The Trapped Girl – Tracy Crosswhite Series #4

Author: Robert Dugoni
Genre: Crime Thriller
358 pages
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer, Seattle, 2017

Synopsis
When a woman’s body is discovered submerged in a crab pot in the chilly waters of Puget Sound, Detective Tracy Crosswhite finds herself with a tough case to untangle. Before they can identify the killer, Tracy and her colleagues on the Seattle PD’s Violent Crimes Section must figure out who the victim is. Her autopsy, however, reveals she may have gone to great lengths to conceal her identity. So who was she running from?

After evidence surfaces that their Jane Doe may be a woman who suspiciously disappeared months earlier, Tracy is once again haunted by the memory of her sister’s unsolved murder. Dredging up details from the woman’s past leads to conflicting clues that only seem to muddy the investigation. As Tracy begins to uncover a twisted tale of brutal betrayal and desperate greed, she’ll find herself risking everything to confront a killer who won’t go down without a deadly fight. Once again, New York Times bestselling author Robert Dugoni delivers a taut, riveting thriller in the fourth installment of his acclaimed Tracy Crosswhite series.

My review
The Trapped Girl by Robert Dugoni is the fourth novel in the Tracy Crosswhite series, and it’s my favorite so far. This installment is a strong continuation of the series, showcasing Dugoni’s exceptional writing and storytelling abilities. The novel features some very clever twists, and just when I thought I had figured out the plot, it took an unexpected turn. This compelling and intricate story is a definite page-turner!

This character-driven novel and series features Tracy Crosswhite, one of my favorite female leads in crime fiction. Strong, intelligent, and fact-driven, she follows her instincts and is determined to uncover the truth despite seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The series is filled with fantastic character development, and I’ve grown quite fond of Crosswhite and the rest of the violent crime team. One of the best elements is the investigative process that the team relentlessly follows and respects. The overarching storylines between the books add an extra layer of intrigue and the novel delivers a life-changing surprise for Crosswhite at the end. As usual, the pacing of this book is perfect, ensuring there is never a dull moment.

The Trapped Girl is a gripping police procedural and an excellent fourth installment in the series. Dugoni’s legal expertise shines through, and his writing style, combined with complex and believable storylines, makes this a standout novel and series among the many police procedurals available. I can’t wait to read Close to Home, the next novel in the series.

My recommendation: read it!