I held off reading Dead and Gone, hoping I'd read the other two first Annalisa Vega novels first, alas that did not happen. However, I will say Dead and Gone can easily be read on it's own without having previous knowledge of the characters. Would it have made things easier? Sure, but Schaffhausen does a great job of providing some of the back story of the characters throughout the book.

I found the story to be engaging with strong turns that kept me turning the pages. I did kind of expect the "whodunnit" aspect, but leading up to it was still really good. I thought the ending was good, and it certainly left it hanging for a fourth in the series.

Overall, a good read.

Thank you Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Annalisa Vega is one of my favorite detectives around.

She’s raw, witty, understanding. She’s a baddie for sure.

Do I remember this particular one? No. I remember I was angry at Annalisa for half of the book.

I do know I gave all AV books 4 stars but this was more 3.5. I do remember reading #4 in the series and thinking, “oh goodie, she’s back” so it’s a good one but not the greatest. Yay ADD

Thank you netgalley for sending this ARC for my review. This one had all kinds of things going on but it was a fun thrilling fast paced ride. Solid 3

DEAD AND GONE was not for me. Though I have loved many books written by Schaffhausen, I wasn't able to get into this one. Unfortunately, I could only get into about 25% of it before I put it down. I will still read books by the author in the future because I am hoping this is just a one-time fluke.

It is one mystery after another in this latest novel following Detective Vega. It’s a great story with a lot more of twists and turns that make this book a page turner and hard to put down.

This is a tension filled series with characters who you will easily root for and storylines that are unforgettable.

Absolutely love Detective Vega. Not only is she a fun and interesting character but she is a great detective as well and I love the way she is brought to life on page. All of the things she deals with in her personal life as well as in her job bring such a unique and interesting story to life.

Annalisa and Nick are called to the scene of a dead body. The body belonging to Sam who is a former police office turned private eye. Annalisa starts to investigate the crime but while doing so gets involved in trying to look into past cases Sam was working out in hopes it might lead them to why Sam was killed. Annalisa is also called to help her niece whose friend has gone missing. With so much going on it’s up to Annalisa to juggle all these cases and try to be a hero once again.

This was the third book of the Annalisa Vega series. I continue to love the relationship that Anna and Nick have and just keep rooting for them to make their relationship work. The book overall was great and has many twists similar to the rest of the series. My only critique is that many there was too much happening and the story lines could have easily been two books instead of one. They didn’t intertwine very well and so it just felt unnecessary. The series is continuing and can’t wait to read them. I would of course recommend reading this one but it’s probably a good idea to read the series in order.

D ead and Gone can be read as a stand-alone book but I suggest starting at the beginning to really appreciate and understand the characters. So far, Dead and Gone was my favorite book in this series. I adore Joanna Schaffhausen’s writing style and the well plotted novels she develops and writes. Her character development is so well executed. Without any hesitation, I highly recommend this book if you enjoy a good mystery with a touch of romance thrown in for good measure.

The apparent murder of ex-cop turned PI Sam Tran starts of having Detective Annalisa Vega's full attention. However, when her niece starts to have struggles at her college, Annalisa now has two cases on her hands. When it came to Sam, Annalisa soon finds out there was a definitely a reason he was killed, but she must unearth secrets that Sam had been hiding. With regard to her niece Quinn, not only is Annalisa concerned about what is going on at the campus, but Quinn's father and Annalisa's older brother Vinnie want to protect his daughter at any cost.

There is a possible tie-in between Sam's murder and the case of stalking that is going on at the college Quinn is attending. More than that, there is a case of twenty years ago that is somehow connected as well.

Annalisa is a strong cop. She has experienced her share of trials. Years before she was married to the officer she is currently assigned with, Nick. The flame never died between Annalisa and Nick, and it was really nice to see how their relationship is much stronger now than when they were married.

This third book in the Detective Annalisa Vega series was a compelling read. I loved the drama, intrigue and twists as the story went on. In August, the fourth book in the series will be available, All the Way Gone. However, it is on my immediate TBR as I just love this series and all of the characters. Annalisa's family has a complicated history, but I loved how close she is to her family despite the troubles they have.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books as well as NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Read this one in day. I really love Annalisa and her resolve. She doesn't waver on her morals, but not in a self-righteous way. Other characters know what they are getting with her, and they admire it, even if it also makes them angry.

The relationship between her and Nick has been fun to watch. It doesn't take away from the main storylines, but has progressed in an understandable, and sweet way.

Sam Tran was a private investigator hired to discover the identify of the person stalking a young woman on a college campus. Then he was found dead, hanging from a tree. A former policeman, this hits his former comrades hard.

Annalisa Vega, a Chicago police detective, was called in with her group to investigate. Was it suicide or murder? Annalisa begins tracing Sam's steps and begins to suspect that this stalking is not new, and is not limited to one person or only to young women. And who was wearing the bear suit on the night of one of the deaths? Once his notes were released to her, she found some chilling information.

I enjoyed reading this immensely. This is the third book in the series, but I don't think it is necessary to read the first two books in order to enjoy and follow this one. My thanks to the publisher St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to voluntarily read and review this book.

Note to publisher: Amazon.ca and Amazon.com both rejected my review, although there was nothing in it to cause offence. I revised it slightly and resubmitted it but that may not make a difference. I'll update here with links to the reviews if it is approved.

The third book in the Annalisa Vega series did not disappoint! This book brings in more of her personal life, and family than just the case. Each chapter followed a different character throughout the case. This made the book move along faster and made it very enjoyable. My favorite character was Quinn, deep down, I think she wants to follow in her aunt's footsteps. Keeping track of the multiple cases seemed difficult at times, but everything is tied together at the end. At times, the original case, the death of a retired officer, seemed like an afterthought, but as everything came together it made more sense.

I can not wait for the next Annalisa Vega book!

I want to thank Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book.

This is the third Annalisa Vega book in the series and the third one I've read and enjoyed. This time detective Vega tries to solve the gruesome murder of ex-cop turned PI Sam Tran. When Vega finds out that her brother Vinny hired Tran to find his daughter's stalker, things start to take a personal turn for Vega. Joanna Schaffhausen does not disappoint in her storytelling, and this one just upped the ante for other thrilling police procedurals out there.

I really wanted to get to this one, as it seemed interesting. This was requested when I first found out about NetGalley and I had requested so many ARCs that I could not get to all of them before they were archived. If I can find this somewhere for a reasonable price, I will try to get it!

For Chicago police detective Annalisa Vega, Sam Tran’s death presents an ominous puzzle. The ex-cop turned PI is found hanging from a cemetery tree with a message across his chest that suggests someone holds a murderous grudge against the police. Annalisa suspects the real answer lies in one of Tran’s open cases. She believes he stumbled on a dark secret during his investigations and someone killed him to keep him quiet. Her own family harbors plenty of secrets, something Annalisa is reminded of when her brother turns out to be one of Sam’s last clients. I love the Annalisa Vega series and this entry is maybe one of the best. Kept me guessing until the end and kept me glued to the book for almost the entire night! If you haven't started this long running series, you must!

This is such a well written series!! It contains multiple mysteries and storylines, however the plot is easy to read and never confusing. I loved all the different characters in it too.

My Fellow Readers. This tremendous psychological suspense story brings you not one Vega. Not two Vega, but four Vega’s to solve this mind blowing case that Annalise has been placed on by special request of her boss. I admit that the story after the first attack had a lot of talk with discussions of Forensics and witnesses. There was one or two shady characters in the beginning that had me saying, AHA! It was him. The story does move fast for you die hard readers. There are some twist in there that had me also saying, say what! Annalise you better take care of Nick and set him straight. You can’t afford for people coming out of the woodwork unannounced. The book is very entertaining. Until next time my fellow readers. Read on! I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Have you read this author? As we head to spooky season, she really knows how to set a dark and creepy tone! If I read her books late at night I’m always creeped out a little.

This one is multilayered with different cases and storylines that the author wraps up and doesn’t leave any of the hanging.

And as invested as I get in the crime solving, I’m also just as invested in Annalisa’s personal life. This series is based on great characters and intriguing cases. And did I mention how much I love this cover??? It’s giving me fall vibes. I’m so ready for some crisp fall weather.

I look forward to her new book every year and I’m already awaiting book four in the series.

Love this series, loved this installment! Annalisa is such a strong, unique, bada** character. I get a kick out of her antics. I enjoyed the character development in this one and a glimpse into the softer side of her. Incorporating her family into this one was a fantastic move on the authors part and I’m even more invested in Vega now. I raced through this one and look forward to the next book in the series.