Emiko Jean

The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean is a highly recommended psychological thriller/procedural/crime novel.

Teenager Ellie Black has been found alive in the woods of Washington State after disappearing two years ago from the small town of Coldwell Beach. Detective Chelsey Calhoun is assigned the case and immediately begins to work with Ellie and her family and question everyone involved in the case previously. Ellie, who was a teen who was pushing all the boundaries before she was taken, has returned a seriously traumatized, damaged young woman. Chelsey's sister Lydia was presumed dead fifteen years earlier, so she has empathy with families of missing girls and wants others to find the closure they need.

The narrative unfolds through multiple perspectives. Mainly it is told from Chelsey's point-of-view, but Ellie's point-of-view is presented in separate sections inserted within the chapters. Ellie's therapist also has some separate sections. Chelsey's chapters examine her investigation, her relationship with her husband, Noah, and her background. Ellie's point-of-view details the events during her horrific captivity. Using multiple perspectives results in the two main characters being sympathetic characters who are portrayed in a realistic manner.

The writing is good. There are a few sections where it flags a bit, but once the action picks up and the twists begin, the pages do fly by. I will say that more than once as I was reading I paused and thought, "Wait. Haven't I read that in another novel?" Some similarities to other novels with missing girls would be obvious, but this was more some of the details, the supporting material.

The ending twist is very surprising and shocking. You will not see it coming. However, it was simply too over-the-top much for me and required a heaping amount of setting aside disbelief. On the other hand I will certainly admit that The Return of Ellie Black is a page turner that will keep most readers glued to the pages. Thanks to Simon & Schuster for providing me with an advance reader's copy via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2024/04/the-return-of-ellie-black.html… (altro)

WOW! THE RETURN OF ELLIE BLACK by Emiko Jean is an intense thriller where you know from the start that what you see is not the whole truth but have no idea in which direction the story will go. The identity of the abductors took me by complete surprise, as did another reveal at the end. With Ellie’s story touching on not just abduction cases but also misogyny, racism, and the power of wealth in the justice system, it is as timely as it is enlightening. THE RETURN OF ELLIE BLACK is a welcome addition to the thriller genre, and I look forward to reading what Ms. Jean publishes next!… (altro)

Twenty years ago, Chelsey Calhoun’s sister disappeared. It was concluded that she had been killed by her boyfriend who then committed suicide. Now a detective in the same police department where her father was once chief, Chelsey is notified that Ellie Black, another female who disappeared a few years ago, has been found wandering in the woods. Traumatized, Ellie is reluctant to share any information about her captivity. As Chelsey seeks information and answers, she begins to wonder about other missing girls/young women in her area of Washington State.

This is a very disturbing story with lots of twists. It touches on some very important topics; women as targets, the fear that must be instilled in all girls and women of men who may harm or exploit them, missing girls who receive no real notice if they are minorities or poor, and a point that Chelsey makes about society’s acceptance of women dying at the hands of men.

The main characters are well developed. Chelsey is laser focused and indomitable in her quest to find the truth and perhaps save other lives. Somewhat damaged herself by the loss of her beloved sister and her parents’ reaction to it, she is driven to close this case, even when she is removed from it and her personal happiness is at stake. The physical and psychological toll of Ellie’s abduction and treatment is a comprehensive case study in victimology.

Thanks to @netgalley and @simonbooks for the DRC.… (altro)