If you parked your car just to finish an episode of Casefile or spent hours discussing the intricacies of police investigation after bingeing In The Dark, you need to get Dirty John into your ears ASAP. Honestly, we’ve gotta say we haven’t been this obsessed with a true crime podcast since the OG Serial days.
The LA Times-produced podcast (which is also an article series, for the podcast-averse) centers around Debra Newell, a successful interior designer living in Orange County, LA. She meets John Meehan via an online dating site, and he seems to be the perfect catch – handsome, kind, successful and super into her. He also says he’s just gotten back from a year in Iraq with Doctors Without Borders.
Over time, however, things begin to unravel. Everything is not as it seems with John, and episode by episode we as the listener are exposed to the truth behind this seemingly all-American, perfect guy.
We don’t want to go too much further into the whole thing because it’ll absolutely spoil your shock and all the key moments, but let’s just say this is an doozy of an audio rollercoaster. Each episode reveals more about the mysterious John, his past, and his true self.
It’s expertly produced and the story unravels in a way that’ll have you on the edge of your bus seat daily. The interviews of key players in the insane tale in particular are gripping. Basically – this is what you and your mates will be talking at length about in the group chat for an entire week after you finish.
If you want to read it, head to the LA Times site here, or download on iTunes.
