Bound and Sold

Bound and Sold is a contemporary mystery novel set in a small Pacific Northwest town, blending dark crime, found family, and psychological drama. The story centers on Peter, a bar owner struggling with a failing relationship and the pressures of keeping his family's legacy alive, and his close-knit group of friends: the sarcastic Max, the loyal Blake, the ambitious Ryley, and the enigmatic newcomer Jess. Their lives are upended when a series of children go missing from the local juvenile center, and the group becomes entangled in a dangerous investigation that exposes a web of corruption, child trafficking, and abuse reaching into the highest levels of their community.

As the friends dig deeper, they uncover disturbing secrets about trusted local figures, including the mayor and the director of the juvenile center. The investigation is complicated by personal betrayals, romantic entanglements, and the arrival of Seven, a mysterious woman with a traumatic past and unique insight into the case. The narrative weaves together multiple perspectives, including law enforcement, survivors, and perpetrators, exploring themes of trauma, justice, and the power of chosen family.

The novel balances moments of humor and warmth—often found in the banter between friends and the bar's lively atmosphere—with harrowing depictions of violence, abuse, and the resilience required to confront evil. As the group races against time to save the missing children and bring the perpetrators to justice, they are forced to confront their own vulnerabilities and the limits of trust in a world where appearances can be fatally deceiving.

Trigger warnings: The book contains graphic depictions of violence, abuse (including domestic and child abuse), sexual content, and themes of child trafficking and medical abuse.