Title: Long Time Gone
Author: Charlie Donlea
Publisher: Kensington
Release Date: May 21, 2024
When DNA results reveal a disturbing connection to the mysterious disappearance of a famous baby nearly three decades ago, a forensic scientist is plunged into a dangerous search for answers in this engrossing, propulsive new novel from the internationally bestselling author of Twenty Years Later.
Thirty years ago, Baby Charlotte vanished. Today, she’s still in danger.
When Dr. Sloan Hastings submits her DNA to an online genealogy site for a research assignment, her goal is to better understand the treasure-trove of genetic information contained on ancestry websites. Brilliant and driven, Sloan is embarking on a fellowship in forensic pathology, training under the renowned Dr. Livia Cutty.
Sloan has one reservation about involving herself in the she’s adopted. Grateful for a loving home, she’s never considered tracking down her biological parents. The results of her search are shocking. Sloan’s DNA profile suggests her true identity is that of Charlotte Margolis, aka “Baby Charlotte”, who captured the nation’s attention when she mysteriously disappeared, along with her parents, in July 1995. Despite an exhaustive search, the family was never seen again, and no suspects were named in the case.
Sloan’s discovery leads her to the small town of Cedar Creek, Nevada, the site of her disappearance. It also leads her to Sheriff Eric Stamos. The Margolis family’s influence and power permeate every corner of Harrison County, and Eric is convinced that in learning the truth about her past, Sloan can also help discover what happened to Eric’s father, who died under suspicious circumstances soon after he started investigating the case her disappearance.
Slowly, over the course of a stifling summer, Sloan begins getting to know her relatives. Though initially welcoming, the Margolis family is also mysterious and tight-lipped. Not everyone seems happy about Sloan’s return, or the questions she’s asking. And the more she and Eric learn, the more apparent it becomes that the answers they both seek are buried in a graveyard of Margolis family secrets that some will do anything to keep hidden—no matter who else has to die…
A good thriller!
Dr. Sloan Hastings is starting her forensic pathology fellowship. As part of her fellowship, she needs to do research. She decides to center hers on DNA. Due to this, she decides to submit her own DNA to an ancestor website. Sloan knows she is adopted and even though she had never wanted to meet her biological parents, this could bring insight into her planned research.
No one is more shocked than Sloan when her DNA comes back proving that Sloan is none other than Charlotte Margolis, "baby Charlotte", who went missing with her parents back in 1995. The Margolis family has power and connections everywhere but what do they know about her disappearance?
After making the discovery, Sloan is approached by Sheriff Eric Stamos. His father was the Sheriff in 1995 investigating a hit-and-run case where her mother was a suspect. Just a few days after her parents disappeared, the Sheriff died from an overdose. Eric believes his father was murdered and he needs Sloan's help to prove it.
Quite a compelling plotline with remarkable characters. The suspense was just right.
I'm looking forward to reading another book by this author.
Cliffhanger: No
4/5 Fangs
A complimentary copy was provided by Kensington Books via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
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