Book Review: A private eye investigates whether her husband sent an innocent man to prison
Meanwhile, Annalisa Vega's business is short on customers. It seems people with problems that need investigating are loathe to hire a private detective who is visibly pregnant.
So when Green reaches out to Annalisa for help, she reluctantly takes his case. Initially, the only thing she has to go on is an anonymous letter sent to Green that claims the eyewitness who testified against him was lying.
'Gone in the Night' is Joanna Schaffhausen's fifth novel featuring Annalisa, and fans of the series already know that the protagonist's family life is complicated. Among other things, her brother is in prison, her extended family can't quite forgive her for putting him there, and she's trying to make a go of it again with Nick after kicking him to curb for his rampant infidelity. When she suggests that Nick got the Joe Green case wrong, her life gets even more complicated.
While Annalisa tries to figure out who killed the divorce lawyer, Nick investigates a series of new murders in which men are bludgeoned or stabbed and dumped into Lake Michigan.
Their investigations lead both Annalisa and Nick to a women's shelter where they find the staff secretive and misleading — perhaps because they are fiercely protective of the women they serve or perhaps because they have something to hide.
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As the story unfolds at a torrid pace, Annalisa and Nick soon find themselves in danger. Suspense builds, and plot twists abound. While the story is certainly entertaining, the author also has a serious purpose, illustrating how difficult it can be for abused women to find either help or justice.
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Bruce DeSilva, winner of the Mystery Writers of America's Edgar Award, is the author of the Mulligan crime novels including 'The Dread Line.'
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AP book reviews: https://apnews.com/hub/book-reviews
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Toronto Sun
23 minutes ago
- Toronto Sun
Upgraded charges filed against Minnesota man accused of killing lawmaker, wounding another
Published Aug 14, 2025 • 4 minute read Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announces upgraded charges against Vance Boelter, who is accused of killing former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and wounding a state senator and his wife, in Minneapolis, Thursday, Aug. 14, 2025. Photo by Mark Vancleave / AP MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A Minnesota man accused of killing a top Democratic state lawmaker and wounding another while pretending to be a police officer is now facing new and upgraded state charges under a fresh indictment announced Thursday, just a week after he pleaded not guilty in federal court. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Vance Boelter now faces two charges of first-degree murder, four counts of attempted first-degree murder and charges of impersonating a police officer and animal cruelty for shooting one family's dog. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said the charges 'reflect the weight of Mr. Boelter's crimes.' But the state case continues to take a back seat to the federal case against Vance Boelter where he faces potentially more serious consequences. He was indicted July 15 on six federal counts of murder, stalking and firearms violations. The murder charges could carry the federal death penalty although prosecutors haven't decided yet whether to pursue that option. The maximum penalty on the state charges is life in prison because Minnesota doesn't have the death penalty. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Boelter pleaded not guilty in federal court on Aug. 7. Moriarty had requested the state prosecution proceed first, but federal prosecutors are using their authority to press their case, according to Daniel Borgertpoepping, Hennepin County Attorney's Office's public information officer. 'When Boelter returns to state custody, we will be prepared to prosecute him — to hold him accountable to our community,' Moriarty said. 'We will do everything in our power to ensure that he is never able to hurt anyone again.' Shocking case of political violence The full extent of the political violence that officials said Boelter, 58, intended to inflict in the early hours of June 14 after months of planning alarmed the community. The Green Isle, Minnesota, resident was arrested a day later following a massive search involving local, state and federal authorities. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'The damage done to the victims — those with us, those who were taken from us and to our entire community — has opened wounds that will never heal,' Moriarty said in a statement. The Hennepin County Attorney's Office initially issued a warrant charging Boelter with two counts of second-degree murder for allegedly posing as a police officer and fatally shooting former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, at their home. Boelter, authorities said, wore a uniform and a mask and yelled that he was police and told these lawmakers that he was an officer. Authorities originally charged Boelter with two counts of attempted second-degree murder, alleging he shot state Sen. John Hoffman, a Democrat, and his wife Yvette. But officials said when the charges were filed to secure the warrant that they would likely be updated to first-degree murder charges. They also added two additional attempted murder charges Thursday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Moriarty said the Hoffmans managed to push Boelter out of their home, shutting the door before the gunman fired nine times through the door, striking the senator nine times and his wife eight times. Both survived. Their adult daughter nearby was not hit. Other lawmakers targeted Federal prosecutors already revealed details of their investigation showing Boelter had driven to two other legislators' homes in the roughly hour-and-a-half timeline. Moriarity charged Boelter with trying to kill one of those lawmakers because he went to her door in the same way he approached the Hortmans' and Hoffmans' homes and tried to get inside. She said it doesn't matter that Rep Kristin Bahner wasn't home. Moriarty said Boelter rang Bahner's door for two full minutes while yelling it is the police and trying to open the door himself. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The state case against Boelter shows an application for public defender was filed June 16, but one has yet to be assigned. Public defenders are typically assigned in Minnesota at a defendant's first appearance, which Boelter did not have before being taken into federal custody, Borgertpoepping said in a text message. Controversial prosecutor Moriarty announced last week that she would not seek reelection next year. Moriarty, a former public defender, was elected in 2022 as the Minneapolis area and the country were still reeling from the death of George Floyd, a Black man pinned under the knee of a white officer for 9 1/2 minutes. She promised to make police more accountable and change the culture of a prosecutors' office that she believed had long overemphasized punishment without addressing the root causes of crime. 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Upgraded charges filed against Minnesota man accused of killing lawmaker, wounding another
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