What Happened to Ellen? by Nancy Grace takes you inside what is known about the case as it currently stands and Ellen’s parents fight for justice.

Now as a True Crime Buff this book 100% needed to be written, this story needed to be told. It was a good way to bring this case back into the limelight and lay out the facts known. Nancy Grace has done a wonderful job helping Ellen’s parents be Ellen’s voice.

As a book reader, this book is a little over the place, it lacks flow and is repetitive at times. I also must highlight 40% of the book is Ellen’s story and the case surrounding her death. The other 60% of the book is court documents. Now I do read quite a few court documents on cases I am interested in, so I was not disappointed with this.

And I also must note I did not follow this case in the media, so I can not say if this book gives the reader any new information or not.

IMO Ellen Greenberg’s case is not a question of was it suicide or murder. To me it is a clear case of the husband-to-be did it! The fiancé of a wealthy, powerful, influential family that had a family member within the court system. Ellen’s death just days after asking her parents if she could move back home…

This was phenomenal. I love Nancy and I absolutely loved this book. It was so thorough and well done.

Release: April 22, 2025
-Nancy Grace
Publisher: Post hill press

Rating: 4 ★ 

What Happened to Ellen by Nancy Grace is a gripping and emotional true crime novel that delves into the real-life disappearance of 15-year-old Ellen Greenberg. Nancy Grace, a former prosecutor and renowned TV personality, brings her legal expertise and passion for justice to this chilling case, exploring the circumstances surrounding Ellen's mysterious death. The book is part memoir, part investigative report, as Grace passionately questions the official ruling and uncovers new angles of the case that might have been overlooked.
Grace uses her platform to highlight the flaws in the investigation and the subsequent handling of the case. The book is a blend of personal reflection and journalistic investigation, providing a deep dive into the complexities of the justice system and its impact on victims’ families. Grace's commitment to shedding light on Ellen's case, and possibly reopening it, adds a layer of urgency to the story. Her emotional connection to the case makes it all the more compelling, making readers question what really happened to Ellen Greenberg.
The tone is intense, driven by the author's unwavering determination to uncover the truth. Nancy Grace doesn’t shy away from confronting uncomfortable truths about law enforcement's role in the case, as well as the emotional toll it takes on Ellen’s family and loved ones. Fans of true crime, as well as those interested in legal justice, will find this book both informative and heartbreaking.

Summary:
What Happened to Ellen centers around the tragic and mysterious death of 15-year-old Ellen Greenberg, who was found dead in her apartment in January 2011. Initially ruled a suicide, the circumstances surrounding Ellen's death were suspicious, and Nancy Grace digs into the investigation, questioning the validity of the official findings. The book explores the flaws in the case, highlighting potential cover-ups and the emotional toll on Ellen’s family. Grace’s investigative approach and legal expertise bring fresh insight into the case, leaving readers with lingering questions about the true nature of Ellen’s death.

Favorite Quote:
"you can run from the past, but it always catches up with you - usually when you least expect it".

Harrowing, Disconcerting…
A disconcerting, mysterious and controversial account of the case of Ellen Greenberg eloquently presented as a miscarriage of justice by Nancy Grace. The author does a sterling job of providing the background to the case itself, the important factual detail, and the current position as well as painting a picture of Ellen herself. It is painfully clear that the evidentiary discrepancies surrounding the case and the intense controversy rage on, despite many, many years of difficult and desperate struggles on the part of Ellen’s parents and their many supporters. A harrowing account.

Sometimes the cover-up is more lethal than the crime!

On January 26, 2011 a beautiful young woman, wedding date set, was stabbed to death inside her apartment home. A ten inch knife was found still plunged deep into her chest.

Ellen Greenberg had been stabbed twenty times, including knife wounds to her head, the back of her head, the back of her neck, and to her chest. At least one of Ellen’s stab wounds was shown to have been inflicted postmortem, meaning after death.

There was also bruising on Ellen’s wrists, along with all the other bruises on Ellen’s body that were deemed to have occurred at various times and not on the day she died.

Her death… was ruled a suicide.

What Happened to Ellen? by Nancy Grace takes you inside what is known about the case as it currently stands and Ellen’s parents fight for justice.

Now as a True Crime Buff this book 100% needed to be written, this story needed to be told. It was a good way to bring this case back into the limelight and lay out the facts known. Nancy Grace has done a wonderful job helping Ellen’s parents be Ellen’s voice.

As a book reader, this book is a little over the place, it lacks flow and is repetitive at times. I also must highlight 40% of the book is Ellen’s story and the case surrounding her death. The other 60% of the book is court documents. Now I do read quite a few court documents on cases I am interested in, so I was not disappointed with this.

And I also must note I did not follow this case in the media, so I can not say if this book gives the reader any new information or not.

IMO Ellen Greenberg’s case is not a question of was it suicide or murder. To me it is a clear case of the husband-to-be did it! The fiancé of a wealthy, powerful, influential family that had a family member within the court system. Ellen’s death just days after asking her parents if she could move back home…