The latest novel in the popular Detective Sam Shephard series, Bound, shows Sam under extreme pressure, both professionally and in her personal life. She is in conflict with her boss over her investigation of a horrific murder during a house invasion, which bears the signs of a gangland execution. Tragically, she has to deal with all this work stress while facing the impending death of her father, which is made even more traumatic by a difficult relationship with her mother. Under these trying circumstances, Sam manages to maintain her sense of humour and hold everything together, due to her strict moral compass and strong sense of responsibility.