This was an amazing and very eye-opening read - it is little wonder why so many have a deep distrust of the justice system, from the police all the way up to the top , and this book just opens that reasoning wide-open and leaves the reader just gobsmacked. This [justified] distrust and the miscarriage of justice discussed in this book is sickening and I spent much of it either supremely pissed off or bawling my head off, sometimes both at the same time [ugly angry crying is always such a good time. N O T]. What was done to these men [and many before them and I am sure many that are still fighting for the truth and their freedom] is criminal within itself and I really struggle with the idea that no one is ever really held accountable for the lives that they ruined in incarcerating these men with little to no evidence.

The author, Dan Slepian, is nothing short of an amazing human being and he deserves any accolades that he receives [his acknowledgments at the end really show just how grateful and humbled he has been by this whole experience and just how much it is still affecting him and how he continues to work with and for these men and others]; I admire him and his tenacity and unwillingness to give up on these men and their walk through a justice system that is against them and their continued walk to freedom and beyond.

This is a story that will shake you to your very core and will make you look at life completely differently and will leave you wondering just what you would do in this situation and what you can do to make a difference in this crazy world we live in. It is a brilliant book and I highly recommend it to anyone. This is truly a must-read book.

The author also narrates this book and does an excellent job - you can hear the real emotion in his voice and he tells [and relives] the stories of these men and their pursuit of true justice and that really adds to the story. The use of sound clips and of several of them men reading the letters they wrote to Mr. Slepian was also a fantastic addition and brought real depth and emotion to an already emotional story and it brought me to tears over and over again. Listening to this audiobook was the best way for me to experience this amazing book and if you are looking for a real emotional connection to the story, I highly recommend listening to the audiobook as well. Very well done!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Dan Slepian, Celadon Books and Macmillan Audio for providing the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.

This was an absolutely incredible, eye-opening, intense, powerful, and must-read book. I feel as though I have been incredibly naive about our justice system, and the stories that lie within this book can break your heart and increase your blood pressure all at the same time. "Innocent until proven guilty" is clearly not a true theme that has been ingrained in us. I hope and pray this book brings light and change to the broken system. Thank you, Mr. Slepian, for your drive and dedication.

Thank you to #Netgalley and #McMillanaudio for this ARC.

Dan Slepian’s "The Sing Sing Files" offers a powerful and emotional exploration of the serious flaws in the criminal justice system, with a focus on the heartbreaking issue of wrongful convictions. After receiving a tip from a detective about two innocent men in prison, Slepian embarks on a years-long investigation. Along the way, he uncovers not only their wrongful imprisonment but also four other cases of innocent men who were also unjustly jailed. Despite resistance from law enforcement, Slepian remains determined and ultimately secures their freedom.

This audiobook doesn’t just tell individual stories—it reveals a much larger problem. Some detectives and attorneys seem more concerned with closing cases quickly than seeking justice. This creates a sense of frustration and anger as the system’s deep flaws are laid bare. Slepian highlights the serious damage caused by poor investigations and systemic failures, urging readers to think about the real-world impact of these issues.

For anyone interested in criminal law, true crime, or the broader issues in our justice system, this audiobook is a must-listen. It uncovers the long and painful process of freeing innocent people while emphasizing the urgent need for reform. The emotional weight of these wrongful convictions is unmistakable, making it even more important to prevent such tragic mistakes in the future.

A huge thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the opportunity to listen to this advance copy of the audiobook.

My blood pressure was not prepared to listen to The Sing Sing Files by Dan Slepian. As a narrator, Dan brought authenticity and heart to the audio. Having each man read his letters and using audios recorded during the investigations made my heart crack over and over again. Our justice system desperately needs to be reformed and I thought The Sing Sing Files made a compelling case against the status quo. All the stars, this should be compulsory reading.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the gifted ALC.

An absolute must listen. The audiobook production was fantastic and this is such a powerful and important read. I think it prompts discourse and personal self reflections. Definitely for fans of Just Mercy. A fantastic listen:

Thank you for the ARC. I listened to the audio and appreciated that they included prisoner's voices in correspondence. The book is well researched and illuminates some of the most tragic results of the US judicial system. This book is only one example of why we need prison reform.

The author did a lot of research and offered non-bias observations. His commitment to uncovering the truth is admirable.

I loved this book. The author read it himself, which I think makes it more interesting. I love true crime so this book was a treat. You got a couple stories that read almost like one of those true crime podcasts. The book follows a few cases of wrongful conviction. You get to see just how this can happen to anyone under various circumstances. The book details just how hard and how long it takes to right the wrongs. I would definitely recommend to anyone who likes true crime.

The Sing Sing Files is not my typical genre but after seeing so many 5⭐ reviews for both the book and the audiobook I couldn't resist listening to it and it was really eye-opening. At first its style seems reminiscent of NBC's Dateline and other crime shows as it tells the true story of Dan Slepian, a Dateline producer who spent 20 years fighting for the freedom of 6 men who were wrongfully imprisoned. But the book goes much deeper into the lives and personalities of each of the men, whose stories are both heartbreaking and hopeful. By the end of the book I was in tears and really felt for these men, their strength and fortitude under extreme duress was incredible, and I was equally shocked at how horribly the American justice system failed them. Everyone who works in law enforcement should read this book!
The audiobook is read by the author and has excerpts read by some of the other men in the story, sound effects recorded in Sing Sing prison and other features that really bring their stories to life.

4.5
My thanks to Net Galley, Macmillian Audio and Celadon Books for an advanced copy of this audiobook.

My hurt is full and a bit heavy to be honest after reading this book. I thought there was only a random few innocent people in prison but the more I learn (Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson and The Sun Does Shine by Anthony Ray Hinton and now this book), I have to agree something should be done with our justice system.

One journalist (Dan Slepian with Dateline), six innocent men, and a twenty year fight for justice is told in this book by Dan Slepian. I highly recommend the audio narrated by the author with voices from those in his stories. Hearing their stories and the impact on them and their families is powerful, but hearing the injustice done to these men is frustrating and makes me angry. I do have to admire JJ Velazquez's admirable thoughts on his situation all through his over two decades of being wrongfully convicted - everything happens for a reason - and he took the time to fight for his case as well as many others who were innocent and wrongfully convicted. Slepian shares overwhelming evidence of their innocence as well as what he calls a system that is nearly impossible to get anyone out of jail.

I highly recommend this book on audio.

This is an eye-opening look at the criminal justice system in our country. Yes, there are some people rightly convicted and then there are those that have been wrongly convicted, targeted and coerced into some type of confession. NBC Dateline producer, Dan Slepian, learned of an innocent man behind bars serving someone else’s crime which led to an investigation spanning over several years and uncovering the truth of five other innocent men as well. This book is well written and so interesting. It was like watching a Dateline episode — you don’t want to stop until you discover the truth. I highly recommend it on audio as it is narrated by Dan Slepian himself.

Thank you @macmillan.audio for this copy! Please check this one out if you love nonfiction, true crime, Dateline, and want to be appalled by how some prosecutors and some detectives only want to finish cases without caring to find the real truth. It is truly an eye opening read!

Over the years, I've become a faithful Dateline viewer and listener. I listened to Dan Slepian's Dateline specials "13 Alibis" and "Letters from Sing Sing" several times. When I was approved for an audiobook copy, I thought it might be repetitive because I had already listened to the podcast episodes. This was far from that. It's hard to picture what it's like to live day by day without hope and with injustice. Listening to the cases/stories in the book, I became angry and sad. At times, I became teary-eyed thinking of the many people who are currently incarcerated for wrongful convictions. Dan's book shines a light on the issues that existed then and continues to be an issue today. In these cases, there was no impartial jury. There was no physical evidence for a conviction. There was no justice, in my opinion. Out of all the stories in this book, JJ Velazquez's story is the one that brings so much joy and sadness at the same time. Listening to JJ read his own letters and, at times, lose all hope was heartbreaking; however, he never wavered and continued to declare his innocence. I was astonished at his determination not only to get his freedom but also to help others along the way. Because of him, other cases were given a second look. It is true what they say: "Everything happens for a reason," even JJ himself says it. While 20-plus years is a long time to serve in prison for something he didn't do, some good came of it. This truly is a remarkable book, and it's one that I recommend everyone read.

A huge thanks to both @celadonbooks & @macmillan.audio #macaudio2024 for my #gifted copies. #partners

The Sing Sing Files
By Dan Slepian

⚖️ One Journalist, Six Innocent Men, and a Twenty-Year Fight for Justice

When I heard that investigative journalist and veteran NBC Dateline producer Dan Slepian had a new book coming out, I knew it was a must read for me! Slepian has worked tirelessly for the past twenty years helping victims of wrongful convictions fight to clear their names, and he lays it all out in The Sing Sing Files.

It all started in 2002, when Slepian was tipped off by a Bronx homicide detective that two men had been wrongfully imprisoned for a 1990 murder, serving sentences of twenty-five years to life. This information kickstarts an investigation that ultimately leads to the men's exoneration. Having made a name for himself among the incarcerated, Slepian went on to investigate even more cases, leading to a two-decade journey that uncovered unimaginable corruption and lack of accountability within the US criminal justice system. Slepian's storytelling is captivating, his investigative accounting is meticulous, and his empathy and care is apparent on every page.

Wrongful conviction stories are among the most tragic, inciting simultaneous feelings of rage and heartbreak. This book absolutely broke me, and made me so ashamed of our justice system.

🎧 The audiobook is narrated by the author himself, with parts read by the victims. The audiobook is really well done, and sounds a bit like a podcast (complete with music). That said, I was glad to have a print copy as well, because this is a detail-heavy book that covers multiple cases across twenty years, and I could see myself getting mixed up if I hadn't had the print copy to read along with the audio.

📌 For fans of Just Mercy, The Sun Does Shine, and Marked for Life.

📌 Available now!

If you're a fan of the true crime genre in general, you're more than well-aware of the prosecutorial side of justice. But this book was an absolutely eye-opening look at the unspoken dark side: what happens when those in power, whether mistakenly or purposely, are overly aggressive in prosecuting people? You see how easily mistakes are ignored and overlooked, and how easily those same mistakes are defended time after time after time.

With each new case that’s introduced, of yet another man wrongfully convicted despite clear evidence of his innocence (often coupled with police misconduct), I found myself re-horrified and re-shocked that something like this was allowed to happen. Which, to be fair: is the point of the entire book.

I was pulled into these men’s stories, and the injustices they faced at every turn. And by the end, I was so invested that I was actively sobbing while listening to the finale.

Slepian has mastered the art of storytelling, balancing these complex issues with engaging stories about his own career and experiences so that you're not overwhelmed by the dire facts. This talent for story was coupled with the use of real audio from his archives over the past 20+ years. While used sparingly, it was to great affect each time, and hearing the emotion in their voices humanized the men & women of this story to an absolutely heart-breaking degree.

I think anyone who lives in the US - regardless of their interest in true crime - should give this book a listen. It's hard hitting and will leave you thinking for days (potentially months, as I don't see myself forgetting this story anytime soon), but is so utterly important you simply cannot skip it.

And if you have the opportunity, I highly recommend the audiobook over the printed version! There is such a depth to it that I think would have been missed if I had simply read instead.

Wow! This was such a powerful read. I had no idea injustices like this could occur in this day and age. The stories were moving and infuriating, motivating me to care about those in prison and their families. This is one I'll recommend to any and every reader!

The audiobook was surprisingly easy to listen to- Dan Slepian did a fabulous job narrating.

The Sing Sing Files 🔍
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

True crime lovers, this one’s for you! 🎧📖 The Sing Sing Files by Dan Slepian dives deep into the justice system and how it can go tragically wrong. Slepian, a veteran NBC Dateline producer, spent decades investigating cases of men wrongfully convicted. His book explores what happens when pressure to solve a crime outweighs finding the truth—and how incredibly difficult it is for innocent people to prove their innocence.

Over 20 years and 6 men’s stories, Slepian uncovers the real, raw challenges of our justice system. No villains, no political agenda—just a look at how bureaucracy and bad circumstances can change lives forever.

I started listening to the audiobook on a road trip, and it had me hooked! 🎧 Read by the author himself, it kicks off with Dan’s early career in the 90s and really picks up with a shocking revelation about two men wrongly convicted of the Palladium Nightclub murders.

If you love true crime and want an insightful, gripping look at how our justice system can fail, this is a must-read! Check it out now—it’s available everywhere! 📚

an incredible account of a producer’s journey to help free 6 innocent men. I sobbed listening to this fantastic production featuring recordings of those affected. A must-read

This book is a compelling first person account of a journalist learning about and becoming involved in cases of wrongful convictions. Audiobook is an effective way to tell the story as it intersperses clips of victims reading their own letters

I hesitate to say this is a must-read but it certainly feels that way. Having listened to Serial when it first came out in the 2010s, I've had my eyes opened to wrongful imprisonment cases, including but not limited to police misconduct. From that perspective, this book was nothing new to me -- of course there are people wrongfully imprisoned today.

But I did really enjoy this book. I liked getting to know Dan and his relationships with the incarcerated men, and the work he did with them. It's as much a story about these men as it is about Dan's personal growth over the last 20 years or so. And I really vibed with that.

I think if you aren't steeped in the true crime world, this is an important read; it talks about wrongful convictions without being overly preachy. And since Dan is a well-known figure in certain circles, I think this has the potential to be a highly visible book.

I don't say a book is a "must read" very often, but I'll be adding this one to my top non-fiction recommendations when others ask for them. I highly recommend the audiobook in particular. The addition of the letters and other clips - especially the singing - in the different voices was excellent.

The book matches its description well. I don't find it necessary to repeat any of it. Do yourself a favor and stop reading my review and get a copy of this book!

Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

Author Dan Slepian narrated his debut novel and did an exceptional job of narrating The Sing Sing Files. I listened at 1.75x.

This book made me feel all the emotions from tragic, infuriating, depressing and eventually resiliency. Sing Sing Files is a masterpiece that read like a Dateline podcast with interview excerpts and other audio effects. If you enjoyed Just Mercy, make sure you don’t miss out on this one. It is a must read and will be one of my favorite audiobooks for 2024!