This was definitely one of the best books I have read this year... I did managed to finish this book within a few hours. It was captivating and difficult to put down.
HIGHLY RECOMMEND

What a bang-up start to a new series! Schaffhausen does an excellent job weaving the current murder victim's journal entries throughout the present-day investigation, which also encompasses murders from decades ago. That's not an easy juggling job, but Schaffhausen is skillful enough that it's never confusing.

I love a good serial killer book, and this is definitely a good one, with a twist. Vega's a smart and relatable main character, and her complicated relationships with family and with exes all ring true. The plot moves right along, and the book was a fun ride.

Can't wait to read book #2!

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book in the detective Annalisa Vega Series and also my first read from the author.

I remember reading the synopsis for this book back a few months ago and just had to read it! And I’m happy to see I really enjoyed this read. It hooked me in right from the beginning and I loved the creepy nature and the hunt for the Lovelorn killer.

The character development is great and I enjoy the the chapters that are Grace’s notes. It’s fun ‘whodunnit’ read! I thought I knew who it was but I was so wrong! And that ending 😱

I can’t wait to read more in this series!

I started reading Joanna Schaffhausen's books with her debut, The Vanishing Season, and here we are with her fifth book and start of a brand new detective series - and I've thoroughly enjoyed every single one. This series gives us Detective Annalisa Vega and a murder that leads back to a cold case and a tragedy from Annalisa's past.
This author seems to lean toward protagonists who are broken by past trauma. Granted, Annalisa is certainly more well-rounded than Ellery Hathaway, but she still has her own issues to work on. And no, I'm not complaining, just thought it was worth noting. I evidently lean toward those broken protagonists myself because all my favorite detective series do as well. I think it adds to the personal connection and character development, so bring on the emotional turmoil.
That said, this one took a bit to get into the story and invested in the characters. Once things got going and whatever it is that makes a reader click with a character worked in me, Joanna Schaffhausen didn't let me down. The story is gritty and the path to the killer is a twisty one. Things also take a personal turn for Annalisa, and to be honest, I'm still not sure how I feel about the way this one wrapped up. That, of course, means I'm still thinking about it and mulling over all the details, the what-ifs, etc. I know I'll be very interested to see how the conclusion here affects things in book 2 of the series.
So, a new series by what has become one of my favorite authors - not a bad way to while away a weekend. And if you enjoy suspense and haven't met this author's work, what are you waiting for?

Detective Annalisa Vega is not assigned to Cold Cases, but that is exactly what she ends up having to explore. When a member of an amateur sleuth group is murdered in exactly the same way of the cases they are exploring, is there enough evidence to determine if the serial killer is back or is a copycat at work?

Having read and enjoyed other books by this author, I was surprised that I did not really like Gone for Good. The plot line was similar to other books I have read, as well as a recent episode of a mystery/thriller televison series. With little character development, Annalisa did not really come to life. I would be curious to see where the author takes the series into the future.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Reader's Copy of Gone for Good, by NetGalley and the publisher, Minotaur Books. The decision to read and review this book was entirely my own.

🪢BOOK / REVIEW 🪢

OK everyone. Time to clear your calendars for the rest of October to find time to read #goneforgood by @joannaschaffhausen because its just that 👏 good 👏. Very fast paced, excellent female protagonist, just enough creepiness and gore to keep you invested, HUGE / multiple twists at the end and a small sprinkle of romance! Thank you for my ARC, @minotaur_books 💗

This one has been taunting me on my bookshelf for MONTHS. I was supposed to read and review this before it published in August, but my priority list with book tours and spotlights just kept growing. I am here to report - it's one worth shuffling up to the top of your #TBR. I am also thrilled its part of a #bookseries because I really loved Annalisa's character and that ending left me with so many questions!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐💫

|| 𝐁𝐎𝐎𝐊 𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐈𝐄𝐖

Gone For Good
Joanna Schaffhausen
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

|| 𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒:
Annalisa Vega comes from a cop family, she grew up in a neighborhood full of cops, she married a cop. So she of course became a cop too. Annalisa is called to a scene that looks too familiar. Is the notorious Lovelorn killer back? Annalisa grew up when he was around, and his actions shaped so much of her life when she was a teenager. Now she has a chance to find out who he is and right some wrongs.

|| 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐈𝐅 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐋𝐈𝐊𝐄:
•Police procedural
•Romance and Thrills
•Twists till the very end
•Mysteries and puzzles

|| 𝐌𝐘 𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒:
This is definitely not my normal genre, but man did I enjoy this book! Annalisa had me hooked from the start and I loved her character. I love that this had family drama, romance, suspense, thrills, and mystery. I didn’t have the end figured out by a long shot. I relate to maybe a more series version of Finlay Donovan. I enjoy that the ending left is open to more from Annalisa and the story not being over just yet!

Thank you Minotaur books for an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a story that I could see not only playing out in an episode of a criminal TV show, but in real life. It was a different kind of spooky and the perfect book to read in October!

This book was phenomenal! My co-worker and I reviewed this for our podcast and it did not leave us wanting. The Author was deliciously twisty making the ending something I never anticipated. If you are looking for a great thrill ride with a strong female-lead, this is the series for you! I cannot wait for the next book!

Detective Annalise Vega mixes personal with business when she is put on the case of a murderer who must be a copycat of the serial killer who murdered her mother. The victim is a member of a sleuthing group investigating the serial killer. The series following Detective Vega is off to a good start. If you like murder mystery series with a tough, emotional detective, I think this will suit you. I recommend the series based on the first story. I was fortunate to receive a digital copy from the publisher Minotaur Books through NetGalley.

Gone For Good is the first book in a new mystery series featuring Detective Annalisa Vega. In this book, Annalisa if thrust into the middle of a cold case that her father had once investigated. The Lovelorn Killer, who killed seven women twenty years ago has resurfaced. Grace Harper is part of an online/amateur sleuth group who has been investigating this case. When she ends up dead, killed in the same ritualistic way as the previous women, Annalisa knows he is back. Her investigation puts her in his sights and not only do they need to find him before he kills again, she has to save herself.

Joanna Schaffhausen has penned a wonderful crime mystery/thriller with great characters. We meet Joanna and her partner and ex, Nick. They may not do romance well, but they make great partners and work this investigation well. This case brings some of Annalisa's baggage to light. Her neighbour and mother of her highschool boyfriend was one of the Lovelorn Killers victims. She really wants to bring closure to Collin and her own family, which gives her added motivation. I really loved Annalisa as the protagonist. She is strong, smart and has great instincts. She is also loyal and takes no crap from anyone. There were some twists, red herrings and clues dropped here and there. There are always other crimes to be solved and I love that Annalisa is not happy being idle. A great story and one that I recommend to those who enjoy crime thrillers and strong female characters.

In this crime, psychological thriller, we see Detective Annalisa Vega revisit the ghosts of her past and face the demons of her present. I'm not typically into the detective thrillers but I have to say this I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this. This one featured a strong, female protagonist, who was equal parts inspiring and frustrating, working to prove herself on the force and investigate a crime close to her heart at the same time. This had a lot of great characters and I found myself wanting to turn the page to find out what was going to happen next. I was definitely surprised by the twist at the end but almost found the end a bit anticlimactic. Overall though, I really enjoyed this and found that most of the loose ends were tied up at the end to satisfy me. Thanks to the publisher & NetGalley for this ARC.

DNR. Computer broke down with Kindle app and couldn’t recover nor download again. My apologies. I would have liked to have read this.

From the first few pages, I knew this was going to be a good story. I don't always expect beautiful prose from a thriller, but Schaffhausen's writing flowed beautifully. It made what was already an interesting concept for a book that much more enjoyable. It's also one of the reasons I flew through this book in just a matter of days.

Let's talk about Detective Vega, that main character. She was like a breath of fresh air. Multi-faceted, flawed but relatable. While she made some questionable decisions, they were thought through, not impulsive or blindy reckless (logically reckless you could say, if that is a thing). In a world of boring, poorly written women, Detective Vega stands out as a truly enjoyable and relatable character.

Now, the plot. Loved. It. I loved it! It was intense without being completely unbelievable. It was never repetitive and I was guessing whodunnit the entire time. Seriously, I must have said "Oh, it's definitely this guy" multiple times in reference to multiple characters. And of course, like all thrillers, there's a twist that I didn't quite see coming.

Thank you to Netgalley, the publishing house adn th author for the opportunity to read a copy of this book in return for a review based upon my honest opinion.

I always enjoy books by this author, I love her Ellery Hathaway series. her books are full of suspense and intrigue; they always leave you guessing right up until the final hurrah. So imagine how excited I was to see a new series starting, the Annalisa Vega series. Annalisa is a great character, I can already see the potential for the series and xcannot wait for the books to come.

In this book, it has been twenty years since the Lovelorn Killer has struck; he murdered seven women and was never caught. A group of every day people, have formed a supersleuth group, called the Gravediggers, and one of their members, Grace Harper thinks she can find the killer. When Grace ends up killed, in the same fashion as the Lovelorn Killer victims, everyone wonders, is he back or is it a copycat. Annalisa's ex-husband ends up her partner on this case and this case is closer to her than people realize as the last murder victim, Kati Duufy, was her neighbour and mother of her first love, Collin. Grace then becomes the killer's newest obsession as she tries to keep her friends and family safe and find a killer, will the killer get too close to her? What about her ex relationships with Nick Carelli and Collin Duffy who has come home finally after all these years. Great story and somewhat surprising ending. Cannot wait for the next book in this series.

Brilliant.

Twenty years ago the Lovelorn Killer murdered seven women before seemingly going underground. Now, he’s back.

Detective Annalise Vega lost someone she loved to this killer twenty years ago, and now she has the chance to solve the case once and for all. Starting with the recent murder of Grace Harper, who may have discovered something incriminating that no one else knew.

The best part of Joanna Schaffhausen’s writing, is her characterization. Right from the introduction Annalise comes across as a well-rounded character with both positive and negative traits, and she’s very self aware. You become suspicious of every new character but she’s able to endear some of them to you so that you hope it isn’t them.

This book was a great police procedural and was so fun for me to figure out, and I was pleased to get it all except for one detail that even slipped by me! This was an enjoyable read and this book definitely got me out of a reading slump.

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books, and Joanna Schaffhausen for the opportunity to read this review copy.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.

A new series by Joanna Schaffhausen is hard to resist and so I compulsively clicked "yes, please."
Chicago's Detective Annalisa Vega finds herself trying to solve a present-day murder that may have connections to a cold case worked by her now-retired father. Working with her ex-husband, encountering her teenage love and dealing with family drama, Annalisa must also deal with family secrets long buried.

This is is just the type of detective-led thriller I like. It kept me on the edge of my seat and I really liked the characters. I will certainly be returning for book #2!





Publication Date 10/08/21
Goodreads review published 15/09/21

Today is the first day of Fall in the Northern Hemisphere. Here in the southern US, we've been promised some cooler temperatures by the weekend. I'm a bit of a mood reader and in the Fall, I start wanting darker stories, and I have several thrillers on my TBR pile. Today's featured book came out last month, but if you were like me and still trying to cram in a few more beach reads you might have missed it. It is the perfect time to curl up with a blanket and a book you won't want to put down.

Gone for Good is the first book in a new series featuring Detective Annalisa Vega. It leans more towards suspense than police procedural.

A ritualistic serial killer is back after a group of amateur true crime sleuths. They are closing in an his identity when one of their own is foound dead. Detective Annalisa Vega is called to the all too familiar scene. She had lost someone to this killer years before.

The plot is intricate with a lot going on. You will need to pay close attention to have any hope of figuring out who the killer. I had a feeling early on it was going to be someone close to the investigation but as there were so many people I was not able to narrow it down to exactly who. it was fun to wonder if it was this character or that as I would think one or another was a bit too interested or maybe had info that they shouldn't.

I enjoyed the plot and the characters. It did bug me that Vega was kept on the investigation. I think having known a previous victim but then she becomes a target would have been grounds for being removed in real life. But it does add another layer of suspense to the story.

I read this book in large chunks as I wanted...no needed to see where each twist and turn would take us. I look forward to reading more books in this series.

My review will be published at Girl Who Reads on Wednesday, Sept. 22 - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2021/09/gone-for-good-by-joanna-schaffhausen.html

GONE FOR GOOD is my introduction to Joanna Schaffhausen. Not sure why or how I’ve missed this talented author but so glad that I stumbled onto her. GONE FOR GOOD is a crime novel surrounded by character development and studies. With each page you seem to meet still another character that niggles your mind. Joanna Schaffhausen makes the reader an armchair investigator in this who-dun-it. Annalisa Vega is front and center as a detective who is faced with a murderer who is very familiar. The police had spent several years investigating the Lovelorn Killer. Then all roads ended in a dead end – no pun intended. Now twenty years later it seems as if the killer is back. Annalisa’s father was one of the cops on the Lovelorn Killer case so many years ago. The last victim was someone near and dear to Annalisa and her family. Not only that but it was the wife of a cop.
It seems almost obvious that this killer has a system for choosing his victims. They are a type. And this killer is bold. Annalisa isn’t sure exactly why this maniac has decided to come out of hiding and strike once again. But they all know this is a case that can’t go cold again.
There are a bunch of characters that belong to an amateur sleuth group called the Grave Diggers. The latest victim belonged to this group. She was intent on finding this killer, so much so, she basically put herself in his crosshairs.
As with any good crime novel, facts keep surfacing and suspects evolve. In GONE FOR GOOD Joanna Schaffhausen unleashes a myriad of interesting clues, all designed to keep you busy turning pages. In some ways Joanna Schaffhausen reminds me of Lisa Gardner with her amazing characters. It is those characters that keep you mesmerized. Hard to walk away from GONE FOR GOOD. It is a compelling, well written read. Sure to gather new fans and reward returning ones.
Looking for an excellent crime story. Get your hands on GONE FOR GOOD, settle into a comfortable chair, you won’t be going anywhere any time soon.

⏰ 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫: Annalisa Vega is a legacy cop, and that legacy includes finding The Lovelorn Killer, the same serial killer her father hunted 20 years ago. Now, the killer has gone after Grace, an avid member of an online amateur sleuth group, and Vega has drawn Lovelorn’s attention in her pursuit to uncover what it was that Grace knew and why that resulted in her death…

💡𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: Don’t let the length of time it took me to read this book throw you off. I started a new teaching job and this was the perfect respite (killers? Murder? Uh yes!). I’m thrilled to see that Vega will return as this is a planned series. The writing was by-the-book mystery fun: twists, turns, surprises. A dash here and there of suspense. That pinch of intrigue. Lovely recipe!

Vegas is intensely likeable - she’s independent, feisty, and no sign of a damsel-in-distress trope here (if you’re like me and sick of THAT hot mess). She makes smart decisions and is quick on her feet - a detective I look forward to spending more time with.

𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 𝗮𝘃𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗽𝘆𝗠𝗮𝗴𝘀.𝗰𝗼𝗺 𝗮𝗿𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

📚𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Mystery/Police Mystery/ Serial killer

😍𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: straight-up mystery lovers will be happy with this one

🙅‍♀️ 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: can’t think of any groups that should avoid this.

Thank you to the author, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my advanced copy in exchange for my always-honest review and for being patient with this over-worked teacher.