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4.17 AVERAGE
4.17 AVERAGE
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!!
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
medium-paced
Ethan Hall is an emergency room doctor who has left his career as a criminal investigator behind. Even though he had a 100% solve rate, the stress and darkness of dealing with crimes against kids took their toll and now he's helping people in a different way. His former partner with Wisconsin's Division of Criminal Investigation comes to Ethan with a big favor. Pete asks Ethan to investigate the case he has never given up on - the disappearance of high school student Callie Jones ten years ago. Callie is the daughter of the man who is now the state's governor who also wants Ethan to investigate. Although Ethan didn't originally work on the case, he learns he has a tie to the case, which will take many unexpected turns.
There are two timelines in the story - one in the present and one in the time leading up to Callie's disappearance. There are several characters in the story and some will play an important part in Ethan's investigation. I've read a few prior thrillers by Donlea and he is a master at complex cases and unexpected plot turns. This book definitely has a complicated plot, and several surprising plot twists, some I liked and honestly some I didn't. Answers are given to most questions in the story, but one major cliffhanger is left hanging at the end. This surprised me, but I assume a sequel is planned. I like Ethan so if there is, I'd be interested in reading it.
Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the advance review copy of the ebook. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
challenging
dark
emotional
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
I got a ARC of this book. Before reading, i had seen reviews raving about how many twists and turns were in this book and thought, “Come on. How many twists and turns can there be?” The answer to that is—enough that the final twist brought a smile to my face because it was a genuine surprise. That’s the only insight needed into how solid this book was! I will admit, the way some of the pieces fit together was a little complex. But man, this ride was worth it.
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Charlie Donlea’s newest thriller Guess Again is an intense story of familial secrets, decades old disappearances brought to life, and a serial killer who seems to be in charge of it all.
It’s been several years since I last read a thriller by the author, and I ended up really enjoying Guess Again! If I’m being honest, the beginning was rough and choppy to me, and it was slow to get through. I found myself getting confused by all the POVs, locations, and dates. However, once I was hooked, I absolutely flew through it and had a hard time putting the book down. I read almost half of it during a longer airplane flight and had my hand over my mouth to cover my gasp at one of the plot twists. One of my guilty pleasures is fiction about serial killers, and the plot line surrounding our killer here was fascinating. I feel like this book needs a sequel ASAP. I ended up being super invested and want to know what happens next!
Thanks so much to Kensington for the ARC of Guess Again by Charlie Donlea.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Murder
Moderate: Sexual content, Torture, Grief, Abortion
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
WOW! What a compulsive, non-stop, unputdownable read!
This new novel by Charlie Donlea is a mix of suspense, action and lots of twists that will keep readers riveted! Donlea had me hooked within the first chapter!
Donlea introduces us to Ethan Hall - an ER doctor who previously was a detective with a 100% success rate in his cases. He's a well-developed character and when he's 'encouraged' to help in a 10-year-old cold case of a missing teen, it leads him on a dangerous game of cat and mouse and his own demons come calling.
This story is a thriller lover's dream with a sinister serial killer, atmospheric small-town vibes and many red herrings. The story is layered and told using multiple timelines and POVs with well-timed reveals and short chapters.
If you geek out for thrillers with a sinister side, then you'll want to pick up Guess Again. This book lives up to its name because you'll be guessing and second guessing who is behind the mysterious disappearance.
With misdirection, building tension, great pacing and a memorable character in Ethan Hall, Donlea propelled me out of a reading slump! If you're not yet a fan of Charlie Donlea, you will be once you finish this book.
Disclaimer: Thanks to Kensington for the complimentary digital and paperback advanced copies (and the finished copy!) of this book which were given to me in exchange for my honest review and for including me in the Donlea's Detectives influencer group!
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated