A Darkness Absolute: A Rockton Novel (Casey Duncan Novels, 2) Hardcover – February 7, 2017

With the Casey Duncan and Cainsville series novels, Kelley Armstrong has jumped to my must read immediately pile. I really liked most of the Otherworld books, but they were fairly light even as they explored darker themes and so I saved them for when I wanted the equivalent of beach reading. That's not a criticism at all, just an explanation of the mood I needed to be in to read the books and stories in the Otherworld universe.The two Casey Duncan novels represent something of a departure, while still being very much Kelley Armstrong books. There are strong relationships with matter of fact sexual connections and the friendships between women are nuanced and occasionally prickly, but the setting - a kind of sanctuary in Yukon for those who need to leave their lives for awhile - makes for a sometimes stark platform to examine crime, punishment, society, character and other meaty topics. I think the series is brilliantly done and really can't wait for the next installment.

If you are new to this series, I suggest you read Book #1 “City of the Lost,” which explains the unique community of Rockton and introduces the intriguing people who live in this off-the-grid town. That story ushers in the manipulative Council, their community “mouthpiece,” the Settlers, and the Hostiles. There are references in this book to important—but now absent—characters from Book #1.This intricately plotted story features a cunning serial murderer who is hidden amongst red herrings. The pace is deliberate and slows in the middle, but takes off toward the end, almost as though in a rush to finish.In “A Darkness Absolute” the female protagonist is ridden by angst, and her lover is solicitous to the point of being literally paralyzed when she’s injured. I prefer police procedurals with less angst, medium domestic/civilian drama and no telenovela melodrama. Plus, I prefer police characters who don’t indulge in crippling emotional crises that would disqualify them and/or get them dismissed from the force. However, I enjoyed reading about some newer and more colorful secondary-characters . . . and the Newfie puppy, of course.I was concerned that the author would end this book on a cliffhanger, but happily, she tied up the murder-mystery threads. It is obvious there is another book coming, but I will probably pass on it.

What could you live through for fifteen months? Sixty-three weeks? Four hundred and forty days? When a young woman is found in a desperate position, Casey, Eric, and Anders are in for another misadvanture in Rockton, Armstrong's "Lost City." ADA is a fitting sequel, addressing all of the necessary areas: Casey & Eric's budding relationship, the status of Casey's best "frenemy", the introduction and wrap-up of a new mystery for Rockton's finest to solve. Personally, I enjoyed the increase in Jacob's face-time in this second installment. The concept of the settlers vs. hostiles comes up quite a few times in ADA, and I find it as intriguing as Casey does. There is a new character introduced who seems like he'll recur, an unsettling butcher with an intriguing past.The pacing is a little slower than the first novel, but still satisfactory. The reader gets to experience a slow burn of suspense. Similar to the first novel, the killer was not someone I suspected from the beginning, which I find to be an enjoyable feature.I do have to say that I still see the character tropes in ADA that I mentioned in my initial review of City of the Lost. Those who are very familiar with Armstrong's work will continue to notice a pattern in the way that certain characters interact and approach their interpersonal relationships. It's not a huge detraction since the novel's case is individually interesting, but it does bring some predictability that might run weary after a while.Overall, I'm a dedicated Armstrong fan, and I do enjoy the mysteries that she has been throwing at the Rockton characters, so I will continue with This Fallen Prey.

Excellent followup to City of the Lost. This is NOT a paranormal story but it is still set in a different world. Rockton is a small community hidden in the remote Yukon. It is inhabited by people who need to disappear for a few years. So you have modern people from all walks of life who have to live a much more primitive life for a few years. As the second book in the series the inhabitants are just recovering from the events in City of the Lost when they realise that once again there is someone within the community who is a threat. New detective Casey Butler has to solve another crime with only the most basic resources and the help of Sheriff Eric Dalton.I have read, and enjoyed, all of Kelley Armstrongs books. A common theme is the strong female lead and the concept of justice that is not necessarily served by the law.The mystery keeps you interested and turning the pages. I did figure out whodunnit before the characters but there were some twisty bits to keep you on the edge of your seat. KA does an excellent job of describing the area and the life out in the wilderness too. All in all a very good book and one I would recommend. You probably should read this after CotL but its not strictly necessary.

This isn't my usual genre, but I like the authors urban fantasy books so thought that I would give these a go and I loved this book. It helps that Casey and Dalton are such great characters and that the premise of the book is interesting with a good supporting cast.

Gift for my daughter who is a huge Kelley Armstrong fan. All I can say is that Kelley Armstrong got my daughter interested in reading, as a severe dyslexic she has always struggled to persevere with books; I recommended Bitten after reading this and others in the Women of Otherworld series and she 'bitten' by the Kelley Armstrong bug.

I loved the first book in the series which introduced the mysterious town of Rockton. This second book took a while to get going. These books are slow-burners but then suddenly take hold and race towards a conclusion. Have purchased book #3 as Casey & Eric are such a great pairing.

Kelley Armstrong has done It again from the minute you arrive in Rockton you are ensconced in howling wind complete darkness and "blinding snow" nearly non existing daylight so all your senses are assailed. The plot is fast moving and you feel all the fear, despair hopelessness being in an inhospitable town so much so that you begin doubting your own sanity until the denouement that Kelley Armstrong delivers. Magnificent