Long Time Gone

by Charlie Donlea

Book Overview

When DNA results reveal a disturbing connection to the mysterious disappearance of a famous baby nearly three decades ago, a woman's search for answers draws her to an ominous small town in Nevada and a dangerous web of corruption, power, and lies in this engrossing, propulsive new novel from the internationally bestselling author of Twenty Years Later.

For fans of Alice Feeney, Stacy Willingham, Riley Sager, and Megan Goldin.

THIRTY YEARS AGO, BABY CHARLOTTE VANISHED.
TODAY, SHE WANTS ANSWERS.

On the first day of an elite two-year fellowship, Sloan Hastings receives a research assignment in the emerging field of forensic genealogy. It's the exciting, rapidly evolving science behind the recent breaks in high-profile cold cases from the Golden State Killer to the Cameron Young murder, and Sloan enthusiastically begins by submitting her own DNA to an online genealogy site. Her goal is to better understand the treasure trove of genetic information contained on ancestry websites, but the results she receives are shocking.

Raised by loving 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, 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 small-town Cedar Creek, Nevada. 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 . . .

Do YOU hold the secrets in your blood?
To find out, text "CHARLOTTE" to 775-239-0320.

"Zigzagging mercilessly between past and present, Donlea keeps up the tension...in a superior thriller." -- Kirkus, STARRED REVIEW

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1496751140
• ISBN13: 9781496751140
• Release Date: April 2025
• Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corporation
• Length: 416 Pages
• Weight: 0.81 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A fantastic thriller

** I received this book as an arc through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.** Sloan Hastings, an elite fellow under Chief Medical Officer Dr. Livia Cutty, embarks on a forensic genealogy research project and submits her DNA to an online genealogy site. Raised by adoptive parents, Sloan is shocked to discover she is Charlotte Margolis, a child who vanished with her parents in 1995. As she investigates her past, she travels to Cedar Creek, Nevada, where the Margolis family holds significant power and influence. Sloan's search uncovers deeply buried family secrets, and she realizes someone is determined to keep the truth hidden at any cost. Overall rating: 4.6/5 Ratings: 1. **Plot and Storytelling:** 5/5 I found this book to be very well-plotted and excellently told. I enjoyed it from the very beginning, and it was richly detailed enough to draw me into the world without being overwhelming. 2. **Characterization:** 4/5 The characters were mostly believable. Although the female main character didn’t show a lot of growth, her imperfections made her more relatable. The book was more plot-driven than character-driven. 3. **Writing Style:** 5/5 I love Charlie Donlea’s writing style. Each of his books seems to get better. He tells an excellent story with good twists and excellent pacing, without any major plot holes. 4. **Originality:** 4/5 While the themes of a missing child and a secretive rich family are common in the thriller genre, this book felt unique compared to anything I’ve read before. 5. **Emotional Impact and Resolution:** 5/5 This book had me hooked from the very beginning. It resonated emotionally, kept me intrigued, and on the edge of my seat. The resolution wrapped up well and even left room for a potential sequel without detracting from this book.