The Return of Ellie Black - Emiko Jean

The Return of Ellie Black is Emiko Jean's newest novel. 

The opening prologue is one that is sure to capture your attention. Ellie Black went missing two years ago. And in all of that time, the police haven't made any progress. Until...Ellie walks out of the forest. Detective Chelsey Calhoun is on the case. But...

Oh, I knew this was going to be a great listen! I needed to know where Ellie had been for two years. Was it voluntary? Was she taken? And so much more. 

 

Jean gives the listener partial answers to these and other questions by telling the story in a then and now format - one I always enjoy! Jean does a great job exploring the aftermath of such a event through friends, family and the police.

And - my favorite - twists and turns. Well done Emiko Jean - I was surprised! I'm not 100% on that last big twist, but I appreciate it. 

I chose to listen to The Return of Ellie Block. I've said it before and I'll say it again - I often feel more immersed in a story when I listen to a book. The decision to go with a cast (9) of narrators for this title was perfect. (A number of my favorites were on the list.) There's no guessing as to what characters are speaking. Each voice was perfect for the character they were portraying. I was able to match them with the mental images I had created. All spoke clearly and enunciated well. Each reader did a great job. The audio really brings the plot to life.  Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt of The Return of Ellie Black..

(Gentle listeners, there are some triggers in the Return of Ellie Black.)

Daughter of Mine - Megan Miranda

Daughter of Mine is Megan Miranda's new novel.

Hazel Sharp hasn't been back to Mirror Lake for almost a decade. There are just too many memories there - especially the disappearance of her mother. Why didn't she take Hazel with her? It's the death of her father that brings her back to the family home in Mirror Lake. Old disagreements and resentments rear there ugly heads as Hazel and her two brothers argue over the will. And other secrets are exposed as the water level in the lake drops...My answer for whodunit changed frequently.

Daughter of Mine is a bit of a slow burn in the beginning as the scene is set, the characters introduced and the crux of the matter is exposed. Family matters, old hurts, actions, secrets, and more keep the narrative moving forward. I thought Miranda did a great job of drawing the relationships between all the players. The headers of each chapter lists the days without rain - and the level of the lake keeps dropping.

I chose to listen to Daughter of Mine. The narrator was Inés del Castillo. I've enjoyed other books she's read. Her voice matched the mental image I had created for Hazel. She provides many other voices, including men's, that are believable. The speed is good. She enunciates well and her voice is pleasant to listen to. She interprets Miranda's work and uses her voice to capture the emotions and action of the book.  A good performance. Hear for yourself - listen to an audio excerpt for Daughter of Mine.  Runtime is 10 hours and 20 minutes.