Rating: 
Summary: Close to 4 stars
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Margolin is going downhill
Review: I used to love Margolin books but the last book he wrote I actually went back to see if I had been mistaken about the quality of his other books. I wasn't, he was the author of many books I had loved. So, I figured he was having an off book. However, this book confirms it for me, he does not write anywhere near with the depth of character and plot that he used to. This book is fair, but not good. Amanda Jaffe lacks any reality and it seems that Margolin, like several other authors, is just trying to hook onto a series character to sell books. This character holds no spark or interest. I actually did not even finish this book.
Rating: 
Summary: 3 1/2 Stars...An Adrenaline Boost
Review: In a world of Big Macs and Palm Pilots, few seem to have time for a deeply moving mystery. Margolin, knowing his audience, slices his novels into manageable snacks for those on the go. Each book is fluid and credible, with characters we care just enough to follow and plots we try desperately to unravel. "Ties That Bind" is vintage Margolin. From the opening scenes which undergird a far-reaching conspiracy, to the concluding surprises, Margolin lets us revisit Amanda Jaffe (from "Wild Justice") as she finds herself embroiled in trouble. When she agrees to defend a man, owner of an escort service, against murder charges, she finds cover-ups and misdirection on every side. Amanda must face her own fears and grow through her experiences. Amanda, though, is almost secondary to the stronger characterization of Tim Kerrigan. Tim is a man with a football-hero past, a temptation-paved present, and little hope for the future. He finds himself a pawn in a deadly game. His own poor choices place his family in danger, and he must find a way to extricate himself before his guilt crushes him once and for all. While "Ties That Bind" addresses family, moral, and political issues in short snippets, it's really all about telling an adrenaline-charged story. Though there's little time to get emotionally involved, Margolin manages to draw us onward and throw us for a few loops. The style is gritty, sometimes twisted...and one heck of a ride.
Rating:
Summary: TOO MUCH SENSATIONALISM
Review: In Ties That Bind, criminal lawyer Amanda Jaffe returns, assigned by the court to defend the murderer of a U.S. Senator. While that case is somewhat circumstantial, what is more open-and-shut is her client's murder of his previous attorney, a brutal killing that has made most others reluctant to defend him. Jaffe, however, is willing to take him on and in the process, do battle with her own demons. As usual, Margolin is an adept writer, though this is far from his best work, as most of his plot twists are either rather easy to figure out (such as who is entangled in the conspiracy) or out of left field (such as the final solution of the whodunit). On the other hand, Margolin has presented his most clever villains since Gone But Not Forgotten, which does make the story exciting even as its ending seems foreshadowed. Jaffe herself is a well-defined character, and unlike most series characters, she doesn't just shake off the traumas she has previously undergone. Overall, I'd say this was a good, but not great, book. Those who read less suspense novels may be more surprised by the plotting, but for veteran readers of the genre, this will be a bit predictable. Nonetheless, fans of thrillers should be generally pleased with Margolin's latest effort
Rating:
Summary: Decent, if predictable
Review: In Ties That Bind, criminal lawyer Amanda Jaffe returns, assigned by the court to defend the murderer of a U.S. Senator. While that case is somewhat circumstantial, what is more open-and-shut is her client's murder of his previous attorney, a brutal killing that has made most others reluctant to defend him. Jaffe, however, is willing to take him on and in the process, do battle with her own demons. As usual, Margolin is an adept writer, though this is far from his best work, as most of his plot twists are either rather easy to figure out (such as who is entangled in the conspiracy) or out of left field (such as the final solution of the whodunit). On the other hand, Margolin has presented his most clever villains since Gone But Not Forgotten, which does make the story exciting even as its ending seems foreshadowed. Jaffe herself is a well-defined character, and unlike most series characters, she doesn't just shake off the traumas she has previously undergone. Overall, I'd say this was a good, but not great, book. Those who read less suspense novels may be more surprised by the plotting, but for veteran readers of the genre, this will be a bit predictable. Nonetheless, fans of thrillers should be generally pleased with Margolin's latest effort
Rating: 
Summary: enjoyable crime thriller
Review: Life is not easy for New Mexico defense attorney Amanda Jaffe since she almost was killed while being used as bait in a series of murders committed by a surgeon in St. Francis Medical Center. It's been more than a year and she is still suffering Post Traumatic Stress Disorder complete with flashbacks, spotty sleep and intense flashbacks. The last thing she wants to do is take on a murder one case but no other lawyer in New Mexico will touch it. Jon Dupree, the owner of a high priced escort service, which is a cover for prostitution, is alleged to have killed United States Senator Harold Travis and his defense attorney in a closed door conference room at the jail. A guard witnessed the murder but Amanda isn't convinced because it is her client who has defense wounds and claims his attorney was trying to kill him. As Amanda gets closer to figuring out who was behind the two deaths, the co-conspirators decide that the only way to stop her is to kill her. The feisty attorney has reservoirs of strength that she is not aware of and a healthy sense of self-preservation. Phillip Margolin is one of the leading crime thrillers writers with all his books turning into New York Times bestsellers and this reviewer is certain, that TIES THAT BIND will be number eight. There is a series of interconnecting plots that seamlessly flows into the main story line. Crossing the lines is the delightful courageous Amanda leading to the reader having a lot of fun trying to discover how they connect. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: TOO MUCH SENSATIONALISM
Review: Margolin is getting carried away by 'too much sex, gore, and sensationalism'. His first books were interesting and somewhat true to life. Since I live in Portland I am quite certain this kind of thing happens, to a minor degree, but sounds to me like Portland is the crime center of the nation if we take this book literally. Our politics in Portland and Oregon are rotten but I don't think
life is as morbid and ugly as Margolin would have us believe.
Tone it down a bit ........ we will still like your books without all the sex, violence and foul language portrayed in this one. You went beyond the limits of decency and good writing in this one.
Rating:
Summary: Complex plot pleases with suspense-filled twists and turns
Review: 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:
Summary: Wow! Loved It
Review: Mr Margolin has yet again written a novel that I thoroughly enjoyed from beginning to end. The pace was great, the stoty riveting and hard to put down until finished. And what a finish it was. I'm really enjoying his novels that feature Amanda Jaffe because she's a character I really like. I think her story in this book was even better than previous. I highly recommend this novel, especially if you enjoy reading about ruthless people of power getting their just due.
Rating:
Summary: Plauseably Improbable - But a Good Read
Review: Phillip Margolin has returned Amanda Jaffe to center stage and it is a place that nearly gets her killed. (again) She is appointed to represent John Dupre who is accused of two murders, the second of which was his court appointed lawyer who was in a locked down interview room with a guard watching. Tough case to win, right? Well, things are not always what they seem and in this novel that is much more than a pretty phrase. This story has more layers than an onion and as the writer peels them off we are suprised, a bit baffled, and somewhat astounded as to how this plays out. Margolin has been consistently reliable as an excellent novelist and this book changes nothing in that regard.
| 
