Guess Again
by Charlie Donlea
Narrated by Vivienne Leheny

Charlie Donlea is an automatic read for me, I was so excited to get approved for this ARC!

The writing is brilliant, the plot twist was a complete shock and I am HOPING this is the beginning of a series because I need more.

Vivienne Leheny did a fantastic job at bringing this story to life
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This is only the second Donlea book for me, but after this one, I will be going back to read the others. Once I started it, I fell in love with the character of Ethan, A ER Doc who is pulled into a cold case because he used to work with the police departments. The new Governor, has a daughter that went missing 10 years ago and he wants Ethan to take a look at the case.

This story had some amazing puzzles that seemed like they could not be solved in any way but Ethan takes a month off from his day job to take a look at this case. It is related to so many parts of Ethan's life and he just plugs in and works like fire The twists are so remarkable and the ending was just phenomenal.. Thank you to the author and Kensington Publishing for the ARC through #NetGalley.

You will not regret adding this one to your TBR list.

Guess Again by Charlie Donlea is a tightly plotted, high-stakes thriller that grips you from the first page and refuses to let go. Known for his intricate storytelling, Donlea once again delivers a masterclass in suspense with a story that is as unpredictable as it is addictive.

From the very beginning, the plot unfolds with sharp detail and layered intrigue, pulling readers into a world where nothing is quite as it seems. Just when you think you have the answers, Donlea throws in a twist—one of many—that completely flips the narrative. The action hits hard and unexpectedly, giving the story an adrenaline-fueled pace that keeps the tension high.

What sets Guess Again apart is how each surprise is not just for shock value, but carefully crafted to serve the plot and deepen the mystery. It’s smart, intense, and utterly captivating. Charlie Donlea has once again proven himself a master of the genre, making Guess Again a must-read for any thriller fan who craves twists they’ll never see coming.

Holy twisty and turny! This was my first book by Charlie after seeing this all over I decided to apply for it and I’m so glad I did! I would call this addictive because with each clue I was getting more and more invested in the story! The layers to this was fascinating. I for sure, thought I had this figured out but nope! Just wow! Cannot wait to check out more of his books

3.75 ⭐️rounded up ⬆️

The plot of this was so good. I was gripped from page one, but it was very up and down throughout. I’d say this is more of a crime based thriller with some VERY surprising and jaw dropping twists!!!

NARRATION 🎧
I did listen to this on audio and the narration was good, but nothing too spectacular, meaning no extra sound effects and what not. Narration was well done.

However, because there is ALOT OF CHARACTERS and heavy plot points with time jumps, it can get confusing at times! There just seemed to be a lot going on. But I still enjoyed this one!

I’d say immersive read this one for the best experience!

I received this as an ALC from NetGalley and Macmillan audio! All my thoughts and opinions are my own!

This pains me to write because I have previously really enjoyed Donlea's work, but man this one was a miss for me. It really seemed like too much of this book relied on coincidences and forced dialogue that felt like it was only there to explain stuff to the reader. Would someone in a relationship with someone for two years really say, "My cabin, through a loophole that's been assed down through three generations, is registered in a trust tie back to my great grandfather's copper mining company that no longer exists. No one is going to find us there because..."

The book was a quick enough read, but I was left a little confused more than anything with the big twist (though I didn't see it coming). I also rotated with the audiobook and I think the narration was okay. Some of the voices felt a bit over the top, but overall I didn't really have any complaints there. I do think because of all the moving parts and jumping around in the book, this one is more suited as an eyeball read.

Thank you NetGalley, Recorded Books, and Kensington for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Holy moly this book had me in a choke hold. I am going to need to recover from this. Ahhhh I loved this so much. The roller coaster of emotions I felt the whole book is indescribable.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this arc

This book had me from the first few minutes. Guess Again is everything I love in a thriller. Fast paced, full of twists, and impossible to pause. Ethan, a former detective turned surgeon, gets pulled back into a cold case when his old partner asks for help solving the disappearance of a young woman named Callie. From there, the story takes off, moving between timelines and characters in a way that keeps you fully invested.

The audiobook is outstanding. The narration is top tier and completely elevates the experience. I was hooked the entire time and found myself making extra time in my day just to keep listening. It is one of my top three audiobooks of the year so far.

The plot is layered, the characters are compelling, and the twists keep coming. It reminded me of a popcorn thriller but better. Smarter. More gripping. I could easily picture this as a movie and would love to see a sequel.

Charlie Donlea has officially made my list of must read authors. If you love a story that keeps you guessing and delivers all the tension and payoff of a great mystery, Guess Again is a must.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and RBmedia for the advanced copy.

A gripping investigative procedural with a cold case that's opened 10-years after a teenage girl's disappearance, filled with twists and multiple intersecting plot lines. I enjoyed this -- especially as an audio -- and may be looking forward to a follow-up book or new series? If you like Karin Slaughter, you'll enjoy this one, too. There are a lot of characters and multiple storylines, which made keeping up with some of the twists a little difficult. I'm considering now what I just finished and am having a tough time recalling how some of the characters are tied together, which could call for a follow-up read from me. I LOVE the short, concise chapters! Executed perfectly for this style of book and for those who love quick, digestible bits to break up their reading, it will definitely be a treat.

Thank you to NetGalley and RBmedia for the opportunity to review this as an ARC.

Amazing! This is my second book I’ve read of his and won’t be the last! If you’re looking for a new thriller author, look no further than. This story is about a retired special agent turned ER Dr who is tasked to find out what happened to a missing girl ten years prior. He is asked to research the case and find out what happened to her and if she’s still alive. This book has about 4-5 side characters who we learn more about their background/story and how it all comes together to meet up with Ethan and Callie, the missing girl. I would say more but don’t want to give anything away. I was shocked at the ending and this book kept me very interested as I finished it in two days!

Charlie Donlea continues to weave intricately layered thrillers that will blow your mind. The narration, fast pace, and numerous mysteries tied into one story really kept my attention. I did figure out the antagonist nearly immediately, but It's because the narrator did something that was pretty telling. I don't think I would have figured it out had I been reading it as an ebook. That still doesn't take away from how fantastic this book is! Don't let this sit on your TBR.

In this new thrilled from Charlie Donlea, a dying ex-partner asks a former detective- now turned-ER doctor (Ethan) to solve the decade-old cold case of a missing teenage girl.

Ethan is drawn into a twisted psychological game with a sinister connection to his father- who was also a detective- who died on the job.

I enjoyed this novel. At first I felt like it was going to be predictable, with the good characters doing good things, and the bad characters doing bad things...but I was wrong! Terribly, horribly wrong! The twists and turns kept coming and coming at me. And we've been set up for a nice sequel here, too.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for this ARC!

Thank you NetGalley for the audiobook ARC. WOW! This was a crazy, twisty, keep me on the edge story. The huge twist at the end…. Like WOW! This is a MUST read! One of the best I’ve read this year. That ending! 5⭐️ easily!

Charlie Donlea does it again. This is by far my favorite book from him and audiobook version was great! I've never really heard a narrator truly express the emotions like a character would. it definitely added to the story. "Guess Again" is an uber fast paced thriller that follows a decade old cold case, an investigator who needs help from a serial killer, and a race against the clock because someone else is about to die. The twists in this book had my jaw on the floor. I couldn't stop listening to this. I highly recommend this especially on audio! Thanks to NetGalley and RB Media for this audio ARC.

I received an advance audiobook copy of Guess Again by Charlie Donlea from netgalley.

I enjoyed the audiobook of Twenty years later and was excited to get the opportunity for an advance audio copy of Charlie Donlea's new book.

The narration is the same as Twenty Years Later, so I already knew the narration was going to be well done. Another great job narrating by Vivienne Leheny.

The over all plot of the story is interesting and enough to draw you in. The storyline and characters are well written.

Another book by Charlie Donlea that leaves you mind blown. The shocking twist, suspenseful mystery, and stunning conclusion. Perfect.

Definitely recommend.

"Eugenia Morgan suffered from hybristophilia, which was defined as the phenomenon of an individual being sexually aroused by and attracted to a criminal offender."

“You’re the only man for the job. And I need you to say yes to this.”

The above quote about Eugenia might lead to some conclusions as to where the WTF shocking, Guess Again, by twists within twists, wizard of words, author Charlie Donlea, might be heading as a psychological thriller.

HA! Guess again (see what I did there 😆). I read and listened to it and was wrong about all of it. I was even wrong when I thought it was ending, and then...BAM! The writer drops a jaw dropping, shook me to my core reveal that didn't even exist in my mind.

Ethan is an ER doctor. He left his job as a detective in the kids crime unit with a 100 percent solve rate. He wanted to save lives instead of seeing the awful way some end. But just as he's settled, a 10 year old cold case pulls him back in.

Callie, a 17 year old volleyball star, went missing in 2015. Now her father, the new governor, has received word there's new info about her. The problem is it's from a convicted prisoner. He's in jail for murdering Ethan's dad, a detective investigating the death of young girls in the area in 2010. Francis, the killer, will only talk to Ethan.

Bravo to voice actress Vivienne Leheny. I truly believed this was a full cast performance. The range of emotions from Eugenia's unhinged thoughts, to Ethan's break your heart speech to Francis' parole board was phenomenal.

What follows between Francis and Ethan, Eugenia's role in it, and the turns it takes is nothing short of a master class in writing a brilliantly skilled twisty psychological thriller.

With each chapter the writer plays with us, saying, oh you thought they did it? Guess Again!

I received free copies of this book/ audiobook from Kensington Books and RB Media (Recorded Books) via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.

Guess Again - Charlie Donlea
Pub Date - 7/29/25
Rating - 3.5 rounded to 4
Thoughts - Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and RBMedia for this gifted advanced listener copy in exchange for my honest review. Charlie Donlea is one of my favorite authors so a new book by him that I had access to was a real treat! This story was so action packed with multiple storylines and as usual, they come together perfectly. I enjoyed everything about this book, but felt the ending was a tad predictable. It didn't surprise me like his other books have, which is why I rated this one a little lower than others. Overall though, I would recommend this book to readers who want an action packed, heart thumping thriller!

I didn’t see that coming…wow. Sometimes I wait after finishing a book to write my reviews, but not with Charlie Donlea’’s Guess Again. Don’t walk. Run to get this book. Then don’t plan anything, because you’re going to want to binge it. This book is a roller coaster thrill ride that I did not want to get off, and I did not want to end. In fact, speaking of endings…I’m hoping there’s a sequel coming, because I need more Ethan Hall, and I need that huge loose end tied up.

4.5 ⭐️ rounded up

This is my first Charlie Donlea book and will definitely not be the last. This book was everything that I want in a thriller: twists and turns through the whole story that I could have never predicted. It kept me entertained from start to finish and I completed in just a few hours.

This book is about a special agent turned doctor, a missing girl, and a serial killer. Their stories all merge together perfectly and I was unable to stop listening until I finished this book, which I did in one sitting.

Without giving any spoilers, I can't wait to see what this author comes out with next!

5 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
ARC provided by NetGalley

Guess Again by Charlie Donlea is everything I want in a psychological suspense novel—tense, twisty, and totally unputdownable. From the opening chapter to the final page, I was glued to this story.
I thought I had the plot figured out more than once… and every single time, I was wrong. Just when you think the mystery has unraveled, Donlea drops another reveal that completely shifts everything. It’s masterfully layered, with sharp pacing and a cast of flawed, compelling characters you can’t help but invest in.
Ethan Hall is a standout lead—a former detective turned ER doctor with a haunting past—and the dynamic between him and the dying former partner who pulls him back into the cold case adds emotional weight and urgency. The setting, the heatwave, the inmate with shocking information—it all builds into a complex and riveting investigation.
Fans of Riley Sager, Alex Finlay, and Karin Slaughter will devour this one. Guess Again is a brilliant, high-stakes thriller that cements Charlie Donlea as a must-read author for me.