The Return Of Ellie Black

Author: Emiko Jean
Genre: Crime Thriller
320 pages
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 2024

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.

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.

My review
The Return Of Ellie Black by Emiko Jean is a blend of police procedural and psychological thriller. This character-driven story explores themes of exploitation and victimization of women. Although the plot didn’t align entirely with my expectations based on the synopsis, it was a compelling read and Jean’s writing is straightforward and easily accessible. Crime fiction has the power to address difficult topics in meaningful and engaging ways, but for me, this novel fell short in delivering the emotional depth needed to fully connect with the characters.

The Return Of Ellie Black unfolded as a slow burn, carrying a persistent undercurrent of melancholy. While the novel tackles some heavy themes, the storyline lacked the depth needed to truly resonate or evoke lasting sympathy. Jean’s portrayal of Ellie Black’s journey comes closest to achieving emotional depth. The contrast between Ellie before and after her abduction is striking—once a spirited teen pushing boundaries and wearing out her parents, she returns a shell of herself, haunted by her trauma. Secretive and lost, Ellie’s struggle to reclaim her identity is heartbreaking and moving.

The lead detective, Chelsey Calhoun, didn’t have the same impact. Though her character is shaped by past trauma and loss, there was something missing that made it hard to believe in her role as a detective. Her characterization felt flat and one-dimensional, and I felt disconnected from her story.

The Return Of Ellie Black reinforces familiar themes seen in countless missing-girl narratives: men are untrustworthy, and women are destined to be victims. While there is some truth to these ideas, I was disappointed that Jean didn’t bring a fresh perspective to the conversation. Ellie, like many others who go missing, comes from a low-income family—people society tends to overlook. As harsh as it sounds, these victims don’t receive the same attention as those from wealthier backgrounds. At times, police efforts are less thorough, and the media shows little interest. This harsh reality is one of the most unsettling elements of the story, which is filled with off-key moments and uneasy undertones that keep you feeling slightly unbalanced throughout.

Overall, The Return Of Ellie Black explores some thought-provoking themes within the framework of a thriller. However, the story didn’t offer enough depth for me to fully engage with the characters or evoke the empathy for me to truly care about them. As this is Jean’s first venture into the thriller genre, her writing shows promise, and this one came close to hitting the mark. I’m curious to see how her style develops and will definitely consider reading more of her work in the future.

My recommendation: Even with it’s imperfections, The Return of Ellie Black is worth the read!