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Tracy Crosswhite #12

One Split Second

11 hours, 3 minutes

An Amazon Charts and Wall Street Journal bestselling series.

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.

Audible Audio

Published September 15, 2026

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About the author

Robert Dugoni

65 books33.6k followers
Robert Dugoni is the critically acclaimed New York Times, and #1 Amazon bestselling author of the Tracy Crosswhite police series set in Seattle, which has sold more than 11 million books worldwide. He is also the author of The Charles Jenkins espionage series, the David Sloane legal thriller series, and The Keera Duggan legal thriller series. He has written several stand-alone novels including the historical novels A Killing on the Hill and Hold Strong, as well as the suspense novel The 7th Canon, and Damage Control. He has written the literary novels, The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell - one of Newsweek Magazine's Best Books of All-Time and Suspense Magazine’s 2018 Book of the Year, for which Dugoni’s narration won an AudioFile Earphones Award. He has also written the critically acclaimed novel, The World Played Chess; as well as the nonfiction exposé The Cyanide Canary, a Washington Post Best Book of the Year. His novels have been optioned for movies and television series. Dugoni is the recipient of the Nancy Pearl Award for Fiction and a four-time winner of the Friends of Mystery Spotted Owl Award for best novel set in the Pacific Northwest. He has also been a finalist for many other awards including the International Thriller Award, the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction, the Silver Falchion Award for mystery, and the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award.

Robert Dugoni’s books are sold in more than thirty-five countries and have been translated into more than thirty languages.

Visit his website at www.robertdugoni.com, and follow him on twitter @robertdugoni and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuthorRobertDugoni

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5 stars
2,335 (60%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 302 reviews
Profile Image for MarilynW.
2,123 reviews4,791 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 26, 2026
Tracy Crosswhite series Book #12
One Split Second by Robert Dugoni

I've been with the Tracy Crosswhite series from the beginning and I remember so much about it so it's fun to go back to places we've been with Tracy in the past. Sheriff Jenny Almond is a long time friend of Tracy's from the time they went through the police academy together. Since that time the families of Tracy and Jenny have become like family to each other and Jenny and her family have been featured in earlier books. Not to worry, anything you need to know is here in this book, as Tracy goes to the aid of Jenny when Jenny is charged with first degree murder. Tracy's experience as both a cold case and current case investigator will be crucial to keeping Jenny from going to prison, if possible.

The reader is present when Jenny shoots a man who she thinks is brandishing a gun at her. In fact, she hears/sees signs of gunfire, everything happens so quickly in the dark, then there is the dead man, a friend of her late father's, and no gun in sight. There is no doubt Jenny shot him and she calls it in and resigns as sheriff until the shooting can be investigated. But, the new sheriff, who would be taking over soon anyway, ramrods everything through, hoping to get Jenny imprisoned quickly. It very much seems like a small man trying to make himself big by destroying the life of his predecessor. He even has a squad of volunteer gun toting posse men combing the area, making trouble for those who have done nothing wrong.

Turns out the dead man was very much involved in a forty five year old cold case that involved Jenny's father back when he was law enforcement in the area. The deeper Tracy looks the more tangled is this web surrounding the missing teenager all those years ago. Tracy's defense attorney husband, Dan, becomes involved in the present day case since he is defending Jenny in her court case.

It's a scary feeling to see men with power working so hard to destroy the life of a woman who thought she was shooting in self defense and who turned herself in immediately. But then, it becomes obvious that there are some people in this area who don't care one whit about the lives of others and just might dispose of people who could be an inconvenience to them and their plans.

Friendship, secrets, and ill will run deep through this story. And, while Dan and Tracy are working so hard to help Jenny, being around Jenny's big and loving family makes them wonder if just one child is enough for them. Their little girl in in preschool and they see how much she enjoys being around the kids in Jenny's family. Could there be another little on in their future? Always looking forward to another installment in this favorite series of mine.

Pub September 15, 2026

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for this ARC
Profile Image for PamG.
1,439 reviews1,185 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
September 3, 2026
Suspense, action, an unarmed man dead, and a and a 45-year-old disappearance are combined into a thrilling new novel in the Tracy Crosswhite series. One Split Second by Robert Dugoni is the twelfth book in the series and maintains the high level of crime fiction the series is known for as well as some courtroom scenes.

Tracy, a cold case detective in Seattle, along with her lawyer husband, Dan O’Leary head to Klickitat County, Washington for most of this story. An old friend, Sheriff Jenny Almond, has been charged with first-degree murder for shooting an unarmed veteran. Tracy is sure there’s more to the story of Anthony Alvarez’s killing and her investigation leads her to an old cold case.

Decades ago, Alverez was the prime suspect in the unsolved disappearance of a teenage babysitter. Jenny’s late father had always believed Alvarez had been framed. Digging into both the past and present cases, Tracy finds lies, secrets, and motives. Can the truth be found in time to save Jenny from a conviction?

Tracy feels realistic and authentic as she works to resolve the two intermingled cases. She can be stubborn and isn’t good at asking for help, even when she needs it. However, she is relentless in her pursuit of justice and is extremely loyal. She also relies heavily on investigative instinct and relentless field work. Working with and interacting with Lydia, the daughter of Tracy’s old shooting mentor, brings out a different side of Tracy than readers normally see. Tracy’s ability to mentor and support others was great to see. Dan is highly analytical, calm under pressure, and strategic. He focused on constitutional rights, evidence admissibility, and building a solid legal defense. Jenny is vulnerable and under pressure in this novel. While protective and loyal, she tends to live in her father’s shadow as he was sheriff for twenty-five years before she became sheriff in the county.

Robert Dugoni is an excellent storyteller who always immediately engages me in his novels. This one is written in a style that draws you in and keeps you rapidly turning the pages. Full of well-developed characters, a compelling plot, and plenty of suspense and drama, this is an excellent addition to the series. The storyline is engaging, suspenseful, and includes some tense scenes. This engrossing crime novel and legal thriller keeps you on the edge of your seat. While this story had a dual timeline, the author was able to keep the pacing level high as the mystery builds in both and the two timelines intersect. The author also does a great job of balancing police work with realistic courtroom maneuvering. With the historical research and legal strategy focus, took is medium-paced.

Overall, this a well-written and suspenseful book that has well-developed and compelling characters. It occasionally pulls on the heart strings with the tragic backstory of the veteran, Anthony Alvarez. If you are expecting a solid series that will have mysteries, suspense, crime, and action, then this is a series that I recommend. I believe it should be read in order and I can’t wait to read the next one.

Thomas and Mercer and Robert Dugoni provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for September 15, 2026.
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My 4.27 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Profile Image for Dorie  - Cats&Books :) .
1,234 reviews3,926 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 19, 2026
I will read any book that Robert Dugoni writes and the Tracy Crosswhite series continues to deliver.

Tracy gets a frantic call from her longtime friend Jenny Almond, she has just shot and killed a man!! She needs help and Tracy and her husband Dan head to Klickitat County where Jenny is Sheriff.

Jenny has been charged with first degree murder and is in jail when Tracy and Dan arrive. Dan is a criminal attorney and will represent Jenny - Tracy will be his investigator.

Leave it to Tracy to dig deep into what really went on during the stormy night when Jenny shot Anthony Alvarez near his trailer deep in the woods. Jenny was sure that there was a shot fired from the tree line but can’t prove it.

It isn’t long before Tracy uncovers a 40+ y/o unsolved case that involved Mr. Alvarez. A babysitter had disappeared and he was a suspect - there was no evidence to prove this and he was released. Tracy is sure that there is a connection between these two cases.

It was great to see Tracy away from her desk in cold cases and she and Dan worked so well together.

This was a great combination of police procedural and mystery. There are some amazing twists and a frenzied, exciting ending!

This is one of the more exciting books in the series since Tracy quit the Homicide Division and if you are a fan you won’t be disappointed!

I received an ARC of this novel from the publisher through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to read and review this novel.

This was a buddy read with Carolyn, Debra and Mary Beth - be sure to check out their reviews!
Profile Image for Debra .
3,444 reviews36.7k followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 18, 2026
Robert Dugoni and Tracey Crosswhite are back in another thrilling and gripping book in the Tracy Crosswhite series! One Split Second has Tracy Crosswhite helping her friend Sheriff Jenny Almond who has been charged with first-degree murder after shooting Anthony Alvarez on a dark night! Tracy and her attorney husband, Dan, dive in to help Jenny. Dan as her attorney and Tracy does what she does best - investigate! I loved seeing Dan and Tracy work together in this book. As things unfold, Tracy is drawn to a cold case where Alvarez was the prime suspect in the disappearance of a teen.

As with the other books in this series, I was instantly drawn into the investigation, the court case, and the unraveling of the clues. As the book progressed, the suspense, threat of danger, and tension mounted. The mystery in this book was taunt, well thought out, and perfectly plotted. I loved trying my best to figure out what happened in the past and how it ties to the present case.

This is the twelfth book in the series and would work well as a stand along novel. But this series is amazing, and I highly encourage anyone who has not read this series to give it a read. Fans of mysteries and police procedurals will love this book and the previous books in this series.

*A Witches Words buddy read with Dorie- Cats&Books :), Carolyn, and Mary Beth. Please read their reviews as well to get their thoughts on One Split Second!

Thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Lorna.
1,903 reviews122 followers
September 21, 2026
Story 5 stars. Narration 5 stars
The books in this series have been among the best detective/thriller books I’ve read. I love the characters and especially love the little family Tracey has built with her lawyer husband and small daughter Daniella. I’ve always liked the camaraderie between Tracy and some of the men at her work. Now that she works cold cases there’s not quite as much and in fact, due to circumstances, there’s very little this time around.

Jenny is a sheriff in a small town a couple of hours away from Tracey. They are close friends and went through law enforcement academy together. She gets arrested for murder even though it’s a justified homicide. The just newly elected,but not sheriff yet, makes sure of it. Yeah, he’s not a nice guy. It’s up to Tracey and Dan to make things right. Tracey pulls out all her investigation skills while Dan defends Jenny in court. There’s some not so good people in this town and Tracey has to meet most of them. But there’s also an elderly man and his wife that Tracey had befriended in an earlier time and they were a breath of fresh air for Tracey during this investigation. I really enjoyed them. This time Tracey puts her cold case skills to the test along with Jenny’s case. Tracey is sure an old case is involved with Jenny’s case. I do enjoy when cold cases are involved and we get the point of view of Jenny’s father when he was a deputy way back when. Two timelines.

This was a quick listen and extremely well narrated as usual. Robert Dugoni please keep writing Tracey’s story and absolutely keep the same narrator, Emily Sutton-Smith. She is the voice of Tracey as far as I’m concerned and I’m sure I’m not alone in those feelings. I’m already wishing for the next book!
Profile Image for Marcie Reads.
244 reviews38 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
July 27, 2026
𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝟭𝟮, 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗲 — 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗜’𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗸𝗲𝗲𝗽 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀.

I really enjoyed following the investigation and trial as two intriguing cases gradually came together. Dan, Tracy’s attorney husband, was easily my favourite — so capable, and I loved him in the courtroom.

The plotting isn’t completely airtight, but the weaknesses didn’t interfere with my enjoyment, and the resolution was great. An intriguing, steady read that worked surprisingly well as a standalone.

Thank you to Robert Dugoni, Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC. All opinions are my own.

🎉 𝗛𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗗𝗮𝘆, 𝗥𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗗𝘂𝗴𝗼𝗻𝗶! 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗮𝘀 & 𝗠𝗲𝗿𝗰𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗼𝗱𝗮𝘆'𝘀 𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲! 𝗜 𝗵𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝘁𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗻𝗲.
Profile Image for Linda.
1,749 reviews1,772 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
September 6, 2026
Sometimes even the slightest move in error can change the whole outcome on the board.

Robert Dugoni sets us up with the latest Tracy Crosswhite novel in this series. Although it's #12, it still can be read as a standalone. But you'll be reaching back for the prior ones to get an even better feel for these well drawn characters.

Detective Tracy Crosswhite has been knee deep in cold cases for the Seattle police department. She's got the magic touch when it comes to pulling back the threads of long forgotten cases. But this time, it's up close and personal. It began with a phone call.

Sheriff Jenny Almond is wrapping up her days as the Klickitat County sheriff. It's after a long, hard election in which she didn't score the results that she anticipated. Her term is up next month. Jenny receives a call on her land line. It's Anthony Alvarez, a Vietnam veteran who suffers from PTSD. Alvarez wants to speak to Jenny's father, Buzz. But Buzz passed away years ago. Alvarez is spooked by something happening on his land. Jenny decides to fight the snowstorm and visit Alvarez. She's been able to soothe him in the past.

No one would have expected the results of that night. Jenny approaches Alvarez. There are flashing lights behind him near his trailer. Jenny feels threatened by Alvarez's behavior as he's charging towards her. Jenny fires one shot and Alvarez goes down. Alvarez was unarmed. She calls it in. The place is soon swarming with cops. Jenny is arrested.

Robert Dugoni flips the storyline here with a 1980's crime that did involve Alvarez. A babysitter was abducted and Alvarez was the prime suspect. This goes back to Jenny's father, Buzz, who was sheriff at the time. Buzz believed that Alvarez was innocent. The crime was never solved.

Dugoni brings in Tracy who is a dear friend of Jenny's. Tracy's husband, Dan, will represent Jenny. One Split Second is a very tightly woven read. Will these two rivers of crime eventually cross at a certain juncture? Leave it to Robert Dugoni who will keep you guessing. Dugoni never disappoints. The popularity of this superb series is in itself at book #12 already. Become a fan and you'll certainly see for yourself.

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.
Profile Image for Angela.
751 reviews276 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
August 24, 2026
One Split Second by Robert Dugoni

Synopsis /

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 Thoughts /

First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, publishers Thomas & Mercer and author, Robert Dugoni for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.

My life has some wonderfully perfect things in it:

My eighteen-month-old grandson's laugh.

Coming inside the house and being greeted by the pups as if I've been away for months, when in reality I've just gone out the front to collect the mail.

Pavlova. A classic Australian, meringue-based dessert, named after the iconic Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. Made perfectly, it has a crisp outer shell and soft, marshmallow-like centre; traditionally piled high with freshly whipped cream and decorated with seasonal fresh fruits like passionfruit, kiwi, and berries. Ahh heaven.

Coffee.

And then, when fates collide, and you get to combine some of your wonderfully perfect things with a Robert Dugoni novel – priceless.

In this, the twelfth instalment of Robert Dugoni's Tracy Crosswhite series - One Split Second – Seattle homicide detective Tracy Crosswhite faces her most personal case yet.

The narrative weaves together two crimes separated by forty-five years with a deeply hidden connection.

The present day: When Klickitat County Sheriff Jenny Almond, phones her good friend Tracy Crosswhite after she is charged with first-degree murder, it sets off a sequence of events which see Tracy, together with husband and criminal defence attorney, Dan O'Leary travelling to the small town of Stoneridge to investigate.

Having just lost her re-election campaign, Jenny is in her final weeks in office when she responds to a late night panicked phone call from local Vietnam veteran, Anthony Alvarez. Alvarez, who suffers from PTSD, sounds distressed and fearful, and says to Jenny "they'll come for me" and that he needs to speak with Buzz. Jenny's father, Buzz Almond, who was also a Klickitat County Sheriff had passed away several years prior. Buzz had always told Jenny that Alvarez was a good guy. When Jenny arrives at his home to see what has the veteran so worked up, a split-second decision ends with her shooting the unarmed veteran dead.

The Cold Case: When the present day investigation leads Tracy into the 1980s mystery of a teenaged girl's unsolved disappearance. Coincidentally, it was the veteran, Anthony Alvarez, who was the prime suspect in her disappearance. However, Buzz, Jenny’s late father, who was the original investigator—always believed Alvarez was framed.

Dugoni once again proves why he is a master of the modern legal and police thriller. The writing is exceptionally sharp; balancing a fast-paced, dual-timeline mystery with the deep emotional nuance that has become the hallmark of his Tracy Crosswhite series. With a talent for crafting intricate, overlapping plots without ever overwhelming the reader, Dugoni balances this with clean, purposeful prose, making the pages fly by effortlessly. What truly sets his craftsmanship apart is his ability to maintain breakneck suspense while delivering rich, authentic character development. He treats complex themes of small-town corruption and decades-old trauma with incredible skill, ensuring that every twist feels earned rather than forced. One Split Second will hook you from the opening scene and hold you captive until the final page.

With thanks to NetGalley and especially to publishers, Thomas & Mercer 💗 for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for September 15, 2026.
Profile Image for Deanna Loves to Read!!:) .
414 reviews56 followers
September 15, 2026
Robert Dugoni and Tracy Crosswhite NEVER disappoint!

Tracey Crosswhite's friend, Jenny Almond, has been charged with murder for the death of an unarmed man. Tracey gets assigned to the case, and her husband Dan comes along as legal counsel. Anthony Alvarez was a friend and war buddy of Buzz Almond. On the night in question, Alvarez called Jenny and gave cryptic statements about what was happening at his property at the moment. Jenny drives out in weather that is thundering and a downpour. When she arrives, mysterious lights and sounds that seem to be gunshots occur. As she is going to see what is happening, a figure is running for her and will not stop. The figure has something in his hand. As he gets very close to her, she decides in a spit second that she is in danger and shoots. Thus begins the unraveling of what really happened, and how this ties into the 45 year old cold case of the disappearance of a a local girl who was going to babysit. Alvarez was one of the suspects in the case.

Dugoni has a way of creating unforgettable characters that have an important role in the story- whether big or small. Although things seem scattered at first, he always brings it together win a winning conclusion. This is the 12th in the series, and, honestly, they are all excellent. There is tension, many clues and relationships to unravel. There are also mentions of previous cases, which I always enjoy.

The way the cold case tied into this one made this feel ominous in this small community. With a new sheriff coming on board, and power he feels in his new position, this added a new level of suspense and danger to the story. What are they hiding, what really happened 45 years ago? As the trial proceeds, the tension spirals, and I was on the edge of my seat to see what really happened, and if Jenny would get off.

As with the other novels, Tracy and Dan explore their personal relationship, and wonder if they should have another child so that their daughter would have a larger family. I love seeing these intimate family moments because these two really seem to jump off the page, and are so relatable.

I absolutely cannot wait for the next. It is a series that has stood the test of time and always delivers!

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas and Mercer for the ARC. This is my honest and voluntary review.
Profile Image for Violet .
196 reviews8 followers
September 23, 2026
The story delivered a fast-paced legal thriller by using a dual timeline to link a modern murder trial with a 1980 missing person cold case. Having Tracy Crosswhite investigate while her husband, Dan, handled the courtroom defense added strong personal stakes, and the constant shifts between the past and present kept the momentum moving. A convenient plot development at the 75% mark threatened to ruin the story. Despite that late frustration, the execution actually worked out in the end and delivered a satisfying payoff as the mystery wrapped up.
Profile Image for Jonetta.
2,747 reviews1,376 followers
September 16, 2026
the setup…
Klickitat County Sheriff Jenny Almond gets a distress call from Anthony Alvarez on a stormy night and responds alone. In a split second moment, she returns fire, killing him, only to find the veteran was unarmed. Jenny is charged with first-degree murder and Detective Tracy Crosswhite comes to the aid of her old academy friend, bringing defense attorney husband Dan O’Leary to represent her. Tracy is also certain that Jenny wasn’t alone that night and Alvarez’s killing is linked to a forty-year old unsolved crime where he was the main suspect and Buzz Almond, Jenny’s father, was the lead investigator.

the heart of the story…
While she didn’t choose this , Tracy seems to be a perfect fit for working cold case crimes. Here she applies those great skills and soon unearths probable suspects, motives and evidence of what happened forty years ago when high school senior Jackie Parker was abducted while babysitting for the toddler of Levi and Evelyn Carson, wealthy cattle ranchers. I loved how the flashbacks to the 1980 investigation led by Buzz worked in tandem with Tracy’s present day probe.

the narration…
Emily Sutton-Smith will forever be the voice of this series for me. She’s who I hear when I think of Tracy and I love her superior storytelling skills. I’ll always listen to the books.

the bottom line…
The crazy good police procedurals combined with riveting courtroom drama made this an outstanding reading experience. It wasn’t all about stunning twists (though there was one) but the perfect plotting in bringing the past back to life and solving a decades old crime, expertly weaving together the dual investigations. This is Dugoni at his finest.

Posted on Blue Mood Café

(Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
Profile Image for Dozelina 666.
440 reviews18 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 24, 2026
So, I was casually scrolling through NetGalley when I suddenly saw this pop up and honestly… OMFG ... One of my favorite thriller series getting a new installment?? Of course I immediately grabbed it and read it in one go.

I’ll be honest, the previous two books weren’t necessarily my favorites in the series, but I love Tracy too much to ever skip one.

And thankfully, this installment worked so, sooo much better for me.

One of the biggest reasons? We finally leave Tracy’s city police station behind for a while and return to Klickitat County. In the Clearing is still my absolute favorite Tracy Crosswhite book, so going back there and seeing some familiar faces again made me ridiculously happy.

Don’t get me wrong, I missed Del and Faz, but revisiting older characters and settings felt really refreshing.

Also, Tracy’s daughter is adorable and I love seeing her slowly grow up throughout the series.

Now, into the actual case.

As the blurb says, Tracy’s old friend Jenny Almond is charged with first-degree murder after shooting an unarmed man during a tense encounter. Tracy is convinced there’s more to the story, and together with her husband Dan, who joins as Jenny’s attorney, she starts digging into the case.

Very quickly, things connect back to a decades-old disappearance involving a teenage girl and the same man Jenny supposedly murdered in cold blood.

And from there… classic small-town chaos begins ...

Secrets, coverups, old grudges, hidden motives, people protecting each other no matter what… all the things I love in this kind of thriller.

I genuinely enjoyed this installment much more than the previous two books. The investigation kept me engaged the entire time, and I loved how the past and present cases slowly connected together.

Robert Dugoni always does a great job balancing the emotional side of Tracy’s life with the investigative side, and I think this book handled that especially well.

Overall, this felt like a really strong return for the series and reminded me why I fell in love with Tracy Crosswhite books in the first place.

⭐ 5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC.
Profile Image for Rob T..
95 reviews10 followers
September 27, 2026
One Split Second
Robert Dugoni
Rating: ★★★★½/5

Robert Dugoni's twelfth Tracy Crosswhite novel opens with a shooting that no one can fully explain, and the fallout sends Tracy deep into the past — toward a cold case the town has spent decades trying to forget.

The book's real strength is how its two timelines work together without ever collapsing into one story. The present-day thread follows Tracy investigating a shooting that turns out to be far more than it first appears; the older thread, set decades earlier, follows a young deputy chasing a girl's disappearance that was never solved and quietly left to go cold. The cases are distinct, but the earlier one holds the key to unlocking the latter, and Dugoni lets that connection surface gradually rather than announcing it. It's patient plotting — the kind that asks a reader to hold onto small details for many chapters before they matter — and it pays off.

The courtroom material, which occupies a substantial stretch of the back half, is where the pacing gets tested most. Dugoni clearly enjoys the procedural mechanics of a trial, and readers who share that appetite will be well served; those looking for constant momentum may feel the testimony-heavy chapters slow the book's pulse right when the emotional stakes are climbing. It's a defensible trade-off — legal thrillers live or die on this kind of detail — and once the back third breaks open, the payoff more than earns the patience it demanded.

Character work is a mixed bag in the best way: a few figures early on lean functional (the helpful witness, the convenient archive), but Dugoni has a habit of letting secondary characters earn more depth than their introductions promise. One researcher brought in to help Tracy sort through old newspapers, in particular, turns out to be doing genuine deductive work rather than just fetching information — a small thing that says a lot about the book's overall care.

The central mystery lands with real weight by the end, tying land, water, and old grudges into a portrait of how a community's power structures can outlast the people who built them. The final stretch is genuinely gripping, and Dugoni resists a tidy bow on the way out — some threads are deliberately left to unspool beyond the last page — which feels earned rather than incomplete, given how tangled the web turns out to be.

This is a standout entry for series readers and newcomers alike. It doesn't reinvent the Crosswhite formula, but it executes it with unusual discipline, and the dual-timeline structure here is some of the tightest plotting in the series.
Profile Image for Katie’s Bookshelf.
770 reviews132 followers
June 19, 2026
4⭐️
I've always enjoyed picking up a Tracy Crosswhite story and this was no different. Here we have Tracy and Dan trying to prove their friend's innocence while simultaneously solving a 45 year-old cold case.

I think the flashbacks worked really well here- we were with Buzz Almond in the sheriff's department during the original search for Jackie Parker in the 1970's. I enjoyed getting to actually see how that search was handled and what Buzz thought of the suspects rather than hearing about it from case files.

I also ended up really enjoying the court scenes with Dan defending Jenny. It was compelling enough to keep me flipping the pages but also simple enough that someone who doesn't know Washington State law (me!) could easily understand.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishing team for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for ML.
1,727 reviews1 follower
September 20, 2026
Wow this book was twisty! I liked the split way it was told from 1980 then present day.

Tracy closed another cold case. This one was ice 🧊 cold too.. over 45 years! Everyone gets their comeuppance too.

I like when Dan and Tracy work closely together to solve a crime. Doing it in a small town in the PNW ..bonus.

Tracy is at a crossroads in her career and personal life the next book should prove to be very interesting. I wonder what she’ll choose? 🤔🤔🤔
Profile Image for Valleri.
1,074 reviews61 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 18, 2026
One Split Second is a fascinating legal thriller! It's the 12th book in the Tracy Crosswhite series and I have read them all. I really hope this series never ends!!

This story follows Detective Tracy Crosswhite as she helps with the defense of her old friend, Sheriff Jenny Almond. Jenny has been charged with first-degree murder after shooting an unarmed veteran on a dark, stormy night.

The investigation led to long-buried secrets, connecting the modern-day shooting to a 45-year-old cold case involving a missing teenage babysitter. Every time I was sure I knew what had happened I found I was wrong!

Great book!!

Huge thanks to #ThomasAndMercer for providing this book for consideration and review via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. One Split Second has an expected publication date of September 15, 2026.

#RobertDugoni, #Crime, #Mystery, #StrongFemaleProtagonists, #Series
Profile Image for Cheryl.
2,041 reviews29 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
September 14, 2026
(4.5) Never disappointed in Tracy Crosswhite books. One Split Second is an on-point title, it only takes one split second for things to occur. Tracy and her husband Dan had to defend an investigate her friend Sheriff Jenny Almond. Jenny is Buzz's daughter and Tracys mentor. Alvarez is a veteran with PTSD. Jenny is accused of killing him. There is also a cold case that interconnects. Fast paced suspense, mystery and some legalese. Tracy and Dan both keep growing as individuals and as a couple. I am on board for all the Tracy Crosswhite books Robert Dugoni wants to write. Thank you for the advance copy. I freely share my honest thoughts and opinion. #OneSplitSecond #TracyCrosswhite #RobertDugoni #ThomasandMercer #NetGalley
Profile Image for Skip.
4,041 reviews587 followers
September 29, 2026
Outgoing Klickitat County Sheriff Jenny Almond receives a panicked, late-night call from a troubled Vietnam veteran suffering from PTSD, asking for Jenny's late father Buzz, the former Sheriff. At Alvarez's property on a stormy night, Jenny accidentally shoots Alvarez. Because he was unarmed (and bears a second gunshot wound in his back), the sheriff-elect and prosecution conspire to charge Jenny with first-degree murder. Decades earlier, a 15-year-old babysitter vanished in the small town of Stoneridge and Alvarez was the primary suspect, but Buzz Almond always thought Alvarez was innocent. Refusing to let Jenny face wrongful prosecution, Tracy Crosswhite's defense-attorney husband, Dan O'Leary, agrees to defend Jenny, with Tracy serving as his investigator, facing opposition from the sheriff-elect and his militia buddies. Tracy digs into the overlooked leads of the 1980 disappearance, realizing that the present-day trial and the decades-old cold case share a dark, chilling connection. She exposes a web of long-buried secrets and institutional corruption to prove Jenny innocent.
25 reviews
August 4, 2026
4.25 Stars!

I loved this newest installment in the Tracy Crosswhite series - it had me hooked from the very beginning!

In this book, Tracy and Dan have to leave Seattle to help defend an old friend who has been charged with murder after a chaotic and tragic shooting. Dan takes the case as the defense attorney and we get to see more of a courtroom thriller vibe than we have in some of the previous books. Tracy assists as an investigator due to possible small town corruption. They soon realize the situation is more complicated than it first appeared, seemingly connecting to a decades old unsolved missing person investigation. Tracy, Dan, and her friends have to start digging up secrets that people have worked for 40 years to keep buried.

This book is structured like the last few with one more current investigation and one cold case investigation mixed in. It is interesting to start from the beginning on both cases and then watch how they intertwine. I really enjoyed the dual timeline with chapters alternating from present and past.

It was nice to see some old characters again, like the Almonds and Sam Goldman. However, one thing that makes me really sad is the lack of Tracy's former partners from the Violent Crime Unit. We used to see a lot of Faz, Del, and Kinsington, but now they are down to about one scene in this book. I really miss the dynamic the four of them had, even in some of the books after Tracy moved to the Cold Case Unit. After 12 books, it is nice to still have fresh, gripping, and mostly unique plot lines and cases. The last couple of books have had Tracy out of Seattle and revisiting her past in areas near where she grew up, but I am hoping that we get to see her back in Seattle and with some of her old teammates again soon.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Thomas & Mercer, and Robert Dugoni for the opportunity to read and review this advance readers' copy, All opinions are my own. This book will be available on September 15, 2026.
Profile Image for Michelle.
394 reviews21 followers
September 16, 2026
Tracy takes a leave from her cold case work with the Seattle police Department to help an old friend, Sheriff Jenny Almond, who has been accused of murder for shooting an unarmed man while off duty. The victim, Anthony Alvarez, was a war veteran suffering from PTSD, who had been the prime suspect in the disappearance of a local teenage girl decades before, but without evidence, he’d been released, but never escaped the shroud of suspicion.

With Tracy’s husband Dan representing the sheriff, and Tracy working as his investigator, she discovers a possible connection between the two events, and sets out to help exonerate her friend, and perhaps solve a cold case in the process.

This wasn’t as suspenseful as previous installments, but instead took on more emotional depth with the subtle theme of only children and orphans woven throughout the novel that was moving and enjoyable. I can’t help but wonder what this more somber, maturing perspective means for the characters in the next installment, and I’m here for it.

NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer kindly provided me an ARC of this book, which I have read and reviewed honestly and voluntarily.
Profile Image for Christine.
2,132 reviews71 followers
September 23, 2026
I've enjoyed a few prior books in this series, and I like the main character, Tracy Crosswhite. In the past few books, Tracy has worked on the cold case squad at her station. In this book, she and her attorney husband, Dan, help a friend with a legal crisis related to her work as the outgoing sheriff. Once they start investigation, they discover that there appears to be a link to the case of a missing teenager from 1980. The story then alternates between the two timelines.

Tracy and Dan work well together, but I wasn't as engaged in this story compared to some of the others I've read. I did, however, enjoy the courtroom scenes as Dan is able to take advantage of all Tracy discovered in making his case for someone wrongly accused of a premeditated killing. I look forward to seeing what's next for Tracy and Dan.

I received an advance copy of this ebook from Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
Profile Image for Dana K.
2,096 reviews102 followers
September 20, 2026
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer for gifted access via NetGalley. All opinions below are my own.

I've recently dropped into one of Robert Dugoni's series and really enjoyed it, so I thought why not try another. The series I've been reading Keera Dugan is a little more legal crime fiction where this one is more of a police procedural. Jenny Almond is the outgoing sheriff who responds to a call where the caller, a Vietnam vet with a mental health history, ends up dead. She is charged with murder and she reaches out to a big city detective to help figure out what really happened. The case links back to a cold case that her late father, also once sheriff, lamented went cold.

The beginning of this one had drawn me in right away. It lost a little momentum in the middle, I felt like the flashback chapters could have been a little less of the overall story and we still could have gotten to the same place. The action picked up in the end and the way the case was solved was really great.
Profile Image for KDRBCK.
7,847 reviews75 followers
May 24, 2026
One Split Second by Robert Dugoni is a stand alone in the Tracy Crosswhite Series. The books are kind of interconnected and I love reading them in order. One Split Second is book 12 and published by Thomas & Mercer.
Tracy's friend Jenny Almond is in trouble. The Sheriff is accused of unaliving a man and family friends Lawyer Dan and Detective Tracy are the support.
But nothing is as easy as it seems. Another cold case, 45 year old, current victims, all of this is connected and Dan and Tracy are racing against the time.
A nailbiting, suspenseful pageturner, twisty and full of turns that had me guessing til the last chapter.
I recommend the book and the series, all the stars.
Profile Image for Mariah.
120 reviews
May 29, 2026
Review of advance copy through Netgalley

Another solid Tracy book! You can tell how much effort Robert Dugoni puts into his books. His research does not go unnoticed. And as I’m reading thrillers and suspense book these days, most feel too far fetched. His never do. They are realistic and contain details that never leave you bored. I appreciate books like these and love the fact that after 12 books I am still invested in this series!

(Kindle)
Profile Image for Holly.
1,415 reviews639 followers
May 23, 2026
I’ve always enjoyed the Crosswhite series, but since she’s doing cold cases I’m not loving them like the previous ones. I miss the mystery of new cases and Tracy interacting with Dez and Faz. This case was just ok. I feel like the mystery wasn’t strong, you could figure out what happened and why fairly quickly. The first 10 books are the best in the series.
Profile Image for NinaNeedsNovels.
314 reviews3 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
September 10, 2026
Dugoni is one of my favorite authors and he never disappoints!

One Split Second is the 12th installment in Robert Dugoni’s Tracy Crosswhite Series. With a complete mixture of thriller, mystery, detective work, legal, and procedural, this book delivers it all. In fact, Detective Crosswhite is the person you want in your corner for any situation in life.

Told in multiple timelines and in a dual point of view, we are brought back to the 1970’s cold case of Jackie Parker in Seattle, and a chaotic night in the present leading to the killing of veteran Anthony Alvarez. Sheriff Jenny Almond is charged with first-degree murder of Mr. Alvarez for a split-second decision she made on a rainy night. This shooting was later determined by the incoming Sheriff that she wasn’t acting in her official officer capacity. Now, Tracy’s husband, Lawyer Dan O’Leary, will be representing Jenny in her trial, and Tracy takes on an investigative role. But her investigation plays right into her love of solving cold cases – as Mr. Alvarez was once the main suspect in the disappearance of Jackie Parker, when Buzz Almond, Jenny’s father, was the Sheriff.

I really do love this series (it is probably my favorite series of books and I look forward to each new release!), and while they can be read as standalones or out of order, I do suggest reading at least the first 2 of the books in order to know the backstory. This was the first audiobook on this series that I listened to, and I believe the narrator Emily Sutton-Smith really brought these characters to life!

As a lawyer myself, I enjoyed Dan and Tracy’s working relationship in this novel and more insight into them outside their roles of “Detective” and “Lawyer.” Plus, I loved the courtroom scenes! I do miss Tracy’s interactions and banter with previous characters, but this is a newer, more mature side of Tracy that I enjoyed – her mind is as sharp as ever and the conclusions are realistic. While there are still some twists and turns, Dugoni is never over the top – making me live his writing even more!

My dad highly recommended Dugoni to me in 2015. I started with the first two Crosswhite books, and then read The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell, and I became a permanent fan. He is an instant buy for me now.

I will continue to recommend the Tracy Crosswhite series to everyone! 4.7 stars and a Nina’s Notable!

Thank you to NetGalley for this audiobook ARC; all opinions are my own!


900 reviews3 followers
September 16, 2026
Robert Dugoni is one of my favorite authors, his Tracy Crosswhite books are one of my favorite series, and One Split Second totally lived up to my expectations! Tracy is a Seattle PD detective, now working cold cases. When a good friend who Tracy attended the police academy with calls asking for help, Tracy and her lawyer husband, Dan O'Leary travel south to Klickitat County where Jenny has served as Sheriff for many years, following in her father Buzz's footsteps. But when a man Jenny goes to help ends up dead, she finds herself on trial for first degree murder. The victim was a Vietnam vet that Buzz had helped in the past and who was once the prime suspect in the disappearance of a teenage girl. Decades later, the girl was never found, but Tracy suspects that the current events may be tied to that case. Can she solve it? Can she help Dan keep Jenny out of prison? Tracy is smart and brave, and a skilled investigator, balancing motherhood and marriage with her career. She feels like a real person and someone I'd love to call a friend. The case is complex and there were a couple of twists I did not see coming, one of which was especially shocking! I also love how Dugoni blends in heartwarming relationships that show what friendship and family should be. I think a reader unfamiliar with the series could read this as a standalone and enjoy it, but I would recommend starting at the beginning so you get all of Tracy's backstory and recognize the various supporting characters who show up!
Profile Image for Donna.
677 reviews10 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
September 6, 2026
One Split Second is a fantastic, riveting addition to the Tracy Crosswhite series! Tracy has been assigned to investigate a case involving an old friend, Sheriff Jenny Almond, accused of first-degree murder. When Jenny received a call from Anthony Alvarez, a veteran who suffers from PTSD, who had been a suspect in the disappearance of a young girl years before, she felt compelled to drive out to his remote trailer, despite a raging storm. As Alvarez approached, she heard shots and saw flashes of light and fired in self-defense. But Alvarez had no gun. Tracy arrives to begin her investigation, along with her young daughter and husband who has agreed to represent Jenny at her trial. Robert Dugoni has written a superb dual timeline plot full of suspense and excitement as Tracy's investigation twists back in time to unearth evidence of past crimes that had never been discovered. As the investigation and the courtroom drama intensifies, Tracy finds herself in grave danger as she races to uncover the truth. What she discovers leads to quite a dramatic conclusion! I thoroughly enjoyed the book, and love how the author incorporates Tracy 's family life into the story. One of my favorite characters is Lydia, whose clear focus helps Tracy's analysis of the facts of the old case with a different perspective. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy. The opinions of this review are my own.
Profile Image for Christina | christinas.booknook.
143 reviews38 followers
August 14, 2026
Read for
Dual timelines
Police procedural
Cold case
Dual POV
Court cases

I love this series! I find them to be so engaging and I can’t put the books down. It’s rare that a series holds my interest after this many books but this is book 12 and I feel like this series has done a great job of transitioning with character growth and staying fresh and interesting.

In this book Tracy is called by her friend, Jenny, a sheriff who is being charged with murder. She and Dan go to try to prove her innocence and find themselves looking into a cold case about the disappearance of a girl 45 years ago.

I loved the dual timelines in this book. We have Tracy looking into the cold case of the missing girl as well as her friend’s case. The second timeline is 45 years earlier and looking at the sheriff who originally investigated the disappearance. Both stories were so interesting and I enjoyed each timeline equally.

I listened to this on audiobook and the narrator is one of my favorites. I’ve been listening to this series for a while now and love the way the story comes to life with the narration. I highly recommend listening to this.

I’m so excited to see how Tracy has grown, she’s a fearless and intelligent FMC. This book is another amazing story where you get to see Tracy shine. If you are interested in mystery and procedural books I love this series, it’s the perfect series to pick up if you’re new to the genre or if you already read it.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC.
Profile Image for Leeah Jarvis.
17 reviews4 followers
September 23, 2026
What a perfect addition to the Tracy Crosswhite Series!The only thing wrong with this book is that I finished it too quickly.
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