Member Reviews
Another page-turner from Dugoni!
I love his Tracy Crosswhite series and ate this one up. Literally. I started it just before vacation hoping for a good book to read on the plane. But I couldn’t put it down and finished before we boarded!
Crosswhite is a great female lead. She works in Seattle’s Cold Case Division after years in Violent Crime. This investigation sees her paired up with her former chief, rival, and major pain in the ass, Johnny Nolasco. He was the original investigator of a serial killer who has eluded escape for 25 years. Their contentious relationship during the investigation is interesting and sometimes hysterical.
The investigation centers around a leak in the original team and advances in DNA technology. It was pretty fascinating and written very well. I’ll read any Tracy Crosswhite novel and this one didn’t disappoint.
I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley.
A meaty police procedural, mystery/thriller with a great female lead. 'One Last Kill' is told in a then and now story structure, that leaves your imagination whiplashed - in that good way. The tale speaks to todays
issues, without ruining the storytelling. Dugoni always delivers, given the gifted writer that he is. Recommended!
While working in the cold case division, Tracy Crosswhite, takes on a case that could be the end of her career. As political tensions rise within the police department, Tracy must find the Route 99 Killer, 25 years after his original killing spree, and as new victims arise. Familiar characters return as side characters, leaving the reader wanting more of the comradery that Tracy had with her squad in the homicide division. Tracy's relationship with Nolasco takes great strides during this investigation. They would not classify as friends, but they there is a new level of respect between the two.
This novel took me a little longer than other Tracy Crosswhite books, but that had nothing to do with the content or flow of the novel. I will be impatiently waiting for the novel where Tracy gets to take on the former mayor and the chief, rather than flirting with charging them. I can not wait for the next in the Tracy Crosswhite series!!
I want to thank Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC of this book.
I enjoy the majority of Robert Dugoni’s books, love the Tracy Crosswhite series, and have read them all. I loved the insight into Nolasco’s character and walking the pathway with him that led him to where he is. It definitely made me dislike him a lot less. The shifting timelines and police procedure now versus then made the book really interesting. Another great installment in the series!
Thank you to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Robert Dugoni for the eARC.
Robert Dugoni makes it clear. You can't keep implementing the same strategy over the same game board and expect different results.
One Last Kill takes us alongside Detective Tracy Crosswhite of the Seattle Police Department. Tracy, due to locking horns with her nemesis Captain Johnny Nolasco, has been relegated to Cold Cases. She digs deep into the yellowed files without so much as a shrug of the shoulders. It's part of her job even though she's been acknowledged as a top-notch detective. It's more of a time out for digging into past corruption that isn't allowed to surface.
Tracy is called into Chief Marcella Weber's office. Seems like the renowned Route 99 Killer has been resurrected. Dugoni takes us back to 1993 when the serial killer's mark was a line of prostitutes. Vic "Faz" Fazzio, Tracy's buddy, was assigned to the case in his early years. And to add a little sizzle to the pan, the task force was headed by none other than Johnny Nolasco himself. Nolasco and the task force was disbanded without results, but the case remained open. Weber insists that Tracy and Nolasco work together on this one with new DNA tech available.
That game board changed with the last four victims being middle class women with no connections to one another except that they worked for the City of Seattle. But there's a clue that only the police know.......and it's turned up again. Can the Angel of Death be reappearing once again?
Bottom line: You can always count on Robert Dugoni to slide a robust winner across the table. One Last Kill is high interest from the get-go. The storyline will take readers back and forth from 1993 to the present with intelligence and creativity at the core. The wrap-up and the conclusion have us flitting from the unknown to the still unknown until Dugoni pulls the chain of light. A standalone prize that truly reveals the finesse of a gifted writer.
I received a copy of this book through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to the talented Robert Dugoni for the opportunity.
As a huge fan of Dugoni’s work in general, and, in particular, this series, I’ve been impatiently waiting for the tenth book to come out and am excited to have read it before it gets released to the general public.
For those who know and love this series, you already know to expect Dugoni to keep you on your toes until the very end.
This time around, Tracy is forced to work a cold case with her long-time nemesis, Captain Johnny Nolasco, who we get to know on a much deeper level. Dugoni performed the unthinkable in that I actually felt sympathy for & grew to like a character I’ve had a disdain for since “Her Final Breath”.
Dugoni does an excellent job tying in references to current events, such as the Defund the Police movement, and how badly the PNW & other areas were effected by violent crime in recent years, and he does so flawlessly and without getting too political. “One Last Kill” also continues, and finishes, a side story that started with “What She Found” & and continued in “The Last Line”.
This was another truly gripping thriller; although this time I kept detailed notes, which helped me pinpoint the culprit earlier on than I usually do.
I’m also a huge fan of Dugoni’s writing style and always love the way he describes people’s facial features and actions.
10/10, I’d recommend this book and this entire series to anyone who enjoys a good whodunnit/mystery.
I want to thank NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, Amazon Publishing, and Robert Dugoni for the opportunity to read this novel before it was released to the general public.
One Last Kill is the tenth book in the Tracy Crosswhite series. I have not read the other nine. While I feel this book can be read as a standalone, it is apparent from the dialog that many things which have happened earlier in the series affect what is going on here.
I liked Tracy, and I admired her ability to bite her tongue when she faced others who weren't fond of her. There is a lot of distrust and backstabbing between her and a few of the other characters, but at the end of the day, she lets her work speak for itself.
Overall, I enjoyed the book and would recommend it to readers of police procedurals and those who love a strong female lead.
Not family friendly due to profanity and violence.
I received this book from the publisher (Thomas and Mercer) and the fine folks at NetGalley in return for an honest review.
I had requested this book based on what I colloquially term <The Racoon Effect>, based on the title, the description, and the interesting cover. I had never had the opportunity to read this author, and after reading this novel, I have some reading to catch up on.
The main character in this story, Detective Tracy Crosswhite, starts this story off as having been relegated to the cold case squad where she has had some moderate success. However, that success has also come with a price as she has also developed some enemies in the Seattle Police Department due to professional jealousy and envy.
As a result of her past cases, she has been asked to direct her energies toward a hopeful successful conclusion to the Seattle Route 99 (serial) Killer investigation. The case began thirty years previous with the unsolved murders of nine prostitutes and apparently changed its motive with the murders of four women, whose only connecting factor was having been employed with the city of Seattle in one fashion or another. For politically based reasons Tracy is instructed to reopen the cold case and finally discover who the killer was and why he did it. This is a story of police corruption and cover-ups, but Tracy is honest and unbending against all comers which makes for a very interesting read.
Crosswhite has vowed to bring closure to the families who are still waiting for answers. She has also been assigned a partner, Captain Johnny Nolasco, her nemesis and the former head of the task force charged with investigating the killings all those years ago.
As this was my first venture into the Dugoni-universe I was unsure of his writing style, and after having finished this novel, I found this book to be well-written, gripping, and hard to put down (it is rounded off with a tense and exciting finale with a rather unexpected guilty party).
Reading some of the other feedback on this book, I discovered this novel is part of a three-book arc. After having finished the novel, I found that it performs strongly as a stand-alone story as well.
I would highly recommend this novel (and also this author) to fans of police procedurals. As such, out of a five-star rating, I would easily give this book a strong four stars.
As with all my literary ramblings, this is just my five stars worth.
I have previously read several of Robert Dugoni's novels including books from the Tracy Crosswhite, Charles Jenkins, and David Sloane series along with his excellent work titled "The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell". When "One Last Kill" was offered, the last of ten in the Tracy Crosswhite series, I jumped at the chance to order it. How would Mr. Dugoni wrap up this successful series?
First off, no one should read this novel without having read the prior nine books in the series. There are way too many references to the prior books that would fly right over your head if you hadn't been exposed to those characters and scenarios. No matter what anyone else might tell you, this is not a "stand alone" novel. The first Tracy Crosswhite novel was written in 2014, making it difficult for the average reader to even recall the seminal events that the series was built on.
While Robert Dugoni has proven himself as an accomplished story teller, I'm afraid that this tenth novel tried to do too much to put this series to bed. Not only that but the premise of two people who have been major enemies for so long to come together to bury the hatchet and work as a partnership seems quite far-fetched given the personalities and egos of the two major characters. Enough history between the two was left off the table to require a sequel to shut the final door on this series.
Recently I attended a book signing event given by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child where they admitted that what was to be the twentieth and final book ("Bloodless") in their Agent Pendergast series opened more doors than it closed. They are now hard at work on at least one additional novel that hopefully will address some of the many open issues left to be resolved. I applaud them for that realization and look forward to the sequel.
I always love Robert Dugoni's books, especially the Tracy Crosswhite series. This one does but dissapoint.
I would give this 5 stars, but have knocked to 4 because the way Kindle is worked into the story at random times is distracting. I know the publisher works with Amazon, and probably get kickbacks from Amazon for advertising within the story. But the way Kindle is referenced is obnoxious in my opinion.
The rest of the story lives up to the Robert Dugoni and Tracy Crosswhite series.
This is quite a twisty mystery! It is the tenth in this series, but the first that I have read. It is excellent as a standalone. This installment finds Tracy Crosswhite delving into a cold case involving a serial killer in the nineties. Robert Dugoni expertly weaves alternating chapters in dual timelines following both the present investigation, and what had been done in the past. Science and genetics are at the center of the current investigation, but Tracy and Nolasco soon find that political secrets, past and present, are the integral to both investigations. When another murder occurs, that appears to be connected, Tracy and Nolasco find themselves racing to find the perpetrator. Is it the same or a copycat of the original murders? The author is quite a master of plausible plot twists that kept me guessing from beginning to end! I loved the character of Tracy Crosswhite, a dedicated, thorough detective with a loving family. I look forward to reading the previous books in the series. Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for my complimentary copy. The opinions of the review are my own.
I love this series and this one was one of the best in it aside from the first. The development of Nolasco really made this book outstanding. I loved getting to see a side of his character we hadn't seen before. The shifting time periods also made this a great thriller.
This is the tenth book in the series featuring Detective Tracy Crosswhite who is remarkable in the genre for being happily married and without any particular hang ups or addictions.
Thirty years ago the Seattle Route 99 killer suddenly stopped after murdering thirteen people. For politically based reasons Tracy is instructed to reopen the cold case and finally discover who the killer was and why he did it. This is a story of police corruption and cover ups but Tracy is honest and unbending against all comers which makes for a very interesting read.
The book is rounded off nicely with a tense and exciting finale and, for me at least, a rather unexpected guilty party. Well written and well worth reading. Four stars.
Can Detective Tracy Crosswhite solve a decades-old serial killer case?
Tracy has been knocking it out of the park with her cold case gig & is assigned to work on the Route 99 serial killer case with the 25th anniversary of him going dormant approaching. Unfortunately the original taskforce was led by none other than Johnny Nolesco (& if you’ve read any of the previous stories in this series, you know he & Tracy don’t mix well). As this tenth book in the Tracy Crosswhite saga progresses, there are elements from Book #9 (What She Found) & a previous short story (labeled #8.5, The Last Line) that come into play & many tangled webs of corruption from the past become more clear.
You don’t have to read these books in order (the author provides any necessary background in each separate work), but I’ve enjoyed seeing Tracy grow as a character over the years & develop a better work/life balance - I started reading this series when I got my first Kindle & have periodically caught up on the latest short stories & books & then waited for the next one(s) to be released. And although Tracy’s character is a bit older than I am, she & I entered motherhood at roughly the same time, so that’s been fun too. I don’t read many detective series since I usually prefer stand-alone novels or trilogies, but I’m really glad that I’ve kept up with this one - the stories are always fast-paced & varied, & the recurring characters make Tracy’s life a full one that doesn’t just revolve around the next case. I’ve really enjoyed this most recent visit to Seattle & can’t wait for the next installment in this chronicle!
Thank you to NetGalley & Thomas & Mercer for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This is the Tracy Crosswhite Series #10 One Last Kill. Tracy Crosswhite is a detective with the Seattle Police Department. After a previous scandal she was demoted to a cold case unit by Chief Weber who is punishing her for previously exposing corruption in her office. Weber tells her she must re-open the 25 year old Route 99 Serial Killer case where 13 women were murdered and had Angel wings carved into their left shoulder. Tracy is forced to work with Captain Johnny Nolasco who ran the original task force to solve the Route 99 case but was never able to solve it. Tracy and Nolasco do not get along. Tracy finds important facts that were hidden and ignored by the task force.
I love a book that can either play like a movie in my head or make me feel like I’m part of what’s going on and this book does just that. Mainly told from Tracy’s pov it does goes back and forth from Nolasco’s task force to the current case. As much as Tracy and Nolasco can’t stand each other, I love how they learn to trust each others instincts. Tracy is a powerhouse and her instincts are amazing. I love to read a book with a strong female character in a male dominated profession. I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to read the 1-9. This is the second Rober Dugoni book I’ve read and I am fan of his work. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this ARC for my honest review.
Tracy Crosswhite is back in another gripping addition to the Tracy Crosswhite series! In this book, she is tasked with looking at a cold case(s) involving the Seattle’s Route 99 serial killer. After killing 13 women, the killer stopped his killing spree. Now Tracy has vowed to bring closure to the families who are still waiting for answers. She has also been assigned a partner, Captain Johnny Nolasco, her nemesis and the man who investigated the killings all those years ago.
With all the cases Tracy investigates, there is more to this case than meets the eye. Plus, readers of the series have watched as Tracy and his nemesis have interacted over the years, but this time we watch them working together. For me, this made the book even more interesting. Not solving the case has bothered Nolasco for years and having to follow old leads and explore new ones with Tracy, puts a little salt in his wounds.
I was instantly drawn into the plot and did my own super sleuthing along with them. Tension mounts as they explore all the leads both old and new. Dugoni has the whole gang in this one, even if they are in minor roles. It was nice to see everyone and their banter.
Tracy is a strong woman and an intelligent investigator who does not leave any stones unturned. As the investigative duo gets closer to the truth, things get more dangerous and pulse pounding.
Another great addition to a hard to put down and engaging series!
I have read all 10 books in the Tracy Crosswhite series... One Last Kill is my favorite. Still assigned to cold cases, this time Detective Crosswhite is ordered to reopen Seattle's Route 99 serial killer case, a case her captain and least favorite fan, Johnny Nalasco, was charged with solving as head of the task force 30 years earlier. To add insult to injury, Crosswhite and Nalasco are ordered to partner on the reopened investigation (if you don't know their relationship is tension-filled at best.)
Following leads and revealing cover ups leads the pair to unexpected discoveries and perhaps may aid in taking their professional relationship into new territory...we'll have to wait for book 11.
If you are a Tracy Crosswhite series fan, don't skip this one. Thank you Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Huge thanks to Thomas & Mercer, Robert Dugoni, and NetGalley for sending me an advanced copy of One Last Kill in exchange for an honest review. This is Dugoni's 10th book in the Seattle homicide detective Tracy Crosswhite series. I have come to think of this series as a definite "auto-buy" so when I was awarded this ARC, I was thrilled. We are 10 books into this series and as far as I'm concerned, it is only getting better.
In true Dugoni fashion, things take off quickly and really do not stop until the end. It was an exhilarating and masterfully crafted thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Dugoni's writing is impeccable and the pacing is relentless. His writing style is concise yet impactful, allowing the story to unfold smoothly and maintaining a high level of tension throughout. I loved the layers of complexity and hidden motivations of the characters. "One Last Kill" draws a long-dormant serial killer out of hiding. Tracy Crosswhite is reopening the investigation into Seattle’s Route 99 serial killer. After thirteen victims, he stopped hunting and the trail went cold. Why he stopped is a total mystery. While Tracy is a compelling protagonist, the supporting cast is equally memorable, each playing a crucial role in the intricate web of the story. I very much enjoyed the uneasy alliance between Tracy and Captain Johnny Nolasco.
"One Last Kill" is a testament to Dugoni's mastery of the thriller genre. It is a rollercoaster ride of emotions, filled with heart-stopping moments, clever plot twists, and a relentless pursuit of truth. If you're a fan of suspenseful page-turners that keep you guessing until the final pages, this series is an absolute must-read.
Another absolutely incredible book from Robert Dugoni. This was a wild ride.
Tracey Crosswhite, the lone detective working cold cases, is known for solving old crimes, and not being afraid of those she exposes along the way. But her past has made her a few people who would do anything to get her fired. When she is ordered to look into a 25 year old serial killer she asks for help, only to find herself assigned her biggest nemesis, and also the lead investigator 25 years ago, she knows she is being set up for failure. . But, science has had a lot of advancement in DNA technology over the years, and Tracey is hopeful she can get a new lead. There are lots of interesting theories, some twists and turns, and an unexpected ending,. Highly recommend.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Tracy Crosswhite is back in another installment of this police proceedural. On the trail of a serial killer, a cold case, mired with enemies in the police dept, with political enemies. She is a likeable heroine, one that has grown over the years she has been written about This is an easy read and can be read as a stand alone