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.

I've been yearning to read this for an extremely long time, yet I never managed to get around to it. So, the question that lingers is: was it truly worth the wait? Well, um, sort of.

I've been delving into Armstrong's paranormal romances, and the overall feeling and style are remarkably different. It's more understated and progresses at a slower pace. I had to take several breaks while reading it, but in the end, I'm glad that I persevered and finished it. The books aren't bad per se, but they simply weren't what I had initially expected. Perhaps the pro killer angle is a bit of a tough pill to swallow for me, even though I'm an enthusiastic aficionado of true crime. Maybe it's difficult to envision assassins as the good guys, or perhaps the story or the motivation behind the HSK just feels a bit unbelievable.

Overall, it was an interesting read, but it didn't quite meet my high expectations. However, I'm still willing to give Armstrong's other works a try in the future.

I am an extremely huge fan of Kelley Armstrong. It was truly a remarkable surprise when I discovered her new series, which is completely different from her others, specifically paranormal romance.

The introduction of a new and kick-ass protagonist, Nadia Stafford, an ex-cop who has transformed into a hit woman/assassin of bad guys, takes us into a captivating world filled with criminals, assassins, and spies, all wrapped in suspense and mystery.

Nadia Stafford, who was dishonorably retired from a Canadian police force after shooting a suspect dead, now owns a lakeside lodge in the Canadian wilderness and works part-time as a hired assassin. I was really engaged with her character. She is strong and independent, yet has a soft side that makes her truly likeable.

Teaming up with her mentor, Jack, they are plunged into a perilous chase to find a hit-man-turned-serial killer.

The story-line is compelling and suspenseful, with complex and mysterious characters and a dark world of crime, corruption, betrayal, and even a touch of romance.

It is an interesting start to the series, leaving readers eager to discover what lies ahead in the adventures of Nadia Stafford.

99p on Amazon 1st January 2020

On the first day of January 2020, there was an amazing deal on Amazon. For just 99p, customers could get their hands on a variety of products. This was an opportunity not to be missed. Whether it was a book, a small gadget, or a household item, the 99p price tag made it extremely tempting.

People were eager to take advantage of this offer and filled their virtual shopping carts. Some were looking for bargains to start the new year on a thrifty note, while others simply couldn't resist the allure of a great deal.

The 99p items on Amazon on 1st January 2020 became a hot topic among shoppers, and many were sharing their finds with friends and family. It was a day of excitement and savings on the popular online marketplace.

So good! Kelley Armstrong is truly one of those remarkable authors that I have an intense love for. I usually don't even bother reading the blurb; I just grab everything she publishes without hesitation.

I'm not certain if this will make sense to other readers, but there's this serene and comforting feeling that washes over me whenever I read an author I truly enjoy. However, precisely because of this, I deliberately space out reading Kelley Armstrong's books among others. It's as if I'm saving and savoring them, much like precious treasures. As a result, I still have quite a number of her books sitting on my shelf, patiently waiting for me to get to them. But make no mistake, I have every intention of reading each and every one of them.

Now, coming to this particular book, it can now officially be ranked among the other outstanding Kelley Armstrong books that I've had the pleasure of reading and which rightfully deserve permanent places on my shelf.

Nadia, the strong female lead, has the power to end the lives of those bad people who truly deserve it. I'm sure readers are meant to question the morality of her actions, especially since she's paid to do it. But to be honest, I'm with her through and through.

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In addition to the captivating story, the acting in the movie was also truly great. The actors and actresses did an excellent job of bringing their characters to life, expressing a wide range of emotions convincingly. Their performances added depth and authenticity to the movie, making it even more enjoyable to watch. Overall, this movie is definitely worth seeing for those who enjoy a good story and great acting.

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I was truly excited when I heard the news that Kelley Armstrong had finally completed the last Nadia Stafford books. Although there are only three in total, it was still a cause for celebration. I promptly picked up Exit Strategy, the first book in the series, once again.

Nadia Stafford used to be a dedicated cop. All her life, her only dream was to serve and protect as a police officer. She came from a family of cops, and as a child, she lived, breathed, and dreamed of following in their footsteps. However, her life took a drastic turn when she came face to face with a man arrested for abusing a young girl. The horrors of a childhood trauma resurfaced, and in the aftermath, she lost her badge, her fiance, and her family.

Rebuilding her life was no easy feat, but Nadia managed to do it by purchasing a lodge north of Ontario. However, keeping the lodge running financially was a struggle, so she supplemented her income by working as a "hitman" (or hitwoman, to be more technically accurate).

One would assume that hitmen work alone, and for the most part, they do. But when one of their own turns into a serial murderer, things change. At the start of the book, Nadia (or "Dee") is in the process of completing a job for the crime family she works for. As she overhears news snippets about another killing by the serial murderer known as the "Helter Skelter Killer" (HSK), we get a glimpse of the murder from the victim's perspective. Nadia wants to go after the killer, but she realizes she can't... until her mentor, Jack, shows up and offers her a chance to be part of the hunt. Jack is trying to gather several hitmen together to stop the HSK because the killings are bringing too much unwanted attention to their profession.

The book is filled with nuances and secrets. Jack is a man of few words but many actions, some of which Nadia misinterprets or fails to notice. Nadia herself is conflicted on multiple levels. Evelyn, on the other hand, is the ultimate spy-mistress/assassin, pulling strings and uncovering secrets. Trust is a rare commodity among hitmen, as it can lead to complications and the revelation of truths. The book builds on this lack of communication and cooperation, yet it doesn't fall apart due to their differences. Instead, it barrels along, keeping the reader hooked as they strive to discover who these characters truly are, what motivates them, and, most importantly, who the HSK is and how they will be stopped. It is well worth the time to re-read this book, and I am eagerly looking forward to the next two installments.

I have a profound love for Kelley Armstrong. Her Women of the Otherworld and Cainsville series are truly among my most cherished guilty pleasures.

However, for some inexplicable reason, I always chose to ignore the Nadia Stafford series, as if it didn't even exist. My literary preferences do indeed lean towards the paranormal, but I also have a penchant for thrillers. So, I'm rather unsure as to why I neglected this particular series.

Once I finally decided to pick up this book and began reading, I was completely engrossed and finished it within a single day. I find Nadia to be an incredibly interesting character. The plot of the story was captivating and engaging, and I particularly liked the fact that there is very little romance in the book. This allowed Nadia the opportunity to truly come into her own as a strong, female protagonist.

It was refreshing to see a character develop and grow without the distraction of a prominent romantic storyline. Overall, I'm extremely glad that I finally gave the Nadia Stafford series a chance and look forward to reading more of Armstrong's work in the future.

2.5 STARS

Regulars at Nadia's nature lodge never inquire about what she does during the off-season. And that's truly a fortunate thing. If she were to disclose it to them, she would have no choice but to eliminate them. You see, Nadia is a hit woman for a Mafia family. She is tough and self-reliant, and she feels no obligation to provide explanations to anyone.

However, that doesn't imply that she always operates alone. One of her contacts has enlisted her in the pursuit of a brutally efficient serial killer who is spreading terror across the country. This assassin is far too proficient to be an amateur, and the precision of the killings is bringing the Feds perilously close to the hit man community, causing great discomfort.

In order to put an end to these murders, Nadia must transform herself from a predator to prey as she utilizes every trick in her arsenal to locate the killer. All before the killer manages to find her.

This novel contains just as much action as the Otherworld series. Nevertheless, I don't have a particular fondness for Nadia, which makes it challenging to cheer for her. It was an average novel, but nothing remarkable.

It has been over ten years since I first delved into this series, and all this time, I have been longing to return.

Nevertheless, I harbored a fear that it might not live up to the vivid memories I had cherished.

Re-reading this particular installment after so many years, I discovered that I had forgotten numerous details. However, this time around, certain aspects truly stood out to me, aspects that I hadn't remembered as clearly when I was younger.

I found myself having a greater appreciation for different parts of the book, such as the in-depth research and the intricate process. Additionally, the Son of Manson angle intrigued me even more than I recalled.

Overall, upon re-reading, this book has withstood the test of time admirably.

4.5 Stars, rounded up! I am eagerly anticipating more of Nadia's story. Only to be left feeling a tinge of sadness that there isn't more of Nadia available just yet.

Kelley Armstrong, I implore you to revisit Nadia!!!!

I won't rate this, because I only read a sample.

I liked the writing, and I liked Nadia. However, I didn't like the whole setting of being a hitman yet still having morals. Sorry. If you kill people for money and take jobs and money from the Mafia, you have no ground to stand on in regards to morals of any kind. It seems rather contradictory to me.

Also, there is a big plothole in the first chapter already. Nadia is so careful not to appear too interested in the murder (who is a hitman himself), and then she shares this "rumor" she just heard from her hitman mentor with a group of cops. This is a major facepalm moment. It doesn't seem logical or in character for her to do something so risky.

I really dislike the idea of Jack. I am not interested in the story, although the writing is good. I looked at the price on Amazon and made a decision to leave it be. Sometimes, looking at the price more than the time I will spend reading helps me make up my mind. I guess this book just didn't appeal to me enough to warrant the cost.

This is a stand-alone (so far) book outside Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series. I also read and enjoy it.

Nadia was once a cop. She left the force after killing a suspect. (Well, he really had it coming.) She endured a childhood trauma when she and her cousin were kidnapped, and her cousin was raped. Nadia managed to escape, but unfortunately, she couldn't save her cousin. Now, as a wilderness lodge owner in Canada, she has found a unique way to bring justice. She is a hitwoman.

Her mentor summons her for a serial killer case. The "Helter Skelter Killer" is randomly murdering victims across the country and leaving a page from Buglosi's book on the Manson Murders as his calling card. Nadia's investigation, together with Jack (her mentor) and Evelyn (a semi-retired hitwoman), concludes that the killer is a former hitman who wants to retire in a glorious blaze and perhaps cover up some old crimes along the way.

The techniques employed in hunting, stalking, attacking, evading, battling, killing, and escaping a number of bad guys are truly fascinating. However, sometimes they go on for a bit too long, and the suspense starts to weigh on me. The trust and distrust among all those involved keep the story interesting.

Ultimately, these hit-people are well aware that they must find and stop this killer. Because in the process of searching for him, the FBI is closely examining the murder-for-hire community.

I'm really hoping there will be another book about Nadia and Jack. It would be great to see what adventures they have next.