What do you think?
Rate this book
Alastair Stone Chronicles #36
Lethal Exchange
A Deadly Transaction, A Dangerous Game
When Alastair Stone’s former apprentice Verity approaches him with the story of a drugged and caged Changeling she spotted at a magical black market in Europe, Stone is quick to offer his aid to locate the victim.
Once on the Changeling’s trail, though, Stone and Verity soon discover they have stumbled upon the tip of a horrific iceberg—a shadowy organization operating deep underground, kidnapping specifically-targeted Changelings for an unspeakable fate.
Drawing more of their group into the search, Stone and Verity continue tracking the organization despite growing danger—but whoever lurks at its root always remains a step ahead, almost as if taunting them.
Finally, in a desperate effort to outsmart their foes, they hatch an uncertain and perilous plan to track them to their lair, reluctantly using an unlikely volunteer as bait.
But there are things they don’t know that make the risk higher than ever—and if their enemy learns of the plan, it could mean not only failure, but the loss of a valued ally.
When Alastair Stone’s former apprentice Verity approaches him with the story of a drugged and caged Changeling she spotted at a magical black market in Europe, Stone is quick to offer his aid to locate the victim.
Once on the Changeling’s trail, though, Stone and Verity soon discover they have stumbled upon the tip of a horrific iceberg—a shadowy organization operating deep underground, kidnapping specifically-targeted Changelings for an unspeakable fate.
Drawing more of their group into the search, Stone and Verity continue tracking the organization despite growing danger—but whoever lurks at its root always remains a step ahead, almost as if taunting them.
Finally, in a desperate effort to outsmart their foes, they hatch an uncertain and perilous plan to track them to their lair, reluctantly using an unlikely volunteer as bait.
But there are things they don’t know that make the risk higher than ever—and if their enemy learns of the plan, it could mean not only failure, but the loss of a valued ally.
427 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 20, 2024
57 people are currently reading
18 people want to read
About the author
R.L. King
68 books332 followersR. L. King is the author of the Amazon-bestselling urban fantasy series The Alastair Stone Chronicles.
When not doing her best to make life difficult for her characters, she works as a software technical writer for a large Silicon Valley database company.
She also freelances for Catalyst Game Labs, publisher of the popular roleplaying game Shadowrun, where she's contributed fiction and game material to numerous sourcebooks and one full-length adventure, "On the Run," which was included as part of the 2012 Origins-Award-winning "Runners' Toolkit."
Her first novel in the Shadowrun universe, "Borrowed Time," was published in Spring 2015. She's working on her second Shadowrun novel, "Veiled Extraction," which will be released in late 2016 or early 2017.
When not writing or working, she enjoys hanging out with her very understanding spouse and her small herd of cats, and watching way too much Doctor Who.
When not doing her best to make life difficult for her characters, she works as a software technical writer for a large Silicon Valley database company.
She also freelances for Catalyst Game Labs, publisher of the popular roleplaying game Shadowrun, where she's contributed fiction and game material to numerous sourcebooks and one full-length adventure, "On the Run," which was included as part of the 2012 Origins-Award-winning "Runners' Toolkit."
Her first novel in the Shadowrun universe, "Borrowed Time," was published in Spring 2015. She's working on her second Shadowrun novel, "Veiled Extraction," which will be released in late 2016 or early 2017.
When not writing or working, she enjoys hanging out with her very understanding spouse and her small herd of cats, and watching way too much Doctor Who.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 26, 2025
There was a lot in this book. There were callbacks to the earliest books. So many in fact that I was getting worried that perhaps this was going to be the final book. Thankfully that is not the case. There was the normal blurb at the end about when to expect the next book. R.L. does a good job about leaving us wanting more. I miss some of the old characters and had hoped to get a scene or two with them. Perhaps in the next book. We did get more Raider than normal which was great. Now to wait “patiently” for the next one. I feel like I should be pacing like a certain mage…
May 22, 2024
Wow
Amazing book as always. Alastair Stone is my absolute favorite character. I will be waiting on pins and needles for the next book.
Spoiler Alert
This by far was the most emotional of all of the books. Brought me to tears. The author has such a way of bringing you into the lives of the characters that you become very invested in their lives. I loved the book and I can't wait to find out how everything will be resolved. Thank you for yet again a book I couldn't put down.
Amazing book as always. Alastair Stone is my absolute favorite character. I will be waiting on pins and needles for the next book.
Spoiler Alert
This by far was the most emotional of all of the books. Brought me to tears. The author has such a way of bringing you into the lives of the characters that you become very invested in their lives. I loved the book and I can't wait to find out how everything will be resolved. Thank you for yet again a book I couldn't put down.
May 23, 2024
Some of this book hits right in the feels, I gotta warn you. But it is, as always, brilliant. We also get not only a bit of Harrison, but some long overdue time with Kolinsky.
Emotions get stretched to their limits among the whole Scooby Gang when Changeling trafficking is uncovered. Even more so when plans go south.
I have a feeling the repercussions of the events here are going to affect Alastair for some time to come.
Emotions get stretched to their limits among the whole Scooby Gang when Changeling trafficking is uncovered. Even more so when plans go south.
I have a feeling the repercussions of the events here are going to affect Alastair for some time to come.
May 25, 2024
A new side for Alastair
You'd think by book 36 we'd know everything about our group, seen it all. But you'd be so wrong. This was a very hard story to delve into.. No spoilers but a crazy ride in this one. An ending we might have seen coming but still couldn't breathe when it came. The next one will be crazy I'm sure! I need a little to decompress after this one but can't wait for the next one.
You'd think by book 36 we'd know everything about our group, seen it all. But you'd be so wrong. This was a very hard story to delve into.. No spoilers but a crazy ride in this one. An ending we might have seen coming but still couldn't breathe when it came. The next one will be crazy I'm sure! I need a little to decompress after this one but can't wait for the next one.
May 25, 2024
Remarkable
I have been a fan of R L King from the beginning. Not once have I shed a tear until Lethal Exchange! This book touched my heart in away none of the other books had. I couldn’t put the book down and already can’t wait for the next in series. A most read book!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ a 5 star rating from this reader!!
I have been a fan of R L King from the beginning. Not once have I shed a tear until Lethal Exchange! This book touched my heart in away none of the other books had. I couldn’t put the book down and already can’t wait for the next in series. A most read book!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ a 5 star rating from this reader!!
May 24, 2024
Always a Great Ride
R.L. King never disappoints and this chapter in the Alastair Stone universe is further testament to the fact. Every book brings readers on a journey of adventure and emotions. I highly recommend the entire series.
R.L. King never disappoints and this chapter in the Alastair Stone universe is further testament to the fact. Every book brings readers on a journey of adventure and emotions. I highly recommend the entire series.
June 5, 2024
Wow. What a great read.
In the last three months I have all 36 Alistair Stone novels and loved each and every one of them. Now I am sitting here wondering when the next one will be release. The writer has ensnared me and very await more.
In the last three months I have all 36 Alistair Stone novels and loved each and every one of them. Now I am sitting here wondering when the next one will be release. The writer has ensnared me and very await more.
July 23, 2024
outstanding
As always, the story development was excellent. The story itself was intriguing and kept you engaged right up to,the last paragraph. I can’t wait for the next installment and find out how Allister dodges the monumental bullet he created for himself
As always, the story development was excellent. The story itself was intriguing and kept you engaged right up to,the last paragraph. I can’t wait for the next installment and find out how Allister dodges the monumental bullet he created for himself
May 22, 2024
Another incredible story
Once again the fertile imagination of R. L. King delivers an incredible Stone story! Looking forward to the next one!
Once again the fertile imagination of R. L. King delivers an incredible Stone story! Looking forward to the next one!
May 25, 2024
Holy Moley!
Not what I expected on so many levels! Great story! So many big players together! Fantastic coverage of a very tough topic. Can’t wait for the next one!
Not what I expected on so many levels! Great story! So many big players together! Fantastic coverage of a very tough topic. Can’t wait for the next one!
May 25, 2024
Very good book
This is a fine urban fantasy adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like Raider the changeling cat. I anxiously await the sequel.
This is a fine urban fantasy adventure novel. It is well written and edited. I especially like Raider the changeling cat. I anxiously await the sequel.
May 26, 2024
OMG!!
Another awesome book!!
The author just keeps opening more and more of this world she’s created.
Can’t wait for the next one!
Another awesome book!!
The author just keeps opening more and more of this world she’s created.
Can’t wait for the next one!
Read
May 26, 2024I've never had a Stone book grab me like this one did.
This is a MUST READ. I can't wait for the next release. I truly hope Alistair gets his revenge. Fucking dragons!
This is a MUST READ. I can't wait for the next release. I truly hope Alistair gets his revenge. Fucking dragons!
June 16, 2024
Dark chapter for Stone
Another exciting chapter in this series. Looking forward to seeing what happens next in the series. Hope we find it more about the dragons.
Another exciting chapter in this series. Looking forward to seeing what happens next in the series. Hope we find it more about the dragons.
September 20, 2024
Oh, my.....
More James Bond on this one than the others. Held up pretty well til the end. The best parts of this series were all on display in this one book.
More James Bond on this one than the others. Held up pretty well til the end. The best parts of this series were all on display in this one book.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews