From my blog: Always With a Book:

This is the first in a new series by Joanna Schaffhausen and I was so excited to read it. I was first introduced to this author when I came across her Elle Hathaway series, which I absolutely love, so I knew I had to read this one and let me just say, it is off to a fantastic start!

A book about serial killers is my kind of read and when you add in a kick-a** female lead, I’m all in! Detective Annalisa Vega is my favorite kind of protagonist – she’s tough-as-nails and feisty, yet also has a softer side to her. She’s flawed and fearless and I am so excited that this is just the start of a series because I definitely want more of her!

I also loved how there were chapters told from the point of view of the amateur sleuth, Grace up until her death. These chapters were equal parts telling and chilling because they gave us so much information about the cases that Grace and her team were uncovering but also because Grace herself was so close to discovering the actual Lovelorn killer…until he got to her first.

This is a fast-paced book that I could not read fast enough. There were just the right amount of twists and turns to keep you guessing and I absolutely did not see that final twist coming until the reveal. I completely binge-read this one and loved every second of it. And am so glad to know that there is more coming in this series…the only issue is that we have to wait for the next book to be released!

Rating: 4.58 stars
Enjoyment: 10/10

At the center of this story, we have the Lovelorn Killer - who, twenty years ago, murdered seven women by ritually binding them and leaving them for dead and then sending gruesome love letters to them in the local papers. After killing his seventh victim, he goes dormant.

In the present, we meet Grace - who’s part of an amateur sleuth group and is determined to figure out the identity of the Lovelorn Killer. She believes he is still alive and lives locally.

We also have our protagonist, Detective Vega, who lost someone she loved to the killer. She is called to a crime scene and has the shock of her life when she sees Grace’s body bound and surrounded by clues pointing to the infamous killer.

When I read the synopsis for Gone for Good, I knew I would like it. What I didn’t expect was to love Detective Vega this much. I enjoyed her as a character and felt that Schaffhausen set her up for a fantastic development arc through the series. She is multidimensional, talented, empathetic, and insightful. Despite her demons, her moral compass always points North, and she seems to want to see the best in people. I loved her approach to crime-solving, and the plot in this book was exciting and tight! I will say that all the clues were laid out masterfully, which pleased me to no end.

I am still on the fence about the ending, though. I understand how important something was for Vega’s character development. But it felt like it was bordering on too much, too soon for me. In the overall context of my reading enjoyment, that was a minor issue. I cannot wait for the second book in the series.

Disclaimer: I first read it as an ARC. In exchange for an honest review, I am thankful to Joanna Schaffhausen, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of Gone for Good

I'm so glad this book is the beginning of a series because I definitely want to see more of these characters.

The book starts a little slow but quickly builds up steam as Annalisa and her fellow officers try to solve cold case murders when the killer appears to have returned. Woven into the police story is Annalisa's personal past, her family, and her romantic relationships. The characters are all believable and the Chicago setting is realistic

The last half of the book in particular is nonstop action with a hold-your-breath ending. Just when you think everything is tied up with a bow, WHAM - a big twist comes - and then another!

And now I wait for the next book in the series!

Gone For Good

This mystery did not pick up until after I finished about two-thirds of the book. The main character, Anna, is a police detective who is understandably flummoxed by The Lovelorn Killer. The killer ties up women in such a way that they experience a slow, suffocating death. The murderer seemed to have taken a break for a few years until we are introduced to a new, fresh killing at the beginning of the book.

Anna comes from a big family; she is divorced and is obsessed with this murderer who no one seems to see entering homes or apartments, despite the fact that they seem to be looking for him – and just missing him. Her family’s past also comes into play.

It was slow-going and the author presented multiple characters who were possibly the killer, until they ended up at a dead-end or dead.. There was some romance but it was superficial, it never seemed realistic. The story took place in Chicago, I live near Chicago so I am familiar with the area. I don’t believe the author had
researched Chicago or the surrounding areas as some of the places were incorrect.

At the very end, she tried to “tie” it up, but there were so many loose ends that it seemed artificial and hollow. I do enjoy this genre, but the action was delayed too long, and the plot was convoluted. This book also has the same title as a Harlan Coben book.

My Gratitude to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this pre-published book . All opinions expressed are my own.

(I’m a couple days late for this one!)

4 stars

I like thrillers and suspense stories, and although I’m not usually a big fan of books where the protagonist is a cop, this one was pretty good, and I do love strong female characters. This one was interesting right from the beginning, it kept me guessing, and I didn’t have all the answers figured out before they were revealed by the author. The unwinding of the main crime plot was good, but the book could have more or less ended there; although what followed was interesting, it didn’t seem to fit be necessary for the main story arc (as I write this, I’m wondering if it was partially to set up the next book in a series, or if the writer just felt the need to add those last moments for another reason). Overall, this was a good one, and I’ll have to consider checking out other books by the author in the future.

There's been no trace of the Lovelorn killer in twenty years, but is he gone for good?
The Lovelorn Killer brutally murdered seven women, binding them and declaring his love for them in letters he sent to the local papers. Grace Harper, member of an amateur sleuth group, has been investing the Lovelorn Killer. She believes he's walking amongst the neighborhood he committed these heinous crimes in, going undetected. He deserves to answer for his crimes, so Grace isn't giving up, that is until she is found bound and dead on the floor in the same fashion as the killer's previous victims. Now Detective Annalisa Vega is on the case. Will she catch the killer who has caused herself and many others heartache? Or will he get away with his murderous ways a second time around?
Gone For Good was very detailed and beautifully written. I found this novel very difficult to put down as I needed to know what was going to happen next. There was so much I didn't see coming and would have never guessed. I love a story that keeps you on your toes! I highly recommend this story to anyone who loves being on the edge of their seat. I will definitely be reading more work from Joanna Schaffhausen!
I received a free copy of this book via NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This was such a good book. I would have given it a big 5/5 stars but I did figure out who the killer was almost as soon as he was mentioned. It just seemed right.

This book will keep you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. It is a great thriller that will definitely keep you guessing too. Unfortunately for me I figured out who the killer was though that did not take away from the story in any way and I was not positive until the end when it was revealed. Also there are a few twists that will keep you turning the pages. Some things you will not see coming. And that big twist near the end. It was fantastic.

This book is well written. It has that thrill that keeps you turning the pages until you find that final ending that makes you gasp. The twists and turns are spot on. The storyline could have been ripped from the headlines. The descriptions are just perfect. The family in this book is great. Both Annalisa's birth family and her cop family. The loves in her life and the losses. You feel her feelings. Her thoughts are deep. She truly wants to find out the truth of the Lovelorn Killer. She is almost honest to a fault. I suppose she is. She does not give in to anything. A fierce fighter all the way.

Her family faces a lot of obstacles and she is there for them. Her friends and people she meets along the way are seemingly dependent on her in many ways. Though she needs them too. When Annalisa is called to the home of a slain woman named Grace little does she know what life has in store for her. Grace was a strong woman also. A very smart one too. She had no idea what was coming for her. Or did she? Maybe? She helped solve a case that was over twenty years old, in her own way. But at what cost?

I truly did enjoy this book. It made me cry in parts but was so worth it. The tension was well worth it also. The thrills just kept coming. You are going to love this if you are a thriller fan.

Thank you to #NetGalley, #JoannaSchaffhausen, #StMartins for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this book.

4/5 stars and a very high recommendation. This author did not disappoint at all.

Twenty years ago the serial Killer nicknamed The Lovelorn Killer, killed many women and then completely disappeared. He left no trace and it’s been a cold case ever since. That is until now when a women turns up dead in exactly the same manner as those of the killer. Is he still alive, or is it a copycat? Annalisa Vega is the lead detective on the case, but her relationship with the killer is personal. His last victim was someone near and dear to Annalisa’s heart and that death changed Annalisa’s future. She plans to turn over every stone until he has been caught. With the help of the Grave Diggers, an amateur sleuthing club that takes on cold cases, there might just be a glimmer of hope. With the latest victim being a member of the club, Annalisa thinks they might have stumbled across something. As the case progresses and Annalisa is pulled into the killers web, it’s a cat and mouse game, but who will win? Even then there is more to the story and when it’s all said and done not even Annalisa’s family comes out unscathed. A compelling new series from Schaffhausen.

Hello amazing new series! As a big fan of Joanna Schaffhausen’s Ellery Hathaway series, I was so excited to read her latest. And trust me, this one delivers!

You have a cold case that’s burst wide open as the Lovelorn Killer, who terrorized the city when Annalisa was young, returns. You also have amateur sleuths, great characters and even a love triangle.

The book is equal parts dark & gritty and funny. I loved the amateur sleuth angle and Annalisa’s family was a stellar cast of characters. I’m not always team romance in my thrillers, but in this book it totally works (I’m #TeamNick ) and I can’t wait to see how things progress.

If you’re looking for a fast-paced police procedural with a kick-a$$ female lead, look no further. I’m already counting down to book two!

Thank you @minotaur_books & Netgalley for the gifted arc to read and review. All thoughts are my own.

I loved Gone For Good - it was the kind of mystery that I couldn’t put down. I was sneaking pages whenever and wherever I could because I just had to see how it ended!

The Lovelorn Killer was a serial killer who killed 7 women and sent letters to the newspaper afterward. But 20 years ago he stopped killing and the police never caught him. Is he back now? Or is there a copycat?

I think this was exactly the book I was in the mood for and I enjoyed it very much. This would be a perfect book to binge and read in one sitting. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a perfect beach or pool read!

Thank you to Minotaur and Netgalley for the free ebook!

Thank you Netgalley and Minotaur Books for the chance to read Gone for Good by Joanna Schaffhausen. This is the 1st book in the Detective Annalisa Vega series. Going in, I didnt know what to expect as this was a brand new author for me, but I was hooked right away. Annalisa is a great main character; a strong, kick-ass woman who is bent on solving the murders and bringing in The Lovelorn Killer. Along the way, she is assigned to work with her ex-husband and her teenage boyfriend/best friend shows up just to spice things up! I can't wait to read the next book!

If you're trying to beat the summer heat and looking to start at the ground floor of a new mystery series, then you're in luck!!
August, 10th 2021 ushers in the release of Gone For Good which is the first of a new mystery series from award-winning author Joanna Schaffhausen, featuring Detective Annalisa Vega, in which a case that slipped through her fingers in the past has managed to pop back up just as savagely.

The Lovelorn Killer who ritualistically murdered seven women, managed to escape undetected and disappeared; After twenty years with no trace of him, many believed that he was "gone for good."

Detective Annalisa Vega lost a loved one to the killer. Now it seems the Lovelorn Killer has resurfaced and called to the murder scene, Annalisa has the chance to make it right.

In order to track down this elusive killer, Annalisa will have to dig deep into her past and bring old trauma back into the here and now.

Author Schaffhausen writes well drawn-out characters that elevate this mystery to much more than a procedural "who-done-it" and sucks you in to their complex worlds.
Settle back when starting this one because it's a slow burn and takes some time to get into it. But, I promise you it will be time well spent and worth the investment. It seems some of my favorite reads are a little more work out the gate.
One Trigger Warning I'd like to mention is the gruesome crime imagery. Women brutally and ritualistically murdered.

Author Schaffhausen is one smart writer having spent several years studying neuroscience. She has a PhD in psychology, which reflects her long-standing interest in how the brain works...and doesn't work. Previously, she worked as a scientific editor in the field of drug development. Prior to that, she was an editorial producer for ABC News.

Thank you NetGalley for an Advanced Reading Copy of Gone for Good in exchange for an unbiased review.
Gone for Good is currently available to purchase at your local independent bookstore and anywhere else you purchase books.

Thoughts
The Lovelorn Killer murdered seven women and then disappeared without a trace. No DNA, no witnesses, no arrests. For Detective Annalisa Vega the killer's last victim hit too close to home when her high school boyfriends mom became victim #7. Now he's back and Annalisa and her ex-husband are on the case, determined to put an end to the killer's spree. The newest victim is Grace Harper who is part of an online group of amateur sleuths who take a special interest in the Lovelorn Killer, but she came too close to figuring out who it was, and that's what got her killed.
The one thing I love more than a police procedural book series is a kick butt female detective. Annalisa is the perfect character to me. Flawed, fearless and humble. I also liked Grace's character because she reminded me a lot of Annalisa. The chapters alternate between the real detective and the amateur sleuth detective up until her death. It gave me chills how close Grace was to uncovering the killer, and I found her chapters so interesting.
There is a little romance thrown into the mix when Vega's high school boyfriend comes back to town hoping that she has the answers to who killed his mom all those years ago. I thought the author did a good job of throwing a few twists in the mix that made me rethink who the killer was, and I did not figure it out before the identity was revealed. I also didn't see another twist coming and that was even better than the real identity of the Lovelorn Killer.
This was only the first book in the series, and I can't wait to see what is up next for Annalisa Vega!

A guresome tale. Gothic Noir at it's finest!

A killer that stalks his victims, craves atttention, and teases law enforcement with his cat and mouse games. I am thrilled to hear that this is going to be a detective series, and if this is the first killer we meet, I cannot wait to see what Schaffhausen coms up with next.

When the killer strikes too close to Anna's heart, she is forced to put on a brave front, and not let it get to her. The killer is now teasing her, trying to draw her into his trap, and what we don't realize is how willing Anna is to fall into it, to save the ones she loves.

This is a tension builiding thriller, that left me wanting more. I cannot wait until the next book comes out!

Thank you to minotaur and netgalley for the copy in exchnage for an honest review.

WOW - What a knock out of the park! Gone for Good by Joanna Schaffhausen is a thrilling ride. The storyline is compelling. The characters are flawed and realistic. And there is a serial killer on the loose! It seems to top it off, that this the first book in a series called Detective Annalisa Vega.

Annalisa Vega is a detective in the Chicago Police Force as was her father. She is smart, determined and dogged. She has caught a new case where the method of death is identical to an old case - a series of women were killed and tortured - using ropes and ties to kill them. This opens up so much from her childhood when the original cases from the Lovelorn Killer happened. To top off the excitement, the Lovelorn Killer has Annalisa in his sights for the next victim. Now Annalisa is forced to confront questions from the past to find this killer, before he finds her.

Annalisa’s partner is her ex husband, which leads to an interesting dynamic. Her first love also came into town as his mother was one of the victims, which also adds to the mix. She finds a group of people who are investigating cold cases. There seems to be a clue that they found which leads to the killer, if Annalisa could just figure it out. Annalisa has a suspicion that the case is more complicated with even perhaps a local person from her neighborhood being involved. Little does she know - the devastation this case will cause.

I enjoyed reading this book thoroughly! I loved the characters, the storyline and the twists and turns. I have to admit - I read this book quickly as I wanted to find out the killer! Annalisa is a great main character and the author is clearly able to show Anna’s mental anguish. I can’t wait to read the next book in this series. Joanna Schaffhausen has written a great thriller, police procedural, creepy, thriller! Gone for Good is a great read.

Grace Harper is a member of an online group of amateur sleuths called the Grave Diggers who investigate cold cases. Her most recent obsession is the Lovelorn Killer—a serial killer who aptly earned his name by writing love letters addressed to his victims and sending them to newspapers … until one day, he inexplicably disappeared. However, when Grace winds up dead in the Lovelorn Killer’s signature style, he appears to have returned.

Detective Annalisa Vega gets assigned to the case and teamed up with her ex-husband. However, for her, this one is personal. The Lovelorn Killer murdered someone close to her when she was seventeen, so she wants to find solace and answers. Now she must try to unravel whatever truth Grace got close to as she confronts her own past.

Gone for Good by Joanna Schaffhausen is a cat and mouse crime procedural filled with twists and turns and a jaw-dropping ending I honestly didn't see coming.

The opening starts with a gripping and gnarly hook. However, I feel like the story’s focus got sidetracked by a lot of romance and family drama. It’s not until around the 70% mark that the story really picks up steam and I finally started feeling the tension and emotional stakes again. From there on out, I was fully invested in the story.

Ultimately, I feel like Gone for Good is more of a crime drama than a crime thriller. It might be a matter of personal preference, but I found Grace’s notes and the killer’s taunting Annalisa to be the most interesting aspects of the book. I wish that had been more of the focus. However, its looks like the crime procedural elements took a backseat so that the author could set up larger overarching relationship arcs since this is the beginning of a series.

Thank you, NetGalley and Minotaur Books, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First one in a series with it being I think a twister. Once 20 years ago there was a serial killer who killed than wrote love letters. After time he disappeared. Grace is in a amateur sleuth group and she believes the killer is still in the same place he killed. She goes about trying to figure out his identity. Detective Annalisa lost someone to that killer and now years later seems Grace met up with killer. Danger of sleuthing I would say. Now the search is on again. Turn the pages to see if she can without herself becoming one.

4 Oh, This Is Good Stars
* * * * Spoiler Free-A Quick Review
It is always fun when Social Media/Documentaries/True Crime Shows cause authors to incorporate a little of them in their books. Now, I don't know if the talented Joanna Schaffhausen had this idea when she approached this new series. All I know is when one of the characters in the book was an amateur sleuth and part of a group named the “Grave Diggers” that focused on cold cases, I was hit by how current the idea was.

Grace Harper was smart and curious. She always was. She didn't become a grocery store manager by being lazy or disinterested. Her job was fine but Grace wanted to do more and she was part of the Grave Diggers, a group that worked to break "Cold Cases". When Grace took something on, she was like a dog with a bone...determined to figure things out and she felt she was getting really close to figuring out who was the Lovelorn Killer. Every law enforcement department thought the person responsible was lost to them as there hadn't been another murder in twenty years. No, Grace thought, she was on to something and was going to find this heinous killer.

It turns out Grace did find him but not the way she wanted. She became his most recent victim.

Detective Annalisa Vega knows all about the Lovelorn Killer and it has stayed with her. A neighbor close to her family was killed by this monster. When Grace is found and all of the same follow-ups happen, the love letter sent to a newspaper, the way she is killed, Detective Annalisa Vega is all in.

Looking into the group, the Grave Diggers, she uses them as a tool for her investigation, and slowly things she missed in the past start to become clearer and maybe will point her in the right direction.

The other focus of this book is that the killer focuses on Annalisa and putting her in jeopardy, her ex is in the picture, and another blast from her past resurfaces. Both men are interested in starting something again with her.

This is the first of a new series for Joanna Schaffhausen and it looks like more may be coming next year. I shall keep my eyes peeled.

This is the first time I have read anything by this author and it will definitely not be the last. This is the first book in the series and the author immediately pulls you into the story and doesn’t let you go till the end. It has a lot of action and suspense and was a surprise at the end. I can’t wait to read more by Joanna Schaffhausen.

This book starts a new mystery series for Author, Joanna Schaffhausen and if it is as good as her other books, the author is going to have even more avid readers.
Detective Annalisa Vega receives a call to attend a murder scene that is reminiscent of a series of murders from twenty years ago. The killer wrote love letters to each woman whom he killed and sent them to the newspaper. Because of those letters, the killer is named the ‘lovelorn killer.’
As Annalisa is looking down at a woman who had a horrible death she is thinking could this really be the murder from the lovelorn serial killer that was never caught? He has been dormant for twenty years. What could have possibly set him off after so many years?
A good murder mystery with well developed characters with all their flaws, bad or good. Author, Johanna Schaffhausen has written an excellent book that will satisfy many of her avid readers whether long time or new.
Thank you Netgalley St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books for an advanced copy of this book. The comments and review are my honest opinion.