Exit Strategy by Kelley Armstrong
An excellent start to a new series...
Exit Strategy is about Nadia Stafford, an ex-Ontario cop who has had to rebuild her life after she kills a rape suspect. The hook that latches onto you and pulls you inexorably into Nadia's story is that she went from being a cop in a long family line of cops to becoming a lodge-keeper and part-time assassin. Curiosity impels one to find out how and why she's now a killer.
** MILD SPOILERS BELOW **
Female assassins have been done before, of course, but in general, the women have been depicted as passionless (or apparently cold) killers who are solely fulfilling their job (or duty) and who may or may not have superhuman powers. Nadia, on the other hand, is passionate about the jobs she chooses but she's even more passionate about being a lodge-keeper; she doesn't plan to be a killer for hire forever. Her background is also a troubled one; not only is Nadia from a family of cops, she was present at her cousin's brutal rape and murder when both were teens. The trauma and devastation, therefore, was especially sharp for the young Nadia, who had always justice prevailed. She learned differently when her cousin's rapist and murderer got off scot-free.
There are no paranormal or supernatural elements involved in this story, which helps create a very realistic atmosphere. Nadia is an individual with strengths and weaknesses, hangups and flaws. In other words, she's human and she makes mistakes. These traits are also true of her mentor Jack and the team that has been pulled together to track down one of their own, a pro assassin who's apparently turned serial killer for unknown reasons. There's no superhero, no all-knowing and victorious character, and the situations these individuals find themselves in are credible, without the too-stupid-to-live (TSTL) moments that are so prevalent in TV movies and Hollywood films.
There are also subtle and not-so-subtle romance arcs interwoven throughout the story. They fit neatly into the plot, rather than being pointless plot contrivances. You're not quite sure where each romantic tie will end up, but it's fun to watch.
To cap the above pluses, the intricate and dextrously handled hunt for the killer made Exit Strategy an enjoyable and above-average read. The reader is drawn in and becomes a part of the puzzle, turning the page over and over again to see how the clues tie in and even whether the killer will be caught at all. The chapters regarding the victims give a snippet of their lives and their last moments, as well as help to keep you guessing for a long while what the commn denominator is among them. And, in fact, you even find out why one or two don't become victims. The insight into these people and the killer himself were a nice touch, although I can understand that some readers would prefer to travel the journey blind, the way our protagonists do.
There were some things that kept me wondering, however. It's not stated how Nadia and her cousin were abducted, nor is it clear why, after Nadia takes up her assassin career, she didn't go after her cousin's rapist/killer. I was also somewhat confused as to whether Nadia's scar was truly from a barbed-wire fence mishap or from her abductor. The Helter Skelter killer's motivation was deliberately muddy, but once it seems clear, it becomes a bit convoluted thereafter. Still, these are minor points in what was a pleasurable read.
Female assassins have been done before, of course, but in general, the women have been depicted as passionless (or apparently cold) killers who are solely fulfilling their job (or duty) and who may or may not have superhuman powers. Nadia, on the other hand, is passionate about the jobs she chooses but she's even more passionate about being a lodge-keeper; she doesn't plan to be a killer for hire forever. Her background is also a troubled one; not only is Nadia from a family of cops, she was present at her cousin's brutal rape and murder when both were teens. The trauma and devastation, therefore, was especially sharp for the young Nadia, who had always justice prevailed. She learned differently when her cousin's rapist and murderer got off scot-free.
There are no paranormal or supernatural elements involved in this story, which helps create a very realistic atmosphere. Nadia is an individual with strengths and weaknesses, hangups and flaws. In other words, she's human and she makes mistakes. These traits are also true of her mentor Jack and the team that has been pulled together to track down one of their own, a pro assassin who's apparently turned serial killer for unknown reasons. There's no superhero, no all-knowing and victorious character, and the situations these individuals find themselves in are credible, without the too-stupid-to-live (TSTL) moments that are so prevalent in TV movies and Hollywood films.
There are also subtle and not-so-subtle romance arcs interwoven throughout the story. They fit neatly into the plot, rather than being pointless plot contrivances. You're not quite sure where each romantic tie will end up, but it's fun to watch.
To cap the above pluses, the intricate and dextrously handled hunt for the killer made Exit Strategy an enjoyable and above-average read. The reader is drawn in and becomes a part of the puzzle, turning the page over and over again to see how the clues tie in and even whether the killer will be caught at all. The chapters regarding the victims give a snippet of their lives and their last moments, as well as help to keep you guessing for a long while what the commn denominator is among them. And, in fact, you even find out why one or two don't become victims. The insight into these people and the killer himself were a nice touch, although I can understand that some readers would prefer to travel the journey blind, the way our protagonists do.
There were some things that kept me wondering, however. It's not stated how Nadia and her cousin were abducted, nor is it clear why, after Nadia takes up her assassin career, she didn't go after her cousin's rapist/killer. I was also somewhat confused as to whether Nadia's scar was truly from a barbed-wire fence mishap or from her abductor. The Helter Skelter killer's motivation was deliberately muddy, but once it seems clear, it becomes a bit convoluted thereafter. Still, these are minor points in what was a pleasurable read.
** MILD SPOILERS ABOVE **
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posted by Cheshire Cat @ 11/05/2007 03:29:00 pm
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