What first drew me to this book was that it began in North Carolina, Raleigh specifically, which is only 20 minutes from where I grew up, so l was immediately intrigued. I love anything that reminds me of home. The book was captivating from start to finish. Picture yourself minding your own business, doing work-related research, when all of a sudden you're thrust into your own cold case. Crazy, right? I haven't read a book like this in a long time, and I couldn't put it down.
I tried pinpointing the culprit throughout the whole read and still couldn't figure out who it was behind everything. No one, and I mean NO ONE, saw the ending coming. The plot was fully thought out and expertly written. It doesn't get any better than this !

Thank you Kensington Books and Charlie Donlea for this amazing read!

Donlea has such a talent at writing addictive books! This book weaved mystery, secrets and suspense throughout. The author writes so many details into crime solving that it feels so believable.

I enjoyed the crime podcast feature because I always love books that feature crime junkies! It was told in past and present, had short chapters (My fav) and insane twists!

I picked this book up and before I even realised I was at 40%! Safe to say I binged this book and read it in 2 quick sittings.

PICK THIS BOOK UP WHEN IT RELEASES. This author is the perfect choice when you need a thriller book that won't let you down!!

4.5/5

Long Time Gone - Charlie Donlea

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

“Photographs open doors into the past but they also allow a look into the future.”

Sloane uncovers a massive family secret after submitting her DNA as part of her doctoral research project. She thought she was just using her DNA to understand how ancestry websites work, but instead she is revealed as the infamous “Baby Charlotte,” a child who went missing with her parents nearly thirty years ago.

I received an ARC for this book from NetGalley and Kensington Books, a big thanks! I have enjoyed all of Donlea’s books that I’ve read so far and this was no exception. The story line was very intriguing and could have been taken in so many different directions. I did feel there was almost too many POVs to follow, especially when jumping from the past to the present. The writing felt dry and technical at times, especially with the descriptions of forensics and photography. But overall, I really enjoyed how this thriller unfolded and untangling the web with Sloane.

I love a fiction book that can teach me something as well. Long Time Gone introduces the newer field of forensic pathology/geneology, where DNA evidence is used to trace the geneology of a suspect to help track them down. In this case, a woman doing a graduate school project discovers that her DNA matches that of a baby that went missing 30 years ago. The discovery leads her to web of unexplained events in a town largely controlled by one family - her relatives.

I enjoyed the dual timelines and multiple POVs. The story starts as more of a slow burn and picks up as it goes. Yes, it's a little farfetched, but it's fiction. I'm happy to suspend some disbelief to just enjoy the ride. I would happily pick up another book from the author.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for a free copy of #LongTimeGone by Charlie Donlea. All opinions are my own.

4.5
Charlie Donlea has fast become an auto read author for me. His craft for creating a well layered and complex storyline has the effect of immersing the reader into the book. It's nice to be completely enthralled in a story and to feel concern, fear and desire for the characters and their circumstances.

In Long Time Gone he takes the newer, DNA matching opportunities through genetics sites that have connected cold cases to the criminal. While this has been done in real life, it's really fun to read a fictional tale and I was all in!

If you're looking for a binge worthy, smart and entertaining suspense novel, this is for you!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for the gifted e-copy.

This was a good one!!! The multiple timelines and POVs kept me guessing and kept me reading. The topic of forensic genealogy is so interesting to me so I was drawn in from the start. The end fell a little flat for me or this would have been a 5⭐️ read.

A great mystery story! Started off strong and ended strong but I felt like it dragged a bit in the middle. I kind of wanted the stakes to be higher, like the secret even more sinister? Overall I liked it, but didn’t love it.

I read my first book by this author at the beginning of this year and ended up really enjoying it. So I was really excited to receive this digital copy of the author’s upcoming release. And this one was just as good! Donlea seems to be a rather consistent crime thriller writer that is able to craft really unique stories with impeccable pacing and enough suspense throughout to really keep you wanting to read. And with such short chapters, it is so easy to just keep telling yourself, “Just one more chapter.”

What I really enjoyed about this novel was the focus on the use of genealogy in solving cold cases, something that I find incredibly interesting. You can tell the author put a lot of research into this field and really wanted to showcase how useful this tool can be to investigators. Our main character, Sloan, finds out more than she bargained for when she sends in her DNA to an ancestry website and finally learns all about her birth parents (but also learns way more than she bargained for when she realizes they disappeared with her after a series of deaths in their small town). The small town in question, Cedar Creek, was an amazing setting. I love a small town with secrets, particularly one that is run by a wealthy and influential family.

Having Sloan discover that she is related to this influential family in Cedar Creek, the Margolis family, and that they may be hiding things in relation to her parents’ disappearance, really set this off from the very beginning. Each chapter gives you more and more information, so the reader can try to solve the case alongside Sloan. So many of these chapters ended in a small cliff-hanger that kept me wanting to read. The writing was just so propulsive and all led up to a killer ending! I don’t want to give too much away on that end, but it involved a scene of developing old pictures to put the final pieces together. And I was just so dialed into this!

To my thriller friends, if you have not read anything by this author yet, I highly recommend you put this one on your radar when it releases!

4⭐️

I have never read a Charlie Donlea book before, and this was really good. There were short chapters, multiple POV'S, and different timelines. I really enjoy all those things in my books.

I will say there are parts that are over descriptive and a bit of repetitive information, which can cause a tad bit of boredom. It starts really picking up around the 70% mark. However, a lot of the chapters will leave you with saying "oh just one more chapter." Next thing you know it 2:45 a.m. and you're done with the entire book.

I really enjoyed this. I think I may be a Charlie Donlea fan now.

I would like to thank Kensington Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Long Time Gone By Charlie Donlea will be available May 21, 2024.

I started this one on audiobook and I liked the narrator. You should understand though that I really only listen to audiobooks while I am driving or out for a walk. So when I was done driving for the day I decided I absolutely couldn’t wait to know what happened and abandoned that audiobook for the kindle and devoured this one. Dr. Sloan Hastings has just started the most prestigious fellowship in forensic pathology and she is given the topic of using genealogy to help solve crime as her dissertation project. After consulting with a genealogist she decides to upload her own DNA to one of those sites to really understand the process to give her a better foundation. While she always knew she was adopted she was shocked to find out she and her parents disappeared almost 30 years ago and the adoption her parents did wasn’t completely above board. Sloan is quickly drawn into the mystery of Charlotte Margolis and her parents and is determined to figure it out. I loved this one. I like Charlie Donlea but I felt like this one actually blew me away. It’s not that the mystery was super twisty, but the book was so engrossing I literally did not want to put it down.

Securing an ARCand ALC for a contemporary DNA mystery and a family saga felt like discovering a literary treasure. The book intricately wove the intrigue of DNA secrets with the complexities of familial relationships, delivering a reading experience that immediately captured my attention.

What struck me was the seamless blend of genres. The mystery intertwined with family dynamics in a way that kept me engrossed, turning page after page in anticipation.

What made this book stand out was its storytelling finesse. The author crafted an intricate plot filled with surprising twists and turns, keeping me guessing throughout. Each character felt authentic, with their own secrets driving the narrative forward.

As I explored the mystery within this story, I appreciated the meticulous attention to detail and the depth of research evident in every revelation. Each piece of the puzzle felt integral, urging me to piece together the clues and unravel the truth.

This book had a profound impact on me, lingering in my thoughts long after I finished reading. It's the kind of story that provokes thought and sparks discussions, appealing to anyone who enjoys a well-crafted tale. Whether you're drawn to mysteries, family sagas, or simply enjoy immersive storytelling, this book is a must read

Thank you so much to Charlie Donlea and Kensington Books of my copy of Long Time Gone. This book is about Sloan, a woman in her first year of a pathology residency on genealogy. As part of her residency, she submits her DNA to a site and finds out she is actually Baby Charlotte, a baby that disappeared along with her parents almost 30 years ago. Sloan decides she needs to go back to the place she was born and meet her relatives, while at the same time, work with the Sheriff to find out what happened to her birth parents. Sloan begins to find out that many other suspicious things happened back in July 1995, and they may all be connected.

Thoughts: I love the way that Charlie Donlea writes. This story had an amazing plot and I loved the way the genealogy part of Sloan’s job tied into the plot. The idea of someone finding out they are actually a missing child is intriguing, and adding in the powerful family was a great background. I also love that Donlea brought in characters from some of his other books.

The pace wasn’t always fast, and I found myself getting bogged down by the pathology scenes at times. I felt the reveal was a bit much, but still enjoyed the plot and the path the book took. I think this book will be a fan favorite, and if you like Donlea’s past books, you will love this one! 4 stars

Dr. Sloan Hastings, adopted at birth, has spent years getting to where she is now. Her newest project is to understand how genealogy impacts forensic pathology. In order to learn more, she submits her own DNA, only to discover that she’s been missing since she was a baby. The Margolis family has spent the last 30 years looking for ‘Baby Charlotte’ as the press coined her, and to find out what happened not just to her but to her parents as well. As Sloan investigates her disappearance more, she’ll soon uncover that not everyone is happy for her to be back or for her to be asking questions.

I’m a big Charlie Donlea fan, and all you really need to know is that Long Time Gone is a captivating thriller that has the perfect amount of suspense and plenty of clues. I really enjoyed the mixture of the past and present settings and Sloan and Sheriff Eric Stamos made a superb team. My only complaint and the reason for dropping a star, is I found it so hard to believe a doctor as smart as Sloan, in this day and age, had basically zero knowledge about genetic testing. I’m talking bare bones knowledge, even I know more than that having done a genetic test on my dog. But minus that one thing, this was another gripping thriller from Donlea. It definitely sounded as if he’s setup Sloan to have her own series, which I for one am excited for!

Long Time Gone comes out May 21, 2024! Huge thank you to Kensington Books for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books or on Tiktok @speakingof.books

Definitely a complex story with many twists and turns which will keep you at the edge of your seat. This book was fast-paced with likeable main characters.

WOW! What an absolute show stopper! How do I even begin to touch on the feelings and emotions this book evoked? The characters were fantastic and only gained strength and momentum as the story evolved. Secrets, lies and wicked intent.. the perfect storm. Charlie Donlea is my newest go-to author.
Thank you NetGalley, Charlie Donlea and Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is a good story but my favorite by this author is still "Don't Believe It."

The story takes place in Raleigh, NC. Dr. Sloan Hastings submits her DNA for a research assignment. It comes back as her true identify is one of missing baby "Charlotte Margolis."

Secrets are revealed in this captivating thriller. Sloan is adopted and she uncovers a mystery about both set of parents. Sloan travels to Nevada to meet her biological family. She has many questions.

The book is told in dual timelines. There is tension in the last half of the book and the ending is a great wrap up and completion! This keeps the reader captivated from start to finish!

Riveting, Gripping and Shocking! 3.5 stars!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced copy! This book will be released 5/21/24.

I love Charlie Donlea as an author he creates the most amazing mysteries! He’s a must read!
Sloan Hastings dreams of becoming a forensic pathologist. Her dream was to land a fellowship with the renowned Dr. Livia Cutty and it’s happened! In her meeting with Dr. Cutty she is told she will need to present her research on a topic assigned to her-and knock it out of the park plus it’s a four hour presentation! The area of interest she has been given-Forensic and Investigative Genealogy. It’s the DNA Science that has solved a few high profile cold cases in the last few years, most notably that of “The Golden State Killer”.
In an attempt to better understand the controversial “treasure trove” of information contained on ancestry websites, such as Ancestry.com, Sloan reluctantly submits her own DNA, with her adoptive parents permission.
When her results come back she’s shocked, she knows she was adopted but never knew her birth parents. Her DNA profile says that her true identity is that of “Charlotte Margolis”aka Baby Charlotte who captured the nation’s attention in July of 1995 when she and her parents mysteriously disappeared never to be seen or heard from again. The book alternates between the PAST (1995) and the Present (2024). As Sloan tries to uncover what happened to her birth parents she heads to Cedar Creek, Nevada, she has the help of the previous sheriffs son Eric who is now the sheriff but believes his father was murdered while investigating Sloans parents. But someone wants to make sure the secrets stay in the past and will stop at nothing to make sure it stays that way.

Enjoyed it but it wasn't my favorite. I loved all the author's previous books, but this one was missing something. I wasn't shocked about who was behind everything. I suspected this person all along. What happened to Annabelle was another story. What happened to her and who was involved was extremely shocking. Sandy Stamos knew the identity of the killer, so how did he find himself alone with him/her. The sheriff would have kept his guard up and not allow that person the car with him. Sandy should have left clues in the cabin about what was really going on. Clearly he knew his life was in danger. Margot sealed her fate when she told Sloan everything. Not surprised at what happened to her. The killer was getting careless. Thirty years ago, there wasn't a camera on every building, store or house or a true crime podcaster lurking around. Going to Margot's hotel guaranteed he/she would be caught on camera. My favorite character was definitely Nora. She was so welcoming of Sloan. Without her love of genealogy, baby Charlotte would never have been identified.

Definitely recommend giving the book a try, I'm probably in the minority with not loving it. Charlie Donlea is still one of my favorite authors!!! It was a good premise with using forensic genealogy to solve crimes. Enjoyed the characters, story and writing style. Look forward to reading more books by the author. The next one can't come fast enough.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Kensington Books through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

An incredible, jaw-dropping book that hooked me by the first paragraph and read it in one day. Some of the best writing and character development I’ve encountered.
I was completely invested in Sloan’s story as well as the study of forensic genealogy. This book is much more than a mystery thriller. Highly recommend to everyone; I just can’t say enough about this fantastic novel!!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I’ve read all of Donlea’s books. I love when I find tidbits while reading that relate to other books of his. I love his storytelling style.

However, I am confused as to why certain plot points are repeatedly drilled into the reader’s head. We keep getting told who Sloane is, why she’s working with Eric, and what she’s here for. The reader doesn’t forget who she is in the few chapters between the next reminder, and it feels like filler.

But the positives in this book make for a strong, compelling read. You get sucked into the past, and then Donlea throws you into the present, which also sucks you in. Back and forth, you weave, drawn into each timeline, desperate for resolution. So, if you can stick with reading this through the repetition, it’s the rewarding experience you come to expect in Donlea’s books.