Winner Take All

Marcus Glenwood #3

by T. Davis Bunn

Marcus Glenwood’s stunning legal victory over the New Horizons corporation (in the best-selling thriller, The Great Divide ) came with a severe personal price. Now, barely a year later, Glenwood is slowly getting back on his feet, back into his legal practice, and back into a deeper relationship with Kirsten Stansted.

But when the new CEO of New Horizons–the company that once attempted to have Marcus killed–comes to him seeking representation in a personal matter, Marcus is stunned. Dale Steadman’s story is heart wrenching, but Marcus’s instincts for self-preservation urge him to turn down the case. Steadman’s one-year-old daughter has been kidnapped–by his ex-wife, the baby’s mother, world-renowned opera diva Erin Brandt. Kirsten finally convinces Marcus to help Steadman, and soon the case becomes a media sensation. And before long, someone is after Marcus–and Kirsten–using deadly scare tactics.

T. Davis Bunn carefully crafts his novels to include a strong spiritual dimension, plumbing the depths of his characters’ faith under crisis. Intercut with edge-of-your-seat courtroom scenes, his riveting new thriller takes readers from the American South to London and Germany…and from the depths of the soul to the heights of the spirit.

Genres: Christian Fiction, Fiction, Christian, Mystery, Adult Fiction, Legal Thriller, Mystery Thriller

384 pages, Hardcover

First published January 21, 2003

About the author

Also writes under the names Thomas Locke and Davis Bunn.

Reviews

[Marliss Bombardier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really like Davis Bunn's writing, especially when he does a "whodunit" book. One does not have to worry about gratuitous violence, sex, or profanity, and can just enjoy the story.

[Stephanie Blackbern · Rating 5 out of 5]

very good -hard to put down-I read all Davis Bunn-sometimes he is my "christian " version of John Grisham

[Debbie Phillips · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent suspense book.

At the beginning I was confused by the chapters that are in italics. I figured that out and enjoyed the rest of the book very much. It is not like the 'normal' fiction books I read. The subject matter is deeper. Though, I like that about it. It is nice to read a more challenging, not just fluff, fiction book for a change.

A legal book, full of suspense, action and a plot that keeps you wondering who is telling the truth and how it will all turn out? Is Dale at fault or is it all his wife Erin? Will Dale get baby Celeste back? Is someone else involved in the background, with a deeper more evil motive?

This book has a wonderful plot. Very unexpected things happened. It was also not as overtly Christian as some of his other books, though it did have its moments. Here is my favorite quote.

“'Honey, people like to think they come into any new relationship all cleaned up. That's just a fable the world wants you to believe, so you've got an excuse to walk away when things don't go right. Child, love is a filthy business. You got your problems, he got his. But love gives you the strength to walk through the messes of life together. Love is a process. You commit yourself to getting in there and working together to make sense our of what life's done for you both.'” (pg

144)
“'I don't think I can [tell him].'
'Then you just go and tell God first.' The matter-of-fact tone struck hard as fists. 'You're ready to pour out the oil from your alabaster box now. Ain't nobody else will ever know the cost of that oil you're ready to pour on the Master's feet, or how much you done paid for those tears you've been waiting to shed. But he knows. Oh my. Ain't that the blessed truth. An that's all you need to remember, child. He's waiting for you to kneel there and weep for him. He's already done counted every one of these jewels. And they are precious in his sight.'” (pg 144-145)

God is in the business of redemption and we all need that. We all have things that only God knows. He is the restorer of our lives. This is a book of restoration. It was a wonderful read. I recommend it.

I had no idea this was part of a series... I read book 3 first. Now I have to go back and read books 1 and 2. LOL

[Kim · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm a pretty big T.Davis Bunn fan, but I have to admit this isn't at the top of my list for faves.

It was a good book and relatively quick listen, but I was missing the Christian fiction theme that I expected and the topic was much darker than I anticipated from his style of writing.

If you are intrigued by opera, then you'll definitely learn something. That was probably the neatest part of the book. :)

[Dorothy Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bunn is a Christian writer, but not preachy or attempting to convert anyone. The story was suspenseful and I didn't anticipate who the villain was. Bunn is a good writer and leaves out sex and unnecessary violence.

[Mayde · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a hard time getting into this book, but did like it eventually. Lots of action and surprising twists.

[Phyllis C · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not an easy or enjoyable book, with too much evil. Can't recommend this.

[Tee Mcdaniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really good book lots of drama and heartbreak but every now and then it would drag on too much

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many characters. Many places. Hard to follow. Confusing.
Interesting plot. Clean drama.
Lawyer defends man whose child was kidnapped by his opera diva wife.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting and winding plots and characters. Occasionally a little confusing but it all came together at the end.

[Kenny Sargent · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very strong follow up to The Great Divide! I liked it almost as much. Rich, deep plot with strong finish.

[Jacqueline · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fantastic book...... I loved every minute of it and hope T. Davis Bunn keeps them coming.... I love the characters and how he develops them.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of twists and turns. Suspenseful!

[Katy · Rating 4 out of 5]

A shrewd CEO is accused by his ex-wife, an opera diva, of endangering their child, whom she left with him shortly after the baby's birth. He fights her claim on the baby, only to become emmeshed in her shallowness and manipulations...again.

A good book for the work commute; but, I often wonder about shrewd men who have such shabby personal lives...oh, the choices we make, and why we make them (if we ever think when we are deciding!)

[Partridge Public]

Bunn, T. Davis

[Margaret Boehm · Rating 3 out of 5]

Too many characters, too many stories.

[Lea Dever]

This was a good short mystery that kept your attention very well with a surprise ending and solution to the mystery.

[M.R. · Rating 1 out of 5]

After really loving Great Divide, I was really disappointed in the sequel. The characters were flat and not very realistic. I usually like this author but this book wasn't up to snuff.

[Randy Alcorn]

Authentic, compelling and skillfully plotted, Winner Take All is a top notch legal drama. Davis Bunn has done it again!

[Hildy Peterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Grade: C

Pretty good, dragged here and there, but over a decent read.

[Shannon · Rating 2 out of 5]

audio version - didn't like it.

[Lynn Shurden · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this mystery set in NC.

[Janice · Rating 1 out of 5]

highly rated Slow as could be

[Murphy]

Bought it on 19 Oct 2014 from Rocky Mountain Christian Church

[Stine Diamond-owens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clean thriller. No profanity nor graphic violence nor sex. Well written.

[Andrew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written - a great follow on to 'the great divide' - very enjoyable and keeps you guessing to the end

[Tomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

A really good story.