I LIKED but didn’t LOVE this latest offering from Charlie Donlea, and I think that is because of the style the book is written in. The story jumps around A LOT, with short chapters that always list the DATE and the Wisconsin location that the chapter takes place in, moving from PAST to PRESENT and LOCATION TO LOCATION at will. While the dates are important, I feel like the locations bogged down the pace and were not a necessary detail.

It just felt TOO BUSY.

By the second half, I got into the swing of things, and the pace picked up. It was interesting to discover the role that each of the characters would play, and I enjoyed all of the shocking twists, EXCEPT FOR ONE.

It would appear from the denouement, that Ethan Hall, may have to put his career in medicine on hold-as a sequel just MIGHT be in the works. While, I did find this story entertaining enough to read a second book with these characters, should the author choose to go there, I prefer stand-alone books to series, so I am okay if the story ends here as well.

Think this is another run of the mill thriller?

<b>GUESS AGAIN</b>

Charlie Donlea spins another startling story! His writing shows a knack for building momentum at a breakneck pace while the revelations keep the plot fresh making for a propulsive reading experience.

Ethan Hall is a successful detective turned ER physician. He retired from the force to preserve his mental health and attended medical school. His former partner Pete makes a dying request Ethan can't turn down. Pete asks Ethan to pit his 100% solve rate against a haunting cold case. A decade ago, 17-year-old Callie Jones was last seen driving away in her family's boat. Small town Cherryville, Wisconsin hasn't been the same since. Callie's father is the new governor willing to put his clout behind the investigation. The biggest break in the case comes from an unlikely source proving nothing is as it seems.

Smart and intricately woven together this is an addictive read! It may sound cliche, but it is unputdownable. I can't imagine the number of notes necessary to have kept this story straight during the writing process. I imagine one of those white boards with strings attaching the different plot threads. The narrative switches from past to present and different perspectives. The short punchy chapters make the back and forth easier to roll with. It did take me a bit to acclimate to the layout. The editing was fantastic nothing felt extraneous. It is A LOT to track but so worth it! The ending leaves an opening for a sequel which I usually don't like in thrillers BUT in this case, I would dive back in.

Twisted and riveting <i>Guess Again</i> is a must read for thriller fans.

*Sensitive readers be aware that this novel is full of dark content.*

Thank you to Kensington Publishing for providing an ARC via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Guess Again had me in full detective mode, convinced I was piecing everything together right up until Charlie Donlea pulled the rug out from under me. Again. This book is like a masterclass in misdirection, with just the right balance of chilling twists, layered characters, and that signature slow burn suspense that keeps you flipping every page while telling yourself ‘just one more chapter’ (spoiler: liessss). This book is seriously impossible to put down until you’ve reached the last page. TLDR: Charlie does it again, and I’ll never learn. Bravo 👏

Guess Again releases July 29th.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an arc of this book. All opinions are my own.

Guess Again by Charlie Donlea is a medical drama thriller chock full of action and constant motion. Ethan had been a criminal investigator but decided to become an ER doctor. He thrived on chaos. When approached by the governor to help solve a cold case as Ethan's crime solving success rate was 100%, he was reluctant. But his skillset made sense so he agreed, especially as it meant teaming up with his former colleague, Pete, who suffered from ALS. The cold case intertwined with a missing woman in the present. To add another layer of interest, a woman fell in love with a male prisoner who wasn't exactly upstanding. A lot was going on but it did not feel over the top.

Some of the story was predictable, some was not. It was definitely a page turner but it didn't grab me emotionally. The characters didn't, either. For some reason, I didn't feel invested or absorbed. However, I did enjoy the ending.

A ten year old case of a missing teen is reopened and an ex-detective takes the case. While visiting a dangerous murderer in prison, it seems there’s a connection but how?

This author has never done me wrong so I
was excited to read this one. It’s a page turner that you won’t be able to put down. At first I was thinking that I had it figured out and would be predictable. I don’t know why I even thought that because of course it wasn’t! Total red herring! I never would have been able to figure it out, although it all made sense and all the pieces fit together. There’s room for a sequel, despite closure to the story.

“Months of planning had shrunk to weeks. Weeks to days. And now mere hours stood in the way of their new beginning together.”

Guess Again comes out 7/29.

Thanks to Kensington Publishing for allowing me to read Guess Again by Charlie Donlea.

This story is a multi-dimensional tale with a variety of interesting characters.
Th story reminds me of a kaleidoscope with varying pieces that come together to create a pattern. When the kaleidoscope twists, the pieces scatter to form a new pattern. The twisting and turning of events and personalities in this story keeps the reader totally engaged.

Guess Again is the perfect title because that is exactly what the reader does throughout the entire story. I have read all of Charlie Donlea’s books and this one is my favorite. It is a wonderfully compelling thriller.

My first book by this author but hope to read more! This was hard to put down, drew me right in and was a great way to pass the day on the beach!

So, so good. The prologue sucked me in and I finished in one sitting. I was a huge fan of Twenty Years Later and this one is even better. The author has mastered the art of weaving a complex web of characters and storylines together with superb pacing and intention. That's the word that kept coming to mind, every character, scene, breadcrumb is intentional. There's no fluff or filler in this one, just the perfect thriller.

This would make an excellent option for Netflix. Dig in you won't be disappointed.

I absolutely loved this thriller and finished in about 36 hours. This may be Charlie’s best book yet.

I love how all of the characters were intertwined with eachother and how everything wound up connecting in the end. I did guess that Ethan’s dad was involved in the killings before Ethan went into see what was in the warehouse at the end of the book.

The one thing that I was slightly disappointed in, was the ending. I wanted Ethan to catch Francis once and for all. I wish there was an epilogue at the end of the book.
4.5

An intricately woven plot makes this book a page turner. The main character is an emergency room doctor who was a detective in a previous life. He is drawn back to investigating a cold case when his former partner requests his help. The story is set in Wisconsin and the author does an excellent job of effectively describing the setting. The antagonist is an evil murderer oozing with creepiness. I did struggle a bit when the story began to wind down and a completely new character was introduced and their relationship with the antagonist wasn't completely explained. However, this is still a good read.

If you like books by Riley Sager, Anna Downes, Alex Finlay, Stacy Willingham and/or Karin Slaughter, then I highly recommend this one!!

I loved the book Those Empty Eyes by Charlie Donlea, so I was excited to join the Donleas Detectives Reading Group to share the love of all things Donlea!!

If you want a fast-paced psychological thriller and a plot full of surprises, then add this one to your tbr!!

Once you think you have it figured out, Donlea throws another twist. It has the perfect title because that's what you'll be doing....guessing again!!

It's the kind of book that will keep you turning the pages way past your bed time!!

This book started with an opening sentence that can’t help but draw you and got better and better as the book progresses. It’s a nail biter with lots of twists and unexpected happenings. And it’s not easy to put down. The story is told in multiple timelines and by multiple characters but it’s not confusing, thanks in part to the chapter headings. Set in various parts of Wisconsin the author does a stellar job of describing the landscape and characters. If you like mysteries and thrillers you will like this book. I received a copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC. As the title suggests you think you have the answers and you are WRONG. Well done and it is set up to continue on. Can’t wait for the next installment…if there is one!

Guess Again by Charlie Donlea is a very highly recommended mystery/thriller that held my complete attention from start to finish.

Ethan Hall is an ER doctor who previously was a special agent with the Wisconsin Division of Criminal Investigation. His former partner, Pete Kramer, is dying and comes to Ethan with a request. Ten years ago 17-year-old high Callie Jones disappeared and the case was never solved. Pete was the original investigator on the case and now he wants Ethan to take a look at the case and hopefully find some clue Pete missed to bring closure for the family. Ethan agrees to look at the case files but is pulled into investigating.

This well written thriller amps up the suspense and tension with each short, fast-paced chapter. The narrative jumps between the past and present and in the present between Ethan and a unknown woman. This structure works well to enhance the uneasiness and highlights the twists as the investigation continues.

The plot is complex and ties into Ethan's past in an unexpected way. It also requires some assistance with current technology to assist in the investigation. This is a novel that contains multiple mysteries along the way. Clear out some time as you will want to read it in one sitting.

Ethan is portrayed as a likable, fully realized character, with both strengths and weaknesses. You will know, as Ethan does, that he is being guided into an evil man's twisted scheme, but Ethan is intelligent and not easily deceived.

Guess Again is an excellent choice for those who enjoy fast-paced, twisty mysteries. Thanks to Kensington for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.

The review will be published on Edelweiss, Barnes & Noble and Amazon.

I don’t think it’s possible for Donlea to write a bad book! This was crazy good! I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough and the twists just kept on coming! I love his style of writing, so immersive and engaging. I will read anything this man writes!

Ethan Hall is a retired DCI agent now working as an ER doctor. When his old partner from the DCI enlists his help solving a cold case, unexpected things start to happen. Ethan discovers that his nemesis and father’s killer in prison knows more about how Callie Jones disappeared and a recent disappearance. He’s sent on a hunt by his father’s killer to uncover all the clues.

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

Charlie Donlea is a genius. This book is like your favorite hospital/medical drama meets Criminal Minds. I really enjoyed this novel. Thank you NetGalley

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC. This is a complex story but the simplistic writing style was not engaging at all. The characters were surface level, the plot was convoluted, and I would not read a sequel to this book.

This was my first book by Charlie Donlea. I loved it! If you are a fan of Riley Sager, Frieda McFadden or Karin Slaughter...this book is for you.
It had good twists and plenty of suspense.
All I ask for is that there be a sequel please!!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC

This was a ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing
I definitely enjoyed this book but did find it a bit slow to start. The twists and turns in the book I did not see coming at all. A few parts of the book were a bit predictable but again the twists in the book kept it interesting and I am really hoping there will be a sequel to this book.

Thriller writer Charlie Donlea's latest finds Ethan Hall working as an ER doctor after having left his previous job in law enforcement. But Ethan is dragged back in to investigate the cold case of the newly elected governor's daughter. Her case somehow has ties to the man who killed his father and is a suspected serial killer. But can Ethan go back to the life that tried to kill him to unravel the mysteries of Callie's disappearance, his father's killer's connection to the case, and a newly missing woman who is being used as the ticking time bomb to fit it all together?

Donlea's books are fast paced and action packed. This one is no different. It was very complicated but engaging. I didn't love the last quarter of the book, but nonetheless, it was a good popcorn thriller to fill the absence of any good action movies being out this summer. I think Donlea is the new John Grisham crossed with Michael Connelly, and I'll read whatever he writes (even if it goes off the rails a little like this one because it is one wild ride.)

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy for review.