What do you think?
Rate this book
Madison Knight #1
Ties That Bind
Grab a badge and a gun and strap in for an absolutely gripping ride that’s “full of suspense from the beginning to the end…” (Readers Abode)
She could feel him watching her… Though every time she turned to look, there was no one there. The rest of the world thought she was going crazy—until it was too late.
When Laura Saunders is found strangled in her home with a man’s necktie, Detective Madison Knight is assigned the case. Her sergeant at the Stiles Police Department wants her to conclude it was an isolated incident and move on with the investigation, but Madison’s not the type to cave under pressure. She’s haunted by certain unexplainable clues at the crime scene, including the presence of a mysterious photograph. Madison believes the picture may somehow tie into the murder, but before she can dig into it, another woman’s body is discovered in a local park. Heather Nguyen was also murdered with the same brand of necktie that had been used on Laura.
On the surface, there doesn’t seem to be anything beyond the way they were killed that connects the women. But as Madison delves into the lives of the victims, she unravels a web of deceit and betrayal and lays bare decades of deadly family secrets. Edging closer to the truth, Madison’s quite sure at least one more woman is slated to die. But can Madison piece together all the clues in time to save her?
A gripping crime thriller full of heart-pounding twists. Perfect for fans of Robert Dugoni, J.D. Robb, and Lisa Regan.
Readers love Ties That Bind:
“Arnold has written one of the best female cops that I’ve ever read… Madison is just one of those characters that will stay with you.” –Harlie’s Books, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A good detective story with lots of twists and turns and an unexpected ending.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This is one heck of a mystery!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Brace yourself for the ending! I didn't see that one coming.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I loved Madison Knight and her sassy dialogue.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I found myself unable to stop reading this book.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A must-read for the mystery fan.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“So many twists and turns I never saw the ending coming!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A solid police procedure mystery.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“If you like true suspense, this is a book to read.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Like watching an award-winning police drama in my mind.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Intriguing, suspenseful, and full of surprises!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Well-written and researched on police procedures.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“It was very difficult to set this book aside to do something else.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“From the moment I began reading this book, I was hooked.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
She could feel him watching her… Though every time she turned to look, there was no one there. The rest of the world thought she was going crazy—until it was too late.
When Laura Saunders is found strangled in her home with a man’s necktie, Detective Madison Knight is assigned the case. Her sergeant at the Stiles Police Department wants her to conclude it was an isolated incident and move on with the investigation, but Madison’s not the type to cave under pressure. She’s haunted by certain unexplainable clues at the crime scene, including the presence of a mysterious photograph. Madison believes the picture may somehow tie into the murder, but before she can dig into it, another woman’s body is discovered in a local park. Heather Nguyen was also murdered with the same brand of necktie that had been used on Laura.
On the surface, there doesn’t seem to be anything beyond the way they were killed that connects the women. But as Madison delves into the lives of the victims, she unravels a web of deceit and betrayal and lays bare decades of deadly family secrets. Edging closer to the truth, Madison’s quite sure at least one more woman is slated to die. But can Madison piece together all the clues in time to save her?
A gripping crime thriller full of heart-pounding twists. Perfect for fans of Robert Dugoni, J.D. Robb, and Lisa Regan.
Readers love Ties That Bind:
“Arnold has written one of the best female cops that I’ve ever read… Madison is just one of those characters that will stay with you.” –Harlie’s Books, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A good detective story with lots of twists and turns and an unexpected ending.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“This is one heck of a mystery!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Brace yourself for the ending! I didn't see that one coming.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I loved Madison Knight and her sassy dialogue.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“I found myself unable to stop reading this book.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A must-read for the mystery fan.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“So many twists and turns I never saw the ending coming!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“A solid police procedure mystery.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“If you like true suspense, this is a book to read.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Like watching an award-winning police drama in my mind.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Intriguing, suspenseful, and full of surprises!” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“Well-written and researched on police procedures.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“It was very difficult to set this book aside to do something else.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
“From the moment I began reading this book, I was hooked.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2011
4163 people are currently reading
4494 people want to read
About the author
Carolyn Arnold
76 books1,285 followersCAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has several continuing fiction series and has nearly thirty published books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy to hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures. Her crime fiction series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining. This led to her adopting the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.
Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.
She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.
Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.
She currently lives near London, Ontario, Canada with her husband and two beagles.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 499 reviews
June 13, 2014
This was okay to read but there was not much depth to the characters which was a shame as they had the potential to be very interesting. I was going to give it 2 stars, (which means I thought it was okay) but then I read this comment by the author at the end:
As for any errors you might imagine in spelling, punctuation or capitalization please accept this as the variance permitted with the existence of many conventions and styles of writing.
There are also times my characters may use incorrect grammar, abbreviations or misspelled words in their speech, but know this is intentional whether it is to assign an accent or a way of expression.
Ouch. Sorry. can one actually 'misspell' a word when you speak it? Or speak an abbreviation? I can accept 'incorrect grammar' but that is a product of dialect not accent, surely, in which case there is no need to make a comment about it - any good writer will ensure that the reader is aware of the speaker's origin?
An accent is the way that particular person or group of people sound. It’s the way somebody pronounces words, the musicality of their speech, etc.
A dialect describes both a person’s accent and the grammatical features of the way that person talks.
As for variances in conventions and styles of SPaG. There are no 'variances' in the conventions of punctuation as far as I am aware. The same basic rules apply everywhere. If you stick to one set of 'conventions' then there will be no errors. You either use US or UK, not that I have ever noticed much difference; the use of " as opposed to ' for direct speech is the only one I can think of.
This comment looks like a convenient 'catch-all' for poor writing/proof-reading/editing.
As for any errors you might imagine in spelling, punctuation or capitalization please accept this as the variance permitted with the existence of many conventions and styles of writing.
There are also times my characters may use incorrect grammar, abbreviations or misspelled words in their speech, but know this is intentional whether it is to assign an accent or a way of expression.
Ouch. Sorry. can one actually 'misspell' a word when you speak it? Or speak an abbreviation? I can accept 'incorrect grammar' but that is a product of dialect not accent, surely, in which case there is no need to make a comment about it - any good writer will ensure that the reader is aware of the speaker's origin?
An accent is the way that particular person or group of people sound. It’s the way somebody pronounces words, the musicality of their speech, etc.
A dialect describes both a person’s accent and the grammatical features of the way that person talks.
As for variances in conventions and styles of SPaG. There are no 'variances' in the conventions of punctuation as far as I am aware. The same basic rules apply everywhere. If you stick to one set of 'conventions' then there will be no errors. You either use US or UK, not that I have ever noticed much difference; the use of " as opposed to ' for direct speech is the only one I can think of.
This comment looks like a convenient 'catch-all' for poor writing/proof-reading/editing.
December 18, 2017
Meet the detective with a chip on her shoulder as big as Mount Rushmore. Madison Knight gets the job done, in spite of being the lone female detective in the Good Ole Boy, Stiles police department.
The case started with a body and what Madison found was a can of rotten worms and a pattern of heinous proportions. It almost seems only Madison is after the TRUTH, as opposed to red-stamping the case closed. Along with her partner, with whom she has an often barbed relationship, she is determined to prove that similar cases are out there and a serial killer is on the loose. What she uncovers is nothing short of a twisted nightmare and she may not get the backup she needs in time.
Good detectives are hard to find, one that will go the extra mile, one that will take a chance, but Madison is “that” detective caught up in a world dominated by testosterone and the inability to look too far outside of the box. Carolyn Arnold’s TIES THAT BIND follows a trail of murders linked to designer ties and an event that happened years before. Gritty scenes, tension between characters and one detective who isn’t interested in winning a popularity contest, just getting the job done right.
Mystery/crime lovers, meet Madison, criminals beware, if you get on her radar, she will not give up. Entertaining, sometimes a bit frustrating, with a main character that shows true grit, even in desperate times.
Series: Madison Knight - Book 1
Publisher: Hibbert & Stiles Publishing Inc. (December 14, 2013)
Publication Date: December 14, 2013
Genre: Mystery
Print Length: 264 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
The case started with a body and what Madison found was a can of rotten worms and a pattern of heinous proportions. It almost seems only Madison is after the TRUTH, as opposed to red-stamping the case closed. Along with her partner, with whom she has an often barbed relationship, she is determined to prove that similar cases are out there and a serial killer is on the loose. What she uncovers is nothing short of a twisted nightmare and she may not get the backup she needs in time.
Good detectives are hard to find, one that will go the extra mile, one that will take a chance, but Madison is “that” detective caught up in a world dominated by testosterone and the inability to look too far outside of the box. Carolyn Arnold’s TIES THAT BIND follows a trail of murders linked to designer ties and an event that happened years before. Gritty scenes, tension between characters and one detective who isn’t interested in winning a popularity contest, just getting the job done right.
Mystery/crime lovers, meet Madison, criminals beware, if you get on her radar, she will not give up. Entertaining, sometimes a bit frustrating, with a main character that shows true grit, even in desperate times.
Series: Madison Knight - Book 1
Publisher: Hibbert & Stiles Publishing Inc. (December 14, 2013)
Publication Date: December 14, 2013
Genre: Mystery
Print Length: 264 pages
Available from: Amazon | Barnes & Noble
For Reviews & More: http://tometender.blogspot.com
July 3, 2021
“A Necktie,” Says It All
When a dead woman is found in her home, murdered with a necktie, Detective Madison Knight is assigned to the case.
Using instinct, and her nose’s ability to sniff out a special type of murderer, she doesn’t believe it is a single murder.
Unfortunately, she is vindicated, when another woman is found murdered with a necktie; same MO.
So, looks like she has her work cut out for her. Let’s hope that she can do the job.
This is the first book I have read in this series, by Carolyn Arnold. I’m currently reading a different series of hers. Brandon Fisher FBI, is also a great series.
Suspenseful, intelligent and addictive, like a great thriller should be.
When a dead woman is found in her home, murdered with a necktie, Detective Madison Knight is assigned to the case.
Using instinct, and her nose’s ability to sniff out a special type of murderer, she doesn’t believe it is a single murder.
Unfortunately, she is vindicated, when another woman is found murdered with a necktie; same MO.
So, looks like she has her work cut out for her. Let’s hope that she can do the job.
This is the first book I have read in this series, by Carolyn Arnold. I’m currently reading a different series of hers. Brandon Fisher FBI, is also a great series.
Suspenseful, intelligent and addictive, like a great thriller should be.
November 10, 2016
This is a very good thriller. I got it free from bookbub and I read it on my phone. It's the first book I've read by this author and I would read another of her books. She had me guessing who the killer was until almost the end!
December 22, 2014
Bad editing ruins a book for me every time. Despite the author's attempt to attribute any errors to the readers' imagination.
February 16, 2025
I think this is a 3 and 1/2 for me but since I can’t do that I am giving it 3 stars. I agree with someone who complained about the depth of the characters. They were a little shallow and flat. The story was good. The proofreading is lacking. And I just can’t give it 4 stars when I just finished The Absent One by Adler-Olsen that was so amazing and had so much depth of character. They just can’t be separated by only 1 star. But this was certainly a decent read and I will give the next in the series a try.
October 10, 2012
This book has way too many typos (missing words, missing punctuation, some wrong word / punctuation choices) for a professionally written work. I don't know whether they are the result of poor editing in the ebook version on the Kindle (which is where I read this) or poor writing by the author. Who spells Sarge as Serg?
Beyond that, the motivation of Madison Knight (main character) for her behavior is too vague. Why does she keep hitting her partner on the shoulder? Why does she have such bad reactions to things that a reasonable person would expect a police officer to face on a regular basis? For that matter, why are both the Sargent AND the Chief such idiots? It reads like she watched too many tv cop shows and worked all the cliches of them into a murder mystery, then mixed in her pet peeves.
Overall, I give it a 6 out of 10, not nearly enough to recommend it to anyone else but no so low as to say it stunk. I liked it enough to finish it, as the murder mystery plot line was pretty good.
Beyond that, the motivation of Madison Knight (main character) for her behavior is too vague. Why does she keep hitting her partner on the shoulder? Why does she have such bad reactions to things that a reasonable person would expect a police officer to face on a regular basis? For that matter, why are both the Sargent AND the Chief such idiots? It reads like she watched too many tv cop shows and worked all the cliches of them into a murder mystery, then mixed in her pet peeves.
Overall, I give it a 6 out of 10, not nearly enough to recommend it to anyone else but no so low as to say it stunk. I liked it enough to finish it, as the murder mystery plot line was pretty good.
March 31, 2022
This is the first offering in the Madison Knight police procedural series that now encompasses 11 books. I found the abrasive detective Madison Knight to be a bit ‘over-the-top’ at first, but she did eventually grow on me. Arnold’s writing is solid, but nothing extraordinary. The plot involves a serial murder of three women and all of the evidence seems to point to one man until Arnold delivers a startling twist in the end.
August 9, 2017
It took me awhile to get through this book, in large part because I was so disinterested that I found myself surfing the web on my iPad every few pages. Madison Knight is a poor knock off of JD Robb's Eve Dallas; Knight isn't near as tough as she is jaded and petty. About 2/3 of the way through the book I recognized a formula that I felt might have been JD Robb fan fiction, and did some research on the author. Suffice it to say, nothing good came from any credible source. The writing is amateur and unedited. The characters are one dimensional and trite. The plot dragged on for chapters, and then force finished with what was supposed to be a twist, but was more like an echo of an old Law & Order episode. The only redeeming quality of this particular read is that it's over. And it was free. Moving on to other interests.
August 23, 2011
In her middle 30s and single, Madison Knight is a detective in the fictional city of Stiles. The department is filled with men who give her too little respect, people like her Sergeant and her Chief, paper pushers, publicity seekers. Like most procedurals, this excellent story begins with the discovery of a body.
What sets Madison apart, besides the fact that she is a woman, is that she is after the truth. As the pieces start to fall into place, the men are quickly satisfied, but not Madison. Things are not what they seem on the surface; it takes a person of her tenacity to find the real killer.
Ties That Bind features a lot of entertaining dialogue between Madison and her partner, Terry. The two can never quite separate barbs relating to their unravelling personal lives from sniping about which way to go on the strangler case. The bond between them is real and attractive. Madison's head is a complex zone of insecurities based less on her femininity than on being fundamentally unsure about her abilities. She frets about having to give the bad news to the next of kin of the murder victims; she can't forget the old unsolved cases; she often wonders if her partner or even the Sergeant might be right. Not that she could ever show any sign of weakness -- not in this hardboiled climate! The only thing you can really count on is chocolate. She goes through Hershey bars like there's no tomorrow.
I love it that mundane things keep going wrong in the Stiles police department. A key piece of evidence is lost for a few days, holding up the investigation and jeopardizing it. The DNA lab is backlogged. When Madison inputs the wrong search terms in a DMV search, far too many hits come back, and none of them is the match they were looking for. Such problems make this world seem so gritty and real, and the story believable.
I recently read a Sue Grafton mystery, and not too long ago a couple of Sara Paretsky mysteries. Carolyn Arnold with her Detective Madison Knight is right up there on the same plane with those contemporary masters of the genre. I want a sequel, and I want it now.
Doing Max Vinyl
What sets Madison apart, besides the fact that she is a woman, is that she is after the truth. As the pieces start to fall into place, the men are quickly satisfied, but not Madison. Things are not what they seem on the surface; it takes a person of her tenacity to find the real killer.
Ties That Bind features a lot of entertaining dialogue between Madison and her partner, Terry. The two can never quite separate barbs relating to their unravelling personal lives from sniping about which way to go on the strangler case. The bond between them is real and attractive. Madison's head is a complex zone of insecurities based less on her femininity than on being fundamentally unsure about her abilities. She frets about having to give the bad news to the next of kin of the murder victims; she can't forget the old unsolved cases; she often wonders if her partner or even the Sergeant might be right. Not that she could ever show any sign of weakness -- not in this hardboiled climate! The only thing you can really count on is chocolate. She goes through Hershey bars like there's no tomorrow.
I love it that mundane things keep going wrong in the Stiles police department. A key piece of evidence is lost for a few days, holding up the investigation and jeopardizing it. The DNA lab is backlogged. When Madison inputs the wrong search terms in a DMV search, far too many hits come back, and none of them is the match they were looking for. Such problems make this world seem so gritty and real, and the story believable.
I recently read a Sue Grafton mystery, and not too long ago a couple of Sara Paretsky mysteries. Carolyn Arnold with her Detective Madison Knight is right up there on the same plane with those contemporary masters of the genre. I want a sequel, and I want it now.
Doing Max Vinyl
July 21, 2015
I liked this book in the beginning, because I was hopeful. By the end I was annoyed. It is entirely too predictable and the characters are hardly developed.
Unfortunately Arnold wasted a chance to develop a great character with Madison Knight. She should be interesting, and there are plenty of references to her past; however, nothing is developed. We hear about her ex-fiance, but we don't know why it ended, how it ended, if she still has feelings for him, etc. We never learn why she decided not to be a criminal defense attorney and work as a cop instead. Her partner's character is just as flat...even more so really.
The story itself is predictable, but most crime novels are. A few twists would have been much appreciated. This book is basically a bad Law & Order episode.
The final and largest problem with the book is how poorly it is written. I am convinced Arnold didn't have anyone else look at it before hitting publish. There are grammatical mistakes, words missing, misspellings, typos, and the list goes on and on. It became distracting at a few points in the book.
I don't really recommend it. Maybe if you need something to just pass the time? I got the book for free on my Nook, and I won't be buying the rest of the series.
Unfortunately Arnold wasted a chance to develop a great character with Madison Knight. She should be interesting, and there are plenty of references to her past; however, nothing is developed. We hear about her ex-fiance, but we don't know why it ended, how it ended, if she still has feelings for him, etc. We never learn why she decided not to be a criminal defense attorney and work as a cop instead. Her partner's character is just as flat...even more so really.
The story itself is predictable, but most crime novels are. A few twists would have been much appreciated. This book is basically a bad Law & Order episode.
The final and largest problem with the book is how poorly it is written. I am convinced Arnold didn't have anyone else look at it before hitting publish. There are grammatical mistakes, words missing, misspellings, typos, and the list goes on and on. It became distracting at a few points in the book.
I don't really recommend it. Maybe if you need something to just pass the time? I got the book for free on my Nook, and I won't be buying the rest of the series.
November 20, 2015
Detective Madison Knight is determined to find the killer who strangled a young woman. Since Knight has no love life, her boss demands quick results, and she failed to solve a previous case, the detective throws herself into the investigation. Meanwhile, her partner Terry’s personal problems are keeping him distracted, so a second murder only adds to the pressure for both of them.
Ties That Bind is a gritty police procedural that would have been better without the occasional POV shift to the villain. Nothing about him is all that intriguing, as little’s revealed about his background and lifestyle. I liked the frustration and irritation Madison often feels toward her superiors and her partner. But I didn’t like that the reader is often told how Madison feels when it’s already obvious through action and dialogue.
Although the story is set in the city of Stiles, I have no idea where that is. Very little description of the city and environment was offered, which is too bad. Vividly described settings add so much to mysteries.
Ties That Bind is a gritty police procedural that would have been better without the occasional POV shift to the villain. Nothing about him is all that intriguing, as little’s revealed about his background and lifestyle. I liked the frustration and irritation Madison often feels toward her superiors and her partner. But I didn’t like that the reader is often told how Madison feels when it’s already obvious through action and dialogue.
Although the story is set in the city of Stiles, I have no idea where that is. Very little description of the city and environment was offered, which is too bad. Vividly described settings add so much to mysteries.
May 3, 2020
This was the first book I ever read by Carol Arnold. I received it free from Amazon. But I really loved the book and has since fallen in love with the author. I am currently reading my third book by her. My second Brandon Fisher FBI thriller.
The books are all suspenseful, intelligent and addictive. Don’t forget to try her books. You’ll be glad.
The books are all suspenseful, intelligent and addictive. Don’t forget to try her books. You’ll be glad.
March 9, 2018
Read a couple good reviews of this, it was described as an excellent police procedural. It was a free book for Nook so gave it a try. It started out fine but as the story went along, I got very tired of the main character -- Madison. She was always so rude and abrupt with everyone including her supposed friends! She was especially rude to her male partner who was having some marriage problems. I didn't like him very much, either. Madison's boss was insufferable, always there asking questions and demanding to know when the case would be solved. The boss was much nicer to her male partner, bad treatment of women gets old fast. The story bogged down about a third to a half way through but then it picked up again. The ending was pretty preposterous but it is fiction.
This was the author's first book in this series. I doubt I will read another one even if it is free.
This was the author's first book in this series. I doubt I will read another one even if it is free.
December 17, 2024
Pulse-pounding action from start to finish, and a twist at the end I didn't see coming. I love Carolyn Arnold's work, and this series fits right in with my expectations based on her more recent work. You can't go wrong with her mysteries, and the only thing I found unbelievable in this Madison Knight book was the price some people are willing to pay for neckties. This series has grown to 13 volumes over the years so I'm set for a while! I am always glad to read and recommend Ms. Arnold to friends and family. I have never been disappointed with her work.
Reviewed on April 24, 2024, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, and Kobo.
Reviewed on April 24, 2024, at Goodreads, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, BookBub, and Kobo.
November 21, 2015
Pretty good read. The ending was the best so unexpected.
February 23, 2024
Madison Knight was a detective known for her relentless determination and tough-as-nails attitude. As the only female detective in a male-dominated Good Ole Boy police department, she had to fight twice as hard to be taken seriously. But that didn't stop her from getting the job done. When she started investigating a murder case, she uncovered a disturbing pattern that seemed to be willfully ignored by her colleagues, who were more interested in closing cases quickly than finding the truth. Despite her contentious relationship with her partner, Madison was determined to prove that there was a serial killer on the loose. Little did she know, the truth would be more horrific than she could have ever imagined. In a world where testosterone ruled and thinking outside the box was discouraged, Madison stood out as a dedicated and fearless detective, willing to do whatever it takes to bring justice to the victims and their families.
“Oh, you shouldn’t have…” The pup was so tiny in her arms now, but don’t these dogs get huge? She had just a small apartment. Her inclination was to set the dog down and run—fast and far away—and this from someone who hated running. The door was right there. “I don’t know what to say,” she added.
Carolyn Arnold's thrilling novel TIES THAT BIND pulls readers into a world of murder and mystery as Madison, a relentless detective, untangles a web of clues that lead to designer ties and a long-buried event. The pages are filled with gritty and intense scenes that paint a vivid picture of the dark underbelly of the city. An air of tension crackles between characters, adding to the suspense and keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Through it all, Madison remains a formidable force, her unwavering determination shining through even in the face of danger. This fast-paced story is sure to leave readers both enthralled and frustrated as they follow along with Madison's relentless pursuit of justice
The recent murder of a defense attorney has Detective Madison Knight fueled to find justice for him and a lawyer who was killed eight years ago. She’d never solved that crime, but she’s always had a strong suspicion who was behind the murder. Her theory only gains momentum when she connects both men to Dimitre Petrov, head of the Russian Mafia.
“Oh, you shouldn’t have…” The pup was so tiny in her arms now, but don’t these dogs get huge? She had just a small apartment. Her inclination was to set the dog down and run—fast and far away—and this from someone who hated running. The door was right there. “I don’t know what to say,” she added.
Carolyn Arnold's thrilling novel TIES THAT BIND pulls readers into a world of murder and mystery as Madison, a relentless detective, untangles a web of clues that lead to designer ties and a long-buried event. The pages are filled with gritty and intense scenes that paint a vivid picture of the dark underbelly of the city. An air of tension crackles between characters, adding to the suspense and keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Through it all, Madison remains a formidable force, her unwavering determination shining through even in the face of danger. This fast-paced story is sure to leave readers both enthralled and frustrated as they follow along with Madison's relentless pursuit of justice
The recent murder of a defense attorney has Detective Madison Knight fueled to find justice for him and a lawyer who was killed eight years ago. She’d never solved that crime, but she’s always had a strong suspicion who was behind the murder. Her theory only gains momentum when she connects both men to Dimitre Petrov, head of the Russian Mafia.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 8, 2023
A middle of the road read. A woman is found strangled in her own bed. Maddison Knight and her partner Terry are brought in to investigate. Terry is distracted by events in his private life which come to life later in the book, what Maddison is your typical leave no stone unturned fictional detective, pissing off her superiors. Another 2 bodies appear with all evidence pointing at one suspect but is it as easy as that?
This isn't a bad read, if a little predictable. This is the first of a series and so there is a lot more to be discovered about Knight, such as what exactly went wrong between her and Sovereign? There is definitely room to develop some of the characters and their relationships, hopefully that will happen in subsequent books. Worth a read if you're looking for an easy, uncomplicated read.
This isn't a bad read, if a little predictable. This is the first of a series and so there is a lot more to be discovered about Knight, such as what exactly went wrong between her and Sovereign? There is definitely room to develop some of the characters and their relationships, hopefully that will happen in subsequent books. Worth a read if you're looking for an easy, uncomplicated read.
March 29, 2018
What a great book! I read it in one day and so many twists and turns I never saw the ending coming! This is the first book I have read by Carolyn and it will not be my last! Thank you Carolyn
Read
July 31, 2021Audio was good. Gave up after a few chapters
January 14, 2025
Stilted writing, full of cliches. Got 5 chapters in but can’t keep reading.
November 15, 2022
LOVED THIS ONE!!!! This is the new series that I have discovered and author and I cannot wait to read the next one in the series I love detective Madison knight already!!
April 21, 2017
a new favorite author.
November 28, 2011
Meet Madison Knight, ace detective. She’s on the case of a potential serial killer who has a unique method of killing people, and she encounters almost as many red herrings as a trawler man on a long fishing voyage. She has a crime fighting partner who’s a little distracted, a sergeant who’s a bigoted bully and a police chief who wants results fast.
Let me state right now that I rarely read crime fiction, and when I do it tends to be written by Colin Bateman.
For the most part, Ties That Bind is a standard police procedural-cum-buddy detective novel, but I think Miss Arnold manages to portray Knight in favourable way. Crime writers tend to write their female detectives in such a clichéd manner that I have a tendency to put the book down and never pick it up again. In the case of Ties That Bind, I found it to be most readable from start to finish. It wasn’t perfect: I thought it dragged a little towards the middle, and there’s definitely a tendency to show and not tell at times –
”Do you listen to anything I say? Yes, that’s the maiden name. I swear I mentioned the name.”
She tapped the steering wheel. “Type it in.” She referred to the onboard computer system in the car.
She referred to ... is a phrase used four times in the book, when, perhaps, a description of events - e.g. Madison pointed to the data terminal mounted on the dashboard and snapped, "Type it in." - but that aside, I really enjoyed this book.
Once the halfway point was passed, the plot developed rapidly, and by 75% (or it may have been 76%!) it positively steams along. There can only be so many ways to kill people, and only so many motives, so crime fiction has to have original and engaging characters: I think Madison may well fit the bill.
I think, but I’m not 100% certain, that this is Carolyn Arnold’s first novel, in which case, ten-out-of ten for a first effort.
I’m awarding this book 4 Stars: it managed to get a non-crime fan to read it to the end.
Let me state right now that I rarely read crime fiction, and when I do it tends to be written by Colin Bateman.
For the most part, Ties That Bind is a standard police procedural-cum-buddy detective novel, but I think Miss Arnold manages to portray Knight in favourable way. Crime writers tend to write their female detectives in such a clichéd manner that I have a tendency to put the book down and never pick it up again. In the case of Ties That Bind, I found it to be most readable from start to finish. It wasn’t perfect: I thought it dragged a little towards the middle, and there’s definitely a tendency to show and not tell at times –
”Do you listen to anything I say? Yes, that’s the maiden name. I swear I mentioned the name.”
She tapped the steering wheel. “Type it in.” She referred to the onboard computer system in the car.
She referred to ... is a phrase used four times in the book, when, perhaps, a description of events - e.g. Madison pointed to the data terminal mounted on the dashboard and snapped, "Type it in." - but that aside, I really enjoyed this book.
Once the halfway point was passed, the plot developed rapidly, and by 75% (or it may have been 76%!) it positively steams along. There can only be so many ways to kill people, and only so many motives, so crime fiction has to have original and engaging characters: I think Madison may well fit the bill.
I think, but I’m not 100% certain, that this is Carolyn Arnold’s first novel, in which case, ten-out-of ten for a first effort.
I’m awarding this book 4 Stars: it managed to get a non-crime fan to read it to the end.
August 29, 2019
I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not financially compensated, and all opinions are 100 percent mine.
First of all, please note that this is an edgier mystery than the typical cozy mysteries I review. Readers will find some mildly disturbing scenes and some strong language within the book, but it is no more than what might be seen in a PG-13 movie or even some cable channels. It is still relatively mild, and it does not harm the overall story.
In truth, I wrestled with my rating on this book for a while. At first, I was not as enraptured with the characters, and the mystery didn't spark my interest that much. I figured it was going to be fairly straightforward, and I thought I had a pretty good idea of where the story was heading. However, as I continued this book, I realized that this author is a master at "throwing you off the scent." I was not prepared for some of the twists and turns, and the major one near the end sent me reeling! I won't give any spoilers, but just know that this mystery is well-crafted, and while it may appear to follow a certain structure and formula, this author knows when to break the mold and completely shatter the reader's expectations in the most delightful way!
Because this is the first book in the series, the first part of the book does have to set the stage, so I would encourage readers to continue reading and not give up because in the end, you will receive a mystery conclusion that packs a serious punch! Moreover, the author's style is eays-to-read, and I had no problem reading the book in one evening.
First of all, please note that this is an edgier mystery than the typical cozy mysteries I review. Readers will find some mildly disturbing scenes and some strong language within the book, but it is no more than what might be seen in a PG-13 movie or even some cable channels. It is still relatively mild, and it does not harm the overall story.
In truth, I wrestled with my rating on this book for a while. At first, I was not as enraptured with the characters, and the mystery didn't spark my interest that much. I figured it was going to be fairly straightforward, and I thought I had a pretty good idea of where the story was heading. However, as I continued this book, I realized that this author is a master at "throwing you off the scent." I was not prepared for some of the twists and turns, and the major one near the end sent me reeling! I won't give any spoilers, but just know that this mystery is well-crafted, and while it may appear to follow a certain structure and formula, this author knows when to break the mold and completely shatter the reader's expectations in the most delightful way!
Because this is the first book in the series, the first part of the book does have to set the stage, so I would encourage readers to continue reading and not give up because in the end, you will receive a mystery conclusion that packs a serious punch! Moreover, the author's style is eays-to-read, and I had no problem reading the book in one evening.
August 15, 2024
Madison Knight is a smart, sexy and sassy homicide detective assigned to a murder of a young woman by strangulation. With her partner, Terry she investigates the clues, waits impatiently for lab results and talks to people the victim knew.
A second murder and another young victim with lots of differences between the first and second victim. Sandra the first was Caucasian, unmarried, a professional woman that liked some kink with her sex. Laura the second woman was Asian, married and an unpopular middle management boss. It looked like they had nothing in common. The third victim was a sixty-year old married, wealthy wife of the owner of a successful business.
Each of the women was strangled with an expensive tie and staged differently in different settings. Some DNA and a few fingerprints were found and at two scenes witnesses saw the killer leave.
Maddy and her partner think they have the right guy but he keeps telling them he didn't do it; Maddy goes over the evidence and finds a new unexpected lead that takes her to arrest the actual killer.
If you like a good detective story with lots of twists and turns to an unexpected ending, this is for you. I enjoyed it and loved Madison Knight and her sassy dialogue.
A second murder and another young victim with lots of differences between the first and second victim. Sandra the first was Caucasian, unmarried, a professional woman that liked some kink with her sex. Laura the second woman was Asian, married and an unpopular middle management boss. It looked like they had nothing in common. The third victim was a sixty-year old married, wealthy wife of the owner of a successful business.
Each of the women was strangled with an expensive tie and staged differently in different settings. Some DNA and a few fingerprints were found and at two scenes witnesses saw the killer leave.
Maddy and her partner think they have the right guy but he keeps telling them he didn't do it; Maddy goes over the evidence and finds a new unexpected lead that takes her to arrest the actual killer.
If you like a good detective story with lots of twists and turns to an unexpected ending, this is for you. I enjoyed it and loved Madison Knight and her sassy dialogue.
July 3, 2016
This book is about a detective, Madison, and a serial murder case that falls into her lap. She's a hard worker, honest, and determined to find the truth even if it isn't convenient.
I really enjoyed this book. Mystery is one of my favorite genres. The characters in the book were real to life and fun. The author had a way of portraying someone so that I either loved them or hated them (Madison's boss). The story flowed smoothly and kept me interested the entire time. It had a surprise twist at the end that I certainly didn't see coming. This is definitely an author to check out if you enjoy suspense or mysteries.
The second book in the series just came out last month and I can't wait to check it out.
I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest review.
I really enjoyed this book. Mystery is one of my favorite genres. The characters in the book were real to life and fun. The author had a way of portraying someone so that I either loved them or hated them (Madison's boss). The story flowed smoothly and kept me interested the entire time. It had a surprise twist at the end that I certainly didn't see coming. This is definitely an author to check out if you enjoy suspense or mysteries.
The second book in the series just came out last month and I can't wait to check it out.
I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest review.
January 29, 2016
Enjoyable read, but I failed to connect with the main characters. Madison eats, sleeps, and breathes her job and doesn't seem to have a relationship outside of her work. We really know nothing of her past or the reason she has issues with an ex-fiance in the story. She's extremely hard-working and driven, admirable traits, but she doesn't flesh out much from there. She seems to be all business, until she playfully punches her partner on the shoulder. Repeatedly throughout the book. Somehow, it didn't seem to fit her personality. Her partner's personality definitely takes a backseat and he seems at times to be an afterthought or a tag-along.
Plot was interesting. Overall, not bad for a first book in the series.
Plot was interesting. Overall, not bad for a first book in the series.
August 1, 2011
Ties that bind--First off I love book titles with double meanings and this one is certainly that. This is a great read for those who enjoy detective novels and chronological play-out, oh, and the excellent twists of skilled writers. I found myself trying to guess where this book was going only to be pleasantly surprised where it went. Without giving anything away, something that stuck with me since completing the book is Detective Madison Knight's reactions to viewing the deceased women her own age and how it brings to light her own mortality. Carolyn Arnold's portrayal of that really made me stop and think. I love books like that.
April 10, 2012
"Ties That Bind" features ace career-minded heroine Madison Knight, an investigator of a homicide, but when the number of victims increase, so does the complexity of the case and the suspects. This is an easy, entertaining read, perfect for readers that follow crime dramas. The editing errors noted in the negative reviews on amazon I didn't find as a big deal and to me didn't detract from the story itself. Four stars!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 499 reviews