The title couldn’t be more fitting just when I thought I had it figured out, Donlea made me "Guess Again"..

This was my first Charlie Donlea novel, and wow, I feel like I’ve been missing out! This was smart, twisty, and totally absorbing from start to finish. The story threw continuous curveballs that kept me guessing and second-guessing the entire way through, very clever!.

The plot is expertly constructed, with layers of mystery that unfold at just the right pace. It’s the kind of story that grips you early and doesn’t let go. The writing is smooth, and compelling, nothing overly complicated or flowery, just clean and effective, which keeps the story moving. I never once felt like it was over the top or trying too hard.

As the story moved into its final third, I was flying through the pages, I had to know what was going on. The suspense builds so naturally, and the revelations are surprising, I did not see them coming! Donlea clearly knows how to construct a tight, intelligent thriller without sacrificing character depth or emotional stakes.

If you're a fan of crime thrillers that are smart, well-paced, and full of twists that actually land, this is a must-read. I can't wait to dive into more of Donlea's work, he's definitely earned a permanent spot on my TBR list!

Thank you for allowing me to review this book. I am giving my rating based on my own personal opinion and not that of any other party.

[4.25 stars]

I loved Charlie Donlea's thriller Twenty Years Later, so I was thrilled to see he had a new book out this summer and it was the perfect propulsive beach read for me. 10 years after star high school volleyball player Callie Jones disappeared from her lakeside Wisconsin town, her father is now the Governor of Wisconsin. He asks retired kid crime detective Ethan Hall to temporarily leave his job as an ER doctor to re-investigate Callie’s disappearance. As seems to be Donlea's style, he opened the book with a lot of seemingly unrelated characters and then brought them together over the course of the story. While the number of different characters could seem overwhelming in the beginning, I’ve come to enjoy guessing how they’re going to come together. On the surface, Guess Again is a typical missing successful white girl story. But, underneath, the story goes deeper. High school sports, a convicted cop killer, and the tech world all make appearances. Plus, some other things that are too spoiler-y to mention here. Donlea is becoming a go-to thriller author for me!

this was a solid thriller overall! nothing super life-changing, but an entertaining and quick read. i would recommend it if you've liked other books from the author!

Rating: 4.25⭐️

Guess Again is a twisty thriller that keeps you on your toes. It’s a suspense-filled rollercoaster that’ll have you second guessing every character as well as your own detective skills. Just when you think you’ve cracked it, Donlea changes the rules of the game.

“Guess Again” is Charlie Donlea’s newest psychological thriller. Ethan Hall , a retired detective turned ER doctor investigates a 10 year old murder as a favor to his former partner who is now dying. The book has so many twists and turns and was hard to put down.

Gripping, fast paced, and tense. I really loved this, even thought it was a tad bit OTT at times. I’m excited by the possibility of this story continuing.

The title of this book, Guess Again, is entirely fitting for the plot, because it really does keep you guessing again and again until the very last page! I mean it when I say that I could not put this book down, and whenever I had to put it aside and go back to my real life, the plot was still always on my mind and I was itching to know how everything would play out. There was plot twist after plot twist, and while in some books that can be too much, the constant twists and turns worked amazingly for this story, and my jaw dropped so many times throughout!

There were a lot of different elements to this story, and quite a few characters to follow and keep up with, but it wasn’t confusing or hard to follow at all despite there being a lot going on. Endings can be hit or miss for me with thrillers, but the ending of this book was perfectly done, and it left the plot open for a potential second book, which I am holding out hopes for as I loved the characters in this story, especially Ethan and Maddie, and I would love to read more about them! I can’t praise this book enough, and it’s definitely one of my favourite reads in a while, and I can’t wait to read more by this author!

Thank you to Netgalley and to the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Who doesn't love a quick read?! Charlie Donlea is known for great mystery thrillers and Guess Again does not disappoint in that. Nothing better than second guessing who you think should be trusted - with plot twists. Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for giving me early access to this book.

I really enjoyed this one the plot kept me guessing the whole way through. Every new clue made me rethink who I could trust, and the tension never let up. I liked how the story balanced the suspense with moments that let you connect to the characters and their struggles.
Some twists I saw coming, but others completely surprised me, which made it hard to put down. The ending was satisfying and tied the story together nicely.
For me, it’s a solid 4 stars

The short chapters keep the pace moving right along. That, along with the quality of writing and plot progression, make this such a great, quick read. You could devour this book in one sitting.

The short and precise chapters of the book make this story very fast paced, despite taking place over a few weeks. The flashbacks are incorporated into the story nicely and accentuate the plot. The last plot twist was great.
I felt once removed from the characters. This is a plot driven narration, this might be not a book for you if you are looking for deep, character driven books. The story takes you for a great ride trough twists and turns if you are in for a plot driven story.
I had to suspend my disbelief at some points throughout the book. The POV changes often troughout the short chapters and it took some time to get into the story and remember who is who.
The ending is satisfying.

WOW. That twist though!? I absolutely loved this book. It was a quick read and constantly kept me guessing! Which fits the title perfectly. I loved Ethan’s character. I’m not sure how likely it is that an investigator would turn ER doctor, but it worked.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Guess Again is everything I love in a thriller—sharp writing, well-layered suspense, and twists that genuinely surprised me. Charlie Donlea has a talent for keeping readers second-guessing right up until the final reveal, and this book is no exception.

The pacing was excellent, with just the right balance of character development and plot progression. I found myself invested in the story early on, and the way the narrative unfolded kept me hooked until the very last page. Unlike many thrillers where I can usually see the ending coming, this one managed to keep me guessing throughout, which made the payoff even more satisfying.

Donlea also does a great job of weaving emotion into the mystery—his characters felt real, and their motivations added depth beyond just the suspense. It’s a smart, gripping read that I’ll definitely be recommending to friends.

If you enjoy thrillers that keep you on edge and deliver a truly rewarding conclusion, this is a must-read.

Charlie Donlea delivers a gripping thriller filled with small-town secrets, relentless suspense, and characters you can’t stop thinking about. The cold case at the heart of the story is chilling, the pacing keeps you hooked, and just when you think you’ve solved it, Donlea pulls the rug out with a jaw-dropping twist. A dark, clever, and binge-worthy read.

This dark and gripping thriller masterfully intertwines a decade-old missing person case with chilling psychological suspense, pulling readers into a small-town mystery fraught with secrets and danger. Ethan Hall’s return to the investigation after years of guilt adds emotional depth, while the manipulative serial killer Francis Bernard and his devoted accomplice Eugenia Morgan create a truly sinister duo that raises the stakes to a nerve-wracking level. The story’s twists and tense cat-and-mouse dynamics keep the pages turning, making this a compelling exploration of obsession, manipulation, and the long shadows cast by unresolved trauma.

absolutely LOVED everything about this one. I audibly gasped multiple times and simply could not put it down. i cannot wait to do a full review on my pages!!!

Kept me engaged the whole time! Another great read from this author. Intensely fast paced, twisty and dark. Highly reccomend to everyone. Thrilling and grips you right from the get go! Must read.

5 ⭐️ Thank you to Kensington Hardcover and NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to get my hands on this authors new book and let me tell you what, it did not disappoint. From start to finish I was left on the edge of my seat and that’s exactly what a thriller should do. The plot twists truly left me guessing… what would happen next?!

I look forward to what this author has in store for the future!

This was truly an action-packed thriller that was hard to put down! Guess Again follows several intertwined stories and a large cast of characters—from former agent Ethan Hall's attempt to solve the 10-year-old cold case of a missing teenage girl, to the mind games orchestrated by convicted killer Frances Bernard as he sits behind bars. At times, it felt like there were almost too many plot lines and character motives to keep track of. But the numerous jaw-dropping reveals kept me engaged and guessing until the very end.

While there was resolution for some characters, the author leaves the perfect set up for a sequel to continue the story. Fingers crossed!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing an advance copy for review.