Narrator Tim Gerard Reynolds brings this true crime a storyteller's gift for capturing and holding his audience. In 1871, teenager Jane Clouson was struck 15 times, crushing her skull and destroying her face. She was two months pregnant when she was attacked, and she died several days later. Jane was a "maid of all work" in the Pook home, and the police were convinced the killer was Pook's son, Edmund. The arrest of the prominent young man for Jane's brutal murder and his subsequent acquittal due to lack of evidence suggest that in the time period, one's social class was more significant than one's sins, and that police and prosecutorial procedures weren't all they might have been. Reynolds makes this look at Victorian class and judicial systems top-notch listening.
Pub Date: April 11, 2016
Duration: 9 hrs
DD ISBN: 9781504692403
Publisher: Blackstone Audio
Review Posted Online: Jan. 22, 2026
A fascinating look into the beginnings of true-crime writing.
In this audio original, author Dawson (American Sherlock, 2020) turns her attention to a series of brutal crimes that led to breakthroughs in crime-solving using forensics. With a serviceable and intelligent narration, Dawson focuses on two horrific crimes known as the Ratcliffe Highway Murders. In 1811, two families living five blocks apart were slaughtered in their homes. These senseless, apparently motiveless murders not only inspired new methods of police investigation, they also piqued the imaginations of notable writers. Dawson connects the Ratcliffe Highway Murders to Poe’s “Murders in the Rue Morgue” and Conan Doyle’s A Study in Scarlet.
A fascinating look into the beginnings of true-crime writing.Pub Date: Oct. 20, 2026
Duration: 3 hrs
DD ISBN: 9798217355594
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Review Posted Online: Sept. 29, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Nov. 15, 2026
A meticulously researched true-crime story.
Narrator Reginald James delivers this story of corruption in the often overlooked small town of Ozark, Alabama, in an authoritative yet empathetic tone. In 1999, two white teenage girls were found murdered, and years later, a suspect was found guilty based on DNA evidence. Kessler offers a nuanced portrayal of a rural corner of the Bible Belt where white supremacy still reigns. And he adds a modern twist, with a group of internet investigators chasing leads. Through years of meticulous research, Kessler follows the heartbreaking and twisted case, which officials have stamped closed but still seems unsettled. James shines when scenes of the characters’ frustration evoke anxiety.
A meticulously researched true-crime story.Pub Date: Oct. 6, 2026
Duration: 10 hrs, 25 mins
DD ISBN: 9781668659632
Publisher: Hachette Audio
Review Posted Online: Oct. 20, 2026
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Dec. 1, 2026
© Copyright 2026 Kirkus Media LLC. All Rights Reserved.
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