1886 Ties That Bind: A Story of Politics, Graft, and Greed

by A.E. Wasserman

It is 1886 as Englishman Lord Langsford travels by train to San Francisco. Newly widowed, Langsford is desperate to escape his grief, demons, and life in England. As Langsford completes the last leg of his transcontinental journey, his life unexpectedly changes once again when he crosses paths with Miss Sally Baxter, a beautiful rancher who packs a pistol in her purse. Sally has made it her mission to find the men who robbed a train and killed her brother. Unfortunately, no one-not even the owners of the Southern Pacific Railroad-seem to care. Unable to resist her pleas, Langsford offers to help Sally and soon becomes entangled in a web of politics, corruption, and greed. As murder, threats, and attacks ensue that endanger both Sally and Langsford, influential men in both California and Washington, D.C. jockey for positions of power. Langsford, who finds himself oddly attracted to Sally, now must sort through criminals and politicians alike to discover the truth behind her brother's death and prevent his own murder. "Not only is this a fast-paced historical mystery, 1886 Ties That Bind offers commentary on the political and social issues that are still relevant today."
- Helga Schier, PhD, author and founder of With Pen and Paper Wasserman's writing is atmospherically rich. Very strongly recommended.
- Historical Novel Society, London, critical review of 1884 No Boundaries

370 pages, Hardcover

Published November 3, 2016

Reviews

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

1886 Ties That Bind: A Story of Politics, Graft, and Greed is a good read. At first, I was not sure how I would like it, but I was pleasantly surprised how much I did enjoy it. I was captivated with Lord Langsford from the beginning. The details and descriptions of the setting and story that surrounded him took me back in time. I had no problem reading the book all the way through in one sitting.

I give 1886 Ties That Bind: A Story of Politics, Graft, and Greed a well deserved 5 stars and I highly recommend it.

I received this book from the author. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.

[Helen Hollick · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has received a Discovering Diamonds Review:
'One of the best books I’ve read in a long time. Highly recommended.'

Helen Hollick
founder #DDRevs

[Debra Jeakins · Rating 5 out of 5]

1886 TIES THAT BIND:A STORY OF POLITICS, GRAFT AND GREED BY A.E. WASSERMAN is historical fiction at its best. Lord Langsford, wealthy & newly widowed travels with his friend and stableman Pelham is in California when he quite literally runs into Sally Baxter, who is trying to find the murderer of her older brother while he was on a train ride . Sally is a stubborn woman in a mans world who will not be told what to do nor will she stop pestering the upper echelons of the railroad. Langford takes up her fight and with her they turn 1886 California up over end to find the killer and fight the ever present greed and graft and political shenanigans. These are two very stubborn people who will stop at nothing to get answers.

The story is a fast read but the details of 1886 makes the reader feel like they are actually there living the story . To me that is the sign of a great read, a book that lets you live the story, be right there with the characters!

I recieved this book free from goodreads in exchange for an honest review !

[Nancy Badger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Let’s start with the cover: I loved it, especially once I discovered how much trains and the Wild West featured in this story. The two-page prologue was short, yet filled with imagery, surprise, and terror, forcing me to start reading chapter by chapter to find out more about why this happened and why the train did what it did and how the horrible aftermath could be explained. Following an English lord on a train bound for San Francisco was a twist that intrigued me to also keep reading. Empathy for the character’s heartbreaking past went well with the sudden appearance of a feminine character filled with angst and anger over a recent murder of a family member. The segway from the English lord meeting with powerful men to her trying to get a word with those men was perfect. How else could a rancher’s daughter meet a titled Englishman? The writing was crisp and the plot fast-paced and well thought out.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I loved about the story:
•The descriptions and setting in the story helped shape the time period. California and traveling by train during the 1800s is brought to vivid life.
•A solid command of sentence structure, word usage, and symbolism. For example: “The metal parade was a dead man’s train.”
•The railroad was big during the 1800s. It was the powerful advancement of the 19th century that issued in a new age in travel and migration to the west coast. Using the politics of the railroad provided a good plot.
•I love the character, Miss Sally Baxter. She is an independent gal. She has gumption, intelligence and perseverance.
•The pairing and dialogue of Miss Sally Baxter and Lord Langsford is brilliant. Their differences only make for a sweet chemistry.
•The tension and mystery of the story is in why Sally’s brother was killed.
What I did not like about the story is 3/4th way into the book is an event that felt pasted. I have not read the first book in this series; and it’s possible Lord Langsford has a habit of placing himself in a dicey situation and something happens that is out of character. I have read other books where at the exact spot (3/4th way) in a book a shocking event happens. It’s not that I don’t want this event in the book, it is the point of where it is placed, and it feels like a pasted storyline.
Over-all I loved 1886 Ties That Bind.
Complimentary copy from A.E. Wasserman.

[Maddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I missed the previous book, so this was my first introduction to Lord Langsford and Pelham. I first want to commend Wasserman for such an incredible reconstruction of 1886 San Francisco and the U.S. Railroad expansion during the time. I felt like it was a true immersion into the era, so much credit is due for the research done here. However, I felt like the story itself was run off track (mind the pun) by the contrived love story within. It felt extremely forced and awkward and some of the language surrounding the black and brown people in the book fell flat. Yes, I am aware of our nation's history, but there is a difference between showing objectively how things were and relying on them for plot points.

[Leigh · Rating 4 out of 5]

A train speeds through a station in the USA and fails to stop, the reason for this is quite shocking. With an exciting start the story continues with murder, violence and deceit in the this novel. Lord Langford is determined to solve the various crimes that occur while he and his driver Pelham are travelling around America. While the story is not overly exciting the descriptions, investigation and plot ensures reader satisfaction.

[VALERIA OLIVER · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unbinding

While I love the title - ties that bind - I loved the fact that this story un-binded me from the day to day stresses of life. I enjoyed the mystery, crime and the historical mentions. Plus the California locations that wove fact and fiction together . Will be ordering more of the Langsford series. The perfect crime fighter for an evening in.