to see things from Eric’s POV (since the series comes from Casey’s perspective).
To summarize, Dead Letter Days is a short read and a necessary one if you want to begin Haven’s Rock series. That’s the only reason I grabbed this book.
December 9, 2023
As a big fan of Kelley Armstrong’s Rockton series, I was so bummed when she ended it after only seven installments. However, I was really excited when she started the spinoff Haven’s Rock that has many Rockton regulars as part of the new series.
As the book summary indicates, this novella takes place between the last Rockton installment and the first Haven’s Rock installment. It’s all from Eric’s, both Rockton’s and Haven’s Rock’s sheriff, POV, where he reminisces about meeting and falling in love with Casey and his unresolved feelings for both his biological and adoptive parents.
There was also a secondary storyline about a missing women that certainly added to the story. This novella does exactly what novellas in between full installments is supposed to do, provide additional background on MC’s and/or storylines.
As the book summary indicates, this novella takes place between the last Rockton installment and the first Haven’s Rock installment. It’s all from Eric’s, both Rockton’s and Haven’s Rock’s sheriff, POV, where he reminisces about meeting and falling in love with Casey and his unresolved feelings for both his biological and adoptive parents.
There was also a secondary storyline about a missing women that certainly added to the story. This novella does exactly what novellas in between full installments is supposed to do, provide additional background on MC’s and/or storylines.
November 13, 2024
This is a short novella bridging the Rockton and Haven’s Rock series. The old town has been demolished and the new town hasn’t yet been started, so the key residents who will be making the transition are temporarily ensconced in a small resort near the coast to finalize plans for the new location and construction.
Eric and Casey are chafing at the forced inaction. Eric is trying to decide on whether or not to continue contact with the Daltons, the people who took him from his birth family and kept him in Rockton. New evidence has emerged that throws shade on the story that was told to Eric and the town council, and he must come to his own conclusions.
Meanwhile, Casey is a detective with nothing to detect until the discovery of a message in a bottle presents her with a decades-old mystery to solve. A woman apparently fleeing her abusive husband wrote a cryptic letter and promptly disappeared without a trace. Was she harmed at the hands of her possessive husband, a victim of some other predator, or did she achieve her goal of starting a new life away from anyone who knew her?
Fast paced and tightly plotted, this is an engaging short story filled with the characters I enjoy.
Eric and Casey are chafing at the forced inaction. Eric is trying to decide on whether or not to continue contact with the Daltons, the people who took him from his birth family and kept him in Rockton. New evidence has emerged that throws shade on the story that was told to Eric and the town council, and he must come to his own conclusions.
Meanwhile, Casey is a detective with nothing to detect until the discovery of a message in a bottle presents her with a decades-old mystery to solve. A woman apparently fleeing her abusive husband wrote a cryptic letter and promptly disappeared without a trace. Was she harmed at the hands of her possessive husband, a victim of some other predator, or did she achieve her goal of starting a new life away from anyone who knew her?
Fast paced and tightly plotted, this is an engaging short story filled with the characters I enjoy.
March 1, 2023
Loved that we finally get Eric's POV!
Gene Dalton is a piece of work! Some happiness here, too!
Nice little mystery/prequel to Murder at Haven's Rock.
Gene Dalton is a piece of work! Some happiness here, too!
Nice little mystery/prequel to Murder at Haven's Rock.
March 21, 2026
POSSIBLE TRIGGER: Domestic Abuse
Eric Dalton spent most of his life in Rockton, a hidden town in the Yukon for people who need to disappear. Now that sanctuary is gone, and he’s holed up in a wilderness lodge with his girlfriend, Casey Duncan, and their friends, as they scout for a place to build their own Rockton. When Eric and Casey find a literal message-in-a-bottle, it leads them to the mystery of a woman who went missing decades ago, having never received that vital message. As they investigate that cold case, Dalton must finally lay to rest the ghosts of his own past and make some overdue decisions before he’s ready to step forward in his new life with Casey.
Note: This is not a full-length novel. It’s a novella set between the end of the Rockton series and the beginning of the Haven’s Rock spinoff.
This is set near a wilderness lodge in British Columbia. Casey Duncan and Eric Dalton, along with some of their friends and staff from Rockton, are planning where to build their new refuge and what they need. It’s going to be a sanctuary for those that are trying to escape from whatever in their lives that they need to escape from. Eric and Casey find a message-in-a-bottle while they are out walking with Casey’s dog, Storm. This discovery leads them to a cold case Thirty years ago a woman went missing. As they investigate this cold case, we learn about Eric’s past and his need to make some decisions.
Casey and Eric are wonderful characters with lots of depth. Casey is almost what you would conder to be "driven". She a great investigator and, as in my mystery novels, frequently finds dead bodies. She’s listens to what her friends and co-workers have to say. She's empathetic and understanding. However, she often doesn’t feel competent within herself. Eric is a sweetheart. He's a fantastic tracker who sometimes needs some "alone time" in the woods. He's very truthful...sometimes that gets him in trouble...he can sometimes be too assertive. He also can be short-tempered and blunt, which annoys people at times, and he doesn't care much for "small talk". We also got a better feeling for Casey’s sister April.
While investigating and solving this cold case, we learned more about Eric’s background and saw him make decisions that were long overdue. A great deal of this story is told from Eric’s point of view rather than from of Casey’s. Some of the themes in this story may be triggers for some that include domestic abuse,
Overall, it's well-written and entertaining. It's a solid mystery with likeable and complex characters. It can be read as a standalone, but the reader will gain a better understanding of the main characters and their backgrounds if they read the Rockton series first. If you are already a fan of Kelley Armstrong and/or the Rockton series, you will most likely thoroughly enjoy this novella.
Eric Dalton spent most of his life in Rockton, a hidden town in the Yukon for people who need to disappear. Now that sanctuary is gone, and he’s holed up in a wilderness lodge with his girlfriend, Casey Duncan, and their friends, as they scout for a place to build their own Rockton. When Eric and Casey find a literal message-in-a-bottle, it leads them to the mystery of a woman who went missing decades ago, having never received that vital message. As they investigate that cold case, Dalton must finally lay to rest the ghosts of his own past and make some overdue decisions before he’s ready to step forward in his new life with Casey.
Note: This is not a full-length novel. It’s a novella set between the end of the Rockton series and the beginning of the Haven’s Rock spinoff.
This is set near a wilderness lodge in British Columbia. Casey Duncan and Eric Dalton, along with some of their friends and staff from Rockton, are planning where to build their new refuge and what they need. It’s going to be a sanctuary for those that are trying to escape from whatever in their lives that they need to escape from. Eric and Casey find a message-in-a-bottle while they are out walking with Casey’s dog, Storm. This discovery leads them to a cold case Thirty years ago a woman went missing. As they investigate this cold case, we learn about Eric’s past and his need to make some decisions.
Casey and Eric are wonderful characters with lots of depth. Casey is almost what you would conder to be "driven". She a great investigator and, as in my mystery novels, frequently finds dead bodies. She’s listens to what her friends and co-workers have to say. She's empathetic and understanding. However, she often doesn’t feel competent within herself. Eric is a sweetheart. He's a fantastic tracker who sometimes needs some "alone time" in the woods. He's very truthful...sometimes that gets him in trouble...he can sometimes be too assertive. He also can be short-tempered and blunt, which annoys people at times, and he doesn't care much for "small talk". We also got a better feeling for Casey’s sister April.
While investigating and solving this cold case, we learned more about Eric’s background and saw him make decisions that were long overdue. A great deal of this story is told from Eric’s point of view rather than from of Casey’s. Some of the themes in this story may be triggers for some that include domestic abuse,
Overall, it's well-written and entertaining. It's a solid mystery with likeable and complex characters. It can be read as a standalone, but the reader will gain a better understanding of the main characters and their backgrounds if they read the Rockton series first. If you are already a fan of Kelley Armstrong and/or the Rockton series, you will most likely thoroughly enjoy this novella.
February 23, 2023
It was satisfying to see/read about Casey and Eric's nuptials and also to see Eric finally get some answers about his parents. I didn't need the extra small-stakes mystery included here, but I did love that April was behind it.
Honestly, I could stand more of these novella sidebars. . . One from April's POV, maybe? I think it would be fascinating to hear her thoughts from her and to see the other characters through her particular lens.
Honestly, I could stand more of these novella sidebars. . . One from April's POV, maybe? I think it would be fascinating to hear her thoughts from her and to see the other characters through her particular lens.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 28, 2023
I was born in the forest, grew up in it, and I'm never happier than when I'm there. Being out there with someone else, though, meant doing a task: fishing, hunting, gathering. If I wanted to enjoy myself, I went alone. That's changed. I still go out by myself sometimes, when I'm not fit company, but otherwise, I'd rather be with Casey. It's as comfortable as being alone, with the added benefit of, well, not being alone.
I reread this series when the first Haven's Rock book came out, with the end result that now I don't remember it at all. This prequel, from Eric's point of view, was a perfect jump back in that I really enjoyed. We get a little recap of the crew from Rockton who are making it to the new series, a short mystery with a satisfying conclusion, and a very sweet moment for Eric and Casey. This series really is ultimately escapism, but it works for me so I'll suspend my disbelief and jump right back in!
I reread this series when the first Haven's Rock book came out, with the end result that now I don't remember it at all. This prequel, from Eric's point of view, was a perfect jump back in that I really enjoyed. We get a little recap of the crew from Rockton who are making it to the new series, a short mystery with a satisfying conclusion, and a very sweet moment for Eric and Casey. This series really is ultimately escapism, but it works for me so I'll suspend my disbelief and jump right back in!
February 8, 2024
After making my way through Kelley Armstrong’s Rockton series, things are set to change drastically. Those who have taken the time to read all seven novels know what I mean. This novella is a means of bridging the old (Rockton) with the new and upcoming (Haven’s Rock). Told from Eric Dalton’s point of view, it unearths old sentiments and releases new ideas as the adventure takes a turn. Residents seek to plant new roots in Northern British Columbia and create a fresh start while remain a cohesive unit. A refreshing short piece by Armstrong, sure to introduce things well as the path ahead remains a mystery.
While Eric Dalton was a successful sheriff in Rockton, his life-long journey in the Yukon Territory was not free of issues. The lingering story about how he was ‘adopted’ by the original sheriff of Rockton remains a sore spot and when some old letters emerge, he is eager to discover more. All this runs parallel to the discovery of a message in a bottle that hints at another old mystery and a woman who has disappeared. Alongside his lover and former law enforcement colleague, Casey Duncan, Eric helps clear away some of the cobwebs. With a new community to construct and many of Rockton’s old residents wanting to stay, the new community relies on him to keep the peace. New adventures in Haven’s Rock await , as Casey and Eric have one more surprise for everyone.
This is a great way to end one series and get a new one started. Kelley Armstrong uses her abilities as a writer to paint two distinct pictures of the communities, drawing parallels while also providing newness to the conversation. Strong narrative approaches help pave the way ahead, using strong references to past characters who will surely play a key role in the new series. I am eager to see what awaits everyone, as Armstrong showed her ability to develop a short piece with all the ingredients for success. Onwards into Haven’s Rock, as Rockton is left, dismantled while its ghosts linger.
Kudos, Madam Armstrong, for a great ending and planting seeds for the next beginning.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
While Eric Dalton was a successful sheriff in Rockton, his life-long journey in the Yukon Territory was not free of issues. The lingering story about how he was ‘adopted’ by the original sheriff of Rockton remains a sore spot and when some old letters emerge, he is eager to discover more. All this runs parallel to the discovery of a message in a bottle that hints at another old mystery and a woman who has disappeared. Alongside his lover and former law enforcement colleague, Casey Duncan, Eric helps clear away some of the cobwebs. With a new community to construct and many of Rockton’s old residents wanting to stay, the new community relies on him to keep the peace. New adventures in Haven’s Rock await , as Casey and Eric have one more surprise for everyone.
This is a great way to end one series and get a new one started. Kelley Armstrong uses her abilities as a writer to paint two distinct pictures of the communities, drawing parallels while also providing newness to the conversation. Strong narrative approaches help pave the way ahead, using strong references to past characters who will surely play a key role in the new series. I am eager to see what awaits everyone, as Armstrong showed her ability to develop a short piece with all the ingredients for success. Onwards into Haven’s Rock, as Rockton is left, dismantled while its ghosts linger.
Kudos, Madam Armstrong, for a great ending and planting seeds for the next beginning.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
July 13, 2023
*Source* Amazon
*Genre* Mystery
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Kelley Armstrong's Dead Letter Days is a 120 page novella that takes place between the end of the Rockton series, and the beginning of the authors new Haven Rock series. This story, however, is narrated by Eric Dalton who was the Sheriff of Rockton. This story once again takes place in the Northern British Columbia area which you can call the Yukon. The new town of Haven Rock is slowly coming into existence with the help of the usual suspects like Casey, April, Will, Phil, Isabel, Kenny, and Diana with financial help from Emilie.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
*Genre* Mystery
*Rating* 3.5-4
*Thoughts*
Kelley Armstrong's Dead Letter Days is a 120 page novella that takes place between the end of the Rockton series, and the beginning of the authors new Haven Rock series. This story, however, is narrated by Eric Dalton who was the Sheriff of Rockton. This story once again takes place in the Northern British Columbia area which you can call the Yukon. The new town of Haven Rock is slowly coming into existence with the help of the usual suspects like Casey, April, Will, Phil, Isabel, Kenny, and Diana with financial help from Emilie.
*Full Review @ Gizmos Reviews*
https://gizmosreviews.blogspot.com/20...
February 22, 2023
This is a Rockton novella set after The Deepest Of Secrets (and before Murder At Haven's Rock).
It is from Eric's POV and includes a fun little mystery. I absolutely loved it!
It is from Eric's POV and includes a fun little mystery. I absolutely loved it!
July 16, 2023
We get to look inside Daltons head for once.
The Rockton series was always told from Casey's point.of view (apart from a few excerpts) so it was nice to catch up with the core crew who are moving on from Rockton to the new town of Havens Rock. The group are staying in a holiday lodge while they work on the logistics for the new town. There's the landscape, architecture, community property, like the bar and bakery and most importantly the new site for the town. Which is Flat on and Casey's responsibility. But, there's also time for some relaxation, some people are taking the time to visit or reconnect with relatives and friends others like Dalton and Casey have everyone they love close to them.............apart from Daltons mum, she's down in Florida and after all the revelations about how his parents came.to adopt him Dalton isn't sure if his feeling towards her anymore. If you want to know more you'll have to read the Rockton series......................... Oh then there's the small mystery of a message in a bottle to explore.
The Rockton series was always told from Casey's point.of view (apart from a few excerpts) so it was nice to catch up with the core crew who are moving on from Rockton to the new town of Havens Rock. The group are staying in a holiday lodge while they work on the logistics for the new town. There's the landscape, architecture, community property, like the bar and bakery and most importantly the new site for the town. Which is Flat on and Casey's responsibility. But, there's also time for some relaxation, some people are taking the time to visit or reconnect with relatives and friends others like Dalton and Casey have everyone they love close to them.............apart from Daltons mum, she's down in Florida and after all the revelations about how his parents came.to adopt him Dalton isn't sure if his feeling towards her anymore. If you want to know more you'll have to read the Rockton series......................... Oh then there's the small mystery of a message in a bottle to explore.
January 25, 2026
★★★
Told from Eric's perspective, this was a fun little addition to the Haven's Rock series. Typically, the story unfolds from Casey's perspective so it was interesting to hear Eric's voice in first person - and we learned a bit more about his background which was also a good addition to the character backstory.
Told from Eric's perspective, this was a fun little addition to the Haven's Rock series. Typically, the story unfolds from Casey's perspective so it was interesting to hear Eric's voice in first person - and we learned a bit more about his background which was also a good addition to the character backstory.
July 9, 2023
I absolutely devoured Kelley Armstrong's addictively delicious Rockton series, along with the fun first book in her spin-off series (Murder at Haven's Rock), so I was thrilled that this novella (set in-between the two series) was finally made available for sale this week. It is so good, and so much fun. For the first time, we get Eric's PoV (which is beautifully done), and two mysteries (one old, one new) get solved in the course of the nicely-paced novella, while Eric finally gets some much-needed emotional closure on his own family history. I absolutely loved the ending, and I look forward to re-reading this in the future.
(I don't think this would work for anyone who hadn't read the Rockton series already - but if you have, it is SO satisfying!)
(I don't think this would work for anyone who hadn't read the Rockton series already - but if you have, it is SO satisfying!)
January 25, 2024
Set between Rockton and Haven's Rock, this has a mini mystery and a wedding, told from Dalton's POV. I kept forgetting it wasn't Casey narrating though, so that was a bit confusing. I liked the closure he got at the end though.
February 6, 2024
I'm new to Kelley Armstrong and this was a short novel of introduction to the new locale they're creating in the Yukon.
May 26, 2025
A great little novella from Eric's POV that fills in some details about his adoptive and birth parents.
August 22, 2023
Short novella set in the Rockton/Haven world. Definitely for fans as the series transitions from the first 7 books in the Rockton series to the new (Spinoff? Continuation?) Haven's Rock series featuring more of the same characters. Fun read for fans.
September 17, 2023
I do not know how I missed this novella in the series. However, I am thrilled I discovered it. It answers questions about Eric's background that were left over from the author's Rockton series. A superb series, by the way. In addition, it is a little introduction to the new spinoff series which begins with "Murder at Haven's Rock." This novella also includes a neat little mystery. The ending, including the first official "marshmallow roasting" was adorable. Just perfect!
February 21, 2024
Casey and Eric are busy planning for their new town. While on a walk, they find a bottle with an old message in it, from a young woman to her lover arranging a meeting for when her abusive husband is away.
Worried that the story didn’t have a happy outcome, Casey and Eric dig a little, and eventually make their way to the truth.
Eric also is wrestling with the truth about his upbringing, and this short ends with a wedding.
So, a lot going on but nothing felt rushed, with each story thread handled with care, and the occasional dash of humour. And Storm is a delight!
Worried that the story didn’t have a happy outcome, Casey and Eric dig a little, and eventually make their way to the truth.
Eric also is wrestling with the truth about his upbringing, and this short ends with a wedding.
So, a lot going on but nothing felt rushed, with each story thread handled with care, and the occasional dash of humour. And Storm is a delight!
August 2, 2025
I liked getting a novella from Eric’s POV.
November 5, 2023
So I had gotten Kelley Armstrong's Dead Letter Days as a preorder incentive when I preordered Murder at Haven's Rock, so since I'm always behind on my Kelley books I decided to start her new spinoff series to Rockton. It's a bit odd, as it's really a continuance of the series but it's getting a new series name due to spoilery reasons! So basically, if you haven't read the Rockton series, be advised that there will be a bit of spoilers to this one!
Casey and Eric, and the rest of their friends from Rockton have left the community and are looking to start a town of their own. One that will be better and not filled with murderers with no morals. Casey and Eric are off on a walk when they encounter an odd sight; a message in a bottle! In it contains a letter that weaves a very morose story, but one that Casey can't get out of her mind.
You may be surprised to hear that this novella is actually from Eric's point of view! Yes, this is sort of an Eric story! While he and Casey are trying to solve the mystery behind the message in the bottle, Eric is also dealing with some very hard truths. Ones that are rolled over from the original series that involve his childhood. It's pretty heavy material too, but it was enjoyable getting this side of Eric as well.
My memory isn't always the greatest. For the most part this series usually just dealt with a one and done mystery, but there were always personal issues and events and such that rolled over between books. It's those details that get a little fuzzy, but for the most part it's easy to roll with the punches!
This was a happier story than most of the murder mysteries Casey and Eric usually deal with. It ends on a lighter note too! Definitely worth a read if you're a fan of the series and like getting deeper insights to characters. A fun little read that wiled away part of the afternoon!
Overall Rating 5/5 stars
Casey and Eric, and the rest of their friends from Rockton have left the community and are looking to start a town of their own. One that will be better and not filled with murderers with no morals. Casey and Eric are off on a walk when they encounter an odd sight; a message in a bottle! In it contains a letter that weaves a very morose story, but one that Casey can't get out of her mind.
You may be surprised to hear that this novella is actually from Eric's point of view! Yes, this is sort of an Eric story! While he and Casey are trying to solve the mystery behind the message in the bottle, Eric is also dealing with some very hard truths. Ones that are rolled over from the original series that involve his childhood. It's pretty heavy material too, but it was enjoyable getting this side of Eric as well.
My memory isn't always the greatest. For the most part this series usually just dealt with a one and done mystery, but there were always personal issues and events and such that rolled over between books. It's those details that get a little fuzzy, but for the most part it's easy to roll with the punches!
This was a happier story than most of the murder mysteries Casey and Eric usually deal with. It ends on a lighter note too! Definitely worth a read if you're a fan of the series and like getting deeper insights to characters. A fun little read that wiled away part of the afternoon!
Overall Rating 5/5 stars
May 20, 2024
After finishing the Rockton series, I was very excited that there was going to be a continuation of the world and characters with the new spin-off series, Haven's Rock. I picked up this in between novella with full intentions of reading it between the two series as the connection. That didn't happen.
I got to it after reading a couple of the Haven's Rock books and it was just as golden to revisit that time when they were still in the hopeful time before the new town site was located and resting after shutting down Rockton.
Relaxing at a group rental lodge there in the Yukon, Eric, Casey and the core group from Rockton have some fun with someone pretending to plant obvious practical joke fake bodies for Casey to find. But, then a mysterious letter from thirty years before is found and this isn't a fake. Did the abused woman in the letter find her way to safety with this lover she was meeting or did she meet with foul play?
And, while helping Casey investigate this past cold case, Eric also get some letters from the past that bring his ambivalent feeling to the forefront about the Daltons who took him in and raised him after finding him in the woods. His birth brother told him that he was taken from his original family, but the Daltons claim they found him, neglected and unwanted by his parents. Who was telling the truth? Now he knows.
So, two interesting letter-related situations from the past to keep everyone busy and it was a fabulous visit to a favorite series and spinoff series.
I got to it after reading a couple of the Haven's Rock books and it was just as golden to revisit that time when they were still in the hopeful time before the new town site was located and resting after shutting down Rockton.
Relaxing at a group rental lodge there in the Yukon, Eric, Casey and the core group from Rockton have some fun with someone pretending to plant obvious practical joke fake bodies for Casey to find. But, then a mysterious letter from thirty years before is found and this isn't a fake. Did the abused woman in the letter find her way to safety with this lover she was meeting or did she meet with foul play?
And, while helping Casey investigate this past cold case, Eric also get some letters from the past that bring his ambivalent feeling to the forefront about the Daltons who took him in and raised him after finding him in the woods. His birth brother told him that he was taken from his original family, but the Daltons claim they found him, neglected and unwanted by his parents. Who was telling the truth? Now he knows.
So, two interesting letter-related situations from the past to keep everyone busy and it was a fabulous visit to a favorite series and spinoff series.
July 19, 2023
Eric's POV
Set in the Time in-between the Rockton era of this series and the new community, Haven's Rock, this novella wraps up the transition nicely. Told from Eric Dalton's point of view, (instead of Casey Duncan's). we get some insight into Eric's past and the power and impact that "found" letters can have.
There are two different letters found, and both have an impact on Eric and Casey.
The first is a letter written by an abused young woman who went missing many years before while staying at the resort that the remaining Rockton town members are renting while scouting out a site for the "new" Rockton, Haven's Rock.
The second letter(s) have a direct impact on Eric.
Casey and Eric wouldn't be themselves if a mystery didn't jump up and beg to be solved.
This is a great novella, a peek into young Eric's life, and a great read while fans are waiting for the next book in the Haven's Rock series.
Set in the Time in-between the Rockton era of this series and the new community, Haven's Rock, this novella wraps up the transition nicely. Told from Eric Dalton's point of view, (instead of Casey Duncan's). we get some insight into Eric's past and the power and impact that "found" letters can have.
There are two different letters found, and both have an impact on Eric and Casey.
The first is a letter written by an abused young woman who went missing many years before while staying at the resort that the remaining Rockton town members are renting while scouting out a site for the "new" Rockton, Haven's Rock.
The second letter(s) have a direct impact on Eric.
Casey and Eric wouldn't be themselves if a mystery didn't jump up and beg to be solved.
This is a great novella, a peek into young Eric's life, and a great read while fans are waiting for the next book in the Haven's Rock series.
April 29, 2024
I'm not sure how I missed this book between the 2 series, only realized it when it showed up on my library's website for request.
It was fun to see everyone planning Haven Rock, to see what they wanted to change from Rockton. The different letters found really brought about things to think about. I'm happy one had a good ending, the other I'm glad that the truth is out there now and that person can do what is needed and that is cut the evil from their lives.
It was fun to see everyone planning Haven Rock, to see what they wanted to change from Rockton. The different letters found really brought about things to think about. I'm happy one had a good ending, the other I'm glad that the truth is out there now and that person can do what is needed and that is cut the evil from their lives.
February 23, 2023
What a fantastic story with some amazing insight in to much loved characters!
September 12, 2025
This was super sweet and a nice little transition for Rockton to Haven's Rock which I will be starting imminently.
January 6, 2026
A lovely little interlude connecting the Rockton series with the Haven's Rock series.
March 30, 2026
Eric's voice sounds a lot like Casey's, but this novella told from his POV was still a fun switch. This one had a nice cold case for Casey and a not-so-nice reveal from Eric's past. I liked the resolution and closure for each, and the ending was sweet.
July 1, 2025
Short novella with more of an introduction of characters in series. Interesting mystery also.
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