One Split Second

Tracy Crosswhite #12

by Robert Dugoni

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.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller

413 pages, Paperback

Expected publication September 15, 2026

About the author

Robert 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

Reviews

[Dozelina 666 · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Mariah · Rating 5 out of 5]

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)

[Holly in Bookland · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Mugs & Manuscripts · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[MarilynW · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 publication September 15, 2026

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this ARC

[ZZ · Rating 4 out of 5]

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.

[Jenae Gilchrist · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of One Split Second by Robert Dugoni in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this novel. I am always a fan of a well-crafted detective story, and Dugoni delivered a compelling mystery that kept me engaged from beginning to end. One of the aspects I appreciated most was the way the story connected a case from 45 years ago to a present-day murder trial. The gradual unraveling of both investigations created an intriguing puzzle and added depth to the courtroom proceedings.

The characters were another highlight. Tracy Crosswhite and the supporting cast felt authentic and well-developed, making it easy to become invested in both the case and the personal dynamics throughout the story.

Although this book is part of an established series, I found it very accessible as a new reader. Dugoni provides enough context that readers can enjoy the story without extensive background knowledge of Tracy and the other recurring characters, while longtime fans will likely appreciate seeing familiar faces return.

With strong characters, an engaging mystery, and an interesting blend of cold case investigation and courtroom drama, One Split Second is a satisfying read for fans of crime fiction and detective novels.

[Donna Satterlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read every book in the Tracy Crosswhite series and was so glad to see this pop up in NetGalley. Although this, like other Tracy Crosswhite books, can be read as a standalone you would miss the richness of the characters if you don't devote time to the entire series.

Tracy has evolved from a homicide cop over the years to dealing primarily in cold cases and this one is a mixture of a cold case and current day investigation. A friend of Tracy's from police academy days, Jenny Almond (current sheriff or her local town), calls for help after she shoots an unarmed man. Forty-five years ago a young woman was kidnapped while babysitting and her murder never solved and the body never found. The man accused of the kidnapping, a former Vietnam vet suffering from PTSD, was never brought to trial due to lack of evidence.

The timeline of the story is current day and the day of the kidnapping, 45 years ago. Somehow, the two crimes are intertwined and result in a brilliantly conceived and crafted trial of a county sheriff.
Another excellent read filled with twists and turns that come to a satisfying conclusion. Can't wait for the next read in this series!!

[Cheryl Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Silent Second by Robert Dugoni is another excellent addition to the Tracy Crosswhite series. Tracy and her husband, Dan, travel to help their friend and fellow law enforcement officer, Jennie, who has been accused of murder. The victim had been a person of interest in the disappearance of a teenage girl forty-five years earlier, and the story unfolds through two timelines—the original missing persons case and the present-day murder investigation. Both storylines are exciting, fast-paced, and kept me turning the pages. I enjoy a good police and legal procedural, and this novel delivers plenty of both along with lots of suspense. I rated it 4.5 stars but rounded up to 5 stars because it was such an engaging read.

[Howard Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

As an avid reader of Robert Dugoni’s novels, I always look forward to a new book —- especially in the Tracy Crosswhite series. This book certainly does not disappoint. The story concerns a murder of a war veteran with PTSD who, in a rush to judgment, was accused of the mysterious disappearance of a young girl 45 years ago. Somehow, the two crimes are intertwined and result in a brilliantly conceived and crafted trial of a county sheriff. The twists and turns are complex and numerous and kept this reader constantly engaged. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys this genre and thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read and review this novel prior to its publication.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dugoni grabs the gold ring once again.
Set Tracey Crosswhite comes to town, with her husband, to help investigate and defend her friend, Sheriff Jenny Almond when she is accused of killing an unarmed man. Jenny stated that she believed, Alvarez, the man she shot, was waving a gun at her after calling her at home and saying he thought there,were intruders on his property.
The story takes unexpected twists and turns as remnants from a 30 year old disappearance of a local teen girl, who was never found, start inserting themselves into Jenny's case.
Suspense filled and riveting mystery that unravels as Crosswhite begins to pull the tightly bound strings.
Grabs you from the start and dies not let go.
Great read.

[KDRBCK]

One Split Second by Robert Dugoni is a stand alone in the Tracy Crosswhite Series. The books are kind of interconnected and I love reading them in order. One Split Second is book 12 and published by Thomas & Mercer.
Tracy's friend Jenny Almond is in trouble. The Sheriff is accused of unaliving a man and family friends Lawyer Dan and Detective Tracy are the support.
But nothing is as easy as it seems. Another cold case, 45 year old, current victims, all of this is connected and Dan and Tracy are racing against the time.
A nailbiting, suspenseful pageturner, twisty and full of turns that had me guessing til the last chapter.
I recommend the book and the series, all the stars.

[Amy Wels · Rating 5 out of 5]

The 12th installment of the Tracy Crosswhite series brings us to a small rural town in Washington State where an old friend of Tracy's has been arrested in an officer-involved shooting. While Tracy and her husband, Dan, work to prove that their friend is not a murderer, a cold case may lead to the actual perpetrator. Plenty of action and twists, Tracy investigates both crimes with uncooperative witnesses, corrupted law enforcement and the assistance of her professional relationships. I found this book to be fast-paced and a great installment in the series.

[Rachel Stansel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite police mystery series. Tracey is a great character and the stories are top notch. This one brings back some old characters, minimal with others. We flash between a current trial for Sheriff Jenny and her dad investigating a related kidnapping many years previously. Well paced and woven, a terrific latest installment in this series.

Full disclosure - I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review of advance copy received from Netgalley

Another Dugoni novel hitting it out of the park! What I love about his writing is that it’s so descriptive I feel like I am there, but not so descriptive that I am dozing off. I was definitely invested in this story and excited to see what case Crosswhite would be tackling. Highly recommend. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Doug Yonce · Rating 4 out of 5]

When you need someone to do it all, send in Tracy. She will figure out what has really happened, not only now, but also cold cases from the past. In a multi-generational combination of related cases, the detective puts her mad skills to work. I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and voluntarily provided an honest review.