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4.19 AVERAGE
4.19 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I really enjoyed this book. The story was great, very suspenseful, and kept me wanting to listen to more. The narration was also well done. There wasn’t anything that stood out as different or new in the mystery genre but it was a nice read. I thought the characters were very likable and the plot was easy to follow.
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am a big fan of Donlea's thrillers and this was no exception! Really action-packed and twisty all throughout but it felt a bit tiring and confusing because it was almost nonstop. Like four different times i was like "WHYYY are you doing this yourself instead of calling the neighboring police force?!!!" but i'm impatient so that's just my own personal gripe.
I received an audiobook ARC and there were a ton of different characters so it was a little hard to remember who was who at times. And i thought the dialogue was super unrealistic at times, whenever Donlea wanted the audience to know something technical or factual the character speaking just spelled it out. Show don't tell :/
Overall i really enjoyed this, might be one of my favorites of his! Thank you to NetGalley + Kensington Publishers for an ARC!!
I received an audiobook ARC and there were a ton of different characters so it was a little hard to remember who was who at times. And i thought the dialogue was super unrealistic at times, whenever Donlea wanted the audience to know something technical or factual the character speaking just spelled it out. Show don't tell :/
Overall i really enjoyed this, might be one of my favorites of his! Thank you to NetGalley + Kensington Publishers for an ARC!!
I switched between the audio and Kindle version for this one, and it worked perfectly for how I wanted to experience the story. The pacing really suited me — steady but not slow, with just enough tension to keep me interested the whole way through.
The mystery had this layered feel I liked a lot. Every time I thought I knew where it was heading, it shifted slightly. If I’m honest, maybe one or two fewer twists would’ve let the emotional parts breathe more, but that didn’t take away from how much I enjoyed it.
Everything else just clicked — the atmosphere, the characters, the way things unfolded without rushing. It kept my attention without feeling like it had to shout for it.
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Murder
tense
fast-paced
If you are looking for a fast paced thriller with twists and so layers to a story, you must read Guess Again.
Set in small town Wisconsin with Ethan, a former crime investigator turned ER doctor gets roped into solving a cold case of missing girl, Callie.
The story is told mostly in current day but we get glimpses of what happens to Callie before the disappearance.
I love that Ethan was so vested into solving the case and while having his own personal issues to deal with. There are a lot of characters in the book and they all play such an integral part to the story and I wanted to know what happens to all of them.
The story is fast paced and I could not put it down.
Thank you @kensingtonbooks for a copy of the book.
Set in small town Wisconsin with Ethan, a former crime investigator turned ER doctor gets roped into solving a cold case of missing girl, Callie.
The story is told mostly in current day but we get glimpses of what happens to Callie before the disappearance.
I love that Ethan was so vested into solving the case and while having his own personal issues to deal with. There are a lot of characters in the book and they all play such an integral part to the story and I wanted to know what happens to all of them.
The story is fast paced and I could not put it down.
Thank you @kensingtonbooks for a copy of the book.
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I didn’t dislike this, but I wasn’t fully hooked either. The pacing was brisk, short chapters kept things moving, yet I never felt fully connected to the characters. It was a fast read that will likely click with thriller fans, but for me it didn’t leave a lasting impression.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Charlie Donlea certainly is a hit or miss author for me, and what I've learned over his many books is that you have to suspend disbelieve - and then some. But his writing style is addictive and if you want a whirlwind story, short chapters and a "good old story" without too much fuss, and he should be on your radar. He certainly is on mine!
Now, for "Guess Again", you will have to suspend disbelieve again - I have raised many eyebrows and I might even have uhu-ed a few times - but if you are willing to do that and just move on, than it is a thrill ride. A hunt for a serial killer that goes every other way, putting you on the wrong foot again and again, and end with a bang. And I mean ... what the hell just happened BANG?!
It certainly paved the way for further installments and I would be very disappointed if there wouldn't be any follow-up. So forget about the plotholes the cookie-cutter characters, and the average prose and just take a jump for a very entertaining and addictive story.
Thank you NetGalley, Kensington, and the author for allowing me to be an early reader. All opinions are my own.
Now, for "Guess Again", you will have to suspend disbelieve again - I have raised many eyebrows and I might even have uhu-ed a few times - but if you are willing to do that and just move on, than it is a thrill ride. A hunt for a serial killer that goes every other way, putting you on the wrong foot again and again, and end with a bang. And I mean ... what the hell just happened BANG?!
It certainly paved the way for further installments and I would be very disappointed if there wouldn't be any follow-up. So forget about the plotholes the cookie-cutter characters, and the average prose and just take a jump for a very entertaining and addictive story.
Thank you NetGalley, Kensington, and the author for allowing me to be an early reader. All opinions are my own.
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I thought this book was a lot of fun. It kept me on the edge of my seat and second guessing all my thoughts. I love a book that makes me think and gives me misdirections throughout to pull the rug out from under me when I think I figured it out.
Donlea is a master at plot twists, I can’t say I guessed a single one correctly from start to finish. I will admit, I felt a bit confused in the first few chapters trying to figure out who was who and who was talking, but it evened out and became understandable.
This is exactly how I love a thriller to make me feel. I’m never disappointed when I pick up a Donlea book, and this one is no different! The ending chapters gave me such anxiety, but I loved every second of it!
If you’re a thriller lover this should definitely be on your list to read this year!!
Donlea is a master at plot twists, I can’t say I guessed a single one correctly from start to finish. I will admit, I felt a bit confused in the first few chapters trying to figure out who was who and who was talking, but it evened out and became understandable.
This is exactly how I love a thriller to make me feel. I’m never disappointed when I pick up a Donlea book, and this one is no different! The ending chapters gave me such anxiety, but I loved every second of it!
If you’re a thriller lover this should definitely be on your list to read this year!!