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Nadia Stafford #1
Exit Strategy
Popular fantasy author Kelley Armstrong (Women of the Otherworld) makes a thrilling foray into crime fiction, with the debut of a series featuring female assassin Nadia Stafford.
Stafford is one of the world’s few female contract killers. A former cop, drummed out of the force because of a scandal, she is an expert at disguise and cool under pressure. But when fellow hitman Jack arrives on the scene, Nadia’s very private existence is seriously challenged.
A series of victims are being murdered seemingly at random all over the US — different areas, different walks of life, different MOs. There is nothing to tie them together except a random page torn out of a single book, "Helter Skelter". Does the Helter Skelter killer — as the hysterical media now dub him — have a real connection to Charles Manson? Or is there something even more sinister at work?
Is this, in fact — as Jack believes — the carefully planned exit strategy of a fellow professional killer, determined to leave the life, but equally determined to clear up an old mistake or two? And, if so, who is the real victim? Now, the highly suspicious and secretive hitman community will have to break their cover — at least, to each other — and help take down this killer before the cops and the Feds discover his true connection to their own secret, exclusive society.
Stafford is one of the world’s few female contract killers. A former cop, drummed out of the force because of a scandal, she is an expert at disguise and cool under pressure. But when fellow hitman Jack arrives on the scene, Nadia’s very private existence is seriously challenged.
A series of victims are being murdered seemingly at random all over the US — different areas, different walks of life, different MOs. There is nothing to tie them together except a random page torn out of a single book, "Helter Skelter". Does the Helter Skelter killer — as the hysterical media now dub him — have a real connection to Charles Manson? Or is there something even more sinister at work?
Is this, in fact — as Jack believes — the carefully planned exit strategy of a fellow professional killer, determined to leave the life, but equally determined to clear up an old mistake or two? And, if so, who is the real victim? Now, the highly suspicious and secretive hitman community will have to break their cover — at least, to each other — and help take down this killer before the cops and the Feds discover his true connection to their own secret, exclusive society.
480 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published June 26, 2007
320 people are currently reading
5860 people want to read
About the author
Kelley Armstrong
288 books33.1k followersKelley Armstrong has been telling stories since before she could write. Her earliest written efforts were disastrous. If asked for a story about girls and dolls, hers would invariably feature undead girls and evil dolls, much to her teachers' dismay. All efforts to make her produce "normal" stories failed.
Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked away in her basement writing dungeon. She's the author of the NYT-bestselling "Women of the Otherworld" paranormal suspense series and "Darkest Powers" young adult urban fantasy trilogy, as well as the Nadia Stafford crime series. Armstrong lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, kids and far too many pets.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 557 reviews
November 23, 2015
I am a huge fan of Kelley Armstrong and it was a real surprise finding her new series that is nothing like her others, namely paranormal romance.
Introducing a new kick-ass protagonist, Nadia Stafford, ex cop turned hit woman/assassin of bad guys, we are taken into a world of criminals, assassins, spies filled with suspense and mystery.
Nadia Stafford, dishonorably retired from a Canadian police force for shooting a suspect dead, now owner of a lakeside lodge in the Canadian wilderness and part-time assassin for hire. I really engaged with her character. She’s strong, independent but has a soft side that makes her really likeable.
Teaming up with her mentor, Jack, they are thrown into a dangerous chase to finding a hit-man turner serial killer.
Compelling and suspenseful story-line with complex and mysterious characters and the dark world of crime, corruption, betrayal and even a bit or romance…..
An interesting start to the series.
Introducing a new kick-ass protagonist, Nadia Stafford, ex cop turned hit woman/assassin of bad guys, we are taken into a world of criminals, assassins, spies filled with suspense and mystery.
Nadia Stafford, dishonorably retired from a Canadian police force for shooting a suspect dead, now owner of a lakeside lodge in the Canadian wilderness and part-time assassin for hire. I really engaged with her character. She’s strong, independent but has a soft side that makes her really likeable.
Teaming up with her mentor, Jack, they are thrown into a dangerous chase to finding a hit-man turner serial killer.
Compelling and suspenseful story-line with complex and mysterious characters and the dark world of crime, corruption, betrayal and even a bit or romance…..
An interesting start to the series.
March 28, 2018
3/28/18 - ON SALE for $1.99:
I didn't love this first book in the series, but I did love the second and third, so . . . do with that what you will.
https://amzn.to/2Iaa2ci
Kelley Armstrong is turning into a major point of confusion for me.
Most of the time when I REALLY a series by author--I'm talking Top 5 UF Series here--other books by the same author are a pretty safe bet. I might not absolutely love every single thing the write, but for the most part, I like them enough to have them on my auto-buy list . . .
Not so much here.
So far I've 86ed her YA books indefinitely, not liked the first book in her latest adult UF series (Omens), and now not much liked whatever this is . . . there's not enough romance for it to be romantic suspense, but it's not scary enough to be a thriller. It's doesn't feel like a straight-up mystery either. I don't know, but whatever it is, it's mediocre at best.
Why is it mediocre?
B/c . . . it's . . . so . . . S-L-O-W . . . (did you see what I did there?). I think it was around 30% before it got interesting enough for me to keep reading it out of more than a determination to do it justice, and even then . . . still MEH. I never felt much of a connection to any of the characters, and 25 year age gap between the MCs (who will maybe . . . one day . . . get together . . . but NOT any time soon), is off-putting. She's mid-20s, he's 50(ish), and that's just not my thing. Maybe it'll grow on me if I keep reading these books, OR maybe I'll train myself to tune it out (like Luke Stark's 'stache in Rock Chicks).
I don't know, we'll see. I can tell you that I have absolutely no desire to immediately read the next book. This was the most boring assassin book I've ever read. I'm actually kind of flabbergasted that a book about an assassin could be this dull--I mean really? How does that even happen?
I didn't love this first book in the series, but I did love the second and third, so . . . do with that what you will.
https://amzn.to/2Iaa2ci
Kelley Armstrong is turning into a major point of confusion for me.
Most of the time when I REALLY a series by author--I'm talking Top 5 UF Series here--other books by the same author are a pretty safe bet. I might not absolutely love every single thing the write, but for the most part, I like them enough to have them on my auto-buy list . . .
Not so much here.
So far I've 86ed her YA books indefinitely, not liked the first book in her latest adult UF series (Omens), and now not much liked whatever this is . . . there's not enough romance for it to be romantic suspense, but it's not scary enough to be a thriller. It's doesn't feel like a straight-up mystery either. I don't know, but whatever it is, it's mediocre at best.
Why is it mediocre?
B/c . . . it's . . . so . . . S-L-O-W . . . (did you see what I did there?). I think it was around 30% before it got interesting enough for me to keep reading it out of more than a determination to do it justice, and even then . . . still MEH. I never felt much of a connection to any of the characters, and 25 year age gap between the MCs (who will maybe . . . one day . . . get together . . . but NOT any time soon), is off-putting. She's mid-20s, he's 50(ish), and that's just not my thing. Maybe it'll grow on me if I keep reading these books, OR maybe I'll train myself to tune it out (like Luke Stark's 'stache in Rock Chicks).
I don't know, we'll see. I can tell you that I have absolutely no desire to immediately read the next book. This was the most boring assassin book I've ever read. I'm actually kind of flabbergasted that a book about an assassin could be this dull--I mean really? How does that even happen?
January 22, 2021
Canadian author Kelley Armstrong is best known as a bestselling writer of urban fantasy. Her Nadia Stafford trilogy was her first foray into the mystery/crime fiction genre. Having already read the sequel novellas that conclude the series, I really want to read the original trilogy. This first volume didn't disappoint!
After a short, grim prologue in third person, Chapter 1 introduces us to series protagonist Nadia, who'll be our first person narrator for the bulk of the novel. (The parts from other viewpoints are in third person.) Now 32 years old (so, though the books were written from 2007-2017, the story arc of the series actually covers just three years in her life), she owns and operates a guest lodge in the northern forests of her native Canada. Raised in a family of cops, she's always had a strong compulsion to serve justice and protect the innocent, which deepened and became more driven after the death of her much-loved cousin, who was murdered when the girls were in their teens. (Nadia still blames herself for not keeping Amy safe.) When she followed in her family footsteps by joining the force, that compulsion had to be tempered by laws and procedures protecting suspects and requiring due process, that exist for a good reason. In her early 20s, there came a triggering incident where her reaction couldn't be tempered, and boiled over in an act of vigilantism that cost her her badge. Investing in her lodge was a way of rebuilding her life. But she's fortunate in employing a married couple who can manage the place at times if she has to be away for awhile; because she has an un-advertised side occupation.
The lodge barely breaks even, and six years ago was on the verge of bankruptcy. A regular guest was aware of her financial troubles, and of her history. He happened to be a high-ranking member of New York City's Tomassini Mafia family. His family aren't philanthropists, and don't have much in the way of ethical values –but he could respect hers, and understand something of her mindset. Occasionally, the Tomassini's interests call for the elimination of some genuinely bad person, who really is a threat to the innocent; and at those times, they're willing to pay top dollar to someone who can accomplish their purpose capably, without getting caught. So, he had a business proposition for her; and when she accepted it, she saved her lodge. But she also crossed a line that put her permanently on the wrong side of the law, precluded much possibility for normal close human relationships, and set her on a dark and morally problematic path. She doesn't relish killing in itself, even of the deserving and dangerous, and is painfully aware that a regular diet of it is troubling and unhealthy. But it does allow her, in some sense, to fulfill her inner compulsion, and it's become an inescapable part of the person that she is, which she shoulders responsibility for. Her narrative voice looks at herself honestly and self-critically, but without apology. So if you, the reader, are going to be friends with her, you'll have to look her in the eye and decide whether you can accept her as is.
Early on here, she gets a visit from her taciturn older acquaintance Jack. She's gotten to know him some (though that's not easy) in the last few years, since he first showed up at the lodge and let her know that he's also in her illegal line of work. He's been back sometimes since, and become a bit of a mentor, with professional advice that she's found useful. Now, he's bringing news of the Helter Skelter Killer who's been terrorizing the U.S. (she's heard of the case, but deliberately refused to immerse herself in the details). Over a period of nine days in October, across several states, four very diverse people have been murdered, in different localities and all by different means; the only unifying factor is a page torn out of the book Helter Skelter and left beside each of the victims. The chilling twist, though, is that law enforcement officials believe the perp is actually a professional killer, who's gone rogue and is now dropping random bodies. This has produced an unusual spotlight of police attention on the very small world of long-term hitmen/women, resulting in a couple of arrests, much inconvenience, and a general climate that's very bad for business. By nature and necessity, the denizens of this circle are not a gregarious and chummy bunch; but to the extent that they do share information and opinions, their general consensus is that this wacko needs to be identified and stopped, NOW. Jack wants to know if Nadia's willing to bring her cop skills to the table and partner with him in this hunt. She's not too keen about coming out from behind her curtain of anonymity, even just among other assassins; and while talking to Jack sometimes at her lodge is one thing, she's got some trust issues about going off to the States with him and working together. But ...the precious lives of more potential victims that this killer might take are at stake, and Nadia is Nadia. Having gotten to know her by reading the novellas, I wouldn't have been surprised by her answer even if I hadn't read the cover blurb of the book. :-) So, as Sherlock Holmes might have said, the game is afoot!
As a rule, I don't care for the idea of serial-killer fiction, and mostly avoid it (the one other exception being Agatha Christie's The ABC Murders). I'm also not usually a particular fan of romantic triangles, despite my liking for the Twilight Saga, and we get something of that vibe here. (Having read the later books, I already knew how that would play out –and my reviews of those books would be “spoilers” for that aspect!-- but reading the series in order is probably the best way to experience the character arcs and relationship developments.) Unlike in the Christie book, we do experience most of the serial killings directly, although they're done quickly and Armstrong doesn't wallow in the gore, and we do get in the killer's sick and disturbed head some –thankfully, only at times and briefly, but it's an unpleasant place to be. Coupled with the mitigating factors, though, the author's strong character study of Nadia herself made this a worthwhile read. She's a fascinating, complex character (and when the chips are down, an actual heroine despite the ethical issues some of her life choices present), and not the only one of those here; very vivid, round and complicated characterizations are one of this author's particular strengths. Even minor characters who only appear for a few pages are often illuminated clearly enough to be memorable. Not many of them are particularly likeable (although Nadia honestly is, at least to me, and that's an assessment I think series fans in general would echo), but you do understand them –or, if you don't, you're intrigued enough to want to peel back more of the layers.
This is a genuine, challenging mystery that takes detection and deduction to solve, and Nadia and her unlikely fellow sleuths don't have access to the kind of crime scene investigation and witness interviews that the FBI does. (Fortunately, though, which partially compensates, they do have more knowledge of the shadowy world of killers for hire than the authorities do.) It's definitely a mystery of the “American” school, not its staid and cerebral British counterpart: gritty, violent and fraught with danger, and peppered with bad language, though I considered the level of the latter legitimate in terms of realism for these characters. (There's no sex, explicit or not, but there is some reference to it; Nadia isn't often promiscuous, but her attitudes are colored by the fact that she doesn't expect marriage to ever be in her possible future.) The investigation snakes through a dark underside of America, where not only the serial killer but other nefarious types as well have dark secrets, and no scruples about eliminating the nosy. And while Nadia's very protective of innocent life, even when it's not convenient to be –despite her hit woman credentials, you could totally trust her to babysit your toddlers!-- thugs who want to kill her may find her quite lethal.
Overall, this is a gripping read right from the starting gate (Armstrong leaves two dead bodies lying on the first nine pages), with a lot of action and a real page-turning quality. With the above-mentioned caveat for language issues, I'd highly recommend it to mystery/crime fiction and action “thriller” fans.
After a short, grim prologue in third person, Chapter 1 introduces us to series protagonist Nadia, who'll be our first person narrator for the bulk of the novel. (The parts from other viewpoints are in third person.) Now 32 years old (so, though the books were written from 2007-2017, the story arc of the series actually covers just three years in her life), she owns and operates a guest lodge in the northern forests of her native Canada. Raised in a family of cops, she's always had a strong compulsion to serve justice and protect the innocent, which deepened and became more driven after the death of her much-loved cousin, who was murdered when the girls were in their teens. (Nadia still blames herself for not keeping Amy safe.) When she followed in her family footsteps by joining the force, that compulsion had to be tempered by laws and procedures protecting suspects and requiring due process, that exist for a good reason. In her early 20s, there came a triggering incident where her reaction couldn't be tempered, and boiled over in an act of vigilantism that cost her her badge. Investing in her lodge was a way of rebuilding her life. But she's fortunate in employing a married couple who can manage the place at times if she has to be away for awhile; because she has an un-advertised side occupation.
The lodge barely breaks even, and six years ago was on the verge of bankruptcy. A regular guest was aware of her financial troubles, and of her history. He happened to be a high-ranking member of New York City's Tomassini Mafia family. His family aren't philanthropists, and don't have much in the way of ethical values –but he could respect hers, and understand something of her mindset. Occasionally, the Tomassini's interests call for the elimination of some genuinely bad person, who really is a threat to the innocent; and at those times, they're willing to pay top dollar to someone who can accomplish their purpose capably, without getting caught. So, he had a business proposition for her; and when she accepted it, she saved her lodge. But she also crossed a line that put her permanently on the wrong side of the law, precluded much possibility for normal close human relationships, and set her on a dark and morally problematic path. She doesn't relish killing in itself, even of the deserving and dangerous, and is painfully aware that a regular diet of it is troubling and unhealthy. But it does allow her, in some sense, to fulfill her inner compulsion, and it's become an inescapable part of the person that she is, which she shoulders responsibility for. Her narrative voice looks at herself honestly and self-critically, but without apology. So if you, the reader, are going to be friends with her, you'll have to look her in the eye and decide whether you can accept her as is.
Early on here, she gets a visit from her taciturn older acquaintance Jack. She's gotten to know him some (though that's not easy) in the last few years, since he first showed up at the lodge and let her know that he's also in her illegal line of work. He's been back sometimes since, and become a bit of a mentor, with professional advice that she's found useful. Now, he's bringing news of the Helter Skelter Killer who's been terrorizing the U.S. (she's heard of the case, but deliberately refused to immerse herself in the details). Over a period of nine days in October, across several states, four very diverse people have been murdered, in different localities and all by different means; the only unifying factor is a page torn out of the book Helter Skelter and left beside each of the victims. The chilling twist, though, is that law enforcement officials believe the perp is actually a professional killer, who's gone rogue and is now dropping random bodies. This has produced an unusual spotlight of police attention on the very small world of long-term hitmen/women, resulting in a couple of arrests, much inconvenience, and a general climate that's very bad for business. By nature and necessity, the denizens of this circle are not a gregarious and chummy bunch; but to the extent that they do share information and opinions, their general consensus is that this wacko needs to be identified and stopped, NOW. Jack wants to know if Nadia's willing to bring her cop skills to the table and partner with him in this hunt. She's not too keen about coming out from behind her curtain of anonymity, even just among other assassins; and while talking to Jack sometimes at her lodge is one thing, she's got some trust issues about going off to the States with him and working together. But ...the precious lives of more potential victims that this killer might take are at stake, and Nadia is Nadia. Having gotten to know her by reading the novellas, I wouldn't have been surprised by her answer even if I hadn't read the cover blurb of the book. :-) So, as Sherlock Holmes might have said, the game is afoot!
As a rule, I don't care for the idea of serial-killer fiction, and mostly avoid it (the one other exception being Agatha Christie's The ABC Murders). I'm also not usually a particular fan of romantic triangles, despite my liking for the Twilight Saga, and we get something of that vibe here. (Having read the later books, I already knew how that would play out –and my reviews of those books would be “spoilers” for that aspect!-- but reading the series in order is probably the best way to experience the character arcs and relationship developments.) Unlike in the Christie book, we do experience most of the serial killings directly, although they're done quickly and Armstrong doesn't wallow in the gore, and we do get in the killer's sick and disturbed head some –thankfully, only at times and briefly, but it's an unpleasant place to be. Coupled with the mitigating factors, though, the author's strong character study of Nadia herself made this a worthwhile read. She's a fascinating, complex character (and when the chips are down, an actual heroine despite the ethical issues some of her life choices present), and not the only one of those here; very vivid, round and complicated characterizations are one of this author's particular strengths. Even minor characters who only appear for a few pages are often illuminated clearly enough to be memorable. Not many of them are particularly likeable (although Nadia honestly is, at least to me, and that's an assessment I think series fans in general would echo), but you do understand them –or, if you don't, you're intrigued enough to want to peel back more of the layers.
This is a genuine, challenging mystery that takes detection and deduction to solve, and Nadia and her unlikely fellow sleuths don't have access to the kind of crime scene investigation and witness interviews that the FBI does. (Fortunately, though, which partially compensates, they do have more knowledge of the shadowy world of killers for hire than the authorities do.) It's definitely a mystery of the “American” school, not its staid and cerebral British counterpart: gritty, violent and fraught with danger, and peppered with bad language, though I considered the level of the latter legitimate in terms of realism for these characters. (There's no sex, explicit or not, but there is some reference to it; Nadia isn't often promiscuous, but her attitudes are colored by the fact that she doesn't expect marriage to ever be in her possible future.) The investigation snakes through a dark underside of America, where not only the serial killer but other nefarious types as well have dark secrets, and no scruples about eliminating the nosy. And while Nadia's very protective of innocent life, even when it's not convenient to be –despite her hit woman credentials, you could totally trust her to babysit your toddlers!-- thugs who want to kill her may find her quite lethal.
Overall, this is a gripping read right from the starting gate (Armstrong leaves two dead bodies lying on the first nine pages), with a lot of action and a real page-turning quality. With the above-mentioned caveat for language issues, I'd highly recommend it to mystery/crime fiction and action “thriller” fans.
August 10, 2020
Nadia is quite refreshing in that she's a strong female character capable of keeping up with the boys who doesn't rely on cheap wisecracks. As her urban-fantasy series shows Armstrong is good at writing strong women and layering them without the usual cliches. The characters feel real, even without learning every detail you see how different things drive them.
The morality is interesting. They're paid assasins; our 'good-guys' aren't lily white, I found it an interesting mix. Nadia who has boundaries but doesn't deny her core, Evelyn and her manipulations, tactiturn Jack, then 'vigilanty' Quinn with his high morals - not always looking for pay and not seeing the danger of that.
There's several povs here, brief glimpses of victims that are enough to make them more than mere numbers. At least one of those really caught me! Plotwise I think I was more taken with the characters, watching them adapt and what was revealed about them - never felt much suspense (except for that pov!) they discover the killers identity fairly early and from there it's just watching how it plays out.
I could have done with less rhetorical questions, a big part of that is as Jack's style of talking though. No pronouns. Short sentences. Sometimes you want to shake the words free - but check he's unarmed first! While his emotions are made clear to the reader it's no surprise that Nadia can't see it. Quinn is so much more open, a puppy/overgrown-child. Hopefully a case of everthing in it's time! Reading this for romance you may be disappointed, there's plenty of character play but most is subtle.
This is a re-read (having discovered the third/final book has been released) and I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed it.
The morality is interesting. They're paid assasins; our 'good-guys' aren't lily white, I found it an interesting mix. Nadia who has boundaries but doesn't deny her core, Evelyn and her manipulations, tactiturn Jack, then 'vigilanty' Quinn with his high morals - not always looking for pay and not seeing the danger of that.
There's several povs here, brief glimpses of victims that are enough to make them more than mere numbers. At least one of those really caught me! Plotwise I think I was more taken with the characters, watching them adapt and what was revealed about them - never felt much suspense (except for that pov!) they discover the killers identity fairly early and from there it's just watching how it plays out.
I could have done with less rhetorical questions, a big part of that is as Jack's style of talking though. No pronouns. Short sentences. Sometimes you want to shake the words free - but check he's unarmed first! While his emotions are made clear to the reader it's no surprise that Nadia can't see it. Quinn is so much more open, a puppy/overgrown-child. Hopefully a case of everthing in it's time! Reading this for romance you may be disappointed, there's plenty of character play but most is subtle.
This is a re-read (having discovered the third/final book has been released) and I'd forgotten how much I enjoyed it.
September 25, 2014
3.5 TO 4 STARS
Kelley Armstrong is a fantastic writer. I've loved everything I've read by her and even though this is different from her usual, I still really liked it. Nadia Strafford is a hitwoman, used to be a cop until a serious decision resulted in career-ending consequences. She also owns a lodge in Northern Ontario where she dreams of one day retiring to, but a serial killer is hunting innocent individuals and it all seems for fun. Along with her mentor Jack, and his associate, Evelyn, the three team up and hunt down the so-called Helter Skelter killer.
As with KA's Women of The Underworld series, her writing is sharp, the plot tight and the premise very intriguing. This is by no means an action-packed RS, it's barely even romantic, but the writing makes up for the lack of that. The detail and precision in making the reader believe that these characters are truly Hitmen/women is astounding. There is no detail left unexplained, no sub-plot left unturned, just excellent plot and storytelling. This is a slower read, things build very carefully and by the time I'd reached 60%, I couldn't put this down.
Nadia is a wonderful character, she was brave and despite her career of choice, I admired her. She also has a dark past she's still sifting through but we are told what happened and see how's it's affecting her. Jack was very mysterious but his expertise was incredible. Together, these two were like lock and key, they just got each other. So where's the romance? Not here. Not really. Nadia wonders about him but never gets any hint of interest but I think it's there for her. Jack was very quiet, gruff and spoke in almost snap sentences. But his feelings for Nadia? I thought it was pretty obvious as a third party.
This wrapped up very nicely but this is book 1 in the series and I'm excited to see where everything goes, especially with Nadia and Jack.
Kelley Armstrong is a fantastic writer. I've loved everything I've read by her and even though this is different from her usual, I still really liked it. Nadia Strafford is a hitwoman, used to be a cop until a serious decision resulted in career-ending consequences. She also owns a lodge in Northern Ontario where she dreams of one day retiring to, but a serial killer is hunting innocent individuals and it all seems for fun. Along with her mentor Jack, and his associate, Evelyn, the three team up and hunt down the so-called Helter Skelter killer.
As with KA's Women of The Underworld series, her writing is sharp, the plot tight and the premise very intriguing. This is by no means an action-packed RS, it's barely even romantic, but the writing makes up for the lack of that. The detail and precision in making the reader believe that these characters are truly Hitmen/women is astounding. There is no detail left unexplained, no sub-plot left unturned, just excellent plot and storytelling. This is a slower read, things build very carefully and by the time I'd reached 60%, I couldn't put this down.
Nadia is a wonderful character, she was brave and despite her career of choice, I admired her. She also has a dark past she's still sifting through but we are told what happened and see how's it's affecting her. Jack was very mysterious but his expertise was incredible. Together, these two were like lock and key, they just got each other. So where's the romance? Not here. Not really. Nadia wonders about him but never gets any hint of interest but I think it's there for her. Jack was very quiet, gruff and spoke in almost snap sentences. But his feelings for Nadia? I thought it was pretty obvious as a third party.
This wrapped up very nicely but this is book 1 in the series and I'm excited to see where everything goes, especially with Nadia and Jack.
February 19, 2016
2.5 Stars
This story felt very unlike KA: the characters come out as undeveloped sketches ( instead of mysterious), and the pace was SLOW as f***. -_-
This has to be the most tedious thriller I have ever read... next to The Other Daughter.
I lost count to the number of times in which I simply lost track of what I had read, simply because everything was so Boring.
And slow. And uneventful.
Also I hate when characters are supposed to come out as badasses, and when push comes to shove they fail miserably.
What is it with books with female assassins these days?
Sure, Nadia isn't a Calaena (Nadia actually, you know, kills her targets), but even so things were a little complicated. ( I already mentioned how this story took way longer that it should have, right?)
It wasn't as if this needed more pages. What it needed was a severe trimming.
Then there's the guys...
One has the personality of a tree stump ( I am guessing Nadia will end up with him?) and the other is the human version of a ... Labrador retriever.
With green eyes. -_-
Will I be reading the next volume?
Ahhh... I don't know. A small part of me keeps insisting that this is KA's work we're talking, and that maybe in the second one things will pick up.
If I do, I'll probably wait a few weeks just so I can forget how bored I was with most of the story.
This story felt very unlike KA: the characters come out as undeveloped sketches ( instead of mysterious), and the pace was SLOW as f***. -_-
This has to be the most tedious thriller I have ever read... next to The Other Daughter.
I lost count to the number of times in which I simply lost track of what I had read, simply because everything was so Boring.
And slow. And uneventful.
Also I hate when characters are supposed to come out as badasses, and when push comes to shove they fail miserably.
What is it with books with female assassins these days?
Sure, Nadia isn't a Calaena (Nadia actually, you know, kills her targets), but even so things were a little complicated. ( I already mentioned how this story took way longer that it should have, right?)
It wasn't as if this needed more pages. What it needed was a severe trimming.
Then there's the guys...
One has the personality of a tree stump ( I am guessing Nadia will end up with him?) and the other is the human version of a ... Labrador retriever.
With green eyes. -_-
Will I be reading the next volume?
Ahhh... I don't know. A small part of me keeps insisting that this is KA's work we're talking, and that maybe in the second one things will pick up.
If I do, I'll probably wait a few weeks just so I can forget how bored I was with most of the story.
March 30, 2011
You know the situation, when you expect so much from the book and it just left you disappointed?
With “Exit strategy” situation was reversed. I picked it up not expecting anything higher than middle-class book, but I find myself really enjoying it.
The summary of it is that an ex-cop now works as a hitwoman and unites with other hitmen for killing another hitman who became a serial killer. I think it is a cool story! It was full with action, strategy planning, police procedures and insight in hitman profession. I even picked up a couple of useful things, if I ever going to commit a perfect murder:))))
In the beginning story went a little slow, but then it picked up speed and I find myself unable to put it down.
I liked Nadia, her professionalism, her intelligence, her ability to still differentiate good from bad in her job.
And I loved Jack. I find his manner of talking in monosymbolic sentences entertaining and cute. And his relationship with Nadia was interesting. I couldn’t figure out the nature of it though. Sometimes he treated her strictly like colleague, sometimes like teacher, sometimes like father. Sometimes I could totally feel a chemistry and romantic interest there. But I have a problem with his age. In my young 21 it is almost impossible to see a man, who crossed half a century mark, as a possible love interest. I get that Nadia is 32, but it is still a big age difference. And no matter how good a man look in his 50, all I can see is a grandpa. But if you put away the age than I am totally for “team Jack”!
I am waiting forward to reading the next book and see how thing will develop from there.
With “Exit strategy” situation was reversed. I picked it up not expecting anything higher than middle-class book, but I find myself really enjoying it.
The summary of it is that an ex-cop now works as a hitwoman and unites with other hitmen for killing another hitman who became a serial killer. I think it is a cool story! It was full with action, strategy planning, police procedures and insight in hitman profession. I even picked up a couple of useful things, if I ever going to commit a perfect murder:))))
In the beginning story went a little slow, but then it picked up speed and I find myself unable to put it down.
I liked Nadia, her professionalism, her intelligence, her ability to still differentiate good from bad in her job.
And I loved Jack. I find his manner of talking in monosymbolic sentences entertaining and cute. And his relationship with Nadia was interesting. I couldn’t figure out the nature of it though. Sometimes he treated her strictly like colleague, sometimes like teacher, sometimes like father. Sometimes I could totally feel a chemistry and romantic interest there. But I have a problem with his age. In my young 21 it is almost impossible to see a man, who crossed half a century mark, as a possible love interest. I get that Nadia is 32, but it is still a big age difference. And no matter how good a man look in his 50, all I can see is a grandpa. But if you put away the age than I am totally for “team Jack”!
I am waiting forward to reading the next book and see how thing will develop from there.
February 4, 2014
What a fun read and unexpected female protagonist! Regulars at Nadia's nature lodge don't ask what she does in the off-season. And that's a good thing. If she told them, she'd have to kill them. She's a hit woman for a Mafia family.Yes, a disgraced cop turned lodge owner turned gun for hire. But Nadia is very picky about her targets - they all must be Mafia thugs. She is very cautious when she is on the job as we see in the first couple of chapters.
And then, something that can place her and everything she's worked hard for happens. A serial killer is on the loose in the United States, and shows skills that only a professional could have. And law enforcement indeed think a hit man has turned into the infamous and elusive Helter Skelter Killer. Her mentor -"Jack" - has a few other hit men ready to go after him saying that it's bad for business if the HSK is one of them, because every local and federal law enforcement agency will round up known professionals and could compromise the identities of those in the business. Meaning that he and Nadia could be in danger. She agrees and decides to help "Jack" and his merry men (that includes a woman that looks like a sweet ol' granny.)
Nadia becomes suspicious of the older woman, regardless of the fact that Jack was her student. Felix and Quinn are wonderful characters - one is an employed cop who takes a romantic interest in Nadia. The band of assassins seem to be always one step behind HSK. Could there be a traitor in their little band of killers? And if there is, who will survive.
I really loved the book, though it could've been shorten by about 50 pages from its 480. The writing is spot on. The action is quick. The dialogue is smart. The writing is good. The suspense level builds and builds - I couldn't wait to pick it back up. I must read the other two books in the Nadia Stafford Trilogy!
And then, something that can place her and everything she's worked hard for happens. A serial killer is on the loose in the United States, and shows skills that only a professional could have. And law enforcement indeed think a hit man has turned into the infamous and elusive Helter Skelter Killer. Her mentor -"Jack" - has a few other hit men ready to go after him saying that it's bad for business if the HSK is one of them, because every local and federal law enforcement agency will round up known professionals and could compromise the identities of those in the business. Meaning that he and Nadia could be in danger. She agrees and decides to help "Jack" and his merry men (that includes a woman that looks like a sweet ol' granny.)
Nadia becomes suspicious of the older woman, regardless of the fact that Jack was her student. Felix and Quinn are wonderful characters - one is an employed cop who takes a romantic interest in Nadia. The band of assassins seem to be always one step behind HSK. Could there be a traitor in their little band of killers? And if there is, who will survive.
I really loved the book, though it could've been shorten by about 50 pages from its 480. The writing is spot on. The action is quick. The dialogue is smart. The writing is good. The suspense level builds and builds - I couldn't wait to pick it back up. I must read the other two books in the Nadia Stafford Trilogy!
June 23, 2024
It has been more than ten years since I first read this series, and I have been wanting to come back. However, I was afraid it may not hold up to my memory.
Re-reading this one so many years later, I had forgotten many of the details, but there were things that stood out to me this time that I didn't remember as much now that I am a lot older.
I liked different parts of this book better, such as the research and the process. I also enjoyed the Son of Manson angle more than I remember.
Overall, this one stood up to the test of time re-read.
4.5 Stars rounded up! I'm ready for more Nadia. Only to be sad that there isn't more Nadia yet.
Kelley Armstrong, PLEASE revisit Nadia!!!!
Re-reading this one so many years later, I had forgotten many of the details, but there were things that stood out to me this time that I didn't remember as much now that I am a lot older.
I liked different parts of this book better, such as the research and the process. I also enjoyed the Son of Manson angle more than I remember.
Overall, this one stood up to the test of time re-read.
4.5 Stars rounded up! I'm ready for more Nadia. Only to be sad that there isn't more Nadia yet.
Kelley Armstrong, PLEASE revisit Nadia!!!!
September 23, 2019
Nadia Stafford owns a lodge in the Canadian Wilderness, catering to hunters and outdoorsmen. When she's not working at the lodge, Nadia is a professional hitman, working for the mob to take out members that stray. Nadia is approached by her mentor Jack. There is a ruthless serial killer known as the Helter Skelter Killer (HSK). He has left bodies littering the countryside. Jack believes HSK may be a retired hitman. He wants to put together a group to take out HSK before he brings the heat of the law enforcement community on all of them. Nadia agrees to work with an unusual group of pros to bring down HSK.
If you've read Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series, this is nothing like it. This book is about a woman with a dark past who makes ends meet by working is a professional hitman. Now she is joining with others of her profession to seek out and kill a serial killer. It won't be easy since this guy was a former hitman.
I found this book to be very intriguing. Nadia must be always aware of her environment, know the quickest way out of a building, know how to blend into a crowd without being seen. I loved the suspense aspect of this book; but I loved the relationships even more. These characters keep to themselves and are not big talkers. They rarely let anybody into their own space. I thought the chemistry between Nadia and Jack was palpable. I kept waiting for something between them, but knew he would not make a move while they were on the job. I look forward to the next book in this series. My rating: 4 Stars.
If you've read Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series, this is nothing like it. This book is about a woman with a dark past who makes ends meet by working is a professional hitman. Now she is joining with others of her profession to seek out and kill a serial killer. It won't be easy since this guy was a former hitman.
I found this book to be very intriguing. Nadia must be always aware of her environment, know the quickest way out of a building, know how to blend into a crowd without being seen. I loved the suspense aspect of this book; but I loved the relationships even more. These characters keep to themselves and are not big talkers. They rarely let anybody into their own space. I thought the chemistry between Nadia and Jack was palpable. I kept waiting for something between them, but knew he would not make a move while they were on the job. I look forward to the next book in this series. My rating: 4 Stars.
April 2, 2015
I quit at about the 90% mark. The emotional constipation of Jack and Nadia was hard to take (however charming it started) but I started to lose charity when so many "chance" events started breaking the same way—to prolong the story. I try to be generous about chance in fiction novels. Life is a gamble, after all, so it makes sense if random plays a role in a novel. After a bit, though, I began to suspect that random wasn't really in play. I can generally give the bad guy a good break and the good guys a bad break. But after that, I expect some balance. By the time I just couldn't take it any more. At that point, they had the guy. They knew who it was, they had him at the right place and time. All that was left was for them to take the stupid shot. And I noticed nearly two hours remaining runtime. And I just lost all interest in watching the rest play out.
Thriller isn't my thing anyway. Thriller with a dash of "can't catch a break" is just not fun.
Thriller isn't my thing anyway. Thriller with a dash of "can't catch a break" is just not fun.
January 11, 2020
So happy that I picked up this series by one of my favourite writers! I am thoroughly immersed and captivated by the characters and love the action packed pace of this book. Can’t go wrong with this one!
August 13, 2019
This is such a good thriller from one of my favourite urban fantasy writers. Thoroughly entertaining from start to finish. Looking forward to reading book 2, don't know why I never got round to continuing the series first time I read this!
May 17, 2025
Kelley Armstrong is going to be attending a conference this summer that I am registered for and it is my practice to read something by the featured guests before the event. I have previously read two books from Armstrong's urban fantasy Otherworld series and, despite being a UF enthusiast, they didn't inspire me. Since then, the author has branched out into other genres and I decided to give this series a try. I'm glad I did, as I quite prefer it.
Contract killers seem to be having a moment. I guess they are exotic and intriguing to us ‘normal’ folk and their inner lives are fun to speculate about. Most of us will never meet such a person, so a novel chock full of them, like this one, multiplies the allure. Maybe it's like the current fascination with true crime—our society trying to figure out its dark side.
At any rate, I rather liked Nadia, the former police officer, who now owns a vacation lodge in the Ontario wilderness and takes hit jobs to pad her budget. Kind of like the farmer who has a job in town so he can keep on farming. Her mentor, Jack, is more enigmatic, taciturn to the point of ridiculousness. It becomes obvious that he would like to be more meaningful in Nadia's life, but has no idea how to accomplish that. He can easily plan someone's death, but can't plan how to advance a relationship. Armstrong introduces the rogue FBI agent Quinn in part to inspire Jack to quit dillydallying. Quinn has no problem relating to Nadia and she is attracted to him in return. Although I'm not usually into love triangles, I find this one interesting and I found myself placing a hold on book two immediately after finishing this one.
I guess I have found a way into Armstrong’s work. I'll be interested to hear her speak in August.
Contract killers seem to be having a moment. I guess they are exotic and intriguing to us ‘normal’ folk and their inner lives are fun to speculate about. Most of us will never meet such a person, so a novel chock full of them, like this one, multiplies the allure. Maybe it's like the current fascination with true crime—our society trying to figure out its dark side.
At any rate, I rather liked Nadia, the former police officer, who now owns a vacation lodge in the Ontario wilderness and takes hit jobs to pad her budget. Kind of like the farmer who has a job in town so he can keep on farming. Her mentor, Jack, is more enigmatic, taciturn to the point of ridiculousness. It becomes obvious that he would like to be more meaningful in Nadia's life, but has no idea how to accomplish that. He can easily plan someone's death, but can't plan how to advance a relationship. Armstrong introduces the rogue FBI agent Quinn in part to inspire Jack to quit dillydallying. Quinn has no problem relating to Nadia and she is attracted to him in return. Although I'm not usually into love triangles, I find this one interesting and I found myself placing a hold on book two immediately after finishing this one.
I guess I have found a way into Armstrong’s work. I'll be interested to hear her speak in August.
August 1, 2016
3.5
ANTES que nada, una advertencia, Exit Strategy contiene spoilers importantes de The A.B.C. Murders, así que recomendaría no leerlo en caso de tener planeado empezar la novela de Agatha Christie algún dia. Son nada más un par de menciones sobre su resolución, PERO ese preciso par de menciones bastan para arruinar su lectura.
Moving on...
Muy entretenido, un poco parecido a la serie Alias, la cual, si no me equivoco, estaba al aire en la época en que se publicó este libro. No me sorprendería que Armstong se haya inspirado un poco en las misiones de Sydney para escribir las aventuras de Nadia Stafford, asesina a sueldo.
Las novelas de Kelley Armstrong (al menos en las series que he llegado a leer hasta el momento) siempre tienen dos 'seguros': una protagonista independiente, sensible y un poquitín (o muy, a veces) 'políticamente incorrecta' (ejemplo obvio, Elena Michaels en Bitten) que se ve envuelta en una trama de suspenso/misterio con varias escenas de acción al estilo Joss Whedon (traducción: peleas con diálogos que ellos llaman banter o califican como witty, pero, para mi gusto, cansa por lo cliché.) Escenas por momentos abruptas (que terminan con diálogos que quedan colgados, frases terminantes que, en capítulos siguientes tardan en retomarse o quedan olvidados), como escritas a las apuradas o sin un desarrollo necesario para ambientar correctamente el conflicto.
Así y todo, una novela para entretenerse un rato, sin romance pero con mucha tensión sexual y conflictos que se llevan con ritmo de una serie semanal a lo (como ya mencioné previamente) ALIAS o a lo Whedon de principios de la década pasada.
P.S.
Me olvidaba: también, mucho Charles Manson y muchísimas menciones a Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders, lo que ayuda con el creepy factor de la historia.
3.5
ANTES que nada, una advertencia, Exit Strategy contiene spoilers importantes de The A.B.C. Murders, así que recomendaría no leerlo en caso de tener planeado empezar la novela de Agatha Christie algún dia. Son nada más un par de menciones sobre su resolución, PERO ese preciso par de menciones bastan para arruinar su lectura.
Moving on...
Muy entretenido, un poco parecido a la serie Alias, la cual, si no me equivoco, estaba al aire en la época en que se publicó este libro. No me sorprendería que Armstong se haya inspirado un poco en las misiones de Sydney para escribir las aventuras de Nadia Stafford, asesina a sueldo.
Las novelas de Kelley Armstrong (al menos en las series que he llegado a leer hasta el momento) siempre tienen dos 'seguros': una protagonista independiente, sensible y un poquitín (o muy, a veces) 'políticamente incorrecta' (ejemplo obvio, Elena Michaels en Bitten) que se ve envuelta en una trama de suspenso/misterio con varias escenas de acción al estilo Joss Whedon (traducción: peleas con diálogos que ellos llaman banter o califican como witty, pero, para mi gusto, cansa por lo cliché.) Escenas por momentos abruptas (que terminan con diálogos que quedan colgados, frases terminantes que, en capítulos siguientes tardan en retomarse o quedan olvidados), como escritas a las apuradas o sin un desarrollo necesario para ambientar correctamente el conflicto.
Así y todo, una novela para entretenerse un rato, sin romance pero con mucha tensión sexual y conflictos que se llevan con ritmo de una serie semanal a lo (como ya mencioné previamente) ALIAS o a lo Whedon de principios de la década pasada.
P.S.
Me olvidaba: también, mucho Charles Manson y muchísimas menciones a Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders, lo que ayuda con el creepy factor de la historia.
3.5
January 4, 2021
4.5 stars
I loved the idea of professional killers investigating one of their own when he turns into a serial killer, causing trouble for them all. And I loved the moral ambiguity. I have a soft spot for characters with gray (sometimes very very dark gray) morals. All of the characters are so much fun to hang out with: Nadia, former cop turned hitwoman, is a great main character to follow; Jack, who is still pretty much a complete mystery in this first book, is intriguing; and the secondary characters are also lots of fun, especially Evelyn. And I liked how Nadia never knows who she can trust and how she deals with that in her interactions with the others.
All of the disguises, the moral ambiguity, the not knowing if you can trust the people you're working with, the secret identity that nobody suspects behind Nadia's average person normal life... all of that reminded me a little of The Americans (which I recently watched), even if here we have professional killers in a modern setting instead of Russian spies during Cold War times.
There were a few things I didn't completely love (hence only 4.5 stars). Some of the transitions between scenes were a little abrupt, meaning I head to go back and check again that, yes, we've moved to a different time/place and I missed it initially. And some aspects of the mystery I didn't completely buy, like the part about the killer's signature (he kills entirely different victims with entirely different methods, but always leaves a page from a specific book with the body - not a spoiler, this is one of the first things we learn). I think that is a detail the police would've held back, but here it's all over the press. And given how everything else is always different with each killing, I would think with that information being public you'd get a lot of copycats or other murders disguised as one of his.
But I love love LOVE the characters, so these little details/questions didn't really take away from my enjoyment of the book. I also enjoyed the budding romantic developments, which are really only hinted at in the first book (but since this was a reread, I know what's to come and I'm so looking forward to it).
I loved the idea of professional killers investigating one of their own when he turns into a serial killer, causing trouble for them all. And I loved the moral ambiguity. I have a soft spot for characters with gray (sometimes very very dark gray) morals. All of the characters are so much fun to hang out with: Nadia, former cop turned hitwoman, is a great main character to follow; Jack, who is still pretty much a complete mystery in this first book, is intriguing; and the secondary characters are also lots of fun, especially Evelyn. And I liked how Nadia never knows who she can trust and how she deals with that in her interactions with the others.
All of the disguises, the moral ambiguity, the not knowing if you can trust the people you're working with, the secret identity that nobody suspects behind Nadia's average person normal life... all of that reminded me a little of The Americans (which I recently watched), even if here we have professional killers in a modern setting instead of Russian spies during Cold War times.
There were a few things I didn't completely love (hence only 4.5 stars). Some of the transitions between scenes were a little abrupt, meaning I head to go back and check again that, yes, we've moved to a different time/place and I missed it initially. And some aspects of the mystery I didn't completely buy, like the part about the killer's signature (he kills entirely different victims with entirely different methods, but always leaves a page from a specific book with the body - not a spoiler, this is one of the first things we learn). I think that is a detail the police would've held back, but here it's all over the press. And given how everything else is always different with each killing, I would think with that information being public you'd get a lot of copycats or other murders disguised as one of his.
But I love love LOVE the characters, so these little details/questions didn't really take away from my enjoyment of the book. I also enjoyed the budding romantic developments, which are really only hinted at in the first book (but since this was a reread, I know what's to come and I'm so looking forward to it).
August 23, 2008
I liked this book because of the smart heroine. Nadia Stafford has to be, she's a hitman. People just don't last long in that business without brains. Either you get caught or you get killed. Nadia, or "Dee" (as she is called by other assassins who don't know her real name), was once a cop, born into a family of cops. After a traumatic childhood event, all it took for Nadia to take things into her own hands was one criminal scumbag who had hurt a young girl. Clearly she has issues brimming under the surface, but it may be her passion that makes her a good hitman. In Exit Strategy, she agrees to join a team of other hitmen who are going after one of their own. A professional killer has turned into a serial killer, and it has caused a shakedown from the law against the whole profession. This is NOT a paranormal, even though Kelley Armstrong is well known for her paranormal series, the Women of the Otherworld. Being a hitman was REALLY interesting to read about, especially things like trying to retire or having a family. No one trusts anyone, everyone has a hidden real identity, everyone's motives are suspect.. most people never retire: they die. And almost everyone in this book is the strong silent type. It's interesting how subtle the communication is between assassins. Facial expressions and head movements mean more than words. Actions speak loudest. I found the writing which moves between Nadia and the killer and his victims, very powerful. There is also there is a very subtle hint of a romance (I am thinking love triangle) in this book. It is barely even there, it's all in the silent communication. That's my take. I really want to know what happens in book 2. An interesting thriller.
More at my book blog - http://janicu.livejournal.com/29024.html
More at my book blog - http://janicu.livejournal.com/29024.html
August 29, 2017
Audiobook Re-Read August 2017
Re-read June 2016
This was such a lovely re-read. I guess I am in a bit of a book slump, but this hit the spot.
Original Review
Ahhh, finally plunging into my last Kelley Armstrong series (well, not counting unpublished books!). This is set in the real world and just that was enough to make it feel like a very different kind of book for Armstrong. (Or maybe that was just me being overly conscious of that.)
(Hey, my boss just called me a winner. Writing reviews, working, I CAN DO IT ALL.)
This also has me thinking a lot about first books in a series and, specifically, Armstrong's in progress Cainville series, where Jess, Beth and I all didn't REALLY fall for the series until the second book. I think I liked this a little less than the first Cainsville book (Omens), but it gave me a similar feeling of, okay, these are great characters and you're going to REALLY love them in the next book. But I'm not all the way there yet. (This was a more complete story than Omens, though.)
(Also, unlike Cainsville, I can read the rest of the series RIGHT NOW. YESSSS.)
Re-read June 2016
This was such a lovely re-read. I guess I am in a bit of a book slump, but this hit the spot.
Original Review
Ahhh, finally plunging into my last Kelley Armstrong series (well, not counting unpublished books!). This is set in the real world and just that was enough to make it feel like a very different kind of book for Armstrong. (Or maybe that was just me being overly conscious of that.)
(Hey, my boss just called me a winner. Writing reviews, working, I CAN DO IT ALL.)
This also has me thinking a lot about first books in a series and, specifically, Armstrong's in progress Cainville series, where Jess, Beth and I all didn't REALLY fall for the series until the second book. I think I liked this a little less than the first Cainsville book (Omens), but it gave me a similar feeling of, okay, these are great characters and you're going to REALLY love them in the next book. But I'm not all the way there yet. (This was a more complete story than Omens, though.)
(Also, unlike Cainsville, I can read the rest of the series RIGHT NOW. YESSSS.)
June 28, 2022
So good! Kelley Armstrong is one of those authors I love and usually grab everything they publish without even reading the blurb. I’m not sure if this will make sense to other readers, but I get this quiet feeling of comfort when reading an author that I really enjoy. But, because of this, I tend to purposely scatter reading Kelley Armstrong’s books between others, sort of like I’m saving and savouring them. So I still have quite a few of hers on my shelf that I haven’t gotten to yet, but I fully plan on reading them all. Now, as for this particular book, it can now officially join the ranks of other Kelley Armstrong books that I’ve read and deserve permanent spots on my shelf.
Nadia is a strong female lead….who ends the lives of bad people that deserve to have their lives ended. I’m sure readers are meant to question the morality of what she does, especially since she’s paid to do it, but honestly, I’m with her all the way.
Nadia is a strong female lead….who ends the lives of bad people that deserve to have their lives ended. I’m sure readers are meant to question the morality of what she does, especially since she’s paid to do it, but honestly, I’m with her all the way.
September 6, 2016
[Reread 09/05/16: Still excellent.]
This is a story of a hitwoman who is hired by a hitman to join a group of hitmen to track down and eliminate a serial killer who is also a hitman-gone-mad. Got it? Great.
Knowing what I do of Armstrong's other series (romance-heavy), I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did. Nadia is my favorite type of heroine - she's smart and tough and has her own moral code based on personal experience, rather than a naive understanding of the world. She's a former cop who comes from a family of cops with a tragic backstory that only underscores her interest in the pursuit of justice. During one of her cases, it becomes clear to Nadia that the suspect will literally get away with murder. She makes a career-ending decision to play God. Her colleagues and superiors believe her actions to be a result of PTSD and gently drum her out of the service. She attempts to another lifestyle (lodge owner! guide for extreme sports!), but it leaves her in dire financial straits. Would she do it again? Probably.
Coincidentally, a mobster's son comes to stay at her lodge with friends and her connection to the seedy underground is born. She has specifics on what kind of hits she will take, but does not have any qualms about the killing once it's been decided.
I like that about a girl.
This is a story of a hitwoman who is hired by a hitman to join a group of hitmen to track down and eliminate a serial killer who is also a hitman-gone-mad. Got it? Great.
Knowing what I do of Armstrong's other series (romance-heavy), I was not expecting to enjoy this as much as I did. Nadia is my favorite type of heroine - she's smart and tough and has her own moral code based on personal experience, rather than a naive understanding of the world. She's a former cop who comes from a family of cops with a tragic backstory that only underscores her interest in the pursuit of justice. During one of her cases, it becomes clear to Nadia that the suspect will literally get away with murder. She makes a career-ending decision to play God. Her colleagues and superiors believe her actions to be a result of PTSD and gently drum her out of the service. She attempts to another lifestyle (lodge owner! guide for extreme sports!), but it leaves her in dire financial straits. Would she do it again? Probably.
Coincidentally, a mobster's son comes to stay at her lodge with friends and her connection to the seedy underground is born. She has specifics on what kind of hits she will take, but does not have any qualms about the killing once it's been decided.
I like that about a girl.
September 4, 2012
Kelley Armstrong wrote one of my favorite books, Bitten. She’s fantastic writer and this is a sleeper series that definitely deserves more attention. I love the world of Nadia Stafford, and the interesting and meaty moral situations presented here.
While Exit Strategy is a definite deviation for her – no magic, very vague-to-no romance, it has all the Armstrong hallmarks--tight plotting, great details and well-drawn characters, right down to their speech patterns.
And it was deliciously psychological!
I loved this heroine, too. Nadia has a code of honor about the (very few) jobs she takes, and here, she's trying to find a killer. I thought this hitwoman bit made Nadia really interesting--and the world was hugely compelling, full of all kinds of cool hitwoman details.
While Exit Strategy is a definite deviation for her – no magic, very vague-to-no romance, it has all the Armstrong hallmarks--tight plotting, great details and well-drawn characters, right down to their speech patterns.
And it was deliciously psychological!
I loved this heroine, too. Nadia has a code of honor about the (very few) jobs she takes, and here, she's trying to find a killer. I thought this hitwoman bit made Nadia really interesting--and the world was hugely compelling, full of all kinds of cool hitwoman details.
August 14, 2013
I LOVE this series and can't wait for book 3. The dynamic between Nadia and Jack is so amazing! I look forward to the day one of them finally has the courage to tell the other how they feel!
March 6, 2010
I'm a HUGE fan of Armstrong's Otherworld series, and of Kelley Armstrong herself, as I find she is an amazing, top notch, extraordinary author. Her descriptive, detailed and very evocative writing style is a joy to read, the readers feel as if they were in the middle of the story, seeing everything unfold in front of their eyes as in a movie. So the question wasn't whether I would read her not paranormal novels but when I would get around to read them. I gobbled up the first in the series (Exit Strategy) in a mere 3 weekdays and started the second right away, my only complaint is that there are no more books in the series at this moment.. :-(
Why is this book such a great read? Let me tell you:
If I had to sum up Kelley Armstrong's forte in a few words I'd say this novel is a great read:
1. because Armstrong picks exciting plots
2. because of her characterization
3. because of her in-depth knowledge of the subject she's writing about
4. because of her humourous writing.
And in a bit more detail:
1. The plot is interesting, with constant twists and turns, leaving you thinking and still putting the puzzle together after the end.
2. Characterization: Kelley Armstrong's characters are 3D flesh and blood people who leap off the page. They are unique, they are complex, they have depth. I love how Armstrong gives each one of them a solid background history, the personal details of which the reader uncovers all along the story.
In the Nadia Stafford series Armstrong introduces a new set of characters, equally believable and real as the Otherworld characters.
The protagonist is Nadia, the ex-cop turned hitwoman (but of course she hasn't compromised her moral integrity, she only liquidates mob thugs), whose struggles and emotional hardships are not simply mentioned in the novel but are detailed repeatedly, outlining how much it is not easy for Nadia to live in this new (and underworld) world.
Jack is the mysterious hitman about whom we discover very little: he is older than Nadia, around 50, has been in the business for quite some time. He is Nadia's mentor/friend and there is definite Scully/Mulder tension here. If I say Jack is a man of few words, I'm understating it! He speaks in monosyllabic words, in one word sentences, dropping everything unnecessary (pronouns for example) out.
I usually don't like when an author writes in segments or uses too much sentence fractions as I feel it breaks up the pace of the story and after a while it irritates me that this kind of writing is constantly forcing me out of the story to the mere role of reader and not participant. However, this was not the case with Jack's segmented speech. It was necessary to his character portrayal, so to give us a better understanding of how he is. And he sure is one of a kind. He is very secretive and doesn't pry, prefers blending in the background and giving Nadia silent comfort by his presence. His protectiveness and thoughfulness towards Nadia suggests he is interested in her more than a simple mentor is, but he represses any such feelings and thoughts.
Quinn is the 3 participant to this triangle. An active federal agent who's moonlighting as a vigilante, taking care of justice himself. He is described as the perfect romantic candidate for Nadia and a typical all-American boy: tall, broad shouldered, handsome, kind, funny and easygoing. He is a warm, friendly presence in the book, a character you have to like.
3. Armstrong always does her homework and it shows in her novels. I was amazed at her knowledge of guns, explosives and other hitman/police related tidbits and infos.
4. Humour is like Armstrong's special trademark. Her writing is peppered with sarcastic comments and the dry wit of her characters make the reader chuckle even in the midst of a nail-biting-exciting passage.
Favourite quotes:
"You fucked up. Having a mark make you before you even get within firing distance? Unbelievable." Evely stepped forward, eyes trained on his. "But you didn't have all the facts, did you? You didn't know she was a pro."
"Pro?" Bert squinted at me. "She's a hitwoman?"
"No," Evelyn said. "You just got your ass kicked by the Avon lady."
What did I tell you, isn't Armstrong hilarious?
"Tomorrow?" he said. "You want to jog? I'll follow."
"You run?"
"Only if someone's chasing. I'll drive."
Don't be mistaken after such a lengthy presentation of the characters: this novel is not centered around any love triangle, you have to search very hard to find the romantic angle. Instead it is a fast paced, gripping suspense novel.
Plot: 9/10
Characters: 10/10
Ending: 8/10
Writing: 9/10
Cover: 10/10
Why is this book such a great read? Let me tell you:
If I had to sum up Kelley Armstrong's forte in a few words I'd say this novel is a great read:
1. because Armstrong picks exciting plots
2. because of her characterization
3. because of her in-depth knowledge of the subject she's writing about
4. because of her humourous writing.
And in a bit more detail:
1. The plot is interesting, with constant twists and turns, leaving you thinking and still putting the puzzle together after the end.
2. Characterization: Kelley Armstrong's characters are 3D flesh and blood people who leap off the page. They are unique, they are complex, they have depth. I love how Armstrong gives each one of them a solid background history, the personal details of which the reader uncovers all along the story.
In the Nadia Stafford series Armstrong introduces a new set of characters, equally believable and real as the Otherworld characters.
The protagonist is Nadia, the ex-cop turned hitwoman (but of course she hasn't compromised her moral integrity, she only liquidates mob thugs), whose struggles and emotional hardships are not simply mentioned in the novel but are detailed repeatedly, outlining how much it is not easy for Nadia to live in this new (and underworld) world.
Jack is the mysterious hitman about whom we discover very little: he is older than Nadia, around 50, has been in the business for quite some time. He is Nadia's mentor/friend and there is definite Scully/Mulder tension here. If I say Jack is a man of few words, I'm understating it! He speaks in monosyllabic words, in one word sentences, dropping everything unnecessary (pronouns for example) out.
I usually don't like when an author writes in segments or uses too much sentence fractions as I feel it breaks up the pace of the story and after a while it irritates me that this kind of writing is constantly forcing me out of the story to the mere role of reader and not participant. However, this was not the case with Jack's segmented speech. It was necessary to his character portrayal, so to give us a better understanding of how he is. And he sure is one of a kind. He is very secretive and doesn't pry, prefers blending in the background and giving Nadia silent comfort by his presence. His protectiveness and thoughfulness towards Nadia suggests he is interested in her more than a simple mentor is, but he represses any such feelings and thoughts.
Quinn is the 3 participant to this triangle. An active federal agent who's moonlighting as a vigilante, taking care of justice himself. He is described as the perfect romantic candidate for Nadia and a typical all-American boy: tall, broad shouldered, handsome, kind, funny and easygoing. He is a warm, friendly presence in the book, a character you have to like.
3. Armstrong always does her homework and it shows in her novels. I was amazed at her knowledge of guns, explosives and other hitman/police related tidbits and infos.
4. Humour is like Armstrong's special trademark. Her writing is peppered with sarcastic comments and the dry wit of her characters make the reader chuckle even in the midst of a nail-biting-exciting passage.
Favourite quotes:
"You fucked up. Having a mark make you before you even get within firing distance? Unbelievable." Evely stepped forward, eyes trained on his. "But you didn't have all the facts, did you? You didn't know she was a pro."
"Pro?" Bert squinted at me. "She's a hitwoman?"
"No," Evelyn said. "You just got your ass kicked by the Avon lady."
What did I tell you, isn't Armstrong hilarious?
"Tomorrow?" he said. "You want to jog? I'll follow."
"You run?"
"Only if someone's chasing. I'll drive."
Don't be mistaken after such a lengthy presentation of the characters: this novel is not centered around any love triangle, you have to search very hard to find the romantic angle. Instead it is a fast paced, gripping suspense novel.
Plot: 9/10
Characters: 10/10
Ending: 8/10
Writing: 9/10
Cover: 10/10
May 28, 2023
I’ll start by saying that in 2007, when this book was published, I read it at the enviable age of 14 (I’ll let you do the math) and loved it; I gave it 5 stars back then. Today, it gets a 2 stars.
Let me explain. Kelley Armstrong was my auto-buy author back then; since, I don’t know why but she’s just dropped off my radar. But I’ve loyally kept her books on my shelf regardless thinking, “oh I’ll pick that up again someday”. It was someday, and I picked it up.
Nadia Stafford is an ex-cop and now something of a private killer. She becomes interested in the Helter Skelter murders - a series of murders with a page of a novel left with each victim. What’s exciting is that many other hired hitmen crawl out from the woodwork to try to solve this case, with suspicion cast on every one of them (hard to trust someone you know is dodgy I guess!).
There are so many incredible romantic thrillers now. This one is neither romantic, thriller or mystery - so that’s a bit confusing since I think it means to be all three! It also suffers from one of the most painfully slow paces I think I’ve read in a while. The result: a bit of a snoozefest. So why the about face? I don’t know, to tell you the truth. Maybe I just didn’t have much experience back then of the genre, or maybe my own taste has changed, but current-me can’t get behind being bored for more than 25% of a novel, and this book took at least that long to pick up any speed. On top of that, the characters feel like they never fully reach a “real” place in my mind, never feeling truly like a believable person with my full attention and belief.
So sadly, this wasn’t for me this time, but I think it’s important to acknowledge my previous 5 stars nonetheless - once upon a time, this was a real winner for me, so no doubt it would be for other readers too. Maybe it has just past it’s “best before” date.
Let me explain. Kelley Armstrong was my auto-buy author back then; since, I don’t know why but she’s just dropped off my radar. But I’ve loyally kept her books on my shelf regardless thinking, “oh I’ll pick that up again someday”. It was someday, and I picked it up.
Nadia Stafford is an ex-cop and now something of a private killer. She becomes interested in the Helter Skelter murders - a series of murders with a page of a novel left with each victim. What’s exciting is that many other hired hitmen crawl out from the woodwork to try to solve this case, with suspicion cast on every one of them (hard to trust someone you know is dodgy I guess!).
There are so many incredible romantic thrillers now. This one is neither romantic, thriller or mystery - so that’s a bit confusing since I think it means to be all three! It also suffers from one of the most painfully slow paces I think I’ve read in a while. The result: a bit of a snoozefest. So why the about face? I don’t know, to tell you the truth. Maybe I just didn’t have much experience back then of the genre, or maybe my own taste has changed, but current-me can’t get behind being bored for more than 25% of a novel, and this book took at least that long to pick up any speed. On top of that, the characters feel like they never fully reach a “real” place in my mind, never feeling truly like a believable person with my full attention and belief.
So sadly, this wasn’t for me this time, but I think it’s important to acknowledge my previous 5 stars nonetheless - once upon a time, this was a real winner for me, so no doubt it would be for other readers too. Maybe it has just past it’s “best before” date.
April 6, 2010
Exit Strategy is an intriguing beginning to unique series. Nadia, a hitwoman, gets a visit from her mentor, Jack. A hitman has become a serial killer and it has the possibility of shining too much light on their profession. Nadia and Jack team up with a crew of other hitmen to find the rogue and put a stop to his killing spree.
I loved getting to know Nadia. Her life before becoming an assassin and her motivation for doing what she does is strangely endearing. What I enjoyed most about the story was seeing all of the assassins struggle with keeping their secret identities from each other while trying to work together as a team. Killing for money is generally not a team effort and I found the way the group interacted with each other extremely fascinating.
A lot of mystery, some very fun scenes and a bit of romance make this book a very enjoyable read. Kelley Armstrong takes a detour from her usual supernatural fare with Exit Strategy and proves that the mundane world can be just as enticing as the magical.
I loved getting to know Nadia. Her life before becoming an assassin and her motivation for doing what she does is strangely endearing. What I enjoyed most about the story was seeing all of the assassins struggle with keeping their secret identities from each other while trying to work together as a team. Killing for money is generally not a team effort and I found the way the group interacted with each other extremely fascinating.
A lot of mystery, some very fun scenes and a bit of romance make this book a very enjoyable read. Kelley Armstrong takes a detour from her usual supernatural fare with Exit Strategy and proves that the mundane world can be just as enticing as the magical.
December 31, 2014
Loved the idea of professional hit woman (women and one man, actually) going after a rogue killer, and this would have been rated higher if Jack's speech pattern hadn't been quite so irritating. Like nails on chalkboard irritating - not saying much doesn't mean you have to omit every single pronoun from every single (short) sentence. I also didn't quite buy Nadia's justifications for the jobs she took, as there were glaring logical errors in her defence of working for a Mob family. But mostly these irritants were easy enough to overlook and I could just watch the clever people try to outsmart each other quite happily.
January 31, 2016
Jack talk like caveman. Pronouns bad. Complete sentences bad. Drove me crazy. Bit much, even for character development. We get it, Kelley; the strong silent type. Man of few words. You don't have to club us in the head with it, however.
Mildly enjoyable read, if you can stand a main character speaking the whole time like he's an idiot. Nadia is a bit of a ding bat airhead herself. I don't know how she hasn't gotten herself killed in "the business" considering how careless she is.
I love reading books like this because it gives me hope that if crap like this can get published, then maybe some day I have a chance.
Mildly enjoyable read, if you can stand a main character speaking the whole time like he's an idiot. Nadia is a bit of a ding bat airhead herself. I don't know how she hasn't gotten herself killed in "the business" considering how careless she is.
I love reading books like this because it gives me hope that if crap like this can get published, then maybe some day I have a chance.
February 28, 2022
Notes:
Yay for libraries!
- Great narration by Richard Ferrone & Jennifer Ikeda.
- From the get go, I was hoping the story would pull together and draw me in. Sometimes, it takes more than an hour of audio to set up the story and get things rolling. Unfortunately, it didn't happen. I like the ideas for the characters and plot, but felt underwhelmed by the execution. It was hard to keep up a suspension of belief & float along with the events described.
- Aspects of trauma were done well. The variety of reasons why the characters decided to become killers were interesting. The actual hunt for the serial killer was bland.
I should go and read Rockton.
Yay for libraries!
- Great narration by Richard Ferrone & Jennifer Ikeda.
- From the get go, I was hoping the story would pull together and draw me in. Sometimes, it takes more than an hour of audio to set up the story and get things rolling. Unfortunately, it didn't happen. I like the ideas for the characters and plot, but felt underwhelmed by the execution. It was hard to keep up a suspension of belief & float along with the events described.
- Aspects of trauma were done well. The variety of reasons why the characters decided to become killers were interesting. The actual hunt for the serial killer was bland.
I should go and read Rockton.
September 22, 2019
Not sure how to rate this book; the main characters are not heroic at all.
IMHO, this was a cliffhanger end, especially since I did not realize it was the first in a series.
Now I have to decide whether I want to know how things end enough to trudge through more books with these characters....
IMHO, this was a cliffhanger end, especially since I did not realize it was the first in a series.
Now I have to decide whether I want to know how things end enough to trudge through more books with these characters....
November 4, 2016
Loved the cross-border intrigue aspect of this story, as well as the brief glimpses into the POVs of the antagonist as well as his victims. Also, the characterization is great, especially for Jack.
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