Holy smokes! The title of this book could not be more fitting, because just when you think you have it figured out… Guess Again!! I was deeply invested in Ethan and Maddie, and the complex history that they each brought to the story. This was an extemely well-executed novel that brought everything to the table, deftly weaving intrigue, romance, fear, and complicated characters together into an explosive, cliffhanger finale. Sign me up for the next one!

This book was everything I expect from the author and more! He always delivers the most insane twists that I can never predict! Guess Again is a top tier thriller that starts off strong and doesn’t let up until the final twist! The tension in the book had me so stressed out, waiting to see how it would end! The short chapters 🙌🏼 made it impossible to put down! I was on high alert the whole time, sure I could figure it out! But Donlea nailed the title, Guess Again, because this book had me doing just that! I know if I need a thriller that will deliver, get me out of a slump, or something to binge, Donlea will provide that!

I have been (and always will be) a Charlie Donlea fan!

The opening line of this book hooks you. I liked the back and forth. This book went through multiple views, yet also had one MAIN view that it kept coming back (Ethan.)

Ethan is an ER doctor, but preciously a DCI Agent. When the big wigs ask him to come back to detective work to work a 10 year old case, he had no idea how in depth and involved it would really get INTO HIS OWN LIFE

Great story - did NOT see the ending coming!!

Surprise after surprise had me absolutely tearing through the pages of this incredibly compelling thriller!

Ethan Hall is a former special agent turned ER doctor, and he is intrigued when his former partner comes to him for help, hoping to solve the cold case of a missing girl from 10 years ago. When the man behind bars who murdered his father claims to have information that will help him with the case, Ethan feels that he has no option other than to follow the clues wherever they may lead.

Short chapters and plenty of cliffhangers kept this story fast-paced and gripping, and multiple POVs kept it interesting until the last page. When things started to really come out, I was shocked by how much book was still left to go! This one had so many reveals and so much action, most of which I never saw coming.

The ending felt like it could be setting up another book in a series, and I can only hope that it is! I would love a continuation of this story!

Thanks to Kensington for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

I’m pretty sure Donlea can do no wrong, and this book once again keeps him as a top favorite author for me. The way he intricately weaves different timelines and seemingly different stories is unmatched, and I was blown away by twist after twist that I never saw coming. And that ending!!!! Is there going to be a book 2/series in the works, because if so, I’m 10000% here for it!

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

Charlie Donlea delivers again. He remains my favorite author, and this book is another example of why. His ability to intertwine multiple points of view that seem completely unrelated is unmatched. Somehow, it all comes together in a way that feels effortless.

Ten years ago, 17-year-old volleyball star Callie Jones vanished from her quiet Wisconsin lake town. Despite a massive search, no body was ever found and the case went cold.

Ethan Hall, once a detective in the child crimes unit, has left law enforcement behind. Now working as an ER doctor, he tries to stay far from the darkness of his past. When his former partner Pete reaches out, everything changes. Pete, now dying, begs Ethan to revisit Callie’s case in hopes of finally giving the Jones family some closure.

This is a smart, well-paced thriller with real emotional depth. The cast is compelling, the writing is sharp, and the suspense builds steadily. Donlea proves once again that he is a master of layered storytelling and deeply human mysteries.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC. I was so excited to receive this one!

This was diabolical. I’m traumatized. Donlea does it again but sheez…. I didn’t see the twists in this book coming at all. This was classic Donlea with a very well developed plot that you patient wait to unfold and enjoy it every step of the way. There was more than one mystery to unravel and you know these mysteries are connected but you just don’t know how. The characters were realistic and raw and Donlea writes so well that I felt what Ethan was feeling. His empathy, his apprehension, his struggle…. It all felt personal.

The inmate…. I finished this book days ago and I still have the creeps.

The ending…. Part two please?!

I’m going to go read a romance now to recover.

First I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC of this novel.

This was only my second Charlie Donlea book and I just keep enjoying his books more and more. This was such a bingeable thriller that I couldn’t put down.

I loved all the characters and couldn’t guess where the story was going. I just wanted to keep reading to see how it was all going to tie together in the end. The twists were great and the last one! Fantastic!

My only complaint was that it felt a little rushed at the end to try and tie everything up.

I loved the ending and would be happy to read a follow up to this book.

Highly recommend. 4/5 stars

Hello Psychological Thriller of Summer 2025!!!

Am I a bit bias? Maybe... I love all things Charlie Donlea...but don't let that fact disuage you from not taking my word. This book was mind boggling awesome. His ability to bring stories together is a skill like no other. I love how he weaves together multiple plot lines into one cohesive story that you could not assemble until you reach that final page. The book is never over until you close it, EXCEPT. Be warned this one ends with an open end....which makes me REALLY excited that this could potentially be a new series?? Ohh How I hope so!!
I honestly thought I knew how this book would conclude, and just like that, wham! Was I wrong! When I am reading it is the one time I like to be wrong--

Two Things really stuck out to me
I loved the little jab Donlea made at the pickleball world (calling out the annoying crack of the paddles--We all know tennis is the superior sport)
AND
Did any else know that a "Spicket" --you know something you drink out of--is actually spelled "Spigot"(Well at least northerners think so--they are terribly mistaken) I did a deep dive and they are even pronouncing it wrong --the northerners say SPIG-OT (like bigot) Us in the right say SPICK-It, I had never seen it in print before and it took me a second to understand what he was saying....well we can just chalk it up to the Yanks being wrong once again including unsweet tea, bagels over biscuits, adding sugar to their *gasp* grits and cornbread and of course referring to buggies as "shopping carts"--Like what? Who has time for that? .....bless their heart

But I digress....Grab a tub of pop corn and get your hands on the Thriller of Summer 2025

Thank you Netgalley and Charlie Donlea for allowing me to review this advanced copy of Guess Again. I was not influenced or paid in exchange for my honest original thoughts.

Loved this fast paced and twisty thriller! This novel has a lot of action that keeps the reader engaged from the first page. While I expected that the mystery was not going to be tied up neatly, I could not have anticipated the multiple shocking reveals. Recommend! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

Even if Charlie Donlea were writing about lawn furniture, he would likely make it so interesting that readers would hang on his every word. With this in mind, I felt like I hit the jackpot when Net Galley gave me the opportunity to read and review his latest missive, “Guess Again.” As with his other books, Donlea’s masterful storytelling quickly pulled me into the novel, which focused on a cold case involving the mysterious disappearance of the Governor’s daughter a decade ago. While Ethan Hall was a likeable protagonist, I found his credentials as a very committed ER doctor and former “renegade” detective almost a bit of a stretch for a believable resume. Even so, it was fascinating to read how Ethan slowly dissembled a seemingly unsolvable cold case. Along the way, Donlea introduced an assortment of other near-unforgettable characters; ranging from a extremely creepy serial killer to Ethan’s supportive love interest, who also happened to be a homicide detective.

Despite being able to usually make an accurate prediction as to what might be waiting around the corner in the next chapter of a novel, “Guess Again” was chock-full of unexpected twists, turns, and surprises right up the the very end of the book. In this regard, not only did the plot often veer off in surprising (*and believable) directions, but a number of the characters often turned out to be quite a bit different than the face they showed others. This is definitely a fast-paced, suspense-filled book that will delight fans of psychological/mystery thrillers…and is well worthy of 5-stars.

Many thanks to Net Galley and Kensington Publishing for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for this arc.

I have loved every Charlie Donlea book I’ve ever read and was thrilled to get this arc! This book captured me from chapter one and I couldn’t stop until I was done reading. 10/10 recommend!!!

Charlie Donlea knocked this one out of the park! I'm an enormous fan of this author. His stories are always well-written, captivating from the start, fast-paced, action-packed, and filled with such intensity that it feels like your brain is doing cardio. He never disappoints. This book was all of the above and more! A decade-old cold case is reopened setting off a sequence of events that leads to hidden secrets with deadly intentions. Lots of twist and turns and jaw dropping moments. A great cast of well-developed characters. I love how the author wove this story together with the back and forth between present day and the year of Callie's disappearance. The short chapters aided in the suspense, making me speed read to find out more. And based on the cliffhanger ending, it appears there may be a sequel in the works. I cannot wait! My only grievance is that I started this book too late in the day and was unable to finish it before my eyes failed and gave in to sleep. I would definitely recommend giving yourself enough time to binge read this masterpiece in a day because you will not want to put it down. I loved everything about this book, and I will be impatiently waiting for Donlea's next adventure. This is a MUST read! I highly recommend it and all of his other books as well!

Huge thanks to Kensington Publishing for granting me early digital access via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review!

Thank you net galley for this arc. i like that this is told in multiple pov over the summer. the pacing is also good you can see how he put care into the characters. he sis my go to authour. when i want something quick to read.

Unputdownable & Brilliantly Twisted!

Guess Again by Charlie Donlea completely blew me away. This was one of those rare thrillers that grabs you from the first chapter and refuses to let go. The plot was smart, original, and full of jaw-dropping twists. I loved the trope Donlea explored—it felt fresh and unique, and it kept me guessing the entire time.

The pacing was spot-on, the tension never let up, and I genuinely didn’t want to put it down for a second. Every chapter added something new and unexpected. Charlie Donlea just keeps getting better!

I’ll be recommending this one to everyone. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC—this was a standout read of the year for me!

A twisty and twisted novel that keeps you guessing. Told mostly in the POV of our main character, Ethan, we get glimpses into a few other side characters thought and actions that allow us a fuller picture of what happened to Callie 10 years ago and how it could possibly connect to the alleged serial killer who murdered Ethan’s father. There were few times one needs to suspend disbelief, but I enjoyed the ride it took me on.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC. What a great thriller. Love the fact it kept me guessing until the end and it took place in WI.


Excellent book!!

Thank you Netgalley for the chance to read and review this book. This is my second Charlie Donlea book. Great story telling. I also loved how the past and present story lines intertwined. I feel like the ending may be setting us up for a sequel. Crime stories aren’t always my favorite but this storyline was captivating. Thanks for an entertaining read.

Mr. Donlea, Donlea, Donlea!! He has done it again, creating an addicting puzzle-piece mystery and psychological thriller which had some jaw dropping moments. I always enjoy a thriller by this author and this one does not disappoint. It was gritty, raw and graphic yet delves into the protagonists’ character so that you want to see them again, causing the reader to emote in many ways. This author can write stand-alone novels where you need to see his characters again and want another book written about them.

This story follows a former special agent turned ER Doctor (Ethan) who is asked to come back and work on a cold case of a missing girl. He had a 100% solve rate when he was working as an agent and is truly genius at solving crimes. Meanwhile he is fighting to keep a criminal mastermind in prison who is potentially up for parole. The cold case and a current case seem to be connected, and he may need to work with the criminal to solve both cases. This is the best way to describe it without giving spoilers. But the synopsis does not give it justice because it truly gets convoluted and keeps you guessing…”guess again.”

As a fan of psychological thrillers, some books get into unbelievable storytelling in order to give you huge plot twist or a shock. This author can still cause twists, turns, shocks while keeping the story believable and making puzzle pieces fit together. The story hooks you in with short chapters, jumping timelines and the need to find out what is happening. There are enough plot lines that you can see right before they happen if you are paying attention and then those that take you by complete surprise. I love Ethan and Maddie!
A very satisfying fun read that you won’t be able to put down and can definitely get you out of a reading slump! Always trust a Charlie Donlea thriller for that! I highly recommend and hope to see more of these characters soon!!

As a big fan of Charlie Donlea’s books , I was excited to get an advance of his latest thriller. Short, quick action packed chapters keep the story moving at a brisk pace. He always adds a plot twist, this book has many. If you think you know what’s going to happen, Guess Again!