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Chelsey Calhoun #2
Before You Were Anne
Not yet published
Expected 1 Sep 26After a woman is killed and her daughter vanishes, detective Chelsey Calhoun uncovers a legacy of violence and survival that spans from Japan to Seattle in the new novel by the author of The Return of Ellie Black.
A murdered woman. A missing daughter. A truth buried across two continents.
Married, pregnant, and thriving in her career, Detective Chelsey Calhoun’s life finally feels whole, until an explosive new case shatters everything. A mother is dead. Her sixteen-year-old daughter, Naomi, has disappeared. And the search will awaken questions about Chelsey’s own origins—questions she’s spent a lifetime afraid to ask.
The victim called herself Anne Walker. But she was born Rika Takahashi, and her journey from a remote Japanese farm to suburban Seattle conceals decades of deception. Across Tokyo’s shadowed underworld, an isolated Idaho town, and years of carefully constructed lies, Rika reinvented herself at every turn. But she was always running—from someone, or something.
Now, Chelsey must find Naomi before she becomes the next victim. But the deeper she delves into Rika’s hidden life, the more she discovers: some secrets are worth killing for. And the most dangerous truths may be the ones closest to home.
Told in three interwoven voices, Before You Were Anne is a gripping suspense novel about the lies that bind families and the sins that echo across generations.
A murdered woman. A missing daughter. A truth buried across two continents.
Married, pregnant, and thriving in her career, Detective Chelsey Calhoun’s life finally feels whole, until an explosive new case shatters everything. A mother is dead. Her sixteen-year-old daughter, Naomi, has disappeared. And the search will awaken questions about Chelsey’s own origins—questions she’s spent a lifetime afraid to ask.
The victim called herself Anne Walker. But she was born Rika Takahashi, and her journey from a remote Japanese farm to suburban Seattle conceals decades of deception. Across Tokyo’s shadowed underworld, an isolated Idaho town, and years of carefully constructed lies, Rika reinvented herself at every turn. But she was always running—from someone, or something.
Now, Chelsey must find Naomi before she becomes the next victim. But the deeper she delves into Rika’s hidden life, the more she discovers: some secrets are worth killing for. And the most dangerous truths may be the ones closest to home.
Told in three interwoven voices, Before You Were Anne is a gripping suspense novel about the lies that bind families and the sins that echo across generations.
320 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication October 6, 2026
About the author
Emiko Jean
12 books2,942 followersEmiko Jean is a New York Times best-selling author of adult and young adult fiction.Her books have been published in over thirty languages. Her work has been featured on Good Morning America as a GMA book club pick, by Reese Witherspoon as a young adult book club pick, and in publications such as: Marie Claire, Entertainment Weekly, Time, Cosmopolitan, Shondaland and Bustle. She lives in Washington with her husband and two kids.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
ANHPI Month 2026 #7
I love everything Emiko has ever written, from young adult romance to adult contemporary to this police procedural. It's giving Silvia Moreno-Garcia.
We met Detective Chelsey Calhoun in the previous novel, a book I ate up. I read this fast, too. There are two stories happening here: 1) Anne Walker is dead. Her teenage daughter Naomi is missing. But Anne was born Rika Takahashi, and she has a very sad backstory. 2) Like Rika, Chelsey is of Japanese descent. But Chelsey is adopted. She is now pregnant, and wonders what biological traits she will pass on to her daughter. Her adoptive mother is being very secretive with what she knows.
But since we don't learn too much about Chelsey (we have to leave more for books three and beyond), let's focus on Rika and her terrible taste in men. 1) There's the young white man that found her in her youth, slept with her, left the country, and left her some cash. 2) There's the tattooed yakuza member she met when she was working in a hostess bar. 3) There's the white man that "rescued" her. But something isn't quite right with him.
Two is important, but this story is about three. I wanted to start this review off with my new favorite saying, "Men should be lonelier," but the more and more I read, the more horrified I became. Because it's not just men you should fear, but women.
This is a story about trafficking in the form of marriage. And how the very women you come to trust turn around and sell you to the highest bidder. Calling it marriage doesn't change what it is. People look down on mail-order brides. I pity them. Surely you don't think women would subject themselves to such a low if they had any other choice.
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster
I love everything Emiko has ever written, from young adult romance to adult contemporary to this police procedural. It's giving Silvia Moreno-Garcia.
We met Detective Chelsey Calhoun in the previous novel, a book I ate up. I read this fast, too. There are two stories happening here: 1) Anne Walker is dead. Her teenage daughter Naomi is missing. But Anne was born Rika Takahashi, and she has a very sad backstory. 2) Like Rika, Chelsey is of Japanese descent. But Chelsey is adopted. She is now pregnant, and wonders what biological traits she will pass on to her daughter. Her adoptive mother is being very secretive with what she knows.
But since we don't learn too much about Chelsey (we have to leave more for books three and beyond), let's focus on Rika and her terrible taste in men. 1) There's the young white man that found her in her youth, slept with her, left the country, and left her some cash. 2) There's the tattooed yakuza member she met when she was working in a hostess bar. 3) There's the white man that "rescued" her. But something isn't quite right with him.
Two is important, but this story is about three. I wanted to start this review off with my new favorite saying, "Men should be lonelier," but the more and more I read, the more horrified I became. Because it's not just men you should fear, but women.
This is a story about trafficking in the form of marriage. And how the very women you come to trust turn around and sell you to the highest bidder. Calling it marriage doesn't change what it is. People look down on mail-order brides. I pity them. Surely you don't think women would subject themselves to such a low if they had any other choice.
📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 19, 2026
I really enjoyed reading The Return Of Ellie Black a couple of years ago, so when I saw that Emiko Jean had written another novel in the same genre, I knew that I wanted to read it.
And I’m glad that I did, because I think that I enjoyed this book even more that the previous one.
One thing that I love is when authors have recurring characters in books but don’t officially make them a series that I feel like I have to commit to and read in order.
In Before You Were Anne, we are reunited with Detective Chelsea Calhoun, a main character Ellie Black, who’s now four months pregnant.
If you’ve read The Return Of Ellie Black you will definitely remember her, but what’s nice is that both books work fine as a standalone, so it isn’t necessary to read one in order to appreciate the other.
This is a dual timeline novel that takes place in present day Seattle and Tokyo about sixteen years prior.
Parts of it are written in second-person narrative, which is not something that I often see.
I enjoyed reading in a different style, although there were a couple of flashbacks where I had to reread things to be able to tell which generation it was flashing back to.
This book is very much a slow burn (something that I’m often not a fan of).
But it really worked for me this time; the story was great and held my full attention from beginning to end.
I was a tad disappointed because I made an accurate assumption about one of the characters way before it was revealed (I prefer twists and turns that I never could have seen coming), but everything else was so good that it didn’t really detract from my overall enjoyment.
I’d definitely recommend both Before You Were Anne and The Return Of Ellie Black to anyone who enjoys slow burn mysteries with some police procedural aspects thrown in.
I’d also include a TW for anyone who’s sensitive to domestic violence.
Thanks to Simon & Shuster and Emiko Jean for providing me with an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Pub Date: October 6, 2026
And I’m glad that I did, because I think that I enjoyed this book even more that the previous one.
One thing that I love is when authors have recurring characters in books but don’t officially make them a series that I feel like I have to commit to and read in order.
In Before You Were Anne, we are reunited with Detective Chelsea Calhoun, a main character Ellie Black, who’s now four months pregnant.
If you’ve read The Return Of Ellie Black you will definitely remember her, but what’s nice is that both books work fine as a standalone, so it isn’t necessary to read one in order to appreciate the other.
This is a dual timeline novel that takes place in present day Seattle and Tokyo about sixteen years prior.
Parts of it are written in second-person narrative, which is not something that I often see.
I enjoyed reading in a different style, although there were a couple of flashbacks where I had to reread things to be able to tell which generation it was flashing back to.
This book is very much a slow burn (something that I’m often not a fan of).
But it really worked for me this time; the story was great and held my full attention from beginning to end.
I was a tad disappointed because I made an accurate assumption about one of the characters way before it was revealed (I prefer twists and turns that I never could have seen coming), but everything else was so good that it didn’t really detract from my overall enjoyment.
I’d definitely recommend both Before You Were Anne and The Return Of Ellie Black to anyone who enjoys slow burn mysteries with some police procedural aspects thrown in.
I’d also include a TW for anyone who’s sensitive to domestic violence.
Thanks to Simon & Shuster and Emiko Jean for providing me with an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Pub Date: October 6, 2026
April 3, 2026
Thanks to Netgalley and Simon & Schuster for giving me an ARC of this book (ebook version).
Detective Chelsey Calhoun is back and I am here for it. I didn't realize when I read The Return of Ellie Black that this was going to be a series following the detective, but I'm really stoked that it is. Chelsey is complicated and Emiko Jean has only scratched the surface with her story. It seems like we will be getting bits and pieces in each book as Chelsey works through her own issues while working cases.
Anne, a Japanese immigrant, has been found murdered in her home. Her teenage daughter, Naomi, is missing. As the detectives investigate, the story is woven with flashbacks of Anne's life growing up and living as a young adult in Japan. Before she was Anne, she was Rika. Rika's story takes us from a small farm where she was raised by her teenage mother and grandparents, to her move to the city and work at a hostess club where she falls for someone she doesn't realize is off limits until it's too late, to her escape to America with the handsome man she meets while trying to figure out her life. Her life in America and her new husband turn out not to be the ideal she thought they were and so she escapes and becomes Anne. But something from her past has come to light and that something has gotten her murdered...
Detective Calhoun and her partner race to find Naomi while trying to unravel the secrets that Anne was keeping before it's too late. I found this book to be well written and exciting. It kept me on my toes and there were revelations that surprised me. An excellent read!
Detective Chelsey Calhoun is back and I am here for it. I didn't realize when I read The Return of Ellie Black that this was going to be a series following the detective, but I'm really stoked that it is. Chelsey is complicated and Emiko Jean has only scratched the surface with her story. It seems like we will be getting bits and pieces in each book as Chelsey works through her own issues while working cases.
Anne, a Japanese immigrant, has been found murdered in her home. Her teenage daughter, Naomi, is missing. As the detectives investigate, the story is woven with flashbacks of Anne's life growing up and living as a young adult in Japan. Before she was Anne, she was Rika. Rika's story takes us from a small farm where she was raised by her teenage mother and grandparents, to her move to the city and work at a hostess club where she falls for someone she doesn't realize is off limits until it's too late, to her escape to America with the handsome man she meets while trying to figure out her life. Her life in America and her new husband turn out not to be the ideal she thought they were and so she escapes and becomes Anne. But something from her past has come to light and that something has gotten her murdered...
Detective Calhoun and her partner race to find Naomi while trying to unravel the secrets that Anne was keeping before it's too late. I found this book to be well written and exciting. It kept me on my toes and there were revelations that surprised me. An excellent read!
April 26, 2026
This book was so good! It’s a story of family, mothers and daughters, those who help us, the secrets we hide from those we love, and so much more. The story takes place between Japan and Seattle and the setting is very vivid and I felt like I could feel being in both places.
The mystery surrounding Rika’s past, and Naomi’s disappearance kept me very invested in this story. Add to it Detective Chelsea Calhoun from The Return of Ellie Black is a main character in this story and the mystery of her adoption plays a role in this story as well.
This was a very written mystery that really solidified Emiko as a must read author and I can’t wait to read more by her.
The mystery surrounding Rika’s past, and Naomi’s disappearance kept me very invested in this story. Add to it Detective Chelsea Calhoun from The Return of Ellie Black is a main character in this story and the mystery of her adoption plays a role in this story as well.
This was a very written mystery that really solidified Emiko as a must read author and I can’t wait to read more by her.
April 11, 2026
Detective Chelsey Calhoun is back! We first met her in ”The return of Ellie Black” which was a 5 star read for me. She is now uncovering a legacy of violence when a woman is found murdered and her teenage daughter is missing.
This book enraptured me from the start. We hear Rika’s story and how she made her way to America while trying to uncover the mystery of her death. Also, where is her daughter Naomi? This book is heartbreaking and will definitely pull at your heartstrings.
This book enraptured me from the start. We hear Rika’s story and how she made her way to America while trying to uncover the mystery of her death. Also, where is her daughter Naomi? This book is heartbreaking and will definitely pull at your heartstrings.
April 21, 2026
“Of all the risks in the world, the biggest is not knowing."
In Before You Were Anne, Emiko Jean has given us another beautifully written thriller centering home and belonging. We get multiple points of view and flashbacks, and get to enjoy a story that spans continents.
You don't have to read The Return of Ellie Black first, but there are nods to characters and situations that would be helpful to know. That and it's such a great book!
In Before You Were Anne, Emiko Jean has given us another beautifully written thriller centering home and belonging. We get multiple points of view and flashbacks, and get to enjoy a story that spans continents.
You don't have to read The Return of Ellie Black first, but there are nods to characters and situations that would be helpful to know. That and it's such a great book!
April 16, 2026
That was incredible. I knew when I read Ellie Black that Emiko was going to be an auto read author for me. Her books are beautifully written, keep you on the edge of your seat, and pull at your heartstrings.
Detective Calhoun (Yes, from Ellie Black!) investigates a case with a murdered woman and her missing teen daughter. The book spans decades as we unravel what happened in Anne’s past and try to find Naomi.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, I already can’t wait for the next installment!
Detective Calhoun (Yes, from Ellie Black!) investigates a case with a murdered woman and her missing teen daughter. The book spans decades as we unravel what happened in Anne’s past and try to find Naomi.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC, I already can’t wait for the next installment!
July 31, 2026
UGHH i have so much i wanna say but i can’t say a ton without spoiling… i liked the first book, but i absolutely LOVED this one. the mystery, characters, everything like OMFG i could not have asked for a better sequel. i appreciated that the story focused more on chelsey’s heritage and developed an entirely new plot without relying heavily on book one.
both books could probably be read as standalones and still be strong, but i think having the existing knowledge from book one only made book two so so much better. gonna sing this books praises until the day i die🙏🏼🙏🏼 book three ASAP pls!
ALSO tysm netgalley for the arc, bless your kind souls🫶🏼
both books could probably be read as standalones and still be strong, but i think having the existing knowledge from book one only made book two so so much better. gonna sing this books praises until the day i die🙏🏼🙏🏼 book three ASAP pls!
ALSO tysm netgalley for the arc, bless your kind souls🫶🏼
May 18, 2026
I enjoyed this one. A bit slow pacing wise and lost some nuance in side characters, but I liked the characters and three, thoughtful POVs of women at different stages of life, death, and uncertainty. The mystery was interesting - not predictable but not surprising and I enjoyed the path to the solve. Overall a well done read. Would recommend Ellie Black read prior to picking this one up for context. Excited to see what Chelsey does next.
read for
Multiple POVs
Murder Mystery
Strong FMCs
Buddy Cop Procedural
read for
Multiple POVs
Murder Mystery
Strong FMCs
Buddy Cop Procedural
June 13, 2026
This is the type of police procedural style book that I love. One interwoven with multigenerational loss and love. With a detective who truly can understand the need for finding yourself in your history as well as your future. It was a beautiful story, told from multiple point of views. And the fact that you don’t have to read the first book in the “series” to understand this one made me extremely happy.
A solid 4.25/5 stars for me.
I received an ARC of this title, all opinions are my own.
A solid 4.25/5 stars for me.
I received an ARC of this title, all opinions are my own.
August 2, 2026
I love when a sequel is even better than the first book, and while I enjoyed The Return of Ellie Black more than I do most suspenses and thrillers… I liked Before You Were Anne even more! While this is definitely part of a series, it follows the investigator and therefore could be read as a standalone.
What I really enjoy about this series so far is that, while there is a lot of suspense, there is a whole lot more as well. Each book so far has gone deep into a variety of different topics, so even if you guess the who/how/why (which I did) fairly early on, there is a lot to keep you engaged. This is my number one gripe about other books in this genre; I often guess the twists early on and then am bored for the rest of the book. Not so at all with this one!
This installment of the series continues the investigator’s reflection into her own past while also digging into topics like the industry of humans as property (referring to various aspects of this that includes anything from hostess clubs to marriage-through-immigration to trafficking to shady adoption practices), fetishization of people from specific ethnic backgrounds, the harm caused by the “don’t ask questions” and “good fences make good neighbors” mentality, and the walls built between generations when trauma means not disclosing someone’s true history and identity.
Meanwhile, the multi-perspective narrative keeps the story progressing in a way that allows for great character depth and a growing sense of urgency to solve the case and find the missing victim. This is a character-driven suspense novel, which means a slow-build. I actually prefer suspense novels built like this, because it allows me to really understand and feel for the characters, and then the tension builds toward the end. (Keep this in mind if you only like fast-paced thrillers!)
Overall I really enjoyed this one and I’m already looking forward to what comes next for Chelsey, her family, and her investigative endeavors. Thanks so much to Simon and Schuster for the gifted copy of the book, through the #SimonBooksBuddy program!
What I really enjoy about this series so far is that, while there is a lot of suspense, there is a whole lot more as well. Each book so far has gone deep into a variety of different topics, so even if you guess the who/how/why (which I did) fairly early on, there is a lot to keep you engaged. This is my number one gripe about other books in this genre; I often guess the twists early on and then am bored for the rest of the book. Not so at all with this one!
This installment of the series continues the investigator’s reflection into her own past while also digging into topics like the industry of humans as property (referring to various aspects of this that includes anything from hostess clubs to marriage-through-immigration to trafficking to shady adoption practices), fetishization of people from specific ethnic backgrounds, the harm caused by the “don’t ask questions” and “good fences make good neighbors” mentality, and the walls built between generations when trauma means not disclosing someone’s true history and identity.
Meanwhile, the multi-perspective narrative keeps the story progressing in a way that allows for great character depth and a growing sense of urgency to solve the case and find the missing victim. This is a character-driven suspense novel, which means a slow-build. I actually prefer suspense novels built like this, because it allows me to really understand and feel for the characters, and then the tension builds toward the end. (Keep this in mind if you only like fast-paced thrillers!)
Overall I really enjoyed this one and I’m already looking forward to what comes next for Chelsey, her family, and her investigative endeavors. Thanks so much to Simon and Schuster for the gifted copy of the book, through the #SimonBooksBuddy program!
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June 28, 2026I'm a big fan of Emiko Jean, having loved both Mika in Real Life and The Return of Ellie Black, so was thrilled to read Before You Were Anne. This is the second Chelsey Calhoun book and hopefully just the next in a long series. The novel follows Detective Calhoun as she investigates the murder of a mother Anne a Japanese immigrant with a hidden past and her missing daughter. Told from several different perspectives with a dual timeline, the story is thrilling and keeps the reader guessing. I also enjoyed learning more about Chelsey's past and how it affects the way she goes through life now. I raced through this book!
June 26, 2026
This is Emiko Jean’s second book in a series featuring detective Chelsey Calhoun, the first being the superb the Return of Ellie Black. Chelsey investigates the murder of a woman and the disappearance of her daughter and uncovers some terrible secrets, some of which cause her to question her own background. Jean seamlessly weaves together dual time periods and multiple characters. There are several delicious twists throughout and the ending is astonishing. I hope that this series will continue! For fans of Diane Chamberlain and Kia Abdullah.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, Simon & Schuster and Emiko Jean for my complimentary e-book ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, Simon & Schuster and Emiko Jean for my complimentary e-book ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I loved The Return of Ellie Black. I thought it was absolutely riveting and read it in a single afternoon. Sadly, Before You Were Anne didn't live up to its predecessor. Detective Chelsea Calhoun, now pregnant, returns with another tragic case: Rika/Anne Walker, a Japanese immigrant, has been murdered, and her 16-year-old daughter Naomi is missing. The premise was intriguing, but the story itself lacked any gas. It was so slow, and Emiko Jean weighed down the narrative with excessive backstory. I sadly wasn't invested in either the plot or the characters. This didn't hold my attention, and I mainly skimmed to the end to find out what happened. I missed the breakneck pacing and juicy turns from The Return of Ellie Black.
Thank you to Simon & Schuester via Netgalley for the digital ARC.
Thank you to Simon & Schuester via Netgalley for the digital ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
absolutely loved The Return of Ellie Black, so the moment I heard that one of its most complex and resilient characters—detective Chelsey Calhoun—was coming back with another mystery, I practically jumped up and down and shouted, Yes! I want this book. I need this book immediately! And honestly, when the story comes from Emiko Jean, expectations are automatically sky-high for me. She has this rare talent for weaving gripping mysteries while also creating deeply emotional backstories that resonate so strongly they tug directly at your heartstrings.
Thankfully, she did not disappoint.
The story of Rika and Naomi—told alongside Chelsey’s perspective—completely pulled me in and wrapped around my heart. This isn’t just a suspenseful mystery; it’s also a profoundly emotional and tragic story about three different women who are all searching for the same things: where they come from, what their lives mean, and how to protect the people they love. Beneath the suspense lies something much deeper—questions of identity, belonging, motherhood, and survival.
We already know Chelsey and the devastating history surrounding her sister’s disappearance from the first book. Now, in this next chapter of her life, things finally seem to be falling into place. She’s happily married to the sweetest man, Noah, she’s expecting a baby girl, and she’s working as a partner with Montoya in Seattle. After everything she’s endured, it feels like our girl has finally found a bit of peace—and she absolutely deserves it.
But of course, life rarely stays peaceful when you’re a homicide detective.
Just as Chelsey learns the sex of her baby, she’s called to a crime scene. A Japanese woman named Anne Walker has been found brutally stabbed to death in her own home. Even more disturbing: her sixteen-year-old daughter Naomi is missing. The signs of chaos in Naomi’s bedroom suggest she didn’t leave willingly.
As the investigation begins, Chelsey and her team discover that Anne Walker wasn’t really Anne Walker at all. Her real name was Rika Takayashi, and her past leads back to the dangerous underworld of Tokyo. Years earlier, Rika fled a life overshadowed by the Yakuza, leaving behind a rural upbringing and a love that ended in betrayal. She escaped to suburban Seattle, changed her identity, and built a quiet life raising her daughter.
But it seems the past may have finally caught up with her.
So who killed Rika? Someone from her past? An abusive ex she escaped from? Or something even darker—something connected to a larger pattern of tragedies involving other women?
Meanwhile, Naomi awakens trapped in a locked room with an IV in her arm, dizzy and disoriented. Terrified and confused, she believes everything began when she started digging into the mystery of her biological father. Now her mother is dead, and she fears the truth she was searching for might have led someone straight to her.
The novel unfolds through three perspectives: Rika’s haunting past leading up to her death, Naomi’s desperate attempt to understand what happened to her family while she’s held captive, and Chelsey’s present-day investigation as she pieces together the truth. As Chelsey digs deeper into the case, she also uncovers a shocking revelation about her own past—one that will push her to question everything she thought she knew about where she came from.
To save Naomi and bring justice to Rika, Chelsey must solve two mysteries at once: the crime in front of her and the secret hidden within her own history.
Just keep reading—and prepare yourself for twists that will completely shake you.
This is another fantastic installment in Chelsey Calhoun’s story, and the ending leaves us with a tantalizing cliffhanger that strongly hints a third book may be coming. And honestly? That is excellent news, because I am absolutely not ready to say goodbye to this character yet.
I highly recommend this book even if you haven’t read The Return of Ellie Black. It works perfectly well as a standalone. But if you love emotionally driven mysteries, powerful women-centered stories, and multicultural coming-of-age themes wrapped inside a gripping thriller, this series absolutely deserves a spot on your reading list.
A huge thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for sharing this mind-blowing thriller/women’s fiction blend with me in exchange for my honest opinions. I truly appreciate the opportunity to read it.
Thankfully, she did not disappoint.
The story of Rika and Naomi—told alongside Chelsey’s perspective—completely pulled me in and wrapped around my heart. This isn’t just a suspenseful mystery; it’s also a profoundly emotional and tragic story about three different women who are all searching for the same things: where they come from, what their lives mean, and how to protect the people they love. Beneath the suspense lies something much deeper—questions of identity, belonging, motherhood, and survival.
We already know Chelsey and the devastating history surrounding her sister’s disappearance from the first book. Now, in this next chapter of her life, things finally seem to be falling into place. She’s happily married to the sweetest man, Noah, she’s expecting a baby girl, and she’s working as a partner with Montoya in Seattle. After everything she’s endured, it feels like our girl has finally found a bit of peace—and she absolutely deserves it.
But of course, life rarely stays peaceful when you’re a homicide detective.
Just as Chelsey learns the sex of her baby, she’s called to a crime scene. A Japanese woman named Anne Walker has been found brutally stabbed to death in her own home. Even more disturbing: her sixteen-year-old daughter Naomi is missing. The signs of chaos in Naomi’s bedroom suggest she didn’t leave willingly.
As the investigation begins, Chelsey and her team discover that Anne Walker wasn’t really Anne Walker at all. Her real name was Rika Takayashi, and her past leads back to the dangerous underworld of Tokyo. Years earlier, Rika fled a life overshadowed by the Yakuza, leaving behind a rural upbringing and a love that ended in betrayal. She escaped to suburban Seattle, changed her identity, and built a quiet life raising her daughter.
But it seems the past may have finally caught up with her.
So who killed Rika? Someone from her past? An abusive ex she escaped from? Or something even darker—something connected to a larger pattern of tragedies involving other women?
Meanwhile, Naomi awakens trapped in a locked room with an IV in her arm, dizzy and disoriented. Terrified and confused, she believes everything began when she started digging into the mystery of her biological father. Now her mother is dead, and she fears the truth she was searching for might have led someone straight to her.
The novel unfolds through three perspectives: Rika’s haunting past leading up to her death, Naomi’s desperate attempt to understand what happened to her family while she’s held captive, and Chelsey’s present-day investigation as she pieces together the truth. As Chelsey digs deeper into the case, she also uncovers a shocking revelation about her own past—one that will push her to question everything she thought she knew about where she came from.
To save Naomi and bring justice to Rika, Chelsey must solve two mysteries at once: the crime in front of her and the secret hidden within her own history.
Just keep reading—and prepare yourself for twists that will completely shake you.
This is another fantastic installment in Chelsey Calhoun’s story, and the ending leaves us with a tantalizing cliffhanger that strongly hints a third book may be coming. And honestly? That is excellent news, because I am absolutely not ready to say goodbye to this character yet.
I highly recommend this book even if you haven’t read The Return of Ellie Black. It works perfectly well as a standalone. But if you love emotionally driven mysteries, powerful women-centered stories, and multicultural coming-of-age themes wrapped inside a gripping thriller, this series absolutely deserves a spot on your reading list.
A huge thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for sharing this mind-blowing thriller/women’s fiction blend with me in exchange for my honest opinions. I truly appreciate the opportunity to read it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Before You Were Anne by Emiko Jean is an emotional thriller that pulled me in from the very first pages and didn’t let go. The story opens with a prologue that immediately sets the tone: a woman trapped in a relationship defined by manipulation, control, and abuse. I was hooked instantly, not just curious, but emotionally invested. I didn’t know who she was yet, but I felt her fear and wanted her to escape.
From there, the novel unfolds across dual timelines, shifting between present-day United States and Japan years earlier. The Japan storyline adds important context, slowly filling in the gaps and revealing why the characters became who they are and made the choices they did. I was more invested in the present-day storyline, but both timelines worked together to build a complete and compelling picture.
One of the most striking elements was the use of second-person narration. It made the experience feel intimate and immediate, almost like the story was being directed straight at me. It’s not a style I see often, but here it absolutely worked and deepened the emotional impact.
The characters felt real and layered. I connected deeply with Anne, her trauma, her resilience, and above all, her love for her daughter. Naomi felt just as authentic, especially in the way she navigated fear, independence, and teenage defiance. Aunt May stood out as a grounding, loyal presence. Even secondary relationships felt believable and emotionally grounded.
The pacing starts as a slow burn, but the tension builds steadily until it becomes impossible to put down. By the end, I was fully caught up in the urgency of it all, wanting answers, wanting safety for the characters, and needing to know how everything would resolve.
I was completely blindsided by the reveal. I didn’t feel misled in a frustrating way, just genuinely surprised. Looking back, everything fit, but I never saw it coming.
This book deals with heavy themes, including emotional and physical abuse, coercive control, and survival. It’s worth noting as a content warning, though I found it handled thoughtfully and without unnecessary sensationalism.
The title Before You Were Anne becomes especially meaningful by the end, tying everything together in a way that feels intentional and satisfying. Overall, this is more of an emotional thriller than a fast-paced one, and it worked beautifully for me. It was tense, immersive, and stayed with me long after I finished.
I lost sleep reading this and I’m definitely paying for it now while trying to read code with tired eyes. Worth it. Totally worth it.
From there, the novel unfolds across dual timelines, shifting between present-day United States and Japan years earlier. The Japan storyline adds important context, slowly filling in the gaps and revealing why the characters became who they are and made the choices they did. I was more invested in the present-day storyline, but both timelines worked together to build a complete and compelling picture.
One of the most striking elements was the use of second-person narration. It made the experience feel intimate and immediate, almost like the story was being directed straight at me. It’s not a style I see often, but here it absolutely worked and deepened the emotional impact.
The characters felt real and layered. I connected deeply with Anne, her trauma, her resilience, and above all, her love for her daughter. Naomi felt just as authentic, especially in the way she navigated fear, independence, and teenage defiance. Aunt May stood out as a grounding, loyal presence. Even secondary relationships felt believable and emotionally grounded.
The pacing starts as a slow burn, but the tension builds steadily until it becomes impossible to put down. By the end, I was fully caught up in the urgency of it all, wanting answers, wanting safety for the characters, and needing to know how everything would resolve.
I was completely blindsided by the reveal. I didn’t feel misled in a frustrating way, just genuinely surprised. Looking back, everything fit, but I never saw it coming.
This book deals with heavy themes, including emotional and physical abuse, coercive control, and survival. It’s worth noting as a content warning, though I found it handled thoughtfully and without unnecessary sensationalism.
The title Before You Were Anne becomes especially meaningful by the end, tying everything together in a way that feels intentional and satisfying. Overall, this is more of an emotional thriller than a fast-paced one, and it worked beautifully for me. It was tense, immersive, and stayed with me long after I finished.
I lost sleep reading this and I’m definitely paying for it now while trying to read code with tired eyes. Worth it. Totally worth it.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Emiko Jean proves once again that she can write a mystery that is as emotionally compelling as it is suspenseful.
Before You Were Anne is the second book in the Chelsea Calhoun series, and while it technically works as a standalone, I would strongly recommend reading The Return of Ellie Black first. Not only is it an excellent mystery, but this book contains spoilers for the events of the first novel.
When the story opens, Detective Chelsea Calhoun is in the early stages of her first pregnancy and has just learned she’s having a daughter. Before she can fully absorb the news, she’s called to a new case. A woman named Ann Walker has been found dead, and her sixteen-year-old daughter Naomi is missing. Chelsea and her partner Montoya begin piecing together what happened while racing to find Naomi before it’s too late.
What I appreciated most about this novel is that it never loses sight of the victim. This is absolutely a police procedural, but Emiko Jean goes beyond the investigation and gives readers a deeply human story. Through multiple timelines and perspectives, we learn about Ann’s past as Rika Takahashi, her journey from Japan to America, and the painful relationships that shaped her life. We also follow Naomi as she wakes up connected to an IV with no idea where she is or what happened to her mother.
The mystery itself is a slow burn. Rather than relying on constant twists, the story unfolds like a ribbon slowly unraveling. Each new revelation adds another layer of heartbreak, and by the end I was far more emotionally invested than I expected to be. Even though the book tells you from the beginning that Ann has been murdered, I found myself hoping somehow the story would end differently.
Chelsea continues to be a compelling protagonist, and I enjoyed seeing how her pregnancy influences her perspective without ever overshadowing the investigation. The partnership between Chelsea and Montoya remains one of the strongest aspects of the series.
This is a thoughtful, female-centered mystery that tackles difficult subjects while remaining incredibly readable. Recommended for fans of police procedurals, character-driven crime fiction, and stories that explore family, resilience, and identity.
Content warnings: domestic abuse, violence against women.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the free advanced reading copy as part of the Simon Buddy Program.
Before You Were Anne is the second book in the Chelsea Calhoun series, and while it technically works as a standalone, I would strongly recommend reading The Return of Ellie Black first. Not only is it an excellent mystery, but this book contains spoilers for the events of the first novel.
When the story opens, Detective Chelsea Calhoun is in the early stages of her first pregnancy and has just learned she’s having a daughter. Before she can fully absorb the news, she’s called to a new case. A woman named Ann Walker has been found dead, and her sixteen-year-old daughter Naomi is missing. Chelsea and her partner Montoya begin piecing together what happened while racing to find Naomi before it’s too late.
What I appreciated most about this novel is that it never loses sight of the victim. This is absolutely a police procedural, but Emiko Jean goes beyond the investigation and gives readers a deeply human story. Through multiple timelines and perspectives, we learn about Ann’s past as Rika Takahashi, her journey from Japan to America, and the painful relationships that shaped her life. We also follow Naomi as she wakes up connected to an IV with no idea where she is or what happened to her mother.
The mystery itself is a slow burn. Rather than relying on constant twists, the story unfolds like a ribbon slowly unraveling. Each new revelation adds another layer of heartbreak, and by the end I was far more emotionally invested than I expected to be. Even though the book tells you from the beginning that Ann has been murdered, I found myself hoping somehow the story would end differently.
Chelsea continues to be a compelling protagonist, and I enjoyed seeing how her pregnancy influences her perspective without ever overshadowing the investigation. The partnership between Chelsea and Montoya remains one of the strongest aspects of the series.
This is a thoughtful, female-centered mystery that tackles difficult subjects while remaining incredibly readable. Recommended for fans of police procedurals, character-driven crime fiction, and stories that explore family, resilience, and identity.
Content warnings: domestic abuse, violence against women.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the free advanced reading copy as part of the Simon Buddy Program.
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
Chelsey and her husband have just heard their baby's heartbeat at the obstetrician's office and were elated to find out that they're having a girl. After the appointment, she gets a message from Detective Montoya, her partner at the Seattle Police Department. A woman's body was found stabbed in her rental home. When they arrived at the crime scene, they noticed that the woman was of Asian descent, and that the house was practically bare of personal items. Her teen-aged daughter Naomi was missing. When Chelsey looked through Naomi's room she found a yellowing photo of Anne, a little girl, and another young woman, who was identified as Anne's school contact and the owner of their house. They started their questioning with her. Mayumi lived in a beautiful apartment in the best Seattle address. She knew Anne, or Rika as she was called in Tokyo, many years ago in an upscale hostess bar. Rika had a love affair with a minor member of the Japanese yakuza that went badly, and Mayumi helped her-twice. She was very upset about the murder and hoped that Naiomi was safe.
It doesn't give much away that we know that Naiomi is alive but in a dangerous situation. She is in some room on a steel cot with an IV in her arm, and she is drugged into insensibility. Where is she? Who murdered her mother? And why does Naiomi have flashes of another life that her mother denies she ever lived?
This book really keeps the reader guessing until the last few pages. The novel takes us from rural Japan where Rika lived with her mother and grandmother, to the Tokyo bar scene where Rika gets her heart broken and Naiomi is conceived, and to America where she attempts to start a new life. As Chelsey follows the scanty clues, she finds herself conflicted. She is also of Japanese descent and was adopted by a white family who told her that she was found abandoned in a firebox. At eight years old she asked too many questions about the adoption, and her police chief father brought her into his study and shut the discussion down-she remembers a fire in the fireplace. Was he burning papers?
Sometimes the truth will out despite the machinations of the powerful to hide it-and sometimes it isn't pretty.
It doesn't give much away that we know that Naiomi is alive but in a dangerous situation. She is in some room on a steel cot with an IV in her arm, and she is drugged into insensibility. Where is she? Who murdered her mother? And why does Naiomi have flashes of another life that her mother denies she ever lived?
This book really keeps the reader guessing until the last few pages. The novel takes us from rural Japan where Rika lived with her mother and grandmother, to the Tokyo bar scene where Rika gets her heart broken and Naiomi is conceived, and to America where she attempts to start a new life. As Chelsey follows the scanty clues, she finds herself conflicted. She is also of Japanese descent and was adopted by a white family who told her that she was found abandoned in a firebox. At eight years old she asked too many questions about the adoption, and her police chief father brought her into his study and shut the discussion down-she remembers a fire in the fireplace. Was he burning papers?
Sometimes the truth will out despite the machinations of the powerful to hide it-and sometimes it isn't pretty.
Review of advance copy
Emiko Jean’s newest novel, “Before You Were Anne,” is a murder/kidnapping mystery set in Japan and the United States, mostly in Seattle, that tells the story of three women of Japanese origin. It is not a fast-paced thriller. Rather, it is a somewhat complex tale told from three different perspectives that involves the exploitation and abuse of women.
Detective Chelsey Callahan and her partner, Detective Montoya, are assigned to investigate the stabbing death of Anne Walker. They soon learn that Anne is actually Rika Takahashi, a woman born in and who emigrated from Japan, and that she has a sixteen-year-old daughter, Naomi, who’s now missing, very possibly kidnapped. As the investigation progresses, questions arise as to how and why Rika came to be in the United States, who she was in contact with, and how that might have led to her murder, if it did. Those questions, and the question of what has happened to Naomi and whether she can be rescued, are what propel readers through the novel. As the story unfolds, we learn a lot about Rika’s past, both in Japan and the US, about her exploitation in both places, and who was involved.
“Before You Were Anne” is a well-written mystery. Its characters are deeply drawn and compelling—real people placed in difficult situations that readers can identify with. Author Emiko Jean enriches her tale with dashes of Japanese culture and well-described settings. Because of similarities between Chelsey in the present and Rika in the past, I did find parts of the novel’s early chapters a little confusing. But as the story progressed and I got to know the characters better, that ceased to be an issue.
A solid four-star read for anyone hoping for a mystery that’s more oriented towards characters and issues than fast-paced action.
My thanks to NetGalley, author Emiko Jean, and publisher Simon & Shuster for providing me with a complimentary electronic ARC. All of the foregoing is my honest, independent opinion.
Detective Chelsey Callahan and her partner, Detective Montoya, are assigned to investigate the stabbing death of Anne Walker. They soon learn that Anne is actually Rika Takahashi, a woman born in and who emigrated from Japan, and that she has a sixteen-year-old daughter, Naomi, who’s now missing, very possibly kidnapped. As the investigation progresses, questions arise as to how and why Rika came to be in the United States, who she was in contact with, and how that might have led to her murder, if it did. Those questions, and the question of what has happened to Naomi and whether she can be rescued, are what propel readers through the novel. As the story unfolds, we learn a lot about Rika’s past, both in Japan and the US, about her exploitation in both places, and who was involved.
“Before You Were Anne” is a well-written mystery. Its characters are deeply drawn and compelling—real people placed in difficult situations that readers can identify with. Author Emiko Jean enriches her tale with dashes of Japanese culture and well-described settings. Because of similarities between Chelsey in the present and Rika in the past, I did find parts of the novel’s early chapters a little confusing. But as the story progressed and I got to know the characters better, that ceased to be an issue.
A solid four-star read for anyone hoping for a mystery that’s more oriented towards characters and issues than fast-paced action.
My thanks to NetGalley, author Emiko Jean, and publisher Simon & Shuster for providing me with a complimentary electronic ARC. All of the foregoing is my honest, independent opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This felt like one of those stories where you don’t even realize how deep you’re in until you’re already there.
I went into this thinking, “okay, murder mystery, missing girl, I’m in”—but it turned into something so much more layered than that. “Wait… this is getting personal.” “Oh… this is heavy.” It slowly builds and then just sits with you.
You’ve got a murdered mother, a missing daughter, and a detective who’s already carrying her own emotional weight… and somehow it all becomes even more complex. I didn’t read The Return of Ellie Black first, and I kept thinking, “am I missing something?” but honestly—it holds up really well on its own.
What really stood out to me is how this isn’t just about solving a case. It’s about identity, motherhood, survival… and the kind of past you can’t outrun. Rika/Anne’s story especially had me like, “how much can one person go through?” It’s tragic, it’s messy, and it feels real in a way that sticks.
The structure is different—multiple timelines, shifting perspectives—and I won’t lie, I had a couple moments of “wait… where are we right now?” But once I settled into it, I actually appreciated how it all connected. It’s very intentional storytelling.
And Chelsey… I really liked her. She’s not perfect, she’s complicated, and you can feel that this case is hitting closer to home than she wants to admit. “You can tell there’s more coming with her story.” I’m definitely curious where that goes next.
This is not a fast, twist-every-two-pages thriller. It’s more of a slow unravel. “It’s the kind of book you sit with, not fly through.” It leans darker, more emotional, and a little gritty.
My rating: 4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you like character-driven mysteries with depth and emotion, this is a really strong one. If you’re going in expecting nonstop action, just know this one takes its time—but it’s worth it.
I went into this thinking, “okay, murder mystery, missing girl, I’m in”—but it turned into something so much more layered than that. “Wait… this is getting personal.” “Oh… this is heavy.” It slowly builds and then just sits with you.
You’ve got a murdered mother, a missing daughter, and a detective who’s already carrying her own emotional weight… and somehow it all becomes even more complex. I didn’t read The Return of Ellie Black first, and I kept thinking, “am I missing something?” but honestly—it holds up really well on its own.
What really stood out to me is how this isn’t just about solving a case. It’s about identity, motherhood, survival… and the kind of past you can’t outrun. Rika/Anne’s story especially had me like, “how much can one person go through?” It’s tragic, it’s messy, and it feels real in a way that sticks.
The structure is different—multiple timelines, shifting perspectives—and I won’t lie, I had a couple moments of “wait… where are we right now?” But once I settled into it, I actually appreciated how it all connected. It’s very intentional storytelling.
And Chelsey… I really liked her. She’s not perfect, she’s complicated, and you can feel that this case is hitting closer to home than she wants to admit. “You can tell there’s more coming with her story.” I’m definitely curious where that goes next.
This is not a fast, twist-every-two-pages thriller. It’s more of a slow unravel. “It’s the kind of book you sit with, not fly through.” It leans darker, more emotional, and a little gritty.
My rating: 4 stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
If you like character-driven mysteries with depth and emotion, this is a really strong one. If you’re going in expecting nonstop action, just know this one takes its time—but it’s worth it.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book review 📖
📜Before You Were Anne
✍️Emiko Jean
📠Simon & Schuster
📚Thriller Fiction
🗓️Pub date: September 1, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✨Thank you @NetGalley and @simonandschuster for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
From the publisher:
Married, pregnant, and thriving in her career, Detective Chelsey Calhoun’s life finally feels whole, until an explosive new case shatters everything. A mother is dead. Her sixteen-year-old daughter, Naomi, has disappeared. And the search will awaken questions about Chelsey’s own origins—questions she’s spent a lifetime afraid to ask.
The victim called herself Anne Walker. But she was born Rika Takahashi, and her journey from a remote Japanese farm to suburban Seattle conceals decades of deception. Across Tokyo’s shadowed underworld, an isolated Idaho town, and years of carefully constructed lies, Rika reinvented herself at every turn. But she was always running—from someone, or something.
Now, Chelsey must find Naomi before she becomes the next victim. But the deeper she delves into Rika’s hidden life, the more she discovers: some secrets are worth killing for. And the most dangerous truths may be the ones closest to home.
Thoughts:
I knew I needed this book after having loved The Return Of Ellie Black. Emiko Jean knows how to keep your heart lodged firmly in your throat the entire wild ride, and Before You Were Anne was pulse-pounding with domestic suspense.
I loved the alternating timelines, the tension, the second-person point of view narrative. Without giving anything away, I did feel like a major plot point towards the ending was a little anti-climactic. However, overall a great thriller—some parts leaving me a little teary-eyed and hitting all the emotional buttons—and one I will definitely be recommending.
📜Before You Were Anne
✍️Emiko Jean
📠Simon & Schuster
📚Thriller Fiction
🗓️Pub date: September 1, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✨Thank you @NetGalley and @simonandschuster for providing me with an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
From the publisher:
Married, pregnant, and thriving in her career, Detective Chelsey Calhoun’s life finally feels whole, until an explosive new case shatters everything. A mother is dead. Her sixteen-year-old daughter, Naomi, has disappeared. And the search will awaken questions about Chelsey’s own origins—questions she’s spent a lifetime afraid to ask.
The victim called herself Anne Walker. But she was born Rika Takahashi, and her journey from a remote Japanese farm to suburban Seattle conceals decades of deception. Across Tokyo’s shadowed underworld, an isolated Idaho town, and years of carefully constructed lies, Rika reinvented herself at every turn. But she was always running—from someone, or something.
Now, Chelsey must find Naomi before she becomes the next victim. But the deeper she delves into Rika’s hidden life, the more she discovers: some secrets are worth killing for. And the most dangerous truths may be the ones closest to home.
Thoughts:
I knew I needed this book after having loved The Return Of Ellie Black. Emiko Jean knows how to keep your heart lodged firmly in your throat the entire wild ride, and Before You Were Anne was pulse-pounding with domestic suspense.
I loved the alternating timelines, the tension, the second-person point of view narrative. Without giving anything away, I did feel like a major plot point towards the ending was a little anti-climactic. However, overall a great thriller—some parts leaving me a little teary-eyed and hitting all the emotional buttons—and one I will definitely be recommending.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book continues the character of Chelsey Calhoun first introduced in The Return of Ellie Black. It’s a dark thriller which merges mystery, culture and identity. While the character of Detective Calhoun reappears, this novel can easily be read as a stand alone - though I’m glad I read the first book.
Chelsey and her partner, Montoya, are investigating the murder of Anne Walker and the disappearance of her daughter, Naomi. Anne Walker isn’t her birth name - that’s Rika Takahashi. Because I don’t want to spoil the story I will rely on the publisher’s information. This is basically a murder and a missing person’s case that spans almost twenty years as well as Japan and Seattle. Rika had buried many secrets as she’s tried to escape a crime family and an abusive relationship. In doing this, her daughter feels something is missing in her life. With Anne’s death, if. Naomi is found can she and Chelsey unravel the secrets that lead to Rika’s death.
The story is told through interwoven perspectives; Chelsey, Rika, and Naomi. What emerges is intriguing. The book didn’t so much as have a suspenseful feel and a tone of melancholy - Chelsey is pregnant with a daughter and she’s trying to figure out what this whole motherhood thing will be like as she looks in lot Rika’s world as a mother. This is also a kind of slow burn mystery too but I don’t think that intrudes on the pacing or the plot. When the plot thickens, it gets pretty intense and things move more quickly.
I gave this five stars because of the author - I’ve enjoyed her other books and this one delivered too; because the book was simple and straight forward - it didn’t try to be cute, just honest in its characters and story; and because I had an enjoyable experience reading it.
My thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for granting me access to this ARC.
Chelsey and her partner, Montoya, are investigating the murder of Anne Walker and the disappearance of her daughter, Naomi. Anne Walker isn’t her birth name - that’s Rika Takahashi. Because I don’t want to spoil the story I will rely on the publisher’s information. This is basically a murder and a missing person’s case that spans almost twenty years as well as Japan and Seattle. Rika had buried many secrets as she’s tried to escape a crime family and an abusive relationship. In doing this, her daughter feels something is missing in her life. With Anne’s death, if. Naomi is found can she and Chelsey unravel the secrets that lead to Rika’s death.
The story is told through interwoven perspectives; Chelsey, Rika, and Naomi. What emerges is intriguing. The book didn’t so much as have a suspenseful feel and a tone of melancholy - Chelsey is pregnant with a daughter and she’s trying to figure out what this whole motherhood thing will be like as she looks in lot Rika’s world as a mother. This is also a kind of slow burn mystery too but I don’t think that intrudes on the pacing or the plot. When the plot thickens, it gets pretty intense and things move more quickly.
I gave this five stars because of the author - I’ve enjoyed her other books and this one delivered too; because the book was simple and straight forward - it didn’t try to be cute, just honest in its characters and story; and because I had an enjoyable experience reading it.
My thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for granting me access to this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
After enjoying The Return of Ellie Black, I was happy to see Before You Were Anne pop up on NetGalley. The synopsis sounded like it would be really interesting, so I'm grateful to have been approved.
📖: Readers are reunited with Detective Chelsey Calhoun, the detective from The Return of Ellie Black. In Before You were Anne, Chelsey is working on a case involved the homicide of a mother (Anne) and a missing teen daughter (Naomi). The family is Japanese, so Chelsey finds shared roots and considers her own upbringing throughout. Through alternating perspectives and timelines, readers learn about Anne's tumultuous background, Naomi's experience digging into her mother's past, and Chelsey's struggle with the secrets of her past.
🤝: This may be a good fit if you enjoy:
- learning about other cultures while reading novels
- complicated family dynamics
- understanding the present by uncovering layered pasts
💭: I really enjoyed my reading experience with Before You Were Anne. While it's been awhile, I believe I ended up liking it more than Ellie Black. It felt like a fresh mystery in a sea of repetitive tropes. I loved the rich descriptions of Anne's past in Japan. Chelsey's inner turmoil about her past sparks compassion. There was a point when the reveals started that I wondered if things were going off the rails. I felt like there was a shift from my emotional connection with the story. Maybe I was disappointed in one of the characters. That happens sometimes. But as everything unfolded, I had more understanding and still felt satisfied with the journey. Definitely recommend this one!
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for early access to this ebook in return for an honest review. Pub Day: October 6th ,2026
📖: Readers are reunited with Detective Chelsey Calhoun, the detective from The Return of Ellie Black. In Before You were Anne, Chelsey is working on a case involved the homicide of a mother (Anne) and a missing teen daughter (Naomi). The family is Japanese, so Chelsey finds shared roots and considers her own upbringing throughout. Through alternating perspectives and timelines, readers learn about Anne's tumultuous background, Naomi's experience digging into her mother's past, and Chelsey's struggle with the secrets of her past.
🤝: This may be a good fit if you enjoy:
- learning about other cultures while reading novels
- complicated family dynamics
- understanding the present by uncovering layered pasts
💭: I really enjoyed my reading experience with Before You Were Anne. While it's been awhile, I believe I ended up liking it more than Ellie Black. It felt like a fresh mystery in a sea of repetitive tropes. I loved the rich descriptions of Anne's past in Japan. Chelsey's inner turmoil about her past sparks compassion. There was a point when the reveals started that I wondered if things were going off the rails. I felt like there was a shift from my emotional connection with the story. Maybe I was disappointed in one of the characters. That happens sometimes. But as everything unfolded, I had more understanding and still felt satisfied with the journey. Definitely recommend this one!
Thank you to Simon & Schuster and NetGalley for early access to this ebook in return for an honest review. Pub Day: October 6th ,2026
July 18, 2026
If Emiko Jean keeps writing thrillers like this, then I will continue to be first in line to read them. Told from three distinct points of view, we have all the makings of a great thriller: a dead body, a missing girl, and plenty of secrets. Detective Chelsey Calhoun is called to a scene with a dead body, Rika Takahashi. Quickly Chelsey also discovers that Rika's daughter, Naomi, is missing. With a missing person, Chelsey knows she needs to move fast to find her. Meanwhile, we are taken back in time to Japan and Rika's origin story, and when she learns she is pregnant with Naomi. She's working as a hostess at a club, falls in love, but things are not as they seem. Her heart is broken and her friend encourages her to get out, where she meets Seth, She and Seth fall quickly in love, and Seth brings her to the United States. This is Rika's opportunity to start over and build a new life for her and Naomi. Our third point of view is Naomi; we hear from her sporadically while she is missing.
While the early part of the book was a little challenging to follow with the different points of view and the chapters not clearly indicating which character was the focus, once I figured out the pattern, I was all in on the book. You needed Rika's back story to understand her choices and her relationships. And the author does a great job of surprising the reader along the way. You think you have everything figured out at the 60% point, yet, almost half the story still remains. I also enjoyed learning more of Chelsey's back story especially as she's navigating her new pregnancy. It gives the reader more to look forward to as the series continues.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read and review.
While the early part of the book was a little challenging to follow with the different points of view and the chapters not clearly indicating which character was the focus, once I figured out the pattern, I was all in on the book. You needed Rika's back story to understand her choices and her relationships. And the author does a great job of surprising the reader along the way. You think you have everything figured out at the 60% point, yet, almost half the story still remains. I also enjoyed learning more of Chelsey's back story especially as she's navigating her new pregnancy. It gives the reader more to look forward to as the series continues.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the opportunity to read and review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
🕵🏻♀️ 𝔹𝕖𝕗𝕠𝕣𝕖 𝕐𝕠𝕦 𝕎𝕖𝕣𝕖 𝔸𝕟𝕟𝕖 🕵🏻♀️
The Return of Ellie Black was one of my favorite reads of 2024, so when Simon & Schuster offered me the chance to read the sequel, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it.
Before You Were Anne finds Detective Chelsey Calhoun pregnant, back with the Seattle P.D., and still trying to heal from the revelations surrounding Ellie Black’s return. But when a Japanese woman is murdered and her daughter goes missing, Chelsey is pulled into another desperate search. As the investigation unfolds, secrets from Chelsey’s own past begin to surface as she races against the clock to save another missing girl.
If Emiko Jean excels at anything, it’s mastering the dual-timeline storytelling. Spanning decades and continents, Jean creates a murder mystery that is all the more terrifying because beneath the mystery is a story about the very real dangers women face and the injustices that too often go unseen.
And this element is so important because, although the big twist was slightly (and I mean slightly) predictable for me, it didn’t stop it from delivering an emotional, visceral reaction.
And the fact that Chelsey is pregnant throughout this case, forcing her to confront the dangers of the world while carrying a child… yeah. Emiko Jean went there.
Y’all, I was shook.
While Before You Were Anne didn’t quite have the same surprise factor as the first book, the emotional impact absolutely delivered. If you loved The Return of Ellie Black, you’ll want to pick this one up. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub Date: September 1, 2026
Than you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for my gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
The Return of Ellie Black was one of my favorite reads of 2024, so when Simon & Schuster offered me the chance to read the sequel, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it.
Before You Were Anne finds Detective Chelsey Calhoun pregnant, back with the Seattle P.D., and still trying to heal from the revelations surrounding Ellie Black’s return. But when a Japanese woman is murdered and her daughter goes missing, Chelsey is pulled into another desperate search. As the investigation unfolds, secrets from Chelsey’s own past begin to surface as she races against the clock to save another missing girl.
If Emiko Jean excels at anything, it’s mastering the dual-timeline storytelling. Spanning decades and continents, Jean creates a murder mystery that is all the more terrifying because beneath the mystery is a story about the very real dangers women face and the injustices that too often go unseen.
And this element is so important because, although the big twist was slightly (and I mean slightly) predictable for me, it didn’t stop it from delivering an emotional, visceral reaction.
And the fact that Chelsey is pregnant throughout this case, forcing her to confront the dangers of the world while carrying a child… yeah. Emiko Jean went there.
Y’all, I was shook.
While Before You Were Anne didn’t quite have the same surprise factor as the first book, the emotional impact absolutely delivered. If you loved The Return of Ellie Black, you’ll want to pick this one up. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Pub Date: September 1, 2026
Than you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for my gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.
July 24, 2026
Emiko Jean has become such a reliable author for me and Before You Were Anne was no exception. I first discovered this author through her contemporary fiction novel Mika in Real Life, and it remains my favorite of her novels. I ventured into her YA series Tokyo Ever After and loved those. I checked out her romance novel, Love Me Tomorrow, and it was great writing with an okay plot. When she dropped a thriller, The Return of Ellie Black, I knew I was going to love it. My favorite genre with an author I had grown to love; yes please. Unsurprisingly, this was five stars for me. And now, the sequel to that thriller is about to publish and I was gifted an advanced copy… pinch me.
Before You Were Anne is the sequel to The Return of Ellie Black and the second in the detective Chelsey Calhoun series. The book centers on the detective’s determination to solve the murder of a woman and her missing teenage daughter. As she unfolds the case we get to see the story from three perspectives, giving voice to the main women in the novel. I absolutely loved the way the narratives wove together and slowly built their way towards answers for the reader. There are just enough subtle misleads in the trail to keep you guessing, and a realistic conclusion to help feel like the mystery was solved.
I would classify this as a mystery with disturbing (to me) undertones, but nothing too graphic in the detective work. The feeling I had most was sadness for the women and affection for the detective. I did see the “twist” coming, but I don’t think it was obvious and it didn’t detract from the plot at all. If you haven’t tried Emiko Jean books, this series is an excellent one to try.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the advanced copy in exchange for my review. I consumed this so fast and am sending you virtual hugs for this wonderful gift.
Before You Were Anne is the sequel to The Return of Ellie Black and the second in the detective Chelsey Calhoun series. The book centers on the detective’s determination to solve the murder of a woman and her missing teenage daughter. As she unfolds the case we get to see the story from three perspectives, giving voice to the main women in the novel. I absolutely loved the way the narratives wove together and slowly built their way towards answers for the reader. There are just enough subtle misleads in the trail to keep you guessing, and a realistic conclusion to help feel like the mystery was solved.
I would classify this as a mystery with disturbing (to me) undertones, but nothing too graphic in the detective work. The feeling I had most was sadness for the women and affection for the detective. I did see the “twist” coming, but I don’t think it was obvious and it didn’t detract from the plot at all. If you haven’t tried Emiko Jean books, this series is an excellent one to try.
Thank you to Simon & Schuster for the advanced copy in exchange for my review. I consumed this so fast and am sending you virtual hugs for this wonderful gift.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Book two of the Chelsey Calhoun series.
Do you need to read book one, The Return of Ellie Black? No, this book stands quite well on its own. That said, book one was so amazing I do highly recommend it!
Chelsey, our favorite detective, is settling into some changes on her home front.
But that might need to take a slight backseat for the moment. She was just handed a new case that demands her undivided attention.
A woman is dead in her home. Her teenage daughter is missing. It’s a race against time to find not only the killer, but the girl too, before it’s too late.
This is a case that will hit somewhat close to home for Chelsey, possibly even revealing some family secrets.
I adore Chelsey’s character, having to split her multiple duties as a detective, wife, and daughter. Each is addressed equally, giving you a great insight into who she is.
There were enough breadcrumbs left at the end of the book that I believe there could certainly be a third to the series. (Is that wishful thinking on my part?)
This is a series not to be missed. Emiko Jean’s powerful writing draws you in and you immersing you in the storyline, as the world around you fades away. Yes, so much more than just a police procedural! Highly recommend!
Yay me…I’ve found myself a new favorite author!
✍️ Emiko Jean
📄 320 pages
🗓️ Anticipated release date: September 1, 2026
📈 5/5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 Police procedural, suspense
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster
Do you need to read book one, The Return of Ellie Black? No, this book stands quite well on its own. That said, book one was so amazing I do highly recommend it!
Chelsey, our favorite detective, is settling into some changes on her home front.
But that might need to take a slight backseat for the moment. She was just handed a new case that demands her undivided attention.
A woman is dead in her home. Her teenage daughter is missing. It’s a race against time to find not only the killer, but the girl too, before it’s too late.
This is a case that will hit somewhat close to home for Chelsey, possibly even revealing some family secrets.
I adore Chelsey’s character, having to split her multiple duties as a detective, wife, and daughter. Each is addressed equally, giving you a great insight into who she is.
There were enough breadcrumbs left at the end of the book that I believe there could certainly be a third to the series. (Is that wishful thinking on my part?)
This is a series not to be missed. Emiko Jean’s powerful writing draws you in and you immersing you in the storyline, as the world around you fades away. Yes, so much more than just a police procedural! Highly recommend!
Yay me…I’ve found myself a new favorite author!
✍️ Emiko Jean
📄 320 pages
🗓️ Anticipated release date: September 1, 2026
📈 5/5🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
👉 Police procedural, suspense
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
4 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.
After really enjoying The Return of Ellie Black, I was happy to see Detective Chelsey Calhoun return in Before You Were Anne. While this works as a standalone, I appreciated continuing Chelsey’s story as she investigates the murder of a woman and the disappearance of her teenage daughter in Seattle.
What I enjoyed most was that this was more than a straightforward police procedural. The investigation unfolds alongside Chelsey’s own journey as an adoptee, and her questions about identity and family become even more meaningful as she prepares to become a mother herself. Those personal threads gave the story added emotional depth without taking away from the suspense.
The novel moves between Seattle and Japan, gradually revealing Anne’s past and how it connects to the present-day mystery. Emiko Jean does an excellent job balancing multiple timelines and perspectives, keeping the pages turning while developing characters I genuinely cared about.
While I figured out a few pieces before the final reveal, there were still enough surprises to keep me invested. More importantly, the emotional impact stayed with me after I finished the book.
If you enjoy mysteries that combine strong character development with themes of family, identity, and the lasting effects of the past, Before You Were Anne is well worth picking up.
Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.
After really enjoying The Return of Ellie Black, I was happy to see Detective Chelsey Calhoun return in Before You Were Anne. While this works as a standalone, I appreciated continuing Chelsey’s story as she investigates the murder of a woman and the disappearance of her teenage daughter in Seattle.
What I enjoyed most was that this was more than a straightforward police procedural. The investigation unfolds alongside Chelsey’s own journey as an adoptee, and her questions about identity and family become even more meaningful as she prepares to become a mother herself. Those personal threads gave the story added emotional depth without taking away from the suspense.
The novel moves between Seattle and Japan, gradually revealing Anne’s past and how it connects to the present-day mystery. Emiko Jean does an excellent job balancing multiple timelines and perspectives, keeping the pages turning while developing characters I genuinely cared about.
While I figured out a few pieces before the final reveal, there were still enough surprises to keep me invested. More importantly, the emotional impact stayed with me after I finished the book.
If you enjoy mysteries that combine strong character development with themes of family, identity, and the lasting effects of the past, Before You Were Anne is well worth picking up.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
It's definitely a slow burn, so if you're looking for a fast-paced thriller, this might test your patience. That said, the emotional core of the story is genuinely moving and the characters feel real and layered. The structure was interesting. We move between present-day Seattle, Tokyo from years prior, and Naomi's situation. There's also some second-person narration thrown in, which isn't something you see often and takes a little getting used to. Honestly, I had to reread a few sections to figure out which timeline I was in, the flashbacks can get a little murky since no names are used. Once you find your footing though, it flows much better though!
I think the pacing was at a constant pace, which isn't horrible, I just don't think it would be for everyone I feel like? I know some people like more fast, paced, twists, and turns, but I do appreciate its time in revealing depth, identity, and motherhood. I think the parallel between Rika and Naomi and Chelsey's search into her own origins was one the most rewarding aspects to read throughout. It added an entire layer of depth that added into it's thoughtful, well-crafted mystery. I went back to read the first and this definitely works as a standalone too.
TWs though. Realistically this is a 3.5 for me, but nonetheless, I enjoyed it.
Thank you Simon & Schuster x NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
I think the pacing was at a constant pace, which isn't horrible, I just don't think it would be for everyone I feel like? I know some people like more fast, paced, twists, and turns, but I do appreciate its time in revealing depth, identity, and motherhood. I think the parallel between Rika and Naomi and Chelsey's search into her own origins was one the most rewarding aspects to read throughout. It added an entire layer of depth that added into it's thoughtful, well-crafted mystery. I went back to read the first and this definitely works as a standalone too.
TWs though. Realistically this is a 3.5 for me, but nonetheless, I enjoyed it.
Thank you Simon & Schuster x NetGalley for the eARC. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have read a few Emiko Jean books and enjoyed them all, so I was thrilled to get an ARC of Before You Were Anne. This is a book that feels hard to say much about without spoilers, so this will be a choppy summary.
Before she was Anne, she was Rika, a young Japanese woman looking for a bigger life. Rika found it working in a social club, doting on wealthy men and, eventually meeting one she fell in love with.
Later, Rika is in the Pacific Northwest, married to a wealthy dentist who courted her and helped her immigrate to the US.
Present day: Anne, neé Rika has been murdered. Her American-born daughter, Naomi, high schooler who is now missing. And detective Chelsey (a hail to previous novel Ellie Black) is on the case. Chelsey is also Japanese and has a complicated history with her heritage.
This book was very good. The story grabbed me. I liked the characters and their layers and complexity. It’s also very sad. There’s abuse, human trafficking, and more. I loved the writing. There are twists up until the very end.
Highly recommended. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Favorite quotes:
“In Japanese, you spoke of untranslatable things. Gaman, the art of enduring the unbearable with dignity.”
“This is the coexistence of love and anger. Both are true. Neither cancels the other.”
Before she was Anne, she was Rika, a young Japanese woman looking for a bigger life. Rika found it working in a social club, doting on wealthy men and, eventually meeting one she fell in love with.
Later, Rika is in the Pacific Northwest, married to a wealthy dentist who courted her and helped her immigrate to the US.
Present day: Anne, neé Rika has been murdered. Her American-born daughter, Naomi, high schooler who is now missing. And detective Chelsey (a hail to previous novel Ellie Black) is on the case. Chelsey is also Japanese and has a complicated history with her heritage.
This book was very good. The story grabbed me. I liked the characters and their layers and complexity. It’s also very sad. There’s abuse, human trafficking, and more. I loved the writing. There are twists up until the very end.
Highly recommended. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Favorite quotes:
“In Japanese, you spoke of untranslatable things. Gaman, the art of enduring the unbearable with dignity.”
“This is the coexistence of love and anger. Both are true. Neither cancels the other.”
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