<i>Why did no one ever tell her that the most dangerous thing in the world isn't natural disasters or wars or weapons? It is unremarkable men with beautiful smiles and even bigger promises.</i>

An engrossing thriller that grips you from the very first page and doesn't let go until the very last. This novel marks a compelling entry into the thriller genre by Emiko Jean, who masterfully crafts a narrative that is as deep and dark as it is intriguing.

The story revolves around Detective Chelsey Calhoun, whose life takes a dramatic turn with the reappearance of Ellie Black, a teenager who vanished without a trace two years prior. Found in the dense forests of Washington State, Ellie is alive but profoundly changed, enveloped in mysteries that Chelsey is desperate to unravel. This quest is personal for Chelsey, tying back to the unresolved disappearance of her own sister years ago.

Jean’s portrayal of both Ellie and Chelsey is nuanced and compelling. Ellie, once vibrant and full of life, returns as a shadow of her former self, her silence and secrets forming the crux of the mystery. Chelsey, on the other hand, is portrayed with a deep sense of empathy and determination, driven by her own past traumas to seek the truth at all costs.

The narrative is beautifully paced, with tension building at every turn. Jean’s writing style is fluid and evocative, capable of conveying deep emotional resonances and thrilling suspense in equal measure. The plot is well-structured with several twists that are both surprising and satisfying, culminating in a finale that is both shocking and thought-provoking.

What sets this book apart is its exploration of the psychological impacts of trauma and the persistence of hope in the darkest of times. The feminist undertones are woven seamlessly into the plot, enriching the story without overwhelming it.

"The Return of Ellie Black" is not just a mystery; it's a profound commentary on loss, survival, and the human capacity to fight for the truth. This novel is a must-read for fans of thrillers that not only entertain but also challenge and affect. Emiko Jean has indeed delivered a tour de force that will be remembered long after the last page is turned.

Thank you Netgalley and Simon and Schuster for an advanced copy of " The Return of Ellie Black". I had been seeing rave reviews about this debut thriller, and my expectations were shot through the roof. The novel starts with Ellie Black returning home after missing for two years. No one knows where she was, who took her, or how she escaped. Detective Chelsea takes over the case after dealing with tragedy in her own life, and seeing parallels between the cases. Every time you think you know where the story is going, the author completely takes you in a different direction leaving you to wonder what is next. I couldn't put this book down, and this has been one of my favorite thrillers I have read so far this year.

Are some missing girls worth more than others?

Twenty years ago, Detective Chelsey Calhoun’s older sister Lydia went missing in their hometown of Caldwell Beach, WA. Her family had money and connections (her father was the police chief), and an intensive search for Lydia was launched, ending in tragedy. Chelsey still harbors guilt from not having stopped her sister from going out that night, and the “origin story” of why she became a detective has its roots in that night. Two years ago another girl went missing in Caldwell Beach. Ellie Black had told her parents that she was spending the night with a new friend, but in fact was at a party at a local motel. She left the motel room, was captured on CCTV in the parking lot of a nearby building where her phone, a shoe and her blood were later found, but has not been seen since. The search for Ellie wasn’t nearly as high-powered as the one for Lydia years ago, but Chelsey and her team did their best to no avail. When Ellie Black is suddenly found on a forest path two hours away from Caldwell Beach dirty, thin, but alive, her family and Chelsey are relieved. Ellie is traumatized, and isn’t the same girl that she was when she disappeared. Is her reluctance to talk about where she was held and who took her just the natural result of her ordeal…..or is she hiding things? When Chelsey finds reason to believe that other girls may have been taken by the same person who snatched Ellie, her best hope of finding them is Ellie…but she’s not talking.
The Return of Ellie Black is a well-paced thriller featuring a strong female lead character who has definite emotional baggage but is driven to bring missing girls home. Her own family was ripped apart by the loss of Lydia, the trajectory of her childhood forever altered. As the only woman on her police force, she has to work harder to prove herself to her boss, a man who used to work for her father and who has promoted one of his sons to the rank of detective alongside Chelsey despite his lesser experience. The dynamics of the town and Chelsey’s background figure prominently in the case, as does the unreliable nature of Ellie’s description of what happened to her. She is the victim of a horrendous crime, but when it appears that she is not providing information to the police that could lead to the rescue of other victims she becomes something more problematic. There are plenty of twists as the story unfolds, and the reader is exposed to the traumas faced by the girls taken and how difficult it is to return home when one has been fundamentally altered by that kind of experience. Readers of Lisa Unger, Megan Lilly and Mary Kubica should give this novel by Emiko Jean a try. Many thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for allowing me early access to this haunting thriller.

4.5 stars rounded to 5

Summary:
One of my top mysteries of the year so far - it's incredible that this was the author’s first foray into the genre! The characters are fantastic, the setting is eerie, the mystery is compelling, the execution is A++ - I couldn’t put it down and my jaw literally dropped at one point! Highly recommend grabbing this one.

Note: I read it on ebook but I’ve heard the audiobook is a full cast production, so if audio is your thing, this would be a great one to check out!

Characters (5/5)
- SO well done. The characters feel like real people (and it feels weird that I can’t google them to see what they’re up to now). There’s growth for many of them, even minor characters. I understood their motivations and even when their actions were unhinged, I understood why they were doing it.

Atmosphere/Setting (4.5/5)
- Set in PNW and felt like it. Very atmospheric
-I felt a bit scared when I took my dog out in the middle of reading it. Definitely does the creepy atmosphere well.

Writing (4/5)
-Good, nothing specific or notable

Plot (5/5)
-Unique, interesting, well executed.
-Compelling mystery
-The ending!!
-I kind of suspected part of the ending, but not most of it and not the way it went down. At one point, my jaw actually dropped while reading.

Intrigue (5/5)
-I read the last three quarters of the story in one evening, so yeah, you could say it’s intriguing.

Logic (3/5)
-2 things that made me go “hmm.” The first is that no one looked into the fact that the same type of car was present at multiple disappearances. The second is that nothing happened to her when she blew off the FBI.

Emotion (5/5)
- Really loved reading it. The mystery is unique and interesting and kept me on the edge of my seat. I loved the characters. There’s nothing not to love.

Ellie Black has been missing for 2 years when she appears in the woods one night, almost 2 hours from where she went missing. The officer on her case has never forgotten her; Detective Chelsey Calhoun is driven by the legacy of her chief of police father and the fact that her sister was murdered 15 years before. Even though Ellie is now back with her family, she is not quite right; she won’t cooperate with the investigation and appears to be hiding something. Through the investigation Chelsea realizes that Ellie’s case is tied to other open case of missing girls and Ellie is the key to helping solve their cases, and some of the women and girls may still be saved - if only Ellie will start talking.

I was invested in this one from the first page. The story alternates between Ellie’s POV before, during, and after her captivity and a third person perspective narrating Chelsey’s and it works very well. The twists and turns of this one kept me guessing (and I will say I did not guess this one) and I stayed engrossed until the end. I have a weird love of serial killer thrillers and this one was great (not too scary and not too gory). I hope for more from the author.

4.25 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and S&S for the ARC to review

This psychological crime thriller has lots of twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages. Emiko did a great job bringing forth the awareness of how so many girls have gone missing without ever being found. That their voices deserves to be recognized. That they are not alone and deserve all the resources available to bring them home.

Ellie Black mysteriously disappears, then reappears two years later. She’s discovered in the woods in Washington state. Detective Chelsey Calhoun is working the case. She lost her own sister as a teenager. She’s dedicated to finding the kidnappers and what she discovers will shock you. Thoroughly enjoyed this fast paced thrill ride. The book is available May 7, 2024. Thank you @netgalley for the ARC.

📖 Book Review 📖
📱 “The Return of Ellie Black" by Emiko Jean

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Expected publication May 7, 2024

In the woods of Washington state Ellie Black has returned after being missing for 2 years. At a motel party she organized, Ellie disappeared without a trace. Upon her return, Ellie isn’t being truthful about where she was and how she escaped. She clams up like she is protecting who kidnapped her. Detective Chelsey Calhoun’s sister vanished and was presumed dead without a body over 20 years ago. This has haunted her and made her diligent in her search for missing girls. Told by Chelsey, readers get to see a detective who is willing to go beyond what is deemed necessary to get answers.

I enjoyed this mystery and the characters. Chelsey is complicated and yet the background stories help to clarify her drive as a detective. Ellie was this vibrant, pushing the limits teenager prior to her abduction. She returns a wisp of who she once was- reserved, grieving, and lost. The author shows the psychological impact of being held against your will, and the toll it takes on someone.

Thank you @NetGalley for this eARC

#givemeallthebooks #books #letsread #bookfriends #homelibrary
#somanybooks #readsomemore #audiobooks #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #readersofinstagram #readmorebooks #booklover #bookishlove #readersgonnaread #bookishaf

This was quite a wild ride! I read Mika in Real Life a couple of years ago and it was so great- emotional, moving. And honestly, so different than this book while also being emotional and moving.

This book was told with multiple narrators which was great for the storyline. We got small glimpses of what was actually going one while trying to piece together what the full story was.

Ellie Black goes missing and then reappears! But when she reappears, she is not interested in hashing out the past…. I think that’s really all you need to get started. Oh wait- this blurb too- Chelsey Calhoun is the detective on the case and she has her own history that is relevant as well.

Book Review: The Return of Ellie Black by @emikojeanbooks

What a phenomenal thriller debut from the author. Ellie Black, a teenager who went missing two years prior, returns, and Detective Chelsea Calhoun’s mission is to find out what happened to her and why. The plot line was face paced, dark, captivating and haunting, full of small twists leading up to a shocking revelation as well as resolution. The story unfolds with both a present day timeline from different characters’ point of view and flashbacks from Ellie’s point of view. When I finished the last page, my first thought was “what a wild ride that was.”

5 star thriller read!

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
I’ve loved seeing Emiko Jean grow as an author and explore different genres. But sadly, while I was hopeful for her first thriller, it was a major miss for me. The premise is great, but there was a lot of missed potential in the execution.
My favorite bits ended up being the chapters written from the “captured girl’s” perspective. While it’s not spelled out specifically, it’s made pretty obvious that we’re in Ellie’s head while she was trapped, with the rest of the story focusing on the investigation into her return.
But sadly (although understandably), those bits were a small part of the book, placed sparingly throughout the narrative, and they only mildly saved this book from being absolutely . The main narrative with the investigation follows the detective Chelsey Calhoun, and I found her much less compelling, with the main interesting thing about her being that her sister also went missing several years back. The way this was conveyed, with occasional jarring flashbacks mid-chapter, down to full reams of dialogue conveyed in italics almost made me DNF a chapter in, before deciding to tough it out to give an author I had previously liked a fair shot.
And while I didn’t expect Chelsey to be fleshed out much, the present narrative didn’t do much to keep me invested in Ellie either. The story moved at snail’s-pace, and I frequently found my attention flagging. And then there’s a plot twist towards the end that had me going “WTF?” and not in a good way.
This was a massive disappointment, especially as it was from an author I’d previously enjoyed. And while I’m clearly in the minority on this one, I realize my tastes in thrillers are rather niche and contrarian, so I wouldn’t discourage you from trying it if it sounds like it would work for you.

This story definitely had me guessing in the best way. It’s definitely twisted! I’m a sucker for female detectives and PIs and detective Chelsea Calhoun was a compelling protagonist, driven by her past trauma of her sister’s disappearance and presumed death to solve the abduction of Ellie Black. The multiple timelines and points of view worked to unspool the story.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

Detective Chelsey Calhoun’s life is turned upside down when she gets the call Ellie Black, a girl who disappeared years earlier, has resurfaced in the woods of Washington state—but Ellie’s reappearance leaves Chelsey with more questions than answers.

This book had me hooked from the start! I felt like I was reading a book version of Criminal Minds, which I loved! I loved the intricate weaving of Chelsey’s POV, mixed in with Ellie’s perspective (both past and present). While these two voices were the focal point, I also enjoyed how the minor characters’ perspectives were also showcased in select chapters. I’ve read a good amount of mystery and thrillers this year already, but this is probably my favorite of the year! The foreboding and suspenseful atmosphere that Emiko Jean created made this book very hard to put down–I just had to know what happened! The ending was surprising, but also a little bittersweet as well, which I didn’t mind!

I could definitely see this being a movie or series–with a strong, Japanese woman as lead (Maya Erskine, Karen Fukuhara, Anna Sawai).

Read if you like:
-Criminal Minds
-Missing person/Missing person returns
-Strong Asian female lead
-Foreboding + suspenseful atmosphere
-Alternating perspectives (& timelines)
-Cults(?)

There are some intense, unsettling scenes due to the nature of the story. I didn’t find the scenes too graphic, but please read with care.

Thank you to Emiko Jean, Netgalley, and Simon & Schuster for the ARC in exchange for my review!

The subject matter of this book - the capture and torture of young girls - isn't for the squeamish. I'm okay with that, actually, but on the other hand, no way will I call it fun to read, so forewarned is forearmed. It begins with what should be a joyous event: Ellie Black, who went missing and was declared dead several years earlier as a teenager, wanders out of a local Washington state woods. Her parents, of course, are ecstatic; but quickly, it becomes evident that she's not the same daughter they knew when she disappeared.

The local police are ecstatic as well - including Detective Chelsey Calhoun, for whom Ellie's sudden reappearance triggers unwelcome but always-there memories of her sister Lydia, who disappeared 20 years ago and later was declared dead. Eager to find the person or persons responsible for Ellie's abduction partly to assuage her guilt surrounding her sister's situation, Chelsey jumps into the investigation with both feet. She's so eager to solve the case, in fact, that she quickly alienates her teacher husband of less than two years, Noah, who wants her to ease up a little so they can behave like a "normal" couple.

Ellie herself, though, isn't much help; she refuses to cooperate or speak of where she's been and what she experienced during her absence - not even to a professional therapist. But while that leaves Chelsey grasping at straws much of the time, readers get the scoop: interspersed throughout are chapters from Ellie's viewpoint, telling us what really went on behind closed doors. Slowly and methodically, Chelsey begins to make headway into the investigation, leading up to a couple of in-your-face revelations at the end (one of which I'd correctly surmised but the other something of a gobsmacker).

All told, then, it's a winner in my book and I thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review it.

Thank you Simon Audio and Simon and Schuster for a copy of this book! Pub date is May 7, 20204.

Short synopsis: Ellie Black is kidnapped, two years later she comes walking out of the woods.

My thoughts: Okay, this might just be my favorite thriller of the year so far! I’m going to keep my thoughts somewhat vague because I think that’s a great way of going into this story. So many unexpected twists had my head reeling, and that ending! I’m glad I did a buddy read of this to talk through the details at the end.

I loved the format of this with flashes into Ellie’s time in captivity. Those parts of the story were so hard to read, but added such a punch to the story to get inside her head and understand her experiences.

There are definitely some triggers in here: kidnapping, sexual/emotional/physical abuse, manipulation and gaslighting to name a few.

I did list of this on audio and would highly recommend. Full cast of narrators that help bring this story to life.

Read if you love:
- True crime
- Time flashes
- Multiple POV
- Abduction stories

Thank you to @netgalley and @simonbooks for the ARC!

Ellie Black, once a lively teenager, disappeared two years earlier only to reappear in an utterly disheveled state in the vast woods of Washington. However, this long hoped for reunion between Ellie and her loved ones raises more questions than answers. It is up to Detective Chelsey Calhoun, who is grappling with her own loss and trauma, to uncover the truth about what really happened to Ellie.

As an avid reader of mystery thrillers, I was pleasantly surprised to find this debut encompassed several elements I enjoy about this genre starting with the woodsy atmosphere of the Pacific Northwest. What truly stood out for me, though, is the beautiful, reflective prose with which this story is written. The writing and exploration of the human psyche maintained my interest as the plot gradually progressed.

I also appreciated the depth and complexity of Ellie’s and Detective Calhoun’s characters. Both women have experienced or witnessed horrific events that left them with indelible marks. Ellie becomes a shell of a person when she reemerges and Detective Calhoun uses her pain as a driving force to protect others. The nuances of their guilt and grief had me sympathizing with and rooting for them.

Lastly, the accompanying commentary about missing women, including those from low SES and marginalized communities was well integrated into the storyline and brings much needed attention to the lack of attention many women receive in the real world.

With all that being said, I felt this was a bit more formulaic and predictable in terms of the Who but not the Why. The ultimate motive also seemed a bit murky and I would have liked more of a backstory on that front. The ending also felt a bit rushed.

Given that Emiko Jean mainly writes YA romances, I do give the author a bit of grace as she is new to this genre. This is still a very strong debut and perfect for fans of slow-burn, atmospheric, psychological thrillers! I would love to see Jean continue publishing mystery thrillers!

Thank you, NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this ARC. This was a fantastic thriller! This book kept me hooked from the first page. I read a ton of books so to keep me entertained and interested in the twisty-turns are really good. Where has Ellie Black BEEN for the last 2 years?! Other girls have gone missing, why has Ellie been the only girl to return? Why is Ellie not talking?? I highly recommend this if you are looking for a solid thriller guaranteed to keep you guessing.

I received a digital advance copy of The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean via NetGalley. The Return of Ellie Black is scheduled for release on May 7, 2024.

Ellie Black has been missing for two years. When the young women reappears in the woods, Detective Chelsey is assigned to the case. The trouble is, Ellie is clearly keeping secrets, refusing to share information that would help find the person responsible for her disappearance. As Chelsey works on Ellie’s case, memories of Chelsey’s sister who vanished twenty years ago tangle with the few clues Chelsey can find about Ellie’s disappearance. Haunted by all the missing girls, Chelsey needs to find closure for both Ellie and herself.

The strength of this novel is the plot. Jean weaves together cases from both the past and present day in a way that made sense for all parts of the story. Toward the end of the novel there was a twist that I did not predict, but in retrospect was clearly laid out in the clues given to the reader.

I do wish that the intricacies of the plot had been better supported with character development. We have two main characters in this novel. We do get to know Chelsey pretty well. Ellie, however, remains a bit more distant despite the amount of time we spend with her in the novel. To an extent, this makes sense, as she is keeping secrets from Chelsey and everyone else around her. Outside of those two characters, the surrounding cast was not as well developed. I struggled at times to keep characters straight, as I didn’t have a clear sense of them. In particular, Chelsey’s husband remained little more than an outline. Given the subplot involving him that should have significant impact on Chelsey, I felt he needed much more development. I couldn’t care about any events connected to him, as I had no idea who he really was.

Overall, The Return of Ellie Black delivered on the mystery elements, but could have used more development in the characters.

Thank you so much to netgalley and Simon and Schuester for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This book is a police procedural that follows a detective who works on a case for a missing girl. This girl turns up two years later and then refuses to talk about what happened.

This was just an ok thriller for me. I thought the premise and writing were pretty good. I liked the setting as well. I did read it pretty fast as well.

However, the characters didn’t feel real to me. They all felt underdeveloped or cliches. The twist was also really unbelievable to me. I can suspend some disbelief but not enough for this one.

I think a lot of people will like this one but it wasn’t a huge hit for me.

This was a fun thriller to read. Told from the dual perspectives of both Ellie Black and the detective trying to figure out what happened to her after she is found alive. The timelines also are split between the current time after Ellie is found alive, appearing to have escaped two years after her kidnapping, and from Ellie’s POV from when she gets kidnapped up through the current time.
This had decent pacing, but slightly unlikeable characters. Chelsey Calhoun is your typical workaholic detective suffering problems in her relationship, and Ellie Black is your typical acting out teenager. I think it’s hard to write thrillers now without using some kind of trope like that, but that’s not to say the writer did it poorly. I was still invested in learning what actually happened to Ellie, as of course, she’s reluctant to talk to the cops after.
One thing I did really like about the book was the micro aggressions the author mentioned that Chelsey the detective has to deal with at work - being female and of Asian descent - and how she always felt like the odd one out growing up and then at work. (One example was how her boss would call her by her first name while calling all the other male cops by their last. Intentional? Probably not, but important to call out things like that.)
Overall, if you like thrillers and suspense, this one is worth checking out!