The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean

Detective Chelsey Calhoun’s life is turned upside down when she gets the call Ellie Black, a girl who disappeared years earlier, has resurfaced in the woods of Washington state—but Ellie’s reappearance leaves Chelsey with more questions than answers.

It’s been twenty years since Detective Chelsey Calhoun’s sister vanished when they were teenagers, and ever since she’s been searching: for signs, for closure, for other missing girls. But happy endings are rare in Chelsey’s line of work.

Then a glimmer: local teenager Ellie Black, who disappeared without a trace two years earlier, has been found alive in the woods of Washington State.

But something is not right with Ellie. She won’t say where she’s been, or who she’s protecting, and it’s up to Chelsey to find the answers. She needs to get to the bottom of what happened to Ellie: for herself, and for the memory of her sister, but mostly for the next girl who could be taken—and who, unlike Ellie, might never return.

The debut thriller from New York Times bestselling author Emiko Jean, The Return of Ellie Black is both a feminist tour de force about the embers of hope that burn in the aftermath of tragedy and a twisty page-turner that will shock and surprise you right up until the final page.

Genre: Mystery Thriller

Awards & Accolades: https://www.goodreads.com/choiceawards/readers-favorite-mystery-thriller-books-2024

Angela's Review

***There are portions of the book that are disturbing and unsettling so make sure to read the trigger warnings. Having said that, though, I loved this book!

I loved Chelsey’s character, with both her professional and personal life on display. She lost her sister to violence at a young age that not only shaped her into the strong woman she is today, but also guided her into her career in law enforcement.

This isn’t a fast- paced thriller. Rather, it's a slow deliberate tale taking you deep into the depraved world of monsters preying on women. I was absolutely riveted by this storyline, devouring every word, losing myself within the narrative, and I had a hard time putting the book down.

This book is disturbing, surprising, dark, sad, heart-wrenching, and thought-provoking. It tackles several heavy subjects like mansplaining, abuse, mental health, psychological torture, alcoholism, dysfunctional family issues, grief, and violence. The content is intense, but it's also realistic and well-written, tapping into deep-seated fears and identity issues. It explores the impact of family secrets, how closed doors can shape children's lives, and the ways in which their mental health can deteriorate, influenced by their parents' distorted perspectives.

This novel features excellent character development, balanced pacing, a jaw-dropping climax, and a well-constructed conclusion. Oftentimes, I experience a letdown at the end of thrillers; that was not the case here. This was one of the best thrillers I read this year, and I highly recommend it! This one gets a solid 5 stars from me.