The Vanishing Season is an addicting page-turner and a well written mystery about a serial killer operating in a small town in New England. Our main heroine Ellery was a victim and a lone survivor of a notorious serial killer who abducted her when she was only fourteen. She was rescued by an FBI agent Reed Markham. Fourteen years later Ellery is a police officer in Woodbury, MA where people start to disappear every year around the same time. Although nobody in town knows about her gruesome past, Ellery believes that someone knows her secret and these disappearances are connected to her abduction. Because the local police department isn't investigating these disappearances she asks Reed for help.

The book sucked me in from the first page. From the sinister prologue to the very satisfying epilogue I couldn't put it down. Although I guessed early on who the killer was, there were enough interesting twists and turns to kept me glued to the pages. I did question myself and changed my mind about the suspect a couple of times but in the end my first hunch was correct. In addition to the satisfying mystery, I loved Ellery and Reed's relationship. They are bound by a traumatic event that changed both their lives forever and would always have a powerful connection. They work extremely well together to solve the murders. I also loved Bump, he was such a great furry character.

I would highly recommend The Vanishing Season to all the mystery and suspense lovers. And I cannot wait to read another book by this author.

*ARC provided by the publisher via NetGalley

This book pulled me in and kept my interest throughout. I liked learning little bits at a time about the abductions 14 years before.

Some of the behaviors and dialogue were questionable at best, but overall, this was an enjoyable read. My thanks to NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The moment that I saw the cover for The Vanishing Season I was hooked, it conveyed the right amount of mystery, eerie, and beauty that I love to see in genre fiction. I know that the saying is to 'never judge a book by its cover', but as a designer myself a good cover always wins out. After checking out the description I knew that I had to read this book, it seemed like everything I was looking for in my next read.

I think my biggest gripe is that I actually wish this one was longer, and in order to achieve that I think there were certain things that could have been expanded on, certain things that felt as though they were left a little unfinished, but that probably stems more from the fact that I enjoyed it so much and I didn't want it to end. I wanted to know more, I wanted to spend more time with these characters because I really grew to like Ellery and Reed.

Great suspense- thought I had it figured out and it took a twist! Loved the characters and their development throughout the book.

This is a terrific debut novel by Joanna Schaffhausen. Its suspenseful, creative storyline will keep you on your toes throughout.
Ellery Hathaway is a police officer in the small town of Woodbury, Massachusetts. This sleepy little town is extremely quiet and nothing ever happens, that is unless you include the three disappearances in the last three years, all during the first two weeks of July. Ellery is extremely concerned that any day now a fourth person will disappear, but no one will listen to her. Out of concern she decides to take matters into her own hands and calls upon an old acquaintance, Reed Markham.
There are actually two mysteries in this book. The first is the current day disappearances of three local residents. They are all unsolved and no bodies have ever been found. The second mystery is Ellery’s past that she is desperately trying to keep hidden. She loves her quiet life, in a place where she feels safe and no one knows who she really is.
This book is a fun and engaging read. I’m fond of books that reveal clues or hidden secrets every now and then that take the reader by surprise. I did have a hunch as to who I thought the “bad guy” was, but I’m pleased to say that it didn’t affect my enjoyment of the story.
I have to take a moment and give a shout out to Speed Bump, Ellery’s dog, who lightened the moment many times with a bit of humor. What a fantastic, unexpected character!
I think this book would make a fantastic series! I found Ellery, Reed, and of course Speed Bump to be extremely likeable. If given the chance I would love to see where she would take these characters next.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

I really enjoyed reading this mystery. It was full of twists and turns that did not resolve themselves until the very end. It was a story that kept the reader involved. I would highly recommend this to suspense fans!

The Vanishing Season is Joanna Schaffhausen’s first novel, and wow was it a good one. It had all the things that I want in a thriller, it’s haunting, flawed characters that you don’t know whether to trust or not, and plenty of suspenseful moments.

Ellery Hathaway is an officer in a small town, where crime is low with the occasional call here and there. That is, until people start to go missing. Each year, and the same day which is her birthday. She has told no one her birthday, let alone her past or how she changed her name. She is the girl who was abducted 14 years ago and is the lone survivor of a sadistic serial killer. Ellery knows that these disappearances are linked but she isn’t sure how, but she is determined to find out and with the help of the man who rescued her as a child she might be able to catch who is behind the disappearance that are happening now.

The characters are the types that you want to like, but the more you learn about them, the more you question them. Ellery has come a long way from the little girl who was kidnapped all those years ago, she carries all that with her in everything she does though. She keeps to herself, doesn’t let people close. She herself was a mystery to those around her. But, knowing what all she went through, made me want to feel for her. The connection she has with Agent Reed Markham I can understand, he did rescue her so it wasn’t a surprise he was who she called for help. Reed’s success after the case with Ellery made his career, but it was short lived and now his home life and career were a mess, but he was still willing to help. He seemed to genuinely want to help to. The are some other characters like, the police chief and a couple of officers that were well developed, and played a great role in all of this.

As the story progresses, and the clues that Ellery and Reed discover, they begin to question whether other one is behind it all and well, so did I. I couldn’t decide if Ellery was having a mental break down? Was Reed just trying to get his career back on track? Did someone in town learn who she was? Or was someone wanting revenge? So many ideas went through my head as all the pieces came to together. Some the clues just didn’t go together, and the suspense continued to build. It was a roller coaster ride right up the big reveal too. I’m not one who like to admit that I am wrong, but I have to this time, I did not get this one right at all. Didn’t see it coming, but jeez it was a good ending.

The Vanishing Season is labeled as a psychological thriller, and that is exactly what you get. A suspenseful, page turning story, that keeps you on your toes till the very end. I will be keeping on eye out for more works from Mrs. Schaffhausen for sure.

This was reviewed for RT Book Reviews December 2017 issue you can find my published review there

4.5 Winning Debut Stars
* * * *1/2 Spoiler Free
This had all the elements to cause continual reading...I took longer breaks at work... stayed up too late and got up early because I could not read this fast enough.

I have a history of being a Mystery reader so my mind was working from the start and had narrowed down what I thought all of the catches were...But then this new author would throw a few things out there to make me doubt myself and instincts...so good on her... because even though I was correct in the end...She had me going many times during the reading.

This was a gritty and intricate story and I think it showed off Joanna Schaffhausen talent well.

~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
Yes, this Major Romance reader is cleansing the palate...
No Cowboys or Alphas
No Swooning or Gahs...
This time a little Hard Core Mayhem...
●•●•●•●•●•●•●•
It seems All to Many Times Now...
Things are Happening Again...

To the One who Knows how Horrific these Things can be...
No One Is Listening To Her...

No One is Paying Attention like they Should...
Because these Things keep Happening...
And She Knows it is only a Matter of Time...
For It will Come Again...

The Vanishing Season-December 5, 2017

A gifted copy was provided by St. Martin's Press via NetGalley for an honest review.

Good solid murder mystery. Ellery Hathaway is a junior police detective in a small town where, for the last three summers, one of the citizens have gone missing. The police chief doesn't think that the cases are related, but Ellery, a crime victim herself, sees a pattern. As the summer approaches, she attempts to avoid another abduction, but will the perpetrator allude her? Well plotted and paced. A page turner.

3.5 Stars. Enticing prologue. Entertaining debut!

WHO saw it happen 14 years ago and kept it a secret?

Ellery Hathaway is a police officer with a scarred past working in the small town of Woodbury, Massachusetts, and she'll do just about anything (and has) to convince Police Chief Sam Parker that their missing person's cases may indeed be connected AND the work of a serial killer.....but he's not biting....so she calls in a trusted FBI agent who knows the horrific secrets of her past to give a fresh perspective. And Then....the package arrives.

THE VANISHING SEASON is a fine crime-mystery debut with just enough suspense and scattered clues to keep the reader guessing while keeping the gore at bay....despite a killer with a weird fixation. As for Speed-Bump the dog....NICE addition to the cast of characters.

Joanna Schaffhausen....another new author to keep an eye on.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press via NetGalley for granting my wish to read THE VANISHING SEASON in exchange for an honest review. Enjoyed it!

Years ago Ellery Hathaway became victim number seventeen of serial killer Francis Michael Coben when she was abducted and held captive. Ellery was lucky enough that FBI Agent Reed Markham saw something other investigators hadn’t and followed clues to Coben’s home where he managed to rescue Ellery and put Coben behind bars making Ellery the one that survived.

Now Ellery is in law enforcement herself and finds that she may just have another serial killer on her hands but no one wants to believe her. What the other officers in the sleepy little town of Woodbury, MA don’t know is that the disappearances in town are happening at the time Ellery was taken all those years ago and she’s been receiving cards every year at the time but she’s hesitant to tell of her past. Looking for another angle to open a case into the missing persons Ellery makes a call to the man who saved her all those years ago.

The Vanishing Season by Joanna Schaffhausen is a mystery/thriller read that takes a reader on a journey to catch a serial killer. The book is written with a small town vibe and a flawed main character that pulled me in immediately and kept my interest until the very end. Surviving a serial killer herself gave Ellery a strength behind her that she needed to survive but now puts toward helping others.

While the story had plenty of twists and turns to make this one a solid mystery I did kind of question some of the actions of the police in this small town. Perhaps not the most realistic of investigating and actions at times so I just couldn’t quite bring myself to go a full five stars but the story and characters do make this worth the read.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Thank you to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for granting my wish for this book.

I loved this book!!!
Abigail Hathaway was kidnapped off the street late one night at the age of 14. She wasn't the first one to endure the torture meted out by this serial killer but she would be the last. Thanks to Agent Reed Markham who swoops in at the final hour to save her from the final moments suffered by the victims that came before her.
This young girl grows up to become a police officer in a small town where people have been disappearing near her birthday for the past three years with another birthday fast approaching. She now goes by the name of Ellery Hathaway and no one knows of her horrific past but she is sure that the recent cases are related to her traumatic youth. When she can't get any one to believe that these disappearances are related and not random coincidences she asks for help from the one person that might be able to help her, Agent Reed Markham.
This was a whirlwind ride of a story filled with intense scenes of terror along with warm moments of emotion by characters that were completely relatable. Ellery is portrayed as a strong survivor who still struggles with events of her past. Events so terrible that she has every closet in her house nailed shut!!!
Reed Markham is trying to get past a recent case that ended badly and a home life that has been shattered as a result of his career.
Don't miss a chance to read this fabulous book, you won't be disappointed!

Ellery Hathaway is a police officer in a small town. A small town whose crimes are mostly petty theft and domestic violence. But every year, for the last three years, someone has gone missing on or around Ellery’s birthday.
•
As a former victim and the lone survivor of a serial killer, Ellery believes all of these cases are related. No one in her office believes her, so she calls in a favor to Reed Markham— the FBI agent who saved her life 14 years ago. Together, Markham and Ellery try to make the connection between the victims before the next one is taken or the new threat in Ellery’s life gets to her.
•
I liked the premise of the book, but knew very quickly who the kidnapper/killer was. For a book like this, a plot twist is nice because it keeps you guessing and I feel that’s what this was missing. Again, I enjoyed the plot of the book and the author’s writing. So I would read another book by the author in the future.

Not only suspense, but just the right kind of suspense that keeps you on your toes without being overwhelming. This novel features a heroine who tries to stride past the men in her life to take the control that has been wrested away from her as a child. She doesn't quite succeed in that endeavor, as the lesson of the book is that no one can stand alone or put the past entirely behind them. There's definitely room for a sequel and I would certainly read it with pleasure.

Ellery is a small town cop. She is also the adult that developed from Abagail the child who was kidnapped and tortured by a serial killer. Ellery is convinced that three people who have disappeared from her town on the past three years were also kidnapped and killed. Because no one in town knows about her past, no one takes her suspicions seriously. Their theory is no evidence, no crime and the police Chief wants her to let it go. She, in desperation contacts Reed, the FBI agent who located and rescued her. He comes and they begin to work the missing persons cases together. I won’t go any further into the plot because of spoilers, but did finish this novel in a day rather than doing other things with which I should have occupied myself. This was superior reading, thanks to Net Galley and Minotaur for an ARC for an honest review.

The Vanishing Season is an impressive and well-written book that kept me up all night reading! The plot is compelling and the characters are fascinating. This was the first book from Joanna Schaffhausen, and I'll be looking forward to more books from her.

Abigail Ellery Hathaway is the only survivor of a serial killer who stole his victims, locked them away in the closet and mutilated them. Her case was all over the media at the time. The FBI agent who rescued her, Reed Markham, wrote a book about her case that became a TV movie. Ellie grew up, used her middle name so no one would recognize it and became a policeman in a small town in Massachusetts. For the last three years in early July, there have been three disappearances that Ellie is sure are murders. She's received a creepy card on her birthday (the day she was kidnaped) every year, but she can't convince her department that a killer is on the loose and she doesn't want anyone to know about her past as a survivor.

As July approaches, Ellie fears another murder is coming, so she calls Agent Markham and asks for his help. Together, they start unofficially investigating until the case takes a very dark turn and Ellie's life is on the line again.

This was a page-turner, and I can't say enough about it. I highly recommend this book.

Thanks to Minotaur Books and St. Martin's Press for granting my wish, and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was a fast paced mystery about a serial killer who had a fetish with the severed hands of his victims. One of his intended victims got away with the help of an FBI agent. She changed her name as an adult, became a police officer and began investigating murders in her community that she thought we linked. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to be an early reader in exchange for my fair and honest review.

I'm not sure I would call this a thriller, but more of a crime, police-procedural mystery. This is a debut author and I did enjoy her writing for the most part. It started off very compelling as a kidnapping occurs, but ultimately does not keep up with the pace of the initial chapters.

Abby (the kidnapped and serial killer survivor) becomes a police officer and becomes involved in cases of three people who have disappeared/vanished at or around the same time every year. She suspects it may be some how connected to her own kidnapping case. There are some grisly details and uncomfortable descriptions, but it is a "serial killer" plot so be prepared for it if you read this one.

I didn't feel the story evolved into the suspenseful story it could have been. It ventures off into a lot of side stories that bogged down the story line and had me distracted. I would still be interested in this author and what she comes up with next.

If you enjoy serial killer plots with some twisted themes, you may enjoy this one very much!

The Vanishing Season by Joanna Schaffhausen is well deserving First Crime Novel award.

Ellery Hathaway, formerly Abigail Hathaway, is the sole survivor of the infamous serial killer, Francis Michael Coben, Abducted when she was just a young girl, Abigail was found by FBI agent Reed Markham. Now a grown woman, Abigail - now Ellery - is a police officer in a sleepy town. Most importantly, no one in the town knows who she really is. In the last few years, three people have gone missing. Each missing person has disappeared around the same time - on Ellery's birthday. At the same time, Ellery receives a mysterious "birthday card." Ellery is certain there is a connection somehow...and the three missing people are all connected. However, no one believes her. The police chief, in particular, has repeatedly blown off her theories. She refuses to tell anyone why she believes these cases are worth looking into...nothing will make her tell anyone who she is or what happened to her. Instead, she calls Agent Markham (who is recently on leave because of a particularly difficult case). Reed knows he has to come and help her.  Together, they investigate the crimes and what plays out is both dark and chilling. 

First, I loved both Ellery and Reed. Both characters were relatable, believable, and sympathetic. Schaffhausen did such a great job of delving into the idea of luck and chance..and how such small moments or actions have an incredible impact.

"The other guys in my unit think I'm crazy, she'd confessed to him last night, and it seemed possible that they were right. But Reed had been the lone voice in the wilderness once, following an evidence trail that no one seemed to see, and now here she is alive as a result."

Also, Schaffhausen explored the randomness and unpredictability of these horrific crimes. How these serial killers can appear wholly ordinary. How distant we are from tragedies that don't effect us. 

" "How awful, that poor girl," Ellie's mother had said when the evening news played its grim report, but her voice had held no real horror back then, because why should it have? Daniel wasn't sick yet and the police themselves hadn't understood that Michelle was only the beginning. "

I felt this point was really shown through the domestic violence angle we see in the first chapter. Ellery is so deeply affected by the abuse this mother and daughter went through at the hands of the husband. Ellery felt so deeply because she understood the horrors people go through and how important it is to have someone right there...looking to bring you to safety. 

Lastly, Ellery's dog stole the show. As a dog lover, he quickly became my favorite character. But he played such a bigger role in the book and I thought Schaffhausen illustrated it so nicely. 

"Bump's a people person," Ellie replied with a sigh, sounding almost disappointed. "I've tried to explain the we're really just a bunch of selfish, rotten, hateful creatures, but he goes on loving all of us just the same." 

I would recommend this book to anyone who loves thrillers and procedurals. The writing was wonderful and the story was equal parts character driven and enthralling mystery. But the story ended up being more poignant than I expected. The book can be summed up with this line that is so simple yet stuck with me throughout the whole book:

"Vulnerable, she thought. We were all vulnerable."

Thank you so much to the St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books and Netgalley for granting my wish!