Before You Were Anne

Detective Chelsey Calhoun debuted in Emiko Jean's 2024 novel The Return of Ellie Black, which ended up being one of the better thrillers I read that year. Before You Were Anne continues Calhoun's story, once again revolving around missing girls—a personal and professional crusade of hers.

It should be noted that while Before You Were Anne is classified as the second book in the series, it easily works as a standalone novel. While it spoils some of the key reveals from The Return of Ellie Black, you don't need to have read the first book to follow the events here.

When the story opens, Calhoun has relocated to Seattle to work as a detective, still driven by her mission to find missing girls. She also has major personal news: she’s in her second trimester of pregnancy, though no one at work knows yet. At the same time, she continues to struggle with gaps in her past, specifically the sparse details her parents have shared about her adoption.

Calhoun and her partner, Ryan Montoya, are called to a crime scene disturbingly close to Chelsey's home. A woman lies dead from multiple stab wounds, and her sixteen-year-old daughter is missing. Like Calhoun, the victim is of Japanese descent; between that shared background and the missing girl, Calhoun feels an immediate attachment to the case.

While identifying who killed the victim—known as Anne Walker—is vital, locating her missing daughter, Naomi, is paramount. As in any missing persons case, the clock is ticking, and the initial window is crucial. Calhoun and Montoya are already at a disadvantage, given that Anne had been dead for several days before being discovered. Nevertheless, the detectives dive headlong into the investigation, following a trail of minor clues that gradually lead them to the truth.  A parallel perspective from the victim ("before she was Anne") helps fill in crucial missing pieces along the way.

As with The Return of Ellie Black, Jean integrates broader social themes alongside the central mystery. The immigrant experience and societal prejudice once again form a persistent backbone to the story. This time, the narrative ventures into the grim reality of human trafficking, paired with a sizable dose of domestic abuse. These topics are presented unflinchingly, lending weight and gravitas to an otherwise straightforward mystery.

Ultimately, Before You Were Anne is a better-than-average entry in the genre. While it might not be distinct enough to have its praises shouted from the rooftops, it remains a thoroughly satisfying mystery that thoughtfully incorporates Japanese culture while expanding Chelsey Calhoun's backstory. If you liked The Return of Ellie Black, you'll certainly like this one as well.