Charlie Donlea Books in Order (May 2025)

Last Updated on May 8, 2025

Charlie Donlea, a USA Today, IndieBound, and #1 internationally bestselling author, has carved a niche in the thriller genre with his propulsive, twist-filled novels. Born and raised in Chicago, where he lives with his wife and two children, Donlea was a late bloomer to reading, discovering his passion at age 20 with John Grisham’s The Firm. This sparked his ambition to write suspense, leading to a career that’s seen his books translated into nearly 20 languages across 40 countries, with 2.5 million U.S. copies sold. His debut, Summit Lake (2016), hit #1 on Audible, and his eight thrillers, including the Rory Moore/Lane Phillips series, are praised for “soaring pace, teasing plot twists” (BookPage) and jaw-dropping endings (The New York Times Book Review). This article lists all of Donlea’s books in publication order, with summaries, publication dates and reading guidance.

Why Read Charlie Donlea’s Books?

Donlea’s thrillers, often female-driven, blend suspense, mystery, and psychological depth, appealing to fans of Karin Slaughter and Freida McFadden. His Rory Moore/Lane Phillips series features a forensic reconstructionist and her psychologist partner tackling cold cases, while standalones like The Girl Who Was Taken and Twenty Years Later explore true-crime-inspired mysteries. Settings, like the remote lakes of Summit Lake (inspired by Donlea’s Canadian fishing trips), ground his chilling tales. Most novels are standalone, but the Rory Moore series should be read in order for character development. With Guess Again due in August 2025, Donlea’s “cinematic style” (Booklist) keeps readers hooked.

Charlie Donlea’s Books in Publication Order

Donlea has published eight novels: two in the Rory Moore/Lane Phillips series and six standalones, with a ninth standalone, Guess Again, set for release in July 2025. Below is the complete list in publication order, which aligns with chronological order for the series. All are published by Kensington Books in hardcover, paperback, e-book, and audiobook formats (narrated by Nina Alvamar, Vivienne Leheny, and others).

Standalone Novels

Summit Lake (January 26, 2016)
In idyllic Summit Lake, North Carolina, law student Becca Eckersley is brutally murdered. Investigative reporter Kelsey Castle, haunted by her own past, uncovers secrets tied to Becca’s death, revealing the town’s dark underbelly. A #1 Audible bestseller, inspired by Donlea’s Canadian fishing trips, praised for its “gem of a mystery” (Catherine Coulter).
The Girl Who Was Taken (April 25, 2017)
Two girls, Nicole Cutty and Megan McDonald, vanish from a North Carolina beach party. Megan escapes, becoming a celebrity author, but Nicole remains missing. Nicole’s sister, forensic pathologist Livia Cutty, digs into a related case, uncovering chilling truths. A fast-paced hit with film rights optioned, lauded for its “shocking final twists” (Publishers Weekly).
Don’t Believe It (May 29, 2018)
New York producer Sidney Ryan creates a documentary to free Grace Sebold, imprisoned for a decade in St. Lucia for her boyfriend’s murder. As Sidney unravels the case, she suspects Grace may be part of a larger scheme. Praised as a “perfectly executed” true-crime thriller (Library Journal), it features detective Gus Morelli, who returns in The Suicide House.
Twenty Years Later (December 28, 2021)
On the 20th anniversary of a teen’s disappearance, TV reporter Avery Mason investigates a cold case linked to a 9/11 victim’s murder. Her probe into author Cameron Young’s death reveals dangerous secrets. An Apple Books Best of the Month pick, called “propulsive” (The New York Times), it’s a reader favorite with 150,000+ Goodreads ratings.
Those Empty Eyes (March 28, 2023)
At 17, Alexandra Quinlan survives her family’s murder, earning the nickname “Empty Eyes.” Years later, as a legal investigator, she uncovers links to her past while probing a new case. A Publishers Weekly Summer Reads pick, praised for its “brilliantly twisting” plot (Mary Kubica), it features Lane Phillips from the Rory Moore series.
Long Time Gone (May 21, 2024)
Geneticist Sloan Burkett, studying forensic genealogy, vanishes during her internship. Her search for her own origins ties to a decades-old mystery in Nevada’s Ruby Mountains. Exploring DNA technology, this thriller is Donlea’s “best book yet” (Mary Kubica), with 50,000+ Goodreads ratings.

Rory Moore/Lane Phillips Series

Some Choose Darkness (May 28, 2019, aka The Woman in Darkness)
Forensic reconstructionist Rory Moore, who solves cold cases, investigates a 1979 Chicago serial killer case tied to five missing women. With psychologist Lane Phillips, she faces a cunning “Thief.” A Library Journal pick for autism-spectrum protagonists, it’s “engrossing” (Publishers Weekly) and introduces Rory’s quirky brilliance.
The Suicide House (July 28, 2020)
Rory and Lane probe a grisly double murder at Indiana’s elite Westmont Prep, where students died in an abandoned boarding house tied to a “Man in the Mirror” game. Rory records a podcast to track clues, uncovering a string of suicides. A Publishers Weekly Editors’ Pick, called “gripping” (POPSUGAR).

Upcoming Release

Guess Again (July 29, 2025)
Set in a remote Canadian locale, this standalone features a familiar face for ardent fans, per Donlea’s website. Details are sparse, but it promises his signature twists. Inspired by Donlea’s wilderness trips, it’s a “tantalizing whodunit” (Fantastic Fiction). Pre-order available.

Other Work

Before I Go (October 2015, self-published, as Brian Charles)
A Chicago-set love story, unlike Donlea’s thrillers, described as The Notebook meets The Shack. Written under a pseudonym, it’s a holiday romance that “makes you cry” (Goodreads), not typically included in his thriller canon.

Reading Charlie Donlea’s Books: Tips and Guidance

Series Order: Read the Rory Moore/Lane Phillips series (Some Choose Darkness, The Suicide House) in publication order for Rory’s character development and Lane’s evolving role. Donlea notes on his website that both books are written to stand alone, but Some Choose Darkness provides Rory’s backstory.
Standalone Novels: The six standalones (Summit Lake, The Girl Who Was Taken, Don’t Believe It, Twenty Years Later, Those Empty Eyes, Long Time Gone) can be read in any order, as they’re unconnected. Those Empty Eyes includes Lane Phillips, but it’s not part of the Rory Moore series. Summit Lake appears as a setting in Don’t Believe It, and Gus Morelli links Don’t Believe It and The Suicide House, but these are minor ties.
Publication vs. Chronological: Publication order (as listed) is ideal, as Donlea’s standalone novels don’t follow a chronological narrative. The Rory Moore series aligns chronologically with publication.
Content: Thrillers feature moderate violence (murders, abductions) and psychological suspense, suitable for adults and mature teens. No explicit romance or graphic content. Themes include true crime, cold cases, and forensic science, with “unpredictable narratives” (AllBooks.co).
Starting Point: Begin with Summit Lake for a concise, atmospheric thriller, The Girl Who Was Taken for a true-crime vibe, or Some Choose Darkness for Rory Moore’s introduction. Twenty Years Later is a reader favorite for its modern twist.
Adaptations: The Girl Who Was Taken has been optioned for film, per Donlea’s site, but no adaptations are released. Books remain true to his vision.
Other Work: Before I Go (as Brian Charles) is a romantic drama, not a thriller, and can be skipped unless you’re a completionist.

Where to Find Charlie Donlea’s Books

Available in hardcover ($25–27), paperback, e-book, audiobook (Audible, Brilliance Audio), and large print through:

Retailers: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Bookshop.org, ThriftBooks, PangoBooks, Target, Chevalier’s Books.
Libraries: Most stock Twenty Years Later and The Girl Who Was Taken.
Digital Platforms: Kindle, Audible, Kobo, Libby, OverDrive.
Official Website: charliedonlea.com for signed copies, podcast links for The Suicide House, and updates on Guess Again.
Secondhand: ThriftBooks, PangoBooks for used copies ($3–10). Free U.S. shipping on orders over $15.

Follow Donlea on Instagram (@charliedonlea), X (@CharlieDonlea), or his newsletter for release news and reader Q&As.

Why Charlie Donlea’s Books Resonate

Donlea’s eight thrillers, with Twenty Years Later earning 150,000+ Goodreads ratings, captivate for their “fast-paced, addictive” plots (POPSUGAR). The Girl Who Was Taken and Don’t Believe It are lauded for twists that “make your jaw drop” (The New York Times Book Review), while Rory Moore’s autism-spectrum perspective in Some Choose Darkness adds depth (Library Journal). Fans on X and Goodreads praise his “unforgettable characters” and “intricate plots,” though some find Summit Lake’s debut uneven (Publishers Weekly). Donlea’s Chicago roots and wilderness-inspired settings, like Summit Lake and Guess Again, ground his chilling tales. His love for binge-watching (Breaking Bad) and family movie nights infuses his cinematic pacing, making books “call you back” (charliedonlea.com).

Final Thoughts

Charlie Donlea’s bibliography, from Summit Lake (2016) to Long Time Gone (2024), offers gripping thrillers that blend suspense, forensic science, and shocking twists. Start with The Girl Who Was Taken for a true-crime-inspired hit, Some Choose Darkness for Rory Moore’s brilliance, or Twenty Years Later for a modern mystery. Read the Rory Moore/Lane Phillips series in order (Some Choose Darkness, The Suicide House), while standalones can be enjoyed flexibly. With Guess Again due July 2025, Donlea’s “bold new voice” (Publishers Weekly) continues to thrill. Dive into his world for stories that keep you guessing until the final page.