Quick Synopsis

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.

Publisher’s Synopsis

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.

Book Review

The Return of Ellie Black is a mystery novel that tells the story of Ellie Black, a teenager who went missing two years prior, who is found by hikers. Detective Chelsey Calhoun, whose own sister went missing 20 years ago, is determined to find out what happened to Ellie and ensure girls do not continue to disappear. However, Ellie is uncooperative and will not disclose where she has been or who kidnapped her.

I initially picked up The Return of Ellie Black thinking that it was a thriller (based upon reviews and the synopsis). I would argue that it does not have the pace of a thriller and involves few twists.

Told through multiple points-of-view as well as dual timelines, Ellie Black begins at a quick pace as the protagonist is discovered. In the first third, Emiko Jean packs in social commentary and provides readers with a glimpse into Ellie’s family members and how they cope with her disappearance. As the novel proceeds, the pace starts to lag, and the writing becomes choppy, staccato, and juvenile. By the end, I was barely hanging on, bored with the obvious storyline and unsurprising reveals. While I do not think this novel is bad by any means, I think it does not bring anything new to the table. It seems like this is the year of romance novelists writing thrillers. Those that I have read (Ellie Black included) have relied heavily on over-utilized, worn-out tropes.

I did think Jean created strong, interesting characters. Ellie was especially well developed. However, I think in trying to create a moral dilemma for readers as to whether Ellie is a likable, pitiful, or loathsome character, Jean buried some of the story’s raw emotion and solemnity.

I know I can be harsh when it comes to thrillers and mysteries. However, I think it is fair to be disappointed with this novel. If I am reading a thriller, I want my heart to race and be eager to turn the pages. If I am reading a mystery, I want some twists, character development, nuance, and commentary since the story is not in such a hurry to go anywhere. Thus, I was disappointed that Jean did not bring anything new to this type of story nor did she make a statement or add to an ongoing discourse. Consequently, I easily forgot the story and characters of Ellie Black after I closed the cover.

Overall, The Return of Ellie Black is a mystery novel that borders on YA and fails to break new ground. If you are simply looking for an entertaining read or are not a seasoned mystery/thriller reader, I think this is a decent read. However, if you are looking for a thriller that brings something new to the table, I would pass on this book.

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