Long Gone

Schaffhausen is the Queen of mystery! I was once again immediately drawn into this second installment of the Annalisa Vega series, Long Gone, and fully swept away by the suspense and drama.

Synopsis: 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.

What appealed to you the most in this story?

I love how Schaffhausen writes her characters! They are fully fleshed out, have complex personalities, and motivations. I really liked Annalisa, and how real her character is. She has her issues and baggage, but I love being able to root for her through all of it. She's one tough and smart woman, and she’s not afraid to do the right thing regardless of personal consequences.

I also love how Schaffhausen can weave together one heck of a mystery. Each time I go into one of her books I’m always on the lookout for the red herrings and all the clues, so I can maybe, finally solve the mystery myself…or at least flesh out a twist or two…She got me this time…like really got me!

Can this be read as a standalone?

Although the mystery in this book can stand alone, you'll miss a lot of the emotional impact and side storylines if you don't read Gone for Good first.

How was the pace?

The pace of the book was steady, but I could not put this one down and flew through the story in no time.

Do you recommend this book?

This is another fabulous read and I will do my best to patiently wait for book three. If you are a fan of police procedural mysteries or mysteries in general, this is a series and book I highly recommend.

Thank you, Minotaur Books, for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest revew.