
Unexpected
The Backstory of Finding Elizabeth Smart and Growing Up in the Culture of an American Religion
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Buy for $19.95
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Chris Thomas
-
Elizabeth Smart
-
By:
-
Chris Thomas
About this listen
The backstory of finding Elizabeth Smart and how growing up in the Mormon culture pushed the author to develop the exact kind of intuition that was needed to help manage Elizabeth’s kidnapping and rescue while the world watched.
Chris Thomas is not yet 30 years old when he finds himself managing the immense pressure, eccentric personalities, and extenuating circumstances of an international story, where one small misstep could adversely impact the search for a missing teenager and the reputation of her family. Now, 20 years later, Thomas takes listeners behind the scenes, providing new details, perspectives, and commentary on finding Elizabeth Smart.
In the process of reflecting on Elizabeth’s search and rescue, Thomas discovers how growing up in the culture of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (commonly known as Mormon) helped push him to develop the exact kind of intuition needed to manage Elizabeth’s kidnapping and rescue, and to do so while the world watched.
Unexpected juxtaposes crucial events from the Smart case with Thomas’ experience growing up in the Latter-day Saint culture, including coming to understand the secret of a broken war hero before it was too late.
©2023 Chris Thomas (P)2023 Post Hill PressListeners also enjoyed...
-
My Story
- By: Elizabeth Smart, Chris Stewart
- Narrated by: Elizabeth Smart
- Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On June 5, 2002, 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart, the daughter of a close-knit Mormon family, was taken from her home in the middle of the night by religious fanatic, Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee. She was kept chained, dressed in disguise, repeatedly raped, and told she and her family would be killed if she tried to escape. After her rescue on March 12, 2003, she rejoined her family and worked to pick up the pieces of her life.
-
-
Defining Strength, Faith, and Inspiration
- By Mel on 10-08-13
By: Elizabeth Smart, and others
-
Where There's Hope
- Healing, Moving Forward, and Never Giving Up
- By: Elizabeth Smart
- Narrated by: Elizabeth Smart
- Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In her fearless memoir, My Story - the basis of the Lifetime Original movie I Am Elizabeth Smart - Elizabeth detailed, for the first time, the horror behind the headlines of her abduction by religious fanatic Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee. Since then, she’s married, become a mother, and traveled the world as the president of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, sharing her story with the intent of helping others along the way.
-
-
A Personal Hero
- By Rick Giovanetto on 07-01-19
By: Elizabeth Smart
-
Counting the Cost
- By: Jill Duggar, Derick Dillard - contributor, Craig Borlase - contributor
- Narrated by: Jill Duggar
- Length: 7 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jill and Derick knew a normal life wasn’t possible for them. As a star on the popular TLC reality show 19 Kids and Counting, Jill grew up in front of viewers who were fascinated by her family’s way of life. She was the responsible, second daughter of Jim Bob and Michelle’s nineteen kids; always with a baby on her hip and happy to wear the modest ankle-length dresses with throat-high necklines.
-
-
A Naive Account from a Reality TV Personality
- By Lora Kyle on 09-12-23
By: Jill Duggar, and others
-
Expanding the Borders of Zion
- A Latter-Day Saint Perspective on LGBTQ Inclusion
- By: Charlie Bird
- Narrated by: Charlie Bird, Richie Steadman
- Length: 5 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Many people want to offer love and support to their LGBTQ friends and neighbors, but aren't sure how. Bird’s unique position as a gay Latter-day Saint has given him valuable insight. In this audiobook, he authentically details the blessings and challenges faced by gay members of the church, and provides listeners with the perspective, understanding, and tools they need to more effectively minister to those who identity as LGBTQ.
-
-
Thank you Charlie!!
- By kelli Layton on 03-30-23
By: Charlie Bird
-
Romney
- A Reckoning
- By: McKay Coppins
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis, McKay Coppins
- Length: 12 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Few figures in American politics have seen more and said less than Mitt Romney. An outspoken dissident in Donald Trump’s GOP, he has made headlines in recent years for standing alone against the forces he believes are poisoning the party he once led. Romney was the first senator in history to vote to remove from office a president of his own party. When that president’s supporters went on to storm the US Capitol, Romney delivered a thundering speech from the Senate floor accusing his fellow Republicans of stoking insurrection.
-
-
Political and intellectual biography at its best!
- By Amazon Customer on 10-25-23
By: McKay Coppins
-
Thicker than Water
- A Memoir
- By: Kerry Washington
- Narrated by: Kerry Washington
- Length: 8 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
While on a drive in Los Angeles, on a seemingly average afternoon, Kerry Washington received a text message that would send her on a life-changing journey of self-discovery. In an instant, her very identity was torn apart, with everything she thought she knew about herself thrown into question.
-
-
Technical issues are ruining an otherwise good story
- By Lindsay on 09-27-23
By: Kerry Washington
-
My Story
- By: Elizabeth Smart, Chris Stewart
- Narrated by: Elizabeth Smart
- Length: 9 hrs and 12 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On June 5, 2002, 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart, the daughter of a close-knit Mormon family, was taken from her home in the middle of the night by religious fanatic, Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee. She was kept chained, dressed in disguise, repeatedly raped, and told she and her family would be killed if she tried to escape. After her rescue on March 12, 2003, she rejoined her family and worked to pick up the pieces of her life.
-
-
Defining Strength, Faith, and Inspiration
- By Mel on 10-08-13
By: Elizabeth Smart, and others
-
Where There's Hope
- Healing, Moving Forward, and Never Giving Up
- By: Elizabeth Smart
- Narrated by: Elizabeth Smart
- Length: 8 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In her fearless memoir, My Story - the basis of the Lifetime Original movie I Am Elizabeth Smart - Elizabeth detailed, for the first time, the horror behind the headlines of her abduction by religious fanatic Brian David Mitchell and his wife, Wanda Barzee. Since then, she’s married, become a mother, and traveled the world as the president of the Elizabeth Smart Foundation, sharing her story with the intent of helping others along the way.
-
-
A Personal Hero
- By Rick Giovanetto on 07-01-19
By: Elizabeth Smart
-
Counting the Cost
- By: Jill Duggar, Derick Dillard - contributor, Craig Borlase - contributor
- Narrated by: Jill Duggar
- Length: 7 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jill and Derick knew a normal life wasn’t possible for them. As a star on the popular TLC reality show 19 Kids and Counting, Jill grew up in front of viewers who were fascinated by her family’s way of life. She was the responsible, second daughter of Jim Bob and Michelle’s nineteen kids; always with a baby on her hip and happy to wear the modest ankle-length dresses with throat-high necklines.
-
-
A Naive Account from a Reality TV Personality
- By Lora Kyle on 09-12-23
By: Jill Duggar, and others
-
Expanding the Borders of Zion
- A Latter-Day Saint Perspective on LGBTQ Inclusion
- By: Charlie Bird
- Narrated by: Charlie Bird, Richie Steadman
- Length: 5 hrs and 27 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Many people want to offer love and support to their LGBTQ friends and neighbors, but aren't sure how. Bird’s unique position as a gay Latter-day Saint has given him valuable insight. In this audiobook, he authentically details the blessings and challenges faced by gay members of the church, and provides listeners with the perspective, understanding, and tools they need to more effectively minister to those who identity as LGBTQ.
-
-
Thank you Charlie!!
- By kelli Layton on 03-30-23
By: Charlie Bird
-
Romney
- A Reckoning
- By: McKay Coppins
- Narrated by: Jonathan Davis, McKay Coppins
- Length: 12 hrs and 31 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Few figures in American politics have seen more and said less than Mitt Romney. An outspoken dissident in Donald Trump’s GOP, he has made headlines in recent years for standing alone against the forces he believes are poisoning the party he once led. Romney was the first senator in history to vote to remove from office a president of his own party. When that president’s supporters went on to storm the US Capitol, Romney delivered a thundering speech from the Senate floor accusing his fellow Republicans of stoking insurrection.
-
-
Political and intellectual biography at its best!
- By Amazon Customer on 10-25-23
By: McKay Coppins
-
Thicker than Water
- A Memoir
- By: Kerry Washington
- Narrated by: Kerry Washington
- Length: 8 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
While on a drive in Los Angeles, on a seemingly average afternoon, Kerry Washington received a text message that would send her on a life-changing journey of self-discovery. In an instant, her very identity was torn apart, with everything she thought she knew about herself thrown into question.
-
-
Technical issues are ruining an otherwise good story
- By Lindsay on 09-27-23
By: Kerry Washington
-
Vengeance Is Mine
- The Mountain Meadows Massacre and Its Aftermath
- By: Richard E. Turley, Barbara Jones Brown
- Narrated by: T. Ryder Smith
- Length: 17 hrs and 29 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Published in 2008, Massacre at Mountain Meadows was a bombshell of a book, revealing the story of one of the grimmest episodes in Latter-day Saint history, when settlers in southwestern Utah slaughtered more than 100 members of a California-bound wagon train in 1857. In this much-anticipated sequel, Richard E. Turley Jr. and Barbara Jones Brown examine the aftermath of this atrocity. Vengeance Is Mine documents southern Utah leaders’ attempts to cover up their crime by silencing witnesses and spreading lies.
-
-
One of the best historical audible books ever
- By Tonuster on 08-18-23
By: Richard E. Turley, and others
-
In Plain Sight
- The Startling Truth Behind the Elizabeth Smart Investigation
- By: Tom Smart, Lee Benson
- Narrated by: Stefan Rudnicki
- Length: 14 hrs and 21 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
This riveting inside story of the intense search for the Salt Lake City teenager who was kidnapped from her bed reveals never-before-told details of the largest investigation in Utah state history. Paced like a thriller, this true account moves between the parallel stories of the searchers and the abductor. Going beyond a mere eyewitness account, the book includes information culled from interviews with more than 150 people involved in the search and investigation, notes from family meetings, and memos from law enforcement officials.
-
-
You are one strange man.
- By Dustin Izsa on 03-21-20
By: Tom Smart, and others
-
Spare
- By: Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex
- Narrated by: Prince Harry The Duke of Sussex
- Length: 15 hrs and 39 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
It was one of the most searing images of the twentieth century: two young boys, two princes, walking behind their mother’s coffin as the world watched in sorrow—and horror. As Princess Diana was laid to rest, billions wondered what Prince William and Prince Harry must be thinking and feeling—and how their lives would play out from that point on.
-
-
Gutterball!
- By Jimmyjoejangles on 01-10-23
-
When the Moon Turns to Blood
- Lori Vallow, Chad Daybell, and a Story of Murder, Wild Faith, and End Times
- By: Leah Sottile
- Narrated by: Leah Sottile
- Length: 10 hrs and 38 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
When police in Rexburg, Idaho perform a wellness check on seven-year-old J.J. Vallow and his sister, sixteen-year-old Tylee Ryan, both children are nowhere to be found. Their mother, Lori Vallow, gives a phony explanation, and when officers return the following day with a search warrant, she, too, is gone. As the police begin to close in, a larger web of mystery, murder, fanaticism and deceit begins to unravel. Vallow’s case is sinuously complex. As investigators prod further, they find the accused Black Widow has an unusual number of bodies piling up around her.
-
-
More than true crime
- By Tanny M. Martin on 07-06-22
By: Leah Sottile
-
Becoming Free Indeed
- My Story of Disentangling Faith from Fear
- By: Jinger Duggar Vuolo, Corey Williams
- Narrated by: Jinger Duggar Vuolo
- Length: 5 hrs and 49 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jinger, along with three of her sisters, wrote a New York Times bestseller about their religious convictions. She believed this level of commitment would guarantee God's blessing, even though in private she felt constant fear that she wasn't measuring up to the high standards demanded of her.
-
-
So close and missed the mark
- By Jim on 02-01-23
By: Jinger Duggar Vuolo, and others
-
Bad Mormon
- By: Heather Gay
- Narrated by: Heather Gay
- Length: 7 hrs and 47 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Straight off the slopes and into the spotlight, Heather Gay is famous for speaking the gospel truth. Whether as a businesswoman, mother, or television personality, she is unafraid to blaze a new trail, even if it means losing family, friends, and her community.
-
-
Not my favorite-too disrespectful
- By E. Davies on 02-15-23
By: Heather Gay
-
Under the Java Moon
- By: Heather B. Moore
- Narrated by: Bianca Amato
- Length: 12 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Java Island, 1941. Six-year-old Rita Vischer cowers in her family’s dug-out bomb shelter, listening to the sirens and waiting for a bomb to fall. Her charmed life on Java—living with other Dutch families—had always been peaceful, but when Holland declares war on Japan and the Japanese army invades Indonesia, Rita’s family is forced to relocate to a POW camp, and Rita must help care for her little brother, Georgie.
-
-
This book is an important must read!
- By Nelli Lakatos on 11-25-23
By: Heather B. Moore
-
Dear Jacob
- By: Patty Wetterling, Joy Baker - contributor
- Narrated by: Rebecca Stern
- Length: 13 hrs and 43 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
On October 22, 1989, in the small town of St. Joseph, Minnesota, eleven-year-old Jacob Wetterling was kidnapped at gunpoint. Twenty-seven years later, Danny Heinrich led authorities to the boy’s remains. What lies between is the riveting story of the search for Jacob, told by his mother, Patty. With down-to-earth candor, she details the investigation as it unfolds, discusses her family’s struggles, and shows how she maintained her energy and optimism.
-
-
Beautifully written.
- By Christine on 11-04-23
By: Patty Wetterling, and others
-
Finding Yourself in the New Testament
- Spiritually Uplifting Books by Al Carraway
- By: Al Carraway
- Narrated by: Al Carraway
- Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Award-winning speaker and best-selling author Al Carraway presents an in-depth study of the life of Jesus Christ and how it relates to our own in an intimate and personal way. Written by someone who truly knows God, Finding Yourself in the New Testament skillfully and sincerely introduces its listeners to the Savior and shows them who and what He really is. Not only does it illustrate how deeply involved God is in the lives of His children, but it also provides an excellent guide to the history, culture, and context of ancient Israel and the Jewish religion.
-
-
One of her best!
- By Kjerst on 11-17-24
By: Al Carraway
-
Born a Crime
- Stories from a South African Childhood
- By: Trevor Noah
- Narrated by: Trevor Noah
- Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In this award-winning Audible Studios production, Trevor Noah tells his wild coming-of-age tale during the twilight of apartheid in South Africa. It’s a story that begins with his mother throwing him from a moving van to save him from a potentially fatal dispute with gangsters, then follows the budding comedian’s path to self-discovery through episodes both poignant and comical.
-
-
Great book and perfect narration
- By MarilynArms on 12-15-16
By: Trevor Noah
-
Becoming
- By: Michelle Obama
- Narrated by: Michelle Obama
- Length: 19 hrs and 3 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In her memoir, a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, Michelle Obama invites listeners into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her - from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work to her time spent at the world's most famous address. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it - in her own words and on her own terms.
-
-
Didn't know what I was getting into
- By Kenneth Woodward on 12-05-18
By: Michelle Obama
-
Conspiracy
- Why the Rational Believe the Irrational
- By: Michael Shermer
- Narrated by: Michael Shermer
- Length: 9 hrs and 59 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Michael Shermer presents an overarching review of conspiracy theories—who believes them and why, which ones are real, and what we should do about them. Trust in conspiracy theories, he writes, cuts across gender, age, race, income, education level, occupational status—and even political affiliation. One reason that people believe these conspiracies, Shermer argues, is that enough of them are real that we should be constructively conspiratorial. But Shermer reveals that other factors are also in play: anxiety and a sense of loss of control, as well as certain personality traits.
-
-
Shermer's Books Are Getting Less Good
- By HisNameWasBruce on 11-30-22
By: Michael Shermer
What listeners say about Unexpected
Highly rated for:
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Amazonaddict
- 03-15-23
In the room where it happened
Chris’s experience is really remarkable. I wasn’t sure I was going to like the story with the back and forth with his childhood but, after about chapter four I was completely hooked and it became a real page turner. His perspective is very personal and raw and I forgot how everyone had basically given up on finding her (police included). The childhood piece is a little idealistic at first but, he dives in deeper as the book progresses and brings it full circle in the end. Nicely done.
Elizabeth’s experience during the nine months can’t be compared, it was completely different but this book captures the trauma of a family and community and how they came together and did everything in their power to bring her home.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Trent
- 04-27-23
Fantastic listen.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was extremely well written, had very interesting stories about the authors life which I enjoyed almost more than the parts about his role with the abduction of Elizabeth smart.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Barbara
- 11-01-23
Awesome book from a different point of view.
I loved this book!! Chris made his church beliefs an important part of the story. I found the parts about Baker so incredibly tender, it enriched the story in a beautiful way! Great job, Chris!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Susan Auten
- 03-15-23
Much better than expected
At first I was annoyed that the story of Thomas’s neighbor, Baker, kept interrupting the story of finding Elizabeth. But Thomas does such a beautiful job of trying these experiences together that by the end, I was rooting for Thomas and Baker to finally understand each other. So well done and worth the listen.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Matt One Jarman
- 06-23-23
Couldn’t stop listening
Chris simultaneously focuses in on the complexity of the Elizabeth Smart story, while also sharing his perspective and observations that uniquely prepared him to tell that story.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- MommaRodz
- 03-16-23
Fascinating insight
Loved it! Fascinating to read such a familiar story from a different perspective. Thoroughly enjoyed the parallel story of Baker and his influence
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- HeatherCheffeather
- 04-14-23
Could not stop listening!
This is an amazing perspective on a story I have followed for years. I was a young mother when Elizabeth was abducted and was distraught over what it would be like to lose a child in that way. I have seen Elizabeth speak and have read her book. I am so inspired by her strength and her willingness to not allow the most horrible of circumstances keep her from the positive impact she has had on the world. I LOVED reading Chris’s perspective. He has lived an incredible life and has a true gift for storytelling. I couldn’t stop listening. His insight and explanations of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were accurate and handled with respect and absolute truth. I wish there had been a little more detail into Elizabeth’s rescue and how that came to be. Although I’ve heard it before, I felt it didn’t get the justice it deserved in the work. Overall, this is an amazing memoir and I am grateful for the opportunity to have listened to it as it has given much thought into how connected we all are and the opportunities we have to learn from those around us. Thank you Chris and Laura Thomas, and Elizabeth Smart.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- WhitneyI
- 03-12-23
Essential for those who know the Elizabeth Smart story well
Loved Chris’ story! The way he wove his childhood into his experience of helping the Smart’s was engaging and well done.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Sandra
- 08-17-23
Thank you , Chris for never giving up on your dream of writing this book. It has given me a new perspective on life and loving.
You are an amazing writer and gentle man with integrity and insights about the human race. You did a tremendous work of reading your own words. I loved all the acknowledgments you gave. I love your wife. Thank you
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Cherish C.
- 03-10-23
Uplifting and inspiring
This is a story and perspective worth listening to. It's a miraculous and uplifting story.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful