I've always loved Joanna Schaffhausen's books. The story is full of actions and at a fast pace. I think Annalisa's character is you either hate or love her. She has a strong gut and is excellent at being a detective. However, she does get hung up on things in the past that annoys the crap out of me. Things such as that should hinder her ability as a detective, and yet it doesn't. Another great read.

Thank you to Martin's Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley for letting me read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed the first Annalisa story (Gone for Good) and was excited to join up with her to solve crimes again. Vega is a Chicago detective and strong female lead. Stubborn and driven to a fault, Annalisa is a black sheep in the family and the office for turning in her ex-police father in the past.

In this story, Annalisa works with her ex husband Nick to determine who killed Detective Leo Hammond. As always, she is more than comfortable working outside professional lines and is not willing to drop the case until it is solved. If you love a police procedural, love your characters complicated and realistic and of course like a good stron female lead, then Long Gone is for you! (You can read as a stand alone or in conjunction with book #1)
#StMartins #netgalley #Netgalleyreads

Loved this book. Annalisa is a cop who committed the unforgivable sin--she turned in a policeman who was involved in covering up a murder. Worst of all, that policeman was her father. As a result there is a rift in her family, and she is shunned by her co-workers, When another policeman is murdered she suspects he was also involved in corruption and is obsessed by the need to prove it. There is also a bit of tension between her and her ex husband, who is also on the force, but he is the only one who has her back in her investigation of the murder of the well thought of Inspector Hammond. A good read. I received an ARC, but was in no way pressured to write a good review.

The author did a great job in the second book in the series with a wickedly solid plot. Annalisa runs up against the old boy network of cops as she tries to find the person responsible for murder. Secrets are meant to stay hidden and suddenly Annalisa finds herself enthralled in the crosshair of those who wants that secret to remain as it is. This was a complex and suspenseful drama that had me deeply engaged in all aspects from the initial investigation to the struggles with her ex-husband, her family, and her co-workers, making this a riveting ride that I did not want to get off. Annalisa is a strong character whose flaws and vulnerability puts her in dangerous situation, which adds to the intensity of the story being told. Overall, this was an excellent read and I can’t wait to see what awaits Annalisa in the next book in this terrific series.

Solid mystery. Not a series I was familiar with. I'd read more, but I'm not rushing off to Amazon to buy other stories in the series....

Loving this series!

4.25 stars

Long Gone is a procedural/mystery about a killer targeting a group of cops connected to a cold case from over 20 years ago.

This is book #2 in the Detective Annalisa Vega series, and it is just as good as book #1. It can be read as a standalone, and while not a lot of time is spent rehashing the events of book #1, I think there is enough information for the reader to pick up on regarding Annalisa’s past to figure out the events of the present.

Told entirely from Anna’s perspective, I was immersed from the start. She is a strong, well-developed character. Some additional layers are added to her character in this installment, including her self-righteous confidence and her vulnerable side. Her overconfidence leads her into some compromising situations, which had me frustrated. Complicating manners is her relationship with her ex-husband, now partner, Nick Carrelli. I enjoyed their banter and how the two played off of each other. It will be interesting to see how their relationship plays out in the future.

Both mysteries are compelling. I got caught up in solving both and guessed the murder(s) correctly, but not until I hit the 75-80% mark.

What I like most about this book is Schauffhausen’s writing. She creates characters who are vivid, multilayered, flawed, and compelling. She doesn’t rely on over-the-top twists and turns as her plots are developed, intricate, and subtle. She also weaves in tension, suspense, and a lot of action. I am exctied to see what she has in store for Annalisa in book #3.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book in the series about Annalisa, a strong risk taking cop with guts and integrity, taking on the case of bad cops. Last time her family was included in the bad cops she had to expose, now it is a group of 4 cops. Her family relationships, her relationship with her ex husband/current partner and a lost love are also explored. These are characters we come to care about, cases that are confusing to solve and she is just the cop to do it. 4.5

This author knows how to write well rounded character, multilayered stories. A cop with troubled family relationship, an ex husband for a partner and unsupported by part of the police dept works two cases, a current one and a cold case.

Detective Annalisa Vega is still living with the aftermath of her turning in her father and brother for a unsolved murder, which won her no points with the rest of her police colleagues. Distanced from her family, except for the ex-wife of her imprisoned brother, Sassy, Vega gives all she has to the job. Paired with her ex-husband, the two are a great detective team, but they also have a sexual draw to one another. After cheating on her during the marriage, Nick seems to have turned a new leaf and is dedicated to Annalisa as perhaps more than her partner. Risking her life and her job, she sets out to solved a cold case murder while investigating the death of a retired cop. Annalisa has a knack for finding police corruption and danger. It's a great mystery, and we are left wondering what is next for her and Nick.

I really enjoyed “Long Gone” where you find out what happens to Detective Annalisa Vega in this follow-up to “Gone for Good”. While I liked the mystery more in book one of the series, this installment was less gruesome and did keep my attention with some good red herrings and twists. I feel like this could work as a stand-alone as well if someone started with “Long Gone”. I look forward to seeing what happens to Annalisa next - I really enjoy the world that Schaffhausen has created in Chicago with these characters.

This book did not capture me as strongly as the first book in the series did. I found the suspects in the years ago case confusing and couldn't keep track of who was who as we moved into the modern day setting.

This is my third novel by author, Joanna Schaffhausen.
I liked " Every Waking Hour" and Loved "Gone for Good]" Book #1 in the Detective Annalisa Vega series.
In fact, I wrote in my comments ~ it was my favorite “nice surprise” 2021 read!

In the first book in this series, we know that Annalisa is a gifted police officer and the daughter of an ex police office. Only Annalisa is known more for being the daughter who turned in her father for his role in a murder.
In this story Police Officer Leo Hammond is shot, while his wife is hiding in the bathroom. She calls 911 and when police officers arrive she states a “frogman” killed her husband.
Annalisa and Nick Carelli her partner (and ex-husband) are called to investigate.
Annalisa immediately starts to figure out who would want Leo dead, and find a growing list ~ including ex-wife Maura and perhaps present wife Kayla!

There is a lot going on in this story, Ms. Schaffhausen does a super job of pulling it all together. In her ‘Acknowledgements’ in addition to thanking her support staff, she states that this is her seventh book! I look forward to her eighth!

Want to thank NetGalley and Saint Martin’s Press ~ Minotaur Books for this Uncorrected Digital Galley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for my honest opinion.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for August 9, 2022

I don't think there are any books I get more excited about than a new Joanna Schaffhausen. This is the second in the Annalisa Vega series. When a local cop is murdered, Vega gets the case and in her typical fashion, digs and digs into the case as well as an old cold case. This was really good, and I will impatiently wait the next book from one of my favorite authors. Four stars.

“I have a problem at work… I don’t have a partner.” “What happened to the old one?” “Long gone. I can’t blame him, I’m not the easiest person to work with.”
This is the second novel in the Detective Annalisa Vega series which I was lucky to receive from NetGalley in return for an honest review. I loved the first novel and this one picked right back up and sucked me right back into her story. Vega strives to seek the truth, at the risk of losing her family, co-workers and friends trust and faith in her. She is paired with her ex husband Nick to investigate the murder of a fellow officer and once again goes rogue to solve the mystery and capture the killer. This was an exciting read that kept me guessing. I love the chemistry between Annalisa and Nick and am looking forward to the next novel in this series.









https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4683515365

My thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books, as well as to NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Long Gone.

Chicago detective Annalisa Vega shattered her life, personally and professionally, in the first book. Long Gone finds Annalisa dealing with the fall-out from the events that end the first book in the series. (I recommend reading Gone for Good first.) I've read both books in the series and have enjoyed them both!

When a police officer is found dead in his bed, Annalisa zeroes in on someone who had good reason to want Leo Hammond dead. Annalisa is intelligent, she's tough, and she has a knack for determining who the bad guys are. I like the relationship Annalisa shares with her ex-husband, who happens to be her partner, Nick.

Great series! I'm looking forward to reading #3!!

#GoneForGood, #JoannaSchaffhausen, #NetGalley

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Annalisa Vega, a Chicago detective, returns as the lead protagonist in Long Gone by Joanna Schaffhausen with a new twist in this thrilling book about good cops, bad cops, dead cops, dysfunctional families, and a cold case needing attention. The author does a brilliant job of writing about detectives investigating other cops and especially what goes into a detective's investigation of an older unsolved murder and a current murder case. Annalisa Vega is a well-written female detective, and I like that she’s tough as nails and not intimidated by men. Still, she also harbors a romantic attachment to her detective ex-husband with benefits. It’s a well-written story with a surprising twist that's exciting and shocking. I can’t say too much because it will be giving away the whodunit, but I liked the story, and I think this author is always going to deliver. I look forward to the next book that features this female detective. Bravo! (Pub Date: Aug 2022) #LongGone #AnnalisaVega #murder #chicago #cops #badcops #detectives #corruption @joannaschaffhausen #emotions #dysfunctionalfamily #netgalley @netgalley #JoannaSchaffhausen #minotaurbooks @minotaur_books
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I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you to NetGalley, and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read this book. Pub Date: August 2022.

#bookaddict #booksofinstagram #bookstagram #bookstagramer #bookshelf #booksbooksbooks #readersofinstagram #reader #booklove #bookreader #bookish #bookblogger #bookinfluencer

The plot of this book was well-organized and intriguing from the start! I loved all of the mini-plots that ultimately connected to the large plot and it was interesting figuring out how all the pieces fit together. I really liked how the author was able to write an organized mystery from the start of the book without giving out too much information and allowing the reader to put it together with Detective Vega.

One criticism is that the characters were a bit difficult to keep track of at times. There were so many characters (albeit needed for the storyline) however some of them had similar names which made it slightly confusing to distinguish them from one another.

I had not read the prequel before I read this book, but it didn’t effect my reading of this book. I really liked that; it wasn’t difficult to understand the plot and characters without prior knowledge. However, I will be reading the first book in this series immediately because there were a few things about the Vega family that were revealed in the first book and I would love to read another book in this series.

I loved the dynamic between Vega and Carelli; I think Carelli adds some much needed humour to a murder mystery and unlike most side characters, he was not shallow and played an important role to the plot. Vega was a well-written and driven character but I would love to learn more about what she is like outside of the job. I enjoyed seeing her small character development from the start to the end.

I am excited for the rest of the world to get their hands on this book— it was a well written, well organized mystery with enjoyable characters— and once I started reading, I couldn’t stop.


Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed reading and reviewing this book.

The second in the Detective Annalisa Vega series is equally as engrossing as the first, and this series is a worthy follow-on to the author's outstanding 5-book Ellery Hathaway mystery series.

Annalisa is a fascinating character--tough, troubled, and relentless in pursuing justice for crime victims while often putting herself in jeopardy. Ostracized by her fellow officers for turning in both her brother and her ex-cop father on a murder charge, she can count on only her ex-husband, also a cop, and on her commander for support. Her current case involves the murder of a detective who, with his three detective buddies, has built a reputation for going outside of the law to corral perpetrators and pursue their own personal gains. And then there's the cold case murder that Annalisa is determined to crack, focusing on finding evidence against a suspect who has never been indicted. In this book, we also gain more details on the case that put her brother in jail and her father in house arrest.

The plot is convoluted and the action exciting. I enjoyed reading about Annalisa's family and friends, as well as the relationship of Annalisa and her ex, and look forward to learning how it will develop (or not) in upcoming series entries. Future books cannot come quickly enough!

My thanks to NetGalley and St.Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

This was a really good book, the second in a series featuring Annalisa Vega, a Chicago detective called to investigate the murder of a policeman, one she knew but had not worked with. Leo Hammond, the murdered policeman, was one of four policemen that could seemingly solve crimes at the drop of a hat, though along with their high success rate came a high rate of the city being sued for damages to property or for wrongful death that has cost the city mega bucks. Leo's wife, Kayla, is suspect in the killing, she was there when Leo was shot and her story about what happened is full of holes. As Annalisa and her partner (her ex husband with benefits) investigate, the find out that Leo had been involved in a cold case where a woman had been killed, the case captures Annalisa's attention and her strong sense of Justice when she finds out the prime suspect, Moe Bocks, is still around and currently dating her sister in law. Annalisa becomes convinced that he's guilty and spends a lot of time investigating him rather than the Leo Hammond case, this causes her trouble when Moe complains. This does not stop Annalisa from investigating on the sly. Annalisa is a very determined investigator though her jumping to conclusions and not thinking things through almost cost her her life. A very good story that I would recommend, although this is the second in the series, I think you would be able to read it as a stand alone. Thank you to #Netgalley and #Minotaur for the ARC.

Stop right now if you haven't read the first book in the Annalisa Vega series, Gone For Good. Long Gone cannot help but spoil what happens in the first book. If you haven't already, don't even read the description for this book until you finish the first one! Having said that I think that this book was even better mostly because I already knew a lot about the main character and her police partner a/k/a her ex-husband Nick.
Annalisa and Nick are called to the scene of a murder. One of their own, longtime detective Leo Hammond is dead in his bed. Oddly enough his younger wife is unharmed, and it seems like this will be an easy case to solve. But looks can be deceiving and there is much more going on here.
Annalisa is pretty much ostracized by her fellow cops because of a decision she made in the last book. But she is gutsy, determined, and kind of a lone wolf which gets her into trouble often, and she starts delving into the background of this distinguished and very dead cop. It seems that the Fantastic Four, a nickname Leo earned along with his three very close police partners and friends may not be the upstanding cops everyone believes they are. Twists and turns that reach into the past and Annalisa’s strained relationship with her family made this an engaging page-turner. I really feel for her plight, and I hope that I see her again.