ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT: A NOVEL BY T. DAVIS BUNN (2008) - NEW
The Florida community of Lantern Island is home to business
executives, doctors, and at least one shady accountant hiding behind
steel shutters and motion detectors. It is a bit exclusive, but Wayne
Grusza knows the way because he's been stalking his resident ex-wife.
Since the end of his marriage, Wayne, a former Army Special Ops
agent, has become a drifter obsessed with the idea of killing his
wife's new husband. To get him back on the right path, Wayne's sister,
a woman of the cloth, has gotten him a job investigating a theft from a
retirement village by a fast-talking accountant. Wayne and two of the
residents soon find the man and recover the stolen cash, but when the
crooked bookkeeper is found dead two days later, Wayne finds himself
preoccupied with his next assignment: looking into the appearance of
what might be an angel.
Easton Grey is one of Florida's top business leaders and
philanthropists. He is under self-imposed house arrest after what he
believes to be an angel appeared and told him he was in danger. Wayne
believes this is a con as well—and that it might be connected to the
first. Especially since a man linked to both sides of a hostile
takeover of Easton's business lives only a few doors down from the
murdered accountant.
While investigating the “angel,” Wayne reconnects with his sister,
falls for the wounded ice queen who is Easton's attorney, influences
the life of a young teen on a dangerous path, reconnects with his
ex-wife, finds a community that finally feels like home, and begins to
recover his own faith in God. The likeable characters who genuinely
care for one another will make readers care as well. Crotchety Foster
and retired cop Jerry are Wayne's partners and accomplices; Victoria is
his wise and God-fearing neighbor with the “rare ability to turn every
word she spoke into music”; and Tatanya is his new damaged love, who
drives her ex's Ferrari for spite.
Bunn has won Christy Awards for three of his books, Drummer in the Dark, The Great Divide, and The Meeting Place, which he co-wrote with Janette Oke. He is currently Writer In Residence at Regents Park College, Oxford University.
While the discovery of the identity of the “angel” is a bit of a
let-down, the business-related plot is Grisham-like in its complexity
and resolution. All Through the Night will appeal to readers of mystery and suspense who wish for a wholesome and faith-based novel.