Book Review - The Return of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean

Title: The Return of Ellie Black
Author: Emiko Jean
Genre: Thriller/ Mystery
Published: 2024
 
Description: 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 endins 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 shes protecting, and it’s up to Chelsey to find the answers. She needs to get to the 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.
 
Review: 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
 
“The Return of Ellie Black” is the debut thriller for author Emiko Jean. The book explores themes like trauma and its aftermath, in a very empathetic way, with a focus on the treatment of women in society. Especially the latter is what really spoke to me and makes this book stand out for me.
 
The book follows mostly women, strong and layered female characters. They have emotional depth, growth, complexity and all have something to say. The story is told from different perspectives, and the narrative is a raw exploration of trauma.
 
The plot is interesting and you ask yourself many questions along the way. One thing is for sure, the story is very unpredictable. It has many plot twists that I never saw coming or expected. Ellie Black is one of the most powerful and complex characters I read about this year. And Chelsey’s motivation to solve the case is reinforced by her personal history with a missing sister. That makes her a very interesting character to read about as well.
 
I never expected “The Return of Ellie Black” to be as good as it was. Or to love it as much as I did. The powerful female characters, surprising twists, and a compelling narrative style, make this a very original and strong thriller. If you’re a fan of the thriller genre, you should definitely pick it up.
 
Rating: 5/ 5