Joanna Schaffhausen's latest novel ushers in big changes for Annalisa Vega!
Schaffhausen has become a favorite of mine. Her books are well-written, suspenseful, and solidly plotted, with great characters and an intriguing hook. In this one, the hook is whether there are "good" sociopaths who benefit society. The author's own PhD in psychology and years of studying neuroscience add depth and credibility to this question.
PI Annalisa Vega's personal life is taking some turns amid her cat-and-mouse game with a sociopath. Dr. Craig Canning is the subject of a book about "good" sociopaths, but he might be responsible for a neighbor's suspicious death. His character was very well done. He had layers. All of the characters are complex, flawed, and well-developed. Annalisa is tough and smart, with a strong moral compass. Now, she is opening her own PI business after leaving the Chicago PD. As usual, Annalisa is dealing with complicated family dynamics. This time, remarriage to her ex-husband Nick and getting to know his newly discovered teenage daughter, who was conceived when he cheated on Annalisa during their first marriage. Lines blur between personal and professional life, adding to the tension and stakes.
The case is fascinating. Canning is a brilliant neurosurgeon who has saved hundreds of lives. Did he also commit the perfect crime, one law enforcement determined was an accident? Annalisa's husband, Nick, was one of the investigating officers, and he is skeptical that Annalisa's investigation will prove otherwise. Seeing her match wits against a sociopath was fun. I did figure out the major twist, but this in no way lessened my enjoyment. Several smaller twists along the way genuinely surprised me. It will be interesting to see where all of the changes this book ushers in for Annalisa's personal life take the series. If you enjoy a good mystery/procedural, add this to your tbr!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press Minotaur Books for the gifted review copy!
My steep was Blueberry Cream Earl Grey by Portal Tea
PUBLISHER'S SYNOPSIS:
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 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, 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. But the cops believe 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..
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