This book kept me guessing until the end. Is there a such thing as a good sociopath? That is what Anna is trying to figure out. This is the third book in this series that follows Annalisa Vega. It’s a stand alone mystery and I did not read the previous books. I do feel like I missed a bit not knowing some of the backstory and character relationships but it was fairly easy to figure out. I enjoyed this book a lot. There were some surprising and twists.

I love a good mystery/thriller/whodunit/crime novel, and this checks all the boxes. Annalisa is now a PI picking up her first case, and as expected, nothing is as it seems. Add some family drama, and you've got yourself a great read. I can't wait for the next installment.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review "All The Way Gone", the latest book in the Detective Annalisa Vega series by Joanna Schauffhausen.
At the outset of this, the fourth book in the series, Detective Vega has turned in her shield, become a private citizen, and opened Vista Investigations; she's now a Private Investigator. Also, she has remarried her ex-, Nick Canning, and is navigating the perils of having a surprise, sixteen-year-old step-daughter who's simultaneously coping with the impending loss of her mother and her new family dynamic.
Now, PI Vega is presented with her first and second cases, almost simultaneously.
Annalisa will find that the idea of 'undercover' investigation for someone with her previous high profile leaves a lot to be desired - like anonymity!
Dr. Mara Delaney, the author of an about-to-be published book that posits the existence of a "Good Sociopath" has begun to have doubts about her prime example - a brilliant surgeon who may or may not be a cold-hearted killer (and by extension, not a 'good sociopath').
And Cassidy, Nick's newly found daughter, wants Annalisa to locate her friend's mother, a mother who disappeared many years ago, but might be a match for a badly needed organ donation.
The bulk of the story centres on sociopathy and whether there really are sociopaths who contribute positively, not negatively.
Who is the real sociopath, and can they be stopped? Both cases have twists and turns, surprises and heart-stopping action, and you will certainly be taken on a roller coaster ride to the very end.
Highly recommended. You could read this as a standalone (it works, and there's enough backstory that you won't feel lost).

Such a unique story line and a great read. This one sucks you in from the very first page and keeps you in its grip until the very end. The concept was creative and the characters were developed perfectly for their roles. This was immersive and well written.
Oozes suspense and mystery. A real rollercoaster of a ride with so many twists and turns you have no idea what’s coming for you!

I was so ready for another Annalise Vega book but got done glitchy licensing error messages (what???). So bummed.

This is the fourth in the Detective AnnaLisa Vega series. It can be read as a standalone.

Remarried to Nick, AnnaLisa has left the police department and opened her own private detective agency. Her first client is an author who has written a book that purports that there are some “good" sociopaths who contribute positively to society and she has focused on neurosurgeon Craig Canning. When one of Dr. Canning’s neighbors falls to her death, the author hires AnnaLisa to investigate just to make sure that he truly is “good.”. Oh, but there is so much more to Dr. Canning!

On the home front, Nick has recently discovered a daughter, Cassidy, from an affair he had when he was married to AnnaLisa the first time. Cassidy asks for AnnaLisa’s help in locating the long missing mother of a good friend of hers who needs a kidney transplant.

I have read a few of Schaffhausen’s books and like her writing. This is a fast read, with a lot of mystery surrounding the possibly suspicious death and the glib narcissism of Dr. Canning. Annalisa is an intelligent young woman whose doggedness is her worst enemy. The idea of a “good” sociopath is an interesting concept and gives the reader a lot to think about.

Is there such a thing as a good sociopath? Newly minted private investigator Annalisa Vega is skeptical, but her first client, Mara Delaney, insists that some sociopaths are beneficial to society. Mara has even written a book titled The Good Sociopath centered around Chicago neurosurgeon Craig Canning. Dr. Canning has saved hundreds of lives so it shouldn’t matter that he doesn’t actually care about his patients, should it? But Mara has a more urgent problem, she is now concerned that Canning might not be such a good sociopath after all. A young woman in Canning’s apartment building mysteriously plunged to her death from a balcony, and Mara fears Canning could be responsible. She needs to uncover the truth about Canning before the book comes out, so Annalisa has little time to search for answers. Annalisa quickly discovers that more than one person wanted the young woman dead. Canning insists he didn’t do it. His charming, unflappable demeanor suggests that either he’s telling the truth or Mara is right and he’s cold-hearted to the core. But the cops believe the girl’s death was an accident. The more Annalisa probes, the more she becomes convinced it’s a fiendishly clever murder, one only a brilliant psychopath could pull off. She draws deeper into a battle of wits with Canning, so determined to prove his guilt that she forgets Mara’s most important warning—that sociopaths only care about winning at all costs. When Annalisa finally peels back the layers of deceit to reveal the horrifying truth of the girl’s death, she may be too late to save herself. Lots of twists and turns in this one. Fourth in the series can read as a stand-alone. Highly recommend!

A decent detective thriller with a bit of family drama rolled in.
If you like a story with a lot of twists and turns and maybe a cliffhanger thrown in you might enjoy this one. I haven’t read the previous 3 so I can’t say how much intertwine they are.
But I did enjoy the story. There is alot of psychology thrown in.

Thank you Minotaur Books and Joanna Schaffhausen for the gifted digital ARC!

The Detective Annalisa Vega series does. not. miss! I absolutely loved this one. I'm not even sure I can eloquently point to what it is about Schaffhausen's writing style that I love so much, I just cannot put any of her books down!

I definitely did not see the big twist in this one coming and there was a major plot point at the end that I could have done without, but it does make me curious whether or not the series will continue (I won't spoil any further than that).

All the Way Gone US pub date is August 13!

Excellent and thought provoking. Just the kind of book that is great for class discussions with my older issues. Can there be a good sociopath, does society need them. Is there ever any justification for killing a bad person. Lots for them to think about, all told in a very readable form and mixed in with a mystery

This is a very intriguing mystery with complex characters and moral issues and multi layer cat and mouse game. Annalisa is very human and relatable and part of the book focuses on her family relationships, which rounded out the story. I wasn't as fond of the characterization of Lizzie, that felt a bit weaker than the rest but overall a very intelligent thriller 4.5

Our beloved Detective Annalisa Vega is back, but instead of being a member of the force, she's a Private Investigator now, running her own "firm" and choosing her own cases. It's weird seeing Vega away from the police, but let's be honest, she hasn't had the best experiences with Chicago's finest. Her husband, Nick, is still with the PD, though.

With Vega a PI, we get to see different aspects of her life, especially when she takes on her first client, Mara Delaney, who is writing a book about the good sociopaths can bring to society. She centered her story around Dr. Craig Canning, a local neurosurgeon, but now there's been an incident at Dr. Canning's apartment building and Mara wants Vega to make sure he wasn't involved before the book comes out and her entire theory is publicly debunked.

What follows is a tense tale, where it first appears that not much will happen. But suddenly, we're reading a tightly woven, intense story about a woman pushed (allegedly) over her balcony, the brilliant surgeon and neighbor who may have done it, and the doctor writing a book about him.

As Vega plays cat and mouse with the cunning Canning, he infiltrates all aspects of her life--including Nick, who is investigating the suspicious balcony death and even Cassidy, Nick's newfound teenage daughter. Schaffhausen's strength is how well she magically slots together so many little details about a case. Before you know it, storylines are intertwining before your very eyes. This is a strong mystery: well-done and well plotted with great characters.

Annalisa has always been a favorite of mine, with her refreshing outlook on life and unwavering dedication. In this book, her character is further developed, and we're introduced to new faces like Cassidy. While Cassidy’s character seems a bit plain at the moment, I’m hopeful she will be fleshed out more in future installments.

What makes this story particularly engaging is its focus on sociopaths rather than the typical serial killer trope. The exploration of different types of sociopaths adds a fascinating scientific dimension that kept me hooked. However, I did feel that the attempt to paint Canning as the antagonist was a bit heavy-handed, which kept me second-guessing who the real villain was. Despite that, I enjoyed piecing together the clues and ultimately figuring it out.

Overall, this book is a compelling read for anyone interested in psychological thrillers. The depth of Annalisa’s character and the intriguing premise of sociopathy make it a standout addition to the series.

I would like to express my deep gratitude to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and NetGalley for their generosity in allowing me to read this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Joanna Schaffhausen always writes a story that is complex and satisfying. All the Way Gone is the fourth book in the Detective Annalise Vega series. Annalisa is now a private investigator and has been hired by an author to investigate the subject of her upcoming book release. Having written a book about Dr Craig Canning and how he is a good sociopath, she now is concerned that he may be responsible for the death of a young woman in his apartment building. The police believe that the woman's death was an accident, including her husband. The investigation reveals that there were several people who could have wanted the woman dead. The story is twisty and we dig into the mind of a sociopath and how they interact with people. This is a good investigative thriller and I appreciated all of the complex details.

Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the advanced reader copy.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press, Joanna Schaffhausen and Netgalley.
You know? I love this series. Annalisa Vega is "I think" a fairly gnarly character.
Admittedly, I do believe that I've missed a few books in this series, but the difference between what I last read to this new story? Night and day.
The story in itself was good. But? The men in this particular story? Yeah, they managed to piss me off.
Annalisa is now married to her ex. Again. My Mom and Dad did that. Idjits! He's a bit of a jackass.
Vega is smart as anything. I'd want her on my side!
The Sociopaths? Yep. Nutzo. I've actually known a few. "Haven't we all?" As for bad or good sociopaths? I don't give a fuck. No emotions? I'd never knowingly let a sociopath into my inner circle. Seems that sociopaths are a dime a dozen I'm corporate circles.
Yep. Elon Musk has all the makings of sociopathy.
But, hey! Let's keep that gets freak in government contracts! I wish he would relocate back to his country of origin. Fuckfacemegalis!

Is there such a thing as a good sociopath?
That's the tag line for this Annalisa Vega book. Annalisa has left the force and is out on her own as a private investigator. She is asked to investigate a local heroic surgeon who has been featured in a book about "Good Sociopaths" but happened to live nearby to a woman who recently died or was murdered. When the surgeon catches on to the investigation a battle of wits ensues! .#stmartinspress #allthewaygone

This is the 4th book in a series, and I have not previously read the 3 prior books, therefore my thoughts are based on this book alone.

Apparently, Annalisa was a police officer in the prior books and now she is not, she has opened her own PI firm. Annalisa's first client Mara Delaney who has written a book, The Good Sociopath, insists that some sociopaths are beneficial to society, where she explained her findings. However, the star of this book is Dr. Canning a very good surgeon who people trust who also lives in the same building as a young women who falls to death from the 14th story balcony while supposedly trying to hang windchimes. Mara hires Annalisa to investigate Dr. Canning the author Mara has concerns of his involvement in the untimely death, and hires her to ensure he wasn’t involved for the sake of potential book sales.

It seems Dr. Canning could be involved in the murder but he isn't the only one who would have motive for murder. You also meet Annalisa's husband, Nick's, teenage daughter Cassidy in this book which seems to be a story in itself. Annalisa and Nick try to work on the death of the young girl while also welcoming his daughter into their lives.

The plot seemed to be all the place at times and seemed to be a bit slow paced for me. In my opinion it was more o a learning base about sociopaths and different psychology topics then a thriller. The book didn't have me on the edge waiting to see what happened next.

Thank you to NetGalley, Janna Schaffhausen, Saint Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books for this ARC in exchange for my review.

Publishing Release Date scheduled for August 13, 2024

This was my first book by Joanna Schaffhausen. WOW. I loved every page of this. I look forward to reading more in this series.

Schaffhausen gathers up all the characters, puts them all in one bag and shakes them up until she has crafted a thriller that will leaves the reader with a "WOW WELL DONE" ending. Annalise & Nick are back, finally as a married couple and once again they join up to solve 2 cases. Thanks for the advance read!

Book Title: All the Way Gone
Series: Detective Annalisa Vega #4
Author: Joanna Schaffhausen
Publisher: Saint Martin’s Press- Minotaur Books
Genre: Psychological Thriller aka Sociopath Thriller
Pub Date: August 13, 2024
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pages: 352

Is there such a thing as a ‘Good Sociopath’?
Annalisa Vega, a famous Chicago Detective is now a PI, and has taken over Sam
Tran’s cases. Her first client is Dr. Mara Delaney an Associate Professor of Psychology at a local university who has written “The Good Sociopath’ soon to be released. The subject of her book is Chicago neurosurgeon Dr. Craig Canning whom she describes as a good sociopath. She insists that some sociopaths are beneficial to society. As in the case of Dr. Craig Canning who has saved hundreds of live-does it matter if he has no feelings for them as he is a sociopath.
Mara wants to be assured that Dr. Canning is not responsible for the death of Victoria Albright who fell from her fourteen story balcony and lived in his building.

However the more Annalisa investigates Dr. Canning, the more suspicious she becomes of him and his overly charming yet narcissistic personality.

There are several stories going on – which kept me curious as I was sure they were somehow related.
In addition to Dr., Canning, There is Cassidy Weaver -Annalisa's step-daughter- Nick Carelli's daughter who is becoming more a part of their lives as her mother Summer’s illness progresses. (BTW: Police Detective Carelli and Annalisa’s are once again married yes she divorced the cheating Nick earlier but they back together.)
Cassidy’s best friend Naomi needs a kidney transplant; however, no one is a match. Naomi’s mother Elizabeth left her when she was a toddler and is nowhere to be found. Cassidy figured as a detective’s daughter she must have some skills and sets out to find Naomi’s mother -which is far more dangerous than she thought.
There is Ruth Bernstein an elderly woman who lives in the same building as Craig Canning and was Vickie Albright’s next door neighbor. Ruth’s cat went missing the same night Vicki died;
Last but not least- what’s going on with Mara Delaney and her husband?

This was indeed a WOW read!

This is my seventh novel by Joanna Schaffhausen and my fourth Detective Annalisa Vega.
In " Gone for Good" which was first in this series, we learn that Annalisa is a gifted police officer and the daughter of an ex police officer. Annalisa is well known for being the daughter who turned in her father for his role in a murder.

About the Author: Joanna Schaffhausen - She has a doctorate in psychology, which reflects her long-standing interest in the brain―how it develops and the many ways it can go wrong. Previously, she worked as a scientific editor in the field of drug development. Prior to that, she was an editorial producer for ABC News, writing for programs such as World News Tonight, Good Morning America, and 20/20. She lives in the Boston area with her husband, daughter, and an obstreperous basset hound.

Want to thank NetGalley and Saint Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books for granted me this early eGalley.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for August 13, 2024