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The Riddle of Emmon Bodfish cover art

The Riddle of Emmon Bodfish

By: Paul Holes, Peter McDonnell, Josh Sanburn
Narrated by: Paul Holes, Jim Clemente
Free with 30-day trial

$16.45/month after 30 days. Cancel anytime.

  • Summary

  • The amazing true story of a mysterious murder.

    In 1999, Emmon Bodfish was murdered in his home in the wealthy enclave of Orinda, California, just east of San Francisco. For the young crime scene analyst Paul Holes, it quickly became the most bizarre and surprising case of his storied career.

    It was immediately clear how Emmon had died: by being hit over the head with a heavy object. What wasn’t clear was who did it and why. Each clue was like a doorway to an expanding labyrinth of leads—leads involving pagan ceremonies, stolen artwork, a mysterious disease, an elusive shoe pattern, entomology, a blue demon, a family inheritance, an enigmatic child, a struggle for identity, and passages written in a secret language throughout two decades of Emmon’s diaries.

    No matter how deep Paul went into the tunnels of the mystery, the shapeshifting shadow of Emmon’s antagonist stayed just out of reach. Paul had never faced anything like it. He became obsessed with solving it. For himself, and for Emmon.
    ©2021 Audible Originals, LLC (P)2021 Audible Originals, LLC
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Episodes
  • Episode 1: The Riddle

    Episode 1: The Riddle
    May 13 2021
    When crime scene analyst Paul Holes begins investigating a man’s homicide that took place in a surprising location, each clue he uncovers adds to a strange and confounding mystery that will become the most unusual case of his career.
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    20 mins
    Free with 30-day trial
  • Episode 2: The House

    Episode 2: The House
    May 13 2021
    For three days, Paul forensically investigates the odd and intricate crime scene puzzle at Emmon Bodfish’s house, while Detective Mike Hubbard discovers that Emmon’s closest family member is missing.
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    16 mins
    Free with 30-day trial
  • Episode 3: Gold

    Episode 3: Gold
    May 13 2021
    Paul believes he can figure out what day Emmon was killed, but he’ll need a specialist’s help. Then, as Paul examines the potential murder weapon left behind at the crime scene, Emmon’s attorney calls to say there’s something hidden at the house.
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    16 mins
    Free with 30-day trial
Murder
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What listeners say about The Riddle of Emmon Bodfish

Average Customer Ratings
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Profile Image for Anonymous User

very intriguing story

interesting story tools from the genuine perspectives off this investigating. if this was fiction you would not believe it

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for Anonymous User

Kept me hooked!

Very sad story. Filled with twists and turns and learnt a few things along the way too! Fascinating and kept me hooked right through.

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  • Overall
    3 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for ELL
  • ELL
  • 28-06-2021

well produced but underwhelming storyline

Well produced. Overall the storyline was disappointing and seemed to dwell on the facts that this was a tale of a person who was transgender and followed a pagan religion even though these things didn't really contribute much to solving the crime.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for Jo
  • Jo
  • 07-03-2023

Unusual but true

Enjoyed the investigative process to this impossible and unimaginable story.
Love Paul Holes and Jim Clemente together.

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    3 out of 5 stars
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    4 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for Kindle Customer

Book title well chosen

Theme did not resonate with me.

I found the slow progress frustrating. Description of the detective process was interesting enough.

Well narrated.

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Profile Image for Dandeleo

bizarre

bizarre but true, with so many twists and turns, but ultimately a satisfying resolution. probably.

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    1 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for Carol F.

Awful!

I love listening and learning from Jim Clemente, so was really looking forward to this.
However, the story dragged on and on, going nowhere.
Paul Holes is very boring to listen to.
Disappointed

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Profile Image for Brad

Unnecessary story

once the crime has been detailed just turn it off. The rest is speculation

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Profile Image for Gina L Sanderson

Don't expect a resolution. Disappointing.

I kind of hung in there to see how it was solved. I'm left hanging.

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1 person found this helpful

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    2 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Anonymous User

No conclusion!

Annoyingly long-winded with no satisfactory conclusion. It had promise but didn't deliver. I lost interest.

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.