Exit Strategy [Aug 5, 2019]

[Scott , Karsa Orlong]

Exit Strategy

[Siobhan]

Thanks, Scott. :)

[Charlie]

First seven chapters complete. (view spoiler)[ I'm so glad to be reading a Kelley Armstrong book! I'd forgotten how easily I can fall into her stories. This is so different from Women of the Otherworld but I'm loving it anyway.

I really enjoy how mysterious Jack is. I don't entirely trust him but he seems like a good egg, despite being a murderer that is.

I really like Nadia so far too. She's very capable, not at all hot headed and seems to really think things through. The fact that she's an ex cop that runs a wilderness lodge is great, it makes her much more interesting than a normal hitman, I feel like she's a real person, not just a killer. (hide spoiler)]

[Siobhan]

I'm late! You just started tonight?
I'm so behind on all my reads. Think I'll be able to start Wednesday, sorry to leave you in the lurch.

[Charlie]

I started on my lunch break today, was dying to read it. No rush, I've got 5 others on the go so plenty to read.

[Siobhan]

Oh that's good :)

I'm hoping to finish Ship of Destiny tonight then I'll be much better.

[Charlie]

20 chapters in- (view spoiler)[

So the story is starting to unfold and I'm really into it.

I love these insights into Nadia and Jack, who they were, who they are, their motivations. I'm fully invested. I think they work great as a team.

I'm also enjoying Eveyln, she's a fantastic character. I trust her for some reason and I think Nadia is safe with her. I want to know more about her past and the hits she's done.

The chapters from the HSK's perspective ate super creepy and very cool. I'm dying to know who he is. It seems like he was just bored and this is all a big game for him. (hide spoiler)]

[Charlie]

Up to chapter 32 (view spoiler)[ So the HSK is definitely doing this for fun. Getting into that gated community was a challenge, all part of the game. I think he's just cracked and now he enjoys the kill too much to stop.

I'm not happy with the games Evelyn is playing with Nadia though I do like the flashbacks it causes. Even as a teenager Nadia was stalking and planning the possible murder of a criminal so maybe she was predisposed to this life. I kind of hope she takes the job Evelyn left for her, maybe it'll help put her demons to rest.

I like Quinn. We haven't seen much of him but he seems like a good guy. Bit weird for a straight laced FBI agent to be a hitman but I can see why Jack would find him useful. (hide spoiler)]

[Siobhan]

Charlie wrote: "First seven chapters complete. I'm so glad to be reading a Kelley Armstrong book."

Wow you're flying through this! :)

I'm up to chapter 8 now. Do you remember much about the story? I feel like I'm reading it for the first time. I'd forgotten (view spoiler)[that one of the reasons I liked it was the Manson connection, I loved reading Helter Skelter so love the references.

I like Jack too. He seems very sketchy and distrustful though.
I like Evelyn! I'm guessing she's his mum for some reason! (hide spoiler)]

[Charlie]

I feel like I'm reading it for the first time again too! I'm loving it, I don't want to read my other books, just want to see how this one plays out. (view spoiler)[ I really like the Manson connection, it's pretty cool.

Haha I never thought she was his mum but they definitely act like it now you mention it. (hide spoiler)]

[Siobhan]

It'll be interesting to see if we agree with our original ratings seeing as we both might as well have never read it haha!

[Siobhan]

12 chapters in and the way Jack talks is annoying me. Use your words man.

[Charlie]

I feel that. I'm getting used to it though. It's like he feels the extra words are a waste of his time.

[Siobhan]

Charlie wrote: "I feel that. I'm getting used to it though. It's like he feels the extra words are a waste of his time."

Haha yeah that's what I reckoned. Also, he over uses rhetorical questions.
"right decision? No". It's a strange kind of discourse.

[Charlie]

Siobhan wrote: "Charlie wrote: "I feel that. I'm getting used to it though. It's like he feels the extra words are a waste of his time."

Haha yeah that's what I reckoned. Also, he over uses rhetorical questions. ..."

I actually like that he speaks a bit weirdly, it helps distinguish him as a character.

[Charlie]

Finished! I loved it, everything about it! Nadia and Jack work well together and (view spoiler)[ I really liked the rest of the team by the end too.

I feel like the last 10 pages were a little rushed but still, it was a satisfying ending and I'm excited for book 2. (hide spoiler)]

[Siobhan]

Charlie wrote: "20 chapters in- ..."

I love the HSK perspectives too! I really want to know who he is! (view spoiler)[All their theories are trying to link the victims, but the office block lady was totally random, he would have killed anyone! They're the hardest killers to find. They need a different approach. (hide spoiler)]

[Siobhan]

Charlie wrote: "Up to chapter 32 ."

Agreed, (view spoiler)[HSK is having far too much fun. I literally don't know what his motive is besides enjoying it at this point. He's just showing off.

I like Quinn too. Bit weird for a Fed to keep contacts with hitmen though surely.

I hope Nadia takes that job too. She might as well kill some evil fuckers! (hide spoiler)]

[Siobhan]

Chapter 35 - Oh no! (view spoiler)[HSK is gonna go after Evelyn! It's maddening that he recognised Jack but Jack didn't see him/recognise him at the theatre! He must be someone Evelyn knows! Maybe she even listed his name earlier. (hide spoiler)]

[Charlie]

Siobhan wrote: "Chapter 35 - Oh no! [spoilers removed]"

I know! I thought this too. So he knows who Jack and Evelyn are and he knows they're on to him...

[Charlie]

You enjoying this btw? I loved everything about it and can't wait for book 2. There's just something about Kelley Armstrong's writing, she tells a great story. Crime fiction isn't usually my thing at all but I loved this book.

[Siobhan]

I'm really enjoying it, her writing flows so well it's just such a digestible read!

[Charlie]

It really is. I really like that when she's not killing people, Nadia runs a wilderness lodge and hosts picnics, it's super wholesome.

[Siobhan]

Hahaha yeah it's great! I wish I had some wilderness lodge to retreat to.

[Charlie]

Me too, I'd have dogs and ponies and I'd read all day.

[Siobhan]

Charlie wrote: "Finished! I loved it, everything about it! ."

Finished too! (view spoiler)[I really wanted Jack to spit out what he was trying to say to Nadia about caring if she died. He came so close so many times! I really want them two to get together! I'm OK with it not happening in this book, I think the long game makes sense, but pleeeeaaasee let it happen!! I like Quinn too, he's cute, but I feel like Jack is just so right for her!
Really looking forward to the next book! Don't know why i didn't continue last time I read this. (hide spoiler)]

[Charlie]

@Siobhan
I agree! (view spoiler)[Jack and Nadia together would be amazing. Dude needs to learn how to communicate though, jeez. I like Quinn but I feel he'd judge Nadia if he knew he past. Jack takes her as she is. I also loved that he tried to protect her from Evelyn. (hide spoiler)]

[Siobhan]

Charlie wrote: "@Siobhan
I agree! [spoilers removed]"

Yes!! (view spoiler)[I loved how protective he was, whilst also acknowledging that she's a badass woman! (hide spoiler)]

[Charlie]

She absolutely is badass. Nadia is fearless, I'm in awe of her.