One of the best books I have ever read!! The Lovelorn Killer murdered seven women, ritually binding them and leaving them for dead before writing them love letters that are sent and printed in the local papers. Then he disappeared, and after twenty years with no trace of him, many believe that he’s gone for good. But......he's baaaack!! Will keep you guessing the whole way through and keep you totally engrossed Don't miss this one!!
Thank you Net Galley for the free copy.

An exceptionally good thriller that will keep you turning the pages long after bedtime. A killer, dubbed the Lovelorn Killer, murdered seven women in a most grotesque way and then goes dormant. Twenty years pass another victim and without law enforcement closing this case. In the meantime, a group of amateur sleuths take up the hunt turning up clues and apparently coming close to the killer because one of them turns up dead. Killed in exactly the same way as the Lovelorn Killer’s victims twenty years ago. Enter Detective Annalisa Vega. Unlike detectives on the case previously, Annalisa’s sister was a victim of this killer and she is determined to get justice for her. A well written mystery with good character development and powerful dialog.

This is truly an excellent novel. One of my favorites so far of 2021. Tons of twists and turns and nail biting suspense sum this book up in my eyes, along with superb writing! I quickly devoured this novel in 2 days because it’s that good. Run don’t walk to read this book. Trust me you won’t be disappointed.

Cold cases are intriguing and Grace is determined to solve this one. Great story with many twists and turns, some I predicted and others I was surprised by. I found this book hard to put down and can’t wait for the next book in this new series.

A murder spree that hits too close to home when it involves a beloved neighbor. Unfortunately, uncovering the killer also uncovers family secrets.

My thanks to St. Martin's/Minataur Press, Joanna Schafhausen, and Netgalley.
It's just a strange thing, but I just remember bits and pieces from this story. I was shocked and appalled at the ending.
It's just a strange thing, but I've spent a few hours writing this review and I erase it everytime. Not this time. I more than likely have a concussion.
That still means that I was disturbed by this story.
Short and done.

The biggest problem with this book is how overly cliche it is. With lines like “sister from another mister” and scenes like an abandoned hospital, there is very little that is unique about this.

About 30% through the book I guess who the killer was and was determined to finish the book to see if I was correct. Unfortunately I was, because the resolution is very cliche as well.

I wish I liked it more but, alas, there are many other mysteries that are more worth your time.

#netgalley #goneforgood

I always rate a thriller by how long it takes me, while reading, to figure out who did it. In the case of this book, I never did! I had NO idea until the very end when it was revealed and I was really surprised even though there were a few clues throughout the story pointing their way. I loved this book! It was SO good. I could NOT put it down. The story was intriguing, daughter of a cop, who became a detective, AnnaLisa Vega is investigating a present day murder that mimics a string of serial murders from 20 years ago. murders her father had helped investigate, with one of the victims being her boyfriend's mother and close family friend. Anna is deeply invested in this case because the killer, who was not caught 20 years ago, is now is back and actively pursuing her. The story line alternates between Anna Lisa's progress in her investigation today and the current murder victim's take on the original crimes, before she was murdered, as she is an amateur sleuth who was trying to stir up some modern day interest in the now cold 20 year old case. Well, that she does. There are many twists and turns to this story which really kept me guessing the entire timer and also kept me reading non-stop until I finished. I loved the writing, the characters, the story and the fact that it was set in Chicago, which is where I was born, raised and still reside. I highly recommend this novel to everyone who loves a good crime thriller. Looking forward to the next one in this series as well! Thanks so much to NG for the ARC!!!!! LOVED IT!!

The first in a new series by Joanna Schaffhausen, Gone for Good is Detective Annalisa Vega #1. Like the Ellery Hathaway/Reed Markham series by Schaffhausen, Gone for Good has a twisty conundrum of a plot.
Twenty years have passed since the Lovelorn Killer murders, and now Annalisa Vega is wondering why the murders have started again. She has a personal connection to the last of killer's victims.

The most interesting part to me was the online "detective" group called the Grave Diggers, who investigate cold cases.

I didn't want to put it down, but I still had a lot of quibbles. The reviews are extremely positive, and although I'll certainly need the next Annalisa Vega book, this one wasn't a stand-out for me.

I'm looking forward to the next Ellery Hathaway/Reed Markham book, though.

Read in February; blog review scheduled for Aug. 1.

NetGalley/St. Martin's Press

Mystery/Thriller. Aug. 10, 2021. Print length: 304 pages.

I think I have an unpopular opinion here, but this wasn't my jam. Although, I might have set myself up for failure. I'm not the biggest fan of detective POVs. The premise of the story really dragged me in and I thought maybe this would be the one that changed my set-in-stone opinion of detective/police POV. I tried so hard. But alas, I just couldn't get past it. So while I enjoyed the story, I couldn't get away from the narrator telling it. I will try this POV again someday in the future because I WANT to like it!

Thank you Netgalley for this free ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Lovelorn Killer murdered seven women, ritually binding them and leaving them for dead before penning them gruesome love letters in the local papers. Then he disappeared, and after twenty years with no trace of him, many believe that he’s gone for good.
He is not gone, and wow, the book was very good. A real mystery. Kept me on my toes too.the.very.end.

3 - 3.5 stars from me, which means I like it! Being within the law enforcement profession myself (crime analyst), I tend to be a bit difficult to impress with crime / police / detective related books, both true crime and fiction. I also don't gravitate to series, but I would read about Detective Vega book. I was quite pleased with Gone for Good and thrilled to find a series that I can look forward to.

When a cold case finally heats up, Detective Annalisa Vega is confident she can put an end to The Lovelorn Killer. The Lovelorn Killer was known for the murder of 7 women-women that he bound and left for dead. What’s worse? He would pen gruesome love letters to them and send them to be published in the newspaper. After 20 years of silence, everyone thought he was gone for good-everyone except Grace Harper. A grocery store manager by day, Grace uses her snooping skills as part of an amateur sleuth group at night. As someone who lost a dear family friend to The Lovelorn Killer, this case is personal for Detective Annalisa Vega. Now she finds herself at the murder scene of Grace Harper. Grace lies bound and dead on the floor, surrounded by clues to the biggest unsolved homicide.

LOVED LOVED LOVED this one!! I was hooked from the very first page and I couldn’t get enough. Annalisa is such a brave, warm, and likeable character. She had me wishing I’d chosen to be a detective instead! There were so many twists and turns throughout the book and I never once lost interest! I’m super excited to let y’all know that this book is actually the first in a series. The ending will 100% leave you wanting more! Highly, highly recommend this book.

A big thank you to Joanna Schaffhausen and Minotaur Books for giving me the E-ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I love Joanna Schaffhausen's Ellery Hathaway series, so I was excited to read this first book of a new series. A woman who is part of an amateur crime solving group is murdered, seemingly by a serial killer who has not been heard from in 20 years. Annalisa Vega, one of the detectives on the case, is the daughter of one of the original investigating officers. This was another great book by Schaffhausen, one of my favorite authors in this genre. I will definitely be waiting for book two in this series. 4.5 stars rounded to 4.

Gone for Good is a story about a cold case that suddenly becomes relevant when the killer appears to strike again. The Lovelorn Killer killed seven people in the Chicago area, writing “love letters” to the victims in the newspaper. Twenty years after the last murder Detective Annalisa Vega and her colleagues find a victim killed in the same way. When the letter appears in the newspaper they realize the killer is back. For Detective Vega, the case is more significant because her father was a police officer who worked on the case the first time. As she digs deeper into what happened twenty years ago she begins to get phone calls from the killer. This book is well-written because it keeps the reader in suspense while also developing the character of Annalisa Vega. There are two twists near the end that I didn’t see coming. I would recommend this book to fellow readers. Thanks to NetGalley for this advance copy.

Introducing: Annalisa Vega. Second-generation detective with Chicago PD and finds herself smack-dab in the middle of the Lovelorn Killer’s return. It had been 20+ years since since his last killing, and now his attentions have honed in on Detective Vega herself. With her ex-husband Nick Carrelli returning to Chicago as her partner, Annalisa manoeuvres through a dark and twisted mind of a psychopath, who seems to have an unnatural obsession with her. Her search goes on, only to come up with more questions. Who is the killer? How entwined is her family in the Lovelorn Killer cases?

I love myself a good crime/thriller. This was truly a book that I could NOT put down and finished it in about 2-3 days. As my first intro Schaffhausen’s work, I was pleasantly surprised. I loved how well-rounded the development of Annalisa as the main character was, and how we were also shown bits of her past to explain her current behaviours and thoughts. The writing style was just at the right pace, and didn’t drag on and on like some thrillers tend to.

I would even go as far to argue that the novel has two climaxes. I didn’t see the second one coming at all and was thoroughly surprised and pleased with it, and the ending. If you’re looking for a fast-paced, enthralling read then this is the one for you! I can’t wait to get my hands on more of Schaffhausen’s books!

Full review will be posted on www.eastcoastbookworm.com closer to the release date.

I received an ARC of this book from net galley in an exchange for an honest review. Thank you to net galley for the opportunity to read Gone For Good which is the first in what is anticipated to be a new series from Ms. Schaffhausen. I have not read any other works from this author and I enjoyed this book. It was a great diversion from what we are currently living through. Annalisa catches a cold case of a serial killer who had a very distinctive MO and had been very quiet for some time, but a recent murder has too many similarities to those of murders that took place a decade ago. We get some good twists and we get some clues! We are asked to suspend belief as Annalisa chooses to handle the case her way. This is probably true of most thrillers and murder mysteries. The time frame from the start of events to case wrap up is also very fast which kept the book moving, but is hardly a reality.

The title might also need some thought. There are far too many books with that exact title or a very similar title. Give Annalisa a fresh start.

Always good to get a book when an author can build the main character. This book is the first in a series that features Annalisa Vega. The book had a lot of twist and turns in it that made you want to know what is going to happen next. I good mystery/thriller for sure.

Well, we have a brand new kickass, though, smart, bold, resilient new detective in thriller universe! Let’s welcome detective Annalisa Vega with open arms! Such an amazing character for intriguing, brand new crime thriller addiction!

Let’s dig more to give juicy details about the story line: Annalisa is saved by the phone when she is squirming in her seat to find a reason to end her date night immediately. Luckily she gets a call about new murder case!

Grace Harper; a grocery store manager is dead. But she’s not only a store manager she’s also a part of amateur sleuth group focusing on cold cases named “Grave Diggers” and from the beginning we understand that she was so close to catch Lovelorn Killer with her impressive investigation skills. Now she’s dead just like the same way Lovelorn killer killed his victims. This means he is back after 20 years.

Annalisa is already connected with this case via some of the victims who was close to her family. Now she needs to catch him and she is adamant to do whatever it takes to put him behind the bars to stop him hurt more innocent lives. She also needs to give closure to her own family and friends who have been affected deeply by the brutal killings.

The pacing of the book, action packed, riveting progression made me excited and read it one sit.

I also enjoyed the love triangle of detective with his ex and partner Nick and charming Colin. Both of them are adorable but I think I support team Nick! I think we’ll see Annalisa’s choice at the upcoming books of the series!

Overall: this is promising, mind spinning, fast, intense, unputdownable start for amazing new series! I’m looking forward to read more books of detective Vega!

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/ Minotaur Books for sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest opinions.

4.5 Stars!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The murder mystery surrounding the Lovelorn Killer kept me turning the pages until the very end of the story. I really liked the concept of the Grave Diggers cold case amateur sleuthing group, and how they influence the police investigation of the Lovelorn Killer serial murders when the killer resurfaces after a twenty year absence. Detective Annalisa Vega is assigned the case, and she's the quintessential lone wolf detective, also willing to sacrifice anything and anyone to catch the killer. (And she does; which is the single miss for me in this otherwise engaging story.) I can't say more without spoilers.

Annalisa's love triangle with her partner/ex-husband Nick, and the-one-who-got-away first love, Colin, gave the novel romantic levity in an otherwise dark tale. This reviewer hopes Nick and Colin appear in future books in the series in a competition to win Annalisa's (very broken) heart.

Many thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press Minotaur Books for providing an ARC of Gone For Good to read and review. *NetGalley Top Reviewer*.