Cathy C. (cathyskye) -
Helpful Score: 2
After watching a video of one of Dugoni's author events, I knew I had to read one of his books, so I downloaded My Sister's Grave. I'm glad I did because Dugoni's fast-moving story kept me riveted from first page to last. One of the things I liked most was the author's decision to let readers know very early on that there is some sort of conspiracy surrounding Sarah's death. This really ups the suspense and keeps readers wondering how many people are involved, their identities, how much they can be trusted (if at all)-- and just what exactly that they're covering up.
There were a couple of things that I didn't particularly care for: a romance for Tracy that wasn't really necessary, and all the drama coming to a head in the middle of a snowpocalypse, but these were minor annoyances that really didn't prevent me from turning the pages as fast as I could go.
Dugoni's characters come very, very close to stealing the show from his story. These people are not cardboard cutouts, even the murder victim whose light is just a brief shooting star in the night sky. Tracy can be admired for her dogged determination to find the truth and to demand justice, but how is she going to handle herself if any of her theories are wrong? Almost every single character is shown to have multiple facets, and that gives so much depth and power to a story.
Now that Tracy has finally solved her sister's murder, I'm looking forward to continuing this series. I have to know what's next for such an intelligent, stubborn woman.
There were a couple of things that I didn't particularly care for: a romance for Tracy that wasn't really necessary, and all the drama coming to a head in the middle of a snowpocalypse, but these were minor annoyances that really didn't prevent me from turning the pages as fast as I could go.
Dugoni's characters come very, very close to stealing the show from his story. These people are not cardboard cutouts, even the murder victim whose light is just a brief shooting star in the night sky. Tracy can be admired for her dogged determination to find the truth and to demand justice, but how is she going to handle herself if any of her theories are wrong? Almost every single character is shown to have multiple facets, and that gives so much depth and power to a story.
Now that Tracy has finally solved her sister's murder, I'm looking forward to continuing this series. I have to know what's next for such an intelligent, stubborn woman.
Robin M. (robinmy) -
Helpful Score: 1
Tracy Crosswhite was motivated to become a homicide detective after the disappearance of her younger sister Sarah. Tracy has spent the last twenty years believing that Edmund House, the man convicted of Sarah's murder, was not guilty. When Sarah's body is finally uncovered, evidence in the grave confirms Tracy's suspicions. With the help of her childhood friend, Dan O'Leary, Tracy hopes to overturn House's conviction so the police will reopen Sarah's case and find the real killer.
This is the first book in the Tracy Crosswhite series. (Some novella prequels were added later.) Tracy is a smart cop. She has questioned the Sheriff and the District Attorney over the years, but they have brushed her off. She knows there is some kind of cover-up concerning her sister's murder; but doesn't know exactly who is involved and what they are covering up.
This story had a little bit of everything thrown in...flashbacks to the day Sarah disappeared and the mystery surrounding it, a courtroom drama as they try to get a new trial for Edmund House, and a little romance. I enjoyed the story and look forward to the next book in the series. My rating: 4 Stars.
This is the first book in the Tracy Crosswhite series. (Some novella prequels were added later.) Tracy is a smart cop. She has questioned the Sheriff and the District Attorney over the years, but they have brushed her off. She knows there is some kind of cover-up concerning her sister's murder; but doesn't know exactly who is involved and what they are covering up.
This story had a little bit of everything thrown in...flashbacks to the day Sarah disappeared and the mystery surrounding it, a courtroom drama as they try to get a new trial for Edmund House, and a little romance. I enjoyed the story and look forward to the next book in the series. My rating: 4 Stars.
Helpful Score: 1
I think this deserves a 5 star rating but 'love' isn't the word for it, it's just a good book.
The story flows along at a good pace, I didn't like all the 'flashback' but in this case I guess it was necessary and the good thing was that it didn't last for very many pages.
I thought the ending seemed kind of rushed but it still flowed along smoothly.
The story flows along at a good pace, I didn't like all the 'flashback' but in this case I guess it was necessary and the good thing was that it didn't last for very many pages.
I thought the ending seemed kind of rushed but it still flowed along smoothly.
I started out backwards ...not too unusual for me. I read HER FINAL BREATH, first book in the series before this one. Happily, both books are fine as a stand alone.
Tracy is a homicide detective who's been searching for her missing sister for the past 20 years. Sara disappeared when she was 18 and was never seen or heard of again. A man was arrested and sent to prison for her murder based on evidence found. That should have satisfied Tracy's need for justice, but she always felt that something was 'off'.
And now she has received notice that Sara's remains have been found. So begins her journey into her past to discover just what happened to her sister. She comes to the conclusion that the man who was imprisoned was framed.
Excellent story line! A homicide detective tries to free a man who was convicted of murder. This certainly doesn't endear her to her boss, nor to the people who were involved with Sara's disappearance ... and that includes her father, now deceased.
Throw in the local Sheriff and County Prosecutor who harbor many secrets and it's a rocky roller coaster ride to the end. I loved the plot twist .. didn't really see that one coming.
All in all, I enjoyed this one tremendously. Robert Dugoni will always be one of my favorite authors. 5 stars!
My thanks to the author / NetGalley / Thomas & Mercer who supplied a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Tracy is a homicide detective who's been searching for her missing sister for the past 20 years. Sara disappeared when she was 18 and was never seen or heard of again. A man was arrested and sent to prison for her murder based on evidence found. That should have satisfied Tracy's need for justice, but she always felt that something was 'off'.
And now she has received notice that Sara's remains have been found. So begins her journey into her past to discover just what happened to her sister. She comes to the conclusion that the man who was imprisoned was framed.
Excellent story line! A homicide detective tries to free a man who was convicted of murder. This certainly doesn't endear her to her boss, nor to the people who were involved with Sara's disappearance ... and that includes her father, now deceased.
Throw in the local Sheriff and County Prosecutor who harbor many secrets and it's a rocky roller coaster ride to the end. I loved the plot twist .. didn't really see that one coming.
All in all, I enjoyed this one tremendously. Robert Dugoni will always be one of my favorite authors. 5 stars!
My thanks to the author / NetGalley / Thomas & Mercer who supplied a digital copy in exchange for an honest, unbiased review.
Joann C. (joluvsamystery) reviewed My Sister's Grave (Tracy Crosswhite, Bk 1) on + 66 more book reviews
This is a very good read but not great. I give it 3.5 stars. It kept me coming back with eager anticipation to the finish but the ending was not the surprise I was hoping for. A few things were not very plausible. It is worth reading but I am not rushing out to get the next in this series.
