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Tracy Crosswhite #12
One Split Second
11 hours, 3 minutes
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.
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.
Audible Audio
Published September 15, 2026
About the author
Robert Dugoni
63 books33.6k 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 162 reviews
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.
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.
Pub September 15, 2026
Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Suspense, action, an unarmed man dead, and a and a 45-year-old disappearance are combined into a thrilling new novel in the Tracy Crosswhite series.
One Split Second
by Robert Dugoni is the twelfth book in the series and maintains the high level of crime fiction the series is known for as well as some courtroom scenes.
Tracy, a cold case detective in Seattle, along with her lawyer husband, Dan O’Leary head to Klickitat County, Washington for most of this story. An old friend, Sheriff Jenny Almond, has been charged with first-degree murder for shooting an unarmed veteran. Tracy is sure there’s more to the story of Anthony Alvarez’s killing and her investigation leads her to an old cold case.
Decades ago, Alverez was the prime suspect in the unsolved disappearance of a teenage babysitter. Jenny’s late father had always believed Alvarez had been framed. Digging into both the past and present cases, Tracy finds lies, secrets, and motives. Can the truth be found in time to save Jenny from a conviction?
Tracy feels realistic and authentic as she works to resolve the two intermingled cases. She can be stubborn and isn’t good at asking for help, even when she needs it. However, she is relentless in her pursuit of justice and is extremely loyal. She also relies heavily on investigative instinct and relentless field work. Working with and interacting with Lydia, the daughter of Tracy’s old shooting mentor, brings out a different side of Tracy than readers normally see. Tracy’s ability to mentor and support others was great to see. Dan is highly analytical, calm under pressure, and strategic. He focused on constitutional rights, evidence admissibility, and building a solid legal defense. Jenny is vulnerable and under pressure in this novel. While protective and loyal, she tends to live in her father’s shadow as he was sheriff for twenty-five years before she became sheriff in the county.
Robert Dugoni is an excellent storyteller who always immediately engages me in his novels. This one is written in a style that draws you in and keeps you rapidly turning the pages. Full of well-developed characters, a compelling plot, and plenty of suspense and drama, this is an excellent addition to the series. The storyline is engaging, suspenseful, and includes some tense scenes. This engrossing crime novel and legal thriller keeps you on the edge of your seat. While this story had a dual timeline, the author was able to keep the pacing level high as the mystery builds in both and the two timelines intersect. The author also does a great job of balancing police work with realistic courtroom maneuvering. With the historical research and legal strategy focus, took is medium-paced.
Overall, this a well-written and suspenseful book that has well-developed and compelling characters. It occasionally pulls on the heart strings with the tragic backstory of the veteran, Anthony Alvarez. If you are expecting a solid series that will have mysteries, suspense, crime, and action, then this is a series that I recommend. I believe it should be read in order and I can’t wait to read the next one.
Thomas and Mercer and Robert Dugoni provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for September 15, 2026.
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My 4.27 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Tracy, a cold case detective in Seattle, along with her lawyer husband, Dan O’Leary head to Klickitat County, Washington for most of this story. An old friend, Sheriff Jenny Almond, has been charged with first-degree murder for shooting an unarmed veteran. Tracy is sure there’s more to the story of Anthony Alvarez’s killing and her investigation leads her to an old cold case.
Decades ago, Alverez was the prime suspect in the unsolved disappearance of a teenage babysitter. Jenny’s late father had always believed Alvarez had been framed. Digging into both the past and present cases, Tracy finds lies, secrets, and motives. Can the truth be found in time to save Jenny from a conviction?
Tracy feels realistic and authentic as she works to resolve the two intermingled cases. She can be stubborn and isn’t good at asking for help, even when she needs it. However, she is relentless in her pursuit of justice and is extremely loyal. She also relies heavily on investigative instinct and relentless field work. Working with and interacting with Lydia, the daughter of Tracy’s old shooting mentor, brings out a different side of Tracy than readers normally see. Tracy’s ability to mentor and support others was great to see. Dan is highly analytical, calm under pressure, and strategic. He focused on constitutional rights, evidence admissibility, and building a solid legal defense. Jenny is vulnerable and under pressure in this novel. While protective and loyal, she tends to live in her father’s shadow as he was sheriff for twenty-five years before she became sheriff in the county.
Robert Dugoni is an excellent storyteller who always immediately engages me in his novels. This one is written in a style that draws you in and keeps you rapidly turning the pages. Full of well-developed characters, a compelling plot, and plenty of suspense and drama, this is an excellent addition to the series. The storyline is engaging, suspenseful, and includes some tense scenes. This engrossing crime novel and legal thriller keeps you on the edge of your seat. While this story had a dual timeline, the author was able to keep the pacing level high as the mystery builds in both and the two timelines intersect. The author also does a great job of balancing police work with realistic courtroom maneuvering. With the historical research and legal strategy focus, took is medium-paced.
Overall, this a well-written and suspenseful book that has well-developed and compelling characters. It occasionally pulls on the heart strings with the tragic backstory of the veteran, Anthony Alvarez. If you are expecting a solid series that will have mysteries, suspense, crime, and action, then this is a series that I recommend. I believe it should be read in order and I can’t wait to read the next one.
Thomas and Mercer and Robert Dugoni provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for September 15, 2026.
----------------------
My 4.27 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I will read any book that Robert Dugoni writes and the Tracy Crosswhite series continues to deliver.
Tracy gets a frantic call from her longtime friend Jenny Almond, she has just shot and killed a man!! She needs help and Tracy and her husband Dan head to Klickitat County where Jenny is Sheriff.
Jenny has been charged with first degree murder and is in jail when Tracy and Dan arrive. Dan is a criminal attorney and will represent Jenny - Tracy will be his investigator.
Leave it to Tracy to dig deep into what really went on during the stormy night when Jenny shot Anthony Alvarez near his trailer deep in the woods. Jenny was sure that there was a shot fired from the tree line but can’t prove it.
It isn’t long before Tracy uncovers a 40+ y/o unsolved case that involved Mr. Alvarez. A babysitter had disappeared and he was a suspect - there was no evidence to prove this and he was released. Tracy is sure that there is a connection between these two cases.
It was great to see Tracy away from her desk in cold cases and she and Dan worked so well together.
This was a great combination of police procedural and mystery. There are some amazing twists and a frenzied, exciting ending!
This is one of the more exciting books in the series since Tracy quit the Homicide Division and if you are a fan you won’t be disappointed!
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to read and review this novel.
This was a buddy read with Carolyn, Debra and Mary Beth - be sure to check out their reviews!
Tracy gets a frantic call from her longtime friend Jenny Almond, she has just shot and killed a man!! She needs help and Tracy and her husband Dan head to Klickitat County where Jenny is Sheriff.
Jenny has been charged with first degree murder and is in jail when Tracy and Dan arrive. Dan is a criminal attorney and will represent Jenny - Tracy will be his investigator.
Leave it to Tracy to dig deep into what really went on during the stormy night when Jenny shot Anthony Alvarez near his trailer deep in the woods. Jenny was sure that there was a shot fired from the tree line but can’t prove it.
It isn’t long before Tracy uncovers a 40+ y/o unsolved case that involved Mr. Alvarez. A babysitter had disappeared and he was a suspect - there was no evidence to prove this and he was released. Tracy is sure that there is a connection between these two cases.
It was great to see Tracy away from her desk in cold cases and she and Dan worked so well together.
This was a great combination of police procedural and mystery. There are some amazing twists and a frenzied, exciting ending!
This is one of the more exciting books in the series since Tracy quit the Homicide Division and if you are a fan you won’t be disappointed!
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to read and review this novel.
This was a buddy read with Carolyn, Debra and Mary Beth - be sure to check out their reviews!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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
𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝟭𝟮, 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗲 — 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜’𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀.
I really enjoyed following the investigation and trial as two intriguing cases gradually came together. Dan, Tracy’s attorney husband, was easily my favourite — so capable, and I loved him in the courtroom.
The plotting isn’t completely airtight, but the weaknesses didn’t interfere with my enjoyment, and the resolution was great. An intriguing, steady read that worked surprisingly well as a standalone.
Thank you to Robert Dugoni, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All opinions are my own.
🎉 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆, 𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗗𝘂𝗴𝗼𝗻𝗶! 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘀 & 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆'𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲! 𝗜 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲.
I really enjoyed following the investigation and trial as two intriguing cases gradually came together. Dan, Tracy’s attorney husband, was easily my favourite — so capable, and I loved him in the courtroom.
The plotting isn’t completely airtight, but the weaknesses didn’t interfere with my enjoyment, and the resolution was great. An intriguing, steady read that worked surprisingly well as a standalone.
Thank you to Robert Dugoni, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All opinions are my own.
🎉 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆, 𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗗𝘂𝗴𝗼𝗻𝗶! 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘀 & 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆'𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲! 𝗜 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sometimes even the slightest move in error can change the whole outcome on the board.
Robert Dugoni sets us up with the latest Tracy Crosswhite novel in this series. Although it's #12, it still can be read as a standalone. But you'll be reaching back for the prior ones to get an even better feel for these well drawn characters.
Detective Tracy Crosswhite has been knee deep in cold cases for the Seattle police department. She's got the magic touch when it comes to pulling back the threads of long forgotten cases. But this time, it's up close and personal. It began with a phone call.
Sheriff Jenny Almond is wrapping up her days as the Klickitat County sheriff. It's after a long, hard election in which she didn't score the results that she anticipated. Her term is up next month. Jenny receives a call on her land line. It's Anthony Alvarez, a Vietnam veteran who suffers from PTSD. Alvarez wants to speak to Jenny's father, Buzz. But Buzz passed away years ago. Alvarez is spooked by something happening on his land. Jenny decides to fight the snowstorm and visit Alvarez. She's been able to soothe him in the past.
No one would have expected the results of that night. Jenny approaches Alvarez. There are flashing lights behind him near his trailer. Jenny feels threatened by Alvarez's behavior as he's charging towards her. Jenny fires one shot and Alvarez goes down. Alvarez was unarmed. She calls it in. The place is soon swarming with cops. Jenny is arrested.
Robert Dugoni flips the storyline here with a 1980's crime that did involve Alvarez. A babysitter was abducted and Alvarez was the prime suspect. This goes back to Jenny's father, Buzz, who was sheriff at the time. Buzz believed that Alvarez was innocent. The crime was never solved.
Dugoni brings in Tracy who is a dear friend of Jenny's. Tracy's husband, Dan, will represent Jenny. One Split Second is a very tightly woven read. Will these two rivers of crime eventually cross at a certain juncture? Leave it to Robert Dugoni who will keep you guessing. Dugoni never disappoints. The popularity of this superb series is in itself at book #12 already. Become a fan and you'll certainly see for yourself.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to the talented Robert Dugoni for the opportunity.
Robert Dugoni sets us up with the latest Tracy Crosswhite novel in this series. Although it's #12, it still can be read as a standalone. But you'll be reaching back for the prior ones to get an even better feel for these well drawn characters.
Detective Tracy Crosswhite has been knee deep in cold cases for the Seattle police department. She's got the magic touch when it comes to pulling back the threads of long forgotten cases. But this time, it's up close and personal. It began with a phone call.
Sheriff Jenny Almond is wrapping up her days as the Klickitat County sheriff. It's after a long, hard election in which she didn't score the results that she anticipated. Her term is up next month. Jenny receives a call on her land line. It's Anthony Alvarez, a Vietnam veteran who suffers from PTSD. Alvarez wants to speak to Jenny's father, Buzz. But Buzz passed away years ago. Alvarez is spooked by something happening on his land. Jenny decides to fight the snowstorm and visit Alvarez. She's been able to soothe him in the past.
No one would have expected the results of that night. Jenny approaches Alvarez. There are flashing lights behind him near his trailer. Jenny feels threatened by Alvarez's behavior as he's charging towards her. Jenny fires one shot and Alvarez goes down. Alvarez was unarmed. She calls it in. The place is soon swarming with cops. Jenny is arrested.
Robert Dugoni flips the storyline here with a 1980's crime that did involve Alvarez. A babysitter was abducted and Alvarez was the prime suspect. This goes back to Jenny's father, Buzz, who was sheriff at the time. Buzz believed that Alvarez was innocent. The crime was never solved.
Dugoni brings in Tracy who is a dear friend of Jenny's. Tracy's husband, Dan, will represent Jenny. One Split Second is a very tightly woven read. Will these two rivers of crime eventually cross at a certain juncture? Leave it to Robert Dugoni who will keep you guessing. Dugoni never disappoints. The popularity of this superb series is in itself at book #12 already. Become a fan and you'll certainly see for yourself.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to the talented Robert Dugoni for the opportunity.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
One Split Second by Robert Dugoni
Synopsis /
Detective Tracy Crosswhite is assigned to defend an old friend. Sheriff Jenny Almond has been charged with first-degree murder for shooting an unarmed veteran on a stormy night of confusion, paranoia, and split-second choices. Tracy is certain there’s more to the story of Anthony Alvarez’s killing—and her investigation draws her back to a cold case that still haunts the community.
More than forty years ago, Alvarez was the prime suspect in the unsolved disappearance of a teenage babysitter. The lead investigator, Jenny’s late father Buzz Almond, always believed Alvarez had been framed. Decades later, his suspicions of a conspiracy are driving Tracy to find answers. Digging deeper into both the past and the present, she discovers a complex web of sinister motives and long-buried secrets, unearthed one by one.
As a decades-old mystery casts its dark shadow on a small town, only the truth will finally set the innocent free.
My Thoughts /
First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, publishers Thomas & Mercer and author, Robert Dugoni for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
My life has some wonderfully perfect things in it:
My eighteen-month-old grandson's laugh.
Coming inside the house and being greeted by the pups as if I've been away for months, when in reality I've just gone out the front to collect the mail.
Pavlova. A classic Australian, meringue-based dessert, named after the iconic Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. Made perfectly, it has a crisp outer shell and soft, marshmallow-like centre; traditionally piled high with freshly whipped cream and decorated with seasonal fresh fruits like passionfruit, kiwi, and berries. Ahh heaven.
Coffee.
And then, when fates collide, and you get to combine some of your wonderfully perfect things with a Robert Dugoni novel – priceless.
In this, the twelfth instalment of Robert Dugoni's Tracy Crosswhite series - One Split Second – Seattle homicide detective Tracy Crosswhite faces her most personal case yet.
The narrative weaves together two crimes separated by forty-five years with a deeply hidden connection.
The present day: When Klickitat County Sheriff Jenny Almond, phones her good friend Tracy Crosswhite after she is charged with first-degree murder, it sets off a sequence of events which see Tracy, together with husband and criminal defence attorney, Dan O'Leary travelling to the small town of Stoneridge to investigate.
Having just lost her re-election campaign, Jenny is in her final weeks in office when she responds to a late night panicked phone call from local Vietnam veteran, Anthony Alvarez. Alvarez, who suffers from PTSD, sounds distressed and fearful, and says to Jenny "they'll come for me" and that he needs to speak with Buzz. Jenny's father, Buzz Almond, who was also a Klickitat County Sheriff had passed away several years prior. Buzz had always told Jenny that Alvarez was a good guy. When Jenny arrives at his home to see what has the veteran so worked up, a split-second decision ends with her shooting the unarmed veteran dead.
The Cold Case: When the present day investigation leads Tracy into the 1980s mystery of a teenaged girl's unsolved disappearance. Coincidentally, it was the veteran, Anthony Alvarez, who was the prime suspect in her disappearance. However, Buzz, Jenny’s late father, who was the original investigator—always believed Alvarez was framed.
Dugoni once again proves why he is a master of the modern legal and police thriller. The writing is exceptionally sharp; balancing a fast-paced, dual-timeline mystery with the deep emotional nuance that has become the hallmark of his Tracy Crosswhite series. With a talent for crafting intricate, overlapping plots without ever overwhelming the reader, Dugoni balances this with clean, purposeful prose, making the pages fly by effortlessly. What truly sets his craftsmanship apart is his ability to maintain breakneck suspense while delivering rich, authentic character development. He treats complex themes of small-town corruption and decades-old trauma with incredible skill, ensuring that every twist feels earned rather than forced. One Split Second will hook you from the opening scene and hold you captive until the final page.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to publishers, Thomas & Mercer 💗 for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for September 15, 2026.
Synopsis /
Detective Tracy Crosswhite is assigned to defend an old friend. Sheriff Jenny Almond has been charged with first-degree murder for shooting an unarmed veteran on a stormy night of confusion, paranoia, and split-second choices. Tracy is certain there’s more to the story of Anthony Alvarez’s killing—and her investigation draws her back to a cold case that still haunts the community.
More than forty years ago, Alvarez was the prime suspect in the unsolved disappearance of a teenage babysitter. The lead investigator, Jenny’s late father Buzz Almond, always believed Alvarez had been framed. Decades later, his suspicions of a conspiracy are driving Tracy to find answers. Digging deeper into both the past and the present, she discovers a complex web of sinister motives and long-buried secrets, unearthed one by one.
As a decades-old mystery casts its dark shadow on a small town, only the truth will finally set the innocent free.
My Thoughts /
First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, publishers Thomas & Mercer and author, Robert Dugoni for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
My life has some wonderfully perfect things in it:
My eighteen-month-old grandson's laugh.
Coming inside the house and being greeted by the pups as if I've been away for months, when in reality I've just gone out the front to collect the mail.
Pavlova. A classic Australian, meringue-based dessert, named after the iconic Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. Made perfectly, it has a crisp outer shell and soft, marshmallow-like centre; traditionally piled high with freshly whipped cream and decorated with seasonal fresh fruits like passionfruit, kiwi, and berries. Ahh heaven.
Coffee.
And then, when fates collide, and you get to combine some of your wonderfully perfect things with a Robert Dugoni novel – priceless.
In this, the twelfth instalment of Robert Dugoni's Tracy Crosswhite series - One Split Second – Seattle homicide detective Tracy Crosswhite faces her most personal case yet.
The narrative weaves together two crimes separated by forty-five years with a deeply hidden connection.
The present day: When Klickitat County Sheriff Jenny Almond, phones her good friend Tracy Crosswhite after she is charged with first-degree murder, it sets off a sequence of events which see Tracy, together with husband and criminal defence attorney, Dan O'Leary travelling to the small town of Stoneridge to investigate.
Having just lost her re-election campaign, Jenny is in her final weeks in office when she responds to a late night panicked phone call from local Vietnam veteran, Anthony Alvarez. Alvarez, who suffers from PTSD, sounds distressed and fearful, and says to Jenny "they'll come for me" and that he needs to speak with Buzz. Jenny's father, Buzz Almond, who was also a Klickitat County Sheriff had passed away several years prior. Buzz had always told Jenny that Alvarez was a good guy. When Jenny arrives at his home to see what has the veteran so worked up, a split-second decision ends with her shooting the unarmed veteran dead.
The Cold Case: When the present day investigation leads Tracy into the 1980s mystery of a teenaged girl's unsolved disappearance. Coincidentally, it was the veteran, Anthony Alvarez, who was the prime suspect in her disappearance. However, Buzz, Jenny’s late father, who was the original investigator—always believed Alvarez was framed.
Dugoni once again proves why he is a master of the modern legal and police thriller. The writing is exceptionally sharp; balancing a fast-paced, dual-timeline mystery with the deep emotional nuance that has become the hallmark of his Tracy Crosswhite series. With a talent for crafting intricate, overlapping plots without ever overwhelming the reader, Dugoni balances this with clean, purposeful prose, making the pages fly by effortlessly. What truly sets his craftsmanship apart is his ability to maintain breakneck suspense while delivering rich, authentic character development. He treats complex themes of small-town corruption and decades-old trauma with incredible skill, ensuring that every twist feels earned rather than forced. One Split Second will hook you from the opening scene and hold you captive until the final page.
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to publishers, Thomas & Mercer 💗 for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for September 15, 2026.
September 15, 2026
Robert Dugoni and Tracy Crosswhite NEVER disappoint!
Tracey Crosswhite's friend, Jenny Almond, has been charged with murder for the death of an unarmed man. Tracey gets assigned to the case, and her husband Dan comes along as legal counsel. Anthony Alvarez was a friend and war buddy of Buzz Almond. On the night in question, Alvarez called Jenny and gave cryptic statements about what was happening at his property at the moment. Jenny drives out in weather that is thundering and a downpour. When she arrives, mysterious lights and sounds that seem to be gunshots occur. As she is going to see what is happening, a figure is running for her and will not stop. The figure has something in his hand. As he gets very close to her, she decides in a spit second that she is in danger and shoots. Thus begins the unraveling of what really happened, and how this ties into the 45 year old cold case of the disappearance of a a local girl who was going to babysit. Alvarez was one of the suspects in the case.
Dugoni has a way of creating unforgettable characters that have an important role in the story- whether big or small. Although things seem scattered at first, he always brings it together win a winning conclusion. This is the 12th in the series, and, honestly, they are all excellent. There is tension, many clues and relationships to unravel. There are also mentions of previous cases, which I always enjoy.
The way the cold case tied into this one made this feel ominous in this small community. With a new sheriff coming on board, and power he feels in his new position, this added a new level of suspense and danger to the story. What are they hiding, what really happened 45 years ago? As the trial proceeds, the tension spirals, and I was on the edge of my seat to see what really happened, and if Jenny would get off.
As with the other novels, Tracy and Dan explore their personal relationship, and wonder if they should have another child so that their daughter would have a larger family. I love seeing these intimate family moments because these two really seem to jump off the page, and are so relatable.
I absolutely cannot wait for the next. It is a series that has stood the test of time and always delivers!
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Tracey Crosswhite's friend, Jenny Almond, has been charged with murder for the death of an unarmed man. Tracey gets assigned to the case, and her husband Dan comes along as legal counsel. Anthony Alvarez was a friend and war buddy of Buzz Almond. On the night in question, Alvarez called Jenny and gave cryptic statements about what was happening at his property at the moment. Jenny drives out in weather that is thundering and a downpour. When she arrives, mysterious lights and sounds that seem to be gunshots occur. As she is going to see what is happening, a figure is running for her and will not stop. The figure has something in his hand. As he gets very close to her, she decides in a spit second that she is in danger and shoots. Thus begins the unraveling of what really happened, and how this ties into the 45 year old cold case of the disappearance of a a local girl who was going to babysit. Alvarez was one of the suspects in the case.
Dugoni has a way of creating unforgettable characters that have an important role in the story- whether big or small. Although things seem scattered at first, he always brings it together win a winning conclusion. This is the 12th in the series, and, honestly, they are all excellent. There is tension, many clues and relationships to unravel. There are also mentions of previous cases, which I always enjoy.
The way the cold case tied into this one made this feel ominous in this small community. With a new sheriff coming on board, and power he feels in his new position, this added a new level of suspense and danger to the story. What are they hiding, what really happened 45 years ago? As the trial proceeds, the tension spirals, and I was on the edge of my seat to see what really happened, and if Jenny would get off.
As with the other novels, Tracy and Dan explore their personal relationship, and wonder if they should have another child so that their daughter would have a larger family. I love seeing these intimate family moments because these two really seem to jump off the page, and are so relatable.
I absolutely cannot wait for the next. It is a series that has stood the test of time and always delivers!
Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
September 16, 2026
the setup…
Klickitat County Sheriff Jenny Almond gets a distress call from Anthony Alvarez on a stormy night and responds alone. In a split second moment, she returns fire, killing him, only to find the veteran was unarmed. Jenny is charged with first-degree murder and Detective Tracy Crosswhite comes to the aid of her old academy friend, bringing defense attorney husband Dan O’Leary to represent her. Tracy is also certain that Jenny wasn’t alone that night and Alvarez’s killing is linked to a forty-year old unsolved crime where he was the main suspect and Buzz Almond, Jenny’s father, was the lead investigator.
the heart of the story…
While she didn’t choose this , Tracy seems to be a perfect fit for working cold case crimes. Here she applies those great skills and soon unearths probable suspects, motives and evidence of what happened forty years ago when high school senior Jackie Parker was abducted while babysitting for the toddler of Levi and Evelyn Carson, wealthy cattle ranchers. I loved how the flashbacks to the 1980 investigation led by Buzz worked in tandem with Tracy’s present day probe.
the narration…
Emily Sutton-Smith will forever be the voice of this series for me. She’s who I hear when I think of Tracy and I love her superior storytelling skills. I’ll always listen to the books.
the bottom line…
The crazy good police procedurals combined with riveting courtroom drama made this an outstanding reading experience. It wasn’t all about stunning twists (though there was one) but the perfect plotting in bringing the past back to life and solving a decades old crime, expertly weaving together the dual investigations. This is Dugoni at his finest.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Klickitat County Sheriff Jenny Almond gets a distress call from Anthony Alvarez on a stormy night and responds alone. In a split second moment, she returns fire, killing him, only to find the veteran was unarmed. Jenny is charged with first-degree murder and Detective Tracy Crosswhite comes to the aid of her old academy friend, bringing defense attorney husband Dan O’Leary to represent her. Tracy is also certain that Jenny wasn’t alone that night and Alvarez’s killing is linked to a forty-year old unsolved crime where he was the main suspect and Buzz Almond, Jenny’s father, was the lead investigator.
the heart of the story…
While she didn’t choose this , Tracy seems to be a perfect fit for working cold case crimes. Here she applies those great skills and soon unearths probable suspects, motives and evidence of what happened forty years ago when high school senior Jackie Parker was abducted while babysitting for the toddler of Levi and Evelyn Carson, wealthy cattle ranchers. I loved how the flashbacks to the 1980 investigation led by Buzz worked in tandem with Tracy’s present day probe.
the narration…
Emily Sutton-Smith will forever be the voice of this series for me. She’s who I hear when I think of Tracy and I love her superior storytelling skills. I’ll always listen to the books.
the bottom line…
The crazy good police procedurals combined with riveting courtroom drama made this an outstanding reading experience. It wasn’t all about stunning twists (though there was one) but the perfect plotting in bringing the past back to life and solving a decades old crime, expertly weaving together the dual investigations. This is Dugoni at his finest.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
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.
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 to 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 to 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
(4.5) Never disappointed in Tracy Crosswhite books. One Split Second is an on-point title, it only takes one split second for things to occur. Tracy and her husband Dan had to defend an investigate her friend Sheriff Jenny Almond. Jenny is Buzz's daughter and Tracys mentor. Alvarez is a veteran with PTSD. Jenny is accused of killing him. There is also a cold case that interconnects. Fast paced suspense, mystery and some legalese. Tracy and Dan both keep growing as individuals and as a couple. I am on board for all the Tracy Crosswhite books Robert Dugoni wants to write. Thank you for the advance copy. I freely share my honest thoughts and opinion. #OneSplitSecond #TracyCrosswhite #RobertDugoni #ThomasandMercer #NetGalley
August 4, 2026
4.25 Stars!
I loved this newest installment in the Tracy Crosswhite series - it had me hooked from the very beginning!
In this book, Tracy and Dan have to leave Seattle to help defend an old friend who has been charged with murder after a chaotic and tragic shooting. Dan takes the case as the defense attorney and we get to see more of a courtroom thriller vibe than we have in some of the previous books. Tracy assists as an investigator due to possible small town corruption. They soon realize the situation is more complicated than it first appeared, seemingly connecting to a decades old unsolved missing person investigation. Tracy, Dan, and her friends have to start digging up secrets that people have worked for 40 years to keep buried.
This book is structured like the last few with one more current investigation and one cold case investigation mixed in. It is interesting to start from the beginning on both cases and then watch how they intertwine. I really enjoyed the dual timeline with chapters alternating from present and past.
It was nice to see some old characters again, like the Almonds and Sam Goldman. However, one thing that makes me really sad is the lack of Tracy's former partners from the Violent Crime Unit. We used to see a lot of Faz, Del, and Kinsington, but now they are down to about one scene in this book. I really miss the dynamic the four of them had, even in some of the books after Tracy moved to the Cold Case Unit. After 12 books, it is nice to still have fresh, gripping, and mostly unique plot lines and cases. The last couple of books have had Tracy out of Seattle and revisiting her past in areas near where she grew up, but I am hoping that we get to see her back in Seattle and with some of her old teammates again soon.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Robert Dugoni for the opportunity to read and review this advance readers' copy, All opinions are my own. This book will be available on September 15, 2026.
I loved this newest installment in the Tracy Crosswhite series - it had me hooked from the very beginning!
In this book, Tracy and Dan have to leave Seattle to help defend an old friend who has been charged with murder after a chaotic and tragic shooting. Dan takes the case as the defense attorney and we get to see more of a courtroom thriller vibe than we have in some of the previous books. Tracy assists as an investigator due to possible small town corruption. They soon realize the situation is more complicated than it first appeared, seemingly connecting to a decades old unsolved missing person investigation. Tracy, Dan, and her friends have to start digging up secrets that people have worked for 40 years to keep buried.
This book is structured like the last few with one more current investigation and one cold case investigation mixed in. It is interesting to start from the beginning on both cases and then watch how they intertwine. I really enjoyed the dual timeline with chapters alternating from present and past.
It was nice to see some old characters again, like the Almonds and Sam Goldman. However, one thing that makes me really sad is the lack of Tracy's former partners from the Violent Crime Unit. We used to see a lot of Faz, Del, and Kinsington, but now they are down to about one scene in this book. I really miss the dynamic the four of them had, even in some of the books after Tracy moved to the Cold Case Unit. After 12 books, it is nice to still have fresh, gripping, and mostly unique plot lines and cases. The last couple of books have had Tracy out of Seattle and revisiting her past in areas near where she grew up, but I am hoping that we get to see her back in Seattle and with some of her old teammates again soon.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Robert Dugoni for the opportunity to read and review this advance readers' copy, All opinions are my own. This book will be available on September 15, 2026.
September 16, 2026
Tracy takes a leave from her cold case work with the Seattle police Department to help an old friend, Sheriff Jenny Almond, who has been accused of murder for shooting an unarmed man while off duty. The victim, Anthony Alvarez, was a war veteran suffering from PTSD, who had been the prime suspect in the disappearance of a local teenage girl decades before, but without evidence, he’d been released, but never escaped the shroud of suspicion.
With Tracy’s husband Dan representing the sheriff, and Tracy working as his investigator, she discovers a possible connection between the two events, and sets out to help exonerate her friend, and perhaps solve a cold case in the process.
This wasn’t as suspenseful as previous installments, but instead took on more emotional depth with the subtle theme of only children and orphans woven throughout the novel that was moving and enjoyable. I can’t help but wonder what this more somber, maturing perspective means for the characters in the next installment, and I’m here for it.
NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer kindly provided me an ARC of this book, which I have read and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
With Tracy’s husband Dan representing the sheriff, and Tracy working as his investigator, she discovers a possible connection between the two events, and sets out to help exonerate her friend, and perhaps solve a cold case in the process.
This wasn’t as suspenseful as previous installments, but instead took on more emotional depth with the subtle theme of only children and orphans woven throughout the novel that was moving and enjoyable. I can’t help but wonder what this more somber, maturing perspective means for the characters in the next installment, and I’m here for it.
NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer kindly provided me an ARC of this book, which I have read and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Read
May 24, 2026One 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.
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.
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)
May 23, 2026
I’ve always enjoyed the Crosswhite series, but since she’s doing cold cases I’m not loving them like the previous ones. I miss the mystery of new cases and Tracy interacting with Dez and Faz. This case was just ok. I feel like the mystery wasn’t strong, you could figure out what happened and why fairly quickly. The first 10 books are the best in the series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Dugoni is one of my favorite authors and he never disappoints!
One Split Second is the 12th installment in Robert Dugoni’s Tracy Crosswhite Series. With a complete mixture of thriller, mystery, detective work, legal, and procedural, this book delivers it all. In fact, Detective Crosswhite is the person you want in your corner for any situation in life.
Told in multiple timelines and in a dual point of view, we are brought back to the 1970’s cold case of Jackie Parker in Seattle, and a chaotic night in the present leading to the killing of veteran Anthony Alvarez. Sheriff Jenny Almond is charged with first-degree murder of Mr. Alvarez for a split-second decision she made on a rainy night. This shooting was later determined by the incoming Sheriff that she wasn’t acting in her official officer capacity. Now, Tracy’s husband, Lawyer Dan O’Leary, will be representing Jenny in her trial, and Tracy takes on an investigative role. But her investigation plays right into her love of solving cold cases – as Mr. Alvarez was once the main suspect in the disappearance of Jackie Parker, when Buzz Almond, Jenny’s father, was the Sheriff.
I really do love this series (it is probably my favorite series of books and I look forward to each new release!), and while they can be read as standalones or out of order, I do suggest reading at least the first 2 of the books in order to know the backstory. This was the first audiobook on this series that I listened to, and I believe the narrator Emily Sutton-Smith really brought these characters to life!
As a lawyer myself, I enjoyed Dan and Tracy’s working relationship in this novel and more insight into them outside their roles of “Detective” and “Lawyer.” Plus, I loved the courtroom scenes! I do miss Tracy’s interactions and banter with previous characters, but this is a newer, more mature side of Tracy that I enjoyed – her mind is as sharp as ever and the conclusions are realistic. While there are still some twists and turns, Dugoni is never over the top – making me live his writing even more!
My dad highly recommended Dugoni to me in 2015. I started with the first two Crosswhite books, and then read The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell, and I became a permanent fan. He is an instant buy for me now.
I will continue to recommend the Tracy Crosswhite series to everyone! 4.7 stars and a Nina’s Notable!
Thank you to NetGalley for this audiobook ARC; all opinions are my own!
One Split Second is the 12th installment in Robert Dugoni’s Tracy Crosswhite Series. With a complete mixture of thriller, mystery, detective work, legal, and procedural, this book delivers it all. In fact, Detective Crosswhite is the person you want in your corner for any situation in life.
Told in multiple timelines and in a dual point of view, we are brought back to the 1970’s cold case of Jackie Parker in Seattle, and a chaotic night in the present leading to the killing of veteran Anthony Alvarez. Sheriff Jenny Almond is charged with first-degree murder of Mr. Alvarez for a split-second decision she made on a rainy night. This shooting was later determined by the incoming Sheriff that she wasn’t acting in her official officer capacity. Now, Tracy’s husband, Lawyer Dan O’Leary, will be representing Jenny in her trial, and Tracy takes on an investigative role. But her investigation plays right into her love of solving cold cases – as Mr. Alvarez was once the main suspect in the disappearance of Jackie Parker, when Buzz Almond, Jenny’s father, was the Sheriff.
I really do love this series (it is probably my favorite series of books and I look forward to each new release!), and while they can be read as standalones or out of order, I do suggest reading at least the first 2 of the books in order to know the backstory. This was the first audiobook on this series that I listened to, and I believe the narrator Emily Sutton-Smith really brought these characters to life!
As a lawyer myself, I enjoyed Dan and Tracy’s working relationship in this novel and more insight into them outside their roles of “Detective” and “Lawyer.” Plus, I loved the courtroom scenes! I do miss Tracy’s interactions and banter with previous characters, but this is a newer, more mature side of Tracy that I enjoyed – her mind is as sharp as ever and the conclusions are realistic. While there are still some twists and turns, Dugoni is never over the top – making me live his writing even more!
My dad highly recommended Dugoni to me in 2015. I started with the first two Crosswhite books, and then read The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell, and I became a permanent fan. He is an instant buy for me now.
I will continue to recommend the Tracy Crosswhite series to everyone! 4.7 stars and a Nina’s Notable!
Thank you to NetGalley for this audiobook ARC; all opinions are my own!
September 16, 2026
Robert Dugoni is one of my favorite authors, his Tracy Crosswhite books are one of my favorite series, and One Split Second totally lived up to my expectations! Tracy is a Seattle PD detective, now working cold cases. When a good friend who Tracy attended the police academy with calls asking for help, Tracy and her lawyer husband, Dan O'Leary travel south to Klickitat County where Jenny has served as Sheriff for many years, following in her father Buzz's footsteps. But when a man Jenny goes to help ends up dead, she finds herself on trial for first degree murder. The victim was a Vietnam vet that Buzz had helped in the past and who was once the prime suspect in the disappearance of a teenage girl. Decades later, the girl was never found, but Tracy suspects that the current events may be tied to that case. Can she solve it? Can she help Dan keep Jenny out of prison? Tracy is smart and brave, and a skilled investigator, balancing motherhood and marriage with her career. She feels like a real person and someone I'd love to call a friend. The case is complex and there were a couple of twists I did not see coming, one of which was especially shocking! I also love how Dugoni blends in heartwarming relationships that show what friendship and family should be. I think a reader unfamiliar with the series could read this as a standalone and enjoy it, but I would recommend starting at the beginning so you get all of Tracy's backstory and recognize the various supporting characters who show up!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
One Split Second is a fantastic, riveting addition to the Tracy Crosswhite series! Tracy has been assigned to investigate a case involving an old friend, Sheriff Jenny Almond, accused of first-degree murder. When Jenny received a call from Anthony Alvarez, a veteran who suffers from PTSD, who had been a suspect in the disappearance of a young girl years before, she felt compelled to drive out to his remote trailer, despite a raging storm. As Alvarez approached, she heard shots and saw flashes of light and fired in self-defense. But Alvarez had no gun. Tracy arrives to begin her investigation, along with her young daughter and husband who has agreed to represent Jenny at her trial. Robert Dugoni has written a superb dual timeline plot full of suspense and excitement as Tracy's investigation twists back in time to unearth evidence of past crimes that had never been discovered. As the investigation and the courtroom drama intensifies, Tracy finds herself in grave danger as she races to uncover the truth. What she discovers leads to quite a dramatic conclusion! I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and love how the author incorporates Tracy 's family life into the story. One of my favorite characters is Lydia, whose clear focus helps Tracy's analysis of the facts of the old case with a different perspective. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy. The opinions of this review are my own.
August 14, 2026
Read for
Dual timelines
Police procedural
Cold case
Dual POV
Court cases
I love this series! I find them to be so engaging and I can’t put the books down. It’s rare that a series holds my interest after this many books but this is book 12 and I feel like this series has done a great job of transitioning with character growth and staying fresh and interesting.
In this book Tracy is called by her friend, Jenny, a sheriff who is being charged with murder. She and Dan go to try to prove her innocence and find themselves looking into a cold case about the disappearance of a girl 45 years ago.
I loved the dual timelines in this book. We have Tracy looking into the cold case of the missing girl as well as her friend’s case. The second timeline is 45 years earlier and looking at the sheriff who originally investigated the disappearance. Both stories were so interesting and I enjoyed each timeline equally.
I listened to this on audiobook and the narrator is one of my favorites. I’ve been listening to this series for a while now and love the way the story comes to life with the narration. I highly recommend listening to this.
I’m so excited to see how Tracy has grown, she’s a fearless and intelligent FMC. This book is another amazing story where you get to see Tracy shine. If you are interested in mystery and procedural books I love this series, it’s the perfect series to pick up if you’re new to the genre or if you already read it.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC.
Dual timelines
Police procedural
Cold case
Dual POV
Court cases
I love this series! I find them to be so engaging and I can’t put the books down. It’s rare that a series holds my interest after this many books but this is book 12 and I feel like this series has done a great job of transitioning with character growth and staying fresh and interesting.
In this book Tracy is called by her friend, Jenny, a sheriff who is being charged with murder. She and Dan go to try to prove her innocence and find themselves looking into a cold case about the disappearance of a girl 45 years ago.
I loved the dual timelines in this book. We have Tracy looking into the cold case of the missing girl as well as her friend’s case. The second timeline is 45 years earlier and looking at the sheriff who originally investigated the disappearance. Both stories were so interesting and I enjoyed each timeline equally.
I listened to this on audiobook and the narrator is one of my favorites. I’ve been listening to this series for a while now and love the way the story comes to life with the narration. I highly recommend listening to this.
I’m so excited to see how Tracy has grown, she’s a fearless and intelligent FMC. This book is another amazing story where you get to see Tracy shine. If you are interested in mystery and procedural books I love this series, it’s the perfect series to pick up if you’re new to the genre or if you already read it.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Finished reading: September 4th 2026
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer / Brilliance Publishing in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
REVIEW
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Robert Dugoni is one of my favorite writers, of mystery or otherwise. It’s hard to believe that his newest Tracy Crosswhite book is the 12th in the series! One Split Second features Detective Crosswhite assisting her husband, attorney Dan O’Leary, in his defense of a friend in a first-degree murder case. Sheriff Jenny Almond faces charges of murdering a Vietnam vet on his property during a storm. Anthony Alvarez had a history of post-traumatic stress and had left a voice message saying, “they tripped my wire,” which sent Jenny driving alone to his property. on a dark, stormy night.
Forty years earlier, a teenage girl was kidnapped from her babysitting job and never found. Alvarez was the prime suspect, but the late Buzz Almond, Jenny’s father, was the officer in charge of the investigation, and he found no credible evidence to charge the man. Now, the town’s because the case has never been solved, newspaper has dredged up the event, and the main suspect has found himself the subject of suspicion and harassment once again. And now, he has become a murder victim.
Jenny Almond has found herself a victim as well, answering a call because a man needed help, firing her weapon on instinct. A wet, dark night, her vision distorted, a flashlight could have looked like a muzzle flash, thunder clap like gunfire. What really happened? With Alvarez dead, footprints criss-crossing every which way, and no other individuals in sight, Tracy’s friend finds herself charged with murder, stripped of her duties as sheriff.
Dan took her case, and the couple set to work at proving her innocence. Tracy suspected it was related to the missing babysitter case, but would Dan be able to prove that in court? Chapters alternate with dual timelines as Buzz and his cohorts gathered evidence in the kidnapping case. Could the girl still be alive? There were extenuating circumstances; what motivated the kidnapper? Could more than one person have been involved? In the case of Alvarez, there was a vigilante posse patrolling the county; the excuse being that there was a huge territory to cover. Tracy homed in on one man in particular; she suspected he may also have been involved in the crime all those years ago. Would her radar prove accurate?
The closer the story got to the trial, the more intense mood became for me. I couldn’t go to bed until I finished! After a rather slow start, I was ready to know the whole story, and although I wasn’t too surprised, I felt satisfied at the result. Along with the mystery, of course, there are some personal aspects to this story as well. Tracy and Dan are not so young any more, and they’re weighing whether they want to expand their family. TBD…I expect we’ll see more of this couple, their lovely daughter, and Lydia, the autistic girl whom Tracy first met as a fast-shooter and now works testing video games. She’s been spending a couple nights a week with Tracy and Dan working toward independent living. The reveal wasn’t a total surprise, but I’ll admit being surprised by one revelation.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
4 stars
Forty years earlier, a teenage girl was kidnapped from her babysitting job and never found. Alvarez was the prime suspect, but the late Buzz Almond, Jenny’s father, was the officer in charge of the investigation, and he found no credible evidence to charge the man. Now, the town’s because the case has never been solved, newspaper has dredged up the event, and the main suspect has found himself the subject of suspicion and harassment once again. And now, he has become a murder victim.
Jenny Almond has found herself a victim as well, answering a call because a man needed help, firing her weapon on instinct. A wet, dark night, her vision distorted, a flashlight could have looked like a muzzle flash, thunder clap like gunfire. What really happened? With Alvarez dead, footprints criss-crossing every which way, and no other individuals in sight, Tracy’s friend finds herself charged with murder, stripped of her duties as sheriff.
Dan took her case, and the couple set to work at proving her innocence. Tracy suspected it was related to the missing babysitter case, but would Dan be able to prove that in court? Chapters alternate with dual timelines as Buzz and his cohorts gathered evidence in the kidnapping case. Could the girl still be alive? There were extenuating circumstances; what motivated the kidnapper? Could more than one person have been involved? In the case of Alvarez, there was a vigilante posse patrolling the county; the excuse being that there was a huge territory to cover. Tracy homed in on one man in particular; she suspected he may also have been involved in the crime all those years ago. Would her radar prove accurate?
The closer the story got to the trial, the more intense mood became for me. I couldn’t go to bed until I finished! After a rather slow start, I was ready to know the whole story, and although I wasn’t too surprised, I felt satisfied at the result. Along with the mystery, of course, there are some personal aspects to this story as well. Tracy and Dan are not so young any more, and they’re weighing whether they want to expand their family. TBD…I expect we’ll see more of this couple, their lovely daughter, and Lydia, the autistic girl whom Tracy first met as a fast-shooter and now works testing video games. She’s been spending a couple nights a week with Tracy and Dan working toward independent living. The reveal wasn’t a total surprise, but I’ll admit being surprised by one revelation.
Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
4 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
One Split Second is the twelfth book in Robert Dugoni’s Tracy Crosswhite series. This time, Tracy steps in to help her friend, Sheriff Jenny Almond, who is charged with murder following a deadly encounter with Anthony Alvarez. Decades earlier, Alvarez had been the prime suspect in the unsolved disappearance of a teenage girl—a case originally investigated by Jenny’s late father, who believed Alvarez had been wrongly accused. As Tracy investigates the circumstances surrounding the shooting, she is drawn back into the decades-old cold case. Uncovering the truth about the past may be the key to understanding what happened in the present—and proving Jenny’s innocence.
I LOVE the Tracy Crosswhite series, so I had high hopes going into One Split Second, and it absolutely delivered.
I’m normally not a huge fan of dual timelines, especially in audiobooks, because I sometimes have trouble keeping the different timelines and characters straight. That wasn’t an issue at all with this one. The transitions were easy to follow, and I actually really enjoyed the way the two timelines allowed us to essentially get two mysteries in one. Both stories kept me interested, and I loved how everything came together and was wrapped up so nicely in the end.
I was hooked from the beginning, but the trial scenes were probably some of my favorite parts. They weren’t necessarily suspenseful in the traditional sense, but I was completely enthralled. I was hanging on every question, every answer, and every glipse at the responses of the gallery when new information came out.
I also absolutely ADORE Sam and Adele. They are some of the sweetest people. I have no clue what they look like, but I can still picture them perfectly in my mind if that makes sense. It makes me wish I could meet them. I love when we get to see Tracy with her family. I love seeing that softer side of her and the contrast between Tracy the determined detective and Tracy the wife and mother. It makes her feel like such a well-rounded character rather than someone whose entire identity revolves around her job.
I also enjoyed the change of scenery in this one. Taking Tracy away from her usual Seattle PD setting and bringing her back to Klickitat County gave the story a different feel while still very much feeling like a Tracy Crosswhite book. It was nice seeing Tracy and Dan working together. With the interest in bringing another child into the family, I could see them adopting and her leaving the PD to become a PI for Dan. It feels like that door was opened in this book.
Between the two mysteries, the dual timelines that actually worked incredibly well for me, the courtroom scenes, and getting more of Tracy’s personal life, this was another fantastic addition to a series I already love. It had my attention from beginning to end and left me completely satisfied with how everything came together.
And as always, Emily Sutton-Smith was the PERFECT narrator for this book. I could not imagine anyone else stepping in and narrating this series better than Emily.
Thank you to Netgalley, Brilliance Publishing/Brilliance Audio, and Robert Dugoni for the chance to enjoy an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
I LOVE the Tracy Crosswhite series, so I had high hopes going into One Split Second, and it absolutely delivered.
I’m normally not a huge fan of dual timelines, especially in audiobooks, because I sometimes have trouble keeping the different timelines and characters straight. That wasn’t an issue at all with this one. The transitions were easy to follow, and I actually really enjoyed the way the two timelines allowed us to essentially get two mysteries in one. Both stories kept me interested, and I loved how everything came together and was wrapped up so nicely in the end.
I was hooked from the beginning, but the trial scenes were probably some of my favorite parts. They weren’t necessarily suspenseful in the traditional sense, but I was completely enthralled. I was hanging on every question, every answer, and every glipse at the responses of the gallery when new information came out.
I also absolutely ADORE Sam and Adele. They are some of the sweetest people. I have no clue what they look like, but I can still picture them perfectly in my mind if that makes sense. It makes me wish I could meet them. I love when we get to see Tracy with her family. I love seeing that softer side of her and the contrast between Tracy the determined detective and Tracy the wife and mother. It makes her feel like such a well-rounded character rather than someone whose entire identity revolves around her job.
I also enjoyed the change of scenery in this one. Taking Tracy away from her usual Seattle PD setting and bringing her back to Klickitat County gave the story a different feel while still very much feeling like a Tracy Crosswhite book. It was nice seeing Tracy and Dan working together. With the interest in bringing another child into the family, I could see them adopting and her leaving the PD to become a PI for Dan. It feels like that door was opened in this book.
Between the two mysteries, the dual timelines that actually worked incredibly well for me, the courtroom scenes, and getting more of Tracy’s personal life, this was another fantastic addition to a series I already love. It had my attention from beginning to end and left me completely satisfied with how everything came together.
And as always, Emily Sutton-Smith was the PERFECT narrator for this book. I could not imagine anyone else stepping in and narrating this series better than Emily.
Thank you to Netgalley, Brilliance Publishing/Brilliance Audio, and Robert Dugoni for the chance to enjoy an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Title: One Split Second
Author: Robert Dugoni
Series: Tracy Crosswhite Book #12
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Pub Date: September 15, 2026
My Rating: 5+ Stars
Pages: 413
If you are new to the Tracy Crosswhite series- she is married to Dan O’Leary, and they have a four-year-old daughter Daniella.
Anthony Alvarez had been a person of interest in the unsolved disappearance of a fifteen year-old Jackie Parker who was baby-sitting on the night of Homecoming November 13, 1980.
This forty-year-old cold case still haunts the community.
Story starts with Anthony Alvarez wanting to speak to Buzz Almond. Almond was the lead investigator and always believed Alvarez had been framed.
Buzz Almond was Sheriff Jenny Almond’s dad. However, he died ten years ago and Alvarez attended his funeral.
Alvarez suffers from PDSD and when he calls Jenny asking for Buzz he is upset- stating they are after him.
Jenny was defeated in the last election so will only be Sheriff for a few more weeks. Her husband Neil is upset about the election and tells her- let the new guy Travis Beaumont handle this! Beaumont ran on the platform of using local control and was going to create a volunteer ‘posse’ to help police.
Jenny suspect Alvarez is off his meds and needs talking down (Which should be easier than talking Niel down).
When she arrives at Alvarez’s trailer, she hears gunshots and sees flares. Later finds out Alvarez has no gun on him.
Now Tracy and Dan have been assigned to defend their friend- Sheriff Jenny Almond in Klickitat County who has been charged with first-degree murder for killing Anthony Alvarez.
Dan is a criminal attorney and will represent Jenny - Tracy will be his investigator. Together they will prove Jenny is
innocence while solving the 45-year-old cold case.
Since Buzz Almond believed Alvarez had been framed, his suspicions of a conspiracy are driving Tracy to find answers. Digging deeper into both the past and the present, she discovers a complex web of sinister motives.
There is backstory with Buzz and Alvarez and how their respect for each was developed.
I do love court-room drama and must admit I was looking forward to this part of the story! Dan is defending Jenny.
This just might be my favorite Tracy Crosswhite story - or might be because I just read it and am on a Tracy high!
I call myself a Dugoni fan! I believe he is a GREAT storyteller. I have read twelve of his novels, most were in the Tracy Crosswhite series.
Additionally, I always enjoy his ‘Acknowledgement and getting the inside scoop on his motivation and inspiration for his stories. This one leaves a sweet message I hope to make mine.
In saying good night to my loving husband, I need to add ~
No matter what the future holds, there is no place I would rather be than right here beside you.
Want to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for granting me the pleasure of reading another great Robert Dugoni story!
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 15, 2026.
Author: Robert Dugoni
Series: Tracy Crosswhite Book #12
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Pub Date: September 15, 2026
My Rating: 5+ Stars
Pages: 413
If you are new to the Tracy Crosswhite series- she is married to Dan O’Leary, and they have a four-year-old daughter Daniella.
Anthony Alvarez had been a person of interest in the unsolved disappearance of a fifteen year-old Jackie Parker who was baby-sitting on the night of Homecoming November 13, 1980.
This forty-year-old cold case still haunts the community.
Story starts with Anthony Alvarez wanting to speak to Buzz Almond. Almond was the lead investigator and always believed Alvarez had been framed.
Buzz Almond was Sheriff Jenny Almond’s dad. However, he died ten years ago and Alvarez attended his funeral.
Alvarez suffers from PDSD and when he calls Jenny asking for Buzz he is upset- stating they are after him.
Jenny was defeated in the last election so will only be Sheriff for a few more weeks. Her husband Neil is upset about the election and tells her- let the new guy Travis Beaumont handle this! Beaumont ran on the platform of using local control and was going to create a volunteer ‘posse’ to help police.
Jenny suspect Alvarez is off his meds and needs talking down (Which should be easier than talking Niel down).
When she arrives at Alvarez’s trailer, she hears gunshots and sees flares. Later finds out Alvarez has no gun on him.
Now Tracy and Dan have been assigned to defend their friend- Sheriff Jenny Almond in Klickitat County who has been charged with first-degree murder for killing Anthony Alvarez.
Dan is a criminal attorney and will represent Jenny - Tracy will be his investigator. Together they will prove Jenny is
innocence while solving the 45-year-old cold case.
Since Buzz Almond believed Alvarez had been framed, his suspicions of a conspiracy are driving Tracy to find answers. Digging deeper into both the past and the present, she discovers a complex web of sinister motives.
There is backstory with Buzz and Alvarez and how their respect for each was developed.
I do love court-room drama and must admit I was looking forward to this part of the story! Dan is defending Jenny.
This just might be my favorite Tracy Crosswhite story - or might be because I just read it and am on a Tracy high!
I call myself a Dugoni fan! I believe he is a GREAT storyteller. I have read twelve of his novels, most were in the Tracy Crosswhite series.
Additionally, I always enjoy his ‘Acknowledgement and getting the inside scoop on his motivation and inspiration for his stories. This one leaves a sweet message I hope to make mine.
In saying good night to my loving husband, I need to add ~
No matter what the future holds, there is no place I would rather be than right here beside you.
Want to thank NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for granting me the pleasure of reading another great Robert Dugoni story!
Publishing Release Date scheduled for September 15, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Robert Dugoni, and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
As always, I was excited to get my hands on a new Tracy Crosswhite novel and eagerly accepted this ARC from Robert Dugoni. Now twelve books into the series, Dugoni continues to keep the stories feeling fresh, balancing cold case investigations with courtroom drama while ensuring Tracy remains at the center of the action without relying on familiar formulas.
This time, Detective Tracy Crosswhite finds herself defending an old friend after Sheriff Jenny Almond is charged with first-degree murder for the shooting of an unarmed veteran. Convinced there is far more to the story, Tracy uncovers links to the decades-old disappearance of a teenage babysitter and a case that has haunted the community for more than forty-five years. As the investigation unfolds, Dugoni expertly weaves together the past and present, revealing buried secrets, long-held suspicions, and unexpected connections that keep the pages turning.
I have long enjoyed Robert Dugoni's work across his various series, and once again he delivers a compelling, character-driven thriller. His writing flows effortlessly, making it easy to lose track of time as each chapter raises new questions and steadily builds the suspense. I found myself reading well into the evening, eager to discover what awaited Tracy and those closest to her.
The returning cast once again shines, with Tracy and her investigative team feeling as authentic and engaging as ever. Longtime readers will appreciate the continued development of these familiar characters, while Dugoni provides enough context to ensure newcomers won't feel completely lost. The evolving relationships and subtle character moments add emotional depth without slowing the story's brisk pace.
The plot is especially strong, blending a gripping cold case investigation with the tension of a courtroom battle. Rather than relying solely on traditional police procedural elements, Dugoni crafts a suspenseful cat-and-mouse chase in which every revelation raises the stakes. The dual timelines are handled with precision, and the final resolution is both satisfying and emotionally resonant.
Fans of the Tracy Crosswhite series will find plenty to enjoy here, while readers who appreciate well-crafted mysteries filled with layered characters, intricate plotting, and steady suspense are sure to be rewarded. Another excellent addition to one of today's most consistently entertaining crime fiction series.
Kudos, Mr. Dugoni, for a story that once more impresses until the final page turn.
Love/hate the review?
An ever-growing collection of others appears at: http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
As always, I was excited to get my hands on a new Tracy Crosswhite novel and eagerly accepted this ARC from Robert Dugoni. Now twelve books into the series, Dugoni continues to keep the stories feeling fresh, balancing cold case investigations with courtroom drama while ensuring Tracy remains at the center of the action without relying on familiar formulas.
This time, Detective Tracy Crosswhite finds herself defending an old friend after Sheriff Jenny Almond is charged with first-degree murder for the shooting of an unarmed veteran. Convinced there is far more to the story, Tracy uncovers links to the decades-old disappearance of a teenage babysitter and a case that has haunted the community for more than forty-five years. As the investigation unfolds, Dugoni expertly weaves together the past and present, revealing buried secrets, long-held suspicions, and unexpected connections that keep the pages turning.
I have long enjoyed Robert Dugoni's work across his various series, and once again he delivers a compelling, character-driven thriller. His writing flows effortlessly, making it easy to lose track of time as each chapter raises new questions and steadily builds the suspense. I found myself reading well into the evening, eager to discover what awaited Tracy and those closest to her.
The returning cast once again shines, with Tracy and her investigative team feeling as authentic and engaging as ever. Longtime readers will appreciate the continued development of these familiar characters, while Dugoni provides enough context to ensure newcomers won't feel completely lost. The evolving relationships and subtle character moments add emotional depth without slowing the story's brisk pace.
The plot is especially strong, blending a gripping cold case investigation with the tension of a courtroom battle. Rather than relying solely on traditional police procedural elements, Dugoni crafts a suspenseful cat-and-mouse chase in which every revelation raises the stakes. The dual timelines are handled with precision, and the final resolution is both satisfying and emotionally resonant.
Fans of the Tracy Crosswhite series will find plenty to enjoy here, while readers who appreciate well-crafted mysteries filled with layered characters, intricate plotting, and steady suspense are sure to be rewarded. Another excellent addition to one of today's most consistently entertaining crime fiction series.
Kudos, Mr. Dugoni, for a story that once more impresses until the final page turn.
Love/hate the review?
An ever-growing collection of others appears at: http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
My Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5
I'm starting to wonder if this series has finally begun to run its course (for me at least).
That's not to say there's anything particularly wrong with this installment because there really isn't. It's still a solid story, and I can absolutely see longtime fans enjoying it more than I did. But ever since Tracy transferred to the cold case unit, these books have slowly started to lose some of the spark that made me fall in love with the series in the first place. Part of that comes down to the supporting cast. In the earlier books, they helped make the stories feel well-rounded, but now we rarely see any of them. As a result, the books have become almost entirely centered on Tracy, and unfortunately, she's becoming harder and harder for me to relate to.
With each new installment, she feels more like a "Mary Sue" than an actual detective. She never seems to make a mistake, and somehow she's always the one to notice the crucial piece of evidence that every other investigator overlooked (even when some of those clues seem painfully obvious). Time and again, she's able to solve cases that have remained unsolved for decades, and after a while it starts to feel a little too convenient.
Another issue for me was the mystery itself. By about the halfway point (if not a little sooner), I was fairly confident I'd figured out who was responsible for what happened to Jackie back in the 1980s. Once I landed on that conclusion, the rest of the investigation lost a lot of its suspense because I spent the second half of the book waiting for everyone else to catch up.
One thing I did appreciate, though, was the heavier focus on the courtroom proceedings. That was a refreshing change of pace from the usual investigation heavy formula. That said, I couldn't help wondering why Dan seemed to walk into such an important trial without what I'd consider a solid game plan. He didn't appear to have the concrete evidence he needed, nor even the results of a critical DNA test that should have played a major role in the case. In the end, it felt like his defense of Jenny succeeded more through sheer luck than preparation, thanks to a last-minute revelation from someone largely disconnected from the main story (and, of course, Tracy managing to pull off yet another near-miraculous discovery).
Overall, while this wasn't one of my favorite installments in the series, it was still an enjoyable enough read. I think longtime fans will probably get more out of it than I did, and despite my criticisms, I haven't given up on Tracy Crosswhite just yet. If the premise of the next book grabs my attention, I'll almost certainly be back for another case.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
I'm starting to wonder if this series has finally begun to run its course (for me at least).
That's not to say there's anything particularly wrong with this installment because there really isn't. It's still a solid story, and I can absolutely see longtime fans enjoying it more than I did. But ever since Tracy transferred to the cold case unit, these books have slowly started to lose some of the spark that made me fall in love with the series in the first place. Part of that comes down to the supporting cast. In the earlier books, they helped make the stories feel well-rounded, but now we rarely see any of them. As a result, the books have become almost entirely centered on Tracy, and unfortunately, she's becoming harder and harder for me to relate to.
With each new installment, she feels more like a "Mary Sue" than an actual detective. She never seems to make a mistake, and somehow she's always the one to notice the crucial piece of evidence that every other investigator overlooked (even when some of those clues seem painfully obvious). Time and again, she's able to solve cases that have remained unsolved for decades, and after a while it starts to feel a little too convenient.
Another issue for me was the mystery itself. By about the halfway point (if not a little sooner), I was fairly confident I'd figured out who was responsible for what happened to Jackie back in the 1980s. Once I landed on that conclusion, the rest of the investigation lost a lot of its suspense because I spent the second half of the book waiting for everyone else to catch up.
One thing I did appreciate, though, was the heavier focus on the courtroom proceedings. That was a refreshing change of pace from the usual investigation heavy formula. That said, I couldn't help wondering why Dan seemed to walk into such an important trial without what I'd consider a solid game plan. He didn't appear to have the concrete evidence he needed, nor even the results of a critical DNA test that should have played a major role in the case. In the end, it felt like his defense of Jenny succeeded more through sheer luck than preparation, thanks to a last-minute revelation from someone largely disconnected from the main story (and, of course, Tracy managing to pull off yet another near-miraculous discovery).
Overall, while this wasn't one of my favorite installments in the series, it was still an enjoyable enough read. I think longtime fans will probably get more out of it than I did, and despite my criticisms, I haven't given up on Tracy Crosswhite just yet. If the premise of the next book grabs my attention, I'll almost certainly be back for another case.
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A Cold Case Saves the Day!
"One Split Second", Tracy Crosswhite #12 by Robert Dugoni (2026)
Review based on an advance review copy courtesy of Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley.
Rating: ★★★★★ (5.0 Stars!)
ㅤ
Review Spotlight: A Cold Case Saves the Day!
// ____From the Police Academy,
To the crack Seattle PD Violent Crimes "A-Team".
And now, to the Cold Case Unit. //
Seattle, Washington State
The young woman we've followed from her teenage sharp-shooting championship years, through the police academy and her early years at the SPD, is now a forty-something wife to Atty. Dan O'Leary, her childhood friend, —and momma bear to toddler Daniela.
Tracy Crosswhite, ten-year veteran of the SPD's crack Violent Crimes A-Team, and three-time recipient of the Medal of Valor, the department's highest award, is relegated to a nominal, low-priority operation, ensconced in a glorified broom closet, following a protracted case of PTSD.
The SPD's Cold Case Unit.
A one-person spot set-aside for cops nearing retirement.
But guess who's just NOT quite ready to be quietly led to pasture..!
ㅤ
━━━
ㅤ
━═ Book Review: "One Split Second", Tracy Crosswhite #12 by Robert Dugoni (2026)
// ____Author Robert Dugoni takes his readers back to Stoneridge, a (fictional) town in Klickitat County, southern Washington State near the border with Oregon, adjacent to the Pacific Northwest's Yakama Indian Reservation, —the stage for Book 3 of the series, "In the Clearing" (another unputdownable read!), featuring father and daughter law enforcers, Buzz and Jenny Almond, back then, in a case of the disappearance of a young Yakama woman. //
Klickitat County, WA
When County Sheriff Jenny Almond is charged with first-degree murder for a "split-second" shooting one stormy night, she calls her old friend and police academy classmate, SPD Detective Tracy Crosswhite, and asks for her help.
One Split Second.
Vietnam vet Anthony Alvarez, suffering from PTSD, had called the sheriff at home, late at night, frantically, almost incoherently. "I need to talk to Buzz."
"I have something", he says, "Buzz will want to hear", referring to former Klickitat Sheriff Buzz Almond, her Dad who'd passed years prior. "Buzz will understand." Then, seconds later, he adds apprehensively in a whisper, ".....Someone just tripped my wire".
Jenny had driven fast that night through treacherous canyon roads in response to the panicked man. Then, when she reached his place, under the cover and fog of darkness, she'd shot Alvarez who brandished something in his hand, running toward her.
One. Split. Second. Jenny thought it was a gun. At the exact moment Alvarez fell, Jenny perceived a flash and a gun shot from the far end of the clearing.
A Decades-Old Cold Case.
45 years ago, Anthony Alvarez was implicated in the killing of a teenage babysitter, an incident investigated by then Sheriff Buzz Almond. But the sheriff found evidence Alvarez was being framed.
A Friend in Need,
—is A Friend Indeed!
Tracy's husband, prominent Seattle defense attorney Dan O'Leary takes pre-trial advocacy over the sheriff's murder one case. In anticipation of a lengthy trial, the O'Leary household temporarily moves to Stoneridge including toddler Daniela, housekeeper Therese, and teenager Lydia, the autistic savant monikered "Lightning Strike", a Washington State shooting champ, who'd helped the traumatized Tracy regain her confidence with handguns ("A Dead Draw" Book 11, 2025).
Exculpatory Evidence.
".....Buzz will want to hear." Tragically shot Alvarez was referring to exculpatory evidence, a cassette audio tape. A local bar would give local bands their start by taping their gigs. During one of those shows, the bar inadvertently taped two guys near the stage, quietly talking about the murdered teenage babysitter.
A Cold Case Saves the Day!
But at what Cost...?!
At risk to life and limb, the Seattle PD Cold Case officer drives through those treacherous canyon mountain roads in the dark of night and ventures into the lion's den in search of the purportedly lost 80's cassette tape. She is confronted by two men, even as she stares down the barrel of a gun.
It was a huge plan, a wide-ranging conspiracy. The teenage babysitter —my baby sister (!), was not supposed to die, one of them bitterly utters.
And that was just about when Detective Tracy Crosswhite, loving wife to Dan, forever momma to Dani, dearest friend to Jenny, highly decorated Seattle Police Department officer,
.......hears the gunshot...!
tgw ━━━━━━━━
Recommendation: Another unputdownable gem from thriller über master Robert Dugoni, whose award-winning human interest masterpieces, "The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell" (2019), "The World Played Chess" (2021), and "Hold Strong" (2025) will resonate forever with his readers, and readers-to-be.
ㅤ
Book Details:
Rating: ★★★★★ (5.0 Stars!)
Title: One Split Second
Author: Robert Dugoni
Series: Tracy Crosswhite #12
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Release Date: September 25, 2026
Order Now: https://amzn.to/4gZ4Wlr
ㅤ
#ad
#robertdugoni
#thomasandmercer
#onesplitsecond
#tracycrosswhite
#netgalley
"One Split Second", Tracy Crosswhite #12 by Robert Dugoni (2026)
Review based on an advance review copy courtesy of Thomas & Mercer, and NetGalley.
Rating: ★★★★★ (5.0 Stars!)
ㅤ
Review Spotlight: A Cold Case Saves the Day!
// ____From the Police Academy,
To the crack Seattle PD Violent Crimes "A-Team".
And now, to the Cold Case Unit. //
Seattle, Washington State
The young woman we've followed from her teenage sharp-shooting championship years, through the police academy and her early years at the SPD, is now a forty-something wife to Atty. Dan O'Leary, her childhood friend, —and momma bear to toddler Daniela.
Tracy Crosswhite, ten-year veteran of the SPD's crack Violent Crimes A-Team, and three-time recipient of the Medal of Valor, the department's highest award, is relegated to a nominal, low-priority operation, ensconced in a glorified broom closet, following a protracted case of PTSD.
The SPD's Cold Case Unit.
A one-person spot set-aside for cops nearing retirement.
But guess who's just NOT quite ready to be quietly led to pasture..!
ㅤ
━━━
ㅤ
━═ Book Review: "One Split Second", Tracy Crosswhite #12 by Robert Dugoni (2026)
// ____Author Robert Dugoni takes his readers back to Stoneridge, a (fictional) town in Klickitat County, southern Washington State near the border with Oregon, adjacent to the Pacific Northwest's Yakama Indian Reservation, —the stage for Book 3 of the series, "In the Clearing" (another unputdownable read!), featuring father and daughter law enforcers, Buzz and Jenny Almond, back then, in a case of the disappearance of a young Yakama woman. //
Klickitat County, WA
When County Sheriff Jenny Almond is charged with first-degree murder for a "split-second" shooting one stormy night, she calls her old friend and police academy classmate, SPD Detective Tracy Crosswhite, and asks for her help.
One Split Second.
Vietnam vet Anthony Alvarez, suffering from PTSD, had called the sheriff at home, late at night, frantically, almost incoherently. "I need to talk to Buzz."
"I have something", he says, "Buzz will want to hear", referring to former Klickitat Sheriff Buzz Almond, her Dad who'd passed years prior. "Buzz will understand." Then, seconds later, he adds apprehensively in a whisper, ".....Someone just tripped my wire".
Jenny had driven fast that night through treacherous canyon roads in response to the panicked man. Then, when she reached his place, under the cover and fog of darkness, she'd shot Alvarez who brandished something in his hand, running toward her.
One. Split. Second. Jenny thought it was a gun. At the exact moment Alvarez fell, Jenny perceived a flash and a gun shot from the far end of the clearing.
A Decades-Old Cold Case.
45 years ago, Anthony Alvarez was implicated in the killing of a teenage babysitter, an incident investigated by then Sheriff Buzz Almond. But the sheriff found evidence Alvarez was being framed.
A Friend in Need,
—is A Friend Indeed!
Tracy's husband, prominent Seattle defense attorney Dan O'Leary takes pre-trial advocacy over the sheriff's murder one case. In anticipation of a lengthy trial, the O'Leary household temporarily moves to Stoneridge including toddler Daniela, housekeeper Therese, and teenager Lydia, the autistic savant monikered "Lightning Strike", a Washington State shooting champ, who'd helped the traumatized Tracy regain her confidence with handguns ("A Dead Draw" Book 11, 2025).
Exculpatory Evidence.
".....Buzz will want to hear." Tragically shot Alvarez was referring to exculpatory evidence, a cassette audio tape. A local bar would give local bands their start by taping their gigs. During one of those shows, the bar inadvertently taped two guys near the stage, quietly talking about the murdered teenage babysitter.
A Cold Case Saves the Day!
But at what Cost...?!
At risk to life and limb, the Seattle PD Cold Case officer drives through those treacherous canyon mountain roads in the dark of night and ventures into the lion's den in search of the purportedly lost 80's cassette tape. She is confronted by two men, even as she stares down the barrel of a gun.
It was a huge plan, a wide-ranging conspiracy. The teenage babysitter —my baby sister (!), was not supposed to die, one of them bitterly utters.
And that was just about when Detective Tracy Crosswhite, loving wife to Dan, forever momma to Dani, dearest friend to Jenny, highly decorated Seattle Police Department officer,
.......hears the gunshot...!
tgw ━━━━━━━━
Recommendation: Another unputdownable gem from thriller über master Robert Dugoni, whose award-winning human interest masterpieces, "The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell" (2019), "The World Played Chess" (2021), and "Hold Strong" (2025) will resonate forever with his readers, and readers-to-be.
ㅤ
Book Details:
Rating: ★★★★★ (5.0 Stars!)
Title: One Split Second
Author: Robert Dugoni
Series: Tracy Crosswhite #12
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Release Date: September 25, 2026
Order Now: https://amzn.to/4gZ4Wlr
ㅤ
#ad
#robertdugoni
#thomasandmercer
#onesplitsecond
#tracycrosswhite
#netgalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
One Tragic Event Long Ago Leads To Another Now
Sheriff Jen Almond responds to a call from Anthony Alvarez, a Vietnam veteran with a history of PTSD. Alvarez, who believes he is speaking to Sheriff Buzz Almond, tells Jenny that someone tripped his wire and that he has something Buzz needs to hear. Buzz has been dead for more than four years. When she arrives, Alvarez is not in or near his trailer. She hears what she believes are multiple gunshots. She takes cover behind a broken dishwasher on the ground. A man in a hoodie runs toward her from the treeline. She sees a shiny object in his hand, pointed at her, and assumes it is a gun. She orders him to stop and drop the gun. He keeps coming. She shoots; the man falls. She turns him over and finds it is Alvarez. With his death, Jenny faces possible criminal charges, and Tracy Crosswhite gets an opportunity to investigate another high-profile code case.
The novel consists of three main storyline threads. The first is a legal thriller portraying the trial of Jenny Almond. Dan O'Leary, Tracy's husband, is defending Jen. In the second thread, Tracy Crosswhite gets a chance to solve another Klickitat County cold case, which is 45 years old. This case is inextricably connected to Jenny Almond's case. The last thread is a 45-year-old flashback to the disappearance of Jackie Parker by Deputy Buzz Almond, Jen's father. Tracy and Dan face many obstacles. The newly elected Sheriff and prosecutor were dead set on withholding discovery until the very last minute, including information on the missing Jackie Parker case. The Sheriff deputized a large number of volunteers, three of whom focus on interfering with Tracy as she acts as her husband's investigator and looks into Jackie Parker's disappearance. As for how the novel is presented, there are adequate discussions between Tracy and Dan, allowing the reader to grasp their understanding, plans, and actions in the two present-day threads. The author kept each person's role in both crimes well hidden through effective use of twists and turns. All of this author's novels capture my attention quickly. This novel kept that streak alive for me.
Having read 14 Tracy Crosswhite novels and short stories, I found there wasn't much new for me. When I paid attention to her interactions with family, friends, and witnesses, I saw much about her background and character. Many of these occur when she shows strong empathy for the person she is interviewing. I believe that a new or infrequent reader should gain excellent insight into Tracy Crosswhite's nature.
Aspects that can cause readers to stop reading are present in this novel, but not enough, in my opinion, to discourage most readers. There are no intimate scenes. While not the usual vulgar word, another takes its place. Rude language is a little less frequent. Both are at a level that appears to be normal for police and legal procedurals. There is a very low level of impious language. There are only two episodes of violence in the novel, one at the start and one near the end. They should not be a problem for most readers. I did not see any unfilled references to previous novels, so it could be read first.
The only issue I had with this novel was that I thought there were more holes in the Washington State Police detectives' direct examination that O'Leary could have exploited. What I liked very much was that, even with the constant revelation of new information across all three threads, the identity of the guilty remained a mystery until the end. It wasn't some minor character who appeared out of nowhere.
My reading experience with this author includes 25 novels across five series and several standalones. I have also purchased ten more, which are on my bulging to-be-read list. This author is number 2 on my Must-Read authors list. I highly recommend this novel. The listing for this novel is 12 of 13, so it appears I will have another Tracy Crosswhite to enjoy in the future. I rate this novel a solid 5.
I received the free, pre-publication e-book of this novel from Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley. My review is based solely on my reading experience. Thank you, Thomas & Mercer, for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.
Sheriff Jen Almond responds to a call from Anthony Alvarez, a Vietnam veteran with a history of PTSD. Alvarez, who believes he is speaking to Sheriff Buzz Almond, tells Jenny that someone tripped his wire and that he has something Buzz needs to hear. Buzz has been dead for more than four years. When she arrives, Alvarez is not in or near his trailer. She hears what she believes are multiple gunshots. She takes cover behind a broken dishwasher on the ground. A man in a hoodie runs toward her from the treeline. She sees a shiny object in his hand, pointed at her, and assumes it is a gun. She orders him to stop and drop the gun. He keeps coming. She shoots; the man falls. She turns him over and finds it is Alvarez. With his death, Jenny faces possible criminal charges, and Tracy Crosswhite gets an opportunity to investigate another high-profile code case.
The novel consists of three main storyline threads. The first is a legal thriller portraying the trial of Jenny Almond. Dan O'Leary, Tracy's husband, is defending Jen. In the second thread, Tracy Crosswhite gets a chance to solve another Klickitat County cold case, which is 45 years old. This case is inextricably connected to Jenny Almond's case. The last thread is a 45-year-old flashback to the disappearance of Jackie Parker by Deputy Buzz Almond, Jen's father. Tracy and Dan face many obstacles. The newly elected Sheriff and prosecutor were dead set on withholding discovery until the very last minute, including information on the missing Jackie Parker case. The Sheriff deputized a large number of volunteers, three of whom focus on interfering with Tracy as she acts as her husband's investigator and looks into Jackie Parker's disappearance. As for how the novel is presented, there are adequate discussions between Tracy and Dan, allowing the reader to grasp their understanding, plans, and actions in the two present-day threads. The author kept each person's role in both crimes well hidden through effective use of twists and turns. All of this author's novels capture my attention quickly. This novel kept that streak alive for me.
Having read 14 Tracy Crosswhite novels and short stories, I found there wasn't much new for me. When I paid attention to her interactions with family, friends, and witnesses, I saw much about her background and character. Many of these occur when she shows strong empathy for the person she is interviewing. I believe that a new or infrequent reader should gain excellent insight into Tracy Crosswhite's nature.
Aspects that can cause readers to stop reading are present in this novel, but not enough, in my opinion, to discourage most readers. There are no intimate scenes. While not the usual vulgar word, another takes its place. Rude language is a little less frequent. Both are at a level that appears to be normal for police and legal procedurals. There is a very low level of impious language. There are only two episodes of violence in the novel, one at the start and one near the end. They should not be a problem for most readers. I did not see any unfilled references to previous novels, so it could be read first.
The only issue I had with this novel was that I thought there were more holes in the Washington State Police detectives' direct examination that O'Leary could have exploited. What I liked very much was that, even with the constant revelation of new information across all three threads, the identity of the guilty remained a mystery until the end. It wasn't some minor character who appeared out of nowhere.
My reading experience with this author includes 25 novels across five series and several standalones. I have also purchased ten more, which are on my bulging to-be-read list. This author is number 2 on my Must-Read authors list. I highly recommend this novel. The listing for this novel is 12 of 13, so it appears I will have another Tracy Crosswhite to enjoy in the future. I rate this novel a solid 5.
I received the free, pre-publication e-book of this novel from Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley. My review is based solely on my reading experience. Thank you, Thomas & Mercer, for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.
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