I tried so hard to get into this book and get invested but it just couldn’t hold my attention enough for me to care.

I liked the premise but there was a lot of jumping between past and present and I found myself slowly losing interest.

It was also kind of predictable and I’m definitely not a big fan of the ending.

Not my best read of the year but I’m definitely in the minority here.

Charlie Donlea has quickly become one of my go to authors, after Twenty Years Later captivated me. I never heard of him prior to that book and it opened a world of incredible reading for me.

Sloan is studying to be a medical examiner and in her course of studies, she needs to focus on a project - DNA testing and genetics. Since she’s adopted, she hesitates sending off her DNA, but her grades trump everything and she moves forward with the process. She quickly discovers she is the baby from a prominent family that all went missing decades ago.

This book alternates between the past (1995) and the present (2024). Sloan Hastings has known since she was very young that she was adopted, and is very happy with her adoptive family. She is working on becoming a forensic pathologist and her two year assignment involves genealogy. Sloan submits her own DNA and discovers who her birth parents were and some unexpected news: she and her birth parents all disappeared when she was only a couple of months old, leaving behind a car with blood on the seats and a mystery.

The ending of this book was one of the most suspenseful I've ever read and I recommend it to any mystery lover. I received an e-arc of this book from the publisher via NetGalley, and voluntarily read and reviewed it.

Today genealogy and DNA testing leads many to develop their family histories to discover what they didn’t know or connect with relatives far and near. Add adoptions to a family history and you never know what you may find. Charlie Donlea hit on great subjects for his latest novel, forensic pathology, criminology and cold cases. Sloan Hastings has earned a fellowship in forensic pathology and her first assignment is forensic genealogy. Fascinated to learn all she can about the topic, she submits her own DNA to learn more. Though she is adopted she loves her parents and never was really interested in learning about her biological ones. Well surprise, she and her parents, from the Nevada Margolis family, disappeared when she was just 2 months old. How did the adoption come about? Where are her parents? Then the story starts flying, grabbing your attention weaving between 1995 events in her early life and the 2024 events of her current life. An important part of the search involves the grandson of the sheriff of Cedar Creek Nevada who sought answers to her disappearance but died under strange circumstances. She’ll meet family, put to use her medical background, and gain support from many. BUT what really happened? With drama, suspense, great mix of past and present and interesting characters it is a hard novel to put down. Only recently discovering Charlie Donlea I’ll be reading many more of his work and highly recommend Long Time Gone. Thank you Kensington and NetGalley for the ARC.

Charlie Donlea is a literary genius!! This is another one that grips you immediately and doesn’t let you go. The plot is so intricately written and plays out flawlessly until the end.

This book had me addicted from the start! It was so intense that I could not wait to see the twist. Authot knows how to deliver the breath taking, draw dropping twist that we all know and love and never expect the ending. I believe this book is her best one yet but I say that everytime I read one of her books. Thank you for allowing me to read your book in advance.

Imagine you are a forensic scientist and as a part of your research assignment you have to submit your DNA to an ancestry website that reveals you are Baby Charlotte - the 2 month old baby who disappeared with her parents 29 years ago and shattered the entire nation.

This psychological crime thriller had just the right amount of everything I look for in a thriller - fast pace, short chapters, strong FMC, interesting premise and revelations throughout not just the final 10% of the book.

I was hooked quite early on and finished the book in a few sittings.
Several things I liked:
- dual timeline - the story alternates between the events from July 1995 and 2024
- Short chapters
- Introduction of new characters is smooth and they all play a role in the plot
- Strong FMC who also is quite likeable
- The writing is easy and without extensive descriptions (which I dislike in thrillers)
- Action packed! Especially the last 15% of the book were like a mix between an action and horror movie.
- Fans of Twenty years later will also recognize a character from the book who has a cameo in here too :)


Although I guessed part of the final reveal I still found the ending to be extremely satisfying. There is one thing I found to be a bit farfetched but it kind of brings poetic justice within the plot hence the half mark down.

Thank you, NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

In this book we dive into the story of Sloan Hastings, a woman who is part of an elite two-year fellowship under the renowned Chief Medical Officer Dr. Livia Cutty, there Sloan Hastings receives a research assignment in the emerging field of forensic genealogy and discovers through DNA testing that she is Charlotte Margolis, a baby who mysteriously vanished with her parents 30 years ago. Now Sloan embarks on a journey to find answers about her past and the disappearance of her biological parents. As she investigates, she uncovers a web of secrets that were meant to be kept buried. The more she learns, the more dangerous it becomes, as someone is determined to keep the truth hidden.

If you want to read this book prepare to be kept on the edge of your seat from literally page one.

READ IF YOU LIKE:
-Page turner books
-Immersive writing
-Thrilling plot
-Past and present timelines

I'm a sucker for Charlie Donlea's stories, he always gets away with describing the thrill of solving a puzzling mystery alongside the characters. I got hooked from page one. What a ride. From beginning to end. I loved the whole forensic side of the story which reminded me a lot of "The Girl Who Was Taken", another of his books and my personal favorite til now.

This book presents us with a very compelling mystery that is quite realistic. I like thriller novels that impress me with stories similar to real-life crimes because sometimes thriller novels can be way too unrealistic to get invested in. But with this book in particular you can almost feel like you're reading a true crime story.

I loved that at all times we get "updates" of the mystery. I hate when in thriller books we get half of the book with the main character wondering what the heck happened and then towards the end they get this huge hint of the whole mystery and BOOM mystery is revealed. But in this book, little by little Sloan builds the whole timeline of what happened to her and her biological parents, and we get to follow her as she stumbles upon the truth of her past.

Usually, I am not as invested in storylines that take place both in the "past" and the "present" because it can be a little confusing, but both storylines had me interested at all times. And I think that this dual POV made the whole book more addicting.

The one thing that I didn't like and was the real reason I didn't give this book a five-star rating (I'll not tell because I don't want to spoil the ending for anybody), but let's say that something a little bit unrealistic happened and that kinda ruined the end for me.

In conclusion, "Long Time Gone" is a thrilling and captivating novel that expertly weaves together the past and present to unravel a complex web of secrets and lies. This book is a must-read for fans of mystery and suspense. Donlea has truly outdone himself with this masterful tale of truth and the enduring power of family secrets.

Title- Long Time Gone @charliedonlea
Rating-⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Another 5 star read for @charliedonlea 👏🏽

I loved this book as I kind of related to certain aspects of this book when it comes to doing DNA test on Ancestry and building a tree off your matches to find family members. I went through my own DNA journey when I was 27 to find my bio dad. I did an ancestry test and built a family tree off those matches and found my dad! When I started I didn’t have a name, age, or even a state where he was born/lived. So it was fun reading this book and actually understanding the process within the book from personal experience.

Synopsis -

Thirty years ago, Baby Charlotte vanished. Today, she’s still in danger.

When Dr. Sloan Hastings submits her DNA to an online genealogy site for a research assignment, her goal is to better understand the treasure-trove of genetic information contained on ancestry websites. Brilliant and driven, Sloan is embarking on a fellowship in forensic pathology, training under the renowned Dr. Livia Cutty.

Sloan has one reservation about involving herself in the she’s adopted. Grateful for a loving home, she’s never considered tracking down her biological parents. The results of her search are shocking. Sloan’s DNA profile suggests her true identity is that of Charlotte Margolis, aka “Baby Charlotte”, who captured the nation’s attention when she mysteriously disappeared, along with her parents, in July 1995. Despite an exhaustive search, the family was never seen again, and no suspects were named in the case.

I can’t talk enough about @charliedonlea and this is only my second read by him. I read this one in one sitting like his other book those empty eyes. The pace of this book was perfect and I had zero complaints. It held my attention from the beginning all the way till the end.

Add this one to your tbr besties as it comes out May 21st 2024✨

Thank you @netgalley @charliedonlea for this advanced copy.

In this engrossing narrative, a forensic scientist finds herself entangled in a perilous quest for truth when her DNA links her to the notorious disappearance of Baby Charlotte. Dr. Sloan Hastings, driven by intellectual curiosity and under the mentorship of Dr. Livia Cutty, embarks on a forensic pathology fellowship. Unbeknownst to her, her journey will unravel a web of long-buried secrets. As Sloan delves into her own past, she uncovers startling revelations that lead her to Cedar Creek, Nevada, the epicenter of the Margolis family's enigma. Alongside Sheriff Eric Stamos, Sloan navigates the shadowy corridors of power and deceit that shroud the Margolis dynasty. As tensions rise and danger looms, Sloan's quest for truth becomes intertwined with Eric's quest for justice, both haunted by the specter of unresolved mysteries and the ominous legacy of the Margolis family. With each revelation, Sloan and Eric inch closer to the heart of darkness, where some will stop at nothing to safeguard their secrets, even if it means sacrificing lives in the process.

In conclusion, I was completely captivated from start to finish! I wholeheartedly recommend this unputdownable, impressive masterpiece and it deserves all the stars!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

And here comes the outlier opinion….

Long Time Gone has an interesting premise, and I do believe it will resonate with many true crime junkies. It’s a detailed story spanning 3 decades to solve a cold case that garnered nationwide attention.

While many have said it’s fast paced, I disagree. I found it to be redundant and slow. Many details were mentioned over and over again. I caught myself skimming out of repetition.

A couple positive aspects to this book: the author really did his research - very detailed story with an in depth look into the crossover between genealogy and criminology; the chapters are short and it’s a very fast, easy read.

Overall, it just wasn’t my cup of tea. I do think as many other reviews suggest - it’ll be a popular book.

3.5 ⭐️ I really don’t want to round it up or down, but since I’m forced to I’ll round up because I do believe this book will have a following.

Thank you to NetGalley & Kensington Books for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

This book is an absolute gem! Among Charlie's works, this one stands out as my favorite. Charlie masterfully weaves suspense throughout the book, keeping you eagerly turning pages. Sloan is incredibly compelling, and I found myself rooting for her from start to finish. The dual timelines are a brilliant touch, offering intriguing glimpses into the past and enriching the story with depth and immediacy. It's as if you're right there alongside the characters, experiencing their journey unfold in real time. I also enjoyed the few tidbits of characters from other books. It fit very nicely into the story. Highly recommend added this book to your list. I have no doubt it will be a hit!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for my advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Wow….
My first Charlie Donlea novel and definitely not my last. What a ride. From beginning to end. I must say this story did resonate with me since my sister was adopted.
But imagine starting your dream job only to find out that your world is about to get turned upside down and inside out. Knowing you were adopted from a young age is one thing. Finding out that your adoption wasn’t exactly what it should have been and that you were a missing child 30 years previous is a big shock.
I highly recommend this to someone who likes a good mystery/ thriller. There is so many different parts to this story it’s hard not to get sucked right in.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC

Would give this 6 stars if I could! (and I am stingy with 5-stars).

LOVED everything about this. Great main female character, great supporting characters, the mystery was COMPELLING. Usually I am not as invested in storylines that take place in the "past" as I am in the "present" but both storylines had me riveted. I hollered twice toward the intense ending. I almost got a little teary on the last page. This is my first Charlie Donlea book, but I am definitely going to read his back log.

Do yourself a favor and add this to your TBR. Expected release May 21, 2024. I recommend only reading during times where you don't have to worry about work or sleep since it will be hard to put down.

THANK YOU to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this advanced reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

Oh, what a thrilling story! The plot is utterly captivating: Sloan, a forensic pathology student, delves into the world of genealogy to crack cold cases. Despite her understandable apprehension as an adopted child, what she uncovers is beyond belief: not only does she find family ties, but she also learns that her birth parents and she, still a baby, vanished under extraordinary circumstances thirty years ago, only for her to be adopted months later.

The narrative weaves seamlessly between past and present, gradually heightening the suspense until its unforeseen conclusion. The fast-paced style keeps you on the edge, making it easy to envision this story on the big screen. It's a definite recommendation from me!

A big thank you to NetGalley, Kensington, and Charlie Donlea for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Thanks NetGalley and Kensington Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I absolutely loved this mystery and suspense novel. It was hard to put down, and included a twist that I did not see coming. Some great character development too. This was like reading an action movie. There was some information shared at the end that I wish had been alluded to earlier. Still a wonderful book though. Highly recommend. (Rounded up from 4 1/2 stars.)

When I tell you that I couldn’t put the book down, I mean I COULD NOT put the book down! I started it late at night before I went to bed and spent all day working and thinking about when I could get back to the book. It was compulsive, complex, and so so twisty! I loved the characters, the plot, and the dual timeline. This was an excellent read!

Another great one from Donlea! I just finished Those Empty Eyes the other day, so I jumped at the chance to read another one by the same author. I was not disappointed. I worked for the DA’s office in their forensic tech unit a lifetime ago, so this book was particularly interesting to me. I love all things forensic_related, but I’ve always had a particular fascination with pathology and how it relates to cases. My first masters thesis was related to chemical latent blood enhancements and the effect they have on DNA. This book gave me the best of both worlds, the pathology aspect and the forensic investigation aspect, with the added bonus of forensic genealogy. Not to mention the main character Sloan was fantastic! Donlea has a real knack for giving his reader’s characters who jump off the page. I can honestly see this book getting made into a movie. Donlea is an extremely talented writer and a study in pacing, tension, and characterization! If you haven’t read any of his books, I’m telling you now to go get all of them! You will not be sorry!

Huge thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for sending me this ARC for review! All of my reviews are given honestly!

4.5🌟
Talk about opening Pandora's box…yikes!

Dr. Sloan Hastings dreams of becoming a forensic pathologist. And her lucky star seems to be shining brightly. She just landed a fellowship with one of the best pathologists in the field! Definitely a big boost to launch her career. For her dissertation she is given the topic of forensics in genealogy.

The first move Sloane makes is to submit her DNA to a genealogy site. She has a few qualms about opening that door, since she was adopted as a baby. But her adoptive parents are supportive and anxious to find out any information about Sloan's birth parents.

Sloane uncovers a mystery about both sets of parents that will change her life forever.

Now, like it or not, secrets are about to be revealed! Who if anyone will come out unscathed once the dust settles!

I’ve been a huge Charlie Donlea fan since the beginning! But his two previous books just didn’t hold the same magic as his earlier efforts. I was worried Charlie lost his mojo! But after reading rave reviews from all my friends I knew I had to give him one more try!

Charlie Donlea is indeed back! Once again he writes a captivating thriller that will grip you from the start, taking you on a suspenseful ride until the final explosive revelation!

Now I’m already looking forward to his next release!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books

I am a new fan of Charlie Donlea and the minute I began reading “Long Time Gone” I knew I was in for a suspenseful and thought-provoking experience. The journey to finding the truth about the disappearance of baby Charlotte and her family would take Sloan Hastings, a dedicated doctor, from her home in Raleigh, NC, to Cedar Creek, Nevada, a small town with a powerful family who held many secrets. Sloan’s fast-paced research and decision to do her own investigating was just as invigorating as her beloved Crossfit routines she does to stay in shape and relax her mind. She quickly joined forces with the Cedar Creek Sheriff, Eric Stamos, whose father had originally investigated the case many years ago. The deeper they delved into the past, the more obstacles they encountered as the secrets, lies and deceptions became overwhelming and difficult to accept.

Sloan’s new family welcomed her with open arms but they seemed to have an agenda and the only person I trusted to help Sloan was her Aunt Nora, who had been very close to Sloan’s biological mother, Annabelle, at the time of her disappearance. Money and power do crazy things to people and Sloan soon found out that not everyone was glad she had come to town. Every chapter brought new questions, few answers, and more background into Sloan’s parents and what they were really like. I don’t usually read during the day but I found myself sneaking a few chapters in because I was desperate to know the truth. I was completely surprised by the shocking ending, and it was a fitting conclusion to an electrifying story!