I listened to the entire thing and it could have been shorter. The narrator taaaaalked sooooo slooowly. Just never grabbed me—and yet I finished it. Would not recommend.

Season one really had me going. I thought it was real even though some performances could have been more convincing. Then season two threw me for a loop. I love the essence of the mystery having to do with Edgar Allan Poether and other famous historical and literary figures. Cleverly written, some good twists and turns. But in the end, it got a little convoluted and took too long to reveal. I'm new to fictional podcasts but I hear there are better dark mysteries.

I envy anyone who gets to binge this. It is a tremendous story.

The concept is original and phenomenal. It is paced a little slowly, but now that it’s complete, it is worth a binge.

Fictional mystery, at times very puzzling to the point where I thought I was playing the episodes out of order. The acting isn’t all that great for the most part. They drag out the script as many other reviews state, and they don’t sound very realistic as they weave the story. That being said, all of the actors speak very clearly, at a good volume, and with fantastic annunciation - those qualities are often missing in other podcasts, so it’s good to hear those qualities being retained here. The story itself is good, albeit a bit too “science fiction-y” for me. It would make for a fantastic stage or screen production. It is dark and bizarre and a bit confusing at times - but isn’t that what makes for a good mystery??

I was disappointed when I quickly realized this was not a true crime podcast. I decided to finish the first episode. Since I was out driving around, I stuck with the second. Halfway through season 2, I only wish I had found it sooner. Maybe not the most convincing acting, but reminds me a little in this way of some old time radio series. I hate to finally finish, but hopefully the writer/producer has something done something new. I think it’s brilliant and creepy.

This appears to be another Terry Miles production or at a minimum a Terry Miles style, vocal and sound mixing Doppleganger. Irony intended. Like Tanis, it is presented as a non fiction reporting of events. Also like Tanis, the narrator records others for his “show” to helps the listeners understand what is going on. But also like Tanis this show takes a great storyline premise then ruins it getting bogged down on reading history rather than having the characters interact. The pacing becomes overly slow, sleepy. The soundtrack and mixing is better than Tanis, initially, because the music is fresh rather than relying on Terry Miles own sound used over and over, and for too many seconds of air time. If John Herman isn’t another alter ego of real life Terry Miles I would be quite shocked- as occupations hobby musical interests and storytelling format, style and word choice are quite identical, as are the voices of several of the supporting characters. Terry/John/Nick could benefit from the collaboration that made the Black Tapes a story that kept moving forward, rather than devolving into “I will save that for next time” and “ history class”. Terry/John could both learn how to take those history nuggets and weave them into character dialogue, and also to move the plot along more quickly. Like Tanis I started out loving this show, then grew frustrated at the authors inability to progress the plot for nearly an entire season. I found myself drifting off mentally from the sleepy slow cadence of the narrator and the weaving in of audio we have heard over and over, again same flaw as Tanis. Season 4 picks up and has some great moments but the “finale” I mostly didn’t hear because I tuned out from all the repetitive bag of tricks. Sorry John/Terry/Nic. I wanted this to be a five star review, but you need better pacing, hire some actors, and less reliance on the same format for every single episode/reusing the same music over and over. There are just so many ways you could overcome the sleepy/slow quality but you seemed to run out of ideas. :(

Why was his wife’s name Carol in Episode One (Oct 2016), but then her name is Danielle on a special message episode (Oct 2017)?? Also, glad I didn’t listen to more than 4 episodes because supposedly it’s fake.

Almost got through the whole podcast before I realized that I live in the same tiny New Hampshire town as John does and have mutual friends. What a small world. I found this podcast from my Apple podcast app recommending it to me. I was instantly obsessed and couldn’t stop listening!! Wonderful.

Except worse. Because even heroin addicts sleep once in a while. This podcast has me staying awake, and wanting more. I am a podcast fiend, and I want to tell you all, you have found the needle in the haystack. Please give this guy a pat on the back. Because, so far, I am blown away. Thank you for making this. Nyx Erebus

The first 6 episodes were intriguing even tho it sounded scripted and parts did not sound real. After that, it was obvious it wasn’t real & it was ridiculous

Confusing at first, this delivers in the end. Well worth listening to.

I was really into it until he kinda made u loose the suspension of disbelief angle when season 2.1 starts and he says he just started the podcast 2 weeks ago even though he had a storyline already set... like selling the records at a garage sale.... now it’s a thrift store. Sad I went this way, I liked it

After just one episode I am hooked: very intriguing

I still can't say whether or not this podcast is worth listening to...which probably leans towards the "not" category. The overarching, meta narrative where each season takes place in a slightly different world is very intriguing, but the actual show is slow, dull, uneventful, and did I mention the narrators brutally...slow...pacing...and..cadence? The idea that each season our narrator gets a step closer to the big reveal is wonderfully rich, but getting there is taking forever. Episodes that take 20 minutes could easily be done in 10. Some episodes don't add anything to the main plot. There is a great, textured idea behind the show, but that idea rarely shows up in each episode.

Lore meets Black Tapes

I rarely can start hearing a story without needing to know what happens at the end...yeah this one, not finishing this one won't bother me.

So I actually really like the story and am intrigued by the mystery and the change in narrators. The podcast also has good production value, and I'd expect nothing less from Partners In Crime Media. The acting though! It's SO bad! It's so obviously being read from a script and it's just droning on and on. John is bad, but the girl playing the sister is absolutely painful to listen to. Please take into consideration how much of a slog this is and get your actors to try to sound a little bit less like they're sleepwalking through the show. Now in the third season it's feeling a bit repetitive, hopefully the story will start to come together soon.

It was implied that this is a true story. It is soooo not and making a bs podcast about people disappearing is insensitive. Total sham!

The host is over the top with dramatic musings, but the content doesn't warrant the drama. The interviews sounded fake. I didn't realize, until i read the reviews, that this was fictional. The sad thing is he could have created a more interesting story.

Loving this so far! Engaging story keeps me guessing. I can't help. I can't help but laugh at some of the reviews saying they are upset bc they think the story is fake! Of course it's fake, it's performing arts:audio drama!

While the story is interesting, and I don't mind the switch in narrators midway through, the pacing of the story is unbearably slow. The production quality is high, but the acting is pretty bad. At this point I am interested enough to see how everything is resolved, so I will continue to listen, but the glacial pace is driving me crazy.

I'm listening because I'm interested in the mystery, but the acting is so bad. It's cringeworthy. If you can get passed that, it is a really good podcast.

This is very hard to listen to. Sounds way scripted but the creepy story is enough to keep listening Episode 2.1 host says he's never been married and never had kids yet constantly talks to his wife on the show? Now I can't believe what he says. Truth or lies?

Not sure what this is supposed to be. Taking too long. Made this weird switch in the middle. Now I feel deceived and I unsubscribed.

I was hooked at first, saw past horrible acting and how obvious it is fiction (wish he would have disclosed that in the beginning). Now I'm the SECOND season and it's just ridiculous slow. Each episode tells one new discovery and he's just dragging it out to an unbearable pace. Definitely had potential.

Can someone explain why the podcast completely starting over, ignoring the first six previous episodes? Why was there no talk a pineapple in the first six episodes? Why is he suddenly not married when he was in the first six episodes? Something screwy is going on, just trying to figure out why things suddenly changed with no exclamation.

I felt that while the overall story is intriguing, it is implied that it is nonfiction. It is only after the first episode that doubts begin to surface. By the third episode, it is apparent that it is totally fictional. Things just don't add up. Why not make listeners aware from the beginning? If you like fiction, this may be for you. For me, it was a waste of time & I stopped listening after realizing it was all made up. I am betting there are some gullible people who never figure out they've been tricked. Sad.

Hooked immediately. Jaw dropping moments. There are time where I rewind to confirm what I just heard. Awesome!

Really enjoying it so far, just binged the first four episodes. Looking forward to more.

I mistakenly thought this was a true story, but it is clearly a work of fiction. Very disappointed.

Got through the first one and I love it. I will be recommending this to all my mystery loving friends. Fantastic work, John!

We're only a few episodes in, but it is captivating!

John has produced a very captivating mystery story based on supposedly true events. My only complaint is that the episodes are relatively short and released only every 2 weeks! If you like Limetown and the like, give it a shot.

Great storytelling and a compelling storyline will leave you hungry for what happens next in this serial podcast mystery. I'm hooked!

This is a podcast that won't let you down!! Me and a friend of mine anxiously wait every other week for the next podcast! John is a true artist. You will not be disappointed by the disappearance!!

If you only listen to one podcast, let it be this one. John Herman does a great job captivating listeners with this mystery. He's so good at storytelling, I feel like he could be my English teacher. Can't wait for the next episode!

I'm loving this podcast, it's the first one I've listened to. I am so excited to listen to more!! 😊

I want to start by saying I love Partners in Crime media. Their podcasts are amazing. Great quality and a great group of people. I like this podcast after 2 episodes. It's a little slow and too short though. I need more content to keep me waiting biweekly for a new episode. Perhaps if I waited and binge listened it wouldn't be as bad. It's off to a great start but I'd love more content.

I'm excited to see where it goes

I listen to several audio drama podcasts, and I am very impressed with these first two episodes. I wish these were a bit longer! Listen to the first episode and you will be hooked.

loved it. too short. I am hooked and want more. Netflix has ruined me. I want everything now.

An intriguing story and a great use of the medium. Give it a listen!

I was very quickly drawn into the mystery John is spinning. Looking forward to the next episode.

I'm hooked. I can't wait for more.