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30th out of 438 books
—
1,531 voters
Exit Strategy (Nadia Stafford #1)
by
Kelley Armstrong (Goodreads Author)
From the author of the acclaimed Women of the Otherworld series comes an exciting new heroine whose most secret identity is both lucrative…and lethal.
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. Tough and self-sufficient, Nadia doesn’t o...more
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. Tough and self-sufficient, Nadia doesn’t o...more
Paperback, 480 pages
Published
June 26th 2007
by Bantam
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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...more
I love compelling beginnings, and with two murders in the opening chapters—one from the victim’s point of view and the other from a hitwoman’s viewpoint—I knew I’d be in for a good read. After her mission, Nadia Stafford returns to normal life as owner of a nature lodge in Ontario, unaware that a serial killer’s creating more victims in American cities. This changes, though, when an associate shows up to ask for Nadia’s help in stopping the “Helter Skelter” killer.
Authorities and professional as...more
Authorities and professional as...more
This is what could be the first in a series... and I loved it!
Nadia is a character all in herself. Her thoughts, her feelings, everything she sees - as the reader, you see. The way Armstrong incorporated Nadia's past into the novel was excellent. Not all right at the beginning, and you keep flipping pages, not only to see what happens next, but to find out more about Nadia and understand why she is the way she is.
Jack - there's a man I'd like to get to know. And I have a feeling that Nadia will...more
Nadia is a character all in herself. Her thoughts, her feelings, everything she sees - as the reader, you see. The way Armstrong incorporated Nadia's past into the novel was excellent. Not all right at the beginning, and you keep flipping pages, not only to see what happens next, but to find out more about Nadia and understand why she is the way she is.
Jack - there's a man I'd like to get to know. And I have a feeling that Nadia will...more
This is quite different from the Women of the Otherworld series by Armstrong. It's a fascinating, estimated peek inside the world of the hitmen/women. I really enjoyed it and look forward to another novel with Nadia as the lead character. Her mentor and the way he spoke drove me up the wall though. It kept interrupting my enjoyment because the questionable way of speaking (which, let's face it, is prevalent in the US now) frustrated me. When people in real life speak this way, I want to hit them...more
Armstrong tells a good tale. I've always found her characters interesting and believable. The main story of hitmen on the trail of a hitman turned serial killer hits both my buttons of teamwork and a motley crew who must work together without necessarily trusting each other. In addition, Armstrong weaves in a romance with standard, but very well-integrated, romance tropes such as miscommunication, misunderstanding, and a rival for affections. I particularly enjoyed that the problem that could be...more
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I wish you could give half stars because so many books that I read aren't quite worth a 4 but deserve more than a 3 and I always end up bumping them up. This book is a case in point. While I found the characters original and well developed and the story line was engaging, I felt that there was room to grow. To be fair, this book is the first in a series and as such there are a lot of aspects that are left purposefully undeveloped or merely hinted at in order to hook the reader into reading the n...more
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I adore Kelley Armstrong's Otherworld-series, and when I stumbled upon this book, I first doubted it would be as good as the paranormal stuff I love her for.
I took it up because I was curious, and I never regretted it.
I love KA's storytelling and worldbuilding, although I was not sure that the worldbuilding-part would be as important with this book as it is with the Otherworld-series.
But I was wrong: It is as important (and as well done) as with the other books - it's just a different world,...more
I took it up because I was curious, and I never regretted it.
I love KA's storytelling and worldbuilding, although I was not sure that the worldbuilding-part would be as important with this book as it is with the Otherworld-series.
But I was wrong: It is as important (and as well done) as with the other books - it's just a different world,...more
Kelley Armstrong. I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it many many times again. She is, by far, my favorite author. And this book does nothing to change that fact. Before this point I've only read her supernatural series (The otherworld books as well as the Darkest Powers trilogy, and recently the first novel in the darkness rising series)
Originally I had no desire to read this book. I'm quite heavily into the supernatural scene, and I wasn't interested in reading anything else. But a fri...more
Originally I had no desire to read this book. I'm quite heavily into the supernatural scene, and I wasn't interested in reading anything else. But a fri...more
First in the Nadia Stafford suspense series, it’s very well titled as it sums up the entire purpose for the anti-hero and his spree.
The Story
There's a nation-wide serial killer who appears to be choosing his victims out of a hat and is taunting the FBI with his ability to kill anywhere, anywhen. It also seems that he may be a contract killer---and all this indiscriminate killing is giving hitmen a bad name.
The Characters
The story serves to introduce the series’ primary characters---Nadia, Jack,...more
The Story
There's a nation-wide serial killer who appears to be choosing his victims out of a hat and is taunting the FBI with his ability to kill anywhere, anywhen. It also seems that he may be a contract killer---and all this indiscriminate killing is giving hitmen a bad name.
The Characters
The story serves to introduce the series’ primary characters---Nadia, Jack,...more
Kelley Armstrong introduces a new heroine in this first book of a new series: Nadia Stafford, an ex-cop turned hitwoman. After having to leave the Canadian police force, Nadia buys a hunting lodge and tries to start a new life for herself. To make ends meet she finds a new career as a hitwoman for a New York mob family. Nadia is a strong, likable character, but part of her past is still shadowy. When her hitman mentor, Jack, shows up with a proposition to help hunt down a fellow hitman turned se...more
3.75
Kelley armstrong is a fabulous writer and this book was no exception to her usual greatness. I loved the heroine. She was kickass, smart, and confident. The plot was exciting and i love to read assassin books. The only thing that i didn't like was the lack of romance. For most other people this isn't a problem. however i am a romance reader, first, and as long as there is a romantic aspect that progresses, i can get into pretty much any plot or concept.
The romance in this was a very insign...more
Kelley armstrong is a fabulous writer and this book was no exception to her usual greatness. I loved the heroine. She was kickass, smart, and confident. The plot was exciting and i love to read assassin books. The only thing that i didn't like was the lack of romance. For most other people this isn't a problem. however i am a romance reader, first, and as long as there is a romantic aspect that progresses, i can get into pretty much any plot or concept.
The romance in this was a very insign...more
Nadia is a paid killer and this is what the book centers around. She used to be a cop, but after she "retired" from the force, she needed money to fund her hunting lodge. A lodge where she doesn't permit hunting because it doesn't fit with her moral code. No kidding. We are introduced to Nadia while she is tracking her mark, a mafioso. Then we learn that there is a serial killer on the loose and FBI are stating that it might be a professional killer who as gone a little crazy. Nadia is worried w...more
Jan 24, 2013
Luke Lane
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Shelves:
crime-or-mystery,
series-debut
This is my first foray into Kelley Armstrong's writing, and overall it was an enjoyable one. I had assumed when buying it that it was another supernatural focused series but once I had started, it actually turned out to be a tale of hitmen and women going after one of their own who had gone 'rogue', and was becoming more and more similar to a serial killer.
The story was interesting, and the dynamics between characters enjoyable, if a little under-developed, and the situation and plot of the nov...more
The story was interesting, and the dynamics between characters enjoyable, if a little under-developed, and the situation and plot of the nov...more
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 hitm...more
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 hitm...more
3 likes · like · see review
3.5 Stars
I was expecting so much more from this book, because it's Kelley Armstrong, and I read loads of glowing reviews. However, it left me a little disappointed. Sometimes I didn't have the patience to keep up with the theories and suspects, so I got confused now and then, but I did enjoy the overall story and action of the book. Nadia turned out a bit different than I was expecting; less suave more down-to-earth. I really liked her. Jack was a fickle character. I wanted him to express his em...more
I was expecting so much more from this book, because it's Kelley Armstrong, and I read loads of glowing reviews. However, it left me a little disappointed. Sometimes I didn't have the patience to keep up with the theories and suspects, so I got confused now and then, but I did enjoy the overall story and action of the book. Nadia turned out a bit different than I was expecting; less suave more down-to-earth. I really liked her. Jack was a fickle character. I wanted him to express his em...more
This is book #1 in the Nadia Stafford series. As a long-time fan of Kelley Armstrong, I thought this book was well-written and fast-paced. I must say this upfront though, the theme of the story was very different from her Otherworld series. While the Otherworld series showed characters ranging from werewolves to witches to half-demons to necromancers, there was nothing paranormal about this book. It read more like a book in the mystery genre to me. So to fellow GR friends out there who may be in...more
I love Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series so when I found out that she had another series I had to check it out.
Nadia Stafford is a hit-man with a moral compass. She used to be a cop, but because of a mistake she had to retire. Now she runs a wilderness lodge and finances it through taking hits put out on unsavory characters. Nadia is a wonderful, well rounded character. She's someone who has seen the court system fail too many times and has had one of those times touch her life...more
Nadia Stafford is a hit-man with a moral compass. She used to be a cop, but because of a mistake she had to retire. Now she runs a wilderness lodge and finances it through taking hits put out on unsavory characters. Nadia is a wonderful, well rounded character. She's someone who has seen the court system fail too many times and has had one of those times touch her life...more
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...more
I enjoyed this, although as with most of her books, there's a tiny something missing to push me over the edge from like to love. In this case I just didn't feel the allure of Jack, the potential love interest. Monosyllabic, shows no particular interest in our heroine, he was so ambiguous as to be nonexistant. Reading it knowing he's meant to be the aloof, mysterious love interest, I still couldn't quite take the leap from thinking he really was a neanderthal grunter with no desire to pursue our...more
I have real love for Kelley Armstrong. She's my favourite author. For years I just couldn't get into reading a book but then one day I found her first book in the supernatural series, Bitten.
After reading that I was hooked on her writing, I could just see the scenes in my head, it was like watching a film and I love films.
Anyway back to Exit strategy, I only bought this book because after my love of Kelley Armstong's writing I had to read everything she's written. I say with a heavy heart that I...more
After reading that I was hooked on her writing, I could just see the scenes in my head, it was like watching a film and I love films.
Anyway back to Exit strategy, I only bought this book because after my love of Kelley Armstong's writing I had to read everything she's written. I say with a heavy heart that I...more
A four star is probably a bit optimistic, but sod it, I loved this book. Quite a long one, this gave a new side to Armstrong swapping the supernatural for assassins, but it's written with the same addictive captivity which sucks you in from start to end. After a major build up it ended quite surprising quickly for me as I thought the sub-storyline would be ended in this book two and it wasn't...guess that just means I'll have to get myself reading the next ASAP. What a shame!
And as an extra goo...more
And as an extra goo...more
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This book was a little slow for me at first. But, as I learned more about the characters I started liking it a lot more. Nadia is a former police officer from Canada who had to leave the force after an incident where she killed a suspect. She has been taking jobs for a Mafia family to help pay the bills. She teams up with other hitmen to take down a rogue hitman who is now killing for "fun" under the guise of a serial killer. This story had a lot of twists and turns and in my opinion was very we...more
I love Kelley Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series, and was reluctant to try a book that had nothing to do with Elena, Clay or any of the other characters I was used to reading about, but I was pleasantly surprised. I liked the new characters and could hardly put the book down.
Nadia - the main character is a hitwoman..... there is some background about how she becomes a hitwoman but most of it is about her teaming up with other hitmen to find a hitman turned serial killer before he can ex...more
Nadia - the main character is a hitwoman..... there is some background about how she becomes a hitwoman but most of it is about her teaming up with other hitmen to find a hitman turned serial killer before he can ex...more
I'm a big fan of Armstrong's Women of the Otherworld series, as well as her YA series, set in the same universe. I love her writing. So, I definitely wanted to check out this non-supernatural series she did about a hitwoman. I was disappointed. The writing was as good as it always is, I just don't empathize with Nadia. At all. We're talking about killing people for money. The only time I've seen that done where I empathize and like the main character has been in Grosse Pointe Blank. This book di...more
May 20, 2010
Mary JL
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
Any mystery or action fan
Recommended to Mary JL by:
I received the book as a gift
Shelves:
mystery-horror
This was very fast paced and excing. Starts out with two murders in the first 20 parges and keeps going.
Usually I prefer heroes to anti-heroes, and Nadia is a hitwoman. Nevertheless, the story pulled me in and I fou8nd it compelling reading. The flashbacks we get of Nadia's traumatic past make her a more sympathetic character, despite her occupation.
Therer is also a great deal of suspernse--when your partners are fellow hitmen, it is hard to know who to trust. Add public panic, the media frenzy...more
Usually I prefer heroes to anti-heroes, and Nadia is a hitwoman. Nevertheless, the story pulled me in and I fou8nd it compelling reading. The flashbacks we get of Nadia's traumatic past make her a more sympathetic character, despite her occupation.
Therer is also a great deal of suspernse--when your partners are fellow hitmen, it is hard to know who to trust. Add public panic, the media frenzy...more
This review deserves to be well thought out and cohesive. Unfortunately I'm in a hurry right now. I know from the reviews and the disinterested behavior by the publisher, that this series didn't do as well as Armstrong's other works. I'm not sure why. Because it doesn't have magic? Doesn't involve werewolves or even self sufficient teenagers? (Interesting and imaginary things that they both are).
I'll admit I was wary when I started this. A female assassin as the hero of a series could either be...more
I'll admit I was wary when I started this. A female assassin as the hero of a series could either be...more
Really enjoyed reading, getting into style with Canadian author from Bitten, and found reading Exit Strategy greatly interesting even without many of her supernatural poufs she normally written about in that other series. Exit Strategy is comfy and campy with imaginative engines going full throttle once again. Turned pro-hit-person Nadia Stafford dives into trouble when she meets the media's dubbed Helter Skelter. With Jack on her side of the outlaw, Jack seemingly has not really ever appeared b...more
All of you Michael Connelly fans out will like this book. In other words, all of the men who like Michael Connelly will enjoy this series. Readers who love the dark imperfection of Harry Bosch, and the complex grittiness that seeps into his stories will connect with Nadia Stafford, the main character in Exit Strategy.
Nadia is a hit woman. I knew that when I started reading the book. What I didn't expect was that Nadia was quite a reluctant hit woman. Because of this, the pacing feels different...more
Nadia is a hit woman. I knew that when I started reading the book. What I didn't expect was that Nadia was quite a reluctant hit woman. Because of this, the pacing feels different...more
Nadia Stafford is an ex-cop with a tarnished reputation, forced into retirement after she shot a child-killer. Needing money to survive, she is recruited by a local mafia family to carry out hits on criminals that cross them. A serial killer starts leaving calling cards on innocent victims, carrying out the murders in the manner of a professional and suddenly the authorities are focusing too hard on Nadia and her colleagues. Nadia, her mentor, and a few others decide to go after the killer and m...more
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Kelley 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 a...more
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Today, she continues to spin tales of ghosts and demons and werewolves, while safely locked a...more
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