The Ryan Green True Crime Collection, Volume 9

I’ll admit, I approached *Volume 9* with the usual true-crime fatigue—how many more monsters can one stomach? But Green’s selection here feels *curated*, not just compiled. The standout is the case of the ‘Smiley Face Killer’ theory (yes, it’s in here), where Green doesn’t just rehash the urban legend but picks apart the investigative chaos that let a potential serial predator slip through the cracks. White’s narration shines in these moments; his voice drops to a near-whisper during victim impact statements, forcing you to lean in, then snaps into crisp detachment for forensic details. It’s a masterclass in audio pacing. That said, this isn’t a flawless listen. The segment on a 19th-century poisoner drags—Green’s historical deep dives can feel like a textbook detour when you’re craving the visceral punch of modern cases. And while White’s gravitas suits the darker material, his delivery occasionally flattens during legal procedural sections, making already dense timelines harder to follow. Still, the audio production elevates the experience: the way a phone call cuts to static mid-sentence, or a door slams in the background during a reconstruction, adds layers most true-crime audiobooks skip. If you’re tired of true crime that romanticizes killers or rushes to easy explanations, this collection’s unblinking focus on *systems*—failed marriages, corrupt cops, societal blind spots—makes it essential. Just don’t start it before bed.