I enjoy a good police procedural with a female lead - but maybe I’ve been reading too many of them lately. This ended up just feeling like something I’ve read before - nothing was standing out as new or different and I put it down at the halfway point and found I wasn’t interested to pick it back up. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the free review copy.

Read this if…you like police procedurals that follow strong female detectives.

A big thanks to Netgalley, Minotaur Books, and the author for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve been looking forward to the second book in this series ever since I read the first one last year. It did not disappoint! I love Detective Vega’s character. Nick is also a great secondary character that I hope sticks around in the series. There was a lot of suspense in this one and it was original. I can’t say I’ve ever read a book that had a killer in a full dive suit before! I had a little bit of trouble keeping all the new characters straight since there were a lot, but that’s really my only complaint about this one. You could read this as a stand-alone, but I highly recommend you start the series in order so you can really get to know Detective Vega and what makes her tick.

#LongGoneBook:⁣
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If there’s anyone that can get me reading a police procedural, it’s Joanna Schaffhausen. (Fun fact, I talk about her so much that Schaffhausen is literally saved in my predict text for all the times I recommend her books) I loved Gone for Good. I thought it was a stand-alone and fell in love. Listen, when I found out it was a series, I jumped! I was worried the sophomore slump would hit with Long Gone, but I’m pleased to say it did not for me. ⁣
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We start off from the backlash of book one (I won’t spoil it for you) and how AV gets treated differently around these parts now. I liked that we got more Nick and kind of see why she was with him in the first place. There’s two different murders that are being looked in to, one of a detective.. another a cold case. They’re connected in a way, and in that is a tangled web of lies, deception, corruption, and greed. ⁣
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Again, Annalisa Vega gives us the raw and gritty truth of being a detective in Chicago. I did an audio/reading combo and I’m glad Kelsey Navarro was brought back for narration. She does it so well that I’m sure if I saw her on the street I’d call her Annalisa. (Apologies in advance) ⁣
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The first few chapters do seem to start off slow because we’re catching up from book on. The middle goes pound for pound with twists and new discoveries. I had about 20 pages left and I was really confused because I realized I didn’t know who killed Josie yet. I thought maybe when I was listening I must have blacked out on the audio. But, that was not the case. I was sad the it almost felt like an afterthought because that case was more exciting to me (sorry Scuba Steve.. I was more invested in the female murder) than of the other detective. It did shock me though and I’m satisfied with how it all played out.⁣
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Overall, another solid Joanna Schaffhausen book. I see there’s a book 3 in the mix and when I say I can’t wait, I mean I am already counting down the days. Thank you so much @minotaur_books and @dreamscape_media for the gifted copy. Long Gone is currently out.⁣
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QOTD: Police Procedurals. Yay or nay? Can you name one you like?

Another A++ read from Joanna Schaffhausen. This is the second in the Annalisa Vega series. A local cop is murdered, and Vega is assigned to the case. Vega struggles with other cops after putting members of her own family away for a murder. Now her investigation has her investigating old crimes that might be related.

This is a Detective Annalisa Vega series. Because of things that happened in the first book (I won't share any info as not to spoil the story), she's definitely not a favorite of some other police officers and this makes for a tough environment for Vega. This story is full of suspense and drama. Great character development, especially as we continue to get to know Vega and her inner circle better. This is a great series and I highly recommend!!

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.

I have read and enjoyed many of Joanna Schaffhausen's novels, including book 1 of the Annalisa Vega series. This novel can easily be read as a stand-alone.

Annalisa has made enemies both in her professional police life and within her family in her pursuit of justice. In this book, she is teamed up with her ex-husband to investigate the murder of Leo Hammond, part of the Fantastic Four, a group of Chicago detectives who were famous for breaking high-interest cases.

The author does an excellent job of portraying Annalisa as a real person - both in her professional and private life. I look forward to reading more of Joanna Schaffhausen's excellent books.

Thank you @minotaur_books and @netgalley for the gifted eARC of LONG GONE.

LONG GONE picks up several months after the events of GONE FOR GOOD. Detective Annalisa Vega is left reeling from her life being shattered and being left completely alone. Neither her coworkers on the Chicago Police force nor her family want anything to do with her. When a fellow officer is murdered in his own bed, Annalisa is called to the scene to investigate. Annalisa takes increasing risks as she pursues her main suspect, risks that could end with her paying for her life.

As with GFG, I was immediately sucked into LONG GONE. It’s a quick read and a solid police procedural. My heart ached for Annalisa as she grappled with the reality of her life after GFG. And while I wouldn’t have made some of the decisions she did or taken the risks she did, they felt inline with her character.

I really hope that Joanna Schaffhausen continues this series because I would love some more Annalisa Vega and Nick Carrelli.

LONG GONE is out now!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4905837176
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/ChXetnKrRYN/

Detective Annalisa Vega has shattered her relationship with her family and her reputation with the law enforcement community. She turned in her ex-cop father for playing a role in a murder. When detective Leo Hammond is found dead in a bizarre murder, Annalisa throws herself into the investigation to uncover the secrets hidden behind the thin blue line. When Annalisa discovers a connection, no one believes her. But Detective Vega will risk it all to uncover the truth.
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𝐓𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇𝐓𝐒: This is the second book in the Detective Annalisa Vega series! I read Gone for Good last year and absolutely loved it. And this one was no different for me! Annalisa is such a strong and well-developed character. She’s full of determination and will follow her gut even when everyone else says she’s wrong. I loved love loved the banter between her and her ex-husband, fellow detective Nick Carelli. They made such a good team and kept things interesting! I highly recommend reading the books in order so you get more out of the characters and their backstories. Thank you to Joanna Schaffhausen, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for my gifted E-ARC!

Long Gone is a perfect follow up to the premier book of the series. Annalisa is trying to navigate her fractured world after turning in her own family for a murder years ago. Both family and fellow officers look at her with suspicion and mistrust. When she gets too involved in a new crime and, again, connects it to an old crime. Anna struggles to choose the right actions and sometimes makes some seriously head-scratching decisions. Where would the plot be if she didn't. I would recommend reading the first book first. There is some review, but not enough. I had to return to the notes and review I wrote of Gone for Good to remind myself. If you do, you will enjoy this book much more. It is a true sequel.

I always enjoy a good thriller/mystery by Joanna Schaffhausen. She keeps me turning the pages and making guesses until all is revealed. Her books have been among my very favorite of all time and this one is right there at the top. I already look forward to more of this series.

Annalisa Vega has already been through a lot as a cop. As a daughter, sister and ex-wife. If you read the first in this series, Gone For Good, then you know what I'm talking about. Can she move forward and do her job like the professional she is? She's certainly had a lot on her plate when this latest murder is thrown her way. And it's a cop. A cop married to a much younger, unharmed, woman. Vega has a lot to do to solve this one and with it another, older murder, falls into her sights and of course she can't pass it by without checking things out. It's just who she is.

Nick is Vega's ex-husband but Colin is the one who got away. The one who should have been her forever. Things didn't work out after Colin's mother was murdered and he was sent away to live with relatives. They lost track of each other. When Vega solved the case on that murder it didn't help her and Colin. I personally love Nick best. I think he is more sincere and truly wants to be with Vega. Yes he did some crappy things. Cheating on her. But he is so sorry and truly loves her. In her heart of hearts she loves him too. You can just feel it between them. They work great together and should, in my opinion, be together. Have a family. Of course I am not writing this story but that is my humble opinion.

This book keeps you turning the pages. Keeps you guessing and rooting for certain people. I didn't really like the young kid married to the old cop but she was still one I rooted for. I didn't want her to be killed. Just get her on out of town where she can maybe learn from her mistakes. She wasn't unlikable, just a bit selfish and childish. When her husband, Leo Hammond, is fatally shot she swears it was by a frogman. Of course they think she's a bit nutty and silly. Maybe even involved since there is no sign of forced entry.

Back in the day there were four cops who stuck together no matter what. They did everything together and covered for each other no matter what. Did this have anything to do with Leo's murder? Or was it just a random act. Or maybe a past criminal he made mad. Maybe his ex-wife or one of his children? I guessed a few of them but was way off. It was quite the shock when it did hit me who it had to be. Good job to this author. She stumped me on both murders.

This is another very well written book. Full of characters you will either love or hate. Some are very likable and some are detestable... The scenes make you feel like you are actually there. Whether tense of not you feel it all. An edge of your seat thriller/mystery to keep you up turning the pages until the very, in my opinion, sweet ending. Yes I loved the ending very much. It even brought a few tears to my eyes.

I look forward to the next installment of Detective Annalisa Vega. Or I hope there will be another. She's on tough detective. I need to know how things turn out for her, her bother, Nick, Sassy and even maybe Colin.
Thank you #NetGalley, #StMartinsPress #JoannaSchaffhausen for this ARC. This is my own true thoughts about this book.

5/5 big huge stars. I highly recommend it. It can be read as a standalone but trust me you don't need to miss all the action in the first one. It makes this one even better.

Long Gone has been my favorite book that I have read in the last few months. Detective Annalisa Vega is such a well-written character that I quickly connected with her trials. The mystery was wonderfully intricate, and I enjoyed untangling all the various threads. I will be buying the author's backlog, and I rate Long Gone 5/5 stars.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of Long Gone by Joanna Schaffhausen. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing an ARC to review.

After recently reading the first book in this series, Gone for Good, I was excited to have the second installment available so quickly.
I sympathize with Annalisa as she faces backlash over holding her family accountable in the name of the law. Her commitment to uphold the law is what makes her a good police officer, but it doesn’t come without judgement about her loyalty. As a reader, I was rooting for her and I am curious to see how further books in this story line will turn it.

Though the previous book was released a year ago, in book years, that is a long time, and I wished Joanna Schaffhausen had done a better job in refreshing the reader's memory. There are bits and pieces sprinkled throughout, but it would have been easier to give a paragraph review and then add reminders along the way.

As for the plot, it was at a mediocre pace that I thought was never going to end, and by the midway point, I was losing track of the members of the “fantastic four” and everyone else thrown in as a diversion. Annalisa Vega, as a detective, is not impressing me and I find her to be a bit on the repetitious and one-dimensional side.

Will I continue with the series? Probably not. I enjoyed the Ellery Hathaway series and had hoped Annalisa Vega would spark the same interest, but that did not happen.

Best Vega since Vincent…

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

⏰ 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫: Chicago detective Annalisa Vega is back! The black sheep of the family (and the force) for turning her own father and brother in, Vega is called in to work the murder of fellow officer Leo Hammond. Could Vega kick any more hornets’ nests? And at what cost will Vega finally find the truth?

💡𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: I am officially fan-girling Vega! (At just the right time when in my personal life I’m in a “let me get lost in a book” mode). Badass female protagonist with relatable vulnerability? Sign me up for the next 10 books! Vega is a female Harry Bosch (Michael Connelly character) in that everyone matters or no one matters - and that includes her own family. Love her strength of character but also the softness behind the shield.

Seeing the aftermath of Book 1 was unsettling (and necessary) to comprehend the whole family dynamic of the novel. Vega shines as the star - she’s tops at her job, takes calculated risks, maintains her wits and manages a personal life. Love the realness!

The story itself on this one was a bit of process of elimination and not as blind-siding as book 1, but the pacing and further character development of Vega make this a top pick of the summer for me!

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

📚𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Mystery/Police Procedural

😍𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: Those who read the first book and enjoyed it (highly recommend reading the first before this!)

🙅‍♀️ 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨: Long Gone is a gritty factor of 7/10 so probably not for the cozy mystery crowd

Thank you to the author, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for my advanced copy in exchange for my always-honest review and for allowing Vega back into my world for a few days (she needs to return!!)

BOOK REVIEW: Long Gone by Joanna Schaffhausen
Series: Detective Annalisa Vega | Book 2
2022 Publication Date: August 9

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

T.I.M.E. Best Books By Genre | Thriller
T.I.M.E. Most Anticipated Books Of 2022

CONNECT WITH A BOOK | T.I.M.E. SIMPLE LIVING TIP
If you find yourself asking, is it really all that bad?... Remember small evils vaccinate you against the big ones...

T.I.M.E. BOOK REVIEW: Joanna Schaffhausen's first book in the Annalisa Vega series, Gone For Good, swept me off my feet as one of the best thriller books I have ever read. Absolutely heart-pounding and heart-stopping thriller! With an ending that left me both satisfied and addicted for more...

So, you can imagine how excited I was to move on to Book 2!

Long Gone hooked me from the beginning and — in true Schaffhausen form — made it difficult for me to stay focused on my work schedule or anything else in favor of reading from morning to night.

Book 2 delivers more humor as well... The banter between Annalisa and her cop partner, Nick (also her ex-husband... yep, I am not kidding!) sparkles with a Katherine Hepburn / Spencer Tracy vibe.

Oh my goodness, am I aging myself too much here?! Even if I am, if you are too young to know who I am talking about, treat yourself to a Hepburn/Tracy movie marathon to experience some of the snappiest dialogue and "on again / off again" chemistry you will ever see on the screen.

OK... Back to the book...

In Book 1... We experience a deep dive into the complexities of first love wrestling with family loyalty via a past/present/future lens.

In Book 2... We keep that recipe and add in the pitfalls of obsessive love. Yes... This is more than your average thriller, folks.

As a final note to my "boys"... Nick, I love you... And you are definitely evolving into a good egg (at least for now)... But I can't help myself. I am Team Colin all the way.

Keep the magic coming, Joanna... I can't wait for Book 3!

Perfect for readers who enjoy the Endeavor (PBS Masterpiece Series)... Including that delicious element of an ongoing "will they / won't they" Joan Thursday / Endeavor Morse storyline...

While I was waiting for Book 2 in this series... Thank goodness the author also released another book in the interim, Last Seen Alive from her Ellery Hathaway Mystery Series | Book 5. Yes... Another T.I.M.E. Favorite Book To Read!.. And another Joanna Schaffhausen series to fill in my TBR Stack too!... ✨😎✨

Pages: 304
Genre: Thriller
Sub-Genre: Detective Thriller
Time Period: Present Day
Location: Chicago, Illinois

IF YOU LIKE THIS BOOK THEN TRY…
Book: Gone For Good by Joanna Schaffhausen (Detective Annalisa Vega | Book 1)
TV: Mare Of Easttown

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Detective Annalisa Vega is still reeling from the fallout of turning in her father, a now ex-cop, when she's assigned to investigate the murder of another officer, Leo Hammond, who has been killed in a bizarre ritualistic murder.

Annalisa soon discovers that he was hiding secrets. And they are piling up in both his professional and his personal life.

Annalisa focuses on someone who had good reason to want Hammond dead, Moe Bocks. Someone who had already potentially gotten away with murder once and the number one suspect in her mind as to prevent Hammond from taking another crack at him.

With time running out, Annalisa must catch the killer before he strikes again. But as she gets closer to the truth, she discovers that this case is more personal than she ever could have imagined. And she may be the next target.

Long Gone is a suspenseful thriller that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. With twists and turns at every turn, Joanna Schaffhausen has crafted a page-turner that is sure to keep readers up all night.

BOOK CLUB DISCUSSION:
The importance of family, both blood and chosen.
The dangers of obsession, both in love and work.
The power of secrets, both in the past and present.

BOOK QUOTE:
"The small evils vaccinate you against the big ones." - Long Gone by Joanna Schaffhausen

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All my book reviews can be seen at This Is My Everybody | Simple Living | Denise Wilbanks at thisismyeverybody.com/blog/what-book-should-i-read

♡ Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I voluntarily chose to review it and the opinions contained within are my own.

Annalisa Vega is back. This is the second book I’ve read staring this detective and I loved it. Anna Lisa works multiple cases at one time and is not afraid to fight for herself. She gets in a lot of trouble in this book and is put in desk duty but she does not slow down.

I enjoy the writing style of the book. It is action packed and easily keeps you reading. This book is part of a series and I recognized some things from the prior book but it’s explained well so I would not be lost if this was the first book I read. Highly recommend if you like police procedural books.

Annalise is a tough, gritty detective who unfortunately is a pariah among the others in her department. She has tuned in her brother for murder and her father, also a cop, for hiding the truth. Working a cold case leads to another cold case that leads to even more consequences for Annalise. This is the second book featuring Detective Annalise Vega and author, Joanna Schauffhausen has a proven winner in this series. Murders, red herrings and surprising motives all lead to another great book. Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books for and early copy. The review and comments are my honest opinion.

I really loved book one and that made me a little nervous for book two. But much to my delight, it too was good. The author does a good job of weaving an old cold case forward into the present. Book two deals with the fallout from Annalisa’s choices in book one and continues her inner battle to deal with her choices at work and with her family.

What I really like in this series is the characters are flawed which makes them real. They are complex and you root for the best for Anna. I was guessing through much of the book and I love when that happens.

This one never stalled and like the first one, it relies on a solid plot with a few surprises and misdirections. I have absolutely nothing in common with Anna, but I really connected with her and her struggle to pick up the pieces after her choices.

This is a great police procedural that reminds of books before suspense and thrillers relied on the big twist. I can’t wait to see what happens in book three and how her personal life rebounds.

4.75 stars
Long gone is the second book in the Detective Annalisa Vega crime fiction series by Joanna Schaffhausen. It is an utterly captivating mystery with a new crime to solve and an ongoing, overarching story that is both interesting and surprisingly moving.

Long Gone is twisty, layered and quite complex, which makes it feel plausible and intelligent; traits I prefer in my crime fiction novels. I also really like the main character, Annalisa Vega. She is a strong, hard-working, good-hearted, but fallible woman of integrity. She has conviction, but also questions and struggles, making her inspirational, but also relatable.

This plot incorporates a few mysteries, both past and present, that all weave together nicely, featuring a feared foursome of notorious cops of questionable character. One of the crimes in particular hits too close to home since Sassy, Annalisa’s former sister-in-law and best friend is dating a former murder suspect. A suspect who has not entirely been cleared and who’s name is on the radar once again.

Long Gone is an engaging story and I especially loved the conclusion to this story, not only the reveal, but also the lesson that Annalisa learns through various circumstances. It is such a realistic, honest, insightful message that makes the story all the more impactful, especially with the various family and relationship angles. I also loved the title tie-in to the plot. It fit in more ways than one and was quite clever. I’m definitely a fan of Joanna Schaffhausen’s stories and particularly this series. Her books are automatic buys for me!

A nice follow-up to the first book in the series
After having turned in her father and brother in the first book Annalisa is dealing with the results. Not feeling welcome in her parents’ home. Her sister-in-law, previous best friend is at odds with her, and the already strained relationship takes a turn for the worse when Annalisa finds out that she is dating a previous accused murderer.
If her problems within the family aren’t enough dealing with her coworkers hasn’t improved. Having corrupt cops in this group makes life even more difficult.
The story takes a lot of twists and turns, you might guess some of the outcome but not all