Guess Again by Charlie Donlea: A Thrilling Game of Cat-and-Mouse
When I first heard about Charlie Donlea’s Guess Again, I’ll admit I was intrigued. A crime thriller that blends the intensity of a cold case with the sinister undertones of a serial killer subplot? Sign me up! I picked it up, and holy cow, this book was an absolute banger from the very first page!
Donlea’s storytelling is nothing short of exhilarating. The narrative kicks off on the tenth anniversary of the disappearance of Callie Jones, a promising high school volleyball star, drawing readers into a web of mystery and psychological tension. The atmosphere in Cherryview is palpable; the heatwave only heightens the tension as Ethan Hall—a former detective turned ER doctor—finds himself pulled back into the fray at the request of his dying ex-partner. The plot’s unraveling is as intricate as a chess game, each move revealing more layers while keeping you guessing.
Ethan is a compelling protagonist; haunted by his own shadows, his return to the case felt personal and urgent. And then there’s Francis—his archenemy—whose presence amps up the stakes and keeps the reader on edge. Their cat-and-mouse dynamic is rich, adding a thrilling complexity to the already layered narrative. I found myself invested not just in the mystery, but in the characters’ journeys, particularly Ethan’s quest for redemption and answers.
One of my favorite aspects of Donlea’s writing is his ability to craft multiple plotlines that seamlessly converge. Just when you think you’ve got it all figured out, he hits you with a twist that leaves you gasping—yes, there was a jaw-dropping “WTF?!” moment near the end that had me literally clapping a hand over my mouth in disbelief. It’s this skill that makes Guess Again such a page-turner and reinforces why I adore Donlea’s work.
In terms of pacing, the short, cliffhanger chapters were like bursts of adrenaline, escalating the tension to dizzying heights. I loved how each revelation felt earned and impactful, rather than just thrown in for shock value. It’s a fine line to walk, and Donlea manages it with astonishing grace. The dialogue crackles with energy, and you can practically feel the heat of the summer as Ethan delves deeper into Callie’s tragic story.
The ending? A chef’s kiss. It wrapped up perfectly while still leaving enough room for more, and I’m here for it! My fervent hope is that we haven’t seen the last of Ethan and Maddie; their chemistry was electric, and I can definitely see their dynamic evolving in future installments.
For fans of Harlan Coben and Riley Sager, Guess Again is an absolute must-read. It’s unpredictable, dark, and filled with enough adrenaline to keep any thriller enthusiast on their toes. If you enjoy stories that intertwine psychological intrigue with heart-pounding action, this one will captivate you from its clever opening to its stunning climax. I’m rating it a solid 5+ stars and can’t recommend it enough!
In the end, reading Guess Again was an experience I won’t forget. It left me in awe of Donlea’s skill in weaving complex narratives and unforgettable characters, and it’s a journey I’m eager to revisit. Grab your copy, my fellow book lovers—you’re in for a wild ride!
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