Who Would Like This Book:
If you love twisty mysteries and psychological thrillers, "Twenty Years Later" will keep you glued to its pages. The novel stands out for its unique blend of real-life events (the aftermath of 9/11) and a decades-old murder case, making for a multilayered and suspenseful story. Readers who enjoy investigative journalism, forensic science, and unexpected endings will be particularly drawn in. There are plenty of jaw-dropping moments and multiple storylines that add depth without losing momentum, perfect for fans who like complex plots and character-driven mysteries.
Who May Not Like This Book:
Some readers found the pace a little slow at the start, with the abundance of characters and timelines causing initial confusion. If you dislike stories with multiple plot threads or prefer mysteries that get straight to the action, the setup here might feel a bit drawn out. Others pointed out the lack of any mention of COVID-19 in a 2021 setting and occasionally found the character dialogue unrealistic or the ending a bit over the top. If you’re sensitive to books that use real tragedies as backdrops, or want every loose end meticulously tied up, this may not hit the mark for you.
About:
Twenty years after the tragic events of 9/11, journalist Avery Mason is on the brink of a career breakthrough when remains from the towers are identified, leading her into a murder investigation. The book weaves together a complex storyline filled with unexpected twists and turns, keeping readers hooked till the very end. With a mix of enigma, mystery, and character development, the book explores themes of survival, chaos, and the impact of DNA advancements on forensic investigations.
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Sensitive Topics/Content Warnings
The book contains references to real-life tragic events (9/11) and themes related to murder and investigations.
From The Publisher:
"Excellent…Donlea tells a propulsive tale." - The New York Times
The New York Times Best Thrillers This Season | E! News Recommended Books | Overdrive Biggest Books of the Month
Fans of Verity by Colleen Hoover won't want to miss this thrilling new 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…
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 Times bestselling author
Ratings (21)
Incredible (2) | |
Loved It (8) | |
Liked It (4) | |
It Was OK (4) | |
Did Not Like (2) | |
Hated It (1) |
Reader Stats (38):
Read It (22) | |
Want To Read (14) | |
Not Interested (2) |
3 comment(s)
Couldn’t get into it at first but then after 10 chapters or so couldn’t put it down. A good book to read when you need a break from series.
Good enough. The plot was interesting but predictable. I found myself bored by Avery Mason and Walt Jenkins.
Such a good book.
The main character, Avery, who hosts the program on television, plans to make material for her show on the recent identification after many years of one of the victims of the 9/11. However, she soon discovers that the identified woman, Victoria, before her death, was the prime suspect in the high-profile murder of her lover. But was she really guilty? That's not the end of the secrets, because Avery is also hiding something. And her past isn't all that smooth either.
This is a great story. We have two very interesting cases here. One is discovering what really happened many years ago and whether Victoria really is a murderer. The second focuses on Avery, who comes to New York not only to solve a murder case from years ago. Both are really fascinating, and I waited with bated breath for them to be solved. There have been some really surprising twists and the stakes have been high all along.
The ending was excellent. Recently, it happens less and less that I do not predict the end of the thriller. In this case, a few things really surprised me. The author was able to brilliantly play on a few well-known themes in this genre and use them to confuse us. The ending is very satisfying.
This is my first book by this author, but I will certainly read more. I definitely recommend it to everyone who likes mystery thrillers with an interesting, non-obvious story and numerous twists.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
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Twenty Years Later?
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