What do you think?
Rate this book
Marcus Glenwood #1
The Great Divide
When attorney Marcus Glenwood resigns from a prestigious corporate law firm to retreat to a small town in North Carolina and rebuild his life after a devastating personal tragedy, he suddenly finds himself in the biggest and most emotionally difficult case of his career.
Fragile and spiritually wounded, Glenwood is introduced to Alma and Austin Hall, whose daughter Gloria has disappeared in China while investigating the slave-like practices of New Horizons, the world's largest manufacturer of sports shoes and athletic gear. Persuaded by Alma's pleading, and their obvious distress, Marcus accepts the case.
No one, including Marcus himself, can believe how quickly his investigation untangles a web of deceit that stretches from Washington , D.C., to Europe and Asia and back to his own North Carolina backyard. With the power to obstruct, manipulate, intimidate, injure, and eliminate, the giant multinational sports company New Horizons has never lost a case. But they underestimate Marcus Glenwood.
Step by cautious step Glenwood moves forward to uncover the horrifying truth about New Horizons, Gloria Hall, and ultimately himself.
448 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2000
72 people are currently reading
1079 people want to read
About the author
T. Davis Bunn
80 books149 followersAlso writes under the names Thomas Locke and Davis Bunn.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
February 15, 2025
A gripping legal thriller! It kept my interest the whole time!
October 5, 2018
The story started out a bit slow for my taste but I stayed with it and experienced a lot of emotions. There's a lot of mystery, legal drama/thriller, and the characters are really different from each other; the author's bad guys are the ones you love to hate and our protagonist is a tortured soul.
While the central reference of this book is about violation of labor laws in China, there were a lot of secrets unearthed, people killed, and it took a lot of money but still, the battle has been won. A slight twist and another climax in the story was about Gloria's real reason for going to China.
I really want to give justice to this book by writing a good review but there are a lot of details I don't want to spoil and I'm still overwhelmed that's why it took me this long (3 days) to write something other than a one-liner. It's thrilling, dangerous, touching, and hopeful.
While the central reference of this book is about violation of labor laws in China, there were a lot of secrets unearthed, people killed, and it took a lot of money but still, the battle has been won. A slight twist and another climax in the story was about Gloria's real reason for going to China.
I really want to give justice to this book by writing a good review but there are a lot of details I don't want to spoil and I'm still overwhelmed that's why it took me this long (3 days) to write something other than a one-liner. It's thrilling, dangerous, touching, and hopeful.
June 12, 2014
This is the first in a series of 3 books by one of my favorite authors.
Unfortunately I read book 3 of the series first. I was given a copy free in order to review it on my blog. I had a hard time making myself read it because book 3 had given away some of the story. But, once I determined that I was going to MAKE myself finish I really got into it and polished it off in only a couple days.
Bunn writes Christian fiction with a very adventurous flair. His books are always exciting and full of action. This series is about a lawyer. A small court case becomes an international affair with a half dozen lawyers on one side and a 'little' country lawyer with only one old retired lawyer/judge on his side. Murders, kidnapping, assault, mystery... this is a Bunn novel.
But central also is a faith message.
Deacon Wilbur preaches a message and in it the title of the book...
“'Brothers and sisters, just because you're busy doesn't mean you're moving in the right direction. No. Can I have me an amen?'
The crowd sang it's chant of accord.
'You're not drawing closer to the goal just on account of you're making good time. No. The task here isn't to be busy. No. The world is full of the lost and alone, filling every crack in the mask they use to hide an empty heart with busy.'” (pg 177-178)
'You got to work for something bigger, something finer, something eternal. You got to cross the great divide to make your work matter. You got to march over the bridge set in place by perfect sacrifice. The bridge God for you and you alone.'” (pg 178)
My favorite quote is on pg 181...
“'Hello, Judge. How're you this fine day!'
'Partial to sleep. Libby made enough racket to wake the dead.'
Momma always said food tastes better if you bang the pans.'”
A wonderful series. I happened to read book 3 first. I don't recommend doing that. This series is one that needs to be read in order. I will be reading book 2 sometime soon. I want to finish the series.
Unfortunately I read book 3 of the series first. I was given a copy free in order to review it on my blog. I had a hard time making myself read it because book 3 had given away some of the story. But, once I determined that I was going to MAKE myself finish I really got into it and polished it off in only a couple days.
Bunn writes Christian fiction with a very adventurous flair. His books are always exciting and full of action. This series is about a lawyer. A small court case becomes an international affair with a half dozen lawyers on one side and a 'little' country lawyer with only one old retired lawyer/judge on his side. Murders, kidnapping, assault, mystery... this is a Bunn novel.
But central also is a faith message.
Deacon Wilbur preaches a message and in it the title of the book...
“'Brothers and sisters, just because you're busy doesn't mean you're moving in the right direction. No. Can I have me an amen?'
The crowd sang it's chant of accord.
'You're not drawing closer to the goal just on account of you're making good time. No. The task here isn't to be busy. No. The world is full of the lost and alone, filling every crack in the mask they use to hide an empty heart with busy.'” (pg 177-178)
'You got to work for something bigger, something finer, something eternal. You got to cross the great divide to make your work matter. You got to march over the bridge set in place by perfect sacrifice. The bridge God for you and you alone.'” (pg 178)
My favorite quote is on pg 181...
“'Hello, Judge. How're you this fine day!'
'Partial to sleep. Libby made enough racket to wake the dead.'
Momma always said food tastes better if you bang the pans.'”
A wonderful series. I happened to read book 3 first. I don't recommend doing that. This series is one that needs to be read in order. I will be reading book 2 sometime soon. I want to finish the series.
July 30, 2014
I very much enjoyed this book. first the only bad part of my review. I buy lots of books at GoodWill. Several years ago I bought a book by T. Davis Bunn by the title Winner Take All and when I started reading read it the book did not make sense. It took be a lot of searching to find this was the third in a series by Bun. I wished the books made note of this.
This novel The Great Divide is a story about a college student who while working on her thesis finds some wrong doing in a factory in China. Most of the book is set in the courtroom. The hero is a character named Marcus. The author does a great job helping the reader get to know Marcus and feel his heart beat. If you enjoy court room drama and Christian fiction then you will love this book!
This novel The Great Divide is a story about a college student who while working on her thesis finds some wrong doing in a factory in China. Most of the book is set in the courtroom. The hero is a character named Marcus. The author does a great job helping the reader get to know Marcus and feel his heart beat. If you enjoy court room drama and Christian fiction then you will love this book!
April 11, 2019
Very interesting book with twists and turns, and I love how the author was able to relay courtroom agenda to the reader without being repetitive and keep even the reader in suspense about how Marcus would handle his case. The outcome was not easy to predict and there were many surprises throughout the book. I don’t want to spoil anything for you but just say this is definitely a book to read!
Read
May 2, 2012T. Davis Bunn kept me up past 1:00 AM two nights in a row. I don’t regret the lost sleep for a moment! The Great Divide is a gripping courtroom drama, raising concerns of immense importance. It held me right to the end.
February 17, 2014
If you like courtroom dramas, you'll love this. Marcus is such a well-written, flawed character. I love the way Bunn makes each character so unique. No cardboard, no stereotypes, no surface-deep emotions, but true to life people you can pull for (or despise, as the case may be.) Well done.
September 12, 2020
I have read other works by T. Davis Bunn, but I believe this is the best of the ones I have read. The reader was held captive by the action and the suspense wondering how it would all end. This is a clean novel for anybody to read.
January 5, 2017
This is Christian fiction at its best. Engaging, suspenseful and well research - an enjoyable read!
July 2, 2025
Good book, but tough for me to read on a personal level. I didn’t know this was the first book in a series.
February 24, 2016
It was a little hard to get into for me with the law themes and the court case sessions (which I find rather boring reading or watching.), but once I got into it, it was suprisingly better than I thought it would be. The characters were well formed and real, the plot didn't purely stick to the court case and had a few subplots, which made things interesting, and I like the way Bunn makes you question things, therefore giving you the urge to read on to discover what happens. :)
Also I loved the way it dealt with finding justice against the injustice of the world, and how the ending made you feel satisfied and happy with all the research and troubles that Marcus and his team went through, that all ended up being worthwhile. Overall, the book tied up very nicely after all the myteriousness you experience reading the book.
Also I loved the way it dealt with finding justice against the injustice of the world, and how the ending made you feel satisfied and happy with all the research and troubles that Marcus and his team went through, that all ended up being worthwhile. Overall, the book tied up very nicely after all the myteriousness you experience reading the book.
August 30, 2018
Marcus Glenwood, attorney, has lost most everything he holds dear. When he moves into and refurbishes his grandparents old home, he finds himself surrounded by people who care. He is approached to take a case of a missing young woman in China. He runs headlong into two attorneys from the firm he quit and a huge corporation that will do anything to stop him.
What follows will pull you through Marcus' personal trials and struggle for faith and self worth.
There is enough suspense and diversity of characters to keep the reader's interest - cheering for Marcus and those suffering alongside.
This story of forgiveness, redemption, and love had me wanting to read his next book in this series.
What follows will pull you through Marcus' personal trials and struggle for faith and self worth.
There is enough suspense and diversity of characters to keep the reader's interest - cheering for Marcus and those suffering alongside.
This story of forgiveness, redemption, and love had me wanting to read his next book in this series.
December 6, 2016
Had to read this for English; at first I was really bored by it, especially how most of the book is set in a courtroom with people discussing endlessly. Close to the end it gets GOOD. I'm grateful I read it now because I learnt much about slave labour practices. For me it wasn't a legal "thriller" at all.
October 5, 2017
This book caught me in the beginning. The story line was amazing and loved the characters, the courtroom scenes (they were AWESOME) and how descriptive everything was!
The only thing I would say negative about it was that it got to be a little long, but I still really enjoyed it!!
The only thing I would say negative about it was that it got to be a little long, but I still really enjoyed it!!
June 18, 2018
Riveting!
Anyone who enjoys a well written mystery will enjoy this book. It is a real page turned that cannnot be put down once started. Although it deals with tragic topics and circumstances, it is not overly violent and graphic.
Anyone who enjoys a well written mystery will enjoy this book. It is a real page turned that cannnot be put down once started. Although it deals with tragic topics and circumstances, it is not overly violent and graphic.
July 9, 2018
A Real Page Turner from the First to the Last Page
Held my interest & kept me up nights reading. Filled with intrigue and much “reality.” I will recommend this book to several friends.
Held my interest & kept me up nights reading. Filled with intrigue and much “reality.” I will recommend this book to several friends.
July 17, 2018
Wow, and double wow! The author led the reader through one surprise revelation after another. The masterful weaving of all the stories within the greater story were amazing. I will definitely seem out more books by this author.
September 29, 2008
A very engaging and quick read. Reminded me in some ways of John Grisham's early work, especially "A Time to Kill."
December 11, 2012
So far it's great!
June 16, 2018
Required reading
This should be required reading for any college freshman considering pre law. Then answer, "will you be a Marcus or will you take the easy path"?
This should be required reading for any college freshman considering pre law. Then answer, "will you be a Marcus or will you take the easy path"?
June 20, 2018
Every one should read this book
Probably one of the top ten books I’ve read in many years. Would that it were not fiction ! The sad premise is that it is sadly accurate.
Probably one of the top ten books I’ve read in many years. Would that it were not fiction ! The sad premise is that it is sadly accurate.
July 4, 2018
Yes, very much Grishamesque.
Great read with believable plot and characters. Well worth your time. It is great to have a clean read with a real story line.
Great read with believable plot and characters. Well worth your time. It is great to have a clean read with a real story line.
July 6, 2018
Astounding
Every novel by this author leaves me stunned. Creative plots, wonderful characters and intelligent wordcraft give every book both brains and heart.
Every novel by this author leaves me stunned. Creative plots, wonderful characters and intelligent wordcraft give every book both brains and heart.
July 26, 2018
Super
At first I thought do I really want to read and then I was hooked. So much information and so heart breaking.
At first I thought do I really want to read and then I was hooked. So much information and so heart breaking.
October 4, 2018
I love T Davis Bunn's books...this one opened my eyes to labor practices in China.
November 23, 2018
This one is fantastic! Excellent legal thriller. It's a bit slow to get going after the initial hook, but it has a great climax and ending.
January 16, 2019
It’s been a while since I picked up a book that was this hard to put down until I was finished. Definitely a good read.
February 20, 2019
This was a fantastic book. I could feel the pain of the main character through the author's great metaphors and analogies. And I just love legal thrillers. Thank you for a clean thriller.....
January 15, 2024
The book kept my interest from start to finish. I would read it again.
February 3, 2024
A clean courtroom thriller that rivals Grisham! (5 stars)
The two novels of T. Davis Bunn I’d read previous to this effort both revolved around Christmas sentimentalism, and were somewhat trite and disappointing. Not so with “The Great Divide”. As a reader who has thoroughly enjoyed practically all of John Grisham’s books for their legal drama, thriller suspense, and clean content, I was delighted to find that this effort by Bunn practically matched Grisham on all counts! Not only that, Bunn is extremely talented in his use of the English language, with delightfully descriptive language, metaphors and similes, and vivid characterization. In almost all regards it is quite different from his earlier works. Bunn’s other efforts were more distinctly Christian in character and theme, and although this novel is not specifically Christian (aside from the involvement of a church community as part of the story line) it is far more suspenseful and successful.
The story-line features Marcus Glenwood, an attorney who is recovering after a terrible car accident which claimed the lives of his two young children and destroyed his marriage. When asked to uncover the mystery behind the disappearance of Gloria Hall, Marcus is initially reluctant. But as he discovers the truth behind the claims of Gloria’s parents that she was abducted in a Chinese factory run by the American sports clothing manufacturer New Horizons, he agrees to undertake legal action against the manufacturing giant on their behalf. With one of Gloria’s friends, Kirsten, as his ally, and with several of his former colleagues as his nemesis, the suspenseful court-room drama slowly builds up momentum, with several attacks on Marcus’ life outside the courtroom adding a chilling spice to an already chilling tale. Slowly, Marcus uncovers the horrible web behind New Horizons, and the truth behind the disappearance of Gloria Hall. The only thing that remains a mystery to me in the end is the significance of the title!
The bittersweet ending is somewhat satisfying, but is dampened by the startling thought that this could be a true story, a story where the endings are not happy. One cannot help get the feeling that Bunn is using this novel to unmask human rights abuses in Chinese sweatshops, and expose the support of these abuses by giant manufacturers of sporting clothing who bow to the almighty dollar. It does not take much imagination to substitute the name “New Horizons” for the name of a contemporary manufacturing giant of sporting clothing, and raise questions about their practices and ethics. One of Bunn's final acknowledgements is very telling, where he acknowledges the help of his wife, an international attorney, whose “first thesis was on the issue of human rights violations within the Chinese lao gai prison network.” While thoroughly enjoying this book as a work of fiction, I could not help but get the cold feeling that behind the fiction was a great deal of fact. This novel will do more than just awaken your suspense, it may also awaken your conscience.
The two novels of T. Davis Bunn I’d read previous to this effort both revolved around Christmas sentimentalism, and were somewhat trite and disappointing. Not so with “The Great Divide”. As a reader who has thoroughly enjoyed practically all of John Grisham’s books for their legal drama, thriller suspense, and clean content, I was delighted to find that this effort by Bunn practically matched Grisham on all counts! Not only that, Bunn is extremely talented in his use of the English language, with delightfully descriptive language, metaphors and similes, and vivid characterization. In almost all regards it is quite different from his earlier works. Bunn’s other efforts were more distinctly Christian in character and theme, and although this novel is not specifically Christian (aside from the involvement of a church community as part of the story line) it is far more suspenseful and successful.
The story-line features Marcus Glenwood, an attorney who is recovering after a terrible car accident which claimed the lives of his two young children and destroyed his marriage. When asked to uncover the mystery behind the disappearance of Gloria Hall, Marcus is initially reluctant. But as he discovers the truth behind the claims of Gloria’s parents that she was abducted in a Chinese factory run by the American sports clothing manufacturer New Horizons, he agrees to undertake legal action against the manufacturing giant on their behalf. With one of Gloria’s friends, Kirsten, as his ally, and with several of his former colleagues as his nemesis, the suspenseful court-room drama slowly builds up momentum, with several attacks on Marcus’ life outside the courtroom adding a chilling spice to an already chilling tale. Slowly, Marcus uncovers the horrible web behind New Horizons, and the truth behind the disappearance of Gloria Hall. The only thing that remains a mystery to me in the end is the significance of the title!
The bittersweet ending is somewhat satisfying, but is dampened by the startling thought that this could be a true story, a story where the endings are not happy. One cannot help get the feeling that Bunn is using this novel to unmask human rights abuses in Chinese sweatshops, and expose the support of these abuses by giant manufacturers of sporting clothing who bow to the almighty dollar. It does not take much imagination to substitute the name “New Horizons” for the name of a contemporary manufacturing giant of sporting clothing, and raise questions about their practices and ethics. One of Bunn's final acknowledgements is very telling, where he acknowledges the help of his wife, an international attorney, whose “first thesis was on the issue of human rights violations within the Chinese lao gai prison network.” While thoroughly enjoying this book as a work of fiction, I could not help but get the cold feeling that behind the fiction was a great deal of fact. This novel will do more than just awaken your suspense, it may also awaken your conscience.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews