This may be the best example yet of how a genre can evolve into a caricature of itself. Heavy handed and overproduced at every turn, not a moment is lost to the endless use of plaintive cellos, solitary chiming bells or spacey electronic music loops. At times the production becomes annoying. A story well told does not require layers of pointless audio embellishment - stop with the theatrics - there is a place for everything in art, but that includes a place for restraint and a delicate touch. Perhaps the most uncomfortable element of this overwrought podcast is the narrator, whose delivery is numbingly flat and monotone. There is no understanding of cadence, pitch, rhythm or inflection, just an emotionless drone. Honestly, there is NOTHING in her delivery that convinces me she is invested in the story or compels me to care. Which is why I barely made it through the first episode.

The best podcast I’ve heard this year! Looking forward to S2.

Spending so many hours on the road, listening to podcasts has become a something of an obsession. And one of the best podcast I’ve ever come across is Dark Valley. The series covers the gruesome details of the victims of a serial killer(s), and the too frequent inadequacies of law enforcement. Producer, Jennifer Arnell brilliantly reveals each story with eloquence and empathy. Arnell’s profound respect for the many victims and the sole survivor of these horrific crimes is apparent in every word. She gracefully walks the fine line of story telling that brings the listener into the subjects’ experience without pandering or use of sensationalism for effect. More importantly, the work done by this production may serve as a catalyst for change in the way law enforcement agencies operate, hopefully leading toward bringing justice for the victims and their families.

With a heart! Great job!

I don’t often review podcasts, but this series was well researched and presented the victims in an ethical way that went much deeper than the “her smile could light up a room” stuff of other true crime podcasts. It’s clear that the host and research team have done their due diligence looking at archival sources and trying to contact friends and family of these victims to get a sense of who they were beyond the grisly tragedies of their deaths. This is NOT one of those podcasts that simply regurgitates information/misinformation already available on the internet, and it challenges previous assumptions in an open-minded way. I’m familiar with these cases, having grown up in Hartland, VT, where Heidi Martin was murdered and where Barbara Agnew was found, so I may be biased in that I feel a personal stake in providing answers to these victims, their families, and their friends. Heidi Martin was my babysitter and a wonderful, funny, thoughtful 16-year-old who was mature beyond her years. Her murder took a lasting toll on our family, our neighborhood, and our town. I don’t understand the reviews that say this podcast is “boring” and would classify this podcast as the definitive source for examining these cold cases or this suspected serial killer. I also don’t agree with reviews that suggest that the podcast takes a patronizing position toward “locals” and think that Jane (Boroski’s) participation does the exact opposite, bringing credibility and a local perspective to the narrative. The same can be said of Dr. John Philpin’s participation and insight. There is, by the end of this, a sense that these cases might actually someday be solved, whether the perpetrator or perpetrators are still alive or not. Please do a Season 2! If I have any critique, it’s that the season ends quite abruptly, though that cliffhanger will keep me looking out—waiting and hoping for a second season and, someday, the possibility of justice for someone I cared about deeply.

Wow!! I stumbled upon this podcast and thought it sounded interesting, no expectations though. I’m pretty picky anymore about true crime podcasts. This one blew me away. So well written, presented and researched. So many feelings. I didn’t want this to end. I need more from the podcaster. She could read ingredients from the back of a box to me and I would listen. Please give me more content to listen to!! Amazing.

First great podcast I’ve found in a while. Love the host and really hope she keeps at it cuz she’s awesome (and I think this is her only podcast).

Hope you’re going to cover the warrant that was just served to the house on Sugar River.

Literally made me cry several times. Probably one of the most humane and empathetic true crime documentaries ever encountered. It’s just so … kind.. when talking about the wrenching losses of these women. Thank you. Great storytelling. Asking about her handwriting and favorite music made me laugh and cry. Just sweet people who were living their lives and some horrible person felt they had the right to destroy them.

very cool podcast

This podcast is interesting and easy to listen to as far as investigative journalism goes. I’d recommend it to any of my fellow true crime lovers.

I subscribe to and listen to a large amount of podcasts and have for three or four years now. This is one of the best podcasts I’ve ever heard. I put it in my top five. Congratulations and I anxiously await season two.

I’m hoping there will be a second season!!!

Oh please tell me there is a season 2!!! I need to hear more about this sister and her secrets!!!

I found this to be super compelling - the host and production did a great victim focused piece; even more compelling Jane, who survived, is central to solving it.

This podcast is so boring and it feels like nothing ever happens. It’s just interviews that go nowhere in relation to the investigations.

I love this podcast. You guys did a fantastic job of bringing light and life to all the victims. And your music is perfect. Thank you!

Good podcast and I enjoy the story but it’s hard to hear anyone talking behind the loud background music. Very distracting.

I was loving everything, especially the host’s relationship with inspirational sole survivor Jane. Profound, heart wrenching, and completely real- with no exploitative aftertaste whatsoever. You completely lost me, however, with the absurd & left-field attempt to link these serial offenses to Maura Murray’s disappearance. Really?! I realize you’re sponsored by the MM guys, but that episode felt insincere, forced, and reeked of a sellout. I have no doubt you’reone of the few rare talents who will make a difference if you can follow your gut and maintain your journalistic independence.

I’ came across this podcast from my interest in Maura Murray. What a wonderful job you guys did! But please tell me how with such a great description of the car why they never solved this!

I could not stand listening to people talk - everyone sounded like they took a quaalude before speaking. And I find scratchy cigarette voices impossible to listen to. It was boring, disconnected, and not well produced.

I loved this podcast! Well done and not sure how anyone would give less than 5 stars! I finished episode 13…is there any more yet?

Very well produced! Listen to a ton of true crime podcasts and I’m super picky! This one gripped me from the beginning and the production value and perspective is impressive and well thought out!

Exemplary research and investigative reporting. Survivor centered which is rarely the case. When my friend was murdered, I couldn’t listen to true crime. It just felt like glorifying the killers at best. At worst, callous exploitation and revictimization of survivors. This digs deep, is smart not smarmy, and has alerted the authorities to please step up. Immensely and genuinely compassionate and kind, Jennifer is able to interview survivors and glean immeasurable valuable clues that even the police have not been able to obtain. Please give her and her team another season and a pay raise. Kudos, you all deserve 10 stars.

The journalist leaves the interviewee with awkward silences because of the lack of direction.

I appreciate the focus on who the victims were as people and talking to their families. The narration is great and I appreciate the sensitivity to what this is.

this pod is the best, and I am a veteran consumer of true crime! but this narration is haunting, sensitive and incisive. please keep on to Season 2. Im waiting……

Love this podcast! I love to see old forgotten cases being taken on and hopefully given justice. So respectful of the victims and their families so which is very important

Incredibly compelling, couldn’t stop listening. By far the best true crime podcast I’ve listened to so far! When is Season 2?!? I don’t think I can wait!

So well done. As a resident of NH is the psych field, I was especially intrigued by this podcast and cannot believe I hadn’t heard of this before. I love the balance between poetic imagery and analytical, fact-based reporting. The narrator is articulate and conveys compassion, respect, curiosity, and empowerment. The whole podcast is advocacy-driven and sheds light on systemic issues that leave people vulnerable and must be addressed.

This is not a podcast where the host is reading a story from the internet like some. Jennifer has done so much work and research on this. The story keeps getting deeper and deeper. Definitely worth the listen.

This podcast is like a book you can’t put down! Looking forward to season two.

With so many other serial killer stories out there this was one i had not heard anything about so everything was new. I like the narrator, she was calming. I couldn’t believe the sheriffs comment about Eva, my mouth dropped open! Eww! Then to hear that people posted negative comments about the narrator’s sexual preference! Boo to them! Great podcast and the way it was presented!

Very compelling story. Jane, what a warrior you are. I almost didn’t continue past episode 1 because the music was very distracting. I thankfully kept going and it got better. If something bothers you in the first couple of episodes, keep going. It’s worth it!

This is a great podcast, but the actual audio producing is rough. It makes it hard to listen to. Interviews all sound like they were recorded on an iPhone. And the volume is always way off/varied throughout the episode. Really odd audio production with placement of sound effects, too.

I can’t get past the first 10 minutes, unfortunately. The narrator sounds like she’s borderline whispering, like how one would read a book to a baby preparing for sleep.

I was so excited to listen to this as a Unity NH native, but ultimately it’s been really disappointing. I’m frustrated by the host’s insistence in treating the folks that live around here as dumb yokels. Really, she thinks she’s the only person in the whole world who thought about the watch found in one victim’s pocket? Also the weird statements about how the “locals” don’t know about these murders. I can assure you, locals do know. We’re extremely well aware. Additionally, the presence of a “psychic” really discredits the whole endeavor.

Jennifer Amell is a fantastic podcaster. Her voice isn’t annoying and you can hear the compassion and empathy in her voice. This story is a true life nightmare. The brevity of Jane is inspiring and astonishing! Her survival story is heart wrenching. I truly hope this podcast has aided Jane in some way of healing. Thank you, Jane, for sharing your story. I will remain cognizant of my surroundings and aware of vulnerabilities.

Janes pain when going over her baby dying and why this monster did this and her hatred for him was so intense and seizing. This episode alone deserves any and all awards for journalism, podcasting etc whatever. I am floored. Thank you Jane for telling and allowing this group to tell your story. Fantastic job!

I have a number of podcasts in the True Crime genre in my library. Most are not listenable unless I want to hear amateurish rehashes of cold and even solved cases. I don’t. I want to hear well-researched, well-laid-out, well-presented podcasts that focus on the facts, not on the gore and that are presented by a well-spoken presenter or host. Dark Valley checks all of these boxes and more for me. I am subscribed to Dark Valley and consider it to be one of my top four podcasts in all genres in my library. Dark Valley is a cut above most podcasts and deserves the high number of listeners and subscribers it has garnered. I recently heard that a Season 2 is not a certainty. This is my favorite podcast. That news was disappointing to the nth degree, Glass Box Media needs to make it happen! It’s the best podcast of the genre.

Jennifer is an incredible storyteller and so compassionate. I loved listening to her as well as Jane and her story of survival and where she is today!! Cant say enough good things-riveting

I listen to MANY crime podcasts. I have to say, this is THE BEST!! I absolutely adore Jane. She is beyond courageous, surviving what she did and trying so hard for some kind of justice for herself and the many other victims. I pray she gets some kind of answer. Thank you thank you Jennifer and Jane for advocating for those who no longer can. I hope season two is released soon!!

had the pleasure of going to the dark valley panel at OF23, was amazing. binged the show on my whole 7hr drive home

Listened to this podcast after beating it from the LISK podcast… and it was worth it. The podcaster is so calm and soft spoken… respectful. You can tell she’s doing this for the right reasons. What a cliff-hanger… but I’ll definitely be following the rest of the story. Jane is amazing.. what a story of strength. Listen to it!

Hard to listen to at times, the raw emotion and clear telling of these events…saddens me. How only 10 minutes can end a life.

I could listen to Jennifer read the dictionary. Her voice and demeanor is soothing and encouraging. This podcast was also well written and intriguing. I hope there are more seasons to come!

This is what crime reporting should be - excellent, interesting, thoughtful journalism

Thoughtful and well researched. I love Jennifer.

I’m hooked on this podcast and hoping for justice for Jane and the other victims. Looking forward to Season 2.

her name is Jennifer, and she’s excellent