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3.5 TO 4 STARS
Kelley Armstrong is an outstanding writer. I have adored every piece of work I've read by her. Even though this particular book is different from her typical style, I still found it highly enjoyable. Nadia Strafford, once a cop, now works as a hitwoman. A fateful decision led to career-ending consequences for her. She also owns a lodge in Northern Ontario, where she dreams of retiring one day. However, a serial killer is on the loose, hunting innocent people for what seems like mere fun. Alongside her mentor Jack and his associate Evelyn, the three form a team to track down the so-called Helter Skelter killer. Just like in KA's Women of The Underworld series, her writing is incisive, the plot is tightly woven, and the premise is extremely captivating. This is by no means an action-packed romance story. In fact, it's hardly romantic at all. But the quality of the writing more than compensates for the lack of romance. The level of detail and precision in making the reader believe that these characters are genuine hitmen and women is truly astonishing. Every detail is explained, no sub-plot is left unresolved, resulting in an excellent plot and engaging storytelling. This is a slower-paced read, with the story building up carefully. By the time I reached 60% of the book, I was completely hooked and couldn't put it down. Nadia is a remarkable character. She is brave, and despite her chosen profession, I found myself admiring her. She has a dark past that she is still coming to terms with, and we are given insights into what happened and how it is affecting her. Jack, on the other hand, is very mysterious, but his expertise is incredible. Together, these two characters are like a perfect lock and key, they just understand each other. So, where is the romance? Well, it's not really here. Nadia wonders about Jack but never gets any indication of his interest. However, as a third party, I thought it was quite obvious that he has feelings for her. Jack is very quiet, gruff, and speaks in almost clipped sentences. But his emotions towards Nadia? I believe they are there, just beneath the surface. This book wrapped up very nicely, but it's only the first in the series. I'm excited to see where the story goes from here, especially when it comes to Nadia and Jack.
Kelley Armstrong is an outstanding writer. I have adored every piece of work I've read by her. Even though this particular book is different from her typical style, I still found it highly enjoyable. Nadia Strafford, once a cop, now works as a hitwoman. A fateful decision led to career-ending consequences for her. She also owns a lodge in Northern Ontario, where she dreams of retiring one day. However, a serial killer is on the loose, hunting innocent people for what seems like mere fun. Alongside her mentor Jack and his associate Evelyn, the three form a team to track down the so-called Helter Skelter killer. Just like in KA's Women of The Underworld series, her writing is incisive, the plot is tightly woven, and the premise is extremely captivating. This is by no means an action-packed romance story. In fact, it's hardly romantic at all. But the quality of the writing more than compensates for the lack of romance. The level of detail and precision in making the reader believe that these characters are genuine hitmen and women is truly astonishing. Every detail is explained, no sub-plot is left unresolved, resulting in an excellent plot and engaging storytelling. This is a slower-paced read, with the story building up carefully. By the time I reached 60% of the book, I was completely hooked and couldn't put it down. Nadia is a remarkable character. She is brave, and despite her chosen profession, I found myself admiring her. She has a dark past that she is still coming to terms with, and we are given insights into what happened and how it is affecting her. Jack, on the other hand, is very mysterious, but his expertise is incredible. Together, these two characters are like a perfect lock and key, they just understand each other. So, where is the romance? Well, it's not really here. Nadia wonders about Jack but never gets any indication of his interest. However, as a third party, I thought it was quite obvious that he has feelings for her. Jack is very quiet, gruff, and speaks in almost clipped sentences. But his emotions towards Nadia? I believe they are there, just beneath the surface. This book wrapped up very nicely, but it's only the first in the series. I'm excited to see where the story goes from here, especially when it comes to Nadia and Jack.
