Murderbot's Journey: An 'Exit Strategy' Review

Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐️

Exit Strategy is the fourth Murderbot Diaries novella and the payoff for everything the first three set up. Murderbot returns to rescue Dr. Mensah from GrayCris, the original arc gets a real ending, and the series earns its first reunion. If you've read books one through three, this one is mandatory.

"Exit Strategy" is the fourth installment in "The Murderbot Diaries" series, connecting more directly to the story of where it all started.

The Setup: Mensah Kidnapped

The story picks up after Murderbot's daring theft of illegal information from GrayCris Corporation, a move that puts it (him?) squarely in the crosshairs of the desperate corporation. GrayCris retaliates by kidnapping Dr. Mensah, a person whom Murderbot has developed deep feelings of gratitude, friendship, and loyalty towards. Fueled by complex emotions and an unwavering determination to protect the only person it sort of likes, Murderbot embarks on a dangerous journey to liberate Dr. Mensah.

Relentless Pacing

The pacing is relentless, driving the narrative forward with heart-pounding action. Wells crafts vivid and intense action sequences without it being overwhelming or excessively detailed.

One of the standout aspects of "Exit Strategy" is Murderbot’s profound character development. Murderbot’s snarky humor and sarcastic commentary makes it more human, and something you get behind and root for.

The Reunion I Was Waiting For

The reunion with Murderbot's original crew adds an extra layer of depth and nostalgia to the story. I have been wondering and waiting for this since finishing the first book. I didn’t want Murderbot just going on different adventures every time with a different crew, I wanted a conclusion to the characters and story started in the first book. The dynamic between the characters is captivating, as their relationships evolve and deepen throughout the series.

Verdict: 4/5

"Exit Strategy" finally delivers a satisfying resolution to many story arcs, and it also leaves room for future adventures and tantalising possibilities. The first 4 books in the series were novellas with each book under 4 hours long. The next book is a full length novel and I am eager to explore the expansive universe Martha Wells has created, where the story goes from here and the next adventure that’s in store for Murderbot.

Four stars out of five. The first arc ends exactly the way it needed to.

And that eagerness paid off: my review of Network Effect, the full-length novel that follows, picks up right where this leaves off.

Reading the series in 2026? My Murderbot Diaries reading order guide has every book and short story in sequence, updated for Platform Decay.

Quick Answers

Do I need to read the first three novellas before Exit Strategy?

Yes. Exit Strategy is the conclusion of the four-novella arc that starts with All Systems Red. It works because of everything that came before it.

Is Exit Strategy the end of the Murderbot series?

No, just the end of the first arc. The series continues with Fugitive Telemetry, Network Effect, System Collapse, and Platform Decay, with more on the way.

How long is Exit Strategy?

176 pages, or under four hours on audio. Like the other novellas, it's very bingeable.

What should I read after Exit Strategy?

Fugitive Telemetry, then Network Effect. Fugitive Telemetry came out later but takes place earlier, and reading it first makes the jump to the novels smoother.