Book 2 in the Tracy Crosswhite series. This book has a creepy serial killer. It was well written and when the murderer was revealed it made sense. The procedural parts were great, it felt very realistic to me. During the last scenes I almost felt sorry for the killer. I enjoyed this.

There's always work for homicide detective Tracy Crosswhite. Someone is killing exotic dancers, tying them up so that when they tried to find relief they strangled themselves. The press has jumped on the case, naming the killer The Cowboy. Tracy doesn't care what they call him; she just knows he will continue until he is caught.

Then there is the matter of her boss. He doesn't like Tracy and he makes it very evident. Tracy has been put in charge of the task force chasing the killer and he is sabotaging her efforts behind the scene. When Tracy discovers that nine years ago, one of his cases may have been the Cowboy's first kill, he is incensed and determined to push her out of the force. He has no intention of letting her investigate his past work.

Soon The Cowboy's kills number five and things are getting dicey. It's clear that he has focused his intentions on Tracy herself and she now has to watch her back twenty-four hours a day. Can she and her team find the killer before he finds her?

This is the second novel in the Tracy Crosswhite series. She is a sympathetic character with her family background of a murdered sister whose case she solved in the first book. Now she is fighting for her career and life in a Seattle murder case that could consume her. This book is recommended for mystery readers.

Her final breath is the 2nd book in this series.
Really trying this year to catch up with reviews and books I’ve fallen behind on. It was good to get back to this series and catch up with characters.
Tracy Crosswhite is trying to get back to normality after going through things in her home life. She has a lot to process.
Slowly getting to know the main character in a book for me is always really interesting. Getting to Know Tracy is great seeing what makes her tick and what makes her carry on.
Certainly an author whose books I will be catching up on.
Sometimes there is a bonus for being behind in a series it means I can continue.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for an advance copy of this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
This is the second book in the Tracy Crosswhite series where we follow detective Crosswhite as she hunts for a serial killer known as the Cowboy killer.
Another well written Crime thriller, I've really enjoyed this series , both one and two, I look forward to seeing what crime Detective Crosswhite will dig into next time. The story keeps you guessing until the end!
A definite for fans of strong female detectives who don't get emotionally involved in case , who is brilliant and someone who is tough enough to get her fingers dirty (not to mention strangled or bruised!)

A nice and classy mystery novel. Enjoyed reading it and glad that I had the sense to request it and super glad that I got accepted!

Her Final Breath by Robert Dugoni
Detective Tracy Crosswhite returns to work after the trial of her sister’s murderer in the second volume of the series. She’s tasked with investigating a serial killer in Seattle. This killer is murdering young women in cheap motels. This may be the case that destroys or kills her. This is so action-packed with plot twists, it’ll keeps you hopping to match Tracy’s skills. This is an absolutely must read.

Tracy is a homicide detective in North Seattle. Tracy is still dealing with the emotions from the trauma of her sister's murder which we learn about in the first book in this series. She is a no nonsense detective, but not damaged like some other police detectives in other series I have read. She has a boyfriend, Dan O'Leary who is a lawyer and is well-liked by the other officers she works with. Unfortunately for her, her captain, Johnny Nolasco does not feel the same way. He will only be happy when she is no longer an officer with the Seattle P.D.

In this story a serial killer leaves his victims hog-tied in cheap motels where they strangle themselves. He's given the nickname of "The Cowboy". Tracy and her team are assigned to the task force to track and to capture this psychopathic murderer. Of course, they are not given enough officers or money and someone is leaking information to the press. The Cowboy leaves no clues behind and is meticulous in exiting his crime scenes. Tracy begins to see similarities to a case closed 9 years earlier by Nolasco and his partner. Along the way, someone is leaving ominous messages to Tracy as well. Will they catch this killer? Will Tracy become a victim? Will Nolasco be successful in drumming her off the force?

Tracy's abilities are honed by practice. The cases in the book take their toll on her. She is tough, determined, seems to have a sixth sense, and normally works well with her team. Her workload is heavy and the crimes she deals with are awful. The killer is a monster. He is slick, smart, almost invisible, friendly and a very sick individual. Dugoni does an amazing job of creating this psychopath. The rest of the characters in the story all play an important role in getting to the bottom of this string of murders. It starts out slowly, letting the suspense build and build until the ending explodes. Once you get into the story, it is hard to put down.

I can't recommend this series enough. I have been thrilled with both stories in this series and am ready to go with the next one. If you enjoy thrillers and suspense along with a crime to solve, then pick up this book, you will not be disappointed.

I enjoyed picking up the story of Tracy again, and found this second book to be just an engrossing as the first. Still like the characters and the pacing was good until a rather abrupt finale.

Free copy given in exchange for an honest review.

Her Final Breath by Robert Dugoni is a 2015 Thomas & Mercer publication.

A superb thriller!

This second installment in the Tracy Crosswhite series gets off to a very sinister start, when someone leaves a noose hanging at the shooting range, a message specifically meant for Tracy.

Despite that, Tracy is assigned as the lead detective in a serial killer case, in which several dancers have been murdered. The killer has already been dubbed ‘The Cowboy’ because of the way he leaves his victims tied up.

But, when Tracy sees a link between these crimes and another murder which took place years earlier, things kind of get sticky. Tracy’s arrogant boss, really doesn’t want her looking too closely at the older crime. Not only that, a man is already sitting in prison for that murder, having made a confession.

But, Tracy is convinced the two cases are linked, and it’s not only possible, but quite likely that she’s in the killer’s crosshairs.

I enjoyed the first book in this series, which made a good impression, so I’ve been dying to see how things developed from there. As usual, I’m running way behind, but this second book, only solidified my feelings about the series.

The plot is dark and twisted, as most serial killer tropes are, but this story combines a little office politics in with some well timed surprises, which was very smart, and kept the story from becoming too formulaic or predictable. The plot is intricate, but the author did a fantastic job of connecting the threads, giving the reader a lot of bang for the buck. There are several very stressful, sweaty palm, like moments and some surprising developments that make this a very intense story!

I like Tracy, whose character has a chance to develop a little more, and we get a chance to see her doing her job without the intense personal stakes she had in the first book. She’s a consummate professional, tough, but not over the top with the sarcasm or ball busting. She’s just the type of person I’d want on my team. I’m looking forward to seeing what the future has in store for her in the next chapters of the series.

But, until then, this book was every bit as impressive as the first, showing promising development, along with clever plotting, and top notch suspense.

(I received a free copy of this book from Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.)

Homicide detective Tracy Crosswhite has returned to the police force after the sensational retrial of her sister’s killer. Still scarred from that ordeal, Tracy is pulled into an investigation that threatens to end her career, if not her life.
A serial killer known as the Cowboy is killing young women in cheap motels in North Seattle. Even after a stalker leaves a menacing message for Crosswhite, suggesting the killer or a copycat could be targeting her personally, she is charged with bringing the murderer to justice. With clues scarce and more victims dying, Tracy realizes the key to solving the murders may lie in a decade-old homicide investigation that others, including her captain, Johnny Nolasco, would prefer to keep buried. With the Cowboy on the hunt, can Tracy find the evidence to stop him, or will she become his next victim?

A little while ago I read the first in this series, and was left feeling a little underwhelmed by the story but felt like the author seemed to have enough "something" to have a great book in him...and here is the proof of that. There were a lot of reviews of the first book that mentioned editing issues and character failings - I don't know if the author read those or not, but there is a marked difference between the first book and this one, in my opinion at least!

The one thing that did improve the most was the story-telling. Lots more thought put into the plot, the cast, and the motivations of the characters. There is much more depth now to Tracy, and the supporting cast feels like they belong there. I felt that the serial killer was very believable - you only have to check the news now and then to see this kind of thing right now. I found all of that satisfying and intriguing.

Also, my other complaint was the editing and that too seems to have been resolved (for the most part.) I was pulled from the story less because of poor word choices or spelling errors than the previous novel and that has to be a positive.

My one complaint, though, was the pacing. There were times when everything was going on - and there were times where we went page after page of dull conversation or bland descriptions. Should have a "ebb and flow" approach to pacing - not spikes in both directions. I think if that issue could be resolved, then Robert Dugoni is on his way to a winner...


Paul
ARH

So while I was reading "My Sister's Grave", there were little things that annoyed me or felt wrong during my reading adventure. "Her Final Breath" totally blew away anything that I didn't like in the first book. As with the first one, I thought I had stuff figured out pretty well and Mr. Dugoni totally made a fool of me! This one was another suspenseful read that kept me guessing. I totally love the friendships that Tracy and her fellow detectives have and the romance-loving part of me also loves the way that her and Dan are continuing to grow in their own relationship. I do, however, despise their Captain. He makes me want to reach through the pages and strangle him. I honestly get angry every time he tries to make Tracy look bad. Way to give me all feels possible Robert. Well played sir, well played.

I didn't connect with this book so I won't review it beyond this little note right here. Thank you for the chance to read if

Great follow up to the first Tracy Crosswhite book! I love the character of Tracy, and I enjoyed the mystery in this one! Can't wait for more!

A riveting addition to the Tracy Crosswhite series! Tracy Crosswhite is back working at Seattle PD in Homicide. A serial killer nicknamed The Cowboy is killing dancers in the city. It's up to Tracy, her partner Kins, and the rest of SPD homicide to stop the killer before he can kill again.

It was nice to see Tracy Crosswhite in her normal environment with her partner ad other coworkers by her side. I enjoyed getting to know Kins and some of the other officers more in this book. They popped into the first book without much about them, which I thought was more distracting than useful. They were much more fleshed out here to my pleasure. The killer was interestingly evil and kept me guessing. Dugoni kept me on my toes as usual! I'm looking forward to the third book.

Loved it as the main character Tracey solves another mystery. Didn't see certain things coming, they surprised me in the end. Amazing writing style, reads along very quickly doesn't drag in any place.

I love this author but wasnt too crazy with this book

Tracy Crosswhite is awesome! I read the books out of order. I read the third first and had to go back and read them all! I had to take break from the series before reading this one because they grew tiresome binge reading them. The formula is the same and the mystery resolved early. However, I came back to this a loved it! I am excited there is a fourth novel and can't wait to read it. I highly recommend this series for anyone who enjoys police procedurals! Thank you for sending me a copy of this book!

The serial killer in action and the police under pressure. Can this be the copycatting case, or is something about the old case? and why the personal reaching to Tracy Crosswhite?

This is a catchy sequel to the Tracy Crosswhite's previous "adventures" - still a very good thriller, but with a less heart in it. May be that the previous novel was about Tracy's personal life and this one more about her work, I get it. But I miss the heart.
Having said that - this still is a very good read. After all, how can you get ticket on a trip to the head of the psychopath or two? And with it a fine de-romanticizing look at their minds?

I will continue to read this series, if for nothing else, then for a truly good suspense!

Homicide detective Tracy Crosswhite has returned to the police force after the sensational retrial of her sister’s killer. Still scarred from that ordeal, Tracy is pulled into an investigation that threatens to end her career, if not her life. A serial killer known as the Cowboy is killing young women in cheap motels in North Seattle. Even after a stalker leaves a menacing message for Crosswhite, suggesting the killer or a copycat could be targeting her personally, she is charged with bringing the murderer to justice. With clues scarce and more victims dying, Tracy realizes the key to solving the murders may lie in a decade-old homicide investigation that others, including her captain, Johnny Nolasco, would prefer to keep buried.
Okay, I admit it, I’m a huge fan of Robert Dugoni! And this book hasn’t done anything to change that opinion. He is a wonderful storyteller with just the right blend of personal angst of the detectives and unusual mysteries that they have to unpick the threads of. Tracy is far from liked in the department, especially by her Captain, who does all he can to discredit her and out manoeuvre her. But Tracy is nothing if not determined and will fight to her own final breath to bring justice for the victims of the Cowboy.

"When it comes to psychopaths, there is no medication. There is no treatment. There is no cure. There are only prisons."

Intricately plotted police procedural featuring Tracy Crosswhite. This second in the series was fast paced with enough red herrings to keep the reader engaged and guessing at who "the Cowboy" was. Exotic dancers are being murdered and in such a fashion as to indicate a serial killer. Tracy and her team investigate the case that also seems to have ties to another cold case from years ago.

I like the characters and the author's writing. Tracy is a typical female detective, super tough and likes to go off the grid and ignore orders and her boss. She is tough and fierce. The Pacific Northwest setting (Seattle and surrounding area) and the weather add enjoyable details to the narrative. I'm ready for #3 as I do like the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the e-book ARC to review.