Those Empty Eyes

4.5 stars rounded up
There were a few moments where my jaw dropped and I had to go back and listen to what I'd just heard to make sure I'd heard it right. This was my first Donlea, I just looked him up on Libby because he comes highly recommended, this book was the first available so I borrowed it, not even reading the synopsis. All the hype on this author is well deserved, based on this one sample I read. Very fast paced, dives right into the story, yet very efficiently and smartly weaves in these other characters and threads that expertly come together in ways I didn't see coming. I cannot wait to read more, in fact I have a couple on my holds list already. Don't sleep on Charlie Donlea, he's got a gift!

*Publication Day - March 28, 2023*

In 2013, seventeen-year-old Alexandra Quinlan was the only member of her family found unharmed after her parents and younger brother are gunned down by an unknown assailant in their own home. Unfortunately for her, Alexandra was treated as a suspect and taken into custody. An over-ambitious journalist remarked on her "empty eyes" when she was being escorted out of her own home by the police in a state of shock. “Empty Eyes” was a name that stuck as did the rumors of her guilt, despite the police having found no solid ground to convict her and her winning a defamation case against the State. The police branded it a home invasion gone wrong and never pursued the case much further. Alexandra eventually show more left town but never stopped looking for the person who killed her family, meticulously searching for any leads that shed a light on what happened that night. She eventually returns after her past comes to haunt her resulting in a messy situation abroad. Fast forward to 2023, and we have Alexandra, now Alex Armstrong, working as a legal investigator for Garrett Lancaster, the same lawyer who represented her in her defamation case and has been a guardian, friend and well-wisher. Alex’s work involves investigating potential clients for the firm, and finding any evidence proving their guilt means the firm does not accept said client’s case. An investigation into a client accused of embezzlement triggers a sequence of events that eventually is found to have a connection with what happened to Alex’s family.

Having read and enjoyed "Twenty Years Later" by Charlie Donlea, I was excited to be able to read an advance copy of his latest offering. Those Empty Eyes starts strong and I did enjoy how the story was progressing up until the 30% mark after which several sub-plots (at least one of which was completely unnecessary and served no purpose other than distracting the reader’s attention from the central plot) are introduced into the story. With so many threads and tropes (ripped from the headlines gets tiring after a point!), the plot got convoluted and farfetched. I continued with this story because I really wanted to know who the murderer was and I liked a few of the strong female characters in the mix. The ending took me by surprise, proving my predictions wrong (I love it when that happens, so points for that!). I enjoy complex and intricately plotted thrillers but this one just felt like several books somewhat haphazardly squeezed into a single narrative, which detracted from my overall reading experience. Overall, though I didn’t completely dislike Those Empty Eyes by Charlie Donlea, I was a tad disappointed.

Many thanks to author Charlie Donlea, Kensington Books and NetGalley for the much-appreciated digital review copy. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. show less

After being accused as a teen of killing her family and then fighting to clear her name, Alex Armstrong changes her identity in the wake of an extremely publicized defamation lawsuit. Ten years later, while still searching for who killed her family, Alex discovers a connection between their murders, a rape on her college campus, and a missing girl. What is the university covering up? Who is telling the truth?

THOSE EMPTY EYES was an unputdownable page turner right from the beginning. It read like a terrifying true crime story that held my interest throughout. The pacing varies as the plot has a lot going on. Even so, the suspense is held well. I was surprised by the ending twist which is a huge plus for me. It’s a letdown if I guess show more twists early on. I enjoyed the writing style and found the characters compelling. There were a lot of thought-provoking moments surrounding the way Alex was treated by the police and public, the college experience especially pertaining to victims of assault/abuse, and the ultimate question of whether we can ever truly trust that we know someone. THOSE EMPTY EYES gave me chills.

I really enjoyed THOSE EMPTY EYES and would highly recommend it. This is the first book I have read by Charlie Donlea. I look forward to checking out his other works. show less

Alexandra Quinlan, age 17, is the sole survivor of her family’s massacre. Found in the family home with a shotgun in her lap after the killings, Alexandra is immediately suspected of being responsible for the crime. Coined “Empty Eyes” because of the stark gaze she manifested on the night she was apprehended, Alexandra is taken into custody and treated as a killer. After a botched investigation by police, Alexandra is set free and on a mission to find out who really killed her family and why. Her hunt takes her places, both physically and emotionally, that she could have never imagined. Meanwhile, some obsessed true crime fanatics, still enamored with the case, believe Empty Eyes was responsible for taking the lives of her family. show more Alexandra is determined to prove her innocence. Can she solve the mystery that’s haunted her since the night that changed her life forever?

I have yet to read a Charlie Donlea book I didn’t like. He never disappoints. I am amazed at how he manages to tie up every character and loose end by the book’s conclusion. Just when I think to myself, “What happened to so-and-so? ,” Donlea supplies an answer to my question. Plot holes are non-existent, and bonus, he manages to catch me completely off guard with a twist I never see coming.

Those Empty Eyes will blow you away and leave you yearning for the next Donlea book. show less

"Those Empty Eyes" by Charlie Donlea was a well-written novel that had my attention from the first page to the last. Without giving anything away, when the murderers were revealed, I was pretty surprised. There were clues that revealed one of the murders towards the end of the novel. However, the second murderer was totally unexpected and really added to the enjoyment of this novel. The ending was also very creative and left the reader content with the outcome (at least in my opinion). Even though "Those Empty Eyes" is a fiction, Mr. Donlea did an amazing job of developing a believable plot, characters, and setting. I had the entire book read in under two days. I'm looking forward to reading additional novels by Mr. Donlea!

Fun to read. Short chapters that kept my attention and pages turning.

The multiple timelines are a little tricky for the first few (even though markers are provided), it just took a minute to sort when in time I was at with a character when perspectives switched...but it only stung for a second.

Strong and root-worthy female protagonist, sort of in the same vein (but not in a derivative way) as Lisbeth Salander (she of the Dragon Tattoo).

Though the twist(s) were somewhat predictable and/or not as shocking as billed, the overall plot and flow were good enough, I didn't care.

A solid palate-cleanse/TBR reset thriller to read between two tougher/thicker ones. Would recommend.

"Those Empty Eyes" is a good book. Nothing earth-shattering, mind you, but solid. I think the opening 1/3 is much better, then it levels off to be a competent who-done-it. About halfway through, I partly figured out the "who" but the ending was satisfying enough.

Seventeen year-old Alex Quinlan witnesses the murder of her parents and younger brother in their home. The cops find her covered in blood at the foot of her parents' bed and the media soon begin assuming she was the killer, dubbing her "Empty Eyes." Once acquitted, a chance discovery leads Alex to try and figure out who destroyed her family.