You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.21 AVERAGE
4.21 AVERAGE
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This was another Netgallery read I had to bump to the front of the line 🫣.. I LOVE Me some Donlea
You know that scene in Aladdin, when genie tells Aladdin he has 2 wishes left. Aladdin corrects genie, it's actually still 3 wishes, because Aladdin didn't technically wish to be brought out of the caves? The way genie's jaw drops to the ground in .25 seconds in response is exact same response one has to reading a Charlie Donlea Novel.
I will never forget Mr Donlea because he taught me that no matter how lazy you may be feeling at the time you always, always, ALWAYS, read a books epilogue!
I don't even like cop/FBI thrillers as a rule. In fact, they're pretty much at the bottom of my personal book food chain as it gets.. Can we just take a second and let that sink in? The talent it takes to be pulling 5 stars from people that aren't even the biggest fan of your genre. I personally think that speaks volumes. Another absolute home run and I'm absolutely not surprised
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Cold case meets present danger in this gripping, fast-paced thriller.
Ten years after high school volleyball star Callie Jones vanished without a trace from her quiet Wisconsin town, former detective Ethan Hall is reluctantly pulled back into the haunting case by his dying ex-partner’s plea for closure. Now an ER doctor trying to outrun the horrors of his past, Ethan returns to Cherryview during a sweltering summer, determined to uncover what really happened to Callie. As word spreads, the small town clings to hope, but Ethan’s search for answers leads him beyond old evidence and into the mind games of a prison inmate with chilling insights. The deeper he digs, the closer Ethan comes to terrifying secrets, ones tangled with his own past and still deadly enough to kill for.
Told in short, shifting POV chapters, the novel wastes no time diving into the action and mystery, keeping readers on edge as identities, motives, and alliances shift beneath their feet. What starts as a standard cold case investigation quickly evolves into something far more urgent and dangerous. The unique dual timeline structure enhances the tension, flashing back to the events surrounding the original crime while the present-day plot races to save current victims. This structure not only keeps the suspense high but adds emotional depth, as readers witness how past horrors echo into the present.
Ethan, the novel’s central investigator, is a standout. Though the plot leans heavily on action and mystery, Donlea doesn’t skimp on character development. Ethan’s personal backstory is thoughtfully woven into the narrative, making his decisions and emotional responses feel authentic and relatable. His inner conflict adds a layer of humanity that grounds the high-stakes drama.
One of the book’s strongest elements is its unpredictability. Just when you think you’ve pieced the puzzle together, Donlea expertly pulls the rug out, revealing a new twist or hidden truth. The characters are meticulous, deceptive, and layered - mirroring a writing style that deliberately keeps the reader guessing until the final reveal.
As a first-time reader of Charlie Donlea, this book was a standout introduction to his work. With its gripping pace, smartly structured plot, and emotionally compelling lead, I’ll definitely be picking up more of his books in the future.
Ten years after high school volleyball star Callie Jones vanished without a trace from her quiet Wisconsin town, former detective Ethan Hall is reluctantly pulled back into the haunting case by his dying ex-partner’s plea for closure. Now an ER doctor trying to outrun the horrors of his past, Ethan returns to Cherryview during a sweltering summer, determined to uncover what really happened to Callie. As word spreads, the small town clings to hope, but Ethan’s search for answers leads him beyond old evidence and into the mind games of a prison inmate with chilling insights. The deeper he digs, the closer Ethan comes to terrifying secrets, ones tangled with his own past and still deadly enough to kill for.
Told in short, shifting POV chapters, the novel wastes no time diving into the action and mystery, keeping readers on edge as identities, motives, and alliances shift beneath their feet. What starts as a standard cold case investigation quickly evolves into something far more urgent and dangerous. The unique dual timeline structure enhances the tension, flashing back to the events surrounding the original crime while the present-day plot races to save current victims. This structure not only keeps the suspense high but adds emotional depth, as readers witness how past horrors echo into the present.
Ethan, the novel’s central investigator, is a standout. Though the plot leans heavily on action and mystery, Donlea doesn’t skimp on character development. Ethan’s personal backstory is thoughtfully woven into the narrative, making his decisions and emotional responses feel authentic and relatable. His inner conflict adds a layer of humanity that grounds the high-stakes drama.
One of the book’s strongest elements is its unpredictability. Just when you think you’ve pieced the puzzle together, Donlea expertly pulls the rug out, revealing a new twist or hidden truth. The characters are meticulous, deceptive, and layered - mirroring a writing style that deliberately keeps the reader guessing until the final reveal.
As a first-time reader of Charlie Donlea, this book was a standout introduction to his work. With its gripping pace, smartly structured plot, and emotionally compelling lead, I’ll definitely be picking up more of his books in the future.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A convicted killer holds the key to solving a cold case
Ethan Hall retired from his career as a special agent with Wisconsin's Division of Criminal Investigation where he investigated crimes against children. He had a 100% solve rate, but that only meant that he put perpetrators behind bars...he couldn't bring back any of the victims from the dead, and it was eating away at his soul. So at the age of 36 he retired from the force and entered medical school; he is now an emergency room doctor, still in a stressful job but one in which he can actually save people. Out of the blue his former partner Pete Kramer visits him with an unexpected request, one which Ethan will be hard put to turn down. Ten years earlier seventeen year old Callie Jones - pretty, star athlete, accomplished student - disappeared from the small town of Cherryview and the case remains unsolved. It is the one Pete can't forget, and he is now battling a disease that will kill him within the year. He wants Ethan, the former investigator with the perfect solve rate, to take a look at the case and see if he can succeed where Pete failed. If Pete's dying wish isn't enough of a motive, Callie's father has just become the governor...and has the power to make things happen. Ethan wants to say no, he has worked hard to put that part of his life behind him, but finds he can't refuse when the man convicted of killing his father, Francis Bernard, claims to have knowledge about the case. Is Bernard, recently denied parole in large part because of Ethan's objections to his early release, just making a bid for attention, or does he somehow possess information about a case that took place long after he was locked up? Ethan soon finds out that he has been drawn into a game in which he doesn't know all of the players...and the deck may be stacked against him.
To say that Guess Again has a few plot twists is a definite understatement. Ethan is an intriguing protagonist, smart but scarred both by his professional experiences and the murder of his father. His girlfriend is the sole survivor of Bernard's killing spree (the crimes that brought Ethan's father to Bernard's door in the first place) and now is in law enforcement herself. There are plenty of suspects in Callie's disappearance: her pushy mother, her ambitious but absent father, and the creepy stepfather, just to name a few. The more Ethan learns about Callie, the more possible suspects he uncovers. Bernard has Hannibal Lecter vibes (minus the cannibalism), manipulating people from behind bars to set his own schemes in motion. A few plot elements seemed a bit contrived and not all of the twists came as a complete surprise to me, but the pacing of the tale and continual plot twists kept me turning pages right up until the end. Readers of Thomas Harris, Karin Slaughter and Lucy Foley as well as those who enjoy suspenseful stories full of secrets and flawed characters should grab a copy of Guess Again and add it to their TBR pile. My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for allowing me access to this gripping read in exchange for my honest review.
Ethan Hall retired from his career as a special agent with Wisconsin's Division of Criminal Investigation where he investigated crimes against children. He had a 100% solve rate, but that only meant that he put perpetrators behind bars...he couldn't bring back any of the victims from the dead, and it was eating away at his soul. So at the age of 36 he retired from the force and entered medical school; he is now an emergency room doctor, still in a stressful job but one in which he can actually save people. Out of the blue his former partner Pete Kramer visits him with an unexpected request, one which Ethan will be hard put to turn down. Ten years earlier seventeen year old Callie Jones - pretty, star athlete, accomplished student - disappeared from the small town of Cherryview and the case remains unsolved. It is the one Pete can't forget, and he is now battling a disease that will kill him within the year. He wants Ethan, the former investigator with the perfect solve rate, to take a look at the case and see if he can succeed where Pete failed. If Pete's dying wish isn't enough of a motive, Callie's father has just become the governor...and has the power to make things happen. Ethan wants to say no, he has worked hard to put that part of his life behind him, but finds he can't refuse when the man convicted of killing his father, Francis Bernard, claims to have knowledge about the case. Is Bernard, recently denied parole in large part because of Ethan's objections to his early release, just making a bid for attention, or does he somehow possess information about a case that took place long after he was locked up? Ethan soon finds out that he has been drawn into a game in which he doesn't know all of the players...and the deck may be stacked against him.
To say that Guess Again has a few plot twists is a definite understatement. Ethan is an intriguing protagonist, smart but scarred both by his professional experiences and the murder of his father. His girlfriend is the sole survivor of Bernard's killing spree (the crimes that brought Ethan's father to Bernard's door in the first place) and now is in law enforcement herself. There are plenty of suspects in Callie's disappearance: her pushy mother, her ambitious but absent father, and the creepy stepfather, just to name a few. The more Ethan learns about Callie, the more possible suspects he uncovers. Bernard has Hannibal Lecter vibes (minus the cannibalism), manipulating people from behind bars to set his own schemes in motion. A few plot elements seemed a bit contrived and not all of the twists came as a complete surprise to me, but the pacing of the tale and continual plot twists kept me turning pages right up until the end. Readers of Thomas Harris, Karin Slaughter and Lucy Foley as well as those who enjoy suspenseful stories full of secrets and flawed characters should grab a copy of Guess Again and add it to their TBR pile. My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for allowing me access to this gripping read in exchange for my honest review.
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
mysterious
tense
I’m beyond thrilled to be part of Donlea’s Detectives! A huge thank you to @kensingtonbooks and @charliedonlea for the Advance Reader’s Edition, the finished hardcover, and the amazing Donlea’s Detectives mug! 🕵️♂️☕️
Guess Again had me absolutely hooked. I could. not. stop. reading. This book is a masterclass in suspense. It’s layered, atmospheric, and full of jaw-dropping twists. Just when I thought I had it figured out, nope. Donlea got me again!!!
Ten years after high school star Callie Jones vanished without a trace, former detective turned ER doc Ethan Hall is pulled back into detective work, which he never wanted to touch again. With a dying wish from his old partner and the haunting pressure of a town desperate for answers, Ethan must dig into buried evidence and his own dark past.
What unfolds is a psychological mystery set in the eerie calm of a Wisconsin lake town during a brutal heatwave. Donlea excels at writing flawed but deeply compelling characters, and Ethan Hall is no exception. The tension is relentless, the twists are diabolical, and the final reveal is SO satisfying.
The hybristophilia aspect of the book (the phenomenon characterized by sexual interest in and attraction to those who commit crime) was so interesting to me. Swipe to see the Hybristophilia Self-Assessment included with the book.
If you love a smart, twisty thriller with emotional depth and a protagonist you can root for, Guess Again needs to be on your radar.
Guess Again had me absolutely hooked. I could. not. stop. reading. This book is a masterclass in suspense. It’s layered, atmospheric, and full of jaw-dropping twists. Just when I thought I had it figured out, nope. Donlea got me again!!!
Ten years after high school star Callie Jones vanished without a trace, former detective turned ER doc Ethan Hall is pulled back into detective work, which he never wanted to touch again. With a dying wish from his old partner and the haunting pressure of a town desperate for answers, Ethan must dig into buried evidence and his own dark past.
What unfolds is a psychological mystery set in the eerie calm of a Wisconsin lake town during a brutal heatwave. Donlea excels at writing flawed but deeply compelling characters, and Ethan Hall is no exception. The tension is relentless, the twists are diabolical, and the final reveal is SO satisfying.
The hybristophilia aspect of the book (the phenomenon characterized by sexual interest in and attraction to those who commit crime) was so interesting to me. Swipe to see the Hybristophilia Self-Assessment included with the book.
If you love a smart, twisty thriller with emotional depth and a protagonist you can root for, Guess Again needs to be on your radar.
WOW! what a wild ride! Charlie Donlea is a master at crafting the most twisty, jaw-dropping thrillers and this was no exception! Just when you think you've figured it out, something happens to completely flip your theory upside down! This was SO GOOD and I can't wait for more!
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Ethan Hall is a special agent turned ER doctor that’s brought back to investigate a 10 year old disappearance of the governor’s daughter, Callie Jones. A cold case connected by the very man that killed his father. Serial killer Francis Bernard has been in a maximum security prison for 32 years, yet somehow obtaining relevant information to the ten year old cold case and a recent missing woman. Ethan can’t deny new leads in Callie’s case and must act before another woman is hurt, uncovering dark secrets along the way.
I was originally intrigued by the glowing reviews and true crime angle of this book and I’m so glad it delivered an infuriatingly compelling story.
Multiple character POVs build a thrilling mystery, leaving the reader to connect the dots like an investigator. The short, punchy chapters made this insanely bingeable. It’s dark and gritty, sometimes shocking and definitely twisty.
I liked how the author chose to tell this story, and how the characters were intertwined, the pacing was ideal. While some descriptions of past and current crimes are detailed, it felt very true to the genre and I wouldn’t expect anything else from a serial killer themed plot!
I very much enjoyed the audiobook narrated by Vivienne Leheny. Her delivery and vocal range worked very well to distinguish all the different characters.
Thanks to RB Media for the audiobook copy to review.
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes