I'm kind of between 3 and 4 stars on this one. It was a good book, still really like Tracy and her no-nonsense attitude. I feel like it didn't really make me super tense like the first one did, but I also think the writing might have been stronger in this one (less mistakes and repetitive phrases overall). Strong mystery components, good twists, though I actually forgot some suspects names this go-round, so at the big reveal I went "wait, who?" That could just be because I got distracted by packing to move, though, and put it down for a week before getting there. Or it could also be that there were one too many names to remember as potentials, hard to say.

Either way, I'll probably read the third at some point, just not right this second. I need to wait a bit to give more space from the first one (it just had such a great twist, it's hard not to compare to that).

I'm really loving this series. I enjoyed the first book quite a bit and this one even more. I was torn between 4 and 5 stars but couldn't justify the fifth because of some of the same issues as the first - repeated info, words, and phrases - so I'd go 4.5.

For the second time in two books, I wasn't able to pick out the bad guy. Dugoni is really good at surprising me!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Even so, I ended up getting it from the Kindle Unlimited program so I could listen to the audio book in addition to the ebook. The narration isn't great but I didn't have a lot of eyeball reading time and didn't want to stop reading.

I found this book to lack the intensity from the first book. Tracy Crosswhite has returned to work after catching her sister's killer and now she must deal with the case she had before she traveled home when they found her sisters body. Because the killer has struck again and it seems that they have a serial killer loose that is targeting exotic dancers. 

I had a much harder time getting into the story in this book, I just felt that the case wasn't that interesting, at least not as interesting as in the first book. And, part of me feels that the angle with the main character being targeted is used way too many times in thrillers/crime novels. And also having an enemy in the force that tries to get the main character fired, well that is something else that I have found happens too often. I mean I understand that there have to be some drama and its good to have and enemy or two thrown into the story. But arrogant cops and ambitious journalists are used a bit too often. Or it could be that I've read so many books with that kind of angle that it's becoming a bit tiring. 

But at least the story picked up towards the last part of the book when everything started to come together. I like that the loose ends from the first book are taken care in this book and that the ending wasn't all too obvious even though I had a suspicious feeling towards the end before the confrontation who the exotic dancer killer was and I was right. Also, I was a bit worried about Roger the cat during the book. And. that's typical me, being more concerned with the pets than the people. 

But still I enjoyed reading this book and I would without a doubt read more in this series. I just hope for a more compelling storyline in the next book. 

Thanks to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Copy for Review from the publisher via NetGalley.
 

I have to admit I'm a little disappointed. I did not enjoy this book as much as the first (My Sister's Grave). I kept hoping it was going to get exciting. It didn't.

Tracy Crosswhite is a strong female protagonist. She is hunting a serial killer and seems to have a stalker. Sounds interesting, isn't it?

That's why I asked for a copy.

But for some reason I couldn't get into the characters or the story. Maybe, it was too lengthy with lots of unnecessary details. [And I like details and police procedurals very much!]

I'll give the author another chance, I am reading the (freebie) Kindle Short Reads: The Academy: A Short Story.

By Robert Dugoni 

Series: Tracy Crosswhite #2

ISBN: 9781503945029

Publisher: Thomas & Mercer

Publication Date: 9/15/2015

Format:  Other

My Rating:  4 Stars  

A special thank you to Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Talented, Robert Dugoni returns from My Sister’s Grave, Tracy Crosswhite Series #1, with the second in the series, HER FINAL BREATH, featuring tenacious Seattle homicide detective, Tracy Crosswhite. This time around with a serial killer,and a stalker on her trail—The Cowboy, who likes more than riding horses and wearing cowboy boots; preferring, sadistic bondage, strippers, and seedy motels.

If you read the first book in the series, we learned of Tracy’s quest to find her sister’s real killer, when she returned to her hometown of Cedar Grove, WA. Growing up in the small town her passion was the sport of shooting, and the top competitor in the Washington State Cowboy Action Shooting (CAS) Championships --A three fun action sport utilizing a combination of pistols, rifles, and shotguns for showcasing and measuring shooting quickness and accuracy.

Twenty years ago, just after a CAS Championship when Sarah, was kidnapped and murdered, her body was never found, but a local man on parole for rape was arrested and convicted of the crime. Tracy never believed he was the real killer.

We also met Dan O’Leary, in the first book; a well-known attorney and one of Tracy’s childhood friends who works with her, trying to free Edmond from prison and reopen a case with a retrial. Now, Dan her boyfriend, once again is at her side, in book 2, supporting her with another investigation. Fighting off the bad guys.

Tracy has rejoined the Violent Crime Squad and a dancer at the Pink Palace was strangled. She thinks the case may be connected to another older cold case. Things get complicated, and appears someone is targeting Tracy, and she is pulled from the task force. (of course, this has never stopped her before).

Hot on the trail The Cowboy and a stalker? Are they one in the same? A copycat? Or an obsession of love/hate? Are they after one or two? Dozens of photographs lining the wall, a collage with a black X over Tracy’s face—along with diaries, scrapbooks, and articles of each of the four killings with words and paragraphs highlighted.

Dan wants her to go back to Cedar Grove, so he could protect her and keep her safe. He is concerned about Tracy since she has not fully dealt with Sarah’s death, nor had the time to do so properly, with the events in the last six months. Then when she returned to Seattle, she was thrown immediately into more insanity with the deaths of the dancers. Dan suspects she sees those victims as she saw her sister – her responsibility— and he is worried about the stress that guilt creates.

Nolasco, her boss, a bully with an ego, and a complete ass, does not make things easy for Tracy and continues to put her in harm’s way. What if they have the wrong guy? She makes it her mission to track down The Cowboy before he strikes again.

Wow, as with his last book, Dugoni delivers a mystery suspense thriller with well developed, top-shelf characters. He keeps you guessing and all the while, you have to love Tracy and her team; her tenacity fighting against all odds. I also appreciate Dugoni’s attention to detail and references to his research, which I find fascinating. A good mix of crime, cop procedural, mystery, and suspense thriller.

If you missed Third Watch, A Tracy Crosswhite Short Story8/15/15, a great way to catch up with the character (prequel to My Sister’s Grave). For an earlier account of Tracy and her sister, another short story, The Academy 9/9/14. I missed these short stories and just grabbed them on Kindle Unlimited. Highly recommend, the series for those who enjoy sharp, kick-ass female crime fighters, with a personality.

Look for In the Clearing (Tracy Crosswhite Book 3), coming 5/17/2016! Cannot wait to see what’s next. Will she retire? Doubt that will ever happen. Maybe a legal twist? A huge legal/crime thriller fan.