A review by prolifictrek
The Exchange: After The Firm by John Grisham

slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

0.5

Perhaps if this book hadn’t attempted to be a blatant attempt to capitalize on the financial success of its “prequel,” The Firm, it would have warranted a score closer to a 2. Unfortunately, Grisham needed the name recognition of The Firm and characters like Mitch McDeere to make this novel even remotely worth reading.

For fans of the firm: THIS BOOK HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE FIRM. Yes, two of the main characters are named Mitch and Abby McDeere, Lamar Quinn makes an appearance, and every once in a while someone has to mention “Memphis” or “Bandini” so that we remember this is a sequel to The Firm. But that’s it. This honestly reads like bad fanfiction. Lots of hand waving away the mafia (the one that never forgets? The one that would be coming after him forever?) threat because… reasons? Straight up retconning elements of The Firm. Using characters that resemble their namesake in name only. And really bad writing to boot. 

I was honestly so excited when the book started and Mitch got called back to Memphis to meet with some death row lawyers who are (spoiler) the only interesting characters in the whole book. Less than ten percent of the way through the book and Grisham neatly disposes of the only possibly interesting plot thread, any opportunity for expanding the rich universe of The Firm, and anything worth reading. 

Don’t read this.