Exit Strategy

Exit Strategy follows Nadia Stafford, a former cop turned hitwoman who specializes in taking out career criminals. When other professional killers start getting murdered, Nadia teams up with her mentor Jack to investigate the deaths. The hunt for answers pulls Nadia deeper into the dangerous world of contract killers and organized crime. She must rely on her skills, instincts, and complicated relationships with other assassins to survive while pursuing the killer. Working alongside Jack forces Nadia to confront her past and question her choices about leaving law enforcement for a life as a hitwoman. Her dual identities as both former police officer and current assassin create internal and external conflicts as the investigation intensifies. The novel explores themes of justice, morality, and whether someone can maintain their humanity while operating outside the law. Through Nadia's perspective, the story examines how past trauma shapes present choices and the blurred lines between right and wrong in a morally complex world.

Readers consider Exit Strategy an entertaining crime thriller that maintains suspense throughout. The book holds a 4.03/5 rating on Goodreads (2,000+ ratings) and 4.4/5 on Amazon (150+ ratings). Liked: - Fast pacing and action sequences - Nadia's character development and backstory - Technical details about security and heists - Multiple plot twists that readers didn't predict - Professional hitman/assassin perspective Disliked: - Some found the romance subplot unnecessary - Several readers noted inconsistencies in Nadia's expertise level - A few reviewers felt the ending was rushed - Some wanted more depth from secondary characters Review quotes: "The technical details make the heists feel authentic" - Goodreads reviewer "Romance felt forced and distracted from the main plot" - Amazon reviewer "Strong female lead without making a big deal about her being female" - BookBub review

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🔹 "Exit Strategy" was originally planned as a standalone novel, but reader response led to it becoming the first book in Armstrong's Nadia Stafford trilogy. 🔹 Author Kelley Armstrong worked as a computer programmer before becoming a full-time writer, giving her insight into characters who make dramatic career changes. 🔹 The protagonist's profession as a hitman was extensively researched through interviews with law enforcement and security professionals to ensure authenticity. 🔹 The book draws on real-life cases of law enforcement officers who crossed ethical lines after experiencing trauma in their careers. 🔹 The novel's Canadian setting reflects Armstrong's commitment to writing about her home country, challenging the tendency for thrillers to default to U.S. locations.