The Homecoming — Alan Russell

Seven years ago, young Stella Pierce vanished from the face of the earth. Now her grieving, broken family -- along with Detective Orson Cheever, who never stopped working her case -- is stunned by her mysterious return.

The now-teenage girl claims to have spent her missing years in the company of Travelers -- extraterrestrial nomads -- voyaging through space.

Despite her family's effort to keep Stella's incredible tale secret, the story becomes a national sensation. Most people want to discount her story, saying it's the result of trauma; only Detective Cheever seems to want the same thing Stella does: the truth.

The enigmatic Stella finds herself in the eye of the storm while vying forces -- some visible and some not -- swirl around her. Is it her tale that is incredible, or is it Stella? As new questions surrounding the girl gain terrifying urgency, Cheever learns that there is nothing -- and no one -- he can trust.