Gone for Good by Joanna Schaffhausen is a crime fiction novel and the first book in the author’s new Detective Annalisa Vega series. I have discussed this author’s other series about Ellery Hathaway, but I wanted to give this book its own discussion.
Gone for Good
Detective Annalisa Vega is a cop in Chicago when a cold case from her father’s time resurfaces. A group of amateur cold case sleuths appears to have caught the attention of famed serial killer, the Lovelorn Killer, and has murdered one of its members for getting too close.
Character Stew
Readers of this book blog know I enjoy character-driven fiction, and lately I’ve been on a crime fiction bender. Schaffhausen has given me both of my reader must-haves in this mystery book.
The cast of characters is thick and rich all on their own, but Schaffhausen ratchets up the plot to make the tension simmer. It’s thick in here, y’all, and it’s about to get worse.
The Plot
I’m working my way through this author’s backlist, and I’ve learned that when the mystery wraps up at the 85% mark, Schaffhausen has a twist in store that is going to upend the entirety of the book.
Gone for Good was no exception to this.
I was already in love with these characters, and I spent every possible minute I had devouring the story.
When the case was solved and the characters went on their way, and I thought that’s not the ending.
AND IT WASN’T.
I will absolutely auto-pre-order the next book in this series. Schaffhausen sent a giant bomb right into the middle of Annalisa’s family, and I cannot wait for the psychological, mental, and emotional fall out.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for something more than your basic crime fiction novel that doesn’t rely on gore and cheap tricks to hold your interest, check out Gone for Good. It holds its value long after the last line.
