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Amanda Jaffe #3
Ties That Bind
Lawyer Amanda Jaffe uncovers the trail of a fiercely secret fraternity of powerful and dangerous men behind a political conspiracy A series of seemingly unrelated deaths culminate in the gruesome murder of a U.S. Senator just days before he is going to be his Party’s nominee for the Presidency. Portland hometown hero Tim Kerrigan―Heisman trophy winner and now District Attorney―prosecutes the case. Representing the alleged murderer is Amanda Jaffe, still recovering from the traumatic events that concluded the sensational New York Times bestseller Wild Justice. Her client claims to have information linking the Senator to a mysterious circle of high-ranking judges, public officials, and South American drug lords―an affiliation that is rumored to go back 30 years―known as the Courthouse Athletic Club. Amanda must hope her client can stay alive long enough for the truth to be revealed.
464 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 1, 2003
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1116 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 189 reviews
February 15, 2023
Could have been stronger throughout. Hence, 6 of 10 stars
June 11, 2025
“Life is passion and action and each man must take part in the passion and action of his times at peril of being judged not to have lived.”
The case against the accused murderer of a US Senator is a sure fire slam-dunk and the accused, already cooling his heels in prison, is (beyond a reasonable doubt, as they say in the court) destined for a date with the executioner. But Amanda Jaffe, herself the past victim of a psychopath’s vicious attack, is convinced of his innocence. But proving it? Well, that’s a problem … isn’t it?
In a back cover marketing blurb, Publishers Weekly enthusiastically gushed, TIES THAT BIND “should satisfy the most discerning and bloodthirsty of legal literati”. And, it IS true. The plot is twisted and covers all of the bases that any fan of the legal genre might hope for – trials, loopholes, motions, briefs, judges, misogyny, bail, and investigative brilliance designed (well, of course) to make the police and regular law enforcement folks look like half-wits!
And, then there’s the aforementioned violence. Suffice it to say that, yes indeed, there’s plenty of it and the blood flows freely in hot, streaming gushers scattered at frequent intervals across the novel’s landscape.
But, as life’s coincidences would have it, I read TIES THAT BIND in the week immediately following Lord Cheeto’s election and the entire atmosphere of political narcissism, self-entitlement and endemic corruption that underlay the characters’ motivations simply galled me. And it rather shocked me when I came to the realization that, as deeply entrenched as the villainy might be in the novel, it rather paled against the reality of Trump’s self-serving disdain for the rule of law.
“I’m sure it never entered his mind that he could get in trouble. He was going to be president. He probably thought he could get away with anything.”
If I had read TIES THAT BIND twenty years ago in 2003, I would have been awestruck and, with slack jaw and rapidly beating heart, comfortably granted it a breathless 5-star rating. But time and the reality of a country with such profound, demonstrable disregard for democracy, the rule of law, and their own Constitution renders TIES THAT BIND almost pedestrian.
The case against the accused murderer of a US Senator is a sure fire slam-dunk and the accused, already cooling his heels in prison, is (beyond a reasonable doubt, as they say in the court) destined for a date with the executioner. But Amanda Jaffe, herself the past victim of a psychopath’s vicious attack, is convinced of his innocence. But proving it? Well, that’s a problem … isn’t it?
In a back cover marketing blurb, Publishers Weekly enthusiastically gushed, TIES THAT BIND “should satisfy the most discerning and bloodthirsty of legal literati”. And, it IS true. The plot is twisted and covers all of the bases that any fan of the legal genre might hope for – trials, loopholes, motions, briefs, judges, misogyny, bail, and investigative brilliance designed (well, of course) to make the police and regular law enforcement folks look like half-wits!
And, then there’s the aforementioned violence. Suffice it to say that, yes indeed, there’s plenty of it and the blood flows freely in hot, streaming gushers scattered at frequent intervals across the novel’s landscape.
But, as life’s coincidences would have it, I read TIES THAT BIND in the week immediately following Lord Cheeto’s election and the entire atmosphere of political narcissism, self-entitlement and endemic corruption that underlay the characters’ motivations simply galled me. And it rather shocked me when I came to the realization that, as deeply entrenched as the villainy might be in the novel, it rather paled against the reality of Trump’s self-serving disdain for the rule of law.
“I’m sure it never entered his mind that he could get in trouble. He was going to be president. He probably thought he could get away with anything.”
If I had read TIES THAT BIND twenty years ago in 2003, I would have been awestruck and, with slack jaw and rapidly beating heart, comfortably granted it a breathless 5-star rating. But time and the reality of a country with such profound, demonstrable disregard for democracy, the rule of law, and their own Constitution renders TIES THAT BIND almost pedestrian.
March 10, 2021
Hay pocas reseñas en español. Margolin es un autor poco leído en nuestro idioma. Es una pena porque este libro, al menos, es muy bueno.
Mafiosos infiltrados en la política, políticos envueltos en escándalos sexuales, guerra sucia por el poder, asesinos a sueldo, prostitución, un hombre acusado de la muerte de su propio abogado y de un senador norteamericano. De todo esto trata la novela, pero hay mucho más. ¡Tengan en cuenta que no estoy haciendo ningún spoiler!
Amanda Jaffe es la única abogada que está dispuesta a luchar por su cliente, quien insiste en su inocencia y niega los dos asesinatos que se le atribuyen, aunque ella no puede creerle tan fácil. Si es verdad que mató a su anterior abogado, es probable que ella misma corra peligro. Por otro lado, ¿podría este hombre matarla, siendo que ella está intentando ayudarlo?
Un thriller de conspiración política lleno de acción.
Reseña completa: https://everardocuriel.com/lazos-mort...
Mafiosos infiltrados en la política, políticos envueltos en escándalos sexuales, guerra sucia por el poder, asesinos a sueldo, prostitución, un hombre acusado de la muerte de su propio abogado y de un senador norteamericano. De todo esto trata la novela, pero hay mucho más. ¡Tengan en cuenta que no estoy haciendo ningún spoiler!
Amanda Jaffe es la única abogada que está dispuesta a luchar por su cliente, quien insiste en su inocencia y niega los dos asesinatos que se le atribuyen, aunque ella no puede creerle tan fácil. Si es verdad que mató a su anterior abogado, es probable que ella misma corra peligro. Por otro lado, ¿podría este hombre matarla, siendo que ella está intentando ayudarlo?
Un thriller de conspiración política lleno de acción.
Reseña completa: https://everardocuriel.com/lazos-mort...
February 6, 2015
In Phillip Margolin's Ties that Bind, the 3rd book in the Amanda Jaffe legal thriller series, it packed a big punch of surprises on both sides of the spectrum. Murder, intrigue, politics, it was all in there. Amanda Jaffe survived the Cardoni attack, a while back, while it left her traumatized and avoiding the limelight. That was until she took on the case on Jon Dupre, who ran an upscale call girl service, and was accused of murdering the US senator. But he had proof of the existence of a secret society of men in politics who were bonded as brothers with a political right of passage. But that's when she was pressured to walk away from the case, she didn't want to give in to threats to investigate the issue more, while she put her loved ones in danger to find out the truth.
May 13, 2019
Watch for twists and turns, twists and returns. This story is full of surprises. Just when you think you are drawing a bead on where the author intends to take you the entire story changes. It is a well told tale starring a series of wonderful characters. Even some of the bad guys in the story are admirable. The characters could be every man, any man engaged in fast and loose dealings which skirt the law, even lawyers. There are no major distractions, the editing was done very well and that is obvious. This was an easy five stars and well deserved.
November 13, 2022
I could not put this story down! Fast paced and engaging all the way through. A wild ride.
March 7, 2024
It definitely wasn’t “wild justice”, but it still had a good story line & the new characters were alright. Had some twists that I didn’t see coming. Can’t wait to finish the series.
September 13, 2020
I listened to the audio and the quality was definitely “book on tape” quality. I didn’t love the narrator’s voice. It actually put me to sleep twice today so I had to keep going back. This wasn’t bad but slightly less good than the first in the series. There were a lot of people to keep straight. May have been better if I’d read a hard copy. I’m moving on to the third. I think this will be make or break as to wether or not I’ll continue with this series. Fingers crossed 🤞🏼
December 7, 2012
Lots of characters to track. Amanda Jaffe is a character in the series, but it's not really about her or from her point of view.
Likes:
* Great plot twists
* Whodathunkit endings
* Tough to tell good guys from bad guys
* Spoilers about the first book were avoided
* Ally Bennett, beautifully exotic high-priced call girl was a clever lady and interesting character
Dislikes:
* Lack of romance in books
With-reservations:
prostitution, beating, torture, blackmail, threats, murder
Likes:
* Great plot twists
* Whodathunkit endings
* Tough to tell good guys from bad guys
* Spoilers about the first book were avoided
* Ally Bennett, beautifully exotic high-priced call girl was a clever lady and interesting character
Dislikes:
* Lack of romance in books
With-reservations:
prostitution, beating, torture, blackmail, threats, murder
April 17, 2012
11/3/10 -- I don't read as many thrillers as I used to, but it seems like when I do read one these days, it ends up being an abridged audio, which is not always the best choice I don't think. This one moved too fast for me. I think the storyline was decent, but I would've followed it better had it not been abridged. I found myself having a little trouble keeping track of who was who & while there were a few plot twists in this one, they seemed pretty abrupt. As for the audio itself, I didn't care so much for the reader in this one. Her normal reading voice was fine, but when she tried to assume the different voices of the characters, I found that quite annoying.
July 8, 2024
Jon Dupre es un proxeneta que es acusado de asesinar a un senador de los EEUU, el libro trata sobre Tim Kerrigan, el fiscal a cargo de acusar a Jon y de Amanda Jaffe, la defensora de Jon. Ambos, por diferentes motivos, se dan cuenta de que este caso no es tan simple como parecía y que detrás de este asesinato hay una conspiración mucho más grande de lo que imaginan, en donde están involucrados policías, fiscales, jueces y altos mandos del gobierno estadounidense.
Lo interesante del libro es que la trama se siente real, tipo hombres con mucho poder que se sienten con la capacidad de hacer lo que a ellos les plazca sin tener consecuencia alguna, obvio, esto debe pasar desde hace tiempos inmemorables y hasta la actualidad. El problema es que hasta ahí nomás llega lo bueno, quizás sea la forma de narrar el libro pero como que no lo encontré intrigante, lo único que salva es Amanda que hace su propia investigación, con la ayuda de Kate, pero al final del libro, cuando se viene la mejor parte, queda a un lado, todo se resuelve y ella no tiene nada que ver en el asunto.
Básicamente es un libro donde todo lo define que tan bueno será el desenlace, la historia entre medio no vale tanto la pena, y cuando este llega, pues tampoco lo vale.
2/5
Lo interesante del libro es que la trama se siente real, tipo hombres con mucho poder que se sienten con la capacidad de hacer lo que a ellos les plazca sin tener consecuencia alguna, obvio, esto debe pasar desde hace tiempos inmemorables y hasta la actualidad. El problema es que hasta ahí nomás llega lo bueno, quizás sea la forma de narrar el libro pero como que no lo encontré intrigante, lo único que salva es Amanda que hace su propia investigación, con la ayuda de Kate, pero al final del libro, cuando se viene la mejor parte, queda a un lado, todo se resuelve y ella no tiene nada que ver en el asunto.
Básicamente es un libro donde todo lo define que tan bueno será el desenlace, la historia entre medio no vale tanto la pena, y cuando este llega, pues tampoco lo vale.
2/5
November 12, 2017
This was a very good book. It moves very fast and there are a lot of different characters and things going on in this book. I didn't see several things coming until it was revealed. This makes for a very suspenseful book. There were so many things that were given to you and several that were not. I was surprised at the ending, but it did leave it open for a follow-up book.
There really isn't anything in the courtroom to speak of and I do enjoy a good courtroom drama, but the conspiracy between the founding fathers of Portland to the dregs of the drug trade were pretty intense.
I am giving this 5 out of 5 stars, because I didn't want to put this book down.
There really isn't anything in the courtroom to speak of and I do enjoy a good courtroom drama, but the conspiracy between the founding fathers of Portland to the dregs of the drug trade were pretty intense.
I am giving this 5 out of 5 stars, because I didn't want to put this book down.
October 12, 2020
Phillip Margolin, what a GREAT Portland, Oregon Writer... Does it again, kept you reading till your done... Lots of twist and turns in this book, GREAT READ*****
August 3, 2024
Probably a 4.5, but extra half star since I basically could not put it down. Great pace, twists and turns, wrapped up nicely - makes me want to read all the Amanda Jaffe books!!
November 5, 2020
Another good thriller by Margolin.
September 29, 2019
Lawyer, Amanda Jaffe is recovering from a traumatic experience she had on her last case. Her psychiatrist recommends she get back in the saddle and take on the heavy duty criminal case she was accustomed to. She ends up taking the case of a high class pimp who is accused of murdering a Senator and then accused of murdering his lawyer while in custody. A much larger criminal enterprise awaits Jafee and puts her in danger. Recommended.
July 11, 2025
I know this is a harsh rating but hear me out. This was by far my least favorite book of Philip Margolin's and I will tell you why. I will preface with a hot take first, and mention that my previous least favorite book of his was "Heartstone" which was actually his first novel that became a NY Best Time Seller. However, that review is elsewhere on here, right now we need to talk about "Ties that Bind"...
First off, there is really no explanation as to why this book has the smut-like novel name "Ties that Bind" and to me that is disappointing. I suppose I could make inferences based from what occurs throughout the story, however I can think of many other more fitting names than what it is currently.
Title aside, there were many other issues I had with this book. The story itself was hard to follow for me, there were too many plot lines and characters that were mentioned that were difficult to follow and understand. Even though he attempted to explain the story line multiple times throughout, it just didn't work for me.
I also felt uncomfortable with how women were being described as well. I understand he was writing from the perspective of each criminal but it felt a little too much for me and almost unnecessary at times. Whether it is a small description like pg. 335 when he writes "An anorexic waitress introduced herself as the server and took their drink orders," Do we really need to add the word "anorexic"? It feels harsh and misplaced. There was also dark sexual violence mentioned in this story that felt over the top and cruel. This was probably what Phillip wanted, but I just don't think this story needed this. A sort of side note: I hate how every time he mentions a woman's butt he calls it a "rump". It gives me the heebie-jeebies.
I wish Phillip would have consulted more SA survivors for insight on how people cope and react with violence and sexual threats because it is clear that this was not researched when explaining Amanda Jaffe's response and reactions. It's strange that in all the other Amanda Jaffe series books, there is no more mention of her therapist, and the PTSD she exhibits is usually from the "Cardoni" case (from Wild Justice) and not the "Dupre" case from this book. In my opinion, the violence and kidnapping she experiences here is just as if not worse than her experience with the surgeon serial killer from the first novel. We also barely have mention of Mike Greene who is her main love interest of the whole series which is disappointing as well.
I also felt that Jon Dupre and Tim Kerrigan were awful characters that I think Phillip tried SO HARD to redeem throughout the story. Jon, one of the main characters of this plot line is a pimp who literally sex traffics young women and gets away with it. He is described early on that he "hates women" and sees them as objects yet in the end we are supposed to believe he is a nice and good person now?
And then there is Tim, the congressman/senator/BS that cheats on his wife with multiple sex workers for many years who then of course, also has a fake character redemption. I'm sorry but are you seriously trying to make me feel BAD for this man??? Be for real.
The end is where I thought some potential redemption was coming, but I was foolish to believe this. There were so many awful 'twists ' and 'turns' that were so goofy and unbelievable. (See spoilers on the worst one of all above)
I just don't feel good after reading this and I don't recommend it to anyone. This is by far the worst book in the Amanda Jaffe series and out of all the Phillip Margolin books I have read so far. I still adore him as an author but this one really wasn't it for me.
First off, there is really no explanation as to why this book has the smut-like novel name "Ties that Bind" and to me that is disappointing. I suppose I could make inferences based from what occurs throughout the story, however I can think of many other more fitting names than what it is currently.
Title aside, there were many other issues I had with this book. The story itself was hard to follow for me, there were too many plot lines and characters that were mentioned that were difficult to follow and understand. Even though he attempted to explain the story line multiple times throughout, it just didn't work for me.
I also felt uncomfortable with how women were being described as well. I understand he was writing from the perspective of each criminal but it felt a little too much for me and almost unnecessary at times. Whether it is a small description like pg. 335 when he writes "An anorexic waitress introduced herself as the server and took their drink orders," Do we really need to add the word "anorexic"? It feels harsh and misplaced. There was also dark sexual violence mentioned in this story that felt over the top and cruel. This was probably what Phillip wanted, but I just don't think this story needed this. A sort of side note: I hate how every time he mentions a woman's butt he calls it a "rump". It gives me the heebie-jeebies.
I wish Phillip would have consulted more SA survivors for insight on how people cope and react with violence and sexual threats because it is clear that this was not researched when explaining Amanda Jaffe's response and reactions. It's strange that in all the other Amanda Jaffe series books, there is no more mention of her therapist, and the PTSD she exhibits is usually from the "Cardoni" case (from Wild Justice) and not the "Dupre" case from this book. In my opinion, the violence and kidnapping she experiences here is just as if not worse than her experience with the surgeon serial killer from the first novel. We also barely have mention of Mike Greene who is her main love interest of the whole series which is disappointing as well.
I also felt that Jon Dupre and Tim Kerrigan were awful characters that I think Phillip tried SO HARD to redeem throughout the story. Jon, one of the main characters of this plot line is a pimp who literally sex traffics young women and gets away with it. He is described early on that he "hates women" and sees them as objects yet in the end we are supposed to believe he is a nice and good person now?
And then there is Tim, the congressman/senator/BS that cheats on his wife with multiple sex workers for many years who then of course, also has a fake character redemption. I'm sorry but are you seriously trying to make me feel BAD for this man??? Be for real.
The end is where I thought some potential redemption was coming, but I was foolish to believe this. There were so many awful 'twists ' and 'turns' that were so goofy and unbelievable. (See spoilers on the worst one of all above)
I just don't feel good after reading this and I don't recommend it to anyone. This is by far the worst book in the Amanda Jaffe series and out of all the Phillip Margolin books I have read so far. I still adore him as an author but this one really wasn't it for me.
March 18, 2015
A story about corruption and conspiracy. The Vaughn Street Glee Club was a good idea for the book. The story heats up at page 300. The ending seemed like it would be continued with Pedro Aragon being the loose thread.
July 15, 2011
It was good ... just didn't enjoy the ending ... it just seemed to end. Kind of had it figured out along the way.
May 29, 2020
Excelente libro, si quieres algo de misterio con un poco de novela policíaca.
October 7, 2019
Originally published in 2003.
The most likely candidate to win the presidency is an Oregon Senator. He has a winning public personae, but he is a violent, horrible man in reality. He beats a high end prostitute to death simply because he enjoys inflicting violence. His people cover it up. Everyone is shocked when this Senator is found beaten to death. It looks like the prostitute's pimp killed him. When the pimp kills his court-appointed attorney in the lock up, no one will defend him until Amanda Jaffe is convinced to do it.
Once Amanda starts her investigation, it turns out that things are a lot worse than she thought...
I almost stopped reading this book after the first 50 pages or so. There are very few likable characters anywhere in this book. Everyone seems to be outright evil or compromised. The only real positive was that the horrible Senator character died a violent death. Let's face it, that's not much of a positive.
But, I stuck with it and, eventually, this book turns into a solid page-turner. It was a welcome change of pace from the non-fiction I have been reading lately.
I rate this book 4 stars out of 5.
https://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2019...
The most likely candidate to win the presidency is an Oregon Senator. He has a winning public personae, but he is a violent, horrible man in reality. He beats a high end prostitute to death simply because he enjoys inflicting violence. His people cover it up. Everyone is shocked when this Senator is found beaten to death. It looks like the prostitute's pimp killed him. When the pimp kills his court-appointed attorney in the lock up, no one will defend him until Amanda Jaffe is convinced to do it.
Once Amanda starts her investigation, it turns out that things are a lot worse than she thought...
I almost stopped reading this book after the first 50 pages or so. There are very few likable characters anywhere in this book. Everyone seems to be outright evil or compromised. The only real positive was that the horrible Senator character died a violent death. Let's face it, that's not much of a positive.
But, I stuck with it and, eventually, this book turns into a solid page-turner. It was a welcome change of pace from the non-fiction I have been reading lately.
I rate this book 4 stars out of 5.
https://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2019...
July 5, 2020
Preface--published in 2003, purchased at a charity book sale for $1.50, hard cover. Nicely packaged book, quality paper, binding is quality.
When you start reading it's almost like an entry to an Epstein news article you'd read online. And I thought, why did we put up with the continual debasement of women for years in popular literature like this?
The protagonists include two strong willed women, also in stereotype for the times--by this I mean from which the author pulls his source information, probably late 70s to early 2000's. So, because Margolin usually redeems himself, I continued. The story line is good, the development of characters is plausible. Toward the end the putting all of the detail into place got a tiny bit convoluted and I had to go back to see who was this guy? does that make sense? There's a bit about setting a stage for a fake crime scene that I read twice and just decided to go with it.
Yes, I know that if I want all unicorns and wagging puppy tails that I should not be reading thrillers for recreational pursuits. I read them because it keeps the mind activated, I like it when the good guys win and the bad guys don't. Mid 2020 we need some more of that.
When you start reading it's almost like an entry to an Epstein news article you'd read online. And I thought, why did we put up with the continual debasement of women for years in popular literature like this?
The protagonists include two strong willed women, also in stereotype for the times--by this I mean from which the author pulls his source information, probably late 70s to early 2000's. So, because Margolin usually redeems himself, I continued. The story line is good, the development of characters is plausible. Toward the end the putting all of the detail into place got a tiny bit convoluted and I had to go back to see who was this guy? does that make sense? There's a bit about setting a stage for a fake crime scene that I read twice and just decided to go with it.
Yes, I know that if I want all unicorns and wagging puppy tails that I should not be reading thrillers for recreational pursuits. I read them because it keeps the mind activated, I like it when the good guys win and the bad guys don't. Mid 2020 we need some more of that.
January 15, 2025
It must have been decades since I read something by this author. Then a review by someone caught my eye. This is the third book in a series. It is a complex mystery -- you need a list of characters to keep them straight. The plot is complex, someone gets killed and then the killer gets killed and all sorts of people get killed. The book is pretty gory, killing by gang, killing for revenge, killing to stop someone from talking, killing by accident, etc. The plot depends on one discovery leading to another -- only in the end can you guess who killed whom, and why. A lot of the killing is done to keep someone from telling the truth and that truth is pretty awful when you get to the end. It leaves you wondering which of your elected officials or respected pillars of the community to trust. And the answer is pretty much none of them. Slime slides over on what is next to it. I enjoyed the book and will go back to read Margolin again but this one lacks clear cut information to get us to the end. Were the bad guys always bad? How many of them are really bad? Who is innocent? That is almost no one. The book had too many twists and turns and red herrings to get a 5. It is an interesting book but not a perfect book. And only a few good people.
May 10, 2017
Someone please explain to me how this B-grade mystery novel made the New York Times Bestsellers List.
I refuse to finish this, but pressing on to page 92 was enough to confirm my fears from the prologue: the writing is atrociously juvenile. I'm on an overseas trip and don't have room in my luggage for any crap. So, since I can't imagine even giving this American embarrassment away, I will be literally throwing it in thegarbage can recycling bin at the end of this review.
Below is the excerpt I have chosen to live on in infamy.
I just can't even.
0/5 stars
I refuse to finish this, but pressing on to page 92 was enough to confirm my fears from the prologue: the writing is atrociously juvenile. I'm on an overseas trip and don't have room in my luggage for any crap. So, since I can't imagine even giving this American embarrassment away, I will be literally throwing it in the
Below is the excerpt I have chosen to live on in infamy.
Amanda changed into sweats and went to her liquor cabinet. She was still upset by her reaction to the autopsy photographs and she needed to drink. The doorbell made her jump. Who . . . ? Then she remembered. She looked at her watch. How had it gotten so late? She peered through her peephole. Mike Green was in the hall. He had a bouquet of flowers. Shit! What was she going to do?
I just can't even.
0/5 stars
August 22, 2017
Amanda Jaffe both weak and strong equals dynamite
In this second book with Amanda Jaffe we find that the last case still rests heavy on her, mentally and physically. While she is plodding along she is asked by a judge to defend a man who will be tried with the state's death sentence. The kicker, her future client murdered his lawyer while he met with him while in jail. Slam dunk case of guilt right!!??
J.D. Hunter, an FBI agent meeting with Amanda, is impressed and offers her a job. She had Information he didn't have and he'd been working the case longer. Amanda is smart and follows tiny little threads and weaves a masterpiece. Thank you Mr Margolin, you are an artist.
In this second book with Amanda Jaffe we find that the last case still rests heavy on her, mentally and physically. While she is plodding along she is asked by a judge to defend a man who will be tried with the state's death sentence. The kicker, her future client murdered his lawyer while he met with him while in jail. Slam dunk case of guilt right!!??
J.D. Hunter, an FBI agent meeting with Amanda, is impressed and offers her a job. She had Information he didn't have and he'd been working the case longer. Amanda is smart and follows tiny little threads and weaves a masterpiece. Thank you Mr Margolin, you are an artist.
August 26, 2023
My least favorite Margolin so far. Now in the books defense: I haven’t read any other book in this series and political thrillers are not my thing. But it wasn’t terrible.
Pros: the middle of the book was really interesting once I got all the characters straight.
Cons: the prologue ruined one of the main twist for me. It was obvious who the three Glee Club members were once it was reintroduced in the main story. Also, the other main twist (the fake murder and setup) was just too unrealistic to me.
Overall, even though I rolled my eyes so hard at the big reveals, the book would have gotten 4 stars if it ended better.
Pros: the middle of the book was really interesting once I got all the characters straight.
Cons: the prologue ruined one of the main twist for me. It was obvious who the three Glee Club members were once it was reintroduced in the main story. Also, the other main twist (the fake murder and setup) was just too unrealistic to me.
Overall, even though I rolled my eyes so hard at the big reveals, the book would have gotten 4 stars if it ended better.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 26, 2024
Amanda Jaffee has had a terrible experience but she is working to put it behind her. She accepts a murder case involving Jon Dupre, who is accused of murdering a US Senator. Dupre runs a high class call-girl service.
Dupre claims knowledge of a secret society of powerful men who have banded together for the agenda of promoting their interests. This society has existed for several decades, according to Dupre. Amanda wonders if this is a huge story being told by a desperate man. Until she is pressured to drop the case, that is. Then she becomes determined to see this case through, to see where it leads.
This is a thrilling story. I enjoyed it very much.
Dupre claims knowledge of a secret society of powerful men who have banded together for the agenda of promoting their interests. This society has existed for several decades, according to Dupre. Amanda wonders if this is a huge story being told by a desperate man. Until she is pressured to drop the case, that is. Then she becomes determined to see this case through, to see where it leads.
This is a thrilling story. I enjoyed it very much.
January 17, 2023
Unexpected turns and good characters inhabit the second book in the Amanda Jaffe series. Amanda is fighting her fears and trying to gain back her belief in herself after her harrowing experience in Wild Justice. She is now defending a man who is accused of killing his former lawyer in the prison visiting room. Seemingly an impossible task, but Amanda feels she must put on her best defense. The research into the defense strategy sets off a shadowy powerful group who manipulate behind the scenes. Very good.
May 22, 2017
3 1/2 stars. Very good book about a powerful group of men who seem to have no qualms about anything, including murder. The cast of characters is large, but fairly easy to keep track of, especially for readers who read the first book in the series. Amanda, with the help of investigator Kate Ross, deduces the group's beginning with the help of an old newspaper article, but goes through a difficult time while preparing the defend a man accused of killing a U. S. Senator.
July 21, 2025
finished 21st july 2025 good read three stars i liked it no less no more kindle library loaner have read other stories from margolin phillip and have enjoyed those as well. entertaining story that begins in the early 70s with a group of entitled rich young men and others less endowed who continue a life where the rules and the law does not apply to them. story continues in the present day. good read.
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