A Dead Draw is the eleventh book in the Tracy Crosswhite series by best-selling award-winning American author, Robert Dugoni. When a test-fire on a confiscated weapon shows a match with two of Tracy Crosswhite’s cold cases, she’s disappointed when a technical oversight by her former partner sees Erik Schmidt going free. Her interview with him was disturbing: he seems to know a lot more about her than he should, and she loses her cool in an unacceptable manner.

Already causing her sleepless nights, it affects her performance in her shoot/no shoot test. Then she barely escapes suspension, but for surprise support from her one-time nemesis, Captain Johnny Nolasco, instead going on leave. Determined not to let Schmidt get away with it, she digs up as much information about him as she can. By the time she has spoken to his supervisor at the Army Marksmanship Unit, the prison psychiatrist, and a prison inmate who recruited him to smuggle in heroin, she has a much clearer, and much more concerning, picture of the man.

Now, she’s worried for her family, and herself: she knows her gun skills no longer match his, and when her former partner is seriously injured in suspicious circumstances, she decides to move her family to the safety of their house in Cedar Grove. Brushing up her shooting skills seems like a wise move too. Extra security precautions should be sufficient to keep everyone safe, but for Dan’s strange encounter with a newcomer to the town.

Dugoni uses the well-worn acolyte/copycat of a serial killer trope in this instalment and has Tracy (somewhat arrogantly) deciding to go it alone against a skilled shooter. A bit of miscommunication or lack of communication leads to dangerous scenarios, and there’s lots of tension in the lead up to a nail-biting climax. There’s also a LOT of gun action, something that may have US appeal but falls a bit flat for readers in countries with better gun laws. And a glaring plot hole that loses it half a star. Still, more Tracy Crosswhite will be welcome.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer.

I will never grow tired of this series. I am so impressed with every storyline and always care Tracy and her family. I look forward to the next book, if there is one.

Robert Dugoni's Tracy Crosswhite novels are always winners in my book, and his most recent release, A Dead Draw may just be my favorite to date. Haunted by the memory of Edmund House, the monster who killed Tracy's sister Sarah and terrorized by recent confrontations with his former cellmate, Erik Schmidt also a suspect for two cold case murders Tracy is investigating, her life feels upside down. Tracy an excellent marksman/woman, experiences PTSD during a recertification exercise. Following that and an incident involving her former Violent Crime team members it is recommended that Tracy take some time off. A Dead Draw gives the reader a bit more personal insight into Tracy: her motivations, her concerns and her relationships with her family, former shooting instructor Mason Pettibone and his autistic granddaughter Lydia and colleagues while telling a riveting story of suspense and intrique. Dugoni, always a master storteller, hit it out of the park with A Dead Draw. Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer Publishing for the opportunity to read an ARC of this thriller; my review reflects my candid opinion. 4.5 stars

Thank you to the author, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review. My apologies for the delay in posting, I have had continuing familial health challenges to contend with in the past months.

This is the fourth book I've read in this series, and as always the author's work is sensational. Despite being the 11th book in the series, it can easily be read as a stand-alone, but will also satisfy those following along since the beginning. Tracy Crosswhite is a strong female lead, and yet the weakness that come along with this - a too strong streak of stubborn independence - is not hidden. The police procedural aspects of the plot ring true, as do the failures of the system that may leave things unresolved. The multiple story threads each run along, criss-crossing at times, and the tension rises as the plot develops. I did feel that the resolution was a bit over the top, but this is another great book from this author. And he has other series out that are just as good!

As long as Robert Dugoni is writing an installment in the Tracy Crosswhite series I am going to get a copy and read it. A Dead Draw had my heart pounding and was responsible for a lot of lost sleep. There was no way I was putting this book down, sleep be damned. I can’t say enough about the author’s ability to keep you constantly on the edge and it is all so horrifyingly believable. I think I say this in every review of this series - Dugoni is at the top of his game and his game is at the top of the pile of crime writers.

Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for a copy.

My goal was to catch up on this series (I think I'm on book 5 or 6) but life happened and I did not. So I had to be realistic and just read this and hope for the best. I think series are not meant for avid readers and reviewers!

But wow Tracy and I had a lot to catch up on. She has a daughter who's three or four that I missed out on. At first I thought too much time had passed for us to regain our connection, but I became absorbed in this story about a creepy guy who idolized the person who killed Tracy's sister. I liked that Tracy's sharpshooting came into the plot as I used to have amazing eyesight and wish I'd tried that before my distance vision became just average.

In any case, a good addition to the series and maybe one day I will catch up on the books I missed!

Thanks to the publisher for providing an advance copy for review!

s a Karin Slaughter super-fan, I'm constantly looking to fill the Will Trent sized void in my heart while I wait for the next book. Enter the Tracy Crosswhite series by Robert Dugoni. You get your crime thriller vibes, a little romance, and a solid group of friends, which is a perfect combo for me.

Generally speaking, I've really enjoyed this series, but I have to say this wasn't my favorite installment. I was happy to be back in a world with Tracy and gang though, and after a slow start, the second half really picked up, and I flew through it! This installment focuses on an recently released convict who is a suspect in two cases Tracy has been investigating, which understandably creates a certain level of stress in her life. She's not performing at work up to her usually stellar reputation, causing her to take step back and return home to Cedar Grove to sharpen up her skills.

It's hard to talk about an 11th (!!!) book in a series without spoiling it, so I will just say if you are a crime thriller fan, this series is a great one to pick up. They are easy reads with plenty of good plot twists and character development to keep you coming back for more, but after this book, I'm looking forward to the day when Tracy is back at work in Seattle solving crimes.

Editor's note: This roundup is scheduled to publish in Georgia June 11 online and June 14 print in several newspapers. Will also publish in Mississippi and Alabama during the month in newspapers and magazines, timing up to local editors. Link below will be active June 11.

From new series starters (Michael Connelly’s “Nightshade”) to the tried-and-true (Kendra Elliot’s “Her First Mistake”) our beach bag is already overflowing, and what we offer here are just a few — OK, actually 25 — of the best beach reads published through the end of June. Later this season we’ll round out the list, but for now, find an old favorite, a debut thriller or just about anything in between — including a North Alabama favorite who you just might see dining at a Cullman restaurant.

“Vera Wong’s Guide to Snooping on a Dead Man” (Berkley) by Jesse Q. Sutanto: A lovable Chinese tea shop owner stumbles upon a distressed, young woman — and a murder, the investigation of which she decides to serve up herself. With lots of tea and nosy charm, Vera tackles the project unasked as a “favor” to her (hoped for) future daughter-in-law. Sutanto mixes cozy mystery with smart humor and heartfelt moments.

“When She Was Gone” (Blackstone Publishing) by Sara Foster: When a young nanny working for one of Perth’s wealthiest families disappears, a tense investigation unravels the secrets of a seemingly perfect family, forcing everyone to confront the lies they’ve told themselves and each other. Foster delivers a taut, emotionally resonant thriller that lingers. And as expected from Blackstone Publishing, the story itself is packaged beautifully with subtle and tactile cover art: Buy the hardcover of this one.

“Follow Me” (Thomas & Mercer) by Elizabeth Rose Quinn: An eerie digital breadcrumb trail leads a tech-savvy woman into a web of deception and danger. Quinn crafts a smart, suspenseful mystery that taps into our modern fears of surveillance and online identity. “Heathers” meets “The Stepford Wives” in this tale of twin sisters.

“The Book That Held Her Heart” (Ace) by Mark Lawrence: In this final chapter of The Library Trilogy, a mysterious book bridges love, loss and literary magic in a haunting story that defies time and tests the bond between Livira and Evar — one that has never been more taut. Lawrence blends fantasy and emotion in this lyrical, genre-bending tale.

“The Great Pyramids: Collected Stories” (Arcade Publishing) by Frederick Barthelme: This sharp, wry collection captures small-town oddities, human longing and ironic twists with Barthelme’s signature minimalist flair. A masterclass in short fiction that’s both grounded and subtly surreal.

“The Boomerang” (Thomas & Mercer) by Robert Bailey: Big Pharma is on trial as Eli James, chief of staff to the president, attempts to rescue his daughter from a cancer diagnosis while simultaneously stumbling upon a cover up that could affect millions of lives — and more importantly to the bad guys, billions of dollars. Bailey keeps the thrills high and the emotional stakes higher. He also lives with his family in Huntsville — and has been know to visit Cullman County now and then. Let him know what you think of his latest if you see him around town.

“A Thousand Natural Shocks” (Blackstone Publishing) by Omar Hussain: A reporter fleeing his past while investigating a serial killer becomes entangled in a cult that promises a pill to erase his memory. The story turns to a test of time as dark secrets about the cult and the serial killer surface in an attempt to reconcile everything he’s learned with his past — before his memories evaporate.

“My Friends” (Atria Books) by Fredrik Backman: Backman returns with a moving meditation on friendship, aging, the quiet heroism of everyday people and a famous painting picturing an isolated moment of time of three tiny figures sitting at the end of a long pier. Tender, funny and unmistakably human, this is Backman’s most eloquent and lyrical story to date about how lives intersect in unknowable and unpredictable ways. An engaging read from the author of “A Man Called Ove.”

“The Language of the Birds” (Ballantine) by K.A. Merson: Arizona is no average teenager and when she finds a cryptic ransom note, she sets out to solve the riddles — and save her mother. Unwittingly, she becomes entangled in a worldwide treasure hunt that involves a centuries-old secret her father took to his grave. A quirky, surprising story soars in an introspective mystery.

“The Eternal Warrior” (Blackstone Publishing) by Ari Marmell: An immortal fighter who defies even death — an Eternal Warrior — is caught in a conflict that spans centuries, grappling with his past sins and the future of humanity in an attempt to reclaim everything that has slipped from his personal history. Marmell delivers epic fantasy with grit, heart and unrelenting pace.

“Nightshade” (Little, Brown and Company) by Michael Connelly: Done with Bosch and Ballard, at least for now, Connelly’s new series starter centers on another one-name detective, Stilwell. Due to department politics, the Los Angeles County sheriff detective has been exiled to a low-level post on Catalina Island, where he promptly begins to ruffle local feathers as he unearths secrets the natives would rather keep to themselves. Hopefully Connelly’s flair for backstory and depth will surface in future offerings, but for now, our first meeting with Stilwell offers a familiar, fun summer read.

“Kaua’i Storm” (Thomas & Mercer) by Tori Eldridge: In the lush Hawaiian landscape, a repatriated national park ranger uncovers a mystery surrounding the disappearance of her two cousins. Unfortunately for her, it’s a mystery and investigation that neither the family, the locals nor the police truly want exposed. Eldridge blends action and cultural depth in a uniquely tropical thriller.

“Rockets’ Red Glare” (Blackstone Publishing) by William Webster and Dick Lochte: A high-octane political thriller unfolds against the backdrop of a potentially explosive Fourth of July. Lochte’s sharp storytelling and fast pacing make for a perfect July 4 holiday page-turner. The book is the first in a series with Tribal Police Deputy Sage Mendiluze. Reacher and Pickett fans will find common ground here.

“Written on the Dark” (Ace) by Guy Gavriel Kay: Kay returns with an evocative, elegant historical fantasy set in a world where poetry, memory and fate collide. Centering on a tavern poet who must cater to both rogues and courtiers, Thierry Villar must also navigate churning political waters in a game of assassins and armies. Richly imagined and beautifully told storytelling.

“A Dead Draw” (Thomas & Mercer) by Robert Dugoni: In book 11 of the Tracy Crosswhite series, a pair of cold cases stir ties to the murder of Tracy’s sister in the form of suspect Erik Schmidt. When Schmidt is freed due to an investigative error, the lives of her friends and family are under direct threat. Schmidt is a master of taunt and tease as he draws Tracy deeper into his dark world. Wonderful character building in this story and the sensitive drawing of Lydia, a young woman on the spectrum whose mannerisms echo those of Tracy’s murdered sister, is exceptionally done. One of Dugoni’s best works, the author brings in just enough backstory to both start the series here, and reward long-time readers with vintage Crosswhite.

“The Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club” (Ballantine Books) by Martha Hall Kelly: In a story told through dual timelines, Kelly’s narrative is a personal ode to her mother’s heritage. Involving a contemporary mystery, set at Martha’s Vineyard, whose only answers will come from the past, the story taps a wartime romance set in 1942 — and a beach read written for today. Kelly is touring extensively for this book through the end of July. Meet up with her at marthahallkelly.com/events/.

“The Turn” (Blackstone Publishing) by Christopher Ransom: An heirloom, of sorts, following his father’s death sends Casey Sweet into his dad’s past — and a current country club where Casey might just have met the long-lost son he never knew he had. Written in the tradition of “Caddyshack,” Ransom’s new novel is an engaging summer break.

“The Afterlife Project” (Podium Publishing) by Tim Weed: Humanity is facing extinction. A group of scientists with the capability to send a test subject 10,000 years into the future. One of the last women on Earth capable of getting pregnant. All of this portends that the survival of humankind is at stake in a futuristic setting evoking the ills of today.

“It Takes a Psychic” (Berkley) by Jayne Ann Krentz writing as Jayne Castle: A psychic investigator — actually, a para-archeologist — with a flair for romance and the paranormal dives into a case filled with danger and sizzling chemistry. Castle delivers her signature mix of mystery charm in a story centering on a long-dead cult leader and illicit paranormal experiments. “It Takes a Psychic” is No. 18 in Castle’s A Harmony Novel series.

“The Ghostwriter” (Sourcebooks Landmark) by Julie Clark: An author’s past returns to haunt her in the form of a ghostwriting project undertaken for her estranged father. When the project turns out to be just another one of dad’s lies, writer Olivia Dumont is forced to confront her relationship with her father … and a web of family secrets.

“Stop All the Clocks” (Arcade) by Noah Kumin: Kumin’s debut is a meditative, poetic novel about time, grief and the modern-life moments that define us … in ones and zeroes. The death of a colleague and the collapse of her AI company send Mona Veigh’s life in directions not determined by any algorithm.

“Plays Well with Others” (Blackstone Publishing) by Lauren Myracle: A bout of social media betrayal forces Jake Nolan from her job, house and husband and into a receptive bungalow on Sweetwater Lane. There, she befriends those just like herself — people itching to act on entrenched thoughts of retaliation.

“Her First Mistake” (Montlake) by Kendra Elliot: Elliot has written nearly two dozen thrillers set in her home state of Oregon and this latest offering features a minor character from the Columbia River novels: Here, Deschutes County sheriff’s detective Noelle Marshall gets her own origin story. A cold case murder mystery, this is the tale that explains what happened to Marshall to make her the detective she is today, or at least what she becomes in later storylines. A fulfilling storyline delivers much more than backstory in a captivating summer read.

“Jill Is Not Happy” (Scarlet) by Kaira Rouda: In this darkly comic tale, Jill and Jack live an enviable life in South California and, as recent empty-nesters, an unbearable marriage. A road trip “to reconnect” is really a cat-and-mouse game unknown to each other as they unwittingly match their cunning to pull one in … and push the other over, the more-than-metaphorical ledge.

“The Farm House” (Poisoned Pen Press) by Chelsea Conradt: Looking for a fresh start after her mother dies, Emily Hauk and her husband depart for a farm in rural Nebraska. Learning nothing from centuries of thrillers (“The Amityville Horror,” anyone?), they should have asked why the asking price was so low. Unknown to them, everyone who has ever lived on this farm has died. The lure of the soil is compelling, though, as Emily digs into the mystery enveloping her new home.

Reach book reviewer Tom Mayer at tmayer@rn-t.com or tmayer132435@gmail.com.

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Schmidt is a psychopath killer. Due to a legal mistake he has once again got released. Tracy is very sure he is connected with her sisters abduction and death and she is now very sure she is in his sights for his next killing. Escaping to Cedar Grove with her family she thought was one way of protecting them. Tracy thought she was safe but she is dealing with a criminal with a brilliant criminal mind who seems to be always one step ahead.

The killer is out for revenge. Tracy killed his hero and he wants her to hurt too. The little hints that makes Tracy realise that he is on her trail is the cat and mouse game he plays before his final denouement.

The story was a tense one throughout and was not long drawn. It was also a descriptive story detailing both the police environment as well as small town America (very nice for overseas readers).

Admittedly, for one reason or another I've missed at least a couple of books in this series - this is the eleventh - and for those I missed I'm sorry just because I enjoy them so much. Tracy Crosswhite, a detective in the Seattle Police Department's Cold Case Unit, is more like an old friend than a character in a book; I'm warming up to her husband, prosecuting attorney Dan O'Leary (their young daughter, Daniella, doesn't get anywhere as much page space as her parents, but she sounds adorable.

This one touches - no, make that pounds - on an old nemesis - the man who murdered Tracy's sister Sarah years earlier. As Tracy interviews Erik Schmidt, a nasty sort whom Tracy believes murdered two girls in one of the cold cases she's trying to heat up, believes Sarah's killer to be some kind of hero. Needless to say, that does not endear him to Tracy.

But any charges against Schmidt go poof in the night following an evidence screw-up, and he makes it clear he's out to get Tracy. What follows is a whirlwind chase (in both directions, as Tracy tries to get to Schmidt before he can get to her and her family), plenty of head games and an action-packed finish. In some ways, Schmidt is almost too ingenious to be believed, but it makes for a fun adventure anyway. Many thanks to the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to be part of another exciting installment by way of a pre-release copy.

EXCERPT: 'Well, tell me what brings you out here? I'm more than a little curious.'
'My shooting. I want to take lessons again - while I'm here,' Tracy said. 'Are you still teaching? I mean, with the leg and all.'
'Don't need my leg to teach, but Tracy, your family already exceeded all my expectations - and knowledge. I taught you everything I know. You had the intangibles that made each of you champions.'
'I might have at one time. I'm not so certain any more.'
She told him what had happened on the shoot/no shoot course, the missed targets and her hallucination. She did not tell him that watching the video of Schmidt had initially triggered a competitiveness in her that had once made her one of Washington's best shots, or that she had a premonition, perhaps a maternal instinct, that Schmidt would challenge her, and she wanted to protect those she loved. She wanted to be at her best, if it came to that.

ABOUT 'A DEAD DRAW': Detective Tracy Crosswhite isn’t one to lose her cool. Until her interrogation of the taunting and malicious Erik Schmidt, a suspect in two cold case killings. Schmidt also has unnerving ties to the monster who murdered Tracy’s sister, stirring memories of the crime that shaped Tracy’s life. After a critical mistake during a shooting exercise, Tracy breaks.

Haunted by nightmares and flashbacks, Tracy heads to her hometown of Cedar Grove to refocus. Just a peaceful getaway with her husband, her daughter, and their nanny at their weekend house. But Tracy’s sleepless nights are only beginning. A legal glitch has allowed Schmidt to go free. And Tracy has every reason to fear that he’s followed her.

Forced into a twisted game of cat and mouse, Tracy must draw on all her training, wits, and strength to defeat a master criminal before he takes away everyone Tracy loves.

MY THOUGHTS: It took me a little longer than usual to become totally immersed in A Dead Draw, the 11th in Robert Dugoni's Tracy Crosswhite series, but once I got into it, I found it almost impossible to put down.

Tracy is facing a killer out for revenge. A killer who escaped justice on a technicality and who believes Tracy responsible for the death of his friend and mentor. A killer who will use whatever means he can to get his hands on Tracy.

The suspense throughout this novel is palpable and the tension towards the end had my heart beating double time.

I loved the new character, Lydia, a high-functioning young autistic woman, who is introduced in this book, and I hope we see more of her in the future. Working with Lydia brings out a side of Tracy we rarely see, and I enjoyed it.

A Dead Draw may be able to be read as a stand alone but, I think to get the full benefit of the backstory relating to what is happening in A Dead Draw, it would be better to have read the earlier books in this series.

⭐⭐⭐.6

#ADeadDraw #NetGalley

MEET THE AUTHOR: Robert Dugoni is the critically acclaimed New York Times, and #1 Amazon bestselling author of the Tracy Crosswhite police series set in Seattle.

DISCLOSURE: Thanks to Thomas & Mercer via NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of A DEAD DRAW by Robert Dugoni for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions.

I am a huge fan of Robert Dugoni and was thrilled to get an arc of A Dead Draw – the eleventh book in the Tracy Crosswhite series. The books are fast action crime thrillers with characters that are authentic.
Haunted by flashbacks and nightmares, Tracy, a Seattle Homicide Detective takes on the case of Erik Schmidt. This one is personal and may just be Tracy’s undoing. Told with the storytelling only Dugoni can deliver, this one is a must read.
Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for my ARC in exchange for my opinion.

I thought I had read every book in the Tracy Crosswhie series, starting with My Sister’s Grave, back in 2014. Along the way, I’ve enjoyed following Tracy’s life both professionally with the Seattle PD as well as her personal life…so I found myself surprised and pleased to receive a copy of Robert Dugoni’s latest in the series, A Dead Draw (in exchange for my honest review). Pleased because I have really enjoyed all the books, and surprised because this is #11 out of 12, and I had no idea there were 12!

In this one, Tracy is in a sort of flashback situation as in her work as a Detective she needs to interrogate a creepy suspect in two cold case murders…and the subject of her interrogation has ties to the man who killed her sister (way back in book 1!) Tracy ends up going back to her hometown following a sort of breakdown. Accompanied by the husband and daughter she has gained throughout the series of books, Tracy has to deal with the thought that the subject, who escaped, might be on her trail.

Yes, it is a series that follows her life and career, but IMO every book in the series can be read as a standalone. I have enjoyed all of them, and recommend this for anyone who likes a nice plot, a strong female character, and a fun read. OK, maybe not “fun” as it gets a bit scary/gruesome along the way, but still…

Sadly, #12 won’t be out til fall of 2026, but that gives readers time to catch up to this fine series. Five stars.

AND my review was declined by Amazon. No idea why!

I read 'A Dead Draw' by Robert Dugoni as a standalone, and despite being part of a series, it flowed well and was easy to follow.
The story started off a bit slow, but as it progressed, the good character development and rich backstory helped to remain engaged.
The writing is engaging and easy to read, making for an entertaining book. One thing I might have missed out on by not reading the other books in the series is a deeper understanding of the character, but overall, 'A Dead Draw' held my interest.
Thank you to Netgalley and Thomas and Mercer for the opportunity to read and review this book.

A Dead Draw by Robert Dugoni is a riveting legal thriller that had me hooked from the very first page.
This is a masterfully crafted thriller that will keep readers guessing until the very end.
With its engaging plot, compelling characters, and twists and turns I was engaged from the beginning.

Thank You NetGalley and Publisher for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

Although the story has a slower beginning it caught my attention and I just couldn't put it down. Tracy's past is knocking hard at her door after she fails her test at the shooting range. Her worst nightmare, which is her sister's death, becomes her first thought everywhere she goes and with everything she does. And she retreats into her past going back to Cedar Falls, getting retrained for shooting competitions, doing what she does best which is taking care of people (her mentor's granddaughter - Lydia - who is in the spectrum and is a class one shooter). Her husband, Dan, is confronted by the new owner of Tracy's old home, who leaves him with a strange vibe. In fact, the criminal who made Tracy take a leave of absence from her job and move to Cedar Falls is there and he's willing to harm not only her but all those who she loves. The unexpected will happen and I was really happy with how the story ended. A Dead Draw is full of action, mystery, it speaks of the resilence of the human being, of the importane of community ties and friendship, of our capacity to love, teach and help and above all it speaks of the respect we must have for those with different abilities from the normal being.
I thank Mr. Dugoni, his publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

I absolutely love the Tracy Crosswhite series by Robert Dugoni and A Dead Draw did not disappoint.

After encountering someone connected to her past, Tracy struggles with nightmares and hallucinations. While trying to cope with her demons, a murderer walks due to a technicality. Unfortunately this man has a vendetta against Tracy.

Tracy takes some time away from work and goes back home to Cedar Grove. While there she wants to work on her shooting skills with her old teacher. Getting a glimpse into how trainings for shooting competitions is done was interesting.

Dugoni brings back familiar characters and introduces some new ones. Some of the new ones feel like found family for Tracy. One new character was Lydia, a teenager on the spectrum, a great shooter, and very similar to Tracy's sister. It was heartwarming to watch Tracy interact with Lydia and embrace teaching her independence. They both saved each other.

I highly recommend this entire series! I cannot wait for #12.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for a digital ARC of this book.

Detective Tracy Crosswhite once a detective in the Violent Crimes Unit, now investigates cold cases. She is still haunted by the death of her sister Sarah and the man who killed her. With the murder of her sister still on her mind, she loses her control while questioning a man in regards to the murder of two women. Erik Schmidt was a friend of the man who murdered her sister and was arrested after he was seen brandishing a gun in public. The gun was tested and the bullets were linked to the murder of the women. His lawyer is now claiming that there was no permission given to test the weapon and wants his client released. Tracy is well known as one of the best shots having learned to shoot from a young age, but during yearly firearms testing she makes a major error that shocks everyone. Not sleeping and haunted by the man who killed her sister, she decides to retreat to Cedar Grove, her hometown. Accompanying her is her husband Dan and their four-year-old daughter Danielle. In town she reconnects with the man who taught her to shoot and his granddaughter, Lydia. She is charmed by Lydia and amazed at her computer skills. When Eric is released on a technicality, she knows that he will be coming for her and now she must protect Lydia. An ending that you won’t want to miss! I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (paytonpuppy)

Even though it’s only been two years since Robert Dugoni’s last Tracy Crosswhite novel, it still feels like the wait for the newest book, A Dead Draw, has been way too long. Of the multiple series he writes the Crosswhite series is easily my favorite. It’s one of a few series that I always not only read but will then also end up picking up and listening to the audio editions as well.

As the 11th book in the series let me first address the question of whether this can be read as a standalone or not. And yes while I definitely believe it can be, it does draw from/build upon some of what has come before, not that Dugoni doesn’t do a fine job of giving the reader all the backstory necessary. I just think it enhances your enjoyment of the book to know what Tracey has endured over the years to make her the woman she is. The story focuses on a killer who has has ties to her sister’s murder. A twisted individual who knows just how to get under Tracey’s skin…and who appears to not only be getting away with murder, but now he wants to play a game of cat and mouse and go after Tracey and everything she hold dear. While I won’t claim this is my all time favorite (I actually go back and forth between a few of the books when it comes to my favorite), it is still a more than worthy addition to this excellent series. I’d like to thank Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of A Dead Draw.

https://www.amazon.com/review/R2JSS08MY7K580/ref=pe_123899240_1043597390_SRTC0204BT_cm_rv_eml_rv0_rv

I do not think you can go wrong with a Robert Dugoni book. A talented writer who can manage different genres of stories without problems.
The 11th book in the Tracy Crosswhite series brings Tracy in contact with Erik Schmidt who had ties to her sister’s murderer. Resulting in nightmares and flashbacks causing a screwup during shooting practices. Tracy realizes help is needed and turns to her former mentor from her competition days. Currently, she meets Lydia, his granddaughter. Both needing a mentor find the situations beneficial to each other. We see a new side of Tracy who aids Lydia to become self-sufficient, more independent from grandfather and mother, starting by her having a job where the boss understands her limitations. This does not stop the writer from penning down a great mystery with twists and turns keeping you guessing along the way and unable to stop reading.