Release: May 27, 2025
Author: Michelle Dominguez Greene
Publisher: Storm publishing

Rating: 4 ★ 

My Name Is Emily Ray by Michele Dominguez Greene is a gripping and emotionally charged crime thriller that introduces us to FBI agent Emily Ray, who specializes in investigating child abductions. What makes Emily particularly compelling is her personal connection to the case—she herself was abducted as a child and held captive for years. Now, a mother and dedicated agent, Emily is drawn back to the past when a new case emerges that eerily mirrors her own abduction.
The story centers around the disappearance of a young girl named Josie Vance, and as Emily investigates, she is forced to confront her own trauma. The case brings flashbacks of her own kidnapping, and she begins to question whether the same person who abducted her all those years ago is responsible for Josie’s disappearance. As Emily’s PTSD and OCD symptoms resurface, the story becomes a race against time to save Josie while uncovering dark secrets about her own past.
Greene does an excellent job of creating suspense, with well-placed twists and red herrings that keep the reader on edge. The pacing is fast, and the emotional weight of the story—especially with its exploration of trauma, mental health, and the psychological effects of abduction—adds layers of depth to the plot. Emily is a strong, complex character, and her personal connection to the case makes her determination to solve it even more compelling.
The book is packed with unexpected twists that keep you hooked, and the story’s structure, which weaves in Emily’s flashbacks and current investigation, adds to the tension. The exploration of PTSD and OCD is handled thoughtfully and provides a unique perspective on how trauma can impact an investigator's ability to do their job.
While the book is a solid read with lots of suspense, some might find that the pacing slows down at times, particularly in the first half, and the ending might feel a bit rushed. But overall, the shocking twists, the heartbreaking moments, and the emotional payoff make this a memorable read.
If you're a fan of psychological thrillers with complex characters and high stakes, My Name Is Emily Ray is definitely worth picking up. I look forward to seeing where Emily’s story goes next and how her journey as both an agent and a survivor unfolds.

Summary

My Name Is Emily Ray follows FBI Special Agent Emily Ray, an expert in child abductions, as she investigates the disappearance of seven-year-old Josie Vance in Cove Park, California. Josie’s abduction eerily mirrors Emily’s own traumatic experience—she was abducted as a child and held captive for years. As Emily leads the search to find Josie, a disturbing clue surfaces: a drawing of a young girl in pink leggings, standing in front of a brick house, holding silver balloons—an image that ties directly to Emily's own captivity.
The discovery of a hair clip and a faded children’s book further intensifies the chilling realization that her abductor may still be alive. As Emily dives deeper into the investigation, she’s forced to confront the traumatic past she’s long buried. The case becomes more personal, as Emily not only races to save Josie, but also faces the terrifying possibility that the man who once destroyed her life has returned to do it all over again. Emily must confront her darkest fears and the scars of her past to stop him before it’s too late.

Favorite Quote:
"if you hide from death, you hide from life."

Thankful to have had the opportunity to read this book early! It was a wonderful read and sometimes it’s hard for me to get into books. If I’m not hooked by 20% in, I put it down. I devoured this book within 24 hours,’loved it!

I received a copy of the book "My Name is Emily Ray" from NetGalley. Emily Ray is a special agent. She is brought on to a case of a little girl Named Josie who has been kidnapped. Emily Ray knows how horrible this is because she was kidnapped by a horrible man when she was a little girl and held captive for eight years. She knows what it is to be hidden away with no one finding her. Except she was not alone. She was hidden with another little girl who looked just like her and had been there awhile. She has spent over 20 years thinking her kidnapper was dead but now begins to wonder if he is still alive and may be the person who kidnapped Josie. There are signs that are similar and weird things show up that could point to what happened to her all those years ago. Emily has tried to go on with her life. She marries and has twin daughters who are six years old. She is trying to put the pieces together to find this little girl and hope she is wrong that Tibbs the terrible man who kidnapped her may be the abductor now. she also has secrets she has kept for years from when she was kidnapped and fears the truth could ruin her life. A very good True Crime book. I read the author is planning to write more Emily Ray books . Look forward to reading them. I would give this book a 4.5.

Five Freakin Out Star Read.
This book is set to be released on May 27, 2025 and YOU NEED TO PREORDER IT NOW.
Special Agent Emily Ray was abducted and returned years ago by a guy named James Tibb who she thought was dead all of these years. When a young girl is kidnapped at the exact same park as her all these years later, she goes into the case with her eyes wide open and her fear of the past catching up to her. She has her own secrets that she has hidden away and Tibbs is the only person who knows the truth about what happened in that house all those years ago. But does he have little Josie Vance.
This book is AMAZING. and I cannot wait to read more about Emily Ray!
Side Note: Antonio has got to be the most amazing husband I have ever heard about. I mean EVER. That man is a Saint. Or is he? You got to read the book to find out.

"My Name Is Emily Ray" is a mystery thriller that will have you on your feet- you will not want to put the book down I tell you. The story follows Emily Ray, an FBI agent who specializes in missing children. What makes Emily unique compared to her fellow FBI agents is that she was also abducted when she was 7 years old. While working a case, she gets flashbacks to when she was kidnapped.

I love how this book was fast paced and that with Emily's backstory she can really understand and sympathize what others are going through. The plot itself was well written that I couldn't put the book down and that I finished it in one day. I love all the twists and turns I experienced while reading this book. I will admit that this book does deal with PTSD and OCD which were really well written and explored throughout the book.

I can't wait to read more books from Michelle Greene!

Thank you to NetGalley and Michelle Greene for the ARC, this is my honest review.

My Name is Emily Ray is a very addictive read and well written. A chillingly suspenseful crime thriller story, involving child abduction. The storyline and the cover caught my attention from the get go. It has many twists and it is also sad, emotional and heartbreaking.

This is a story about a FBI agent, Emily Ray, who investigates a child abduction in Cove Park, California. Emily Ray is not just an FBI agent working on this case, she was also abducted as a child herself in her hometown at Cove Park, California. She was only seven years old when she was abducted. While attempting to find the missing seven year old girl named Josie Vance, Emily has flashbacks of her own when she was kidnapped.

I wonder if these triggers help or hurt her investigation. Could it be the same person who abducted Emily all those years ago? You must read to find out the answer.

Thank you to Storm Publishing, author Michele Dominguez Greene and NetGalley for sending me an advanced copy of this book.

This was an enjoyable read, though nothing particularly stood out as unique. The author has a solid writing style, and the book fits well within the framework of a classic detective series—fast-paced and engaging. It’s a great choice for those who enjoy quick, absorbing reads. I’d recommend it and wouldn’t mind to see it evolve into a full series.

Additionally, the main character, Agent Emily Ray, strongly reminded me of Detective Josie Quinn from Lisa Regan’s series, which added a familiar and compelling dynamic to the story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC copy.

~thank you to the author & storm publishing for letting me read and review this book ~

I enjoyed how the plot twist for this book was smack dab in the middle. Normally, the twist is at the end but this was different and I kind of liked that. It made the story more interesting. I felt as though nothing super interesting happened until halfway through the book which is why I gave it 3 stars. Also the ending felt rushed. But I still enjoyed it.

Five stars. This was the stuff nightmares are made of. My mama heart was in distress for much of this book. And oh the twist. The twist shocked me and broke me and haunts my thoughts. So well written and suspenseful. This one will keep you reading way to late, it will crush your soul and give you nightmares. It’s a must read, rollercoaster, page turner!
Amazing and brilliant

I loved this book so much! Literally the best book I have read in a long time. The story was gripping, the characters were great, the speed was perfect. I cannot wait for another in the series!!

My Name is Emiy Ray is a fantastic start to a new series that certainly is worthy of a 5 star rating.

The book is fast paced with twists and turns , red herrings and moments you will hold your breath.

Emily Ray is and FBI agent in charge of abducted children .

She can empathize as she herself was kept captive for eight devastating years.

A child is missing and the case mirrors Emily's own kidnapping .

The team is racing against the clock, the pressure is on .

Secrets have a way of coming to light and Emily and her team are slowly discovering them.

Emily will go above and beyond to rescue this little girl but is must be done quickly.

Michele Dominguez takes the reader on a fast paced, nerve wracking journey that will keep you glued to the pages and unable to put the book down until its startling conclusion

It's a book you wont soon forget.

I will be first in line and I can not wait to see where Emily takes us on the next case.

Thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the privilege of reading and reviewing My Name is Emily Ray.

SPOLIERS AHEAD

This book was so amazing !

It was different from my usual mystery reads, as this one wasn't directly a murder mystery. It was such a good one to read, and I really enjoyed a switch from my usual books.

The plot of the book was so interesting, I've never seen anything like it (in a good way!). The twists are perfectly written and are so intriguing, keeping you very hooked in. The twist with Emily being someone else was something I was not expecting at all, and LOVED!

The explorations of PTSD and OCD are so well written, and bring great attention to mental health. I think the way the book brings attention to this is very well done, and important.

Overall, this book was perfect ! Give it a read on May 27th when it fully comes out !

Thank you to the publishers and authors for giving me a chance to read and review.

DANG! This book is so flippin' fantastic! Written by Michelle Dominguez Greene, Emily Ray is an FBI agent with the CARD unit specializing in child abduction. She's very good at her job as she draws from her own experience... Emily was abducted by a man who kept her for years, but she was finally able to escape. Many years have passed and she's a married, seasoned agent and mother. A call in the middle of the night changes her peace when she learns of another kidnapping that she finds very familiar to her own experience. As she exhausts herself searching for Josie Vance, Emily is pounded with flashbacks of her kidnapper and the experience. She struggles to keep them in check as she searches for Josie. This book is an absolute gem! I did not want it to end, and I certainly hope this isn't the last that we hear from Emily Ray. Put this book on your reading list! Thank you to Storm Publishing for an advanced reader of this book - the opinions expressed are my own.

This new series by Greene is great! Emily Ray is an FBI agent with the CARD unit specializing in child abductions, and she is very good at her job. Part of the reason for this is that Emily is a survivor of an abduction by a man who kept her for years, but she was able to escape. Now, a happily married mother of two, Emily is committed to saving children and stopping the monsters who take them. When a new case comes her way, the parallels to Emily's kidnapping are eerily familiar. In the race to find the little girl alive, Emily begins to have PTSD symptoms. Interwoven within the main story are flashbacks from her memory that reveal more than what others think they know about her story, including that there was another little girl taken and kept with her by the perpetrator. When a reporter finds out about the second abduction, Emily's PTSD escalates to the point that she is removed from the case, but she is unwilling to stop searching for the child. It's a great mystery with unexpected twists and turns that keep the reader guessing. I look forward to seeing what is next for Emily.

Emily Ray is an FBI agent specializing in finding missing children. She’s also a mother and a wife, with a horrific past. When Emily was 7 years old, she was kidnapped and held by a demented man until she was 15 and finally got away. When 7 year old Josie Vance goes missing, Emily finds many similarities from her own kidnapping, which is impossible, because Emily’s kidnapper died many years ago. As Emily fights to find Josie and struggles with her own past, it begins to take its toll.
I definitely didn’t expect the twist that came in the middle of the book, but it really added so much to the story. Great book and I look forward to reading more to come in this new Emily Ray series.

Wow wow wow - unputdownable- loved it

Never heard of this author but it was a fantastic read and caught my attention from the book cover, the author and the storyline. It’s sad, twisty and heartbreaking and was like watching a movie

A little girl is abducted, and FBI agent, Emily Ray is in charge of the investigation and called. However, Emily was kidnapped as a child and kept for 5yrs so deals with her own emotions

Highly recommended

Thank you to Netgalley and Storm Publishing

This is by far, one of the best books I have read for a long time. Based on the character emily ray who works for part of the fbi that hunts down child abductors. Having been a victim herself, the story flips between her experience and the case in hand. Gripping, fantastic characters and story, looking forward to reading more from this author

I really enjoyed this it was a book which as so easy to get into and love
The twist I did not see coming pretty sure I gasped out loud!
I loved Emily and can’t wait to see more of her and get to know her team more
Brilliant first book kept me on my toes
Amazing characters, brilliant twist a nice easy read

Absolutely this book is a page-turning thriller! It is a masterclass in building tension and foreboding, keeping you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The twists and turns are absolutely fantastic—just when I thought I had it all figured out, a complete surprise would leave me reeling! Greene has crafted a compelling narrative that not only captivates but also challenges your perceptions. I found myself struggling to wrap my head around some of the revelations—it’s that good! If you're looking for a thrilling read that will keep you guessing, don’t miss out on this gem. Recommend!

A chillingly suspenseful crime thriller story, involving child abduction and a high-stakes FBI investigation.

This story centres around three girls with one thing in common, all abducted at 7-years-of-age - Josie Vance, Danica Hansen and Emily Ray.

The story commences with the abduction of Josie Vance, the only child of wealthy parents from Cove Park in California. Emily Ray is an FBI Special Agent with the CARD (Child Abduction Rapid Deployment) unit and is leading the investigation into the abduction of Josie. Unfortunately, this case is making it difficult for her to navigate her own complex trauma, associated with being held for many years by her kidnapper.

As the investigation progresses, we learn that Special Agent Emily Ray is a ‘tightly wound, type-A, high achiever with OCD and buried trauma’ that she must unearth to save young Josie. We get insight into both her personal and professional personas, and her relationship with her supportive husband.

There is plenty of tension and foreboding, as well as some phenomenal twists in this story. I appreciate the realistic depiction of complex trauma and human frailty.

Give this one a read if you enjoy complex protagonists, high-stakes investigations, or stories that hook you in immediately!

With special thanks to Storm Publishing, Michelle Dominguez Greene and NetGalley for the e-ARC to read and review.

This is an incredible debut story. I am very interested to read more about Special Agent Emily Ray!