What do you think?
Rate this book
Switch
How far would you go to save the ones you love? Would you run five traffic lights in a row? Would you rob a store at gunpoint?Would you commit murder?Security guard Sam White's life falls apart when he arrives home to find his house a burnt-out shell with the bodies of his wife and daughter inside. Then he receives a phone call from a man who claims that his wife and child are alive and Sam can still save them.But first, he must complete a few simple tasks.Sam joins forces with Zack Parker whose life has also been ripped apart by the same sadistic kidnapper.Together they plunge into the dark, labyrinthine underworld of Portland, Oregon. And into a race against time to discover the identity of the kidnapper and save their families before it's too late.
336 pages, Paperback
First published December 5, 2008
991 people are currently reading
896 people want to read
About the author
Grant McKenzie
16 books75 followersBorn in Scotland, living in Canada and writing fast-paced fiction, Grant likes to wear a kilt and toque with his six-guns. Often compared to Harlan Coben and Linwood Barclay, Grant has twelve internationally published thrillers to his name that have earned him an avalanche of positive reviews and loyal readership around the globe. His latest novel, The Seven Truths of Hannah Baxter, was shortlisted for the 2023 International Thriller Writers award. He also has a secret identity as mystery writer M.C. Grant (Oops, there goes that secret) who pens the Dixie Flynn mysteries set in San Francisco. This series was shortlisted for the prestigious Shamus award. As a journalist, Grant has won numerous awards across Canada and the U.S., including one in 2012 from the Association of Alternative Newsmedia — the same organization that Dixie’s fictitious San Francisco NOW belongs to. He resides in Victoria, B.C., where he works with people experiencing homelessness and poverty.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews
January 3, 2019
If Someone Took Your Family, What Would You Do For Their Return??
A gritty story that has several different men facing the worst scenario they could ever imagine- Someone has taken their family, first making them believe they are dead...Then giving them hope..Are they really alive?!
The quick action and unbelievable acts of cruelty drive each targeted person into a personal Hell....How Far would You go for Your family?
An excellent thriller, intense scenes and characters you feel for...A great read from a new to me author.
A gritty story that has several different men facing the worst scenario they could ever imagine- Someone has taken their family, first making them believe they are dead...Then giving them hope..Are they really alive?!
The quick action and unbelievable acts of cruelty drive each targeted person into a personal Hell....How Far would You go for Your family?
An excellent thriller, intense scenes and characters you feel for...A great read from a new to me author.
June 12, 2010
Reason for Reading: The summary of this debut book by a resident Canadian had me very interested.
All I can start out with is a big WOW! This is not quite my usual fare of thriller which usually consists of the serial killer variety so I was not prepared for the intense serial-ness of this book. What an incredible story that in truth could happen to anyone. As the book first started off, I was reminded of a popular Hitchcock devise of the innocent man finding himself caught up in the middle of evil doings. These are innocent men, simple men, regular Joe's who have been brought into the spider's lair to play his nasty game. He kidnaps their families and then the men must do exactly as he says, being given missions of increasing moral complexity, or else he will kill the family.
As we enter the book, one man is at the end of his mission and believes that his wife and daughter have been murdered. At the same time another man has been brought into the game with the kidnapping, given the rules and his first mission. Eventually the two men meet and figure out a connection between themselves, thus trying to find a connection between them and the dead or injured, so they can figure out who hates them so much to be doing this, when they have never done anything illegal in their lives before.
This book starts off running and does not stop until the end. The chapters are quite short making this a very easy book to just keep going 'one more chapter' until the wee hours of the night. The fast pace means a lot of action, while this usually means character development suffers, in this case it doesn't. McKenzie has his story revolving around a tight set of events and characters and the backstory up to that point flesh out the characters for us as do the conversations the men have and the moral choices they make as they fulfill their often deadly assignments.
The narrative is for the most part in the present with the two men but ever so occasionally we are briefly taken to the kidnap victims' points of view to understand the terror they are going through and the utmost futility that they may be saved. Then again on even fewer occasions we are shown the evil mastermind's point of view, hear his rantings, and know he is very clever, though he remains a mystery.
An amazingly intense read. Very scary, even though these characters do have a connection with each other, it is not a sinister one and the reader could visualize that some psycho could pick any group of people, possibly including themself, to play his sick and deadly game. This is one that hits home, uncomfortably close. How far would you go to save your family's lives?
Read this one!
All I can start out with is a big WOW! This is not quite my usual fare of thriller which usually consists of the serial killer variety so I was not prepared for the intense serial-ness of this book. What an incredible story that in truth could happen to anyone. As the book first started off, I was reminded of a popular Hitchcock devise of the innocent man finding himself caught up in the middle of evil doings. These are innocent men, simple men, regular Joe's who have been brought into the spider's lair to play his nasty game. He kidnaps their families and then the men must do exactly as he says, being given missions of increasing moral complexity, or else he will kill the family.
As we enter the book, one man is at the end of his mission and believes that his wife and daughter have been murdered. At the same time another man has been brought into the game with the kidnapping, given the rules and his first mission. Eventually the two men meet and figure out a connection between themselves, thus trying to find a connection between them and the dead or injured, so they can figure out who hates them so much to be doing this, when they have never done anything illegal in their lives before.
This book starts off running and does not stop until the end. The chapters are quite short making this a very easy book to just keep going 'one more chapter' until the wee hours of the night. The fast pace means a lot of action, while this usually means character development suffers, in this case it doesn't. McKenzie has his story revolving around a tight set of events and characters and the backstory up to that point flesh out the characters for us as do the conversations the men have and the moral choices they make as they fulfill their often deadly assignments.
The narrative is for the most part in the present with the two men but ever so occasionally we are briefly taken to the kidnap victims' points of view to understand the terror they are going through and the utmost futility that they may be saved. Then again on even fewer occasions we are shown the evil mastermind's point of view, hear his rantings, and know he is very clever, though he remains a mystery.
An amazingly intense read. Very scary, even though these characters do have a connection with each other, it is not a sinister one and the reader could visualize that some psycho could pick any group of people, possibly including themself, to play his sick and deadly game. This is one that hits home, uncomfortably close. How far would you go to save your family's lives?
Read this one!
July 9, 2013
If you like Harlan Coben you'll like Grant, his writing Is fast paced and exciting, you feel like you're on a roller coaster when you're reading safely in bed ....
August 19, 2013
How far would you go to save your family?,what would you be willing to do to save them?,that is the dilemma that Sam White has to face as his life is torn apart by someone who has kidnapped his wife and child, as well as who can he trust as his life spirals out of control.
As a parent myself, i could understand and almost feel Sam's pain and despair as he hit every brick wall in his investigation to try and find out who had his family and why and i found that i really liked Sam and Hogan and Preston,the two cops that were trying to work out what Sam was up to and if he was innocent or not.
The pace of the book is fast with short chapters and lots of twists in the story that make you just want to keep on reading.If you like books that really rocket along and keep you guessing that i highly recommend you get hold of a copy and sit back and enjoy.
As a parent myself, i could understand and almost feel Sam's pain and despair as he hit every brick wall in his investigation to try and find out who had his family and why and i found that i really liked Sam and Hogan and Preston,the two cops that were trying to work out what Sam was up to and if he was innocent or not.
The pace of the book is fast with short chapters and lots of twists in the story that make you just want to keep on reading.If you like books that really rocket along and keep you guessing that i highly recommend you get hold of a copy and sit back and enjoy.
October 15, 2011
Several best-selling authors were kind enough to read an advance copy of Switch and offer an opinion. Here's what they had to say:
“A terrific little-guy-in-big-trouble thriller . . . think Saw meets Payback moving at warp speed — with the emphasis on warp.” — Lee Child, #1 NY Times best-selling author
“Think Harlan Coben on speed with a heart breaking compassion that will literally have you biting your nails . . . (a) nerve jangling wondrous debut ” — Ken Bruen, Cross.
‘Switch is not merely good, it's damned good. I immediately wanted to start on page one and read the thing again! Wow!’ — David Hagberg, Joshua's Hammer.
‘Grant really knows how to make a story move.’ — Linwood Barclay, No Time For Goodbye
MEDIA REVIEWS:
"Switch is a frantic, adrenaline blast . . . a pulsating debut that will grab many thriller-lovers by the lapels and refuse to let them go" — Robin Jarossi, Suite101.com
"A thriller that got me asking questions. Switch is a promising debut, a well-conceived thriller with no loose ends. Reminiscent of Dean Koontz. I’ll be watching out for his next book." — Volksblad, South Africa.
"It’s a race against time and the clock is ticking." — The Citizen, South Africa.
“A terrific little-guy-in-big-trouble thriller . . . think Saw meets Payback moving at warp speed — with the emphasis on warp.” — Lee Child, #1 NY Times best-selling author
“Think Harlan Coben on speed with a heart breaking compassion that will literally have you biting your nails . . . (a) nerve jangling wondrous debut ” — Ken Bruen, Cross.
‘Switch is not merely good, it's damned good. I immediately wanted to start on page one and read the thing again! Wow!’ — David Hagberg, Joshua's Hammer.
‘Grant really knows how to make a story move.’ — Linwood Barclay, No Time For Goodbye
MEDIA REVIEWS:
"Switch is a frantic, adrenaline blast . . . a pulsating debut that will grab many thriller-lovers by the lapels and refuse to let them go" — Robin Jarossi, Suite101.com
"A thriller that got me asking questions. Switch is a promising debut, a well-conceived thriller with no loose ends. Reminiscent of Dean Koontz. I’ll be watching out for his next book." — Volksblad, South Africa.
"It’s a race against time and the clock is ticking." — The Citizen, South Africa.
September 27, 2012
This was a great read. It was full of action, suspense, and heartfelt moments. I liked how the perspective changed between 2-3 plot lines so we got to experience the best of each story.
One of the features of the book is that the protagonist gets a call from the "watcher" and he tells the protagonist to do some sort of violent act. If the protagonist fails, then the "watcher" will kill his family. I liked the creativity behind the acts, but I was hoping for more. I think that was one of my favourite parts about the novel because each scene showed a level of excitement and creativity.
The pacing was very well done. Each chapter zoomed by, but the author still took the time to make it feel realistic. The writing had this same feature; however, it was a bit slow in the beginning where there seemed to be an emphasis on overly descriptive writing.
The way the story pans out makes it feel like any one of us could be targeted next. Who is to say our life is any different? That sense of realism really added to the story for me.
One of the features of the book is that the protagonist gets a call from the "watcher" and he tells the protagonist to do some sort of violent act. If the protagonist fails, then the "watcher" will kill his family. I liked the creativity behind the acts, but I was hoping for more. I think that was one of my favourite parts about the novel because each scene showed a level of excitement and creativity.
The pacing was very well done. Each chapter zoomed by, but the author still took the time to make it feel realistic. The writing had this same feature; however, it was a bit slow in the beginning where there seemed to be an emphasis on overly descriptive writing.
The way the story pans out makes it feel like any one of us could be targeted next. Who is to say our life is any different? That sense of realism really added to the story for me.
July 4, 2012
I like books written by Canadian authors (McKenzie was born in Scotland but lives in British Columbia) and mysteries ... so this book appealed to me.
I started it yesterday and it was hard to put it down!
The chapters are short and snappy ... and I kept saying, "I'll just read one more chapter ... one more chapter".
The pace is quick and frantic and kept my attention. I wanted to know who was behind it and why.
I'd definitely recommend this debut novel ... I look forward to reading his future books.
And I can see this being made into a movie with Robert Downey Jr. and Will Smith.
I started it yesterday and it was hard to put it down!
The chapters are short and snappy ... and I kept saying, "I'll just read one more chapter ... one more chapter".
The pace is quick and frantic and kept my attention. I wanted to know who was behind it and why.
I'd definitely recommend this debut novel ... I look forward to reading his future books.
And I can see this being made into a movie with Robert Downey Jr. and Will Smith.
February 8, 2012
this was an exellent story, fast paced, couldnt put it down. Should be made into a movie
January 5, 2020
Starting off the year’s reading with a bang. Or, you know, whatever sound you think action thrillers make. This one was pretty bangbastic, though. I normally prefer this genre on the darker psychological side, but this slice of revenge thriller agreed with me. I’ve read something by the author before, so I kinda knew the level of quality to expect and this, his debut, certainly didn’t disappoint. The plot is fairly straight forward, one of those classic scenarios of an everyday man finding himself in extraordinary kill or be killed circumstances, after someone kidnaps his wife and daughter and threatens to kill them unless the exact and increasingly erratic and dangerous instructions are followed. Soon the protagonist teams up with another victim of the same nightmare and together they have to try to figure out who’s behind all of this while staying alive, alert and away from the cops, the duo that here serves up the comic relief. Not so much of a mystery for the reader to figure out, more along the lines of following the characters as they solve the puzzle, but fun, very dynamic and an exceptionally quick read. I was pleasantly surprised to be able to log in an entire book in whatever spare time January 1st allowed. This was actually downloaded some time ago as a Kindle freebie and I certainly got the money’s worth and then some. Fairly mindless, but plenty entertaining. Recommended.
September 20, 2011
Failed actor and full-time security guard, Sam White, is coasting through life, trying to provide for his family, when a phone call changes everything. His wife and daughter have been kidnapped and will be returned only if Sam does what the caller asks, and what he asks is criminal, to say the least. Sam is unaware that the same thing has happened to a doctor named Zack Parker until Parker approaches him with his own disturbing story. They decide to figure out who’s dismantling their lives before it’s too late to save their families.
Switch is a fast-paced thriller about loss of control, failed dreams, and how far someone will cross legal and moral lines for loved ones. It’s a scary premise that I wasn’t sure I wanted to read at first, but the short chapters and incredible tension kept me turning pages, and the twists and turns were good. The bad guy’s motive wasn’t particularly original, but the ethical dilemmas White and Parker faced were riveting.
Switch is a fast-paced thriller about loss of control, failed dreams, and how far someone will cross legal and moral lines for loved ones. It’s a scary premise that I wasn’t sure I wanted to read at first, but the short chapters and incredible tension kept me turning pages, and the twists and turns were good. The bad guy’s motive wasn’t particularly original, but the ethical dilemmas White and Parker faced were riveting.
January 31, 2012
You will like this book if you like fast-paced thrillers, like those by Linwood Barclay or Harlan Coben.
The story premise is original and the writing is good. It's tightly plotted and suspenseful. I really identified with the characters and felt their pain as they faced some difficult choices that no one would ever want to make.
The plot is very well done, although I thought it was a a bit over the top for the criminal's motivations. That's why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. I would have given a 4.5 if I could.
This is a compelling, hard to put down story. I highly recommend it!
The story premise is original and the writing is good. It's tightly plotted and suspenseful. I really identified with the characters and felt their pain as they faced some difficult choices that no one would ever want to make.
The plot is very well done, although I thought it was a a bit over the top for the criminal's motivations. That's why I gave it 4 stars instead of 5. I would have given a 4.5 if I could.
This is a compelling, hard to put down story. I highly recommend it!
June 1, 2009
A nutter-stole-my-family thriller from first-time author Grant McKenzie. It moves at a phenomenal pace and is an easy read. The plot stretches credibility too far in places but it's a decent entertainment for reading on the beach.
June 1, 2010
I was really impressed by this book, especially to say it is a debut novel by the author, it had me captured so I didn't want to put it down. Fast moving story with twists which reminded me of Harlan Coben's style of writing
March 4, 2012
What a great Debut novel. I will definitely read more of this author's books. Fast paced, edge of the seat, very well written, and short chapters, I love short chapters, makes it easier to put the book down when one has to. Double kudos to Mr. McKenzie for this outstanding story.
March 3, 2012
Very enjoyable debut novel. Fast paced, interesting plot and characters. Made me wonder what I would do in the same situation. Great book for the plane or beach or a rainy day!
September 15, 2015
I won a paperback copy of “Switch” by Grant McKenzie, on Goodreads.com and am posting an honest review. I gave it a rating of 4 stars.
This face-paced thriller keeps you turning the pages. I kept trying to find a stopping point to insert my bookmark, but was so engrossed in the story that I ended up reading the book in one sitting. I wasn’t familiar with the author, but after this exposure to him, will be looking for more of his works.
Security guard Sam White arrives home from his graveyard shift at the mall to find his home burned to the ground after a gas explosion. Two bodies are pulled from the wreckage, apparently his wife and child. A mysterious phone call tells Sam the charred corpses are not his family members, that the caller is holding his wife and daughter hostage, that Sam must complete a number of illegal acts to keep his family alive.
Sam soon encounters another man who is going through the same harrowing nightmarish experience, his family also kidnapped. He’s been driven to perform dangerous, illegal acts by the threatening caller. The two men band together, leery of each other’s motives, in an attempt to save their families.
An intriguing concept, definitely worth your time, this novel grabs you and doesn’t let go until the final page. Recommended!
This face-paced thriller keeps you turning the pages. I kept trying to find a stopping point to insert my bookmark, but was so engrossed in the story that I ended up reading the book in one sitting. I wasn’t familiar with the author, but after this exposure to him, will be looking for more of his works.
Security guard Sam White arrives home from his graveyard shift at the mall to find his home burned to the ground after a gas explosion. Two bodies are pulled from the wreckage, apparently his wife and child. A mysterious phone call tells Sam the charred corpses are not his family members, that the caller is holding his wife and daughter hostage, that Sam must complete a number of illegal acts to keep his family alive.
Sam soon encounters another man who is going through the same harrowing nightmarish experience, his family also kidnapped. He’s been driven to perform dangerous, illegal acts by the threatening caller. The two men band together, leery of each other’s motives, in an attempt to save their families.
An intriguing concept, definitely worth your time, this novel grabs you and doesn’t let go until the final page. Recommended!
April 12, 2012
As genre fiction, a great read. I've been reading so much experimental and avant-garde fiction, it was a nice break to read "Switch."
Exciting, with passages of fine language. I look forward to reading more by Grant McKenzie between bouts of Beckett :)
Exciting, with passages of fine language. I look forward to reading more by Grant McKenzie between bouts of Beckett :)
August 8, 2014
Book was told to be a great fast passed read by a lady by the name of Liz at a chapters store
Love what she shows me as all excellent reads
This one was fantastic short chapters that make you want just one more and action story line
A great book and one hard to put down
Love what she shows me as all excellent reads
This one was fantastic short chapters that make you want just one more and action story line
A great book and one hard to put down
September 21, 2010
I just reviewed this on http://www.thriftymommasbrainfood.blo... Very fast paced tale of what you would do if your family went missing. What lines would you cross?
March 2, 2012
Fast paced so I couldnt put it down and kept on the edge of my seat throughout! Excellent read by an excellent author.
March 3, 2012
Great read. Hard to put down and one that stays with you. A welcome addition to my collection.
March 6, 2012
Really good read that made me think, what would I do? Great debut book!
August 23, 2012
Mature read..but you know that. A in depth mystery and twisted adventure.
Glad I had the chance to read.
*follows basic mystery blackmail plot.
Glad I had the chance to read.
*follows basic mystery blackmail plot.
June 9, 2011
Not too bad. Very quick read, fast-paced also. Would make a good movie.
March 2, 2012
I couldn't put this down, Great story and great pace
December 30, 2018
The Underground of real life
Fast moving! Cannot put he book down. The first 20 chapters are intense! Stay with it! Keep going until it flows faster.
Fast moving! Cannot put he book down. The first 20 chapters are intense! Stay with it! Keep going until it flows faster.
December 24, 2018
Intense. Makes you think. Quick read.
December 23, 2018
Incredible book
Full of twists, this book is the stuff of nightmares. Very well done. You will feel the pain of this man as he is forced to do horrific things to save his family.
Full of twists, this book is the stuff of nightmares. Very well done. You will feel the pain of this man as he is forced to do horrific things to save his family.
December 8, 2018
Good Thriller
I was so engrossed in this book that I found myself skimming along so I could get to the next part and then having to go back and read it again. I didn't mind because then the book lasted longer. Excellent story and I even found in the end I liked Detective Preston. My mission now is to read all of Grant McKenzie's books.
I was so engrossed in this book that I found myself skimming along so I could get to the next part and then having to go back and read it again. I didn't mind because then the book lasted longer. Excellent story and I even found in the end I liked Detective Preston. My mission now is to read all of Grant McKenzie's books.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 91 reviews