Ms. Armstrong is not a bad writer.

The three books that I've read by her were mostly interesting. They had likeable protagonists and unique plotlines.

However, they were all much too long. Even the most fascinating book can become boring when it is stretched out with a superfluous 100 or so pages.

This particular book took me months to read. I would keep putting it down for weeks at a time and then finally have to force myself to finish it.

It will definitely be the last one I'll be reading by this author.

Life is simply too short, and her books are too long for the genre. There are so many other great books out there that I could be spending my time on instead of struggling through her overly long works.

I hope that in the future, Ms. Armstrong will consider shortening her books or at least making the pacing more engaging to keep readers interested from start to finish.

This is such an outstanding thriller penned by one of my all-time favourite urban fantasy writers.

From the very beginning to the very end, it is thoroughly entertaining. The story unfolds in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat, constantly guessing and eager to know what will happen next.

I am now eagerly looking forward to reading book 2. It's quite strange that I never got around to continuing the series when I first read this installment.

Perhaps it was due to other commitments or distractions at that time. But now, having rediscovered this amazing series, I can't wait to see where the story will take me in the next book.

I'm sure it will be just as thrilling and captivating as the first one.

Nadia is a paid killer, and this is the central theme of the book.

She was once a cop, but after "retiring" from the force, she needed money to finance her hunting lodge. Interestingly, she doesn't allow hunting in the lodge as it conflicts with her moral code. Seriously. We are introduced to Nadia as she is tracking her target, a mafioso.

Then we discover that there is a serial killer on the loose, and the FBI suspects it might be a professional killer who has gone a bit crazy. Nadia becomes worried when the FBI thinks her hit on the mafioso could be another act of the serial killer.

Then her friend "Jack", whose real name we're not sure of, shows up asking for her help in tracking down this killer. Why? He is attracting too much attention to the professionals, and they are afraid the cops will eventually come knocking on their door and throw them in jail. So Nadia teams up with Jack and a few others to try to hunt down this killer.

I had a great time reading this book. Although some parts seemed a bit slow for me, perhaps due to an excessive amount of description, the story was still captivating enough to keep me engaged. I really like the interaction between Nadia and Jack, and the potential that exists between them.

This is a different genre from what Armstrong usually does (her Women of the Otherworld series), but she did an excellent job. I hope she continues this series as I'm eager to find out what happens next.

You know the situation, when you have such high expectations from a book and it just leaves you completely disappointed?

Well, with “Exit Strategy,” the situation was reversed. I picked it up not expecting anything more than a middle-of-the-road book, but to my surprise, I found myself really enjoying it.

The summary of the story is that an ex-cop now works as a hitwoman and teams up with other hitmen to kill another hitman who has become a serial killer. I think it's a really cool story! It was filled with action, strategy planning, police procedures, and an interesting insight into the hitman profession. I even picked up a couple of useful things, if I were ever going to commit a perfect murder (just kidding, of course!).

In the beginning, the story went a little slow, but then it really picked up speed and I found myself unable to put it down.

I liked Nadia. Her professionalism, intelligence, and ability to still differentiate good from bad in her job were really impressive.

And I loved Jack. I found his manner of talking in monosyllabic sentences both entertaining and cute. His relationship with Nadia was also very interesting. I couldn't quite figure out the nature of it, though. Sometimes he treated her strictly like a colleague, sometimes like a teacher, and sometimes like a father. There were also times when I could totally feel the chemistry and romantic interest between them. However, I have a bit of a problem with his age. At my young age of 21, it's almost impossible for me to see a man who has crossed the half-century mark as a possible love interest. I understand that Nadia is 32, but there's still a big age difference. And no matter how good a man looks in his 50s, all I can see is a grandpa. But if you put aside the age factor, then I'm totally on “Team Jack”!

I'm really looking forward to reading the next book and seeing how things will develop from there.

This is the second book by this author that I have read.

I must admit that I think I have a preference for the other series which features Casey Duncan.

The storylines in that series seemed to grip me more tightly and keep me on the edge of my seat.

However, that doesn't mean this book is bad.

In fact, I will probably read the next book in this series.

The main reason for this is that I am really curious to see how the relationship between Nadia and Jack develops.

Their connection has been an interesting aspect of the story so far, and I can't wait to find out what lies ahead for them.

Overall, I would rate this book 3.50 stars.

It has its strengths and weaknesses, but it has enough to keep me interested and coming back for more.

In Kelley Armstrong's "Exit Strategy", which is the first installment in the Nadia Stafford paranormal romantic suspense/mystery series, Armstrong took a bold step out of her paranormal romances and truly thrilled us with this chilling novel.

Nadia Stafford, a former cop who has now become a hit woman, owns her own hunting/nature lodge. One day, when a former recruit reaches out to her for her services, she finds herself intrigued and drawn into the search for a serial killer. This killer targets people through vigilante justice, which makes the case even more complex and dangerous.

Now, it is up to Nadia to team up with Jack and Evelyn and go above and beyond in their search for clues in the hunt for the Helter Shelter Killer. As they get closer and closer to the killer, Nadia realizes that she must put herself directly in the line of fire. She has to face the danger head-on if she wants to catch this elusive and dangerous criminal.

With her skills and determination, Nadia is ready to take on this challenge and bring the Helter Shelter Killer to justice. But will she be able to succeed without sacrificing her own life or the lives of those she cares about? Only time will tell in this thrilling and suspenseful novel.

Former cop Nadia Stafford leads a dual life. She runs a guest lodge in Canada, but during the off-season, she supplements her income by working as a hitman for a Mafia family.

One day, she receives a call from her mentor, Jack. He wants to enlist her help in the hunt for a serial killer who is wreaking havoc across the country, leaving a trail of dead bodies in his wake. The killer is rumored to be a member of the hitman community, which adds an extra layer of complexity to the case.

Nadia is a captivating character. The author has delved deep into her psyche, revealing a woman who is conflicted and flawed. She lost her job as a cop when she took matters into her own hands and became a vigilante. Now, she kills for money but still tries to uphold a sense of honor. Her mentor, Jack, is an enigmatic figure who is clearly attracted to her.

The story had a slow start, with the plot taking a while to unfold. However, the last half of the book was fast-paced and exciting, making up for the initial sluggishness. Overall, I found the characters and the storyline enjoyable and would definitely look forward to reading the next book in the series, Made to be Broken.

Fun, not predictable.

The book is filled with excitement and constantly keeps moving forward.

Although I would have preferred if we could have delved deeper into other aspects rather than just staying in her head all the time, the pacing of the story is still quite good.

I didn't read the blurb before starting the book, so I'm not certain if those who read the blurb will experience as many surprises.

Perhaps reading the blurb might give some hints or expectations, which could potentially affect the element of surprise.

However, even without reading the blurb, the book manages to keep the reader engaged and interested.

It has its own charm and吸引力 that makes it a worthwhile read.

Overall, it's a book that offers an enjoyable reading experience, with its unpredictable plot and decent pacing.

I usually have a great passion for Kelley's books. Her works have always been able to capture my imagination and hold my attention firmly. However, this particular book was an exception.

Right from the start, I found it difficult to engage with the story. The plot seemed to lack the usual spark and excitement that I have come to expect from Kelley's writing. The characters, too, didn't seem as vivid and well-developed as in her previous novels.

Despite my best efforts, I struggled to stay focused on the book. I would often find my mind wandering, thinking about other things. It was a real disappointment, as I had been looking forward to reading this new release.

Overall, while I still have a lot of respect for Kelley as an author, this book just didn't do it for me. I hope that her future works will be able to recapture the magic that made me fall in love with her writing in the first place.

I'm an enormous fan of Armstrong's Otherworld series, and of Kelley Armstrong herself. I truly believe she is an amazing, top-notch, and extraordinary author. Her descriptive, detailed, and highly evocative writing style is an absolute joy to read. It makes the readers feel as if they are right in the middle of the story, witnessing everything unfold before their eyes just like in a movie. So, the question wasn't whether I would read her non-paranormal novels but rather when I would get around to reading them. I devoured the first in the series (Exit Strategy) in just 3 weekdays and immediately started the second. 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 because Armstrong picks exciting plots, has excellent characterization, shows in-depth knowledge of the subject she's writing about, and has a humorous writing style.

In more detail, the plot is interesting, with constant twists and turns that leave you thinking and still trying to put the puzzle together after the end. The characterization is outstanding. Kelley Armstrong's characters are three-dimensional, flesh and blood people who seem to leap off the page. They are unique, complex, and have depth. I love how Armstrong gives each one of them a solid background history, and the personal details are uncovered by the reader throughout the story.

In the Nadia Stafford series, Armstrong introduces a new set of characters who are equally believable and real as the Otherworld characters. The protagonist is Nadia, an ex-cop turned hitwoman who has not compromised her moral integrity. She only liquidates mob thugs, but her struggles and emotional hardships are detailed repeatedly, showing how difficult it is for her to live in this new underworld world. Jack is the mysterious hitman who is older than Nadia, around 50, and has been in the business for a long time. He is Nadia's mentor/friend, and there is a definite Scully/Mulder tension. He is a man of few words, speaking in monosyllabic words and one-word sentences, dropping everything unnecessary. However, his segmented speech is necessary for his character portrayal and gives us a better understanding of who he is. He is very secretive, doesn't pry, and prefers to blend in the background and give Nadia silent comfort by his presence. His protectiveness and thoughtfulness towards Nadia suggest that he is interested in her more than a simple mentor, but he represses any such feelings and thoughts. Quinn is the third participant in this triangle. He is an active federal agent who moonlights 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 can't help but like.

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 information. Humour is like Armstrong's special trademark. Her writing is peppered with sarcastic comments, and the dry wit of her characters makes 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 misled by 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

Nadia Stafford owns a lodge in the Canadian Wilderness.

It caters to hunters and outdoorsmen. When not at the lodge, Nadia is a professional hitman for the mob, eliminating those who stray.

Her mentor, Jack, approaches her. There's a ruthless serial killer called the Helter Skelter Killer (HSK), leaving bodies across the countryside.

Jack believes HSK might be a retired hitman and wants to form a group to take him out before law enforcement comes after them all.

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 quite different.

This book is about a woman with a dark past, making a living as a professional hitman. Now, she's teaming up with others in her profession to hunt down and kill a serial killer.

It won't be easy as this guy was a former hitman.

I found this book very intriguing. Nadia has to be constantly aware of her surroundings, know the quickest exits from buildings, and how to blend into a crowd unnoticed.

I loved the suspense, but even more so, the relationships. These characters are reserved and not big talkers, rarely letting anyone into their space.

The chemistry between Nadia and Jack was palpable. I kept anticipating something between them but knew he wouldn't make a move while on the job.

I look forward to the next book in this series. My rating: 4 Stars.

4.5 stars

I absolutely adored the concept of professional killers having to look into one of their own who has transformed into a serial killer, thereby creating chaos for everyone. The moral ambiguity present in the story was truly captivating. I have a particular fondness for characters with morally gray (at times, extremely dark gray) natures. All of the characters were an absolute delight to follow. Nadia, a former cop who has now become a hitwoman, makes for a great main character. Jack, who remains a complete enigma in this first book, is highly intriguing. And the secondary characters, especially Evelyn, are also a lot of fun. I also liked how Nadia is constantly in a state of uncertainty about who she can trust and how she navigates those interactions.

All of the disguises, the moral ambiguity, the doubt about whether you can trust your colleagues, and the secret identity hidden behind Nadia's seemingly ordinary life... all of these elements reminded me somewhat of The Americans (which I had recently watched), although here we have professional killers in a modern setting rather than Russian spies during the Cold War era.

There were a few aspects that I didn't completely love (hence the 4.5 stars). Some of the transitions between scenes were a bit abrupt, causing me to have to go back and double-check that we had indeed moved to a different time or place and that I had initially missed it. Additionally, some parts of the mystery didn't quite ring true for me, such as the killer's signature. He kills entirely different victims using entirely different methods, yet always leaves a page from a specific book with the body. I think this is a detail that the police would have withheld, but here it's all over the press. And given that everything else about each killing is different, I would have thought that with this information being public, there would be a significant number of copycats or other murders disguised as his.

However, I love the characters so much that these minor details and questions didn't really detract from my enjoyment of the book. I also relished the budding romantic developments, which are only hinted at in the first book (but since this was a reread, I know what's in store and I'm eagerly anticipating it).