Midnight Son

By: James Dommek Jr., Josephine Holtzman, Isaac Kestenbaum

Narrated by: James Dommek Jr.

Length: 3 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's Summary

James Dommek, Jr., an Alaska Native writer and musician, sheds new light on a real-life mystery that pits Native American folklore against the US justice system. In the vast Alaskan Arctic, legend has it there once lived a mythic tribe—Iñukuns—that only existed in rumors and whispers. This changed forever when an actor-turned-fugitive, Teddy Kyle Smith, had an encounter that brought Iñukuns from myth to reality. Smith was an aspiring actor with a promising career until it all came quickly crashing down with a gunshot, a manhunt, bloodshed, and other frightful events.

The story of Smith’s tragic downfall has long haunted James Dommek, Jr., the great-grandson of the last of the Iñupiaq story-tellers. Midnight Son is his journey in discovering who Teddy Kyle Smith was, what he did, and what he really saw. Along the way, listeners will experience the soul of the real Alaska as narrator Dommek, Jr. brings this multilayered and sprawling tale to life. 

Please Note: Midnight Son contains adult language and violent themes. Discretion is advised. 

©2019 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC.

An investigative true crime podcast on Audible

This is done in the style of a true crime investigative journalism podcasts (like Serial) which is pretty different from the usual Audible original. I loved it, but I also really like this style anyway. The storyteller is very gifted and I thought his use of music and sounds was perfect. I learned a lot about Northwest rural Alaska which I appreciated. The story arc was great. I don't understand why other reviewers said it jumped around; he brought everything together at the end nicely. Also I really don't understand why people were giving poor reviews for his writing style/use of language. I counted 7 curse words which is nothing!! People are being judgy but this deserves way higher ratings.

too much "adult language"

I understand this was to be authentic and the story sounded interesting but to use expletives as punctuation is a bit extreme (F***). I can't tolerate language like that and I don't think it is necessary even to be authentic. That is my two cents as the consumer.

True Storyteller!

James Dommek Jr. carries on the tradition of storytelling, conveying the reality and difference of Alaskan culture and beliefs while describing a true crime. Totally engaging. Very well done.

It’s an Inuit Thing. You possibly don’t understand it.

The negative reviews of the audiobook “Midnight Son” make me sad. They criticize everything from the “story” to the authors choice of words. This is not a story. It’s what’s called non-fiction and true crime. It deals with a man who suffers mental and cultural collapse which is not uncommon among indigenous peoples trying to adapt to European culture and mores. Check the statistics on depression,alcoholism,and suicide among naive peoples everywhere. No, this doesn’t happen to everyone, but it happens far too often.

My other problem with the negative reviews is the criticism of the author’s word choice. The big hang up was the use of the “F-bomb.” I’m somewhat shocked to realize that listeners want the author to change his authentic voice to avoid bruising some listeners’ sensibilities. James Dommek Jr. is the tale teller, and he is speaking to us during a long winter’s night as we sit around a fire to hear what he has to pass along. He is speaking from a point of view that European descendants in the lower 48 can’t possibly understand. And that’s what I love about this book. I know little about the contemporary Inuit experience and I welcomed this chance to view, however briefly, life through the eyes of an authentic member of this culture. To me, it is especially important that he trusted me, the listener, enough to speak as if speaking to friends or family members. This is a brief journey to several different worlds, and I welcomed it.

Couldn’t stop listening thanks for sharing

Refreshing to hear such a raw and real story from a remote corner of the arctic. The co-author and narrator has a gift. Thanks all who put this together for sharing this story.

Gripping

I finished this book in one day, it was extremely well written and narrated. It evolved from an interesting story about true crime, to a bit of a lesson about native alaskan history, to a small political message. Left me wanting more of James Dommek Jr.'s story telling.

Solid performance, interesting lore, but...

I want to like this story more than I do. It stumbles a bit at the beginning - mostly by overselling the idea that it's supposed to be a documentary - but once it finds its footing, the world comes alive and sucks you in... until the last 10 minutes or so, when it veers wildly off course, leaving pretty much every single question unanswered.

Not worth the listen

Do not waste your time on this book. Could have been a better listen if not for all the unnecessary, every other word profanity.

Fantastic book!!!

This is my very first review of a book on Audible. That says a lot. I have never even given a book stars because I just didn’t care to. But this book is different!

I was so gripped by this book, I didn’t even want to go to sleep last night which was when I started listening to it. I even had dreams about it. And listening to the rest of it was the first thing I did this morningI.

I have only one complaint...I wish I hadn’t listened to this book at all so that I could hear it for the first time again.

Thank you James Dommek Jr. This is my kind of story and you told it well.

Social Commentary Wrapped in Exciting True Crime

Midnight Son may seem like another true crime story, but it is does more than most other pieces in the genre and does it in a way that stands apart from what I've come to expect from the genre. The narrator's unique style and the unique audio production matches the almost alien setting of the Alaskan Arctic. It's a compelling story of a fugitive on the run, but what I'll remember about the story is the portrayal of native american life in this country in 2019 and the way our criminal justice system continues to interact with a marginalized community.

Fantastic Storytelling

Excellent story/research/narration/music. Clearly and calmly points out the inequality suffered by indigenous people within the judicial system of the USA which I was quite startled by as had no clue. Will follow the author for other broadcasts.

good story

this was a good story that kept your attention the whole way through. it was well researched and I loved the original audio from interviewees and from court. my only problem with it is the narrator's unnecessary swearing throughout. if you don't mind the F bomb being dropped I would recommend this audiobook

Really Well Done!

This wasn't my typical choice book. Thought I'd give it a try. Loved it. The description the author painted resonated in me. I felt connected to the land, wondered about the spirit of the legend. I've planned a trip to Alaska because this book. Also, don't like books with music and sound bites but it worked- immerse yourself, listen to it. Can't wait for another Novel. Thank you to to the author James.