The Exchange: After The Firm - The biggest Grisham in over a decade (Mitch McDeere, 2) Hardcover – 17 Oct. 2023

Twists and turns good. I did feel the hostage story had some weak spots and the information about the hostage takers was not clear. Overall though a great read and a good introduction to John Grisham

Like all John Grisham books, this was easy to read, but it wasn't fast-paced or gripping like The Firm. It can't really be called a sequel, either. Yes, it has Mitch McDeere as the main character, but that's about the only similarity. Most of the book is a detailed account of how Mitch and others try to raise funds for a ransom payment. And there are so many characters that you can't remember them all. It's not a classic Grisham novel, but there are some exciting parts, and the author's easy to read style makes it worthwhile.

This book fell well short of the Firm. It was long drawn out and came to an unfinished ending.It was boring in parts.

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.

As a novel, it hits all the Grisham notes. Taught tension and intrigue, with characters set inside the world of a large law firm.But catching up with Mitch McDeere so far after the events of The Firm feels like following a different person. This could have been a great novel without Mitch's involvement.This time, Mitch never seems to be in jeopardy - though others in his circle really are. His career isn't on the line and his life is far removed from where we left him.All said and done, it's a great read with shock, tension and a satisfying conclusion.

This one droned on and on, and I couldn't wait to get to the end. Unsatisfactory character development of the leads. The main man had become a boring professional with, wow, a happy family and snobbish culinary tastes, complete with in-house chefs. Yawn. Devoid of any interesting traits. Weird cul-de-sac plot diversion in the first half. Absurd revelation later on that he had not touched any of the $10 million he stole from the mafia in the The Firm - despite spending up large on an extravagant European lifestyle. Awful.

Every book written by John Grisham is always a great read and The Exchange is no exception. Riveting and full of suspense.

I loved the firm so I was really looking forward to this one. Grisham has been a bit hot and cold recently but I was confident he'd bring his A game for this one. No such luck. This was one of the worst books I've ever read and I'm pretty sure had it not had Grisham's name attached it would never have been published!Spoiler ahead though honestly there is nothing to spoil.First off the first 50 pages of the book had nothing at all to do with the rest of it. He spends those pages setting up the start of a novel then goes nah I can't be bothered with that. But rather than chuck it away, it stays as the opening of the novel. Unbelievably poor.But that's actually the good bit. When we get to the actual plot, omg. Well here it is so you can save yourself the trouble. Libyan terrorists kidnap a female associate in Mitch's firm. He then spends the rest of the book getting the money together while Abby (for reasons never explained) acts as go between to the kidnappers. Eventually Mitch gets the money together and pays it and the hostage is released. The end. Really, that's it. I haven't missed out any plot twists or hidden danger other than the terrorists kind of threatening Mitch's family but that is never really followed upThere are a whole bunch of things like that, ideas that get started or hinted at but never completed.As for the characters, plot development, themes etc. Don't worry, he doesn't mess those up because there aren't any.Side note: it's set before the fall of Gadaffi in Libya. Strange that Grisham chose to bring Mitch back in the past. I wonder if he actually wrote it then but itcwas rejected? Wouldn't surprise me at all

John Grisham wrote a great believable thriller. Great characters with depth of character. This was Grisham at his best, well done.

Depois de The Firm, Mitch McDeere retorna em aventura eletrizante. John Grisham com sua habitual habilidade de entretenimento.

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

A real thriller, great sequel to The Firm