Review by: Gretchen Fronk
Published: 2024
Author: Charlie Donlea
Genres: Adult Fiction, Mystery, Thriller
Audience: Grades 11–12, Adult
Number of Stars: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Goodreads Link: Long Time Gone
Content Warnings: Murder, violence, descriptions of deceased bodies, kidnapping, and child abduction themes.
Publisher’s Summary
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…
Review
I found the DNA aspect of this book quite interesting. It is neat how science has come so far and this book skims the surface of this journey. I can’t imagine what it must feel like to find out that you were kidnapped as an infant and then set up for adoption. That is what happened to the main character.
It was also heartbreaking that she isn’t able to be reunited with her parents. She is reunited with extended family, but I didn’t like this family. They seem shady and suspect. Money is able to hide many things! I would have liked to see more of the coroner’s office and daily experiences included in the story. As it is, even though the main character spends time here working, not much in-depth activity or knowledge is imparted to the reader. It also would have been nice to have more in-depth information shared about the DNA and how it is helpful to the medical field. Overall, a good read and I will be reading more by this author. This book just left me a little underwhelmed.
🧪 The Science of Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG)
The inciting incident of the novel—a DNA upload revealing a hidden identity—is a real-world phenomenon that has revolutionized cold case investigations.
How DNA Solves Cold Cases
- SNP Profiling: Unlike standard police DNA tests that look at 20 markers, genealogy sites look at hundreds of thousands of Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs).
- Kinship Analysis: This allows investigators to find “distance relatives” (3rd or 4th cousins). Even if a person isn’t in the system, their cousin might be.
- The “Baby Charlotte” Scenario: In the book, Sloan’s discovery mirrors real cases where adults have discovered through ancestry sites that they were “stolen” or “vanished” children from decades-old news stories.
🏛️ The Forensic Pathology Fellow
Sloan is a fellow in forensic pathology, a branch of medicine that focuses on determining the cause of death through the examination of a corpse.
Key Forensic Concepts in the Novel:
- Chain of Custody: The chronological documentation showing the seizure, custody, and analysis of physical evidence—crucial when Sloan begins investigating her own family.
- The Role of the Coroner vs. Medical Examiner: While Sloan works in a professional office, the story takes place in a county where “influence” and “power” often conflict with scientific truth.
🎒 Classroom & Curricular Connections
- Science (Genetics & Biotechnology): Use the book to discuss the ethics and mechanics of DNA databases.
- Activity Idea: Research the “Golden State Killer” case. How did investigators use public genealogy sites to catch a criminal? Discuss the privacy implications: should the police have access to your DNA if your cousin uploads theirs?
- Social Studies (Power Dynamics & Corruption): The Margolis family uses wealth to hide crimes.
- Activity Idea: Discuss the concept of a “Company Town” or a town where one family owns the majority of the resources. How does this affect the justice system and the work of the Sheriff?
- ELA (Mystery Tropes & Archetypes): Analyze the “Family Secrets” trope.
- Activity Idea: Create a character map of the Margolis family. Use evidence from the text to label which characters are “Shady,” “Welcoming,” or “Suspect.” Why did the author choose to make the extended family unlikeable?
- Health/Medicine (Forensic Careers): > Activity Idea: The reviewer wanted more in-depth knowledge of the coroner’s office. Research the daily duties of a Forensic Pathologist. What kind of schooling is required? How does it differ from a regular doctor?
