The Exchange: After The Firm (The Firm Series)

Exciting, fast paced and satisfying - a worthy sequel. Glad that Abby had a large role, just like in the original novel. The plot may not be a labyrinthine as The Firm, but I liked the more streamlined thriller structure of The Exchange a lot. It makes for a quick but enjoyable read. Give it a shot!!

Book Review – The Exchange – John Grisham I have read or listened to every book written by John Grisham. Although “The Exchange,” Grisham’s sequel to “The Firm” – also a blockbuster movie – it was not his best book, but I still found it compelling and reasonably intriguing and suspenseful. While there is very little legal plotting, Grisham does a masterful job drawing the reader into the tension of the various characters’ emotions – some agitated, some uncaring, a few greedy, and plenty of in between. Right up to the end of the story, the reader cannot be sure of its outcome, which is the hallmark of a well written suspense story. Also, this is not a ‘follow on’ to The Firm story, but rather another adventurous tale about the lives of Mitch and Abby McDeere who are now living in Manhattan, New York where Mitch is a partner at the largest law firm in the world. In this tale, Mitch finds himself at the center of a sinister plot that has worldwide implications—and once again endangers his colleagues, friends, and family. He’s become a master at staying one step ahead of his adversaries, but this time there’s nowhere to run or to hide. The Exchange has a believable story line, engaging characters, elevated uncertainty, and a strong ending. An international legal thriller with an ending that hints at something more to come. I enjoyed The Exchange and recommend it to mystery thriller readers.

I've been reading Grisham novels since he originally published The Firm. I was looking forward to this book as a sort of "where are they now" story. I loved The Firm but this novel honestly didn't feel necessary. Sure, it gave me an adventure with Mitch and his wife years after the events in The Firm but there didn't seem to be much in their lives that felt like a sort of lasting consequence or fallout from some pretty huge events during The Firm. Slight spoilers if you never read The Firm: I would think someone who finds himself and his family ensnared deep into the world of organized crime would be looking over his shoulder for the rest of his life after successfully escaping but nope. It's over, finished and done. Everyone went to prison from that underground organization and no one is left who resents him for any of it or who wants any sort of revenge. Neat and tidy wrapped up storyline . This book feels like a totally unrelated slice of life adventure. If you're ok with that then maybe you might like this book. As for me, it felt "meh".

John Grisham does an excellent job of bringing his readers along with him through Europe, north Africa, or the Caribbean to help create the scene and build the plot of his suspenseful thrillers. What a great writer.

I am a fan of John Grisham. His books are fascinating and I am always ready for the next on the market. This is my tenth book and I am a true fan of That Grisham

I am a fan of John Grisham, I read everything he writes but this particular novel, I did not find engaging enough. I am more used to his more dramatic novels.

Just a couple of weeks ago, I found out by chance that John Grisham had written a sequel to his first massive best seller, The Firm. I have read many of his books, with The Firm being my favorite. I just re-read it last year in fact. So becoming reacquainted with Mitch and Abbey McDeere again in The Exchange was incredibly unexpected and exciting. I used to be a huge Grisham fan and have read many of his books. But then I began to find his books had become stale and somewhat formulaic so I had stopped reading them. But in the last few years I did read one of his more recent ones (which was ok … not brilliant but ok), and I reread my two favorites of his (The Pelican Brief and The Firm). So, I was really pleasantly surprised that The Exchange was out. While I was cautious that it might be a letdown, it was absolutely not that. I was thoroughly engrossed in the story, much like I was with many of Grisham’s earlier books. He knows how to write a page-turner like no other writer I know. This book gets to a point where it’s hard to put down leaving the reader almost breathless while reaching the height of the story — something he has done brilliantly time and again throughout his career. But this isn’t just a walk down the memory lane of the Grisham-of-old. He has updated the McDeeres into their early 40s (in 2006 so alas I am sure he is planning a third installment). So the McDeeres are not fresh young adults any longer. But John Grisham is not a fresh young writer any longer either. Instead he has matured his writing-style to make his legal thriller style even better. I am now a reinvigorated, eager fan of John Grisham again. It feels like I have reconciled with an old friend after a long absence. Good to see you again, friend. Welcome back!

Don't expect much from the ending! As a writer, I thought I had figured it out and had a great twist to the plot. But the actual ending was horrible. None of the questions the rambling plot left me asking were answered, and what happened left me very dissatisfied with the ending. It built up in a few places that went NOWHERE. Not on par with Grisham's talent and name. If I had written this book, it would have been rejected and never published. I couldn't honestly recommend it to anyone. Three of us bought the book in an online book club, but when two of us finished and the 3rd hadn't gotten around to buying the book yet, we both told her to save her money and time and read something else.

In the conclusion to an Author’s Note at the end of this book, The Exchange, John Grisham says, “A special thanks to the readers who have enjoyed The Firm over the years and have been kind enough to write and ask: Will we ever see Mitch and Abby (McDeere) again?” Well, The Exchange is Grisham’s 41st novel, and 38 others have been written by this prolific author since The Firm, the book that introduced the McDeere’s to this author’s readership. In terms of time, it has been fifteen years since Mitch McDeere stole $15 million from the mob and disappeared. In its passing narrative, occupying some 334 pages from the Hodder and Stoughton publishers, The Exchange fills-in some of the details of that event, by way of offering a possible reason why, since then, Mitch and his wife, Abby, have lived in relative obscurity, with Mitch working his way to being one of the top lawyers working for the biggest law firm in the world, Scully & Pershing. It is not by chance that John Grisham is amongst the foremost writers of his time, and, in The Exchange, John Grisham tells the story of how a new case takes Mitch McDeere to Libya and his involvement in one of the biggest hostage negotiations in recent history. Terrorists who have murdered, and will do so again, have captured a fellow London-based lawyer with the firm of Scully & Pershing, Giovanna, the daughter of a wealthy Italian, Luca. Mitch and Giovanna had been representing Luca in his legal battle with the Libyan government over the latter’s refusal to reimburse Luca for his company's work in building a bridge for the Libyan government in the Libyan desert. Whilst in Libya, Giovanna had been captured by terrorists and held for a $100 million ransom – to be paid within ten days. Mitch, and in due course, his wife Abby, has become central to the negotiations with the terrorists for Giovanna’s release. The narrative of the novel develops from this situation. In some ways, The Exchange is a follow-up to The Firm, but in other ways it is a separate story which, with Grisham’s narrative skills, simply and clearly offers some parallels between Mitch McDeere’s previous experiences and those he now faces and shares with Abby. The difference now is that with the clock ticking, Mitch must remain one step ahead of those who have kidnapped Giovanna. So too, unlike his experiences with the mob who are intent on revenge, there is nowhere where Mitch can now hide. Early in the novel, John Grisham prepares his readers well for what is to come. There is a gradual development of the story, with important background information concerning his major characters. There are no overwhelming emotional or physical junctures, but it is a narrative that gradually draws in the reader as the story continues and develops. When it is reached, the denouement of the plot and the conclusion to the novel provides satisfaction and literary completion, rather than great tension and surprise. This is the mark of an experienced and successful writer, and, in these areas, there are few who are the equal of John Grisham. The Exchange is, for this reviewer, one of the most enjoyable and stimulating of John Grisham’s later novels. Not only does The Exchange reintroduce the character of Mitch McDeere, but there is also a gentle but firm reminder that the author, John Grisham, remains one of the modern legends of literary fiction. The Exchange is well worth its purchase price and comes with this reviewer’s highest recommendation.

Not the best, I feel John Grisham's newer novels to be a tedious read, a bit boring at time

El Sr Grisham nunca defrauda, tiene una mente maravillosa y hace disfrutar al lector enormemente. He leido varios libros de él e invariablemente me deja pensando en frases, diàlogos, sitios. Le deseo mucho éxito y bendiciones.

Really enjoyed this book the air miles were something else hope we will see Mich and Abby again some time in the near future

Excellent read. Always enjoy Grisham's books and stories