Author Kelley Armstrong of the "Women of the Otherworld" series, where werewolves, witches and the supernatural walk among humans, takes her writing in a new direction with her latest thriller, Exit Strategy, where the main character lives a double life. Nadia Stafford was once a policewoman, carrying on the family tradition. A career-breaking incident leads her to an early retirement, at which time she decides to run a nature lodge. When it looks like she will lose the lodge as she has lost everything else in her life, Nadia cannot pass up the opportunity to make some quick cash. She hires out as a hit woman for a mob family.

While this in and of itself may seem farfetched, Nadia’s past lends a helping hand in making her perfect for the job. She is a killer with a conscience but will not hesitate to take her target out. Nadia is not a woman to mess with; intelligent, calculating, and hard as nails, she is no damsel in distress, that is for sure.

Nadia does hesitate when asked to team up with her mentor Jack with a challenging and deadly target in mind. A serial killer is on the loose, and the authorities are nowhere near uncovering the killer’s identity and purpose. It is believed he may be a hit man like Jack and Nadia, which poses its own problem. The serial killer’s deadly spree is a threat to business, not to mention innocent people. The killer must be stopped. Nadia’s reluctance comes from not wanting to mix with others in her profession as well as for more personal reasons. Secrecy and privacy are of the utmost importance in the life of a hit person, and no one wants to be an easy target. Still, there is too much at stake not to get involved, so Nadia agrees to take on the task.

Jack is a private person, one whom Nadia knows little about. A mysterious loner, he has always refused to take a partner in the past but for reasons unknown has no qualms about working with Nadia. The two make a perfect team, both intelligent and coming from different backgrounds. Their combined experiences give them an edge, and their loyalty and trust for each other is unfaltering. As their investigation gets underway, Nadia learns things about Jack she never knew before and is taken deeper into the fold of the criminal world where she meets others like herself and Jack. She is not sure who she can trust and prepares herself to be on guard at all times.

Exit Strategy is a perfect suspense novel for the summer. It is fast-paced and high in action with a colorful cast of characters that will leave you wondering who you can trust. There is a wisp of romance, but that takes backseat to the main events in the novel. While suspension of disbelief is a must while reading this book, itis one adventure not to be passed up for fans of suspense thrillers.