Robert Dugoni

Good Vietnam War novels are still being written, even if those who experienced the war are getting a bit long in the tooth, and Robert Dugoni's “The World Played Chess” (2021) is one of them. As the title suggests, it's a complicated world out there, in peace as much as in war.

Dugoni tells three related stories at the same time. One is the journal kept by William while a marine serving in Vietnam. Other marines die around him, and later his guilt from what he did in the war is compounded by the fact that he survived and they didn't.

After the war, he works with Vincent, a recent high school graduate, on a construction crew. Vincent makes his own mistakes, faces his own dangers and takes his own risks even without a war. Meanwhile William shares a little about his Vietnam experiences.

In the third story, Vincent is a middle-aged adult with children of his own when he receives William's journal in the mail. Meanwhile, Vincent's son. Beau, is also just out of high school and struggling into manhood in a dangerous, complicated world.

With parallel stories of boys becoming men and facing many of same struggles, Dugoni weaves a compelling story about growing into manhood. This novel was recommended to me by a woman, so obviously its message is not for men alone.… (more)

One Last Kill by Robert Dugoni
Tracy Crosswhite #10

Okay…being honest…on the fence on this one. I still like Tracy, loved seeing a negative colleague emerge less of a douche, and am still curious about what will happen next. I just checked and missed out on many of the books in the series…seven of them…and wonder how that would impact my take on this book. That said…easily a read-a-lone book and no previous books needed.

So…this book…after of a day of gluttonous pre-thanksgiving potluck feasting in Lebanon, I came home to finish this book. Yes, I am behind in my reading commitments BUT I take those commitments seriously. And…the story flows easily and well till one point about page 230 on my copy that had one of the main characters willingly handing off information to a colleague rather than processing it themselves. Not easy to give credence to but, I did move on.

I came away wondering what would warp a character enough in a book like this to have the decisions made…made. Would it be the childhood lived, seeing a parent disparaged and left behind, and knowing wanting vengeance is a real thing but…not sure the vehicle of vengeance in this story was…looking for a term…commensurate with the actions that occurred and needed to be addressed.

That said, Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for the ARC – This is my honest review.… (more)

How far will you go for justice? Would you go as far as to kill for it? Robert Dugoni has do it again with this wonderfully written murder mystery thriller that keeps you guessing till the very end. Book 10 in the Tracy Crosswhite series is quickly becoming one of my favorites. This book can be read as a stand alone thriller. A strong story with plenty of twist and turns.

I enjoyed the authors storyline build up. Detailing the characters and their relationships but still keeping a shadow over the critical pieces that tie in the ending. A great read that kept you turning each page. I lost a lot of sleep over this one because I could put it down. Dugoni did a great job creating a strong female lead in Tracy Crosswhite. Speaking from experience as a Female in a primary Male dominated field, U.S. Marines, it was easy to relate to this main character. The writing was intense enough to have me feeling sad, angry and even laughing while enjoying my read. These are signs of great writing.

I would highly recommend it to anyone wanting a great read with 5 stars.… (more)