Close to Home

Detective Tracy Crosswhite investigates the death of a promising young high school athlete in Seattle. When evidence points to a fellow police officer as the prime suspect, Tracy faces pressure from within the department to back off the case. Tracy must navigate departmental politics and professional loyalties while pursuing justice, drawing on support from her long-time colleagues in the Violent Crimes Section. The investigation forces her to confront questions about trust and accountability within law enforcement as she works to uncover the truth. Personal and professional boundaries blur as Tracy becomes invested in the victim's family and grapples with conflicts between her role as a police officer and her instincts as an investigator. Her pursuit of the case puts strain on relationships within the department and tests her own principles. The novel examines themes of institutional loyalty versus individual conscience, while exploring how personal bias and professional duty intersect in law enforcement. Through Tracy's investigation, the story raises questions about power dynamics and accountability within police departments.

Readers found this Tracy Crosswhite installment engaging but slower-paced than previous books in the series. Many noted the detailed police procedural elements and complex cold case investigation. Liked: - Integration of personal storylines with the main case - Historical Seattle details and atmosphere - Character development of the supporting cast - The parallel narratives structure Disliked: - Slower pace in the first third - Less action than other books in series - Some found the ending predictable - Technical police details occasionally bog down the story Review Scores: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (23,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (3,800+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.4/5 (200+ ratings) Reader comments frequently mention the strong character relationships: "The dynamics between Tracy and her team feel authentic" (Goodreads). Multiple reviews noted the methodical investigation style: "More focused on detective work than thrills, but that's not a bad thing" (Amazon).

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🔍 Author Robert Dugoni worked as a lawyer for 13 years before becoming a full-time novelist, lending authenticity to his legal thriller storylines. 💫 "Close to Home" is the fifth book in the Tracy Crosswhite series, which has sold more than 8 million copies worldwide. 🏆 The novel touches on real-world issues of military sexual assault, drawing from actual cases and statistics from U.S. Naval bases. 📚 The protagonist Tracy Crosswhite is partially inspired by Dugoni's two sisters who worked in law enforcement. 🌊 The book's Seattle and Puget Sound settings are meticulously researched, with Dugoni personally visiting every location mentioned in the story.