Three weeks after his twenty-third birthday, Ethan missed the chance to save his brother’s life when he was murdered on the steps of the courthouse in Jacksonville, Florida. Ever since that fateful day, Ethan has sensed a deep disconnect between the man he should have been and the one he has become. His days play out a beat too slow, his mind replaying the scene of his failure again and again.But … again.But when his brother’s widow appears, asking for his help in uncovering what was really behind his brother’s death, Ethan is stunned to hear that she and her late husband were involved in a much larger case than he knew–one that threatens the global power structure. As Ethan joins the search for answers, he will enter into his own past–and discover a means of redeeming his future.Bestselling and award-winning author Davis Bunn invites you into a world of intrigue as a man held captive by his failure learns how to move forward with hope.
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If You Could Do It All Over….
How many of us wish we could go back in time and change things? Ethan is a dying man in his fifties, who is full of regrets and failures, who gets that chance.
Suddenly, he can go back in time to stop the murder of his beloved brother, a crime that has never been solved. What was behind the assassination? Was there something about the last court trial that led to his death? Can Ethan figure it out in time—because by taking this chance, he will only have a short period to try to change things, and he must forfeit his own life to do so.
This author is an excellent writer who can spin a five-star story that will keep you glued to the pages. The time travel aspect of this tale is really out there, but Mr. Bunn makes it work without the story becoming unbelievable. This a book you will not soon forget. He sets the time period stage so well, that those of us who lived through the eighties, can almost hear “The Power of Love” playing as he paints a vivid picture of life before cell phones, Nintendo and Apple became part of our common vernacular.
This is a clean story, but I was disappointed it had so little about faith. The subject is briefly glossed over with one of the character’s suggestions that eternity is the answer, but didn’t give an explanation of what that means. I recommend this to those who enjoy well-written tales of second chances.
Revell Publishing has provided Tickmenot with a complimentary copy of, The Burden of Proof, for the purpose of review.
Title: Burden of Proof
Author: Davis Bunn
Pages: 320
Year: 2020
Publisher: Revell
My rating: 5 out of 5 stars.
This latest novel by Davis Bunn is absolutely heart-engaging! The story begins with the lead male character, Ethan, on the water slowly paddling to a dock that has seen better days. Ethan has always loved the water, learning how to swim in the ocean when a hurricane is approaching or surfing the big waves. However, Ethan’s days are numbered, and he is getting tired of the pain and weariness.
When Ethan gets to the dock, he is immediately verbally assaulted by his former sister-in-law. While Sonya was married to his brother Adrian, who was murdered as he exited a courthouse, she and Ethan were bitter enemies. So why is she waiting for him to get out of his boat? As she starts talking to him, it appears she knows more about him than she should considering she hasn’t seen him in years. Now she needs him to do something, like be part of an experiment. Sonya is a brilliant scientist and the years since losing her husband haven’t been good to her. When she meets Ethan, she brings a young woman who looks familiar, though who she is you’ll see when you read the book.
Ethan is once again in his twenties, but he remembers everything that has happened before his sister-in-law sent him to live a period of time over again just a matter of weeks before his brother is going to be murdered. Can Ethan remember what to do and not to do in order to save his brother’s life? Is that the only outcome Ethan may be able to change?
The story is a mixture of science, mystery, and it really does move the heart. At first, I wasn’t sure I wanted to read it as the main character has cancer, and I wasn’t sure where the author was taking me as a reader. But I am glad I kept with it as it was an engaging story. Thankfully, the author doesn’t use a lot of science terminology. He takes readers on an adventure with a simple premise. What if? What if people can go back and make different choices than they did the first time?
There is more going on in the novel than a scientist and an experiment, or a family with regrets and brokenness. There is someone out there trying to steal a scientist’s work, but why? What audiences will find out is that it isn’t what one thinks, and the ending is simply moving. I hope you take the opportunity to read this book; it is touching and one I won’t soon forget.
Note: The opinions shared in this review are solely my responsibility.
“For the first time since he had received the news, his fear of death was balanced with the power of choice.”
Burden Of Proof is a unique story in a unique time frame. From the blurb on the cover, I was not expecting this plot. It is well executed and kept me turning pages but I thought something was missing. I kept waiting for a concrete faith message. I can see several places that this could happen. That said, it was a great story. I kept wondering what the final outcome would be on several levels. The main protagonist did do a turn around and acted selflessly. The message became clear that one should think of others, especially family, before considering certain life choices. The author used surfing as an example of how life works. The description of Ethan paddling out and riding the waves was fascinating.
I have not read a Davis Bunn novel in a few years. I’m glad I chose to read this one.
*A complimentary copy of this book was provided by Revell through Interviews and Reviews. I was not required to give a favorable review. All opinions are my own.*
There are two, maybe three aspects to this book: the sci-fi-esque time travel and the medical part that is Sonya’s work and the legal mystery that is Adrian’s. Setting aside the first for a moment, I really enjoyed the mystery and intrigue of what Ethan, Adrian, and Sonya were trying to do. I liked the healing and forgiveness that took place among the various relationships. I loved the bond between the brothers.
I don’t do well with science fiction, time travel, and heavy science/medical stuff. It’s confusing to me and I can’t wrap my brain around the theories of it all. Avengers Endgame was a challenge. I didn’t love that aspect of this book. It made the main story feel a bit strange, though I understand that the story would not exist without it. The ending felt unfinished. Again, I understand Ethan’s role being over but what happens with Sonya and Adrian and Gina? The work? The company? It felt abrupt.
I admire Bunn for being able to write such a variety of work – from legal mysteries that deal with science theories to military novels to historical fiction. He is an excellent writer no matter the subject. This book was just not one of my favorites by him.
Many thanks to Revell and Netgalley for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own and a favorable review was not required.
In “Burden of Proof”, author Davis Bunn takes readers on an intense, thought-provoking journey through time and one man’s conscience. Ethan Barrett has lived a life of missed chances, lost opportunities, and regrets. He remains haunted by the mystery of his brother Adrian’s tragic death more than thirty years ago. Now, at the age of fifty five, Ethan has been diagnosed with terminal cancer. As he tries to come to grips with his fate, he receives a surprise visit from his brother’s widow, Sonya, and his niece, Delia. Sonya is a scientist in the field of quantum physics, and she knows that Ethan is dying. She makes him a startling proposition–she can send him back in time to save his bother’s life and change destiny. Ethan’s own life won’t be extended, but will he find redemption? Will he fall back into the same old bad habits, or has he learned how to truly care for others–can he make a difference? Fans of science fiction and time travel will appreciate Davis Bunn’s storytelling in this inspirational suspense thriller.
Book Copy Gratis Revell Books via LibraryThing
3.5 stars
“My friend said the difference between making the right moves now and making more wrong moves like before was that I had to seek the eternal perspective.”
What if? What if we had the ability to travel behind ourselves in order to live out second chances? That was the choice that Ethan Barrett faced as he approached eternity for the first time. Taking the word of his estranged sister-in-law, he allows Sonya to terminate his present life so that he can attempt to exonerate himself from past mistakes and attempt to save the life of another. Ethan was going to become an older, wiser version of himself encased within a younger man again. Who would believe him? And could he possibly gather the burden of proof necessary to stop a murderer?
Honestly, this was a very difficult book to rate. Due to the subject matter, it took some time to understand the nuances of futuristic biological possibilities, but once the story took off, it was actually quite hard to put down. Even knowing how the book was sure to end didn’t prevent me from wishing things could have been different, so that fact in and of itself cast a shadow of solemnity over the entire plot. The core of the story was definitely impactful; having an eternal perspective is the only way to face the certainty of eternity with confidence, but the author missed a wonderful opportunity to share “the way, the truth, and the life”.
It will be interesting to see how other readers gauge this interesting story written by an author who continually embraces the challenge of writing in various genres, and does it well.
I received a copy of this book from Baker Publishing through Interviews and Reviews. The opinions stated above are entirely my own.
Burden of Proof is the first book I have read by this author. Boy, have I been missing out. This is a time travel story. The main character, Ethan has a chance to go back in time to save his brother’s life. This story has a bit of sci fi, mystery and legal thriller action. And just a smidgen of romance. I wish the ending had been a bit different, not that it was bad. It just didnt end the way I wanted it to. But all in all a very good read. I think readers who love fast paced action will really enjoy this book.