Book Review: Exit Strategy by Martha Wells (Murderbot Diaries #4)

The fourth and final part of the Murderbot Diaries series that began with All Systems Red.
Murderbot wasn’t programmed to care. So, its decision to help the only human who ever showed it respect must be a system glitch, right? Having traveled the width of the galaxy to unearth details of its own murderous transgressions, as well as those of the GrayCris Corporation, Murderbot is heading home to help Dr. Mensah—its former owner (protector? friend?)—submit evidence that could prevent GrayCris from destroying more colonists in its never-ending quest for profit.

But who’s going to believe a SecUnit gone rogue? And what will become of it when it’s caught?

My Review: 
Murderbot has retrieved valuable data at a cost on its personal mission and now it needs to get that information to Dr Mensah. However, GrayCris believe that Murderbot was sent to the facility on her orders and have taken Dr Mensah prisoner for a ransom that her team are struggling to pay. It is now time for Murderbot to come to the rescue its friend which is easier said than done when you are a wanted rogue SecUnit being hunted down by everyone.

“I was having an emotion, and I hate that.”  

Murderbot has just completed a tough mission to a GrayCris facility to gather intelligence about dodgy dealing to ensure that the company doesn't get away with trying to murder Dr Mensah's team. It is trying to get the information to Dr Mensah when it discovers that she went missing during a meeting with the enemy and Murderbot feels guilt at possibly being the cause of the kidnap. GrayCris believes that Dr Mensah sent Murderbot on the mission and they want the data back. Despite the usual anxiety about interacting with humans, Murderbot knows that it needs to make contact with the team and try to come up with a good rescue plan. Our hero's anxiety levels are about to go to infinity and beyond!

“So the plan wasn't a clusterfuck, it was just circling the clusterfuck target zone, getting ready to come in for a landing.”   

Dr Mensah's team are delighted to see Murderbot, making it somewhat more uncomfortable with the situation than it was already, and a plan is formed. They have to get her out of wherever she is being hidden into an open area where Murderbot can get to her. It means relying on the humans to set up a ransom meeting with GrayCris and that could go wrong in so many ways. And even if Murderbot can get to Dr Mensah, how is it going to get her and the rest of the team off an unfriendly world that is teeming with guards and security? Murderbot is gloomy about the chances of success but it is the only plan they have and they are going to run with it. There is also the worry that everyone is on alert for a rogue SecUnit which could lead to its own capture.

"Possibly I was overthinking this. I do that; it’s the anxiety that comes with being a part-organic murderbot. The upside was paranoid attention to detail. The downside was also paranoid attention to detail."

I liked that this book brings the diaries full circle with Murderbot reconnecting with its old team. I had really enjoyed that group dynamic in the first book so it was nice to see a return to that this time. Poor Murderbot is of course very anxious about meeting them again! I liked the action which was nicely spread out. Murderbot's arrival in the area is anticipated and security is swarming all around, which is very tense for our hero. There is also danger when it goes to meet the team and of course the rescue itself. I really enjoyed the plot and of course Murderbot's inner monologue was amusing as always. It is the humour that I really enjoy and it was a fitting end to the diary novellas. I look forward to the upcoming novel as the author is bringing back ART!!!

Read November 2018
4 stars.