A Dead Draw – Tracy Crosswhite Series #11

Author: Robert Dugoni
Genre: Crime Fiction
395 pages
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer, 2025

Synopsis
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.

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.

My review
A Dead Draw by Robert Dugoni is the 11th installment in the Tracy Crosswhite series. The expected publish date is April 2025. As with every Dugoni book I read, I’m continually impressed by his ability to craft smart, well-written, and thoroughly engaging stories. This installment, however, takes a slightly different approach, steering away from the typical complex police procedural format to focus more deeply on character development, a shift that feels tailored for longtime fans of the series.

In this novel, Crosswhite’s journey comes full circle as unresolved trauma from her sister’s death two decades ago resurfaces. While investigating a cold case, Crosswhite encounters a suspected killer who is later freed from jail due to a legal technicality. Concerned for her family’s safety, she returns to Cedar Grove, where danger and hidden truths await. The story offers a deeper exploration of Crosswhite’s character, revealing a level of vulnerability and emotional depth not typically seen in earlier installments, particularly through her interactions with Lydia, a young adult on the autism spectrum. The story explores the town’s dark history and the world of competitive shooting. Unfortunately, new readers might find some of these details overly drawn-out and somewhat tedious. I especially appreciated the parallels drawn between online gaming and Lydia’s role in enhancing Tracy’s shooting skills, as well as the meaningful analogies Tracy reflects on toward the end of the book, connecting these lessons to broader aspects of her life. While Dugoni successfully creates moments of tension and intrigue, the novel’s core atmosphere centers on introspection and healing as Tracy confronts her trauma.

Longtime fans of the series may appreciate the change of pace and the opportunity to dive deeper into Crosswhite’s character, Cedar Grove’s shadowy past, and the intricacies of competitive shooting. This novel is firmly rooted in the series’ continuity, making it a rewarding read for devoted fans but less suited as a standalone introduction to Crosswhite’s world.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Robert Dugoni, and Thomas & Mercer for an advance copy to review. All opinions are my own.

My recommendation: fans of the series may enjoy this installment. New readers may be more satisfied with an earlier novel in the series!