It seems that Kelley Armstrong, the author of the much-loved Otherworld books, has a new series in the works. Unlike her current series, which has a strong paranormal/suspense element, this new series will be straight-up crime-fighting. The first title in the series is Exit Strategy, and its heroine is an ex-cop turned hitwoman named Nadia Stafford:

"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."

This looks like a lot of fun, and is definitely going to make it onto my list of summer books that I'm really looking forward to reading. The first three chapters are up on Ms. Armstrong's website and are well worth the visit.

Labels: excerpt, Kelly Armstrong