Interesting Take on the Subject

These shows are a nice addition to the Audible membership offer. They are of course free and I find them very useful to listen to when time is short or as a break between books. This one is another American production, it would be great to have more UK-based documentaries, but it's reasonably well done and presented in a lively fashion.

While it doesn't go into great depth, given its short length the stories were interesting, particularly the last episode where I thought that the journalists did dig a little deeper into the issues faced by a troubled town.

Only word of warning is that the first episode contains a fairly grisly account from a witness of a crime scene so if that would affect you best to stay clear of that one.

55 people found this helpful

Good idea, but ...

I think the idea for this podcast is really interesting, but unfortunately the execution is not particularly sensitive. In episode 1, one of the survivors - Wendy - is portrayed with such pity and a certain amount of disdain, it left me feeling incredibly uncomfortable. Wendy had gone through unimaginable trauma - instead of just letting her talk, the journalist was simply rude, mainly to fit in with the narrative of 'damned spot'. In a later episode, groups of people were referred to as cockroaches. It's a shame, it had potential and the stories themselves were interesting. But the treatment of some people was unprofessional and uncalled for.

49 people found this helpful

Interesting idea that needs better execution

This documentary drew me to it with it's novel idea that places where traumatic incidents occur retain the memory and stigma of these events. I was intrigued to see this idea explored and discussed.

The stories we are introduced to are as interesting as they are horrifying. The producers chose well in selecting them. They build up over the series to make a solid argument in favour of places retaining traces of trauma after tragic events. Each episode is well narrated and easy to follow. However, there are a few problems.

The stories discussed in this series are violent, graphic and disturbing and deserved to be given due sensitivity and care. The producers have done their best to provide these conditions but the short nature of the episodes meant that there was room for improvement in this area.

I also found that in the discussion of the McDonald's massacre, one witness is not presented in a fair or balanced light. It's clear that she has been very overwhelmed by the events she witnessed but the documentary is not sensitive to these problems.

I enjoyed the story of the ghost house. It's an interesting story and it's a scenario I would never have considered before. In the same evidence the house where Nicole Simpson is mentioned and then disappears from the plot, making me wonder why it was mentioned in the first place.

I thought there was lazy investigation employed in the final episode about the racial killings in Jasper, Texas. Everything we learn in the episode is easily found on the Wikipedia article on the events, almost verbatim. It's so disappointing when documentary makers think that's acceptable. I wanted them to go further and to link to more recent killing and events in Jasper to build a more cohesive argument about how a town can and sometimes should become synonymous with atrocities.

For all of these criticisms, I enjoyed this documentary and felt it had real merit. It could have been better executed but a good listen overall. I'd recommend it.

6 people found this helpful

An antidote to ghoulishness

I’m surprised at some of the negative reviews here. This short series is an engrossing and balanced examination of how individuals and communities try to overcome the stigma of horrible (and in one case fictional and sensationalised) events that have blighted their town or home. It’s about sensible, normal people dealing with bad stuff. Certainly the best free offering I’ve come across on Audible to date.

3 people found this helpful

So interesting

Narrator was ok. such an interesting topic. More please! it is fascinating, seeing how things pan out after a crime has been committed. Harrowing in places, but a considered look at the aftermath of murder.

Interesting.

A couple of the stories were really quite shocking insights in to modern day America.

Review

A nice selection of short stories. Would of been nice to have a little more information in some of them. Overall not a bad listen

Fascinating

loved this, was saddened that it was so short but what's there is really interesting.

interesting listen

good narrator to listen to
interesting stories of true crime
would recommend this to others

Interesting

Interesting stories, but hardly mind blowing.
Any place where disasters or crimes have happened will always intrigue people to have a look it's human nature.