Today I am reviewing My Sister’s Grave by Robert Dugoni for TLC Book Tours. As always, I am given a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.
About the Book (from the publisher): Robert Dugoni’s bestselling legal thrillers have earned him comparisons to John Grisham, Scott Turow, and Nelson DeMille, among others. In My Sister’s Grave, Dugoni returns with the powerful and poignant story of a homicide detective determined to avenge the murder of her beloved younger sister – regardless of the cost.
Seattle cop Tracy Crosswhite was a high school chemistry teacher when her teenaged sister Sarah disappeared one night on her way home to their small town of Cedar Grove. A young ex-con, Edmund House, was quickly tried and convicted of her murder. Twenty years and a career change later, Tracy has dedicated her life to questioning whether the right man went to jail. When Sarah’s remains are uncovered from a newly-exposed lake bed, new evidence seems to support Tracy’s theory that the original prosecution was deeply flawed.
Working with a childhood friend, now an attorney, to exonerate House and find Sarah’s true killer, Tracy begins to uncover long-held secrets that point to a shocking – and potentially catastrophic – truth about what happened to her sister on that long-ago night. Somewhere in Cedar Grove, a killer is waiting, and Tracy must summon the strength to confront the past in order to save her future.
My Review: I’ve not read any of Dugoni’s other books, so My Sister’s Grave was my first experience with his writing. But I’m now suddenly interested in reading those other books, as Dugoni really knows how to write a mystery that you can’t put down.
The premise of this story – a disappearance of a beloved sister twenty years ago, the obsession her older sister has to find out the truth about her murder, and a small town that was irreparably damaged by the loss of one of their own – immediately draws the reader into the mystery. Dugoni provides us with flashbacks along the way that help to tell the story of Tracy and Sarah and what happened that fateful night when Tracy let her sister drive home by herself. Tracy’s guilt has never gone away; her parents are dead, victims, in their way, of their grief for Sarah, and the town of Cedar Grove has suffered. Never having found her body, much is unexplained and Tracy has spent years compiling information and files and reports, leading her to believe that the man convicted for the murder just might not be the killer. At the very least, Tracy is suspicious of the proof provided by the prosecution.
Why was the prosecution flawed? Was there a cover-up? What secrets are still being held?
The discovery of the body is what launches this story. From that moment on, we are taken on a journey with Tracy as she fights to find out the truth. Dugoni gradually peels away the layers of the mystery like an onion, until we, at last, discover the truth. Believe me, you won’t be able to put this book down as you draw nearer and nearer to the climax of this riveting story. I was completely transfixed, to the point of not moving from my chair or answering the phone until I finished the last page.
Dugoni paints a vivid picture of the Pacific Northwest, creating the town of Cedar Grove and bringing it to life. As the story builds to the climax amidst a winter storm, you will feel the cold and the wind and the terror that lies underneath it all.
Yes, this is an unputdownable mystery, but above all, it is a beautiful story about a love that never dies.
I recommend this book highly.
About the Author: Robert Dugoni is the critically acclaimed and New York Times-bestselling author of the David Sloan series: The Jury Master, Wrongful Death, Bodily Harm, Murder One, and The Conviction. Murder One was a finalist for the Harper Lee Award for literary excellence. He is also the author of the bestselling standalone novel, Damage Control, and the nonfiction work The Cyanide Canary.
Good news! One of you will be the lucky winner of a copy of My Sister’s Grave. Just leave a comment on this post and I will choose a winner on Wednesday evening. Good luck!
New post up on Just Let Me Finish This Page.
Happy Monday.
Sounds like a wonderful book to dig into on cold November days! I’d love to be selected!
Thanks so much for your reviews; they expand our horizons!
Patricia
A new mystery writer and a new series for me to read=heaven! I am going to see if my local library has any of his books. I love reading series. Of course, then I get really upset when the series ends. :(
Hope you have a lovely Autumn day! Glad Don is back home, safe and sound.
Hugs,
Deb
As always, Claudia, your great reviews make me want to read the book … right now! Thanks for the chance to win a copy of this one.
I love a mystery. It’s hard to find a really good mystery writer. Would love to try this one out.
A great review and giveaway which interests me very much. Thanks for this feature and giveaway.
This is the first I have read anything about this author. The book sounds like it would be a hard one o put down. Looking forward to reading it.
Sounds wonderful, and winter is coming, I think it is time to start a new book!
Sounds like another author and series to add to my ever growing list Claudia! So many books…not enough time! ‘Course if the deep freeze settles in for the winter…I’ll have lots more time! Thanks for the opportunity! ;)
Sounds like a great book. Another author to my ever growing list.
Sounds like just the kind of book I love.
Thanks
Different Sylvia here. I downloaded a sample of this book to my Kindle Fire. I loved it. The book is on my list to read. You are correct about the reader being drawn in. Maybe I’ll win the book. Great review.
You have introduced me to many new-to-me writers, and this one sounds like another must-read author. I’m ready for a can’t-put-down book!
Claudia at the age of 63 my husband has fallen in love with reading and he loves a good mystery. I am thrilled because he’s never enjoyed reading. This book sounds great.
Wow, this review makes me want to read this book, sounds like a book to read on a cold evening sitting by the fireplace.
Sounds like my kind of book if there is such a thing :)..They have to grab me and hold on to me or I won’t finish them..
Sounds interesting. Add my name to the mix!
I love your honest review. Sounds like a book I would enjoy reading. Thank you for the chance to have my own copy.
I have been waiting for your review of this book..now I am sure I want to read it!
This “sounds like” a great mystery. I am not familiar with his work ,but love a mystery. Sending sunshine from middle TN.
I love a good mystery! A series of books with the same main character is icing on the cake!
Please pick me. I would love to win a mystery to read. I have been trying to read War and Peace for about 3 years now and just can’t seem to get motivated to finish it. Please I need a new book.
OK, another one to add to my list. I have seen this on my Amazon Kindle daily e-mails and it caught my eye. Now that you have reviewed it, I guess I will have to read it. Sounds very good and I do love a good mystery. Would be even better if I won a copy. I really do like your reviews and have several of the books on my “must read” list. Thanks for sharing with us.
Thanks for finding new books for my list. Sounds like a winner. Thanks for the chance to win! Glad the family and doggie are back together again.
I have not read any books by this author. This one sounds good. Would like to be entered in the drawing. Thanks! (shirparks@gmail.com)
HI Claudia,
As an avid reader, and blogger, I always look forward to your book reviews. The title of this one caught my eye right away as I lost my “little sister” four years ago. It wasn’t a mystery but still affects me today. I look forward to reading this book…have not tried this author before and who doesn’t love a good mystery on a cold night?
Cheryl
I always look forward to your honest reviews of new books, often by authors I have not known before. Thank you Claudia for giving all of us a chance to win this book! (Very happy to see more about your wonderful doll house too.)
I just read this, got the kindle notification, too. Enjoyed it and will read more of his novels.
I love a good mystery and this sounds great! I’ll add this author to my list of one’s to check out. Who knows maybe I’ll win this book :)
hugs,
Linda
Well you haven’t steered me wrong on book reviews yet. Would love to win but adding it to my library list tonight. Trish
I want to read this right now! Sounds so good and a murder mystery is right up my alley.
I don’t know this author, but I do love a good mystery!
Sounds like a book I can totally immerse myself in! Those are the absolute best kind!
You haven’t steered me wrong yet–this sounds like a great read! I need some good books for when we’re snowed in at the cabin! Thanks for the chance to win, Claudia.
Hi Claudia, I’ve enjoyed quite a few of the books you’ve recommended, so I would love the chance to win this one. Blessings
This is my kind book. Please sign me up to win this book.
After a high yesterday of 70 degrees, today our temperature might hit 35. Perfect weather for staying in by the fire and reading a good mystery. Now if I can just chase a family of pesky raccoons out of my chimney I will be ready to read. Thank you for introducing your readers to another talented author and giving us a chance to win a copy of his book.
Love a good mystery, thanks
Oh gosh, I’m too late? Oh, how I want to read this. Robert Dugoni is one of my favorites.
This sounds like a fabulous read! I can see why it would keep you riveted!
Thanks for being a part of the tour.