DNF at 27%. Charlie Donlea wrote my favorite thriller so I’m always excited to dive into each new release. Unfortunately this one was a miss for me. The format was jumping around a lot between different people/places. I think it was to draw tension before it all comes together but it just came off as too much and made it hard to ever feel connected to any part of the story. This one wasn’t a great fit for me. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the gifted book.

Such a good book.

The main character, Avery, who hosts the program on television, plans to make material for her show on the recent identification after many years of one of the victims of the 9/11. However, she soon discovers that the identified woman, Victoria, before her death, was the prime suspect in the high-profile murder of her lover. But was she really guilty? That's not the end of the secrets, because Avery is also hiding something. And her past isn't all that smooth either.

This is a great story. We have two very interesting cases here. One is discovering what really happened many years ago and whether Victoria really is a murderer. The second focuses on Avery, who comes to New York not only to solve a murder case from years ago. Both are really fascinating, and I waited with bated breath for them to be solved. There have been some really surprising twists and the stakes have been high all along.

The ending was excellent. Recently, it happens less and less that I do not predict the end of the thriller. In this case, a few things really surprised me. The author was able to brilliantly play on a few well-known themes in this genre and use them to confuse us. The ending is very satisfying.

This is my first book by this author, but I will certainly read more. I definitely recommend it to everyone who likes mystery thrillers with an interesting, non-obvious story and numerous twists.

I've read a few of Donlea's books before, though none of them really stick out to me. This one however; oof. The main character is a tv personality doing a story on a woman who was identified as a victim of 9-11 twenty years after it happened. This woman is interesting because she was a person of interest in her boyfriend's murder at the time of her death. But the reporter has secrets of her own. I couldn't put it down, and didn't see the twist coming at all, which is rare for me. Definitely would recommend, especially for fans of thrillers.

As a popular tv host, Avery knows a good case when she sees one. She’s willing to take a dramatic plunge to share the stories that matter. So when she stumbles across new evidence in an old case, she has no idea of the story she’s about to unravel. With the help of Walt, a former agent, they will reexamine the case of murder against Victoria Ford. Was the police work as solid as the police initially thought? Or did 9/11 well and truly impede an already shoddy investigation?

Twenty Years Later is my third Donlea book, and every book I’ve read of his is superbly written. This has a multi-layered storyline with alternating perspectives, and it tells such a complete picture of the investigation and the characters’ lives outside of it. I adore the writing style and the carefully thought-out mystery element at play. There is a subplot I don’t want to spoil, but it adds another dimension to an already phenomenal storyline. Fans of a psychological storyline that keep you guessing are going to love Donlea’s newest book. Thank you, Kensington Books, for sending this along!

Readers should know that the tragic events of September 11, 2001 play prominently in how this story plays out. I don’t often read books centered around 9/11, but I had good reason to trust Charlie Donlea so I went for it and glad I did. After a bit of a slow, repetitive start, the pace of this book and the intertwining mysteries picked up and rocked a long at a pace that made it impossible for me to stop. I swallowed this book whole in one sitting- I listened to it in audio and it was well performed- perfect voice. I had an inkling of the resolution very early on but Charlie hit us with an unexpected turn that renewed my love for his books and the art of mystery writing.
Very much enjoyed this read and if you can handle the events around 9/11, I think other readers will as well.

Kind of reminds me of the murder of Chandra Leavey… how that investigation seemed muted in comparison to what was happening.

Charlie Donlea is a solid and creative mystery and suspense writer. His attention to detail is admirable, some of his characters intriguing. My favorites among his portfolio have been the somber, involving Some Choose Darkness, and the more glitzy but clever Don’t Believe It. In his latest, Twenty Years Later, there are enough characters, plot lines, and twists for at least two novels. I did enjoy the amount of descriptive detail, but not so much Donlea’s repetition and over- explanation of plot points. The twists were engaging, though. In the end I rate this involved tale 3.75, rounded to four stars.

I received a digital advance reading copy of this book from the publisher through Netgalley for review, and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Summary:
TV host Avery has a new, gripping story to cover: New DNA technology has allowed the New York medical examiner's office to identify a 9/11 victim 20 years after the tragedy happened. But the victim was accused for murdering her lover, and her sister Emma should have proven her innocence. Now, Avery wants to talk to Emma. But Avery has a secret past herself...

My opinion:
I always love it when real events play into the plot of a fictional novel, and this one was no exception. I really enjoyed how the author bought together the different  storylines as well as the way he built his characters. I did guess some of the twists, but that's okay - it was still great to follow the characters there.

This was my first book by Charlie Donlea

I requested a copy of this book because I had enjoyed Donlea's previous books Some Choose Darkness and The Suicide House, the first books in his Rory Moore/Lane Phillips series. I was eager for another twisty psychological thriller with a darker edge to it.

Twenty Years Later is partly set against the aftermath of 9/11 (hence the 20 years later title), but the main plot focuses on the gruesome murder of an author. The mystery was solid, and I liked how 9/11 was incorporated into the story and that would have been enough to keep me engaged. But (argh, there's a but!) Donlea convolutes the story with several subplots, tertiary characters and a story that lost its tension by awkwardly jumping between timelines and POVs. I also found it frustrating that the story doesn't get going until the halfway mark.

Walt and Avery are interesting main characters and there are decent twists, but the overly drawn out story and Donlea's odd penchant for overexplaining and repeating plot points gave the story a tedious, long-winded feel. But the pieces of the story eventually come together with the tension and energy ratcheting up substantially in the last bit of the book, resulting in a satisfying ending, despite the long journey to get there.

This book was solid in its twists and ending but it felt too muddled and long-winded. I have greatly enjoyed his previous work so while Twenty Years Later won't be pegged as my favourite book of his, I look forward to reading more from Donlea in the future.

Disclaimer: My sincere thanks to Kensington Books for my advanced digital copy of this title given in exchange for my honest review.

A good read with some flaws

Twenty Years Later centers around two crimes: one from the past that holds an eerie link to 9/11 and another surrounding a fugitive on the run. A TV reporter finds herself investigating one crime and playing a starring role in the other.

Avery is a TV reporter with a large fanbase. With a contract extension on the line, she is looking to grow her ratings. When she hears about new technology that can identify DNA from 9/11 victims, she jumps on the opportunity to highlight the latest victim identification on her show. But what makes the story even juicer is that the newly confirmed victim was an accused murderer. At the same time Avery launches an investigation into the DNA 9/11 identification program, Avery is desperately trying to keep a secret from her past from being exposed to her viewers.

This book moves in many different directions--too many directions IMHO. In the beginning, it seems like the plot is going focus on the murder from 20 years ago, but it is more about the present. Donlea covers everything imaginable, which muddles the plot, including flashbacks to the murder 20 years ago, flashbacks of those involved in the murder, flashbacks of the detective who solved the murder, and flashbacks to Avery’s past. In addition to all of the flashbacks, much takes place in the present. I didn’t care about any of the storylines until the last 10% of the book, which is when things get very interesting.

Avery is the primary narrator--it took me a while to warm to her. It’s not that she is unlikeable, I just didn’t find her all that compelling. Walt is the other main narrator. I liked him from the start, but I was left with a lot of questions about his past. There are some additional perspectives woven in.

This book is slow in the beginning. I didn’t care much about the case or Avery, but my interest grew as I continued to read. There is a lot of repetition, which made me groan. However, things eventually smooth out. The ending was exciting and a little surprising. The epilogue was fun and added another spin to the events.

Twenty Years Later was a solid 3 star for me, but the ending bumped it up a notch to a 3.5 rating.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

First, thank you to the publisher for the review copy.

This was a very easy read to get into. The writing was not too clinical and I enjoyed it.
The story was good although I got confused a few times with the changing narratives because it wasn't always clear who anyone was at first, you kinda had to figure it out as you read.
Also, it was very repetitive as in literal sentences were repeated pages later. That kinda bugged me but I still finished and liked it mostly.

Thank you to the publishers at Kensington Books and Netgalley for this e-ARC of Twenty Years Later.

I was absolutely blown away by everything about this story! Hands down, one of my favorite novels of 2021!

Told from several POVs and timelines, the two main characters we interact with the most are Avery Mason and Walt Jenkins. Avery is a newsmagazine host for a popular show called American Events, and Walt Jenkins is an FBI retiree living in Jamaica after an unceremonious early departure from his job. The two of them will end up meeting in an unlikely way.

In another part of the story, we see an old murder case from the summer of 2001 coming back to the surface after the main murder suspect’s remains are finally identified in 2021. Avery Mason is also hiding her own secret past, one that she is desperate to see unfold. All in all, everyone has a secret to hide, even twenty years later.

I loved every single aspect of this story. The back and forth timelines, the multiple POVs, and the underlining mysteries all come together to bring us a compelling and well thought out thriller. I was constantly shocked after every new reveal, and the ending had me absolutely gripped. Several times, when I realized the story was coming closer to a conclusion, I wanted more and more. I never wanted it to end! Charlie Donlea did an amazing job! I can’t wait to read his next thriller!

Twenty Years Later releases December 28th!

Thank you to Kensington Books and Charlie Donlea for sending me this advanced copy of Twenty Years Later. This book hits the shelves on December 28.

I really wanted to like this one. I tried really hard to just roll with it, but the lists of cons grew so large I ended up hate reading it. The descriptions are too much, there’s no room for me to use my own imagination, everything is just handed to you. There are so many characters and redundant explanations of all of them. This book could have been 200 pages shorter if it was written for a person with a memory. I think this is considered a beach read, made for grocery store bookshelves and if that’s your thing then look no further, this book is for you. If you’re looking for a thriller or mystery with some substance, please look for something else.

Avery Mason, host of American Events, knows the subjects that grab a TV audience’s attention. Her latest story—a murder mystery laced with kinky sex, tragedy, and betrayal—is guaranteed to be ratings gold. New DNA technology has allowed the New York medical examiner’s office to make its first successful identification of a 9/11 victim in years. The twist: the victim, Victoria Ford, had been accused of the gruesome murder of her married lover. In a chilling last phone call to her sister, Victoria begged her to prove her innocence. Emma Kind has waited twenty years to put her sister to rest, but closure won’t be complete until she can clear Victoria’s name. Alone she’s had no luck, but she’s convinced that Avery’s connections and fame will help. Avery, hoping to negotiate a more lucrative network contract, goes into investigative overdrive. Victoria had been having an affair with a successful novelist, found hanging from the balcony of his Catskills mansion. The rope, the bedroom, and the entire crime scene was covered in Victoria’s DNA. But the twisted puzzle of Victoria’s private life is just the beginning. And what Avery doesn’t realize is that there are other players in the game who are interested in Avery’s own secret past—one she has kept hidden from both the network executives and her television audience. A secret she thought was dead and buried . . .

Avery Mason has made a name for herself as an investigative journalist.  After securing the job as host of the TV show American Events, ratings are through the roof.  Hearing about a DNA match from September 11th twenty years ago, Avery heads to New York under the ruse of chasing the story of Victoria Ford.  Flying under the radar, Avery has more than just the story on her mind, she has a few other things to take care of first!  A fast paced read with some mighty fine twists!  Hats off to you Mr. Donlea!

Twenty Years Later is highly recommended! An intriguing book that will keep you guessing; the title also has different meanings which I think adds to the overall appeal of the novel.

Charlie Donlea presents a brilliant and complex psychological suspense about a woman who is accused of murder right before 9/11. Years later, a reporter and the woman's sister strive to prove the woman's innocence.
This was fast-paced and a twisty plot with dual intersected stories.. The plot flowed well and the ending produced several twists.

Avery Mason is an investigative journalist for a popular TV show, American Events. For her next special she decides to travel to New York to cover a story about the technology that just identified a body from 9/11 twenty years after the attack. The body discovered belonged to Victoria Ford, and Avery quickly learns that she had been accused of murdering the man she was having an affair with right before she died. Avery meets with Victoria’s sister, Emma, who is convinced Victoria was set up and wants Avery to help clear Victoria’s name. As Avery digs deeper into the case and uncovers secrets, she becomes wary of who she can trust. To top it off, Avery herself is running from a secret past of her own.

Twenty Years Later has easily become one of my favorite books I have read this year! I really enjoyed Donlea’s writing style and the unique plot he created. Avery Mason has become one of my favorite characters, and I would love to see more from her! This book had me hooked from start to finish and the ending is incredibly twisty! I was not disappointed by this fast-paced thriller and I will definitely be reading more from Charlie Donlea.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for an advance e-arc of Twenty Years Later!

If you're in a reading slump, and you're looking for something to get you out of it, I highly recommend Twenty Years Later. It's a book that will certainly keep you guessing and on the edge of your seat. The title also has a few different meanings within the book, and it doesn't only represent that the amount of time gone by.

The only issue I had was Avery's age. In one part of the book, it's claimed that she was a junior in high school when September 11th happened, which would have made her around 16 years old. When we fast-forward 20 years later, she says she's 32. When she should be 36. I know this is true because I was a sophomore during 9/11 and I was 15, and I'm now 35. That was only the "negative" thing that stuck out for me in the book.

Otherwise, it's a gripping ride that you won't be able to put down!

4/5 stars

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review!

WOW-Just wow. This is a page turner that will keep you rapidly reading, to see where the story is taking you next! Contemporary and perfect in it's sense of celebrity shenanigans and attempts by journalists wanting to make a name, in ferreting them out, this book is equal parts modern fiction and thriller. Add in a hook with 9/11 history, and you have a winner that you will be telling everyone about! Mystery lovers will love the red herrings, and thrill seekers will love the unexpected turns! Do NOT miss this book!

Let's just start with Wow what a book!
I loved the real life settings that I could easily connect with.
The beginning gets you hooked right away.
The backstory is interesting and kept me guessing.
Takes place a few months prior to 9/11, during 9/11 and twenty years later.
The parts about 9/11 are done with sensitivity and are just enough to pull at the heartstrings.
Some great twists along the way.
And THAT ending!! Bravo!

This was my first Charlie Donlea novel but it surely won't be my last.

**A special shout out to all those tirelessly still working to identify each and every remain from that horrific day!**

Thanks to netgalley and Kensington Books for the arc.

4.5 stars

I haven't been fooled like this in a while, so bravo to the author for the twists and turns in the story!

This story has two separate plot lines but when they intersect that's when things get really interesting! First you have the secret identity/family plot line surrounding Avery Mason, the host of a hit ratings boosting TV show. This was my least favorite of the two but it grew on me as the story progressed. Second you have the recovery of a bone fragment of Victoria Ford from the Trade Center ruins. Avery's digging into this uncovers all sorts of questions regarding an unsolved murder case and this is what kept me really interested.

The writing is descriptive and sets a great scene, intermingling with real places and events one can picture in their mind, the reader can really get immersed and place themselves in the story. Avery and Walt are likable and have good rapport and chemistry building up to the big reveal. I wasn't sure how much I was going to like the characters at the start of the book, but the writer does a great job of slowly letting them shine as the book draws to a crescendo. I enjoy books that are character driven and this one certainly was. If you like mystery/suspense books with a crime aspect I highly recommend checking this one out!