Is It Over?

SPOILERS AHEAD. I’ve hidden this page–and even given it a vague title–to keep those who haven’t read “The Deepest of Secrets” from stumbling over it. If you somehow have, please turn back now 🙂

If you know someone who also wants these answers, feel free to pass them the link. Please do not post any of these details online. There will be a more formal announcement of the new series this spring. For now, shhh… People are still reading 😉

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Still here? Then you’ve read “The Deepest of Secrets” and know that Rockton is no more. Literally no more, having been not only closed down but physically dismantled.

I have always said that I won’t continue a series past the point where my narrator has accomplished the primary goal, and for Rockton, that was solving the mystery of the hostiles and breaking free from the council’s control.

As readers could see the series winding down, they made it clear they weren’t done with these characters. My publisher also wasn’t done with the series and asked me to consider a spin-off. I happily pitched them a concept. I had the trifecta I needed to continue: readers wanted more, the publisher wanted more, and I was happy to write more.

As a reader, you may be saying you’re done, thanks. And that’s okay! I know that some readers feel an obligation to continue reading a series even after they’ve tired of it, and that’s where Deepest really can mark the end point. Rockton is now a complete series, and those readers can set it aside and move on.

For those who want to return, I’m sure you know what my “spin-off” will be. In Deepest, Casey and Eric committed to the huge step of creating their own Rockton, where they can feel they are fulfilling the promise they make to residents–that they have come to a place of sanctuary. Their new town name reflects that: Haven’s Rock (for sanctuary and a shout-out to its origins)

How well does this plan go? Well, the first book will be called “Murder at Haven’s Rock” LOL Don’t blame Casey and Eric too quickly–they’re still living down south when they’re called in to investigate the disappearance of two construction crew members. But this is a mystery series, and Casey and Eric are going to discover that being in charge doesn’t mean being in control. It just means that when things go wrong, you don’t have anyone else to blame. There will be a learning curve as they deal with their new environment, new neighbors and new procedures for vetting residents.

I’m also planning a novella to bridge the two series (taking place between the two.) There will be a mystery. It might not be murder (they really do need a break.) I haven’t decided whether it will be from Casey’s POV or another character’s (Eric? April? Isabel?) If you have a preference–Casey’s POV or another specific characters, please comment below.

164 thoughts on “Is It Over?”

  1. I am so excited that I do not have to say goodbye to these characters! I would really miss Casey’s POV if you were to change, but I felt that about Elena in the Otherworld series when you first started publishing and the different narrators worked out there so I will trust your judgment!

  2. Casey’s POV, though from the POV of her sister could be really interesting, but might be kind of a strain for a neurotypical author.

  3. GREAT!!! I am thrilled that u r continuing this series! Can’t wait!!!

  4. Thrilled that the series will continue in its own way! As for the Novella, I think it would be interesting to see things from Eric’s point of view especially with his history with the forest and how keen his own observations can be!

  5. Something from Eric’s point of view would be a great way to bridge the two series. Maybe even a little more insight into Eric with a novella like that. I LOVE this series and am greatly looking forward to the spin-off!

  6. So glad these characters will continue! I am thinking Eric’s POV would be interesting or perhaps going between Casey and Eric

  7. I would love a novela from the POV of April, Kenny, or Isabel. They are some of my favorite characters. I would still like to hear from Casey too because I’m so attached already.

  8. Natalie Dorsey says:

    A POV switch to April or Isabella would be great! Both would see things in a different light.They are capable of solving a mistery and how cool for April to use her new mystery novel expertise. Really excited to read the next series!

  9. Alicia C Hathcock says:

    April makes my teeth itch, but Isabelle is interesting, smart & fun to read. I’d love her POV.

  10. I’m so glad I get to see where Casey and Eric are going to live and who is there with them. Thank you for not stopping their story.

  11. I’m so happy, it is one of my favorite series! Eric POV would be great.

  12. I am so happy to read this!! I just finished Deepest… Decided to go back & reread the series from the beginning… Can’t wait for anything new with Casey & Eric… I think Eric’s POV would be interesting…

  13. Just finished Book 7 and am thrilled to hear this news – I was going to beg for at least a glimpse into their future in a novella! I love Casey’s thought process but Eric would be great too! Thank you!

  14. Just please keep Therese Plummer as narrator on the audio version!

  15. So excited!

    For the novella POV question—I’d be a huge fan of Isabel’s perspective. I’m tempted to vote Matthias or Sebastian, but I feel like Isabel would be a force of nature 🙂

  16. Rowanne Carberry says:

    Ahhhh I just finished reading today and I was so happy knowing it wasn’t going to be the end. I love these characters and I’m not ready to let go. I think the main POV should be Casey, but a few chapters from others maybe? I would also love to see how it affects the 1st and 2nd settlement, Cherise and Owen. Did Tyrone go with them? I have so many questions

  17. Thank you so much for agreeing to a spin off! I’m far from done with these characters and so excited to hear more about how they handle the challenges of having left Rockton to start Haven’s Rock. For the novella POV if not Casey then I think Eric would be great though Casey gives pretty good insight into how he thinks and what his motivators are. I would also be really interested in Isabella’s POV as I am an LMHC/LMFT and would love her psychological mind.

  18. Thank you so much for agreeing to a spin off! I’m far from done with these characters and so excited to hear more about how they handle the challenges of having left Rockton to start Haven’s Rock. For the novella POV if not Casey then I think Eric would be great though Casey gives pretty good insight into how he thinks and what his motivators are. I would also be really interested in Isabella’s POV as I am an LMHC/LMFT and would love her psychological mind.

  19. Jill Kegler says:

    Hi I just had to say how much I love this series! I found it by accident and have never regretted it. There’s nothing quite out there like Rockton. Casey and Dalton and everybody in between make this an awesome series to listen to and I was afraid it was going to end with the council being idiots. I’m so happy that I don’t have to suffer through that and I’m looking forward to a whole bunch more books with this storyline. And because of this storyline I have checked into all the other books written by Kelly Armstrong’s. I’m not into vampires but other than that I like all of her books.

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