The Return of Ellie Black

Emiko Jean

May 2024 · Simon and Schuster · Narrated by Mizuo Peck, Tessa Albertson, Nicole Lewis, Rebecca Lowman, Joy Osmanski, Angel Pean, Shaun Taylor-Corbett, Erin Ruth Walker, and CJ Wilson

About this audiobook

A USA TODAY Bestseller

“The Return of Ellie Black is a page-turning suspense novel, a shrewd character study, and a captivating mystery, all at the same time. The last fifty pages are magnetic. I couldn’t put it down until I’d experienced every last twist and turn.” —STEPHEN KING

Detective Chelsey Calhoun’s life is turned upside down when she gets the call Ellie Black, a girl who disappeared years earlier, has resurfaced in the woods of Washington state—but Ellie’s reappearance leaves Chelsey with more questions than answers.

It’s been twenty years since Detective Chelsey Calhoun’s sister vanished when they were teenagers, and ever since she’s been searching: for signs, for closure, for other missing girls. But happy endings are rare in Chelsey’s line of work.

Then a glimmer: local teenager Ellie Black, who disappeared without a trace two years earlier, has been found alive in the woods of Washington State.

But something is not right with Ellie. She won’t say where she’s been, or who she’s protecting, and it’s up to Chelsey to find the answers. She needs to get to the bottom of what happened to Ellie: for herself, and for the memory of her sister, but mostly for the next girl who could be taken—and who, unlike Ellie, might never return.

The debut thriller from New York Times bestselling author Emiko Jean, The Return of Ellie Black is both a feminist tour de force about the embers of hope that burn in the aftermath of tragedy and a twisty page-turner that will shock and surprise you right up until the final page.

Ratings and reviews

Wow! This full cast audiobook was so darn good. A mystery/psychological thriller that was immersive and I couldn't put it down. Highly recommend listening to this one! A gripping story that you get to see so many points of view on. I absolutely loved that aspect. Not only do you follow the victim and her current status, but you get to know what actually happened to her while others are trying to figure it out for themselves. The author did such a good job with this. You also get to see the investigation side and that whole process. As well as the emotional trauma and mental impact capacity has on people. At times this definitely could be dark and a bit shocking, but it's perfectly done for a tragic story. Most definitely high on my list of favorites. I enjoyed this one so much! If you like true crime or even documentary type stories this is it! If you like to see the mental side of crimes this is it! If you love audio definitely grab that version.

About the author

Emiko Jean is the New York Times bestselling author of the young adult novels Tokyo Dreaming and Tokyo Ever After, a Reese Witherspoon/Hello Sunshine pick, as well as the novel Mika in Real Life, which was a Good Morning America Book Club pick. She lives in Washington with her husband and two kids.

Mizuo Peck is a versatile actress and native New Yorker. She is internationally known for her role as Sacajawea in the 20th Century Fox movie, Night at the Museum, and its sequels. Her other film and television credits include Madam Secretary; A Case of You; Almost in Love; Law & Order: Criminal Intent; and All My Children. Her stage work includes 365 Days/365 Plays at the Public Theater and All’s Well That Ends Well as a company member of their exclusive Shakespeare Lab Program. Mizuo’s on camera commercial and voiceover work has been for many brands including Levi’s, Suave, Verizon, KitchenAid, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Glade, and Oil of Olay. For photos, interviews, reels, and more please visit her website, MizuoPeck.com.