What a rollercoaster of a ride it was. Long Time Gone was terrific and I loved every minute of the book.

When Dr Sloan Hastings accidentally stumbles on an information about her DNA match to a rich and powerful family, she's beyond shocked. She'd known that she was adopted by her parents but what she didn't know was that her birth parents had loved her very much and that she wasn't given up for adoption by them.

More shocking revelations come to light as Sloan decides to visit her place of birth - Cedar Creek, a gorgeous town in the foothills of mountain ranges.

A shocking disappearance and suspicious deaths that had been covered for 30 years are about to come out in this fast paced, hugely addictive thriller by Charlie Donlea.

I enjoyed knowing the forensic science and technology and the investigation that takes place as well as learning how photographs were made back when digital cameras were invented.

Many thanks to Kensington Books for my ARC.

The opening scene of this novel is gripping, and it doesn't stop there. I loved the premise of the novel--using genetics and family trees to solve cold cases--and loved that the idea came from a real criminal who was caught this way. Sloan is starting her medical fellowship to become a medical examiner, and she's given a thesis question to explore: how can genetics play a role in solving cold cases. As she dives into her research, and uses her own DNA to see how the process works, she finds herself at the core of an old crime. This was my first Charlie Donlea novel, and I totally get the hype! What a fun read!

Charlie Donlea's newest novel (to be published on May 21) grabbed me as all his others have. This story describes how a young physician studying pathology comes in contact with the world of genealogy. Sloan's first assignment as a Fellow with the Raleigh Medical Examiner led her to connect with someone who knows about the world of Legacy companies. His suggestion that she study it by sending her DNA for analysis sends her life into an intriguing mystery.

CD leaves tiny breadcrumbs that are hard to put down. I tried to read this one in a single sitting. Sloans's questions and answers make for an excellent novel.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the advanced copy of the book.

This book completely derailed my weekend, but, honestly, I'd be happy to have a distraction like this every single weekend. I know I'm in for an amazing read when the very first sentence of a book pulls me into the story and has me desperate to know more. This story lived up to the promise of the first sentence and reminded me of how much I love Charlie Donlea's narrative style.


Long Time Gone takes a fascinating look into the world of forensic genealogy and its ability to solve cold cases. Cedar Creek, Nevada is a small town haunted by the decades old disappearance of a young couple and their infant daughter, part of a prominent, affuent family holding more than a few secrets. The current sheriff is determined to clear his father, the former sheriff's, tarnished reputation and solve his final case. Sloan Hastings is completing her fellowship in forensic pathology and, in the course of working on her fellowship research project, makes some shocking discoveries about her ties to a past crime. All these story threads intersect and form a riveting mystery that had me carrying this book around with me until I turned the final page. 


Compelling storytelling, perfect pacing, an instantly engrossing mystery, and relatable, and down-to-Earth characters who act in a believable manner are a few of the elements that set this author's books a level above most other thrillers for me. I've loved all of Charlie Donlea's books, and this is an impressive addition to his book list. 


Thank you, Netgalley and Kensington Books for providing an early copy for me to read and review.

I cannot stress enough how much I love Charlie Donlea’s writing style. Long Time Gone did not disappoint in the slightest.

We follow Sloan Hastings as she submits her own DNA to an ancestry site and is found to be a long time missing child, cracking open a cold case that swept the nation decades earlier. She works tirelessly to try and find out what happened to her birth parents and why she was adopted by two innocent people states away from where she was born.

The character development, plot build up and the main villain were just *chefs kiss* Charlie Donlea is an impeccable story teller.

WHAT A BOOK!

I have read all of Charlie Donlea’s novels, and this is my favorite one thus far!

"Long Time Gone" is a story that follows Dr. Sloan Hastings. Sloan has started her first year of her fellowship with guidance from the renowned Dr. Livia Cutty. When Dr. Cutty assigns Sloan the research thesis of forensic and investigative genealogy, she is pressured to submit her DNA profile to an online website in order to familiarize herself with genealogy. Sloan is hesitant to do this because she is adopted and has never considered tracking down her real parents. However, she ultimately decides to submit her profile. When her DNA profile matches that of Charlotte Margolis, Sloan’s life is turned upside down.

Nearly thirty years ago, Charlotte Margolis was assumed to have disappeared with her parents, Preston and Annabelle. Despite exhaustive efforts, the family was never seen again, and the case turned cold.

Sloan decides to investigate her ties to the Margolis family and the disappearance of her biological parents and is led to the small town of Cedar Creek, Nevada. Sheriff Eric Stamos is currently in charge of the police department in Cedar Creek, and his father investigated the Margolis’ disappearance. However, Eric’s own father died under mysterious circumstances while investigating the Margolis family.

Sloan embarks on a perilous journey to uncover the truth behind her parents' fate, the mysterious disappearance of Sheriff Sandy Stamos, and her own illicit adoption.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book; it did not disappoint and was a quick read. The novel was action-packed and suspenseful. Every chapter kept me wanting more, and I really appreciated how relevant a topic such as genealogy is to the current world of forensic science.

A massive thank you to Charlie Donlea, Kensington Books, Kensington, and NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Be sure to pick up this book when it is published on 5/21/2024!

Trigger warnings include murder and overdose.

Long Time Gone is the second book by Charlie Donlea that I’ve read, both ARCs through NetGalley and the publisher, so thank you again for the chance to read and review this new book.

This book was twisty turny in a good way. There were plenty of characters that played fitting roles, giving you lots of whodunnit suspects without being overdone. I didn’t really see the whodunnit coming, and had jumped from a few different people throughout the novel, so it was a pleasant surprise to have been mislead.

The novel itself takes on a unique point of view for a typically overdone topic; the missing child trope. A pathologist, using DNA, ancestry and genealogy as part of a research study for their education, discover they themselves to be a missing child - this was done meticulously, with lots of information to help the reader understand the science in this process while not bogging down the story. There wasn’t a simple and heartfelt reunion, in fact, it had an entirely unpleasant ending, which to me also adds to the uniqueness of what could be a common plot.

Overall, this is a solid 4 star read. It’s fast paced with wonderful short chapters, making it a bingeable read. It has interesting characters, lots of interwoven story, and an ending that was a TAD ridiculous but also satisfying as you may not see it coming.

In Long Time Gone, Dr. Sloane Hastings is assigned to learn more about forensic genealogy as part of her fellowship with a well-known medical examiner in North Carolina. She sends in her own DNA for testing to see if she can learn anything about her biological parents, and to learn more about how the process works as part of her research. When her results come back, everything Sloane thought she knew is turned on its head.

Thirty years prior the Margolis family, a husband and wife and their infant daughter, went missing on the other side of the country. The world was enthralled with the case of the missing couple and baby Charlotte. It turns out Sloane and baby Charlotte are one and the same.
As Sloane searches for answers about who took her, where her biological parents are, and how she was placed for adoption without any red flags being sent up, she works with the local sheriff, the FBI, and her aunt from her birth family to discover all of the secrets long buried in the small town in Nevada the Margolis family seems to run.

I thought the plot of this one was very interesting, and the pacing of the story was good. Sloane was a likable character, as were her adoptive parents, her biological aunt, and the local sheriff. The sense of foreboding some of the Margolis family gave off was palpable. I liked the alternating timelines and multiple points of view as well, but something about this one just felt a little off for me. I am a fan of Charlie Donlea, and there is nothing bad about this book; I just struggled to feel as invested in the outcome as I have with his past novels.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

My thanks to Net Galley and Kensington Books for this more than 5 star read!!!!

Wow!!! What a read!! Sloan Hastings is doing her forensic rotation and is assuming the science of Forensic Genealogy as the subject of her dissertation. She sends her DNA in and finds out she is the missing baby Charlotte, daughter of Preston and Anabelle Margolis who disappeared decades before. With the help of the town sheriff, the son of the original sheriff who investigated the hit and run.where Annabelle Margolis was framed, then he who mysteriously died, Sloan goes down a dangerous path to find out what happened to her parents, what happened to Sheriff Sandy Stamos, and why Charlotte was illegally adopted.

Quick chapters, easy read, great flow, interesting characters. I loved this!

A Good One!

Long Time Gone is a mystrery/thriller about a forensic science investigation that links back to a missing child case.

Almost 30 years ago, baby Charlotte and her parents disappeared without a trace.

Presently, Dr. Sloan Hastings, starting a fellowship under Dr. Livia Cutty, is assigned to research forensic genealogy. Her personal DNA submissions lead her to the cold case of baby Charlotte. What unfolds is a compelling mystery rife with tension and suspense.

The narrative alternates between the past, in 1995, and the present moment. Narrated by Sloan, a former Sherrif, and a few others, all of their stories are interesting and connect in surprising ways, including how one murder went down. Sloan is a likable lead, and I found the storyline about forensic geneology fascinating.

Many of Donlea's previous characters appear, including Dr. Livia Cutty, Ryder Hillier, and others. While they don't play major roles, I enjoyed seeing them again.

My gripe, because I have to have one, is Donlea's unnecessary continuous reference to the characters by their first and last names, i.e., Sloan Hastings, even in the final chapters. But this is a minor complaint.

Long Time Gone is a fast-paced can't put it down read! The mystery kept me guessing until the end. I didn't love Donlea's most recent novels, but this one restored my faith in him. Highly recommended!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Kensington Books in exchange for an honest review.

I realized I was at chapter 15 before I decided to make something to eat. The chapters are short, the pacing is quick, and I was pulled right into this.

This one easily kept me turning the pages until the end.

Long Time Gone was my first time reading the author; it definitely won’t be the last.



Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the DRC

I've read several books by Charlie Donlea so far and they've all been excellent. This one is no exception. Like the others, this is a compelling mystery. It also has a ripped-from-the-headlines detail that Donlea changes just enough to make interesting. Further, I really like that Donlea's books can be read as stand-alone stories, but all are clearly set in the same universe. It's like Easter eggs for devoted readers.

●This is a gripping thriller that weaves a complex tapestry of mystery and suspense.

●The story chronicles forensic pathologist Sloan Hastings as she embarks on a personal quest after a DNA test links her to an infant who vanished almost thirty years prior. Her pursuit of the truth leads her through a labyrinth of family deception and hidden truths, a path that might be filled with danger.

●Donlea masterfully shifts between past and present, maintaining high tension throughout the narrative.

●The story’s twists and turns will keep you on the edge of your seat, eagerly turning pages to uncover the truth. 

●This is not just a simple mystery; it’s an in-depth examination of personal identity, family bonds, and the extreme efforts individuals will take to safeguard their hidden truths.

●This was the first book I've read by Donlea and I found him to be an master storyteller, weaving complex narratives and crafting vivid characters. I am eager to delve into more of his books!

"Long Time Gone" by Charlie Donlea is a gripping tale that seamlessly blends elements of mystery and thriller. The protagonist, Sloan, embarks on a journey to unravel a thirty-year-old murder, showcasing her evolution from a determined doctor to a relentless pathologist. Donlea masterfully crafts a narrative that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, skillfully weaving together past and present timelines to build suspense. As Sloan delves deeper into the case, uncovering long-buried secrets, readers are drawn into a web of intrigue and deception. With its expert pacing and intricate plot twists, "Long Time Gone" is sure to captivate fans of crime fiction until the very last page. Thank you to the author, Charlie Donlea and NetGalley for plowing me to read this early!

Loved the character development in this thriller. Sloan was a strong and smart lead female character. Twists and turns didn’t jet me out the book down. Loved it!

This is a classic “who done it?” story told in dual timelines. Floating between the past and present REALLY worked for this book and added a lot of depth to the storyline. In fact, that might have been my favorite part!

I would say this is more of a mystery than a thriller. I also wasn’t totally shocked to find out who the killer(s?) were. Even still, it was a fun read and I am happy I read it! 4 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an ARC of this novel.

Dr. Sloan Hastings is ready to embark on her two year fellowship under Dr. Cutty. Her first year assignment is researching the advancement of geneology technology to solve cold cases. But how exactly do these geneology websites work?

What starts off as a simple research project, Sloan uploads her DNA to a website and quickly discovers that along with her birth parents, she disappeared 30 years ago. But how can that be? Her adoptive parents have ample proof that her adoption was legitimate.

While the FBI begin their own investigation, Sloan takes things into her own hands. With the help of Eric Stamos, the sheriff from the town she grew up in, Sloan travels across the country to meet her family. But the Margolis family isn’t your average family - they are well established and have their hands in everything - vineyards, political offices at the local and state levels, and one of the largest law firms in the country.

Every question they find an answer to takes them one step closer to finding out the truth about what happened to Sloan’s family but pushes them further and further into danger. Will Sloan ever discover what happened to her birth parents or will she go missing, this time forever?

Charlie Donlea has done it again! The unique main topics added such an interesting perspective to Donlea's storyline. The characters were likeable and smart and there were quite a few twists along the way.

Multiples time I led out a gasp at what I was reading! Who did what to whom? WHAAAT in the world!?

Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington, and Charlie Donlea for the advanced reader copy in exchange for a review. Publication day is 05/21 and of course, I have already pre-ordered a copy.

This is the second book I’ve read by this author and I loved it just as much as the first! It actually had some similar themes and topics such as the critique on media/true crime fans which I really enjoyed.

I loved the fast pace and the way it was told with flashbacks. Sloan was an amazing character - it was really interesting to follow a forensic pathologist and I lliked all the genealogy and scientific talk. I also loved Eric and Nora.

The mystery itself was very intriguing and I had so many theories about what happened. Honestly I could have read this book in one day because it was so gripping and a real page turner. The short chapters kept my attention and I just really wanted to know what was going on!

It got pretty intense towards the end and I loved the way everything was revealed. I felt quite emotional at the end - I cared about Sloan and her story was a sad one at times.

Overall it was another perfect thriller for me.

This was the first book I’ve read by Charlie Donlea and I’m certain it won’t be the last. What a thrilling ride! Great use of alternating time lines- past and present- with just enough revealed at each switch to keep you guessing. I admit that I did suspect part of the ending early on, but there was no way I would have been able to predict how everything went down. Great storyline with excellent character and plot development and a very satisfying ending. Can’t wait to dig through more of the author’s books!

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Kensington Books for the advance reader copy. This is my honest review. 4.5/5⭐️. Publication date May 21, 2024

Dr Sloan Hastings has been awarded a prestigious fellowship for a two year training program in forensic pathology in Raleigh, Nth Carolina. In her first year, she will assist in some autopsies as well as completing a research project before spending her second year full time on autopsies. The research project assigned to her is on how the advances in DNA technology and genealogy can benefit forensic science. Knowing little about DNA technology, she consults an expert and he suggests she submit her own DNA to an ancestry website to learn about the process and the what sort of information can be obtained.

Sloan has known since a young age that she was adopted through a private agency. After her happy childhood and upbringing with loving adoptive parents, she has never felt the need to look for her biological parents. But now she can’t help being curious and excited about whether the DNA test will find her biological relatives. However, she could never have anticipated the startling results that came back.

At first Sloan is shocked to find out that her DNA is connected to a thirty year old cold case of a missing baby, famously dubbed ‘Baby Charlotte’ by the media. However, she decides that searching for what happened to Baby Charlotte would make an excellent dissertation for her genealogy research project, so she arranges to go to the small town of Cedar Creek, in Harrison County, Nevada to meet Charlotte’s relatives, the Margolis family.

The Margolis’ family influence and power extends into every corner of Harrison County to such an extent that they can control the decisions made by the local police, medical examiners and prosecutors. Not all of the family are happy to meet Sloan and answer her questions. However, she finds an ally in one of Baby Charlotte’s aunts, Nora who married into the family, as well as in the local Sheriff, Eric Stamos who is also trying to find some answers to past events.

Told in dual time lines and moving along at a good pace as tension builds, this is a very addictive read, pulling the reader in to wanting to know what happened to Baby Charlotte and more importantly why. Sloan is a great protagonist, confident and fearless of uncovering secrets that may put herself in danger. Nora and Eric are also strong, likeable characters, both wanting the truth to finally come out, no matter who might get hurt in the process. It’s a clever plot, masterfully delivered by Donlea, with a brilliantly quirky final twist that might make you laugh (even if you don’t fully believe it).