Long Time Gone by Charlie Donlea is a decades old murder mystery coming to a thrilling conclusion in the present. The story in Long Time Gone of course is one that takes place in dual timelines of the past and present and with some changes of the point of view.

Dr. Sloan Hastings is still in the process of studying for the career she has always wanted in forensic pathology. During her studies Sloan is asked to look into how DNA and ancestry websites have helped solve crimes so she contacts a specialist to help answer questions on the subject. Sloan is told the best way to study is to submit her own DNA for analysis so she does with some shocking results.

Sloan finds the ancestry website matches her to the Margolis family in Cedar Creek, Nevada where thirty years ago Sloan was known as “Baby Charlotte”, the daughter of two of the Margolis family who had gone missing along with their infant daughter. Once it becomes known of her match Sloan meets Sheriff Eric Stamos who’s father originally was investigating the Margolis family and let’s her in on a few secrets hoping the two can help one another find answers.

Charlie Donlea is an author that certainly knows how to weave a tail that keeps the pages turning. The story in Long Time Gone quickly became an addicting one with both the past and present pulling me in and not wanting to let go. I really did fly through this book faster than any others I have read in probably a few months. The characters were interesting and held my attention and I enjoyed navigating the twists and turns until the very end. Definitely an author to check out for the thriller fans!

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

RIVETING, COMPULSIVE READING!
You won’t want to put this book down!!

Dr. Sloan Hastings is embarking on a two year fellowship in forensic pathology under the renowned Dr. Livia Cutty (from Donlea’s book The Girl Who Was Taken). If she is to succeed in reaching her goal of one day working side by side with a major homicide unit, she will have to do more than just complete the required number of autopsies…

She will also need to present her research on a topic assigned to her-and knock it out of the park.

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”.

And, she will have to make a case for furthering this method.

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.

The results are SHOCKING!

Her DNA profile suggests 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.

Until NOW.

Ryder Hillier, the host of the popular podcast “Unsolved” has covered many cold cases-some well known ones such as JonBenet Ramsay and others more obscure such as the death of Julian Crist, the American medical student who fell to his death under mysterious circumstances in St. Lucia (from Donlea’s book Don’t Believe It).

She is successful because she relies on her fans (Unsolved Junkies) to help get her answers.

And, she has just been given a lead about Sloan…

This will drive Sloan to Cedar Creek, Nevada, the place where “Baby Charlotte” vanished from-in search of answers.

The book alternates between the PAST (1995) and the Present (2024).

I am a big fan of the author’s backlist so nobody was more surprised than I was, when I decided to DNF last year’s “Those Empty Eyes.”

But this book reminded me of why I usually LOVE the author’s work. His meticulous research lends authenticity to his stories, raising them above many others in the genre.

I sat down to read a few chapters this morning and cancelled my plans so I could finish this one today!

And, I have no regrets!

Right from the start, you will be a fan of Sloan. All of the characters in this book work well playing off Sloan. The plot is clever and the ending is totally unexpected. The author keeps the story moving, and goes from the past to present in a way that makes the storyline all meld together in a good way. I’m a big fan of the author’s writing. He’s a great storyteller, and I’m always drawn into his books to the point I don’t want to put them down.

My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions are my own.

Another fantastic mystery thriller by Donlea that is impossible to put down. Having read all Donlea’s previous books, I was thrilled to get an early copy of this one and it did not disappoint. This book focuses on Dr Sloan Hastings who is doing to fellowship to become a medical examiner. As part of her classes she submits a DNA sample to an ancestry site with surprising results. Having been adopted, Sloan has no idea what her biological family is like or where they are located, but the results she gets turns her life upside down. Fast paced, excellent thriller. I look forward to Dr Sloan getting her own series hopefully. Would give way more than 5 stars if possible.

I wish it were possible to give this more than five stars. Could this be Charlie Donlea's best book so far? He truly never misses, but this one really just gripped me right from the prologue and never let me go. The alternating timelines between 1995 and 2024 had me eager to discover some answers to my endless questions, and that ended up being a theme throughout the entirety of the book and in both timelines because the plot twists didn't seem to let up. Not only that, but some of the twists actually made me elicit an audible gasp which is rare given how many thrillers I read.

If you're looking for a fast-paced, well-written, twisty book that will keep you guessing from start to finish, this is the book for you. I can't wait for more from Donlea because he never misses!

My Rating: 2.5 stars out of 5

The premise of this novel was interesting. A missing baby found alive thirty-years later while her birth parents are still no where to be found comes home to reconnect with her biological family, but more importantly try to find out what happened to her parents when she was just two-months old.

For the most part, I enjoyed this story. Sloan was an interesting character, and I think I was just as invested in her past as she was. I also enjoyed getting to know her Aunt Nora, I as I could definitely sympathize with the woman being in the hard place of explaining to Slone that her mother hadn't been fully accepted into the family. I thought the character had the perfect blend of telling the truth, while also pointing out that it was a long time ago and that Sloan shouldn't think too unkindly of her grandparents. And I have to give Sloan credit for giving her grandparents the benefit of the doubt, because knowing what I knew about them and how they treated my mother, I'm not sure that I could have been as open as she was.

Another thing I enjoyed was the way that Sloan was able to help Eric solve his own questions regarding what happened to his father without there being a romance between them. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against romance in my thrillers, but most of the time that romance is just out of place, seems forced and/or takes over the plot, so I was happy not to have to worry about that here.

Now for me, here is what I didn't like about this story. To begin with, there was a lot of repetition. Something (kind of funny and completely avoidable) happens between Sloan and Eric the first time that they meet (and before she agrees to help him). The story movies along, and then a couple of chapters later those same things are brought up again. Yes, I remember how their first meeting went. And I remember that she agreed to help him. I don't need the reminder.

The two things that dropped my rating however would be this...

*** SPOILER ALERT ***

Seriously? I'm going to overlook the fact that the cameras I used in 1995 had to be wound forward before you could take the next shot. But you expect me to believe that a scared, irritated, whatever TWO MONTH OLD, was not only able to hit the button with enough force to capture an image, but also somehow in all of this chaos managed to frame certain shots perfectly? Get out of here.

*** END SPOILER ALERT ***

And then the way the perpetrator was taken care of? Well that was just so completely over the top and unbelievable that I rolled by eyes.

But hey, it was still an interesting story, and I feel like other people might enjoy it more. I would read more from this author.

DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of this novel from the publisher. This has not affected my review in any way. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are 100% my own.

Long Time Gone by Charlie Donlea is the seventh book I've read by the American author, almost all of which have been consistently good four-star reads. His latest is no different and touches on a whole stack of contemporary and popular themes, including the solving of cold cases using DNA harvested from genealogy sites as well as the burgeoning popularity of true crime podcasts and the like. Of course we see the pros and cons of both here as Donlea wraps them up in a fascinating long-buried mystery.

I very much liked Sloan who's on her first day as an intern with a coroner when she's assigned her 'research project' which involves the use of genealogy sites for solving cold cases using DNA gathered for evidence. She's adopted so checks in with her adoptive parents before sending her own sample as a guinea pig and is - of course - bewildered to discover her DNA matches that of 'Baby Charlotte'.

As the FBI start questioning Sloan's adoptive parents (who believed the 'mother' giving up their daughter was legit) Donlea takes us back to the days around the time of the Margolis's family's disappearance. We're also introduced to local cop, originally on the case, Sheriff Stanford Stamos.

In the present Stamos's son Eric is now Sheriff in Cedar Creek which is still under the thumb of the Margolis family. He approaches Sloan in confidence, knowing there were several discrepancies in the old investigation and believing Sloan may learn things from her birth family that he's unable to.

We move back and forth in time. To the days leading up to the family going missing and learn that Charlotte's mother was the suspect in a hit and run which killed a partner in the Margolis family's law firm. There's clear evidence placing her there but the original Sheriff Stamos had questions... resulting in an unfortunate outcome for him.

I loved the complexity that Donlea offers here. Crimes to cover crimes to cover crimes... kinda thing. And slowly the past catches up with the present as news of Sloan's identity becomes public.

I appreciated that Sloan is offered several versions of her birth family - who they were then and who they are now - and needs to understand what's true or false or (indeed) what's changed them.

I was probably a little disappointed in the climax which felt a little rushed (perhaps even anticlimactic) - the pace perhaps picking up a little too quickly towards the end but it was certainly a satisfying ending which is always a good thing.

Long Time Gone by Charlie Donlea is a very highly recommended, fast-paced, engaging thriller that expertly switches between events from the past and the present. Genealogy and DNA play a major part in setting up the complex, high-speed plot.

Sloan Hastings is starting a two year fellowship in forensic pathology under the renowned Dr. Livia Cutty and her research assignment is to look in-depth into the emerging field of forensic genealogy. Her first step in understanding the field is to submit her DNA to an online genealogy site. Sloan has always known she was adopted, so when her DNA ties her to a cold case, she is shocked. Apparently Sloan was Charlotte Margolis. As a baby she and her affluent parents, Preston and Annabelle Margolis, mysteriously vanished in July 1995, nearly 30 years ago.

Sloan and her parents immediately contact law enforcement and work with them. Nora Davies Margolis, who’s active on genealogical sites, contacts Sloan, eager to meet her. Cedar Creek Sheriff Eric Stamos, whose father, Sheriff Sanford (Sandy) Stamos was killed while investigating the case, contacts her and asks Sloan to go undercover when she meets the all-powerful Margolis family. Sloan is suddenly part of a 30-year-old cold case as she travels to where it began, Cedar Creek, Nevada, located north of Lake Tahoe.

The intricate narrative moves at a lightning-fast pace, switching between chapters telling events from the past and current occurrences in the present. The setting is primarily in the fictional small town of Cedar Creek where the Margolis family controls almost everything. There are a few of the plot points that I found implausible but it is easy to accept them as they serve the job to propel the narrative forward, and you will want the action to keep moving quickly as there is so much going on in both timelines.

Sloan is portrayed as a fully realized, believable character and you will like her. She does have questions as she is working with Eric, but she is also meeting her biological relatives under very unique circumstances. Being suddenly part of a cold case also puts her in the site of the media and cold-case enthusiasts.

The suspense, tension, and action all gallop along as the hidden corruption, power, and lies become suspect. Long Time Gone is an immersive, un-put-downable thriller. Thanks to Kensington for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Edelweiss, X, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

Charlie Donlea is a must read author. Some may find that some of the topics and the details he writes in his books is too much buy I think that the more he provides, the better. I fell in love with his writing when I first read Some Choose Darkness and the reason I read it was because somebody returned it because they couldn't make it through the first chapter due to the graphic detail and me being me I knew I had to read it and I was hooked from that first chapter. I will read whatever he writes because everything he writes is worth the read.

This novel is told from multiple viewpoints from two separate timelines that are all interconnected. This is 5-star read but I would give it more if I could.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the free copy of Long Time Gone by Charlie Donlea in exchange for my honest review.

Sloan Hastings is a brilliant doctor on her fellowship path to forensic pathology, when for a research assignment, she must enter her DNA into an ancestry database. Always fully aware that she was adopted, she doesn't know what she will find, but she doesn't expect to learn that she is part of an ongoing kidnapping case from almost thirty years ago...

She learns that she is Charlotte Margolis, aka “Baby Charlotte." She went missing along with both of her parents in July of '95 in an ongoing but suspect-less case. She wants to reach out to any remaining biological family that she may have in order to get answers, thus beginning her own investigation into the whereabouts of her biological parents and what really happened to all three of them all those years ago...

In true Donlea fashion, this is a roller-coaster ride of intensity and emotion. I loved how this story progressed, getting more suspenseful as it went along. The explosive ending clicked EVERYTHING together in the best, most enigmatic way.

Charlie Donlea is a master of storytelling and making sure you're good and hooked. I loved this one!

4.5 stars rounded up.
Once again, Charlie Donlea has written an incredible book. The storylines are always addicting and just keeps you needing more until the end. This was absolutely no different. Read this one in a few hours.
Sloan is a student who tests her DNA for her school project. She’s adopted and never cared to find out her biological parents but she’s shocked by her results. She’s actually a missing child that was famous over thirty years ago. She ends up finding her birth family and uncovering a lot of missing answers.
Again, this book is awesome and a quick read. Highly recommend! Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Long Time Gone by Charlie Donlea will be published on May 21, 2024.

I loved this book and read it in one sitting. Donlea is quickly becoming an auto buy author for me! I loved the concept of Sloane finding out she was a missing baby. This story was exactly what I was in the mood for.

Spoilers ahead…
My main issue with this book is that the lady who posed as Sloane’s birth mother does not know who she was… but this was a very popular case involving a very prominent case. Not once is the last 30ish years did she think “I wonder who that baby was”? Yeahhh right especially since she still kept in contact with the kidnapper… she didn’t know who he was? No way. Don’t buy that at all. Also, Sloane really didn’t contribute much to investigating anything… beyond showing up and bringing attention to the case again, she didn’t solve anything… so why’s the FBI trying to hire her at the end? Silly in my opinion.
Beyond this, I thought it was perfect and super fun. I didn’t guess the killer!

4.5 stars

Thoroughly enjoyed this one! I had no clue what was going to happen but was here for it. I enjoyed the MC and my heart went out to her as they tried to solve this mystery. It had a little everything, family, podcast, mystery and unlikeable characters. My heart started pumping towards the end as things were coming to light. Charlie has definitely become an auto buy for me!

Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for my advanced e copy in exchange for my honest review.

Punish date: Maya 21, 2024

Long Time Gone by Charlie Donlea
Publication date: May 21, 2024

This was a rollercoaster of information to take in, but it all smoothed out into a great thriller story! This was my first Charlie Donlea book to read, heavily suggested by a friend, and I am glad to be a fan of this author now.

Fans of missing children stories will enjoy this. I think something is wrong in my brain that I enjoy books that discuss morgues and the medical examiner processes, but this book definitely had that content.

Don't miss out on this book that will be published at the end of this month!

Thank you to Netgalley, Charlie Donlea, and Kensington Publishers for this early read!

A famous missing baby. A hit and run accident. A wealthy family with secrets to hide.

LONG TIME GONE is a page-turning story that I raced through. Dr. Sloan Hastings submits her DNA to an ancestry website for a research project in her forensic pathology fellowship. Her world is upended when the results indicate a connection to a 1995 cold case from across the country and long-buried secrets come to life.

Charlie Donlea expertly wove three intertwining mysteries from two different timelines together to create a true thrill ride. I was so enmeshed in this family drama that the pages practically turned themselves. Add LONG TIME GONE to your summer TBR for perfect poolside entertainment.


READ THIS IF YOU:
are intrigued by genealogy websites
were fascinated by how the Golden State Killer cold case was finally cracked
love a thriller that keeps you guessing until the end

RATING: 4.5/5 (rounded up to 5 stars)
PUB DATE: May 21, 2024

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for an electronic ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Loved this book! It was a great twisty read that leads you finding “Easter eggs” and jumping to different conclusions throughout the last half of the book. Also appreciate the appearance or mention of well loved characters from this author’s other novels. Would definitely recommend reading this one!!

This book has everything I love...a mystery, multiple pov, multiple timelines. There are lovable characters and not so lovable characters. Twists and turns. I thought I had it figured out and I didn't. I can barely form complete sentences because my mind is blown. I was hooked beginning, middle, and end. The type of book you sacrifice sleep for to know what happens next. This is my first book by Charlie Donlea and it won't be my last. This will be a book I will remember and talk about frequently. It's about a girl named Sloan Hastings who is in school for forensic pathology and submits her DNA to a genealogy site. Then she finds out she was a missing baby who disappeared in 95. Her birth parents are still declared missing and the case is still unsolved. Sloan attempts to find out what happened back in 95. If any of this sounds good to you, buy this book. You won't be disappointed. I've rated it 5 stars.

Sloan Hastings is starting her fellowship in forensic pathology under the tutelage of the well known Dr. Livia Cutty. After meeting with Dr. Cutty and given her assignment looking into forensic genealogy, Sloan dives into her research having no idea where this search will take her. An orphan herself, she is hesitant about giving her own DNA sample to facilitate her research. But once she does, she is suddenly thrown into a completely different search when she finds she is actually the missing baby Charlotte Margolis from a cold case from 30 years ago. Soon the FBI is involved and Sloan’s whole world is turned upside down. She finds herself returning to Cedar Creek, Nevada and reinserting herself into the powerful Margolis family she was once a part of while also covertly helping joining with the sheriff to find out what happened to her and her parents 30years ago. This was quite a wild and very fast paced ride! A great story that I highly recommend!

Why oh why is this author not better known in the UK... I have read and loved all his previous books, every one a five star read. Apart from the Moor/Phillips books, they are all standalone. They do occasionally crossover and mention characters or situations from previous books, but those have just been more of an IYKYK rather than anything you need to know and, I for one love those little nods to faithful readers...
Anyway... This book is probably my new favourite of his. We meet Dr Sloan Hastings as she is starting a forensic pathology fellowship placement under Dr Livia Cutty. As part of this, she is given a research assignment to complete and hers is centred on the use of DNA and genealogy. To this end, her supervisor recommends that to get a better insight, she should submit her own DNA to an online genealogy site. Which she does. Now... she has always known she was adopted. So, as well as doing this, she also talks to her parents to explain the situation. They are OK with it all, being medical professionals themselves, they fully understand that this might throw up some interesting results for her with regard her birth family.
What no one was expecting. What no one was ready for, was a match. Apparently, she, Sloan, is actually Charlotte Margolis. A baby who disappeared with her parents back in 1995... none of whom were ever seen again...
And so begins a voyage of discovery for Sloan. Not only has she got to come to terms with who she is, she has a whole new family to meet. And a mystery to solve. What happened to her parents?
And that's only the tip of the iceberg as you will soon find out...
Oh My Days. This book had it ALL. Secrets, Lies, dysfunctional behaviour, a dynasty family with power, murders dressed up as suicides/accidents and overlooked by bought and paid for people in authority. And Sloan right there in the thick of it all. It's a good job she is a formidable character. One I took to immediately and, our bond only strengthened as the book progressed.
Pacing was perfect, matching the narrative all the way through. Ramping up nicely as we got to the final showdown. The ending of which left me wholly satisfied. The book is split into two timelines, the present (2024) and the past (1995) both of which meander around - complementing each other - the past adding colour and background to the shenanigans of the present, moving this timeline along nicely. And with no added waffle or padding, it all gets on with itself very nicely indeed.
All in all, another winner from another of my favourite go-to authors. Roll on next time. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

I really enjoyed this one! I loved how Donlea incorporated genealogy and how it's been used to uncover secrets of the past. I thought the storyline was unique and original, but yet something I could see happening. I was on my toes right until the very end of the book. My only small complaint is that some of the explanations and background on the case was a bit repetitive. I was like okay, I read this part, tell me what is going to happen next! I need to know!

4.5

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for my ARC in exchange for feedback!