This was a wild ride. Police procedural meets pulse pounding thriller. Clever, twisty, and a bit dark. It’s everything you want to keep the pages turning.

The title reflects the reading experience. You will be guessing until the final page. The characters are well developed and I really enjoyed learning about the protagonist, Ethan.

This has become a must read author for me, and Charlie Donlea should be must read for you too. This book will not disappoint. 10/10.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced readers copy. I will be picking up a copy to have on my shelf.

I went in to this with the highest of expectations and was worried that I would be let down but thankfully that was not the case. I had recently experienced the author for the first time with one of his recent releases on audiobook but this thriller was very different in how it was presented.

I’m sure it’ll be hit or miss with some folks because of the very short chapters but for me it worked well. Being able to follow along with the date helped build som wood the suspense knowing that for certain things the clock was ticking.

Now personally I figured out the twists ahead of time except 1 of them but it didn’t impact my enjoyment. I liked the medical angle of things as well as ai haven’t been enjoying police/detective procedural thrillers but the atypical situation presented with our “detective” made be able to enjoy the investigation. The book as a whole actually dipped into several different genres so think it can be enjoyed by a wide audience.

It comes out July 29th from Kensington Books.

I am thankful to have gotten a complimentary physical ARC from Kensington Publishing to read which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.

My general rating system is below. Since I primarily read ARC books I rate according to how I think like minded readers will receive the book. I will round up or down depending on many factors and try not to let my personal wants affect a books ratings.

⭐️ Hated It but pushed through as so don’t DNF ARCs I have received.
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, content issues, poorly edited.
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but it had something that stopped me from rounding up. Usually the book may have much more potential than what was given. I recommend it but with reservations.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I Really enjoyed it or think others will. These are solid reads that I definitely would recommend for a variety of reasons.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! These are books that remain rent free in my head for well after unfinished the book. It can be for a variety of reasons from being very well written or just the vibes that captured my mind. These books are also ones I would probably read again.

Charlie Donlea never fails to entertain! I’m a big fan of his work. His characters are always perfect for each story. But he has a real talent for creating twists and pretty much blowing up your whole world by the end. This one was a little different because we already knew who the bad guy was from the beginning. Or did we?… Forget about everything you think you know with this one! There were a lot of twists and turns in this story, but the ONE toward the end? I’m a writer and I didn’t even see that one coming! I generally don’t mind if I’m right or wrong with guessing the ending. Being right is pretty satisfying because it means I was able to follow all the clues. This happens more often than not. But being wrong is fun too because it means the writing was so good that I never saw the end coming. In this case, it was a little of both. When you get to the end, you’ll see what I mean! This one was a page turner from the very beginning and I almost wish I could read it for the first time again! I’d you’ve never read anything by Donlea, I highly recommend you buy everything he’s written. I only have a handful of auto buys, but Donlea is one of them!

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

This book had so many twists and turns that I wasn’t expecting in the least. I like how the storyline let you keep thinking about what might happen and then boom. Would definitely recommend this book!

Charlie Donlea’s Guess Again delivers the kind of dark, layered mystery that fans of small-town thrillers will devour in one sitting. Centered around the decade-old disappearance of 17-year-old Callie Jones, the story plunges readers back into the haunting quiet of Cherryview, Wisconsin, as long-buried secrets threaten to resurface.

The novel follows Ethan Hall, a former detective now working as an ER doctor, who’s reluctantly pulled back into the case by his dying former partner. Ethan’s return to his investigative roots adds a gritty, emotional edge to the narrative, especially as he confronts both the trauma of his past and the haunting weight of Callie’s unsolved disappearance.

Donlea shines in building suspense and atmosphere. The oppressive summer heat, the town’s collective unease, and the steady unraveling of twisted secrets all contribute to a slow-burn intensity that builds toward a satisfying, if unsettling, climax. The psychological undercurrents—especially the ties to Ethan’s own history—add depth to what could have been a straightforward cold case revival.

Why not five stars? While the pacing keeps tension high, some of Ethan’s unconventional investigative leaps stretch believability, and a few characters felt more like plot devices than fully realized individuals. Still, Donlea pulls it off with sharp prose and enough twists to keep readers second-guessing their assumptions until the final chapters.

Guess Again is a smart, suspenseful read—perfect for fans of atmospheric crime fiction and those who enjoy a good puzzle wrapped in psychological tension.

Guess Again is possibly Donlea's best book and has a jaw-dropping twist - a definite "WHAT?!?" moment.

"Ethan Hall was a detective with a hundred percent close rate. He left law enforcement for med school to escape the horrors of the kid crime division. Now he's an ER doc helping people. His old partner wants him to look into a cold case - one of a missing girl - a high school volleyball player who disappeared and was never found. Now her father is the governor and is hoping to reopen the case. Ethan has no idea how his life will collide with the case...and the horror that is waiting for him."

Donlea takes you for a wild ride. He's trying to find answers for a ten-year-old cold case and also trying to help keep his father's killer behind bars. You think (as a reader) "I've read thrillers and crime fiction and watched crime shows - I know how this will go. But don't look for the expected outcomes in this book. Donlea is going with his own brand of crazy twists. You will not see them coming.

This is a fast-paced read - Good luck putting it down. There's no cliffhanger but there is a setup for another book. How long do we have to wait, Mr. Donlea?

Thriller fans should get this book as soon as it comes out. Great summer thriller from Donlea. All the stars.

I've been a fan of Donlea's books for a few years now and this one hit it out of the park for me. By far my favorite book from this author.

This book sucked me in from the first chapter and I was on the edge of my seat till the last page. I literally was guessing where this story was going and was mind blown!

There are so many twists and turns, you really are gonna need some popcorn for this one!

5/5 amazing stars!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. I am a huge fan of Donlea’s books and this is no exception. What starts out as a slow burn, it quickly takes off and is action packed towards the end. I was constantly trying to solve the case even before Ethan could. Loved the characters in this book and the way the missing person case is explained and unfolds. Packed with suspense, I found it hard to put this book down and was reading it every spare minute I had. Great read!

Ten years ago- 17 year old volleyball star Callie Jones vanished from her lake community and hasn't been seen since. This book opens with a bang! I've read several by Charlie Donlea and loved them all. I was thrilled to get an early copy of this and it did not disappoint. I gave this five stars and loved every minute of it.

Oh. My. GOD. I just cannot. I couldn’t put it down, I couldn’t think of anything else, and I just could have never guessed the twist.

I’m stunned at great this book was- for the first time in a long time, I didn’t guess what was going to happen, and I couldn’t figure out where it was going.

Serial killers, jealousy, red herrings, murder, it’s all here. Best thriller in a LONG time. Bravo!

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC and privilege of reviewing this book!

Thank you Charlie Donlea and @kensingtonbooks for my #gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review! #guessagainmugshot

One of my all-time favorite thriller/mysteries is Those Empty Eyes by Charlie Donlea, so I was beyond excited (and honored!) to get an early copy of his latest book, Guess Again. I love a good Donlea mystery—his books are always packed with clues, high-stakes twists, and fast-paced action.

This book is told through multiple points of view, which was both a highlight and a slight challenge for me. I found myself a bit confused during the first half, but that kept me invested and determined to figure out how all of the threads connected. One of the plot connections toward the end did feel just a tinsy bit far-fetched, but overall, I really enjoyed the storyline!

Donlea has a talent for creating gripping mysteries filled with such suspense and intensity that makes it nearly impossible to put the book down.

Read if you like:
-Multiple POVs (including detectives and criminals)
-Super short chapters
-Fast-paced action scenes
-Multiple interwoven plot points

Charlie has done it again! I just love this author’s style of writing. It’s twisty and dark and impossible to put down. I don’t want to spoil at all so I’ll just say if you love this genre, Charlie’s books, including this one, are must reads.

This is my least favorite Donlea book. Usually I can't put his books down, but this one didn't work for me.

Guess Again by Charlie Donlea
4.6⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (rounded up to a 5)
Spice: 0.3/5
Cursing: little
Format/Source: ebook & paperback ARC from Kensington Publishing and NetGalley
Genres/Tropes: Thriller, twisty, serial killer
Audience: Adult
Setting: Wisconsin
Characters: Callie, Ethan, Pete, Francis, Maddie, Lindsay, Blake, Christian, Eugenia, Harriet, Kai
👍 short chapters, multi POV, twists, medical staff rep, volleyball rep, little cursing, psych rep
👎 multi time frames

Description:
Ten years ago, 17 yo high school volleyball star Callie vanished. A highly publicized search followed, but her body was never found.
Ethan, a former detective turned ER doc, left law enforcement to escape the horrors of the kid crime division. But on the tenth anniversary of Callie’s disappearance, his former partner, Pete, makes a desperate request. He needs Ethan to return to the haunting work he left behind—and solve what happened to Callie once and for all.
Soon Ethan’s methods draw him deeper into a twisted psychological game. Because there is much more to the nightmare of Callie’s disappearance than he imagined, including a connection with his own dark past... and secrets that are still worth killing for.

Opinion:
Charlie pens another twist-filled thriller ride of a novel with intriguing characters. The very short chapters and multiple POV made for a brisk read. I always enjoy a novel with characters that work in the medical field, as do Ethan and Lindsay. The psychological rep and learning about hybristophilia was a fantastic addition to the book. I also loved reading female characters who are fabulous at volleyball. The very little cursing was awesome. The twists were unexpected, and some were quite shocking. I was thoroughly entertained by this story and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys twisty thriller novels.
#bookstagram #arcreader #booklovers #thrillerbooks #twisty #booktok #charliedonlea #guessagainbook #donleasderectives
***I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Guess Again by Charlie Donlea doesn’t just check all the boxes for a great thriller—it absolutely nails them. I LOVED this book! With short, punchy chapters, and an ending twist I never saw coming, it was impossible to put down. I flew through it in just a couple of sittings, completely hooked from page one.

Set against the haunting backdrop of a small Wisconsin town still shaken by the decade-old disappearance of 17-year-old Callie Jones, this story pulls you in with an eerie, slow-burn tension that builds relentlessly. The plot follows Ethan Hall, a former detective-turned-ER doctor, who’s pulled back into the case by his dying ex-partner. What begins as a reluctant favor turns into a full-blown obsession as Ethan uncovers layers of secrets, lies, and chilling connections to his own past.

Charlie Donlea does what he does best here: he keeps you guessing, keeps you thinking, and then pulls the rug out from under you in the most satisfying way. The alternating timelines give the story depth and momentum, while the short chapters make it incredibly bingeable. And just when you think you have it figured out? Guess again. You won’t.

The tension, the pacing, the complexity of the characters—everything about this book worked for me. It’s the perfect blend of police procedural, psychological thriller, and small-town mystery. If you're a fan of twisty, atmospheric thrillers that keep you up way too late, this one’s for you.

When Guess Again hits shelves on July 29th, RUN—don’t walk—to get your copy. It's that good.

Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington for allowing me to read and review this ARC.

This was a fast paced read with short chapters that I devoured quickly! So many twists and just when you think you know, another curveball hits you! The characters were well developed. I could not put this down! Great read!!

Thank you to Charlie Donlea and Kensington Press for the ARC! What an honor to be a part of #DonleasDetectives!

Ten years ago, 17 year old Callie Jones vanished from her small Wisconsin lake community. The case went old, but a new development causes lead detective Pete Kramer to take one last look at things. With own future looking grim, Pete turns to his former partner, Ethan Hall for help. Ethan walked away from law enforcement and became an ER physician, but something about the case draws him back in. Before long, Ethan is invested and finding clues in the unlikeliest of places.

I love Charlie Donlea’s books, but this one may be my new favorite! The plot immediately drew me in and I read almost the entire first half in one sitting. I just couldn’t put this one down! Told over dual timelines, with multiple points of view, there are quite a few characters but it was easy to keep them straight. Each person played a role in the mystery surrounding Callie’s disappearance. But my favorite character was Ethan; he was unique and relatable in so many ways. I really found his situation captivating - how he left the police department to go into medicine - but then found himself pulled back in - and he was still great at it too!

There were a lot of moving parts but my gosh did it all come together beautifully, including a twist that made me “guess again”! This was easily my favorite read so far this year and I truly hope there is more to Ethan’s story!

”Guess Again” releases July 22, 2025. This review will be shared to my instagram blog (@books_by_the_bottle) shortly :)

GUESS AGAIN
By Charlie Donlea

I discovered Charlie Donlea’s writing a few years ago and have really enjoyed his books ever since. Guess Again is no exception—it’s another gripping, fast-paced psychological suspense and crime thriller. This will have you turning pages nonstop, thanks to its short, punchy chapters that encourage “just one more.” The title Guess Again couldn’t be more fitting, with countless red herrings that will have you second-guessing at every turn. Some books are best experienced without knowing too much going in—and this is definitely one of them.

Ethan Hall, a former detective turned doctor, is approached by his old partner to solve the decade-old cold case of 17-year-old Callie Jones—the governor’s missing daughter. Things quickly spiral, pulling Ethan deeper into a twisted nightmare.

Donlea saves major reveals for the final chapters, leading to a satisfying conclusion and beginning of a possible series. I like his straightforward style of writing that makes for an easy and fast read. I look forward to reading more of his books and I’m always excited to see what he does next.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC ebook. Publishing on July 29, 2025

Wow! This book was amazing. Loved the short chapters, such a quick read. Did NOT see the final twist coming but was 100% plausible. Will definitely recommend to others and think this will be a must read for the year.

So good. I’m going to need a follow up to this book and I’m also going to need to read more by Charlie Donlea. I loved Ethan, and I need closure for him! This was so good. I love the short chapters and it was so fast paced! It was easy to sit down and get caught up in everything going on in the story.