Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Books for my e-ARC of Long Time Gone!

𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔
🧬 have ever taken a DNA test
🎙️ are a true crime junkie
2️⃣0️⃣ read Twenty Years Later & loved it
👀 enjoy multiple POVs and timelines

• 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐈𝐓’𝐒 𝐀𝐁𝐎𝐔𝐓

When Dr. Sloan Hastings submits her DNA to an online genealogy site for a research assignment, her goal is to better understand the treasure-trove of genetic information contained on ancestry websites. Brilliant and driven, Sloan is embarking on a fellowship in forensic pathology, training under the renowned Dr. Livia Cutty.

Sloan has one reservation about involving herself in the experiment: she’s adopted. Grateful for a loving home, she’s never considered tracking down her biological parents. The results of her search are shocking. Sloan’s DNA profile suggests her true identity is that of Charlotte Margolis, aka “Baby Charlotte”, who captured the nation’s attention when she mysteriously disappeared, along with her parents, in July 1995. Despite an exhaustive search, the family was never seen again, and no suspects were named in the case.

Sloan’s discovery leads her to the small town of Cedar Creek, Nevada, the site of her disappearance. It also leads her to Sheriff Eric Stamos. The Margolis family’s influence and power permeate every corner of Harrison County, and Eric is convinced that in learning the truth about her past, Sloan can also help discover what happened to Eric’s father, who died under suspicious circumstances soon after he started investigating the case of her disappearance.

• 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒

After Twenty Years Later, Charlie Donlea became an auto buy author for me, so I knew I needed to read his upcoming release, and I was not disappointed! Donlea’s writing style is written for everyone. It’s quick, it flows, and it’s descriptive enough without being flowery. Donlea sets up with a murder right in the first few pages, so I was immediately hooked - who is this person, what did they do, how does it all connect? I especially loved the dual timelines between 1995 and 2024. Sloan is a very likable character, and I enjoyed reading the story from mainly her POV. Overall, I did end up guessing the main villain of the story, but it didn’t retract from that amazing ending! I’d love to see this one made into a movie or tv series!

Dr. Sloan Hastings needs to study her DNA for a pathology class. When she submits it she discovers that she was a child that was missing for almost 30 years. She knew she was adopted but didn’t know about her birth family. Definitely a good read that kept me guessing.

The connection to genetic genealogy was intriguing! Anyone who loves true crime will know how revolutionary genetic geneaology will be for solving cold cases, so I loved the idea of a book based on this premise. I did also like the science woven throughout, especially related to Sloane’s experience as a ME in training.

The only thing that held this back from being a 4 or 5 star read is that the twist was pretty easy to guess. I had thought there would be a second twist, or more to the story, but there wasn’t.

Loved this one! I think we will be seeing it as a highly-sought after pick for a lot of book clubs. I highly recommend this unique story. Charlie is an auto buy author for me!

Dr. Sloan Hastings is studying forensic pathology training under Dr Livia Cutty. Adopted at birth she decides to submit her DNA to a genealogical site for a project assigned to her through residency. When she is linked to a famous family who disappeared nearly 30 years ago she works to solve the mystery. Approached by Sheriff Eric Stamos whose father tried to solve the mystery long ago, they work together to uncover a crime and answer questions that have plagued the community for nearly 3 decades.
Another win from Charlie Donlea. I've read all of his thrillers. His character development is well done. I like how he always brings in little tidbits from other books, crossover characters or crime scenes. We follow two different timelines, 30 years ago when The margolis family disappeared and Sloan today trying to solve the mystery. As the two tie together in the end we learn what happened to the young family and why it was covered up all these years.
Thank you to Kensington Books and Netgalley for this ARC.

This is one of my favorite authors. I literally yelled “YES” when I got approved for this book! I started it instantly and couldn’t wait to keep reading. It really sucks you in and makes you want to read late into the night! I didn’t see the twist coming which always makes a book better for me! Several jaw dropping moments!! I definitely recommend this one!

I loved this book! I really enjoyed the main character and her story. I loved the DNA/ancestry connection. 5 stars!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

4.5 ⭐️ Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an advanced e-copy of Long Time Gone! I will definitely be purchasing it for my bookshelf when it’s published on May 21, 2024!
I really enjoyed this entertaining story, it felt like the makings of an episode of Dateline! DNA, a genealogy website, and a kidnapping. My oh my! (Maybe…Keith Morrison should narrate the audiobook! 😂)
The story not only introduces a compelling new female protagonist but also brings back a familiar face, Dr. Liv Cutty, in a cameo! I love that! The pace and tension in the pursuit of answers to the who, what, when, and where kept me engaged and if I didn’t have to work today I would have stayed up late last night to finish it. Hopefully, this won’t be the last we hear of Sloan Hastings!

How cool would it be to work on cold cases? You probably would never dream you’d stumble upon your own, right? Sloan didn’t either until she submitted her DNA to a popular ancestry site for her thesis work on genealogy and forensics. One little swab and her whole world turned upside down. She always knew she was adopted, but what she found out about her birth parents led her down a dangerous path. Just like all of Charles Donlea’s novels, this one did not disappoint. Just enough criminology to be interesting and not lose me and an interesting story to go along with it.

Wow! Charlie is such a great storyteller. The details complement the story and don't bog it down. I like how the past time lines filled in the present time line so you could see how things happened and figure out the clues along the way.

Thank you to Netgalley, Kensington Books, and Charlie Donlea for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Publication Date for Long Time Gone is May 21, 2024

Dr Sloan Hastings is living her best life. Beginning a prestigious fellowship in forensic pathology with the highly-respected expert Dr Livia Cutty as her mentor, she embarks upon a project related to forensic genealogy as part of her specialisation.

As an adoptee herself, Sloan has always had a loving relationship with her adoptive parents and so feels comfortable using her own DNA to test the system and see what it throws up.

But the last thing she expects is a link to a decades old case of a missing child from a wealthy family. And once it is confirmed that Sloan is indeed "Baby Charlotte", who went missing with her parents after a strange incident involving an automobile accident which lead to the death of a man, all hell breaks loose in Sloan's life. Because it becomes increasingly apparent that someone in Sloan's birth family knows more about her parents' disappearance than they are admitting.

Secretly working with the local sheriff who has privately shared with her his desire to find out more about the suspicious death of his own father - sheriff at the time that Sloan and her birth parents went missing - she inches closer to the terrifying truth...

Some of the highlights of the book included the character of Nora, the story of Annabel's love of photography, and Eric's determination to clear his father's name, as well as the role played by Marvin Mann. Charlie Donlea has once again delivered an intriguing, intricately plotted story that leaves the reader feeling deeply satisfied.

Wow! I’ve only read one book by this author and I will definitely add the rest to my TBR. This novel had me on the edge of me the whole time. I loved the flashback between the past and present to build the suspense

Charlie Donlea is always a go to author for thrilling suspense-filled reads and "Long Time Gone" is another winner in my book.

Charlie Donlea, the master storyteller is back with another page turning mystery. I am a huge fan of this author, his books always have so much depth and feeling, while telling a cracking story. I raced through this book, with its short chapters and multiple timelines, each chapter leaving me needing more. As always, we have some characters from previous books appearing throughout, but this is absolutely a stand alone.

Sloan Hastings has always known that she was adopted. But never in a million years did she imagine that putting her DNA on a genealogy website would open up a 30 year old cold case of a missing family. The more she finds out, the wilder this case becomes, and she is right at the centre of it all.

Just brilliant! i had no idea how this was going to play out and ai loved being drip fed information from the past. This was one insane family story and I just loved it.

Thank you so much to Kensington Books for the chance to read this so early. Absolutely loved it

I usually love Charlie Donlea’s books, but this one just didn’t do it for me. It’s just okay. No spoilers, but portions of the ending (who took the photos?) we’re cringe-worthy.

This was a great story - the plot was very well developed and wrapped up nicely at the end. I enjoyed the switching between past/present of the story, the past gave very insightful clues which added to the story being told in the present. The characters were excellent as well - I especially enjoyed the Margolis family.

ARC provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to get an ARC from NetGalley because I’ve read other books by this author! Twenty Years Later is still my favorite of his!

The whiplash this book gives you! Prepare for a lot of timeframe and POV changes. I usually love that but it was just a bit too much for me. This is a ‘whodunit’ that spans over three decades. I love that genealogy kick starts this story because I think it’s going to continue to happen in cold cases. I loved that so many stories were happening in parallel and loved to see how they were connected. The reason I didn’t rate this higher is the ending seemed a bit too far fetched to me. The way the characters were wrapped up at the end also felt rushed

This is worth the read though! I’ll always read new titles by Charlie Donlea

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

I wonder if I’m the only person who completely fixates on a book I’m anxious to read to where I can’t focus on any other books until I read THAT book. Well that was THIS book for me. I was completely incorrigible to deal with (sorry family) until I got my hands on this book and sorry not sorry but the obsession was well worth. Charlie Donlea does it again and proves himself to be a master storyteller.

I love a missing child trope so this was right up my alley especially because it was coming from what I know is a very strong writer and a master storyteller.

Typically with Charlie Donlea’s books there is a good bit of build up and different characters and their backgrounds introduced before it starts to come together. It can require a little patience that is ALWAYS worth it. With LONG TIME GONE he dove in a little faster but it was still classic Charlie Donlea with a very masterful plot that slowly unraveled. The way he writes has you on the edge of your seat wondering where the next bread crumb is taking you.

The characters were STELLAR. Sloan was smart, strong, and the chapters told through her voice were riveting. Sheriff Eric…. Pretty sure he should have his own tv series. The Margolis family included a host of characters and all I can say is READ THIS BOOK!!!

Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington Publishing for this ARC!

Also a VERY special thank you to Vida at Kensington for getting this book to me and giving me the opportunity to read it early and review it.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an ARC copy of Long Time Gone!

Overall, I really enjoyed this story, it felt like I was watching a really interesting episode of dateline. I was compelled to keep reading and learn all the details of what happened to baby Charlotte. I thought switching back and forth from present to past timeline was a really smart choice that helped keep up the pace of the story. My only complaint is that a few of the details revealed late in the story were so outlandish and improbable that it was distracting and took away from an otherwise really solid story.

4.5 stars, rounded down!

Donlea knocked this one right out of the park! Another non-stop, fast paced powerhouse of a crime thriller to add to his ever-growing collection of sensational reads. I was gripped from the very first page and the intensity didn't let up until the final chapter. I love how the author includes cameos and/or continuing storylines of some of the other characters from his previous novels in each of his new books. And I especially love that we finally learned what became of baby Charlotte and her missing parents. Donlea's writing is perfection, and I will read anything this man writes. And you should too! I highly recommend this novel and believe it will be one of the top thrillers of 2024. I could not put this one down!

Thank you to the author, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for granting me digital access in exchange for my honest review!