Point of View

The author uses a third-person perspective in the narrative. This is appropriate given the numerous characters in the novel and not one character who is constantly with the others. By using this point of view, the author is able to insert suspense and tension in the narrative. For example, readers know that Rae's and Virgil's lives are in danger because Pruitt did not call Sansone. However, Rae and Virgil are already in the water when Lucas discovers the danger and he is not able to explain the situation to Rae. In addition, Rae is on the boat alone. Virgil has no knowledge of the situation because he is in the water.

The author also uses the point of view to interject sarcasm into the narrative. For example, when Behan first calls Cattaneo, the narrator says, "The caller's name, God bless him, was Michael Behan, as...