If you’ve spent any time in the thriller community, you know the name Charlie Donlea. He’s basically the master of the "wait, what just happened?" ending. His 2025 release, Guess Again, doesn't just lean into that reputation—it sprints with it. This isn't just another missing person story. Honestly, it’s a weirdly perfect blend of The Silence of the Lambs and a nostalgic, sweltering midwestern summer.
The story drops us into the humid, secret-soaked town of Cherryview, Wisconsin. Ten years ago, the local sweetheart and volleyball star, Callie Jones, walked into the night and never came back. No body. No clues. Just a cold case that effectively ended the career of Detective Ethan Hall.
Except Ethan isn't a detective anymore.
Why Ethan Hall Is the Protagonist We Needed
Most thriller leads are either alcoholics or "renegades" who can't follow rules. Ethan is... different. After the trauma of working the kid crime division, he literally went to medical school and became an ER doctor. It’s a fascinating career pivot. He traded hunting monsters for saving lives, but he still carries a 100% solve rate like a heavy weight on his shoulders.
The plot kicks off when his old partner, Pete Kramer, shows up with a literal deathbed request. Pete is dying, and he can’t leave this world without knowing what happened to Callie. You’ve probably seen this trope before, but Donlea makes it feel urgent because of the connection to the new Governor—Callie's father.
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The Francis Bernard Factor: A Psychological Minefield
If you're looking for a villain that actually gets under your skin, Francis Bernard is it. He’s been in maximum security for over 30 years for killing Ethan’s father. Talk about messy.
The dynamic here is electric. To solve Callie’s disappearance, Ethan has to sit across from the man who destroyed his family. It’s a high-stakes chess match. Francis claims he knows where Callie is, but he wants a transfer out of solitary in exchange. It’s the kind of deal with the devil that keeps you turning pages at 2:00 AM because you just know it’s going to go sideways.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Plot
A lot of readers go into this thinking it’s a straightforward "whodunnit." It really isn't. Donlea uses a "dual timeline" structure that jumps between the sweltering present and the weeks leading up to Callie’s disappearance in 2015.
- The 2015 Thread: We see Callie's life wasn't as "all-American" as the town remembers. There's a secret affair with a volleyball coach and a lot of teenage jealousy.
- The 2025 Thread: Ethan is dealing with his girlfriend, Maddie—the only victim ever to escape Francis Bernard.
The intersection of these two lives (Ethan and Maddie) with the hunt for Callie creates this claustrophobic feeling. You start realizing that the monster in the cage might not be the only one you should be worried about.
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Is "Guess Again" Actually a Standalone?
Technically, yes. You can pick this up without having read a single other Charlie Donlea book and you won't be lost. But for the "Donlea Detectives" (that’s what his hardcore fans call themselves), there are Easter eggs.
There is one specific face from a previous novel that pops up. Donlea hasn't officially confirmed who it is in the marketing, but if you’ve read The Girl Who Was Taken or Twenty Years Later, keep your eyes peeled. The "Donlea Universe" is loosely connected by these brief crossovers that make the world feel lived-in.
The Twist That Divided Readers
We need to talk about the ending. No spoilers, obviously, but the title Guess Again is a literal warning.
A lot of the "clues" are hidden in the short chapters. Donlea loves using dates and locations to disorient you just enough that you miss the hand-off. Some people on Reddit and Goodreads found the "Ethan’s father" subplot a bit much, but if you look at the themes of trauma and legacy, it actually fits.
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The book isn't just about finding a girl; it's about whether you can ever truly "retire" from your past. Ethan tried to be a doctor, but the detective in him was just dormant.
Practical Takeaways for Thriller Fans
If you’re planning to dive into this one, here’s how to get the most out of it:
- Watch the dates: The time jumps are fast. If you lose track of whether it’s July 2015 or August 2025, the twist won't land as hard.
- Trust no one: Seriously. Even the characters who seem like "background noise" usually have a motive.
- Read the foreword: Donlea often hides his inspiration there, and in this case, the quote from Heywood Broun about "almost winning" is the key to the whole book.
If you like authors like Riley Sager or Karin Slaughter, this is 100% in your wheelhouse. It’s dark, it’s a bit over-the-top in the best way, and it’ll make you double-check your locks.
Next Steps for Readers:
- Check out the hardcover edition for the full map of Cherryview, which helps visualize the lake party night.
- If you're an audiobook fan, the 2025 narration by Vivienne Leheny is top-tier; she nails the "chilled-to-the-bone" vibe of Francis Bernard's voice.
- Once finished, look up Donlea's 2026 project, Behind Every Face, which reportedly features the return of Rory Moore and Lane Phillips.