Max Plank 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 mystery-the lies, deceit, and secrets at the heart of this wealthy family's sordid history-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!