I would like to thank Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy of One Last Kill, the tenth novel to feature Seattle based cold case detective Tracy Crosswhite.

Tracy is re-opening the long dormant Route 99 serial killer case. Twenty five years ago someone killed 13 women and then suddenly stopped. Captain Johnny Nolasco led the original task force and now he is assigned to work with her, despite their history of bad blood and disagreements. They find a way to work together and get more than they bargained for when the killer comes out of retirement and they uncover high level corruption and shadowy behaviour.

I thoroughly enjoyed One Last Kill, which is an engrossing read with several twists, not least Tracy and Nolasco finding some common ground and a better understanding of each other. I’m already looking forward to the next novel to see if this détente lasts and also if Tracy manages to make inroads in her unofficial corruption investigation. I am going to come out and say that I was disappointed with the way the novel ended, in that the corrupt got to shape the post case narrative. I understand that this is the way reality works, but I’m reading fiction and I like just deserts, not sliming off to live another day at the expense of the good guys.

I found the investigation moreish with all sorts of different strands. There are personality clashes with Tracy, Nolasco and the Chief of Police all having different priorities. They all want to solve the case, Tracy because that’s her job and she wants a predator off the streets, Nolasco wants to finish what his task force failed to do and vindicate his stalled career and Chief of Police Weber wants the force to look good in the press by any means and they all have a different approach. The actual investigation is more muted by comparison, until the final showdown. They look at the original suspects, but the case hinges on new developments in DNA analysis and that opens a can of worms. There are shocks and surprises and a strong sense of self preservation runs through the novel, little of it good.

I like Tracy Crosswhite as she is now. She is a dogged detective with a strong pragmatic streak that allows her to work around what she can’t change, i.e. corrupt individuals determined to protect themselves and poor decisions that cause more bother. She is happily married with some close friends in the department, even if the Chief wants to force her out. Fortunately she knows enough and is well enough regarded for that to be a non starter, but it’s not pleasant for her.

One Last Kill is a good read that I have no hesitation in recommending.

With the 25th anniversary of the Route 99 Killer’s last murder on the horizon, the local newspaper is set to do a series of articles highlighting Seattle Police Department’s failure to catch the serial killer who claimed 13 victims. In an effort to thwart the bad publicity, the police chief orders Cold Case Detective Tracy Crosswhite to reopen the investigation and assigns her nemesis, Captain Nolasco, to assist, as he was the lead detective in charge of the task force back then. As expected, working with Nolasco isn’t easy, nor is taking orders from a chief who has her own agenda and vendetta against Tracy, which creates plenty of tension and frustration throughout, but after seeing Nolasco through Tracy’s eyes throughout this series, his character is fleshed out a bit more here and readers are given some insight with a glimpse of his backstory.

Dugoni manages to weave whatever new or controversial scientific advances, relevant social issues or current public perception of law enforcement into his narratives, which give greater depth to each installment, making this a consistently well thought out and well written series that I always look forward to, and one that never disappoints! As always, I impatiently look forward to the next installment.

Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley kindly provided me a ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Tracy Crosswhite has risen quickly through the ranks of detective in Seattle. She is reviewing old cold cases and is looking at one case in particular regarding eleven hookers.

The case is over 25 years old and suddenly the killer is striking again! This time the victims are middle-aged ladies and are not part of the marginalized segment of society. Tracy is pulled into the problem and is working with senior detective Johnnie Nolasco who worked on the case over 25 years ago.

Why would the killer deviate from his former modus operandi? Tracy starts by going through the boxes of evidence collected on each of the murders and in one of the boxes makes a surprising find!

Working together Tracy and Johnnie slowly follow the evidence and develop a possible identity. The investigation is stymied on every turn by the lack of speed from various departments. They feel they have found a viable individual but are reluctant to name the person.

Dugoni does not disappoint. His books are consistently engaging, well-crafted, and well-plotted with relatable characters The trail is convoluted and has more twists and turns than the road to Pike’s Peak. Read and enjoy this novel! 5 stars – CE Williams

It wasn't on purpose, but I knew super early who the killer was. Not really sure why but have you ever read a line in a book and gotten a little buzz in your brain that says that seemingly unimportant comment was important? That's what happened to me. I even laughed at myself as I continued reading to find I was right. Did that diminish the story for me? No. It made me feel like I could go hang up my PI shingle and solve all the world's cases! (Kinda) As this is a series, some of the issues were left unresolved, as were issues from previous books, and I am hoping that at some point in the series arc Tracy is able to out the guilty parties whose corruption again lead to the crimes in this book. I'll be here, reading and waiting. (And wondering how Tracy and her family live in a 900SF home that includes an upstairs.)

Robert Dugoni is one of my favorite authors: his story lines are original and engrossing, and his characters are well developed and intelligent. One Last Kill is the 10th Tracy Crosswhite book, an excellent police procedural series. Although you don't need to have read the earlier books to appreciate and enjoy this one, you will probably enjoy it more if you have, and you will be more invested in Tracy's character if you know her whole history. That being said, Dugoni does a great job of explaining what you need to know from the past, which is good even for fans of the series who may not remember every detail from previous books!
Now working cold cases, Tracy usually gets to pick what she will work on, but here she is called into the chief's office and told to focus on a series of murders from the 1990's, when a serial killer targeted over a dozen women in Seattle before suddenly going dormant. The local paper is planning a series of stories about the cases and how they were never solved, and the chief wants to show that the Seattle PD has not forgotten these women. Much to her chagrin, Tracy is partnered on the case with her nemesis, Captain Johnny Nolasco, who was the lead detective on the task force that investigated the cases in the 90's. The two need to find a way to work together as they go back over the evidence to see if there is something the task force missed, while Tracy also worries the new attention could bring the killer out of retirement. The stress of the investigation and tension between characters drive the plot, and I liked that the ending surprised me -that doesn't happen all that often!

Tracy Crosswhite is ordered by her Chief to re-open a twenty-five year old serial killer case when the local newspaper says it is going to run a series of articles for the anniversary. And the Chief also orders Captain Nolesco to work with Tracy knowing that since they don't like each other if they fail it will be on the both of them, and they will probably blame each other and take the fail. But to surprise of everyone the pair get along and help each other and have each others back. The ending was a surprise to all of them and gives the Chief another reason to put them both in what she feels is "their place" especially Tracy. Excellent addition to this series.

I don’t know how I have managed to never have read a Tracy Crosswhite novel, this is the 10th! I’ve read Dugoni before, The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell, and very much liked it. Dugoni writes with a spare but accurate and involved style. Though the characters are familiar to many, I had no trouble seeing and feeling them as aged presences in Crosswhite’s life in this first read for me. Crosswhite is working closed files and is assigned the reopened case of a 25-year-old serial killer case one led by a nemesis cop, now she has to work with him to solve the case.

Detective Tracy Crosswhite has been tasked to reopen the nearly thirty year old investigation of Seattle's Route 99 serial killer. This serial killer has taken 13 victims before their hunt stopped and the trail went cold. Unfortunately, Tracy is assigned to work with her Captain, Johnny Nolasco, whom she doesn't have the best relationship with. As they pursue old leads and uncover new evidence, they also discover some high-level corruption that could be as dangerous as the elusive serial killer.

ONE LAST KILL is the tenth instalment of the Tracy Crosswhite series and it takes a bit of a different tone than its predecessors in my opinion. The narration is still primarily focusing on Tracy as the main character but there are snippets in Captain Johnny Nolasco's POV. The tone of the narration is a bit on the cool side with less of a focus on the interpersonal relationships Tracy has developed with her colleagues and her family life compared to her previous books. I do miss the original Violent Crimes Unit team though we do get small glimpses of Faz here, but I am hopeful that the next book will have Kins, Del, and Faz make a bigger presence. All the same, this is a great story with the author providing context and clarification to this in his author's note.

I absolutely loved the police procedural as a nearly thirty year old cold case is being reopened and reinvestigated by Tracy and Johnny. The technology and DNA advances are definitely tremendously helpful to solve old crimes. The plot is fast paced with several clever red herrings and twists. The big reveal was definitely a surprise for me but ever so well done. I was deeply satisfied by the conclusion and I cannot wait to see what Dugoni will write next in this series!

<i>I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, Thomas & Mercer, of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions shared are my own.</i>

Thank you to the author, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the third book I've read in this series, and the author pulls it off again. Strong female lead? Check. Solid police procedural? Check. Well-drawn characters and a narrative that flows, while keeping it real in terms of city and police politics? Multiple story threads, each running along, criss-crossing at times, and delivering a hefty old and stone-cold case to be resolved? Check, check, check. My only quibble was the resolution, which in my eyes was totally unsatisfactory: a renewed cover-up for political reasons, letting the actual villain get away yet again, after a long life spent believing he is impervious to anyone's rules.

Who do I think I'm fooling? I would read anything this author writes, he's that good. Also, this book ties together several threads from the last two books - but I really hope it's not the last book with Tracy Crosswhite!

Serial Killer, Intrigue, Law Enforcement and nothing is like it seems except for our intrepid Tracy Crosswhite. I along with Tracy Crosswhite had no love lost for Johnny Nolasco. This book humanizes him, shows what transpired to change him along the way. So many little niblets of info. This book goes back and forth in time. One of my least formats to read, but being able to read from Johnny Nolasco eyes was lightening. I did know who the perp was as soon as they appeared on the page. I am not sure why! Nothing gave it away, it was more of hmmm I wonder. Then when we see someone else further in I thought nope, maybe not. I so wanted someone to get their just due. Maybe next book or two? I am really curious to see where this series goes. Wherever it does, I will follow. Thank you for entertaining and making me think! Thank you for the arc. I freely volunteer my thoughts and opinions. #OneLastKill #TracyCrossWhite #RobertDugoni #ThomasandMercer #NetGalley

One Last Kill by Robert Dugoni is a very highly recommended procedural investigating cold cases from a serial killer and the tenth novel in the Detective Tracy Crosswhite series.

When the Seattle Times plans to run a series of articles about the Route 99 serial killer from 25 years ago, Detective Tracy Crosswhite is ordered to reopening the investigation by Police chief Marcella Weber. After thirteen victims, the serial killer seemed to stop and the task force at the time, lead by Captain Johnny Nolasco, reached no conclusion. Weber assigns Nolasco to work with Tracy in solving the cold cases. The two try to set their rocky relationship aside to solve the decades old cases and bring closure to the families of the victims. They also know that Weber is targeting them for dismissal should they fail.

Even the concept that Tracy and Nolasco are working together on a case will certainly be a huge draw for fans of the series who will also be rewarded with many of the characters from previous books making an appearance. Tracy continues to be a fully realized complex character and this time even Nolasco shows more depth and nuance.

As expected, the writing is outstanding. For much of the investigation this is a more cerebral procedural rather than an action-packed thriller, which is to be expected with a cold case investigation from 25 years ago. It will appeal to anyone who enjoys reading about the clues and puzzles that a cold case investigation presents as the evidence is re-examined through a new set of eyes. It also helps that there have been great advances in technology and DNA testing since the original case.

Another great addition to a winning series! The great news is that One Last Kill can be read as a stand alone.

Disclosure: My review copy was courtesy of Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley.
The review will also be published on BookBrowse, Edelweiss, X, Barnes & Noble, and Amazon.

This follows book nine, What She Found. While it can be read as a stand alone novel, I think it would at least be best to read 9 and 10 in order because this book handles a lot of residuals from What She Found and I think some of it may lose its punch if you aren’t aware of the background.

What Tracy found in the last book was corruption in high places and leaders taking drug money. The investigative reporter looking into several cases then, including that one, went missing. Some things were left a little ‘unresolved.’

So now, in One Last Kill, Tracy is investigating the cold case of a serial killer that may have some connection to the other cases the investigative reporter was researching back then. Anita Childress, from book 9, is a returning character.

Not only is Tracy battling the normal challenges of a cold case, she’s also got some enemies in high places that don’t want her to succeed and is assigned a partner she can’t stand. Can she track down a killer without putting herself or her family in danger?


The title is significant because even though Tracy is looking into a ‘cold’ case, she runs the risk that opening the case back up may trigger the killer to kill again. The killer may have gone dormant because they died or went to jail for some other reason, but they may have been trying to send a message. With the return of publicity, it may be too enticing to send another message and make one last kill.


I actually didn’t like this one quite as much as other ones in the series. This one had more profanity in it for one thing. The last book had 20 s-words and this one jumped up to 60 for some reason.

I also don’t know if I liked the whole ending. I know some people like an ending that is a little open-ended, but I tend to prefer open and shut and full resolution. This one left Tracy with a hard decision and I partially disagree with her choice.

SLIGHT SPOILER ALERT!!

A line at the end says, “She’d do as Mrs. Edwards had done. Tracy would swallow the truth, to protect her family.” I don’t find this believable for Tracy’s character. She’s always trusted that exposing the truth is the best thing to do and that she could handle any backfire from it.

I get that her family would be in danger because of the people involved, but I think she has enough evidence that would destroy them— plus any harm they might try to cause wouldn’t lessen the damage done by the evidence so I don’t know if they would try it. If Mr. Edwards hadn’t killed his wife by now, I don’t think he plans to.

Not to mention, swallowing the truth does more than supposedly protect her family and friends, it also puts others at risk and in harm’s way.

I think Dugoni plans to continue this series, so I guess we will see if this decision comes back to bite her or if she will finally have the courage to go after the big players and have others to support her in it.

SPOILER OVER


A couple random comments:

- I was happy to see that “The Gazebo Dan Built”— the Costco find— made an appearance in this book as well.

- The phrases “graft and corruption” and “chewing nails” were a bit overused. The first one stuck out to me because it’s such a specific and unusual phrasing to continue using.

- A lot of DNA testing is done in this book and there is talk about how long that process actually takes. So I decided to look it up because it just doesn’t seem like it would take much to do DNA testing and solve all these crimes. And unfortunately I didn’t find many definitive answers. It varies by state (because of backlog) and it depends on the type of crime and the amount of evidence to be processed. There are a lot of hoops they have to jump through in terms of cleaning and documenting to make sure nothing is tampered with or compromised. Plus extra analysis to confirm findings and make sure everything is done properly.

- I enjoyed Tracy’s comeback to her captain when he told her he was her superior: “You’re my captain. You’re far from my superior.” Not super respectful of authority, but it was a good line…


Although the profanity increased a bit, I would still recommend this series. Tracy Crosswhite is a character that I always enjoy following around. She’s got grit, smarts, and a good sense of humor.



**Received an ARC via NetGalley**

[Content Advisory: 1 f-words, 60 s-words, 13 b-words; rape is discussed as a crime but not described in story form]

I had a lot of fun binge-reading the first nine Tracy Crosswhite books last year, and I've been looking forward to another installment. It's a detective series that has turned into one of my favorites, and I love the focus that most sequels seem to be having on cold cases... One Last Kill is no exception to that rule, and offers us another cold case AND another successful detective thriller sequel. Oh yes, there is no doubt that this series is still going strong even ten books in!

Part of the reason this series works so well has a lot to with the fact that it has a great cast of likeable characters that you will easily grow attached to. The books focus a lot on personal development as well as the cases Tracy Crosswhite and the rest investigate, and this is why I would suggest reading the books in order. It will help avoid spoilers and you won't miss out on character development and background that way. And it will definitely help explain the full impact of Tracy having to work with Nolasco!

Like I said before, the case in One Last Kill is once again a cold case. Tracy Crosswhite is asked to reopen the case with the 25-year anniversary coming up, and it is a serial killer case this time around. I can't say that I was too happy with some of the new developments; especifically concerning Weber and Tracy having to work with Nolasco again. Especially the second is such a despicable character, and I wasn't looking forward to spending time with him again... He did improve in the second half, but I still can't say that I'm a fan. He is definitely one of the reasons it took me longer than usual to actually finish this sequel.

The case itself is intriguing, but then again I do love a good serial killer thriller. There are lots of red herrings and twists to keep you busy along the way, and the cold case turns out to be a lot more complicated than expected. I did guess some of the big twists early (including the true identity of the killer), but as a whole I was still very much entertained by One Last Kill. This has a lot to do with the fact that I always enjoy spending time with Tracy, and I was very happy to see my favorite Italian duo playing a small role as well.

There is something about the writing that makes it very easy to keep turning those pages, and especially the second half was extremely engaging. This particular sequel once again focuses on one case, but it is a complicated case that both references to events from the previous book and gives us new connections. Tracy heading the cold case unit took the series in a new direction, but I'm definitely enjoying the change so far.

One Last Kill provided another satisfying dose of detective thriller, and I'm already looking forward to the next dose. The Tracy Crosswhite books in general have a great cast of characters, solid writing, a cold case angle and a healthy dose of solid police work as well as suspense... It's a series I can recommend if you enjoy the genre.

One Last Kill is the tenth book in the Tracy Crosswhite series. This book can be a stand-alone read, but the series is so good you will want to read each and every one.

Detective Tracy Crosswhite works in the cold case division. This was meant as a way to get her to leave the force, but Tracy has been able to solve many of these cases which has put her in the position receive a lot of attention and acknowledgement for her ability causing many to be jealous of her.

Tracy has returned from a long holiday weekend to find that a cold case has been pushed to front of her other investigations she is working. The newspaper is going to drop a series of articles on the Route 99 murders and how they were never solved by the police department. Tracy's boss is putting the pressure on Tracy to solve this case before that happens, as a result Tracy will get a partner to help her, Captain Johnny Nolasco.

The story is told from two different time periods. Several of the people who worked the case in the past are still there today. There was a lot of pressure in the past that leaves them defensive and sensitive about their unsolved case. Nolasko and Tracy work together, but he is suspicious of her wanting to solve the case for the publicity and accolades. Tracy will have her hands full trying to do her job and not upsetting the people she works with.

This is a fantastic, intense and riveting story. The book starts out slowly but building to a thrilling finish. The characters are well developed and believable.

This is a wonderful series. This book is the final of a three-book arc. The good news is there will be more Tracy Crosswhite stories to come. I highly recommend this book and series.

Another great installment in the Tracy Crosswhite series. While this one may not have been as well written as books before it, the story was still enjoyable to read and kept me turning the pages. I liked how we revisited a cold case of a serial killer in the Seattle area, and that Tracy had to work closely with Captain Nolasco. This gave an opportunity for that relationship to develop outside of the hostility that normally existed. I missed some of the other relationships, like Del and Faz, or with Tracy's family, and look forward to seeing them appear more in future books.

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read and review.

20-Year-Old Cold Case Is Now on the Front Burner

Twenty years ago, Vic Fazzio, who was recently assigned to the homicide within the Violent Crimes Section, is called by his partner about a body found in a dumpster along Route 99. The manager discovered a body when tossing out the trash in the early morning. This is the fourth strangled victim found in the dumpster. The previous three had a carving on their backs that looked like question marks or wings. The killer’s moniker became the Route 99 serial killer. The timeline shifts to present time. The killer never has been found.

The main storyline consists of two threads. The minor thread consists of flashbacks into the original investigation of the Route 99 Serial Killer. The primary thread is the current cold case investigation. There are three major characters in this thread. They are the Seattle Police Chief, Marcella Weber, the old task force’s lead detective and now the head of the Violent Crimes Unit, Captain Johnny Nolesco, and cold case detective, Terry Crosswhite. They form, what I call, a triangle of animosity. Any reader of the last two novels in this series will understand this immediately. If this is your first read in this series, the reasons behind each of the characters animosity towards the other two are adequately explained. Since tackling 13 20-year-old cold case murders is a tall task, Crosswhite asks Chief Weber for the assistance of Vic Fazzio, who worked on the original task force. Weber assigned Nolesco. This is like putting two Betta goldfish in the same bowl and expect them to act nice to each other. This internecine working relationship added an interesting extra layer to the normal very cold and difficult investigation. My attention was captured immediately. It was an easy read, and I finished it faster than normal.

The background on Crosswhite is mainly provided in her interactions with Weber and Nolesco. All the events that make him suspicious of Crosswhite rise to the surface. Their investigative styles are very different, and Nolasco is senior to Crosswhite. Once he was her supervisor, but in this situation, she is the lead detective. How Crosswhite handles this delicate new relationship provides much insight into her character. This aspect also enriched my reading enjoyment of this novel.

For the aspects that stop readers, there are no intimate scenes. Vulgar language is very minimal. Rude language occurs more often but still not near being excessive. The violence is described in the less edgy after the fact. I didn’t see any wholes in this novel for things if you have not read The Last Line and What She Found, but reading them first will provide a richer and fuller overview of the characters in this novel.

I so thoroughly enjoyed reading this novel that I did not find anything that bothered me about this novel. There were no loose ends for the main storyline, but there are clear indications that the triangle of animosity is still simmering as it has been through the previous novels and hopefully in future novels. There are characters who still need to receive their comeuppance.

This author is one of my favorite and Must-Read authors. I have read 17 of his previous works. I have seen his next novel is due out in seven months, and I am eagerly waiting for it. I strongly recommend reading this novel and the previous two. I rate this novel with five stars.

I received a free prepublication e-book version of this novel through NetGalley from Thomas & Mercer. My review is based solely on my own reading experience of this book. I wish to thank Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read and review this novel early.

Book Review: One Last Kill (Tracy Crosswhite #10) by Robert Dugoni
Published by Thomas & Mercer, October 3, 2023

★★★★★ (5.0 Stars!)
Rave!

Seattle Police Department, present day.

Tracy Crosswhite, police detective, wife, mother, sharp-shooting champ, 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 lowly, nominal, low-priority operation ensconced in a glorified broom closet following a protracted case of PTSD (A Cold Trail, Tracy Crosswhite Book 7, 2020).

The Cold Case Unit.

A one-person spot set-aside for cops nearing retirement. Or, in her case, forced retirement.

But guess who's not about to be quietly led to pasture.....

// One Last Kill (Tracy Crosswhite #10) (2023) //

Seattle Police Headquarters
Justice Center
Downtown Seattle

Verdant "Emerald City" is besieged by social unrest.

Amid calls to defund the police, allocations are slashed. Violent crimes consequently spike. Retail shops are closed or moved away from King County. And top city officials and the SPD brass are under pressure to justify law enforcement budgets and expenditures.

In the maelstrom, Police Chief Weber finds out that the Seattle Times is planning to run a series of articles on the 25th anniversary of a notoriously unsolved serial killer case.

The "Route 99" case. The killings of thirteen victims between '93 and '95, with the failure to solve the case laid largely upon the competence of the police task force assigned to find the killer.

To preempt an inevitably ensuing public blackeye for the police, Weber orders her sole cold case officer, Crosswhite, to "...focus on the Route 99 serial killer cases".

All of them.

Dig deep into tomes of murder books. And work together with the lead task force detective then in charge during the period.

Who happens to be none other than Crosswhite's perennial nemesis.

Johnny Nolasco.

Captain of the SPD Violent Crimes Section. The bane of Crosswhite's ten-year stint with the A-team.

And, as they both run into obstacles and obstructions, parry threats to their personal wellbeing and watch each other's six, they mutually find out that dedication to the truth is not necessarily one's exclusive domain....

-----

In its tenth iteration, author Robert Dugoni brings his protagonists back in full circle.

The vilified police captain Nolasco is revealed as once having been, after all, a champion for justice in his own way. And, what's more, a sharpshooter sans pareil which, late in the book, proves to be significant.

He and Crosswhite find themself frustrated by the very factors that thwarted Nolasco's search for justice and retribution, decades removed.

Endemic graft and corruption, the scourge of power and greed. Where underlings and peons are sent to the slaughter by those ensconced in the public trust.

Do not expect righteousness and vindication in this episode.

-----

What's most remarkable about Robert Dugoni's writing is how he consistently straddles the edge of controversy as he remains true to his core values, showcased in his most notable, must-read bestsellers, "The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell" (2019), and "The World Played Chess" (2021).

Review based on an advanced reading copy courtesy of Thomas & Mercer, and 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.

Always happy to reach for another Robert Dugoni novel, I am especially pleased when it is the Tracy Crosswhite series. Dugoni has crafted a strong collection of novels, sure to interest those who enjoy police procedurals, moving from active cases, to cold one, and now delving into a long-ago serial killer who may have re-emerged. Crosswhite has grown throughout the series, as Dugoni puts her in many awkward positions. This novel helps explore some of the backstory of a superior and sworn enemy, Johnny Nolasco, including how his past has come to help shape the bitterness. In a race to find a long dormant serial Killer, Crosswhite and Nolasco will have to put their differences aside in order to find that missing piece of evidence. Dugoni dazzles once more and kept me on the edge of my seat.

Seattle was facing major panic in the 1990s when the Rout 99 serial killer was on the loose. Thirteen victims appear to be attributed to him, though he left only a mark on their left shoulder, something that was never released to the public. Outrage boiled over when four women who worked in the mayor’s office were slain, when the SPD finally took notice. When they could get nowhere, the case was shelved and left to gather dust.

Tracy Crosswhite is tasked with reopening the investigation, pressured by a Chief of Police who remains bitter for some recent accusations. While she would love to work with one of her former partners, she is pushed to work alongside another cop who cut his teeth on the hunt and task force, Captain Johnny Nolasco, Crosswhite’s largest nemesis , who has brought her nothing but pain and misery since she joined the SPD.

Nolasco is not yet ready to let bygones be bygones and challenges Crosswhite to close the case once and for all. The two are forced to revisit old clues and follow-up on some reports from an investigative journalist who blew the lid on another SPD scandal before she was kidnapped and left for dead in California. When Crosswhite thinks that she has found a solid lead, she presses it and reveals the likely killer, who has been lying low for decades. When the man is taken into custody, a new murder with the same marking occurs, leaving many to wonder if they have the wrong man. The pressure of the accusation and the obvious mess-up by SPD has many thinking that the police have dropped the ball once more.

When DNA shines light on a new possibility, Crosswhite and Nolasco will have to act quickly, as someone appears to be haunting them and trying to use their anonymity to their advantage. A killer is out there, and appears ready for one final kill, as Nolasco finally sees Crosswhite’s detective work as pure gold. This will be one case that must be solved in order to bring some form of respect back to the Seattle Police Department. Dugoni proves himself once more and keeps the reader guessing.

There’s noting like a Tracy’s Crosswhite book to get the blood pumping. Dugoni has built up the series over a number of years, adding just the right amount of spice to strong story foundations. The narrative flow guides the reader throughout this piece, leaving little to chance in a series that never turns towards the dull. With great characters, Dugoni has been able to set the groundwork for strong development and, in this case, turning a minor character into someone whose backstory is quite intriguing. Plot points emerge throughout the story, providing some surprises for the reader and keeping the novel from being too linear. Many will ask, should the series be read in order? Dugoni builds on themes and makes references to past novels, making reading the books in order an essential. I am eager to see what Robert Dugoni has to offer in the coming years, as Tracy Crosswhite appears far from done her work with the Seattle Police Department.

Kudos, Mr. Dugoni, for another great addition to the series that makes it even more enticing.

Tracy Crosswhite is always a good detective story! I enjoyed this mystery and how everything unraveled. Its hard to know who to trust and Tracy is just as skeptical throughout. I liked how this connected to other books in the series without re-living previous books on page here. The story is consistently moving forward here and makes it a quick, easy read. Highly recommend. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to provide my honest review.

I received an ARC through "NetGalley" and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

In this story, Tracy has just gotten to work when she is called to Webb's, the police chief, office and tasked with looking into the cold cases associated with the "99 Killer'. It so happens that a newspaper is going to be publishing an article that highlights the failure of the police to solve this case which happened 25 years earlier. Tracy tells Webb that she will need help and asks for Dez. She later learns that the person assigned to help is not Dez, but her Captain. Tracy and the Captain do not get along that well and the Captain was the task for leaer for the "99 Killer".

Tracy starts going through the boxes of files that were generated when the case was active. She also goes through the notebook of a newspaper reported who she found after she had disappeared during that same period. Reading through the book she discovered that there appeared to be a leak by someone in the task force. To make matters worse, the "99 Killer" struck again and the pressure to solve this became quite immense.

Read along as Tracy pursues the killer and learn what she goes through as she and the Captain struggle to get some sort of meaning. Learn what finally brought it all together and who the "99 Killer" was. This is a definite winner and well worth reading.