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From the author of the acclaimed Women of the Otherworld series comes an exciting new heroine whose most secret identity is both lucrative…an...
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reviews
Dec 16, 2009
O'Donovan
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I am unabashed in my fondness for Kelley Armstrong's paranormal series, Women of the Otherworld. I reviewed Bitten when I was copy editing in Anniston, AL, and snuck it off the review shelf, took it home and fell in love with her tough-but-feminine, funny and acerbic heroine, the werewolf Elena Michaels.
At the time, I remember thinking that the book was really a fantastic mystery wrapped in wolf's clothing, and I wondered whether Armstrong had written anything outside the fantasy gen More...
At the time, I remember thinking that the book was really a fantastic mystery wrapped in wolf's clothing, and I wondered whether Armstrong had written anything outside the fantasy gen More...
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Aug 23, 2008
Janice (Janicu)
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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 brim
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Jun 21, 2008
Debra
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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 pro More...
Authorities and pro More...
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Mar 11, 2008
Gina
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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 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 More...
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Jan 04, 2008
Tiffany
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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
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Oct 09, 2007
Natlyn
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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
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Nov 25, 2011
Lynn
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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 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 More...
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Apr 10, 2011
Danni
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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 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 More...
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Mar 30, 2011
Kathy
rated it:
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’ prim 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’ prim More...
Dec 22, 2008
Judy
rated it:
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 turne
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Jan 01, 2009
Jess
rated it:
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
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Mar 30, 2011
Sofija
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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 ins 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 ins More...
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Nov 04, 2011
LL
rated it:
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
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Apr 15, 2011
Samantha
rated it:
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 tou 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 tou More...
Mar 06, 2010
Stella
rated it:
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
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Nov 03, 2011
Rena
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The book is full of people hiding secrets and keeping low profiles. I like the quote. “That’s what happens when you hang out with Jack. You start to think ‘What do you take in your coffee?' as too personal." But actually in this web of tricks and tests, it is. While there’s a lot of mind games, the book isn’t dark and dirty. The characters possess a whole bunch of skills that they consider average. Changing accents, personalities, etc.
I read the 2nd book (Made to Be Broken) first More...
I read the 2nd book (Made to Be Broken) first More...
Mar 02, 2011
Laura
rated it:
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 w
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Nov 10, 2010
(´*•.¸ღBexღ¸.•*´)
rated it:
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 befo 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 befo More...
Feb 20, 2011
Jenn
rated it:
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
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May 20, 2010
Mary JL
rated it:
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 pub 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 pub More...
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Mar 07, 2010
Arthur
rated it:
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
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Sep 30, 2011
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 fee 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 fee More...
Sep 11, 2011
Grete
rated it:
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
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Apr 07, 2009
Diana
rated it:
I don't typically read much fiction besides romance, sci-fi, and fantasy (notice the escapist trend), because non-fiction's like learning without boring lectures. But I started reading this book and couldn't put it down. I only know Kelley Armstrong through her urban fantasy books. Similar to the Otherworld series, the heroine in this book is strong but human. She's also a hit(wo)man. I find the level of detail and planning that goes into Nadia's hits, as well as the internal and external d
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Nov 20, 2009
P.D.
rated it:
Kelley Armstrong is better known for her paranormal books and series (including the Women from the Otherworld Series), but Exit Strategy is about a hitman…well, actually a few hitmen, a couple of hitwomen and a serial killer.
The main character, Nadia Stafford, is an ex-cop turned hitwoman/vigilante. Of course, being a hitwoman isn’t a position of natural reader empathy or identification (I’m assuming anyone reading this isn’t a hitman/hitwoman)! Armstrong counteracts this with Nadia More...
The main character, Nadia Stafford, is an ex-cop turned hitwoman/vigilante. Of course, being a hitwoman isn’t a position of natural reader empathy or identification (I’m assuming anyone reading this isn’t a hitman/hitwoman)! Armstrong counteracts this with Nadia More...
Sep 05, 2009
Michele
rated it:
Nadia Stafford is a Nature Lodge owner in Canada and also a former police officer who was forced into retirement after an incident on the force. That much is public record what isn't well known is that she has since become a hitwoman who works for a mob family to keep her lodge afloat. When her hitman mentor, Jack, pulls her into a joint investigation, to stop a serial killer, she finds herself immersed with others of her profession. It's hard to feel safe amongst people who are willing to kill
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Aug 21, 2011
Dodau
rated it:
A very long book that took me, a very fast reader, a number to days to complete.
Unlike her other series this one has it's feet firmly in the real world. Nadia Stafford is an ex cop who owns a outdoor lodge in the wilderness of Canada. She's also a hit woman for one of the minor mob families, a job that suits her very well as it supports the struggling lodge. So when another hitman goes rogue and starts killing for fun, she teams up with some acquantances to stop him and saveguard her li More...
Unlike her other series this one has it's feet firmly in the real world. Nadia Stafford is an ex cop who owns a outdoor lodge in the wilderness of Canada. She's also a hit woman for one of the minor mob families, a job that suits her very well as it supports the struggling lodge. So when another hitman goes rogue and starts killing for fun, she teams up with some acquantances to stop him and saveguard her li More...
Feb 03, 2011
Jeremy
rated it:
Tons of fun. Ex-cop-turned-hitman (er, hitwoman) does detective work to figure out which of her colleagues is breaking the rules. It's more thriller than mystery, but it's paced well and there are tons of delightful secondary characters (the happily-partnered elderly lesbian conwomen in particular won me over.) The criminals are always the interesting characters in thrillers, and this book succeeds largely because it focuses on them. And where else can you find a thoughful exploration of the g
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Jul 14, 2009
Andrea
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This non-fantasy book brought me back to Kelley Armstrong. I'd read "Dime Store Magic" years ago, enjoyed it, and casually thought of looking for a sequel, only to lose the author's name... Now I'm all caught up with the women of the otherworld as well as with Nadia Stafford, the heroine of a new series. This one can go into a new category: "amiable serial killers," which seems to be one I'm encountering more and more, what with the Dexter books et al. In any case, this i
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Apr 17, 2009
CJ - You Carry On As If I Don't Love You
rated it:
At first you think to yourself....she's a hitman. How can I possibly enjoy a book about a woman who's career is very bad? How can I sympathize with her? How can I possibly care about anything she does?
You do.
You get past.
You move on.
You fall in love with Nadia Stafford's immense sense of right and wrong, her internal struggle with what she does and what she used to be.
It's like a less complicated Le Femme Nikita (the original movie or More...
You do.
You get past.
You move on.
You fall in love with Nadia Stafford's immense sense of right and wrong, her internal struggle with what she does and what she used to be.
It's like a less complicated Le Femme Nikita (the original movie or More...
