Monday, November 17, 2014

Book Review: Robert Dugoni's My Sister's Grave



Kerry Hammond reviews Robert Dugoni's new book, My Sister's Grave. And, we're giving a book away to one lucky US resident. To be entered just comment below on why you would like to read the book. 

This book was excellent and I am hooked on a new writer.  I have added Robert Dugoni to my “read everything he or she writes” pile. Yes, I have one of those piles. The book had it all: suspense, great characters, twists and turns, and was extremely well written. But I digress, let me tell you a bit about the book first.

Twenty years before the story opens, Tracy Crosswhite lost her younger sister, Sarah. Sarah drove off one evening and was never seen again. A local man, Edmund House, was convicted and sent to prison for her murder, even though no body was found. The police were able to provide enough evidence that a jury convicted House, a previously convicted rapist, even without a body. The problem is, Tracy was never quite convinced he was guilty. 

Years later, the remains of a young girl are found outside their hometown where Sarah went missing. When these remains are determined to be Sarah, Tracy begins to re-investigate the events of her sister’s disappearance. She teams up with a childhood friend, Dan, who is now an attorney, and with his help she begins to dig into the events of the past and uncover secrets that were kept hidden during the first trial. She has to re-examine everything that happened, including her Dad’s suicide and the twenty year imprisonment of a man she believes to be innocent. The local Sheriff’s office, which includes the original investigator Roy Calloway, is not happy with her interference and her determination to get House a new trial. Not only does she not have anyone’s help, but she comes up against roadblocks wherever she turns.


The book toggles back and forth between the events of twenty years ago that led up to Sarah’s disappearance, and the events that are occurring present day. The author weaves these two timeframes together seamlessly and I loved the back and forth telling of each story. Not only is the reader able to get to know Tracy, but with the retelling of the past, I was able to get to know Sarah as well. 

This was an excellent read and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The ending was a surprise, and I love when an author can pull that off.


7 comments:

  1. I really, really want to read this book because I've read two other Dugoni books, and they were excellent. Also, I see this book on many "best of the month" lists on the Internet.

    bethvollbach(at)sbcglobal(dot)net

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  2. I'm not familiar with this author, but from your review I most definitely want to experience his style of writing. Thanks for the chance to become acquainted with Mr. Dugoni.

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  3. I have read all of the blog tours about Mr. Dugoni's new book and want to find out myself what all the hubbub is about. From what I've read online, it looks like he needs to be added to my reading list. Hoping to get chosen.

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  4. I'm looking for a new author and Kerry's review sounds great!

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  5. This sounds fabulous, I have to read it now.

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  6. It sounds like a great book because you even get to know the deceased sister. That's character development! After I read it I would put it in my community college's library.

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  7. I'm glad you have a few must-read-everything-he-writes author - I love it when I find those myself!

    Thanks for being a part of the tour.

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