A Dead Draw

Suspense, action, a killer out for revenge, and a detective haunted by guilt are combined into a thrilling new novel in the Tracy Crosswhite series. A Dead Draw by Robert Dugoni is the eleventh book in the series and maintains the high level of crime fiction the series is known for.

Tracy, a detective in Seattle, is working two cold case killings. Erik Schmidt, a suspect, taunts her during the interrogation. He also has ties to the man who murdered Tracy’s sister. Haunted by nightmares and flashbacks leading to a critical mistake during a shooting exercise, Tracy and her family head to her hometown of Cedar Grove, Washington to refocus. What was supposed to be a peaceful getaway becomes a nightmare after a legal glitch allows Schmidt to go free. Sleepless nights and the fear that he has followed her are only the beginning of this game of cat and mouse.

Tracy feels realistic and authentic as she continues to struggle with guilt for not being there to protect her sister years ago. She has been using meditation, work-outs, and breathing techniques to help her anxiety, but they aren’t always successful. Tracy is a successful investigator and enjoys the cold-case work she is doing. She can be stubborn and isn’t good at asking for help, even when she needs it. She’s an expert shot, so the shooting exercise mistake weighs on her. This time she asks for help from a former mentor, Mason. This also allows her to be taught in new ways as she is instructed by both Mason and his granddaughter, Lydia. Working with and interacting with Lydia brings out a different side of Tracy than readers normally see. Tracy’s ability to mentor and support others while also being mentored was great to see.

Robert Dugoni is an excellent storyteller who always immediately engages me in his novels. This one is written in a style that draws you in and keeps you rapidly turning the pages. Full of well-developed characters, a compelling plot, and plenty of suspense and drama, this is an excellent addition to the series. The storyline is engaging, suspenseful, and includes some tense scenes. This engrossing crime novel keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Overall, this a well-written and suspenseful book that has well-developed and compelling characters and occasionally pulls on the heart strings contains plenty of action as well. If you are expecting a solid series that will have mysteries, suspense, crime, and action, then this is a series that I recommend. I believe it should be read in order and I can’t wait to read the next one.

Thomas and Mercer and Robert Dugoni provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for May 27, 2025.