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Max Plank #2
The Ties That Bind
A wealthy San Francisco socialite with a mean streak.A torch singer enmeshed in a sordid love triangle.A brother and sister with a strange bond.Nothing adds up until Max Plank starts snooping, slowly uncovering the secrets and lies, the rot at the heart of a prominent family's history.
Max is trying to adjust to his new role as a co-parent to a twelve-year-old girl when the matriarch of one of San Francisco’s most prominent families steps onto his boat. He normally steers clear of cases involving family affairs, but the old woman is desperate to prevent a femme fatale from taking advantage of her young son and a large fortune. With the help of a fat envelope stuffed with cash, Max agrees to at least give it a cursory examination.But once Max catches the scent of the mystey, his curiosity and need for justice take over. Soon it’s unclear whether he’s the pursuer or the pursued until he realizes that he’s put at risk the people he loves most in the world. As the dead bodies pile up, the twists and turns explode into a stunning climax where a monstrous secret is finally unmasked and innocent lives are forever ruined.The Ties That Bind is a blistering mystery thriller by the author of the highly praised Stray Cat Blues. Look for the next Max Plank Mystery, Devil’s Arcade, coming soon!
Max is trying to adjust to his new role as a co-parent to a twelve-year-old girl when the matriarch of one of San Francisco’s most prominent families steps onto his boat. He normally steers clear of cases involving family affairs, but the old woman is desperate to prevent a femme fatale from taking advantage of her young son and a large fortune. With the help of a fat envelope stuffed with cash, Max agrees to at least give it a cursory examination.But once Max catches the scent of the mystey, his curiosity and need for justice take over. Soon it’s unclear whether he’s the pursuer or the pursued until he realizes that he’s put at risk the people he loves most in the world. As the dead bodies pile up, the twists and turns explode into a stunning climax where a monstrous secret is finally unmasked and innocent lives are forever ruined.The Ties That Bind is a blistering mystery thriller by the author of the highly praised Stray Cat Blues. Look for the next Max Plank Mystery, Devil’s Arcade, coming soon!
256 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 16, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
May 22, 2018
This is a very enjoyable read, as I started looking at the story and was pulled right in to the action! Could not stop until I read the last word! The characters are great, with an excellent plot and continuing an awesome adventure with Max Plank, a kind of 'investigator' who is tough, good to his word and not afraid to mix it up with criminal types who are bothering his friends or clients. I have not read the first in this series but am going to remedy that soon!
A wealthy client meets Max on his boat, asking him to check into the woman her son is dating. She gives little else to go on, but hands him $5,000 dollars in cash, so Max starts to find out what he can. Max has a very eclectic group of friends who work with him, finding out that the woman, Sarah, is singing at a bar in town. Max goes to see her, meets another musician who was on stage with her and before the singer comes out ....Boom..She is shot!!
Max takes off after the suspect, running down alleys and checking every nook, but fails to locate the shooter. Now the story becomes intriguing as Max learns more about all involved and 'accidents' keep happening, with bodies dropping all over!!
There are many twists, as we meet a child, Frankie, who Max is 'fathering' and see the family life of both him and those involved with his wealthy client.
This is a very good thriller that keeps you guessing until the last word..I received this book from Hidden Gems and author Robert Bucchianeri, who I thank for an exciting read and I am able to give you my thoughts in this review
A wealthy client meets Max on his boat, asking him to check into the woman her son is dating. She gives little else to go on, but hands him $5,000 dollars in cash, so Max starts to find out what he can. Max has a very eclectic group of friends who work with him, finding out that the woman, Sarah, is singing at a bar in town. Max goes to see her, meets another musician who was on stage with her and before the singer comes out ....Boom..She is shot!!
Max takes off after the suspect, running down alleys and checking every nook, but fails to locate the shooter. Now the story becomes intriguing as Max learns more about all involved and 'accidents' keep happening, with bodies dropping all over!!
There are many twists, as we meet a child, Frankie, who Max is 'fathering' and see the family life of both him and those involved with his wealthy client.
This is a very good thriller that keeps you guessing until the last word..I received this book from Hidden Gems and author Robert Bucchianeri, who I thank for an exciting read and I am able to give you my thoughts in this review
April 23, 2026
(3) Max Plank is a winner. He is a combination of many other P.I. Sorts we have all read over the years and enjoyed. Smart, tough but not Superman, caring and somewhat conflicted. We have a couple of plots spinning here and they feel pretty damn real, so Max is running his tail off. Lots of action, lots of fun, and lots of good side characters make the pages turn very quickly in this little book. I finished it before I got from one side of the country to the other! Good stuff.
May 18, 2018
Max Plank is trying to get used to being a co-parent to a twelve year old girl. Not all that easy to do at that age. Then the mother of one of San Franciso's wealthiest family steps on board his boat with an envelope full of cash, Max just can't refuse her. She is trying to stop a young girl from taking advantage of her young son and getting her hands on the family money. The more Max digs into this 'prominent' family the more unsavory things he finds out. Then the bodies start falling. Can Max solve this one, or will he be the fall guy? I voluntarily read a copy of this book from Hidden Gems. The review is my own opinion.
March 18, 2019
An updated version of Travis McGee. Travis has become Max. They're both PIs, but not-PIs. Travis' financial buddy Meyer has become Dao. Travis' houseboat, The Busted Flush, has become the Acapella Blues. Meyer's nearby yacht, the John Maynard Keynes, has become Dao's yacht, the Sweet and Sour.
Let's assume that all of the parallels are coincidence or homage.
Of course, there's some new stuff too. Max's larger-than-life buddy Marsh. His girlfriend and his semi-adopted daughter.
All in all, good plot, very well written and another good read.
Let's assume that all of the parallels are coincidence or homage.
Of course, there's some new stuff too. Max's larger-than-life buddy Marsh. His girlfriend and his semi-adopted daughter.
All in all, good plot, very well written and another good read.
January 4, 2021
Sometimes a Little Lie is Better
5 stars
I thoroughly appreciate too many things about this author's ability to turn terrible insights into entertaining and engaging tales to go into it all right now. He deserves more than I have to offer at this time and yet I must say something.
Plank, Max. This is how he identifies himself when he chooses to do so. Much more interesting than first name first. Cracks me up. Works for me every time, even though I know it's coming.
Plank is not lacking in common sense, and yet he doesn't let it dictate the course of his actions, investigations and loyalties. When he is making a stupid decision he gives his reader an expectation that it will all be worth it, to himself and to his clients, even those who have fired him. Like that rich b***h heiress Mrs. Wambaugh, who thought she had purchased a suitable red herring when she hired Plank. Instead, she had purchased a first class ticket to her own downfall. Max delivers the goods. But even though he brings her down, he plays a leading role in setting the captives free -- at least those who are still breathing when the smoke clears, like the poor little rich girl, Rachel, whose parents were both monsters and whose brother was the love of her life, until, well, until she wasn't.
One more thing, or scene, rather, that was priceless. When Max decides to cook his gourmet Mac and cheese casserole for the little stinker who has claimed both his and Alexandra's (his lover's) heart, he is happy that the 13 year old girl liked it. But he's not really shocked when she asks him if, next time, he'll make it right out of the box. This is pretty close to the response that my mother got from my son when he asked her to make it the way grandpa used to make it, out of the box and according to the printed instructions. Thank you Mr. Bucchianeri for this tasty little morsel.
As to the title of my
review, you will have to read the novel to know what I mean. And you will. I promise. Or, well, I have many good reasons to hope.
5 stars
I thoroughly appreciate too many things about this author's ability to turn terrible insights into entertaining and engaging tales to go into it all right now. He deserves more than I have to offer at this time and yet I must say something.
Plank, Max. This is how he identifies himself when he chooses to do so. Much more interesting than first name first. Cracks me up. Works for me every time, even though I know it's coming.
Plank is not lacking in common sense, and yet he doesn't let it dictate the course of his actions, investigations and loyalties. When he is making a stupid decision he gives his reader an expectation that it will all be worth it, to himself and to his clients, even those who have fired him. Like that rich b***h heiress Mrs. Wambaugh, who thought she had purchased a suitable red herring when she hired Plank. Instead, she had purchased a first class ticket to her own downfall. Max delivers the goods. But even though he brings her down, he plays a leading role in setting the captives free -- at least those who are still breathing when the smoke clears, like the poor little rich girl, Rachel, whose parents were both monsters and whose brother was the love of her life, until, well, until she wasn't.
One more thing, or scene, rather, that was priceless. When Max decides to cook his gourmet Mac and cheese casserole for the little stinker who has claimed both his and Alexandra's (his lover's) heart, he is happy that the 13 year old girl liked it. But he's not really shocked when she asks him if, next time, he'll make it right out of the box. This is pretty close to the response that my mother got from my son when he asked her to make it the way grandpa used to make it, out of the box and according to the printed instructions. Thank you Mr. Bucchianeri for this tasty little morsel.
As to the title of my
review, you will have to read the novel to know what I mean. And you will. I promise. Or, well, I have many good reasons to hope.
May 22, 2018
This is book two of the Max Plank series and sees him getting involved with one of San Francisco’s old, moneyed families. The other wants her son’s girlfriend investigated as she thinks the girl is just after her family name and a goldigger after the families money. He agrees to take the case, against his own thoughts and doubts.
The case is not a simple investigation and Max isn’t actually a private investigator, he is just very good at finding out things and people, along with his friends and contacts. The wealthy family, as per many old families, have more than one skeleton in their cupboards and more scandal than you could believe. A few red herrings abound in the tale.
His enquiries put him and those he cares about, in danger and dead bodies start to pile up around him. A nice pace to the tale, with some seriously complex characters add to the action and mystery. A good read that was a pleasure to read. Max and his good friend Marsh are the most interesting in this story and his relationship with a young twelve year old girl called Frankie that he co-parents with his girlfriend.
I loved reading this book. You would have to read the first book, Stray Cat Blues, to understand how Frankie became an important part of Max’s life and a part of his family and it is well worth getting for just that purpose. There will no doubt be plenty of stories that can come from this author in the Max Plank series and look forward to reading some more.
I received an ARC copy of the book from Hidden Gems and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
The case is not a simple investigation and Max isn’t actually a private investigator, he is just very good at finding out things and people, along with his friends and contacts. The wealthy family, as per many old families, have more than one skeleton in their cupboards and more scandal than you could believe. A few red herrings abound in the tale.
His enquiries put him and those he cares about, in danger and dead bodies start to pile up around him. A nice pace to the tale, with some seriously complex characters add to the action and mystery. A good read that was a pleasure to read. Max and his good friend Marsh are the most interesting in this story and his relationship with a young twelve year old girl called Frankie that he co-parents with his girlfriend.
I loved reading this book. You would have to read the first book, Stray Cat Blues, to understand how Frankie became an important part of Max’s life and a part of his family and it is well worth getting for just that purpose. There will no doubt be plenty of stories that can come from this author in the Max Plank series and look forward to reading some more.
I received an ARC copy of the book from Hidden Gems and I have freely given my own opinion of the book above.
May 29, 2018
I have found that few authors can paint as vivid a picture as Robert Bucchianeri does, whether it is describing in minute detail the background, location, or especially the characters. I have noticed I seem to be able to see clearer pictures in my mind as I continue reading this series of Max Plank highlighted by his absolutely delightful and enjoyable word combinations and prognostications. And, even though Plank is the main character, the book as well as him, would suffer greatly were it not for the fascinating "associates" the author provides for the reader to also enjoy in this slightly dark, but realistic look at some members of society. Looking forward to reading any further books in this super enjoyable and delightful series. This is a voluntary review of an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Hidden Gems Books.
March 31, 2022
A good mystery set in San Francisco
Robert Bucchianeri does a nice job of involving the reader in the investigation. Some situations are not believable and having a 'Robin-like' friend intercede 24x7 is just unrealistic. This story line revolves around family secrets and is believable. Max's relationship with his girlfriend and adopted (not legally) is problematic, since these adults are not reliable caregivers. I am looking forward to learning more about Max and his background.
I would recommend to a wide adult audience.
Robert Bucchianeri does a nice job of involving the reader in the investigation. Some situations are not believable and having a 'Robin-like' friend intercede 24x7 is just unrealistic. This story line revolves around family secrets and is believable. Max's relationship with his girlfriend and adopted (not legally) is problematic, since these adults are not reliable caregivers. I am looking forward to learning more about Max and his background.
I would recommend to a wide adult audience.
June 6, 2018
Voluntary review of an ARC. Very good mystery if a little slow at times. It reminded me a little of Harlan Coban's Myron Bolitar series. Max is a sorta bumbling wise cracking detective and Marsh is his very dangerous friend. The plot is very interesting and full of twists, turns, and surprises. I would like to read more of this series. There is a little hint dropped in at the end that I would like to see followed.
April 8, 2022
I really enjoyed this book just as much as I did the first book in the series. I would recommend this series to anyone who enjoy try to figure out who the murder is. There are so many twist and turns with this author but I think if you enjoy a good mystery then this is a good author to follow. I love all the character she has been using.
March 31, 2021
For fans of San Francisco noir.
Being familiar with SFO for many years and an admirer of Dash Hammett, I recommend these stories. The author presents a side of the city that you have to look harder to find now, but it is still there in the Barbary Coast. Enjoy!
Being familiar with SFO for many years and an admirer of Dash Hammett, I recommend these stories. The author presents a side of the city that you have to look harder to find now, but it is still there in the Barbary Coast. Enjoy!
December 3, 2021
This is an interesting read. At times, the story dragged, but the plot was interesting. An investigator of sorts is pulled into an situation with a wealthy woman and her plot to take someone down. This is not a page stopper, but a good book to take your mind off yourself.
January 19, 2026
great book
I'm amazed that this author can write so many fantastic novels, I hope that he never stops writing. His books are some of the best Entertainment I have read and worth the time to read them. Thank you for a very fun entertaining read.
I'm amazed that this author can write so many fantastic novels, I hope that he never stops writing. His books are some of the best Entertainment I have read and worth the time to read them. Thank you for a very fun entertaining read.
March 4, 2019
A good book, you might like.
June 20, 2019
Move over, John MacDonald
If you liked Travis McGee, you will definitely like these novels! Great story lines and cast of characters! Thanks, so much!
If you liked Travis McGee, you will definitely like these novels! Great story lines and cast of characters! Thanks, so much!
June 30, 2019
3.5 really
This’s didn’t grab me as quickly as the first in the series, perhaps not enough revealed in first two thirds and too much at the end. Well written though.
This’s didn’t grab me as quickly as the first in the series, perhaps not enough revealed in first two thirds and too much at the end. Well written though.
July 5, 2019
The Ties That Bind
I love all the characters in this book and the story line. I think that Max and his friend Marsh works very well together.
I love all the characters in this book and the story line. I think that Max and his friend Marsh works very well together.
July 21, 2019
Another good book
I liked the plot, the characters, and the lead character, Max Plank. This was book two and I am well on the way to book three! Too much fun to miss!
I liked the plot, the characters, and the lead character, Max Plank. This was book two and I am well on the way to book three! Too much fun to miss!
May 25, 2020
Another great read
Max is hired by a wealthy businesswoman to find out who shot her daughter. This story has lots of twists and turns to keep it interesting. Very enjoyable.
Max is hired by a wealthy businesswoman to find out who shot her daughter. This story has lots of twists and turns to keep it interesting. Very enjoyable.
November 6, 2021
Really good writing. And I really like this Max Plank character.
November 23, 2021
Max Plank, the houseboat living not quite a PI takes up another case that again pits him against POE the Casino owner and mega shady character as he works to solve the murder of a singer.
June 16, 2024
Robert Bucchianeri has made me a Max Plank fan! the second book was captivating and I couldn't put my kindle down, I am on to the next in the series, Blinded by the Light! Keep them coming!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews