Guess Again
by Charlie Donlea
Pub Date: July 29, 2025
Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.
On the 10th anniversary of a teenage girl’s disappearance, her cold case breaks open in dangerous ways…and threatens to tear apart her small Wisconsin town all over again in the masterfully twisty new psychological suspense novel from the internationally bestselling author of Twenty Years Later.

For fans of Riley Sager, Anna Downes, Alex Finlay, Ashley Flowers, Stacy Willingham, and Karin Slaughter.

Guess Again by Charlie Donlea is exactly what I was hoping for—a gripping mystery thriller full of secrets, suspense, action, and shocking twists that kept me hooked from start to finish. The title perfectly reflects the experience, as I found myself constantly guessing and second-guessing everything until the final pages.

Ethan’s character was a standout for me. His background as a former renegade detective, now a doctor, added depth to his investigation into the cold case of Callie Jones’ disappearance.

The cold case itself had me totally immersed, with layers of tension and mystery that just kept unraveling as Ethan dug deeper. Adding to the complexity is the chilling serial killer Francis, whose ties to the case complicate everything in ways that I didn’t see coming. The atmosphere of the small town, mixed with the unease surrounding Francis’ past, was expertly done and kept me on edge throughout.

The ending? Unexpected and shocking, but in the best possible way—totally caught me off guard, yet it fit perfectly with the thrilling ride the story took me on. Guess Again was a wild, satisfying ride from beginning to end, and I was thoroughly entertained every step of the way.

Detective turned doctor Ethan Hall is asked to investigate the cold case of a girl gone missing years before. As his sleuthing progresses, the case takes a very strange turn and Ethan finds that he has a very personal connection. As this unfolds, a very dangerous killer sets his devious plot into motion. Once again Charlie Donlea has shown why is such a popular writer of psychological thrillers. His writing is intricate and sophisticated yet not unduly complicated making it an absolute page-turner in every way possible. This book offers so many twists that readers will be holding on for dear life and staying up all night to finish. For fans of Joanna Schaffhausen and Karin Slaughter.

I recommend Charlie Donlea books to anyone who will listen and sometimes just because I've read his newest book and I need SOMEBODY to talk about it. GUESS AGAIN is both his newest title and another fantastic read in his library of 5 star books. I always know that there is a HUGE twist waiting in the story somewhere!!!! Donlea is a master at weaving several story threads into a picture that leaves the characters scrambling to adjust and the readers scrambling to figure out..... where did that come from? As a loyal reader I picked up a few clues, but even those led to surprises I didn't expect.
Ethan Hall is an ER doctor. He had a former life as an FBI agent specializing in crimes against children, but left because he didn't like who his job was turning him into. His family history includes a police detective father who was killed in the line of duty. His killer was convicted and has spent the last 20+ years in a maximum security prison. This information is necessary to understand Ethan's character. The supporting cast of characters each played a part in the differing pieces of his life.
For many reasons, Ethan has been asked to volunteer to investigate the cold case of a young woman who disappeared ten years ago. The pieces of the story will pull him in and guarantee that he will not walk away without an answer. If you've read any of Donlea's books, you know there are many pieces of the story that will not fit together until Ethan tugs hard on a string he was not supposed to find. I'll not say more for fear of giving away too much, but trust me......you need to read this book. 5 HUGE stars.

Charlie Donlea consistently dishes out 5 stars reads! And Guess Again is no exception! I read through 70% in 1 sitting as it was so gripping and fast-paced I could not put it down.

Ethan Hall was once a detective with a 100% solve rate. He has since left the field and pursued a medical career. Currently working as an ER doctor, he is approached by an old friend for a "favor". Ethan quickly finds himself back in the throes of detective work trying to solve a 10-year-old cold case.

Donlea lays this one out so perfectly. His writing style is quick yet thorough. The gasping twists were unexpected. And that cliff hanger ending - ah Donlea you're going to have to get the next Ethan Hall novel out ASAP!!

Thanks to Netgalley, the author, and the publisher for the ARC and chance to give my honest opinion!

Okay first of all WOW. Charlie Donlea usually writes FMC so I was intrigued when he wrote the stereotypical MMC of a male authored book. "A renegade detective called in for one last job."

A little hokey but it worked. I loved the plot. I loved the layers. I loved the twists. Pete Kramer enlists Ethan's help with a 10 year old case. Ethan, of course, agrees or we'd have no book.

There are actually a lot of things that could be improved upon, in hindsight. I want to be clear that I still found this SUPER readable. Brilliant pacing, short chapters. Absolutely fantastic.

HOWEVER. Where is Pete at the end? Did he die? Why was that not made a bigger deal? Second. We've been told Ethan's dad died when Ethan was 13. A few times. Then chapter 109 hits and somehow Ethan had had a beer with him when he was 16. Very inconsistent. And a LOT of people died and it was just kinda. Explained away. Overall, this won't change my opinion about Charlie Donlea, but this wasn't his most brilliant book. Definitely entertaining and readable though! 3.5!

I'm not sure why I didn't like this more. All of the elements were there, there were some twists to keep you reading, etc. I also didn't love that it wasn't really wrapped up at the end as I like to know going in if there's going to be a continuation/more books. Maybe it was the writing style? It almost felt simplistic and the characters were all surface level. I liked it overall but I'm not sure I'm invested enough to read the next one.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Guess Again by Charlie Donlea started off slow in the beginning as I found it a bit difficult to stay engaged with the jumping between characters, locations and keeping track of the past and present. That being said, the ending with the twists had me hooked! Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC. All opinions are my own. Rating: 4 stars, expected publication date July 29, 2025.

Another great entertaining, thrilling story from Charlie Donlea. The different POVs keep it entertaining and gives you different views of the story. I love how the big picture comes together at the end. Guess Again will literally keep you guessing until the very end.

Thank you to Netgalley, Kensington Publishing, and Charlie Donlea for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Publication date for Guess Again is July 29, 2025.

Guess Again is a tight, atmospheric thriller that expertly blends the suspense of a cold case with the complexity of a small-town mystery. What starts as a quest for closure becomes something far darker, with twists and turns that keep you on edge.

The dynamic between Ethan Hall and his former partner Pete Kramer is engaging, especially as Ethan is reluctantly pulled back into a case that stirs up his own painful history. I appreciated how the author slowly built the tension, weaving together Ethan’s personal struggles with the mounting clues surrounding Callie’s disappearance.

The small town setting is rich with tension—everyone’s hiding something, and it’s clear that no one is as innocent as they seem. The pacing is solid, and the psychological twists are well-executed, keeping you guessing without veering into the absurd.

That said, while the core mystery is compelling, the final reveal felt a bit convoluted at times, and I found myself wishing for a bit more character depth from some of the supporting roles. Still, it’s a thoroughly engaging read for fans of slow-burn suspense and deep, dark secrets.

If you like a good psychological mystery with plenty of twists, Guess Again delivers the goods. It’s gritty, tense, and hard to put down.

Wow! Guess Again is an out of control roller coaster ride. Filled with twists and turns that you don’t see coming, this book is a fast paced wonderful read. So many different characters that may or may not be how they appear. And the ending is a complete surprise. Very well done!

I’m hoping this book is the beginning of a series with some of the characters in this book. Don’t want to say which ones as I don’t want to create any spoilers.

Charlie Donlea is quickly becoming my favorite thriller writer. Keep ‘em coming Mr Donlea. I’ll read them all!

Charlie Donlea does it again! His books have quickly become a favorite of mine, and I was beyond excited when I was approved for this ARC. I think this may be his best novel yet!

Guess Again is a gripping psychological suspense novel that revisits the haunting cold case of Callie Jones, a 17-year-old volleyball star who vanished without a trace a decade ago. When Ethan Hall, a former detective turned ER doctor, is pulled back into the investigation by his dying ex-partner, long-buried secrets begin to surface. As the small Wisconsin town of Cherryview braces for long-awaited answers, Ethan’s unconventional methods stir up more than just old memories—linking Callie’s case to his own dark past. Tense, twisty, and deeply atmospheric, Guess Again explores just how far people will go to keep secrets buried.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book—it did not disappoint and was a fast, compelling read. The novel was action-packed, twisty, and suspenseful. Every chapter kept me hooked, and I couldn’t stop turning the pages. That last twist? My jaw hit the floor.

A massive thank you to Charlie Donlea, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for the advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Be sure to grab a copy when it hits shelves on July 29, 2025!

Trigger warnings: murder, sexual violence, and kidnapping.

Man, this one kept me turning page after page! I was hooked from page one and stayed that way. If you want an engaging, twisty thriller this is it! Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

Charlie Donlea’s Guess Again is a gripping, twist-laden thriller that keeps readers on their toes from start to finish. Blending investigative journalism with psychological suspense, the novel follows a true-crime podcaster who uncovers chilling secrets while revisiting a decade-old murder case.

Donlea shines at layering tension and slowly peeling back the truth, delivering a smart narrative full of misdirection and red herrings. The pacing is tight, and just when you think you’ve figured it out—guess again. The protagonist is sharp and driven, and her emotional connection to the case adds depth to the story.

While a few plot points require a bit of suspension of disbelief, the clever twists and atmospheric writing more than make up for it. Donlea’s skill at blending forensic detail with character-driven storytelling makes this a standout in the genre.

Guess Again earns its four stars by being both entertaining and thought-provoking, with a finale that lands with impact. Perfect for fans of Gillian Flynn and true crime podcasts.

I finished this book in 24 hours! It was definitely can’t put down type of a book. I absolutely loved it and will be interested in owning the physical copy and seeing what else this author wrote. I loved his style of writing. That plot twist? Was definitely a PLOT TWIST but it flowed with the story if that makes sense.

This is only the second book by Charlie Donlea that I have read, but Guess Again was as fabulously twisty as his last book, which I loved. Ethan is a compelling protagonist and I liked the way that he was led into (reluctantly) working on the re-investigation of a cold case involving a missing teenager. The interweaving of his personal story and that of Callie, who disappeared ten years earlier, is fascinating; I also liked the various perspectives from which this story is told. The twists just kept coming, right to the very end. I will definitely be reading more by this author. Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC and opportunity to provide an honest review.

Wow, what a book. Kept me on the edge all the way to the end. Thank you for the advanced copy.
Each Donlea book is different and I like that. I liked Ethan very much and wondering if he will be coming back.
Great thriller, great characters and I will definitely recommend this book.

This was a jam packed thriller I could not put down. Charlie provides multiple POVs, timelines and it worked so well. It does make for a complex story, so if you don’t enjoy a lot of characters and fast paced action, this won’t be for you. I love all of that and Charlie delivered. 👏🏻 Ethan is like the boy next door and you can help but rooting for him. I grew to love his character. I lost count of how many times I gasped as he investigated the cold case involving Callie. It was so intense and I loved every bit of it. Well done, Charlie! Don’t guess again and read it!! 🤪

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for my advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

“Guess Again” is hands down going in my top reads of this year, WELL deserving of this 5-star rating! This story unravels the mystery behind the disappearance of teen Callie, and an ex-detective-turned doctor whose 100% solve streak is bringing him back full circle into helping to solve this case. I never once felt like I had anything figured out and that is because the twists are SO shocking and unpredictable, this is a thriller/mystery lover’s DREAM.

Read if you like:
📖 multiple timelines/POVs
🫢 fast paced thrillers/short chapters that keep you constantly wanting more

Thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

My first Charlie Donlea book and it certainly won't be my last. The pace and the twisty plot were perfection 👌

I’ve been a fan of Charlie Donlea’s books for some time now, and “Guess Again” does not disappoint. It’s a tense thriller with some nasty twists, particularly towards the end.

Ten years ago a teenage girl, Callie Jones, disappeared, with no sign of her or of what happened to her ever found. Her father has now become politically powerful, and wants the case reopened. He’s pressuring Ethan Hall to take on the investigation.

Ethan is an emergency doctor, but in a previous life he worked in law enforcement, with a 100% solve rate. He’s reluctant to return to that world, which he left burnt out and depressed. But pressured by his old partner and offered inducements by Callie’s father, he eventually agrees.
It soon seems that Callie’s disappearance has a link to the worst part of his past, and before long his investigation is as much psychological game as re-examining the evidence.

One of the things I really enjoy about Donlea’s novels is his plots. They draw you in instantly, and keep you engaged on every page. Here there are multiple strands to interest the reader: what happened to Callie, of course, but also what happened in Ethan’s past, and the current investigation. There were ups and downs and exciting moments aplenty and I just kept reading, wanting to know what happened next.

Yes, there were a few predictable plot moments. But as always, Donlea both keeps the tension high regardless, and saves a few nasty twists to keep you off balance. He subtly misleads you – partly because he’s thrown in just enough predictable moments that you think you know where the plot is going, and you’re wrong – but also has some really original moments. I was completely engaged and riveted to read the solution.

If there’s a weakness here, it’s that some of the peripheral characters aren’t well fleshed out and feel shallow. However, the central characters are well rounded and will generate strong emotions – whether it’s support, revulsion, or suspicion. I’m not sure that it really matters that some walk on characters don’t feel as real.

Every one of Donlea’s novels that I’ve read to date has been clearly a stand alone. This is the first I’ve read where I thought “there could be a sequel in that”. Sure, the important things here are resolved, and Donlea could leave it right here with no problems. But there’s also a possible path to a sequel, and it will be interesting to see if Donlea produces one. I’d certainly read it if he writes it!

It should be pretty clear, but let’s say it anyway: I recommend this highly to both thriller and crime readers. The plot is complex but easy to follow as it unwinds, and pretty much every reader is likely to be surprised by at least one twist. It’s an absorbing and highly satisfying read.

I WILL PUBLISH THIS REVIEW CLOSER TO PUBLICATION DATE AND WILL RETURN TO ADD LINKS THEN. Thank you.