I have loved reading this author's Tracy Crosswhite series and I have always enjoyed the adventures of Detective Crosswhite. I am not sure what happened this time, but I did not care for this book at all. It was an extremely slow starter and I think what I did not care for most of all was the amount of time spent discussing firearms, ammo, shooting competitions, etc. I am just not into gun competitions.

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC of this book.

A Dead Draw is the 11th book in Robert Dugoni's series of books about Seattle police detective Tracy Crosswhite. Dugoni's writing is consistently excellent, captivating, well-researched, and soulful. A Dead Draw is as exciting and enjoyable as the previous 10 books in the series, with well-drawn, very relatable characters and a believable, fast-paced plot. I will admit that by mid-way through the book, I had guessed how it might end (and who the hero might be), but it was still fun to see if I was correct, and how it all played out. This book can be read as a stand-alone, but reading the entire series in order will give you grater insight into the the characters and their backstories.

Thank You to NetGalley, the publisher, and author Robert Dugoni, for providing me with an Advance Reader Copy (ARC) of this book to read and review.

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.

While not strictly necessary, I'd recommend reading the previous books in this series, as the earlier stories play a big role in this one. As always Dugoni delivers again by pulling together the story that's been driving the series and weaving it into the current drama. Loved this so much! 4⭐

I received an advanced complimentary digital copy of this book from Netgalley. Opinions expressed are my own.

I have loved the Tracy Crosswhite series from the very beginning and couldn't wait to dig into this one. The characters are developed brilliantly and the action is cinematic, but this one didn't grab me like all the other books in the series. The story at times became a little too melodramatic and not quite believable. Having said that, the characters are so endearing that I will definitely be looking forward to the next book in the series. Strongly recommended

Thanks to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an advanced reader copy.

A Dead Draw is another great addition to the Tracy Crosswhite series, though it veers from the usual detective-driven narrative. This installment plays more like a tense cat-and-mouse game, with suspense building as the characters maneuver through high-stakes situations. There's also a strong focus on the cowboy action shooting and training aspect of the story, which might be too much for some readers. While its a shift from the series' usual tone, the plot remains engaging. I think it's a solid, entertaining read that earns a well-deserved 4 stars. Also, the author does a good job of providing enough background details of the series that this book would work well as a standalone.

Haunted by nightmares and flashbacks, Detective Tracy Crosswhite 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 the murderous Eric 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. The latest installment in Dugoni's bestselling series has everything a thriiller lover could want. Highly recommended.
#ADeadDraw #NetGalley #SaltMarshAuthorSeries

I’ve been a longtime fan of the Tracy Crosswhite series, but A Dead Draw just didn’t hit quite the same for me. The premise is chilling, Tracy confronts a suspect who may be connected to her sister’s murderer, and things spiral from there. Add in a legal loophole, a retreat gone wrong, and a game of cat and mouse, and you’ve got all the ingredients for a high-stakes thriller.

But somehow, this one felt a little more slow burn than edge-of-your-seat. While there were strong emotional beats and classic Tracy grit, I found myself wishing for more momentum and less repetition. Maybe it’s just hard to top some of the earlier entries in the series that really packed a punch.

Still, if you’re a series loyalist like me, you’ll want to see where Tracy’s headed next. Just maybe not my favorite stop on the journey.

This continues Tracey's story. She's a thoughtful law enforcement officer who is struggling with PTSD and with the fact that a villain has been released from custody and might be coming for her. So what to do? She takes her family and heads for shooting training. There's a bit too much about shooting but I liked Lydia, who is neurodivergent. I've not read all of the books in the series but this was fine as an almost standalone. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

Obligatory ACAB disclaimer but since it's fiction I'll let a few things slide.

It was good to see the impact of Tracy's PTSD and the way she managed it with Pettibone and Lydia's shooting training. Speaking of Lydia, the way the autism was written was extremely clinical. Autism is certainly a spectrum and this isn't to say there aren't autistic people like Lydia. Just that the stereotypical diagnositic image isn't actually that stereotypical in real life. I did enjoy Tracy's speculation on whether her sister may have been like Lydia. Sometimes I find it a bit insulting whn that happens in media, but it didn't bother me in this book.

Returning to her hometown and having it turn into a final showdown was really satisfying to read and Lydia getting to have her moment as well? Loved it. Here's to more Tracy Crosswhite (and maybe another Crossdraw/Lightning Strike team up?)

This is the first book of this series that I’ve read, and I can honestly say that I look forward to catching up. The main character is a straight shooter (no pun intended) as well as a dedicated wife, mother and detective. I found that the story moved and was I engrossed to the end. There were enough twists and turns to keep me guessing and it came to a satisfying end. I look forward to the next installment and, as I commented earlier, catching up on the series.

Im a BIG Tracy Crosswhite fan. I love this series, but this book fell flat for me. The last two books I couldn’t put down and I was hoping to continue that storyline, but this went a completely different way. It was really slow to start and the “action” didn’t start happening until more than halfway through the book. I felt there was a lot of over explaining and filler (over explaining police jargon, autism, etc). I wasn’t feeling the cowboy shoot storyline either. We all know Tracy grew up doing that, but it’s never been focused on and it seemed random. I think if we kept with the normal theme and incorporated it I would have liked it more, but it was a little much with the Wild West town and all.

I did enjoy it once the book got going, but this is definitely maybe my least favorite Tracy Crosswhite book. If you’re reading this review don’t let it deter you from this series, it really is great!

**I received an advanced copy thanks to NetGalley**

I’m a fan of this series, but this was probably my least favorite. I think The pacing was impacted by the spaghetti western shooting points and all the shooting in general. Thanks to Netgalley for the free advanced copy in exchange for an honest review, book publishes 5/27

I found this one to be the weakest in the Tracy Crosswhite series so far! While I usually enjoy them, this one struggled to hold my attention. The chapters on competitive shooting dragged—I found myself skimming through them—and Tracy’s decisions were uncharacteristic and almost silly. It also lacked the balance and sharp pacing of earlier books. 3 stars is generous. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy of this book.

Thank you NetGalley, publishers Thomas & Mercer and author, Robert Dugoni for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review. I can't believe this is the 11th book of the Tracy Crosswhite series. Robert Dugoni has done it again. He kept me entertained from the moment I opened the book with both vivid descriptions and suspenseful storylines..

FOUR STARS****
Content Warnings: death, grief, murder, violence

A Dead Draw starts with Tracy and her old violent crimes team interviewing a recently arrested suspect, Erik Schmidt, in two cold case murders. During the interview Tracy loses her composure and attacks him which felt out of character for her but was understandable due to the circumstances. Later in an evidence suppression hearing, Schmidt walks free on a technicality and makes what Tracy feels is a personal challenge and a threat. This situation has Tracy feeling shaken and flares up issues with her PTSD.

The author does a great job discussing PTSD and compounded trauma. Tracy has been through A LOT in the last 10 books and obviously hasn’t made it through that unscathed. This is something that makes me love Tracy even more. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again, Tracy is one of the best female protagonists in a mystery/crime thriller that I’ve ever read and it’s because she feels so real and so human. She has strengths and weaknesses, confidence and self doubt, fear and fury. She is not a stereotype or a token or a caricature of a woman in law enforcement but feels very authentic.

Tracy ultimately is told to take some time off, during which she returns to Cedar Grove with her husband and child. She soon realizes that she is not only fighting a living and breathing devil but her inner demons as well.

The stakes raise significantly and the plot starts taking off around the half way point. Although unfortunately we don’t see much of Faz, Del, and Kins (love those guys) in this book, we do meet a new character, Lydia, who reminds Tracy a lot of her sister Sarah. Tracy and Lydia become very close, and Schmidt uses this to his advantage.

Taunted by Schmidt, Tracy takes risks with huge implications for herself and her family.

Overall, I really enjoyed the old west feel of this book which made it unique within the series. The author is always very descriptive with the setting and atmosphere which I really enjoy. I loved Lydia and am excited to see how she may play in to future books. I wish we got to see more of Tracy’s team (Faz, Del, Kins) as I think they are super lovable side characters.

I am hopeful that after this book we can move past this plot point. Obviously her sister Sarah’s death will always affect her, but I would hate for the House/Schmidt plot to keep going and feel overdone.

Ultimately this particular book was not my favorite in the series (they are all bangers though so hard to compete) but I’m excited to see where Tracy goes from here and I will be reading any and all future Tracy Crosswhite books!

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Robert Dugoni for this early release copy. All opinions are my own. This book will be out for publication on May 27, 2025.

A Dead Draw by Robert Dugoni is a highly recommended thriller and the eleventh book in the Seattle Detective Tracy Crosswhite series. It can be read as a stand alone novel.

A handgun that Detective Kinsington Rowe confiscated is identified as the weapon used to kill Julia Hoch and Bridgette Traugott, two cold cases Tracy Crosswhite is working on in her department’s cold case unit. When interrogating Erik Schmidt, the owner of the weapon, he taunts her and makes it clear that he was close to Ed House, the man who kidnapped and killed her sister, Sarah. Tracy is rattled by the sociopath and uncharacteristically loses her temper. When Schmidt is released on a technicality he is out for revenge and is likely targeting Tracy.

Talking to Schmidt induced flashbacks from the past for Tracy and leads to a critical mistake during a department shooting exercise. Needing to refocus and get her concentration back, Tracy, Dan (her husband), daughter, and their nanny go to their weekend house in her hometown of Cedar Grove. There she can practice her marksmanship skills with Mason Pettibone, her first shooting instructor. He has Tracy work with his granddaughter, Lydia, an exceptional shooting instructor who’s on the spectrum.

The writing is excellent, as expected. The tension remains high throughout because the stakes are high, even though it is clear early on in the narrative where the plot is heading. At the same time there is not much investigating. Readers will know Schmidt is stalking Tracy. Proficiency with firearms and marksmanship is an essential factor in the plot. There is plenty of information and interaction with firearms, along with tie-ins to westerns in this outing for those who are interested. If you aren't, you can skim sections.

Adding to the tension are memories, inner conflicts, and past events coming back to haunt the present. Tracy is a fully realized character at this point and is always a sympathetic reliable one too. Her struggles with past memories resurfacing is understandable and something many can experience and wrestle with as they try to get back on course. Lydia is a wonderful new character and I hope she reappears in future novels.

Those following the Tracy Crosswhite series will enjoy reading A Dead Draw. Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Edelweiss, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Seattle Det. Tracy Crosswhite has a tense encounter with Erik Schmidt in an interrogation room. The police are convinced that a few years ago Erik killed at least two young women and has gotten away with it. Erik gets under Tracy's skin mocking her with information he knows about a traumatic event from her past. When Erik's court case is dismissed due to a technicality, a game of cat and mouse starts between the suspected murder and the Det. This game follows Tracy to her home town of Cedar Grove where she and her family go to get away from the stress of the events in Seattle. They culminate in a deserted mountain town where Erik is certain he can make Tracy pay for the sins and lies he has convinced himself she committed against a man he befriended in prison years ago where he was on another charge. These are untrue, but Erik believes them, so Tracy must pay and he is determined to make sure she does. But, who will win...

This book is very easy and entertaining to read, with interesting characters. The plot is simple, however, and the setting of the final action scene is a bit too much. But the twist and the outcome are great.

I’ve always been drawn to series that mix law themes with family struggles, emotional depth, and action, and this one does it better each time. The characters are always put in situations where their loyalty to family and their pursuit of justice are tested. This time around, the tension was higher than ever, and the fear they experienced, combined with their determination to do what’s right, made for an unforgettable experience.

The emotional weight of the decisions these characters make is one of the things I love most about this series. It’s not just about following the law or the action scenes; it’s about seeing the characters wrestle with their inner conflicts. They’re constantly torn between doing what’s right for justice and protecting those they love. It adds such depth to the story, and I felt deeply invested in their choices.

The action scenes were intense, as always, but it’s the emotional stakes that really drive the story. I couldn’t help but feel connected to the characters, rooting for them to find a way to balance their personal lives with the demands of their larger, more dangerous worlds. It’s that mix of heart and action that makes this series so compelling and keeps me coming back every time.

Once again, this series has delivered everything I love: gripping action, complex moral decisions, and powerful family moments. It’s never predictable, and I always find myself emotionally hooked. I’m already looking forward to the next part, eager to see how the characters will face even more challenges ahead.

Tracy Crosswhite’s past has always been central to this series and in A Dead Draw, we go back to some of the deepest wounds in her life. This book is undeniably personal and emotionally tied to Tracy’s sister’s murder, but as the 11th installment in the series, it felt more like a psychological loop back than a step forward.

While the story is connected to her trauma (with Schmidt’s revenge plot and haunting ties to her sister’s killer), it doesn’t build much on the momentum from the last few books. After two installments focused heavily on police corruption and professional stakes, I expected this one to carry that thread. Instead, it shifts focus almost entirely to Cedar Grove and the first 60% quite slow-ish.

Things do hype up,both emotionally and plot-wise in the final third and there are moments of real intensity and meaning. But overall, the pacing felt off, and the shift away from Seattle’s ongoing storyline left me wanting more. (Okay, frustrated. A lot. A LOOOT *cry face*)

It’s not a bad book ... far from it. But it feels like a side quest in a series where I was ready to level up the main story.

Thank you to NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.