This is the fourth book in the Ellery Hathaway series and my first time picking up this author. Rookie detective and kidnapping survivor Ellery is searching for a twelve year old girl, who happens to disappear, while Ellery and FBI agent Reed Markham are close by. As Ellery dives into the case, it reveals wounds that have not healed.

The missing girl Chloe Lockhart walked away from a busy street fair, ditched her phone and vanished into the crowd. Did her overprotective parents drive her to runaway?

Her determination to find Chloe keeps her working through every clue and secret.

I felt myself at the edge of my seat with every page I turned. This was hard to put down. I'm definitely going back and reading the other books in the series.

Thanks so much to St. Martin's, NetGalley and the author for this ARC to review

"Every Waking Hour" is the fourth installment in Joanna Schaffhausen's Ellery Hathaway series. Ellery, a rookie detective in the Boston Police Department, has a wise mentor and partner, Dorie Bennett, a veteran who knows the ropes and imparts sound advice. Those who have followed Ellery's sad tale know that, when she was an adolescent, a serial killer abducted and tortured her. That horrific experience left her scarred emotionally and physically, and it takes all of Ellery's energy and determination to endure, one day at a time. After a number of years during which Ellery did not allow anyone to get close to her, she and Reed Markham, the FBI agent who rescued her, have become an item. Reed is divorced, and he and his ex-wife, Sarit, have a seven-year-daughter. In spite of Reed's unwavering support, however, Ellery has not been able to put her traumatic past behind her.

Reed teams up with Ellery to investigate the disappearance of Chloe Lockhart, the twelve-year-old daughter of affluent parents. Chloe's mother, Teresa, had a son from her first marriage who was murdered before Chloe was born. The culprit was never caught. Having lost her first child so tragically, Teresa closely oversees Chloe's activities in an effort to protect her from harm. Did a resentful Chloe run away or has someone kidnapped her?

This is a serviceable thriller that advances the Reed/Ellery story. Unfortunately, this long-suffering couple soon face additional obstacles that could jeopardize their future. Ellery, Dorie, and Reed spend a great deal of time interviewing witnesses and doing background checks. Eventually, light bulbs go off and the sleuths figure out who did what to whom and why. Most of the characters are underdeveloped, and the plot is overly cluttered and contrived (Ellery's half-sister shows up out of nowhere). Schaffhausen tacks on a cliffhanger ending to arouse readers' interest in the further adventures of her beleaguered hero and heroine.

This is book four in the Ellery Hathaway series and it is another wonderful installment.

Ellery Hathaway is a survivor, but she will never be over her kidnapping, rape and torture that happened to her when she was a teenager. Now, many years later she is a rookie detective in the Boston Police Department. Special Agent Reed Markham was the FBI assigned to her case and has continued to be in her life, now in a romantic relationship.

Reed and his seven year old daughter are visiting Ellery in Boston when a twelve year old girl suddenly goes missing. Reed steps in to assist on the case. Was the girl taken or did she run away from her controlling parents? It brings back memories for Ellery and the realization that time is not on their side in finding this girl.

Nothing about this story dragged or was unnecessary. It was a page turner and I loved every page of it. I think more people should be reading this underappreciated series. It's so good!

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur books for the advanced readers copy. Also, thank you for the final copy.

I absolutely loved this book!! It was an all night, keep you on the edge of your seat, white knuckle ride!! A must for thriller fans!!

Actual rating: 4.5 out of 5

Every Waking Hour is the 4rth book in the Ellery Hathaway series. The author did a good job detailing the backstory so you you can get away with reading this as a stand-alone. However, I recommend reading the previous books first. You will see how the characters are developing in each book.

To me, Reed has a savior complex. Ellery and Reed's relationship has always irked me. But in this book, you will see how their relationship evolves. The story is good with a mystery that has many layers. The book is well written, fast-paced and with a shocking ending. I highly recommend this series.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Joanna Schaffhausen for a copy of "Every Waking Hour" in exchange of an honest review.

I've read all four books in this series and I can't wait for the next one!! It's not necessary to have read the previous books, though - - this one works well as a standalone too.

The writing is crisp and flows well, the characters are well-defined and believable, and the story is exciting. There are more than a few hold-your-breath moments throughout the book and a few times when it seemed everything was over - - but wait, there's more!!

The ending made me sad - - but I have no doubt that will change in the future books!

Ellery and Reed are back. The kidnapping case they are working on in this book was intriguing. There were lots of twists and turns in it and the resolution was satisfying. The book was a good balance of working through the current case and working through their personal relationships. The two aspects melded together well. The end leaves enough of a tease that makes me anxious for the next book in the series. I've liked how the characters have developed over time. I think you could pick up this book and read it without reading the previous ones. There is enough backstory to follow the details. I do think you will enjoy it more though if you have read the previous stories. I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆☆
M/F Thriller
Triggers: Murder, Kidnapping

Ellery survived a serial killer when she was younger and it's shaped her past and present. Now a Boston detective, she knows how to solve crimes and get results. Because of her past, she prefers her solitude. However, she is in a relationship now, with her rescuer, and he brings with him a whole different dynamic.

Reed knows that he is good at his job. He also loves his daughter. He is trying to learn to juggle his demanding career with raising his daughter and co-parenting with his ex-wife. While visiting Ellery, his daughter, Tula, and Ellery are slowly getting to know each other. What they weren't expecting was to be embroiled in a kidnapping.

The family of Chloe is beside themselves. Not a stranger to heartbreak and trauma, Chloe's parents don't know why their family is being targeted again for tragedy. This mystery will leave you on the edge of your seat. In reality, there are two mysteries to solve and it was fun watching them unfold, intertwine, and resolve.

You won't be disappointed with this mystery and despite the relationship between Ellery and Reed in constant flux, you won't be disappointed in their story either. I think that both are trying to do what's best for the other and sometimes that doesn't align.


Sarah – ☆☆☆☆☆
Ellery’s first big case as a Boston Police detective sees her tracking down a missing child. Elements of the case are very similar to Ellery’s own abduction as a child and Ellery has to fight to stay professional – and stay in the present – as she tracks down the missing girl.

This is easily the best book in the series so far. The writing is excellent. The complicated, twisting plot has been exactingly crafted. I loved every twist, turn, and dead end in Ellery’s investigation and I love the way the author builds almost painful tension as time runs out for the missing child.

Ellery feels functional and competent for most of this story. I feel like I was meeting her fresh this time. For the first time, she is almost likeable and almost relatable. Her relationship with Reed is an unsteady constant and this book sees them mixing families and lives more than ever before. I love Ellery’s sister and I even enjoyed Reed’s daughter here.

This new angle – Ellery as a detective – really works for the series. Ellery is easier to engage with in this role. Her past trauma is still an enormous part of her life, but here we see Ellery use her experience to be a strong cop. She feels more of Reed’s equal here and they almost make sense as they live and work together.

I really enjoyed this book and I look forward to more in the series.

I love this series! Complex plots, interesting characters, and great tension. Plus a boatload of authentic relationships between characters. This one kept me guessing up to the end!

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

Where is Chloe? The 13 year old disappeared in a poof at a fair. Luckily, Ellery and Reed were there when it happened and her nanny, not knowing that they are Boston PD and FBI respectively, approached them for help. This is a well done addition to a compelling series about a woman rebuilding her life after unimaginable horror- and it's also fine as a standalone. Ellery has a reputation in the BPD but she's also got a terrific partner on the force as well as Reed, the man who rescued her, as a lover. Reed is a profiler who specializes in finding missing people. This case is more twisty than either of them imagined- Chloe's mother has basically shut her life down because her son Trevor was murdered in her home years before. Turns out, though, that it's next to impossible to keep a tween safe. The hunt for Chloe takes many turns and leads to multiple revelations (no spoilers!) but Reed feels strongly that Chloe is somehow connected to the unsolved murder of Trevor. At the same time, Ellery is struggling with her relationship with Reed, Reed's struggling with his ex wife over their daughter Tula, and Ellery's half sister Ashley has turned up. This is a wonderfully complex thriller that doesn't skimp on the characters (Chloe's friends deserve special mention). Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. A terrific read. There's an opening for the next one- which I'm eager to read.

This is 4th in a series starring Ellery Hathaway. As a teen, Ellery was captured by serial killer Francis Coben - he raped and murdered 16 before her, but she gained notoriety as the one who got away.

Now Ellery is a Boston detective, and is involved with FBI Agent Reed Markham who rescued her many years before. When a teen goes missing, it seems to echo what happened to Ellery. Together, she and Reed solve the case as well as a much colder one.

The episode ends on a cliffhanger and I look forward to more.

The Ellery Hathaway series just gets better and better. If you have not read the previous 3 this is a great place to start. Enough of their background is given so you understand the relationship between police Detective Ellery Hathaway and FBI director Reed Markham, and you do not really need to know that in order to follow their work in figuring out who has kidnapped a 12-year-old child. The end is fabulous especially since it is not really the end. A long-ago unsolved murder that was uncovered during the investigation and thought perhaps connected to the current case is also solved. And boy, what a surprise it was.

I really enjoyed this book and its characters. The story kept me on the edge of my seat, and the ending left me craving more. I haven’t read the previous books in the series, but I was still able to jump right in. I can’t wait to read the previous books, as well as the next book that this one builds up.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books for the advanced reader copy of this book.

Book four in the Ellery Hathaway series, Every Waking Hour focuses on Ellery's new case as a rookie detective in Boston. A 12-year old girl has been abducted and Ellery wants to be a part of the case to solve it (with FBI Reed Markham involved, of course).

This is my fourth review for the Ellery series- the series has done a good job continuing the formula for a cop procedural/mystery book. I feel that in order for this type of series to work, there has to be an overarching bad guy (which is present in this series), along with a complex web of details for the episodic case. Each individual case is wrapped up at the end of the book, but then the epilogue leaves you with the 'dun dun dun' moment that serves as an intro to the next book. The formula is a bit basic-- I like it!!-- and it works well for this series.

If I was rating this book as a stand-alone, I would probably give it closer to a 3-star because by itself it is a good mystery without much memorable to go for it. As a part of the series, however, it is a great addition- Ellery continues to grow as a character (still as kind of unlikable as ever) and the series itself is a fun read. The series is better read in order and if you have enjoyed the previous books in the series, you will likely enjoy this one as well.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced reader's copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am already looking forward to reading book 5 :) Every Waking Hour will be released on January 26th, 2021.

This is the first book in the series I've read since the first and, boy, did I feel like I had missed a lot. Going to need to go back and read. Ellery survived a serial killer long ago. She eventually went into law enforcement herself and now has made a move to Boston where she is thrown into the middle of a case that haunts her when a 12 year old girl suddenly goes missing practically in front of her.

I enjoyed the first book of the series a lot. I must say that her relationship with Reed just feels weird to me. It was creeping me out throughout. Maybe the books I missed would have eased me into this a little more. Her attempted relationship with his daughter is painfully written and just felt forcefully awkward. Moving on from that, the underlying disappearance was something I enjoyed reading about. I can balance the two and say this was a good book. Maybe I will raise it when I read the catch up two.

I have a book hangover. Wow.
I haven't read the previous books on this series- the author did a great job giving backstory without slowing the book.
Chloe is at a Boston festival with her nannie, Mimi. She goes to get an ice cream - and is gone.
FBI agent Reed and BCP Detective Ellery happen to be at the same festival- Ellery quickly gets BCP on it with a description. Then she finds Chloe's abandoned cell phone.
The parents do all they can to help- but with their busy professions, Mimi is the main caregiver. Martin may be having an affair. Teresa's first child, Trevor, had been murdered - still unsolved.
Ellery and Reed struggle with their own relationship as Ellery and her partner Dorie sift through leads. Ellery is the only surviving victim of Coben - a serial killer who snatched Ellery on her 14th birthday. Reed saved her - forging a massive connection.
Great plot. Fast paced. Intense suspense. And the twists - stellar.

Every Waking Hour (#4 in the Ellery Hathaway series) delivers everything that lovers of this series have come to expect; a riveting plot, well-defined characters, plenty of conflict, and unexpected twists. Though this book can stand alone, readers will enjoy it so much more if they read the entire series.

Ellery Hathaway is now a rookie detective in the Boston police department. She and Reed Markham, the FBI agent that rescued her from a serial killer when she was 14, have (finally!) taken their relationship to the next level. As the book begins, Reed and his 7-year old daughter, Tula, are visiting Ellery from Virginia and the three are enjoying a Boston street fair. Their relaxing day is soon interrupted by a nanny shouting for help - her charge, Chloe Lockhart, 12, is missing. Both Ellery and Reed jump into action to search for the girl, and Ellery is assigned to investigate the case.

At first, it's not clear whether Chloe was actually kidnapped, or if she walked away willingly. She has been balking at her mother's overprotectiveness and hovering as children that age are apt to do. Her mother has a valid reason for her actions; she lost a child before, and she is determined not to lose another.

The investigation has Ellery and Reed following several trails, uncovering multiple suspects. The two work together very well, and it's a treat to watch them interact in both professional and personal arenas again. Chloe's case triggers Ellery's memories of her own kidnapping and torture; memories she is working hard to get past. She's not there yet, but has made much progress with Reed's help.

The investigation isn't the only thing the duo is dealing with. In addition to learning how to handle their new personal relationship, Ellery is finding other members of the PD wary of her past which makes them question her ability to handle the job. There is also resentment that she was put on this case instead of more experienced detectives. Meanwhile, Reed's ex-wife, Sarit, is planning to move to Dallas with her boyfriend taking Tula with her. He is determined not to let that happen.

Schaffhausen has delivered another delightful and captivating read. I enjoy her writing so much that I am already looking forward to her next book!

My thanks to NetGalley andw Minotaur Books for allowing me to read a copy of this book which is scheduled for publication on 1/26/2021. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Every Waking Hour; intense - edge of the seat - can one kidnapped victim help find another? - protective - daring and compassionate. I loved this story, I was reading and flipping pages as fast as I could. Excellent story, writing and awesome ending! Thank you NetGalley#zMinotaurBooks# EveryWakingHour

I love a good detective novel, but not starting in the middle of one. I admit this is my fault for not knowing this was book #4 in a series. Although I did get the gist of what happened to Ellery when she was kidnapped herself, I think it would have been beneficial for more of a background on her and Reed.

Books that involve kidnappings of a child always have me on edge so this was no different. There were so many suspects, so many people that could have taken Chloe that it got dizzying. I did like how everyone was connected even if they didn't realize it. I'll come back closer to pub day with a more in depth review

Another fantastic installment in the Ellery Hathaway series! This is easily my favorite thriller series because Schaffhausen does a fantastic job of writing an exciting storyline and intriguing characters.

Reed and Ellery are probably one of my favorite couples. They came together in such a horrific way, but they are definitely meant for one another! They are both driven, successful, tenacious, and flawed. They each have issues that they’re working on, but there is a lot of growth throughout this series. I loved all the little interactions between Ellery and Reed! They care about each other so much, but there is a heavy history between them and they’re both unsure if that will be too much. I like that they’re not a perfect couple. I think that is realistic. They fight, they argue, they hurt each other’s feelings. But they also show the other person they care, they’re patient, they look out for one another, and they come back together.

This storyline is my second favorite from this series (book 1’s storyline is still my favorite!). There are all these seemingly unconnected events from the past and present day and we have a heck of a time figuring out what is going on. Schaffhausen does a good job of leaving clues along the way, rather than just having the villain monologue at the end and explain everything to the hero. I hate when that happens. The storyline moves along at a good pace and I had a difficult time putting the book down! I loved how everything was solved at the end.

I’m thrilled to see there will be another Ellery Hathaway book!! Just based on the epilogue, I think it will be the most exciting book yet and I can’t wait!