Twenty Years Later spans, as the title suggests, 20 years. It begins with the day of the 9/11/2001 attack in New York, and frequently jumps to 20 years in the future. Avery, a television host, gets wind of a story relating to the 9/11 tragedy. The first identification of a person found in the rubble in years has happened, and the victim happens to be accused murderer Victoria, who had been accused of murdering her married lover. As Avery digs into the story, she unravels a bigger story than she had ever bargained for.

This book is fun and entertaining. It has a lot of twists and turns, including some history with Avery herself. The twists are plausible, and the book was easy to get into. Overall, those who enjoy twisty thrillers would love this book. Thank you to the author, publisher and Net Galley for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Mason is the popular host of the television news show, American Events. When new technology is able to identify victims of the 911 bombing, she decides to talk to family members to see where the story will lead. Finding out that the remains belonged to Victoria Ford, a woman who had been charged in the death of her married lover when she was killed in the tragedy. Victoria's sister, Emma, asks Avery to prove her innocent and plays Victoria's final message to Avery, one she saved on her answering machine all these years. Avery realizes this could be ratings gold and begins her investigation. Working with Walt Jenkins, a retired FBI agent who was the detective overseeing the murder case all those years ago, they begin to uncover inconsistencies in the case and evidence.

This was an interesting and consuming story. Adding 911 to the plot is tricky as it is still so fresh in so many minds, especially with the 20th anniversary just passing, but it is done well and not a huge part of the story. I liked the characters of both Avery and Walt. They are driven to find answers to this case, although for different reasons. I have recently read a few books about reopening and investigating cold cases using podcasts, but this was a bit different with the television show angle. The evidence uncovered seemed pretty blatant to me, so adding a coverup by an unscrupulous DA gave it credibility. I thought I knew where this story was going, but the twists threw me for a loop. A very satisfying crime thriller containing all the twists, revelations and clues that I have come to love in Charlie Donlea's writing. I did a read/listen with this one, but I found I listened to more of it as the audio added a tense feeling. The audiobook was narrated by Vivienne Leheny. She is a narrator I have listened to before and I enjoy her performances. I liked the voices she used for the various characters and the male voices were well done. She used various tones and inflection for each that gave them some personality. Her expression added emotion to the story which added to my enjoyment.

This was really good. So many twists and turns that it keeps you guessing throughout.

There are a lot of storylines to keep track of, so I recommend reading this book fairly quickly, so you don't get lost somewhere. The book probably could have worked equally well if there had been perhaps just a little less going on, but still overall I really enjoyed it.

Thanks to Netgalley and RB media for providing a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

WOW what an amazing mystery book. First, I typically do not like these types of books as audiobooks because it can be hard to piece together the events. That was the complete opposite for me with Twenty Years later, the narrator was fantastic and did an amazing job at changing the voices and making the dialog come alive. This story started out slow as you are trying to figure out Avery's motives and for wanting to go back to New York. The core of this story is that there are remains identified from 9-11 and the identified person was a suspect from a murder 20 years ago. There are so many secrets and intertwined stories that make this a can't stop book. The ending was PHENOMENALLY done and truly made the book.

3.5 stars

The concept of this book is very interesting. For some reason, the author though it would be a good idea to have a fictitious 9/11 victim be identified twenty years later. Upon this discovery, Avery, who is a news reporter, wants to do a news piece on this. Come to find out, Victoria was accused of murder. Now Avery wants to found out what really happened.

I found using a fictitious 9/11 victim to be an odd and uncomfortable thing to add to a story. Especially when this was only a small plot piece to kill a character. I think there could have been a better way to do this.

I will say, I really enjoyed the twists at the end of the book. They were pretty surprising.

Thanks Netgalley and publisher for the digital copy in exchange for my honest review!

“I’m sorry, Avery. I love you, and we’ve been on some wild rides together. But this one might be too crazy for me to jump aboard.”

Victoria Ford, the chief suspect in a murder investigation died when the Twin Towers fell on 9/11. Now, twenty years later, her remains have been identified, and Avery Mason, the journalist reporting on the story, realizes there is more to the case than anyone realized.

Guys, I really wanted to like this book. Though I felt iffy about 9/11 being consigned to a historical backdrop to a thriller, I found the blurb exciting. I love stories about cold case investigations and how (in books at least!) revisiting the case can stir up a whole lot of trouble.

The main character, Avery, is a very persistent woman, and I really enjoyed her focus on her career. Throughout the story she’s always scouting out leads and angles on the case for her television show, and I felt that I really was inside her brain in places. The plot itself was intricate, with a lot of moving parts, and I am impressed how the author fit all the pieces together.

But the major problem here is the plot as well – this book is swollen with it. There’s the Victoria Ford investigation, but also Avery’s past, and the latter played a much larger plot in the story than the blurb indicates. To be brief about it, she is the daughter of a top-tier white collar criminal and, years after she tried to put it behind her, he is making a return in her life. This plot-line takes up a good half of the book, figuring in the climax and leaving the Victoria Ford investigation’s conclusion languishing until the very end. Switching between plot-lines lowered the tension I felt as well.

I also did not much like the romance angle – while Walt is not an unlikeable character, the romance felt out of place and I could not tell what drew him and Avery together beyond that they found each other physically attractive.

I listened to this book in an audio format, and the narrator Vivienne Leheny does a fair job with it. Her voices were distinct, and I thought she did her male voices especially well. She was able to deliver on emotional dialogue when the book called for it.

Overall, this was a somewhat disappointing read, as I feel it did not deliver on the promises made in the blurb.

This book not only has a few twists up its sleeve, but storylines that end up overlapping for an ending you do not see coming! One plot is a crime that happened 20 years ago and the other plot is a person who is on the run from the FBI.

It does mention 9/11 so there is a trigger warning for that! It was a very quick listen by audiobook.

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* good read, didnt really see that coming/playing out like that so well worth the read, didnt want to put down

** Thank you Netgalley for my ARC copy of Twenty years later!

3.0 Stars for me! <b> Twisty, Edgy, and Attention Grabbing! </b>

<i>Twenty Years Later</i> centers around two crimes: one from the past that holds an eerie link to 9/11 and another surrounding a fugitive on the run. A TV reporter finds herself investigating one crime and playing a starring role in the other.

Avery is a TV reporter with a large fanbase. With a contract extension on the line, she is looking to grow her ratings. When she hears about new technology that can identify DNA from 9/11 victims, she jumps on the opportunity to highlight the latest victim identification on her show. But what makes the story even juicer is that the newly confirmed victim was an accused murderer. At the same time Avery launches an investigation into the DNA 9/11 identification program, Avery is desperately trying to keep a secret from her past from being exposed to her viewers.

Twenty years later was hard to put down! There is ALOT going on in this book, however it keeps you interested to know more about the story.

The story plays out in two timelines - 2001 and 2021.

In 2001, During the 9/11 attacks, with tons of detail about the terrorist attacks. A famous named author has been killed and the prime suspect just happens to be in the tower when the plane hits.

In 2021, Avery (TV reporter) travels to NYC to investigate the death of the author, and Victoria, the prime suspect. However, Avery has other reasons to be in NYC also.

All in all, it was an OKAY read for me.

⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️
Thank you to NetGalley and RB Digital for the early listen! Wow what a story! The author and narrator hooked me from the very beginning. Narrator did a fabulous job telling the story. Each character had their own voice and brought them to life.

I absolutely loved this book!

The plot was amazingly twisted and kept me on the edge of my seat, especially when the inconsistencies in the said crime started being uncovered, I sat guessing who could be framing who and why!

It was amazing how the author connected the present events to 9/11 and moved the story from there. The first chapter of the book already had me hooked with the detailed descriptions of the crime scene.

The pace of the book was perfect and each chapter left you wanting to continue reading to get to the next clue in the puzzle.

All the characters are well-written and each contributed realistically to the story.

The ending blew me away with its final twisted blow.

Thank you for the opportunity to read the book, full review will be published on my blog soon.
Sincerely Yours, Annie

This is the second book I have enjoyed by Charlie Donlea.

I really enjoyed listening to this audio version, it was extremely well narrated and easy to listen to.

It took me a bit initially to get my head around this one but once I did I started piecing things together, but I was still totally blindsided by the events at the end.

This was definitely hard to put down and I liked how the characters all doubted each other as they all had secrets to hide.

A big thank you to the Publishers & NetGalley for kindly gifting me the audio of this one!! It was brilliant and I totally recommend it!

I really enjoyed reading this one! Twenty years after 9/11, Avery, a TV Journalist with a true crime show, is looking for next seasons showcase show. When the remains of a woman were identified from 9/11 almost to the twentieth anniversary, Avery knew she had to find out more. When finding out more about the 9/11 victim, Avery uncovers much of the victim’s past. At the same time, Avery’s past becomes present as well. Once I got into the book it was difficult to put down. The mystery that Avery finds is so intriguing and really drew me in. Multiple story lines, and multiple timelines are only part of what makes this such an exciting read. Overall, it was a very entertaining, plot driven book.

Reading Between the Wines book review #1/135 for 2022:
Rating: 🍷 🍷 🍷
Book 🎧: Twenty Years Later
Author: Charlie Donlea
Genre: Mystery & Thrillers
RELEASED on December 28, 2021!!!

Sipping thoughts: Picture being accused of murder even though you are adamant about your innocence. Picture that before you could be convicted or before you could prove your innocence, you are killed…in the North Tower during the World Trade Center attack. Victoria Ford was accused of killing her lover and a journalist, Avery Mason, is set to prove that she was not guilty. Only Avery has ulterior motives to prove it so that her ratings can soar…she also has secrets that she wants to keep hidden.

Cheers and thank you to @NetGalley and @RBMedia for an advanced copy of @TwentyYearsLater.

#TwentyYearsLater #CharlieDonlea #RBMedia #NetGalley #advancedreadercopy #ARC #Kindle #Booksofinstagram #readersofinstagram #bookstagram #nicoles_bookcellar #bookworm #bookdragon #booknerd #booklover #bookstagrammer #bookaholic #bookreview #bookreviewer #IHaveNoShelfControl #ReadingBetweenTheWines #fiction #thriller #suspense #mystery #MysteryAndThrillers

This one was well written, but it seemed to go on forever, and I got a little bored with it. Overall not bad, but not the “mystery” I was expecting.

Twenty Years Later grabbed my attention quick with the 20 year time lapse. I really enjoyed the back and forth between the years as it kept me. guessing. After reading so many mysteries and thrillers, I can usually figure out the ending but this book proved me wrong! I read it in just a few days since I HAD to find out the ending and let's just say I was NOT expecting that. Great Job Charlie Donlea! I will for sure be reading anything from this author In the future.

Avery is a TV host on a sensational show that is rapidly climbing in popularity. She believes she can chase a new story in New York while tying up some loose ends from her personal life which is full of tragedy that happened when she went by a different name. The medical examiner has identified another victim of 9/11 after DNA technology has improved. The woman was named Victoria Ford and she was charged with the murder of her lover whom she was having an affair with. The case was dropped after Victoria was presumed dead. Avery is chasing ratings for her new season trying to prove Victoria’s innocence and trying to keep a lid on her past.

My first Charlie Donlea and I loved it! The plot was complex and can seem scattered in parts but he delivers all the pieces tied up neatly with a bow at the end. I listened to this on audio thanks to @recordedbooks and @netgalley and I thought the narrator was phenomenal! Avery and Walt pulled my heart strings and I loved the character development. If you are looking for a complex thriller that will keep you guessing, this is a good one for you.

I really liked this book that kept throwing surprises at me! It was a solid story, with likeable characters, and interesting twists along the way that didn’t feel too rushed! I will def. Order this for our library.

Wowza what a good read. First time reading Donlea. Although I figured it out, it was a great story that leaves you guessing. Excellent story lines and easy to follow. And great writing.

Enjoy.

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for letting me preview this book!

Charlie Donlea has done it again. This was an unputdownable book. All I wanted to do was finish it but unfortunately, I had to work and study.
There were a couple plot twists I didn’t see coming. This book seemed to have several different directions that it was going in. It seemed a bit much at first but it all seemed to weave together nicely. Sub plots lead to other sub plots.
I did enjoy this book. But I’m not really sure if I liked any of the characters. They all seemed self absorbed and slightly unlikeable.