Bound to Die

by Laurie Rockenbeck

When a prominent Seattle businessman is found hanging naked in a dominatrix’s studio, lead Detective Court Pearson is pressured to find a fast, quiet solution to the man’s death. Court’s investigation uncovers secrets within his own department and raises the ghosts that linger from the suicide of his wife—all details he fights to keep quiet as a leaker goes public. To make matters worse, his new partner resents his fast rise through the ranks as Seattle’s only transmale homicide detective, and his lead suspect begins to look like a target for murder.

387 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 5, 2017

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thrilling murder mystery/police procedural that kept me enthralled, this has one of the most unique protagonist's I've read about in some time - a straight transmale Detective. And yet I can say without a doubt that the author just presents it as fact, she doesn't harp on it or make it a big issue and so you almost forget he started out life with a female body. The only time it ever seems to be an issue is when one of the periphery characters makes it one. Court - he'd just rather it wasn't brought up at all!
And I must say the author handled the topic of BDSM and a crime that centred around a Dominatrix with utmost maturity and truth. No salaciousness and the only grubby or condescending comments arose from other police officers or Court's extra, extra vanilla, tight-laced new partner, Ivy. (How in the feck she survived working in Vice I'll never fricking know!!)
Well written, with excellent pacing, I'm glad that future books in the series are seen through Court's Seattle Police Department eyes and through the new career of the former Mistress, who now works as a Private Investigator. I'm not sure if Court's partner Ivy shows up in the future stories, but I hope not. There were more than a few times that I wanted to punch the sanctimonious, judgemental, two-faced bitch right in the face!
I'm really looking forward to reading the next book!!

I received a free ecopy of the novel from the author via Bookfunnel. I have voluntarily chosen to review the book and the gifting in no way influences my review/rating, which reflects my honest opinion.

[Cherime MacFarlane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good one and a different main character. A page turner here.

[Janice perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I volunteered to read an ARC copy of this book. I enjoyed the crime drama that it was. The characters were well written, there was some mystery with the characters at first, but all the questions were answered eventually. It was action packed and kept me guessing until the end.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bound to Die

This was a well written murder mystery. For some reason it didn’t engage me from the beginning. Typically I give up pretty quickly on books when that happens but I stuck it out to see if that changes. It just never did for me. The mystery was well done, there was no real figuring out who committed the crime.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by this author and I thought it was good. There were twists and turns throughout that kept me guessing. I enjoyed it and will likely read more by this author.
*I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. This is my honest review.*

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written with characters I connected with. Strong mystery and I want more by this author.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delightful characters I became invested in. Enjoyed all the Seattle references. This book was a fun adventure and now I'm sorry it's over!