One Split Second – Tracy Crosswhite Series #12

Author: Robert Dugoni
Genre: Crime Fiction
413 pages
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer, September 2026

Synopsis
A girl’s unsolved disappearance. A tragic shooting. Two crimes, forty-five years apart, with a blood-chilling connection in a gripping new Tracy Crosswhite novel by New York Times bestselling author Robert Dugoni.

Detective Tracy Crosswhite is assigned to defend an old friend. Sheriff Jenny Almond has been charged with first-degree murder for shooting an unarmed veteran on a stormy night of confusion, paranoia, and split-second choices. Tracy is certain there’s more to the story of Anthony Alvarez’s killing—and her investigation draws her back to a cold case that still haunts the community.

More than forty years ago, Alvarez was the prime suspect in the unsolved disappearance of a teenage babysitter. The lead investigator, Jenny’s late father Buzz Almond, always believed Alvarez had been framed. Decades later, his suspicions of a conspiracy are driving Tracy to find answers. Digging deeper into both the past and the present, she discovers a complex web of sinister motives and long-buried secrets, unearthed one by one.

As a decades-old mystery casts its dark shadow on a small town, only the truth will finally set the innocent free.

My review
One Split Second by Robert Dugoni is the twelfth installment in the Tracy Crosswhite Series, with an expected release date of September 2026. Having read every book in the series, I’m still impressed by Dugoni’s ability to deliver smart, well-crafted, and consistently engaging crime fiction. This installment blends elements of Tracy Crosswhite’s past with two interconnected investigations, one unfolding in the present day and another from forty-five years earlier. What continues to stand out most about this series is the way Dugoni balances emotional character development with detailed, realistic police procedural work. Even after twelve books, the series still feels fresh and compelling.

As expected, Dugoni continues to deepen both Tracy Crosswhite’s character and the relationships within her inner circle. This character-driven series features one of my favorite female protagonists in crime fiction. Tracy is intelligent, determined, and driven by facts, yet she never loses the instinct and persistence that make her such a compelling investigator. Dugoni also introduces new characters and dynamics that add depth to Tracy’s personal journey while fitting naturally into the storyline. One Split Second remains firmly connected to the larger continuity of the series, making it especially rewarding for longtime readers while still accessible to newcomers.

Now that Tracy has transitioned into the one-person cold case unit, we see far less of the violent crimes team that played such a major role in earlier installments. Their presence is mostly limited to brief mentions rather than meaningful involvement in the investigation or interpersonal dynamics. Tracy’s husband and childhood friend, Dan, has a larger role here, and I enjoyed seeing the legal and trial aspects take on greater importance in the story. While the series continues to evolve naturally, I do miss the dynamic of the violent crimes unit and hope future installments bring some of those characters back into the spotlight.

One Split Second is another strong entry in the series and an excellent police procedural. Dugoni’s legal background once again adds authenticity to the investigation and courtroom elements, while his sharp writing style and believable, layered storytelling help this series stand out in an overcrowded crime fiction genre.

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

My recommendation: definitely worth the read for longtime fans and newcomers alike!