Exit Strategy by Kelley Armstrong
Coming July 1, 2007
** mass market paperback **
Law enforcement is in Nadia Stafford’s blood. She comes from a long line of police officers, and was one herself until the wrong case sent her over the line from cop to killer. Now, to keep her beloved wilderness lodge afloat, she’s a contract killer for a small Mafia family.
When a serial killer with all the earmarks of a hit-man begins murdering innocent people, the police investigation threatens to unmask Nadia and others, and she bands together with a small group of hitmen, including her mentor—the mysterious Jack. But once the killer realizes who’s on his trail, his simple plan twists into a complex game as both sides fight to prove who is the hunter…and who the prey.
Warning this is not a romance… just in case you missed that…
You can read an excerpt here.
Kelly, is this a one time story or a start of a series as well? I’m thinking of my husband when I’m reading this too, cuz it reminds me of some thrillers and crime stories he reads! But too I haven’t read one in so long! What inspired you to want to write this story and all?
Reading the excerpt and seeing Helter Skelter is giving me a flashback, and the chills!
Sorry I’m slow answering. I was on yesterday, watching for questions and planning to make comments later…then my kids came home and a “parental issue” erupted. Told myself I’d make sure to check in before heading to bed, and totally forgot!
It’s…the potential start of a series (how’s that for ambiguous?) I’m contracted for two, and I’m not counting my chickens early, so I’m calling it a duology for now rather than a series. I love reading crime and thrillers, and I incorporate some of that into my Otherworld novels, and wanted to try a full one. I actually began the first novel a few years ago, when the Otherworld was struggling to find a foot-hold and I, uh, started to panic. My agent suggested trying a crime novel, knowing how much I loved them. I began Exit Strategy…then the Otherworld took off and I put it aside. A couple years later, I decided to revisit the story. The Otherworld was going well and I was in the mood for a break–not a permanent change of direction, just a temporary change of pace.