GONE FOR GOOD is my introduction to Joanna Schaffhausen. Not sure why or how I’ve missed this talented author but so glad that I stumbled onto her. GONE FOR GOOD is a crime novel surrounded by character development and studies. With each page, you seem to meet still another character that niggles your mind. Joanna Schaffhausen makes the reader an armchair investigator in this whodunit. Annalisa Vega is front and center as a detective who is faced with a murderer who is very familiar. The police had spent several years investigating the Lovelorn Killer. Then all roads led to a dead-end, no pun intended. Now twenty years later it seems as if the killer is back. Annalisa’s father was one of the cops on the Lovelorn Killer case so many years ago. The last victim was someone near and dear to Annalisa and her family. Not only that but it was the wife of a cop.

It seems almost obvious that this killer has a system for choosing his victims. They are a specific type, and this killer is bold. Annalisa isn’t sure exactly why this maniac has decided to come out of hiding and strike once again. But they all know this is a case that can’t go cold again.

There are many characters that belong to an amateur sleuth group called the Grave Diggers. The latest victim belonged to this group. She was intent on finding this killer, so much so, she basically put herself in his crosshairs.

As with any good crime novel, facts keep surfacing and suspects evolve. In GONE FOR GOOD, Joanna Schaffhausen unleashes a myriad of interesting clues, all designed to keep you busy turning pages. In some ways, Joanna Schaffhausen reminds me of Lisa Gardner with her amazing characters. It is those characters that keep you mesmerized. Hard to walk away from GONE FOR GOOD. It is a compelling, well-written read. Sure to gather new fans and reward returning ones.

Looking for an excellent crime story? Get your hands on GONE FOR GOOD and settle into a comfortable chair... You won’t be going anywhere any time soon.