The Mantawauk Caves

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On the night of May 10, 2007, three boys entered a cave in Mantawauk County, Tennessee. Only one made it out alive. The other two were found ten days later. They had been attacked by someone - or something. The investigation that followed revealed town secrets as old as the caves themselves and put a third teenage boy, James Fincher, on death row. This haunting narrative follows Julien Solas, an amateur writer and James' friend who’s been haunted by the events ever since.  Now, with Fincher's execution looming, Julien returns home to reconcile his past and uncover the truth behind the killings.  Created by filmmaker Dan Bush, The Mantawauk Caves is a riveting, immersive, binaural audio experience that weaves together the narrative threads of social drama, supernatural horror, and psychological thriller. A co-production of Blumhouse Television, iHeartPodcasts, and Psychopia Pictures. Starring Jonathan Tucker (Westworld) and Edi Gathegi (The Harder They Fall). Headphones recommended.

iHeartPodcasts


    • May 31, 2023 LATEST EPISODE
    • infrequent NEW EPISODES
    • 33m AVG DURATION
    • 15 EPISODES
    • 1 SEASONS

    Ivy Insights

    The Mantawauk Caves podcast is truly an exceptional listening experience. From the moment you start, you are immediately sucked into the world of Tennessee, with its authentic accents and captivating portrayal of the political and social climate that exists in some of the counties there. The suspense throughout each episode is top-tier, leaving you wanting more after every single one. The audio production, combined with the storytelling, creates an incredibly immersive experience that keeps you on the edge of your seat. It's a job well done!

    One of the best aspects of The Mantawauk Caves podcast is its ability to engage listeners from start to finish. The story is gripping and engaging, making it difficult to stop listening. Each episode builds upon the last, keeping you hooked and invested in the outcome. The talented voice actors bring depth and authenticity to their characters, making them compelling and relatable. Additionally, the use of Appalachian lore and social commentary adds another layer of intrigue to the overall narrative.

    While The Mantawauk Caves excels in many areas, one potential downside could be its reliance on a relatively predictable unreliable narrator trope. Some listeners may find it easy to anticipate certain outcomes before they are revealed by the protagonist. However, this does not detract significantly from the overall enjoyment of the podcast due to its immersive audio experience, talented voice acting, and captivating story.

    In conclusion, The Mantawauk Caves podcast is a must-listen for fans of suspenseful storytelling and atmospheric audio experiences. It effectively transports listeners into its world through excellent production quality and engrossing performances by its voice actors. While it may have some predictable elements in terms of storytelling tropes, it more than makes up for it with its immersion factor and intriguing exploration of elemental evil within Appalachia. I eagerly await a second season that delves deeper into this mythology showcased in Season 1!



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    Latest episodes from The Mantawauk Caves

    Episode 13: The Baptism

    Play Episode Listen Later May 31, 2023 41:17 Transcription Available


    Season Finale. James Fincher's gamble pays off for Dena and his nephew. Julien faces the truth and makes the ultimate sacrifice.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 12: The Goodbye Dress

    Play Episode Listen Later May 24, 2023 36:06 Transcription Available


    Description: Dena prepares for the worst. Julien's struggle to stop Fincher's execution takes a devastating turn.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 11: The Midnight Man

    Play Episode Listen Later May 17, 2023 44:43 Transcription Available


    Desperate to uncover the truth, Juien's investigation leads him a little too close to home, as old familial ties lead to shocking new discoveriesSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 10: A Message From Tyler (Part 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2023 27:23 Transcription Available


    Tyler's cryptic message continues. Julien learns what became of his friend and picks up a new trail.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 9: A Message From Tyler (Part 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2023 30:00 Transcription Available


    Fincher is offered a deal. Julien discovers a haunting message left for him by Tyler; is it the rant of a madman or a key to the truth? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 8: Wanting To Hurt Stuff

    Play Episode Listen Later May 3, 2023 30:58 Transcription Available


    Julien takes shelter at Dena's house. Dena gets a house call from an unlikely friend but struggles to protect her son from malevolent forces. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 7: The Deal

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 26, 2023 39:33 Transcription Available


    James Fincher's time on death row has been anything but routine. Julien receives a warning. Ominous forces are closing in, and time is running out to stop Fincher's execution.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 6: Nadine O'Leary

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2023 44:27 Transcription Available


    Julien struggles to connect the dots between the Hadley murders and the dark history of the caves. His investigation takes him back to the Fowler estate, where he meets unexpected visitors and discovers a new lead. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 5: The Necklace

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2023 39:24 Transcription Available


    A key piece of evidence turns up that could prove Fincher's innocence… or guilt. Tyler goes missing. Julien's nightmares intensify.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 4: A Delicate Balance

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2023 40:06 Transcription Available


    In order to get answers, and with only nine days left until Fincher's execution, Julien must come to terms with his past actions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 3: A History of the Devil

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 29, 2023 44:56 Transcription Available


    Despite the worsening nightmares and blackouts, Julien continues his investigation, connecting the dots between James Fincher's fascination with the Mantawauk Caves and their disturbing history. The true identity of James Fincher's nephew is revealed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 2: Devil's Prank

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2023 39:56 Transcription Available


    With the help of Jill Campbel, a mitigation specialist working on Fincher's case, Julien acquires logs from the Hadley brother's murder investigation and picks up a mysterious trail left by Detective Solomon Smith. He soon realizes he's up against more than he bargained for.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Episode 1: The Remains

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2023 41:26 Transcription Available


    Series Premiere. When Julien Solas receives word that James Fincher's execution date has been set, he returns to Mantawauk County after 14 years to reconcile his past and uncover the truth behind the killings of two teenage boys.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Special Release: The Mantawauk Caves Theme, “A Killer Inside” (EXTENDED VERSION) by Lera Lynn

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 22, 2023 5:51 Transcription Available


    Lera Lynn once again entices the listener into her dark, twisted indie rock world with her new composition “A Killer Inside,” The Mantawauk Caves anthem. With echoes of her work from True Detective, “A Killer Inside” seduces the listener to the macabre with its strikingly arranged strings, driving drums, and Lynn's signature electric guitar. Each spin of the song reveals new twists in melody and meaning.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    Introducing: The Mantawauk Caves

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 15, 2023 3:01 Transcription Available


    Julien Solas, an aspiring writer, returns home to save his friend, James Fincher, from a death sentence fourteen years after he was convicted for the gruesome murder of two teenage boys. As Julien digs into the past, uncovering dark truths about himself and his family, he must work through his own psychosis while trying to uncover the mystery behind what happened in the caves of Mantawauk County. Jonathan Tucker (Westworld) and Edi Gathegi (The Harder They Fall) star in this original, immersive audio experience that weaves together the narrative threads of social drama, supernatural horror, and psychological thriller.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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