The Murder Exchange

by Simon Kernick

When ex-mercenary Max Iversson is introduced to nightclub owner Roy Fowler, he senses immediately that the man's trouble. Fowler wants security for a meeting with a group of 'businessmen' who are looking to buy his club. Five grand for a couple of hours' work is too tempting a proposition to turn down, so Iversson, who now runs his own firm of freelance bodyguards, takes the job.But when he and two colleagues accompany Fowler to a deserted north London industrial estate to exchange the deeds for the money, it turns out to be not so much a double-cross as a bloodbath. Three men end up dead, and Iversson only just gets out alive. Now he wants to know who's behind the killings.So begins a hunt for answers that will take him into dangerous territory, and also into direct conflict with Detective Sergeant John Gallan. Gallan's investigating the fatal poisoning by snakebite of a doorman who worked at Fowler's club. Leads are scarce and when they do appear, so do bodies.But Gallan keeps digging away, unearthing in the process a murderous conspiracy that could provide the solution not just to this investigation but to another, more heinous murder that's been lying among the ranks of the unsolveds for a long, long time. Unknown to each other, he and Iversson are also heading towards a final confrontation from which neither man is likely to emerge in one piece.

Genres: Thriller, Crime, Fiction, Mystery, Ebooks, Audiobook, Detective

448 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Simon Kernick (born 1966 in Slough, Berkshire) is a British thriller/crime writer now living in Oxfordshire with his wife and two daughters. He attended Gillotts School, a comprehensive in Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. Whilst he was a student his jobs included fruitpicker and Christmas-tree uprooter. He graduated from Brighton Polytechnic in 1991 with a degree in humanities. Kernick had a passion for crime fiction writing from a young age and produced many short stories during his time at polytechnic. After graduating Kernick joined MMT Computing in London in early 1992, where a relative was the Chairman and Managing Director. Kernick was a key member of the sales team and was very highly regarded. However, he left the company after 4 years in the hope of trying to secure a publishing deal. Despite interest from a number of publishers Kernick was unable to secure a deal, so he joined the sales force of the specialist IT and Business Consultancy Metaskil plc in Aldermaston, Berkshire in 1998 where he remained until he secured his first book deal (The Business of Dying) in September 2001. His novel Relentless was recommended on Richard & Judy's Summer book club 2007. It was the 8th best-selling paperback, and the best-selling thriller in the UK in the same year

Reviews

[Maddy · Rating 5 out of 5]

RATING: 4.5

Max Iversson is an ex-mercenary who has partnered with an old buddy, Joe Riggs, to form a security firm called Tiger Solutions. When Max is offered $5,000 for a slam dunk security assignment by the owner of the Arcadia Nightclub, Ray Fowler, he can't turn it down. Max and a few of his operatives bring Fowler to a meet with some businessmen who are supposed to be buying his club, when things go horribly awry.

The Arcadia Club seems to be in the center of the criminal universe. First of all, its doorman is murdered; and that brings the cops under the leadership of Detective Sergeant John Gallan into launching an investigation. There are indications that the club is really run by a mob group under the leadership of Stefan Holtz and his son, Krys, and that there are lots of drug deals going on under the shining lights. The club manager, Elaine Toms, is a tough woman who gives the cops a believable story but no meat. She and Iversson hook up together when he's at the height of desperation, and she lets him stay at her place to avoid being seen by the police.

Kernick employs a very effective writing technique in which he tells the story from the first person point of view of Gallan alternated with the view of Iversson. Each is completely unaware of what the other is doing, and it's interesting to see the same information from two different perspectives. Obviously, at some point, their stories are going to intersect, and that is very well done.

THE MURDER EXCHANGE was an excellent book, one that I thoroughly enjoyed. Iversson's life is supposed to be an uneventful one, but he progresses through ever more difficult and dangerous situations. In spite of his increasingly lawless behavior, he does have some redeeming character traits, such as loyalty to his friends and a compulsion to avenge dirty deeds. Meanwhile, Gallan is methodically putting the pieces together. He is a thoughtful and intelligent investigator, and Kernick does a great job of presenting the police approach with its wins and misses.

There was only one part of the book that didn't work for me, and that was a chapter that was told from the point of view of Krys Holtz. Firstly, it interrupted the established pattern of alternating between the Gallan and Iversson viewpoints. Secondly, it was extremely graphic. While showing the extreme brutality of Holtz's nature, I felt that the information could have been presented more subtly instead of rubbing the reader's face in some very gross events.

That being said, THE MURDER EXCHANGE is one of the best books that I've read recently. The delivery of the narration through two points of view leads to an interesting contrast and juxtaposition of the two lead characters and the events of the story, as well as a very suspenseful conclusion to the book. Fast paced, laced with dry humor – THE MURDER EXCHANGE is a book that I highly recommend.

[David Wilding · Rating 3 out of 5]

After the previous Simon Kernick book I read, and after positive reviews of this one, I was expecting great things of this book. But sadly not. Yes, the storyline is a good one, and starts off with much promise of great things. But it is all about guns and shooting and who killed who. Yes, I like crime thrillers, but this is NOT one of those. Characters are just not well developed for me. Many of them rather one dimensional. Such a letdown after the previous Tina Boyd one I read. I was going to give this two stars, but I suppose the ending was reasonable. So despite what you may read elsewhere, this is not one of his best. Go to the Tina Boyd series instead and start with "The Last Ten Seconds". WAY better!

[Sean Peters (A Good Thriller) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hi,

another book read by Simon Kernick, a little slower to start with but
builds to a fast pace in the second half, and you follow the story with the two
main characters.

As usual lots of characters, and following it from two very different
personalities, lots of guessing?

The last few chapters were very exciting.

Enjoy

regards

Sean

[Ed Andrews · Rating 1 out of 5]

A very by-the-book gangster/police procedural with an ending that defies sense, plot, and pathos. Really quite dreadful.

[Elaine Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent easy thriller to read with lots of twists and turns. I would give this book a warning label as a sleep stealer for definite. Because it is such a good read it is hard to put down and walk away from until it's finished.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I quite enjoyed this 2nd Simon Kernick novel, I was pleasantly surprised as wasn't expecting too much if I'm an honest. I like the use & reference of characters in Kenricks Debut novel - similar to an other
UK other Michael Robotham.

The novel has plenty of violence pretty much what you would expect from a gritty London Underworld novel.

[Mark Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I got into Simon Kernick last year when i read Ultimatum, i since decided to go back a read all of his books from the start. I've finished "Business for dying", "A good day to die" and now "Murder Exchange" and so far i can not fault any of them. You can tell though that his writing style and story lines just keep getting better and better.

[Gary Warner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a note to anyone looking at starting The Crime Trade (Tina Boyd 1), read this book first as it introduces both Tina and Gallan. I also stopped reading this halfway through as there were references to occurrences in The Business of Dying (Dennis Milne 1), which I wanted to read before continuing this book. After some research I have decided the best way to read Simon's books is in the order they were published and not by series.

[Liz k · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Simon Kernick's books but this was not as good as others I've read. Normally the pacing is really fast and exciting, this was slower so I found I was skimming over some pages to get back into the action. The bad guys in this were really stupid or the story wasn't thought out enough. When the random pick up wrong the guys knew they had been betrayed but still went back and stayed at the farmhouse, I didn't get why they would do that.

[Ann Campbell · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd never read this author's mysteries or thrillers before I got hold of this one, and I love it! It's the sort of noir style that I enjoy, but with enough characterization to make it more than plot driven and strong prose so that it's engaging to read. It reminds me of an early Bosch novel, which is high praise. I'll continue to read this author's work, although it's somewhat hard to get hold of in my local library. It seems like he's mostly read by Brits.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*
What a great story. Really liked the two main protagonists, they really do get under your skin. Ex-mercenary Max Iversson, had me gunning for him one minute and hating him the next. DS John Gallan, hmmm...he needed a big hug. Yeah right....duh! Neither men are fools. Both very strong characters. An exciting read and the first book that I have read by Simon Kernick. Great stuff. Recommended.

[Alma (retirement at last) · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was ok but I kept having to think which of the narrators was actually talking but it was an ok plot, a little silly at times but other than that I wanted to finish it which I’d always a good sign.
I don’t know if I like this writing style but would read another of his books to see if it was the same.
Give the author the benefit of the doubt ☺️

[Val Ras · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not the best novel by Simon Kernick. I read a couple of his later books and know that it will get better. Still the edge of your seat with unexpected turns (although not always logical and fully explained). One thing that bothers me is that both protagonists - police detective and a retired soldier/security provider - that narrate the story, sound exactly the same.

[Mindysue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started interesting, drug along through the middle and then went on a high speed roller coaster ride at the very very end. The end was almost too fast/action-packed/frenetic. Had potential but could benefit from an editor encouraging better pacing.

[Plum-crazy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find this author a bit hit & miss but this was definitely one of his (much) better books (IMHO anyhow) A good story that moves at a fast pace & I like the story was told by both Gallan & Iversson - sort of good versus bad!

[Douglas Osler · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fast moving,well intertwined story. Crude in parts but that fits the people in it. The lead detective is good too. It takes readers through the London underworld in a way that is probably not too far from the truth. It would make a good television series.

[Andrew Gibney · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thrill ride. Love Simon's style.

I live Simon's writing. You struggle to put it down. Didn't see the twist coming. Very twisty. Great characters. I can't wait to read the next one

[Helen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an ok read. All seemed a but far fetched an unrealistic but maybe in a gangster world it is realistic. I did like Iversson and was sorry for him at the end. I did enjoy it just nit as much as other SK books i have read

[Adam Murfet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a terrible book but after a promising start it really started to fall down and become unrealistic and a bit of a reach. Not the best Simon Kernick book but it’s fine if you want to have a filler. Deadline was much better and more gripping.

[Catherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, it rolled along at a nice, even pace, the characters were interesting & the story had plenty of twists & turns with lots of suspense. First published 20 years ago Simon Kernick was destined to be a master of thrillers.

[Brian Hutson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had to pay attention as I found it fast-paced and had lots of characters who kept getting in deeper and deeper.
I did not see the end coming but, if you have read any other SKs books that is normal. He manages to keep me there until the very last page.

[Chantelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

If the middle of the book was as fast paced as the final 100 odd pages - then it would have easily scored higher than 3 stars. Some characters were not ingrained in my mind either.

[Jodie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

Great book, keeps you reading and guessing. Great twist the end to! Highly recommend it, so sit back and enjoy it ☺

[Wolfie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Violent and difficult at times, interesting story though

[Madeleine Ellison · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy thrillers and could not put this book down until I had completed the read it definitely held my imagination however I did feel that the chapter about Krys Holtz was too graphic.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the way we got the 2 sides of the story alternating to the final conclusion.

[Gemma · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think it need to be planned out a little more, quite a lot of characters to keep up with but overall a good book

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent crime read nothing exceptional.

[Bill Jenkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable read and keeps you guessing. A great twist at the ending

[Mr J Everett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good pacey story, unrealistic in places but good fun.