Every Waking Hour is the fourth book in the Ellery Hathaway series. While it is possible to get through it as a standalone, I'd recommend reading the previous books - something I have not done - because of the sheer trauma of the lead character, who was abducted by a serial killer and survived until she was rescued by Reed Markham, an FBI agent. Hathaway is now a detective with the Boston PD, and winds up being the lead on the disappearance of Chloe Lockhart, who vanishes at a fair at which the pair happens to be at with Markham's young daughter.

I don't mind characters who have some Bad Thing in their past that winds up shaping them. It's a bit harder to imagine them in various stressful professions (like a detective) when they clearly exhibit PTSD symptoms as much as Hathaway does. While it strikes me that she's obviously very strong to have survived a hellish near death experience, it would give me pause to set her out on the street where the very possibility of the same thing happening to someone else - like the missing Chloe - could potentially derail their ability to perform her duties. I'm also not a fan of Markham and Hathaway's relationship, but I understand why it's there for fictional purposes.

That aside: it's a good story, with many excellent suspects, following clues that often lead nowhere (as is often, unfortunately, the case), some nice red herrings thrown in, and while not an entirely unexpected ending (if you remove all the potentials when you read it, you'll understand), a satisfying one. There's also a fascinating subplot involving another Lockhart child, along with a bit of discussion about protecting kids versus basically jailing them.

Overall, I'd recommend it unless children in danger is not your bag. A solid four out of five stars.

Thanks to Minotaur/St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the review copy.

First off, I want to thank you to Joanna Schaffhausen and St. Martin’s Press, as well as NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my personal review.

Every Waking Hour is the forth book in the Ellery Hathaway/Reed Markham series, but I read as a standalone book and really enjoyed it! I can’t believe how much more I would have enjoyed it by reading the other three books in the series. I felt the author did a great job of explaining what has happened in previous books, so I was not lost at all.

Rookie Boston detective, Ellery Hathaway is finally getting her shot at living “a normal life” after surviving a serial killer’s abduction as a young teen and is even dating the FBI agent who rescued her. But then, Chloe Lockhart, a twelve year old girl, vanishes into thin air at a busy street fair on Ellery’s watch. This absolutely has to open deep wounds barely healed over for Ellery….one disappeared girl searching for another.

Every Waking Hour is such a well written story that covers insights into evil and the human heart.

Newly minted probationary Boston PD detective Ellery Hathaway must face old and new fears in Every Waking Hour. Her least fearful experience is when Reed Markham fetches lunch for her and Tula, Reed daughter, leaving Ellery in charge of a small child and her pink glitter purse. Leash not included.
While enjoying the beautiful day on the Boston Common, a panicked nanny crosses Ellery and Reed’s path. Her charge, twelve year old Chloe Lockhart went to a food truck and has disappeared. Both Ellery and Reed know not to take this disappearance lightly.
As a fourteen year old, Ellery was kidnapped by a serial killer, tortured and kept in a small fetid closet until FBI Special Agent Reed Markham followed a hunch and rescued her. Years later Ellery and Reed are in a developing relationship. Not so easy for a woman who needs her physical and psychological space more than anything.
Chloe hails from a wealthy family well versed in tragedy. This has so warped her parents' outlook that Chloe sees herself as a prisoner of her parent’s fears.
Runaway, or kidnapped, those are the two main reasons a young woman can disappear. Chicago PD and the FBI considered Ellery a runaway, wasting a full day before realizing she was most likely victim 17 of the serial killer they were hunting. Ellery is determined not to let this happen to Chloe. Luckily, Ellery is a like a missile, she locks on target and doesn’t allow chaff to get in her way.
Reed offers his expertise as an FBI profiler to the Boston PD. Tula is all in on this vacation change.
Ellery hears the clock ticking for herself and Chloe. In the meantime, Ellery is both distracted and helped when her small loft apartment is turned into the clown car of apartments. A woman who could barely let Reed through the door is suddenly invaded by unexpected guests, including one angry ex-wife.
Sarit, Reed’s ex-wife is a piece of work. She gained a husband, baby, and shared a million dollars from the book they wrote together on the back of Ellery’s unimaginable ordeal and rescue. Yet Sarit judges and blocks Ellery at almost every turn. My new “love to hate”
Ellery Hathaway is a strong character, not always easy to like. Ellery is a survivor who has barely recovered, yet is fighting so hard to make a true life for herself; little girl’s glitter purses and plastic ponies included. Ever since Reed rescued her, Ellery has fought to reclaim herself and be the woman she was meant to be. This is a police procedural, but it is also a study in survival; and the book excels on both levels.
Reed is not the typical hero, he saved Ellery once, but Reed is starting to realize opening the nailed closet door where Ellery lay very close to death is as far as he can take her. Reed also realizes he needs to a take a good look at his own life.
Ahh I just realized I inadvertently included a prime example of Schaffhausen genius with words. I just mentioned a nailed closet. Other readers I mention this series to, from husband, to friends to fellow reviewers, always, always mention the nailed closet. Powerful unforgettable imagery.
The story is tight, a necessity because the first rule of investigations: everyone has secrets and everyone lies. Ellery and Reed have to wade through them as the hours pass.
Every Waking Hour may be tight, but it is also beautifully written with rare insight into not just evil, but the human heart.
This limited series is about Ellery and Reed’s investigations. Each book is very different from the other. They are not the same old same old; Schaffhausen manages to keep all of the stories fresh and worthy of your reading time, but with enough back story to catch you up.
As for Every Waking Hour ending in a cliff hangar, not really. Since the fifth book is the end of the series, any reader knows there is one last reckoning."
Thank you to NetGalley for sending me an ARC. The opinions are all my own.

Ellery Hathaway and Reed Markham are again teamed up in the fourth book in this series. Investigating a kidnapped girl leads to a multilayered mystery and many secrets. It also brings up some unresolved feelings for Ellery as she was about the same age when she was kidnapped by a serial killer.
This series is great, but this also is a good stand alone novel. I would suggest to read them in order, but if you don’t you will not be lost. The author does a great job of catching the reader up without being too repetitive. The characters are strong, likable and flawed giving them an air of authenticity. The cliffhanger chapter endings will keep you riveted in your seat until the last page. The mystery itself is masterfully written with twists and turns you won’t see coming. I love this series and can’t wait for the next one! I would highly recommend this series to anyone who enjoys crime mysteries.

Ellery and Reed are back! I was very excited to see a fourth book in this series ( and more to come!) I have LOVED every book in this series. Ellery is on the case of a missing girl Chloe .There are so many twists to this book that it kept me up reading into the night. Who has Chloe and why? Every time I thought I had this mystery figured out I was wrong! Love the relationship between Ellery and Reed. I have nothing bad to say about this series and look forward to more books. Great author!

Every Waking Hour is the fourth book in the Ellery Hathaway/Reed Markham series. You could read it as a standalone book, but I highly recommend beginning this series from book one as the character development is outstanding and each book is better than the last.

Once the victim of a prolific serial killer, Ellery Hathaway is now a detective with Boston PD. FBI agent Reed Markham was the young agent who saved Ellery when she was a teenager; after reconnecting over a case Ellery was working they became close and eventually became romantically involved. Ellery, Reed, and his daughter are spending time in the park when Ellery and Reed are alerted to a missing pre-teen.

Twelve year old Chloe Lockhart walked away from the park and her nanny, discarding her phone in the trash on the way and then disappeared. As Ellery and Reed dig into the case, it becomes clear there is more to the case than meets the eye. Chloe is kept under constant lock and key by her parents and seems desperate to be able to stretch her wings. Did she willingly take off or has her parents dark past come back to haunt them?

For Ellery, the case is personal - she was once the missing young woman who was considered a potential runaway and the horrors of what she endured drive her to spend every moment trying to find Chloe.

The entire Ellery Hathaway series is fantastic and each book is better than the last. The premise of the victim of a serial killer who survived and what happens to her as she tries to create and navigate a normal life is fascinating. The character development throughout the series is outstanding and each of the books is hard to put down. I was delighted to see book 4 in this series coming out and I can't wait to see where the series goes from here. I highly recommend this entire series for fans of police procedural or mystery novels.

Riveting and full of suspense! In this latest installment Ellery is trying to move on with her life. She has a new job and a new boyfriend. Things are looking up until the kidnapping of a young girl forces Ellery to confront her own dark past. The plot is believable and its easy to get invested in the characters of the story. Engaging read from start to finish. Well written and well researched criminal justice elements. Recommend this book for lovers of crime fiction. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to review this ARC.

I have really enjoyed this series. The author does a great job with character development and the series just keeps getting better. This book contains lots of family drama- ex wives, half sisters, and the growing personal relationship. Lots of twists and turns and action and to finish it off a surprising ending

This series just keeps getting better. The case is intriguing and full of questions. It's a race against time and Ellery and Reed are dealing with a lot in this one.
Ellery is growing so much as a character. It's interesting to see how she juggles the job, her past, and her personal relationships. She is one of the most complex female characters I have ever read. Reed is also evolving as the series progresses. I think he gets a real eye opener in this story and it makes him better.
I love the way the author pulls all the threads together. The current case and the past surrounding the characters involved is woven together in an intriguing way. It's full of twists and when the reveal came I was stunned.
And that ending! What an emotional wallop. Just when I had tears running, the author threw one hell of a shock I never saw coming. I can't wait for the next book!

I admit, I'm a huge fan of Joanna Schaffhausen's Ellery Hathaway Series.... She keeps developing and evolving Ellery with each novel. In Every Waking Hour, Ellery is thrust into a missing person's case whilst Reed and his daughter are visiting Boston. Also with an extremely satisfying mystery, Ms. Schaffhausen interweaves the relationship with Reed, his daughter, and his ex-wife throughout the book. True to her nature, Ellery jumps head-first into the case with Reed along as support and expert profiler. It's a wonderful ride to be on with Ellery and Reed... and just when you think you know where it's headed... Ms. Schaffhausen throws a big twist near the end! WOW! I am anxiously awaiting her next novel!!!

This is the first book I have read by this author and I’m glad I did. There are other books in this series, but the author does a great job of explaining what happened in earlier book, so you won’t be lost if you haven’t read other books. Ellery Hathaway is a Detective for the city of Boston, when a 12 year old girl goes missing. Will her past get in the way of solving this case, since as a young girl she was kidnapped by a serial killer. She is also dating the FBI agent who saved her all those years ago. Can they solve this case before its to late? This book was very fast paced and I couldn’t put it down. Thanks Netgalley and #St. Martin Press for my ARC.

This book is aptly named, as I spent the past day reading it every waking hour! Ellery Hathaway is back on the job, trying not to fall apart as her 6-month probationary period as a detective the Boston PD nears its end, when a missing child case threatens her mental stability. I couldn't put this down as Ellery and Reed team up to rescue the missing girl, as well as deal with ex-wives, half-sisters, and other family distractions.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for access to a digital arc.

Each time I read an Ellery and Reed book, it's better than the last. How can that be? So much is going on in this book, yet it never feels confusing or disjointed, and it all comes together perfectly in the end. The characters, even minor ones, are well-developed and do not feel like after thoughts.

Ellery and Reed take on a missing persons case with secrets that may or may not be related to the case, and seeing them go down the wrong road only to regroup and try again is refreshing, as so many crime/mystery books head straight for the finish line.

So often crime fiction writers obviously have no experience in the field, but not Dr. Schaffhausen.The author has great attention to detail and from reading this, or any Ellery and Reed book, I would never know that she does not have a criminal justice background.

I'm anxiously awaiting the next volume of Ellery and Reed's story.

Ellery Hathaway has tried to move forward from her past, her childhood kidnapping by a serial killer. She’s now a detective in the city of Boston and dating the same FBI agent who saved her life all those years ago, but her world is shaken when twelve year old Chloe Lockhart disappears. Ellery is swept up in the case and soon learns that Teresa Lockhart has lost a child before, and wonders of Chloe was trying to escape her controlling parents, or if there is something more sinister at work? Will Ellery be able to use her own past to help save another girl’s life? This series is one of the best, most original and exciting new crime series being published