Quitting her job as a high school science teacher to join the Seattle Police Department was an easy decision for Tracy Crosswhite. Years earlier, what should have been one of the happiest days of her life instead became her worst nightmare when her younger sister, Sarah, disappeared. After the murder trial, while her family disintegrated, Tracy turned her heartbreak and her lingering questions … into a passion for justice.
But people don’t just become world-class detectives. If Tracy wants to uncover the truth about what happened to her sister, first she must be forged in the fires of the Police Academy, where not everyone wants her to succeed.
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The Academy (Tracy Crosswhite, #0.25), my first read from author Robert Dugoni. Outstanding police fiction. 1-hours 6-minute. I purchased an Audible copy of this book in preparation for reading My Sister’s Grave & am voluntarily reading & reviewing it. Narrator Emily Sutton-Smith’s outstanding narration adds to the book’s enjoyment. I look forward to reading more from this author, Next up is Third Watch. (RIP Marley January 20, 2014 – July 24, 2018).
Love Tracy!
Nice background story of Tracy getting on the force. Great characters and wonderful interactions! Loved seeing Tracy take on a schmuck from the Big Boys Club!
THIS REVIEW IS FOR BOTH THE AUDIOBOOK AND EBOOK VERSIONS
I thought this was a well written short story with great characters. I already read/listened to My Sister’s Grave Bk1 but this short story gave some insight into the tension between characters and I really enjoyed it. I recommend this book, however I recommend reading it before book one in the Tracy Crosswhite Series.
In The Academy , Robert Dugoni uses a short story to set up the Tracy Crosswhite police procedural series. This prequel introduces readers to Tracy and her reasons for wanting to eventually become a homicide detective. It also gives readers an insight into what some women have experienced when training to enter a job that is or has been largely held by men. While these experiences don’t happen all of the time, they do happen to some women.
Tracy quit her job as a high school chemistry teacher to pursue a career in the Seattle Police Department. The book starts with her interview and continues through her experiences at the police training academy in Washington and is set in 1996. Despite being somewhat over the top, including some stereotypes and being predictable, I enjoyed getting to know Tracy before she joined the Seattle police department.
With a strong, smart, tough and confident protagonist, Dugoni managed to give Tracy character depth for such a short introduction to her. She was a likeable character with an inquisitive nature that is also willing to help others.
Overall, this was a good introduction to Tracy and gives the backstory that should enable book one to fly. It had a great setting and was engaging, entertaining and well-paced. I’ve read one of the books in this series and I plan to read them all. I highly recommend this series to those that enjoy police procedurals, mysteries and crime novels and am looking forward to reading the first book in the series.
I purchased a digital copy of this prequel. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own and are not biased in any way. Publication date was September 9, 2014.
A Good Introduction to the Terry Crosswhite Series
A discussion of the selection committee for the next class of recruits for the Washington State Police Academy opens this novel. The process of selecting candidates to interview would have been over two hours earlier but for an edict from on high to find more qualified female applicants. They finally selected one that they felt would not make it through training. One committee member brings up another candidate, Terry Crosswhite. After some misogyny, she also is selected.
What follows is about 24 pages with a fewer number of scenes for the high points through her academy training. One of the interviewers and a training officer is Seattle Homicide Detective Nolasco. Much of this short story centers on their budding relationship that continues through subsequent novels. This relationship shows her “don’t give an inch” character. The other side of Terry’s character is illustrated as she takes the other female candidate, Jennifer, under her wing. Terry shows her empathy and drive to help others in need. These aspects of her character carry on throughout the series.
The pace of the main storyline was fast. The author wove a storyline captured my attention and compelled me to want to see Terry and Jennifer succeed. This is the major criteria for a high star rating. While the B-storyline is a good introduction, it was a little over polarized. Foul language is present but not excessive. The only violence occurred during an improper frisking training session. The violence was short and sweet.
This short story is not a prequel. It was published two months before the first novel in the series, My Sister’s Grave. If you have not read any of the Terry Crosswhite series, you do not have to read The Academy first. I read the first seven novels before I read this short story. For me it was like a desert of a rich red velvet cupcake with a thick, creamy dark chocolate frosting. I enjoyed it even out of sequence. If you decide to read this short story as an introduction to the series, you can’t go wrong either. I rate this short story with five stars.
This was a great introduction to Dugoni’s detective series. I’m looking forward to reading My Sister’s Grave ” Tracy appears to be the type of character I enjoy.