A Deadly Exchange [Paperback]

This book has plenty of excitement, horror, heroics and a real villain. It reads like a made-for-tv movie. Is that bad? Well, not if you want a fast-reading, exciting tale for the summer or a plane ride to keep you turning the pages.

The author models the POW husband hero from her own life; is she the model for the heroine? I don't know, but this was a fun, quick reading book and certainly would please any reader of suspense or action thrillers. Pack it into your beach bag this summer and you won't be disappointed.

If this book had not been suggested to me I would probably never have read it. This is not due to the quality of the work; rather, as this is a self-published debut novel, the likelihood of it being displayed as you walk into a bookstore is slim to nonexistent. Mrs. Stafford has been published in what appear to be regional publications, and has done well in judged short story competitions; this is her first published novel. Based on this first work, it will not be her last, and the next will be easier to find.

This writer has written a very good debut effort. This, in part, can be credited to her writing about what she knows. This is supposed to be a guiding principle when writing, however it is easier to find books that are penned and filled with guesswork. The authenticity of this work stems from the fact that both the husband and wife in the book, and the Author and her husband have commonality. Both, "couples", sail among the Bahamian Islands. As this story takes place largely at sea, at anchor, or in between, it is a great read partly because the Author has done it, and she has the added talent of taking her thoughts and feelings from her experiences and transferring them to the page. She also happily is able to do so without resorting to clichés.

It is of course fiction, but what she conjures is good because it shares company with what she knows. When she does turn to pure fiction she is clever at developing characters, especially the seedier ones, and she places dialogue in their mouths that is edgy, funny, and errrr.... colorful. I don't mean that as a negative, the dialogue is well done, she has an ear for edgy staccato banter, and I very much enjoyed it.

There was one very brief part of the story when a, "Pablo Escobar type", speaks of his plans for the US that I thought was a bit over the top, but others will decide for themselves. I also found the ending a bit abrupt, and I always take issue when I read books that seem to stop before I'm prepared to stop my reading. I suppose that's a left-handed compliment, however it's a matter of what individual readers like.

The four stars are because this is a first work, and because I believe if this lady continues with additional works, she will continue to develop her obvious talents. This as anew Author who is worthy of your time.

To her husband and the other Veterans of Vietnam, you are part of, "The Greatest Generation", too, and thanks for your sacrifices.

'A Deadly Exchange' is a very easy read. Stafford uses short chapters to keep a fast pace and the plot moves on quickly. Her characters are developed, but the ending leaves the story open enough to allow her the possibility of writing a sequel, or at least using these characters again.

The author includes a variety of Spanish words and phrases to add authenticity to the characters and it is clear that Stafford has visited the Bahamas herself and sailed. She portrays the islands as a lawless, dangerous area, yet still with a most attractive beauty. It is an intriguing setting and one that has potential to be developed even further.

On a negative note, the ending comes too quickly. It was built up in the closing pages of the novel, only to arrive with a whimper rather than a bang, leaving loose ends and a sense of being unfulfilled. It would have been worth adding one or two more chapters in order to play out the ending in more depth. Other than this, 'A Deadly Exchange' is a pleasure to read.