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aganethadyck's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
thepeachmartini's review against another edition
4.0
A Stranger in Town (Rockton/Casey Duncan #6) by Kelley Armstrong
Date Read: 25 Oct 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Gah! we’re almost at the end of the series! I tried to make this one last as long as possible.
The plot line in this was a bit out there….but not totally out of the realm of possibility (come on, we have congresspeople spending campaign money on Botox and OnlyFans…nothing is impossible).
Things are starting to wind down with the series, though, since this is the 2nd to last book, and Armstrong handles that nicely with this storyline.
Date Read: 25 Oct 2023
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Gah! we’re almost at the end of the series! I tried to make this one last as long as possible.
The plot line in this was a bit out there….but not totally out of the realm of possibility (come on, we have congresspeople spending campaign money on Botox and OnlyFans…nothing is impossible).
Things are starting to wind down with the series, though, since this is the 2nd to last book, and Armstrong handles that nicely with this storyline.
salimah's review
3.0
This book frustrated me for the same reasons the third book did. Casey and Eric make one less-than-ideal decision after another while in territory known for more than one kind of mortal danger, and of course they encounter every single variety of it. At least three of their missteps in this segment of the book could have been avoided.
I love that Kelley Armstrong allows keen insight into the psychological dynamics of her characters' relationships and insights into their motivations from moment to moment, but if I have to endure one more of Casey's tortured moments of hesitation when she just needs to fire her damn gun, I swear. . .
Additionally, for as much as Rockton is supposed to be a guarded secret, people certainly have no issue slipping in there (or being allowed to come in by Casey or Eric). I raise this issue because while Felicity has been shown to be a potential ally, she still has ties and loyalty to the first settlement. Her grandfather has not been proven to be a trusted ally. Members of the first settlement consistently prove they are erratic and still prone to violence and weird feelings of entitlement where the citizens of Rockton are concerned.
This is a running theme in these books. A known untrustworthy element (or person) is out there (or in their own backyard) and Casey, mostly, continues to engage that element without completely eliminating that threat at the first sign of trouble. I know the author wants to dissolve some of these established divisions for the sake of story and plot, but it requires a suspension of disbelief that a detective from a major metropolis "down south" would be willing to take so many chances that rely on the basic goodness of others when 9 out of 10 encounters in her environment are nearly fatal.
I know the hostiles are a metaphor for the castoffs of society (the unhoused, the mentally ill), but they are not the part of this world that really interests me and every time they are given focus they suck all the air out of the parts of this series that I have loved. That, I'm sure, is something I should interrogate.
On to book 7!
I love that Kelley Armstrong allows keen insight into the psychological dynamics of her characters' relationships and insights into their motivations from moment to moment, but if I have to endure one more of Casey's tortured moments of hesitation when she just needs to fire her damn gun, I swear. . .
Additionally, for as much as Rockton is supposed to be a guarded secret, people certainly have no issue slipping in there (or being allowed to come in by Casey or Eric). I raise this issue because while Felicity has been shown to be a potential ally, she still has ties and loyalty to the first settlement. Her grandfather has not been proven to be a trusted ally. Members of the first settlement consistently prove they are erratic and still prone to violence and weird feelings of entitlement where the citizens of Rockton are concerned.
This is a running theme in these books. A known untrustworthy element (or person) is out there (or in their own backyard) and Casey, mostly, continues to engage that element without completely eliminating that threat at the first sign of trouble. I know the author wants to dissolve some of these established divisions for the sake of story and plot, but it requires a suspension of disbelief that a detective from a major metropolis "down south" would be willing to take so many chances that rely on the basic goodness of others when 9 out of 10 encounters in her environment are nearly fatal.
I know the hostiles are a metaphor for the castoffs of society (the unhoused, the mentally ill), but they are not the part of this world that really interests me and every time they are given focus they suck all the air out of the parts of this series that I have loved. That, I'm sure, is something I should interrogate.
On to book 7!
jennie_cole's review
4.0
A Stranger in Town is the next installment in the Rockton series. (If you have not read the previous books you need to first.) It appears that the hostiles have started attacking after the death of their leader and they have started with some Danish tourists. But was it really a hostile attack and who are these tourists?
Over the last five books we have learned some about Rockton, the Settlers, and the Hostiles but this book gives us the full history and origin stories. For the future of this series this particular book was a must otherwise they would have gotten a formulaic feeling over time. I think A Stranger in Town really allows the series to move forward in a different direction by giving us history as well as various paths forward for the characters. I very much enjoyed it and it refreshed my interest in the series. I look forward to book seven.
Over the last five books we have learned some about Rockton, the Settlers, and the Hostiles but this book gives us the full history and origin stories. For the future of this series this particular book was a must otherwise they would have gotten a formulaic feeling over time. I think A Stranger in Town really allows the series to move forward in a different direction by giving us history as well as various paths forward for the characters. I very much enjoyed it and it refreshed my interest in the series. I look forward to book seven.
artsyandbookishme's review against another edition
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
inmyhumbleopinion's review
5.0
A Stranger in Town is the most mind-bending addition to this series yet. Casey has had her theories about where the “hostiles” originated but even she had no idea how depraved the situation would get. Casey, Eric and their fellow Rockton citizenry are about to experience major upheaval when old secrets come to light. Solving this murder may cost them their home. I enjoyed this twisted tale and hope this series continues.
laughlinesandliterature's review
4.0
This wasn't the best Rockton novel, but it certainly had the action that I hoped for! As always Casey and Eric have to figure out a who dunnit. This installment revolves around a woman who speaks Danish, and of course they happen to have a new person that speaks that language! It's all very fishy, but utterly enjoyable. I love the way pretty much every character was woven through book #6, and especially the way that Casey learns to interact with her on-the-spectrum- sister. It's ultimately heart-warming to see Casey and April trying to bridge the gap their parents forced them into. 4 out of 5 stars.
smcwhorter's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25