Made to be Broken

Author: Kelley Armstrong
Grade: A
Status: Library Book

Prior book: Exit Strategy. Don't need to read but it helps set up the characters. This one stands alone fine though.

Plot: Nadia Stafford's taxable income comes from running a nature lodge in Canada. But her non-taxable income is what makes Nadia unique: She's an ex-cop turned professional hitman. But this time around it's Nadia's legit business that gets her in trouble -- a teenage mom and sometimes employee of Nadia's has gone missing with her young daughter. While most of the town is convinced that the girl has simply gone on to warmer climes Nadia's instincts scream that there is more to the story. As she begins to investigate just what that more could be she pulls friends from her "other" job into a problem that grows more complex every time she turns around and soon Nadia finds all her worlds colliding -- past, present and possibly even future-- as she finds out that some people will do anything for what they want but should never have.

Characterization: Nadia is so well drawn it is frightening. Normally I wouldn't love a heroine who was a hitman, nor have warm feelings towards two possible love interests that share that same profession but I do. Nadia, Jack and Quinn are all three layered sufficiently that you don't just judge them by their profession -- these are very real people who are (mostly) given very good reasons for what they are and the decisions they've made. You don't feel drawn to exonerate them -- they wouldn't ask that of you -- but you don't feel drawn to judge them either. I love the fact that they don't excuse themselves by trying to make out they are somehow better than the mafia moles and drug dealers they are often hired to eliminate; many authors would fall into that trap but not Armstrong.

Readability/Writing Style: Armstrong is a strong writer able to evoke poignant images with her prose. Many characters and locations leapt off the page for me.

All around a great, can't-put-it-down sort of read.

Tea: The plot is chilling so the tea called for needs to warm you up! My fave: Celestial Seasonings Raspberry Zinger, a decaf tea you can drink all night (trust me, the book will be more than enough to keep you awake).

maggie b.