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.

Thank you to Minotaur Books for a gifted copy of Gone For Good by Joanna Schaffhausen. All opinions are my own.

Annalisa Vega knows all about the Lovelorn Killer. Her best friend's mom was one of his victims. She grew up with the fear of a local serial killer who sought out women and stalked them for days or weeks before making his move. People locked their doors and everyone's lives changed due to the local fear of a madman in their community. It's been twenty years and a new case looks like the Lovelorn Killer is back.

Gone For Good took me by surprise. Joanna Schaffhausen is a new to me author and I did not know what it was about when I started reading. It was spooky and eery read.

This is the first book in the Annalisa Vega series. I loved this book and the characters. It is perfect for mystery/suspense readers. I will definitely be continuing this series and cannot wait to see what will happen next with Annalisa, her family, and friends.

Mystery & Thrillers
August 10, 2021

Annalisa was a child when the Lovelorn Killer was at large. Her father was a police detective at the time and she remembers feeling safer knowing that she had him to protect her. The killer was never caught and, after twenty years, everyone assumed that he must be dead - until now.

A new murder has occurred and, now a detective herself, Annalisa is assigned lead on the case. It appears that the Lovelorn Killer is back. As she dives into the case, Annalisa becomes a target and the killer makes sure that she knows that she's next on his list...

This book was incredibly suspenseful and I didn't want to put it down. I was afraid for Annalisa, while also being impressed with her strength and determination in the wake of horrific events unfolding around her. The other characters were also well written, making you either like them or dislike them, while also suspecting each of them as the possible killer. This was the first novel I've read by Joanna Schaffhausen and it won't be the last.

Thank you to #NetGalley and #St.Martin'sPublishingGroup for an ARC of #GoneforGood by #JoannaSchaffhausen in exchange for an honest review. 4 1/2 stars (rounded to 5)

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review "Gone For Good", by Joanna Schaffhausen. This is the first book in a new series, featuring Detective Annalisa Vega. I have to admit that I have not read any other novels by Ms. Schaffhausen, but the premise of this one grabbed me, and I just had to read.

"The Lovelorn Killer" struck terror into the community twenty years ago - murdering women and then writing letters to them, addressed to the local newspaper. The last victim was a neighbour of Detective Vega's and the mother of her first serious love - Colin Duffy; Katie Duffy was also the wife of Vega's detective father and the one case that has haunted him to this day.

Now, it appears that the Lovelorn Killer has returned - and his first victim is a member of a group of amateur, online cold case detectives. And Annalisa Vega and her other detectives find themselves re-opening the cold case to try and find the killer before more deaths. And secrets have a habit of coming to the forefront whenever the past is resurrected.

As Annalisa must go back to the past to try and find a killer in the present, a couple of 'old flames' are back in her life: her ex-husband (and former partner) Nick, and her erstwhile love, Colin. Nick and Annalisa team up to flush out The Lovelorn Killer at great peril, while she and Colin are thrown together by threats made directly to them.

There are many twists and turns, and I have to admit that I did not see the ending coming until the very climax. This is a very well-written and exceptionally intense story and I cannot wait to see where the author takes Detective Vega in the future. I gave it 4 stars, but I was tempted to give it 5.

Gone for Good  (Detective Annalisa Vega #1)  by Joanna Schaffhausen 

I'm hooked on Joanna Schaffhausen's Ellery Hathaway series (four books and counting) so I was happy to see that the author is beginning another series. Gone for Good is the first book featuring Detective Annalisa Vega, which also features her two long ago exes, coming back into her life. Anna's ex husband has been assigned as her partner at work. Anna's teenage boyfriend/best friend comes back into her life when the serial killer, who killed his mother and five other women, starts killing again after a twenty year hiatus. Now the serial killer seems to be targeting Anna, the lead detective investigating the recent seventh victim of The Lovelorn Killer.

The killer stalks his victims, loves attention, and loves to bait law enforcement. He's been known to leave threats to keep people silent and he will adapt if his intended victim is out of reach. He's drawn the attention of amateur crime sleuths and he seems to be able to infiltrate the arena of cops, without being noticed. The sixth victim was Anna's beloved neighbor and mother of her teenage boyfriend. Just like her father, also a cop, in some ways Anna is way too close to this series of crimes to be able to see things clearly. With the killer now taunting her, calling her, and trying to draw her into his snare, Anna is going to willingly walk into his trap. The story builds tension, with storms being a precursor to killings, and with the killer seeming to be all knowing and all powerful. Now I'm looking forward to the second book in this series. 

Thank you to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

This is a Mystery/Thriller, and this is the first book in the Detective Annalisa Vega Series. The book took a little bit to get going, but Once the book got going it pulled me in. I loved the suspense in this book, and the twists and turns in this book was so good. I did not see the big twist coming before it was reveal. There is so many twists and turns in this book it is a wild and great ride. I love the mystery in this book. I love the characters in this book, and I cannot wait until the next book because I have to find out how Detective Annalisa is doing after everything in this book. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Minotaur Books) or author (Joanna Schaffhausen) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

This is the first in a new detective series featuring homicide detective Annalisa Vega of the Chicago Police Department.

The Lovelorn Killer murdered seven women and then disappeared until Grace Harper, a grocery store manager and member of an amateur sleuth group, starts investigating the case. She believes she has discovered something crucial when she is murdered in the killer’s signature style. Annalisa is put on the case which is very personal to her because the Lovelorn Killer’s last victim 20 years earlier was Katie Duffy, a neighbour, family friend, and mother of Colin, Annalisa’s first love. Annalisa and her partner and ex-husband, Nick Carelli, try to track down the killer who makes it known that Annalisa is his next target.

Interspersed with the police investigation are entries from Grace’s journal (“Grace Notes”) which detail her thinking process, discussions with other members of the Grave Diggers group, and the steps she takes as she tries to identify the Lovelorn Killer. Not only do these entries provide clues to the reader, they also serve to create suspense: will Annalisa and Nick realize in time what Grace ascertained?

Because this is the first book in a series, there is considerable focus on describing Annalisa’s background and developing her personality. We learn about her three older brothers and her parents; especially relevant is the fact that her father was a police officer who was involved in the investigation of Katie Duffy’s murder. Annalisa is a likeable character; she is intelligent, brave, and determined, but she is not flawless.

Though attention is paid to creating a multi-layered protagonist, there is an intriguing plot with considerable action and suspense. The pace is quite fast once Annalisa and Nick begin the hunt. I appreciated that there are lots of clues. Though they are subtle, they are there, so the author plays fair by not withholding information. And there are some red herrings and twists to keep the reader guessing. Once Colin arrives, there is a bit of a love triangle involving him, Annalisa and Nick, but it is not overdramatized and so does not distract too much from the mystery.

Though this is very much a character and plot novel, there is some thematic development. Through at least four characters, the book examines the effects of trauma. Also, the importance of a stable family in a child’s upbringing is implied more than once. Though generally serious, the book does have some touches of humour: “Family lore said Great Grandpapa Vega had once worked alongside Herman Melville, but Annalisa suspected this was just a fish story.”

This novel has an interesting plot, with action and suspense, and strong characterization. It is a mixture of police procedural and family drama, with a smidgen of romance. I will certainly read the next installment in the series.

Note: I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley.

3.5 stars

I'm going to keep this relatively (for me) short. The main reason is this ended up being a simple mismatch between reader & book.

To be clear, this is a case of "it's not you, it's me". If you've read her other series, you already know this author has all the skills necessary to create compelling stories full of characters that live & breathe on the page. Annalisa Vega is no exception.

It all comes down to personal preference. I'm a fan of straight up procedurals & this falls more in the category of romantic suspense. There's a great, twisty murder mystery mixed with plenty of family drama & I very much enjoyed these plot lines. But a large portion of the story revolves around the MC's romantic entanglements & for a hardcore (and obviously cold-hearted 😉) crime addict, it was frustrating to be pulled away from the main event.

Because of the way this ends, I'll be watching for the next instalment as there's a chance it may suit me better. In the meantime, please take this with a grain of salt & read some of the glowing reviews you'll find on Goodreads.

What I Loved

What didn't I love about this book? Gone for Good is the best procedural I read so far this year and quite possibly ever. It's not just a police investigation run by a policeman with very little character development. It is a complete story of family, love, and oh, yeah, there's a serial killer who's back.

The serial killer investigation provided all the thrills and chills I could have ever asked for. It starts with a murder, ends with multiple arrests, and everything in between kept me on the edge of my seat. The pages never stop flipping fast and furious, as there are no lulls in the story, which is remarkable considering the other aspects I'm going to tell you about that I loved.

The journal entries from the murder victim that the story opens with are such a great touch. Grace is a member of the Grave Diggers, an amateur detective group that looks at cold cases and tries to solve them. She wanted to explore the case of the Lovelorn serial killer, although it is a no-go for the rest of the group. She kept a journal that of her investigation that is interspersed page by page throughout the story. This gives the investigation an unexpected dimension and provides insight into a character that we wouldn't usually get to know. And, I just loved it!

The family story of the lead protagonist, Detective Annalisa Vega, is tied up with the serial killer investigation, so you get a wonderfully detailed, layered, and complex look at the characters and the dynamics of the family unit. The family members' stories are laid bare, and their personalities shine through with every loving and tragic nuance. It's as prominent a plot thread as the case itself but never once deters from the thrills or causes a lull in the story.

Characters

Detective Annalisa Vega is a strong female protagonist who is flawed but not tragically so – just enough to make her relatable. She is determined and fearless but contends with a failed marriage and still working with her ex-husband, who was her partner on this case. You can imagine the fun in that. It didn't fall into any tropes, though. Not yet anyway, and it may never. I just really enjoyed the strength of the character and was drawn in by her and her past loves.

What I Wish

The only thing that I wish is that the next installment of the series comes out soon. With a first book that came as strong as this one did, I can't wait to see where the series goes and will gladly make time for each installment as it makes an appearance.

To Read or Not to Read

You will want to pick up this first in a series story because it is a jaw-dropping, page-turning thriller and a remarkable story about family and lost love. It's the whole package!

Dark, disturbing, and exceptionally entertaining!

In this latest novel by Schaffhausen, Gone for Good, we are introduced to Chicago PD Det. Annalisa Vega, a complex, tenacious young woman who finds herself investigating the death of Grace Harper, a member of a group of online amateur sleuths, whose investigation into the murder of seven women in the 1990s may have just triggered the reappearance of a serial killer from the past.

The writing is bold and tight. The characters are committed, persistent, and vulnerable. And the plot starts off with a bang and then quickly unravels into an ominous tale full of twists, turns, red herrings, secrets, lies, obsession, deception, emotion, violence, and murder.

Gone for Good is the first book in the new Detective Annalisa Vega series, and once again, Schaffhausen has written a highly suspenseful, intricately woven mystery with superb character development that gives the story a touch of human frailty and authenticity that takes it from being just a good thriller to a great one!

A great adventure. Annalisa is a young detective who gets to work one of the biggest cases of her career so far. She is on the hunt for a serial killer. Her ex husband and her first love are both back in her life. This is a thrilling and page turning police procedural. It is told from multiple point of views the main two being Annalisa and Grace. Discovering who the killer is will still leave unexpected surprises that will leave you reeling. It is a great story and a wonderful way to start a new series.

When I first lived alone I would quite often spook myself reading thrillers late into the night. I’d wonder if that creak was someone in my condo. Long before thrillers relied on the BIG twist, this book reminded me of those books. Not that this book doesn’t have twists, surprises and misdirection, but it also has that undertone that gets deep into your mind.

Annalisa and Nick are investigating the death of Grace Harper. She was part of an amateur murder group that was investigating the Lovelorn serial killer, who hasn’t killed since the 90’s. Her death is the work of either a good copycat or the killer has come out of retirement to strike again.

I really liked that the book was balanced. Nick is Annalisa’s ex husband who she hasn’t seen in a while. Her Father was a cop and her entire family is present along with her best friend. Even her high school sweetheart enters the picture. And to bring Grace’s perspective in, there are chapters from her journal as she was planning on writing a book.

Annalisa and I have nothing in common, but I really connected with her. The scenes where she’s being stalked really had me on edge.

I saw this is the first book in a new series and I can’t wait for book 2.

A great mystery! I love police procedural style books and shows. The latest from Joanna Schaffhausen was intriguing for a lot of reasons. There were a number of suspects and the book resulted in quite a surprise ending. I liked the main character. She was a strong woman and determined detective. There were so many ways this story could have gone. I enjoyed it immensely. The book was set in Chicago and the author seemed very knowledgeable of the area. I hope to read more about Annalissa Vega in the future. I loved her character and want to know what happens to her in the future! I received an advance copy from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving a review.

This is the first book I've read by Joanna Schaffhausen, and what a perfect book with which to start! This is the first book in her Detective Annalisa Vega series, and it was a total thrill ride. I accomplished absolutely nothing today, as I didn't want to put the book down until I was finished with it!

The Lovelorn Killer disappeared over twenty years ago. But before he did, he murdered seven women, ritually binding and then suffocating them. After each death, he wrote horrible "love letters" to them and sent them to newspapers to be published. But after being gone for all these years, most believed him to be gone for good. Grace Harper, however, thinks he is still in the same neighborhood where he killed. She's a member of The Grave Diggers, an amateur sleuth group that tries to solve cold cases. She's been working on figuring out how he selected victims, thinking this will lead to his identity. Grace must have been closing in on him, as she is soon found dead and bound on the floor, surrounded by the clues that were found during the prior killings. Detective Annalisa Vega is investigating Grace's death. Years ago Annalisa lost a dear family friend to the Lovelorn Killer. She must now trace this case back to the beginning to find any and every clue that may have been missed, even some connected to her family. But when the killer sets his sights on Annalisa, will she live long enough to unmask his identity?

This book sounded like an excellent story, but it ended up being an absolutely exciting mystery and thriller, much better than I ever anticipated. Annalisa was an exceptional heroine, one who had dealt with the effects of this serial killer's actions for over 20 years. Her father, also a cop, worked on the killings that previously occurred. When her family friend was killed, Annalisa also lost the love of her young life, the victim's son Colin, when he took off after losing his family. Annalisa began working this case with Nick Carelli, a fellow detective who just happened to be her philandering ex-husband. The two had to work through their past relationship as well as work on their case. Colin came back into the picture after Annalisa informed him that his mother's killer was apparently back on the scene. The story became even more thrilling when the killer began to call Annalisa to taunt her and leave little "presents" for her. The surviving Grave Diggers managed to get in on the case. If all this wasn't enough, there were crises in the Vega family to contend with. I figured out early on who the killer probably was, but that in no way diminished my enjoyment. I was a bit disappointed in Annalisa's choice for romance, but that's just me. The ending was a total shocker! I cannot wait to revisit the world of Annalisa Vega...I just hope it's soon!

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of the publisher and NetGalley. I received no compensation for my review, and all thoughts and opinions expressed are entirely my own.

I pretty much love any book that’s based on serial killers so it was clear pretty early on that I was gonna like this one too. I really liked the storyline! I thought it was super interesting and suspenseful. The main character annoyed me at some points (especially the ending) but overall, I enjoyed the characters. Would definitely be interested in reading more in the Vega series.

Chicagoans have not forgotten the Lovelorn Killer. Twenty years ago, he murdered seven women with intricately knotted ropes and then sent gruesome love letters to the local newspapers. Many hope he has gone for good.

But an amateur sleuth group called the Grave Diggers looks into cold cases. One of them is Grace Harper who wants to focus on the Lovelorn Killer. Grace has a theory on how he chose his victims and figure out his identity. Detective Annalisa Vega is the newest member of the homicide squad where she is reluctantly partnered with her ex-husband Nick who has recently returned to Chicago. Their latest murder victim is Grace who is killed in an eerily similar fashion to the Lovelorn Killer's previous victims. Annalise has a personal interest since the last victim had been a family friend and the wife of an ex-cop.

Annalise is determined to solve the Lovelorn Killer's cold cases but does not expect to become the focus of the serial killer's taunts and phone calls. As her friends and family become targeted, it's a race against time for Annalise to stop the Lovelorn Killer from enacting his final devious plan.

This was a thrilling read in the new Annalise Vega mystery series with an ending that I did not expect.

I received a digital ARC from Netgalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this rev

The lovelorn killer has been gone for 20 years. Many think he must be dead. Until another murder happens. There have been few leads in all these years. Unfortunately, Grace is his latest victim. Grace was part of an online group of amateur detectives. When she finds a clue that the police missed, she soon ends up dead.
Detective Vega is on the hunt to find the killer. And she has a personal connection. She knew one of the previous victims. Her life changed dramatically after that.
This is book one in a new series. I like the main character Annalisa Vega and am eager to see what is next for her in the follow up book.

Thanks to netgalley and St Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for the arc

Gone for Good tells the story of Detective Annalisa Vega as she investigates a murder that may be related to the Lovelorn Killer, a serial killer who has been thought to be dead or in prison for the last 20 years. Annalisa has a unique connection to the case since her high school boyfriend and first loves' mother was the last known victim. Can she solve the case and put this mystery to rest? Will she uncover new mysteries in the process?

This book is AMAZING! I love the character of Annalisa and her intuition as a detective. The mystery unfolded beautifully and I loved the online sleuth aspect of this book. The only thing that kept this from being a 5 star for me was the ending. I just wanted it to go in a different direction. It was pointed out to me by a friend that the ending would be great for further books. I just wished it had gone a different direction but that is just me being selfish I think. Overall, this book was one of the best police procedurals that I have read in a long time. This character is amazing and I cannot wait for the next one!

Gone For Good is a gripping serial killer storyline where the killer is obsessed with taunting the police. And manages to stay two steps ahead.

This story took its time to get interesting, but once it did I kept reading chapter after chapter! There are not many twists here but the few that make the page are intriguing and satisfying.