Exit Strategy is the fourth novella in the Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells.
Finished on: 23.3.2026
[Here are my reviews of the other novellas in the series.]

Plot:
After Murderbot’s intervention in GrayCris‘ business, they have intensified their pressure on Dr. Mensah. So, Murderbot heads back and straight towards GrayCris. It doesn’t know what waits for it there or how it will be able to get out of it, but it is definitely not an emotional reaction at all to do that. No way.

I am waiting for the point where I have to say that I didn’t like an entry in this series (because that is what happens more often than not), but this point seems very far off yet. Exit Strategy is great.

I had been waiting for the return of Dr. Mensah (and her team) since the first novella. This novella finally gave it to me and it was amazing to get her back, and to see her continued and developing relationship with Murderbot, how they relate to each other. Apart from being a wonderful dynamic in itself, it also highlights Murderbot’s character development since, and that is generally my favorite part about this series so far.

Not that I didn’t also enjoy the plot that is all about sticking it to an evil corporation. That is something I generally like and it is very well executed here. Plus, the more Murderbot lets itself have a personality, the more humor there is to the books and its interior monologue. It’s a breezy read for sure.

I hadn’t realized that this was intended as a final installment for the series at first. I am glad it is not, not only because I still want more Murderbot, but also because the ending doesn’t feel like much of an ending. Maybe that would have been different had I read it knowing that there isn’t anymore, but there is definitely room for more adventure here. And I will be here to read it.

Summarizing: love it.