The Challenge Factory discussion

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.

Vicki, I'm planning to start today after I finish my current read!

8 chapters

(view spoiler)[ wow, starting off with a bang
almost think that Ellie has only been given a reprieve- like he's only let her out for a short time and then she has to go back or something
if we're wondering if it's men in the story - it could easily be Chelsey's husband, right? especially being a coach/pe teacher and the volley ball shirt
it could also be the chief or whoever's son - but he doesn't seem too smart so maybe not
who else could it be?

I feel really bad for the friends, boyfriend and parents that lost her that night and, of course, for what Ellie went through. he made her lose herself to "find herself" or something stupid like that, I assume. so odd, I can't wait to find out more! (hide spoiler)]

16 chapters

(view spoiler)[ wow, I'm out of guesses
I don't think her husband could be involved - this guys is always with them
I love that she pointed out how bad he is at survival. Men like him always think they are more than they are.

I feel bad for Ellie. I think she either - killed gabby OR is the reason she was killed (or that she ran)
I wonder why she won't work with the police. (hide spoiler)]

Sorry for being a bit MIA since we got home from our trip.

I'm starting today so I'll be done on time for our GISH challenge! :)

Through Ch. 8

(view spoiler)[Wow! I'm loving this one so far...a book right up my alley!

I hadn't thought about Ellie just being let out for a while, but it's something to ponder because she had told her mom at one point that she "wasn't allowed" to do something. Forgot what though. lol

I like Ellie's chapters and we get a lot of information from them. I kept wondering why the guy kept asking her name. IF it was Noah or Danny or the other detective (the son) I don't know why they'd ask her name. Danny told Ellie he couldn't go that night, but he also lied to the cops about being at work. But I just can't see how it would've been someone she knew since he kept asking her name unless he was the abductor for someone and they didn't want her to hear their voice. lol I'm all over the place.

It's always the teacher, coach, cop or preacher, so where's the preacher? lol (hide spoiler)]

I'm done!
I hope you love this one too!!

(view spoiler)[ WOW! Once they mentioned that the mayor / ex wife was the intended target, I started to wonder if it could be the husband. since I knew it could be, I wondered who then. . .
but wow! her sister still alive and so hurt - she's been through so much

I love that we ended with Ellie really working on herself and the doctor having her imagine the girls being okay. Ugh, so emotional.
this one was so good! (hide spoiler)]

Through Ch. 16

(view spoiler)[I'm with you! I can't figure out who did what! She did think she possibly recognized Michael's voice. Plus, she said the other girls should never have trusted her, so perhaps your predictions are right on. I just don't know anymore! But if the person is related to the serial killer, maybe he was a total stranger to her. But what awful things those girls all went through. (hide spoiler)]

Vicki wrote: "Through Ch. 16

[spoilers removed]"

Ugh right? So many questions with so few answers!

LOL and I have to leave now to go celebrate with my hubby. :)

I am DYING to peek at your final comments but I am refraining! (for now!) lol

Through Ch. 24

(view spoiler)[I feel SO BAD that a little 7 year old girl was taken. My God! I have no idea what's going on. Why Ellie would take Danny to the place she was found and then dig up something and lie about it. I don't know what to think.

There has to be a "good" reason that Ellie left little Grace alone. I am just so uncertain but dying to find out what really is going on! (hide spoiler)]

And I am finished!

(view spoiler)[Wow! I was not expecting it to turn out the way it did! This was a really good thriller! I was hooked from the Prologue on and love that it wasn't easily predictable, if at all. lol (hide spoiler)]

right?! What a twist (view spoiler)[ It never even crossed my mind that her sister would still be alive!!

AND that it was the boys of the head of police!! Shocking, right?
I did love the ending though! the last therapy session (hide spoiler)]

so glad you loved this one too!

(view spoiler)[I never considered Serendipity would be Lydia nor that Lydia was alive! lol Jeez, this one was so good. And, isn't it always the sheriff, a cop, a teacher, etc.? lol I also love how it ended...a great way to end it! (hide spoiler)]

Finally, another book/rating we agree on! Two in a row...we're on a roll!