8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Your summer beach reading is right here..., June 4, 2001
This review is from: A Deadly Exchange (Paperback)
Suppose you and your heroic former POW husband buy a sailboat. You are ready to achieve your dream to sail the Bahamas. Suddenly, your dream turns into your worst nightmare; the boat has a dangerous type of stowaway, and you are kidnapped by a ruthless if fascinating drug lord who wants something you don't have--and something you do.
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.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
This Lady Will Be Back, July 28, 2001
This review is from: A Deadly Exchange (Paperback)
First time novelist Sheryl Jane Stafford has produced, "A Deadly Exchange", and while classified as a novel it is also a very personal work due to the basis for one of the main characters. The man in the book who's history of service to his country includes being held by the Vietnamese from 1967 when his plane was struck by a missile, is based on the Husband of the Author. Commander Hugh Allen Stafford endured the horrors of a Prisoner Of War while serving his country. His story, like others who were confined and abused, is a testament to his bravery and to those who shared his experience. I make this note at the outset, for bringing back those experiences in a book is a tribute not only to him, but also his wife. I don't know that anyone less attached could have brought his story to a novel with such dignity and sensitivity.
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.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Most enjoyable book, March 31, 2002
This review is from: A Deadly Exchange (Paperback)
Matthew Spencer and his wife Alexandra are sailing in the Bahamas, relaxing and enjoying their life. However, they do not know that drugs have been planted on their boat. When the drug lords come looking to get their merchandise back, Matt and Alex are thrown into a nightmare that only gets worse.
'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.
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