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Midnight Son
In the vast Alaskan Arctic, legend has it there once lived a mythic tribe - Iñukuns. But now Inukuns only exist in rumors and whispers. Until an actor-turned-fugitive named Teddy Kyle Smith had an encounter that brought Iñukuns from myth to reality. Smith was an aspiring actor with a promising career, but it all came crashing down one night in September with a gunshot, followed by a manhunt, bloodshed, and then stranger things.
This story has long haunted James Dommek Jr., the great-grandson of the last of the Inupiaq storytellers. Midnight Son is his journey to who Teddy Kyle Smith was, what he did, and what he really saw.
It’s a true story that takes listeners from the Alaskan wilderness to Hollywood and to the courtroom. A story that pits Inupiaq folklore against American justice in a battle over the nature of reality and the soul of the real Alaska.
3 hrs. 23 min.
This story has long haunted James Dommek Jr., the great-grandson of the last of the Inupiaq storytellers. Midnight Son is his journey to who Teddy Kyle Smith was, what he did, and what he really saw.
It’s a true story that takes listeners from the Alaskan wilderness to Hollywood and to the courtroom. A story that pits Inupiaq folklore against American justice in a battle over the nature of reality and the soul of the real Alaska.
3 hrs. 23 min.
4 pages, Audible Audio
First published October 31, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 750 reviews
November 8, 2019
An interesting enough story, but the framing rubbed me the wrong way at times with its overly sympathetic view on Teddy. The ending also tried really hard to go for "profound" but ended up feeling really random and as if the creator couldn't think of a proper satisfying or sensible ending so he just settled on whatever. Those last few minutes could've been cut entirely out to leave us on a more open-ended note back at the end of the narrator's journey through the wilderness. I think i would have preferred that.
At the end of the day, I'm not upset that I went with this Originals selection, but I WAS decently disappointed by it - the synopsis obviously hooked me and made me wanna try it out and now I've just come out the other side feeling pretty "meh" about it. Oh well. On to the next!
At the end of the day, I'm not upset that I went with this Originals selection, but I WAS decently disappointed by it - the synopsis obviously hooked me and made me wanna try it out and now I've just come out the other side feeling pretty "meh" about it. Oh well. On to the next!
November 15, 2019
I finished this book in half a day. It was extremely interesting and intriguing! I had never heard of this case before. I enjoyed James' writing. My only complaint is that the story jumps around a lot and I still have some unanswered questions. The formatting of the book wasn't my favorite.
"In the vast Alaskan Arctic, legend has it there once lived a mythic tribe - Iñukuns. But now Inukuns only exist in rumors and whispers. Until an actor-turned-fugitive named Teddy Kyle Smith had an encounter that brought Iñukuns from myth to reality. Smith was an aspiring actor with a promising career, but it all came crashing down one night in September with a gunshot, followed by a manhunt, bloodshed, and then stranger things.
This story has long haunted James Dommek Jr., the great-grandson of the last of the Inupiaq storytellers. Midnight Son is his journey to who Teddy Kyle Smith was, what he did, and what he really saw.
It’s a true story that takes listeners from the Alaskan wilderness to Hollywood and to the courtroom. A story that pits Inupiaq folklore against American justice in a battle over the nature of reality and the soul of the real Alaska."
"In the vast Alaskan Arctic, legend has it there once lived a mythic tribe - Iñukuns. But now Inukuns only exist in rumors and whispers. Until an actor-turned-fugitive named Teddy Kyle Smith had an encounter that brought Iñukuns from myth to reality. Smith was an aspiring actor with a promising career, but it all came crashing down one night in September with a gunshot, followed by a manhunt, bloodshed, and then stranger things.
This story has long haunted James Dommek Jr., the great-grandson of the last of the Inupiaq storytellers. Midnight Son is his journey to who Teddy Kyle Smith was, what he did, and what he really saw.
It’s a true story that takes listeners from the Alaskan wilderness to Hollywood and to the courtroom. A story that pits Inupiaq folklore against American justice in a battle over the nature of reality and the soul of the real Alaska."
November 15, 2019
Midnight Son by James Dommek Jr and also narrated by the author. This story is about a guy named Teddy Smith that went a bit nuts and was very dangerous. He was a veteran, sharp shooter, actor, but all in trouble with the law as quite a bit. This tells his story in a an interesting way. It also includes native Alaskan folklore. Great narration.
June 22, 2022
3.5 stars would be more accurate I think.
I listened to this on Audible on a long car ride. I don't usually pick up true crime or non-fiction for that matter so I was sort of baffled the whole time I was reading it- trying to figure out if this was based on a true story. I had to come to GoodReads to find out it is in fact telling a true story. (Unfortunately I had forgotten to download books prior to driving away from my house and this was the only one that would play.)
The audio seems to be live recordings of people interspliced with the author's narration. He talks about revisiting his home towns, life in Alaska, making a nice cohesive narrative. I just wish the audio quality on the recorded parts had been a little bit better. I had trouble making out some of the words. The narrator did a great job and I did enjoy listening to him.
There is a lot to process here in this short story though. The colonization of Alaskan Natives, the slow loss of their culture, the American legal system... it's impressive. The Inukan (sp?) piece of it added a bit of intrigue to the overall narrative.
And there were parts that were kind of funny and made me laugh out loud. Worth checking out as it's a freebie on audible plus if true crime is your thing.
I listened to this on Audible on a long car ride. I don't usually pick up true crime or non-fiction for that matter so I was sort of baffled the whole time I was reading it- trying to figure out if this was based on a true story. I had to come to GoodReads to find out it is in fact telling a true story. (Unfortunately I had forgotten to download books prior to driving away from my house and this was the only one that would play.)
The audio seems to be live recordings of people interspliced with the author's narration. He talks about revisiting his home towns, life in Alaska, making a nice cohesive narrative. I just wish the audio quality on the recorded parts had been a little bit better. I had trouble making out some of the words. The narrator did a great job and I did enjoy listening to him.
There is a lot to process here in this short story though. The colonization of Alaskan Natives, the slow loss of their culture, the American legal system... it's impressive. The Inukan (sp?) piece of it added a bit of intrigue to the overall narrative.
And there were parts that were kind of funny and made me laugh out loud. Worth checking out as it's a freebie on audible plus if true crime is your thing.
January 24, 2020
Wow, this was really good and interesting! I had 0 knowledge about the native people of Alaska before listening to this, no idea who Teddy was, nothing. I picked it because i thought my mom would like it and i love folklore. James Dommek Jr. read this and he does very good. He has a great voice. The story skips between Teddy's story and James trying to piece together what really happened. I had no problem keeping the times separate. The story was so engaging i wanted to sit in the car just a little longer. If you like folklore, true crime, or learning about other cultures, i think you'd like this book.
January 26, 2020
★★ /5
Production of this audiobook is really great but sadly the story itself wasn't that interesting or captivating
Production of this audiobook is really great but sadly the story itself wasn't that interesting or captivating
November 14, 2019
I would score this "book" zero stars if I could. This was a free download from Audible, but not a book or even a documentary, in any sense of the word. While the summary states that James Dommek Jr. "sheds new light on a real-life mystery that pits Native American folklore against the US justice system" he does nothing of the sort. I'm not even sure what his intention was, other than to make a name for himself. There was no mystery. Teddy Kyle Smith was a mentally ill Alaska Native who drank to excess and possibly used other drugs. After the death of his mother, he shot at his fellow villagers, went to the woods, squatted in a cabin that didn't belong to him, shot point blank at two men, unprovoked and continued on with the Alaska State Troopers tracking him. No mystery. There were plenty of eye witnesses and actual recordings of these events.
His meager defense in court was that he heard voices of Iñukuns, a mystical legendary tribe. If a non-Alaska-native person on trial for attempted murder made the same claim of hearing voices and seeing beings that were not there, he would be deemed possibly Paranoid Schizophrenic, at the very least. Dommeck wants us to recognize the voices Smith heard as "cultural" and respect him for it. Honor him even. He wants us to overlook the fact that Smith perjured himself on the stand stating that he had never been diagnosed with any type of mental illness. It was later disclosed that he had been institutionalized multiple times and was in fact diagnosed with a mental illness. He had a criminal history, and had been in rehab several times for excessive drinking. Because he was a charismatic actor, we're to feel sorry for him. We're to say he had an unfair trial since the citizens of Kotzebue are so vastly different than the villagers of Kiana (the very villagers he shot at while he was tripping...and since everyone knows everyone in the village, how fair of a trial would that have been?) Shooting two men, unprovoked at point blank range, leaving them to die in the wilderness and stealing all of their belongings is just that. There is no excuse or defense, I don't care how charismatic and lovable you are.
The more I listened to this weak attempt at journalism, the angrier I got, until I finally had to shut it off at chapter eight with less than thirty minutes to go. Like I said, I don't know what Dommek's intention was other than to get his voice out there. He's no more an expert on Teddy Kyle Smith than I am. I grew up in Alaska too. I know people who know people. I can say swears. So maybe I should write a documentary about a man I never even met based on these things.
This audio production was a complete waste of my time and energy. I hope Teddy Kyle Smith stays in prison for the full 99 years and never has the chance to hurt another innocent person. I will never listen to anything connected to James Dommek Jr again. Such utter crap.
His meager defense in court was that he heard voices of Iñukuns, a mystical legendary tribe. If a non-Alaska-native person on trial for attempted murder made the same claim of hearing voices and seeing beings that were not there, he would be deemed possibly Paranoid Schizophrenic, at the very least. Dommeck wants us to recognize the voices Smith heard as "cultural" and respect him for it. Honor him even. He wants us to overlook the fact that Smith perjured himself on the stand stating that he had never been diagnosed with any type of mental illness. It was later disclosed that he had been institutionalized multiple times and was in fact diagnosed with a mental illness. He had a criminal history, and had been in rehab several times for excessive drinking. Because he was a charismatic actor, we're to feel sorry for him. We're to say he had an unfair trial since the citizens of Kotzebue are so vastly different than the villagers of Kiana (the very villagers he shot at while he was tripping...and since everyone knows everyone in the village, how fair of a trial would that have been?) Shooting two men, unprovoked at point blank range, leaving them to die in the wilderness and stealing all of their belongings is just that. There is no excuse or defense, I don't care how charismatic and lovable you are.
The more I listened to this weak attempt at journalism, the angrier I got, until I finally had to shut it off at chapter eight with less than thirty minutes to go. Like I said, I don't know what Dommek's intention was other than to get his voice out there. He's no more an expert on Teddy Kyle Smith than I am. I grew up in Alaska too. I know people who know people. I can say swears. So maybe I should write a documentary about a man I never even met based on these things.
This audio production was a complete waste of my time and energy. I hope Teddy Kyle Smith stays in prison for the full 99 years and never has the chance to hurt another innocent person. I will never listen to anything connected to James Dommek Jr again. Such utter crap.
December 3, 2019
Audible Original Selction for November 2019
A podcast that examines the story of Teddy Kyle Smith, a well-known Alaska Native actor convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to 99 years in prison. Narrated by Alaskan writer and musician, James Dommek Jr, listeners are taken to the wilderness of Alaska during the manhunt, trial, and appeals as well as the ancient stories of the territory.
The audio certainly held my attention from beginning to end and I would certainly recommend it to true crime enthusiasts.
Goodreads review published 03/12/19
A podcast that examines the story of Teddy Kyle Smith, a well-known Alaska Native actor convicted of attempted murder and sentenced to 99 years in prison. Narrated by Alaskan writer and musician, James Dommek Jr, listeners are taken to the wilderness of Alaska during the manhunt, trial, and appeals as well as the ancient stories of the territory.
The audio certainly held my attention from beginning to end and I would certainly recommend it to true crime enthusiasts.
Goodreads review published 03/12/19
December 6, 2019
Okay, sooooo... it wasn't bad. It just didn't stick to the plot half the time.
You see, there was a lot of sidetracking in this story. And it could quite possibly be because so much backstory was needed. But instead of incorporating the backstory at the beginning, it was incorporated throughout the narration. Which... felt a lot like sidetracking. So yeah (shrugs).
You see, there was a lot of sidetracking in this story. And it could quite possibly be because so much backstory was needed. But instead of incorporating the backstory at the beginning, it was incorporated throughout the narration. Which... felt a lot like sidetracking. So yeah (shrugs).
November 2, 2019
This wasn’t really an audiobook, it was more of an extended podcast. What’s the difference? I’m not sure but you know it when you hear it!
The story is interesting enough but a little underwhelming.
The story is interesting enough but a little underwhelming.
November 28, 2019
This Audible original is very well performed, but the story is simply not good. I gave it two stars (instead of one) because it did provide insight into Native Alaskan culture and life in Alaska in general, but that could have been accomplished in other and better ways.
November 18, 2021
Alaskan True Crime and Mythology
Review of the Audible Originals audiobook edition (2019)
This podcast audiobook was an excellent audio production about the history of a 2012 true crime case being reconstructed from about 2018 (when the author James Dommek Jr. observed the court case in appeals). The atmospheric music, the audio ambiance, the interviews and court recordings were all seamlessly put together to portray a sad story of an acting career gone wrong with the added haunting of a mythological Alaskan tribe brought into the story as a sort of 11th hour shock.
The portion of the audio (from about the 2 hour 27 minute mark) that I've transcribed above especially struck me though as the overall lesson of the experience. In this global culture as we all seek to better understand each other it cut through to the heart of the message.
Midnight Son was one of the free Audible Originals for members in the month of November 2019.
Review of the Audible Originals audiobook edition (2019)
"The experience that Mr. Smith had is a cultural and spiritual experience, that turned out very badly, but, it’s a cultural experience, not a mental illness. He is no more mentally ill than any other belief system that we have that is criticized at times as irrational as well."
- Angela Greene, Public Defender.
"You never hear white people vouching for our spiritual experiences. It’s like we don’t get to have these anymore. The missionaries took those away and told us they were evil. Instead they told us stories like a Virgin had a baby and people are walking on water… well, ok. But here is a Public Defender arguing that what we believe in is just as valid as any other religion. Whether or not she’s actually that open-minded or just calculating, I don’t know. But this is just a hint of what’s to come with the Iñukuns and the Alaskan justice system." – James Dommek Jr., Author & Narrator.
This podcast audiobook was an excellent audio production about the history of a 2012 true crime case being reconstructed from about 2018 (when the author James Dommek Jr. observed the court case in appeals). The atmospheric music, the audio ambiance, the interviews and court recordings were all seamlessly put together to portray a sad story of an acting career gone wrong with the added haunting of a mythological Alaskan tribe brought into the story as a sort of 11th hour shock.
The portion of the audio (from about the 2 hour 27 minute mark) that I've transcribed above especially struck me though as the overall lesson of the experience. In this global culture as we all seek to better understand each other it cut through to the heart of the message.
Midnight Son was one of the free Audible Originals for members in the month of November 2019.
November 1, 2019
Ok, I do not usually do written reviews, but this audio production rung all my bells: true crime, alaska, native cultures, history. LOVED IT. The story was so well told, which, of course, is the point. I am not in any way qualified to deem one as a storyteller as it is understood in native cultures, but as a "white girl from out of town" I am in love with this oral history. Dommek killed it, the entire audio production is amazing. I have been an audible member for years and by some twist of fate this was the first audible original I have ever downloaded or listened to and I couldn't be happier. Do yourself a favor, and listen to this.
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November 29, 2020MIDNIGHT SON [audiobook], by James Dommeck, Jr., Josephine Holtzman, and Isaac Kestenbaum. 2019 by Audible
James Dommeck, Jr. narrates this immersive true crime podcast-turned-audiobook about a fugitive in Northwest Alaska "bush" country wilderness in 2012.
The story introduces the complex study of Teddy Kyle Smith, an Iñupiaq Alaska Native actor who in 2012 was under suspicion after the death of his mother, fled to the wilderness, where he later assaulted and robbed two hunters... A horrible series of events, but with an extra layer of complexity when Smith claims to have been visited and been influenced by a mythic Inuit people called the Iñukuns.
The audiobook's true crime case is very engaging, following the accounts and interviews with Smith, his friends and family members, people that worked with him in the film industry, and also the two victims who thankfully survived the attempted murder. We get courtroom clips of his trial, interviews with the attorneys and judge, and legal discussions of his case.
Yet, where this story *really" interested me was in the descriptions of Alaskan landscapes and wilderness, stories of the small towns only reachable by bush planes, the glimpses as kinship and ethnography in Iñupiaq village life as told by Alaska Native storyteller Dommeck, and the sampled music (Dommeck also contributed this) as transitions between chapters. Dommeck's representation and care for his community is evident, and it was really special to see the relationships.
There are varied reviews for this one, and I was surprised to see the negative feedback since i enjoyed the style and story. Many reviewers note it seemed unresolved or "messy". I didn't see that and appreciated this style of storytelling and the production quality of the audiobook. 🤷🏼♀️ This listener was quite happy with the experience, so yet another case of don't always trust the rating systems of crowd-sourced sites!
James Dommeck, Jr. narrates this immersive true crime podcast-turned-audiobook about a fugitive in Northwest Alaska "bush" country wilderness in 2012.
The story introduces the complex study of Teddy Kyle Smith, an Iñupiaq Alaska Native actor who in 2012 was under suspicion after the death of his mother, fled to the wilderness, where he later assaulted and robbed two hunters... A horrible series of events, but with an extra layer of complexity when Smith claims to have been visited and been influenced by a mythic Inuit people called the Iñukuns.
The audiobook's true crime case is very engaging, following the accounts and interviews with Smith, his friends and family members, people that worked with him in the film industry, and also the two victims who thankfully survived the attempted murder. We get courtroom clips of his trial, interviews with the attorneys and judge, and legal discussions of his case.
Yet, where this story *really" interested me was in the descriptions of Alaskan landscapes and wilderness, stories of the small towns only reachable by bush planes, the glimpses as kinship and ethnography in Iñupiaq village life as told by Alaska Native storyteller Dommeck, and the sampled music (Dommeck also contributed this) as transitions between chapters. Dommeck's representation and care for his community is evident, and it was really special to see the relationships.
There are varied reviews for this one, and I was surprised to see the negative feedback since i enjoyed the style and story. Many reviewers note it seemed unresolved or "messy". I didn't see that and appreciated this style of storytelling and the production quality of the audiobook. 🤷🏼♀️ This listener was quite happy with the experience, so yet another case of don't always trust the rating systems of crowd-sourced sites!
November 2, 2019
Alaska has always been a strange and fascinating state. The people, especially the natives, are very unique breed of people. This book made me want to know more about the tribes it mentioned and even the specific people involved.
November 26, 2019
I picked this as one of my free audible originals this month. it wasn't necessarily bad or boring but i'm only giving it two stars because true crime is not my favorite genre—but i knew that going into it. i really liked the format of it being like an extended podcast though because it reminded me of Serial though so if you like true crime, podcasts, and mythology you should definitely check this out
November 5, 2019
This was interesting in presentation and format until the conclusion is basically the white man is the devil because they didn't vacate his charges because he said he saw Inukuns. Bro this dude likely killed his mom, reckless discharged his weapon in a small village, and, shot two random guys he didn't even know. If the argument is that his belief in Inukuns caused him to do all this and he should therefore be exonerated, that's idiotic; by that logic David Berkowitz (Son of Sam) shouldn't be responsible for his actions because the demon possession the neighbors dog made him do it.
The very end the author says he's glad he's finally told a big story but there really was no new information presented or even a interview with the subject and went on saying that the last time he spoke with Smith's Lawyer the case was ongoing so there is not even a conclusion...therefore did you really even tell a story or did you just regurgitate some facts from third parties.
The very end the author says he's glad he's finally told a big story but there really was no new information presented or even a interview with the subject and went on saying that the last time he spoke with Smith's Lawyer the case was ongoing so there is not even a conclusion...therefore did you really even tell a story or did you just regurgitate some facts from third parties.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 6, 2019
This story was interesting but I feel it needed more. It doesn’t feel completed to me. It was a good build up, but just fell flat in my opinion.
March 18, 2021
This audible original was recorded in 2019. I added it to my listening list when it became available but it routinely takes me over a year to get to what I just added today. The problem with that delay is that I can rarely remember what motivated me to add some thing to my listening list since there are so many choices available every day. But I’m pleased that I added this one and think that it’s depth and breath of coverage deserves five stars.
I am a bit of a sucker for Alaska. Alaska became a state in 1959 when I was 12 or 13 years old. I remember at that time quite a few people and what they call the lower 48 moved to Alaska and we’re called the 59ers. I was living in Michigan and I remember that there were car caravans that headed off to Alaska. I also remember that sometime during that period of time there were serial box prizes that allowed you to get one square inch of Alaska territory. I have no idea if that was real. Or if the value of that square inch has possibly increased in the past 60 years! Also when my wife and I were living in Ann Arbor Michigan in the late 1970s and planning on moving, we considered Alaska briefly. We found out what nurses were paid in Alaska and my wife was a nurse. Then we found out how much it cost to live in Alaska!
This story was extremely well recorded And I am not sure whether it is based on a true situation or totally fictional. It did convey a presumably real sense of what life Is like for a native Alaskan. Also the legal issue raised about juries not being inclusive of people who live in small or isolated areas seemed real and fascinating. Other common negative problems of isolation and alcoholism and also there spiritual and cultural beliefs were presented in a very informative way.
One last strange comment: bear spray. In the story there is a reference to bear spray which is important in that part of Alaska where there are considerable bears. It is strange because I think I have never heard About bear spray until January 6, 2021 when it was mentioned as something that the rioters at the Capitol building had to spray at the police.
I am a bit of a sucker for Alaska. Alaska became a state in 1959 when I was 12 or 13 years old. I remember at that time quite a few people and what they call the lower 48 moved to Alaska and we’re called the 59ers. I was living in Michigan and I remember that there were car caravans that headed off to Alaska. I also remember that sometime during that period of time there were serial box prizes that allowed you to get one square inch of Alaska territory. I have no idea if that was real. Or if the value of that square inch has possibly increased in the past 60 years! Also when my wife and I were living in Ann Arbor Michigan in the late 1970s and planning on moving, we considered Alaska briefly. We found out what nurses were paid in Alaska and my wife was a nurse. Then we found out how much it cost to live in Alaska!
This story was extremely well recorded And I am not sure whether it is based on a true situation or totally fictional. It did convey a presumably real sense of what life Is like for a native Alaskan. Also the legal issue raised about juries not being inclusive of people who live in small or isolated areas seemed real and fascinating. Other common negative problems of isolation and alcoholism and also there spiritual and cultural beliefs were presented in a very informative way.
One last strange comment: bear spray. In the story there is a reference to bear spray which is important in that part of Alaska where there are considerable bears. It is strange because I think I have never heard About bear spray until January 6, 2021 when it was mentioned as something that the rioters at the Capitol building had to spray at the police.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2020
This was 100% a podcast in book form. 100%.
Absolutely nothing wrong with the narration and I loved the musical accompaniment! But this wasn’t it for me. I was entertained but I wish I knew what I was getting into when I started.
I think this is a worthwhile listen for sure, just don’t pay full price, whatever that is.
Absolutely nothing wrong with the narration and I loved the musical accompaniment! But this wasn’t it for me. I was entertained but I wish I knew what I was getting into when I started.
I think this is a worthwhile listen for sure, just don’t pay full price, whatever that is.
March 16, 2020
3.5 stars!
I am on a roll with Audible Originals and true crime! This was a fascinating documentary about an Alaskan native actor-turned-fugitive, and how he came to be sentenced to prison for some terrible crimes.
Teddy Kyle Smith was a rising Alaskan native actor in the early 2010’s, until his life derailed and he took to the bush, leaving behind terrified victims whenever he came across them. Was his behavior the product of alcoholism, delusions of rockstar grandeur, or something more mysterious?
The listener is taken on a wild ride of Teddy’s last days before being apprehended by authorities, and it was gripping. Bits of backstory are added in and built layers, making Smith even more interesting to try to understand.
This case also apparently put a spotlight on the fact that Alaskan natives are rarely given a true jury of their peers when they go to trial. While I think this is an issue that should definitely be addressed, I don’t believe having jurors from Teddy’s remote village would have or should have altered the ultimate verdict in any way.
I liked the author/narrator’s style of storytelling for the most part, and also enjoyed the atmospheric, original music used in the background. My only complaint is that I felt like it could have ended after the trial and sentencing, because the last 30 minutes didn’t really go anywhere. I wish more had been discovered about the (perhaps?) mythical Inukuns, but understandably there wasn’t much tangible evidence of their existence. I also still think there’s a lot of mystery surrounding the death of Teddy Kyle Smith’s mother...
I am on a roll with Audible Originals and true crime! This was a fascinating documentary about an Alaskan native actor-turned-fugitive, and how he came to be sentenced to prison for some terrible crimes.
Teddy Kyle Smith was a rising Alaskan native actor in the early 2010’s, until his life derailed and he took to the bush, leaving behind terrified victims whenever he came across them. Was his behavior the product of alcoholism, delusions of rockstar grandeur, or something more mysterious?
The listener is taken on a wild ride of Teddy’s last days before being apprehended by authorities, and it was gripping. Bits of backstory are added in and built layers, making Smith even more interesting to try to understand.
This case also apparently put a spotlight on the fact that Alaskan natives are rarely given a true jury of their peers when they go to trial. While I think this is an issue that should definitely be addressed, I don’t believe having jurors from Teddy’s remote village would have or should have altered the ultimate verdict in any way.
I liked the author/narrator’s style of storytelling for the most part, and also enjoyed the atmospheric, original music used in the background. My only complaint is that I felt like it could have ended after the trial and sentencing, because the last 30 minutes didn’t really go anywhere. I wish more had been discovered about the (perhaps?) mythical Inukuns, but understandably there wasn’t much tangible evidence of their existence. I also still think there’s a lot of mystery surrounding the death of Teddy Kyle Smith’s mother...
December 3, 2019
This is a very unique book with a story that sounds like it should have gotten a lot more press than it did. An up an coming Native actor in Alaska has some kind of breakdown, may or may not have killed his own mother, and then shoots at the people that come to help. Fleeing, Teddy Smith goes on an epic trek in the arctic wilderness where he claims to have encountered creatures from his people's myth before he gets caught.
James Dommeck, great-grandson of a famed storyteller, looks into the case: Smith's life, the events around his rampage, and the myths he claimed to have found. I enjoyed his narration, although I could see the rhythms of a Native throwing off those who aren't used to hearing it. He reflects on the ways that, to this day, Natives are treated by the whites in power, even for something most take for granted like jury duty.
It's an interesting story that doesn't have all the answers, because real life is like that. I enjoyed it.
James Dommeck, great-grandson of a famed storyteller, looks into the case: Smith's life, the events around his rampage, and the myths he claimed to have found. I enjoyed his narration, although I could see the rhythms of a Native throwing off those who aren't used to hearing it. He reflects on the ways that, to this day, Natives are treated by the whites in power, even for something most take for granted like jury duty.
It's an interesting story that doesn't have all the answers, because real life is like that. I enjoyed it.
October 11, 2023
An upcoming native Alaskan actor, Teddy Kyle Smith, vanishes into the wilderness after his mother's death and, attacking the first men who come across him, leaves them for dead. But when he is finally captured, he has a bizarre story to tell - that of encountering the Iñukuns, a mythic lost tribe.
An Audible original, this audiobook is executed in an interesting documentary format, incorporating interviews and clips from police interrogations and court testimony alongside narration. The case is not always an interesting one from a true crime perspective, but what kept me engaged throughout was learning about the Inupiaq people live in modern-day Alaska and the ways in which their ancient culture intersected and interacted with the state criminal justice system.
An Audible original, this audiobook is executed in an interesting documentary format, incorporating interviews and clips from police interrogations and court testimony alongside narration. The case is not always an interesting one from a true crime perspective, but what kept me engaged throughout was learning about the Inupiaq people live in modern-day Alaska and the ways in which their ancient culture intersected and interacted with the state criminal justice system.
November 12, 2019
4.5. I thought this book would be a true crime thriller, but it is surprisingly more. I learned about Alaskan folklore, culture, and story telling in a non-traditional voice. The crime parts seemed secondary to the development of the narrator and that became of greater interest. I wouldn't recommend to just anybody but it had my attention the whole time. It also gave a much better view of what it's like to live in the bush than all the TV shows out there glamorizing living off the grid.
November 15, 2019
Really enjoyable. I listened to the audiobook, but it was more a presentation than an audiobook. It contained music, personal interviews, and storytelling, and James Dommek Jr. is a good storyteller. This is the true story of Alaskan Native Teddy Smith, a trial for attempted murder, and how a mysterious legendary people, the Enukins, may have played a part.
I hope James Dommek Jr. creates more audio presentations. He's good at it.
I hope James Dommek Jr. creates more audio presentations. He's good at it.
January 4, 2020
I enjoyed this selection greatly. I listened to it in one sitting because I was so engrossed in the book. It brings up points that need to be discussed. What does make up a jury of peers, is one. Mental health and alcoholism are others. It is a sad tale though interesting. I don’t always enjoy narrators who are the author. In this audio selection, I did. Perhaps be the story is a true one and the narration respected that. In my opinion it was well done. I’m happy I listened to it.
November 9, 2019
Master story-teller
December 16, 2019
This could have been a very intriguing story: what happened to a missing Alaskan tribe? Instead, it's a "you can't judge him" review of an Inupait actor who went off the rails shooting people. While it's interesting that he seemed to find a trail thru the wilderness that shouldn't be there, that's as far as the writer took this. The writer left it at "Hey, I found it, too!" Without more in depth investigation of the missing tribe, this is just an easily solved crime.
February 25, 2022
Notes:
Currently on Audible Plus
Great balance between narration & soundtracks/sound effects.
The audio format worked well for this winding dive into old myths, Alaskan culture, and criminal case. This is not really a crime documentary or biography about Teddy Kyle Smith. This audio jaunt is about the author, James Dommek, Jr and his curiosity about Smith's case & tales about the Inukuns. I'd say its more accurate to label the story as a non-fiction documentary vs autobio/crime/etc.
Currently on Audible Plus
Great balance between narration & soundtracks/sound effects.
The audio format worked well for this winding dive into old myths, Alaskan culture, and criminal case. This is not really a crime documentary or biography about Teddy Kyle Smith. This audio jaunt is about the author, James Dommek, Jr and his curiosity about Smith's case & tales about the Inukuns. I'd say its more accurate to label the story as a non-fiction documentary vs autobio/crime/etc.
November 2, 2021
Bullet Review:
A fascinating story about an Inupiaq actor and his experiences in the Alaskan wild. A tragedy for Teddy Kyle Smith, but a great insight into a different culture. Good for those of us who binge watch Netflix's latest true crime story.
A fascinating story about an Inupiaq actor and his experiences in the Alaskan wild. A tragedy for Teddy Kyle Smith, but a great insight into a different culture. Good for those of us who binge watch Netflix's latest true crime story.
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