The Exchange After The Firm (The Firm Series)

I didn’t really like this book, but for very selfish reasons that don’t warrant a lower rating. I read lots of books from plenty of genres, but I love coming back to the familiar settings and writing style of the annual John Grisham release. This sequel to The Firm, which I enjoyed re-reading in preparation (remembered none of it because I read that book as teenager), goes way way waaaaay out of the comfort zone. It was very international and very New York Upper-East side, with just a taste of the Memphis setting with what I thought would be a sub-plot that connected somehow, but it never panned out. It was still very good, very evocative, and I did enjoy it. It was my fault that I bought it with barely a glance at the synopsis, and I will do the same thing next year, without a doubt. I might dig up another old Grisham book from the 90’s that I can’t remember and enjoy it to console myself.

I love John Grisham. It might just be me but I thought there would be some kind of an interesting twist at the end of the story to explain a connection between Mitch’s change of location (don’t want to spoil it). Still a great read.

Exciting with large roles for Abby and other supporting characters. Some suspense but also generally predictable. I was looking for more of a tie in to the last book and the characters in it. Loved the various international venues and the scenes in Italy and North Africa. Enjoyed getting more of Mitch and Abby’s backstories. Looking forward to book 3 and hoping it ties up some loose ends.

For a long I hadn’t read John Grisham. This book brought me back. I thought why did you stop reading this author. Just purchased a few more of his books. This book moves fast and you can’t wait to see just what Mitch is in for. I had read the Firm way back when. I thought I forgot what it was about, but, there is enough background you don’t need to read The Firm over. Just jump right in.

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!