Monday, November 24, 2014

My Sister's Grave - Robert Dugoni - Review AND Giveaway

I picked up Robert Dugoni's first novel way back in 2006 and have enjoyed every one since. His latest release is My Sister's Grave.

The last time Tracy Crosswhite saw her sister Sarah was twenty years ago. And although a man was convicted for her murder without a body, Tracy has never believed he was guilty. In fact, it's the reason she became a cop. When Sarah's remains are found, Tracy sees this as an opportunity to reopen the case and find the real killer. Old secrets don't like to be uncovered though......

The whodunit in My Sister's Grave is well plotted, with a nice little twist. (Although I must admit I did have this sussed out before the final reveal.) Setting the book in a small town really worked, making the storyline believable. Because in every small town, there's a sheriff who has his own ideas of how things should be run, right?

Tracy was a great lead character - tough and determined, but with a vulnerable side. Her loyalty and love for her sister Sarah are palpable. Although we never meet Sarah in present day, the flashbacks and reminiscences of other characters really brought her to life. Pairing Tracy up with old childhood friend (and lawyer) Dan was perfect and lent a personal secondary plotline to the story.

Dugoni's writing is easy and engaging. I was immediately caught up in the story from the first pages. There are twists and red herrings to keep you guessing until the final pages. And that final reveal is action packed, guaranteeing a 'stay up until I'm done' read.

Dugoni was first a writer, then a lawyer and finally settled on novelist. His background is apparent in all of his novels, successfully combining the legal and crime genres (with a touch of romance thrown in.) All in all, a good entertaining read. This is the first of a new series - and I would definitely pick up the next. Read an excerpt of My Sister's Grave.

Robert Dugoni is the New York Times and #1 Amazon Bestselling Author of My Sister's Grave and The David Sloane Series. He has published 8 novels, an expose, The Cyanide Canary, and the short prequel The Academy. Robert Dugoni is the critically acclaimed and New York Times-bestselling author of the David Sloane 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." You can keep up with Robert Dugoni on Facebook and connect with him on Twitter.

See what others on the TLC book tour thought. Full schedule can be found here.

I have a copy of My Sister's Grave to giveaway. So, if this sounds like a book you'd like to read(and own!) simply leave a comment (an a contact method). A randomly chosen winner will be announce on December 6/14. Open to US and Canada.

22 comments:

techeditor said...

I am so anxious to read this! I've read two other Dugoni books and really liked them. They're keepers, i.e., Dugoni's books are too good to borrow; I need to own them.

I'm very disappointed that "The Awakening" is only an e-book. I hope to learn that I'm wrong about that.

So, yes, please, I'd like to own this book:

bethvollbach(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

Karen B said...

Cold cases can be so interesting. I've not read any of this author's books and have now put him on my list to "check out!"
kpbarnett1941[at]aol.com

Maureen said...

I do enjoy mysteries although I am bad at figuring out who did it.
mce1011 AT aol DOT com

Marjorie/cenya2 said...

The storyline of this book is very interesting, I have read many reviews and would love to read this book.

cenya2 at Hotmail dot com

lag123 said...

I love whodunits with a twist!

lag110 at mchsi dot com

traveler said...

This mystery is intriguing and fascinates me. thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

petite said...

I have read this author's novels which are captivating. I would enjoy this unique book. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

Carl Scott said...

Hi Luanne, This does sound great, I think we'd both enjoy it very much. Thanks for the chance to win a copy.

Carl Scott said...

Oh right, my email: carlscott(at)prodigy(dot)net(dot)mx Thanks again.

Unknown said...

Thank you for a wonderful review. And to those of you who have commented on liking my prior books, thank you as well. Look for the next Tracy Crosswhite book, maybe as early as next summer.

Carol N Wong said...

I had an oncologist who chose his profession (in real life!) because both of his parents died of cancer but now a woman who became a detective to find the true killer sounds great.

CarolNWong(at)aol(dot)com

Martha Lawson said...

I've not readthis author before, but this book sounds great!! Maybe I'll be lucky enough to win it, but in case I don't it's going on the wish list right now. Thanks for the chance.

mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

Charlotte said...

Sounds like a good book to read.

Sue Farrell said...

I've not read this author before---but after reading this review I sure would like to read this book.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

Kimberly Sue said...

I love mystery books that have some sort of twist...books that keep you guessing until the very end!

kimbers10[at]yahoo[dot]com

Vicki said...

Sounds like my kind of book, thanks for the chance to win!

irbratb(@)gmail(.)com

Heather J @ TLC Book Tours said...

I'm glad to see that this author is still impressing you after all these years!

Thanks for being a part of the tour.

skkorman said...

I would love to read this book—thanks for the opportunity to win a copy!

skkorman AT bellsouth DOT net

Anita Yancey said...

I love mysteries with old secrets and twists in the plot. I would really enjoy reading this book. Thanks for having the giveaway.

ayancey1974(at)gmail(dot)com

Heather J @ TLC Book Tours said...

I can see myself staying up WAY too late at night because I'm unable to put this book down!

Thanks for being a part of the tour.

Unknown said...

Sounds intriguing, I'd love a chance to win.

Sharon said...

I think this giveaway is over but I don't see a winner so I'd love to enter if I can! Thanks!

Sharn3960 [AT] comcast [DOT] net