As someone who doesn’t know this part of Ireland or the story, I found it heartbreaking and gripping to hear how the community and Garda responded. An exploration of poor governance, and human psychology in the face of tragedy.

My first podcast binge listen - superbly produced. Grips you from beginning to end.

Such a perfect blend of atmosphere, interviews, intrigue all without having cheap and misleading cliffhangers.

Brilliant stuff!

Absolutely gripping from the start. Excellent balance of narration and interviews whilst being sympathetic and compassionate towards the victim. Haven’t finished it yet but half way; hope they find the answers for the family!

Guilty or not, the accused is a classic schizophrenic which I may have missed being mentioned .

This was so addictive. I didn’t want it to finish

Are there more like this ?

Incredible story.

Loved that there were so many contributions to the story from neighbours to the French family, journalists and Garda. it was so well researched and pulled together brilliantly.

Am starting to listen to more and more podcasts whilst walking the dogs as opposed to listening to the radio. West Cork is excellent. Well researched and excellently presented. Unbelievable story.

I don’t usually listen to crime podcasts but saw this recommended on Instagram. I liked the fact that the matter was investigated thoroughly and laid out calmly and clearly without the suspense or sensation that is sometimes present in such documentaries/ podcasts and what is normally what puts me off.

I am glad they got across that more than anything it must be very hard for Sophie’s family not to have conclusive answers about her murder. Excellently crafted.

So compelling, especially as I’ve been to that area. A brilliantly told story that I can’t help but binge!

Wonderfully written & presented. Captivating story superbly executed!

I first listened to this podcast a couple of years ago, then, in anticipation of the new episode, I have just listened to it again. It is every bit as brilliant the second time round. I have only two quibbles. One is the absence of Ian Bailey’s step daughters, and the other is the omission of the police having lost evidence - including Ian’s coat and the gate!?!?!? Given that the coat and gate could have forensically proved or disproved involvement in the crime, it was an odd omission. However, the podcast still deserves all of its plaudits and I only hope that one day Sophie’s killer will be brought to justice.

This podcast was well researched and thoughtfully told by the narrators. They managed to capture the atmosphere of West Cork at this time. Where other true crime documentaries tend to reiterate the same evidence I thought each episode was well paced and provided new information each time. Although the emphasis remained on Ian Bailey I appreciate that the writers attempted to offer alternatives and a perspective into how all parties have been affected, I’m struggling to find another podcast to match it.

I do hope that the family find the truth and that Sophie Toscan du Plantiers killer is brought to justice.

Well researched and insightful, though ultimately seems a little futile and just gives an egomaniac (if not a murder) more attention than he deserves.

I listened to this all within two days. Really enjoyed it and the way it was told kept me hooked

Great podcast, but it ended up as the Ian Bailey show.

Every second relished by the man himself!!

I hope that Sophie and her family (specially her son) do get the justice they so richly deserve someday!!

I loved this series so much so I binge listened! Absolutely fascinating..

Very clearly written and narrated with a balanced delivery. Didn’t want to stop listening. I hope Sophie’s family get closure.

One of the finest series I’ve listened to.

It was like a book one can’t put down.

Many thanks. Scintillating story.

This story had me so intrigued that I binged the episodes. The podcast was so well put together, well researched and presented. However, I felt the last few episodes became the Ian Bailey show and often felt like the focal point of the podcast, a beautiful mother who brutally lost her life, often fell to the bottom of the pile.

Loved this podcast so much, well told and fantastic interviews with the people involved

Brilliant!

No mention that Sophie rang her best friend Agnes in France (she was supposed to come on holiday with her) and told her that Ian Bailey had tried (in her garden) to get her to listen to his poetry (this ties in with him allegedly calling her in Paris before she travelled over requesting an interview in his capacity as a journalist). Surely that proves Bailey’s claim that he ‘saw her’ but never met her to be a blatant lie? Just like his original alibis!

Can’t anyone find phone records in Paris of him calling - presumably her husband’s film company - who would have provided the ‘journalist’ with her number, to prove he was indeed infatuated with her?

The evidence is out there, SOMEWHERE.

Had the Garda sealed off the crime scene, preserved the footprint, not left Sophie’s body in a ditch while the only pathologist in Ireland was too busy celebrating his birthday to turn up immediately, had the Garda photographed Bailey’s lacerations (did we not have cameras back then!), or appealed for people to check photos of the town to see if they captured the mystery man (after all it was two days before Christmas when visitors and locals do that sort of thing) the killer could have been caught within weeks.

Had the couple who claim to have heard Bailey admit the murder in his own home not come forward six months earlier (sadly one died recently) all this could be over decades ago.

Jules daughters should have been interviewed more thoroughly as they lived with Ian Bailey and knew him best. French courts used evidence from one of them.

What about Sophie’s nearest neighbours, did they heard NOTHING? A woman is being bludgeoned to death in the quiet of rural West Cork on a full moon and they heard nothing? There’s barely a mention of them.

The bonfire which Bailey’s neighbour witnessed , did nothing of what the garda found in it match anything pertaining to the murder or clothes he wore that night?

The murder weapon - did divers not search the river where Bailey was supposedly seen dumping an axe that was missing from Sophie’s house...

Instead we have a sequel now...Bailey’s longtime partner Jules has finally thrown him out. Will she reveal all, finally? Two movies are due out on the murder. Twenty-five years later and Sophie’s death is mere Hollywood fodder. No wonder her family is furious.

If Bailey goes to France where he’s been convicted in absentia, he will be locked up. Instead this Narcissist is feeding off the worms of fame - it’s an utter disgrace.

I’m ashamed that our great poet John Montague’s name is even associated with this fraudster.

Riveting podcast series, well done. But so many questions left unanswered which perhaps could have been addressed here.

I’m Irish myself living in U.K. snd have been transported back into Irish rural ways during this podcast . Excellent production and well worth a listen .

The twists and turns in this series are amazing. Is Ian guilty or not? Sometimes I was sure and other times less so. This is captivating.

A truly brilliant podcast - so well researched and narrated. A great podcast highly recommend

The mishandling of the case sadly means justice won’t be done

This podcast was great listening.

An utter tragedy for all concerned. A woman is battered to death outside her own home and it seems as if she is secondary to the story. How can listeners say it’s a good story - it’s a murder. A child left motherless. His loss is hardly mentioned.

Who was the lover of Marie. A policeman - no other possible reason she never gave his name. Of course somebody around must know who he is/was . This woman should be brought to justice and maybe the murder could be solved.

Very sad for the murdered lady’s family and a badly handled case. People’s life’s and faith in ones neighbours have been destroyed. The Garda seem to have developed tunnel vision regarding Ian Bailey Attention should have been focused on all persons “blow-ins” and locals alike.

Twists and turns in every episode. It’s fantastically well researched and narrated and utterly addictive. Prepare to binge...

Very well produced and presented. I’m amazed at how good podcasts have become! Unlike others I’ve listened too, it didn’t feel too long or full of padding. A compelling story, well told, from start until finish.

So many twists & turns. Beautifully shared. A mystery.

Only on section 3 , thought I’d give it a listen .

I’m supposed to be getting dressed & on with my day , BUT gripped with the story over my first coffee of the day . Excellently narrated , a must listen .

A great listen. It’s hard not to get completely engrossed in the story. I’ve recommended this to lots of friends.

Great listen, loved every minute of it. Super interesting case that gets you hooked from the first episode!

Fantastic true crime podcast, the story is very carefully told and totally gripping.

I was only slightly distracted by how much Ian Bailey sounds like Dominic West.

Amazing and gripping listening with perfect reflections on the interviewees. I’m on chapter 10 it gets better and better. Well done!

... podcasts I’ve ever heard. This is an example to any considering producing any documentary podcast, not just a true crime one! Gripping while avoiding sensationalist.

this has been very interesting makes very good listening

My podcast of 2021 so far. Jennifer and Sam are fantastic storytellers! Totally addictive.

I’m enjoying the story, but finding the two hosts voices very flat. Trying to see/hear past this as I have heard rave reviews, but almost tempted to stop listening.

Absolutely brilliant podcast, didn’t want it to end.

What a podcast! Absolutely engaging from start to finish. Never listened to anything as captivating as this..

Fantastic story telling, what a story and very enlightening to the work of police in Ireland.

What an intriguing set of events. Beautifully and sensitively told. In the very saturated True Crime genre this podcast stands out in terms of journalistic quality and production values. Highly recommended.

Beautifully told.

It really is the best true crime podcast I have ever listened to. Have listened twice already....is it bad that I’m tempted to listen a third time?

Brilliant podcast covering a fascinating story. Best podcast I’ve listened to recently.

I loved listening to this. It’s addictive and I had to limit myself daily as I didn’t want it to finish. Beautifully put together and narrated. Recommended it to everyone I knew and they also enjoyed it immensely