John Grisham brings back his most famous character, Mitch McDeer, in “The Exchange”, the follow-up to “The Firm,” over 30 years since the initial book appeared.
Mitch coming back after a time that is so long may give fans of that first novel some mixed feelings. Is the new book comparable to the original? Will it be quite similar? Is it acting as a reminder of what a true follow-up is?
This John Grisham review will look into the plot, the characters’ growth, the writing quality, and whether it meets fan expectations. It is an exciting thriller as the short answer shows, but it is not quite the sequel fans hoped for.
What “The Exchange” Is About
The story takes place 15 years after “The Firm” ended. Mitch is now 41 years old and works as a partner at Scully & Pershing, a big law firm in Manhattan. He’s married to Abby and has two sons.
Mitch takes on a big international case. A Turkish construction company is suing Libya. During a site visit, Giovanna gets kidnapped. She’s the daughter of one of Mitch’s colleagues. The kidnappers want $100 million to let her go.
Mitch has to work with foreign governments and insurance companies and deal with media attention. The big question is: who took Giovanna, and can Mitch save her before it’s too late?
How This Book Connects to “The Firm”
Mitch goes back to Memphis briefly for a pro-bono death penalty case. He meets up with Lamar, his old friend from the first book. This is one of the few connections to the original story.
The mafia storyline from “The Firm” barely appears in this book. That’s surprising because Mitch betrayed a Chicago mob family in the first novel. You’d expect some consequences, but they’re not really there.
This feels like the life Mitch would have had if he had never worked at Bendini, Lambert & Locke. One nice detail is that Mitch still doesn’t like his in-laws, which is true to his character. Overall, this exchange John Grisham review finds that the book works more as a standalone story than a true sequel.
The Strengths of “The Exchange”
Despite some problems, the book has several things going for it.
The Pacing and Suspense
The story moves fast, especially in the last 100 pages. Grisham includes all the classic thriller elements his fans love. The international settings add excitement as the story moves between different countries.
The kidnapping plot stays tense throughout the book. Mitch faces many problems, like government roadblocks, food poisoning, and threats that Giovanna might be executed. These obstacles keep you turning pages.
Character Elements That Work
Mitch’s core personality stays the same. He came from a humble background, wants to do the right thing, and has a sharp legal mind. His ongoing mental battles with his in-laws are actually pretty funny.
Giovanna’s situation makes you care about what happens to her. Watching Mitch handle the ransom negotiation is interesting. He uses his legal skills in creative ways to try to save her life.
The Writing Quality
Grisham’s experience as an author really shows. His prose is smooth, and the story moves efficiently. The legal details are interesting without being too complicated or boring.
The international settings feel well-researched and real. If you listen to the audiobook, Edoardo Ballerini does an excellent job with the narration. His performance adds a lot to the story.
Where “The Exchange” Falls Short
While this John Grisham review finds many good things about the book, it also has some serious problems.
The Mob Problem
The biggest issue is the missing mafia from the first book. Where did they go? It’s hard to believe they’d just let Mitch live freely in Manhattan after what he did to them.
Mitch walks around New York with almost no security. The book misses a big chance to use the revenge angle. That could have made the whole plot much better. In interviews, Grisham himself admits this is “the biggest problem with the book.”
The Sequel That Isn’t
The marketing makes it seem like a real sequel, but it feels more like a standalone thriller. The Memphis visit wraps up past events in just one chapter. That’s way too quick for fans who waited 30 years.
This plot could have worked with any main character. It doesn’t need to be Mitch specifically. The book feels more inspired by Tom Cruise’s movie version than the original character. It doesn’t capture what made “The Firm” special in the first place.
Pacing Issues
The first ten chapters drag. There’s too much detail about Italian cooking and legal paperwork. The Memphis death penalty case only exists to get Mitch back to Memphis. It feels like filler content.
The ending feels rushed after all the buildup. You wait through a slow start, but then the resolution happens too quickly. It’s not as satisfying as it should be.
Unanswered Questions
Several plot points never get explained. Who poisoned Mitch during the trip? Was it on purpose or just bad luck? Who actually planned the kidnapping? The book never fully reveals this.
There’s a lot of focus on media coverage, but it doesn’t lead anywhere. These loose ends are frustrating for readers who want a complete story.
Who Should Read “The Exchange”
This is the exchange John Grisham recommends the book for certain readers, but not others.
Read it if you:
You should pick up this book if you enjoy international thrillers with legal elements and like fast-paced kidnapping plots. If you’re curious about what happened to Mitch McDeere or you appreciate Grisham’s writing style, you’ll probably enjoy it. It also makes a great audiobook for your commute.
Skip it if you:
You should probably skip this book if you want a true, real sequel to “The Firm” or expect the mob storyline to be important. If you’re looking for Grisham’s best work or prefer deeply complex legal dramas, this isn’t it. Also, skip it if you can’t handle slow opening chapters.
Final Verdict and Rating
Overall, this exchange John Grisham review gives the book 3.5 out of 5 stars. It’s fun to read but has clear flaws. The bottom line is that it’s a good thriller but a disappointing sequel.
The kidnapping plot works well. Mitch’s character is still interesting. The second half of the book moves quickly. But the lack of connection to “The Firm,” the missing mob storyline, and the slow start hurt it.
Go into this book with the right expectations. Treat it as a standalone story rather than a sequel. You’ll enjoy it more that way. Grisham has hinted he might write another Mitch McDeere book that better addresses the mob storyline, which gives fans some hope for the future.
Conclusion
“The Exchange” is a fine thriller, yet it isn’t quite a sequel. Grisham wrote a good book, though the main problem is that fans wanted a different book after 30 years.
The kidnapping plot is suspenseful with a silver lining. It is most certainly of some worth to read. Someone’s narration makes the audiobook version exceptionally worthwhile. The narration helps to make the audiobook version quite good.
It is hoped that Grisham will tie up loose ends due to his hint of another Mitch novel for fans. Even when he doesn’t quite hit near the mark, John Grisham is still a master storyteller. John Grisham recommends that you read this exchange, but first, you should adjust all of your expectations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to read “The Firm” before reading “The Exchange”?
Not really. While it’s sold as a sequel, “The Exchange” works mostly as a standalone thriller. The book gives you enough background about Mitch’s past that new readers won’t feel confused. However, reading “The Firm” first helps you understand the character references and see why some fans feel let down.
Is “The Exchange” being adapted into a movie or TV series?
Right now, there’s no official news about a film or TV version of “The Exchange.” “The Firm” was made into a 1993 movie with Tom Cruise and a 2012 TV series. “The Exchange” might get similar treatment if it sells well.
How does the kidnapping in “The Exchange” compare to real-world cases?
Grisham uses realistic elements of international kidnapping situations, especially in unstable regions. The ransom negotiation, insurance company involvement, and challenges with foreign governments reflect real complexities. But like all Grisham novels, some parts are made more dramatic for entertainment.
Will John Grisham write another Mitch McDeere novel?
In interviews about “The Exchange,” Grisham hinted he might write another book with Mitch McDeere. This one could address the mob storyline more directly. He admitted that leaving the mafia out was a big gap and suggested Mitch’s story might not be finished.
What’s the best format to experience “The Exchange”?
Many readers recommend the audiobook narrated by Edoardo Ballerini. He’s praised for excellent pacing, accents, and bringing the international thriller to life. But if you prefer reading at your own speed and want to skim the slower opening chapters, print or e-book works well too. It depends on what you like.
