Charlie Donlea Follow

Charlie Donlea is a favorite of mine, and has been ever since I read Summit Lake years ago. The premise of this novel takes some time to come fully into focus, as the narrative switches between two crimes spaced twenty years apart. September 11th is utilized as a primary plot device in one of the cases, and I found Donlea’s handling of it thoughtful and respectful. It’s also one heck of a clever twist that keeps on giving throughout the story. As always, the author has a lot going on in this book, all of which he juggles well and ties up brilliantly. There are times in a Donlea novel when I feel as if there’s maybe too much going on, but I’ve learned to trust him; in the end it’s all necessary and enriches the book. If you appreciate excellent writing, imaginative plot twists, and rich characterization, you’ll enjoy Twenty Years Later.