🚔 Book Review: The Academy by Robert Dugoni (Kindle Edition, Tracy Crosswhite Series #0.25)
A tight, character-driven prequel that shows Tracy Crosswhite’s grit before she ever became Seattle’s most famous fictional detective—Robert Dugoni delivers a brisk, engaging origin story for fans and newcomers alike.
🧠 Overview
First published on September 9, 2014, The Academy is a 40-page Kindle Single set in 1996, years before the events of My Sister’s Grave. It follows Tracy Crosswhite as she leaves her job as a high school science teacher to join the Seattle Police Department, driven by the unsolved disappearance of her younger sister, Sarah.
At the Washington State Police Academy, Tracy quickly learns that not everyone wants her to succeed—especially Detective Johnny Nolasco, a swaggering, old-school cop determined to keep the “boys’ club” intact. Facing public humiliation, grueling physical tests, and subtle (and not-so-subtle) sexism, Tracy must prove she has the toughness, skill, and resolve to make the cut.
🔍 Key Themes & Highlights
- 🕵️ Origin story: Offers insight into Tracy’s motivations and resilience before her first major case
- 💪 Perseverance under pressure: Shows her determination to succeed in a hostile environment
- 🚨 Institutional sexism: Highlights the challenges women face in male-dominated professions
- 🎯 Fast pacing: The short format keeps the tension high and the focus sharp
- 🧠 Character depth: Even in a brief story, Dugoni gives Tracy emotional weight through her backstory and inner drive
“With so much to lose, will she make the cut in this competitive world?”
💬 Reader Reception
- ⭐ Goodreads rating: 4.34/5 from over 12,000 ratings
- 📖 Fans praise it as a perfect bite-sized introduction to Tracy’s character and Dugoni’s style
- 💬 “A quick, satisfying read that makes you want to dive straight into the main series”
- 🧾 Some note that it’s more of a character sketch than a full mystery, but most agree it’s a strong hook into the series
⚠️ Considerations
- 📄 Short format: At 40 pages, it’s a vignette rather than a full case file
- 📚 Best for series fans: Works as a standalone, but resonates more if you plan to read My Sister’s Grave and beyond
- 🧠 No central whodunit: The tension comes from personal stakes, not a murder investigation
🏁 Final Verdict
The Academy is a lean, compelling prequel that gives readers a front-row seat to Tracy Crosswhite’s earliest battles—both physical and political—on her path to becoming a detective. It’s a great warm-up for the main series, offering just enough grit, heart, and defiance to make you want more.
