2024 the best thriller books review

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(as of Dec 24, 2024 12:16:09 UTC - Details)

“Excellent…Donlea tells a propulsive tale.” —The New York Times

Fans of Verity by Colleen Hoover won’t want to miss this thrilling suspense novel from the #1 internationally bestselling author of The Girl Who Was Taken! Hiding her own dark past in plain sight, a TV reporter is determined to uncover the truth behind a gruesome murder decades after the investigation was abandoned. But TWENTY YEARS LATER, to understand the present, you need to listen to the past…

The New York Times Best Thrillers This Season | E! NewsRecommended Books | OverdriveBiggest Books of the Month

Avery Mason, host of American Events, knows the subjects that grab a TV audience’s attention. Her latest story—a murder mystery laced with kinky sex, tragedy, and betrayal—is guaranteed to be ratings gold. New DNA technology has allowed the New York medical examiner’s office to make its first successful identification of a 9/11 victim in years. The twist: the victim, Victoria Ford, had been accused of the gruesome murder of her married lover. In a chilling last phone call to her sister, Victoria begged her to prove her innocence.

Emma Kind has waited twenty years to put her sister to rest, but closure won’t be complete until she can clear Victoria’s name. Alone she’s had no luck, but she’s convinced that Avery’s connections and fame will help. Avery, hoping to negotiate a more lucrative network contract, goes into investigative overdrive. Victoria had been having an affair with a successful novelist, found hanging from the balcony of his Catskills mansion. The rope, the bedroom, and the entire crime scene was covered in Victoria’s DNA.

But the twisted puzzle of Victoria’s private life is just the beginning. And what Avery doesn't realize is that there are other players in the game who are interested in Avery’s own secret past—one she has kept hidden from both the network executives and her television audience. A secret she thought was dead and buried . . .

Accused of a brutal murder, Victoria Ford made a final chilling call from the North Tower on the morning of 9/11. Twenty years ago, no one listened. Today, you will.

“Breathtaking pacing and clever plot twists.” —Publishers Weekly

“An entertaining thriller…surprises lurking around every corner.” —Kirkus Reviews

“A superb storyteller.” —Robert Dugoni, New York Timesbestselling author

From the Publisher

Publisher ‏ : ‎ Kensington (December 27, 2022)
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Paperback ‏ : ‎ 432 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1496742710
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1496742711
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.48 x 1.08 x 8.23 inches
Reviewer: LatinaPhD.Abroad
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ A Masterfully Crafted Mystery That Unfolds Piece by Piece
Review: Charlie Donlea’s “Twenty Years Later” is a gripping and intricately plotted mystery that kept me hooked from the first page. The way Donlea ties together a decades-old crime with present-day investigations makes for a layered and compelling story.The pacing is excellent, with each chapter revealing just enough to keep the intrigue building. I especially enjoyed how the dual timelines were handled, allowing the reader to slowly piece together the truth alongside the characters. Donlea’s writing shines in the detailed and well-thought-out twists that take the story in unexpected directions without feeling forced.What sets this book apart is its depth of character development. The main character is not only trying to solve a mystery but also confronting her own personal demons, which adds an emotional element to the suspense. This balance between a strong plot and character-driven storytelling made the novel much more engaging.If you’re a fan of mysteries that keep you guessing until the very end, “Twenty Years Later” won’t disappoint. It’s a well-paced, absorbing read that blends suspense, mystery, and a touch of emotional drama in a way that keeps the pages turning.

Reviewer: Pamela Wilson
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: it was going okay until
Review: Overall the book was enjoyable. It’s not suspenseful or thrilling but it held my attention. There’s a nice little twist that you probably won’t see coming. Although it was unexpected, it made me feel less interested in what felt like an abrupt shift in the storyline. The ending felt contradictory to the beginning and completely unnecessary or believable. It left me thinking “why” would she do that and caused some previously settled thoughts and emotions to feel out of sorts. Behaviors are so misaligned and for no obvious reason except an “I gotcha”. Ugh, I hate when a book leaves me unsettled and not in a good way.

Reviewer: Claire Keber
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: capturing book!! couldn’t put it down
Review: Such a good book with very unexpected twists!! Syd - you were right, it was worth reading after I didn’t get into it the first time

Reviewer: Carole T
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great Story!
Review: Sadly I believe I’ve read all of Charlie Donlea’s novels. I’ve definitely enjoyed them all. He is a tale weaver of complex elements and characters and delivers surprises the reader isn’t expecting. I highly recommend this novel.

Reviewer: Amazon Customer
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title: OMG
Review: The epilogue. The way Donlea drops this gem...this confirms I'll be reading every single novel he's written. Seriously Amazing. Bravo.

Reviewer: MommaLayne
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Intricately Woven Mystery
Review: **"Twenty Years Later"** by Charlie Donlea is a thrilling and intricately woven mystery that keeps readers on the edge of their seats as it delves into themes of betrayal, innocence, and the quest for closure. The story follows Avery Mason, the savvy host of "American Events," who is drawn to a sensational murder case involving Victoria Ford, a 9/11 victim previously accused of murdering her married lover. With new DNA technology finally identifying Victoria years later, Avery sees a perfect opportunity for a captivating story that could bolster her career and entice viewers.Meanwhile, Emma Kind, Victoria's sister, has spent two decades seeking justice and closure for her sibling. Determined to clear Victoria's name, she teams up with Avery, hoping that the power of media and Avery's connections can help unravel the dark truths surrounding Victoria's controversial past. As Avery investigates, she uncovers a labyrinth of secrets that not only delve into Victoria’s private life but also bring to light her own forgotten history that she has desperately tried to keep hidden. Donlea skillfully crafts a narrative filled with tension, unexpected twists, and a deep exploration of the lengths one will go to for love and truth. **"Twenty Years Later"** is a gripping read that intertwines personal stakes with a compelling mystery, making it a must-read for fans of suspenseful thrillers.

Reviewer: Cathleen R
Rating: 3.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Fun in the end
Review: The writing is good but nothing really happened until the end and by the time it got there you saw several of the twists coming. I liked it but probably wouldn't recommend it to anyone asking for a book rec.

Reviewer: Kitchen side table
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title: Great book
Review: Great read. Suspenseful and enjoyable. Can't wait to read another. This is my 3rd book by this author, glad there's more to read!

Reviewer: Marilyn G.
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: 5 stars. Hard to put down. So many stories all related! Like life it’s self. Lots of twists and turns.

Reviewer: Nizar
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: Ainda estou lendo e gostando.

Reviewer: Michelle
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: I really enjoyed this book.Initially I thought it was not going to be to my liking when it set the scene. However, it got me in and throughout the book I kept thinking about the different scenarios and what really happened. Of course, there was a twist and great twist.First time I have by Charlie Donlea and I will certainly look forward to reading other books written by him.

Reviewer: Kindle Customer
Rating: 4.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: The plot is well crafted, but at times I found it too slow and was almost tempted to skip ahead. Liked the last chapters in the book, the twists were nice.

Reviewer: Brit’s Little Booknook
Rating: 5.0 out of 5 stars
Title:
Review: 🔅 𝑻𝒘𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒚 𝒀𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔 𝑳𝒂𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒃𝒚 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒆 𝑫𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒆𝒂Genre: ThrillerRating: 5🌟𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲:Avery Mason, host of American Events, knows the subjects that grab a TV audience’s attention. Her latest story—a murder mystery laced with kinky sex, tragedy, and betrayal—is guaranteed to be ratings gold. New DNA technology has allowed the New York medical examiner’s office to make its first successful identification of a 9/11 victim in years. The twist: the victim, Victoria Ford, had been accused of the gruesome murder of her married lover. In a chilling last phone call to her sister, Victoria begged her to prove her innocence. But the twisted puzzle of Victoria’s life just the beginning. And what Avery doesn’t realize is that there are other players in the game who are interested in Avery’s own secret past—one she has kept hidden from both the network executives and her television audience. A secret she thought was dead and buried…𝐌𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬:I absolutely loved this book. The storyline was captivating and Charlie Donlea’s writing was excellent. This was my first Charlie Donlea book and it made me fall in love with his style. I loved it so much that I’ve now read every single book he’s written. I love how this story follows multiple timelines and keeps you guessing. And the twist was *chef’s kiss*!