Nancy Grace’s What Happened to Ellen?: An American Miscarriage of Justice is a gripping and emotionally charged true crime investigation that delves into the mysterious and deeply troubling death of Ellen Greenberg—a young, vibrant teacher found brutally stabbed over twenty times in her Philadelphia apartment in 2011. Initially ruled a homicide, her death was later controversially reclassified as a suicide, sparking outrage and disbelief among forensic experts, legal analysts, and the public alike.

Grace, known for her fierce advocacy for victims’ rights, brings her prosecutorial background and signature tenacity to this case, unraveling a web of inconsistencies, bureaucratic secrecy, and what she argues is a blatant miscarriage of justice. The book is part investigative journalism, part legal exposé, and part emotional tribute to a life cut tragically short.

What makes this book especially compelling is Grace’s ability to humanize Ellen beyond the headlines. Through interviews, court documents, and forensic reports, she paints a portrait of a woman full of promise and love, whose death—and the subsequent handling of her case—raises disturbing questions about the integrity of the justice system.

While some readers may find Grace’s tone impassioned and occasionally speculative, her commitment to uncovering the truth is undeniable. The book is not just a recounting of a crime; it’s a call to action for transparency, accountability, and justice.

Verdict:
A powerful and unsettling read that will leave you questioning how such a case could be closed without answers. For fans of true crime and legal drama, What Happened to Ellen? is both a page-turner and a sobering reminder of the flaws in our justice system.

What happened to Ellen? By Nancy Grace is a story in remembrance of Ellen Rae Greenberg (June 23 1983-jan 26 2011).

Ellen's death was ruled a suicide in 2011, but her parents along with a growing list of experts believe she was murdered. Ellen was stabbed 20 Times but somehow it was rules a suicide, how is this even a thing? how could it possibly be ruled a suicide in the first place and also how is Nancy Grace one of the only people raising hell about this?!

This book had me right from the start and did not disappoint. The rediculousness of this case continued as I read and I could just not put this down. What would you do if this happened to your loved one?

If you are a fan of reading true crime, Nancy Grace or both then this book is a must read! Thank you also to Nancy for partnering with NetGalley. I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

If Nancy Grace writes it, I am reading it. ( I know many others are not a fan of her writing style or her voice, but I absolutely loved it considering she is not really an author.)
This book shows the gaps that are in our criminal justice system, and just how poorly certain things are handled. In a perfect world, cases like this would be handled with the eloquence and grace that it happens in Law and Order, SVU. However, it rarely is, if ever.
My heart goes out to Ellens family.

Uncovering What Should Never Be Buried

What Happened to Ellen? Is a haunting true crime account that demands attention. Nancy Grace unpacks the shocking death of Ellen Greenberg a young teacher found with 20 stab wounds and a baffling suicide ruling with unrelenting passion and sharp legal insight.
The writing is raw and intense, sometimes repetitive, but always driven by a fierce determination to expose the truth. More than a book, this is a call to action. Grace gives Ellen and her family a voice and refuses to let the case be buried. A must-read for anyone who believes justice shouldn’t be ignored. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A great story that left me shocked at the response of the Philadelphia Police and DAs Office. It is a gross injustice to the family and for them to really learned what happened to their daughter. Despite the plentitude of evidence pointing to a murder, the [police and DA refuse to change their minds and re-open the case. This story will leave you shocked and angry over the injustice! A great true crime novel that will really grab you!

Thank you to #NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book is critically important because it shines a light on a crime that was ruled a suicide yet as evidence shows, would have to be a homicide. Nancy Grace wrote this book to keep this case in the public awareness -- so there is not yet a resolution in this case. She includes a lot of documents that have been filed , autopsy reports, as well as depositions in the back of the book so we are readers can see what the evidence is for ourselves. There is clearly a huge question of corruption in the police department as well as with the wealthy family of the fiancé who remains a person of interest. In fact, his family went and took stuff out of the apartment and cleaned it the next day! We learn about her relationship with Sam Goldberg - Ellen was a victim of domestic violence - he controlled her and isolated her from family and friends. She had bruises on her. Lots of red flags about their relationship in reading this. Sam emphasizes the mental health angle - that she was depressed, etc. However, when they found her, she had multiple stab wounds to her front and back (how would she have done that?) and had been in the middle of making a fruit salad. My hope is this book will put pressure on those in charge to reopen the case.

Thank you to Netgalley and Post Hill Press | Regalo Press for an ARC and I voluntarily left this review.

Nancy Grace has been an all time favorite speaker/writer/tv newscaster, and she did not disappoint. The history and backstory in this book was so well written. The story completely broke me, but Nancy Grace put compassion into the retelling.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Nancy Grace, the ultimate proponent for justice tells a tragic true story of an ongoing tale of a miscarriage of law enforcement that is all the more heartbreaking for the wide swath of victims left behind in its wake.

Excellent - and truly shocking and terrifying.

I totally understand why the author wanted to write this as a support to Ellen’s parents but despite the truly shocking background it isn’t yet enough for a book. I’ve read that there have been some recent developments that might bring conclusion and then probably a book will be in order but for now just repeating the facts doesn’t do much to further the cause. I really wanted to give it more but can only justify two stars.

Can't say I enjoyed this book because of the poor structure. The repetiveness could easily have been fixed with good editing. The case itself is very interesting if not maddening. Not sure how they came to the conclusion that it was suicide unless it was just lazy get-this-case-off-my-desk approach. The judicial system let this woman down and everyone who loved her. Because the case itself is interesting, I'll give this book a three though I wanted to give it a one.

Just finished What Happened to Ellen? by Nancy Grace. I’d heard about the case on a podcast recently, so it was great to get more detail. The book really dives into the strange circumstances and all the unanswered questions. I like Nancy Grace’s style overall—she’s definitely passionate, though a bit intense at times. Still, it’s a gripping read if you’re into true crime or cases that just don’t sit right.

Left me with more questions than answers, but was still really interesting. Was well researched and I hope that justice is served for Ellen sooner rather than later. I’ve followed Nancy Grace for years, so whilst under sad circumstances, which is part of her profession anyway, it was intriguing to get to read her written word rather than just see televised interviews. She has a nack for storytelling, and I hope her book helps to bring more awareness to the case.

This is the first time I had heard of this case and I'm shocked at what I have read.

I'm so glad to have discovered this as I think it's important more people do, so that maybe one day there will be justice for Ellen and some peace for her parents.

A little repetitive in parts and I do think this maybe should have been kept to a podcast episode rather than a book as it felt like the author lacked info so just repeated her thoughts or details we already knew.

Overall if you're a fan of true crime then you will definitely want to read about this case!

Thank you to NetGalley and Post Hill Press for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
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What happened to Ellen Greenberg is truly tragic and so infuriating. Nancy Grace is obviously incredibly passionate about this case, and has done her research. Her voice shines through, and I was often hearing the narration in her voice. Unfortunately, the writing in this book is incredibly repetitive and hits the same points over and over again. Every time I thought we were getting somewhere, she would return to the same points, emphasizing with all caps that didn't feel necessary.
I don't think I'll be reading anything else from this author.
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I thought this story was so clear that I struggled to comprehend how the American justice system let her down so badly. The story was intense but I did think that it dragged on too much and went off on unnecessary tangents.
Thank you NetGalley for letting me read and review.

I am a true crime fan and this was one I had not heard about so getting to read it and it being written by Nancy Grace was going to be fascinating.
Ellen Greenberg dying the way she did had to have the story be told. Nancy Grace can bring a story out and make the facts easy to understand but in this case the writing was all over and at times hard to follow.
After reading this book I plan to dig into the crime more and get the information from others perspective. I am glad the book was written so Ellen Greenberg’s family can maybe find some peace knowing their daughter will not be forgotten.
Thank you NetGalley, Nancy Grace and Post Hill Press for the copy of the book What Happened to Ellen?
This is my personal review.

11:55 Chapter 36??? (EVERAND) A man says “I DID” wtf??? Chapter 35….

Nancy is quoting what a person said they did or did not do. You can clearly hear a man’s voice, not a woman, and not Nancy. Who said that?!

“Never preformed an reactment” .. guy says I DID - someone else go listen to this PLEASE! Ahhhhhh it gave me goosebumps all over.

Wish I could say this story stocks me. But it doesn’t. There’s so many stories just like this one. Women found dead - by means that just don’t line up with anything - and are said to have done that to themselves. I know the police are historically entrenched in scandal and things but seriously. How can a department be so stupid. It leads us to only believe that a cover up happened.

I lost faith in our system a long time ago. Unfortunately many think it’s the backbone of America. I only hope they never have to experience something as terrible as a death when you know it wasn’t a suicide and have these “fine folks” with money determine how things pan out.

There were warnings, hindsight is 20/20 - I understand this and am in no way blaming anyone. But educate yourselves. The red flags were waving all over. Such a sad and tragic story. What is up with that family?! Excluding Ellen, my heart broke for her.

Do what’s right you fktards and reopen this case.

I found this book interesting but repetitive. Much of the information seemed to be repeated over and over. But it was an interesting read and I look forward to more works from Nancy Grace.

Philadelphia, 2011 & a young woman named Ellen Greenberg was found dead in the apartment she shared with her fiancée. Ellen had received over 20 stab wounds, many to the back of the neck & head, & at least one has been assessed to have been received post-mortem - and yet, her death has been judged a suicide. Examining what evidence there is, this case seems to have been either disastrously bungled or there is something darker at the root of this.

First of all, this seems to me to be a very clear miscarriage of justice & Ellen's story needs to be out there so that the powers-that-be are finally convinced to re-examine her case. Unfortunately this book about the case is a bit of a mess. It really needs re-editing so that the arguments are more structured & linear to avoid repeating the same information over & over. The author is obviously passionate about wanting to see justice done but this was all over the place.

Thank you to NetGalley & publishers, Post Hill Press/Regalo Press, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

☆ARC REVIEW☆
Publication date: April 22, 2025

Thank you to NetGalley, the authors, and Post Hill Press for an advanced copy in an exchange for a review.

Honestly, 90% of the time I'm a Nancy Grace fan. She's a great investigative journalist and definitely made for TV. However in my opinion I do not think she is cut out to be an author.

Surprisingly, I had not heard of this case before despite being a huge true crime junkie. I found the book extremely hard to follow because of the writing. It was extremely repetitive, and more opinion based rather than sticking to the facts.

I personally wouldn't read another book by this author.