I apologize but I was unable to get into this book so have not left any public reviews. I am removing older books from my profile and I am sorry that I was unable to read more of them. I will be more judicious in the future about which books I request and will keep up with publishing my reviews.

Thank you for the advanced copy of this book. Awesome storytelling. Compelling characters and gripping plot. Looking for more from this author.

Stella had a seven year old daughter named Stella. Her dad- Duncan- called her a pixie. There were ten kids including Stella at the beach with their parents. The had the beach mostly to themselves and every so often a parent did a head count. Stella liked one of the other kids - he was her brother’s best friend- Luke. Stella liked to do things her own way. The next day Stella wasn’t in her bedroom and hadn’t slept in her bed. Stella couldn’t be found and there was no clues to where she was or what had happened. Then seven years later a teenage Stella showed up at her parents door, she had reappeared just as mysteriously as she had disappeared. What was really odd was Stella’s mom Eleanor had planned on taking her life on that seventh anniversary. But she wasn’t the same girl. She told the story of the Travelers and their journey beyond the stars. Travelers were extraterrestrials that communicates telepathically. Detective Cheever is the detective who had Stella’s case from the beginning and had never given up. Another group was tracking Stella as well. Everyone even Stella’s therapist feel’s Stella’s story isn’t true.
I enjoyed this book. And felt it was well written and I didn’t want to put this down as I wanted to see what would happen next. I do feel that many questions were left unanswered. And that kind of annoyed me. I do feel the author handled the way the family would act realistically. I also liked the twists. This drag for me at times. I did like the mystery part of this book as well as the romance. I liked the characters and the ins and outs of this book and I recommend.

Hmmm, this book gave me a lot to contemplate upon finishing. While, overall, I think I find the idea fascinating, I think it wrapped up too late in the story and still left MANY unanswered questions. The story was very well written though and never dragged for a minute.

This was a complex but captivating read. I'm not sure I fully understood it all and maybe that's the point but I throughly enjoyed it from start to finish

Eleanor is a locum teacher mother to two children and married to Duncan.
One night after a family gathering her daughter Stella looks through the window before going to bed and disappears without a trace.
Detective Orson Cheever heads the police investigation into her disappearance which turns out to be anything but a straight forward missing person case.
After several months Eleanor asks the police to organise a psychic. The psychic tells her her daughter is alive but far far away. She clings to the hope her daughter will return but the strain becomes too much to bear. After seven years Eleanor is on the brink of suicide when Stella returns. Her story of the missing years seems far fetched to many when it comes out she has been with The Travellers (aliens). Is the unbelievable true or the explanation something more sinister?
This book should suit mystery, thrillers and general fiction readers. I really enjoyed the twist to this story.

A bewitching story about Stella Pierce, who disappeared from her family for seven years, and returns with an improbable tale that no one believes. But Detective Cheever, who devoted himself to finding Stella when she disappeared, investigates her story with puzzling results. THE HOMECOMING is a good story with compelling characters. The ending was slightly disappointing but the overall story was really intriguing. I have enjoyed other Alan Russell books, but this was my favorite.

THE HOMECOMING (Susp/Pol Proc-Stella/Det. Orson Cheever-SoCal-Contemp) – G+
Russell, Alan – Standalone
Thomas & Mercer – June 2017
First Sentence: “Don’t get too near the fire, Stella.”
Seven years ago, a perfect day at the beach became a family’s worst nightmare when young Stella disappears from her home during the night. Now, a teenaged Stella has reappeared with a story of having been taken by a company of Travelers; extraterrestrials who communicated telepathically. Detective Cheever, who has been working the case the whole time, searches for answers while another mysterious group is tracking Stella as well.
Russell’s voice is that of a true storyteller, almost simplistic in tone. But that doesn’t diminish the story we’re being told. He starts off with a classic summer scene and the telling of a ghost story, giving us a true sense of Stella; who she is and what matters to her. But placid quickly turns into panicked.
The portrayal of the family is sensitively handled. The twist is well executed. But then….there are the seemingly villains, or are they? One is not quite certain, but we do know their code names for everyone becomes rather confusing. Once, however, can’t help but like Det. Cheever and his girlfriend psychiatrist Rachel Stern—“Rachel nodded. “I believe it was Obi-Wan who said, ‘Many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view’” “And that’s what makes you so exceptional,” said Cheever. “Any shrink can quote Freud. But how many can quote Yoda?” “It’s not something I typically advertise,” she said.” How nice it is to have a good cop.
The information on desert communities and the Salton Sea denotes an author who has done his research. It’s also a fascinating inclusion. Aside completely from the story, are gems of truth—“Because nothing is constant. Because you have to accept the blessing of those people who are part of your life and who make your life special, just as you have to accept their absence. In the end there is always the hope that you will meet up in some way and at some time in the future.”
“The Homecoming is a wonderfully unpredictable book. It is a mystery, a fantasy, a love story. It is fascinating if one can let go and just enjoy it.

The Homecoming is one of those books that you enjoy, but could not put a finger on why you enjoyed it. This book could announce a sequel tomorrow and I'd read it.

My favorite book yet by Alan Russell. A thrilling book with just a touch of science fiction.

Stella Pierce is just seven years old when she disappears from her bedroom one night after an evening with her family and friends on the nearby beach. Her room is tidy with everything in its place and there are no clues as to where she can be. After a frantic search, her family contacts the police and a widespread search take place. The officer in charge is Detective Orson Cheever, an officer who can empathise with the parents of a lost child.

As investigations continue it seems that Stella may have been abducted, and suspicion falls on Guy Wilkerson, a convicted paedophile; whilst he has been seen taking an interest in Stella, and her favourite doll is found in his possession, there is no hard evidence and more to the point, nobody. Wilkerson is however charged with breaking the conditions of his parole and is returned to jail.

Time passes and with no more news of Stella, the family, Duncan, Eleanor and her older brother Michael return to a semblance of normal life. Whilst Duncan and Michael cope well, Eleanor falls apart and on the seventh anniversary of Stella's disappearance makes the decision to end her life. Her resolve fails when, having taken the first set of pills, a teenage girl rings the doorbell; could this be Stella and can her story be believed?

Russell spins a complex mystery as the girl's story is investigated and there is no shortage of suspense as sub-plots are introduced and investigated. Cheever remains the investigating officer and follows every lead he can find. Meanwhile, there seems to be a third party interested in the girl, but their interest is not explained.

This is a well-written novel with Russell's trademark feature – no murder! In truth, it isn't needed and wouldn't add anything. I thoroughly enjoyed it and whilst the conclusion is frustratingly inconclusive it is an enthralling read.

Pashtpaws


Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of this book to review.

A daughter’s mysterious return seven years after disappearing during a family beach outing has everyone overjoyed and yet baffled. Stella is different from the missing girl her family once knew. What happened to her? She tells a mesmerizing story. The story of the Travelers and their journeys beyond the stars. Stella story becomes of public scrutiny. What is the truth? The story of the travels beyond our dimension or the story of a young teenager’s trauma.

What a captivating and well-written novel with gritty and down to earth characters. Science fiction is not my usual reading genre but after reading Russell’s novel I may have to include it in my searches. The audience for this book may be on the more on the YA side but Russell’s writing style has complexity with a layering of rich imagery. The story is set in Southern California and we are taken on a tour of big and small cities and historical places. The intriguing plot left many questions unanswered at the end of the book. Could there be a sequel?

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this story. Something different and very well written. I'm already a fan of Alan's books. Looking forward to reading his next book.

I have no idea what happened in this book but I loved it. I almost wish this was a series so I could have more of these characters. It felt pretty young adult as far as content went. And what is up with authors always using the proverbial queen bee high school girl as the villain? I never experienced this queen bee / clique phenomenon in high school, but maybe it really was or is still typical? At any rate. That was really my only complaint. The mystery was complex and captivating and I really really enjoyed this story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer for a digital advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

When we remember we are all mad, the mysteries disappear and life stands explained. - Mark Twain

This was a story that I very much liked sections of but the pieces kind of fell apart when trying to mesh it together.

There were vignettes scattered throughout the story that were thought provoking and sometimes quite beautiful. But then there would be another stretch of dry narrative or out of sync narrative that would jar me out of the story.

Seven year-old Stella comes from a loving nuclear family - Mom, Dad and big brother Michael. One night she totally disappears, leaving behind a devastated remnant of what was.

Seven years pass, with her mother especially devastated, and then Stella reappears - with an amazing story of what was behind her disappearance.

I felt like this could have been a great story but missed the mark. Too bad - I really did want to like it more. The premise was promising.

I did enjoy Detective Cheever's character - down to earth, questioning, kind of the calm in the midst of the storm.

And I'm sorry this review isn't clearer. This story was a bit difficult to review, maybe because I did like sections of it so much.

I received this book from Thomas & Mercer through Net Galley in exchange for my unbiased review.

I really liked this book and couldn't put it down. Stella disappeared from her home as a very young girl and shows up magically about 8 years later when she "knows" that her mother is in despair. I enjoyed the character of Cheever the detective and how he kept up researching Stella for years and never gave up. The ending was a bit mystical I don't think you ever really learn where Stella was while she was gone. Good character development for all characters.

Great read! Looking forward to reading more by this author! Highly recommend!

In the seven years since Stella Pierce has vanished, her family gave up hope of ever finding her alive. Even the detective working the case, Orson Cheever, who still works the case doesn’t believe the girl will be found alive. Then one day Stella, now a teen, reappears, and claims to have been traveling through outer space with the “Travelers”. Despite the best efforts of the police and her family, Stella’s story is leaked to the press and blows up. Most people thinks she’s crazy, some think she’s invented the story to survive the ordeal she must have really gone through. Cheever will stop at nothing to find out what really happened to the teen during those seven years. Russell captures the magic and mystery of Graham Joyce in this story that will keep you guessing

Excellent book. Great main characters and plot. I would recommend this book.