Book Review: The Murder Exchange

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

The Murder Exchange     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon UK PB Amazon UK HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Simon Kernick
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Thriller   Police Procedural
Series: Denis Milne (aka Mick [Marcus] Kane) # 2
St. Martin’s, Aug 2004, $24.95, 368 pp.

Former veterans, Max Iversson and Joe Riggs own and operate Tiger Solutions, a security protection firm that provides bodyguards. Thus, when nightclub owner Roy Fowler wants to hire them, Max ignores his internal gut warning system that shouts at him that this guy is trouble and accepts the business because that is what they do for a living and the fee is terrific. Roy needs Max to protect him during a dangerous business deal.

Taking along two of his better operative (Tony and Eric), Max accompanies Roy to the isolated rendezvous. While, Max checks the joint out, Tony kills first Roy and then Eric, but Max kills Tony. Max flees with Roy’s attaché case only to later find it empty.

Detective Sergeant Gallan investigates the murder of a drug dealer who worked security in Fowler's club. However, the persistency begins to pay off when Gallan finds several interesting threads that have nothing to do with the homicide investigation. He comes across a tie between Fowler and the Holtz mob and one to Max. Digging deeper, Gallan has no idea where these clues will take him, but he suspects that he will learn that Max operates on the wrong side of the law.

THE MURDER EXCHANGE is a wonderful crime thriller that contains a solid police procedural. The story line, for the most part, rotates first-person perspectives between Iversson and Gallan so that the audience can see what each man is thinking, which at times focuses on the same incident. Though some twists seem too extraordinary, readers will enjoy this strong tale carried off by the sardonic wit of the two lead antagonists.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner