Before You Were Anne

Chelsey Calhoun #2

by Emiko Jean

After 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 this propulsive novel from the New York Times bestselling 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 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.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Crime, Audiobook, Suspense

320 pages, Hardcover

First published September 1, 2026

About the author

Emiko 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.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

“SO. THIS IS HOW YOUR life ends – at the bottom of the stairs.”

What?!

This is the second in the series featuring detective Chelsey Calhoun. For those interested in learning more, please see my first-in-the-series review of “The Return of Ellie Black” below.

Donated to my Little Free Library Shed, this book gave me an opportunity to continue exploring the series. And, as Goodreads friend Jayme noted under one of my other reviews, it feels like an early Christmas with all the interesting books that are being donated to my LFL.

While I enjoyed the opportunity to continue exploring this series, this installment didn’t quite capture me as much as “The Return of Ellie Black.”

Readers find Chelsey now in Seattle, newly married and pregnant, while still grappling with her unresolved past as a Japanese adoptee raised by a white family. Her latest case involves the murder of a woman and the search for her missing 16-year-old-daughter.

Told through three narrative voices, this is a deeply emotional story exploring mother-daughter dynamics, identity, misogyny and family secrets. Although it can be read as a stand-alone, the first book provides important background on Chelsey that adds perspective to her character and circumstances.

What begins as a cat-and-mouse crime thriller gradually shifts into a psychological examination of multi-generational trauma, maternal protection and agency, with one character’s perspective and actions proving pivotal to the outcome.

“The Return of Ellie Black” Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Liana Gold · Rating 4 out of 5]

4-4.5! GREAT mystery/thriller!

FULL REVIEW TO FOLLOW!!

A Japanese-American woman was murdered and her 16 year old daughter disappeared. Detective Chelsey Calhoun is assigned to investigate and discovers painful details of the woman's life while confronting her own secrets of the past.

I started this today and it's fantastic. The story has loads of emotional depth and drama and it's kind of hard to put this book down.



This will be featured on BOTM. Get your copy for $5 using this link: https://www.mybotm.com/bgnrjn6qk0o
Very easy to sign up and cancel, at no additional cost to you! Love BOTM: quality is great and you get awesome books prior to release date.



Many thanks to NetGalley, Simon & Schuster and the author, Emiko Jean for an early ARC.

Publication: September 1, 2026

[Nilufer Ozmekik · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[Kaceey · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Lauren W -behind! (work)- trying to stay semi-caught up♥︎ · Rating 4 out of 5]

In book two, we follow Japanese-American detective Chelsey Calhoun, who is balancing a high-stakes investigation with major personal life changes. The mystery centers on a mother-daughter duo, Anne and Naomi, and is told through multiple perspectives. Emiko Jean delivers incredible character depth, particularly through Anne’s heartbreaking backstory as an immigrant surviving a cycle of abusive relationships. It didn't have quite the same fast-paced, edge-of-your-seat energy as the first book for me, but it’s a beautifully detailed, slower-burn mystery with great emotional weight and solid twists.

[suspenseisthrillingme · Rating 4.75 out of 5]

Like a gentle yet weighty breeze, the lyrical prose in Before You Were Anne burrowed its way into my soul. You see, this wasn’t just a murder mystery. Oh, no. The story was so much deeper and darker than that, with the true dangers of silence, the lasting effects of trauma, and the search for one’s true identity lying at its core. Well, there was also the total shocker beneath the ultimate twist, but I’m not going to spoil that here. After all, this reflective tale had plenty of layers to fill up this review. Immersive, suspenseful, and packed with emotional depth, it was a beautiful story in spite of the three raw, hard-hitting plot lines that had echoes about motherhood, identity, and survival throughout. Relayed by Chelsey, Rika, and Naomi as they weathered their fates in this tragic yet poignant narrative, I was blown away by their complex, well-developed personas that only seemed to grow at every turn. The plot, though…that was where this book truly shined.

So what was so unique about this tangled web of family secrets? Well, in addition to being a powerful murder mystery full of tension and dread, it also was a slow-burning puzzle of subtle deception and carefully placed clues. And when it all came together? Phew! All I can say is that the payoff at the end was just as good—if not better—than the cleverly interwoven timelines and voices. With a far-reaching, culturally rich scope that spanned multiple decades and two continents as well as a hauntingly vivid atmosphere, this story is sure to live rent-free in my head just like the first book in the series. Just know that this one was much more of a character-driven slow burn vs the fast-paced police investigation in The Return of Ellie Black. That being said, I probably fell even more in love with this one. After all, it was an emotional gut-punch that just grew deeper with every page. Rating of 4.75 stars.

P.S. I’m going to make the assumption, Ms. Jean, that there’s a third book coming with Chelsey et al as the focus, but let me take a moment to beg and plead just the same. I need more about this multilayered detective and her life, so please oh please let there be another one coming soon!

Read if you’re a fan of:
- Domestic suspense
- Onion-like plotting
- Low-key procedurals
- Multiple POVs
- Multiple plot lines
- Lyrical prose
- Character-driven plot lines
- Emotional depth
- Slow-burning mysteries
- Continuing sagas
- Complex characters
- Short chapters
- A heavy atmosphere

SYNOPSIS:

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.

Thank you Emiko Jean and Simon & Schuster for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

PUB DATE: September 1, 2026

Content warning: adoption, pregnancy, murder, kidnapping, forced confinement, stalking, xenophobia, domestic abuse, childbirth, dementia, gun violence, death, trafficking, mention of: drug abuse, addiction

[Nikki Lee (Nikkileethrillseeker) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Chelsey Calhoun series. I didn’t read the first one and had no problem following along.

The story starts with a dead woman and her teenage daughter is missing. Who would do this and why? The woman went by Anne but was born under a different name.

Two timelines are going from the past and the present. We get a view of what the woman’s life was like before her daughter was born and after.

I liked the multiple POV and dual timelines. I was really interested in this woman’s past. The two things that bothered me a little were the pace and a trope that really irks my nerves. Once that came into play, I lost a little interest. I can’t tell you or it would spoil it. This is a me thing.

Still a good story that people are loving and I recommend you checking it out.

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to Simon Books for the gifted copy

[Elodie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the first book in this series, so when I saw it was an option for Book of the Month, I couldn't add it to my box quick enough.

After finishing this book, my main reaction is: Oof. This felt like a punch to the gut.

In my opinion, this book is heavy. While it's a mystery, with Chelsey one of the main detectives, it tackles a lot of heavy topics. Now, this experience may be shadowed by the years I worked in child welfare, seeing these topics playing out in real life, so maybe it won't hit so hard for others.

One thing I want to give a trigger warning for though is domestic violence. While it is not super descriptive, it is mentioned several times with some descriptions. So, please take this into consideration before picking up this book.

Additionally, for anyone who may have not read the first book, there is also mention of adoption and the struggle of not knowing where you truly come from, from not knowing your family history and background. This theme runs steadily through the book.

Now, all that aside, this was a solid mystery. I felt like everything was paced well and there were clues you could follow along with, without there being an overwhelming amount. I also appreciated that, in the end, everything tied up nicely and made sense. There weren't any plot holes or things I was left questioning.

One of my favourite things about this series though is the lead detective Chelsey and her partner Montoya. I love seeing this work well together as partners, while also getting glimpses of the friendship underneath. Their partnership is the kind I imagine every officer wishes they had.

Chelsey and Montoya are solid detectives as well. As a reader, I'm always able to follow along with their reasoning regarding the decisions they make and the conclusions they come to. I find them very level headed, professional, and logical. More than this though, I love the heart they have behind the work. The author makes it clear they are both detectives that care very much about the people they are working to find and the victims they are trying to get justice for. This isn't just a job for them. This, mixed with the fact that they make mistakes and question their actions, makes them feel very realistic and relatable to me. They are characters I can root for every time.

Also, can we give a quick shout out to Noah? Chelsey, you picked a good one girl! We love a supportive and loving husband, who isn't afraid to let his wife shine! 👏🏻

In terms of the pacing of this book, I think it was well done. There were times that there was a lot of tension and anxiety, while also giving us time to think and consider the information the detectives have collected to that point. Due to this, I felt like the pacing was well balanced without there being any stretches that felt like the story was dragging.

Lastly, I love that the author has left Chelseys personal story open, letting us know that there is more to come. I honestly can't wait to find out what comes next for her in her search for information about her family and I just know I'll be scooping up the next book just as fast as this one.

Overall, this book provided a solid mystery that was also filled with a lot of heart, grief, sadness, guilt, betrayal, and every emotion in between. So, if you enjoy mysteries that have solid and realistic detectives, but also possibly make you cry, then this one is for you!

[Mai T. · Rating 5 out of 5]

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

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

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 allow them to work as a standalone.
In Before You Were Anne, we are reunited with Detective Chelsea Calhoun, a main character in 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

[Bkwmlee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sequel to Emiko Jean’s bestselling mystery / thriller / suspense novel The Return of Ellie Black , which I read when it came out back in 2024 not knowing that it was the start of a series. In that book, we were introduced to Detective Chelsey Calhoun, a small-town cop from Washington State with a passion for solving missing person cases due to her own personal experience with her sister’s disappearance many years ago. As I mentioned in my review of that book, I absolutely loved the fact that the main protagonist Chelsey is a strong, smart, competent, no-nonsense cop who holds her own time and time again in a cut-throat profession that is not always kind to a woman of color like herself. I mean, how often do we see an Asian female as a kick-ass lead detective (in a mainstream mystery/thriller) who is the one doing the heroic work of saving lives rather than merely being a sidekick (often to a male detective who is usually the “hero” of the story). Given how much I loved Chelsey as a character, I was of course thrilled to be able to read more about her in Jean’s newest release, Before You Were Anne , even though I will admit that I was caught a bit off guard because I thought Ellie Black was a stand-alone novel and had no idea it was the start of a series until recently. When it comes to series, especially ones with the same characters that continue the previous book’s storyline, I usually prefer to read the books back-to-back one right after the other rather than spread out over long periods of time because I have a bad memory and especially can’t remember details unless it’s fresh in my mind. In this case, since I last read Ellie Black 2 years ago, I would’ve liked to re-read it before picking up the sequel, but given all the other books I have on my list to get through (this has been a phenomenal year for books, to the point that I’m still working my way through a ginormous summer and fall reading list that I’m determined to finish before the year is over), of course this was not possible. Regardless though, I still enjoyed being reunited with Chelsey, who is now married and expecting her first child with husband Noah. Chelsey has moved on from the small-town of Coldwell and is now a lead detective in the Seattle police department, partnering up with Detective Montoya whom she met while working the Ellie Black case. As the Japanese daughter of white parents who adopted her when she was a baby, Chelsey’s struggles with her identity run deep, but now that she is expecting a daughter of her own, understanding her past and where she came from is even more critical for her. So when she and Montoya are assigned a new case involving a murdered Japanese woman named Rika Takahashi (who went by the alias Anne Walker) and her missing sixteen-year-old daughter Naomi, it hits a little too close to home for Chelsey, who becomes more invested in the case than she bargained for.

I don’t want to give too much away, since it’s important to go into this one knowing as little as possible, so I’ll keep the details brief. Overall though, I felt this sequel was very well done and I enjoyed it as much as I did the first book. I especially appreciate the nuanced way that Jean continues to portray Chelsey – while she is still the kick-ass cop from the first book, we also get to see the vulnerable side of her, specifically in her relationship with her family, which is somewhat strained due to some things that happened in the first book as well as the circumstances around her adoption, which are finally brought to light in this book. I also really like the way Chelsey’s partnership with Montoya was built on mutual respect and admiration for each other’s abilities, but most importantly, how they are portrayed as equals who trust each other and work well together as a cohesive unit. This was especially refreshing because the default with stories like this that feature a male/female cop partnership usually involves some type of romantic entanglement trope or some form of insurmountable tension / conflict stemming from gender disparity.

Emiko Jean is quickly becoming a favorite author for me, as I’ve read three of her books so far and enjoyed all of them. In exploring her backlist, it’s obvious to me that Jean has range as an author, as she writes across multiple genres – from YA to fantasy to romance and now mystery/thriller/suspense. While I’m most interested in her mystery/thriller series, I also read her stand-alone romance Mika in Real Life , which I also loved, so I’m keen on trying her other books as well, which should hold me over until the next installment of the Chelsey Calhoun series comes out (based on how the sequel ended, I’m pretty sure there will be more books) – I just hope I won’t have to wait too long for it!

Received ARC from Simon and Schuster via NetGalley.

[Tini · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Happy publication day to the newest Chelsey Calhoun mystery!**

Nothing like a murder investigation to uncover your family tree.

4.5 stars rounded up.

When a woman is murdered and her sixteen-year-old daughter disappears, Detective Chelsey Calhoun is drawn into a case that quickly becomes much more personal than she expected. The victim lived under the name Anne Walker, but she was born Rika Takahashi, and the search for her missing daughter sends Chelsey digging into a complicated history stretching from Japan to Seattle - and, unexpectedly, into questions about her own origins.

I was so glad to see Detective Chelsey Calhoun return. I really enjoyed her character and storyline in Emiko Jean's The Return of Ellie Black , and she remains just as compelling in this second installment, which finds her now working in Seattle. If you haven't read the first book, I would absolutely recommend starting there, though it is not strictly necessary. **Not only is it excellent, but it also provides important background to Chelsey's story.**

Where The Return of Ellie Black took what initially appeared to be a fairly straightforward missing-girl mystery and turned it into a deeply nuanced exploration of what it means to be a woman in the world, Before You Were Anne - while still tackling those issues - shifts the focus to cross-cultural identity, mothers and daughters, and the complicated question of where - and with whom - we belong. Chelsey's Japanese heritage becomes increasingly important as she investigates a missing girl with Japanese roots of her own, while **her pregnancy** and the questions surrounding her adoption add another deeply personal layer to the story without distracting from the central mystery.

I really enjoyed seeing Chelsey settle into her new life in Seattle, where she is now four months pregnant, has a refreshingly functional relationship with her husband, and shares her workload on the job with a partner. Their dynamic worked particularly well for me and added another dimension to a character I was already invested in.

As with Jean's previous novel, what elevates this far above many other thrillers for me is the thoughtful commentary woven throughout the mystery. Jean tackles questions of identity, belonging, motherhood, and the ways in which the choices of one generation can reverberate through the next, all while writing with a prose that is considerably more beautiful than you might expect from **your run-of-the-mill thriller**.

The mystery itself is solid, although I did feel that Jean tries to do a little too much with it. This is still very much a slow burn, and while I enjoyed the deliberate pacing for most of the novel, things became somewhat convoluted toward the end without ultimately delivering a particularly surprising resolution.

Even so, I remain very invested in Chelsey's story. In fact, the biggest mystery for me may now be the one surrounding Chelsey herself: as she begins to unravel the circumstances of her own adoption, there are clearly more questions waiting to be answered. And if that is a hint that there are more Chelsey Calhoun books to come, I, for one, am here for it.

Thoughtful, atmospheric, and beautifully written, Before You Were Anne is another compelling addition to Chelsey Calhoun's story. The mystery's ultimate resolution may not have completely surprised me, but Emiko Jean once again proves that she can take the familiar ingredients of a thriller and turn them into something much more nuanced - and considerably more interesting.

TW for domestic abuse, stalking.

Many thanks to Simon & Schuster for inviting me to read an ARC via NetGalley.

"Before You Were Anne" publishes TODAY, September 1, 2026!

[Debbie H · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️ Fast paced and tense mystery/thriller that kept me turning pages until the very end. This book features detective Chelsea Calhoun that we first met in The Return of Ellie Black. The ending leaves us with the possibility of another novel featuring detective Chelsea.

Detective Calhoun is now married and newly pregnant with a daughter. She and her partner are assigned to investigate a murdered mom Anne, and her missing teen daughter Naomi.
Chelsea is also dealing with her own adoption mystery. As an Asian child adopted to a white family, she longs to know her mysterious origin story.

Many twists and turns as we follow the quest to find Naomi before it’s too late, and an adoption surprise for Chelsea! Satisfying ending! Hope to see more of Detective Calhoun in the future!

Thanks to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the eARC in exchange for my honest review

[taylor tippett · Rating 4 out of 5]

the best mystery/thriller i’ve read in a long time. dual POVs (from the detectives in present day and the victims before she was murdered). weaves race, family/adoption, and motherhood into such a compelling story. bravo!!!

[Liz · Rating 3.75 out of 5]

I was a big fan of The Return of Ellie Black. So, I was excited to see what Emilio Jean would write next. Before You Were Anne is the second in the Chelsey Calhoun series. It didn’t thrill me the way her first did, but it’s still a good story.
A woman has been killed and her 16 year old daughter is missing. Chelsey is newly pregnant when she draws this case and figures it’s the last case she’ll be allowed to work before she’s forced to tell her superior.
The book isn’t your typical police procedural as there are three interwoven perspectives. Chelsey’s sections track the investigation. We also hear from Anne/Rika, the dead woman and Naomi, her daughter. Anne/Rika’s story tells of her life and how she came to America. I found this section the least interesting. And Naomi’s section follows her desire to learn who her father is. As the book goes on, the plot becomes more complicated and I loved the twists at the end. The three different storylines keep the book moving at a decent pace.
Chelsey is especially drawn to the dead woman as she is Japanese and Chelsey is of Japanese descent but adopted by Caucasian parents. Emiko Jean delves into not knowing one’s history from two different POVs. Other themes include motherhood and domestic abuse.
The book works fine as a stand-alone.
I listened to this and the publisher wisely chose to use three different narrators, all of whom did a fine job.

[Renée | apuzzledbooklover · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

“SO. THIS IS HOW YOUR life ends—at the bottom of the stairs.”

In this book, which is book two in the Chelsey Calhoun series, the detective investigates a murder and the disappearance of the victim’s teenage daughter.

The story is told from three points of view. The first is a woman known as Rika, before she became Anne. These chapters are told in second person, which took me some time to adjust to. The others are the detective, Chelsey Calhoun and then Naomi, who is Rika/Anne’s daughter.

Highlights |
✨Identity
✨Japanese culture
✨Generational secrets
✨Domestic abuse
✨Deception & betrayal

The novel is a well written, quiet yet dramatic character study and the short chapters really propelled my interest. I was very intrigued to learn more about Rika’s past and I enjoyed the parallels in the book to Chelsey's life. I think they added nuance and relatability to the story.

Another solid installment from the author and I’m hopeful for a third book in the series!

CA | There are several triggers in this book, mentions of sex trafficking and prostitution. And also a small amount of strong language sprinkled here and there to be aware of.

[Chelsea Ekstedt · Rating 5 out of 5]

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!

[brewdy_reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5⭐️

Thank you @simonbooks + @simon.audio for the galley and ALC ♡ #simonbooksbuddy

The Return of Ellie Black took me by surprise as my top thriller of 2024. So I was very excited to get my hands on the follow up book.

Once again this is first a missing girl story. But it’s the historical timeline that was most compelling. Exploring Japanese tea houses, Yakuza, and crime syndicates…and escaping one’s destiny.

In the present timeline Chelsey is pregnant and desperate to learn her origin story: how did she come to be adopted into her white family? So many secrets and lies, in the name of love.

The 3 POVs and timeline hopping between Chelsey, Rika, and Naomi, made for a fast paced plot that I wanted to finish in a single sitting. (I didn’t because I was at my son’s soccer game and wanted to be present for that too 😝⚽️.)

If you loved Ellie Black you’re going to want to pick this one up. Out today!

TW: Child Abuse, Kidnapping, Domestic Violence, Rape, Assault, Misogyny

▶︎ •၊၊||၊|။||။‌‌‌‌‌|• 🎧 multi cast audio with Mizuo Peck, Mieko Gavia, and Mirai was the way to go, making it very easy to distinguish Chelsea, Rika, and Naomi.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Dcvz5lokaMe/

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

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.

[Heather~ Nature.books.and.coffee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book 2 in the Chelsey Calhoun series. The first, The Return of Ellie Black, was a five star read for me,and so was this one. You don't have to read the first book to enjoy this one. It can totally be read as a standalone. This was such a great crime thriller/mystery. I loved being back into the world of Chelsey Calhoun while she is back on the case of a murdered mother, Anne (previously Rika) and her missing daughter, Naomi. We get multiple POV’s and timelines which made for such a fast read. The mystery was so good and I loved the parts about Anne's past, in Japan. There are unexpected twists and great character development. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

[Christina C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book! BTM Need to have more like these types of books in their subscriptions!

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Anne is found murdered in her home and her daughter Naomi is missing, Chelsey Calhoun takes on the investigation while pregnant and questioning her own origins as an adopted child. Told through three POVs and two timelines, the story pieces together what happened to Anne and Naomi.

I absolutely DEVOURED this book in under 24 hours. I grabbed it from BOTM without realizing it was a sequel, but Before You Were Anne can absolutely be read as a standalone. I’ll definitely be going back to read the first book because I loved this one so much!

I was truly invested in needing to know what happened to Anne and Naomi. What surprised me most was how REAL this thriller felt. I usually read thrillers for, ya know, the thrill and often find myself thinking, “that would never happen in real life”. But this felt like something that could actually happen to someone and that made the stakes and emotions of it all feel even higher.

The ending was bittersweet. It was intense, emotional, and completely captivating. While absolutely heartbroken for Naomi I also felt excitement for her and the next chapter of her life.

Overall, I would say this is probably one of the best thrillers I’ve ever read, if not THE best. I could see the scenes playing out in my head the entire time and could absolutely see this becoming a TV series or movie.

[Kelly Veit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved The Return of Ellie Black, so I was very excited when I saw that Emiko Jean had written a new book. I grabbed it from NetGalley as soon as I saw it - no hesitation whatsoever. This book delivers as well as ‘Ellie Black’ on all fronts!

The story, the atmosphere and the characters are all so well developed. The plot is intricately woven and the suspense never lets up! I couldn’t stop turning the pages. I actually ignored all my responsibilities for an entire day until I had it finished. Nearing the end, I knew it was coming but I just was not emotionally prepared for it. And now I have a book hangover.

Bravo Ms. Jean👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 I will be impatiently awaiting your next bestseller!!

✨Thank you Simon & Schuster via NetGalley for the advance copy.

[Destiny || readingisyourdestiny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you so much to Simon & Schuster for the gifted book!

I absolutely loved The Return of Ellie Black. and was so excited to be back in Detective Chelsey Calhoun’s world! This book starts getting intense from the very beginning when a Anne is found dead and her 16-year-old daughter, Naomi, is missing!

As she tries to solve the murder of Anne and search for Naomi, Chelsea begins to uncover the truth surrounding who Anne really was and the secrets she was hiding from her daughter. Told through multiple different perspectives and timelines, this story kept me locked in the entire time!

I also loved learning more about Chelsea and watching as she uncovers lies and secrets from her own past! There was never a dull moment! The ending wrapped things up perfectly, but I still hope we get more from Chelsea and her story in the future!

This can easily be read as a standalone in my opinion, but I would still recommend reading The Return of Ellie Black because it's THAT good!

4.5 stars rounded up

[Abby Melchers | lifegivinglibrary · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up!

This was my favorite thriller I've read in a long time! After reading The Return of Ellie Black and really enjoying it, I was afraid the second Chelsey Calhoun mystery wouldn't measure up. Thankfully, I was wrong, and I liked this one even more!

While this was certainly a fast-paced thriller that kept me on the edge of my seat, I think what I loved even more was getting to know more of Detective Chelsey Calhoun's back story. As she investigates the murder of Rika, a Japanese woman who immigrated to America, and the disappearance of Rika's daughter Naomi, Chelsey begins to draw parallels to her own Japanese heritage. Chelsey, who was adopted as a baby, knows nothing of her biological parents, and as she is now expecting a baby herself, she is compelled to learn more of who she is and from where she came.

This is a gripping, unpredictable read that will keep you on the edge of your seat the entire time. I would recommend for anyone who enjoys thrillers!

Content Considerations:
-Strong language sprinkled throughout the book
- A couple of fade-to-black scenes
-Domestic violence
-Features characters who work in the sex industry

**If you have further questions about content, send me a message. Don't want to give too much away in the content considerations, but I've covered the major points.

[Amy Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A slow-burn mystery thriller that is well worth the read! This book had me feeling so many emotions. If you love strong, layered female characters + a fantastic mystery, this is a must! The multiple POVS and timelines really added to this book.

[Kristy · Rating 4.5 out of 5]

This was excellent! I could not put it down. Detective Chelsey Calhoun investigates the murder of a mother and the disappearance of her teenage daughter. The case takes her from Seattle to Japan. The book is told from the perspective of Chelsey, mom Rika, and daughter Naomi. It’s dark and sad at times but also tender and heartfelt. A wonderful character-driven mystery!

[Lizzy Brannan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A gripping suspense with a side of generational sin, Before You Were Anne begs the question, "What wouldn’t you do for freedom?"

Detective Chelsey Calhoun is finally settling into married life with a baby on the way when her world is rocked with the death of her mother, an explosive case, and her daughter, Naomi, gone missing. The case victim is Anne Walker, born Rika Takahashi of Japan, who reinvented herself along her journey from Japanese farm life to suburban Seattle, and on to an isolated Idaho town. As Chelsey digs deeper into Rika's case, while still searching for her daughter, she realizes the clues may lead closer to home than she realized.

The concept of this book is quite harrowing and heavy. It just moved way too slow for me. I also listened to the audio alongside my paper copy reading and found the voicing of Chelsey to be stale and ineffective. I'm sure it contributed to my rating, but even when I enjoyed the other effective voice narrations, I did not find the pacing to be engaging. I actually enjoy Emiko Jean as a writer and chose this book based on my five-star experience with The Return of Ellie Black. In fact, Rika's character arc and journey concept is strong. I just didn't care for the pacing to get there. This is merely preference though. Many have enjoyed this book so far. Its reviews are strong for the most part.

Thank you, NetGalley, Emiko Jean, and Simon & Schuster for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel opens in Seattle with the discovery of a dead woman and her teenage daughter missing. Detective Chelsey Calhoun (also the main character in Emiko Jean’s last book, The Return of Ellie Black) and her partner are assigned to the case. The title comes from the fact that the dead woman, Anne Walker, was previously known as Rika. In addition to the parts where Chelsey is investigating, the book also includes parts about Anne/Rika’s past from Japan to Idaho to Seattle, and brief glimpses of Naomi post-disappearance.

This was a really good one, and one I couldn’t put down. At first it seems like the mystery is going to be pretty simple and resolved quickly, but each time it seems all figured out, the plot takes another turn I didn’t see coming - not silly thrilly type twists, more just interesting developments that still make total sense. It is a sequel, but can definitely be read as a standalone - the mystery is totally separate. You may just be a little confused by some of the references to Chelsey’s personal past if you haven’t read the first one. Though I highly recommend the first book as well!

Thanks to Simon & Schuster for my e-ARC (out today); all opinions are my own.

[Full of Lit · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.