First line: <i>"It's too dark to go out but too hot to sleep."</i>

Let me start off by saying "WOW".

This was an incredible read that had me hooked from the first line. I was up late into the night reading, fighting to keep my eyes open after a long day, but wanting to keep on reading nonetheless.

[book:The Vanishing Season|30654172] was a magnificent read - probably one of the best I've read all year. The main character, Ellery, is a strong female coming from a tragic and troubled past who has fought for her life and come out swinging, and is now trying to make the world a better place by being a law enforcement officer in a small town in Massachusetts. She was a poignant and interesting character that held her own throughout the story.

I felt a strong connection to FBI Agent Reed Markham who was a key player throughout the mystery. I also really loved the inclusion of Ellery's watchdog, Bump, whose character added a life to the story that made it feel more real. Bump is also a key to the story that may not be expected. Other secondary characters such as Chief Parker, Brady Archer, as well as a few others are well-developed, and their individual parts are all pertinent to the story.

This definitely a novel that I would recommend to my friends and family, because it's just so good. I've just finished it and been sitting practically motionless thinking over the events of the story. I definitely never saw the big reveal coming until it was too late, and I was shocked. It was perfect.

A big thank you to St. Martin's Press for granting my wish to read this novel, and as always thanks to Netgalley for allowing this opportunity.

I am left without words and in awe of the mystery that Joanna Schaffhausen was able to string up and slowly unravel, keeping you on your toes and frantically searching for the bit of evidence that would lead you to the killer's doorstep.

This was a great book, which had me hooked from the first page. It had a solid plot with strong characters. A read page turner. Excellent read, highly recommended.

Many thanks to Joanna schaffhausen and Netgalley for the copy of this book. I willingly read this book and voluntarily gave a unbiased review.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Minotaur Books for an advance copy of The Vanishing Season, a stand alone set in Foxbury, Massachusetts.

Ellery Hathaway is a police officer in small town Foxbury. Ellie used to be Abigail but she doesn't talk about it and moved to Foxbury to hide because Abigail was the last girl kidnapped by a serial killer and the only one to survive. FBI agent Reed Markham was the man who saved her and promised he would help her when she needed him. Now she does because every year for the past 3 someone from Foxbury has disappeared in early July round about the time of her birthday. It's July again and the Chief still won't take her suspicions seriously so Reed is her last hope. With troubles of his own is he the man to help her?

I thoroughly enjoyed The Vanishing Season. It is a good old fashioned mixture of mystery, investigation and thrills and has a good, readable flow and pace which kept me glued to the pages from start to finish. Ms Schaffhausen does an excellent job of hiding the perpetrator and the motive with plenty of false trails and red herrings. I wasn't totally convinced by the motive but as it isn't revealed until the end it doesn't mar an otherwise good read.

The characterisation is interesting. Reed Markham comes over as a thoroughly nice guy but obviously burned out as he doesn't appear to have much insight for a behavioural analyst. Ellie Hathaway, on the other hand, is smart and resourceful but suspicious, almost friendless and solitary. Their dynamic is fraught.

The Vanishing Season is a solid debut which I have no hesitation in recommending.

This is the first book that I have read by this author. I enjoyed it and would recommend it to my customers