A Steep Price – Tracy Crosswhite Series #6

Author: Robert Dugoni
Genre: Crime Fiction
377 pages
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer, 2018

Synopsis
Called in to consult after a young woman disappears, Tracy Crosswhite has the uneasy feeling that this is no ordinary missing-persons case. When the body turns up in an abandoned well, Tracy’s suspicions are confirmed. Estranged from her family, the victim had balked at an arranged marriage and had planned to attend graduate school. But someone cut her dreams short.

Solving the mystery behind the murder isn’t Tracy’s only challenge. The detective is keeping a secret of her she’s pregnant. And now her biggest fear seems to be coming true when a new detective arrives to replace her. Meanwhile, Tracy’s colleague Vic Fazzio is about to take a fall after his investigation into the murder of a local community activist turns violent and leaves an invaluable witness dead.

Two careers are on the line. And when more deadly secrets emerge, jobs might not be the only things at risk.

My review
A Steep Price by Robert Dugoni is the sixth installment in the Tracy Crosswhite series. Once again, Dugoni delivers an engaging, well-written and meticulously plotted police procedural novel. This series has always been a favorite of mine, largely due to its realistic character development and layered storylines. Dugoni is an expert at developing his characters while still driving forward the plot.

Dugoni’s writing style is crisp and direct, prioritizing a fast-paced narrative while still allowing his characters to fully develop. This approach keeps me hooked and heightens the suspense. His attention to detail brings the story’s settings to life, and add depth to the plot’s intensity. It’s obvious that Dugoni brings his legal expertise to his writing, adding a layer of realism that I don’t always find in other crime fiction. Crosswhite stands out as a capable and dedicated protagonist with a strong sense of integrity. In this novel, I also enjoyed diving deeper into the characters of Vic Fazzio and Del Castigliano, who add depth, nuance, and sometimes a little humor to the series.

This book unfolds through two parallel storylines, yet neither detracts from the other. It’s logical that not all the detectives would be working the same case, so the separate investigations feel natural. I found both storylines engaging and was eager to see how each would be resolved.

A Steep Price is a well-crafted police procedural, showcasing Dugoni’s knack for writing intelligent, believable, and captivating novels. His storylines are compelling and tackle real-world issues, adding a strong sense of authenticity and realism to the narrative. While this novel stands well on its own, I highly recommend starting from the beginning of the series to fully appreciate the intriguing cast of characters and the character development that progresses throughout.

My recommendation: read it!