70 pages • 2-hour read
Long Time Gone
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Background
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of rape, graphic violence, and death.
Social Context: Genealogy and Ancestry Websites
The establishment of ancestry databases and websites on the internet has resulted in the growing popularity of people tracking their family’s history and genealogy. For many, this pursuit is purely one of curiosity, as they learn their genetic make-up, investigate where their families came from, and establish a clear lineage going back centuries.
The basic process of online genealogy is to submit a DNA test to a chosen website, which then compares the new DNA with DNA stored in its database, finding connections that establish biological relationships. Currently, Ancestry.com has the largest database of stored DNA, which increases the chances that a new DNA submission will match existing entries. Though the ethics of using this process in investigations are contested, online genealogy has been used successfully to solve crimes, as in Long Time Gone, with real-world success.
One real case mentioned in Long Time Gone is that of the Golden State Killer, Joseph James DeAngelo Jr., a serial killer, rapist, and burglar who was active in California in the 1970s and ’80s. DNA allowed investigators to connect DeAngelo’s crimes, and in 2017, investigators uploaded DeAngelo’s DNA to GEDMatch, an online genealogy website. The DNA sample led them to many possible relatives, and using the reconstructed family tree, investigators narrowed their list of suspects to just two men, leading to DeAngelo’s arrest. This case is a real-life application of the scientific concepts deployed in the novel, and Donlea references the Golden State killer to both draw attention to this trend and to establish greater credibility in the narrative.
Series Context: Character Cameos in Charlie Donlea’s Works
Donlea’s works often include characters that appear in more than one work, a concept often referred to as a “cameo.” In Long Time Gone, Sloan’s boss is Dr. Livia Cutty, the protagonist of Donlea’s novel The Girl Who Was Taken, and who also makes appearances in Don’t Believe It and Twenty Years Later. Likewise, Avery Mason, the reporter with whom Sloan ultimately decides to do an interview, is the protagonist of Twenty Years Later. These crossovers between novels allow Donlea to continue developing characters beyond the bounds of a single novel. This choice allows for a longer character arc and more developed backstory, and it enhances the reading experience of his regular audience.
Readers familiar with The Girl Who Was Taken, Don’t Believe It, and Twenty Years Later will already have seen Livia as a particularly talented forensic pathologist. Sloan idolizes Livia in Long Time Gone, and the earlier novels’ development of her character enhances that credibility. A central theme of Long Time Gone is the challenges of interacting with the media in criminal cases, but for Donlea’s readers, Avery Mason’s presence offers a degree of integrity and credibility that somewhat ameliorates the novel’s depiction of the media: Those familiar with Twenty Years Later will know about Avery’s dedication to the truth and her sensitivity for how reporting can impact the people involved in a case. These connections between novels also develop the increasingly complex world of Donlea’s fiction. As more characters get involved in his stories, he can continue to build and cross between stories, characters, and history, allowing greater depth and impact.
Unlock all 70 pages of this Study Guide
Get in-depth, chapter-by-chapter summaries and analysis from our literary experts.
- Grasp challenging concepts with clear, comprehensive explanations
- Revisit key plot points and ideas without rereading the book
- Share impressive insights in classes and book clubs