The Return of Ellie Black

The Return of Ellie Black A Novel

Emiko Jean2024
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. “I stayed up late into the night turning the pages until I learned the truth of what happened to Ellie—and gasped when Jean delivered a truly jaw-dropping twist.” —Jessica Knoll, New York Times bestselling author of Luckiest Girl Alive and Bright Young Women 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.
Sign up to use

Reviews

Photo of Michelle Hruby
Michelle Hruby@mabluby
3 stars
Dec 1, 2024

I prefer more mystery type thrillers over heinous crimes against women thrillers. This one kept it pretty in check, which helped my enjoyment. The ending was exciting but felt a bit rushed.

Photo of Cheri McElroy
Cheri McElroy@cherimac
3.5 stars
May 25, 2024

Ellie Black has been missing for two years when she reappears in a forest. Detective Chelsey Calhoun is eager to investigate what happened, given that she hadn't solved the case to begin with. But Ellie's return is more mysterious than originally thought. Chelsey has to battle Ellie's trauma and her own demons to try and solve the case.

This is a well-developed book that explores the trauma women experience at the hands of men and the way society blames women for what happens. The audiobook was full-cast, and I recommend it as an immersive experience.

Photo of Cortni Bell
Cortni Bell@cortni
4 stars
Apr 16, 2024

"The Return of Ellie Black" kept me thoroughly entertained from start to finish. The storyline was gripping, and I found myself eagerly turning the pages to uncover what would happen next. However, I couldn't shake the feeling that certain aspects of the story could have been expanded upon more. Despite this, the unexpected twist took me completely by surprise, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the narrative. Overall, a great read with room for further exploration in certain areas. Thank you #NetGalley for this early copy to enjoy!

Photo of Kelsey Mcdaniel
Kelsey Mcdaniel@kelseyator
5 stars
Jan 31, 2025
Photo of Whitney Lambert
Whitney Lambert@nonahnopenyet
4 stars
Oct 28, 2024
Photo of Haritha R
Haritha R@haritha4may
4 stars
Sep 20, 2024
Photo of Susan Forsythe
Susan Forsythe@bookmaven
3.5 stars
Aug 29, 2024
Photo of Lisa Savage
Lisa Savage@panky
3.5 stars
Jul 29, 2024
Photo of Kate Baldwin
Kate Baldwin@itskatebaldwin
4 stars
May 18, 2024
Photo of Katie Berges
Katie Berges @mermaidstatus
3.5 stars
May 15, 2024