A sign of a good book is when you pick it up to read a few chapters … and then can’t put it down. Mr Donlea had me gripped from the very first page with his latest thriller. This is the third book I’ve read by him, and in my opinion, his best to date.

Told in duel timelines from the present to the past, we follow the story of the disappearance of baby Charlotte in 1995 to the present day. Sloan Hastings has begun a two year fellowship in training to be a forensic pathologist. Her first assignment is the study of genealogy and DNA. Donlea weaves an intricate and clever tale combining science, family dynamics and missing children tropes.

I like my thrillers twisty and full of suspense. Not only did this book deliver on those points (expertly IMO) but was also infused with a level of emotion and depth that I have come to expect from his books, elevating them into a richer, satisfying story.

An expertly crafted plot that had me at the edge of my seat, well developed characters that kept me invested and a suspenseful, fast paced narrative all make for a totally addictive read. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to @netgalley @kensingtonbooks for a complimentary ebook 💌
Huge thanks to #rbmedia for ALC 🎧 The narration by Vivienne Leheny was superbly executed and entertaining.

Recently accepted into a prestigious fellowship program in forensic pathology, twenty-nine-year-old Dr. Sloan Hastings is assigned the topic of forensic genealogy as her research project. To enhance her knowledge and gain a better understanding of the field, she submits her DNA to a genealogy website. She has always known she was adopted but little did she know that the results of her DNA analysis would result in a shocking revelation about her real identity – a revelation that connects her to the mysterious disappearance of three members of an influential family in Cedar Creek, Nevada in 1995 - a young couple and their two-month-old daughter, Charlotte.

As Sloan embarks on a quest to find out more about the cold case, her biological family and the mysterious circumstances surrounding her adoption, she travels to Cedar Creek where she meets members of her biological family who are overwhelmed to be reunited with “Charlotte” after all these years. She finds an ally in the local Sheriff who has a personal interest in the cold case but finding out what happened to her biological parents after all these years won’t be easy and whatever information she does gather leaves her with more questions than answers. Complicating matters further is the media frenzy brought on by “Charlotte” being found and the fact that there are people who would resort to any means to prevent Sloan from discovering the truth.

The narrative is presented in dual timelines – the present day where we follow Sloan as she pursues her search for the truth and 1995, wherein the events that led to the disappearance of Charlotte and her parents are slowly revealed.

Charlie Donlea’s Long Time Gone is UNPUTDOWNABLE! It’s been a while since I found a thriller that kept me glued to the pages and I couldn’t be more pleased. With an intriguing premise with a solid mystery at its core, interesting characters and dual timelines that are equally absorbing and seamlessly woven into a fast-paced, suspenseful narrative – this book checks all the boxes!

I paired my reading with the audiobook narrated by Vivienne Leheny, which made for a riveting immersion reading experience. I finished this one in a single day!

This is my third time reading Charlie Donlea and I can’t wait to explore his backlist while I wait for his next book!

Many thanks to Kensington Books for the digital review copy and RB Media for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I have been a Charlie Donlea fan since his debut, Summit Lake. With each release, I look forward to getting my hands on Donlea's new book. Long Time Gone was no different - I enjoyed this story of a DNA test opening lots of crazy doors and entering the world of the rich and elite. Another winner from Donlea.

A propulsive mystery that had me on the edge of my seat! Short chapters. Interesting characters. Original storyline. Exactly what I needed!!

There has been a lot going on in my personal life- so I really look to books to take me away and drop me in the middle of somewhere else for a little while. I have started so many books and then put them down as I lost focus. But that did NOT happen here!! I tore through this one - highly recommend!

The short version of the premise is that the main character, Sloan, is asked to submit to DNA processing as part of her ME training. She is hesitant since she knows she is adopted, and is not sure how she feels about finding her biological parents. Little did she know how much ruckus her appearance in the genealogy records would cause.

Enough of a synopsis to entice you? That’s all you need to know- try not to read more about the premise before reading- some big plot points are given away. This is a good- the less you know going in, the better - book.

I loved the unraveling of the mystery bit by bit. I was drawn in immediately and this book never lost steam. Pick up a copy ASAP!! Thank you to @netgalley and @kensingtonbooks for the ARC to read and review. I also loved Those Empty Eyes by this author- so add that one to your TBR too.

Charlie Donlea delivers a book you will want to savor endlessly! This story is full of mystery and suspense. Past meets present, self discovery, family power and mysterious deaths uncovered is just the beginning of this page turner. Run don’t walk to pick up Long Time Gone for your next 5⭐️ read!!!

Thank you Net Galley and Kensington Books for providing an ARC of Long Time Gone by Charlie Donlea for review. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

I can't get enough of this author!!! This book is hard to put down with an unforgettable ending I did not see coming. In 1995, Charlotte Margolis, "baby Charlotte", and her parents disappear. A prominent family tied into a famous case. Dr. Sloan Hastings decides to research the case for an assignment. When she has the DNA tested, she receives shocking results that confirm she is "baby Charlotte". She always knew she was adopted and never had the desire to find her birth parents, but this was epic.
Sloan meets Sheriff Eric Stamos and he has a curious interest in the case also because his father Sandy Stamos died suspiciously during his investigation.
Sloan sets out to meet her real family, the Margolis, and she is in for a rude awakening. There is something not adding up and she finds members not so happy she is interfering and digging up the past.
This is shocking as it is told in multiple POVS and one view is Sandy from his past investigation. Told in dual timelines with the present true crime podcaster Ryder. I think everyone is going to love this one. I was so excited to receive it. Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Sloan Hastings thinks she has a pretty good handle on her life as she is about to begin her fellowship in forensics. She is assigned a research assignment on genealogy and submits her DNA to a website, knowing she is adopted and that she could unearth some interesting information. She gets more than what she bargained for when she is identified as Baby Charlotte, the child of wealthy parents who vanished years ago without a trace.

Donlea is quickly becoming an auto-read for me! He is so skilled at building interesting cases and I loved the cold case element here. Sloan was so likeable and the multiple perspectives kept it so fascinating! I was flipping pages, dying to know what Sloan could uncover.

2.5* —> 3*

I’m afraid the time has come to admit that Charlie Donlea’s books just aren’t for me.

Maybe not finishing his previous one should have been a clue, but I was swayed by the description of Long Time Ago. Unfortunately, that particular description was nearly 20% of the book. Meaning I was just waiting to discover something I didn’t already know.

The premise sounded so promising. Way back in 1995, Preston Margolis, his wife Annabel, and their baby daughter Charlotte disappeared. In the present day, Sloan hands over her DNA to a genealogy site to learn more about the ins and outs of how a DNA sample can help solve a cold case. I must admit I didn’t quite understand that particular reasoning but okay, it’s fiction. Turns out Sloane is Charlotte. Personally, I could have known without knowing that from the description. It ruined what could have been a nice turn of events.

What follows is mostly incredibly repetitive, quite easy to figure out, and predictable. Glimpses into the past are there to shed a light on things that happened in the nineties. But all in all, I never really became hooked on this story. It lacked suspense, but mostly tension. I considered not finishing it, but I wanted to see if my theory panned out. In case you wondered, some of it did. Although not entirely, and not quite for the reasons I thought.

All in all, an okay read but not one that will stay with me, nor one that convinces me to read another book by this author again. It happens, and looking at the reviews/ratings I am very much in the minority.

Long Time Gone is another page-turner from Charlie Donlea.

"Sloan Hastings submits her DNA to a geneology site as part of her research and discovers she is the long lost "Baby Charlotte". Her parents' disappearance captured the nation's attention almost 30 years ago. Sloan is drawn to Cedar Creek, Nevada - a place where her biological family - the Margolises - control almost every part of the town. Sloan discovers that there are secrets that someone is willing to kill for."

Whoa - what a wild ride from Donlea. The pages fly by and I really did not want to put this down. Sloan is a great character to pull for - an adopted girl who loves her parents but wants to know more about where she came from. She's unsure about how to react when she finds them.
I love the darkroom moments. (Film photography is quickly becoming a lost art) And the reveal was especially satisfying, especially with the Baby Charlotte twist.
This reminded me of a case here that got national attention. Who knew Donlea could predict the future.

This is one of the best thrillers I've read this year. Great pick if you're looking for a fast-paced read.

Title: Long Time Gone by Charlie Donlea
Genre: Mystery Thriller
Pub Date: May 21, 2024

🧬 Found Family
🧬 30 Y/O Cold Case
🧬 Mystery Thriller
🧬 Corruption
🧬 Dual POV
🧬 Multiple Timelines

Sloane is training to become a forensic pathologist and is required to submit her DNA to a genealogy site as part of an assignment. The results are unbelievable, and she finds herself in the middle of trying to solve her and her biological parents' cold case/mysterious disappearance.
Her new family is very secretive, and not everyone is happy that Sloane is back. She spends the summer learning more about them while trying to uncover evidence of her parent's potential demise.

My Review:

I really enjoyed the majority of the story. The writing was pretty solid, and the dual timelines and POV made for a quick and engaging read! The twist at the end certainly couldn't have been predicted.

I loved the premise, but the twist at the end was just not for me. I truly love Charlie Donlea so please understand that maybe this just wasn't my kind of thriller, the twist is too unlikely for me and because of that it didn't offer the type of resolution I was hoping for.

Thank you so much, NetGalley and Kensington, for the digital review copy ❣️

3.5/5

I have recently discovered Charlie Donlea and I am impressed so far!

Long Time Gone is a layered mystery that incorporates police procedural, domestic drama and thriller aspects to create a compelling storyline. In her final steps in her training to be a medical examiner, Sloan Hastings is assigned the research topic of genetics and how it helps solve crimes. When she submits her DNA to a genealogy site, Sloan discovers that she has been missing since she was a baby.

The story is told by switching back and forth from present to past timeline and keeps the reader turning the pages. I enjoyed the ride, although some might find the ending a bit of a reach.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Netgalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!

Dr. Sloan Hastings’ objective in submitting her DNA to an online genealogy site is to enhance her comprehension of the extensive genetic data present on ancestry websites. Sloan, a brilliant and ambitious individual, is starting a fellowship in forensic pathology with the renowned Dr. Livia Cutty.

One concern she has about participating in the experiment is that she’s adopted. She has never thought about finding her biological parents because she is grateful for her loving home. What she found during her search is shocking. Sloan’s DNA profile indicates she is actually Charlotte Margolis, also known as “Baby Charlotte”, who gained national attention after mysteriously vanishing with her parents in July 1995. Despite an extensive investigation, the family vanished without a trace, and no potential culprits were identified.

Sloan’s discovery points her towards Cedar Creek, Nevada, the place she disappeared from. In addition, Sheriff Eric Stamos becomes part of the equation. Eric believes that Sloan’s quest to uncover her past can also shed light on the mysterious death of his father, who began investigating her disappearance before meeting his untimely end.

The timeline shifts between Sloane’s investigation into her parents’ disappearance and Sheriff Sandy Stamos’ investigation into prior crimes. Charlie Donlea skilfully intertwines the past and present, gradually unveiling secrets that captivate readers. It had a distinctive storyline with fantastic, unexpected turns. I highly recommend this fantastic new thriller!

Many thanks to @CharlieDonlea @KensingtonBooks & @netgalley for a review copy

The internationally bestselling author, Charlie Donlea is back with his latest fascinating, complex thriller, LONG TIME GONE. DNA results reveal a connection to a mysterious baby's disappearance over thirty years ago, as the past and present collide— when a web of corruption, power, and lies are uncovered in this riveting new novel.

Thirty years ago, Baby Charlotte vanished. Today, she's still in danger.

Bonus Highlight...
~The author brings back a favorite character from previous books, renowned Chief Medical Officer Dr. Livia Cutty from Raleigh, NC!

Topics...
~Forensic Genealogy
~DNA
~Cold Case

About...
~Raleigh, NC 2024
Sloan Hastings is beginning a two-year fellowship in forensic pathology under the renowned Dr. Livia Cutty. Her assignment is to look into the emerging field of forensic genealogy, and the first step is to submit her DNA to an online genealogy site.

Sloan has always known she was adopted and had a loving home and was never concerned about tracking down her biological parents. However, shockingly, she receives the results her DNA is apparently tied to a cold case.

Sloan was Charlotte Margolis, the famous Baby Charlotte who mysteriously vanished in July 1995 with affluent parents Preston and Annabelle Margolis!

She, along with her adoptive parents, contacted the authorities, which led them to the small town of Cedar Creek, Nevada, to the site of her disappearance. The Sheriff, Eric Stamos, is another mystery. Eric's father died under suspicious circumstances soon after he started investigating the case with the Margolis family.

Sloan uncovers some of her relatives and not everyone is happy about this discovery. There are hidden secrets, and Sloan and Eric are determined to uncover them. But some want to keep the secrets of the past buried. Sloan does find an ally in one of Charlotte's aunts, Nora, who married into the family and Eric. However, the cops, medical examiners, and prosecutors have a lot of power and control in Harrison County.

~The Past: 1995 Cedar Creek, Nevada to
~Bend, Oregon (past and present)
The author takes us from Cedar Creek, Nevada, in 2024 to 1995, when it all began with alternating dual timelines. Here, we learn more about the early investigation and more about the Margolis family when Charlotte and her parents went missing. The paths that lead Sloan and Eric to Margolis Manor back to Oregon to the vineyards for a showdown and the mysterious photos and human bones with the FBI's forensic anthropologist.

~The Present
We also have Ryder Hillier, the crime podcaster. The mystery fueled the true crime community and produced dozens of conspiracy theories. Who took the photos, and what were the motives?

In the satisfying wrap-up, we get Dr. Sloan Hastings' dissertation on how forensic genealogy allowed her to solve a thirty-year-old cold case—and the disappearance of her birth parents, Preston and Annabell Margolis. She would have no problem finding a spot on a homicide task force, or should she think bigger?

My thoughts...
Charlie Donlea hit LONG TIME GONE out of the park! I am fascinated by DNA and forensic genealogy! This book is reminiscent of Charlie's earlier books I enjoyed and loved catching up with Dr. Livia Cutty from NC! He is back in rare form. More of these, please!

The two timelines, past and present, will keep you turning the pages into the wee hours of the morning, with the twisty plot while you try and solve this gripping mystery of Charlotte and her biological parents as well as the Sherriff's dad. Engrossing! I loved how the past and present storylines came together. Sloan is a fascinating character, and I hope we see her in future books.

The author shines with his attention to detail and is a pro at forensics topics, and this is one of his best! I also enjoyed the metaphors and the hawk as they related to Sloan's path as she soared to new heights and self-discovery.

Donlea fans will devour LONG TIME GONE, which is one of my favorites since his SOME CHOOSE DARKNESS. An avid fan of the author, I have read all his books and highly recommend his latest!

Recs...
For Donlea fans and authors Lisa Gardner, Lisa Unger, and Megan Goldin.

Thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for an advanced reading copy for an honest opinion.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: May 21, 2024
My Rating: 5 Stars
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Long Time Gone is another great read by Charlie Donlea.
This was a good thriller. This book had me hooked from the start and I could not put it down. There was plenty of twist to keep things interesting and well developed characters. The story is suspenseful and twisty from the beginning to the end.

Thank You NetGalley and Publisher for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

This author! I haven’t read a bad book yet and I have read all of his books! I am in love! This will be on my favorite book list of 2024! The twists by this author from the very beginning are unmatched! Cannot wait for more!

Sloan finds out she may be the long missing baby that disappeared 30 years ago when she does a DNA test for her new job. She is not expecting to get pulled in to an unsolved mystery case 30 decades old but when she reunites with her birth families remaining members that's exactly what happens. Everyone is a suspect as she tries to find out what happened to her parents and who could be to blame in this quick paced mystery that keeps you guessing right until the very end.

Charlie Donlea's Long Time Gone is riveting, suspenseful, and heartwarming all at the same time. Following along with Sloan Hastings, a future forensic pathologist studying under the iconic Livia Cutty, as she discovers a bombshell secret about her past was one wild ride. A DNA test submitted initially for her scholarly research turns out to open a can of worms when she learns that she is actually Baby Charlotte - a missing infant who disappeared with her parents 30 years ago. Talk about confusing! She knows she was adopted but finding out her true identity leaves her with more questions than answers. Can she trust her parents? Can she even trust the family members she was taken from? And what happened to her birth parents who vanished along with her all those years ago? Where are they?

This book would have absolutely been 5 stars for me if I hadn't guessed the ending. There weren't exactly that many characters in the suspect pool and the build up left enough breadcrumbs for me to figure out who must have been involved. However, that doesn't mean it wasn't brilliantly plotted, thrilling and engrossing. Up until the end it was really give and take on who I could trust. This book will keep you on your toes for sure and have you rooting for Sloan/Charlotte as she discovers the truth about what led to her own mind-blowing disappearance.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story that mixes the past and present times with surprising discoveries. It's interesting to learn how DNA might help find unknown relatives, killers and all sorts of people sometimes with pleasing results other times not so much. In Long Time Gone a paper due to obtain a degree unravels a widely published disappearance of a couple with a young child and there are rumours that this disappearance with connected with a hit and run. But there's much more than this, as the story uncovers the past of a powerful family and their sins. The story is easy to read, it's engaging, and keeps you hoping that the truth will be set free. Highly recommended!
I thank Mr. Donlea, his publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

Wow, Charlie Donlea blew me away with this one! An incredibly well done mystery and tale of suspense, you won’t want to miss Long Time Gone.

Sloan Hastings is doing a research project about forensic genealogy when she submits her DNA to a site and finds herself in the middle of a massive story. Her DNA reveals that she is Baby Charlotte, who went missing as an infant along with her birth parents. As Sloan struggles to come to terms with who she is and gets to know the other members of her birth family, terrible secrets begin to be uncovered.

The breakneck pace and short chapters of this read had me absolutely flying through the pages, needing to find out what Sloan would learn next. It is the definition of a page turning, binge worthy read, and it didn’t let up until the final pages. I loved Sloan’s character, with her incredible mental and physical strength, and felt like I was right along for the ride with her.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

I’ve read Charlie Donlea books and have enjoyed their quick pace and thriller plots. I was looking forward to Long Time Gone and appreciate receiving a DRC from Kensington Books in exchange for my honest opinion. And let me tell this was another winner of a book from Charlie!

I loved the plot of a doctor in her medical examiner residency discovering that she was a missing person along with her birth parents over 20 years ago. It made for an intriguing launch point and one that made me want to figure out was going on. The story’s ongoing twists also had me saying what the hell is going on?

Did I have to suspend belief at times? Yes. Did it get absolutely batty at the end? Well also yes. But did I fly through this book? You bet I did. It’s a perfect read for the beach or pool as you will be highly entertained and able to easily move in and out of the story. Just my kind of summer book.