Those Empty Eyes is an intricate thriller with many interconnected cases and characters. It starts with a family murder cold case and continues with a campus case.
I recommend listening to the song Behind These Hazel Eyes while reading.
Thank you Kensington Publishing Corp for the delightful read!

Alexandra Quinlan was the sole survivor of the horrific murder of her family in their home. Found sitting on the floor of their bedroom holding the gun that killed them, the police didn’t believe that she had hidden during the massacre and later picked up the gun. Arrested and handcuffed, she was photographed by the media outside, gaining the nickname ‘Empty Eyes’ as she was led out in shock.

However, Donna Koppel the first police officer on the scene, while watching Alexandra being interviewed, began to feel that the detectives had got it wrong and called her husband, lawyer Garrett Lancaster to come down to the station to help the girl. With his help she was eventually released from juvenile detention and successfully sued the state for defamation.

Now 10 years later, Alexandra has changed her appearance, her personal history and her name to Alex Armstrong and works as a legal investigator for Garrett. She has never given up hoping to find who killed her family and keeps a corkboard with photos and what she knows about the night they died, but hasn’t made much headway in working out why they were targeted.

Alex’s latest case for Garrett involves investigating the disappearance of Laura McAllister, a college journalism student with a popular radio program called ‘The Scoop’ that has attracted a national audience. Laura had been about to release a big story that would put her college in a bad light and Alex is concerned that someone is trying to prevent it going to air. The police suspect Laura’s boyfriend Matthew Claymore of knowing something about her disappearance so his family has hired Garrett’s firm to protect him from a false arrest.

This intricately plotted complex tale will eventually take a very winding path to tie together the death of Alex’s family with Laura’s disappearance. There’s a lot crammed into the plot – pedophilia, rape, embezzlement, corruption, murder, a vigilante dispensing justice when the courts fail – so a fair degree of concentration (and some suspension of belief) is required to juggle all the threads. For me, the novel felt a bit bogged down with too many subplots, but it was worth hanging in there to eventually find out why Alex’s family were murdered and for the unexpected twist at the end.

In 2013, seventeen-year-old Alexandra Quinlan was the only member of her family found unharmed after her parents and younger brother are gunned down by an unknown assailant in their own home. Unfortunately for her, Alexandra was treated as a suspect and taken into custody. An over-ambitious journalist remarked on her “empty eyes” when she was being escorted out of her own home by the police in a state of shock. “Empty Eyes” was a name that stuck as did the rumors of her guilt, despite the police having found no solid ground to convict her and her winning a defamation case against the State. The police branded it a home invasion gone wrong and never pursued the case much further. Alexandra eventually left town but never stopped looking for the person who killed her family, meticulously searching for any leads that shed a light on what happened that night. She eventually returns after her past comes to haunt her resulting in a messy situation abroad. Fast forward to 2023, and we have Alexandra, now Alex Armstrong, working as a legal investigator for Garrett Lancaster, the same lawyer who represented her in her defamation case and has been a guardian, friend and well-wisher. Alex’s work involves investigating potential clients for the firm, and finding any evidence proving their guilt means the firm does not accept said client’s case. An investigation into a client accused of embezzlement triggers a sequence of events that eventually is found to have a connection with what happened to Alex’s family.

Having read and enjoyed Twenty Years Later by Charlie Donlea, I was excited to be able to read an advance copy of his latest offering. Those Empty Eyes starts strong and I did enjoy how the story was progressing up until the 30% mark after which several sub-plots (at least one of which was completely unnecessary and served no purpose other than distracting the reader’s attention from the central plot) are introduced into the story. With so many threads and tropes (ripped from the headlines gets tiring after a point!), the plot got convoluted and farfetched. I continued with this story because I really wanted to know who the murderer was and I liked a few of the strong female characters in the mix. The ending took me by surprise, proving my predictions wrong (I love it when that happens, so points for that!). I enjoy complex and intricately plotted thrillers but this one just felt like several books somewhat haphazardly squeezed into a single narrative, which detracted from my overall reading experience. Overall, though I didn’t completely dislike Those Empty Eyes by Charlie Donlea, I was a tad disappointed.

Many thanks to author Charlie Donlea, Kensington Books and NetGalley for the much-appreciated digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is due to be released on March 28, 2023.

I love Charlie Donlea's books and this one was a super quick read, it kept me engaged from the very beginning. However, I think it was also probably my least favorite book of his. The more I think about it, the more I believe there are some aspects that don't make much sense. I guess I was enjoying the book much more when I had no idea what was going on and how the various plotlines would fit together. Once everything "clicked", it lost a bit of its magic. I liked the ending, but it was pretty obvious once you had all the ingredients mixed together.

I really enjoyed reading this one! I also appreciated that the ending was the perfect medium between abrupt and too drawn out - and it came with closure. There were unique, likeable characters, an adequate amount of twists, and nothing too outlandish or unbelievable. This author is so reliable for a great thriller - thanks for the opportunity to read!

Another book I couldn’t put down! I read the first book by this author and as soon as I was finished I got them all! He is an amazing writer. This book was full of adventures. And turns. Dare to jump in! This is a must read for me!

Charlie Donlea never disappoints! His latest thriller is full of twists and turns with an ultimately satisfying ending. When she was 17, Alexandra Quinlan's family was brutallly murdered, and Alexandra was accused of their murder, but later all charges were dropped, and with a settlement from a suit filed against the state for mismanagement of her case, Alexandra is able to move on with her life, but she never stops searching for answers as to what could have happened to her family.

Ten years later, as a legal investigator, Alexandra stumbles upon a case that has eerie parallels to her own parents murder and may hold the key to finally getting to the bottom of what happened to them - if she doesn't get herself killed first.

4.5
Such a great thriller with all the aspects that attribute to a complicated yet smooth story that keeps the reader engaged!

We start off in the eyes of the killer who sneaks into a house one night to purposely kill a couple and leave a few photos, BUT, another casualty ended up happening. One girl hides as she hears the murders happening in her home, she becomes known as Those Empty Eyes to the media. Fast forward 10 years later and this girl is trying to a) hide from the obnoxious and ruinous media and b) solve her families murder case.

This book read SO fast! I found myself constantly wanting to open it up and continue reading every extra minute I had. Donlea engages the reader bywriting short chapters, creating multiple storylines that are easy to track, and writing concisely. There are a number of side stories happening in the book that ultimately meet at the end in a very satisfying way!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the advance e-copy of this book.

*Publish date 3/28/2023. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an advanced e-copy of this book.*

This is my second book to read by Charlie Donlea, and it won’t be my last! Just WOW! Characters that intrigue you + a plot that keeps you guessing + a conclusion that is perfectly satisfying = a perfect mystery for me. Alexandra Quinlan is nicknamed “Empty Eyes” after a photo of her leaving her family home at the age of 17 on the night the rest of her family was brutally murdered there. She spends the next decade trying to escape the notoriety that follows and haunts her while also trying to solve the still unsolved mystery of who killed her family.

Possible trigger warning - the book deals with the topic of various types of exploitation of children but focuses more on bringing justice to the abusers rather than delving into the crimes themselves.

My thanks to Net Galley and Kensington Publishing for an advanced arc of this e-book.

WOW! A book that I hard a very hard time putting down. Fast paced and at times my heart was just pounding. The story begins through the eyes of the killer entering a home to kill a husband and wife, and oops a 13 year old boy. But the 17 year old daughter, Alex, escapes, maybe through an open window. Then we see the police showing up and finding Alex bloody, holding the rifle, and sitting at the end of her parents bed. She is being taken away to the police station and the number one suspect in the killing of her family. The media who were on the scene as she was taken away in handcuffs called her the girl with the "empty eyes", a label that stayed with her.

Ten years later we have a podcaster about to share a big break on a sexual assault case of a fraternity drugging girls and raping them. And then that podcaster goes missing.

Alex, now an investigator is determined to see beyond what the police see (after her bad experience with them as a child) and begins to find out a lot more than she expected that leads her to a connection back to her family.

Short chapters, compelling reading with some heart pounding moments that made for one of the best murder mysteries I have read in a long time!! My first Charlie Donlea book and definitely not my last!

The story of the girl with the empty eyes starts off with a nighttime slaughter. Husband and wife… mom and dad, are asleep in bed when an intruder enters and shoots them both dead in their bed. The thirteen year old son is awakened and also killed as he enters his parent’s bedroom. Older sister Alex manages to avoid being seen by the killer and escapes. This could be huge problem for the killer because there could be a witness to the crime. Or was there actually an intruder?

Now jump ahead ten years after Alex was charged, then exonerated for the slaughter of her family. Unfortunately a thoughtless reporter from the tabloids dubbed her the girl with the “Empty Eyes.” This moniker seems to now be her calling card.

Alex Quinlan, now known as Alex Armstrong has changed everything about herself—her name, her appearance, her backstory. She’s no longer the terrified teenager an eager audience saw on television as she emerged from her home in the night in handcuffs. A massacre isn’t supposed to happen in a quiet suburban home. And how could they accuse Alexandra Quinlan, of killing her family? She had no reason. But it’s always the next of kin the police question first. And after all, the circumstantial evidence points to her as the killer. After all she was bloody and holding the murder weapon! As you read put yourself in the jury box as the lawyers present the facts and what seem to be facts. The author deftly keeps the reader wondering at her innocence or guilt for a long while.

I advise readers to be intentional when new characters are mentioned as there are a lot of them. As the story strays far from the fateful night you wonder how it will all culminate, but rest assure reader, it does.

The story moves it’s focus from a family murder to a major story about rape and cover-ups on Alex’ college campus. Alex, now an investigator unearths stunning revelations about the university’s faculty, fraternity members, and powerful parents willing to do anything to protect their children.

I highly recommend Those Empty Eyes by Charle Donlea. I’m thankful for this ARC Netgally especially since you have introduced me to a new author to follow..

Alex was the only survivor after her family was killed. The media dubbed her Empty Eyes, and she was wrongly accused of the murder. After suing and winning from the wrongful conviction, Alex changed her appearance and name and became an investigator for a law firm. She always secretly tried to solve the cold case of her family's murder. When a new case seems to have connections to her case and her hidden identity is compromised, Alex is closer to solving the old case that ruined her life.

Charlie Donlea is so underrated. This is my second book by him, and he is a solid mystery/thriller writer. His books are complex and have multi-year timelines, but engaging and easy to read. If I had the time, I would read his books in one sitting. I would put this book up against anything other contemporary writers are doing now. 4.5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy for review.

Thank you NetGalley, Kensington Books, and Charlie Donlea for the advanced copy of Those Empty Eyes in exchange for my honest review.

4.5 stars rounded up.

This is the second book I've read by Donlea and he has knocked them both out of the park for me! This one is super fast-paced, with a female protagonist you cannot help but root for.

If you find yourself confused a couple times wondering how on earth the storylines will tie together, rest assured you're not alone. I ended up loving how everything played out and to me it made for one excellent ending.

It feels like it's been awhile since I've said this, but I would love to see this book turned into a limited series!

Those Empty Eyes will be on US bookshelves March 28.

Uhm, excuse me, Mr. Donlea, but… mind blown. How do I review this book?

This book had so many intricately moving parts, much like the clock that played such a huge role in Alex’s life. We’re moving along, and then Donlea introduces someone else, and the reader has no clue who this person is or how they will fit into the plot, and it’s so careful, so thoughtful, that you keep reading because you want to see how he pieces the storyline together.

I, too, lost my parents when I was younger. Though I was a few years older than Alex, I understand the unimaginable grief that comes with it. Like Alex, I spent years looking for answers. So perhaps, I can relate to her a bit more. She is strength personified, a character that you will continually root for.

I enjoyed Alex’s story and how she continually fought her way through life. And I especially loved the way characters weave in and out across the author’s books, and if you’ve read them all, you get a warm feeling when someone you know pops into a new book.

I spent the last few months finishing Charlie’s back catalog, and this is the last book of his that I had to read, which feels wretched. But this was a fantastic book to finish with. Those Empty Eyes is a book that settles into your thoughts long after you’ve closed the book. What am I supposed to do with myself now? Kudos!

Thank you so very much, Kensington Books, for sending over an advanced copy.

The massacre of young Alexandra’s family is an event no one recovers from. This superbly crafted mystery highlights society’s infatuation with true crime, the never ending attention placed on the victim, continuing media coverage, invasion of privacy and lifelong affects of scrutiny and assumed guilt.
Alex is falsely accused but never free from the moniker coined that fateful night. The story follows her life as she tries to navigate school, manage finances, moves to new places and even countries to escape the relentless fascination people have with her. Alex never gives up searching for answers to who killed her family. However; the answers may not alleviate her pain and grief.
Laura’s a college student and journalist who was about to break a scandalous campus news podcast, then disappeared. Her story is completely separate and different from that of Alex, but has more in common than I guessed. The connection was one I didn’t see coming and caught me off guard.
This book isn’t part of a series but there was a brief appearance of a character from another of the author’s books which I enjoyed. All the personalities are clearly portrayed and believable. Overall a great mystery full of drama and suspense.
A digital advance reader copy of “Those Empty Eyes” by Charlie Donlea, Kensington Publishing Corp. was provided by NetGalley. Publication date is March 28, 2023. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.

This was my first Charlie Donlea book and I already grabbed another. There are a lot of pieces to this book (characters, timelines, settings, storylines) and they work! It's like you find how one piece of the story is connected to the other and bam, you find another piece of the puzzle that you didn't know was missing. And sure enough, all the pieces fit together beautifully in the end in a way that I didn't see coming. Completely blindsided by that ending that seriously had me reeling. Did I go back and search for clues after I finished reading, sure did (Who does that?!)! Did I message the author on Instagram to get more information on the ending, you betcha (Hey Mr. Donlea, please check your messages LOL).

The flashbacks between past and present in the first section of the book were flawless. They flowed beautifully and they really helped to propel the book forward. I felt the pacing was spot on. The investigator part in the middle was great- full on Kalinda vibes from The Good Wife (love, love). And well I already shared my thoughts on that ending. Thanks so much to NetGalley and Kensington Books for this eARC and introduction to Charlie Donlea! Can't wait to read more!

I thoroughly enjoyed Charlie Donlea’s recent thriller! Those Empty Eyes was a unique part thriller part mystery. I fell in love with the main character and loved piecing together the pieces to the mystery. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fast paced, engaging thrillers.

A propulsive story that kept going until the last chapter. The reader must grapple with a Robinhood theme and decide if the actions were justified based on the crimes of the victims.

Ohh that last second ending!!!

A family is murdered, the only survivor is the daughter Alex.
Dorothy is the police officer who found her in her family’s home the night of the murder.
Garrett is her lawyer husband who defended Alex.

Alex is on the hunt for her family’s murder.
You will find your head spinning with so much going on and it’s just so so good.

This is not a fast read, you’ve got to pay attention. There’s many characters and a lot going on. This is not for those who don’t like a lot of characters. But for me WOW it was so worth it!

Take it nice and slow and concentrate and enjoy, trust me.

Charlie Donlea you got me in the tail end, ***Holy C**p you got me!!!
You're still my favorite Author!!!

#mustread

I really like Charlie Donlea's writing style. This book had me hooked from the beginning. The characters were well developed and the plot held my attention the whole time. I really enjoyed this book.


Thank you Netgalley and Kensington books for the digital arc.