Guess Again by Charlie Donlea is a wild, twisty ride from start to finish! With a large cast of characters and plenty of misdirection, it delivers all the suspense and intrigue you’d expect from Donlea. While it’s not a traditional, true-to-life police procedural, it’s a well-crafted, highly entertaining read that’s packed with tension and surprises.

Main character Ethan Hall used to be a top detective in Wisconsin, specializing in child crimes with a flawless 100% solve rate. After years of dealing with darkness, he walked away from law enforcement to become an ER doctor, helping people heal instead of chasing criminals. Just when he thought that part of his life was behind him, his old partner, Pete, shows up with a request he can’t ignore. Pete has been diagnosed with ALS and is desperate to solve one last case before it’s too late - the decade-old disappearance of Callie Jones, the newly elected governor’s daughter. As Ethan reluctantly steps back into investigator mode, he realizes that Francis Bernard’s cryptic claims might actually hold the key to solving both mysteries. The deeper he digs, the more tangled the connections become, leading to a web of secrets, lies, and unexpected twists that had me second-guessing everything.

Donlea crafts a fantastic cast of dynamic, likable characters that feel real and engaging. Each one brings something unique to the story, whether it’s their wit, determination, or personal struggles. He has a knack for making even secondary characters stand out, adding depth to the narrative. Donlea's writing style is clean and straightforward, making it effortless to get lost in the story. The short, punchy chapters keep the pacing tight and the tension high, and I was easily able to finish the novel in a couple of days.

Guess Again is a twisty, riveting, heart-pounding thriller and a big win on all counts! The ending is fantastic and nicely sets up the next installment.

Many thanks to NetGalley, Kensington Books, and Charlie Donlea for an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

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, face-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 that sets 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!

read if you like:
🥶 cold case disappearances
🔀 twists and turns
🏡 small town vibes

summary:
Charlie Donlea has always been an automatic read author for me, and this book is without a doubt my favorite of 2025 so far! This story follows the disappearance of Callie Jones, the current Governor’s daughter from back in 2015, which was never solved. Ethan Hall, a former detective turned ER doctor, hears from his former mentor, Pete Kramer, who asks for his help — to find justice for Callie and her family before he dies of ALS. Ethan reluctantly agrees, and finds himself buried in old evidence and interviews. He realizes though that he’s going to need to take some creative approaches to find the guilty party, starting with Francis Bernard, the imprisoned man who killed Ethan’s father. In a race against time, Ethan battles psychological mind games to find justice — even if it comes at a cost.

I just can’t say enough good things about this book. While I don’t really feel like we get to know Ethan well as a person, the other characters are deeply developed, and fascinating in their own ways. All of them are flawed, unreliable and driven by their own motives, which adds to the twists and turns throughout the entire book. As Ethan follows Francis’s leads, you can’t help but think you’re waiting for a disaster to happen, and every time, you’re surprised by what more you learn.

Many of Donlea’s books start a little slower, but this one comes out with a bang. It will take no time at all to get hooked, and I promise you won’t be able to put it down. I can’t believe how good it is and how well the ending is constructed. It also leaves a door open for a potential sequel (** I’m talking to you!) and I would gladly wait in line for the next one to come out.

A huge thank you to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the advanced copy, and make sure you preorder this before it comes out on July 29!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review! I have loved the Charlie Donlea books I've read so far, especially Twenty Years Later, so I was really excited to get to read this one early. It was a great book with a lot of suspense and great twists. I enjoyed this book a lot! Another success from Charlie Donlea, and I look forward to reading more of his previous books I haven't gotten to yet.

*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.