This is the first book in the series. I read the 2nd one first but this one really gives me some background on Elsa and NYPD detective Lex Cole. Elsa is an FBI agent in charge of helping find missing kids. She should probably be on leave since her father is dying and she is trying to split her attention between her father and her case. Lex Cole is the detective in charge of the case, he asked for Elsa's help on this case and so far hasn't been disappointed. He does however keep trying to break through her walls to form a friendship.

As Elsa's father declines she keeps being brought back to the past, her abusive mother and why her father never helped her. This is a good book that not only focuses on the mystery of who kidnapped a young girl on her way home from school but also what happens when we revisit our past. The scars they create and how hard it is to break down walls and let others in. Well written characters, interesting story line. I wish I had read this one first but either way works, they can easily stand alone but you get much more insight into the characters when you read them in order.

Trigger warning there are scenes related to cutting.

I hadn't heard of this book before it was offered to me by Netgallery, and I decided to give it a try. I thought the portrayal of Elsa, the main character, dealing with the pending death of her father, was accurate and realistic. And I could understand the draw for her to continue working while her husband was in the hospital - to keep busy. The facts of Elsa dealing with her childhood child abuse was a bit of a shock, as I haven't encountered much of that in books to this point. I applaud the author for taking on the subject.
However, the changes with the POV - Elsa present, Elsa past, Ruby - were jarring and confusing. There were no defined indicators for the changes - I thought that it was maybe due to my copy - and it would throw me a bit and I would need to change gears, re-read. Also, I felt like that more of the book was devoted to Elsa's background than the actual kidnapping case. It was difficult to get into, and after spurts of action and interest, it would slow down again. I often found myself slowing down, putting the book down for up to a week at a time, then try again. I didn't give up on the book (as it was an ARC), but I did end up skimming several pages at a time. Nothing grabbed me in the book, and had it not been an ARC, I would have discarded it after about 3 chapters.

I'm grateful for the opportunity to read the book, and thank Netgallery and the publisher for the chance. But this just wasn't the book for me. I can't really think of anyone I know that I would recommend this book to. I"m rating this 2 stars, which is "it was OK' for me. I just can't really bump it up to 3 stars. Nothing in the book grabbed me, thrilled me, and I felt almost no mystery.

Flawed, gifted FBI agent with a past. Heartwrenching (and warming) supporting characters. This is an opening to a new series that will be on the top of my list. Please also see my review on goodreads.com

This book while interesting cast a lot of attention to a very dark topic. Child abuse and missing children are often difficult stories for library patron to read. While this book explores the topic of missing teens it also address the child abuse that the main character suffered as a child makes this a difficult book to read.

A Map of the Dark follows FBI agent Elsa Myers who is juggling a search for a missing teen-age girl and a father heading into hospice. Elsa is a character who could have walked right out of a Gillian Flynn novel, complex, fighting personal demons, and dedicated to her job.

Elsa is partnered on the case with NY detective Lex Cole, and I thought both characters were well developed. As with many books of this genre, the story alternated between the points of view of the law enforcement team on the case and the victim. It's fairly standard fare, but I enjoyed it thoroughly. I loved Elsa and Lex and their personal dynamics, and I was really pleased to learn that this is Book #1 in a new series. I'll definitely be on board for future cases.

Thank you to NetGalley and Mulholland Books for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

Karen Ellis has given us a new character to love and worry about. As she looks for a missing girl, our heroine must also work through her family emergency and her past traumas. This makes her human to the reader while still leaving enough mystery to keep us reading. The back story brings in past actions and events while the detectives work diligently to try and save the missing teenager. The story all wraps into one when the clues take us too close to the edge of a serial killer's mind. How it all fits together will surprise you.

This book is about a missing children FBI agent who gets called in when a cop requests her help after a girl is reported missing. The FBI agent, Elsia, has her father dying of cancer so the book goes back and forth between what is going on with her case and with her personal life with her dad, sister and her niece. So you get to go through all the steps of finding who's the bad guy to trying to find the girl or girls and also her not dealing with her issues with death and her father. I had to give it a three because it felt liked it dragged in a lot of the parts. I'm about to start the continuation book so hopefully all goes well.
🤓❤️📚❣️

I really enjoyed this book -- it was well-written, well-paced, and the characters were likable. The character of Elsa was extremely intriguing (although the theme of let it go was a bit too much of a coincidence for me....) and I enjoyed the interspersion of her back story through out the novel. However, I wasn't 100% sold on how her back story totally connected with the main plot -- it felt a bit weak to me. Overall though, I enjoyed it and am excited to read Karen Ellis's new book.

I liked it but it was less of a crime story and more of a psychiatric journey for the main character whose dad is dying of cancer.. The. crime story seemed secondary to the revealations of child abuse of the agent. It was an OK story but not really a thriller as advertised. Instead of a procedural crime story it was a story of child abuse and the damage it caused the main character who cuts herself. Overall, I didn’t really enjoy the story. It was not compelling. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an arc in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

A Map of the Dark is aptly named. FBI Agent Karen Ellis finds missing children, a job that takes her into very dark places indeed. But recollections of her life and her mother also take her into dark places, as do the scars on her arms. The fact that her father is dying, and can't explain how he allowed her to be abused when young, simply makes Karen even more conflicted. When first one, then another girl goes missing, Karen and her new partner Lex are on the case, and what they find is pure evil.

The premise is interesting but as the title says, the book is very dark, filled with evil intentions and dire consequences. At the same time, as Karen searches for the missing girls, she becomes part of a team, a group that cares, and that take her as she is.

This wouldn't be my favorite book, but it is interesting and well done. For those who like the dark, it's a good read.

I liked this book and one of the reasons is they way she kept the characters separate even while they were together. It was a different perspective for me. Elsa dealing with her past and still falling victim to it while trying to solve the case. Loved Lex and Brian, too.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Thriller
Triggers: Child abuse, Death, Kidnapping, Murder, Drugs, self harm mutilation

This is my first book by Ellis and I thoroughly enjoyed it. From the very beginning, I was sucked right into the story. We are introduced to Elsa, a CARD (Child Abduction Rapid Deployment) agent who is asked to come in and work a missing teen case. While she is reluctant to accept the assignment for personal reasons, mainly, her father is dying of cancer. However, she can't help but accept the plight of her boss and she knows that she is good at her job, which means she might be able to help this teen, Ruby, who's gone missing.

We then are introduced to Lex. He is an NYPD detective who, despite being described as new, is anything but. He is thorough, comprehensive, and specifically asked for Elsa because of her reputation. Lex is a quiet secondary character. There isn't much to him in this story and I do wish that we got to see more of him in action. However, he is well developed and necessary for the backstory and for Elsa to feel comfortable with him. They share some similar history, in that their childhood experiences were somewhat parallel.

I think my main bone of contention was that there was really no discussion between Elsa and her sister, Tara, after the incident... I felt that it should have been addressed and not glossed over. However, maybe it will be addressed in the next book. I hope all of Elsa's family drama is addressed and not just left hanging in the balance. Also, Elsa's potential love interest is just kind of an afterthought. It happened and then nothing. I wanted more in their resolution too.

In this thriller, we're brought along with a killer who can't help but give into their urges, an FBI agent who is plagued by her past, and a mystery of why this particular killer does what he does. I really enjoyed it and despite knowing where Elsa's past lead and what the result was, I still really enjoyed the story. I can't wait to see what happens next and I hope that we get to see more of Elsa and Lex.

A Map of the Dark is the first book in a new series. While FBI Agent Elsa Myers is quietly spending quality time with her dying father, she gets called in to a missing girl case. As the case becomes more complicated and crosses several states and territories, Elsa must face her dark and painful past while looking towards her future. As her family becomes involved in the case, Elsa must learn to not only fight/face her demons, but she must also trust and entrust her loved ones to her fellow coworkers.

This is the first book of Ms. Ellis' that I have read, and I must say that I absolutely loved it. The plot is complex and twisted while keeping me guessing. The characters are well written and thought out. They all connect and interact with each other in a fluid manner. Elsa is a strong and charismatic woman who knows who she is, but she must also learn to rely and trust others. The other characters are strong and very interesting. The villain will keep you guessing his/her identity until it's revealed. I enjoyed reading A Map of the Dark. I found this book to be a promising beginning to a new and interesting series. I look forward to reading what happens next. Thank you Ms. Ellis and NetGalley for allowing me to read your book.

Karen Ellis keeps the reader engaged in this book from beginning to end. Elsa is an agent for the Child Abduction Rapid Deployment unit. She’s the best of the best in an over taxed department. When a teenager goes missing on her way to school Elsa’s boss insists on her working the case with a rookie detective. Why me she reflects she really should be out on leave her father is dying and she wants to be bedside for him. However, she can’t not help. Elsa has more to contend with than a missing teenager and a dying father, as if that’s not enough, she can’t stay away from her childhood home that was just sold and is being renovated. There are memories of the night her mother was murdered there. Memories that still haunt her. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my unbiased review I recommend this book highly very well written, keeps your interest and well worth your time.

Agent Elsa has a ver hard job finding missing children. When one of her own turns up missing it all gets personal. Elsa has a few secrets of her own. Lex is her partner and friend and with his help she can overcome some of them.

I thought this was very good. I would look forward to another book with Agent Elsa.

A relatively quick read that read like an extended episode of Law and Order: SVU or Criminal Minds. I enjoyed the quick chapters and the "whodunnit" mystery. However, I didn't really feel like I knew the main characters (Elsa or Lex) until 3/4 through the book - I was aching for more character development. Overall, a solid quick read (3.5 out of 5 stars).

This was a terrific novel! I was entranced by the plot, characters, and pacing. The characters of Detective Lexi Cole & FBI Agent Elsa Myers work together to find 3 missing kidnapped girls. The writing of author Karen Ellis (who also wrote under the name Katia Lief) is spot on for a police procedural novel. The reader is swept away by the action. There is also a subplot expounded upon by the author: Elsa is dealing with the traumas of her youth at the hands of her mixed up, & abusive mother Deb who, the reader is told, was murdered by a home invader when Elsa was 16. Elsa is confronting her past while working on the kidnapping cases because her father is dying of cancer & sold the house where Elsa spent her young life. The house is gone, the father is soon to be gone, so naturally this type of scenario is ripe for self-reflection. Elsa feels she will spend the rest of her life alone because she feels no man could want her with a body scarred by decades of self-abuse. All she has is her job working for the FBI finding missing or abducted children. Although she is is an exceptional woman, she doesn’t see herself that way. Years of physical abuse by her sicko mother destroyed any sense of self-worth she may have had. It’s easy to see why she turned to self-mutilation—-as a reaction against the things done to her by her mother. There were some big surprises at the conclusion of this novel that tied everything in together, & left an opening for book 2 in this series which I just began today.
Thank you, NetGalley & Mulholland Books for the opportunity to read & review this entertaining novel.

3.5 stars. A dark subject matter as vehicle turns emotions into intense and revealing characters. This book is a well crafted story showing us the results of child abuse - how a verbally and physically damaged child grows into a different person than one unhurt. Some forge the pain into good works while others slip into evil deeds. A difficult topic is saved by excellent characters. I'd like to see more of the strong ones.

Loved this book. The alternating points of view from one chapter to another kept me guessing who was going to be next. I appreciated the ghosts of Elsa's past coming back every so often as it gave me an insight into her and why she does what she does. I did not expect the ultimate ending. The teens were very realistic. As much as we all think we know what is going on with teens because "we've been through it" we really don't because they are different then we are and these are different times. This novel kind of scared me as it drove home that we can never really keep our kids safe every bad thing out there.
I received a free copy through netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

Review on Amazon and Good reads.

This novel had many layers which is often the case with stories featuring “damaged” investigators wanting to “make a difference”. It is not an original concept as it is seen more often than not; however, this book introduced us to an array of characters whose lives and backgrounds make the reader want to know more. To say that the lead investigator’s backstory was more distressing and disturbing than the crimes she is investigating would be an understatement. The detective work feels solid and the characters are believable. This was certainly a page turner with a surprise at the end which brings some satisfaction.