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Tracy Crosswhite #12
One Split Second
Not yet published
Expected 15 Sep 26Win a free kindle copy of this book!
6 days and 18:15:16
100 copies available
U.S. only
An Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestselling series.
A girl’s unsolved disappearance. A tragic shooting. Two crimes, forty-five years apart, with a blood-chilling connection in a gripping new Tracy Crosswhite novel by New York Times bestselling author Robert Dugoni.
Detective Tracy Crosswhite is assigned to defend an old friend. Sheriff Jenny Almond has been charged with first-degree murder for shooting an unarmed veteran on a stormy night of confusion, paranoia, and split-second choices. Tracy is certain there’s more to the story of Anthony Alvarez’s killing—and her investigation draws her back to a cold case that still haunts the community.
More than forty years ago, Alvarez was the prime suspect in the unsolved disappearance of a teenage babysitter. The lead investigator, Jenny’s late father Buzz Almond, always believed Alvarez had been framed. Decades later, his suspicions of a conspiracy are driving Tracy to find answers. Digging deeper into both the past and the present, she discovers a complex web of sinister motives and long-buried secrets, unearthed one by one.
As a decades-old mystery casts its dark shadow on a small town, only the truth will finally set the innocent free.
A girl’s unsolved disappearance. A tragic shooting. Two crimes, forty-five years apart, with a blood-chilling connection in a gripping new Tracy Crosswhite novel by New York Times bestselling author Robert Dugoni.
Detective Tracy Crosswhite is assigned to defend an old friend. Sheriff Jenny Almond has been charged with first-degree murder for shooting an unarmed veteran on a stormy night of confusion, paranoia, and split-second choices. Tracy is certain there’s more to the story of Anthony Alvarez’s killing—and her investigation draws her back to a cold case that still haunts the community.
More than forty years ago, Alvarez was the prime suspect in the unsolved disappearance of a teenage babysitter. The lead investigator, Jenny’s late father Buzz Almond, always believed Alvarez had been framed. Decades later, his suspicions of a conspiracy are driving Tracy to find answers. Digging deeper into both the past and the present, she discovers a complex web of sinister motives and long-buried secrets, unearthed one by one.
As a decades-old mystery casts its dark shadow on a small town, only the truth will finally set the innocent free.
415 pages, Paperback
Expected publication September 15, 2026
About the author
Robert Dugoni
58 books33.5k followersRobert Dugoni is the critically acclaimed New York Times, and #1 Amazon bestselling author of the Tracy Crosswhite police series set in Seattle, which has sold more than 11 million books worldwide. He is also the author of The Charles Jenkins espionage series, the David Sloane legal thriller series, and The Keera Duggan legal thriller series. He has written several stand-alone novels including the historical novels A Killing on the Hill and Hold Strong, as well as the suspense novel The 7th Canon, and Damage Control. He has written the literary novels, The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell - one of Newsweek Magazine's Best Books of All-Time and Suspense Magazine’s 2018 Book of the Year, for which Dugoni’s narration won an AudioFile Earphones Award. He has also written the critically acclaimed novel, The World Played Chess; as well as the nonfiction exposé The Cyanide Canary, a Washington Post Best Book of the Year. His novels have been optioned for movies and television series. Dugoni is the recipient of the Nancy Pearl Award for Fiction and a four-time winner of the Friends of Mystery Spotted Owl Award for best novel set in the Pacific Northwest. He has also been a finalist for many other awards including the International Thriller Award, the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction, the Silver Falchion Award for mystery, and the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award.
Robert Dugoni’s books are sold in more than thirty-five countries and have been translated into more than thirty languages.
Visit his website at www.robertdugoni.com, and follow him on twitter @robertdugoni and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuthorRobertDugoni
Robert Dugoni’s books are sold in more than thirty-five countries and have been translated into more than thirty languages.
Visit his website at www.robertdugoni.com, and follow him on twitter @robertdugoni and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuthorRobertDugoni
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I will read any book that Robert Dugoni writes and the Tracy Crosswhite series continues to deliver.
Tracy gets a frantic call from her longtime friend Jenny Almond, she has just shot and killed a man!! She needs help and Tracy and her husband Dan head to Klickitat County where Jenny is Sheriff.
Jenny has been charged with first degree murder and is in jail when Tracy and Dan arrive. Dan is a criminal attorney and will represent Jenny - Tracy will be his investigator.
Leave it to Tracy to dig deep into what really went on during the stormy night when Jenny shot Anthony Alvarez near his trailer deep in the woods. Jenny was sure that there was a shot fired from the tree line but can’t prove it.
It isn’t long before Tracy uncovers a 40+ y/o unsolved case that involved Mr. Alvarez. A babysitter had disappeared and he was a suspect - there was no evidence to prove this and he was released. Tracy is sure that there is a connection between these two cases.
It was great to see Tracy away from her desk in cold cases and she and Dan worked so well together.
This was a great combination of police procedural and mystery. There are some amazing twists and a frenzied, exciting ending!
This is one of the more exciting books in the series since Tracy quit the Homicide Division and if you are a fan you won’t be disappointed!
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to read and review this novel.
This was a buddy read with Carolyn, Debra and Mary Beth - be sure to check out their reviews!
Tracy gets a frantic call from her longtime friend Jenny Almond, she has just shot and killed a man!! She needs help and Tracy and her husband Dan head to Klickitat County where Jenny is Sheriff.
Jenny has been charged with first degree murder and is in jail when Tracy and Dan arrive. Dan is a criminal attorney and will represent Jenny - Tracy will be his investigator.
Leave it to Tracy to dig deep into what really went on during the stormy night when Jenny shot Anthony Alvarez near his trailer deep in the woods. Jenny was sure that there was a shot fired from the tree line but can’t prove it.
It isn’t long before Tracy uncovers a 40+ y/o unsolved case that involved Mr. Alvarez. A babysitter had disappeared and he was a suspect - there was no evidence to prove this and he was released. Tracy is sure that there is a connection between these two cases.
It was great to see Tracy away from her desk in cold cases and she and Dan worked so well together.
This was a great combination of police procedural and mystery. There are some amazing twists and a frenzied, exciting ending!
This is one of the more exciting books in the series since Tracy quit the Homicide Division and if you are a fan you won’t be disappointed!
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to read and review this novel.
This was a buddy read with Carolyn, Debra and Mary Beth - be sure to check out their reviews!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
One Split Second by Robert Dugoni
Synopsis /
Detective Tracy Crosswhite is assigned to defend an old friend. Sheriff Jenny Almond has been charged with first-degree murder for shooting an unarmed veteran on a stormy night of confusion, paranoia, and split-second choices. Tracy is certain there’s more to the story of Anthony Alvarez’s killing—and her investigation draws her back to a cold case that still haunts the community.
More than forty years ago, Alvarez was the prime suspect in the unsolved disappearance of a teenage babysitter. The lead investigator, Jenny’s late father Buzz Almond, always believed Alvarez had been framed. Decades later, his suspicions of a conspiracy are driving Tracy to find answers. Digging deeper into both the past and the present, she discovers a complex web of sinister motives and long-buried secrets, unearthed one by one.
As a decades-old mystery casts its dark shadow on a small town, only the truth will finally set the innocent free.
My Thoughts /
First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, publishers Thomas & Mercer and author, Robert Dugoni for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
My life has some wonderfully perfect things in it:
My eighteen-month-old grandson's laugh.
Coming inside the house and being greeted by the pups as if I've been away for months, when in reality I've just gone out the front to collect the mail.
Pavlova. A classic Australian, meringue-based dessert, named after the iconic Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. Made perfectly, it has a crisp outer shell and soft, marshmallow-like centre; traditionally piled high with freshly whipped cream and decorated with seasonal fresh fruits like passionfruit, kiwi, and berries. Ahh heaven.
Coffee.
And then, when fates collide, and you get to combine some of your wonderfully perfect things with a Robert Dugoni novel – priceless.
In this, the twelfth instalment of Robert Dugoni's Tracy Crosswhite series - One Split Second – Seattle homicide detective Tracy Crosswhite faces her most personal case yet.
The narrative weaves together two crimes separated by forty-five years with a deeply hidden connection.
The present day: When Klickitat County Sheriff Jenny Almond, phones her good friend Tracy Crosswhite after she is charged with first-degree murder, it sets off a sequence of events which see Tracy, together with husband and criminal defence attorney, Dan O'Leary travelling to the small town of Stoneridge to investigate.
Having just lost her re-election campaign, Jenny is in her final weeks in office when she responds to a late night panicked phone call from local Vietnam veteran, Anthony Alvarez. Alvarez, who suffers from PTSD, sounds distressed and fearful, and says to Jenny "they'll come for me" and that he needs to speak with Buzz. Jenny's father, Buzz Almond, who was also a Klickitat County Sheriff had passed away several years prior. Buzz had always told Jenny that Alvarez was a good guy. When Jenny arrives at his home to see what has the veteran so worked up, a split-second decision ends with her shooting the unarmed veteran dead.
The Cold Case: When the present day investigation leads Tracy into the 1980s mystery of a teenaged girl's unsolved disappearance. Coincidentally, it was the veteran, Anthony Alvarez, who was the prime suspect in her disappearance. However, Buzz, Jenny’s late father, who was the original investigator—always believed Alvarez was framed.
Dugoni once again proves why he is a master of the modern legal and police thriller. The writing is exceptionally sharp; balancing a fast-paced, dual-timeline mystery with the deep emotional nuance that has become the hallmark of his Tracy Crosswhite series. With a talent for crafting intricate, overlapping plots without ever overwhelming the reader, Dugoni balances this with clean, purposeful prose, making the pages fly by effortlessly. What truly sets his craftsmanship apart is his ability to maintain breakneck suspense while delivering rich, authentic character development. He treats complex themes of small-town corruption and decades-old trauma with incredible skill, ensuring that every twist feels earned rather than forced. One Split Second will hook you from the opening scene and hold you captive until the final page.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to publishers, Thomas & Mercer 💗 for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for September 15, 2026.
Synopsis /
Detective Tracy Crosswhite is assigned to defend an old friend. Sheriff Jenny Almond has been charged with first-degree murder for shooting an unarmed veteran on a stormy night of confusion, paranoia, and split-second choices. Tracy is certain there’s more to the story of Anthony Alvarez’s killing—and her investigation draws her back to a cold case that still haunts the community.
More than forty years ago, Alvarez was the prime suspect in the unsolved disappearance of a teenage babysitter. The lead investigator, Jenny’s late father Buzz Almond, always believed Alvarez had been framed. Decades later, his suspicions of a conspiracy are driving Tracy to find answers. Digging deeper into both the past and the present, she discovers a complex web of sinister motives and long-buried secrets, unearthed one by one.
As a decades-old mystery casts its dark shadow on a small town, only the truth will finally set the innocent free.
My Thoughts /
First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, publishers Thomas & Mercer and author, Robert Dugoni for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
My life has some wonderfully perfect things in it:
My eighteen-month-old grandson's laugh.
Coming inside the house and being greeted by the pups as if I've been away for months, when in reality I've just gone out the front to collect the mail.
Pavlova. A classic Australian, meringue-based dessert, named after the iconic Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. Made perfectly, it has a crisp outer shell and soft, marshmallow-like centre; traditionally piled high with freshly whipped cream and decorated with seasonal fresh fruits like passionfruit, kiwi, and berries. Ahh heaven.
Coffee.
And then, when fates collide, and you get to combine some of your wonderfully perfect things with a Robert Dugoni novel – priceless.
In this, the twelfth instalment of Robert Dugoni's Tracy Crosswhite series - One Split Second – Seattle homicide detective Tracy Crosswhite faces her most personal case yet.
The narrative weaves together two crimes separated by forty-five years with a deeply hidden connection.
The present day: When Klickitat County Sheriff Jenny Almond, phones her good friend Tracy Crosswhite after she is charged with first-degree murder, it sets off a sequence of events which see Tracy, together with husband and criminal defence attorney, Dan O'Leary travelling to the small town of Stoneridge to investigate.
Having just lost her re-election campaign, Jenny is in her final weeks in office when she responds to a late night panicked phone call from local Vietnam veteran, Anthony Alvarez. Alvarez, who suffers from PTSD, sounds distressed and fearful, and says to Jenny "they'll come for me" and that he needs to speak with Buzz. Jenny's father, Buzz Almond, who was also a Klickitat County Sheriff had passed away several years prior. Buzz had always told Jenny that Alvarez was a good guy. When Jenny arrives at his home to see what has the veteran so worked up, a split-second decision ends with her shooting the unarmed veteran dead.
The Cold Case: When the present day investigation leads Tracy into the 1980s mystery of a teenaged girl's unsolved disappearance. Coincidentally, it was the veteran, Anthony Alvarez, who was the prime suspect in her disappearance. However, Buzz, Jenny’s late father, who was the original investigator—always believed Alvarez was framed.
Dugoni once again proves why he is a master of the modern legal and police thriller. The writing is exceptionally sharp; balancing a fast-paced, dual-timeline mystery with the deep emotional nuance that has become the hallmark of his Tracy Crosswhite series. With a talent for crafting intricate, overlapping plots without ever overwhelming the reader, Dugoni balances this with clean, purposeful prose, making the pages fly by effortlessly. What truly sets his craftsmanship apart is his ability to maintain breakneck suspense while delivering rich, authentic character development. He treats complex themes of small-town corruption and decades-old trauma with incredible skill, ensuring that every twist feels earned rather than forced. One Split Second will hook you from the opening scene and hold you captive until the final page.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to publishers, Thomas & Mercer 💗 for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for September 15, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
So, I was casually scrolling through NetGalley when I suddenly saw this pop up and honestly… OMFG ... One of my favorite thriller series getting a new installment?? Of course I immediately grabbed it and read it in one go.
I’ll be honest, the previous two books weren’t necessarily my favorites in the series, but I love Tracy too much to ever skip one.
And thankfully, this installment worked so, sooo much better for me.
One of the biggest reasons? We finally leave Tracy’s city police station behind for a while and return to Klickitat County. In the Clearing is still my absolute favorite Tracy Crosswhite book, so going back there and seeing some familiar faces again made me ridiculously happy.
Don’t get me wrong, I missed Del and Faz, but revisiting older characters and settings felt really refreshing.
Also, Tracy’s daughter is adorable and I love seeing her slowly grow up throughout the series.
Now, into the actual case.
As the blurb says, Tracy’s old friend Jenny Almond is charged with first-degree murder after shooting an unarmed man during a tense encounter. Tracy is convinced there’s more to the story, and together with her husband Dan, who joins as Jenny’s attorney, she starts digging into the case.
Very quickly, things connect back to a decades-old disappearance involving a teenage girl and the same man Jenny supposedly murdered in cold blood.
And from there… classic small-town chaos begins ...
Secrets, coverups, old grudges, hidden motives, people protecting each other no matter what… all the things I love in this kind of thriller.
I genuinely enjoyed this installment much more than the previous two books. The investigation kept me engaged the entire time, and I loved how the past and present cases slowly connected together.
Robert Dugoni always does a great job balancing the emotional side of Tracy’s life with the investigative side, and I think this book handled that especially well.
Overall, this felt like a really strong return for the series and reminded me why I fell in love with Tracy Crosswhite books in the first place.
⭐ 5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC.
I’ll be honest, the previous two books weren’t necessarily my favorites in the series, but I love Tracy too much to ever skip one.
And thankfully, this installment worked so, sooo much better for me.
One of the biggest reasons? We finally leave Tracy’s city police station behind for a while and return to Klickitat County. In the Clearing is still my absolute favorite Tracy Crosswhite book, so going back there and seeing some familiar faces again made me ridiculously happy.
Don’t get me wrong, I missed Del and Faz, but revisiting older characters and settings felt really refreshing.
Also, Tracy’s daughter is adorable and I love seeing her slowly grow up throughout the series.
Now, into the actual case.
As the blurb says, Tracy’s old friend Jenny Almond is charged with first-degree murder after shooting an unarmed man during a tense encounter. Tracy is convinced there’s more to the story, and together with her husband Dan, who joins as Jenny’s attorney, she starts digging into the case.
Very quickly, things connect back to a decades-old disappearance involving a teenage girl and the same man Jenny supposedly murdered in cold blood.
And from there… classic small-town chaos begins ...
Secrets, coverups, old grudges, hidden motives, people protecting each other no matter what… all the things I love in this kind of thriller.
I genuinely enjoyed this installment much more than the previous two books. The investigation kept me engaged the entire time, and I loved how the past and present cases slowly connected together.
Robert Dugoni always does a great job balancing the emotional side of Tracy’s life with the investigative side, and I think this book handled that especially well.
Overall, this felt like a really strong return for the series and reminded me why I fell in love with Tracy Crosswhite books in the first place.
⭐ 5 stars
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC.
August 16, 2026
4⭐️
I've always enjoyed picking up a Tracy Crosswhite story and this was no different. Here we have Tracy and Dan trying to prove their friend's innocence while simultaneously solving a 45 year-old cold case.
I think the flashbacks worked really well here- we were with Buzz Almond in the sheriff's department during the original search for Jackie Parker in the 1970's. I enjoyed getting to actually see how that search was handled and what Buzz thought of the suspects rather than hearing about it from case files.
I also ended up really enjoying the court scenes with Dan defending Jenny. It was compelling enough to keep me flipping the pages but also simple enough that someone who doesn't know Washington State law (me!) could easily understand.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I've always enjoyed picking up a Tracy Crosswhite story and this was no different. Here we have Tracy and Dan trying to prove their friend's innocence while simultaneously solving a 45 year-old cold case.
I think the flashbacks worked really well here- we were with Buzz Almond in the sheriff's department during the original search for Jackie Parker in the 1970's. I enjoyed getting to actually see how that search was handled and what Buzz thought of the suspects rather than hearing about it from case files.
I also ended up really enjoying the court scenes with Dan defending Jenny. It was compelling enough to keep me flipping the pages but also simple enough that someone who doesn't know Washington State law (me!) could easily understand.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
August 5, 2026
4.25 Stars!
I loved this newest installment in the Tracy Crosswhite series - it had me hooked from the very beginning!
In this book, Tracy and Dan have to leave Seattle to help defend an old friend who has been charged with murder after a chaotic and tragic shooting. Dan takes the case as the defense attorney and we get to see more of a courtroom thriller vibe than we have in some of the previous books. Tracy assists as an investigator due to possible small town corruption. They soon realize the situation is more complicated than it first appeared, seemingly connecting to a decades old unsolved missing person investigation. Tracy, Dan, and her friends have to start digging up secrets that people have worked for 40 years to keep buried.
This book is structured like the last few with one more current investigation and one cold case investigation mixed in. It is interesting to start from the beginning on both cases and then watch how they intertwine. I really enjoyed the dual timeline with chapters alternating from present and past.
It was nice to see some old characters again, like the Almonds and Sam Goldman. However, one thing that makes me really sad is the lack of Tracy's former partners from the Violent Crime Unit. We used to see a lot of Faz, Del, and Kinsington, but now they are down to about one scene in this book. I really miss the dynamic the four of them had, even in some of the books after Tracy moved to the Cold Case Unit. After 12 books, it is nice to still have fresh, gripping, and mostly unique plot lines and cases. The last couple of books have had Tracy out of Seattle and revisiting her past in areas near where she grew up, but I am hoping that we get to see her back in Seattle and with some of her old teammates again soon.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Robert Dugoni for the opportunity to read and review this advance readers' copy, All opinions are my own. This book will be available on September 15, 2026.
I loved this newest installment in the Tracy Crosswhite series - it had me hooked from the very beginning!
In this book, Tracy and Dan have to leave Seattle to help defend an old friend who has been charged with murder after a chaotic and tragic shooting. Dan takes the case as the defense attorney and we get to see more of a courtroom thriller vibe than we have in some of the previous books. Tracy assists as an investigator due to possible small town corruption. They soon realize the situation is more complicated than it first appeared, seemingly connecting to a decades old unsolved missing person investigation. Tracy, Dan, and her friends have to start digging up secrets that people have worked for 40 years to keep buried.
This book is structured like the last few with one more current investigation and one cold case investigation mixed in. It is interesting to start from the beginning on both cases and then watch how they intertwine. I really enjoyed the dual timeline with chapters alternating from present and past.
It was nice to see some old characters again, like the Almonds and Sam Goldman. However, one thing that makes me really sad is the lack of Tracy's former partners from the Violent Crime Unit. We used to see a lot of Faz, Del, and Kinsington, but now they are down to about one scene in this book. I really miss the dynamic the four of them had, even in some of the books after Tracy moved to the Cold Case Unit. After 12 books, it is nice to still have fresh, gripping, and mostly unique plot lines and cases. The last couple of books have had Tracy out of Seattle and revisiting her past in areas near where she grew up, but I am hoping that we get to see her back in Seattle and with some of her old teammates again soon.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Robert Dugoni for the opportunity to read and review this advance readers' copy, All opinions are my own. This book will be available on September 15, 2026.
May 29, 2026
Review of advance copy through Netgalley
Another solid Tracy book! You can tell how much effort Robert Dugoni puts into his books. His research does not go unnoticed. And as I’m reading thrillers and suspense book these days, most feel too far fetched. His never do. They are realistic and contain details that never leave you bored. I appreciate books like these and love the fact that after 12 books I am still invested in this series!
(Kindle)
Another solid Tracy book! You can tell how much effort Robert Dugoni puts into his books. His research does not go unnoticed. And as I’m reading thrillers and suspense book these days, most feel too far fetched. His never do. They are realistic and contain details that never leave you bored. I appreciate books like these and love the fact that after 12 books I am still invested in this series!
(Kindle)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
One Split Second is a fantastic, riveting addition to the Tracy Crosswhite series! Tracy has been assigned to investigate a case involving an old friend, Sheriff Jenny Almond, accused of first-degree murder. When Jenny received a call from Anthony Alvarez, a veteran who suffers from PTSD, who had been a suspect in the disappearance of a young girl years before, she felt compelled to drive out to his remote trailer, despite a raging storm. As Alvarez approached, she heard shots and saw flashes of light and fired in self-defense. But Alvarez had no gun. Tracy arrives to begin her investigation, along with her young daughter and husband who has agreed to represent Jenny at her trial. Robert Dugoni has written a superb dual timeline plot full of suspense and excitement as Tracy's investigation twists back in time to unearth evidence of past crimes that had never been discovered. As the investigation and the courtroom drama intensifies, Tracy finds herself in grave danger as she races to uncover the truth. What she discovers leads to quite a dramatic conclusion! I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and love how the author incorporates Tracy 's family life into the story. One of my favorite characters is Lydia, whose clear focus helps Tracy's analysis of the facts of the old case with a different perspective. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy. The opinions of this review are my own.
August 17, 2026
Read for
Dual timelines
Police procedural
Cold case
Dual POV
Court cases
I love this series! I find them to be so engaging and I can’t put the books down. It’s rare that a series holds my interest after this many books but this is book 12 and I feel like this series has done a great job of transitioning with character growth and staying fresh and interesting.
In this book Tracy is called by her friend, Jenny, a sheriff who is being charged with murder. She and Dan go to try to prove her innocence and find themselves looking into a cold case about the disappearance of a girl 45 years ago.
I loved the dual timelines in this book. We have Tracy looking into the cold case of the missing girl as well as her friend’s case. The second timeline is 45 years earlier and looking at the sheriff who originally investigated the disappearance. Both stories were so interesting and I enjoyed each timeline equally.
I listened to this on audiobook and the narrator is one of my favorites. I’ve been listening to this series for a while now and love the way the story comes to life with the narration. I highly recommend listening to this.
I’m so excited to see how Tracy has grown, she’s a fearless and intelligent FMC. This book is another amazing story where you get to see Tracy shine. If you are interested in mystery and procedural books I love this series, it’s the perfect series to pick up if you’re new to the genre or if you already read it.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC.
Dual timelines
Police procedural
Cold case
Dual POV
Court cases
I love this series! I find them to be so engaging and I can’t put the books down. It’s rare that a series holds my interest after this many books but this is book 12 and I feel like this series has done a great job of transitioning with character growth and staying fresh and interesting.
In this book Tracy is called by her friend, Jenny, a sheriff who is being charged with murder. She and Dan go to try to prove her innocence and find themselves looking into a cold case about the disappearance of a girl 45 years ago.
I loved the dual timelines in this book. We have Tracy looking into the cold case of the missing girl as well as her friend’s case. The second timeline is 45 years earlier and looking at the sheriff who originally investigated the disappearance. Both stories were so interesting and I enjoyed each timeline equally.
I listened to this on audiobook and the narrator is one of my favorites. I’ve been listening to this series for a while now and love the way the story comes to life with the narration. I highly recommend listening to this.
I’m so excited to see how Tracy has grown, she’s a fearless and intelligent FMC. This book is another amazing story where you get to see Tracy shine. If you are interested in mystery and procedural books I love this series, it’s the perfect series to pick up if you’re new to the genre or if you already read it.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC.
May 23, 2026
I’ve always enjoyed the Crosswhite series, but since she’s doing cold cases I’m not loving them like the previous ones. I miss the mystery of new cases and Tracy interacting with Dez and Faz. This case was just ok. I feel like the mystery wasn’t strong, you could figure out what happened and why fairly quickly. The first 10 books are the best in the series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Finished reading: September 4th 2026
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer / Brilliance Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
REVIEW
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Suspense, action, an unarmed man dead, and a and a 45-year-old disappearance are combined into a thrilling new novel in the Tracy Crosswhite series.
One Split Second
by Robert Dugoni is the twelfth book in the series and maintains the high level of crime fiction the series is known for as well as some courtroom scenes.
Tracy, a cold case detective in Seattle, along with her lawyer husband, Dan O’Leary head to Klickitat County, Washington for most of this story. An old friend, Sheriff Jenny Almond, has been charged with first-degree murder for shooting an unarmed veteran. Tracy is sure there’s more to the story of Anthony Alvarez’s killing and her investigation leads her to an old cold case.
Decades ago, Alverez was the prime suspect in the unsolved disappearance of a teenage babysitter. Jenny’s late father had always believed Alvarez had been framed. Digging into both the past and present cases, Tracy finds lies, secrets, and motives. Can the truth be found in time to save Jenny from a conviction?
Tracy feels realistic and authentic as she works to resolve the two intermingled cases. She can be stubborn and isn’t good at asking for help, even when she needs it. However, she is relentless in her pursuit of justice and is extremely loyal. She also relies heavily on investigative instinct and relentless field work. Working with and interacting with Lydia, the daughter of Tracy’s old shooting mentor, brings out a different side of Tracy than readers normally see. Tracy’s ability to mentor and support others was great to see. Dan is highly analytical, calm under pressure, and strategic. He focused on constitutional rights, evidence admissibility, and building a solid legal defense. Jenny is vulnerable and under pressure in this novel. While protective and loyal, she tends to live in her father’s shadow as he was sheriff for twenty-five years before she became sheriff in the county.
Robert Dugoni is an excellent storyteller who always immediately engages me in his novels. This one is written in a style that draws you in and keeps you rapidly turning the pages. Full of well-developed characters, a compelling plot, and plenty of suspense and drama, this is an excellent addition to the series. The storyline is engaging, suspenseful, and includes some tense scenes. This engrossing crime novel and legal thriller keeps you on the edge of your seat. While this story had a dual timeline, the author was able to keep the pacing level high as the mystery builds in both and the two timelines intersect. The author also does a great job of balancing police work with realistic courtroom maneuvering. With the historical research and legal strategy focus, took is medium-paced.
Overall, this a well-written and suspenseful book that has well-developed and compelling characters. It occasionally pulls on the heart strings with the tragic backstory of the veteran, Anthony Alvarez. If you are expecting a solid series that will have mysteries, suspense, crime, and action, then this is a series that I recommend. I believe it should be read in order and I can’t wait to read the next one.
Thomas and Mercer and Robert Dugoni provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for September 15, 2026.
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My 4.27 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Tracy, a cold case detective in Seattle, along with her lawyer husband, Dan O’Leary head to Klickitat County, Washington for most of this story. An old friend, Sheriff Jenny Almond, has been charged with first-degree murder for shooting an unarmed veteran. Tracy is sure there’s more to the story of Anthony Alvarez’s killing and her investigation leads her to an old cold case.
Decades ago, Alverez was the prime suspect in the unsolved disappearance of a teenage babysitter. Jenny’s late father had always believed Alvarez had been framed. Digging into both the past and present cases, Tracy finds lies, secrets, and motives. Can the truth be found in time to save Jenny from a conviction?
Tracy feels realistic and authentic as she works to resolve the two intermingled cases. She can be stubborn and isn’t good at asking for help, even when she needs it. However, she is relentless in her pursuit of justice and is extremely loyal. She also relies heavily on investigative instinct and relentless field work. Working with and interacting with Lydia, the daughter of Tracy’s old shooting mentor, brings out a different side of Tracy than readers normally see. Tracy’s ability to mentor and support others was great to see. Dan is highly analytical, calm under pressure, and strategic. He focused on constitutional rights, evidence admissibility, and building a solid legal defense. Jenny is vulnerable and under pressure in this novel. While protective and loyal, she tends to live in her father’s shadow as he was sheriff for twenty-five years before she became sheriff in the county.
Robert Dugoni is an excellent storyteller who always immediately engages me in his novels. This one is written in a style that draws you in and keeps you rapidly turning the pages. Full of well-developed characters, a compelling plot, and plenty of suspense and drama, this is an excellent addition to the series. The storyline is engaging, suspenseful, and includes some tense scenes. This engrossing crime novel and legal thriller keeps you on the edge of your seat. While this story had a dual timeline, the author was able to keep the pacing level high as the mystery builds in both and the two timelines intersect. The author also does a great job of balancing police work with realistic courtroom maneuvering. With the historical research and legal strategy focus, took is medium-paced.
Overall, this a well-written and suspenseful book that has well-developed and compelling characters. It occasionally pulls on the heart strings with the tragic backstory of the veteran, Anthony Alvarez. If you are expecting a solid series that will have mysteries, suspense, crime, and action, then this is a series that I recommend. I believe it should be read in order and I can’t wait to read the next one.
Thomas and Mercer and Robert Dugoni provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for September 15, 2026.
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My 4.27 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Robert Dugoni is one of my favorite writers, of mystery or otherwise. It’s hard to believe that his newest Tracy Crosswhite book is the 12th in the series! One Split Second features Detective Crosswhite assisting her husband, attorney Dan O’Leary, in his defense of a friend in a first-degree murder case. Sheriff Jenny Almond faces charges of murdering a Vietnam vet on his property during a storm. Anthony Alvarez had a history of post-traumatic stress and had left a voice message saying, “they tripped my wire,” which sent Jenny driving alone to his property. on a dark, stormy night.
Forty years earlier, a teenage girl was kidnapped from her babysitting job and never found. Alvarez was the prime suspect, but the late Buzz Almond, Jenny’s father, was the officer in charge of the investigation, and he found no credible evidence to charge the man. Now, the town’s because the case has never been solved, newspaper has dredged up the event, and the main suspect has found himself the subject of suspicion and harassment once again. And now, he has become a murder victim.
Jenny Almond has found herself a victim as well, answering a call because a man needed help, firing her weapon on instinct. A wet, dark night, her vision distorted, a flashlight could have looked like a muzzle flash, thunder clap like gunfire. What really happened? With Alvarez dead, footprints criss-crossing every which way, and no other individuals in sight, Tracy’s friend finds herself charged with murder, stripped of her duties as sheriff.
Dan took her case, and the couple set to work at proving her innocence. Tracy suspected it was related to the missing babysitter case, but would Dan be able to prove that in court? Chapters alternate with dual timelines as Buzz and his cohorts gathered evidence in the kidnapping case. Could the girl still be alive? There were extenuating circumstances; what motivated the kidnapper? Could more than one person have been involved? In the case of Alvarez, there was a vigilante posse patrolling the county; the excuse being that there was a huge territory to cover. Tracy homed in on one man in particular; she suspected he may also have been involved in the crime all those years ago. Would her radar prove accurate?
The closer the story got to the trial, the more intense mood became for me. I couldn’t go to bed until I finished! After a rather slow start, I was ready to know the whole story, and although I wasn’t too surprised, I felt satisfied at the result. Along with the mystery, of course, there are some personal aspects to this story as well. Tracy and Dan are not so young any more, and they’re weighing whether they want to expand their family. TBD…I expect we’ll see more of this couple, their lovely daughter, and Lydia, the autistic girl whom Tracy first met as a fast-shooter and now works testing video games. She’s been spending a couple nights a week with Tracy and Dan working toward independent living. The reveal wasn’t a total surprise, but I’ll admit being surprised by one revelation.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
4 stars
Forty years earlier, a teenage girl was kidnapped from her babysitting job and never found. Alvarez was the prime suspect, but the late Buzz Almond, Jenny’s father, was the officer in charge of the investigation, and he found no credible evidence to charge the man. Now, the town’s because the case has never been solved, newspaper has dredged up the event, and the main suspect has found himself the subject of suspicion and harassment once again. And now, he has become a murder victim.
Jenny Almond has found herself a victim as well, answering a call because a man needed help, firing her weapon on instinct. A wet, dark night, her vision distorted, a flashlight could have looked like a muzzle flash, thunder clap like gunfire. What really happened? With Alvarez dead, footprints criss-crossing every which way, and no other individuals in sight, Tracy’s friend finds herself charged with murder, stripped of her duties as sheriff.
Dan took her case, and the couple set to work at proving her innocence. Tracy suspected it was related to the missing babysitter case, but would Dan be able to prove that in court? Chapters alternate with dual timelines as Buzz and his cohorts gathered evidence in the kidnapping case. Could the girl still be alive? There were extenuating circumstances; what motivated the kidnapper? Could more than one person have been involved? In the case of Alvarez, there was a vigilante posse patrolling the county; the excuse being that there was a huge territory to cover. Tracy homed in on one man in particular; she suspected he may also have been involved in the crime all those years ago. Would her radar prove accurate?
The closer the story got to the trial, the more intense mood became for me. I couldn’t go to bed until I finished! After a rather slow start, I was ready to know the whole story, and although I wasn’t too surprised, I felt satisfied at the result. Along with the mystery, of course, there are some personal aspects to this story as well. Tracy and Dan are not so young any more, and they’re weighing whether they want to expand their family. TBD…I expect we’ll see more of this couple, their lovely daughter, and Lydia, the autistic girl whom Tracy first met as a fast-shooter and now works testing video games. She’s been spending a couple nights a week with Tracy and Dan working toward independent living. The reveal wasn’t a total surprise, but I’ll admit being surprised by one revelation.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
4 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
One Split Second is the twelfth book in Robert Dugoni’s Tracy Crosswhite series. This time, Tracy steps in to help her friend, Sheriff Jenny Almond, who is charged with murder following a deadly encounter with Anthony Alvarez. Decades earlier, Alvarez had been the prime suspect in the unsolved disappearance of a teenage girl—a case originally investigated by Jenny’s late father, who believed Alvarez had been wrongly accused. As Tracy investigates the circumstances surrounding the shooting, she is drawn back into the decades-old cold case. Uncovering the truth about the past may be the key to understanding what happened in the present—and proving Jenny’s innocence.
I LOVE the Tracy Crosswhite series, so I had high hopes going into One Split Second, and it absolutely delivered.
I’m normally not a huge fan of dual timelines, especially in audiobooks, because I sometimes have trouble keeping the different timelines and characters straight. That wasn’t an issue at all with this one. The transitions were easy to follow, and I actually really enjoyed the way the two timelines allowed us to essentially get two mysteries in one. Both stories kept me interested, and I loved how everything came together and was wrapped up so nicely in the end.
I was hooked from the beginning, but the trial scenes were probably some of my favorite parts. They weren’t necessarily suspenseful in the traditional sense, but I was completely enthralled. I was hanging on every question, every answer, and every glipse at the responses of the gallery when new information came out.
I also absolutely ADORE Sam and Adele. They are some of the sweetest people. I have no clue what they look like, but I can still picture them perfectly in my mind if that makes sense. It makes me wish I could meet them. I love when we get to see Tracy with her family. I love seeing that softer side of her and the contrast between Tracy the determined detective and Tracy the wife and mother. It makes her feel like such a well-rounded character rather than someone whose entire identity revolves around her job.
I also enjoyed the change of scenery in this one. Taking Tracy away from her usual Seattle PD setting and bringing her back to Klickitat County gave the story a different feel while still very much feeling like a Tracy Crosswhite book. It was nice seeing Tracy and Dan working together. With the interest in bringing another child into the family, I could see them adopting and her leaving the PD to become a PI for Dan. It feels like that door was opened in this book.
Between the two mysteries, the dual timelines that actually worked incredibly well for me, the courtroom scenes, and getting more of Tracy’s personal life, this was another fantastic addition to a series I already love. It had my attention from beginning to end and left me completely satisfied with how everything came together.
And as always, Emily Sutton-Smith was the PERFECT narrator for this book. I could not imagine anyone else stepping in and narrating this series better than Emily.
Thank you to Netgalley, Brilliance Publishing/Brilliance Audio, and Robert Dugoni for the chance to enjoy an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
I LOVE the Tracy Crosswhite series, so I had high hopes going into One Split Second, and it absolutely delivered.
I’m normally not a huge fan of dual timelines, especially in audiobooks, because I sometimes have trouble keeping the different timelines and characters straight. That wasn’t an issue at all with this one. The transitions were easy to follow, and I actually really enjoyed the way the two timelines allowed us to essentially get two mysteries in one. Both stories kept me interested, and I loved how everything came together and was wrapped up so nicely in the end.
I was hooked from the beginning, but the trial scenes were probably some of my favorite parts. They weren’t necessarily suspenseful in the traditional sense, but I was completely enthralled. I was hanging on every question, every answer, and every glipse at the responses of the gallery when new information came out.
I also absolutely ADORE Sam and Adele. They are some of the sweetest people. I have no clue what they look like, but I can still picture them perfectly in my mind if that makes sense. It makes me wish I could meet them. I love when we get to see Tracy with her family. I love seeing that softer side of her and the contrast between Tracy the determined detective and Tracy the wife and mother. It makes her feel like such a well-rounded character rather than someone whose entire identity revolves around her job.
I also enjoyed the change of scenery in this one. Taking Tracy away from her usual Seattle PD setting and bringing her back to Klickitat County gave the story a different feel while still very much feeling like a Tracy Crosswhite book. It was nice seeing Tracy and Dan working together. With the interest in bringing another child into the family, I could see them adopting and her leaving the PD to become a PI for Dan. It feels like that door was opened in this book.
Between the two mysteries, the dual timelines that actually worked incredibly well for me, the courtroom scenes, and getting more of Tracy’s personal life, this was another fantastic addition to a series I already love. It had my attention from beginning to end and left me completely satisfied with how everything came together.
And as always, Emily Sutton-Smith was the PERFECT narrator for this book. I could not imagine anyone else stepping in and narrating this series better than Emily.
Thank you to Netgalley, Brilliance Publishing/Brilliance Audio, and Robert Dugoni for the chance to enjoy an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Title: One Split Second
Author: Robert Dugoni
Series: Tracy Crosswhite Book #12
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Pub Date: September 15, 2026
My Rating: 5+ Stars
Pages: 413
If you are new to the Tracy Crosswhite series- she is married to Dan O’Leary, and they have a four-year-old daughter Daniella.
Anthony Alvarez had been a person of interest in the unsolved disappearance of a fifteen year-old Jackie Parker who was baby-sitting on the night of Homecoming November 13, 1980.
This forty-year-old cold case still haunts the community.
Story starts with Anthony Alvarez wanting to speak to Buzz Almond. Almond was the lead investigator and always believed Alvarez had been framed.
Buzz Almond was Sheriff Jenny Almond’s dad. However, he died ten years ago and Alvarez attended his funeral.
Alvarez suffers from PDSD and when he calls Jenny asking for Buzz he is upset- stating they are after him.
Jenny was defeated in the last election so will only be Sheriff for a few more weeks. Her husband Neil is upset about the election and tells her- let the new guy Travis Beaumont handle this! Beaumont ran on the platform of using local control and was going to create a volunteer ‘posse’ to help police.
Jenny suspect Alvarez is off his meds and needs talking down (Which should be easier than talking Niel down).
When she arrives at Alvarez’s trailer, she hears gunshots and sees flares. Later finds out Alvarez has no gun on him.
Now Tracy and Dan have been assigned to defend their friend- Sheriff Jenny Almond in Klickitat County who has been charged with first-degree murder for killing Anthony Alvarez.
Dan is a criminal attorney and will represent Jenny - Tracy will be his investigator. Together they will prove Jenny is
innocence while solving the 45-year-old cold case.
Since Buzz Almond believed Alvarez had been framed, his suspicions of a conspiracy are driving Tracy to find answers. Digging deeper into both the past and the present, she discovers a complex web of sinister motives.
There is backstory with Buzz and Alvarez and how their respect for each was developed.
I do love court-room drama and must admit I was looking forward to this part of the story! Dan is defending Jenny.
This just might be my favorite Tracy Crosswhite story - or might be because I just read it and am on a Tracy high!
I call myself a Dugoni fan! I believe he is a GREAT storyteller. I have read twelve of his novels, most were in the Tracy Crosswhite series.
Additionally, I always enjoy his ‘Acknowledgement and getting the inside scoop on his motivation and inspiration for his stories. This one leaves a sweet message I hope to make mine.
In saying good night to my loving husband, I need to add ~
No matter what the future holds, there is no place I would rather be than right here beside you.
Want to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for granting me the pleasure of reading another great Robert Dugoni story!
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 15, 2026.
Author: Robert Dugoni
Series: Tracy Crosswhite Book #12
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Pub Date: September 15, 2026
My Rating: 5+ Stars
Pages: 413
If you are new to the Tracy Crosswhite series- she is married to Dan O’Leary, and they have a four-year-old daughter Daniella.
Anthony Alvarez had been a person of interest in the unsolved disappearance of a fifteen year-old Jackie Parker who was baby-sitting on the night of Homecoming November 13, 1980.
This forty-year-old cold case still haunts the community.
Story starts with Anthony Alvarez wanting to speak to Buzz Almond. Almond was the lead investigator and always believed Alvarez had been framed.
Buzz Almond was Sheriff Jenny Almond’s dad. However, he died ten years ago and Alvarez attended his funeral.
Alvarez suffers from PDSD and when he calls Jenny asking for Buzz he is upset- stating they are after him.
Jenny was defeated in the last election so will only be Sheriff for a few more weeks. Her husband Neil is upset about the election and tells her- let the new guy Travis Beaumont handle this! Beaumont ran on the platform of using local control and was going to create a volunteer ‘posse’ to help police.
Jenny suspect Alvarez is off his meds and needs talking down (Which should be easier than talking Niel down).
When she arrives at Alvarez’s trailer, she hears gunshots and sees flares. Later finds out Alvarez has no gun on him.
Now Tracy and Dan have been assigned to defend their friend- Sheriff Jenny Almond in Klickitat County who has been charged with first-degree murder for killing Anthony Alvarez.
Dan is a criminal attorney and will represent Jenny - Tracy will be his investigator. Together they will prove Jenny is
innocence while solving the 45-year-old cold case.
Since Buzz Almond believed Alvarez had been framed, his suspicions of a conspiracy are driving Tracy to find answers. Digging deeper into both the past and the present, she discovers a complex web of sinister motives.
There is backstory with Buzz and Alvarez and how their respect for each was developed.
I do love court-room drama and must admit I was looking forward to this part of the story! Dan is defending Jenny.
This just might be my favorite Tracy Crosswhite story - or might be because I just read it and am on a Tracy high!
I call myself a Dugoni fan! I believe he is a GREAT storyteller. I have read twelve of his novels, most were in the Tracy Crosswhite series.
Additionally, I always enjoy his ‘Acknowledgement and getting the inside scoop on his motivation and inspiration for his stories. This one leaves a sweet message I hope to make mine.
In saying good night to my loving husband, I need to add ~
No matter what the future holds, there is no place I would rather be than right here beside you.
Want to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for granting me the pleasure of reading another great Robert Dugoni story!
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 15, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Robert Dugoni, and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
As always, I was excited to get my hands on a new Tracy Crosswhite novel and eagerly accepted this ARC from Robert Dugoni. Now twelve books into the series, Dugoni continues to keep the stories feeling fresh, balancing cold case investigations with courtroom drama while ensuring Tracy remains at the center of the action without relying on familiar formulas.
This time, Detective Tracy Crosswhite finds herself defending an old friend after Sheriff Jenny Almond is charged with first-degree murder for the shooting of an unarmed veteran. Convinced there is far more to the story, Tracy uncovers links to the decades-old disappearance of a teenage babysitter and a case that has haunted the community for more than forty-five years. As the investigation unfolds, Dugoni expertly weaves together the past and present, revealing buried secrets, long-held suspicions, and unexpected connections that keep the pages turning.
I have long enjoyed Robert Dugoni's work across his various series, and once again he delivers a compelling, character-driven thriller. His writing flows effortlessly, making it easy to lose track of time as each chapter raises new questions and steadily builds the suspense. I found myself reading well into the evening, eager to discover what awaited Tracy and those closest to her.
The returning cast once again shines, with Tracy and her investigative team feeling as authentic and engaging as ever. Longtime readers will appreciate the continued development of these familiar characters, while Dugoni provides enough context to ensure newcomers won't feel completely lost. The evolving relationships and subtle character moments add emotional depth without slowing the story's brisk pace.
The plot is especially strong, blending a gripping cold case investigation with the tension of a courtroom battle. Rather than relying solely on traditional police procedural elements, Dugoni crafts a suspenseful cat-and-mouse chase in which every revelation raises the stakes. The dual timelines are handled with precision, and the final resolution is both satisfying and emotionally resonant.
Fans of the Tracy Crosswhite series will find plenty to enjoy here, while readers who appreciate well-crafted mysteries filled with layered characters, intricate plotting, and steady suspense are sure to be rewarded. Another excellent addition to one of today's most consistently entertaining crime fiction series.
Kudos, Mr. Dugoni, for a story that once more impresses until the final page turn.
Love/hate the review?
An ever-growing collection of others appears at: http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
As always, I was excited to get my hands on a new Tracy Crosswhite novel and eagerly accepted this ARC from Robert Dugoni. Now twelve books into the series, Dugoni continues to keep the stories feeling fresh, balancing cold case investigations with courtroom drama while ensuring Tracy remains at the center of the action without relying on familiar formulas.
This time, Detective Tracy Crosswhite finds herself defending an old friend after Sheriff Jenny Almond is charged with first-degree murder for the shooting of an unarmed veteran. Convinced there is far more to the story, Tracy uncovers links to the decades-old disappearance of a teenage babysitter and a case that has haunted the community for more than forty-five years. As the investigation unfolds, Dugoni expertly weaves together the past and present, revealing buried secrets, long-held suspicions, and unexpected connections that keep the pages turning.
I have long enjoyed Robert Dugoni's work across his various series, and once again he delivers a compelling, character-driven thriller. His writing flows effortlessly, making it easy to lose track of time as each chapter raises new questions and steadily builds the suspense. I found myself reading well into the evening, eager to discover what awaited Tracy and those closest to her.
The returning cast once again shines, with Tracy and her investigative team feeling as authentic and engaging as ever. Longtime readers will appreciate the continued development of these familiar characters, while Dugoni provides enough context to ensure newcomers won't feel completely lost. The evolving relationships and subtle character moments add emotional depth without slowing the story's brisk pace.
The plot is especially strong, blending a gripping cold case investigation with the tension of a courtroom battle. Rather than relying solely on traditional police procedural elements, Dugoni crafts a suspenseful cat-and-mouse chase in which every revelation raises the stakes. The dual timelines are handled with precision, and the final resolution is both satisfying and emotionally resonant.
Fans of the Tracy Crosswhite series will find plenty to enjoy here, while readers who appreciate well-crafted mysteries filled with layered characters, intricate plotting, and steady suspense are sure to be rewarded. Another excellent addition to one of today's most consistently entertaining crime fiction series.
Kudos, Mr. Dugoni, for a story that once more impresses until the final page turn.
Love/hate the review?
An ever-growing collection of others appears at: http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5
I'm starting to wonder if this series has finally begun to run its course (for me at least).
That's not to say there's anything particularly wrong with this installment because there really isn't. It's still a solid story, and I can absolutely see longtime fans enjoying it more than I did. But ever since Tracy transferred to the cold case unit, these books have slowly started to lose some of the spark that made me fall in love with the series in the first place. Part of that comes down to the supporting cast. In the earlier books, they helped make the stories feel well-rounded, but now we rarely see any of them. As a result, the books have become almost entirely centered on Tracy, and unfortunately, she's becoming harder and harder for me to relate to.
With each new installment, she feels more like a "Mary Sue" than an actual detective. She never seems to make a mistake, and somehow she's always the one to notice the crucial piece of evidence that every other investigator overlooked (even when some of those clues seem painfully obvious). Time and again, she's able to solve cases that have remained unsolved for decades, and after a while it starts to feel a little too convenient.
Another issue for me was the mystery itself. By about the halfway point (if not a little sooner), I was fairly confident I'd figured out who was responsible for what happened to Jackie back in the 1980s. Once I landed on that conclusion, the rest of the investigation lost a lot of its suspense because I spent the second half of the book waiting for everyone else to catch up.
One thing I did appreciate, though, was the heavier focus on the courtroom proceedings. That was a refreshing change of pace from the usual investigation heavy formula. That said, I couldn't help wondering why Dan seemed to walk into such an important trial without what I'd consider a solid game plan. He didn't appear to have the concrete evidence he needed, nor even the results of a critical DNA test that should have played a major role in the case. In the end, it felt like his defense of Jenny succeeded more through sheer luck than preparation, thanks to a last-minute revelation from someone largely disconnected from the main story (and, of course, Tracy managing to pull off yet another near-miraculous discovery).
Overall, while this wasn't one of my favorite installments in the series, it was still an enjoyable enough read. I think longtime fans will probably get more out of it than I did, and despite my criticisms, I haven't given up on Tracy Crosswhite just yet. If the premise of the next book grabs my attention, I'll almost certainly be back for another case.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
I'm starting to wonder if this series has finally begun to run its course (for me at least).
That's not to say there's anything particularly wrong with this installment because there really isn't. It's still a solid story, and I can absolutely see longtime fans enjoying it more than I did. But ever since Tracy transferred to the cold case unit, these books have slowly started to lose some of the spark that made me fall in love with the series in the first place. Part of that comes down to the supporting cast. In the earlier books, they helped make the stories feel well-rounded, but now we rarely see any of them. As a result, the books have become almost entirely centered on Tracy, and unfortunately, she's becoming harder and harder for me to relate to.
With each new installment, she feels more like a "Mary Sue" than an actual detective. She never seems to make a mistake, and somehow she's always the one to notice the crucial piece of evidence that every other investigator overlooked (even when some of those clues seem painfully obvious). Time and again, she's able to solve cases that have remained unsolved for decades, and after a while it starts to feel a little too convenient.
Another issue for me was the mystery itself. By about the halfway point (if not a little sooner), I was fairly confident I'd figured out who was responsible for what happened to Jackie back in the 1980s. Once I landed on that conclusion, the rest of the investigation lost a lot of its suspense because I spent the second half of the book waiting for everyone else to catch up.
One thing I did appreciate, though, was the heavier focus on the courtroom proceedings. That was a refreshing change of pace from the usual investigation heavy formula. That said, I couldn't help wondering why Dan seemed to walk into such an important trial without what I'd consider a solid game plan. He didn't appear to have the concrete evidence he needed, nor even the results of a critical DNA test that should have played a major role in the case. In the end, it felt like his defense of Jenny succeeded more through sheer luck than preparation, thanks to a last-minute revelation from someone largely disconnected from the main story (and, of course, Tracy managing to pull off yet another near-miraculous discovery).
Overall, while this wasn't one of my favorite installments in the series, it was still an enjoyable enough read. I think longtime fans will probably get more out of it than I did, and despite my criticisms, I haven't given up on Tracy Crosswhite just yet. If the premise of the next book grabs my attention, I'll almost certainly be back for another case.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
August 15, 2026
One Split Second by Robert Dugoni is a very highly recommended investigative mystery that covers a current case that has ties back to a cold case from 45 years earlier. This is the twelfth novel in the excellent Detective Tracy Crosswhite series.
Sheriff Jenny Almond of Klickitat County, Washington receives a phone call from Anthony Alvarez, a Vietnam vet who suffers from PTSD, asking for her deceased father and former sheriff, Buzz. Even though Jenny lost her reelection after a dirty campaign by newly elected Travis Beaumont, she responds because she is still the sheriff for a few more weeks. When she gets to Alvarez's place the whole encounter ends with Alvarez shot twice, by Jenny and an unknown shooter. Beaumont charges Jenny with first-degree murder. Jenny calls Detective Tracy Crosswhite and her husband, attorney Dan O’Leary, who both rush to help. While Dan sets in to defend Jenny, Tracy begins to investigate.
Alternate chapters jump back to 1980 and the disappearance of fifteen-year-old babysitter Jacquelyn Parker, which seems to tie into the current case. Buzz Almond was the under sheriff at that time and investigated the case. Initially Alvarez was a person of interest, but it became clear he was framed. As Buzz's investigation in 1980 is followed, Tracy's current investigation uncovers connections back to that case that seem to point to evidence someone is trying to hide.
The writing is exceptional, the pace is fast, the plot is interesting, and the tension rises as the past may be the key to Jenny's defense. Alternating chapters between the kidnapping investigation from 1980 and current investigation and defense of Jenny works exceptionally well in the plot, helping to uncover the conspiracy while holding my complete attention throughout. The story in both timelines is compelling and intricate. The courtroom scenes are especially entertaining.
At this point if you have been following the series, Tracy and Dan are known characters and it is a pleasure to join them in another mystery. For those starting here, One Split Second can be enjoyed as a standalone novel. There is enough background information on the characters to easily jump into the investigation and mystery. The final denouement is very satisfying.
One Split Second is an excellent choice for those who enjoy cold cases solved along side current investigations. Robert Dugoni continues to be a reliable go-to author for me. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2026/0...
Sheriff Jenny Almond of Klickitat County, Washington receives a phone call from Anthony Alvarez, a Vietnam vet who suffers from PTSD, asking for her deceased father and former sheriff, Buzz. Even though Jenny lost her reelection after a dirty campaign by newly elected Travis Beaumont, she responds because she is still the sheriff for a few more weeks. When she gets to Alvarez's place the whole encounter ends with Alvarez shot twice, by Jenny and an unknown shooter. Beaumont charges Jenny with first-degree murder. Jenny calls Detective Tracy Crosswhite and her husband, attorney Dan O’Leary, who both rush to help. While Dan sets in to defend Jenny, Tracy begins to investigate.
Alternate chapters jump back to 1980 and the disappearance of fifteen-year-old babysitter Jacquelyn Parker, which seems to tie into the current case. Buzz Almond was the under sheriff at that time and investigated the case. Initially Alvarez was a person of interest, but it became clear he was framed. As Buzz's investigation in 1980 is followed, Tracy's current investigation uncovers connections back to that case that seem to point to evidence someone is trying to hide.
The writing is exceptional, the pace is fast, the plot is interesting, and the tension rises as the past may be the key to Jenny's defense. Alternating chapters between the kidnapping investigation from 1980 and current investigation and defense of Jenny works exceptionally well in the plot, helping to uncover the conspiracy while holding my complete attention throughout. The story in both timelines is compelling and intricate. The courtroom scenes are especially entertaining.
At this point if you have been following the series, Tracy and Dan are known characters and it is a pleasure to join them in another mystery. For those starting here, One Split Second can be enjoyed as a standalone novel. There is enough background information on the characters to easily jump into the investigation and mystery. The final denouement is very satisfying.
One Split Second is an excellent choice for those who enjoy cold cases solved along side current investigations. Robert Dugoni continues to be a reliable go-to author for me. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2026/0...
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4.25 Stars ⭐️
I have become a huge fan of this series and was thrilled to see that this latest installment was out. In this book, Detective Tracy Crosswhite gets a phone call from an old friend of hers - Sheriff Jenny Almond - asking for help.
After losing her bid for re-election but before the end of her term, she answers a call for help from one of her father’s friends (Anthony Alvarez) who suffered from extreme PTSD. After arriving at his home in the middle of the night, during a crazy and dangerous storm, she hears gunshots in the nearby woods and then sees someone running right towards her - not stopping when she yells, “Stop!” She sees something in his hand and can not tell who the person is. She ends up taking a shot and unfortunately kills the person. In the end, it was the man she was coming to help…..and he was unarmed.
That is how everything starts. The book then begins a pattern of going back and forth from the “present” to the “past” - specifically 1980 when there was a case of a young girl who was taken from the home that she was babysitting from and never seen again. It was a huge trauma for that small town and it remained unsolved 45 years later.
Why are we going back and forth? Well, two reasons. First, after hearing Jenny’s story, there are certain things Alvarez said to Jenny on the telephone that night that got her to come out and check on him, things that Tracy thinks could be related to that old case. Secondly, because as we have learned due to her history, Tracy will never turn down the opportunity to try to solve a case involving a missing young person to give the family closure.
The events happening in 1980 are given in third person from the POV of Jenny’s father who was the Sheriff for 25 years before his death (he was not yet the Sheriff though during this case, just an Assistant Deputy) and we follow the events as they happen. Buzz (Jenny’s father) was the first officer responding to the scene and he ended up playing a huge role in the investigation.
One of the things I loved about this case was that we got to see Dan and Tracy work side by side. The town where all of this is happening is 3 1/2 hours from their home so they end up renting a small bungalow as their headquarters and also to stay at during the trial. Dan was Jenny’s lawyer and Tracy was his investigator. Dan did a FANTASTIC job in the courtroom. I also enjoyed the Judge - he was a hoot. A straight shooter who knew his stuff and didn’t let anyone get anything by him.
To add to the craziness, we are also dealing with the “new” Sheriff who definitely has it out for Sheriff Almond and things go from bad to worse with him and his posse. There were many, many things going on at the same time that added to the tension and drama. This was another exciting book from Mr. Dugoni.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. This book will be out for publication on September 15, 2026.
I have become a huge fan of this series and was thrilled to see that this latest installment was out. In this book, Detective Tracy Crosswhite gets a phone call from an old friend of hers - Sheriff Jenny Almond - asking for help.
After losing her bid for re-election but before the end of her term, she answers a call for help from one of her father’s friends (Anthony Alvarez) who suffered from extreme PTSD. After arriving at his home in the middle of the night, during a crazy and dangerous storm, she hears gunshots in the nearby woods and then sees someone running right towards her - not stopping when she yells, “Stop!” She sees something in his hand and can not tell who the person is. She ends up taking a shot and unfortunately kills the person. In the end, it was the man she was coming to help…..and he was unarmed.
That is how everything starts. The book then begins a pattern of going back and forth from the “present” to the “past” - specifically 1980 when there was a case of a young girl who was taken from the home that she was babysitting from and never seen again. It was a huge trauma for that small town and it remained unsolved 45 years later.
Why are we going back and forth? Well, two reasons. First, after hearing Jenny’s story, there are certain things Alvarez said to Jenny on the telephone that night that got her to come out and check on him, things that Tracy thinks could be related to that old case. Secondly, because as we have learned due to her history, Tracy will never turn down the opportunity to try to solve a case involving a missing young person to give the family closure.
The events happening in 1980 are given in third person from the POV of Jenny’s father who was the Sheriff for 25 years before his death (he was not yet the Sheriff though during this case, just an Assistant Deputy) and we follow the events as they happen. Buzz (Jenny’s father) was the first officer responding to the scene and he ended up playing a huge role in the investigation.
One of the things I loved about this case was that we got to see Dan and Tracy work side by side. The town where all of this is happening is 3 1/2 hours from their home so they end up renting a small bungalow as their headquarters and also to stay at during the trial. Dan was Jenny’s lawyer and Tracy was his investigator. Dan did a FANTASTIC job in the courtroom. I also enjoyed the Judge - he was a hoot. A straight shooter who knew his stuff and didn’t let anyone get anything by him.
To add to the craziness, we are also dealing with the “new” Sheriff who definitely has it out for Sheriff Almond and things go from bad to worse with him and his posse. There were many, many things going on at the same time that added to the tension and drama. This was another exciting book from Mr. Dugoni.
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. This book will be out for publication on September 15, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Robert Dugoni apparently looked at the phrase “one split second” and thought, Yes, let’s see how much trouble I can cram into one.
One Split Second is a fast-moving mix of cold case, courtroom drama, police investigation, and approximately 900 reasons why nobody in this book is getting a good night’s sleep.
The story jumps between a 45-year-old disappearance and a present-day case involving Sheriff Jenny Almond, who is accused of murdering an unarmed man after a stormy-night shooting. Meanwhile, Tracy Crosswhite is digging into the old case while her husband, Dan, is busy defending Jenny in court. Because obviously one stressful investigation at a time would be far too relaxing.
I really enjoyed the way the two timelines slowly start talking to each other. At first, you’re dealing with seemingly separate mysteries, but Dugoni keeps dropping little pieces into place until you start thinking, Ohhhhhh… wait a minute. Naturally, just when you think you have it figured out, another twist shows up to tell you that you absolutely do not.
The courtroom scenes were a particular highlight for me. Dugoni clearly knows his way around legal procedure, and the trial has enough twists, competing theories, and questionable witnesses to keep things moving. There’s also a satisfying amount of “that can't possibly be relevant” information that eventually turns out to be VERY relevant. Because mysteries enjoy making fools of us.
And Tracy? Still Tracy. Smart, determined, relentless, and apparently physically incapable of leaving a cold case alone. At this point, if Tracy Crosswhite ever announced she was taking a relaxing weekend at a spa, I’d assume someone was about to disappear.
My biggest issue was the length. There were moments when I thought the story could have been tightened up a bit, particularly with some of the back-and-forth between timelines. Not enough to derail the book, but enough to make me occasionally mutter, “Yes, yes, I know. Someone is hiding something. Please continue.”
Still, four stars feels right. The mystery is compelling, the legal drama works, the characters are engaging, and Dugoni knows exactly how to keep you turning pages. It’s the kind of thriller where you tell yourself you’ll stop after one chapter and then suddenly it's midnight and you're emotionally invested in a 45-year-old missing-person case.
A very entertaining read—and another reminder that in thriller-land, absolutely nobody should ever trust a quiet town, a stormy night, or a person who says, “There's something I haven't told you.”
One Split Second is a fast-moving mix of cold case, courtroom drama, police investigation, and approximately 900 reasons why nobody in this book is getting a good night’s sleep.
The story jumps between a 45-year-old disappearance and a present-day case involving Sheriff Jenny Almond, who is accused of murdering an unarmed man after a stormy-night shooting. Meanwhile, Tracy Crosswhite is digging into the old case while her husband, Dan, is busy defending Jenny in court. Because obviously one stressful investigation at a time would be far too relaxing.
I really enjoyed the way the two timelines slowly start talking to each other. At first, you’re dealing with seemingly separate mysteries, but Dugoni keeps dropping little pieces into place until you start thinking, Ohhhhhh… wait a minute. Naturally, just when you think you have it figured out, another twist shows up to tell you that you absolutely do not.
The courtroom scenes were a particular highlight for me. Dugoni clearly knows his way around legal procedure, and the trial has enough twists, competing theories, and questionable witnesses to keep things moving. There’s also a satisfying amount of “that can't possibly be relevant” information that eventually turns out to be VERY relevant. Because mysteries enjoy making fools of us.
And Tracy? Still Tracy. Smart, determined, relentless, and apparently physically incapable of leaving a cold case alone. At this point, if Tracy Crosswhite ever announced she was taking a relaxing weekend at a spa, I’d assume someone was about to disappear.
My biggest issue was the length. There were moments when I thought the story could have been tightened up a bit, particularly with some of the back-and-forth between timelines. Not enough to derail the book, but enough to make me occasionally mutter, “Yes, yes, I know. Someone is hiding something. Please continue.”
Still, four stars feels right. The mystery is compelling, the legal drama works, the characters are engaging, and Dugoni knows exactly how to keep you turning pages. It’s the kind of thriller where you tell yourself you’ll stop after one chapter and then suddenly it's midnight and you're emotionally invested in a 45-year-old missing-person case.
A very entertaining read—and another reminder that in thriller-land, absolutely nobody should ever trust a quiet town, a stormy night, or a person who says, “There's something I haven't told you.”
Want to Read
August 17, 2026Klickitat County Sheriff Jenny Almond receives a call from Anthony Alvarez, a Vietnam veteran who suffers from PTSD. Alvarez tells her that he has something interesting that he would like her father, Buzz, to hear. However, Buzz has been dead for many years.
Jenny decides to visit Alvarez at his house personally. When she arrives, something strange happens. While they are outside, someone from up the hill opens fire on them. Later, as someone approaches Jenny in the darkness, she orders him to stop. When the man reaches into his pocket, Jenny fears that he is going for a gun. She shoots him, killing him instantly. Only afterwards does she discover the shocking truth: the man she has killed is Anthony Alvarez.
Jenny is charged with shooting an unarmed man and is sent to prison. It is now up to Tracy Crosswhite, Jenny's close friend and a brilliant detective, to defend her.
The case leads Tracy into a mysterious story that began forty-five years earlier with the disappearance of Jacqueline Parker, a teenage girl who was kidnapped while babysitting and was never seen again. Alvarez had been the prime suspect, but Buzz Almond, Jenny's father, was the police officer in charge of the original investigation. Despite his suspicions, he was unable to find enough credible evidence to charge Alvarez.
As Tracy investigates, she uncovers one surprise after another. She gradually begins to connect the events of the present with the mysterious disappearance of Jacqueline Parker and discovers secrets that have remained hidden for decades. When it seems that the case has reached a dead end, a mysterious cassette tape becomes the key to the entire investigation and helps Tracy finally uncover the truth behind the cold case.
The story is full of suspense, unexpected twists, and revelations. During the long trial, Tracy carefully puts together every piece of the puzzle until she is finally able to reveal what really happened and give the community of Stoneridge the truth it has been waiting for.
As a reader of the previous instalments of the Tracy Crosswhite series, I really enjoyed this book. I particularly appreciated the way the present-day investigation is connected to a forty-five-year-old cold case, creating a story full of suspense right until the end.
I am already looking forward to reading the next instalment of the series. I also hope that one day the Tracy Crosswhite series will be adapted into a TV series. I think a great author like Robert Dugoni deserves that—and more.
Jenny decides to visit Alvarez at his house personally. When she arrives, something strange happens. While they are outside, someone from up the hill opens fire on them. Later, as someone approaches Jenny in the darkness, she orders him to stop. When the man reaches into his pocket, Jenny fears that he is going for a gun. She shoots him, killing him instantly. Only afterwards does she discover the shocking truth: the man she has killed is Anthony Alvarez.
Jenny is charged with shooting an unarmed man and is sent to prison. It is now up to Tracy Crosswhite, Jenny's close friend and a brilliant detective, to defend her.
The case leads Tracy into a mysterious story that began forty-five years earlier with the disappearance of Jacqueline Parker, a teenage girl who was kidnapped while babysitting and was never seen again. Alvarez had been the prime suspect, but Buzz Almond, Jenny's father, was the police officer in charge of the original investigation. Despite his suspicions, he was unable to find enough credible evidence to charge Alvarez.
As Tracy investigates, she uncovers one surprise after another. She gradually begins to connect the events of the present with the mysterious disappearance of Jacqueline Parker and discovers secrets that have remained hidden for decades. When it seems that the case has reached a dead end, a mysterious cassette tape becomes the key to the entire investigation and helps Tracy finally uncover the truth behind the cold case.
The story is full of suspense, unexpected twists, and revelations. During the long trial, Tracy carefully puts together every piece of the puzzle until she is finally able to reveal what really happened and give the community of Stoneridge the truth it has been waiting for.
As a reader of the previous instalments of the Tracy Crosswhite series, I really enjoyed this book. I particularly appreciated the way the present-day investigation is connected to a forty-five-year-old cold case, creating a story full of suspense right until the end.
I am already looking forward to reading the next instalment of the series. I also hope that one day the Tracy Crosswhite series will be adapted into a TV series. I think a great author like Robert Dugoni deserves that—and more.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
One Split Second by Robert Dugoni is the twelfth installment in the Tracy Crosswhite Series, with an expected release date of September 2026. Having read every book in the series, I’m still impressed by Dugoni’s ability to deliver smart, well-crafted, and consistently engaging crime fiction. This installment blends elements of Tracy Crosswhite’s past with two interconnected investigations, one unfolding in the present day and another from forty-five years earlier. What continues to stand out most about this series is the way Dugoni balances emotional character development with detailed, realistic police procedural work. Even after twelve books, the series still feels fresh and compelling!
As expected, Dugoni continues to deepen both Tracy Crosswhite’s character and the relationships within her inner circle. This character-driven series features one of my favorite female protagonists in crime fiction. Tracy is intelligent, determined, and driven by facts, yet she never loses the instinct and persistence that make her such a compelling investigator. Dugoni also introduces new characters and dynamics that add depth to Tracy’s personal journey while fitting naturally into the storyline. One Split Second remains firmly connected to the larger continuity of the series, making it especially rewarding for longtime fans while still accessible to newcomers.
Now that Tracy has transitioned into the one-person cold case unit, we see far less of the violent crimes team that played such a major role in earlier installments. Their presence is mostly limited to brief mentions rather than meaningful involvement in the investigation or interpersonal dynamics. Tracy’s husband and childhood friend, Dan, has a larger role here, and I enjoyed seeing the legal and trial aspects take on greater importance in the story. While the series continues to evolve naturally, I do miss the dynamic of the violent crimes unit and hope future installments bring some of those characters back into the spotlight.
One Split Second is another strong entry in the series and an excellent police procedural. Dugoni’s legal background once again adds authenticity to the investigation and courtroom elements, while his sharp writing style and believable, layered storytelling help this series stand out in an overcrowded crime fiction genre.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Robert Dugoni, and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy to review. All opinions are my own.
As expected, Dugoni continues to deepen both Tracy Crosswhite’s character and the relationships within her inner circle. This character-driven series features one of my favorite female protagonists in crime fiction. Tracy is intelligent, determined, and driven by facts, yet she never loses the instinct and persistence that make her such a compelling investigator. Dugoni also introduces new characters and dynamics that add depth to Tracy’s personal journey while fitting naturally into the storyline. One Split Second remains firmly connected to the larger continuity of the series, making it especially rewarding for longtime fans while still accessible to newcomers.
Now that Tracy has transitioned into the one-person cold case unit, we see far less of the violent crimes team that played such a major role in earlier installments. Their presence is mostly limited to brief mentions rather than meaningful involvement in the investigation or interpersonal dynamics. Tracy’s husband and childhood friend, Dan, has a larger role here, and I enjoyed seeing the legal and trial aspects take on greater importance in the story. While the series continues to evolve naturally, I do miss the dynamic of the violent crimes unit and hope future installments bring some of those characters back into the spotlight.
One Split Second is another strong entry in the series and an excellent police procedural. Dugoni’s legal background once again adds authenticity to the investigation and courtroom elements, while his sharp writing style and believable, layered storytelling help this series stand out in an overcrowded crime fiction genre.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Robert Dugoni, and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy to review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sometimes even the slightest move in error can change the whole outcome on the board.
Robert Dugoni sets us up with the latest Tracy Crosswhite novel in this series. Although it's #12, it still can be read as a standalone. But you'll be reaching back for the prior ones to get an even better feel for these well drawn characters.
Detective Tracy Crosswhite has been knee deep in cold cases for the Seattle police department. She's got the magic touch when it comes to pulling back the threads of long forgotten cases. But this time, it's up close and personal. It began with a phone call.
Sheriff Jenny Almond is wrapping up her days as the Klickitat County sheriff. It's after a long, hard election in which she didn't score the results that she anticipated. Her term is up next month. Jenny receives a call on her land line. It's Anthony Alvarez, a Vietnam veteran who suffers from PTSD. Alvarez wants to speak to Jenny's father, Buzz. But Buzz passed away years ago. Alvarez is spooked by something happening on his land. Jenny decides to fight the snowstorm and visit Alvarez. She's been able to soothe him in the past.
No one would have expected the results of that night. Jenny approaches Alvarez. There are flashing lights behind him near his trailer. Jenny feels threatened by Alvarez's behavior as he's charging towards her. Jenny fires one shot and Alvarez goes down. Alvarez was unarmed. She calls it in. The place is soon swarming with cops. Jenny is arrested.
Robert Dugoni flips the storyline here with a 1980's crime that did involve Alvarez. A babysitter was abducted and Alvarez was the prime suspect. This goes back to Jenny's father, Buzz, who was sheriff at the time. Buzz believed that Alvarez was innocent. The crime was never solved.
Dugoni brings in Tracy who is a dear friend of Jenny's. Tracy's husband, Dan, will represent Jenny. One Split Second is a very tightly woven read. Will these two rivers of crime eventually cross at a certain juncture? Leave it to Robert Dugoni who will keep you guessing. Dugoni never disappoints. The popularity of this superb series is in itself at book #12 already. Become a fan and you'll certainly see for yourself.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to the talented Robert Dugoni for the opportunity.
Robert Dugoni sets us up with the latest Tracy Crosswhite novel in this series. Although it's #12, it still can be read as a standalone. But you'll be reaching back for the prior ones to get an even better feel for these well drawn characters.
Detective Tracy Crosswhite has been knee deep in cold cases for the Seattle police department. She's got the magic touch when it comes to pulling back the threads of long forgotten cases. But this time, it's up close and personal. It began with a phone call.
Sheriff Jenny Almond is wrapping up her days as the Klickitat County sheriff. It's after a long, hard election in which she didn't score the results that she anticipated. Her term is up next month. Jenny receives a call on her land line. It's Anthony Alvarez, a Vietnam veteran who suffers from PTSD. Alvarez wants to speak to Jenny's father, Buzz. But Buzz passed away years ago. Alvarez is spooked by something happening on his land. Jenny decides to fight the snowstorm and visit Alvarez. She's been able to soothe him in the past.
No one would have expected the results of that night. Jenny approaches Alvarez. There are flashing lights behind him near his trailer. Jenny feels threatened by Alvarez's behavior as he's charging towards her. Jenny fires one shot and Alvarez goes down. Alvarez was unarmed. She calls it in. The place is soon swarming with cops. Jenny is arrested.
Robert Dugoni flips the storyline here with a 1980's crime that did involve Alvarez. A babysitter was abducted and Alvarez was the prime suspect. This goes back to Jenny's father, Buzz, who was sheriff at the time. Buzz believed that Alvarez was innocent. The crime was never solved.
Dugoni brings in Tracy who is a dear friend of Jenny's. Tracy's husband, Dan, will represent Jenny. One Split Second is a very tightly woven read. Will these two rivers of crime eventually cross at a certain juncture? Leave it to Robert Dugoni who will keep you guessing. Dugoni never disappoints. The popularity of this superb series is in itself at book #12 already. Become a fan and you'll certainly see for yourself.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to the talented Robert Dugoni for the opportunity.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
One Split Second, is the twelfth book in the Tracy Crosswhite series by top author Robert Dugoni. A gripping police procedural that explores the long-term echoes of small-town trauma, proving that a decades-old mystery can cast a shadow long enough to trigger a modern-day tragedy. On a stormy night defined by paranoia, bad weather, and a split-second choice that shatters the local community. Sheriff Jenny Almond, an old friend of Detective Tracy Crosswhite, fires her weapon, killing an unarmed veteran named Anthony Alvarez. The political and social fallout is immediate, and Jenny is swiftly hit with a first-degree murder charge.
Tracy Crosswhite steps in to investigate and defend her friend. While the local authorities view the shooting as a clear case of excessive force, Tracy’s investigator instincts tell her that there are deeper, darker layers to the story. Her search for a motive forces her to dust off a haunting cold case that has lingered over the town for forty-five years.
In the late 1970s, Anthony Alvarez, the veteran Jenny just shot, was the prime suspect in the unsolved disappearance of a local teenage babysitter. The lead investigator at the time was Jenny’s late father, Buzz Almond. Surprisingly, Buzz never believed Alvarez was guilty; he spent years convinced that the young man had been meticulously framed to protect the real predator.
Decades later, Buzz’s lingering suspicions of a deep-rooted conspiracy become Tracy’s map. As she digs into the historical archives, she begins to unearth a complex web of sinister motives, realizing that the town’s prominent families have gone to unimaginable lengths to keep the secrets of the past buried.
This is a slow burn mystery that connects the two disparate crimes. The novel is very atmospheric with confusion and paranoia gripping the characters. As Tracy systematically dismantles the town’s historical lies, the tension escalates, transforming a standard internal affairs investigation into a high-stakes rescue mission for an innocent woman’s freedom.
Another excellent novel by one of my go to authors.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Michael Joseph for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Tracy Crosswhite steps in to investigate and defend her friend. While the local authorities view the shooting as a clear case of excessive force, Tracy’s investigator instincts tell her that there are deeper, darker layers to the story. Her search for a motive forces her to dust off a haunting cold case that has lingered over the town for forty-five years.
In the late 1970s, Anthony Alvarez, the veteran Jenny just shot, was the prime suspect in the unsolved disappearance of a local teenage babysitter. The lead investigator at the time was Jenny’s late father, Buzz Almond. Surprisingly, Buzz never believed Alvarez was guilty; he spent years convinced that the young man had been meticulously framed to protect the real predator.
Decades later, Buzz’s lingering suspicions of a deep-rooted conspiracy become Tracy’s map. As she digs into the historical archives, she begins to unearth a complex web of sinister motives, realizing that the town’s prominent families have gone to unimaginable lengths to keep the secrets of the past buried.
This is a slow burn mystery that connects the two disparate crimes. The novel is very atmospheric with confusion and paranoia gripping the characters. As Tracy systematically dismantles the town’s historical lies, the tension escalates, transforming a standard internal affairs investigation into a high-stakes rescue mission for an innocent woman’s freedom.
Another excellent novel by one of my go to authors.
I would like to thank both Netgalley and Michael Joseph for supplying a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for this captivating eARC.
One Split Second is a tense, emotionally charged thriller that examines how a single moment can fracture a community, expose buried truths, and force people to confront who they really are. Dugoni blends suspense with human vulnerability, creating a story that hits with both momentum and heart.
⚡ A catalyst that shatters normal life
This novel pivots on a devastating accident—one of those events that happens fast but leaves long, slow‑burn consequences. Dugoni uses that split second as a fault line, cracking open relationships, reputations, and long‑protected secrets. What begins as a tragedy quickly becomes a layered investigation into responsibility, guilt, and the ways people rewrite their own narratives to survive.
Dugoni doesn’t rely on flashy twists. Instead, he builds tension through the emotional fallout: parents trying to protect their children, teens wrestling with loyalty and fear, and investigators navigating a town where everyone has something to hide. The mystery unfolds through human behavior—hesitation, half‑truths, shifting alliances—making each reveal feel earned rather than engineered.
What gives the story its weight is how deeply it explores grief, blame, and the instinct to shield loved ones even when the truth is painful. Characters aren’t just reacting to the crime; they’re reacting to the collapse of the world they thought they understood. Dugoni captures that emotional disorientation with nuance, letting the characters’ internal conflicts drive the suspense.
🚓 The investigation moves steadily, each new detail complicating the picture rather than simplifying it. Dugoni keeps the stakes rising without sacrificing realism. The tension comes from proximity—neighbors, classmates, families—people who see each other every day and suddenly don’t know who to trust.
One Split Second is a gripping blend of mystery and emotional drama, a story where the truth is tangled in fear, loyalty, and the desperate need to protect what remains after everything falls apart. It’s a thriller that resonates because it feels real: danger born not from monsters, but from ordinary people pushed to their limits.
One Split Second is a tense, emotionally charged thriller that examines how a single moment can fracture a community, expose buried truths, and force people to confront who they really are. Dugoni blends suspense with human vulnerability, creating a story that hits with both momentum and heart.
⚡ A catalyst that shatters normal life
This novel pivots on a devastating accident—one of those events that happens fast but leaves long, slow‑burn consequences. Dugoni uses that split second as a fault line, cracking open relationships, reputations, and long‑protected secrets. What begins as a tragedy quickly becomes a layered investigation into responsibility, guilt, and the ways people rewrite their own narratives to survive.
Dugoni doesn’t rely on flashy twists. Instead, he builds tension through the emotional fallout: parents trying to protect their children, teens wrestling with loyalty and fear, and investigators navigating a town where everyone has something to hide. The mystery unfolds through human behavior—hesitation, half‑truths, shifting alliances—making each reveal feel earned rather than engineered.
What gives the story its weight is how deeply it explores grief, blame, and the instinct to shield loved ones even when the truth is painful. Characters aren’t just reacting to the crime; they’re reacting to the collapse of the world they thought they understood. Dugoni captures that emotional disorientation with nuance, letting the characters’ internal conflicts drive the suspense.
🚓 The investigation moves steadily, each new detail complicating the picture rather than simplifying it. Dugoni keeps the stakes rising without sacrificing realism. The tension comes from proximity—neighbors, classmates, families—people who see each other every day and suddenly don’t know who to trust.
One Split Second is a gripping blend of mystery and emotional drama, a story where the truth is tangled in fear, loyalty, and the desperate need to protect what remains after everything falls apart. It’s a thriller that resonates because it feels real: danger born not from monsters, but from ordinary people pushed to their limits.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I freaking love Robert Dugoni...and now that I've met him IRL, I can call him Bob ;) My first Dugoni book was My Sister's Grave, #1 in the Tracy Crosswhite series. It was one of a few monthly selections for my book group and I loved it...so much so that I devoured the next several in the series...hooked! I spend a lot of time on the road so I appreciated starting many of these on audio. Then I read The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell. I had seen it recommended quite a bit, but hadn't paid attention to the author. Well let me tell you, I was FLOORED as I read that book that it was the same author. He is most definitely not a one-trick pony in the genre department!!!
Massive tangent...I loved One Split Second...even more as I had an e-ARC of it thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley. One would think twelve books into a series, the stories might be getting less intriguing, but one would most definitely be wrong. I loved that this book took us back to Klickitat County in WA and Tracy's friend Jenny Almond. Jenny has succeeded her late father as Sheriff and finds herself facing 1st degree murder charges. The person she is accused of murdering happens to be a Vietnam Vet who was charged and released with murdering a teen girl 40 years prior.
I loved that this book showcased Tracy's hubby, Dan, in the courtroom. I also love that Dugoni continues to show the many sides of Tracy...professional and personal...and how she juggles both.
All the books truly can stand alone...you get enough backstory to get the gist, but I'm so thankful I started with book 1...because I binged them over a few months, I was distraught to have to wait for #12...luckily I didn't need to wait too long ;) Sidenote, I started this book mere days before I met Dugoni at a Pacific Northwest Writer's Association event. I wish I had been able to finish it as the Author's Note has some personal tidbits and I wish I had been able to acknowledge in person and give him a hug vs an arm around each other for a photo.
Massive tangent...I loved One Split Second...even more as I had an e-ARC of it thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley. One would think twelve books into a series, the stories might be getting less intriguing, but one would most definitely be wrong. I loved that this book took us back to Klickitat County in WA and Tracy's friend Jenny Almond. Jenny has succeeded her late father as Sheriff and finds herself facing 1st degree murder charges. The person she is accused of murdering happens to be a Vietnam Vet who was charged and released with murdering a teen girl 40 years prior.
I loved that this book showcased Tracy's hubby, Dan, in the courtroom. I also love that Dugoni continues to show the many sides of Tracy...professional and personal...and how she juggles both.
All the books truly can stand alone...you get enough backstory to get the gist, but I'm so thankful I started with book 1...because I binged them over a few months, I was distraught to have to wait for #12...luckily I didn't need to wait too long ;) Sidenote, I started this book mere days before I met Dugoni at a Pacific Northwest Writer's Association event. I wish I had been able to finish it as the Author's Note has some personal tidbits and I wish I had been able to acknowledge in person and give him a hug vs an arm around each other for a photo.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Seattle police detective Tracy Crosswhite has come a long way since I met her 11 books ago (My Sister’s Grave, 2014). Back then, her mission was to find out what really happened in the disappearance of her sister, Sarah. Fast-forward to this latest book, when Tracy – long since married to attorney Dan O’Leary and with a five-year-old daughter - works exclusively with cold cases.
But it’s a new case that has caught her attention this time; her old friend, Sheriff of Klickitat County Jennie Almond, has just been charged with the murder of local military veteran Anthony Alvarez, who apparently suffers from PTSD. Jennie swears Alvarez had a gun, but evidence – including a gunshot from another angle – tell a different story.
Tracy is sure her friend is innocent, but proving it is another issue entirely. Since she’s so familiar with cold cases now, this one reminds Tracy of one Jenny’s late father was involved in as a police investigator something like 45 years earlier. At that time, a teenage babysitter disappeared, and the prime suspect was – you guessed it – the man Jenny is charged with killing. Jenny’s father, though, always believed Alvarez was innocent.
From that point on, chapters shift from the time of the babysitter’s disappearance to the present, as Tracy tries to connect the dots and her husband prepares to defend Jenny in court. Helping out is young autistic girl Lydia, who has become a friend of Tracy’s because of her shooting and video game skills. She is, BTW, an interesting character whom I suspect readers will be reading more about in upcoming installments – and to which I’m looking forward.
The rest of the book follows Tracy’s investigations of both past and present – the latter of which put her in more than a bit of danger – and Dan’s very capable defense of their friend. Of course, I can’t provide details without spoiling things for other readers, but I can say thank you to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to catch up on the latest happenings in the life of a favorite character. Well done once again!
But it’s a new case that has caught her attention this time; her old friend, Sheriff of Klickitat County Jennie Almond, has just been charged with the murder of local military veteran Anthony Alvarez, who apparently suffers from PTSD. Jennie swears Alvarez had a gun, but evidence – including a gunshot from another angle – tell a different story.
Tracy is sure her friend is innocent, but proving it is another issue entirely. Since she’s so familiar with cold cases now, this one reminds Tracy of one Jenny’s late father was involved in as a police investigator something like 45 years earlier. At that time, a teenage babysitter disappeared, and the prime suspect was – you guessed it – the man Jenny is charged with killing. Jenny’s father, though, always believed Alvarez was innocent.
From that point on, chapters shift from the time of the babysitter’s disappearance to the present, as Tracy tries to connect the dots and her husband prepares to defend Jenny in court. Helping out is young autistic girl Lydia, who has become a friend of Tracy’s because of her shooting and video game skills. She is, BTW, an interesting character whom I suspect readers will be reading more about in upcoming installments – and to which I’m looking forward.
The rest of the book follows Tracy’s investigations of both past and present – the latter of which put her in more than a bit of danger – and Dan’s very capable defense of their friend. Of course, I can’t provide details without spoiling things for other readers, but I can say thank you to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to catch up on the latest happenings in the life of a favorite character. Well done once again!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a solid audiobook, but it ended up being more of a 3-star listen for me. I liked the mystery and the way the story connected a present-day murder investigation with a decades-old disappearance.
Detective Tracy Crosswhite is pulled into a complicated case when her old friend, Sheriff Jenny Almond, is charged with first-degree murder after shooting Anthony Alvarez, an unarmed veteran, during a chaotic and stormy night. Tracy believes there is much more to the shooting than what initially appears, so she begins digging into the circumstances surrounding Alvarez’s death.
What makes the investigation even more interesting is the connection to a cold case from more than forty years earlier. Alvarez had once been the prime suspect in the disappearance of a teenage babysitter, but Jenny’s late father, Buzz Almond, never believed Alvarez was responsible. He suspected that Alvarez had been framed and that something much bigger was happening behind the scenes.
I enjoyed watching Tracy piece together the two cases and uncover the secrets that had been buried for decades. There were plenty of twists, suspicious motives, and characters with something to hide. The story does a good job showing how events from the past can continue affecting an entire community years later.
That being said, while I found the mystery interesting, I never felt completely hooked. Some parts moved a little slower than I would have liked, and I didn’t feel the same urgency or excitement that I look for in a thriller. The story was well put together, but it just didn’t completely pull me in.
Overall, this was a good but not amazing audiobook for me. I enjoyed the connection between the cold case and the present-day investigation, and Tracy was a strong character to follow, but there were a few things that kept it from being a higher rating.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 — A solid mystery with an intriguing cold case, but it didn’t completely grab me.
Detective Tracy Crosswhite is pulled into a complicated case when her old friend, Sheriff Jenny Almond, is charged with first-degree murder after shooting Anthony Alvarez, an unarmed veteran, during a chaotic and stormy night. Tracy believes there is much more to the shooting than what initially appears, so she begins digging into the circumstances surrounding Alvarez’s death.
What makes the investigation even more interesting is the connection to a cold case from more than forty years earlier. Alvarez had once been the prime suspect in the disappearance of a teenage babysitter, but Jenny’s late father, Buzz Almond, never believed Alvarez was responsible. He suspected that Alvarez had been framed and that something much bigger was happening behind the scenes.
I enjoyed watching Tracy piece together the two cases and uncover the secrets that had been buried for decades. There were plenty of twists, suspicious motives, and characters with something to hide. The story does a good job showing how events from the past can continue affecting an entire community years later.
That being said, while I found the mystery interesting, I never felt completely hooked. Some parts moved a little slower than I would have liked, and I didn’t feel the same urgency or excitement that I look for in a thriller. The story was well put together, but it just didn’t completely pull me in.
Overall, this was a good but not amazing audiobook for me. I enjoyed the connection between the cold case and the present-day investigation, and Tracy was a strong character to follow, but there were a few things that kept it from being a higher rating.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5 — A solid mystery with an intriguing cold case, but it didn’t completely grab me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Tracy Crosswhite series Book #12
One Split Second by Robert Dugoni
I've been with the Tracy Crosswhite series from the beginning and I remember so much about it so it's fun to go back to places we've been with Tracy in the past. Sheriff Jenny Almond is a long time friend of Tracy's from the time they went through the police academy together. Since that time the families of Tracy and Jenny have become like family to each other and Jenny and her family have been featured in earlier books. Not to worry, anything you need to know is here in this book, as Tracy goes to the aid of Jenny when Jenny is charged with first degree murder. Tracy's experience as both a cold case and current case investigator will be crucial to keeping Jenny from going to prison, if possible.
The reader is present when Jenny shoots a man who she thinks is brandishing a gun at her. In fact, she hears/sees signs of gunfire, everything happens so quickly in the dark, then there is the dead man, a friend of her late father's, and no gun in sight. There is no doubt Jenny shot him and she calls it in and resigns as sheriff until the shooting can be investigated. But, the new sheriff, who would be taking over soon anyway, ramrods everything through, hoping to get Jenny imprisoned quickly. It very much seems like a small man trying to make himself big by destroying the life of his predecessor. He even has a squad of volunteer gun toting posse men combing the area, making trouble for those who have done nothing wrong.
Turns out the dead man was very much involved in a forty five year old cold case that involved Jenny's father back when he was law enforcement in the area. The deeper Tracy looks the more tangled is this web surrounding the missing teenager all those years ago. Tracy's defense attorney husband, Dan, becomes involved in the present day case since he is defending Jenny in her court case.
It's a scary feeling to see men with power working so hard to destroy the life of a woman who thought she was shooting in self defense and who turned herself in immediately. But then, it becomes obvious that there are some people in this area who don't care one whit about the lives of others and just might dispose of people who could be an inconvenience to them and their plans.
Friendship, secrets, and ill will run deep through this story. And, while Dan and Tracy are working so hard to help Jenny, being around Jenny's big and loving family makes them wonder if just one child is enough for them. Their little girl in in preschool and they see how much she enjoys being around the kids in Jenny's family. Could there be another little on in their future? Always looking forward to another installment in this favorite series of mine.
Expected pub September 15, 2026
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this ARC
One Split Second by Robert Dugoni
I've been with the Tracy Crosswhite series from the beginning and I remember so much about it so it's fun to go back to places we've been with Tracy in the past. Sheriff Jenny Almond is a long time friend of Tracy's from the time they went through the police academy together. Since that time the families of Tracy and Jenny have become like family to each other and Jenny and her family have been featured in earlier books. Not to worry, anything you need to know is here in this book, as Tracy goes to the aid of Jenny when Jenny is charged with first degree murder. Tracy's experience as both a cold case and current case investigator will be crucial to keeping Jenny from going to prison, if possible.
The reader is present when Jenny shoots a man who she thinks is brandishing a gun at her. In fact, she hears/sees signs of gunfire, everything happens so quickly in the dark, then there is the dead man, a friend of her late father's, and no gun in sight. There is no doubt Jenny shot him and she calls it in and resigns as sheriff until the shooting can be investigated. But, the new sheriff, who would be taking over soon anyway, ramrods everything through, hoping to get Jenny imprisoned quickly. It very much seems like a small man trying to make himself big by destroying the life of his predecessor. He even has a squad of volunteer gun toting posse men combing the area, making trouble for those who have done nothing wrong.
Turns out the dead man was very much involved in a forty five year old cold case that involved Jenny's father back when he was law enforcement in the area. The deeper Tracy looks the more tangled is this web surrounding the missing teenager all those years ago. Tracy's defense attorney husband, Dan, becomes involved in the present day case since he is defending Jenny in her court case.
It's a scary feeling to see men with power working so hard to destroy the life of a woman who thought she was shooting in self defense and who turned herself in immediately. But then, it becomes obvious that there are some people in this area who don't care one whit about the lives of others and just might dispose of people who could be an inconvenience to them and their plans.
Friendship, secrets, and ill will run deep through this story. And, while Dan and Tracy are working so hard to help Jenny, being around Jenny's big and loving family makes them wonder if just one child is enough for them. Their little girl in in preschool and they see how much she enjoys being around the kids in Jenny's family. Could there be another little on in their future? Always looking forward to another installment in this favorite series of mine.
Expected pub September 15, 2026
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this ARC
July 24, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed the latest installment in the Tracy Crosswhite series. Tracy is back, this time helping an old friend, Sheriff Jenny Almond, on both a current case and a cold case. Jenny was recently arrested for first degree murder when she shot and killed a veteran after receiving a phone call from him looking for her father and asking her to come over. In her hopes to defuse the situation the unthinkable happened. The veteran, Anthony Alvarez, was someone who her father had helped 45 years earlier. Her father was also a police officer and he was investigating the disappearance of a teenage girl, and Alvarez was accused of the crime. On the anniversary of the disappearance, Alvarez reached out to Jenny looking for her father (who had since passed away) seemingly with new information about the crime.
As Jenny's friend and fellow police officer, Tracy wants to support her friend and figure out what really happened the night Alvarez was shot. Dan, Tracy's husband, serves as Jenny's lawyer once charges are brought forth. As they both investigate, the cold case from 45 years ago resurfaces and Tracy questions if the two crimes are connected. This book alternates between the present day crime, and the past, and Buzz's (Jenny's father) investigation into the teenager disappearance.
The plot was well crafted and I enjoyed the alternating timelines. As always, Tracy is the supreme investigator, this time helping her husband defend her friend, and solving a cold case at the same time. I appreciated the courtroom scenes and caught myself laughing at several different points. It was nice to see Dan take a more central role in this novel and to see his relationship with Tracy as they worked together.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read and review.
As Jenny's friend and fellow police officer, Tracy wants to support her friend and figure out what really happened the night Alvarez was shot. Dan, Tracy's husband, serves as Jenny's lawyer once charges are brought forth. As they both investigate, the cold case from 45 years ago resurfaces and Tracy questions if the two crimes are connected. This book alternates between the present day crime, and the past, and Buzz's (Jenny's father) investigation into the teenager disappearance.
The plot was well crafted and I enjoyed the alternating timelines. As always, Tracy is the supreme investigator, this time helping her husband defend her friend, and solving a cold case at the same time. I appreciated the courtroom scenes and caught myself laughing at several different points. It was nice to see Dan take a more central role in this novel and to see his relationship with Tracy as they worked together.
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read and review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Gratitude to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC.
“One Split Second” is a solid crime novel built from ingredients that have proven their worth time and again: a haunting cold case, a dramatic predicament for one of the good guys in the present day, an obvious connection between the two, and enough courtroom intrigue to keep the tension high.
Robert Dugoni tells the story through alternating chapters between past and present, a sensible approach for linking the two narratives. The execution, however, feels uneven. One storyline unfolds almost in real time over the course of a few intense days although the outcome is already predetermined, while the other advances through snippets spread across many months. The result is a strange imbalance that occasionally makes it difficult to determine who the true protagonist is.
Because of this, character development never quite reaches the depth the story seems to be aiming for. The reader remains invested in the mechanics of the plot but has fewer reasons to become emotionally attached to the people caught within it.
That is somewhat unfortunate because the setup is excellent. The mystery, the legal proceedings, and the connections between past and present create expectations of a powerful resolution. While the ending is perfectly serviceable, it does not entirely match the strength of what precedes it.
This was my first encounter with Robert Dugoni, and I suspect my reaction was influenced by timing. Reading “One Split Second” sandwiched between the latest novels from Michael Connelly and Craig Johnson is a bit like asking a good opening act to follow the headliners. The book is competent, engaging, and well-crafted, but the comparison inevitably raises the bar.
“One Split Second” is a solid crime novel built from ingredients that have proven their worth time and again: a haunting cold case, a dramatic predicament for one of the good guys in the present day, an obvious connection between the two, and enough courtroom intrigue to keep the tension high.
Robert Dugoni tells the story through alternating chapters between past and present, a sensible approach for linking the two narratives. The execution, however, feels uneven. One storyline unfolds almost in real time over the course of a few intense days although the outcome is already predetermined, while the other advances through snippets spread across many months. The result is a strange imbalance that occasionally makes it difficult to determine who the true protagonist is.
Because of this, character development never quite reaches the depth the story seems to be aiming for. The reader remains invested in the mechanics of the plot but has fewer reasons to become emotionally attached to the people caught within it.
That is somewhat unfortunate because the setup is excellent. The mystery, the legal proceedings, and the connections between past and present create expectations of a powerful resolution. While the ending is perfectly serviceable, it does not entirely match the strength of what precedes it.
This was my first encounter with Robert Dugoni, and I suspect my reaction was influenced by timing. Reading “One Split Second” sandwiched between the latest novels from Michael Connelly and Craig Johnson is a bit like asking a good opening act to follow the headliners. The book is competent, engaging, and well-crafted, but the comparison inevitably raises the bar.
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