Ties That Bind (Amanda Jaffe)

During the past several decades it has become the lamentable fashion--(undoubtably instigated by idiot editors) to begin novels with action-packed flashbacks, usually often having almost nothing to do with the novel, presumably to catch the interest of readers browsing in bookstores. In practice, this loathsome practice only confuses readers. Margolin takes this foul practice to the extreme. Typically the first quarter of a Margolin novel consist of unrelated, unconnected, flashbacks. Perhaps the excuse of introducing the main characters up front would be a mitigating argument--but in practice, dozens of new characters are thrown at the reader, who has no way to tell which are "main" characters and which are throw-aways. By the time a reader has identified a main character as such, the reader probably cannot connect that character with the corresponding background material told in a flashback 200 pages earlier. For example, "Ties that Bind" features three dozen or so characters, including at least 3 judges, at least 3 prosecuting attorneys, 3 prostitutes, nearly a dozen policemen/women, and various thugs. The defendant, at various times, has 3 different defense lawyers. This front-loaded style is arguably lazy--instead of carefully crafting opportunities to introduce characters and background within the story as appropriate, Margolin just jumbles character development and background material together in random order, so that he can then tell the main story with minimal interruptions. The only saving grace is that Margolin is a very gifted story teller. As a generalization, reading the dust jacket text ruins good novels, but for Margolin novels, it is essential for the reader to have access to a summary, or at least an annotated cast of characters, to consult as necessary in order to avoid becoming hopelessly lost. Unfortunately, audio-book readers are left out in the cold-- without a cover to read, and practically speaking, unable to go back and re-read earlier chapters. Audiobook readers are advised to keep an annotated cast of characters handy, and to avoid listening to this novel when there are other distractions (e.g., when driving). "Ties that bind" is probably the most egregious example of Margolin's front-loaded style. In fact, Part 1, consisting of Chapters 1 through 9, is essentially a dustbin of unconnected flashbacks. The story actually begins at Part 2 Chapter 10, when Harold Travis a Senator, running for the Presidency is killed. We know from earlier background material that he has brutally murdered a prostitute. Jon Dupre, the prostitute's pimp, is the accused. Amanda Jaffe is his defense attorney and Tim Kerrigan is the prosecutor. Other important or potentially suspicious characters include Jack Stam (the chief prosecutor, and Tim's boss), William Kerrigan (Tim's father), Hugh Curtain (Tim's friend), Harvey Grant (a judge, Tim's friend), J.D. Hunter (an FBI agent), Maria Lopez (assistant prosecutor) Ali Bennett

This is my first book by Margolin and it was fantastic. I've now realized that I should have read Wild Justice first to understand some of what Amanda is going thru and why. However, this is an excellent stand alone book in my opinion. The characters and plot were well developed. The conclusion was logical and made sense give the facts that were laid out for the reader and there is a twist at the end that, for me at least, was unexpected. I will be back for more of Margolin's excellent work.

Ties That Bind is the third novel from Margolin that I have read. I would rate it as better than Wild Justice and as good as The Associate. Following an intriguing prolog, the main story starts fast and never lets up. The story is set in the Pacific Northwest with the Jaffe father-daughter legal team profiled in Wild Justice. Amanda Jaffe is called upon to represent a suspected murderer. In the process, she begins to uncover a massive conspiracy that challenges her ability to retain her sanity and ultimately threatens her and her family. Although this story is clearly better having read Wild Justice, it still is good enough to stand on its own merits. Once you start, it will be very difficult to stop.

Recovering from her run-in with "The Surgeon", lawyer Amanda Jaffe still has nightmares of the traumatic experience, but she returns to work, only to defend a man accused of killing a U.S. senator.Amanda believes her client?s innocence, and when he tells of having evidence that will link the senator to South American drug lords, she knows she must investigate.The deeper Amanda becomes involved in this case, the deeper she throws herself into danger, as she will be forced to face a world of sex, escorts, lies, murder and a political conspiracy that has involved high-ranking judges, and public officials for over thirty years.As the powerful men behind the plan close in on her, Amanda makes a shocking discovery?one that has a direct path to the presidency.?Ties That Bind? is another powerful shocker from master thrill writer Phillip Margolin. Combining legal thrills with the dark underside of the political world, ?Ties That Bind? grabs you from the first page and holds you captive with each murder, plot twist and shocking discovery. As with all Margolin novels the writing is clean, the plotting razor sharp and the pace super-fast, and of course a surprise ending.Phillip Margolin, a lawyer-turned-author, remains one of my favorite authors, he never strays from what he does best; writing great thrillers. Each new novel is action packed and full of thrills and ?Ties That Bind? is no different?it?s intricately plotted with twists galore so expect to see this at the top of the best-seller lists.Nick Gonnella