My Sister's Grave

Tracy Crosswhite, Book 1

By: Robert Dugoni

Narrated by: Emily Sutton-Smith

The first book in the series that has garnered millions of fans across the globe, from New York Times best-selling author Robert Dugoni. Tracy Crosswhite has spent 20 years questioning the facts surrounding her sister Sarah’s disappearance and the murder trial that followed. She doesn’t believe that Edmund House - a convicted rapist and the man condemned for Sarah’s murder- is the guilty party.

Motivated by the opportunity to obtain real justice, Tracy became a homicide detective with the Seattle PD and dedicated her life to tracking down killers. When Sarah’s remains are finally discovered near their hometown in the northern Cascade mountains of Washington State, Tracy is determined to get the answers she’s been seeking.

As she searches for the real killer, she unearths dark, long-kept secrets that will forever change her relationship to her past - and open the door to deadly danger.

©2014 Robert Dugoni (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“Dugoni does a superior job of positioning [the plot elements] for maximum impact, especially in a climactic scene set in an abandoned mine during a blizzard - which is melodramatic but nevertheless effective.” (Publishers Weekly)

“Combines the best of a police procedural with a legal thriller, and the end result is outstanding...Dugoni continues to deliver emotional and gut-wrenching, character-driven suspense stories that will resonate with any fan of the thriller genre.” (Library Journal)

“Yes, a conspiracy is revealed, but it’s an unexpected one, as moving as it is startling...The ending is violent, suspenseful, even touching. A nice surprise for thriller fans.” (Booklist, starred review)

Slow Start, but A Gripping Book w/Surprising End

This book is, first of all, very well-written for its genre. The author pays attention to every detail, as a good mystery book must do.. I had trouble getting interested in the first few chapters, but from then on I couldn't put the book down. The last part of the book is very much a surprise. I definitely recommend this author for mystery lovers.

For comparison, I believe it is more interesting and better written than The Girl on the Train.

Great Start For A New Series

i've read the first two novels in this series in reverse order. Both are excellent novels on their own. The police work is outstanding as are the characters.

The story and its mysteries are unique and clever. It is a refreshing twist that comes together well in the end. Best of all, it left me hungry for mre.

Fantastic Romantic Suspense @$7.34 Bargain

Robert Dugoni has done it again! My Sister's Grave is a story which takes you through the story in a well-paced build until near the end when it simply explodes. Just when one thinks they have the plot figured out or the "whodunit" settled upon, Dugoni throws in a twist to keep you guessing and keep you going from the climax until the end when one is shocked and sated.

Tracy Crosswhite is a strong female leading character, who readers may have first met in the prequel, The Academy. Tracy is likeable, but does not take any crap from anyone, especially male co-workers who may want to dominate her and bend her spirit. Tracy, a Seattle Police Detective has been on a twenty year mission to get to the truth of what happened to her younger sister, Sarah. It is believed that Sarah was murdered, although her body never found. Tracy has thought that an innocent man was framed for her murder and has been searching for the real answers. Enter Dan O'Leary a childhood friend and lawyer, who offers to help in her quest. Together they are successful in arranging a post-conviction relief hearing for Edmund House.

Between the flashbacks and fast paced present, the story builds to a point of no return, where one cannot simply put the story down until the book is completed. One just has to know the truth about what happened to Sarah and it does not take long, following the post-conviction relief hearing's conclusion for the real killer to show his face.

Throughout the story, Dugoni throws in moments, where one feels unease about Tracy and her mission for the truth, creating a tension, where the reader is nearly looking over his shoulder. And, you want her to use some caution as she presses forward. But, she is a strong, driven woman.

With much of the action taking place in a small town, the cast of characters includes a curmudgeon for a sheriff, incompetent lawyers, and assorted interesting individuals. One can get the feel for life in a small town where everyone is well known and established. This story shows how a tragedy can upset the normal, predictable rhythm of small town life.

Dugoni uses some journalistic style in his writing. Words are not wasted. Each is placed. When the action is moving he reverts to last names only. That tactic serves to keep the pace flowing and helps take some of the emotion away from the character. It makes the storyline more intense.

I am looking forward to reading more about Tracy Crosswhite. However, I hope that this does not mean the end of David Sloane, and that he will be back, as well.

Page Turner

Loved it! Great story line, told well, I really enjoyed it. Kept my interest all the way through.

One Good Listen

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes. It was an interesting story.

What other book might you compare My Sister's Grave to and why?

There are probably a lot of books that I can compare this one to. Even in fiction, I'm intrigued by people who can't let go of the past & will do anything to uncover the truth.

What about Emily Sutton-Smith’s performance did you like?

Ms. Sutton-Smith was excellent!! I loved the feeling she brought to the story.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

It did make me tear up in a couple of places.

Any additional comments?

I enjoyed this book. I did get a little confused at the beginning. It jumps a little from present to past. I was probably tired. :) I would recommend this book.

Easy Listen

This is one of those listens that is just easy to settle into. All the right ingredients for a good not great detective novel. Plus this author didn't feel it necessary to add any raunchy sex to it. But what is it with female detective novels always get kidnapped and dah-ta-da handsome boyfriend saves them? Or there male partner. If Mr Dugoni continues this series with same narrator I would definitely lend an ear for the listen

great read

This book was a great read. Didn't want it to end. Good narrator. Would recommend read.

Dissatisfying Resolution

The plot is definitely distinctive, but the resolution is disappointing and made me ask myself "why did I read this?"

Intriguing listen

Enjoyed the twists and turns, mystery, but initially hard to keep up with when they switched timelines. It all came together full circle though.

This is a great book!

This book kept my interest and was hard to put down. The ending was great and gave closure to the whole story. I plan on listening to more of this author’s books.