Twenty Years Later

Author: Charlie Donlea
Genre: Crime Thriller
357 pages
Publisher: Kensington Books

Synopsis
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.

My review
Twenty Years Later is a smart, highly entertaining thriller from Charlie Donlea. I’m a mood reader, and when I’m looking for a well-written, detailed, and compelling thriller, Donlea is often my go-to. He’s a consistently strong storyteller who takes his time building characters and gradually weaving storylines together, culminating in a twisty, satisfying finale that usually manages to catch me off guard. His novels aren’t overly dark, and while they often juggle multiple perspectives and shifting plotlines, they never become so convoluted that I need a spreadsheet to keep track of the characters. They strike a great balance, easy to sink into without ever feeling simplistic or dumbed down.

Twenty Years Later revolves around two crimes, one rooted in the past with a chilling connection to 9/11, and another involving a fugitive on the run. Avery Mason, a television reporter becomes entangled in both, investigating one case while playing a central role in the other. Avery serves as the primary narrator, though it took me some time to warm to her. Walt Jenkins, the other main narrator, immediately held my interest, even though his backstory raised plenty of unanswered questions.

The novel unfolds across multiple timelines, blending present-day events with flashbacks and alternating primarily between Avery and Walt, with occasional chapters from minor characters. Tackling 9/11 as a subplot is a bold choice, given how deeply personal and unresolved that tragedy remains for many. I felt Donlea handled it with care, successfully weaving this devastating moment in history into the larger story.

My only real criticism is the amount of repetition. This is something I’ve noticed in most of Donlea’s novels, so I went in expecting it. While it can be mildly annoying, there’s also a silver lining. I never feel lost or overwhelmed by details, knowing important facts and backstories will be revisited. It makes his books easy on the brain and likely explains why I often reach for them when I want an engaging, twisty read that allows me to simply relax and be entertained.

Overall, Twenty Years Later is a fun and thoroughly entertaining crime thriller, delivering the clear, compelling writing I’ve come to expect from Donlea. He’ll continue to be a reliable choice for me whenever I’m looking for a great story to curl up with for an afternoon.

My recommendation: great crime thriller and worth the read!