Hold Strong by Robert Dugoni, Jeff Langholz & Chris Crabtree

From Robert Dugoni, Jeff Langholz, and Chris Crabtree comes an epic and inspiring novel—based on true events—about love, heroism, and resilience during the darkest chapters of World War II.

Sam Carlson is a projectionist in small-town Minnesota, where fantasies unspool in glorious black and white—for him and for his sweetheart, college-bound math whiz Sarah Haber. When the Japanese bomb Pearl Harbor, Sam is sent to the Philippines and captured as a POW. Brutalized but unbroken by the Bataan Death March and POW camps, Sam is one of 1,800 starved and weakened prisoners herded into the cargo hold of a barbaric hell ship called the Arisan Maru, his survival doubtful.

Determined to use her math skills on the home front, Sarah is recruited to Washington, DC, into the covert field of code breaking. When Sarah intercepts a message about a Japanese convoy, the US Navy’s mission is sink the Arisan Maru and send it to the bottom of the South China Sea. Now, the lives of the two young lovers are about to inadvertently collide in one of the most shocking acts of World War II.

Anchored in an extraordinary true story and breathlessly recreated, Hold Strong is a one-of-a-kind novel that explores faith, courage, survival, and coming home against insurmountable odds.

Kindle Edition, 543 pages

Expected publication January 28, 2025

 by Lake Union Publishing

4.5/5 stars

Coming out in January Robert Dugoni has a new book that is also written by Jeff Langholz and Chris Crabtree, authors I am unfamiliar with. A departure from his usual courtroom drama books that I have read in the past Hold Strong takes place before, during and after the war.

Beginning in a small town in Minnesota, high school sweethearts, Sam and Sarah's lives changes when Sam enlists and Sarah goes off to college. What follows is a gritty story, especially for Sam as a Japanese POW.   I already knew that that is almost a death sentence and for some that survived wish that it had been. It is vivid, descriptive and heartbreaking, to the point that I put the book down for a few days.

For Sarah back home she is getting involved in the war effort herself.

This was a well written story that was rich in history to the point that the author notes were very descriptive in telling where they got their information to make this a story as authentic as possible. Hold Strong is a story of perseverance, survival and heartache.  I loved the conclusion, it just felt authentic.

Hold Strong is still a story I think about a month have finishing, it emotional and gripping.  You can find it on shelves the end of January.

My thanks to Lake Union Publishing for a digital arc in exchange for a honest review.

Beyond Reasonable Doubt by Robert Dugoni

A master manipulator accused of murder. An attorney sworn to defend her. Keera Duggan returns in a riveting novel of suspense by New York Times bestselling author Robert Dugoni.

When Jenna Bernstein, disgraced wunderkind CEO of a controversial biotech company, is accused of murdering her former partner and lover, she turns to Seattle attorney Keera Duggan to defend her. Keera is more than a master chess player who brings her intuitive moves into court—she’s Jenna’s childhood friend. But considering their history, Keera knows that where Jenna goes, trouble follows.

Three years earlier, Keera’s father successfully defended Jenna when she was tried for the killing of her company’s chief medical scientist who threatened to go public with allegations of corporate fraud. Keera knows Jenna too well. When she was a kid, Keera saw Jenna for what she a manipulative and frighteningly controlling sociopath. Now, with only circumstantial evidence against Jenna, Keera is willing to bury any trepidation she might have to defend a woman she believes, this time, to be innocent.

As the investigation gets underway and disturbing questions arise, Keera puts her trust in a client who swears nothing but the truth. If this is all just another devious game, Keera might be working to set a murderer free.

Kindle Edition, 365 pages

Expected publication October 22, 2024

by Thomas & Mercer

4/5 stars

Book 2 in the Keera Duggan Series, Beyond Reasonable Doubt, was one of my highly anticipated books of 2024. I loved Her Deadly Game and highly recommend reading it first - though not absolutely necessary.

Forced to give up her staycation, Keera is back in the office when another high profile case lands on her desk. What follows is another legal drama told from a couple POVs - Keera the lawyer and police detective, Frank Derossi.  Again Dugoni has written a compelling courtroom legal story that was authentic and had me reading the last 50% in one day.

The storyline, red herrings and characters were real (even if I didn't like them - looking at you Jenna). The backstory of Keera and Jenna's relationship was woven in nicely to get that big picture of what Keera was going through as she defended her. 

I am a relatively new fan of Robert Dugoni, my thanks to TheBakingBookworm for the recommendation and now I continue with his backlist to keep me occupied until book 3 comes out.

My thanks to Thomas Mercer for a digital ARC in exchange for a honest review.

My Sister's Grave Robert Dugoni

The first book in the series that has garnered millions of readers across the globe, from New York Times bestselling author Robert Dugoni.

Tracy Crosswhite has spent twenty years questioning the facts surrounding her sister Sarah’s disappearance and the murder trial that followed. She doesn’t believe that Edmund House—a convicted rapist and the man condemned for Sarah’s murder—is the guilty party. Motivated by the opportunity to obtain real justice, Tracy became a homicide detective with the Seattle PD and dedicated her life to tracking down killers.

When Sarah’s remains are finally discovered near their hometown in the northern Cascade mountains of Washington State, Tracy is determined to get the answers she’s been seeking. As she searches for the real killer, she unearths dark, long-kept secrets that will forever change her relationship to her past—and open the door to deadly danger.

Kindle Edition, 412 pages

Published November 1, 2014

 by Thomas & Mercer

5/5

As a relatively new reader of Robert Dugoni's works, I have already delved into his contemporary books and thoroughly enjoyed his latest crime mystery novel, Her Deadly Game (it's a new series!)

Laurie of TheBakingBookworm fame has been raving about the Tracy Crosswhite Series, so what could I do but jump right in. Not only did I read that book but also the 2 novellas that preceded it (see yesterday's post).

My Sister's Grave follows Tracy Crosswhite, a teacher turned homicide detective.  It's been twenty years since the disappearance of her younger sister Sarah.  Despite a murder trail and conviction, even though Sarah's body has never been found, Tracy has a deep sense that justice was not truly served.  It isn't until her remains are found that Tracy's determination intensifies.  But there might be someone out there who wants the past to remain hidden. 

My Sister's Grave is a well written crime fiction, it's about family relationships, determination, secrets and ultimately the pursuit of justice. What a ride! Definitely an author and series I recommend.

Can I get caught up on this series before book 10 comes out in October?  Time will tell.

This series is available through Kindle Unlimited, which is where I obtained my copy.

The Academy & Third Watch by Robert Dugoni

Tracy Crosswhite #.25

Driven by the disappearance of her sister, Tracy Crosswhite quits her job as a high school science teacher to join the Seattle Police Department. While most of her classmates and instructors at the academy want her to succeed, Detective Johnny Nolasco is hell-bent on keeping the boys’ club intact.

The training sessions offer plenty of opportunities for humiliation, but Tracy’s not the type to give in. Fueled by a confrontation with her in the middle of a class, Nolasco is determined to see Tracy fail. Tracy, harboring memories of the loss of her sister and the disintegration of her family, has too much at stake to let one pigheaded detective stand in her way. With so much to lose, will she make the cut in this competitive world?

43 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 9, 2014

4/5 stars

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tracy Crosswhite #.50

Tracy Crosswhite’s ordinary night patrolling her Seattle beat becomes front page news when she responds to a domestic disturbance call that turns into a hostage crisis.

In this prequel short story to Robert Dugoni’s #1 Kindle-bestselling novel, My Sister’s Grave, Tracy Crosswhite is a young patrol officer, paying her dues, keeping her head down, and hoping a solid record will get her promoted to detective. While years have passed since the disappearance of Tracy’s sister, the experience has made her one of the city’s most dedicated cops.

Reporter Tevia Kushman is shadowing Tracy on a ride-along seeking to follow-up on a recent (and nasty) exposé about the Seattle PD’s treatment of female cops. Young and ambitious, Tevia is hoping for a juicy scoop on the gender politics of the PD, but may get a much bigger story than she bargained for…

Neither woman expects a routine-sounding call to turn into something dangerous, until Tracy walks into a domestic dispute and finds herself looking down the barrel of a shot-gun. No stranger to high-pressure situations, Tracy must draw on more than just her academy training and lightning-fast shooting skills to find a way to talk down—or take out—the volatile man holding the gun.

48 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 16, 2015

4/5 stars

Last week I read My Sister's Grave, the first book in Robert Dugoni's Tracy Crosswhite Series. Once I finish that I realized that they were to novellas that were prequels to this book. So I read them, of course. 

The Academy is about Tracy’s entrance into the police academy. I really enjoyed it, seeing her fierce determination not just to be accepted but pass to your the join the force.  Ultimately her goal is to be promoted to Homicide. It was also an introduction to Detective Johnny Nolasco, someone I met in My Sister's Grave.

Third Watch takes place 6 years later.  The blurb gives a good idea of whats going on.  And of course, a lovely scene with Nolasco finishes this novella off nicely.

 Those these books are not necessary when reading My Sister's Grave they are just another glimpse as to Tracy, her past, and how it reflects her career many years later.

Come back tomorrow for my review of  My Sister’s Grave.

Both copies obtained through Kindle Unlimited.

Her Deadly Game by Robert Dugoni

A defense attorney is prepared to play. But is she a pawn in a master’s deadly match? A twisting novel of suspense by New York Times bestselling author Robert Dugoni.

Keera Duggan was building a solid reputation as a Seattle prosecutor, until her romantic relationship with a senior colleague ended badly. For the competitive former chess prodigy, returning to her family’s failing criminal defense law firm to work for her father is the best shot she has. With the right moves, she hopes to restore the family’s reputation, her relationship with her father, and her career.

Keera’s chance to play in the big leagues comes when she’s retained by Vince LaRussa, an investment adviser accused of murdering his wealthy wife. There’s little hard evidence against him, but considering the couple’s impending and potentially nasty divorce, LaRussa faces life in prison. The prosecutor is equally challenging: Miller Ambrose, Keera’s former lover, who’s eager to destroy her in court on her first homicide defense.

As Keera and her team follow the evidence, they uncover a complicated and deadly game that’s more than Keera bargained for. When shocking information turns the case upside down, Keera must decide between her duty to her client, her family’s legacy, and her own future.

Kindle Edition, 396 pages 

Expected publication March 28, 2023  

by Thomas & Mercer

4.5/5 stars

I was excited to dive into the start of Robert Dugoni's newest series with Her Deadly Game. 

 The story follows Attorney Keera Duggan as she is hired to defend Victor LaRossa, who stands accused of brutally murdering his disabled wife. To make matters worse, the DA is a former lover of Keera's, adding a complicated layer to this trial. Pitted against each other made this a addicting and mysterious courtroom thriller.  The plot was intricately woven.

What I appreciated here was the authenticity of the legal system portrayed, it wasn't bogged down with endless details but enough to feel real. The story delved into family dynamics, addiction, past secrets, and mayhem, all while keeping the focus on the courtroom drama. It was a well-written and captivating read that kept me flipping through my Kindle pages. 

Her Deadly Game incorporated the chess board into it's pages, which was unique and fitting. 

My thanks to Thomas Mercer for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. Her Deadly Game is set to release on March 28th, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thrilling legal drama.

The World Played Chess by Robert Dugoni

In 1979, Vincent Bianco has just graduated high school. His only desire: collect a little beer money and enjoy his final summer before college. So he lands a job as a laborer on a construction crew. Working alongside two Vietnam vets, one suffering from PTSD, Vincent gets the education of a lifetime.

 Now forty years later, with his own son leaving for college, the lessons of that summer—Vincent’s last taste of innocence and first taste of real life—dramatically unfold in a novel about breaking away, shaping a life, and seeking one’s own destiny.

400 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication: September 14, 2021

 by Lake Union Publishing

3.5/5 stars

"Growing up is a privilege not a right"

I am still a new Robert Dugoni reader, The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell was my first and an awesome audio read.  

The World Played Chess is told from a couple different angles.  Vincent when he is an 18 years old fresh out of high school and then again when he is a dad to an 18 year old.  Much of the story is told from his POV. The other part is through a journal.

I haven't read many books from that era and I can't recall any with Vietnam playing a central part. But I did enjoy the year 1979, it's the same year I graduated high school, it took me down memory lane. The book blurb really doesn't give too much of the story away and I like that, though dealing with Nam I knew it would get emotional and heartbreaking.

Even though I felt the first half of the book rather slow the last part picked up speed with a nice ending. Learning first hand of the experiences in Vietnam was hard to read at times but it was nice to witness the journey Vincent went on through the years. The author notes gave his inspiration for writing this book which reflected a bit of Vincent's life giving more emotion to the story.

Though literary fiction really isn't my thing I enjoyed this one and one of these days I will check out more of Robert Dugoni's books. 

My thanks to Lake Union Publishing for a digital ARC (via Netgalley) in exchange for a honest review.

Audio Review: The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell by Robert Dugoni

Wall Street Journal and New York Times bestselling author Robert Dugoni’s coming-of-age story is, according to Booklist, “a novel that, if it doesn’t cross entirely over into John Irving territory, certainly nestles in close to the border.” 

 Sam Hill always saw the world through different eyes. Born with red pupils, he was called “Devil Boy” or Sam “Hell” by his classmates; “God’s will” is what his mother called his ocular albinism. Her words were of little comfort, but Sam persevered, buoyed by his mother’s devout faith, his father’s practical wisdom, and his two other misfit friends.

Sam believed it was God who sent Ernie Cantwell, the only African American kid in his class, to be the friend he so desperately needed. And that it was God’s idea for Mickie Kennedy to storm into Our Lady of Mercy like a tornado, uprooting every rule Sam had been taught about boys and girls.

Forty years later, Sam, a small-town eye doctor, is no longer certain anything was by design—especially not the tragedy that caused him to turn his back on his friends, his hometown, and the life he’d always known. Running from the pain, eyes closed, served little purpose. Now, as he looks back on his life, Sam embarks on a journey that will take him halfway around the world. This time, his eyes are wide open—bringing into clear view what changed him, defined him, and made him so afraid, until he can finally see what truly matters.

Listening Length: 11 hours and 41 minutes

Scribd Audio, Unabridged,

 Published April 24th, 2018

 by Brillance Audio

*****

I love the fact that I can sample both the Kindle and audiobooks when trying to decide which route to take. The audio won out here for a couple of reasons.  Books told in 1st person are a favorite of mine in that format, it’s like the character is telling their story directly to me. Also, the author himself read this one which I think is cool.

Sam Hill was born a little different. It doesn’t affect his intelligence nor his physical abilities, but one look at his ‘devil eyes’ set people off. Children can be the cruelest (even adults too) and that plays a big part in young Sam’s life.

I could go on and say this and that happened, but I won’t. The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hill is an extraordinary book, from start to finish I was captivated. From the bullying, ‘God’s Will’ attitude of his mother along with best friends Ernie and Mickie made this a well rounded emotional and at times witty read, well listen.

Effortlessly the author weaved back and forth in time telling Sam's story. Coming in at almost 12 hours with chapters that aren’t too long it was very easy to follow my mantra, just one more chapter.