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Tracy Crosswhite #12
One Split Second
Not yet published
Expected 15 Sep 26An 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.
413 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication September 15, 2026
About the author
Robert Dugoni
56 books33.4k 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 51 reviews
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.
June 19, 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.
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.
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
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
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
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
I’ve read all of the Tracy Crosswhite books, but – sadly – this one wasn’t one of my favorites. I didn’t necessarily dislike it….it just didn’t hit for me the same way the prior books have. In One Split Second, Tracy and Dan team up to defend Sheriff Jenny Almond, who is accused of murdering a man after Jenny responds to his distress call during a storm. Why this man is calling Jenny at home and why he’s worried about a possible intruder may be related to a 45-year-old unsolved case, one that Jenny’s father, Buzz, worked on. The story is primarily told in two timelines: real time, where Dan and Tracy are working to build a case for Jenny’s defense; and 1980, when a babysitter goes missing and is never seen or heard from again. These two cases appear to be related: if Tracy solves one, she’ll likely solve the other.
I really enjoyed the flashbacks to 1980 – I found the characters more believable and I quickly became invested in where things would go even though we, as readers, know that it will remain unsolved until the present. What I didn’t enjoy as much was the current case, the defense of Sheriff Almond. It wasn’t much of a mystery re: who did it, and I found that a lot of the characters were very much either all good or all bad. I worry that the Tracy Crosswhite character is going the way of a few other series characters that I’ve enjoyed, in that she’s becoming infallible and surrounded by a perfect life. Dan is always wonderful. They have perfect communication. Her nanny, Therese, is also a cook, Dan’s paralegal, and available to watch their child at all times (clearly, she has no life). Tracy doesn’t even have work drama anymore! She didn’t feel as real to me in this book as she has in the past. And maybe that’s what a lot of people enjoy, but I want a bit more imperfections. Part of what I love in series like these is seeing the characters grow as people, not just grow older.
Overall, a solid installment to the series, despite my reservations above, and I will continue to look forward to the next book featuring Tracy and Dan and the rest of the gang. I should also mention that I did enjoy the fact that this book has more of a legal procedural plot than what we’ve seen in the past. I’d like to see Dan and Tracy on a case together again, but maybe on opposite sides haha.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
I really enjoyed the flashbacks to 1980 – I found the characters more believable and I quickly became invested in where things would go even though we, as readers, know that it will remain unsolved until the present. What I didn’t enjoy as much was the current case, the defense of Sheriff Almond. It wasn’t much of a mystery re: who did it, and I found that a lot of the characters were very much either all good or all bad. I worry that the Tracy Crosswhite character is going the way of a few other series characters that I’ve enjoyed, in that she’s becoming infallible and surrounded by a perfect life. Dan is always wonderful. They have perfect communication. Her nanny, Therese, is also a cook, Dan’s paralegal, and available to watch their child at all times (clearly, she has no life). Tracy doesn’t even have work drama anymore! She didn’t feel as real to me in this book as she has in the past. And maybe that’s what a lot of people enjoy, but I want a bit more imperfections. Part of what I love in series like these is seeing the characters grow as people, not just grow older.
Overall, a solid installment to the series, despite my reservations above, and I will continue to look forward to the next book featuring Tracy and Dan and the rest of the gang. I should also mention that I did enjoy the fact that this book has more of a legal procedural plot than what we’ve seen in the past. I’d like to see Dan and Tracy on a case together again, but maybe on opposite sides haha.
Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.
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
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
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
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Robert Dugoni and Tracey Crosswhite are back in another thrilling and gripping book in the Tracy Crosswhite series! One Split Second has Tracy Crosswhite helping her friend Sheriff Jenny Almond who has been charged with first-degree murder after shooting Anthony Alvarez on a dark night! Tracy and her attorney husband, Dan, dive in to help Jenny. Dan as her attorney and Tracy does what she does best - investigate! I loved seeing Dan and Tracy work together in this book. As things unfold, Tracy is drawn to a cold case where Alvarez was the prime suspect in the disappearance of a teen.
As with the other books in this series, I was instantly drawn into the investigation, the court case, and the unraveling of the clues. As the book progressed, the suspense, threat of danger, and tension mounted. The mystery in this book was taunt, well thought out, and perfectly plotted. I loved trying my best to figure out what happened in the past and how it ties to the present case.
This is the twelfth book in the series and would work well as a stand along novel. But this series is amazing, and I highly encourage anyone who has not read this series to give it a read. Fans of mysteries and police procedurals will love this book and the previous books in this series.
*A Witches Words buddy read with Dorie- Cats&Books :), Carolyn, and Mary Beth. Please read their reviews as well to get their thoughts on One Split Second!
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
As with the other books in this series, I was instantly drawn into the investigation, the court case, and the unraveling of the clues. As the book progressed, the suspense, threat of danger, and tension mounted. The mystery in this book was taunt, well thought out, and perfectly plotted. I loved trying my best to figure out what happened in the past and how it ties to the present case.
This is the twelfth book in the series and would work well as a stand along novel. But this series is amazing, and I highly encourage anyone who has not read this series to give it a read. Fans of mysteries and police procedurals will love this book and the previous books in this series.
*A Witches Words buddy read with Dorie- Cats&Books :), Carolyn, and Mary Beth. Please read their reviews as well to get their thoughts on One Split Second!
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This, the twelfth installment in the Seattle Cold Case Detective Tracy Crosswhite series, unfolds in two timelines. Tracy receives a call from a friend of hers, Sheriff Jenny Almond, who has been arrested for shooting an unarmed Vietnam veteran, Anthony Alvarez.
Alvarez had been a suspect in a forty five year old case involving a missing girl. Jenny’s father, sheriff at the time, worked the case but it remained unsolved. He maintained contact with Alvarez until his own death and had helped the veteran receive assistance for his PTSD. Tracy and her husband, Dan, an attorney, rush to Jenny’s aid. Dan takes on Jenny’s defense, while Tracy tries to solve the old case.
I always look forward to Robert Dugoni’s Detective Tracy Crosswhite books and rely on them for solid mysteries and compelling police procedurals. This one did not disappoint, with the addition of a legal thriller integrated into the narrative.
Dugoni’s books are well written with intriguing plots and good character development. This novel was another page turner that I didn’t want to put down. I enjoyed how the two timelines were seamlessly woven together as secrets were revealed. I really like the character of Tracy and having her work together with husband Dan in the defense of her friend was an added bonus.
While One Split Second works as a standalone, readers who enjoy mysteries and procedurals and are new to the Tracy Crosswhite series may want to go back and read the earlier books as well.
Thanks to @Netgalley and @AmazonPublishing @ThomasandMercer for the DRC.
Alvarez had been a suspect in a forty five year old case involving a missing girl. Jenny’s father, sheriff at the time, worked the case but it remained unsolved. He maintained contact with Alvarez until his own death and had helped the veteran receive assistance for his PTSD. Tracy and her husband, Dan, an attorney, rush to Jenny’s aid. Dan takes on Jenny’s defense, while Tracy tries to solve the old case.
I always look forward to Robert Dugoni’s Detective Tracy Crosswhite books and rely on them for solid mysteries and compelling police procedurals. This one did not disappoint, with the addition of a legal thriller integrated into the narrative.
Dugoni’s books are well written with intriguing plots and good character development. This novel was another page turner that I didn’t want to put down. I enjoyed how the two timelines were seamlessly woven together as secrets were revealed. I really like the character of Tracy and having her work together with husband Dan in the defense of her friend was an added bonus.
While One Split Second works as a standalone, readers who enjoy mysteries and procedurals and are new to the Tracy Crosswhite series may want to go back and read the earlier books as well.
Thanks to @Netgalley and @AmazonPublishing @ThomasandMercer for the DRC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When Washington State Detective Tracy Crosswhite’s old friend Sheriff Jenny Arnold is arrested for first degree murder of Vietnam veteran Anthony Alvarez during a confusing scene on a stormy night at his trailer, Tracy immediately asks to be assigned to the case. Her husband Dan, a lawyer, also agrees to defend her. Jenny is convinced someone else was at the crime scene that night, firing the second bullet that hit Alvarez, after she confused him for the gunman. Tracy and Dan have their work cut working out what happened that night, in the process finding a link with a forty five year old unsolved crime involving a missing babysitter who was never found.
The mystery is a good one that takes time to fully unravel and becomes quite intense as the case unfolds along with the trial. I enjoyed the well-balanced mix of murder mystery and a historical abduction that was never solved along with a legal drama. I also like that we get the chance to catch up with Tracy and Dan’s personal lives, their little daughter Danielle and briefly with Lydia, the young autistic girl they have taken under their wings. As always, I’m very much looking forward to the next in this excellent series. 4.5★
With thanks to Thomas & Mercer via Netgalley for a copy to read
This was a Witches Words buddy read with Debra, Dorie and Mary Beth
The mystery is a good one that takes time to fully unravel and becomes quite intense as the case unfolds along with the trial. I enjoyed the well-balanced mix of murder mystery and a historical abduction that was never solved along with a legal drama. I also like that we get the chance to catch up with Tracy and Dan’s personal lives, their little daughter Danielle and briefly with Lydia, the young autistic girl they have taken under their wings. As always, I’m very much looking forward to the next in this excellent series. 4.5★
With thanks to Thomas & Mercer via Netgalley for a copy to read
This was a Witches Words buddy read with Debra, Dorie and Mary Beth
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’m a huge Dugoni fan so I was delighted when I knew there was a new Tracy Crosswhite novel.
Here Tracy goes to the aid of her longtime friend and sheriff Jenny Almond after she shoots and kills a Vietnam veteran. Convinced he was drawing a weapon Almond felt she had no choice but to shoot.
When there is no weapon found on the victim Jenny eventually finds herself charged with murder and Tracy’s husband attorney Dan O Leary agrees to represent her.
But as Tracy looks more into the case she finds a connection to a cold case from 45 years ago when a young girl went missing never to be found and the Vietnam vet was the main suspect at the time, although never charged.
Can Tracy find enough evidence to help clear her friend and in doing so solve the 45 year old mystery as the two seem inextricably linked.
Part mystery, part police procedural, part courtroom drama and told in two time lines One Split Second is another excellent addition to the series. Not quite as good as many in the series but with a Dugoni book a “not as good as” is still a damn good book.
Immensely readable with the usual well rounded yet flawed characters, it perhaps overstays its welcome a little and borders on becoming a little too twee for my liking but overall a really enjoyable read.
Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
Here Tracy goes to the aid of her longtime friend and sheriff Jenny Almond after she shoots and kills a Vietnam veteran. Convinced he was drawing a weapon Almond felt she had no choice but to shoot.
When there is no weapon found on the victim Jenny eventually finds herself charged with murder and Tracy’s husband attorney Dan O Leary agrees to represent her.
But as Tracy looks more into the case she finds a connection to a cold case from 45 years ago when a young girl went missing never to be found and the Vietnam vet was the main suspect at the time, although never charged.
Can Tracy find enough evidence to help clear her friend and in doing so solve the 45 year old mystery as the two seem inextricably linked.
Part mystery, part police procedural, part courtroom drama and told in two time lines One Split Second is another excellent addition to the series. Not quite as good as many in the series but with a Dugoni book a “not as good as” is still a damn good book.
Immensely readable with the usual well rounded yet flawed characters, it perhaps overstays its welcome a little and borders on becoming a little too twee for my liking but overall a really enjoyable read.
Many thanks to the publisher for the ARC through Netgalley.
June 2, 2026
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Tracy Crosswhite is a name spoken of frequently in our home, like a friend, as both my husband and I have read many books in Robert Dugoni’s series. One Split Second is book 12, and we once again see Tracy’s incredible ability to dissect a cold case, investigate, drill down and bring everything together. In the end, she delivers an answer you never expected, wrapped up with a red bow. Dugoni truly brings Tracy to life; as you follow her thought process, you are completely engrossed in hunting for the next hint. But just as you think you've put all the pieces in their place, Dugoni throws you a brilliant curve ball.
In this latest crime fiction novel, the stakes are raised by bringing Tracy’s husband, Dan, into the mix, beautifully blending a legal thriller with a police procedural. As Dan fights in court to represent a longtime friend, Tracy is working under the clock on a related homicide cold case investigation. With Dan nearing the closing of his case without the answers he needs, Tracy is his only hope. What really happened during that one split second? And what really happened 45 years ago?
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the Advanced Reader Copy. All opinions are my own.
In this latest crime fiction novel, the stakes are raised by bringing Tracy’s husband, Dan, into the mix, beautifully blending a legal thriller with a police procedural. As Dan fights in court to represent a longtime friend, Tracy is working under the clock on a related homicide cold case investigation. With Dan nearing the closing of his case without the answers he needs, Tracy is his only hope. What really happened during that one split second? And what really happened 45 years ago?
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the Advanced Reader Copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This newest installment in the series proves once again that the author knows exactly how to keep a long‑running saga sharp, tense, and endlessly engaging. When Detective Tracy Crosswhite steps in to help her longtime friend, Sheriff Jenny Almond, now accused of killing an unarmed veteran, she quickly realizes the case is far more tangled than it appears. What begins as a seemingly tragic confrontation on a chaotic night soon unravels into a deeper mystery, pulling Tracy into a maze of old suspicions and buried truths. The pacing is tight, the stakes feel personal, and the emotional undercurrents make the story hit even harder.
As Tracy digs into the past, she uncovers a decades‑old disappearance that once cast suspicion on the very man Jenny is now accused of killing. The echoes of that unresolved case, along with the late Buzz Almond’s belief in a long‑hidden conspiracy, give the novel a haunting dual‑timeline tension. Layer by layer, Tracy exposes a network of motives and secrets that have shaped the town for generations. It’s a gripping, atmospheric read that proves this series still has plenty of fire, depth, and surprises.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy pf the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
As Tracy digs into the past, she uncovers a decades‑old disappearance that once cast suspicion on the very man Jenny is now accused of killing. The echoes of that unresolved case, along with the late Buzz Almond’s belief in a long‑hidden conspiracy, give the novel a haunting dual‑timeline tension. Layer by layer, Tracy exposes a network of motives and secrets that have shaped the town for generations. It’s a gripping, atmospheric read that proves this series still has plenty of fire, depth, and surprises.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy pf the book, all opinions expressed are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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!!
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!!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First, a huge thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Robert Dugoni for providing me with an advance copy of this fantastic novel!
My first experience with Robert Dugoni's work was with The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell, a book that completely blew me away. So when I saw the opportunity to request another of his novels on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance.
What I didn't realize at the time was that this was the twelfth installment in the Tracy Crosswhite Series. Naturally, I wondered if starting with book twelve would leave me feeling lost or disconnected from the story. Thankfully, that wasn't the case at all.
Dugoni delivers another compelling, fast-paced story that felt like watching an episode of Law & Order unfold on the page. The investigation was engaging, the pacing was excellent, and the characters immediately drew me in.
Needless to say, I'm officially hooked. Now I have to go back and get my hands on the first eleven books in the series.
If you're a fan of crime procedurals or shows like Law & Order, this is one you won't want to miss.
Publication date: September 15, 2026.
My first experience with Robert Dugoni's work was with The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell, a book that completely blew me away. So when I saw the opportunity to request another of his novels on NetGalley, I jumped at the chance.
What I didn't realize at the time was that this was the twelfth installment in the Tracy Crosswhite Series. Naturally, I wondered if starting with book twelve would leave me feeling lost or disconnected from the story. Thankfully, that wasn't the case at all.
Dugoni delivers another compelling, fast-paced story that felt like watching an episode of Law & Order unfold on the page. The investigation was engaging, the pacing was excellent, and the characters immediately drew me in.
Needless to say, I'm officially hooked. Now I have to go back and get my hands on the first eleven books in the series.
If you're a fan of crime procedurals or shows like Law & Order, this is one you won't want to miss.
Publication date: September 15, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
One Split Second is the next much anticipated book in the Tracy Crosswhite series and it certainly exceeds expectations.
It's a bonus that Tracy and Dan have returned to Klickitat County with familiar places and names.
The story is masterfully told in dual time lines: present day and 45 years ago.
Present day Tracy is defending her good friend Sheriff Jenny Almond and in the past a cold case that has left a deep scar on the community and Tracy has a gut feeling the cases are related.
Secrets and lies run rampant .
Secrets have a way of coming to light and those protecting them will do anything to make sure that does not happen.
Robert Dugoni is a master of court room scenes that will have you on the edge of your seat holding your breath.
One Split Second is one of my favourite book in this outstanding series ( until book 13).
Be warned once you start reading you wont be able to put it down.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the honour of reading and reviewing One Split Second.
It's a bonus that Tracy and Dan have returned to Klickitat County with familiar places and names.
The story is masterfully told in dual time lines: present day and 45 years ago.
Present day Tracy is defending her good friend Sheriff Jenny Almond and in the past a cold case that has left a deep scar on the community and Tracy has a gut feeling the cases are related.
Secrets and lies run rampant .
Secrets have a way of coming to light and those protecting them will do anything to make sure that does not happen.
Robert Dugoni is a master of court room scenes that will have you on the edge of your seat holding your breath.
One Split Second is one of my favourite book in this outstanding series ( until book 13).
Be warned once you start reading you wont be able to put it down.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the honour of reading and reviewing One Split Second.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It's been a while since the last time that I read a Tracy Crosswhite story from Robert Dugoni but boy was it worth the wiat. One Split Second is a really great mystery and it is one of those books that is so hard to put down that it encroaches on your sleeping. Tray has to help an old friend accused of murder and it so happens that her husband is going to represent her in court. The story itself is actually told in two different time periods one of them is set forty years ago and the other is in the now. It's well told and I must admit that I have been a huge fan of Dugonis way of storytelling since I tried any of his books for the first time. I obviously recommend his books to all that will listen to me rant long enough. The characters are always great and the mysteries varied in such a way that I never feel that it's the same all over again. As long as ther are people doing bad things to each other there will be a place for this kind of books. I must thank Thomas & Mercer and Netgalley for letting me read this advance copy of a mystery that will be alive on the 15th of September.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
One Split Second is a fascinating legal thriller! It's the 12th book in the Tracy Crosswhite series and I have read them all. I really hope this series never ends!!
This story follows Detective Tracy Crosswhite as she helps with the defense of her old friend, Sheriff Jenny Almond. Jenny has been charged with first-degree murder after shooting an unarmed veteran on a dark, stormy night.
The investigation led me to reading about long-buried secrets, connecting the modern-day shooting to a 45-year-old cold case involving a missing teenage babysitter. Every time I was sure I knew what had happened I found I was wrong!
Great book!!
Huge thanks to #ThomasAndMercer for providing this book for consideration and review via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. One Split Second has an expected publication date of September 15, 2026.
#RobertDugoni, #Crime, #Mystery, #StrongFemaleProtagonists, #Series
This story follows Detective Tracy Crosswhite as she helps with the defense of her old friend, Sheriff Jenny Almond. Jenny has been charged with first-degree murder after shooting an unarmed veteran on a dark, stormy night.
The investigation led me to reading about long-buried secrets, connecting the modern-day shooting to a 45-year-old cold case involving a missing teenage babysitter. Every time I was sure I knew what had happened I found I was wrong!
Great book!!
Huge thanks to #ThomasAndMercer for providing this book for consideration and review via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. One Split Second has an expected publication date of September 15, 2026.
#RobertDugoni, #Crime, #Mystery, #StrongFemaleProtagonists, #Series
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Robert Dugoni is a name I know, but it turns out I’ve never read one of his books before. I’m not sure how that happened and I’ve clearly been missing something. This is book 12 in the Tracy Crosswhite series, but for the most part, not having read the first 11 didn’t matter and I could follow the characters easily.
In this book, Tracy is looking into a cold case, which overlaps with her defence of a friend, Jenny Almond, a sheriff accused of murder. We get to investigate the history of the cold case and delve into mistakes and coverups from 40 years ago, when Jenny’s father Buzz was investigating the mystery of a babysitter who disappeared. This book has all the expected drama, and a cast of flawed characters who all have reasons for their actions.
I really enjoyed reading this book, and will be looking to add more Robert Dugoni books to my TBR list
I received a copy of this book for review from NetGalley.
In this book, Tracy is looking into a cold case, which overlaps with her defence of a friend, Jenny Almond, a sheriff accused of murder. We get to investigate the history of the cold case and delve into mistakes and coverups from 40 years ago, when Jenny’s father Buzz was investigating the mystery of a babysitter who disappeared. This book has all the expected drama, and a cast of flawed characters who all have reasons for their actions.
I really enjoyed reading this book, and will be looking to add more Robert Dugoni books to my TBR list
I received a copy of this book for review from NetGalley.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was another great installment in the Tracy Crosswhite series. I have read each book, and I like how we continue getting insight into these characters. The author brought us back to the little town of Stoneridge, WA, and we get to see the Almond family again.
Tracy is once again trying to solve a cold case, but this time she is under the gun trying to save her friend from prison. We do not have her normal Seattle team alongside her, but we do see her work closely with Dan. I liked getting a more personal view of their marriage and partnership.
The mystery unfolds, and the questions keep the reader guessing. I thought that the ending was very satisfying, and it made a lot of sense. I also really liked how the author chose to end the book. Tracy seems to be open to more personal growth. The author's notes at the end of the book were really touching and brought tears to my eyes.
Thanks to NetGalley for the book to review.
Tracy is once again trying to solve a cold case, but this time she is under the gun trying to save her friend from prison. We do not have her normal Seattle team alongside her, but we do see her work closely with Dan. I liked getting a more personal view of their marriage and partnership.
The mystery unfolds, and the questions keep the reader guessing. I thought that the ending was very satisfying, and it made a lot of sense. I also really liked how the author chose to end the book. Tracy seems to be open to more personal growth. The author's notes at the end of the book were really touching and brought tears to my eyes.
Thanks to NetGalley for the book to review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank to NetGalley and the publisher for my copy of this book.
Years ago a young girl went missing when babysitting and despite the deputy sheriff’s best efforts, she was never going. Detective Tracy Crosswhite is investigating the cold case. Her hunch is it is related to another case, where her husband is defending the current sheriff in court for a shooting gone wrong. Can Tracy solve the case and get her friend off the hook?
This is a fantastic series with great characters. I enjoy the mix of police procedural and law and court room drama.
This book kept the suspense up, and me guessing right to the end. I enjoyed the slow reveal of the evidence and the speculation while I read as to what might have happened. A stand alone read of this would work well, despite it being part of a series.
A very enjoyable read. Highly recommend
Years ago a young girl went missing when babysitting and despite the deputy sheriff’s best efforts, she was never going. Detective Tracy Crosswhite is investigating the cold case. Her hunch is it is related to another case, where her husband is defending the current sheriff in court for a shooting gone wrong. Can Tracy solve the case and get her friend off the hook?
This is a fantastic series with great characters. I enjoy the mix of police procedural and law and court room drama.
This book kept the suspense up, and me guessing right to the end. I enjoyed the slow reveal of the evidence and the speculation while I read as to what might have happened. A stand alone read of this would work well, despite it being part of a series.
A very enjoyable read. Highly recommend
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a complex tale that spans 45 years, in two different timelines. Forty-five years ago, a young girl disappeared after leaving the house where she was baby-sitting, and was never seen again.
In the present, Anthony Alverez, the man who was accused of abducting the young girl, was shot and killed by the outgoing chief of police - Jenny Almond, who thought that he had fired a gun at her. She had seen flashes and heard gunfire. Jenny had frantically searched for a gun but there was none to be found - still, *someone* had been firing a weapon. She called Tracy for help.
Tracy soon realized that the past was the key to solving how Anthony Alverez died and perhaps what happened to the girl who disappeared.
I received an e-arc from the publisher and voluntarily read and reviewed this book.
In the present, Anthony Alverez, the man who was accused of abducting the young girl, was shot and killed by the outgoing chief of police - Jenny Almond, who thought that he had fired a gun at her. She had seen flashes and heard gunfire. Jenny had frantically searched for a gun but there was none to be found - still, *someone* had been firing a weapon. She called Tracy for help.
Tracy soon realized that the past was the key to solving how Anthony Alverez died and perhaps what happened to the girl who disappeared.
I received an e-arc from the publisher and voluntarily read and reviewed this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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.
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