Dead and Gone
By Joanna Schaffhausen
Fans of Chicago Police Detective Annalisa Vega will enjoy the third book in Schaffhausen’s series, Dead and Gone.
If you are just meeting Annalisa for the first time, then please carefully put the book down, pick up the first two books in the series – Gone For Good and Long Gone – and read them first. Some book series are standalone books that you don’t have to read in order, but the Vega series isn’t. I’m not trying to punish you; on the contrary, I want you to enjoy an excellent series.
Annalisa is a complicated character, and that’s why the series works. Sure, a detective that breaks the rules and won’t let anyone stand in her way is a common detective series trope. She’s dealing with the same basic situation in each book. Most of the police department resents her because of the personal relationships destroyed in her quest for the truth, and the only one willing to partner with her is ex-husband Nick Carelli.
She’s forced to address her personal conflicts in a stalking/missing persons case at a local college. One of the stalking victims is her niece Quinn, so Annalisa must connect with her estranged brother who frantically wants his daughter to be safe. The college is in the jurisdiction of an officer who is more concerned about her presence in his district than solving the case.
The thriller’s plot is interesting, and Vega’s complicated relationships kick the book up a notch. Schaffhausen’s stories are not formulaic and stand out because she digs deeper into the characters than many thrillers do.
So Annalisa Vega fans, you will be pleased with the continuation of her story. For those of you not yet acquainted with Vega, catch up to us by reading all 3 books in order. They’re worth it.
Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing a review copy of the book. Opinions expressed are my own.
