The Vanishing Season isn't necessarily a mystery-- it lays out its storyline as if it might be one. However, the "whodunnit" is told almost immediately, and instead it becomes a look at the psychoses of various people involved in a crime-- the victim, the bystanders, the hero, the law enforcement, etc. Overall, enjoyable book. I especially liked the lack of romance. The author knew to keep it out.

The best part of this book was the author's ability to write characters who have there issues or flaws, but own them, and just keep living. The female lead of the story, Ellery Hathaway, is continuing to try to overcome the horrors she experienced as the single surviving victim of the serial killer Francis Michael Coben. Though she still has troubles trusting people, she still looks out for and tries to protect others from being harmed, as a police officer in her new home. When she needs help on the cases of three suspicious missing person cases, she calls on Agent Reed Markham - the man who saved her from Coben. Agent Markham is himself dealing with issues related to a deadly abduction case and his failing marriage. These two compelling characters highlight a thrilling mystery that kept me reading to the end in one sitting.

I would like to thank the publisher for granting my wish for an advanced copy in return for my honest opinion.

Ellery is the one victim who escaped from a serial murderer when she was 14. Years later, she has changed her identity and is working for the police when a set of kidnappings happens in her small town. She asks for help from the FBI agent who rescued her years ago. Even though this was a mystery, I was less concerned about finding out who did it and more interested in Ellery and the FBI agent. They both have been affected for years by what happened years before and it has changed both of their lives. I liked how the author alluded to the violent acts committed by the serial murderer and didn't go into detail.

Wonderful thriller with great plot and characters. Highly recommend both the book and the author. Definitely worth a read.

Reminiscent of Mary Higgins Clark, The Vanishing Season is just dark enough and with the right amount of small twists to keep you guessing.

A serial killer may be on the lose the small town where Ellery is a cop, but no one else believes her. Worse yet, the crimes may be linked to her past. And the killer is taunting Ellery with that knowledge. She calls in the FBI agent that saved her all those years ago, and together they try to bring a killer to justice.

With so many people hiding secrets or acting strangely it was hard to pinpoint who may be behind the taunts to Ellery and the missing people. I felt I was constantly questioning everyone we met through Ellery and Reed and I loved that.

There were a few issues (for instance: DNA testing takes more than a day and in a place like Boston there would be no special favors that didn't stem from an already huge case; also, even though Ellery's name was kept out of the press (from when she was a child), in order to become a police officer one must pass multiple background tests and psychological testing. Her boss, Chief Parker, would have been aware of her past), but on the whole an enjoyable novel.

The Vanishing Season, due for publication in December 2017, is Joana Schaffhausen's first novel. As far as debuts go, this one is pretty darn good.

Abigail Hathaway now goes by her middle name, Ellery. She is the only female officer on the small town police force in Woodbury, MA. What none of her coworkers know is that fourteen years ago, she was the last of seventeen girls kidnapped by the serial killer Francis Michael Coben. Unlike his other victims, she survived after being rescued by FBI agent Reed Markham. Emotional scars notwithstanding, she's been living a peaceful life with her Basset Hound Speedbump until three years ago when local residents started to disappear during the first two weeks of July, right before her birthday. Three people have now vanished and Ellery believes that the cases are connected, her suspicions supported by the creepy birthday cards she receives every year right after each person's disappearance. Her boss and fellow officers dismiss her concerns so as her next birthday approaches and another disappearance is imminent, she contacts Agent Markham and requests that he help her investigate the cases.

The Vanishing Season was a very enjoyable read. It was well written, with cleverly drawn characters, a suspenseful plot and an unpredictable conclusion. It's a solid mystery that I recommend without reservation, especially to anyone who enjoys this genre.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

She changed her name, but she could not change what happened to her in the past. Fourteen years ago, Ellery was saved by FBI agent Markman. She has tried to move on and is now a police officer in a small town.
Three residents of this small town gone missing over the three years since she has been a resident. One abduction per year. Always the same time of year, around her birthday. After each abduction Ellery receives a birthday card. Who knows her real identity other than the killer, who is now in jail, and the man who wrote her story all those years ago? Now she is reaching out to that man, Reed Markman is an FBI agent with some issues. These issues have led him to not be on active duty with the FBI. So when Ellery calls, she is able to go to her assistance. This is a definite fast-paced thriller that this reader read in a 24 hour period. This is a 3.5 star read rounded to 4.

This is the first book that I have read from author Joanna Schaffhausen, and I am so glad that I this book. What a great police procedural full of mystery and suspense. This book was full of some interesting twists that helped Ellie face her past, or as much as she could anyways. Ellie grew up to become a police officer going after the bad guys, and when her small town starts to show evidence of mysterious activities Ellie knows that she will need help to catch the person behind everything. She calls someone from her past FBI profiler agent Reed, and will he be able to help her before it is to late? Thank you NetGalley and Joanna Schaffhausen for allowing me to read this ARC and write a honest review.

Let's just pause for a moment to acknowledge that BEAUTIFUl cover. Not to mention how perfect it fits this cozy little mystery! Thank you to St. Martin's Press for granting my wish! What a wish this was :).

The Vanishing Season is an addicting and unique thriller that will grab you from the first page. I am pretty impressed that this was a debut novel by Joanna Schaffhausen!

Ellery Hathaway is a sole survivor of the famous serial killer Francis Michael Coben. Years later, Ellery Hathaway is living in Woodbury Massachusetts as a police officer. Let me tell you, ahem she is one strong and independent female character!

Over the last three years, three missing persons have disappeared each year around Ellery's birthday and ironically the day she was kidnapped all those years ago. Ellery just has this haunting feeling that someone is watching her and knows her secret. Ellery decides to contact FBI agent Reed Markham who saved her all those years ago from serial killer Frances Coben for help. Loved agent Markham!!!

Are these missing person's somehow connected to Ellery and this serial killer Coben? Or, is there someone else out there that has a deep and sinister obsession?

Can, I just say I loved Ellery's partner in crime aka watchdog Bump! This little guy was adorable and in my opinion made the story that much better! Characterization was very strong and overall had me on the edge of my toes!! I give you props Joanna... you fooled me and didn't see the final ending coming ;).

I would definitely recommend this to my fellow mystery/suspense lovers. This was a fun mystery to watch unravel! I was staying up wayyy past my bed time to finish this one! Overall, 4 solid starts!

A huge thank you to St. Martins Press, Minotaur Books, and Netgalley for granting my wish!
Expected publication date is 12/5/17.

Joanna Schaffhausen is an exciting new author debut novel is a thriller at its best
After being rescued by FBI agent Reed Markham from the clutches of a serial killer Ellery Hathaway then aged 14 grows up and leaves Chicago for a small town she becomes a police officer
Every year for 3 years on or near Ellery's birthday someone goes missing without a trace and she receives an anonymous birthday card. She is the only officer who considers that these cases might be linked and as it draws nearer to July she contacts Agent Markham to enlist his help.
Exciting, thrilling, emotional this book has everything well worth a read.

The Vanishing Season was an absolutely wonderful, amazing thriller with a great plot and storyline. I just loved how the book started out !!! That was it for me. I never put the book down , read through the night !!
Ellery is a law enforcement officer who has a tragic past that she has kept secret from her coworkers. I loved her watchdog Bump which was a big part of the storyline in my opinion. Great characters that fit perfectly with the plot . Tense , thrilling mystery with a shocking ending. Just a great book ! I would highly recommend this book if you like a good thriller! Thank you to Minotaur Books , St. Martins Press and Netgalley for the chance to review this digital copy . Also thanks to Author Joanna Schaffhansen !!! Posted my review on Goodreads , Twitter and Instagram .

A fun thriller and the pages flew. A great book for a weekend. My only criticism is that it was obvious who the killer was, and there was no extra umph. But, I did enjoy the read.

Great read! Looking forward to reading more by this author! Highly recommend!

This is quite an impressive debut. Ms. Schauffhausen knows how to spin a yarn. She moves the action along at a rapid pace but not to rapidly as to ignore character development. Some of the two main characters' actions are a bit inexplicable but it makes no difference to the novel. Neither does the fact that experienced readers will identity the perpetrator at his first appearance. We have no idea of why he does the horrible things he does, but all comes clear in the end. I'm eager to read Ms. Schauffhausen's next book. Brava!

This book had me from the first page. The twists and turns are nonstop. If not for work I would have finished in 1 day! The main character was the only living victim of a serial killer and can't make the police chief believe that someone is doing it again. I can't believe that this was a first novel. Will be watching for her next book!

This is an excellent debut novel from Joanna Schaffhausen. The prologue is haunting, and it will remain with you throughout the book. Fast forward fourteen years later and we find Ellery Hathaway investigating a ghost from her past. There have been three disappearances in the past three years, all right around Ellery's birthday. Her police chief doesn't buy Ellery's theory, and therefore does not support the investigation. He and others write it off as a crazy conspiracy theory, but Ellery knows deep down in her soul that she is right. The problem is, no one else in this sleepy little town knows about Ellery's past and the demons she has faced. The only person she can turn to is FBI Agent Reed Markham, the man that saved Ellery from a serial killer fourteen years before. As they begin their investigation they both start to wonder if they can trust each other and find this killer before it's too late during this year's"vanishing season".

The characters are well developed, and their checkered pasts are detailed in depth. The three active cases have odd interconnections that Ellery and Reed struggle to make sense of. There are many pieces to the puzzle that just don't seem to fit as they should. The suspense slowly builds throughout the book as the list of possible suspects grows, and Ellery and Reed soon find themselves casting suspicion on each other as new evidence comes to light. This is one of those books where each character immediately comes under suspicion when they are introduced into the story. You will think you have it figured out early on, but then the series of twists and turns will make you second guess it. The author keeps you guessing right up to the shocking conclusion.

I would recommend this book to fans of mysteries and thrillers. I received this as a free ARC from St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur for the ARC copy of this novel.
The Vanishing Season is a must read. I don't say this too often, but it is gripping from beginning to end. Ellery is a character that you have empathy for and is the main reason you will continue to read this book without putting it down. The mystery/thriller is set in a small town which is a character in itself. I have to say that if you like guessing who did it... then this one is definatly for you!

Would like to thank net galley and the publishers for allowing me to read and review this amazing book

What a ride this book gives you from the abduction of a little girl right to the end and then the story continues at an unbelievable pace... The how and the whys are all covered with a twist i never saw coming and the ending .... Just wow

An amazing story and another author to keep an eye out for

I was so excited about being excepted to receive an advance copy of this book to review, from the description it sounded like my kind of book. If i had seen this in a book shop and read the description i would have defiantly purchased the book on the spot!
And i am so pleased to say i was not disappointed in this book in the slightest.
The characters are memorable and it takes a different twist from other serial killer books which is always good to get something a little different and to see the characters in a different light.
The story is set in a small community where the most crime the local police have to deal with are someones bike being stolen and that making the headlines.
The only female on the small police force, Ellery, is hiding a secret and wants it to stay that way. She has managed to keep it hidden form everyone for years but that all starts to change when part of her past starts to come back and haunt her.
Police detective Ellery Hathaway is a former child victim of an infamous serial killer Francis Michael Coben. She was the only survivor out of the 17 victims, rescued by FBI Agent Reed Markham.
She is a survivor, she has managed to make a new life for herself and even though the scars on the outside have faded, the inner ones still haunt her.
When 3 people disappear without a trace and with little or no motive, all around the time of Ellery's birthday for the past 3 years she fears that history is starting to repeat itself.
She has been trying to convince her boss Police Chief Sam Parker that the disappearances are linked but without explaining her past she struggles to get any luck convincing anyone else of her theory.
With her birthday looming she fears it won't be long before someone else goes missing so she phones the only person she can think of that might just believe her. The man that rescued her and saved her life, Agent Reed Markham.
As the pair along with Ellery's dog Bump start digging into the cases of the missing persons, trying to find a link between the 3 cases things start to take on a menacing personal twist.
Is this the work of a serial killer? And what is the link between past and present?
This book is really well written and it really does draw you in and immerses you into their world. It deals with the physiological effects that still impact both Ellery and Reed and the impact that it has had on both their lives.
I would love this book will become a series and what the author will sweep us away with next.
This is definitely a book to recommend to anyone who enjoys this genre of books. I think we can expect good things from this author Joanna Schaffhausen and i have high hopes for her career after this book gets published on the 5th December.
I would put her the same class as more well known authors such as Karin Slaughter and Mo Hayder so very high praise indeed.
Congratulations Joanna on such an astounding debut and i can't wait to see what you come up with next :-)