Long Gone

A Detective Annalisa Vega

By: Joanna Schaffhausen

ISBN: 9781666580907

Series: Detective Annalisa Vega (2 of #2)

Publisher: Dreamscape Media

Minotaur Books

Narrated by: Kelsey Navarro

Publication Date: 08/09/2022

Format: e-book & Audiobook 🎧

My Rating: 4.5 Stars (ALC/DRC)

AUG 2022 MUST-READ BOOKS LIST

Long Gone, the next installment of Joanna Schaffhausen's critically acclaimed Detective Annalisa Vega series.

Chicago detective Annalisa Vega shattered her life, personally and professionally, when she turned in her ex-cop father for his role in a murder. Her family can’t forgive her. Her fellow officers no longer trust her. So when detective Leo Hammond turns up dead in a bizarre murder, Annalisa thinks she has nothing to lose by investigating whatever secrets he hid behind the thin blue line.

Annalisa quickly zeroes in on someone who had good reason to want Hammond dead: a wealthy, fast-talking car salesman who’d gotten away with murder once and wasn’t about to let Hammond take a second shot. Moe Bocks remains the number one suspect in his girlfriend’s brutal unsolved death, and now he’s got a new woman in his sights―Annalisa’s best friend.

Annalisa is desperate to protect her friend and force Bocks to pay, either for Hammond’s death or his earlier crime. But when no one else believes the connection, she takes increasingly risky chances to reveal the truth. Because both Hammond and Bocks had secrets to die for, and if she doesn’t untangle them soon, Annalisa will be next.

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Praise

"Loads of exciting action, balanced with dramatic personal revelations and some fine nuts-and-bolts police work, keep the pages turning. Readers will look forward to the next outing for the complex, introspective Vega." — Publishers Weekly

"Share this series with readers seeking whodunits with human appeal, like those by Lisa Gardner."

— Booklist

"[Long Gone has] some very good―that is, very wicked―things."

—Kirkus

"If you’re after a thriller that will deliver on the suspense, give you characters to cheer on, and wrap it all up with a thoroughly satisfying conclusion – look no further." —Mystery & Suspense

"Schaffhausen again weaves family dynamics, terrible decisions, and long-festering secrets with love and bitter regret to create a riveting story. The delightfully exasperating main character and cast are a bonus."

— First Clue

My Review

Joanna Schaffhausen returns following Gone for Good with her popular cop procedural and #2 Detective Annalisa Vega series set in Chicago with another gripping suspense mystery—LONG GONE.

Fans of kick-ass female investigators will be well satisfied.

Vega's career and family life were deeply affected when she turned in her ex-cop father for his role in a murder in the last book. She's estranged from her family, and many of her fellow officers don't trust her.

However, she is tenacious and unstoppable and often pushes away those she loves when obsessed with justice.

We also get more Nick—her ex-husband, and her partner. Love their witty banter and am a huge fan!

When a police officer is shot in his bed with his young wife present (the killer was dressed in a wet suit), with numerous suspects —it is the beginning of the unraveling of an earlier incident, exposure of corruption, and more murders.

Nick and Annalisa are called to the scene. Their investigation reveals multiple suspects, including the prime suspect in a 20-year-old murder that resonates with Vega in more ways than one, and she soon finds herself trying to solve both cases.

Leo, the police officer shot, was a member of the (Fantastic Four) four officers known for solving numerous crimes, drug busts, etc., with many complaints and controversy.

Moe (now a suspect-car dealer) and also suspect in an earlier woman's murder, against whom there was not enough evidence to convict—but this leads Annalisa to revisit the case when warned to stay out of it. Her best friend/former sister-in-law is now dating him, so she has skin in the game.

The other cops aren't happy she is digging around in their old cases. Can she solve the cases before more dead bodies pile up?

The second book in the series did not disappoint! You can read it as a standalone; however, you may want to go back and read the first in the series to learn the background.

I enjoy Detective Annalisa Vega's character. She is intelligent, quick on her feet, and takes no crap from anyone. Yes, she is flawed and goes out on her own— without backup and is impulsive sometimes, but she has excellent instincts.

She is involved in complex personal relationships, family secrets, and a romantic relationship with her ex-husband, Nick, and her partner. I like how the author keeps her human, integrating her life's personal and business side.

This series is fast-paced, intricately plotted, and character-driven. Full of tension, action, and suspense. Fans of Lisa Gardner will enjoy this series, and I cannot wait to see what comes next for Detective Annalisa Vega!

I had the pleasure of reading the digital copy and listening to the audiobook narrated by Kelsey Navarro for a highly entertaining listening experience.

A special thank you to #StMartinsPress #Minotaur Books #Netgalley #DreamscapeMedia for an audio (ALC) and e-book (DRC) to read, listen to, enjoy, and review. #SMPInfluencers #MinotaurInfluencers

@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks

Pub Date: Aug 9, 2022

My Rating: 4.5 Stars

Aug 2022 Must-Read Books

About the Author

Photo credit: Joanna Schaffhausen

Joanna Schaffhausen wields a mean scalpel, skills she developed in her years studying neuroscience. 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 named Winston. WEBSITE