Review of GONE FOR GOOD by Joanna Schaffhausen (New Release)

4 Stars 

This is the first in a new detective series featuring homicide detective Annalisa Vega of the Chicago Police Department.

The Lovelorn Killer murdered seven women and then disappeared until Grace Harper, a grocery store manager and member of an amateur sleuth group, starts investigating the case.  She believes she has discovered something crucial when she is murdered in the killer’s signature style.  Annalisa is put on the case which is very personal to her because the Lovelorn Killer’s last victim 20 years earlier was Katie Duffy, a neighbour, family friend, and mother of Colin, Annalisa’s first love.  Annalisa and her partner and ex-husband, Nick Carelli, try to track down the killer who makes it known that Annalisa is his next target.

Interspersed with the police investigation are entries from Grace’s journal (“Grace Notes”) which detail her thinking process, discussions with other members of the Grave Diggers group, and the steps she takes as she tries to identify the Lovelorn Killer.  Not only do these entries provide clues to the reader, they also serve to create suspense:  will Annalisa and Nick realize in time what Grace ascertained? 

Because this is the first book in a series, there is considerable focus on describing Annalisa’s background and developing her personality.  We learn about her three older brothers and her parents; especially relevant is the fact that her father was a police officer who was involved in the investigation of Katie Duffy’s murder.  Annalisa is a likeable character; she is intelligent, brave, and determined, but she is not flawless. 

Though attention is paid to creating a multi-layered protagonist, there is an intriguing plot with considerable action and suspense.  The pace is quite fast once Annalisa and Nick begin the hunt.  I appreciated that there are lots of clues.  Though they are subtle, they are there, so the author plays fair by not withholding information.  And there are some red herrings and twists to keep the reader guessing.  Once Colin arrives, there is a bit of a love triangle involving him, Annalisa and Nick, but it is not overdramatized and so does not distract too much from the mystery.

Though this is very much a character and plot novel, there is some thematic development.  Through at least four characters, the book examines the effects of trauma.  Also, the importance of a stable family in a child’s upbringing is implied more than once.  Though generally serious, the book does have some touches of humour:  “Family lore said Great Grandpapa Vega had once worked alongside Herman Melville, but Annalisa suspected this was just a fish story.”

This novel has an interesting plot, with action and suspense, and strong characterization.  It is a mixture of police procedural and family drama, with a smidgen of romance.  I will certainly read the next installment in the series. 

Note:  I received an eARC from the publisher via NetGalley.