Made To Be Broken Review

Made To Be Broken (Nadia Stafford - Book 2)
- Kelley Armstrong

Publisher: UK - Sphere

Why I picked it up: A long time Kelley Armstrong fan, this non-otherworld book was just waiting to be read.

Back Blurb: To the outside world Nadia Stafford is a smart, good-looking, law-abiding citizen. Well, two out of three's not bad...An ex-cop with a legal code all her own, Nadia has a secret life as a world-class assassin. She works only for one New York crime family, who pay her handsomely to bump off traitors. But when a troubled teenager and her baby vanish in the woods near her home, Nadia's old detective instincts - and the memory of a past loss - compel her to investigate. With her enigmatic mentor Jack to support her, Nadia unearths sinister clues that point to an increasingly dark and deadly mystery. As her obsession over the case deepens, Nadia realises that the only way she can right the wrongs of the present is to face her own painful ghosts - or die trying. And so she sets off on the trail of a young woman no one else cares about - and a killer who is bound to strike again...

What I thought: I wasn’t overly impressed with the first Nadia Stafford book. Perhpas I had been expecting something different even though I knew it wasn’t an Otherworld book, but I struggled to relate to the main character. A cop turned vigilante hit woman doesn’t make for a sympathetic heroine – even written in first person. However, I glad to say this second book in the series is much better. The story line is more simplistic and much more compelling. It also allows Nadia and her motivations to come to the fore. The book is in essence a two handed between Nadia and her mentor – Jack, with cameos by potential love interest Quinn thrown in. This allows both characters to shine as differences and similarities are contrasted and I honestly felt as conflicted as Nadia at times between her choices. The storyline about a missing employee of Nadia’s and her baby, while not the earth- shattering event that a lot of authors focus on – had personal reference for Nadia and was engaging enough. The real joy though was the character interaction and I really enjoyed taking a few hours to peer into the professional hit woman’s life.

Recommended for: Thriller readers with a little mystery thrown in

Rating: 7 out of 10