<b>One of 2024's Must Reads</b>

No matter what I write, it won't do this book justice. It's all of the heart-'s: heartbreaking, heartwarming, heart wrenching.

It came as no surprise that the audiobook was extremely well done, I couldn't expect anything less from Dan Slepian. The inclusion of real audio was a great touch; hearing the pleading cries and powerful letters read first hand lends something to this story that isn't possible with a print copy. I'd highly recommend the audiobook vs the print version, but either way reading this is a must.

Now bear with me on this one... As I was finishing up this book, I happened to pick up Bad Lawyer: A Memoir of Law and Disorder by Anna Dorn and start reading. The overlap in content is *chef's kiss*. Anna's writing isn't for everyone (is this the understatement of the century?) and some of the book <i>is</i> more about Anna than the justice system. But the transparency and veracity is unlike any other book I've read on the subject. For my litfic girlies, it was a great bridge between the two genres and a palate cleanser when I needed a laugh (this book is HEAVY (which feels stupid to say because what's heavier than actually being the person wrongfully convicted? wah, poor me is sad just reading about it)).

I'll be thinking about this book and the people in it for a long, long time. Hopefully forever.

{Thank you bunches to NetGalley, Dan Slepian and publisher for the ALC in exchange for my honest review!}

The Sing Sing Files is written by Dan Slepian, a journalist for NBC's Dateline, who became involved in investigating one man's case of potential actual innocence. This led him to numerous other cases within the New York prison Sing Sing. This book had me hooked almost immediately, and I absolutely loved it.

This book is along the lines of Bryan Stevenson's Just Mercy, but with less of the legal angle. Slepian investigate the cases and sometimes makes a Dateline episode about the cases, but in general the legal side of these cases are given to attorneys. Therefore, this book is extremely light on that aspect, and the reader is not given the best insight into just how difficult it is to overturn someone's conviction or get them a new trial. Despite that, this book shines a light into the outrageous police misconduct in this country. An important thing of note is that Sing Sing is in the 'progressive' state of New York, as opposed to Alabama and other Southern states that Stevenson's work focuses in. I think this is incredibly important because it reminds Americans that wrongful conditions and injustices are not a red state issue, but an issue everywhere.

The audiobook is absolutely fantastic and is 100% the method you should be reading this book. The author has some of the formerly incarcerated men he discusses read the letters they wrote, and he includes recordings from some important moments that he was present (with a camera) for. While I may get this for my shelf one day, this is absolutely an audio-must.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review!

One man’s journey to free and innocent men. He spent 20 years recounting evidence, witnesses and others to get men freed. Compelling. Heartbreaking and justice for a few. Dan Stephan’s is a veteran of NBC Dateline and his experience helped investigate the mistakes made in the case.

Be a juror is a civic duty, and you must listen to testimony. Sadly we know many eye witness accounts are not 100%.

Thank you Celadon for the advanced copy. I also had an audio narrated by the author and some actual audio from the investigation.