Joanna Schaffhausen

Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley

Ellery Hathaway, now a detective with the Boston police department, is the sole survivor of serial killer Francis Michael Coben’s horrific abduction/torture/murder spree. And, despite having survived her gruesome ordeal, the ongoing struggle to define herself in some way other than as part of Coben’s legacy has led her to walk away from her relationship with FBI profiler Reed Markham, the man who rescued her from the closet in which Coben had show more imprisoned her.

Coben, responsible for the torture and murder of at least sixteen young women, and imprisoned on death row for the last seventeen years, claims he is sorry for his actions. He claims he wants to make amends. And so, in the name of justice for the families of the missing, the heretofore-unrepentant killer has finally offered to reveal their resting places.

He has only one condition: he wants Reed to arrange a meeting between himself and Ellery.

After countless specials, movies, and books, the media remains hungry for anything Coben-related and news crews stand ready to follow every moment of this latest development, especially as the families of the missing urge Coben’s one survivor to do whatever it takes to get the answers they so desperately seek. Reporter Kate Hunter, the host of television’s “On the Hunt” is no exception . . . and she’s determined to get her story.

Reed, however, is hesitant; Ellery, the only living person to have seen the monster that Coben hides from the rest of the world, does not believe he has changed, does not believe his insistence that he has reformed or that he has any desire to atone for his actions. But, as unexpected elements come into play, Ellery considers a meeting . . . even though every fiber of her being resists the idea.

And then comes the discovery of a body bearing Coben’s distinctive signature . . . .

Although fifth in the Ellery Hathaway series, this book offers readers sufficient background information and so works well as a standalone. As with the previous outings, the creepy undertone remains, keeping the tension building and the suspense at a crescendo. Ellery, as readers of the series will expect, remains conflicted as she struggles to keep all that Coben has done to her from defining the person she is today.

And, while Ellery wrestles with the past, Reed’s struggles are, in their own way, just as conflicted as he seeks a way to protect the woman he has come to care for, searching for a way for her to see him as someone other than the man who rescued her from her closet imprisonment before her captor murdered her. Happily, Speed Bump, the lovable basset hound, shows up and continues to worm his way right into readers’ hearts.

As with previous stories, “Last Seen Alive” is part mystery, part character study. The conflicting emotions, the pain, the reality all play a part in the telling of the intriguing tale. Readers are sure to find themselves rooting for Ellery and Reed to find a way to escape the all-too-real consequences of the abomination that is Francis Michael Coben.

The compelling, suspenseful narrative keeps readers on the edge of their seats as the unfolding story draws them deeper and deeper into Coben’s frightening world and threatens to claim Ellery once again. There’s a constant sense of foreboding as unforeseen developments and surprising twists take the story in unexpected directions.

The search for justice here is compelling while the telling of this tale is, at times, both brutal and heart-wrenching. The pace is relentless, the action, non-stop . . . and readers are sure to find the book impossible to set aside.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley
#LastSeenAlive #NetGalley show less

In "Gone for Good," Joanna Schaffhausen introduces Chicago-based detective Annalisa Vega. Approximately twenty years earlier, an unidentified individual known as the "Lovelorn Killer" had stalked, tortured, and murdered seven women, using a complex system of ropes and knots to tie up and asphyxiate his victims. Then the murders abruptly stopped, but after two decades, it is possible that the psychopath is still alive and has struck again. The latest to die is Grace Harper, a member of the show more Grave Diggers, a band of amateur sleuths. Grace had been looking into the case of the Lovelorn Killer, and she had a promising theory that, she hoped, would enable her to identify the villain and bring him to justice.

Anna takes over the investigation and, much to her chagrin, her ex-husband, Detective Nick Carelli, shows up out of the blue and is assigned to work with her. This is awkward, since Anna's short-lived marriage to Nick did not end well, and she has no desire to reminisce about their ill-fated union. Anna and Nick do their best to put their personal differences aside, and they proceed to interview witnesses and follow up leads. Complicating matters further is the reappearance of Colin Duffy, Anna's former boyfriend, and the son of one of the Lovelorn Killer's victims.

Annalisa Vega is a daring, determined, and fearless heroine. She and Nick banter a great deal (it is obvious that they still care about one another), and Anna has an emotional reunion with her first love, Colin. The multi-faceted plot touches on long-hidden family secrets, and various red herrings point to possible suspects. After we finally discover the perp's identity, there is another horrifying twist that presents Anna with a painful ethical dilemma. "Gone for Good" is fast-paced, atmospheric, and suspenseful; the dialogue ranges from darkly humorous to chilling; and there are intriguing romantic angles that will likely be developed in the sequel. Joanna Schaffhausen has written a tense, engrossing, and complex thriller that will appeal to fans of psychological suspense. show less

Annalisa has been called in to a case she never wanted. Sam Tran, an ex cop, has been found hanging from a tree with an ominous message around his neck. Annalisa soon discovers that her own brother, Vinny, hired Sam to find a stalker. The stalker is after Annalisa’s niece. Needless to say, Annalisa is not happy being out of the loop.

This is part of a series. I have not read the others and it is not necessary. But because this book was very good, I am definitely going to go back and get the show more others.

This was very close to a five star read for me. I loved the intricacies and all of the twist and turns. I really enjoyed Annalisa. She is intelligent and tough. Now, her niece, Quinn, is just not my favorite. But she is young and makes stupid choices. Then there is Annalisa’s brother, Vinny. I think he was my favorite character. He comes on like any father of a teenage daughter. He had me smiling at his antics to keep Quinn close.

The hunt for the killer and stalker is creatively intertwined. I loved how one death of an ex cop lead to the revelation of a murderer from a twenty year murder case.

Need a wonderful thriller…THIS IS IT! Grab your copy today.

I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review. show less

Gone in the Night
Joanna Schaffhausen
Detective Annalisa Vega #5
OUT NOW by Minotaur Books
320 pages

"Gone in the Night" is the fifth book in a series, but you can jump in without missing a beat. I jumped in after only reading book one and easily followed along. Now I’m itching to binge the rest. The story delivers with unexpected, satisfying twists that hit you out of nowhere, just how I like my crime fiction.

Annalisa Vega, formerly a detective with the Chicago Police Department, has traded show more her badge for a Private Investigator license (and prenatal vitamins—she’s about to become a mom). Annalisa and her brother aren’t exactly on speaking terms since she turned him in for murder. Still, he’s reached out from prison with a case he wants her to tackle. A fellow inmate, Joe Green, claims he’s been wrongly convicted of killing a lawyer. Yeah, yeah, they all say they’re innocent, right?

Annalisa is doubtful until she learns the key witness lied at trial. But here’s where it gets juicy. The arresting officer was her husband, Nick. Awkward. Annalisa is suddenly knee-deep in a case where loyalty, justice, and her own marriage are all on the line. Joe has two ex-wives, and one has vanished. Oh, and there are eerie drownings in Lake Michigan.

This book has murder, family drama, marital tension, a possible murderer, and more red herrings than a fish market. If you love mysteries with layered characters, messy moral choices, and a “trust no one” vibe, this one’s for you.

Thanks to the author and Minotaur Books for the #GiftedARC provided via NetGalley. All opinions are my own. show less