This could be a good podcast but I can’t get past the weird, robotic narration.

Great subject matter, very sad case and I thought the host was educated about the case and did a thorough job researching and reporting. However (and unfortunately this However pretty much negates all of that good stuff I just wrote), the middle episodes of like 3-9 are pretty much pointless droning on and on about baseless theories and random people that are barely connected to the case. Very lazy storytelling. I had to turn it off in episode 7 because I was so bored…it sounded almost like raw audio of interviews about a brown a van and if a close relative could be involved— 2 angles that she already told us were totally unrelated. Blah blah blah

The narration of this is terrible.

One of the best true crime podcasts out there! Gets straight to the point and speaks clearly and not robotic. You hear from the victims loved ones but not too much where it’s the whole episode. Really good podcast!!

Domestic violence, drug abuse, alcoholism, fatherless children, aloof parenting, kids having kids, poor education, generations of living under government subsidized care, police departments incapable of communicating with one another, community members refusing to speak with the police…the list goes on…but these podcasts never address these issues, they just mention them in passing like they don’t really matter, when really they are the issues that matter the most. It starts in the home, a fact that seems lost on the liberal side. They think the solution is empathy, handing out clean needles, subsidizing single motherhood, encouraging victim mentality, using tax payer money to keep the homeless homeless! Until these community leaders, journalists, podcasters and other (mostly white and virtue signaling) individuals are willing to accept these things nothing will change. The issues have been the same since day one, nothing has changed it’s only become worse overtime, in Canada and in the states. They are homeless because they are generally addicted to drugs, which snowballs into mental illness. They aren’t homeless cuz they lost everything in a string of bad luck no fault of their own. That isn’t what is actually happening, not at all, and the people who actually live in these cities know this, but many media sources try to make it seem like these people are all just down on their luck victims who need and deserve our help. Most of them don’t WANT help, and the ones that do, get it. I think this podcast is good, but just like the other podcasts addressing similar topics, they are missing the mark. What is harder to determine is whether or not they do it on purpose. It often feels like gaslighting from the media. Sort of like when our nightly news hosts get on tv and tell us that inflation is down and the economy is booming and crime isn’t on the rise. The opposite is true for all 3, we all know this, but still these journalists sit up there and lie to the public. With giant plastic smiles on their faces.

Really good ethical journalism. All seasons are very well done. A true crime must listen.

Nancy is a true professional and I appreciate the change of pace from the standard spurious approach to true crime. Great work.

Well done but paints a bleak picture of Vancouver island police competency

Just found this podcast and am so impressed. Laura Palmer has done her research so professionally. Looking forward to the other seasons.

This podcast can’t be called investigative journalism. I listened to season 5 over the course of about a week. When I finished, I went back and checked to make sure I didn’t somehow skip/miss some episodes…nope, there just wasn’t any meat to this story. The whole season is comprised of a few interviews with the family & friends of victims, explaining who they were and what their life had been like. There’s almost zero info about the crime itself, what lead up to it, leads the police had, etc etc…nothing! I kept thinking that the journalist would get to the actual story, but she never did. I won’t waste my time with the other 4 seasons.

A content warning for all the animal abuse would have been nice.

This podcast is very well done, thoroughly investigated, and respectful to the victims and there families. Well done!

It’s obvious what happened. It’s tragic that Amber was murdered by Justin and then he took his own life.

I am glad I stumbled on this podcast. I’m listening to season five right now. The story is very interesting, intriguing and human. The host doesn’t just focus on the story, but also tries to give background on the individuals involved. Their feelings, motivations, fears, faults and lives. There is just one thing that stopped me from giving this five stars. It’s the unnamed witnesses and the reporter from episode one. My problem is not that they are unnamed, my problem is that there is quite a bit of exaggeration with a few of them. I feel that they are taking the fact that their identity is hidden, voice is altered and the fact that a few of the most dangerous individuals in this story are dead to create an opportunity to exaggerate. In addition I can tell that they inflate their importance and level of friendship in the victims’ lives. The reporter from episode one is so melodramatic and over the top. So, that kind of makes it hard for me to believe them. However, the host does not play into it, she merely moves to another topic or presses them on their exaggerated statements.

I finally started this podcast after finishing so many others... I heard this pod was good, but the negative reviews deterred me. Now I wish I hadn't waited to give it a listen — the problem is with the reviewers, not the host. This pod is excellent. I started with season 5, now working my way back. Love it.

I’m not in Canada and I got completely sucked in. Laura delves right in. She doesn’t sugar coat the people involved and asks the uncomfortable questions. I also appreciate that she doesn’t selfishly dramatize or false report. She unrolls the facts in a uniquely palatable storytelling manner. I’m in for the next 4 seasons!

Please make her stop. Painful

If you have to distort the audio quality so much to hide the identity of the source, why bother having it on the show? The Survivor episode is unbearable.

I agree with the other reviews. Couldn’t get past the host’s voice and storytelling style. Her first episode was poorly put together in my opinion and I have no idea what is going on.

The host should stick to research and writing. Her narration is beyond bad, it’s painful.

It would be much better if you did not speak like a robot. It is hard to listen to. I had to stop listening.

I haven’t read any of the reviews , with the exception of the that preceded my review. Negative breeds negativity. Pay them no mind if possible. I think you are doing a great job! I enjoy every word. Keep up digging up the facts, to find answers. Thank you so much!☺️

For those of you 1-star haters moaning and finding so many faults with this podcast, maybe keep in mind that what Laura is doing is helping grieving families and lighting a fire under some non-priority cases around missing people. Season 1 alone has reignited the case about Lisa Young and every one of these families and victims deserve justice. Thank you Laura. Keep up the great work (& RCMP let’s arrest Red Jag Guy already!)

Sorry to say I had to quit. I made it 4 episodes of season 1 and that’s it for me. The most we get in 4 episodes is a basic recounting of the crime and Lisa’s backstory, which is great, but that should be 1/2 of episode 1. I have found the telltale sign of an amateur podcast is that they haven’t learned to edit. It is not worthwhile to replay ENTIRE conversations. Good podcasts edit ruthlessly & use narration to give more insight. This does neither.

Another podcast (only listened to season 4) where the narrator has no investigative skills so the entire podcast is filled with interviews of the victim & suspects families. Therefore there was no forensic or any other type of evidence presented on the case. This is not a true crime podcast, but rather a human interest story about a missing woman. There is nothing wrong with that, but the producers of this podcast shouldn’t market it as a true crime podcast when it is a human interest piece filled with dozens of redundant interviews about the victim-none of which leads to any evidence concerning her being missing. So if u r looking for a true crime podcast that focuses on the case & evidence then skip this one. If u r looking for a human interest podcast about a missing woman that provides no help or evidence in advancing the case , but does a great job through a series of redundant interviews to let the listeners know that Amber “ was a ray of sunshine & a happy person & loved to shop…she had a big heart. “ then this is the perfect podcast for you.

Please please please STOP talking like a robot! Why can’t you talk the way you do with the people you interview???!!!😩😩🤖

It draaaaaaags on and the narrator is painfully monotonous. I couldn't pay attention for more than a few seconds at a time. I actually forgot I was listening to something until I got a phone call.

I gave 3 stars because I did want to hear the stories but I think there are two major issues with this podcast. I look at most true crime podcasts as adding value to some extent…meaning true investigative journalism…digging and uncovering things that law enforcement etc missed or didn’t explore etc…there was a little of this but I do feel it was lacking. The second thing is the narration. The narrator literally sounds like a robot…monotone, no inflection, and over articulation if that’s even a thing…with slight pauses in between words like she was a toddler just learning how to read and putting phonics to use. I had to stop listening to this podcast simply because I was more focused on the voice of the narrator (and not in a good way) than the story…

YIKES

Started season four. I really don’t see how telling stories of reminiscing can help find this missing woman. Your listeners need to know what was going on during the time she disappeared if you want their help. I’m on S1E3 and I just can’t get past all the interviews and stories. This podcast most likely focuses on the stories about the victims and not what happened during the investigation. So if that is your thing then you may like this. I however do like to hear about the investigation because that’s basically what these stories end up being, sadly. A little back story is fine and hearing about the days leading up to the situation is a good part to hear. I’m not getting much of that with this one and reading other comments about season 3, sounds to be the same. Not for everyone.

Maybe I have been spoiled by the likes of Serial and Someone Knows Something but this doesn’t come close to matching up. The narration is overly scripted and monotoned. The interviews lack depth focuses mostly on how pretty and smart Lisa was. The most disappointing thing is that this isn’t a true investigative podcast that brings new information to this tragic case. It’s just a story which is retold.

I like that Laura’s podcast focuses on the victim, their lives and the community they lived in. A bit different than other true crime podcasts that focuses on just the investigative part. I guess it’s a fine balance but season one has been good so far. Laura sounds like a confident interviewer and I like listening to her interviews. However, the narration needs a bit work, sometimes it’s like a script is being read or too slow that it sounds robotic. If Laura can speak like she does in her interviews, this podcast would be even better! Anyway, overall really great content and thank you for making them. Best of luck on finding some kind of closures for the families and friends.

Thank you, Laura, for keeping Michael in the public’s heart and mind.

Prayers 🙏for the victims and their families..💔

Content is good. Narration is HORRIBLE! Podcast sounds very unprofessional. Sounds like narrator/researcher is reading a script. Voice intonations sound more typical of a preschool or kindergarten teacher. Again - good story - horrible narration. Thought narration would improve with time. NOPE…unfortunately had to turn this one off and unfollow.

Definitely one of my favorites! You feel so engaged and connected to the families, you feel how much the host cares

I did not know so much happens on the island ! In September 21 I did hear that an artist was gunned down no arrests so far

I don’t mean to sound like a jerk but I’m literally on episode 4 of season 3 (about Michael D) and we STILL haven’t gotten into the meat of anything. It’s all about the feelings of those in town/ the families. Or about the cops describing the social layout of the town in general - basically everything besides the specifics. Can we get a timeline, or some suspect descriptions?? I’m in the middle of episode four, I’m crossing my fingers! Edit: just finished episode four. It mostly measures a cop rambling on like he’s three beers and a tequila deep, about nothing particularly important to the case. I’m trying SO HARD to like this podcast. PLLLEEEAASSEE give us some specifics, or leave it to someone who will. Just a taste?? Thanks lol. 👌👍🏻❤️

Wow this is so well done. Can’t believe it hasn’t gotten more attention. I’m only on s1 so far

WHY would you ever say several times that a woman alone is sleeping in the woods and give a general area? WHY would you share the decoy camp info? Don’t take away their protective measures PLEASE.

It’s a great, well done podcast, but there is a huge difference between the interviews and the narration. It’s didactic and puts me straight to sleep

First let me say I love this podcast and think it is very well done. I just wish the title of episode 5 could be renamed as to me super insensitive. Many of these missing came across life situations that were totally out of their control. Honestly they probably all did. To someone who lost a son I would be offended to have my child ever described as a “misfit”.

I am certain this podcaster has done their research but the narration doesn’t flow well. Scripted is expected but this is being read in an almost robotic voice. I couldn’t push through it in order to continue listening.

This podcast is well investigated & presented. One of the best True Crime Podcasts!

I’ve never listened to true crime. I heard you on The Big Story, and decided to. Heck this out. Lisa’s story is heart breaking. Your coverage is balanced and well presented. I hope Lisa comes home

I’m so disappointed. I really wanted to keep listening to this story but it’s actually painful. Most of the interviews are so poorly recorded that I can barely make out what they’re saying. And at times it literally hurt my ears...It’s too bad because the story is important and from one journalist to another, I applaud the host for telling the stories that she wasn’t able to in the past.

Love the suspense in this podcast. If you like True Crime podcasts this one is a must listen. Keep up the great work 👍🏾

I really wanted to like this podcast; the stories of native and indigenous women who are subject to crime is grossly underreported and the bias is there, whether consciously or not. The problem is that many of the interviews, even with people who are used to being recorded, are almost impossible to understand. I made it to episode five before I finally got fed up with trying to hear the details that must be important or the interview wouldn’t have been included. Many times things lapsed into the Charlie Brown, “Wah wah wah” sound. I hope Lisa’s story gets told and her family had some sense of justice, but this is a poor vehicle for that.

I first heard about this case in Casefile, and have been unable to get it out of my head. So I was excited when I heard about this in-depth podcast. But it's not what I'd hoped. The interviewer/narrator inserts herself too much into each episode; the interviews may have problematic audio (too loud, too soft) in comparison to the rest of the episode, and like a lot of podcasts presented similarly, I think the narrator relies too heavily on interviews and does not edit well enough. The interviews become repetitive, especially as the narrator repeats on occasion what was heard in the interview. I will finish listening to this one because the case just won't let me go, but I will be unsubscribing from the podcast.

I wanted to like this podcast but it’s poorly done. The sound quality is lacking with interviews often being hard to understand. Generally speaking, the interviews also didn’t draw you in and weren’t very interesting. Unfortunately the woman hosting this podcast doesn’t help matters. Her questions seemed odd at times and often the interviews dragged on and were rather boring. We stopped listening after 5 episodes.