When medical student, Sloan Hastings has her DNA tested as part of her research in forensic genetics, she uncovers an unbelievable past as she is identified as the missing Baby Charlotte. Always having known that she was adopted, Sloan is shocked to learn that her parents were duped by the supposed birth mother and mysterious attorney who arranged the adoption 30 years ago. Since her birth parents are still missing, local Cedar Creek, Nevada sheriff, Eric Stamos asks Sloan to became acquainted with the family of her birth parents, the infamous Margolis family. Eric is also motivated to solve the death of his father, Sheriff Sandy Stamos who died mysteriously at the time of the disappearance of Sloan's birth parents. Working with Eric and in the midst of a media storm over the reappearance of Baby Charlotte, Sloan uncovers deades-old family secrets which put her in danger of disappearing for good this time.
This is a very well written and believable thriller that is fast-paced and engaging. The characters were well-developed and the alternating timeframes to tell the story was done well. I enjoyed the twists which were just right as far as predictability and not over the top. I listened the audio version of this book and it was narrated very well.

Beyond satisfying. Perfectly paced. Buttoned up beautifully. Great premise.

Loved the character development. Enjoyed the minor flirtation between Sloan and Eric and very much appreciated not forcing a romantic side story. Thank you for keeping it casual and realistic.

I really enjoyed this author’s way of writing and the narration of the audiobook was fantastic as well.

I’ve had the author’s Twenty Years Later on my list, which is now an immediate read for me!!

I really like this author! Not sure why more people don't talk about him. Loved how this story was told and it was easy to follow, just when I thought I had it figured it out...BOOM! The twist dropped. Following a story with a woman who takes a DNA test and finds out that she is a famous missing girl, is a great plot to follow. You won't be disappointed here! Great narration as well!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Must-Read, ADDICTIVE, UNPUTDOWNABLE, Expertly-Paced dual-timeline mystery!

Donlea tells a mystery-laden murder tale with a neoteric twist… This storyline is relevant and relatable for anyone who has considered submitting their DNA to a genealogy site or mapping their own family tree.

The characters are well-developed and believable. I found myself with white-knuckles more than a couple of times…

There are not enough FANTASTIC things to say about this book before PUB Day TOMORROW (May 21st)!!!! Go NOW and ADD it to your TBR list!!! This was my FIRST Charlie Donlea book—I completely LOVED it!

Perfect narration by Vivienne Leheny!

*Special thanks to the Publisher and Netgalley for the amazing digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

#LongTimeGone #mystery #thriller #genealogy #forensicpathology #fiction #netgalley #kensingtonbooks @charliedonlea @leheny_leheny @bookshell_f

Charlie Donlea has slowly become one of my favorite authors, which is why I was very excited to dive into this book! The premise of the book surrounds Sloan Hastings, a physician training to be a pathologist, who during her research year was assigned to understand genealogy and how that can help solve crimes, like the Golden State Killer. As part of her research, Sloan determines that she needs to do a genealogy test to understand her biological history in order to fully understand the capabilities and help further her research. She was adopted by her parents 29 years ago, and has no idea the Pandora's Box she opens when she submits her DNA to be analyzed.

This book takes you through a whirlwind of different events and was really fun to listen to! The narrator did a great job with voices and I ended up finishing this one in two days. I loved the main character and the energy she brought to the storyline along with how clever the entire plot was. It seems to complex, but Donlea delivered.

While I loved the storyline and plot, it fell short on the shocking aspect. I wasn't surprised at all by the big reveal at the end, which is why I gave it a 4 instead of higher. Overall, great story, short chapters which kept me going, and loads of cliff hangers which are my favorite!

Thank you to RB Media & Netgalley for providing this advanced audio copy of Long Time Gone publishing May 20, 2024.

Another Charlie Donlea masterpiece! I did a happy dance when I got this book. And let me tell you, it did not disappoint! Long Time Gone is easily among my top reads of the year so far.

When Dr. Sloan Hastings submitted her DNA to an online genealogy site for a research assignment, she had no idea the wild and crazy adventure it would lead to. Buckle up for a wild ride that she (and you) won't soon forget!

Thanks to NetGalley and RB Media | Recorded Books for the ALC of this book in exchange for my unbiased review.

Thank you @NetGalley @KensingtonBooks @CharlieDonlea @RecordedBooks for the gifted ARCs!

Charlie Donlea is an auto-buy/auto-read author for me & his newest, Long Time Gone (available tomorrow) is my favorite so far!

Sloan is beginning her fellowship in forensic pathology when the topic of her study for is how genealogy plays a part in that field. Sloan knows she is adopted so was a bit hesitant to send in her DNA sample to a genealogy company, but she knows this is the best way to get a hands-on feel for her study topic. What she doesn’t plan on is finding out that she is Baby Charlotte who went missing with her parents 30 years ago in a long-since cold case. Not only that, but the family she belonged to is a sort of small-town mafia who run Cedar Creek. It is there that Sloan teams up with the current sheriff, whose father died under suspicious circumstances at the same time Baby Charlotte & her parents went missing. They work together to figure out what really happened but have to keep it top secret since the Margolis family has eyes & ears everywhere. As Sloan begins to get to know the remaining members of her biological family, she soon realizes that they’re not all what they seem & that they definitely have something to hide. Will she figure it out before it’s too late?

I absolutely loved the premise of this story, which is something that we all eat up in real life – an old cold case that gained national attention having a new development to blow it wide open, so it was perfect for a book. It gives off the same feels as if it’s happening in real life. It hooked me from the very first page & I binge read it in one sitting. Donlea’s writing was superb & kept a quick pace making it impossible to put down.

4.75/5 Stars & HIGHLY recommend

Bonus points to Donlea for the most gruesome death of a character I’ve read so far this year! {audible gasps & body shudders}

#LongTimeGone #CharlieDonlea #May #2024 #Bookstagram #Read #Reading #TBR #MustRead #NewRelease #Bibliophile #Books #ARC #Review #Audio #Audiobook #Mystery #Thriller #Suspense #Fiction #Adult #Psychological #Crime #MissingPerson #Geneology #Missing #Adoption #DNA #Forensics #Pathology

Thanks to NetGalley and RB Media for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4 stars

Dr. Sloan Hastings is in a fellowship in forensic pathology. To learn more about DNA for a research project, she submits her DNA to an online genealogy site where she learns she was the missing baby from a family disappearance. She goes to where she was born to figure out what happened to her and her birth parents. Solid mystery and worth the read.

Vivienne Leheny did a great job narrating.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this ARC audiobook for an honest review..

Once I started this audiobook it was hard to stop! Totally captivating.... we have a dual timeline and both past and present draw you in. Part of Dr. Sloan Hastings fellowship has her submitting her own DNA to an ancestry site which is personally a complicated situation due to her being adopted. The complication however goes beyond the general emotional aspect of an adoptee. Sloane discovers she is in fact baby Charlotte who went missing with her parents in 1995.

Sloan's path crosses with Eric a sheriff in Nevada whose father, Sandy, was the sheriff investigating the disappearance.

There was so much I loved about this book. The mystery, the family dynamics, the suspense, the unraveling of the past leading to the present-day turmoil.

It definitely keeps you guessing as you frantically try to put the pieces together. My only wish is that there was a true romance between our leads.

Great audiobook! 4.5 stars

This was my first Donlea thriller and I was not disappointed! Long Time Gone focuses on Dr. Sloan Hastings, a forensic pathologist who is studying genealogy and how it relates to her field. In order to go more in depth into her research, Sloan submits her own DNA to a genealogy website. She knows she is adopted but what she finds out from her DNA is a complete surprise- she is the infamous Baby Charlotte Margolis- the baby who went missing along with her parents nearly 30 years ago, never to be heard from again. On the ancestry site, Sloan connects with her aunt and the small town of Cedar Creek, Nevada. She also meets the town sheriff, Eric Stamos. There is something fishy around her and her parents disappearance and it's up to Sloan and Eric to figure out what truly happened. The only problem? They think the Margolis family was involved. Sloan must go on the inside, get close to her family, to see if she can finally discover what happened.

This novel took me for a ride! The audio was absolutely fantastic! I highly recommend picking it up for a listen. This won't be my last Donlea thriller! 5 stars!

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Thanks NetGalley for the audiobook ARC.

I do not understand how this book has such high reviews here on GoodReads—this is one of the least enjoyable (dare I say… bad?) books I’ve read this year. The storyline/plot/case itself is super interesting, but I just could not deal with the emphasis on super random, unimportant details and the repetitiveness and over-explaining of things. Oh, and how completely absurd the ending was. Just… not a good time.

I am a big fan of Charlie Donlea, "Those Empty Eyes" is one of my favorite reads in recent memory! Long Time Gone did not disappoint. I loved the whole idea of the DNA test connecting Sloan to the "baby Charlotte" case. The story keeps a good pace and has some well developed characters. The way Donlea ties all the different elements of the story together is so well done, something he consistently does well in all his books. I highly recommend "Long Time Gone" to any thriller reader who likes a well written plot. And once you're done go back and read this other books; they will not disappoint.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read (listen to) this book in advance of publication.

This is my first Charlie Donlea book or audiobook. I’ve heard others say he writes in crack format - you know, impossible to put down. They’re not wrong. He writes books that are scary but gripping. I alternated between telling myself to stop & at the same time canceling plans so I could finish. And he doesn’t just write run of the mill thrillers- this book has substance and it is very, very good. Currently headed to the libby app to download all things Charlie Donlea. He is definitely a new favorite author for me!

Thank you NetGalley & RB Media for an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

Charlie Donelea is an absolute favorite of mine. His books have depth, twisty, and he's the only male author who knows how to write female protagonists (take note Sager, lol)

Sloan is assigned forensic genealogy while her final year of residency to become a medical examiner. She partners up with an expert who advised her to submit her own DNA to a genealogy site. She's adopted, so this brought many concerns and expectations. What happens next is a rollercoaster of emotions as Sloan discovers some long time secrets of her past brought to light through DNA.

I HIGHLY recommend all of his books...especially to those who feel like they've read all thrillers and are looking for something new....this one being no exception.

Charlie Donlea has done it again! There’s a reason he’s an automatic buy for so many readers, myself included. As soon as I read the book’s blurb, I immediately added it to my To Be Read list. And this book did not disappoint. Mr. Donlea delivered exactly what he promised in the book’s dust jacket synopsis!
 Exciting DNA results with online genealogy revelations
 Mystery cloaked disappearance of a wealthy couple and their baby
 Family Secrets
 And a cast of characters who piece by piece reveal the truth of what really happened

I listened to the audiobook format and loved this book from start to finish! Great audiobook for a long road trip.

*I received an early release copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Much love to NetGalley, the book's publisher and of course the author for this gracious opportunity!

This is a review of the audio book narrated by Vivienne Leheny. Thanks to Netgalley for the advance copy. This was a super-quick read/ listen. I finished listening to this in a day (the weekend cleaning time also helped).
The chapters were very short, but the way it was organized didn't make sense.
The mystery was intriguing. The ending, not so. Some plot points defied logic. An amateur sleuth manages to find the address of Sloane's rental cottage easily when nosey reporters are unable to find it. And the photographic evidence of what happened 30 yrs ago conveniently falls into the MC's hand.
The audio narration was fine while narrating all the characters except Sloane's. The tone used for her was too peppy, like a teenager's. She sounded cheerful even when she was supposed to be stressed.

HOLY MOLY! I am having trouble finding the words for this book. Let's just say, as soon as I finished, I went and added every other Charlie Donlea book to my TBR. I try to be picky about handing out 5 stars but Long Time Gone was very deserving. It was fast paced from a couple chapters in and didn't let up. All the twists had my mind reeling and I had no clue how it was going to end. I would love to see a Sloan Hastings series building on this (and I think the ending left it open enough to be possible). I loved all the small details and tidbits of forensic science that were mentioned in the book. I wanted to take notes to see if I could piece it all together! I can't wait to read more books by this author and I feel confident saying that he may become one of my favorites (especially if his other books are as great as this!). The narration was great as well but honestly this book was so good I don't think bad narration would have even effected it! To sum it all up, WOW! READ THIS BOOK!

My first read by Charlie Donlea, I had high expectations having seen all the praise for his other books.

When Dr Sloan Hastings submits a DNA sample as part of her forensics research study she has no idea of the mysteries that will be unearthed and the people she’ll come into contact with.

The DNA results pull Sloan into investigating mysteries and unresolved crimes from decades ago. Looking back in time while telling the story isn’t my favourite style of thriller but this book does a good job, the cases are complex and involving.

The audiobook narration is fine, I found it a little bit ‘TV newsreader trying to convince me this is interesting’ at the start, but this quickly settled down.

It comes together nicely as all the threads tie together. Not bad at all but not one for me to get too excited about.

Thanks to Netgalley and RB Media

"Long Time Gone" by Charlie Donlea is an absolutely riveting novel that hooks you from the first page and refuses to let go. The story centers on Dr. Sloan Hastings, a brilliant forensic scientist whose seemingly innocuous DNA test submission unravels a chilling mystery dating back nearly three decades. What begins as a research assignment swiftly transforms into a perilous journey of self-discovery and danger. Donlea masterfully crafts an engrossing and propulsive narrative. The pacing is impeccable, blending Sloan’s forensic expertise with a deeply personal quest for identity and truth. The characters are richly developed, particularly Sloan, whose determination and vulnerability make her a compelling protagonist. "Long Time Gone" is not just a mystery; it’s a profound exploration of identity, family, and the lengths to which people will go to protect their secrets. Charlie Donlea's storytelling prowess shines through in this expertly woven thriller, making it a must-read for fans of the genre. This is one of the few books this year that I rated four out of five stars. Highly recommended!

I recently discovered Charlie Donlea and was excited to read this upcoming thriller. I love the premise of this story with Sloan submitting her DNA for a genealogy research and learns she is actually a baby that disappeared 30 years ago. Sloan goes to Nevada to find out about her biological family as well as what happened to the Sheriff's grandfather.

Vivienne Leheny did a great job with the narration and kept me engrossed with the story with both the past and current timelines. The reveal of what happened was a bit far fetched and I enjoyed this over all.

Thank you @recordedbooks @kensingtonbooks @netgalley for a copy of the audiobook.