Murder Exchange

Ex-mercenary Max Iversson and his colleague Joe Riggs provide security services to second-rate celebrities and semi-legitimate businesses. They're no strangers to under-the-counter transactions: drugs, violence and even the occasional murder are standard fare in the shady world of north London's criminal fraternity. But when Max is hired by nightclub owner Roy Fowler to do a very small job for a very large amount of cash, he senses that there's a lot more to this dodgy businessman than meets the eye. He's not wrong. 24 hours later, three men are dead and Max himself is a fugitive, hunted by both the unknown murderers and the police. Amongst the police assigned to the case is DS John Gallan, a man whose doggedness, lateral thinking and need to prove himself make him the perfect counterpart to Max Iversson's scheming yet innocent man on the run. Simon Kernick's suspenseful thriller has all the elements of classic noir detective fiction: the shrewd cop with a chip on his shoulder, the innocent fugitive seeking justice, nice girls and femmes fatale, trustworthy friends and double-crossing scoundrels. The mystery at the heart of this work is cleverly narrated by both Iversson and Gallan, each winding and fumbling their way towards the truth, unaware of the other's progression and of the full implications of each development. Readers find themselves in the luxurious position of knowing more than either of the protagonists and being able to piece together information whilst watching them duck and weave in a semi-ignorant bid to outmanoeuvre each other. Yet, even though we know more about what's going on than any of the characters, it's no easy matter fitting the pieces together, and a couple of deliciously wicked twists along the way turn the plot around, and around again. A complex and engrossing psychological thriller with plenty of action and loads of suspense which will keep you guessing right to the end.