My Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5

While this was another solid installment of the Tracy Crosswhite series, I don't feel as though it was as intense as the others have been. In fact, while there were subtle hints to the overlying threat of Schmidt hanging over her head, I feel like more attention was paid to the competitive shooting aspect of Tracy's life instead of her trying to alleviate the threat. Sure, she tries to justify it to Dan by saying that she wanted to brush up on her skills because she failed the shoot/no shoot testing required by her police department, but in reality she tells herself its because she has a gut feeling its all going to come down to a shoot out between herself and Schmidt. Sadly, I found these passages to drag down the pace of the novel, and as interesting as Lydia was, was playing first person shooter games really necessary? Sure, Lydia helps Tracy with her focus on getting through one level before worrying about the next, but I cannot fathom how clicking a mouse is meant to help her with her shooting.

In fact, more than once I questioned things that Tracy did (or did not do). For example, I understand her not wanting to worry her nanny any more than she had to, but because Teresa was often left alone for periods of time with Danielle, I felt it would have been prudent for Tracy to warn her of the threat so that Teresa would know to be on the lookout and maybe would have reconsidered some of her own actions.

There were also some things that happened towards the end of the novel (in the time leading up to the final chapters) that I found to be implausible at best, which was very disheartening considering one of the things I enjoy most about these novels is how close to reality they tend to be. However, I did enjoy the final showdown such as it was, feeling that it was a fitting end all things considered.

If there will be more books in this series, I look forward to reading them. If there are not, I am sure I will read more from this author (I am also looking forward to more books in his Keera Duggan series as that is another favorite of mine).

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.

Dead Draw is the newest Detective Tracy Crosswhite installment. I’ve been enjoying this series from the beginning but this one started out slow for me. Tracy is pulled into a case that is personal for her and she is losing sleep and possibly her career when she can’t pass a shooting test.
Personal cases make Tracy sloppy and she is much better on the cold cases she’s been assigned to.
However the book did get into its grove with some great action and finished strong.

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 excited to get my hands on a new Tracy Crosswhite novel, I eagerly accepted this ARC by Robert Dugoni. The story worked well and complemented the past novels in the series, as Dugoni works to keep his protagonist in the middle of the action without being too repetitive. The story of yet another cold case is thrust into the present, as Detective Crosswhite is forced to come to terms once again with the murder of her sister and the man who did the deed. Dugoni fills some more gaps while opening new storylines with this piece, all in an exciting and well-developed manner. I could not get enough of this novel or the series as a whole.

Detective Tracy Crosswhite has long been known to keep herself calm, especially in front of a suspect. Having worked for various units of the Seattle Police Department, she has seen her fair share of people who have the most heinous crimes associated with them. However, when she encounters Erik Schimidt, her rage boils over. Schmidt knows how to push her buttons and activates the one trigger she cannot keep under wraps, the murder of her sister all those years ago. The angst and pain come out, first in a physical altercation with Schmidt in an interrogation room and then on the shooting range, where things go off the tracks.

Her actions and the reckless work by a colleague see Erik Schmidt dodge a legal bullet. This sends Crosswhite and others away from SPD for a time, while Schmidt is free to roam the streets of Seattle. However, those who know Tracy Crosswhite can be sure she will not rest until justice is done. She's motivated to get answers and ensure those who commit crimes pay handsomely.

Returning to her hometown, Crosswhite seeks to calm herself down and try to stay safe from Erik Schmidt's grasp. Her family means more than anything to her and while Tracy Crosswhite tries to protect them, she realises that the animosity is only heightened. Schmidt is ready to ensure she suffers as he did and that Detective Crosswhite is soon a distant memory. What follows is an intense game of cat and mouse, with the prize unlike anything either party could imagine. Another Dugoni gem in a series that has me fully committed.

I have long enjoyed the work of Robert Dugoni and his various series. He gets to the heart of the matter and provides entertaining stories along the way. The ease with which the narrative flows kept me reading well into the evening, always wondering what awaits Tracy Crosswhite and those closest to her. As the story gained momentum, the characters came alive once more. Those familiar with the series know Crosswhite and her team, each of whom have their own backstory. Dugoni added just enough to keep the reader wondering what is to come in the next piece. Plot points worked well, particularly in this cat and mouse hunt, rather than a traditional police procedural. I was eager to delve deeper and see how things would resolve themselves, as well as where things might be headed next!

Kudos, Mr. Dugoni, for a story that really gets to the heart of the protagonist.

I love all of Robert Dugoni's books. Tracy Crosswhite has been one of my favorite series...this was good read.

If you like your thrillers with a side of snark, A Dead Draw is your new best friend. Robert Dugoni’s latest takes you on a fast-paced ride through twists, turns, and some seriously sharp dialogue. The plot is gripping, and the characters are as flawed as they are lovable—think “I can't believe they just did that” moments, followed by “Oh, wait, I can believe they just did that” moments.

It’s like the perfect mix of suspense and humor with a dash of "how is this even real?" But here’s the thing: it’s almost perfect. Sometimes the plot gets a little too tangled for its own good, but overall, it’s a wild ride you won’t want to stop.

Rating: 4/5 Stars – Because who doesn’t love a good page-turner that doesn’t take itself too seriously?

A Dead Draw by Robert Dugoni is a thrilling, fast-paced mystery that hooks readers from the very first page. With a masterful blend of suspense, intrigue, and complex characters, Dugoni delivers a gripping tale that keeps you on the edge of your seat. The protagonist, Tracy Crosswhite, one of my favorite characters in all crime thrillers, is as sharp as ever, and the storyline is packed with twists and turns that leave you constantly guessing. Dugoni’s attention to detail and ability to craft realistic, emotional moments elevates this book to a whole new level. A perfect blend of crime, drama, and unexpected revelations, A Dead Draw is a must-read for fans of compelling thrillers.

After a mistake on the firing range fueled by her alarming interaction with a double homicide suspect who ignites memories of her sister’s killer, Seattle homicide Detective Tracy Crosswhite takes some time off and returns to her hometown of Cedar Grove where she must revisit the tragedy of her younger sister’s murder. This time, though, Tracy is the target.

Dugoni’s books are always well written with intriguing plots and good character development. This was another page turner that I didn’t want to put down. An avid reader of this series, I appreciated gaining more insight into Tracy’s background and psyche. Kudos for including a neurodivergent character and portraying her realistically.

While I did enjoy this, the eleventh installment, it wasn’t my favorite; too much about guns and competitive shooting. Do be sure, though, to read the author’s notes at the end where he discusses his background inspiration for aspects of this story.

A Dead Draw can be read as a standalone, but if you enjoy a good police procedural and this is your first Tracy Crosswhite novel, you will want to go back and read the earlier ones as well.

Book #11 of a of the Tracy Crosswhite thriller/crime series. I didn’t know it was part of a series when I requested it. It started out strong and then my interest dwindled. Overall it was just ok. Would be a good road trip/vacation read.

When requesting "Dead Draw" to review, I did not realize this was a series. This not the author's fault in any way. I miss the history behind the characters. However, this was my first book by Robert Dugoni and I felt the writing was great. This was a "slow" story in some parts but I thought it was a decent read overall. My opinion is mine alone and others should read the book for themselves.

Wow. I love this series so much. This one offered a deeper dive into Tracy as a character and I loved that!! It made the overall plot feel more personal because we all have points in our lives where things feel overwhelming. Seeing Tracy’s personal struggles and her fight to remain dedicated to her cases made me love her more as a character. Dugoni has a way of making things so descriptive that you can just imagine the screen right in your mind. I would definitely put this as top 3 in the series! From about chapter 7 I was unable to let myself stop reading. I’m sleep deprived but it was worth it!!

Love this series and this is an excellent next book in the series. I was on the edge of my seat while reading. this book, Great characters and a plot that keeps you guessing what Tracy Crosswhite will get into next. This is a can't put down book that keeps you reading till the last page. Looking forward to the next book.

Tracy Crosswhite is back in a thrilling, non-stop action story set in her hometown of Cedar Grove, WA. When a double murderer takes aim at Tracey's partner, Kins, Tracey and her husband and daughter take refuge in Cedar Grove to take refuge until the dust settles in Seattle. However, the killer tracks her home and taunts her with thrilling action all the way into the North Cascades. It's quite the gunslinging, fast paced story we love starring Tracy.

I've read all the Crosswhite books and have felt the last several were a bit bogged down with Tracy the homemaker. I much prefer her detecting to her mothering. This book assures me I'll be back for another!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC of this great book.

I really like the writing style of Robert Dugoni, and I love the Tracy Crosswhite series, so I was really happy to dive into this book.

The writing was really well done, as always. i was totally drawn into the story. I loved the plot - it was something different and interesting. I thought it was super interesting to learn about competitive shooting.

Now for the bad - there was too much detail about competitive shooting for me. From descriptions of revolvers, and pistols, and rifles. etc. Then what seemed like endless descriptions of the shooting range setups - I ended up skimming and even skipping pages. It was too confusing for me to visualize. I completely understand why it was in there - it was just too much for me personally. I think if you've ever been to a shooting range, you would like this much better than I did.

All that being said, I will still give this 4 stars. If 3 is average, then this is a 4, because I really did enjoy the story.

A Dead Draw is a great historical period drama including human interaction. It was a new prospective of WW2 in the Pacific awakening knowledge of another Inhumanity with totally wrong reasoning for the participation by those who were running the show. But on the other hand, redemption can also found. I enjoyed this complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Another fast paced, unputdownable saga in the Tracy Crosswhite series!! I literally read this in a day. The storyline heavily ties in with My Sisters Grave, the first in this series. I really loved some of the new characters, especially Lydia.

A heart-pounding thriller where the hero and villain are equally relentless! The twists had me sweating—this book is insanely good!

A Dead Draw – Robert Dugoni
Pub date: May 27 2025
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Series: Tracy Crosswhite #11
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)

Thank you! @netgalley @thomasmerceruk and @robertdugoni
For the ARC copy.

Description:

In A Dead Draw, the eleventh installment in the Tracy Crosswhite series, Robert Dugoni delivers another gripping thriller packed with suspense, psychological depth, and high stakes. Detective Tracy Crosswhite finds herself confronting a chilling suspect, Erik Schmidt, whose connection to her past makes the case intensely personal. When a legal loophole sets Schmidt free, Tracy’s worst fears materialize—he may be coming after her family. As she battles her own trauma while being drawn into a deadly game of cat and mouse, Tracy must rely on her instincts and skills to outwit a dangerous adversary before she loses everything she holds dear.

My Thoughts & Recommendations:

I absolutely loved Tracy, Dan,Theresa, and Lydia—especially Lydia, who was the true hero of the story. The encounter between Theresa, Danielle, and the villain had me sweating like I was right there with them. That whole episode gave me chills and nearly a heart attack!

And the final fight—OMG! I seriously couldn’t imagine how it would unfold. The twist was mind-blowing and executed so well.

The story starts off a little slow, but once it shifts to Cedar Grove, it becomes fast, gripping, and terrifying. This is my first book by Robert Dugoni, and I’m definitely going to read the rest of the series.

One of the best detective thrillers where both the villain and the hero are equally stubborn. I absolutely loved it!

If you love intense thrillers with strong characters and unexpected twists, this book is a must-read!

#DetectiveThriller #CrimeFiction #TracyCrosswhite #RobertDugoni #BookReview #ThrillerBooks #MysteryLovers #SuspenseReads #Bookstagram1l #MustRead #BookWorm #ReadingCommunity #Bestseller #ADeadDraw #NetGalley.

Anyone who is a fan of bestselling author, Robert Dugoni’s Tracy Crosswhite series, will want to immediately pick up the eleventh installment in the series, Dead Draw. Tracy, who works as a detective in the cold cases department of Seattle Police Department, is disappointed when the suspected murderer of two young women, Eric Schmidt, gets released on a technicality by a bad judge. Schmidt blames Tracy for his friend, Edmund House’s death and was in Prison with House before he died at Tracy’s hand in a previous novel. Tracy, who grew up competing in shooting competitions with her sister, Sarah who was murdered by House, messes up in her latest shooting exercise her latest shooting test and takes a bit of time off traveling back to her hometown, Cedar Grove to keep her husband, daughter, Daniella, and their nanny safe. Tracy contacts her old instructor to help her bone up on her shooting skills. Unfortunately, Schmidt turns up in Cedar Grove and threatens those Tracy loves the most.

Dugoni is a master storyteller and has earned his bestselling status. He keeps his readers on the edge and actually does enough research that the scenarios ring true. He builds suspense throughout this excellent novel, and readers will learn everything they need to know about shooting competitions; they may even look into competing themselves. There are, of course, twists and turns and a surprise dénouement at the end.

Those of us who have read the previous Tracy Crosswhite novels will be familiar with her and her developments, and will remember the history of her sister’s murder and her father’s suicide because of it. New readers most likely won’t fully understand her character fully without reading the previous novels. The story has well-developed sub-characters and they seem like real people. The story

All told, this is another winner. However, to fully enjoy this series, it is suggested that readers start with the first novel and read to the end. All of them are excellent, and this one will seem even better.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

With this novel, Robert Dugoni takes us back to the start of his Tracy Crosswhite series and the event that drove Tracy to become a detective - the disappearance of her 18 year old sister Sarah that has haunted Tracy for twenty years. Edmund House, was later convicted of Sarah’s abduction and murder, however new evidence led to an appeal and his release. Not long after, he was killed himself.

Now House’s prison mate, Erik Schmidt, recently released, is out to revenge Edmund, who has told him all about Tracy and her family. Tracy had once interviewed Schmidt while in prison and was convinced she was in the presence of a cold blooded psychopath. Now she has nightmares about both House and Schmidt and when she fails a police shooting test, decides to take some time off with her family in her home town of Cedar Grove.

There is a lot of fairly dry detail in this book about guns and shooting competitions which may not appeal to everyone, but rest assured this is for a good reason. As teenagers Tracy and Sarah were both state winners in Cowboy Action Shooting competitions and it was after such a competition that Sarah disappeared. In Cedar Grove, Tracy looks up her old mentor, Mason Pettibone who introduces her to his granddaughter Lydia, a highly intelligent teenager on the autism spectrum. She reminds Tracy of Sarah and shows Tracy a whole new way to train to become a better shooter.

There is a slow build up in setting the scene for this game of cat and mouse as Schmidt plays the long game and Tracy, as always, is stubborn and adamant that she can handle anything that comes her way, to the point where some of her decisions seem reckless. Mid way through the book, the tension accelerates and danger crackles off the pages generating a feeling that this is not going to end well.

The ending is packed with suspense and tension, building to an explosive climax and a truly wicked twist. Lydia is a wonderful new character, who I feel sure we’ll see more of in the future. Both enjoyable and shocking, this an excellent and worthwhile addition to the series, focusing on Tracy’s ongoing life and career, delving deeper into her character, her roots and what drives her and should not be missed by fans of the series. Hopefully, the resolution will also allow Tracy to finally shake off the demons from her past and put her PTSD behind her so she can focus on her career and what she does best.

This is the next instalment in the Tracy Crosswhite series, book 11. I love how Robert Dugong continues to entertain us with her character.

Tracy is now investigating cold cases, and this brings her back face to face with a ruthless but very conniving killer, Eric Schmidt. This is a particularly challenging scenario for Tracy as this cold-blooded killer convicted of two vicious murders has a known association to her sister’s murderer, Edmund House.

Tracy faces a shooting challenge that all officers must pass but during this, the normally hot shot shooter is unable to focus and fails the test, she keeps seeing images in her head of Schmidt and it becomes all consuming.

With everything around her falling to pieces, Tracy moves the family back to her hometown of Cedar Grove but the family she adores are soon threatened when her nanny out with her daughter are set upon by a daunting figure, one they believe to be Schmidt, sending Tracy a message that he can get to her anywhere. Tracy calls upon the man who taught her all she knows about shooting a gun and develops a relationship with his autistic daughter Lydia, a young woman who will end up playing an influential role in the inevitable showdown with Schmidt, only the smartest will survive.

The book did start off a little slow, but the author purposely provided back story regarding the character of Erik Schmidt and believed this was essential for any reader coming into the series late.

Another book in this series that I really enjoyed, and I look forward to the next.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy, all opinions expressed are my own.

Tracy Crosswhite is back, and Robert Dugoni has hit it out of the park, with this return to Tracy's roots. In many ways, A Dead Draw feels like a sequel to the original My Sister's Grave that started it all. Tracy has returned to Cedar Grove. And we are brought back to the story of Edmund House and her original backstory - a champion competitive shooter with a sister who as even better than she was. The book move quickly. The pace is engaging, the story is incredibly interesting, and while I kind of guessed the conclusion, we were introduced to new characters, and just a great novel. Robert Dugoni is a master at his craft. A Dead Draw does not disappoint. Thanks to Thomas Mercer./Amazon Publishing and Netgalley for this advanced readers copy.