Rating: 
Summary: He's Found His Niche!
Review: Years ago, I read a book with similar passion and depth of character..."A Time to Kill," Grisham's first book. Let's hope this book launches Bunn on a similar literary trajectory. After witnessing the detention of an American female activist in China's Guangdong Province, we follow the struggles, personal and professional, of Marcus Edgewood as he attempts to hold liable a sports-gear giant, New Horizons. Edgewood and the activist's parents are looking for answers, but a conspiracy of some sort seems to stand in their way. Edgewood's struggles, though, are more than professional. The issues he deals with have been dealt with in a number of legal thrillers, but rarely so delicately as Bunn accomplishes here. This book is about much more than crossing mere cultural divides. Though the pace trods a bit slower than a standard Grisham thriller, this book sweeps you along with its rich characters and locales. (I would've enjoyed more scenes in China, but then I've traveled there extensively and maybe that's an appetite all my own.) Bunn showcases his abilities here like never before. When you're done reading, these characters will continue walking through your thoughts, the detailed settings will stand solidly in your mind, the more than occasional moments of literary gold will set themselves in your memory. In addition, his brief but appropriate spiritual moments leaven the mood with thoughts of "The Great Divide" we must all face at some point. Despite an abundance of secondary characters, Bunn masterfully maintains each individual's uniqueness, including blacks and Asians with only an ounce of stereotyping. (Aren't stereotypes based on at least some truth usually?) He juggles the emotions, the trial, and the relationships with care and compassion. Though I found certain aspects of the trial to lean inordinately in the plaintiff's direction, I'm no legal expert and I was more than willing to let them slide in favor of the author and his loveable--and despicable--cast. If Bunn follows this one up with another legal thriller, I'll pre-order the book. He seems to have found his niche. Hopefully, he'll also find the audience he deserves.
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