I know it's only March but this book is definitely a contender for my book of the year. Emily Ray is an FBI agent who is the leading expert on abductions . She has an extra insight into predators having been snatched at the age of 8 and held for years before she escaped. I loved that the author didn't portray her as some kind of Lara Croft with a page, she is still in therapy 20 years after her escape and each case takes a toll on her physically and mentally. The story really hits the ground running as we see the kidnapper stalk and snatch little Josie Vance. There was a real sense of urgency and the pace never let up. I was really enjoying the story and the tension contained in it when halfway through the book an unbelievable twist left me breathless. I had to read the page 3 times and by that stage I was laughing at this oh so clever surprise. From here on, the excitement was ramped right up to 11. I positively raced through the rest of the book while biting my nails down to the quick.. I loved the ending and the fact that there is potential for more books about, not just Emily, but the entire team of agents. I will wait with bated breath in the hope that the author has more books planned.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book

Just when you think it’s safe…
Emily Ray was kidnapped and held for eight years by James Tibbs before she was finally able to escape. Now years later, she’s happily married with twin daughters. But her past is never far from her mind and she remains vigilant in keeping the demons at bay.

Emily has devoted her professional life to finding missing children as a special agent for the CARD UNIT (Child Abduction Rapid Deployment) of the FBI.
She’s been called in for a recent abduction that is eerily similar to her own. And when the kidnapper makes contact with the unit Emily is convinced. It's him! It’s James Tibbs!

But that’s impossible! He was killed shortly after she escaped!

I enjoyed Emily’s character and how the author displayed both her personal and professional sides equally. The supporting characters were represented well and equally fleshed out.

This was a compelling thriller that held my attention throughout. The twist was a complete surprise and phenomenal! I had to pause for a moment just to wrap my head around it! (Well done!)🙌
It looks like this will be the start of a new series featuring our main character and look forward to seeing where the author will take us next.

Thank you to Storm Publishing via NetGalley

My Name is Emily Ray by Michelle Dominguez Greene is a beautifully written and emotionally gripping novel that lingers in your mind long after the final page. From the very first chapter, Greene crafts a deeply immersive story that explores identity, resilience, and the search for truth. The writing is evocative and compelling, drawing readers into Emily Ray’s world with a perfect balance of suspense and emotional depth.

The characters are richly developed, especially Emily, whose journey is both heartbreaking and inspiring. Greene does an exceptional job of weaving past and present together, slowly unraveling secrets and revealing the raw emotions beneath. Every twist feels earned, and the novel’s exploration of memory, trauma, and self-discovery adds layers of complexity that elevate it beyond a typical mystery.

The pacing is spot-on, with a steady build of tension leading to a powerful and satisfying conclusion. My Name is Emily Ray is an unforgettable novel that blends psychological intrigue with deeply human storytelling. A well-deserved 5-star read—perfect for those who love thought-provoking, character-driven mysteries that stay with you long after the last page.

5* intro to this author, and wow, I wasn't expecting that reveal. And Antonio? A guy worth his weight in gold.

This is one of the best books I've read this year. Not too much of an infodump, just enough to give a recap of the past and bring readers into the present with Emily, straight into the case of a killer who's potientally a copycat of the one who'd abducted her, who died in a fiery car crash.

Well, although I suspected something with the mention of the crash, and was right, the tale was incredibly well done, with Emily skirting a few lines for the right reasons - not to be pulled off the case, and knowing she was giving the abductee her best chance at being found - and being just plain bloody good at her job. Yes, the reveal was a bit of a shocker, but totally understandable and also a bit of an act of compassion, as well as self-servitude. Did I have a problem with it? No. Did I expect Antonio to? Not unreasonably, yes, but he was a totally supportive husband and father, one of the best on-the-sidelines-but-kind-of-not partners that I've seen for any LEO in these murder-mystery tales that are my jam these days.

Brilliant tale, a slight touch of suspension of disbelief, a plot that worked, decent characters, including an ambitious male coworker who got what he deserved. I can't wait for the next.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my reading pleasure.

I really enjoyed this missing child mystery by Michelle Dominguez Greene. Emily Ray is a successful missing child expert in the FBI. Emily is especially dedicated to her job because she survived a kidnapping herself in her childhood. She is tasked with a new missing child case that is very similar to her own kidnapping and she soon discovers that there are many strange links to her own kidnapping case. This book is smart and thrilling and has a surprising twist and ending.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this OUTSTANDING eARC.

5 Stars across the board for this mystery / police procedural. If you are looking for a hero you can cheer for, read this book; I found it captivating, and Michelle Dominguez Greene is an author to watch, as mystery fans will find so much to admire in this novel about child predators, and the hunt for those left behind (and in some cases neglected and forgotten, which made them easy prey).

An outstanding mystery where the protagonist veers back and forth seamlessly, between her own fractured past and the links of present crimes to her own long ago tragedies.

Pick up a copy of this book and clear your schedule for a day or two because you won't be able to set it down!

My Name Is Emily Ray is an excellent debut novel. Emily leads the hunt for a missing seven year old and she knows exactly what young Josie is going through - because she too was abducted as a child. There are echoes of her own case, adding to the psychological issues she is all too used to facing daily.

It's difficult to review this book any further without spoilers. It's an enthralling read and has several big twists to the narrative. The characters are well developed and the plot feels both realistic and authentic. Emily is a fabulous lead character with a traumatic back story and a strong sense of purpose. It all adds up to a compelling read.

Wow! A brilliant story with the potential to be a fantastic series in the future - one I absolutely cannot wait to read!
Special Agent Emily Ray, a kidnap survivor herself, leads an investigation into a missing girl. As the case develops, clues come to light which lead Emily to believe that the truth is closer than she could ever imagine.
This story had me hooked right from chapter one and I just couldn’t stop reading. It was easy to follow, with likeable characters and twists galore! I will certainly be on the lookout for book 2 in the series.
Congratulations to Michele Dominguez Greene for this superb novel!

Along with two other girls Emily Ray was abducted when she was just 7 years old. Now she is investigating the disapper=arance of another young girl.

With her expert experiences she is the girl for the job but it doesn;t come easy

This is a wow of a read. It is a story brilliantly told and what I imagine to be true to life.

It is pacy, emotional and dramatic. There are twists, twists and more twists and I loved it .

This was an hell of a thriller. Remind me of Noelle Ihli writing so much.

Loved every twists and plot of this one.

Thanks netgalley for this ARC.

Thank you to Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of My Name is Emily Ray & Netgalley.
Background blurb: Emily Ray. Josie Vance. Danica Hansen. Three girls with one thing in they were all seven years old when they were abducted.
When young Josie Vance vanishes from Cove Park, California leaving behind her light-up sneakers, Special Agent Emily Ray leads the investigation to find her. She is the very best at finding abducted children. Twenty-eight years ago she was one of them.
This book is intricately woven and keeps you hooked on the page, it also creates high anxiety for a young girl who has been abducted but you need to keep reading as Greene emotionally captivates you keeping you invested in the young girl that is missing.
The mid and end plot twists I did not see coming and what a web of deceit and lies one person did but seemingly also for the right reasons. The baggage Emily Ray has been carrying around makes you wonder how one person could become so accoladed.
The writing flows well and shows a high level of research and many hours on investigative crime, FBI procedures and how the system works. I was impressed with all the attention to detail and loved how the story and plot unfolded. I love it when a book plot twist literally makes you gasp, and this one did.
My first read of a Michele Greene book and most definitely not the last.
Kerry Kennedy Author

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC of this book!


Emily Ray is head strong and resilient. I read this in a day. The moment you start you're hooked. Though I did find the ending a bit rushed which is why I couldn't give it a 5 star.

An excellent read for any and all readers! Author comes at you with both barrels and knocks you out of your shoes! Great job fleshing out all the characters. I give this book FIVE stars! Definitely recommend!

Wow the emotions that come with this book. I love FBI agent Emily Ray. She is strong and fearless and resilient. Reading her go through this case and how it was geared at her was just an emotional rollercoaster. I fully understand why she was acting the way she was. Honestly the twists that were in this story had my jaw on the floor. This was such a great thriller and I can't wait to see what the next book will be like.

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

If you're looking for a quick, engaging thriller, My Name is Emily Ray delivers a solid read, especially for fans of crime fiction.

Breakdown:
⭐ Characters: 4/5 - The strong female lead carries the story well, making it easy to stay invested. She’s smart, determined, and compelling, though some secondary characters could have been more fleshed out.

⭐ Setting: 3/5 - The atmosphere was decent but didn’t feel as immersive as it could have been. It served the story, but nothing particularly stood out.

⭐ Plot: 4/5 - This book reads like an episode of Criminal Minds, which I really enjoyed. It keeps the pace moving and has a solid investigative feel. If you like Michael Connelly’s books, you’ll likely appreciate this one too.

⭐ Emotional Impact: 2/5 - The ending felt a little flat. I was hoping for a big twist or an emotional gut punch, but it didn’t quite deliver.

⭐ Personal Enjoyment: 3.5/5 - It’s a good, quick thriller to binge-read, especially if you’re in a reading slump. While it may not leave a lasting impression, it’s an entertaining ride while it lasts.

Would I recommend it? Yes, if you’re looking for a fast-paced, crime-driven read that doesn’t require too much emotional investment.

Excellent!! Creepy, thrilling and full of surprises! I read it in one go, could not put the book down till I knew what happened! I really enjoyed the first book of this new series and will definitely read the following books.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

A super enjoyable read. Fast paced plot, great characters and a surprisingly good ending. Solid 3 star.

This is a hard review to do because this book is so good that I will not be able to do it justice! Who really is Emily Ray? Is she just an FBI special agent or is there a secret to who she is ? You will have to read to find out! Loved everything about this book. There is a huge twist that made this book even better than expected. No spoilers here because you won't need any because you need to read ! If you love a good mystery of who took Josie with a very unexpected twist with a great character to follow like Emily Ray than you won't be disappointed! So glad to see this is a start of a series. I will be anxiously awaiting the next book! SOOOOO GOOOODD!!!

My Name is Emily Ray is a gripping thriller that incorporates past trauma with a heart-pounding investigation. The author does a great job of crafting a compelling narrative that centers around Special Agent Emily Ray, a determined investigator with a deeply personal stake in the case of a missing girl, Josie Vance. From the opening pages, the author captured my attention with an intense atmosphere as Emily is thrust back into a nightmare reminiscent of her own childhood abduction. The vivid descriptions and well-drawn characters make it easy to empathize with Emily's struggles and determination. The portrayal of her character is that she is not just a skilled agent but also a survivor grappling with unresolved trauma, making her journey both relatable and poignant.

The plot unfolds with well-timed twists and turns, particularly as the story unveils the chilling clues sent by the kidnapper, which echo Emily's own past. The author's writing kept me on the edge, as each clue unravels a deeper mystery that intertwines Emily's present with her painful history. The pacing is relentless, creating a thrilling reading experience.

Michelle Dominguez Greene has delivered a remarkable debut that intertwines suspense, personal history, and emotional depth. My Name is Emily Ray is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and anyone who appreciates a well-crafted story with heart.

I cannot wait for more in this series and by this author. Highly recommended!

#MyNameisEmilyRay #NetGalley @Stormbooks_co

I really enjoyed this one and found it hard to put down at times. Fast paced with lots of action. Emily Ray is an FBI agent who heads up a service finding missing children. The difference with other similar books is that Emily was a kidnap victim as a child so she invests a lot emotionally in to these cases. She is called in to find a girl who has gone missing and the circumstances quickly start to mirror what happened to her. She has a happy family of her own now, and juggles that with her work and we see the impact this case starts to have on her mentally and physically. There are some big twists that I thought were well written and the plot moved smoothly. I look forward to reading more in this series.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.