160 reviews for:

Guess Again

Charlie Donlea

4.3 AVERAGE

katie_liz's profile picture

katie_liz's review

4.5

Like Donlea’s other thrillers, Guess Again is top notch read. It’s a satisfying blend of small-town secrets, historical and present-day cases, psychological suspense, and a twisty plot.

I really love the creative way Donlea integrates technology (in this case, anonymous online therapy) in the story, adding a fresh layer to the investigation and character dynamics. At times heavy (and bloody!), this story flits between layered character relationships and action-packed twists. It keeps a quick pace and is generous with reveals and narrative depth, making this a compulsive read. The ending had me on the edge of my seat and tied together the complex web of misdeeds in a satisfying way. 

The audio narration was excellent, with clear distinction between characters and a strong sense of emotion that elevated the gripping story. I particularly enjoyed the way the audio quality changed with phone calls and recordings, adding an extra level of reality to the experience. I can’t wait for Donlea’s next book, and look forward to diving into more of his backlist.

Thank you to the publisher for an early copy of this audiobook. Opinions expressed are my own. 
v_nerdbooks's profile picture

v_nerdbooks's review

4.0
dark emotional tense medium-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
challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: N/A
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Complicated

Wow.  This was a wild ride.  Couldn’t put it down, want to read the rest of his books immediately!
challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Strong character development: Complicated
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

mandallyn's review

4.0
dark mysterious tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Loveable characters: Complicated

Thank you Charlie Donlea and @kensingtonbooks for my #gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! #guessagainmugshot

One of my all-time favorite thriller/mysteries is Those Empty Eyes by Charlie Donlea, so I was beyond excited (and honored!) to get an early copy of his latest book, Guess Again. I love a good Donlea mystery—his books are always packed with clues, high-stakes twists, and fast-paced action.

This book is told through multiple points of view, which was both a highlight and a slight challenge for me. I found myself a bit confused during the first half, but that kept me invested and determined to figure out how all of the threads connected. One of the plot connections toward the end did feel just a tinsy bit far-fetched, but overall, I really enjoyed the storyline!

Donlea has a talent for creating gripping mysteries filled with such suspense and intensity that makes it nearly impossible to put the book down.

Read if you like:
-Multiple POVs (including detectives and criminals)
-Super short chapters
-Fast-paced action scenes
-Multiple interwoven plot points
dark mysterious tense fast-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

This was my second Charlie Donlea novel, and I continue to enjoy his knack for crafting compelling characters and twisty mysteries. The story kept me entertained throughout, and I found myself having strong opinions about several of the players—which is always a good sign. However, the ending felt a bit repetitive, and I figured out the culprit fairly early on, which dulled the impact of the reveal. Still, it was an engaging read overall, and I’m looking forward to diving further into Donlea’s backlist.

casuallycolorado's review

5.0
dark emotional sad tense medium-paced
hnntephe's profile picture

hnntephe's review

4.0
dark mysterious tense fast-paced