Those Empty Eyes

(Dramatized Adaptation)

By Charlie Donlea

A BEGUILING THRILLER THAT EXPLORES IDENTITY, TRUTH, AND JUSTICE

    ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

SUMMARY

Alexandra Quinlan’s family—her mother, father, and younger brother—was brutally murdered in their home. She was immediately arrested the night of the murder. The media nicknamed her "Empty Eyes" after she was found with a gun at the scene of the massacre. The case became a media sensation, and even after she was proven innocent, true crime bloggers and podcasters followed her everywhere. She had to leave the country for her own safety. But she will never stop searching for the person who killed her family.

Years later, Alexandra, now known as Alex Armstrong, is an investigator for a law firm. She is looking into the disappearance of Laura McAllister, a well-known student journalist who had just recorded her podcast about how her university was conspiring to cover up allegations of sexual assault on campus. Alex's investigation into Laura's disappearance uncovers a shocking connection to her own family’s murder, where no one is quite who they seem.     

REVIEW

THOSE EMPTY EYES is a captivating thriller that explores themes of identity, truth, and justice. Ten years after her murder, Alex is the only one investigating her family’s case. Author Charlie Donlea's mystery and detective writing are exceptional, as are the story, pacing, and plot.

My favorite part of the book was Alex’s relentless character. I continue to be impressed by Donlea’s ability to bring such depth and emotion to his distinctive female protagonists. He takes Alex from a frightened teenager to her exoneration and her quest for the truth, despite constant pursuit by true crime fanatics.

This book, initially published in 2023, won numerous awards; however, this audiobook is a newly released dramatized adaptation of THOSE EMPTY EYES. It was excellent, and I highly recommend listening to it. It brought the story alive with a full cast of 40 actors.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. All opinions expressed here are my own.

Publisher    RBmedia

Published   July 14, 2025

Narrated     Full Cast -  Eva Wilhelm, Amanda Forstrom, Richard Rohan, Nanette Savard, Natalie Van Sistine, Jessica Threet, Chris Stinson, Sam Intrater, Nathaniel Priestley, Jenna Sharpe, Jonathan Sleep, Terence Aselford, Wayne LeGette, Niusha Nawab, Su Ling Chan, Stephon Walker, Jonathon Church, Stewart Crank, Christopher Walker, Laura C. Harris, Michael Glenn, Eric Messner, Patrick Boylan, Bradley Foster Smith, Erin Lin, James Konicek, Jeri J. Marshall, Yasmin Tuazon, Karen Novack, Drew Kopas, Michael John Casey, Nora Sofyan, Colleen Delany, Elena Anderson, Christopher Williams, Kenneth Charles, Steve Wannall, Crystal Lee, and Scott McCormick.

Review       www.bluestockingreviews.com