As a book reviewer, I received a copy of this book for free from the publisher or author to facilitate this review. I received no other compensation, and all opinions are always 100% my own.
Detective Chelsey Calhoun’s sister disappeared 20 years ago, in an apparent murder-suicide although her body was never found. The distress broke up her family and left Chelsey determined to become a detective and stop other families from going through the same thing. So when Ellie Black goes missing, it lands on her desk and she’s the one meeting with the family, talking to the parents, trying to suss out if there was anything fishy going on at home.
When Ellie Black reappears two years later, walking out of a forest and announcing herself to some startled hikers, her arrival is initially greeted with rejoicing. But Ellie herself is secretive, unwilling to really open up about her ordeal and others who may have been taken by the same man. She’s cagey with Courtney and wary around her parents, and while she opens up a bit to a counselor, it’s not much. The mystery continues to build, until Courtney is convinced that there’s much more to the story to discover. She has to figure out what Ellie’s hiding before the next girl go missing.
The Return of Ellie Black works on several levels. First of all, it’s a well-written and well-plotted story, a gripping read that you won’t want to put down. But it also touches on many other things; how society feels towards young women who go missing, where our loyalties lie, dealing with sexism and racism in the police force, and more. It’s an excellent book that will keep you guessing up till the final, satisfying page. Highly recommended.