Honestly Charlie Donlea is one of those authors where I become very excited when I see a new book. This man really knows how to write and once again this was another fabulous book from him.

A cold case is reopened 10 years on from the death of Wisconsin volleyball star Callie Jones. Ethan Hall used to be a detective but after seeing so much death and devastation faced by victims’ families, he decides to change careers and become an ER doctor. Content with his new life his world is suddenly turned upside down when he is convinced by his former partner Pete Kramer to read the case file of Callie’s murder and accept his request to help him find the perpetrator. Ethan is initially hesitant but soon he is taken in by these events and the family’s total helplessness of not knowing what happened to their daughter.

Full of action and suspense, this is a gripping and exceptional book. Once I started, I could not put it down absolutely enthralled by an exceptional plot that races along and it is a wild ride. Many characters that Donlea presents us with ensure that you are completely engrossed while you try to decipher the rabbit holes you are taken down. Brilliant writing that has produced another book by this author that screams quality. Highly recommended

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of the book, all opinions expressed are my own.

LOVED THIS ONE! Like always, Charlie is back with another puzzling, mystery. If you think you have this one figured out, GUESS AGAIN. Fantastic 5 star read!

Thank you to Charlie Donlea and NetGalley for allowing me to review an advanced copy of this book.

Another great read by a well established author, Guess Again follows a former special agent now ER doctor as he looks over a 10yr cold case. No one could possibly predict the Pandora’s box that this opens and the rollercoaster ride his life is thrown on.

Each page had me hanging for more and now I’m eagerly waiting for the next instalment.

Every book Charlie Donlea writes is better than the last one I think. I’m not sure how he keeps improving on these 5 star reads but somehow he does! In Guess Again, Ethan, a former detective turned ER doctor is tasked with helping solve the cold case disappearance of a teenager 10 years ago. Meanwhile, the man who killed his father sits in prison with the information Ethan needs.

In typical twisty Charlie Donlea fashion he takes multiple storylines that seem to have no connection and brings them together for one glorious novel. Excellent book! Wide open for a sequel which I hope we see.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Kensington Publishing for the advance reader copy. This is my honest review. Publication date July 29, 2025.

This compulsively readable suspense novel, penned by one of my favorite authors, will keep you up late madly tearing through the pages. But keep the lights on as you do. Whew!

#GuessAgain #NetGalley
Charlie Donlea returns with another tightly plotted psychological thriller in Guess Again, a haunting story of a long-cold case, buried secrets, and one man’s journey into the darkness he thought he left behind. Ten years ago, 17-year-old Callie Jones vanished without a trace. Despite a highly publicized investigation, her body was never found and the case went cold. Now, on the tenth anniversary, Ethan Hall—an ex-detective turned ER doctor—is pulled back in by his dying former partner to uncover the truth and give a grieving family the closure they deserve. But the deeper Ethan digs into the seemingly quiet lake town of Cherryview, the more twisted the truth becomes. What starts as a case of a missing teen evolves into a chilling psychological puzzle with ties to Ethan’s own dark past—and a dangerous reminder that some secrets are still worth killing for.
What I Liked::-
1 Gripping Mystery with Layers: Donlea excels at peeling back layers of the story. Every clue feels like a breadcrumb leading to a bigger, darker revelation.
2 Ethan Hall's Character Arc: Ethan is flawed, haunted, and deeply human. His transition from detective to ER doctor adds depth, and his internal struggle makes the narrative more powerful.
3 Atmospheric Small-Town Setting: The sweltering heat of Cherryview adds tension, making the town feel both claustrophobic and suspicious.
Overall, Guess Again is a solid, well-written thriller that blends mystery with emotional weight. It’s a chilling reminder that the past never truly dies—and that some answers come at a deadly cost. Perfect for fans of Harlan Coben, Lisa Gardner, and true crime-inspired fiction.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for giving me an advance copy.

Publishes July 29th and follows the 10yr old case of 17yr old Callie Jones whose disappearance was highly publicized and was never solved. Now Ethan Hall, a former detective turned ER doctor has been brought in by his former partner as a fresh set of eyes for the case.

This is my 7th Donlea book and I’m fully convinced that he can’t write a bad book. I think he’s totally underrated as a thriller author and deserves way more recognition for the bangers he puts out. Perfect for fans of Riley Sager or Loreth Anne White.

This book did a great job of having me where it wanted me. With misdirection and red herrings, I was wracking my brain on possible outcomes to no avail. The twists and turns kept me engaged throughout and the grand reveal got me good.

I think this might be my new favorite by this author. 4.5 stars

What happened to Callie Jones? Missing for ten years, no lead to her disappearance has ever been found.

At the request of the Mayor, former superstar detective turned ER doctor Ethan Hall is tasked with the request of taking on the cold case. A pro at problem solving and thinking outside the box, Ethan quickly begins unburying old secrets. Little does he know how dangerous that is for others, and for himself.

Another Winner from Charlie Donlea, who continues to impress.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the arc.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

“When he unclamped the button on her jeans, she knew she would lose her virginity that night.” Now that’s an opening line that grabs your attention—and the book keeps you on your toes from there.

Told through multiple POVs, the book is a little confusing at first, but hang in there—it all starts to click pretty quickly. I loved how the author revealed the connections between everyone but left a big surprise at the end.

The characters were relatable and well described—I found myself buying into their worlds and motivations easily. However, Ethan and Maddie’s relationship which begins after they meet in court after she was the final victim of a serial killer and his father was killed by this serial killer, I didn’t feel the connection between them as strongly as I hoped. Still, their individual arcs were compelling, and I appreciated the emotional threads running through the story. The book ended with the opening to a sequel which I would be happy to read to see if their relationship evolves more.

Ethan Hall is an ER doctor, retired from a life in the domestic crime unit after seeing too many dark and tragic things. When he is approached by his old partner to look into a 10-yr-old cold case he is pulled back into a life he never wanted to live again. Highly suspenseful with many twists and turns.

Thank you so much @kensi and Charlie for the ARC copy of this thriller!

This title couldn’t be more fitting—just when you think you’ve figured it out, the story shifts and makes you second-guess everything.

Ethan Hall, once a detective and now an ER doctor, is pulled back into the world he left behind when he’s asked to look into the decade-old disappearance of 17-year-old Callie Jones. As the case unfolds, it becomes clear that Ethan’s past is more connected to Callie’s than he ever imagined.

Charlie masterfully blends timelines and perspectives, keeping the pace fast with short, compelling chapters. The cast is rich with layered characters, each one playing a role in the twists that keep coming until the final page.

The ending left me hoping this becomes a series—Ethan Hall is a character I’d love to follow again in a detective series. Charlie continues to prove he’s a go-to author for top-tier thrillers. Twenty Years Ago and Long Time Gone are among my favorites.

If you’re into thrillers with cold cases, complex characters, and chilling psychological elements—including a woman with hybristophilia—this one needs to be on your radar!

WOW!!! What a read!! Pick this book up if you want a page turning thriller - perfect for your poolside reading! Ethan was a Wisconsin crime investigator but the work got to him. He couldn’t keep dealing with all the images of abuse and needed a change so he retired and went to medical school. It’s now ten years later and he’s working as an ER doctor.

One night, his old partner shows up and shares the news that they need his help investigating a cold case. Seventeen year old Callie went missing ten years ago. Her dad is now the governor and is pushing for the investigation to be moved from a cold case to active investigation. Ethan is reluctant to get involved but ends up agreeing. From there, the story takes off and never lets up until the final page!!

This is a summer blockbuster of a read! There are times when it may have been doing a little too much for me - but overall, this is what I’m looking for in a thriller! At moments when I thought I had things figured out, it still surprised me. Five stars!!!! Thank you to Kensington for the free book to review.

Guess Again….

Charlie Donlea, how do you come up with this stuff???

First of all, I give this 5 solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. The writing, as always, is fantastic. The twists keep coming and don’t bother with trying to figure it all out.

Ethan Hall, investigator now emergency room Dr. left his job investigating crimes against children when it came to be too much. His old partner (Pete) comes to see him about a decade old missing persons case. The missing girl is the daughter of the current Governor, Mark Jones.
Ethan has no interest in helping with the case……Until the man responsible for killing Ethan’s father along with several women (currently serving a life sentence) start providing Ethan with clues. Ethan has no choice but to look into the disappearance of Callie Jones in 2015 and a Portia Vale (missing a few weeks).

This was a ROLLER COASTER of a ride.

Wow… Charlie Donlea did it again! This book is incredible!

Compulsive, gripping, shocking twists, this psychological thriller is packed with action and I was hooked from start to finish.

You better buckle up for this ride. Very intense, and suspenseful, every chapter misguides you in a way that you won’t see the twist coming.

Guess Again is definitely on my top reads of this year.

Thank you so much to Kensington Books, Charlie Donlea and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Very enjoyable. Great writing, great plot, great characters. Everything a reader could wish for! Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC!

I devoured this book in a single day, but I’ll be recovering from it for a lifetime—seriously, what just happened?! It’s a gripping, brilliantly crafted story—possibly Donlea’s best yet—but be warned: it’s dark.

5/5 stars. An absolute must-read!

Ethan Hall is a former detective, turned ER doctor, leaving behind the horrors of the child crime division. But on the tenth anniversary of the disappearance of a young woman, his ex-partner Pete Kramer, makes a desperate plea for Ethan to help him solve the case, before he dies. Word soon spreads of his involvement and Ethan is lured into a dangerous game by a criminal, one he needs the help from.

SO many twists and turns in this one! It was fabulous🎉
Ethan's backstory and own terrible past was intriguing and the missing persons case captivated me. I thoroughly enjoyed the setting, the supporting characters and the twists that I absolutely could never have guessed. This one had wicked devious characters and fascinating supporting characters. Another brilliant novel by the author and it will be one of my favourite novels this year.

This was my first Charlie Donlea book, and it won’t be my last. I thoroughly enjoyed it and the ending took me by surprise. A great read!

I read this so fast! Literally could not put it down!

Ethan Hall was a special agent with criminal investigations. After 10 years he gave it up and decided to become a dr.

During his time as a special agent he had a 💯 strike rate of solving all his cases.

His old partner comes to visit him and is dying and as his dying wish he has asked for Ethan to look into one of Pete’s unsolved cases.

My god this book was a ride!! Like just when you think you know who the murderer is… GUESS AGAIN!!! (Pun intended) 😂. And then omg holly mother of plot twist after you find out who the murderer is!!!

Thank you, #Partner @kensingtonbooks, @netgalley, and #Donleasdetectives for my #gifted (free) copy. Pub date 7/29/25.

HOLY COW, THIS BOOK WAS AMAZING!!!!! The whole book is a wild ride, and the short chapters would not let me stop reading! If you think you have it all figured out, well, GUESS AGAIN, because you are far off! I will read anything #CharlieDonlea writes. Make sure to pre-order and add this edge of your seat thiller to your TBR list.

Ethan Hall was a detective with a 100% success rate, but he had to get away from it all and became an ER doctor. When his former partner, Pete Kramer, begs Ethan to help him reopen a missing person's case that happened 10 years ago, that also happens to be the governors daughter, Ethan feels obligated. Ethan is about to discover things he never would have imagined.... Just wait to have your mind blown 🤯