Thank you to Storm Publishing for an advanced copy of My Name is Emily Ray & Netgalley.
Background blurb: Emily Ray. Josie Vance. Danica Hansen. Three girls with one thing in they were all seven years old when they were abducted.
When young Josie Vance vanishes from Cove Park, California leaving behind her light-up sneakers, Special Agent Emily Ray leads the investigation to find her. She is the very best at finding abducted children. Twenty-eight years ago she was one of them.
This book is intricately woven and keeps you hooked on the page, it also creates high anxiety for a young girl who has been abducted but you need to keep reading as Greene emotionally captivates you keeping you invested in the young girl that is missing.
The mid and end plot twists I did not see coming and what a web of deceit and lies one person did but seemingly also for the right reasons. The baggage Emily Ray has been carrying around makes you wonder how one person could become so accoladed.
The writing flows well and shows a high level of research and many hours on investigative crime, FBI procedures and how the system works. I was impressed with all the attention to detail and loved how the story and plot unfolded. I love it when a book plot twist literally makes you gasp, and this one did.
My first read of a Michele Greene book and most definitely not the last.
Kerry Kennedy Author

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC of this book!


Emily Ray is head strong and resilient. I read this in a day. The moment you start you're hooked. Though I did find the ending a bit rushed which is why I couldn't give it a 5 star.

Wow the emotions that come with this book. I love FBI agent Emily Ray. She is strong and fearless and resilient. Reading her go through this case and how it was geared at her was just an emotional rollercoaster. I fully understand why she was acting the way she was. Honestly the twists that were in this story had my jaw on the floor. This was such a great thriller and I can't wait to see what the next book will be like.

Overall Rating: 3.5/5

If you're looking for a quick, engaging thriller, My Name is Emily Ray delivers a solid read, especially for fans of crime fiction.

Breakdown:
⭐ Characters: 4/5 - The strong female lead carries the story well, making it easy to stay invested. She’s smart, determined, and compelling, though some secondary characters could have been more fleshed out.

⭐ Setting: 3/5 - The atmosphere was decent but didn’t feel as immersive as it could have been. It served the story, but nothing particularly stood out.

⭐ Plot: 4/5 - This book reads like an episode of Criminal Minds, which I really enjoyed. It keeps the pace moving and has a solid investigative feel. If you like Michael Connelly’s books, you’ll likely appreciate this one too.

⭐ Emotional Impact: 2/5 - The ending felt a little flat. I was hoping for a big twist or an emotional gut punch, but it didn’t quite deliver.

⭐ Personal Enjoyment: 3.5/5 - It’s a good, quick thriller to binge-read, especially if you’re in a reading slump. While it may not leave a lasting impression, it’s an entertaining ride while it lasts.

Would I recommend it? Yes, if you’re looking for a fast-paced, crime-driven read that doesn’t require too much emotional investment.

Excellent!! Creepy, thrilling and full of surprises! I read it in one go, could not put the book down till I knew what happened! I really enjoyed the first book of this new series and will definitely read the following books.
I received a digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and I have voluntarily written an honest review.

A super enjoyable read. Fast paced plot, great characters and a surprisingly good ending. Solid 3 star.

This is a hard review to do because this book is so good that I will not be able to do it justice! Who really is Emily Ray? Is she just an FBI special agent or is there a secret to who she is ? You will have to read to find out! Loved everything about this book. There is a huge twist that made this book even better than expected. No spoilers here because you won't need any because you need to read ! If you love a good mystery of who took Josie with a very unexpected twist with a great character to follow like Emily Ray than you won't be disappointed! So glad to see this is a start of a series. I will be anxiously awaiting the next book! SOOOOO GOOOODD!!!

My Name is Emily Ray is a gripping thriller that incorporates past trauma with a heart-pounding investigation. The author does a great job of crafting a compelling narrative that centers around Special Agent Emily Ray, a determined investigator with a deeply personal stake in the case of a missing girl, Josie Vance. From the opening pages, the author captured my attention with an intense atmosphere as Emily is thrust back into a nightmare reminiscent of her own childhood abduction. The vivid descriptions and well-drawn characters make it easy to empathize with Emily's struggles and determination. The portrayal of her character is that she is not just a skilled agent but also a survivor grappling with unresolved trauma, making her journey both relatable and poignant.

The plot unfolds with well-timed twists and turns, particularly as the story unveils the chilling clues sent by the kidnapper, which echo Emily's own past. The author's writing kept me on the edge, as each clue unravels a deeper mystery that intertwines Emily's present with her painful history. The pacing is relentless, creating a thrilling reading experience.

Michelle Dominguez Greene has delivered a remarkable debut that intertwines suspense, personal history, and emotional depth. My Name is Emily Ray is a must-read for fans of psychological thrillers and anyone who appreciates a well-crafted story with heart.

I cannot wait for more in this series and by this author. Highly recommended!

#MyNameisEmilyRay #NetGalley @Stormbooks_co

I really enjoyed this one and found it hard to put down at times. Fast paced with lots of action. Emily Ray is an FBI agent who heads up a service finding missing children. The difference with other similar books is that Emily was a kidnap victim as a child so she invests a lot emotionally in to these cases. She is called in to find a girl who has gone missing and the circumstances quickly start to mirror what happened to her. She has a happy family of her own now, and juggles that with her work and we see the impact this case starts to have on her mentally and physically. There are some big twists that I thought were well written and the plot moved smoothly. I look forward to reading more in this series.
Thanks NetGalley for the ARC.

Fantastically written! Emily Ray is part of a special task force looking for missing children- a cause close to her heart as she was kidnapped as a child. Worryingly the disappearance of a child from her old stomping ground rings many alarm bells for Emily, not least that she seems to be being taunted by the kidnapper with details of her own trauma.
Loved the character of Emily and her wonderful relationship with Antonio and the way she interacts with her team and enjoyed the twist!

A super enjoyable read! I did not see the twists and turns coming in this book. The end seemed a bit rushed and I didn't love it as much as I loved the rest of the book, but I give the book a solid 4 stars! Great plot, characters, and a super fun read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for my copy of My Name is Emily Ray by Michelle Dominguez Greene

Emily Ray is the lead Special Agent called in when a 7-year-old child goes missing.
But her world spins when she uncovers links to her own kidnapping 28 years ago.
I found the start a bit hard to get into and nearly put the book down, but decided I'd read one more chapter, and I was hooked.
It's a great read with lots to keep you guessing, and a twist you won't believe.

W O W. Emily flipping Ray. I truly was excited for this book, considering I love criminal minds and any show like it. The description gave me those vibes and did not disappoint! The plot twists had my jaw dropping, and I didn't expect it, but I full-on sobbed at parts of this book. I don't think I will ever forget this book, Emily Ray is a very well written character, and you can feel her pain within the pages. I hope we get more of her or books similar by this author!

3.5 stars, rounded up to 4 stars.

This was a solid if unspectacular missing persons novel. The interest for me was how the main character dealt with the trauma of having been kidnapped more than 20 years before. The writing was OK and kept me mostly entertained. No huge twists that I didn't see coming.

All in all, this was a pretty standard thriller which looks to be the beginning of a new FBI-based series. Will I read more of the series? Hmm, probably not.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

Emotional, suspenseful, jaw dropping at times and a brilliant start to a new series. Emily Ray is one of the best crime/ thriller FBi agents I’ve ever read about? Resilient, empathetic and a so complex and human there were many times I wanted to reach into the book and tell her to get some sleep. This story was fast-paced and incredibly detailed and always dealt with sensitive topics in such a brilliant way. I adored the relationship between Emily and Antonio and how much her recovery and methods of dealing with coping were used as well, as it felt more real and made each new plot point have higher stakes for Emily. This book was amazing and I sped through it in a day, will be waiting with bated breath for the next instalment.

Possible spoilers

3.5 ⭐

"Ah lovely" I thought "an actual sane non complicated non screwed up main character"

Spoke too soon.
By the time we got to know Emily's issues, I was too invested in her, and the fate of the kidnapped kid.
A really good introduction to what will I hope become a series.
Some good twists along the way,
Definitely an enjoyable read.

In "My Name is Emily Ray," the compelling narrative centers on Special Agent Emily Ray, an FBI operative committed to resolving cases of child abduction. The plot commences with the mysterious disappearance of seven-year-old Josie Vance from Cove Park, California, an event that eerily parallels Emily's own experience of abduction during her childhood. As Emily spearheads the investigation, she uncovers evidence suggesting that her past may be intruding upon her present. Emily's character is intricately crafted, highlighting her resilience and proficiency in the realm of child abduction investigations. The narrative unfolds through a dynamic interplay of contemporary investigation and flashbacks to Emily's harrowing captivity. As the reader, you experience her internal conflicts as she contends with the fear that her abductor may still be at large, endangering not only Josie's life but also jeopardizing the stability Emily has painstakingly established. The pacing is brisk, with unexpected twists that keep readers engaged while illuminating Emily's psychological struggle. The novel is meticulously constructed, featuring concise, engaging chapters that sustain suspense and propel the narrative forward. I only hope that this series continues and I cannot wait to read more! As this is the first novel in hopefully a series, it has led a robust groundwork for future volumes that hopefully explore the character of Emily Ray.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my review.

This is an outstanding suspense FBI story where you have no idea just how the story
will be and turn from the first chapter until the last page. This story will follow you
around as you become immersed in the hard-to-believe story that, while the FBI
would possibly feel liberties are take , maybe this story has happened…and it would
be kept as quiet as possible!
Our main character, FBI CARD (Child Abduction Rapid Deployment) Agent Emily Ray
has had a storied life, beginning with being a survivor of childhood kidnapping.
For most of us, this would not lead to a career with the FBI. Nor would it lead
to, after decades, having another similar abduction to solve.. With the results
leading us on the most amazing circumstances I have read. This rings true
to a Michael Connolly type story~the horrifying events and the conclusion that
you’d never even think was possible. I cannot wait for the next book in this
series~ to see what Agent Ray will find on her plate will keep me thinking
about the possibilities!
My thanks to Storm Publishing via NetGalley for the download copy of
this book for review purposes!

Wow, what a story! Emily was kidnapped as a child, held for 5 years and eventually escaped. Now she's in charge of the FBI's Child Abduction Rapid Deployment unit in Southern California. A child gets kidnapped in eerily similar circumstances to Emily's case and Emily and her team are on the case. Emily is a fantastic character and I have to give credit to her husbsnd as well, a true gem of a man. There were several awesome twists in this story, one I kinda expected but another left me completely stunned! A fast paced, awesome read.
Thanks to Netgally, Sorm Publishing, and Michele Dominguez Greene for the free ARC. All opinions are my own.

4 Stars! Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for the ARC of this book!

Special Agent Emily Ray is a part of an FBI unit focused on crimes against children. She is brought in to investigate the abduction of Josie Vance who was taken from a park in broad daylight and seemingly vanished without a trace. This case hits close to home because Emily Ray was abducted in a similar location, and under similar circumstances many years early. The story unfolds as you learn about Emily’s history through flashbacks as she tries to find this missing little girl.

I love a good page-turning mystery with unexpected twists. I felt like I was reading an episode of Law and Order: SVU as I made my way through this book. I finished it in under a day, because I couldn’t put it down. This is a strong start for the first book in the Emily Ray series, and I can’t wait to see what books follow this one.