What do you think?
Rate this book
Max Segal #2
Exes
A series of successful professional men are found slashed to death in their beds, apparently during sex, the presumed victims of a gay murderer. Homicide detective Max Segal is on the case, but he’s distracted by his failing marriage and an attractive journalist who is covering the case. Judy Wells has everyone fooled, including the police. She’s been methodically stalking, seducing, and murdering every man who has ever dumped her—and her revenge seems almost justified. But the FBI is closing in. Despite his troubles, Max isn’t far behind, and as the players speed toward an inevitable confrontation, readers are in for a surprising and explosive climax.
Like Fear Itself and Love Kills, Dan Greenburg’s other bestselling thrillers, Exes is a terrifyingly realistic, darkly humorous, startlingly sexual, street-tough page-turner with a surprising climax.
451 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 1, 1990
79 people are currently reading
330 people want to read
About the author
Dan Greenburg
161 books75 followersDAN GREENBURG BIO
BOOKS:
Dan's 73 books have been published in 24 countries.
His adult best-sellers include EXES, LOVE KILLS, HOW TO BE A JEWISH MOTHER, HOW TO MAKE YOURSELF MISERABLE, and HOW TO AVOID LOVE AND MARRIAGE. How to be a Jewish Mother sold several million copies. It and How to Make Yourself Miserable were in print for 30 years and were on Publishers Weekly’s list of all-time bestsellers.
Amazon will publish Dan’s third psychological thriller, FEAR ITSELF, in January 2014. They’ll also republish his first two thrillers, EXES and LOVE KILLS.
He’s written four series of children's books: THE ZACK FILES, SECRETS OF DRIPPING FANG, WEIRD PLANET, and MAXIMUM BOY. The Zack Files sold more than 2 million copies, was translated into 20 languages, and generated an Emmy-winning 52-episode TV series that ran on Showtime and Fox Family.
ADVENTURES:
Dan has written extensively about his adventures:
Riding with NYPD homicide detectives for two years to research thrillers FEAR ITSELF, EXES, and LOVE KILLS.
Interviewing murderers alone in their maximum security prison cells for FEAR ITSELF.
Attending autopsies in the NYC morgue for EXES.
Learning how to discipline tigers and lions on a Texas tiger ranch.
Swimming with 80,000 lb. humpback whales in the deep ocean.
Flying upside down with a stunt pilot in an open-cockpit biplane.
Participating in dangerous voodoo rites in Haiti.
Riding with NYC firemen for four months and following them into burning buildings.
Searching for the Loch Ness Monster.
Assisting exorcists in a Connecticut house attacked by poltergeists.
Acting a major character role in a Western movie filmed in Spain.
Doing stand-up comedy at the New York Improv, and on TV talk shows.
Getting screamed at by Orson Welles on the set of Catch-22 in Mexico.
MAGAZINES:
Dan’s articles have appeared in The New Yorker, Esquire, New York Magazine, The New York Times Book Review, The New York Times Magazine, Vanity Fair, The Huffington Post, Time, Life, Newsweek, Ms., Playboy, and have been reprinted in 44 humor anthologies in the U.S. and England.
MOVIES AND TV:
Dan has had six of his feature films produced, two of which are on Variety’s list of top grossing films.
THEATER:
Along with Jules Feiffer, John Lennon and Samuel Beckett, Dan was a contributor to Oh! Calcutta!, which ran on Broadway for 21 years. He was also a contributor to Free to be You and Me, which ran off and on Broadway for years.
MISC.:
Dan has appeared on The Today Show, The Tonight Show, Larry King Live, and Late Night with David Letterman. He grew up in Chicago, got his BFA from the University of Illinois, and his MFA from UCLA. He lives in Westchester, NY and British Columbia with his author wife Judith Greenburg and many cats.
dan@dangreenburg.com
BOOKS:
Dan's 73 books have been published in 24 countries.
His adult best-sellers include EXES, LOVE KILLS, HOW TO BE A JEWISH MOTHER, HOW TO MAKE YOURSELF MISERABLE, and HOW TO AVOID LOVE AND MARRIAGE. How to be a Jewish Mother sold several million copies. It and How to Make Yourself Miserable were in print for 30 years and were on Publishers Weekly’s list of all-time bestsellers.
Amazon will publish Dan’s third psychological thriller, FEAR ITSELF, in January 2014. They’ll also republish his first two thrillers, EXES and LOVE KILLS.
He’s written four series of children's books: THE ZACK FILES, SECRETS OF DRIPPING FANG, WEIRD PLANET, and MAXIMUM BOY. The Zack Files sold more than 2 million copies, was translated into 20 languages, and generated an Emmy-winning 52-episode TV series that ran on Showtime and Fox Family.
ADVENTURES:
Dan has written extensively about his adventures:
Riding with NYPD homicide detectives for two years to research thrillers FEAR ITSELF, EXES, and LOVE KILLS.
Interviewing murderers alone in their maximum security prison cells for FEAR ITSELF.
Attending autopsies in the NYC morgue for EXES.
Learning how to discipline tigers and lions on a Texas tiger ranch.
Swimming with 80,000 lb. humpback whales in the deep ocean.
Flying upside down with a stunt pilot in an open-cockpit biplane.
Participating in dangerous voodoo rites in Haiti.
Riding with NYC firemen for four months and following them into burning buildings.
Searching for the Loch Ness Monster.
Assisting exorcists in a Connecticut house attacked by poltergeists.
Acting a major character role in a Western movie filmed in Spain.
Doing stand-up comedy at the New York Improv, and on TV talk shows.
Getting screamed at by Orson Welles on the set of Catch-22 in Mexico.
MAGAZINES:
Dan’s articles have appeared in The New Yorker, Esquire, New York Magazine, The New York Times Book Review, The New York Times Magazine, Vanity Fair, The Huffington Post, Time, Life, Newsweek, Ms., Playboy, and have been reprinted in 44 humor anthologies in the U.S. and England.
MOVIES AND TV:
Dan has had six of his feature films produced, two of which are on Variety’s list of top grossing films.
THEATER:
Along with Jules Feiffer, John Lennon and Samuel Beckett, Dan was a contributor to Oh! Calcutta!, which ran on Broadway for 21 years. He was also a contributor to Free to be You and Me, which ran off and on Broadway for years.
MISC.:
Dan has appeared on The Today Show, The Tonight Show, Larry King Live, and Late Night with David Letterman. He grew up in Chicago, got his BFA from the University of Illinois, and his MFA from UCLA. He lives in Westchester, NY and British Columbia with his author wife Judith Greenburg and many cats.
dan@dangreenburg.com
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
January 29, 2023
I always say you know you are a lover of books when you have books on your shelf that you don't remember where they came from. Exes is one of those books for me. I know I've had it for years, maybe decades. I've meant to start it many times so last week I finally did. Exes is a 90's thriller about a female that kills men that have ended their relationship. Exes maintains a nice tone throughout. At times it's edgy, funny, gruesome and thrilling. Since it was written a few decades ago and features cops that are rough around the edges there are some aspects of the book that wouldn't past muster if released today. For me it was pretty easy to get past those and I think Greenburg had the right intentions it just doesn't land today like it did in the 90's. Exes comes to a crashing ending that may have been too abrupt but it was still a really fun journey. I've already bought the other two books in the "Max" series.
April 13, 2020
I read the first book in the Max Segal trilogy several years ago and really enjoyed it. This one sat on my "next-to-read" shelf for quite a while, and I am pleased that I got to it. Dan Greenburg has created a wonderful character with Max. He is intelligent and witty, but also a very believable detective. As this book proves, Max Segal is fallible as any of us are, and that is what makes this story readable. It is also relatable.
If you like police detective stories, you will like this one. Some reviews I read complained about the sex scenes being unnecessary. I disagree. Without those scenes, I don't think we would have as true an appreciation for what drives Julie Wells.
If you like police detective stories, you will like this one. Some reviews I read complained about the sex scenes being unnecessary. I disagree. Without those scenes, I don't think we would have as true an appreciation for what drives Julie Wells.
July 31, 2022
A twisty page turner.
March 31, 2023
Max is despicable in this book.
Again the mostly-good plot is ruined by unnecessary vulgar language and descriptions
Again the mostly-good plot is ruined by unnecessary vulgar language and descriptions
August 25, 2014
I read LOVE KILLS way back in 1978 and had no idea that he's continued the police character into two more books (the second one, EXES came out in 1990 and the third one FEAR ITSELF came out in 2014...so he's certainly taking his time with this series!). There's a dated feeling even when you consider that it was written in 1990... the whole "we may have a gay S&M killer on the loose" feels very much like Gerald Walker's 1970 thriller CRUISING. But there's not a gay killer on the loose, just a woman who's killing all the men in her life that never called her back for a second date. But she's planting S&M paraphernalia at the crime scenes to make the police believe that the victims were either gay or into S&M. Half-way through the book, there's a very clever twist i didn't see coming.But shortly after that point, the killer's movements (tracking down old boyfriends, seducing them again and cutting their throats) started to get a bit repetitious, especially since the police work seems to stall at the same time.
Parts of the then-cutting edge crime scene evidence analysis ("Let me tell you about DNA!!") reads like a Wikipedia entry. And details about autopsies seemed to be intentionally written as gruesomely as possible.
Toward the end, Max (the police detective) starts acting so irrationally that the reader begins to lose sympathy for him.
It's a fast-read but a little overlong at 450 pages.
Parts of the then-cutting edge crime scene evidence analysis ("Let me tell you about DNA!!") reads like a Wikipedia entry. And details about autopsies seemed to be intentionally written as gruesomely as possible.
Toward the end, Max (the police detective) starts acting so irrationally that the reader begins to lose sympathy for him.
It's a fast-read but a little overlong at 450 pages.
January 19, 2014
**I won this book via FirstReads. This did not change my rating.**
Exes is a suspenseful, wonderfully crafted novel. I was able to read it in about three hours, and it held my attention well. There was a high amount of profanity and vulgarity, but I suppose it goes along with the genre.
Max Segal is a detective in New York City, and he's been called to investigate the murders of wealthy NYC businessmen. Each of them have been found naked--one of them with homosexual pleasure toys--and the police assume they're looking for a gay serial killer.
Not so. The book switches from Max's POV to that of the very female killer, who's hell-bent on avenging men who've rejected her. She's an expert at disguise and manipulation, and she's seemingly unstoppable.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The book started and ended with a bang, and I recommend this to anyone who likes gritty cop thrillers. Again, as a warning, there is a lot of profanity.
Exes is a suspenseful, wonderfully crafted novel. I was able to read it in about three hours, and it held my attention well. There was a high amount of profanity and vulgarity, but I suppose it goes along with the genre.
Max Segal is a detective in New York City, and he's been called to investigate the murders of wealthy NYC businessmen. Each of them have been found naked--one of them with homosexual pleasure toys--and the police assume they're looking for a gay serial killer.
Not so. The book switches from Max's POV to that of the very female killer, who's hell-bent on avenging men who've rejected her. She's an expert at disguise and manipulation, and she's seemingly unstoppable.
Overall, I enjoyed this book. The book started and ended with a bang, and I recommend this to anyone who likes gritty cop thrillers. Again, as a warning, there is a lot of profanity.
August 13, 2016
This is the first of Dan Greenburg’s books I’ve read. It is the
second in the Max Segal Series but can be read as a stand alone.
It is a mixture of a psychological thriller and police procedural centering on one NYPD detective, Max Segal. It combines his professional and personal life with that of a serial killer
who is removing the former rejecting exes from her life. It
moves fast and contains a lot of harsh reality.
The author gets inside the heads of his characters and
presents them to the reader so you understand the inner workings
of both thedetectives and the killer. The characters are
well defined and very realistic.
I received this book through a Goodreads First Reads giveaway. My opinions are my own.
second in the Max Segal Series but can be read as a stand alone.
It is a mixture of a psychological thriller and police procedural centering on one NYPD detective, Max Segal. It combines his professional and personal life with that of a serial killer
who is removing the former rejecting exes from her life. It
moves fast and contains a lot of harsh reality.
The author gets inside the heads of his characters and
presents them to the reader so you understand the inner workings
of both thedetectives and the killer. The characters are
well defined and very realistic.
I received this book through a Goodreads First Reads giveaway. My opinions are my own.
June 29, 2014
This is the 2nd book in the series but there seems to be a 7+ year gap between this and the first book which had me going back and looking to see if I had missed a book because we leave the first book with Max and Babette planning a future together and start this book with a 7 year marriage that is in trouble. I like to read 'series' books and usually when you do you can see the books improving book by book but I found this book a huge disappointment the story was interesting enough but too much of the book was about Max and his personal life. That is only my opinion though others may disagree. Despite my disappointment I will read (or try to read) book 3 before writing off the author.
September 27, 2014
While the mysteries in this series themselves are quite good, it's the sex scenes that are needlessly pornographic. Hey I'm not saying I'm a prude here, however his dealings with the subject are crude and tasteless.
While none of the characters are particularly likable, I have to say my favorite character is Caruso; He speaks his mind.
While none of the characters are particularly likable, I have to say my favorite character is Caruso; He speaks his mind.
Read
September 24, 2014Great book
After reading the first book I couldn't wait to start this one and now I can't wait for the final one of this series. I would recommend this. now off to start the third and final book to this series.
After reading the first book I couldn't wait to start this one and now I can't wait for the final one of this series. I would recommend this. now off to start the third and final book to this series.
November 9, 2015
Boredom to bedroom
Poor Max, juggling a dying marriage and a serial killer! Psychopath and a cop psychologist and a 3 year old son all pulling at him. Now wonder he's lucky to be alive! Thank God for a partner with a hunch.
Enjoyable read.
Poor Max, juggling a dying marriage and a serial killer! Psychopath and a cop psychologist and a 3 year old son all pulling at him. Now wonder he's lucky to be alive! Thank God for a partner with a hunch.
Enjoyable read.
October 5, 2007
Sure wish I could remember what this was about! Just another one to get read before the big move!
December 31, 2010
one of the first books I read when I started to go to the library, I will never forget it, you don't hear much of a woman serial killer,but hey revenge is ever so sweet, and karma is a(well you know)
Want to read
December 31, 2013I won a free copy of this book through the Goodreads first - reads program. I can't wait to read this book. Thank you.
January 16, 2014
Excellent book...
** I received this book for free as part of a First-Reads promotion
** I received this book for free as part of a First-Reads promotion
April 27, 2014
Dan Greenburg delivers another gripping pageturner with the second book in his Max Segal police thriller series. A fast pace and lots of action make the novel very hard to put down.
March 19, 2015
Good read.....
Some parts of it get a little wordy but in spite of this it holds your interest. Good story line and good characters.
Some parts of it get a little wordy but in spite of this it holds your interest. Good story line and good characters.
November 23, 2015
A 1990 police procedural set in (mainly) Manhattan. Good development, nice resolution.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews