Reviews
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“I just finished this excellent podcast, and I’m happy to recommend it to anyone who enjoys true crime stories well told, as well as intelligent discussions of journalistic ethics. Bravo!”
Sank's Review via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/27/24
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“I found myself offering to run errands just so I could get back in the car and listen to this series! I’ve followed the MacDonald case for decades but did not know of the story between him and Joe McGinnis. Fascinating listen. Keep ‘em coming!”
DmbInKc via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/29/24
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“This story grabs you in chapter 1… and won’t let you go. Mark Smerling is amazing. His homework has been thoroughly researched. His team is spectacular. Whatever they do, is done well. Take a listen.”
Paddy O Furniture via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/29/23
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“I thoroughly enjoyed this podcast. It isn’t a deep dive into the evidentiary aspect of the case, rather the moral relationship between McGinniss and MacDonald. The research, narration and production are top notch. It was wonderful to listen to so many of the letters and tapes of the...”Read full review »
KSacrossPOND via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
08/13/23
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“Everything Marc Smerling does is brilliant. Another interesting story told using a mixture of dramatisation, archive audio and modern interview.”
Tzrnutt via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
03/08/23
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“Excellent! Thank you!”
gkr22 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
01/11/23
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“The theme song is just awful though. soooo, Jim & Jeff were lovers at one point right? Seems obvious. Jim’s got a vendetta like a spurned ex”
oldjohnhall via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/21/22
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“It only tells one side of the story. I believe he is innocent. Why don’t you tell the other side of the story instead of trying to fulfill your money hungry agenda.”
misslaceyann via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/02/22
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“Top notch. Thanks for this look into a tragedy. Thank you also to Joe McGinnis. May you Rest In Peace.”
Georgia Boy US sailorman via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/10/22
“This is a Podcast about journalism posing as True Crime”
Jmull89 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/28/21
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“I really enjoyed this pod. It was well paced, good narrator and excellent recreations of recordings and transcripts that played such a big part in the case. Personally, I do think it’s morally indefensible!”
tiggylegg via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
11/01/21
“Great podcast! Better than any special about it ever made (almost as good as Joe’s book about it😄)
This is the case that started my true crime obsession
I lived a few yards from where the McDonald’s apartment was….a truly hunted spot. The army eventually took the whole building down”
Giuliasquinn;);):3 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/18/21
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“This podcast is so well done. The impressive range of interviews and background material helps convey the nuances of such a twisty story.”
Mary From Canada via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
10/16/21
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“Ok, a lady confesses to the killing and you don't do a deep dive into that. No one cares about journalistic ethics. Its a side issue but you really beat a dead horse. Exasperating! Yes, I understand that these things have unclear answers but you gave up in the end. Follow the confession...”Read full review »
Elliott_k75 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/16/21
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“I really enjoyed this podcast. I binged it and I found it to be very interesting. I would definitely recommend!”
Gabrielle188 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/14/21
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“Listened to the entire series straight through. Loved every minute and will probably listen again as I’ve read Fatal Vision many times. Superb reporting imo”
BlondeNurseBarbie via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
09/20/21
“I didn’t stop listening until the end . Well done 👍”
mizzvawe via Apple Podcasts ·
Iceland ·
09/18/21
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“The podcast covers the murders of the families. At times, the details mentioned are very specific and gruesome but necessary to the case. It focuses more on the Joe and Jeff and the relationship they had while the trial and corresponding coverage was happening. I would definitely recommend.”
D-Litty via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/27/21
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“I’m currently listening to this podcast for the second time. I listened to it about a year ago. It is so good, and one of my all-time favorites. I am from NC, and have family in Fayetteville. Many, many years ago, I rode by the base housing where McDonald murdered his family. My Aunt went to...”Read full review »
elhokay via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/26/21
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“Thanks for presenting this story from a human side. I’ve never been able to decide if he’s truly guilty, but now I know. I think Jeffrey is a narcissist which is why he’s so slick and fools so many, including himself.”
Sandrare via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
08/18/21
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“More than a true crime story. Good story telling. Love Joe’s straight forward no backing down attitude.”
KeysNikki via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
07/23/21
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“Where is episode 3?! So annoying.”
TheManInRI via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
04/27/21
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“Anyone who has the slightest sympathy for MacDonald is just plain sick. I went to the same high school as MacDonald and knew teachers who taught him, coaches who coached him and people who knew read. Read the details of what he did to his wife and daughters, particularly the youngest. Malcolm...”Read full review »
Steve in Reston, VA via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
03/26/21
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“This murder is solved I don’t understand why people keep saying it is unsolved. Also MacDonald approached the writer about the book not the other way around and the writer went in thinking he didn’t do it and after seeing the evidence he changed his mind. MacDonald deserves to rot in prison”
Princess char via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/08/21
“Seamless dramatic reenactments from court transcript and dozens of firsthand accounts (from both contemporary and archive interviews) come together to tell a convoluted story of murder and betrayal... and betrayal, and betrayal. In an age where politicians cry “fake news!” every time a journalist...”Read full review »
Smoochagator via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
02/06/21
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“I’m completely hooked and glad I didn’t take any notice of the less positive reviews. Great stuff 👍”
smallpiecesofcheese via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
02/03/21
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“Excellent podcast but the artwork is a direct rip off of the artist JP King (see his works Smoking Man and the cover of “Invisible Man” he designed for Penguin UK). Really unfortunate that a scummy graphic designer is associated with such a great show.”
kirstenmccrea via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
01/06/21
“I’m confused”
Elizabeth 8715 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/09/20
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“It’s not wrapped up in a pretty little bow, but it’s fascinating. .The dichotomy between Joe McGinnis and Jeffery MacDonald is what makes the story fascinating. You can binge it now. Do it. You will have a wild ride.”
Roxy Daye via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
12/08/20
“This podcast digs deep into an unsolved murder from over 40 years ago that captured America’s attention, and questions the ethics of journalism. It took a slice of history I knew nothing about it and thoroughly engrossed me.”
douglas_b_fresh via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/30/20
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“MacDonald did it. Read Fatal Vision. This FX show and podcast are a money grab. HE KILLED HIS FAMILY”
lacegrl130 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/17/20
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“I feel like they did the best they could with what they had, but unsolved murders always leave me wanting more facts. Sort of like everybody else. I really hope this case gets solved before MacDonald dies.”
mmmsophisticatedmama via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
11/07/20
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“and we’ll done! Very surprised by some of the reviews, and glad I didn’t read before listening, or I wouldn’t have. Definitely plan to read Fatal Vision!”
LoghomeMama via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/31/20
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“It started off well but I felt it went awry. A tragic episode that somehow loses the fact that 4 people were brutally murdered to focus on the interplay between the two men. What about the hippies?”
David Rhys via Apple Podcasts ·
Great Britain ·
10/22/20
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“Like with many podcasts this day, it is filled with ads. There are about 10 minutes of ads in a 30 minute Episode. It is a decent story but not worth a listen.”
tiny8987 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/21/20
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“Thoroughly enjoy Marc Smerling’s style.”
gibby_gibby519 via Apple Podcasts ·
Canada ·
10/19/20
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“Born in ‘83 and wasn’t aware of this case, and drama/themes behind it. Wouldn’t describe myself a true crime genre fan, but this podcast was thorough and well put together. I’ve listened to previous seasons of “Serial”, which described one Maryland court case and some other interesting topics, I...”Read full review »
PCtobenamedlater via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/15/20
“Not enthralling, a little repetitive, and the narrator sounds exactly like Ron Howard which is very distracting. Episodes are short and about 1/3 of the time is ads.”
K. Brainfart via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/13/20
“Not quite sure why anyone would care that a journalist “lied” to sick sadistic murderer of 4 innocent people who loved him... so that part is confusing. Also, can’t for the life of me see how anyone who has heard the night shirt evidence could possibly assume anything other than guilt.”
melissadTEXAS via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/12/20
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“He’s a good story teller, but this podcast is way too short to justify the number of ads.”
scoopysnax via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/09/20
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“I started this podcast thinking we would hear a little more about the murders, but listening and reading further, this is purposely focused on the case against the writer of A Fatal Vision and his actions. If you want more about the murders you would watch A Wilderness of Error. I plan to watch...”Read full review »
Puzzlegirl57 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/03/20
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“I’m a long-time podcast listener and understand that podcasts need ad revenue to survive, but the number of ads for this approximately 30-minute podcast are way too distracting. Although Smerling has put out well-produced podcasts, I feel cheated by this one. The story is being stretched way too...”Read full review »
PodWalker50 via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/03/20
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“I don’t know what to believe but what a ride! Very well done. Highly recommend this podcast.”
mrgkay via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/03/20
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“This is an amazing podcast. Watching the documentary that goes along with this podcast on FX as well. It’s a hell of a story. Marc Smerling is one of the best documentarians out there. If you haven’t listened to Crimetown or watched The Jinx (HBO) you’re missing out.”
stellarjmi via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/03/20
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“Really enjoying it. It was Errol Morris who made me peek at Wilderness of Error, and that peek turned into total fascination. That fascination led me here as I wait for episodes 4-6 tomorrow. This is quite good. 🙌🏻”
therealtamishow via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/02/20
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“I thoroughly enjoyed this podcast. I’m familiar with the story and read Fatal Vision at the time it can out, long ago. I loved being able to binge these episodes. I believe JM is guilty, but I will leave the involvement of McGinnis to those who know the appropriate relationships of the players to...”Read full review »
Andrew Joseph Pinnacle via Apple Podcasts ·
United States of America ·
10/02/20
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