“Long time gone” was a quick, suspenseful listen with some good ideas and interesting topics but lacking in the follow through.

The suspense was there throughout the whole book, but I have to say that none of the turns were especially imaginative or surprising either. While genetic testing as a method of solving cold cases is not a new approach anymore, the premise is still intriguing and has not been done too often, so it made for an interesting subject matter.

It sometimes seemed that the author assumes that the reader knows nothing about any of the topics that are mentioned in the book and instead of choosing to let the reader do some research on their own or just not explaining how something works in detail, the author instead chose to overexplain. Almost like the author thought ‘I already did the research, so now I also have to show that I did it’.

This mostly bothered me with the topic’s photography and ancestry research. Concerning photography, the explanation on how the photos were developed was incredibly detailed, but I don’t see how it was necessary to go into such detail. The problem with that is also that instead of pleasing people that know about photography, you will be more likely to get something wrong, which was the case here. Even as someone that has never developed a roll of film in their life, I know that you first develop the film and then, IF you want to, print the pictures. Instead, the author went into incredible detail about printing pictures without ever mentioning the development of the film. And if you are in a time crunch, like the characters are in this book, there is absolutely no reason to go ahead and print the pictures. You can just enlarge the negative with whatever tools you want to use.
Concerning ancestry research, the way the author tried to convey information to the reader just felt incredibly staged. Sloan is told that this will be her thesis topic, so she decides to get in touch with someone to submit her DNA for testing. But when they meet up, instead of talking about the specific service Sloan is paying for, she starts to ask questions about genome testing and how it can solve crimes, which is her thesis topic and something she has already researched and therefore knows the answers to all the questions she is asking already. I felt like I was watching an interview that is supposed to inform me, the reader, instead of Sloan. This also made me feel like the author thinks the readers are a little slow, because all the information contained within this conversation was already mentioned previously.

The ending also seemed a tad bit unrealistic to me, and the fact that Sloan is celebrated so much for ‘solving’ the case seemed far-fetched to me. The ‘solving’ of the case was literally down to luck. It seems that this is a set-up to make a series in which Sloan ‘investigates’ more crimes.
Sloan is a bit of a bland character so far, but I do see some potential for future series, as the base is not bad, and her character can be developed more. If the issue with ‘overexplaining’ is dealt with and Sloan did some more investigative work, this could turn into a nice series.

The narrator of the audiobook has a very clear, pleasant and fitting voice. If this book seems interesting to you, I recommend trying out the audiobook.

Thank you to NetGalley and RB Media for gifting me this ALC of the audiobook to review. All opinions are my own. I was not paid to leave this review.

4.75/5

I have now read every single Charlie Donlea novel there is minus his debut Summit Lake, and he never ceases to surprise me. Long Time Gone was a whirlwind of mystery and emotion, and the pacing took off right away and there was never a lull. The book is jam-packed with mixed media which I loved, and there are quite a few viewpoints to keep things interesting. Sometimes I don't think they are all necessary but all of the POVs Donlea used here were great additions to the storyline and added quite a bit to the suspense factor. I've read quite a few books recently that involve DNA tests, but I loved where the author took that with Sloan turning out to be a missing-presumed-dead baby.

As with every Donlea novel, Vivienne Leheny narrates the audiobook and I hope this is a theme that never quits. She did an incredible job with each of the viewpoints as well as the mixed media, and I could listen to her read a grocery list I love her narration so much. I did take away .25 of a star due to constant repetition which is something I am not used to with Donlea's books. Not to be mean, but unless you are Tom from Fifty First Dates, we don't need to have the same major parts of a story on repeat. Besides that, I loved everything about Long Time Gone and the twists were extra twisty! This will take you on a roller coaster ride, and I would love to see it onscreen.

A future medical examiner uncovers a mystery in her own life when she submits her own DNA to a genealogy site.

What worked for me
- likable main characters
- likable side characters
- using genealogy to solve crimes - love it!
- fast-moving plot
- mostly believable plot points

What didn't work for me
- baby Sloan hitting the camera button with her foot was hard for me to swallow

This book hit all marks. Suspenseful, character building and thought provoking.

I love how.the main character worked in forensic and it established the plot line.

the setup…
Dr. Sloan Hastings is a forensic scientist working on a fellowship in forensic pathology, being trained by the renowned Dr. Livia Cutty. Each of the participants are given a research assignment and Sloan’s is in genealogy, examining how these online sites can be useful in forensic science investigations. Coincidentally, Sloan was adopted thirty years ago and for the project to be most productive, she’ll need to submit her own DNA as the analysis tool. With her adopted parents’ approval, she proceeds and the results are earth shattering. She’s THE “Baby Charlotte” who along with her parents vanished from Cedar Creek, Nevada under suspicious circumstances.

the heart of the story…
What starts as a research project pivots into an investigation into how Sloan came to be adopted by her parents. Sloan’s goals are broader than the FBI’s as she has to contend with a biological family she’s never known. Before she can fully grasp her new circumstances, she’s surreptitiously approached by Cedar Creek Sheriff Eric Stamos. His father originally investigated her parents’ disappearance and the fatal car accident associated with her mother’s car but he died strangely before he could resolve the case. He engages Sloan in the middle of a giant puzzle that includes lots of potential danger as it’s uncertain as to who she can trust.

the narration…
I initially believed the story should have had multiple narrators but Leheny was quite masterful in not only the storytelling but in voice distinctions. There were times if sounded as if there was more than one performer!

the bottom line…
We should have learned by now that dipping into these genealogy sites should be a step you don’t take lightly. I have my own experience but knew enough to be cautious. Sloan is smart with great instincts and they served her well. The transitions from 1995 to present kept me riveted and they were timed perfectly. While I arrogantly believed I’d solved the thing there was still a big twist I missed. Believe the hype because this mystery is big time!

Wow. Intense and full of suspense, I could not put this down and felt like I was alongside Dr. Sloan Hastings as she pieces her history together. Between the audio and print, I finished within a day. It reads like a real true crime.

If you love forensic science and true crime, this is definitely a book for you! The author dives into how genealogy sites work to find ancestors and also potentially solve long time mysteries. It amazes me how much DNA has opened the doors for unsolved mysteries and I can only imagine how much closure this could bring victims and their families.

Details: Charlie Donlea • 344 pages • May 21, 2024 • Gifted: @bibliolifestyle @kensingtonbooks #partner • 4⭐

I am such a fan of the author's work. This one is told in the present and 30 years ago. It's a complicated tale about who Sloane really is and how she came to be adopted. It is a fast paced story with short chapters. I was entertained from start to finish as I tried to work out the mystery of what happened all those years ago.

I like how he was able to weave the multiple timelines and multiple mysteries into an ending that doesn't leave anything hanging.

Vivienne Leheny is one of my favorite narrators, but she seems like an odd choice for this narration. Her voice seemed more mature than the young Sloane. But other than that disconnect, I thought she did a good job. She is great at pausing at the right time for emphasis and bringing on the tension.

Another fantastic Charlie Donlea book- probably my favourite to date!! They’re always great to read or listen to.
We meet Sloan, and then we are reacquainted with numerous other characters we’ve met in different books, which is really enjoyed.
The story that ensues has mystery, science, relationship and character building, and great backdrops!

PhD candidate, Sloane, is studying to be a forensic pathologist and receives her assigned fellowship. She'll be studying forensic genealogy, noting the recent arrest of the Golden State killer who was found and located using well known genealogy sites.
To fully understand the process of how genealogy websites work, she agrees to send off her own DNA. Having been adopted as a baby, Sloane discusses this with her parents before sending her sample off. Being the supportive parents they've always been, they agree stating they too are curious about her past.
The results of her DNA come back with startling revelations. Her DNA matches that of a baby who disappeared with her parents in July of 1995 from Cedar Creek, Nevada. Apparently her birth name was Charlotte Margolis and her disappearance made news at the national level.
Looking for answers, Sloane is taken off guard when sheriff Eric Stamos from Harrison County in Nevada shows up on her doorstep. He, too, is looking for answers regarding his father's death which occurred while his father was investigating the disappearance of Mr. and Mrs. Margolis along with their baby girl, Charlotte. Sloane and Eric quickly realize the power and influence the Margolis family have. When they agree to work together, they know their search could be dangerous, if not deadly.
Will they get the answers they seek? Or should they have left the past behind?
This book hooked me immediately and the action and suspense didn't let up! This was thrilling and engaging reminding me of just how brilliant Donlea is. I'm anxious to see what enthralling, twisty tale he creates next for readers!
This was definitely a 5 star read and one I would recommend to fellow mystery and thriller lovers! I had the privilege of both reading and listening to the book - both are available so make sure to go grab your copy!

Charlie Donlea is the king of thrillers. Long Time Gone is yet another installation in a long series of exciting stories that will keep you reading until the last page.

In Long Time Gone, we meet Sloan, an academic who is hoping to use her own personal story of being adopted to create a research project for a fellowship. After loading her DNA to a genealogy website, Sloan discovers her past may not be as simple as she had previously thought.

Full of atmosphere and anticipation, Long Time Gone will have you on the edge of your seat. Vivienne Leheny does a great job with the narration and I will definitely be on the look out for more titles narrated by her.

Book Review🧬
*
Summary- On the first day of fellowship under the renowned Chief Medical Officer, Sloan Hastings receives a research assignment in the emerging field of forensic genealogy. Sloan enthusiastically begins her research by submitting her own DNA to an online genealogy site. the results she receives are shocking.

Raised by loving, supportive parents, Sloan has always known she was adopted. But her DNA profile suggests her true identity is that of Charlotte Margolis, aka “Baby Charlotte,” who captured the nation’s attention when she and her affluent parents mysteriously vanished in July 1995. Despite a large-scale investigation and months of broad media coverage, there were never any suspects in the family’s disappearance and the case has been cold for decades.

Racing to stay ahead of the media and true crime junkies ravenous to know what really happened to Baby Charlotte, Sloan’s search for answers leads her to Cedar Creek, Nevada, a small town north of Lake Tahoe. There, the Margolis family’s power and influence permeate every corner of the county, and while Sloan’s birth relatives are initially welcoming, they’re also mysterious and tight-lipped. Not everyone seems happy about Sloan’s return, or the questions she’s asking.

The more she learns, the more apparent it becomes that the answers Sloan seeks are buried in a graveyard of Margolis family secrets. And someone will do anything to keep them hidden . . .
*
Rating- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
*
My thoughts- thank you @netgalley and @kensingtonbooks for the audio arc. I really enjoyed this one, I thought it was a really unique mystery (that means a lot coming from a thriller fan). I loved the main character and the DNA uncovering aspect of this. The cast for the audiobook was fantastic and some of the twists actually surprised me. All in all, this was a super solid thriller that I truly just adored !
*
QOTD- have you ever done a DNA test to see your heritage ? Would you ever in the future ? I’ve always been curious to do it !
*

This is the first book I’ve read from this author and I read it in one day! I had the audiobook from netgalley but I couldn’t get it to download, so luckily I got it from the library and I couldn’t put it down.

Sloan is a pathologist who enters her DNA into a genealogy site and gets more than she bargains for. She finds out more about her biological family than she would have expected and there is WAY more to the town drama involving her biological family that she never met.

I received this book for free from netgalley in return for my honest opinion.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to listen to an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Long Time Gone by Charlie Donlea is out now.

This is, I think, the third or fourth book I have read from this author and they are always so good when in audiobook form. Long Time Gone followed an interesting topic of DNA and genealogy, and how the advancement of these things can help solve old cold cases. We have all heard about the real times that this has been done, and reading a fictional version of the success was pretty fun. The narrator was great and it honestly took me a while to figure out the twist. Long Time Gone is probably my favorite book by this author so far.

WOOOOWWWW! This book is amazing. I never wanted it to end. I have always been fascinated by genetic genealogy and this book brings it to the forefront. I have become a huge fan of Charlie Donlea just from this book alone. Sloan Hastings was adopted and as part of her fellowship in forensic pathology Sloan is given the research item of genetic genealogy. She submits her DNA to a genealogy site as a result and what follows is jaw dropping!!! I absolutely could not stop listening. The narrator was also great. Love, love, love this book.

When Dr. Sloan Hastings submits her DNA to an online genealogy site, for a research assignment, she get's more than she bargained for. She new she was adopted, but to find out that her DNA is the match to the famous missing case of baby Charlotte, takes her life on a dangerous turn. As she reunites with the remaining members of her lost family, she meets Sheriff Eric Stamos, who has a personal connection to her past as well. Interwoven with mystery and tales of deceit, this psychological thriller will give you whiplash. Charlie Donlea never disappoints. Thank you NetGally for allowing me to review this audiobook. The narrator gave a great performance, truly bringing these characters to life.

hank you for this ARC #netgalley!!

A great listen. Very in depth for the characters and different POVs. The story tied in really well and I kept up with most of the characters. The story was a great one until the end it felt more rushed.

However, it combined mystery and long family secrets which I love!

Wow! This was my 2nd book by Charlie Donlea and he did not disappoint! This was a super wild ride and I loved it! I just knew who the bad guy was but I didn't expect the 2nd person! I can't wait to read the next book he writes, he's on my always-read list!

#LongTimeGone
#NetGalley

Long Time Gone is my second Charlie Donlea novel and I was stoked to find it had Livia Cutty in it! I’m a sucker for recurring characters; it’s like seeing what old friends are up to. I enjoyed the forensic science theme and Donlea is great at it. The twists in Long Time Gone were fantastic. I stayed riveted to the story and found the resolution satisfying. I’m excited for future Charlie Donlea books!

I really enjoyed this story. Kept me intrigued from page one and I loved how the parts that made you think “what does this have to do with anything” all tied in together.

As for the narrator, I didn’t really care for her. I found her very robotic at times which made it difficult to connect to the main character.

Overall, really enjoyed the story, would have preferred the book though.

"Long Time Gone" by Charlie Donlea is a mystery thriller story that will hold your attention. It's my first book by this author, and I enjoyed his writing well enough that I will happily read more of his work.

Sloan Hastings is in a post-graduate program in forensic science, and she has to research DNA and genealogy. The first step is submitting her DNA to find out her own results. The results are surprising as they match the DNA for a high profile missing baby from 30 years ago. The baby's parents went missing then also. So now she has a mystery to solve. It's quite interesting.

Characters - 5/5
Writing - 4/5
Plot - 5/5
Pacing - 4/5
Unputdownability - 4/5
Enjoyment - 3/5
Narration - 4/5 by Vivienne Leheny
Cover - 4/5
Overall - 33/8 = 4 1/8 rounded to 4 and stars

I recommend this book for mystery lovers!

Thank you to Netgalley, RB Media, and Charlie Donlea for providing this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.