Blowback by Margaret Roberts is a compelling and deeply investigative look into a bombing that once made headlines—and continues to raise questions years later. This gripping nonfiction work pulls readers beyond the initial news reports, offering layers of context, theories, and revelations that paint a far more complex picture than what the public first saw.

Roberts excels at presenting multiple perspectives, exploring the lingering uncertainty and ongoing discoveries surrounding the case. The narrative is richly detailed and thought-provoking, inviting readers to re-examine what they thought they knew while considering the broader implications of power, truth, and accountability.

This isn’t just a retelling—it’s an exploration of the ripple effects of a single violent event and the long shadow it casts. Blowback is a smart, in-depth read that challenges assumptions and keeps the mind engaged from start to finish. A must-read for true crime enthusiasts and investigative nonfiction fans alike.

Excellent and gripping! With fresh evidence and a scrupulous investigation, Roberts challenges the current narrative that there weren't more individuals involved in the Oklahoma City bombing. The high-quality writing paired with a compelling narrative hooks readers immediately. I found the content to be very informative and well researched. I thought the narrator did a fantastic job. I thought her inflection could have been a little better, but she spoke very clearly and was easy to understand.

If you think you know the story about what happened with the Oklahoma City Bombing, think again.

Margaret Roberts is the former news director of America's Most Wanted. She goes through the Oklahoma City Bombing in 1995 with a fine toothed comb to discover what the truth might actually be. The book is a deep dive into the investigation, or the lack of investigation, into the evidence surrounding the tragedy. It draws on news stories, court documents, witness accounts, whistleblowers, and prison interviews. It's a must read for true crime aficianados.

This isn't the first book I've read about the Oklahoma City Bombing. It is, however, the deep dive that I was looking for. It addresses so many questions while raising more of its own. Why did the FBI abandon their pursuant of John Doe 2? How were three prison deaths covered up? Why were FBI informants ignored? Who else was involved in the plot? I hope one day we get the truth about everything, and Margaret Roberts might be the person who finally makes that happen.

Release: July 22, 2025
Author: Margaret Robert's
Publisher: Tantor Audio

Rating : 4 ⭐

Blowback reexamines the Oklahoma City bombing of 1995, one of the deadliest domestic terrorist attacks in U.S. history. Officially, the tragedy was blamed on Timothy McVeigh acting alone. But investigative journalist Margaret Roberts isn’t convinced the full truth has ever come out.
Digging into long-buried evidence and eyewitness accounts, Roberts questions how the government could ignore the existence of a second suspect—“John Doe 2”—seen by multiple witnesses riding with McVeigh in the truck. The FBI eventually dismissed those accounts, claiming the witnesses were mistaken, and dropped the search.
But Roberts isn’t buying it. As she digs deeper—through interviews, including exclusive conversations with McVeigh’s co-conspirator Terry Nichols—she uncovers chilling possibilities of a broader conspiracy involving neo-Nazis and even a hidden FBI connection. With the 30th anniversary of the bombing approaching, Roberts races to expose what may be a dangerous cover-up that still casts a shadow today.

About Blowback by Margaret Roberts

* Investigative journalist Margaret Roberts—former news director of America’s Most Wanted—reopens the case surrounding the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing.
* The book challenges the long-held belief that Timothy McVeigh acted alone, arguing instead that a neo-Nazi conspiracy was at play and that the FBI may have concealed crucial evidence.
* Roberts uncovers:
* Eyewitness testimony from over 20 people who reported seeing “John Doe 2” alongside McVeigh—testimonies later dismissed by the FBI.
* Prison interviews with McVeigh’s co-conspirator Terry Nichols and sealed FBI surveillance footage.
* Revelations from an FBI whistleblower suggesting a deliberate cover‑up.

Key Claims and Revelations

The Existence of John Doe 2
* Multiple witnesses identified a second person with McVeigh during the bombing. The FBI later declared all sightings were mistaken.
* Suspect Michael Brescia, affiliated with the Aryan Republican Army, resembled the sketch of John Doe 2 but was released after investigators found “no involvement”.

FBI & ATF Failures
* The ATF reportedly closed a key informant operation in early 1995, missing opportunities to prevent the attack.
* Internal FBI reluctance to fully investigate right-wing extremists hampered efforts.

Neo-Nazi and Aryan Republican Army Links
* Evidence suggests McVeigh had ties to white supremacist groups like Elohim City and potentially the Aryan Republican Army, which may have helped fund or facilitate the bombing.
* Reports indicate FBI withheld documents linking ARA members to blasting caps similar to those used—raising questions about the official lone-wolf narrative.

Alleged Surveillance and Whistleblower Revelations
* Roberts secured interviews and insider testimony supporting claims of an FBI cover-up and the existence of hidden surveillance video.

Debate Over Wider Conspiracy
* Critics and some survivors argue McVeigh did not act alone; families and former agents have called for independent investigations.

Historical Context & Broader Impact

* The Oklahoma City bombing remains the deadliest instance of domestic terrorism in U.S. history, killing 168 people and injuring hundreds.
* In the 1990s, extremist right-wing militias were under-investigated by the FBI, with some informant operations shut down prematurely.
* Post-bombing, the FBI expanded its domestic terrorism focus, but today it grapples with evolving threats from white supremacists and online radicalization.

Why Blowback Matters

* It challenges the long-accepted narrative of a lone-wolf attack, offering evidence of potential wider conspiracies.
* Roberts’s work underscores possible institutional suppression of evidence, raising urgent questions about justice for victims.
* With the 30th anniversary of the bombing just passed, the book reignites calls for a full-scale investigation.