Midnight Son Audiobook By James Dommek Jr., Josephine Holtzman, Isaac Kestenbaum cover art

Midnight Son

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Midnight Son

By: James Dommek Jr., Josephine Holtzman, Isaac Kestenbaum
Narrated by: James Dommek Jr.
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James Dommek, Jr., an Alaska Native writer and musician, sheds new light on a real-life mystery that pits Native American folklore against the US justice system. In the vast Alaskan Arctic, legend has it there once lived a mythic tribe—Iñukuns—that only existed in rumors and whispers. This changed forever when an actor-turned-fugitive, Teddy Kyle Smith, had an encounter that brought Iñukuns from myth to reality. Smith was an aspiring actor with a promising career until it all came quickly crashing down with a gunshot, a manhunt, bloodshed, and other frightful events.

The story of Smith’s tragic downfall has long haunted James Dommek, Jr., the great-grandson of the last of the Iñupiaq story-tellers. Midnight Son is his journey in discovering who Teddy Kyle Smith was, what he did, and what he really saw. Along the way, listeners will experience the soul of the real Alaska as narrator Dommek, Jr. brings this multilayered and sprawling tale to life.

Please Note: Midnight Son contains adult language and violent themes. Discretion is advised.

©2019 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2019 Audible Originals, LLC. Indigenous Creators True Crime Alaska Celebrity Scary Funny Nonfiction Crime

Our favorite moments from Midnight Son

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Just a mama’s boy
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The movie audition
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He’s holding a gun.
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Looks more like a house than a cabin.
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  • Midnight Son
  • Just a mama’s boy
  • Midnight Son
  • The movie audition
  • Midnight Son
  • He’s holding a gun.
  • Midnight Son
  • Looks more like a house than a cabin.
James Dommek, Jr.
Josephine Holtzman
Isaac Kestenbaum

About the Creator and Performer

James Dommek, Jr. is an Alaska Native musician and audio producer. He has played drums with Alaskan bands The Whipsaws, Pamyua, Meg Mackey Band, and Medium Build, as well as Tim Easton. He is a member of the Iñupiaq tribe and the great-grandson of one of the last Iñupiaq story-tellers, Palangun. James has worked in film and audio production for over a decade. In 2013, he scored an Emmy award-winning documentary. He also composed the soundtrack to Frontiers of Change, an award-winning audio art walk in downtown Anchorage that focused on climate change. Additionally, he co-created (with Anchorage public radio) "The RIVR" (Rising Indigenous Voices Radio), an international online radio station that provides a platform for Alaska Native and American Indian singers, songwriters, and musicians.

James resides in Anchorage, Alaska where he and his girlfriend, Kelsey, focus on raising their four kids, rooted in Alaska Native culture, foods, and traditions. He enjoys subsistence hunting, fishing, and the Alaskan way of life.

About the Creator

Josephine Holtzman is an audio documentarian, podcast producer, and multimedia artist. Her work includes an award-winning multimedia piece about the effects of climate change on Alaska's rural indigenous communities, and a multi-platform project exploring the modern-day impacts of treaties on Native American communities in the US (with NPR's Storylab and the Pulitzer Center). Josephine also hosted an interactive podcast about miscarriage for The Guardian US. With Isaac Kestenbaum, she runs the production company, Future Projects Media. Josephine lives in Portland, Maine with her husband and son.

About the Creator

Isaac Kestenbaum is an independent audio producer and journalist. He was previously the production manager at StoryCorps. He has also worked as a commercial lobsterman, a farmer, and a robotics instructor. He is the recipient of a Peabody Award and an Alaska Broadcasters Association "Goldie" Award, among other honors. Kestenbaum lives in Portland, Maine.

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Authentic Storytelling • Cultural Immersion • Authentic Narration Style • Immersive Production • Unique Perspective
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When I chose to list to this book, I thought it was going to be a true crime story. After some time listening, it started to sound like it may have a political or possibly a religious message embedded as well. As the end was approaching, I began to wonder if the writer knew any more about what this story was supposed to be than I did. After finishing this story, I believe I was satisfying mislead, and also slightly disappointed with the lack of direction.

Personal Revelation? Finding One's Self?

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If you want insight to the lives of Alaskan natives above the Arctic Circle, you’ve found the perfect vehicle. The amazing story of a man whose dreams took him to Hollywood but whose demons brought him home to stay. The writer/narrator tells an intriguing story that recounts the crimes committed and the possible connection to a mythical lost race.

Alaska up close and personal

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This story is real and told with total authenticity by the author. Loved it.

more like this...

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This author writes a true story about one of his fellow tribe members and the experience he had with white man's law in combination with a mostly mystical and very elusive Alaskan tribe. Personally, I could have done with far fewer F-Bombs, but it is probably a realistic representation of how these folks talk. I recommend this book.

Very credible insight into a little known culture.

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loved story about the grandeur, mystery and beauty of Alaska
I highly recommend. wonderful narration

fabulous tale, well told

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I visited Alaska in June 2019. One of my favorite parts was a visit to the Alaska Native Heritage Center. I learned so much in a few hours. This story was another learning experience about culture and about the story we all live to tell. Thanks

Being part of the story

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Interesting story. I appreciated that the author made himself part of the experience by explaining his personal connections with the people involved, but he went off on an odd tangent at the end in what I assume was an attempt to conclude a somewhat anticlimactic journey.

Good (until the last 10 mins)

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this review requires 15 words.... six seven eight nine ten eleven twelve thirteen fourteen fifteen.

A glimpse into life and lore of a Native Alaskan.

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What a great way to learn about the Inuit people in today’s world! The sometimes brutal language used led credence to the story. I enjoyed listening to James Dommek Jr. as he wove his narrative around Teddy Smith’s tragic life. His rich accent was a pleasure to hear as helped bring to life the story. What an excellent choice to use your own voice! #AwesomeNarration #Nonfiction #Inuit #Folktale #ShortStory

Great Story. Awesome Narration

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Terrible non informative. Not interesting pointless story. I lived in Alaska for 3 years in the Navy so I felt it would be interesting. NOT!
Lots of dead air space for dramatic pause reasons I suppose. Sucks
Glad it was free

Don’t waste your time

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