Published by Simon & Schuster on May 7, 2024

Like most crime novels, The Return of Ellie Black fails to live up to its marketing hype. This is nevertheless the kind of novel that certain readers seem to crave. It is the story of a serial kidnapper of teenage (or younger) girls. The villain brutalizes, brainwashes, rapes, and eventually kills his victims — apart from Ellie Black. Serial kidnappers, like serial killers, are far more prevalent in the world of crime fiction than they are in the real world, but the market for child snatching stories never seems to be saturated.

Michael and David apparently work together to kidnap teenage girls (and at least one preteen). Assisted by a woman named Serenity, they hold the girls in a buried bus for two weeks to break down their sense of identity. Some of the girls apparently starve to death before they forget who they are. The men give the survivors names like Faith and Hope. They hold the girls captive, using them as their sex slaves with the apparent aim to make them pregnant.

The story departs from the formula when a kidnap victim is found alive. Ellie Black has been missing for two years. She turns up in the woods in a shattered emotional state. Ellie is not cooperative with the police, a fact that the police attribute to her unwillingness to revisit her trauma. Yet there may be another cause of her reticence, which proves to be the only interesting aspect of a novel that is otherwise formulaic.

Most of the story is told in the third person as it follows Detective Chelsey Calhoun and her investigation of Ellie’s kidnapping. An article of clothing Ellie is wearing links her to a couple of other missing females. A few scattered chapters are told in the first person as Ellie recalls her ordeal.

Emiko Jean gives us the usual theme of a police detective who thinks “If only these [missing] girls could talk” and imagines them whispering “Find us, please.” Some readers seem to have an appetite for obvious efforts to manipulate their sympathies. Sometimes the mention of the word “victim” is enough to draw them into the story.

Fictional female detectives like Calhoun — dedicated to victims, unable to sleep because they are haunted by the victims’ voices, who “will do anything to save a life” — are ubiquitous in crime fiction. They are usually one dimensional. “Just think of the victims” becomes a substitute for a writer’s inability to think of interesting characters. Jean is no exception in that flawed approach to crime fiction writing. I usually avoid stories of that nature but the marketing hype made me think this one might be different. It isn’t.

Calhoun’s insecurity, followed by her eventual triumph, is another part of the formula. Also formulaic is Calhoun’s motivation for becoming a cop — a missing and murdered sister — and Calhoun’s self-recrimination because she didn’t prevent her sister from dating the wrong guy. Have you heard this story before? If you read enough crime fiction, you’ve encountered it over and over.

Another tired cliché of thriller writing is Calhoun’s boss, who takes credit for her successes and blames her for failures that weren’t entirely her fault. And, of course, Calhoun makes predictable decisions to defy authority and do what’s necessary because she just cares so much about victims. Victims are more important than her job or her relationships or anything else because victims.

Ellie has a dark secret that makes her feel guilty. It can’t be too dark because the reader is meant to sympathize with Ellie, even when she does something awful. The true reason for Ellie’s failure to cooperate with the investigation ties into the secret. It isn’t at all credible, but it is at least a departure from the formula.

Jean’s prose style is acceptable and she tells the story with good pace. The reveal of a kidnapper’s true identity is standard thriller fare — contrived and unsurprising. The villains are caricatures of evil men with mommy issues. The story’s positive qualities permit a tepid recommendation, but its familiarity prevents me from recommending it to anyone who doesn’t crave stories that feature detectives who can’t stop talking about how much they care about victims.

RECOMMENDED WITH RESERVATIONS

This book truly shows Emiko Jean can write different genres so well! This book is unlike others of hers I have read in that it is dark, sinister, and just a great mystery. Without giving too much away, it is about a missing girl who returns 2 years later. The detective from her original case, Chelsey, is trying to get answers without much help from Ellie. I love how the reader gets a glimpse into Ellie's point of view, to recap her whereabouts, throughout the story. The twist ending was very believable with a perfect shock factor.

Look into the triggers because there are definitely a few!

4.5 stars rounded up

Dark, intense crime fiction at its finest!

The Return of Ellie Black had me on edge from start to finish. All my emotions were tangled up, and I swear my nerve endings were on fire.

The realism made me ache. Emiko Jean doesn’t give us details for shock value. She draws us in, places us in the story, and says, here, this is what it feels like.

This is NOT a popcorn thriller. This is a visceral experience. You’ve been warned.

A wow for this one! Everything is turned upside down when Ellie stumbles out of the woods after being missing for two years- upside down for Chelsey the detective who has been on her case, upside down for her parents, upside down for her boyfriend Daniel who still feels guilty about not being with her the night she was taken. This moves back and forth between the present, as Chelsey probes Ellie for information and sets off on a desperate hunt, and Ellie, who tells what happened to her. It very much deserves to be read without hints or spoilers because there are not only twists but also a big surprise. The characters-top to bottom-are wonderfully real (Ellie's family are standout). And Jean manipulates and controls the tension well. Best of all- the storytelling. Thanks to the publisher for the ARC. A real page turner-great read.

This book has some difficult themes including sexual assault. Luckily it is not explicit. That said, i could not put it down. The mystery was so good and there was a jaw dropping reveal towards the end.

Oh Wow!!! What a book!! It is hard to believe this is a debut thriller! It is dark and shocking...well-written and will grab your attention all the way to the end. The twists are twisted and heart wrenching which carries a tragic story that so many people have faced. I can't imagine the disappearance and not knowing of someone you love. What if they returned and the answers are ones you don't want? This will tear you into....
Chelsey as a detective tries to do the right thing for families of missing girls because she experienced it with her sister who disappeared 15 years ago. As she searches for closure for others, she gets a call about a missing teen who has reappeared.
Ellie Black disappeared 2 years ago and returns with a shocking revelation revealed later in the book. At first, she doesn't talk about it, but as she slowly reveals, it is unspeakable crimes against her.
I was supercharged to uncover the truth with Chelsey as she questions friends and those who saw her last at a party.
Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this incredible ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Debut author Emiko Jean delivers a heart-pounding thriller in The Return of Ellie Black.

Elizabeth Black (Ellie) is found by hikers two years after her abduction in a small Pacific Northwest Town. Detective Chelsey Calhoun is on the case to solve the mystery of Ellie's abduction, spurred by memories of the loss of her OWN sister Lydia 15 years before.

As Detective Calhoun pulls at the threads of the case, she unravels a mystery far more complex than she--or the readers--expected. The author skillfully utilizes the voices of both Ellie and Chelsey to uncover the truth about Ellie's abduction and Lydia's disappearance, leading the reader through dark twists and turns, guided by a glimmer of hope at the end of the tunnel.

Setting, authentically drawn characters, and a fast-moving plot all contribute to a satisfying thrill-ride of a novel.

The Return of Ellie Black was much darker and twister than I anticipated.

That's totally on me; I've only read Emiko Jean's "Tokyo Ever After" books, and thought this would be a lighter YA thriller. It's actually a heavier narrative with elements of a crime fiction/police procedural.

The author does a fantastic job depicting trauma and grief, and I was genuinely surprised by a few of the plot developments. The narrative isn't graphic, but it is extremely dark. Overall, it will be a great pick for readers who like crime fiction!

“This is how it begins. With a girl running through a forest, her veins tight with adrenaline. ”
Here are reasons to read the Thriller book:

Missing - Ellie has been missing for 2 years and Chelsey, a detective, has been trying to make strides in that time
Returns - Until one day Ellie is found in the forest, and is brought home
Not herself - however there is something strange about her. She won’t talk about her time, won’t help the investigation, and the trauma shows through her facade.
What happened - Chelsey works to find out what has happened to Ellie and who was responsible

I had read 2 of these author’s previous takes on Anna Karenina, which is like a contemporary, so to see this genre was unexpected. There are some very hard to read things in this book so please check your triggers here. I feel like too that there have been a lot of books this year about girls who go missing and then show up so if you want to see a roundup of that let me know. The mystery of what happens to Ellie is kind of shocking and disturbing so prepare yourself. However, the book had a satisfying ending so I recommend if this is the kind of story you like.

<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.