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Detective Annalisa Vega #4
All the Way Gone
The fourth installment in the beloved Detective Annalisa Vega series
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 that is 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, which is that 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. The cops, including Annalisa’s husband, think 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.
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 that is 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, which is that 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. The cops, including Annalisa’s husband, think 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.
341 pages, Hardcover
First published August 13, 2024
51 people are currently reading
11542 people want to read
About the author
Joanna Schaffhausen
12 books1,220 followersJoanna 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 295 reviews
August 7, 2024
Where was this book when I was studying psychology in college? I feel like I just left a master class in sociopathy!
In Book #4, Annalisa Vega has left the Chicago PD to start her own PI business and her first case is a doozy. Professor Mara Delaney has hired her to investigate the “star” of her upcoming book The Good Sociopath, which, as the title suggests, posits the question:
Can a sociopath be good?
Her book’s focus is Dr. Craig Canning, a charming neurosurgeon who is as skilled at saving lives as he is at bedding the attractive females he encounters. When a wealthy, pretty neighbor in his building dies under suspicious circumstances, Mara seeks out Annalisa. She wants to be sure before her book is published that Dr. Canning is indeed good and not involved with the young woman’s death that’s been ruled accidental.
Has Annalisa met her match in this book? It’s not her first rodeo with a sociopath. Unlike the action-thriller elements of the previous books, though, this was a little more restrained. It was more of a psychological cat-and-mouse game, where you’re not exactly sure WHO all is playing. There’s a great sense of tension and menace throughout that kept me glued to the pages, but this time Annalisa’s headstrong cop persona has given way to a slightly more vulnerable side as she struggles to find her footing in her new role.
Speaking of her vulnerability, her personal life is also subject to her questionable choices. My jury is out on whether remarrying her ex, Detective Nick Carelli, is one of those. Time will tell. HIs daughter, Cassidy, is as headstrong as Annalisa, and just as prone to getting herself in trouble, which was the other thread of this story. These two may not be related by blood, but Cassidy is taking a page out of Annalisa’s book when it comes to putting herself in danger! I, for one, like her spunk. I also like Nick … (most of the time, when he’s not being a turd.)
I really liked this story. Some aspects of it stretched the limits of plausibility, but I read a book to have fun, and once again Joanna Shaffhausen delivered that. Her characters are complicated and messy - just how I like them. She’s able to write unlikable characters with a subtle humor or nuance that makes them fun to read, which isn’t easy to pull off. I hope I’m not the only one who liked Dr. Canning! What a great character among a solid cast of them.
Despite some nice twists and red herrings, I wasn’t surprised by the culprit reveal. There seemed to be an obvious clue, but I’m wondering if it was meant to be seen? Sometimes an author’s goal isn’t to hide their identity, but instead let the reader figure out the “how” and “why”. I personally loved that! The book ends with some big dangling threads, so I can’t wait for the next book to see where this heads. You can easily read this as a standalone, but I’ll always recommend starting at the beginning so you get the evolution of the characters. It’s worth it!
★★★★ ½
Thanks to Minotaur Books, NetGalley and author Joanna Schaffhausen for this digital ARC to honestly review. It’s due to be published August 13, 2024.
In Book #4, Annalisa Vega has left the Chicago PD to start her own PI business and her first case is a doozy. Professor Mara Delaney has hired her to investigate the “star” of her upcoming book The Good Sociopath, which, as the title suggests, posits the question:
Can a sociopath be good?
Her book’s focus is Dr. Craig Canning, a charming neurosurgeon who is as skilled at saving lives as he is at bedding the attractive females he encounters. When a wealthy, pretty neighbor in his building dies under suspicious circumstances, Mara seeks out Annalisa. She wants to be sure before her book is published that Dr. Canning is indeed good and not involved with the young woman’s death that’s been ruled accidental.
Has Annalisa met her match in this book? It’s not her first rodeo with a sociopath. Unlike the action-thriller elements of the previous books, though, this was a little more restrained. It was more of a psychological cat-and-mouse game, where you’re not exactly sure WHO all is playing. There’s a great sense of tension and menace throughout that kept me glued to the pages, but this time Annalisa’s headstrong cop persona has given way to a slightly more vulnerable side as she struggles to find her footing in her new role.
Speaking of her vulnerability, her personal life is also subject to her questionable choices. My jury is out on whether remarrying her ex, Detective Nick Carelli, is one of those. Time will tell. HIs daughter, Cassidy, is as headstrong as Annalisa, and just as prone to getting herself in trouble, which was the other thread of this story. These two may not be related by blood, but Cassidy is taking a page out of Annalisa’s book when it comes to putting herself in danger! I, for one, like her spunk. I also like Nick … (most of the time, when he’s not being a turd.)
I really liked this story. Some aspects of it stretched the limits of plausibility, but I read a book to have fun, and once again Joanna Shaffhausen delivered that. Her characters are complicated and messy - just how I like them. She’s able to write unlikable characters with a subtle humor or nuance that makes them fun to read, which isn’t easy to pull off. I hope I’m not the only one who liked Dr. Canning! What a great character among a solid cast of them.
Despite some nice twists and red herrings, I wasn’t surprised by the culprit reveal. There seemed to be an obvious clue, but I’m wondering if it was meant to be seen? Sometimes an author’s goal isn’t to hide their identity, but instead let the reader figure out the “how” and “why”. I personally loved that! The book ends with some big dangling threads, so I can’t wait for the next book to see where this heads. You can easily read this as a standalone, but I’ll always recommend starting at the beginning so you get the evolution of the characters. It’s worth it!
★★★★ ½
Thanks to Minotaur Books, NetGalley and author Joanna Schaffhausen for this digital ARC to honestly review. It’s due to be published August 13, 2024.
May 16, 2024
writing: uninspired | plot: ... pardon? | ending: nope
*Flings Kindle out window* no thanks. I hereby renounce my allegiance to #TeamNick. I would also like to formally apologize for comparing the police work in book #3 to Detective Pikachu, when in reality, Pika would never be this terrible at their job.
Watch me struggle through reading this in my vlog
*Flings Kindle out window* no thanks. I hereby renounce my allegiance to #TeamNick. I would also like to formally apologize for comparing the police work in book #3 to Detective Pikachu, when in reality, Pika would never be this terrible at their job.
Watch me struggle through reading this in my vlog
August 11, 2024
A suspicious death, a new job, family drama, and past secrets provide multiple plot layers to Joanna Schaffhausen’s novel
All the Way Gone.
It’s the fourth book in the Detective Annalisa Vega series. Annalisa is still setting up her private investigator office when her first client, Mara Delaney, enters. Mara has written a book that is nearing release. It is focuses on Chicago neurosurgeon Craig Canning, a doctor who has saved hundreds of lives.
When a young woman in Canning’s apartment building falls from her balcony, Mara needs to know if Canning was complicit in her death. She needs answers before the book is published. As always there are multiple suspects as well as the possibility that it was a simple accident. Was it murder or not?
Annalisa has a strong sense of right and wrong, but she is also willing to go into gray areas to find the truth. She’s courageous and has great investigative skills. However, she also takes risky chances and still has trouble communicating with those close to her.
What a disquieting and unsettling prologue! The author’s doctorate in psychology and interest in the brain come to life in the characters in this novel. The book has a solid and deeply involved plot with great character depth. The plot is twisty, with exciting scenes and plenty of drama and action on both the business and personal aspects of the novel. The novel highlights complicated family relationships, friends, deceit, death, terminal illness, manipulative behavior, and much more.
The author is a great storyteller. The tale grabbed my attention with the first chapter and kept be engrossed in the tale throughout the book. A twisty and clever plot with exciting scenes and a desire to find clues to what is really happening captivated me. The insight into the characters’ thoughts, behaviors, and actions towards others blended smoothly with the plot. The ending contained some surprises and wrapped up most things nicely, but I had a couple of lingering questions. My biggest quibble is that I couldn’t really tell that the story mainly takes place in Chicago.
Overall, this was a tense, emotional, and suspenseful novel with an unusual and riveting story arc that kept me engaged throughout. This series is best read in order as this series has spoilers for the earlier books. Those who enjoy mysteries and suspense stories featuring a strong female main character will likely enjoy the series. I can’t wait to see where the author takes the next book in the series.
St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Joanna Schaffhausen provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for August 13, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 3.91 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
When a young woman in Canning’s apartment building falls from her balcony, Mara needs to know if Canning was complicit in her death. She needs answers before the book is published. As always there are multiple suspects as well as the possibility that it was a simple accident. Was it murder or not?
Annalisa has a strong sense of right and wrong, but she is also willing to go into gray areas to find the truth. She’s courageous and has great investigative skills. However, she also takes risky chances and still has trouble communicating with those close to her.
What a disquieting and unsettling prologue! The author’s doctorate in psychology and interest in the brain come to life in the characters in this novel. The book has a solid and deeply involved plot with great character depth. The plot is twisty, with exciting scenes and plenty of drama and action on both the business and personal aspects of the novel. The novel highlights complicated family relationships, friends, deceit, death, terminal illness, manipulative behavior, and much more.
The author is a great storyteller. The tale grabbed my attention with the first chapter and kept be engrossed in the tale throughout the book. A twisty and clever plot with exciting scenes and a desire to find clues to what is really happening captivated me. The insight into the characters’ thoughts, behaviors, and actions towards others blended smoothly with the plot. The ending contained some surprises and wrapped up most things nicely, but I had a couple of lingering questions. My biggest quibble is that I couldn’t really tell that the story mainly takes place in Chicago.
Overall, this was a tense, emotional, and suspenseful novel with an unusual and riveting story arc that kept me engaged throughout. This series is best read in order as this series has spoilers for the earlier books. Those who enjoy mysteries and suspense stories featuring a strong female main character will likely enjoy the series. I can’t wait to see where the author takes the next book in the series.
St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Joanna Schaffhausen provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for August 13, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 3.91 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
August 13, 2024
3.5 stars
In this 4th book in the 'Annalisa Vega' series, the detective investigates a suspicious death. The book works fine as a standalone, though familiarity with the characters is a bonus.
*****
Annalisa Vega and her ex-husband Nick Carelli were detective partners in the Chicago Police Department (CPD) until just lately, when Annalisa left the CPD to open her own private investigation agency.
In their personal lives, Annalisa and Nick have remarried, and become involved in the life of Nick's 16-year-old biological daughter, Cassidy Weaver, who recently showed up in Nick's life.
Annalisa is still setting up her PI office when she gets her first big case. A psychology professor, Dr. Mara Delaney, comes in with a unique problem.
Dr. Delaney has written a book called 'The Good Sociopath' about a Chicago neurosurgeon named Dr. Craig Canning.
Delany contends that Canning's sociopathic personality - with traits like antisocial behavior and lack of empathy and remorse - makes him a good doctor because "it takes a certain kind of nerve to cut into another human being - to crack open their skull and muck around in their blood and brain matter."
'The Good Sociopath' is about to be published but there's a fly in the ointment. A pretty young socialite called Victoria (Vicki) Albright, who lives in Dr. Canning's building, plunged off her balcony and was killed.
Delany fears Canning may have engineered the incident, and if he turns out to be a killer, Delaney's entire project, including the book launch, would be ruined. So Delaney hires Annalisa to look into Vicki's death.
In Annalisa's experience as a cop, sociopaths are violent predators to be eliminated at all costs, so she wouldn't be shocked if Canning was guilty. However Annalisa's husband Nick, who investigated Vicki's demise for the CPD, found the girl's death to be an accident.
Regardless, Annalisa goes full steam ahead, looking for evidence to prove Canning murdered Vicki.
This irritates the neurosurgeon, who fears for his professional reputation, and he counters with pushback and threats.
In the meantime, Annalisa's stepdaughter Cassidy - who's made herself a part-time assistant in Annalisa's PI agency - suggests another case. Cassidy's friend Naomi desperately needs a kidney transplant, and a suitable donor can't be found.
The only possibility might be Naomi's biological mother, Elizabeth Johnson, who deserted the family when Naomi was a small child. Cassidy wants Annalisa to search for Elizabeth, and when Annalisa doesn't move fast enough, Cassidy decides to look for the woman herself.
Annalisa and Cassidy are not related by DNA, but they both have the same tendency to recklessly plunge into dangerous situations. Thus there's plenty of edge-of-your-seat excitement in the book, as well as intriguing twists and turns.
Additional characters add interest to the story, including Vicki's elderly neighbor Ruth - who saw Vicki fall from the balcony;
Mara Delaney's husband Paul - who disapproves of the 'good sociopath' project;
Professor Miles Dupont - who's angry because his book launch was postponed to promote Mara's tome;
Summer Weaver - Cassidy's mother, who's dying of ALS; and more.
I liked the book, my major quibble being that the plot gets over-complicated. Nevertheless, I'd rcommend the novel to readers who enjoy thrillers, especially fans of Annalisa Vega.
Thanks to Netgalley, Joanna Schaffhausen, and Minotaur Books for a copy of the book.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
May 11, 2024
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!
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!
Read
August 13, 2023It's Annalisa #4!
Is there such a thing as a good sociopath? Detective Annalisa Vega is skeptical, but Professor Mara Delaney insists that some sociopaths are beneficial to society. Mara has even written a book, 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 them, should it? But Mara has a more urgent problem, which is that 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, and Mara fears Canning could be responsible. She needs Annalisa to find the truth about Canning before the book comes out, so Annalisa has little time to get some answers.
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. 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.
Is there such a thing as a good sociopath? Detective Annalisa Vega is skeptical, but Professor Mara Delaney insists that some sociopaths are beneficial to society. Mara has even written a book, 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 them, should it? But Mara has a more urgent problem, which is that 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, and Mara fears Canning could be responsible. She needs Annalisa to find the truth about Canning before the book comes out, so Annalisa has little time to get some answers.
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. 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.
July 10, 2024
4.5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Psychopaths and sociopaths and killers - OH MY!
⏰ 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫: Annalisa Vega is BACK (YYYYEEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!) - now starting her PI business and her first client comes in with a perplexing problem. Mara has written a book about “good sociopaths” and how they are beneficial to society. Many are born with this form of mental illness but few actually become murderers. Only problem? The star of her new book might not be so beneficial. In fact, he might be a killer.
💡𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: This whole series is one of my top series in the mystery/police procedure/PI genre and I make zero apologies fangirling with my middle-aged nerdy self. Vega is no damsel in distress (THANK YOU!), she’s smart, she’s fierce, she’s BA personified.
Might be my psych degree (or that’s my excuse) but sociopaths, psychopaths? FASCINATING. Read an article in The Atlantic about this exact issue and it’s just dang captivating. Riveting. Highly recommend this one.
📚𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Mystery/Police Procedural/PI
😍𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨:
- [ ] Allll the mystery loving peeps need to get into this series. Yes, can be read as a stand-alone
🙅♀️ 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨:
- [ ] Those who don’t enjoy strong female leads, or maybe aren’t into the psychological aspects.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for my advanced copy in exchange for my always-honest review and for making me side eye every single person I know.
(I follow back bookish peeps!): IG @ ScrappyMags
Psychopaths and sociopaths and killers - OH MY!
⏰ 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐒𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐲 𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫: Annalisa Vega is BACK (YYYYEEEEEEESSSSSSS!!!) - now starting her PI business and her first client comes in with a perplexing problem. Mara has written a book about “good sociopaths” and how they are beneficial to society. Many are born with this form of mental illness but few actually become murderers. Only problem? The star of her new book might not be so beneficial. In fact, he might be a killer.
💡𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬: This whole series is one of my top series in the mystery/police procedure/PI genre and I make zero apologies fangirling with my middle-aged nerdy self. Vega is no damsel in distress (THANK YOU!), she’s smart, she’s fierce, she’s BA personified.
Might be my psych degree (or that’s my excuse) but sociopaths, psychopaths? FASCINATING. Read an article in The Atlantic about this exact issue and it’s just dang captivating. Riveting. Highly recommend this one.
📚𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Mystery/Police Procedural/PI
😍𝐑𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨:
- [ ] Allll the mystery loving peeps need to get into this series. Yes, can be read as a stand-alone
🙅♀️ 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨:
- [ ] Those who don’t enjoy strong female leads, or maybe aren’t into the psychological aspects.
Thank you to the author, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books for my advanced copy in exchange for my always-honest review and for making me side eye every single person I know.
(I follow back bookish peeps!): IG @ ScrappyMags
August 31, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for access to this title. All opinions expressed are my own
Annalisa Vega is back. A brand new PI business, Annalisa and Nick are newly married and adjusting to being married...again. While looking for a new place to live, the crime-fighting duo juggles life with Nick's teenage daughter, Cassidy who is watching her mother lose her battle with ALS. Annalisa is a little overwhelmed with all the changes and Nick's eager to grow their family. On top of it all, Annalisa finds herself with two new cases- each with interesting suspects.
Once I crack open a Joanna Schaffhausen title, little else matters in the world. I like the twists and turns of her mystery thrillers and her characters just wiggle their way into my heart. I liked the Annalisa and Cassidy relationship. It was Nick that was driving me crazy. I get the guy has guilt for not being aware that he had a daughter for sixteen years but I felt he put a big load on Annalisa. Luckily, she is the woman who has to deal with his moods and not me.
Even if you arrive at this title without reading the other books in the series, All the Way Gone can be treated as a standalone.
Publication Date 13/08/24
Goodreads Review 31/08/24
Annalisa Vega is back. A brand new PI business, Annalisa and Nick are newly married and adjusting to being married...again. While looking for a new place to live, the crime-fighting duo juggles life with Nick's teenage daughter, Cassidy who is watching her mother lose her battle with ALS. Annalisa is a little overwhelmed with all the changes and Nick's eager to grow their family. On top of it all, Annalisa finds herself with two new cases- each with interesting suspects.
Once I crack open a Joanna Schaffhausen title, little else matters in the world. I like the twists and turns of her mystery thrillers and her characters just wiggle their way into my heart. I liked the Annalisa and Cassidy relationship. It was Nick that was driving me crazy. I get the guy has guilt for not being aware that he had a daughter for sixteen years but I felt he put a big load on Annalisa. Luckily, she is the woman who has to deal with his moods and not me.
Even if you arrive at this title without reading the other books in the series, All the Way Gone can be treated as a standalone.
Publication Date 13/08/24
Goodreads Review 31/08/24
April 18, 2024
3⭐️
We're all killers and we're all victims. It just depends on how the chips fall., and how you play the game.
THE PLOT
Is there such thing as a good sociopath? Annalisa Vega is a new PI who's first client, Mara Delaney, insists that some sociopaths are beneficial to society. Mara has written a new book focused on Craig Canning, a neurosurgeon she's convinced is exactly that. A young woman was found dead in Craig's apartment complex and it's up to Annalisa to investigate Craig, per orders of Mara, to see if it was him who was behind it after all before her new book comes out. After being pulled into a chase and catch game with Dr. Canning, Annalisa doesn't know what to believe. However, time is running out, and not everything, or everyone, is how it seems to be.
MY THOUGHTS
This is my first book by this author and I must say, it probably won't be my last! I had a fun time reading this, but it was okay. As someone who reads quite a few thrillers, this didn't really stick out to me as something extraordinary or entirely unique. However, it was really fun to tag along with everyone as the plot goes on. This is told in third person and you follow Annalisa mostly, but you also follow Ruth, a neighbor to Craig and Cassidy, Annalisa's step-daughter. The plot was really easy to follow and it was written very well, so I will give the author that! However, the pacing is very slow and the plot seemed very uneventful for a lot of this book. It felt like not much happened until the very end and I wasn't on the edge of my seat for any of this book. It also sometimes felt like the plot was all over the place at times. Although, it was very interesting to learn more about sociopaths and different psychology topics! This felt more learning based than it was thriller-feeling based and I'm not really sure how to take that personally (take it as you will🙂). The characters had no substance to them so it's hard to judge them accurately. We don't get much of a backstory nor do we get and depth to the characters. Please keep in mind this is technically the 4th book in the Detective Annalisa Vega series and I have not read the others, so I cannot speak on the actual characters and their backstory.
Overall, this was a fun, fast to read thriller, but I don't think it was for me. I had a good time reading it, but it was slow to develop and the action was very little until the last 20%. I would recommend this to those who like slow-paced thrillers with more psychological effects rather than the feeling of being on the edge of your seat or your heart racing from suspense. 🩷
Thank you to Joanna Schaffhausen, St. Martin's Press, and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!! <3
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I took such a long break from ARCs and now I'm back to reading them!!! So excited I have so many good ones (I hope) lined up 🤭
We're all killers and we're all victims. It just depends on how the chips fall., and how you play the game.
THE PLOT
Is there such thing as a good sociopath? Annalisa Vega is a new PI who's first client, Mara Delaney, insists that some sociopaths are beneficial to society. Mara has written a new book focused on Craig Canning, a neurosurgeon she's convinced is exactly that. A young woman was found dead in Craig's apartment complex and it's up to Annalisa to investigate Craig, per orders of Mara, to see if it was him who was behind it after all before her new book comes out. After being pulled into a chase and catch game with Dr. Canning, Annalisa doesn't know what to believe. However, time is running out, and not everything, or everyone, is how it seems to be.
MY THOUGHTS
This is my first book by this author and I must say, it probably won't be my last! I had a fun time reading this, but it was okay. As someone who reads quite a few thrillers, this didn't really stick out to me as something extraordinary or entirely unique. However, it was really fun to tag along with everyone as the plot goes on. This is told in third person and you follow Annalisa mostly, but you also follow Ruth, a neighbor to Craig and Cassidy, Annalisa's step-daughter. The plot was really easy to follow and it was written very well, so I will give the author that! However, the pacing is very slow and the plot seemed very uneventful for a lot of this book. It felt like not much happened until the very end and I wasn't on the edge of my seat for any of this book. It also sometimes felt like the plot was all over the place at times. Although, it was very interesting to learn more about sociopaths and different psychology topics! This felt more learning based than it was thriller-feeling based and I'm not really sure how to take that personally (take it as you will🙂). The characters had no substance to them so it's hard to judge them accurately. We don't get much of a backstory nor do we get and depth to the characters. Please keep in mind this is technically the 4th book in the Detective Annalisa Vega series and I have not read the others, so I cannot speak on the actual characters and their backstory.
Overall, this was a fun, fast to read thriller, but I don't think it was for me. I had a good time reading it, but it was slow to develop and the action was very little until the last 20%. I would recommend this to those who like slow-paced thrillers with more psychological effects rather than the feeling of being on the edge of your seat or your heart racing from suspense. 🩷
Thank you to Joanna Schaffhausen, St. Martin's Press, and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!! <3
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I took such a long break from ARCs and now I'm back to reading them!!! So excited I have so many good ones (I hope) lined up 🤭
April 30, 2024
Annalisa is no longer a police officer; she is now a private investigator. Her first client is a professor who has written a bestselling book about so called good psychopaths, using as her prime example a popular local neurosurgeon. Annalisa is certain that this man killed someone and got away with it, but hasn’t been able to prove it. Her other client is her stepdaughter’s friend who needs a transplant and is looking for her long-absent mother. But is there more to these cases? Is there someone with a longstanding grudge who is working on manipulating everyone involved? And who is the real villain? Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC.
December 19, 2024
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. 4.5 stars
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Minotaur Books in return for an unbiased review. Look for ALL THE WAY GONE on 08/13/2024!
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. 4.5 stars
I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and Minotaur Books in return for an unbiased review. Look for ALL THE WAY GONE on 08/13/2024!
August 6, 2024
In the 4th book in the Annalisa Vega series set in Chicago, Anna has left the Chicago Police after remarrying Nick, a fellow detective, and has opened her own private investigation office. Her first client is Dr. Mara Delaney, a professor who is about to publish a book called 'The Good Sociopath,' which centers around the handsome and charming local neurosurgeon, Dr. Craig Canning. He is being billed as the poster child for 'desirable sociopathy,' the premise of Mara's book. Unfortunately it's possible Canning was involved in the death of a young woman who lived in his apartment building who fell from her 14th floor balcony. The police have closed the case after deciding it was an accidental death but Mara wants to be sure before her book comes out.
An intriguing mystery with a good twist to the plot. The book could possibly be read as a standalone but there's so much going on in Anna's personal life that I'd recommend taking the time to read the series in order.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new mystery via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
An intriguing mystery with a good twist to the plot. The book could possibly be read as a standalone but there's so much going on in Anna's personal life that I'd recommend taking the time to read the series in order.
Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new mystery via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.
April 21, 2024
All the Way Gone opens with the question "Is there any such thing as a good sociopath?" and takes off from there with the mysterious death of a young woman. Former detective Annalisa is now a PI and she quickly discovers that more than one person wanted the young woman dead.
Annalisa's first client, Mara Delaney, insists that some sociopaths are beneficial to society and she has even written a book titled The Good Sociopath, where she explained her findings. The problem? The person in her case study may have had something to do with that young woman's death. No one will buy her book if he's not "good" after all!
The pace was FAST in All the Way Gone and the storyline was filled with murder, a battle of wits, and even a bit of arson thrown into the mix! Not everything was 100% believable, and the plot seemed a wee bit scattered at times, but the ride was so much fun that I didn't care! (And the kitten, Jack, made up for any shortcomings!!)
BIG thanks to both #MinotaurBooks and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of #AllTheWayGone. This book is #4 in the #DetectiveAnnalisaVegaSeries, with the expected publication date of August 13, 2024.
#JoannaSchaffhausen
Annalisa's first client, Mara Delaney, insists that some sociopaths are beneficial to society and she has even written a book titled The Good Sociopath, where she explained her findings. The problem? The person in her case study may have had something to do with that young woman's death. No one will buy her book if he's not "good" after all!
The pace was FAST in All the Way Gone and the storyline was filled with murder, a battle of wits, and even a bit of arson thrown into the mix! Not everything was 100% believable, and the plot seemed a wee bit scattered at times, but the ride was so much fun that I didn't care! (And the kitten, Jack, made up for any shortcomings!!)
BIG thanks to both #MinotaurBooks and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of #AllTheWayGone. This book is #4 in the #DetectiveAnnalisaVegaSeries, with the expected publication date of August 13, 2024.
#JoannaSchaffhausen
March 11, 2024
This is my first book by Joanna Schaffhausen and I really enjoyed the book experience! I found the subject matter and characters interesting, and was a fan of the easy to follow, well paced writing style.
The plot of “all the way gone” starts with the seemingly innocent death of a young woman who falls from her 14th story balcony whilst supposedly hanging wind chimes.
The only problem is she lives in the same building as the well renowned surgeon Dr Canning, who is also to be the star of a soon to be published book about how sociopaths can be good for society. The author Mara has concerns of his involvement in the untimely death, and hires an investigator to ensure he wasn’t involved for the sake of potential book sales.
The chapters go between POV of the author and the private investigator. It seems Dr Canning is a likely candidate for murder, however he isn’t the only individual who could have motive for murder.
This book was a lot of fun and definitely piqued my interest into all things psychology and sociopathy related.
I look forward to more books from this author! Thank you to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the arc.
Publish date; August 13th 2024
The plot of “all the way gone” starts with the seemingly innocent death of a young woman who falls from her 14th story balcony whilst supposedly hanging wind chimes.
The only problem is she lives in the same building as the well renowned surgeon Dr Canning, who is also to be the star of a soon to be published book about how sociopaths can be good for society. The author Mara has concerns of his involvement in the untimely death, and hires an investigator to ensure he wasn’t involved for the sake of potential book sales.
The chapters go between POV of the author and the private investigator. It seems Dr Canning is a likely candidate for murder, however he isn’t the only individual who could have motive for murder.
This book was a lot of fun and definitely piqued my interest into all things psychology and sociopathy related.
I look forward to more books from this author! Thank you to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the arc.
Publish date; August 13th 2024
July 18, 2024
All The Way Gone
2.5⭐️
This is 4th in a series, but I read it as a standalone without reading any of the other books. FMC Annalisa has left the police force in Chicago after catching a well known serial killer. She is now starting her own Private Investigator business. Her first client is an author who wrote a book about a sociopath who she is worried may be linked to a recent death of a socialite who fell from a balcony.
I think I really need to pause on PI books. It feels like authors rely on PI characters to act like police but with no rules/ethics, giving more options for storylines. This storyline was interesting after I recently read. “Sociopath: a Memoir” by Patric Gagne. Due to the knowledge I learned about sociopaths through that book, it frustrated me how evil sociopaths were painted in this book. This included the use of sociopath and psychopath interchangeably. The first half of the book used “sociopath” and the second half of the book used a mixture of psychopath and sociopath. And how do sociopaths make up 1-4% of the population yet almost every character in this book fits the bill? 🤔
All major plot points wrapped up nicely. While parts of the book were enjoyable and there were well thought out twists, I found myself frustrated with some of the details.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for this ARC. This review will be shared on NetGalley, Goodreads, and Amazon.
Pub Date Aug 13 2024
2.5⭐️
This is 4th in a series, but I read it as a standalone without reading any of the other books. FMC Annalisa has left the police force in Chicago after catching a well known serial killer. She is now starting her own Private Investigator business. Her first client is an author who wrote a book about a sociopath who she is worried may be linked to a recent death of a socialite who fell from a balcony.
I think I really need to pause on PI books. It feels like authors rely on PI characters to act like police but with no rules/ethics, giving more options for storylines. This storyline was interesting after I recently read. “Sociopath: a Memoir” by Patric Gagne. Due to the knowledge I learned about sociopaths through that book, it frustrated me how evil sociopaths were painted in this book. This included the use of sociopath and psychopath interchangeably. The first half of the book used “sociopath” and the second half of the book used a mixture of psychopath and sociopath. And how do sociopaths make up 1-4% of the population yet almost every character in this book fits the bill? 🤔
All major plot points wrapped up nicely. While parts of the book were enjoyable and there were well thought out twists, I found myself frustrated with some of the details.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for this ARC. This review will be shared on NetGalley, Goodreads, and Amazon.
Pub Date Aug 13 2024
February 24, 2024
I’ve read all of Joanna Schaffhausen’s books and I’m more and more impressed every time. Not only is her writing highly engaging, she writes with intelligence, creativity and sophistication that make her unlike any other author I’ve read. Her latest Annalisa Vega book exemplifies this. There are several intertwined stories that come together in the most startling way. I was completely engrossed in the story and shocked by the multiple twists. Fans both new and old will devour this series.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, Minotaur Books and Joanna Schaffhausen for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, Minotaur Books and Joanna Schaffhausen for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
December 15, 2024
Yes, I was a little disappointed with this book but then it got SO good!!!
August 15, 2024
Annalisa is back, but she is no longer on the police force.
She hung her own shingle out as a private investigator.
She didn't have to wait too long for a client.
Mara arrived asking Annalisa to check into the death of young woman who fell from her balcony. She thinks Craig Canning, a famous neurosurgeon, pushed her.
Mara and Craig have other connections too. Mara has written a book about sociopaths and centered it around Craig.
Annalisa gets another client as well.
Her husband's daughter has a friend who needs to find her mother. Her mother is bad news.
Dr. Canning is also bad news especially when he threatens Annilissa and her livelihood and Mara about a secret she has.
Another can't-put-down read by Joanna Schaffhausen.
Lots of tension, twists, and surprises that will keep you off track and keep you turning the pages to get to the end.
Fans will be delighted. 5/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
She hung her own shingle out as a private investigator.
She didn't have to wait too long for a client.
Mara arrived asking Annalisa to check into the death of young woman who fell from her balcony. She thinks Craig Canning, a famous neurosurgeon, pushed her.
Mara and Craig have other connections too. Mara has written a book about sociopaths and centered it around Craig.
Annalisa gets another client as well.
Her husband's daughter has a friend who needs to find her mother. Her mother is bad news.
Dr. Canning is also bad news especially when he threatens Annilissa and her livelihood and Mara about a secret she has.
Another can't-put-down read by Joanna Schaffhausen.
Lots of tension, twists, and surprises that will keep you off track and keep you turning the pages to get to the end.
Fans will be delighted. 5/5
Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
July 9, 2024
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Aug. 13, 2024
Annalisa Vega is now an independent private investigator, after leaving the police force, and new wife with a husband and step-daughter. As she tries to make sense of her new life and how it all fits together, her firm gets its first client- author Mara Delaney. Mara has a new book about to be released, centred around Chicago’s finest neurosurgeon, Craig Canning, with the shocking premise- is there such a thing as a good psychopath? Mara knows Craig is a psychopath but she is hopeful Annalisa can prove it because a woman has died in his building through mysterious circumstances and Mara knows that if it turns out Craig is responsible her whole book, and everything she believed, would be for nothing. As Annalisa investigates, Craig catches on to her and soon Anna herself is caught in a deadly cat and mouse game with a known psychopath.
“All the Way Gone” is the fourth Annalisa Vega novel by author Joanna Schaffhausen. This is absolutely one of those novels where reading one or two is really all you need to know to be able to follow along with ease. Schaffhausen does not make it necessary to read all of the novels, or even to read them in order, but as always, I recommend it.
Although Annalisa is the protagonist, Mara also tells her side of the story, which is especially helpful towards the end of the novel. Obviously, I loved the psychopath angle and the thought-provoking premise of whether or not good psychopaths exist. Although “Gone” is a fiction novel in every way, it is fascinating and even informative, as the reader weaves their way through Craig Canning’s twisted mind alongside Annalisa. The ending took me by surprise, and I loved the journey through all the guessing, speculation and shocking twists that led me there.
“Gone” has to be my favourite Vega novel by far, although I will openly admit a bias to all things neuroscience, psychology and especially, psychopathology. However, Schaffhausen is a talented writer and deserves all the credit and “Gone” is an edge-of-your-seat, mind-bending suspense novel of twists and turns, with an unexpected ending that delivers!
Expected publication date: Aug. 13, 2024
Annalisa Vega is now an independent private investigator, after leaving the police force, and new wife with a husband and step-daughter. As she tries to make sense of her new life and how it all fits together, her firm gets its first client- author Mara Delaney. Mara has a new book about to be released, centred around Chicago’s finest neurosurgeon, Craig Canning, with the shocking premise- is there such a thing as a good psychopath? Mara knows Craig is a psychopath but she is hopeful Annalisa can prove it because a woman has died in his building through mysterious circumstances and Mara knows that if it turns out Craig is responsible her whole book, and everything she believed, would be for nothing. As Annalisa investigates, Craig catches on to her and soon Anna herself is caught in a deadly cat and mouse game with a known psychopath.
“All the Way Gone” is the fourth Annalisa Vega novel by author Joanna Schaffhausen. This is absolutely one of those novels where reading one or two is really all you need to know to be able to follow along with ease. Schaffhausen does not make it necessary to read all of the novels, or even to read them in order, but as always, I recommend it.
Although Annalisa is the protagonist, Mara also tells her side of the story, which is especially helpful towards the end of the novel. Obviously, I loved the psychopath angle and the thought-provoking premise of whether or not good psychopaths exist. Although “Gone” is a fiction novel in every way, it is fascinating and even informative, as the reader weaves their way through Craig Canning’s twisted mind alongside Annalisa. The ending took me by surprise, and I loved the journey through all the guessing, speculation and shocking twists that led me there.
“Gone” has to be my favourite Vega novel by far, although I will openly admit a bias to all things neuroscience, psychology and especially, psychopathology. However, Schaffhausen is a talented writer and deserves all the credit and “Gone” is an edge-of-your-seat, mind-bending suspense novel of twists and turns, with an unexpected ending that delivers!
September 13, 2024
You guys. THIS SERIES!!🤯
I swear it just keeps getting better and better! This series has been so consistent, all 4 & 5 star ratings from me.
I am loving the switch up from Detective to Private Investigator for our badass MC, Annalisa Vega. It's interesting to see her on the other side of things, especially when it comes to choosing her cases, or really, her cases choosing her.
I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline and got the ending completely wrong! I was so confident I had it all figured out, even told my husband. His response "I'm going to laugh if you're wrong" ha ha ha! Yep, I was!! An excellent twist!!
News on the street is we are getting a 5th book. I can't wait to see what's next for our PI!!!
My thanks to Minotaur Books for this gifted copy.
I swear it just keeps getting better and better! This series has been so consistent, all 4 & 5 star ratings from me.
I am loving the switch up from Detective to Private Investigator for our badass MC, Annalisa Vega. It's interesting to see her on the other side of things, especially when it comes to choosing her cases, or really, her cases choosing her.
I thoroughly enjoyed the storyline and got the ending completely wrong! I was so confident I had it all figured out, even told my husband. His response "I'm going to laugh if you're wrong" ha ha ha! Yep, I was!! An excellent twist!!
News on the street is we are getting a 5th book. I can't wait to see what's next for our PI!!!
My thanks to Minotaur Books for this gifted copy.
August 11, 2024
Schaffhausen is the Queen of mystery! I was once again immediately drawn into this fourth installment of the Annalisa Vega series, All the Way Gone, and fully swept away by the suspense, mysteries, and drama.
🔎 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆?
I love how Schaffhausen writes her characters! They are fully fleshed out, have complex personalities, and motivations. I really loved Annalisa, and how real her character is along with her growth throughout the series. 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…
📚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 the series.
📖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. 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 book in exchange for my honest opinions.
🔎 𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆?
I love how Schaffhausen writes her characters! They are fully fleshed out, have complex personalities, and motivations. I really loved Annalisa, and how real her character is along with her growth throughout the series. 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…
📚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 the series.
📖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. 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 book in exchange for my honest opinions.
March 12, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this eARC.
I love the Analise Vega series, and this author's writing, and typically a entry will earn 5 stars from me, I am a voracious fan of the series, and I was excited to receive an early release for review.
Vega's on her own now as a PI, which is a departure and a careful dance to navigate (such a huge change to the main character's role). While I found the mystery and misdirection to be top-notch, frankly I do not enjoy her relationship with her ex-husband and ex-partner. He went from being a cheater and a philanderer to become the perfect husband? Yeah, that does NOT happen (only in fiction, but the implausibly of this relationship pulls you from the story). Equally as implausible, is that a courageous strong ex-cop would keep running to her cop husband telling him to "get a search warrant" for on numerous flimsy excuses. Analise is an ex TOP COP, she doesn't need her inefficient cop husband to instruct her on what search warrant requirements are, she is a better investigator than he ever was, and she still is. Ditch the loser.
I would prefer this story MUCH MORE if Anialse left her former cheating husband in the past, and the story was about her continuing as a cop in the force, leave romance to harlequin novels, it is merely distracting and annoying in this series. Why would a strong character with healthy self esteem EVER go back to a cheating spouse? Just not a character I can admire, which is a true pity - as Analise used to be a powerful positive example of a woman who doesn't need anyone to define her. No longer is this the case, she worries about her to approach her husband about issues, and other namby pamby stuff.
Also, when the wrong results are obtained, there is little more than a shoulder shrug of recognition - imagine how major it would be to have police publicly label you a criminal?
Too fallible, top dependent, we needed a freer non-romantic hero of an Analise. I don't know if is the publisher who push the authors to try and check as many boxes as possible (fiction, romance, chime, PI police procedural, general fiction) or if it the author's choice, while I will remain a fan of this series, I would LOVE to read a more independent, confident Analise.
I love the Analise Vega series, and this author's writing, and typically a entry will earn 5 stars from me, I am a voracious fan of the series, and I was excited to receive an early release for review.
Vega's on her own now as a PI, which is a departure and a careful dance to navigate (such a huge change to the main character's role). While I found the mystery and misdirection to be top-notch, frankly I do not enjoy her relationship with her ex-husband and ex-partner. He went from being a cheater and a philanderer to become the perfect husband? Yeah, that does NOT happen (only in fiction, but the implausibly of this relationship pulls you from the story). Equally as implausible, is that a courageous strong ex-cop would keep running to her cop husband telling him to "get a search warrant" for on numerous flimsy excuses. Analise is an ex TOP COP, she doesn't need her inefficient cop husband to instruct her on what search warrant requirements are, she is a better investigator than he ever was, and she still is. Ditch the loser.
I would prefer this story MUCH MORE if Anialse left her former cheating husband in the past, and the story was about her continuing as a cop in the force, leave romance to harlequin novels, it is merely distracting and annoying in this series. Why would a strong character with healthy self esteem EVER go back to a cheating spouse? Just not a character I can admire, which is a true pity - as Analise used to be a powerful positive example of a woman who doesn't need anyone to define her. No longer is this the case, she worries about her to approach her husband about issues, and other namby pamby stuff.
Also, when the wrong results are obtained, there is little more than a shoulder shrug of recognition - imagine how major it would be to have police publicly label you a criminal?
Too fallible, top dependent, we needed a freer non-romantic hero of an Analise. I don't know if is the publisher who push the authors to try and check as many boxes as possible (fiction, romance, chime, PI police procedural, general fiction) or if it the author's choice, while I will remain a fan of this series, I would LOVE to read a more independent, confident Analise.
July 28, 2024
Somewhere between the most recent book in this series - this is the fourth that I've read and enjoyed - Chicago detective Annalisa Vega underwent something of a metamorphosis. She left the department to open her own private detective agency and got hitched - to her ex-husband and still-Chicago PD detective Nick Carelli, who recently learned he has a teenage daughter, Cassidy (putting Annalisa in the hazy world of stepmoms). And amid all that, she seems to have become, for want of a better description, less of a strong, independent character. The career change I can sink my teeth into, but the jury's still out on the remarriage and personality shift.
This story, however, is right up my alley; I'm a student of psychology, so anything that touches on that subject gets my full attention. Here, it doesn't just touch; it smacks it right between the eyes. As Annalisa is looking to kick-start her new P.I. business, in walks Mara Delaney, a potential client. She's authored a book on "good" sociopaths - her term for people who really care nothing for anyone else but nonetheless do good. The focus of the book is local neurosurgeon Dr. Craig Canning, whose expertise saves lives every single day, but his pride lies solely in what he's doing, with zero caring or concern for the lives themselves.
As the about-to-be-published book garners media attention (thus fueling the good doctor's pride in his talents, tragedy strikes in the building in which he lives; a young woman who also lives there falls from her balcony to her death, which at the outset deemed an accident by the police (including Annalisa's husband). Learning of the death and her book subject's proximity to the young woman, though, the author seeks Annalisa's help to be absolutely certain Canning played no role in the death - because if he did, it might negate the book's premise that there's such a thing as a "good" sociopath.
But there's considerable evidence that Canning is innocent; in fact, he's got a virtually airtight alibi and no discernible motive. Besides that, it becomes clear that if the woman was murdered, a couple of other folks have reason to do the deed. Still, Canning almost goes out of his way to be irritating, annoying and self-serving - making him a prime suspect in Annalisa's eyes. But that may be meaningless; after all, isn't that kind of behavior characterstic of all sociopaths?
The investigation takes up quite a bit of Annalisa's time, but she's got another dilemma of sorts on her hands; Nick's newfound daughter Cassidy is dealing with a couple of serious personal issues, and he is trying his best to help her. That puts Annalisa, who can relate to Cassidy on a personal level, square in the middle of an awkward situation - all while she's trying to outsmart someone who's whole life is based on outsmarting everybody else.
Much of the fun for me, at least, was watching Canning's manipulative behavior with everyone around him, including Annalisa, as her determination to prove him guilty (or not) once and for all picks up steam. Along the way are plenty of twists, turns and surprises right up to the end, including one that no doubt will have implications for the next installment. Already looking forward to it! Meantime, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy of this one.
This story, however, is right up my alley; I'm a student of psychology, so anything that touches on that subject gets my full attention. Here, it doesn't just touch; it smacks it right between the eyes. As Annalisa is looking to kick-start her new P.I. business, in walks Mara Delaney, a potential client. She's authored a book on "good" sociopaths - her term for people who really care nothing for anyone else but nonetheless do good. The focus of the book is local neurosurgeon Dr. Craig Canning, whose expertise saves lives every single day, but his pride lies solely in what he's doing, with zero caring or concern for the lives themselves.
As the about-to-be-published book garners media attention (thus fueling the good doctor's pride in his talents, tragedy strikes in the building in which he lives; a young woman who also lives there falls from her balcony to her death, which at the outset deemed an accident by the police (including Annalisa's husband). Learning of the death and her book subject's proximity to the young woman, though, the author seeks Annalisa's help to be absolutely certain Canning played no role in the death - because if he did, it might negate the book's premise that there's such a thing as a "good" sociopath.
But there's considerable evidence that Canning is innocent; in fact, he's got a virtually airtight alibi and no discernible motive. Besides that, it becomes clear that if the woman was murdered, a couple of other folks have reason to do the deed. Still, Canning almost goes out of his way to be irritating, annoying and self-serving - making him a prime suspect in Annalisa's eyes. But that may be meaningless; after all, isn't that kind of behavior characterstic of all sociopaths?
The investigation takes up quite a bit of Annalisa's time, but she's got another dilemma of sorts on her hands; Nick's newfound daughter Cassidy is dealing with a couple of serious personal issues, and he is trying his best to help her. That puts Annalisa, who can relate to Cassidy on a personal level, square in the middle of an awkward situation - all while she's trying to outsmart someone who's whole life is based on outsmarting everybody else.
Much of the fun for me, at least, was watching Canning's manipulative behavior with everyone around him, including Annalisa, as her determination to prove him guilty (or not) once and for all picks up steam. Along the way are plenty of twists, turns and surprises right up to the end, including one that no doubt will have implications for the next installment. Already looking forward to it! Meantime, I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy of this one.
August 27, 2024
The fourth in the Annalisa Verga series. This one did fall just a bit short for me. I wanted more. I thought Annalisa was a bit of a sissy in this book. While she did do typical PI work at times(breaking into apartments, stealing keys... ) it was just a tad out there in places.
Annalisa starts her PI business after being a detective for so long. After solving a huge case she gave it all up to be a PI, wife, and stepmom. I hope she either gets better at the job or goes back to being a detective. I thought she made a better cop myself but this book was still good. It kept me reading and though I did figure out who the real sociopath was it didn't make a huge difference in my wanting to keep reading. Of course I did want to know for sure I was right.
There are a few characters in this book to follow but that was not hard. A doctor who can almost perform miracles. Yes he's that good. He lives in a high rise apartment complex along with the victim and the older woman who saw the girl fall to her death. That would be most traumatic for most people.
Dr. Mara Delaney hired Annalisa to find out if Dr. Craig Canning, a surgeon, killed his neighbor. He had been accused of drugging then raping the young woman. Did he do it. Is he what Dr. Mara calls a "good sociopath?" What is her motive? Maybe making sure nothing interferes with the publishing of the book she has written about Dr. Canning. Proving that some sociopaths are ok. Necessary. But are they? Is he? Mara has some secrets of her own that will be revealed.
Vicki is the first victim in this story. The one that Dr. Delaney thinks Dr. Canning murdered. Did she maybe have other enemies? Or is the Dr really a sociopath.
This book was good but didn't wow me like the first two. It still had some good things going on to keep me reading but I was disappointed in Annalisa's character. She seemed to fall short of her bravado. Considering she brought down the Lovelorn Killer I expected her to be fierce. In some places she was but overall I think she lost some of her spunk. Maybe she should be a cop again. We will see what happens in the next book and I am sure there will be another one.
Thank you #NetGalley, #StMartinsPress for this ARC. This is my thoughts about this book.
3.5 stars from me.
Annalisa starts her PI business after being a detective for so long. After solving a huge case she gave it all up to be a PI, wife, and stepmom. I hope she either gets better at the job or goes back to being a detective. I thought she made a better cop myself but this book was still good. It kept me reading and though I did figure out who the real sociopath was it didn't make a huge difference in my wanting to keep reading. Of course I did want to know for sure I was right.
There are a few characters in this book to follow but that was not hard. A doctor who can almost perform miracles. Yes he's that good. He lives in a high rise apartment complex along with the victim and the older woman who saw the girl fall to her death. That would be most traumatic for most people.
Dr. Mara Delaney hired Annalisa to find out if Dr. Craig Canning, a surgeon, killed his neighbor. He had been accused of drugging then raping the young woman. Did he do it. Is he what Dr. Mara calls a "good sociopath?" What is her motive? Maybe making sure nothing interferes with the publishing of the book she has written about Dr. Canning. Proving that some sociopaths are ok. Necessary. But are they? Is he? Mara has some secrets of her own that will be revealed.
Vicki is the first victim in this story. The one that Dr. Delaney thinks Dr. Canning murdered. Did she maybe have other enemies? Or is the Dr really a sociopath.
This book was good but didn't wow me like the first two. It still had some good things going on to keep me reading but I was disappointed in Annalisa's character. She seemed to fall short of her bravado. Considering she brought down the Lovelorn Killer I expected her to be fierce. In some places she was but overall I think she lost some of her spunk. Maybe she should be a cop again. We will see what happens in the next book and I am sure there will be another one.
Thank you #NetGalley, #StMartinsPress for this ARC. This is my thoughts about this book.
3.5 stars from me.
November 8, 2024
Thank you to Minotaur Books for the digital copy to review.
Annalisa Vega is back! This time she is a PI, and her first case is a doozy. Her first client has written a book on good sociopaths, but the main character might now be not so good and linked to the murder of a young woman. Vega needs to investigate and uncover the truth before the book comes out and it is not proving easy as it seems, given several people potentially wanted this woman dead. Some think it was an accident, and our good sociopath is charming as can be of course.
My goodness I have missed Vega and I really enjoyed this story. It was clever, well done, and kept me doubting myself in how I thought it would end. I really enjoyed this one and note it absolutely can be read as a standalone. However, I definitely recommend this series, Vega is one of my favorite female protagonists who happens to be in one of my favorite series so why would you not read it? Just saying.
Annalisa Vega is back! This time she is a PI, and her first case is a doozy. Her first client has written a book on good sociopaths, but the main character might now be not so good and linked to the murder of a young woman. Vega needs to investigate and uncover the truth before the book comes out and it is not proving easy as it seems, given several people potentially wanted this woman dead. Some think it was an accident, and our good sociopath is charming as can be of course.
My goodness I have missed Vega and I really enjoyed this story. It was clever, well done, and kept me doubting myself in how I thought it would end. I really enjoyed this one and note it absolutely can be read as a standalone. However, I definitely recommend this series, Vega is one of my favorite female protagonists who happens to be in one of my favorite series so why would you not read it? Just saying.
October 15, 2024
This is the fourth book in the Annalisa Vega series, and a very exciting book, indeed. Anna has quit the Chicago P. D. and has opened her own P. I. agency.
Her first case she is hired by an author, Mara Delaney, to find evidence if the subject of her book, Craig Canning, is truly a ‘good sociopath’ or a ‘bad sociopath’. Anna undigs enough info to frighten even herself. As enough information is uncovered you wonder who is telling any truths.
While working this case Anna takes on a second case, Nicks daughter, Cassidy, has a friend, Naomi, who needs a kidney, and the only person who may be a match is the girls missing dead beat mother. Her mother has been out of Naomi’s life since she was three years old, so fifteen years now.
Both cases are exciting from the start, but can Annalisa do her investigating magic and solve them both?
I’ll be waiting patiently for the next book in this series.
Kudos to Joanna for writing an excellent series and keeping it fresh and exciting.
Her first case she is hired by an author, Mara Delaney, to find evidence if the subject of her book, Craig Canning, is truly a ‘good sociopath’ or a ‘bad sociopath’. Anna undigs enough info to frighten even herself. As enough information is uncovered you wonder who is telling any truths.
While working this case Anna takes on a second case, Nicks daughter, Cassidy, has a friend, Naomi, who needs a kidney, and the only person who may be a match is the girls missing dead beat mother. Her mother has been out of Naomi’s life since she was three years old, so fifteen years now.
Both cases are exciting from the start, but can Annalisa do her investigating magic and solve them both?
I’ll be waiting patiently for the next book in this series.
Kudos to Joanna for writing an excellent series and keeping it fresh and exciting.
July 21, 2025
The theme of this book is sociopaths and the twists and turns are mind-boggling.
I am anxiously awaiting book 5!
I am anxiously awaiting book 5!
August 7, 2024
4.5 stars
I have to admit that I love this author’s books so much that I was prepared to really enjoy his book! And I did.
This is book #4 in the Annalisa Vega detective series. This time, though, she is no longer a detective. She has left the force and branched out on her own into private investigation.
Her first client, Professor Mara Delaney, is about to write a book about sociopaths being good. It’s centered around a local doctor, but now she fears that he may not be so good after all.
The twists were abundant in this story! I like how the author interlaced another storyline regarding Annalisa’s stepdaughter into this main one. Once the mystery was solved, I looked back at certain clues throughout and had an “ah-hah” moment.
Another solid installment in this series.
Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I have to admit that I love this author’s books so much that I was prepared to really enjoy his book! And I did.
This is book #4 in the Annalisa Vega detective series. This time, though, she is no longer a detective. She has left the force and branched out on her own into private investigation.
Her first client, Professor Mara Delaney, is about to write a book about sociopaths being good. It’s centered around a local doctor, but now she fears that he may not be so good after all.
The twists were abundant in this story! I like how the author interlaced another storyline regarding Annalisa’s stepdaughter into this main one. Once the mystery was solved, I looked back at certain clues throughout and had an “ah-hah” moment.
Another solid installment in this series.
Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
April 22, 2024
I was lucky enough to win an advance copy through NetGalley.
If you remember from the last novel, our heroine Vega decided to leave the force and start her own investigative agency. We pick up where the last novel left off where Nick and Annalisa decided to re-marry. Nick was caught off guard when a daughter (Cassidy) he never knew he had from a previous one night stand. Nick is trying to make things right with Cassidy. Cassidy wants to become Annalisa’s first employee by volunteering for the front desk job.
Annalisa meanwhile is asked by Mara to investigate a subject prior to her book release. The majority of the book is spent on whether Dr. Canning is capable of murder. While Annalisa is investigating this case Cassidy is off trying to find her girlfriend’s mother who is the only one that can possibly save her girlfriend who needs a new kidney. I do feel like there was no character development between Cassidy and her girlfriend as the book just jump right to their relationship. I’m not sure if this was too satisfy the crowd.
While this book has it moments, what I found I enjoy about Annalisa is that while she is investigating these case the issue that always come up is would she do the right thing even though it won’t be popular or will she do the wrong thing morally if it means she’ll be popular. This book does not bring that subject to the forefront.
I’ve enjoyed all of Annalisa’s book though it was enjoyable I did not think this book was up to par to her previous 3 novels which set up standard. I will continue to read future Annalisa’s book as I’m curious to see what will happen with the cliffhanger in book 4.
This book is set to release on August 13, 2024. Thanks again NetGalley and the publisher for allowing an advance copy for me to review.
If you remember from the last novel, our heroine Vega decided to leave the force and start her own investigative agency. We pick up where the last novel left off where Nick and Annalisa decided to re-marry. Nick was caught off guard when a daughter (Cassidy) he never knew he had from a previous one night stand. Nick is trying to make things right with Cassidy. Cassidy wants to become Annalisa’s first employee by volunteering for the front desk job.
Annalisa meanwhile is asked by Mara to investigate a subject prior to her book release. The majority of the book is spent on whether Dr. Canning is capable of murder. While Annalisa is investigating this case Cassidy is off trying to find her girlfriend’s mother who is the only one that can possibly save her girlfriend who needs a new kidney. I do feel like there was no character development between Cassidy and her girlfriend as the book just jump right to their relationship. I’m not sure if this was too satisfy the crowd.
While this book has it moments, what I found I enjoy about Annalisa is that while she is investigating these case the issue that always come up is would she do the right thing even though it won’t be popular or will she do the wrong thing morally if it means she’ll be popular. This book does not bring that subject to the forefront.
I’ve enjoyed all of Annalisa’s book though it was enjoyable I did not think this book was up to par to her previous 3 novels which set up standard. I will continue to read future Annalisa’s book as I’m curious to see what will happen with the cliffhanger in book 4.
This book is set to release on August 13, 2024. Thanks again NetGalley and the publisher for allowing an advance copy for me to review.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 10, 2024
Thank you to Joanna Schaffhausen, St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley for the eARC of this book. This is my honest review.
"Is there such a thing as a good sociopath?"
This book follows Private Investigator, and former Police Detective Annalisa Vega, who gets hired by Author Mara Delaney, to investigate Doctor Craig Canning, and his possible relation to a death that had been ruled as an accident. Mara states that Doctor Canning is a sociopath, but a good one that is beneficial to society. To explore this, Mara has written a book about Doctor Canning and all of the good things that he has done and focuses on the question. However, Mara is worried that Doctor Canning may have had something to do with the accidental death, and it wasn't actually an accident, and wants Annalisa to find out if he actually had something to do with it, or if it truly was an accident.
Wow this book was a rollercoaster from beginning to end. Once it started, it did not stop until the end. There was so much going on with the investigation, and then a side investigation which turned into a complete cluster, there was never a dull moment. However, I do want to say that although there were constantly things happening, they weren't overly exciting until the last 10% or so when all of the pieces really started to fall into place.
Annalisa was a force to be reckoned with. She was not afraid to get herself into any kind of situation and would run right in without a care. She was very strong willed, and very smart when it comes to figuring things out, and not accepting answers she is given when it doesn't make sense.
Doctor Canning was a well written antagonist, and had so much depth and kept adding new layers to the story with every chapter. The other characters, Paul, Mara, Ruth, Cassidy, were also well written. Although Cassidy did annoy me a bit when she wouldn't listen to anything (even though she was given as little information as possible since she was 16 and an actual child), and the whole situation happened.
I was not a fan of Nick. Keep in mind that I have not read any other books related to Annalisa Vega and Nick, but the book eludes to Annalisa and Nick going through their honeymoon phase, meaning they were recently married. Then it also talks about how they were previously married when he cheated and ended up getting another woman pregnant, resulting in his now 16 year old daughter. Due to this, I can infer that they were married, he cheated, which resulted in a child, him and his wife got divorced, and then she forgave him and they got back together? Is Annalisa supposed to be this amazing former Detective who is super well known and respected for the investigation and arrest of a serial killer? Yet, I don't think it was the best for her self-respect to be that low to where she would forgive and forget. Nick also added very little to the story and annoyed me every time he showed up in a scene. He didn't believe in Annalisa at all and would often discredit or brush off anything she had to say. Yes, he was the cop assigned to the investigation of the "accidental death", but when things started to not make sense with the investigation, you would think he would have cared to actually listen and look into it a bit more. Maybe he is better in other books, but I did not care for him at all in this one.
"Is there such a thing as a good sociopath?"
This book follows Private Investigator, and former Police Detective Annalisa Vega, who gets hired by Author Mara Delaney, to investigate Doctor Craig Canning, and his possible relation to a death that had been ruled as an accident. Mara states that Doctor Canning is a sociopath, but a good one that is beneficial to society. To explore this, Mara has written a book about Doctor Canning and all of the good things that he has done and focuses on the question. However, Mara is worried that Doctor Canning may have had something to do with the accidental death, and it wasn't actually an accident, and wants Annalisa to find out if he actually had something to do with it, or if it truly was an accident.
Wow this book was a rollercoaster from beginning to end. Once it started, it did not stop until the end. There was so much going on with the investigation, and then a side investigation which turned into a complete cluster, there was never a dull moment. However, I do want to say that although there were constantly things happening, they weren't overly exciting until the last 10% or so when all of the pieces really started to fall into place.
Annalisa was a force to be reckoned with. She was not afraid to get herself into any kind of situation and would run right in without a care. She was very strong willed, and very smart when it comes to figuring things out, and not accepting answers she is given when it doesn't make sense.
Doctor Canning was a well written antagonist, and had so much depth and kept adding new layers to the story with every chapter. The other characters, Paul, Mara, Ruth, Cassidy, were also well written. Although Cassidy did annoy me a bit when she wouldn't listen to anything (even though she was given as little information as possible since she was 16 and an actual child), and the whole situation happened.
I was not a fan of Nick. Keep in mind that I have not read any other books related to Annalisa Vega and Nick, but the book eludes to Annalisa and Nick going through their honeymoon phase, meaning they were recently married. Then it also talks about how they were previously married when he cheated and ended up getting another woman pregnant, resulting in his now 16 year old daughter. Due to this, I can infer that they were married, he cheated, which resulted in a child, him and his wife got divorced, and then she forgave him and they got back together? Is Annalisa supposed to be this amazing former Detective who is super well known and respected for the investigation and arrest of a serial killer? Yet, I don't think it was the best for her self-respect to be that low to where she would forgive and forget. Nick also added very little to the story and annoyed me every time he showed up in a scene. He didn't believe in Annalisa at all and would often discredit or brush off anything she had to say. Yes, he was the cop assigned to the investigation of the "accidental death", but when things started to not make sense with the investigation, you would think he would have cared to actually listen and look into it a bit more. Maybe he is better in other books, but I did not care for him at all in this one.
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