*Guess Again* by Charlie Donlea is an intense thriller that keeps you hooked from the very first page. The story follows Ethan Hall, a former detective turned ER doctor, who is dragged back into a cold case involving a missing woman, Callie Jones. As he digs deeper, he turns to a convicted inmate who might hold the key to solving the case, leading to a web of suspense and shocking twists.

The pacing is spot on, and the plot is easy to follow, with great character development for both Ethan and the supporting cast. The twists really keep you on edge, and the setting creates a perfect sense of tension throughout. The chapters are well-structured, and everything wraps up neatly in the end.

Overall, *Guess Again* is a fantastic read. It nails all the right elements—twists, pacing, character development—and ties everything together perfectly, making it a 4/5 book in my eyes.

Note to self: NEVER start a Charlie Donlea book if you don't have time to devour it in one sitting. I had experienced that phenomenon with a few of his earlier novels too, but this one in particular- wow. What a ride. Twists and turns, and I had no idea about a whole bunch of them. Charlie Donlea is now my top favorite thriller authors. No notes on this one (other than there is definitely a trigger warning violence).

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this novel. The worst part? He set up a sequel very nicely, but given that this one isn't even out in the world yet (July 29, 2025), HOW AM I GOING TO WAIT UNTIL THE SEQUEL ACTUALLY REACHES THE WORLD? Gimme now, please.

I love Charlie Donlea and will read anything he writes. I was thrilled to receive this ARC! The story captured my attention from the first page, and I really liked Ethan’s character. The ending was a little over the top, but I definitely enjoyed it.

Thanks to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Guess Again by Charlie Donlea.

The reopening of the cold case of missing teenager Callie Jones by former detective Ethan Hall sets in motion a series of events that will uncover many secrets that have been hidden for a decade.
The narrative alternates parts of narration in the past that give us clues and yet, we have unexpected twists that take us in different directions.
As always Charlie Donlea manages to create an intricate plot that keeps you on tenterhooks and your mind spinning trying to figure out what is going on.
Definitely a thoroughly satisfying read.

4.5-4.75 stars.

Our main character is a retired detective who is now an ER doctor. He's approached by the Governor to look into the decade long cold case disappearance of his daughter. Elements from the past intertwine with the present. While some of the tropes here felt familiar, this was well done and had some twists that surprised me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing me with an advance reader's copy in exchange for an honest review.

Publishes July 29, 2025.

I have a new favorite Charlie Donlea book!!! This guy just keeps topping himself! Ten years ago, 17 yr old Callie Jones disappears. Ethan Hall is a former DCI agent who is now an ER doctor. WHAT? Just go with it. He is contacted by his old partner, Pete who worked the unsolved Callie Jones case. Pete is dying and wants it solved and wants Ethan to help. Ethan agrees and, along with his girlfriend/detective Maddie, finds a lot more than he bargained for. SO many twists and turns. It seemed like a pretty cut and dried case, as far as what happened to Callie, but in true Charlie Donlea fashion, nothing is as it seems! And that last quarter!! WHOA!!! Non-stop action!! My heart was absolutely racing!! I have been a fan since Summit Lake first came out and this guy just gets better and better! I hope he never stops writing!

Thank you to #NetGalley, Charlie Donlea and Kensington Publishing for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

I will post my review to Amazon, Barnes and Noble and other retail and social media sites upon publication day of July 29, 2025.

Sir Donlea does it once again, he writes another smashing thriller that thanks
to a Netgalley request I was so blessed to read and now want a hardcopy!!
This is such a great twisty, turny, read that will keep you begging to know what's next!!
10 years ago the governor's daughter went missing and now retired detective turned ER Doctor
Ethan Hall is asked to re-examine the evidence. Without giving anything away let's just say the title of this book is Superb, a must read that you will not forget. The ending was sheer perfection!

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars

A decade ago 17 year old Callie Jones disappeared. Her father is now governor and he, along with the former detective Pete, want to reopen the case. They approach Ethan, Pete's ex partner who is now an ER doctor, to look into it.

I enjoyed the mystery and got creepy Hannibal Lecter vibes. Several twists I didn't see coming. Hope to see more of Ethan Hall in the future.

Superb suspense.
Ethan is a former detective turned ER doctor who gets called to cone back to his old
position by the Governor, whose daughter disappeared years ago, with no trace of her ever
being found.
Ethan retakes the Gov up on his request and is immediately drawn into a cascading case
filled with death, threats and the current disappearance of another young woman.
Fabulous read with non stop action and twists around every corner.
Dunlea has struck mystery gold once again.

Charles Donkea has delivered yet another gripping thriller with his latest novel, "Guess Again." I completed it in a single day! The story follows Ethan Hall, a former DCI agent in Wisconsin who transitions to become an ER doctor, seeking to leave behind the world of investigations and serial killers. However, when his former partner presents him with a decade-old cold case, he finds it impossible to refuse. This case is intricately linked to a serial killer currently imprisoned, who was responsible for the murder of Ethan's police officer father. Packed with action and unexpected twists, this novel keeps readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page. It undoubtedly deserves a five-star rating and is a must-add to your reading list!

I extend my gratitude to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the ARC for review. This review reflects my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed this book! 4.5 stars!

It definitely kept me guessing and I truly didnt know what was going to happen next. I like the way the story was written, bouncing from present day to the past to give snippets into what happened, but I liked that it wasn't every other chapter as a flash back. There were enough details to get the story but not too many where they weren't needed.

The only reason it didnt get 5 is there was a point or two where it felt a little slow and a few times I couldnt quite follow and had to re-read, but I couldnt put it down for the last third of the book. Would definitely recommend to friends and will continue to read anything Charlie Donlea writes!

Thank you to the publisher to the early copy in exchange for my honest review.

This was such a good book. I loved the story and the writing so much. I will definitely read more books by this author in the future.

I've read everything Charlie Donlea has written. His books hook me from the first page and keep me engrossed and entertained until the very last. Guess Again is no different.

As is Donlea's trademark, the story is told from multiple POVs and is set both in the past (summer 2015) and the present (summer 2025). The majority of the plot takes place in 2025 and follows detective cum ER doc, Ethan Hall, as he investigates the disappearance of Callie, the Governor's daughter, a decade back.

Ethan has a bone to pick with a serial killer named Francis, who killed his father and multiple women some thirty years ago. As his investigation takes him on a wild chase of clues and misdirections, little does Ethan know that Francis is playing the long con.

Honestly, the less you know about this book going in, the better. I barely skimmed the blurb before diving in (huge thanks to Kensington Publishing for the ARC!) because Charlie Donlea books never disappoint.

Twisty, riveting, with noose-tightening tension and heart-pounding moments, Donlea's latest is a big win.

I have it on good authority (namely, the final chapter) that this isn't the last we've seen of Ethan Hall, and I, for one, can't wait.

Another great book by Charlie Donlea. I was hooked from the first page. Callie vanished 10 years ago and her case was never solved. Ethan’s former partner is sick and wants Ethan to help him solve the cold case. The problem is Ethan is now an ER Dr. He takes vacation time to help solve the case. I was definitely surprised at the ending and hope there might be a sequel.

Guess Again by Charlie Donlea
Charlie Donlea does it again! Straight outta the ballpark.
Ethan Hall retired from detective work and went back to school to become an ER doctor. He wanted to help people BEFORE they were dead instead of after. But when his old partner shows up with an offer he can’t refuse to reopen a 10 years gone cold case, he finds himself right back in the thick of it.
Told only in a way that Charlie Donlea can do. ‘Not all who wander are lost but, all those who are lost certainly wander’ 5 big ⭐️

I mean, this has to have a sequel, right?? Classic Donlea thriller - good twist at the 11th hour, likable protagonist. I definitely would love more of this story.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Charlie Donlea can do no wrong in my eyes. All his books are 5 star reads for me and this one is no exception. Amazing, truly. I love his writing style and his storytelling. I am hoping a sequel is coming for this?!!! So good. Thank you for this ARC.

This book has some definite 'Silence of the Lambs' vibes.
I enjoy the way the author connects his books, a very minor character in one book can become the main focus in another, and seeing old characters show up is a fun Easter Egg for devoted fans. Therefore, I'm hoping Christian will be utilized again, as I feel there's a story there. Perhaps the rather open-ended conclusion to this story will be revisited as well.
I figured out early on who killed Callie and why. It took a little longer to get to how all the pieces with Francis and Eugenia connect. At times it was tricky to keep track of all the moving parts. An early foreshadowing made for a satisfying scene in the final confrontation. And as usual, there's the trademark twist.
I always enjoy this author and look forward to each new book.

An addictive read packed with surprising and connections! You won’t want to put this one down!
Ethan Hall is pulled into a tense investigation when Special Agent Pete asks for his help in finding Callie Jones, the governor’s missing daughter. At the heart of it all is Francis , the man behind bars for Ethan’s father’s murder and possibly linked to the Lake Michigan killings. He claims he knows what happened to Callie and can lead them to a recent missing girl. Add in Francis’s dangerously obsessed fan, Eugenia, and the mystery only gets juicier.

This book was very good, i was so interested in what happened while I was reading. A few times I was slightly confused on what was happening and not in a good way and I was confused on whose POV I was in. Overall, solid book!