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A review by tessa_talks_books
Long Gone by Joanna Schaffhausen
5.0
What's it about (in a nutshell):
Long Gone by Joanna Schaffhausen is the second book in the Detective Annalisa Vega series. It is about Annalisa's investigation into the murder of a fellow cop.
Initial Expectations (before beginning the book):
I love the cover with simply an open window and the curtain blowing in the breeze. I don't know what it means for the story, but it is definitely intriguing. The blurb sounds thrilling, with Annalisa investigating a cop killer. The case is mixed up with her family once again. I loved book one in this series, so I am again expecting a thrill ride that I cannot help but love.
Actual Reading Experience:
What sets this series apart for me is the complex family story that is threaded through the police procedural. It plays a prominent role, allowing the characters to come to life in a way I rarely see in the sub-genre. The second book starts where the first book leaves off, and many family issues still need working through. It's always fascinating as the two main threads of the story wrap around each other, part, and then wrap around each other again in a new way.
I also love the banter between Annalisa and her ex-husband/partner, Nick. There is so much wit and chemistry between them. I can definitely see why they tried marriage. It's a shame that it didn't work out but fun that they can still work together regardless.
The mystery was the thrill ride I hoped for and took so many twists and turns. A couple of those twists were absolutely jaw-dropping. I never in a million years would have guessed the conclusion, which was quite poignant, as was the conclusion in the first book of the series. That is another attribute that sets this series apart from the others. The endings are not just a satisfying "justice served" ending, but it pulls at the heartstrings for one reason or another.
Characters:
Annalisa Vega is a detective with the Chicago PD. She lives and works with a strict moral code dictating her choices. Annalisa's mentally and physically tough, as she proves time and time again. So tough that she manages to partner with her ex-husband without letting any baggage get in the way of the job, and that can't be easy.
Narration & Pacing:
The third-person narration focuses primarily on Annalisa, the main character, and the pacing is incredibly fast. Plenty of action throughout keeps the suspense high and the pages flipping. And when someone important to the series becomes a suspect, the tension is ramped up even more.
Setting:
The story is set in Chicago – mainly within the city, but it also ventures a little way out to the suburbs.
What It Reminds Me Of:
It was reminiscent of book one in this series.
To Read or Not to Read:
If you love thrilling procedurals with a compelling and complex family plot line, you will absolutely adore this series by Joanna Schaffhausen. This series should be started with the first book, Gone for Good.
Long Gone by Joanna Schaffhausen is the second book in the Detective Annalisa Vega series. It is about Annalisa's investigation into the murder of a fellow cop.
Initial Expectations (before beginning the book):
I love the cover with simply an open window and the curtain blowing in the breeze. I don't know what it means for the story, but it is definitely intriguing. The blurb sounds thrilling, with Annalisa investigating a cop killer. The case is mixed up with her family once again. I loved book one in this series, so I am again expecting a thrill ride that I cannot help but love.
Actual Reading Experience:
What sets this series apart for me is the complex family story that is threaded through the police procedural. It plays a prominent role, allowing the characters to come to life in a way I rarely see in the sub-genre. The second book starts where the first book leaves off, and many family issues still need working through. It's always fascinating as the two main threads of the story wrap around each other, part, and then wrap around each other again in a new way.
I also love the banter between Annalisa and her ex-husband/partner, Nick. There is so much wit and chemistry between them. I can definitely see why they tried marriage. It's a shame that it didn't work out but fun that they can still work together regardless.
The mystery was the thrill ride I hoped for and took so many twists and turns. A couple of those twists were absolutely jaw-dropping. I never in a million years would have guessed the conclusion, which was quite poignant, as was the conclusion in the first book of the series. That is another attribute that sets this series apart from the others. The endings are not just a satisfying "justice served" ending, but it pulls at the heartstrings for one reason or another.
Characters:
Annalisa Vega is a detective with the Chicago PD. She lives and works with a strict moral code dictating her choices. Annalisa's mentally and physically tough, as she proves time and time again. So tough that she manages to partner with her ex-husband without letting any baggage get in the way of the job, and that can't be easy.
Narration & Pacing:
The third-person narration focuses primarily on Annalisa, the main character, and the pacing is incredibly fast. Plenty of action throughout keeps the suspense high and the pages flipping. And when someone important to the series becomes a suspect, the tension is ramped up even more.
Setting:
The story is set in Chicago – mainly within the city, but it also ventures a little way out to the suburbs.
What It Reminds Me Of:
It was reminiscent of book one in this series.
To Read or Not to Read:
If you love thrilling procedurals with a compelling and complex family plot line, you will absolutely adore this series by Joanna Schaffhausen. This series should be started with the first book, Gone for Good.