City of the Lost by Kelley Armstrong

Casey Duncan is a successful detective hiding a terrible secret. She shot and killed a boyfriend, the grandson of a mobster, years ago, after he left her for dead with a gang of thugs. Her friend, Diana, seems to have trouble bouncing around in accounting jobs but far worse trouble is her abusive ex. He finds her again despite Casey and Diana frequently moving to throw him off their trail. On the same night as Diana's attack by her ex, Casey is threatened by one of the mobster's hired goons. Both women need to get lost and stay lost to keep their lives. They flee to a hidden, self-sustaining town in the Canadian Yukon. Both women are allowed in because the town is desperate for a detective. There have been too many mysterious deaths of late, deaths not attributable to the dangerous wilderness surrounding the town.

An excellent mystery series opener by Armstrong, City of the Lost is placed in a truly unique setting where technology is minimal and the town's civilians must rely on each other to survive. Armstrong's writing shines by building complex, damaged characters who struggle with intimate relationships, romantic and platonic, but she is also able to render taut, exciting action scenes that will keep the reader turning the pages to the end. This book will be published mid-May. While you are waiting, check out Armstrong's other mystery series with folklore elements called, "Cainsville."