3.5 stars

In this 4th book in the 'Annalisa Vega' series, the detective investigates a suspicious death. The book works fine as a standalone, though familiarity with the characters is a bonus.

*****

Annalisa Vega and her ex-husband Nick Carelli were detective partners in the Chicago Police Department (CPD) until just lately, when Annalisa left the CPD to open her own private investigation agency. In their personal lives, Annalisa and Nick have remarried, and become involved in the life of Nick's 16-year-old biological daughter, Cassidy Weaver, who recently showed up in Nick's life.

Annalisa is still setting up her PI office when she gets her first big case. A psychology professor, Dr. Mara Delaney, comes in with a unique problem. Dr. Delaney has written a book called 'The Good Sociopath' about a Chicago neurosurgeon named Dr. Craig Canning. Delany contends that Canning's sociopathic personality - with traits like antisocial behavior and lack of empathy and remorse - makes him a good doctor because "it takes a certain kind of nerve to cut into another human being - to crack open their skull and muck around in their blood and brain matter."

'The Good Sociopath' is about to be published but there's a fly in the ointment. A pretty young socialite called Victoria (Vicki) Albright, who lives in Dr. Canning's building, plunged off her balcony and was killed. Delany fears Canning may have engineered the incident, and if he turns out to be a killer, Delaney's entire project, including the book launch, would be ruined. So Delaney hires Annalisa to look into Vicki's death.

In Annalisa's experience as a cop, sociopaths are violent predators to be eliminated at all costs, so she wouldn't be shocked if Canning was guilty. However Annalisa's husband Nick, who investigated Vicki's demise for the CPD, found the girl's death to be an accident. Regardless, Annalisa goes full steam ahead, looking for evidence to prove Canning murdered Vicki. This irritates the neurosurgeon, who fears for his professional reputation, and he counters with pushback and threats.

In the meantime, Annalisa's stepdaughter Cassidy - who's made herself a part-time assistant in Annalisa's PI agency - suggests another case. Cassidy's friend Naomi desperately needs a kidney transplant, and a suitable donor can't be found. The only possibility might be Naomi's biological mother, Elizabeth Johnson, who deserted the family when Naomi was a small child. Cassidy wants Annalisa to search for Elizabeth, and when Annalisa doesn't move fast enough, Cassidy decides to look for the woman herself.

Annalisa and Cassidy are not related by DNA, but they both have the same tendency to recklessly plunge into dangerous situations. Thus there's plenty of edge-of-your-seat excitement in the book, as well as intriguing twists and turns.

Additional characters add interest to the story, including Vicki's elderly neighbor Ruth - who saw Vicki fall from the balcony; Mara Delaney's husband Paul - who disapproves of the 'good sociopath' project; Professor Miles Dupont - who's angry because his book launch was postponed to promote Mara's tome; Summer Weaver - Cassidy's mother, who's dying of ALS; and more.

I liked the book, my major quibble being that the plot gets over-complicated. Nevertheless, I'd rcommend the novel to readers who enjoy thrillers, especially fans of Annalisa Vega.

Thanks to Netgalley, Joanna Schaffhausen, and Minotaur Books for a copy of the book.

I think this series overall deserves more attention than it's gotten, and this latest book is no exception. This is a murder mystery, but had a really creative way of setting it up, and I absolutely could not put it down.
*
Quick synopsis: Vega (now a PI) is hired to investigate the death of a socialite. A psychiatrist is writing a book about "good" sociopaths and is featuring a brain surgeon, but wants to make sure he had no role in the woman's death.
*
This felt odd in the sense that Vega had to prove something *didn't* happen, and was basically investigating a case that had already been closed. I had some suspicions about where it was going to go, and I was completely wrong. The last 50 pages or so are just absolutely full of twists, it was so fun to see it play out.
*
This also had emotional depth and some really touching moments. And it raises some interesting questions on morality and ethics.
*
I was reading 2 other books at the same time, but this was the book I wanted to keep going back to!

I'm going to have to go back and read books 1-3! The only reason this wasn't a 5 star is because I felt like the killer was super obvious. I picked who it was before I was at 50% in the book. Normally, I don't try to figure it out because I just enjoy the ride. However, in this one.....I just couldn't stop wondering why they were doing what they were doing. The back story for it. You do find out which is really nice! I only had one question not get answered but it's not really relevant. Thank you NetGalley and St Martin Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

In the 4th book in the Annalisa Vega series set in Chicago, Anna has left the Chicago Police after remarrying Nick, a fellow detective, and has opened her own private investigation office. Her first client is Dr. Mara Delaney, a professor who is about to publish a book called 'The Good Sociopath,' which centers around the handsome and charming local neurosurgeon, Dr. Craig Canning. He is being billed as the poster child for 'desirable sociopathy,' the premise of Mara's book. Unfortunately it's possible Canning was involved in the death of a young woman who lived in his apartment building who fell from her 14th floor balcony. The police have closed the case after deciding it was an accidental death but Mara wants to be sure before her book comes out.

An intriguing mystery with a good twist to the plot. The book could possibly be read as a standalone but there's so much going on in Anna's personal life that I'd recommend taking the time to read the series in order.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new mystery via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

Can a Sociopath be Good?

3.5 stars

All the Way Gone, the fourth book in the Annalisa Vega series, follows Annalisa in her new role as a private investigator. She is hired to investigate a murder linked to a sociopath poised to become the poster boy for "good" sociopaths. However, Annalisa's findings may challenge this notion and raise complex questions about morality.

Annalisa, who was previously portrayed as sharp, kick-ass, and intelligent, appears to have lost her detective skills. Her behavior might reflect her self-doubt about her career change, but it feels forced as she overlooks obvious clues. This aspect of the novel irked me to no end.

The narrative is primarily driven by Annalisa and her stepdaughter, Cassidy, with occasional chapters from Nick, a professor named Mara, and others. Annalisa's marriage to Nick and her dynamic with Cassidy, who exhibits the skills and drive Annalisa now lacks, add layers to the story. Canning, the "good" sociopath, and Mara, who is writing a book about him, are the most intriguing characters.

Despite an intricate and multilayered plot, the ending felt rushed and lacked impact. The twist was somewhat predictable, and some questions remained unanswered. However, despite its flaws, this book has a lot going for it, and while the characters weren't up to par, I still am still a fan of this series.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars!

Annalisa Vega is new to the world of private investigators and her first client is Mara Delaney, who insists that some sociopaths are beneficial to society. Mara has even written a book about this topic that centres around Dr. Craig Canning, a successful neurosurgeon who has saved countless lives. A young woman in Dr. Canning's apartment building mysteriously plunges to her death from her balcony, leaving Mara worried that Canning could be responsible. Mara wants Annalisa to uncover the truth before Mara's book publishes, leaving Annalisa on a short timeline.

ALL THE WAY GONE is the fourth instalment to the Annalisa Vega series and makes for an excellent addition. I loved seeing Annalisa's character progression from book three to this book, particularly within her new role. I think this new role works well for her in this stage of her life and career but I can see that nostalgia associated as she sees her former colleagues participate in police investigations. That said, it's really cool to see the establishment of a PI firm as a one-woman operation. I enjoyed Annalisa's continued character development as well as the continued development of relationships established in previous novels, such as with Nick and Cassidy. The author does an excellent job at fleshing out her characters in a realistic and compelling way. I'm curious if there will be a fifth book in this series as I'd love to know what's next for these characters given how this book came to a close.

ALL THE WAY GONE features a twisty plot that's fast-paced and complex. I was hooked and fully invested in this story from the get go. I didn't see what was coming but experienced a big lightbulb moment as the author skillfully revealed the pieces to the mystery leading up to the big reveal. I loved the discourse on sociopaths and their benefits to society - not something I'd ever considered before!

Overall, an excellent read!

<i>I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, Minotaur Books, of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions shared are my own.</i>

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Annalisa Vega has remarried her ex-husband Nick, become step mother to his recently found daughter Cassidy, quit her job as a cop and started a PI business. Her first client is Mara, a professor who wrote a book about useful sociopaths and suspects the main subject in her book, a brain surgeon, is actually a murder. Annalisa investigates this case and get into a missing person search for Cassidy's friend's long lost mother.

This was another good read in this series. I was engaged and interested in finding out what was going on and how the stories would come together. I thought it all wrapped up pretty nicely. I like the characters. I will continue to read this series.

.In Book #4, Annalisa Vega has left the Chicago PD to start her own PI business and her first case is a doozy. Professor Mara Delaney has hired her to investigate the star of her upcoming book .The Good Sociopath.

Her book’s focus is Dr. Craig Canning, a charming neurosurgeon who is as skilled at saving lives as he is at bedding the attractive females he encounters. When a wealthy, pretty neighbor of his in his building dies under suspicious circumstances, Mara seeks out Annalisa. She wants to be sure before her book is published that Dr. Canning is indeed "good" and not involved with the young woman’s death that’s been ruled accidental.

Has Annalisa met her match in this book? It’s not her first rodeo with a sociopath. Unlike the action-thriller elements of the previous books, though, this was a little more restrained. It was more of a psychological cat-and-mouse game, where you’re not exactly sure WHO all is playing. There’s a great sense of tension and menace throughout that kept me glued to the pages, but this time Annalisa’s headstrong cop persona has given way to a slightly more vulnerable side as she struggles to find her footing in her new role.

Speaking of her vulnerability, her personal life is also subject to her questionable choices. My jury is out on whether remarrying her ex, Detective Nick Carelli, is one of those. Time will tell. HIs daughter, Cassidy, is as headstrong as Annalisa, and just as prone to getting herself in trouble, which was the other thread of this story. These two may not be related by blood, but Cassidy is taking a page out of Annalisa’s book when it comes to putting herself in danger! I, for one, like her spunk. I also like Nick … (most of the time, when he’s not being a turd.)

I really liked this story. Some aspects of it stretched the limits of plausibility, but I read a book to have fun, and once again Joanna Shaffhausen delivered that. Her characters are complicated and messy - just how I like them. She’s able to write unlikable characters with a subtle humor or nuance that makes them fun to read, which isn’t easy to pull off. I hope I’m not the only one who liked Dr. Canning! What a great character among a solid cast of them.

Despite some nice twists and red herrings, I wasn’t surprised by the culprit reveal. There seemed to be an obvious clue, but I’m wondering if it was meant to be seen? Sometimes an author’s goal isn’t to hide their identity, but instead let the reader figure out the “how” and “why”. I personally loved that! The book ends with some big dangling threads, so I can’t wait for the next book to see where this heads. You can easily read this as a standalone, but I’ll always recommend starting at the beginning so you get the evolution of the characters. It’s worth it!

Genre: Psychological Thriller/Mystery

Synopsis: Detective Annalise Vega is hired by a psychologist to look into whether a known sociopath killed his neighbor.

This is the fourth book in the this female detective series. It can definitely be read as a stand alone. I have read the first three as well and this one was my favorite because it dealt with sociopaths and gave off Freida McFadden vibes. It was suspenseful and twisty while still keeping the detective aspect from the first three books. There is also a mini mystery subplot that involves Vega’s family which I enjoyed as well.

I have enjoyed this series and think it’s super under rated!

Will definitely be reading the next one in the series.

Thank you Minotaur Books for the ARC!

I really enjoyed following new PI Annalisa in this wonderfully twisty mystery, especially as it was combined with a complications in her personal life. Schaffhausen’s storylines wind and weave; is the sociopathic doctor good or a murderer? How will Nick and Annalisa deal with his surprise daughter Cassidy and her dying mother? Can Annalisa find the mother of Cassidy’s friend who desperately needs a kidney match? I was hooked early and surprised at several turns. While this is the fourth of the series enough backstory is included to be an entry point. Highly recommended.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

Annalisa is back and better than ever!

Book no. 4 in the Detective Annalisa Vega series. It helps to have read the previous books, but it would also work as a standalone.

Despite the series’ name, Annalisa Vega is no longer a detective, or even works for the Chicago PD, but when the book opens, she has just started her own PI business, which offers a refreshing new take on her investigative skills. Annalisa‘s first client is a college professor who wrote a book on the theory that there are good sociopaths - but who ultimately has doubts on whether the main subject of her book, a brain surgeon, may not be a murderer after all, and hires Annalisa to look into him.

After the somewhat chaotic installment that was the last book in this series („Dead and Gone“), this book once again focuses on what the series does best: Annalisa, a smart, capable yet fiercely stubborn woman investigating a complex, fascinating case. Sure, she still does everything herself and refuses to let anyone help her, and her communication skills with her ex-turned-partner-turned-husband-again, Nick Cannelli, are still subpar, but at least the PI setting is ideal for her lone wolf approach. Plus, she no longer has a boss, or quite as many rules to follow. I quite like this new setup!

What I didn‘t particularly care for was the story arch involving Annalisa‘s stepdaughter Cassidy, a sixteen-year-old Veronica Mars wannabe. The way Cassidy gets herself in trouble trying to do her own investigation just felt so unoriginal. Even though there was at least a faint connection to the sociopath storyline in the end, it all felt more like a distraction from the very intriguing main investigation.

Other than that, this was a near perfect mystery/suspense. I read the entire book in one sitting, and really liked its twist and turns. In fact, with the exception of Cassidy‘s storyline taking up too much room, this might be my new favorite book in the series.

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

„All the Way Gone“ is slated to be released on August 13, 2024.

Sucks you in from the beginning and doesn't let go! WOW! This is one you won't want to put down. Annalisa is a great character and readers are going to love her even more with this story. The mystery is full of suspense and keeps you guessing. Just when i thought I had it figured out it takes another turn. And that ending. Perfect!

Annalisa Vega, the former Chicago PD Detective, is back. ALL THE WAY GONE opens with Annalisa newly-retired from the police force, with a newly-established private detective agency. Her personal life is complicated, as always. She’s back together with her ex-husband Nick Carelli, who wants children, but Annalisa isn’t sure she’s ready for that. Not least because Nick’s recently-discovered teenage daughter Cassidy is on the scene. And by the way, Cassidy wants to work for Annalisa.
Annalisa’s first client is a psychology professor who has written a very buzzy new book about good sociopaths, claiming that the world benefits from such a person. But she’s hired Annalisa to make sure that the one she has bet her reputation on is actually good. After a woman from Dr. Craig Canning’s apartment building falls to her death in what Nick and his colleagues in the police department ruled an accident, Professor Mara Delaney has her doubts, and so does Annalisa.
Annalisa takes the case, which causes upheaval in her personal life and increasing danger as she gets closer to a killer. ALL THE WAY GONE is the fourth book in the Detective Annalisa Vega series. In this installment, Annalisa is a bit less independent and confident than in other books in the series, which may be the result of her career shift. She’s still smart, determined and capable, nonetheless. And the tension and twists in the plot were spot on.
Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an opportunity to read an advance review copy.

Vega is BACK! I am always thrilled to get my hands on a new Vega book. I immediately dove in and what a ride! This was an interesting plot line and really delves into the minds of sociopaths. Not only was I entertained, I learned a lot! I enjoyed reuniting with the characters. The character development throughout this series has been fantastic and I can’t wait for the next in the series! My thanks to the publisher for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

So glad to be back reading the Detective Annalise Vega series by Author, Joanna Schaffhausen. Annalise has left the police department to become a Private Investigator. Her first client, Mara Delaney, a Professor and Author has written a book indicating that some sociopaths are “good.”Case in point, Neurosurgeon, Dr. Craig Canning. However fearing that Dr. Canning may not be as “good” as depicted in her book, Mara wants Annalise to prove, despite her suspicions, that Dr. Canning is not a “bad” sociopath. The deeper Annalise probes, the more sure she is that Dr. Canning is not what he seems. There are other stories within this main story with the characters being interconnected helping to twist the plot, right down to the surprising final plot twist. I voluntarily reviewed an early copy of this book from Netgalley and St.Martin’s Press Minotaur Books.

Somewhere between the most recent book in this series - this is the fourth that I've read and enjoyed - Chicago detective Annalisa Vega underwent something of a metamorphosis. She left the department to open her own private detective agency and got hitched - to her ex-husband and still-Chicago PD detective Nick Carelli, who recently learned he has a teenage daughter, Cassidy (putting Annalisa in the hazy world of stepmoms). And amid all that, she seems to have become, for want of a better description, less of a strong, independent character. The career change I can sink my teeth into, but the jury's still out on the remarriage and personality shift.

This story, however, is right up my alley; I'm a student of psychology, so anything that touches on that subject gets my full attention. Here, it doesn't just touch; it smacks it right between the eyes. As Annalisa is looking to kick-start her new P.I. business, in walks Mara Delaney, a potential client. She's authored a book on "good" sociopaths - her term for people who really care nothing for anyone else but nonetheless do good. The focus of the book is local neurosurgeon Dr. Craig Canning, whose expertise saves lives every single day, but his pride lies solely in what he's doing, with zero caring or concern for the lives themselves.

As the about-to-be-published book garners media attention (thus fueling the good doctor's pride in his talents, tragedy strikes in the building in which he lives; a young woman who also lives there falls from her balcony to her death, which at the outset deemed an accident by the police (including Annalisa's husband). Learning of the death and her book subject's proximity to the young woman, though, the author seeks Annalisa's help to be absolutely certain Canning played no role in the death - because if he did, it might negate the book's premise that there's such a thing as a "good" sociopath.

But there's considerable evidence that Canning is innocent; in fact, he's got a virtually airtight alibi and no discernible motive. Besides that, it becomes clear that if the woman was murdered, a couple of other folks have reason to do the deed. Still, Canning almost goes out of his way to be irritating, annoying and self-serving - making him a prime suspect in Annalisa's eyes. But that may be meaningless; after all, isn't that kind of behavior characterstic of all sociopaths?

The investigation takes up quite a bit of Annalisa's time, but she's got another dilemma of sorts on her hands; Nick's newfound daughter Cassidy is dealing with a couple of serious personal issues, and he is trying his best to help her. That puts Annalisa, who can relate to Cassidy on a personal level, square in the middle of an awkward situation - all while she's trying to outsmart someone who's whole life is based on outsmarting everybody else.

Much of the fun for me, at least, was watching Canning's manipulative behavior with everyone around him, including Annalisa, as her determination to prove him guilty (or not) once and for all picks up steam. Along the way are plenty of twists, turns and surprises right up to the end, including one that no doubt will have implications for the next installment. Already looking forward to it! Meantime, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy of this one.

This book had me at the edge of my seat. I could not put it down. I was so sucked into it all the way to the last page. I wish it was even longer and really hope there is a follow up.

My thanks to Net Galley and St Martin s Press for allowing me to review this arc.

Is there such a thing as a good sociopath? That's what Mara Delaney wants to hire PI Annaliese Vega for to investigate Dr Craig Canning, who she is doing a book with. Mara thinks he threw Vicki Albright over a balcony sending her to her death. Annaliese is also dealing with her step daughter trying to track down the mother of one of her friends who is in need of a kidney. This all leads to many twists and a good read.

All the Way Gone (Detective Annalisa Vega #4)
by Joanna Schaffhausen

Annalisa has left the police department to open her own private investigation firm. Her first case is a humdinger with Mara Delaney hiring her to investigate the guy on the cover of her upcoming book, The Good Sociopath. The guy is no slouch, he's Chicago neurosurgeon Craig Canning, a man who has save numerous lives and who plans to go on saving lives for as long as he can do so. But because of a recent murder Mara thinks her "good sociopath" Craig, might not be a good sociopath at all, but instead a bad sociopath.

As we delve into the world of sociopaths, I couldn't help seeing them around every corner. As usual in this series, several of the women do some very risky things. Annalisa's step daughter goes off on her own investigation to find the deadbeat mom of a dying friend and she might as well have walked war zone...do all young women learn risky behavior from Annalisa? Mara, a grown professional woman, taunts sky high danger, too...so soon after a woman has died by a fall off a roof. For the most part Annalisa just breaks a lot of laws as part of her new private eye endeavor.

Nick wants a baby badly and he also wants his teenage daughter, who he's only known a year, to live with him and Annalisa. Nick is a very selfish man and I was hoping he'd made inroads to being less selfish but this book shows he's still selfish. Somehow he gets all kinds of passes for his bad behavior, including blaming others for things in the past. I'll never understand Annalisa giving him a second chance.

Yes, yes, I'm venting here. Still, the story was interesting in a sociopathic/psychopathic way. I'm now paranoid about everyone around me or at least about all characters in fiction. There are some very not nice people in this world and I don't just mean Nick.

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

All the Way Gone presents a different challenge for Detective Annalisa Vega she is now a private investigator.

Mara Delaney hires Vega for her first case.

She is the author of a non fiction book about sociopaths that clearly states there are good and evil sociopaths.

How can that be.

When she becomes worried about the subject of her book she hires Dr Craig Channing a local neurosurgeon who is charming but cunning.

Nothing seems to phase Canning and he seems to appear out of nowhere.

Vega is uncertain of him and certainly thinks he is suspect number one for pushing a lady of her balcony.

Twists and turns brings tension as Vega races against the clock and plays cat and mouse with Canning.

Both respect the other but only can win.

Joanna Schaffhausen has cleverly plotted and left a trail of clues for the reader to follow but dont be too sure you know what's happening.

There is always that final twist which I love and appreciate.

I cant wait to see what adventure Vega will get up to next.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for another exciting read in the Detective Annalisa Vega series.