The secret town of Rockton has seen some rocky times lately; understandable considering its mix of criminals and victims fleeing society for refuge within its Yukon borders. Casey Duncan, the town's only detective on a police force of three, has already faced murder, arson, and falling in love in the several months that she's lived there. Yet even she didn't think it would be possible for an outsider to locate the town and cause trouble in the place she's come to call home.

When a US Marshal shows up demanding the release of one of the residents, but won't say who, Casey and her boyfriend, Sheriff Eric Dalton, are skeptical. And yet only hours later, the marshal is shot dead and the only possible suspects are the townspeople and Casey's estranged sister, smuggled into town to help with a medical emergency. It's up to Casey to figure out who murdered the marshal, and why someone would kill to keep him quiet—before the killer strikes again.

Rockton is a secret and hidden town in the Yukon where victims, and some criminals, go to hide and get a fresh start. Casey and Dalton have snuck out of Rockton to go talk Casey’s sister, April, into coming with them and treating an injured resident.  Kenny, who was shot in the last book, needs serious medical care but refuses to leave town as he knows the council will not let him return. But Casey and April have a strained relationship so convincing her to come may be difficult.  April surprises Casey with her fairly easy agreement to come but soon after they arrive another stranger walks into town claiming to be a US Marshal come to collect one of the residents.  Before Casey and Dalton can decide what to do and figure out who the marshal has come to collect he ends up dead and pretty much the whole town, including April, is a suspect.

The action in this book follows immediately on the heels of the end of the last book. We learn more about Casey’s childhood and her rocky relationship with her older sister as well as meeting a new Rockton resident and learning a few new details about Petra.  The action moves quickly over the course of about a week. I am enjoying this series, even more so since I can binge the whole thing one book right after the other. I love these characters and I am so glad I found it.   The first four books, at least, are all set within the first few months of Casey arriving in Rockton and I recommend that they be read in order. Highly recommended ~~ Stephanie L Bannon

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