Exit Strategy

Nadia Stafford, Book 1

By: Kelley Armstrong

Narrated by: Jennifer Ikeda, Richard Ferrone

Length: 15 hrs and 41 mins

Publisher's summary

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 owe anyone any explanations. But that doesn’t mean she always works alone. One of her contacts has recruited her in the hunt for a ruthlessly efficient serial killer cutting a swath of terror across the country. The assassin is far too skilled to be an amateur - and the precision of the killings is bringing the Feds much too close to the hit man community for comfort. To put an end to the murders, Nadia will have to turn herself from predator to prey as she employs every trick she knows to find the killer. Before the killer finds her….

©2007 KLA Fricke, Inc. (P)2013 Recorded Books

Fast Paced Excitement

Love this fantasy for myself. This is the sort Dreams Easiest to see myself in. The caretaker, nice girl who Could Kill with the idea of making the world better. Each of the settings was so beautifully detailed - many of the places I've been were described So Well! Plus Richard Ferrone added a Great Touch to anything he adds his voice to. Great book while traveling🔆

Slow for a thriller

Although the writing was quite good and intelligent, the story was not very original and dragged on. A serial killer is terrorizing the country, committing murders from state to state, getting more daring as he goes. Slowly, an unusual team is formed to put the guy away, but with the addition of some characters, the story line gets cumbersome and jerky.
The two narrators worked well, but the killer's persona (read by the male narrator) does not intrigue or create much emotion in this reader. And although J. Ikeda is a master storyteller, I thought a little more urgency and emotion in her reading - the main character's POV (Nadia)- may have raised the story a notch/star developing greater excitement level or "thrill."
Regarding the interaction between characters, what might be seen as a potential love interest and possibly a triangle was boring and not well developed.

Jack is interesting and getting to know him better is enticing. Nadia, however does not present well for a hit man, and so the story falls flat.

Would I read another by this author? It's doubtful I'll pursue another in this series. The ONE reson I may, is to see if Ms. Ikeda's reading pulls me into the story number two.

Like Reading Your Favorite Thriller Movie

I cannot believe I waited so long to read this. I'm a huge Kelley Armstrong fan, having read just about everything of hers, but I was skeptical of this book being outside her more common paranormal genre.

Boy, was I mistaken. This book had me *hooked*, and I nearly stayed up all night listening to it. It was fast-paced, thrilling, sharp, and the characters were so, so good. Even though the mystery was wrapped up by the end, I immediately went and grabbed the next two books (which I also finished in a day each).

If you like crime drama, mysteries, thrillers, and strong female characters, this is absolutely the book for you.

loved it!!

I am a big fan of Kelley's. I have to say I enjoyed this book as well as the rockton series . the narration was very good. I can't wait to listen to the rest in this series.

kept my attention. very good book!

Loved it! The characters were well developed, pace of story is good. Will read the rest of the series.

Loved it!

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely. It kept me bitting my nails start to finish. I like the characters and the focus on human emotions and non-verbal communication.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Jack I suppose. He's enigmatic and with his silences and grunts leaves a lot to be interpreted.

Which scene was your favorite?

When Jack and Nadia go back to Evelyn's house and they are all pointing guns at each other.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Yep.

Any additional comments?

I want to get the rest of the series!!!

Breathtaking!

Would you consider the audio edition of Exit Strategy to be better than the print version?

Jennifer Ikeda does such an outstanding job on this that I can't imagine it without her voice. She does everyone so well, including the male characters, that I'm searching for more of her work.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Exit Strategy?

When Jack makes Nadia hot chocolate.

What does Jennifer Ikeda and Richard Ferrone bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She's the perfect voice for Nadia, helping you get into the complicated heart and soul and mind of a contract killer, plus her Irish brogue for Jack is downright sexy.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The scene when Jack's leaning over her and she begins to realize she's attracted to him. Plus the scene in the closet.

Any additional comments?

This is violent, fascinating, angst, funny, and the romance is so subtle it's deliciously addictive. Jennifer Ikeda does a great job of bringing out out a wonderful story, and Richard Ferrone's villain and victim POV are excellent as well.

Female narrator not for me

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I have read the book, years back, and liked it. Instead of re-reading, I bought the audible to listen to in the car.

What did you like best about this story?

I like Kelley Armstrongs writing, it is solid, and she is a master at suspense.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Jennifer Ikeda and Richard Ferrone ?

Kristine Hvam is one of my favourites

Any additional comments?

Reminder to myself: always listen to the complete audible sample: the narrator can really ruin a very good book, if she/he is not your cup of tea.

Strong characters, Great story line.

Would you listen to Exit Strategy again? Why?

Excellant finish to the series. Enjoyed the characters and their very human dilemmas in a very non traditional jobs.

What did you like best about this story?

This story flowed and kept my interest.

What about Jennifer Ikeda and Richard Ferrone ’s performance did you like?

Excellant characterizations. Made the characters come alive.

Story was captivating...

Story was captivating but slowed down in places. Overall, enjoyed the book and would recommend to a few choice personal friends.