Order from a Major Online Bookstore
Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine
Save Your Time And Money
| AnyBook4Less.com | Order from a Major Online Bookstore |
|
| Home | Store List | FAQ | Contact Us | | ||
| Ultimate Book Price Comparison Engine Save Your Time And Money |
||
 |
Title: Ties That Bind by Phillip Margolin, Guidall George ISBN: 0-06-053292-0 Publisher: HarperAudio Pub. Date: 11 March, 2003 Format: Audio Cassette Volumes: 6 List Price(USD): $34.95 |
Average Customer Rating: 3.7 (27 reviews)
Rating: 4
Summary: Complex plot pleases with suspense-filled twists and turns
Comment: Margolin is not as well known as Grisham or Scott Turow, but he can write a legal thriller with equal suspense. Here is his eighth novel to date; its complex plot had just the right number of characters so we could keep track, unlike his prior book, "The Associate", which seemed to us to be overpopulated with shallow characters and red herrings.
It's difficult to report on much of the action without revealing the fine story line, but DA Tim Kerrigan, defense lawyer Amanda Jaffe (back from an earlier novel in the series), and a cast of thugs on both sides of the law create an entertaining ensemble of judges, pimps, and relatives! While at first we sympathize with Kerrigan, we find ourselves constantly shifting allegiances with the leading characters as Margolin's tale shifts from phase to phase. We could hardly wait to get to the end, where the outcome will surely surprise many a reader. We might quibble that literally the last couple of pages offered an ending distraction (wish they had been sliced by the editor), but otherwise, we were enchanted throughout.
Shades of his first few novels, which showed a deliberate command of the craft and this genre, we're glad Margolin kept his imagination flowing while reducing the cast to a manageable size in "Ties". We think you'll be spellbound -- try it!
Rating: 4
Summary: Margolin back on track with this nail biter
Comment: Phillip Margolin has the distinction of having written one of my all-time favorite novels (Gone, But Not Forgotten), and has been sporadic (at best) in achieving the success he gained through this one story. He HAS come close with a couple (After Dark & Wild Justice) but most of the rest of his books have been really good, but not great. 'Wild Justice' was one of his exceptional stories and it introduced us to Amanda Jaffe, our main character in 'Ties'. Following this we got the filler book, 'The Associate' which was okay, and I was beginning to wonder how many so-so novels we have to go through before landing another truly engrossing tale from Margolin. I personally believe that 'Ties That Bind' is both exceptional as well as difficult to follow. Several reviewers have noted that there are too many characters to follow, which really CAN be a problem especially at the beginning. I forced my way through only to become involved in a story that seemed interesting, but not compelling like some of he previous stories. However, around half-way through the book I found the plot really thickening into something quite diabolical.
The story begins back in the early 70's when the Vaughn Street Glee Club is organized. Known only by a VERY select few, especially on the outside, and the only way INTO the club is through the worst of human acts: Murder. We skip ahead to the present when a really disgusting pimp gets nailed for killing one of his prostitutes. But is he the one who is really responsible? After discussing his current problems with his attorney, the lawyer informs him that without a rather sizeable retainer, he won't be able to continue to defend him, especially on murder charges. The Court then appoints him an attorney, but before he can even discover anything about the case, he kills his own defender. NOW he's in trouble for TWO murders. Amanda Jaffe becomes involved, but she's still having difficult time adjusting after the Cardoni case (see 'Wild Justice') and the traumatic experience that was for her. She reluctantly accepts, and becomes embroiled inside the Vaughn Street Glee Club and their attempts to place one of their members inside the White House.
The DA scheduled to try the case, Tim Kerrigan has demons of his own. One night he succumbs to a terrifying greed and hires one of the pimps special prostitutes for an evening, and before long finds himself being blackmailed by the hooker to let the pimp off, or be exposed as the scum that he is. Tim's character is a multi-demensional one. On the one hand you despise him for his sordid actions, but on the other you see inside his head and how repulsed he is at himself and what he has done and things cascade and snowball into a life-altering visit with his surrogate father, who is also a judge. HOW can he handle this situation? If he ignores the blackmail, he'll be exposed, ruining his wife and daughters lives, but if he gives in he will sink to a new low by intentionally throwing an otherwise air-tight case against the pimp. The judge gives him an opportunity to erase the entire event, but the cost is VERY high. Would it be possible to actually eliminate the hooker and make all his problems go away forever? Slowly, Tim realizes that NOT accepting the judges offer creates a separate set of problems that are just as terrible.
'Ties That Bind' really does move along on a track that can be difficult to follow -- especially if you read a little each day and then put the book down for a couple of days, do that and you could be hopelessly lost in attempting to figure out where you were last. But through all of this, I still found the story worthwhile and quite entertaining. There are some genuine surprises along the way (especially at the end) and ultimately found the the entire book to be well written and thrilling. It was by no means up to the level of 'Gone, But Not Forgotten' and 'Wild Justice' but very fun to read nevertheless. I anxiously await Mr. Margolin's next story.
Rating: 3
Summary: Close to 4 stars
Comment: I stumbled on Philip Margolin recently, this is his second that I've read. Before this, I read Wild Justice which also featured Amanda Jaffe. I like her though I feel I got to know her a little better in the first book than here. The book begins with a long ago shootout in a drug house - and a real surprise. Then it comes forward in time and gives readers some clever twists.
One of my tests for any book is how many times I put it down. This one got second listed several times over two or three weeks. Still I liked it, and will read a few more from this guy, but I wish I had enjoyed it 4 stars worth.
 |
Title: Sleeping Beauty (MARGOLIN, PHILLIP) by Phillip Margolin ISBN: 0060083263 Publisher: HarperCollins Pub. Date: 23 March, 2004 List Price(USD): $25.95 |
 |
Title: Wild Justice by Phillip Margolin ISBN: 0061030635 Publisher: HarperTorch Pub. Date: 31 July, 2001 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
 |
Title: The Undertaker's Widow by Phillip Margolin ISBN: 0553580884 Publisher: Bantam Books Pub. Date: 02 March, 1999 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
 |
Title: The Last Innocent Man by PHILLIP M. MARGOLIN ISBN: 0553569791 Publisher: Bantam Pub. Date: 01 August, 1995 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
 |
Title: The Associate by Phillip Margolin ISBN: 0061030643 Publisher: HarperTorch Pub. Date: 30 July, 2002 List Price(USD): $7.99 |
Thank you for visiting www.AnyBook4Less.com and enjoy your savings!
Copyright� 2001-2021 Send your comments
