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Blood Territory

By: Mark Whittaker
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  • Summary

  • Please note: this series contains mature themes and graphic imagery; and listener discretion is advised.

    How far would you go to clear the name of the man convicted of your son's death?

    Red blood stains the red soil of the Australian Northern Territory in this true crime Audible Original Podcast, Blood Territory.

    Less than 250,000 people live in the Northern Territory, an area more than twice the size of Texas. If you want to escape from civilisation, you don't have to go far. But you can't outrun the heat. Every year during October and November the sweltering climate can drive people wild; they call it 'Suicide Season', 'Mango Madness' or, more plainly, 'The Build-up'.

    It's during this blistering heat that Jim O'Connell's body is found in a creek bed, mummified and with his genitals removed. But when a dubious plea deal buries the truth and puts Jim's best mate, Philip Mather, behind bars for the crime, the victim's parents seek to unravel it themselves to prove Philip's innocence.

    Follow journalist Mark Whittaker's journey into the murky heart of the Northern Territory as allegations of police corruption and judicial racism emerge and a shadowy figure known as The Vigilante lurks on the fringe of the investigation.

    This is an Audible Original Podcast. Free for members. You can download all 10 episodes to your Library now.
    ©2019 Audible Australia Pty Ltd. (P)2019 Audible Australia Pty Ltd.
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Murder
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Episodes
  • Ep. 1: Trudy's Story

    Ep. 1: Trudy's Story

     The Death of Jimmy O'Connell
    Aug 18 2019

    In November 2007, Philip Mather was arrested on suspicion of luring his good mate, 22-year old Jimmy O’Connell, out into the Northern Territory bush, punching and stomping him into unconsciousness, before setting fire to Jimmy’s car... with Jimmy in it. But did he do it? Jimmy’s parents don’t think so. Journalist Mark Whittaker investigates.
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    26 mins
    Free with 30-day trial
  • Ep. 2: Meeting a Dangerous Man... Maybe

    Ep. 2: Meeting a Dangerous Man... Maybe

     The Death of Jimmy O'Connell
    Aug 18 2019

    After 11 years in prison, Philip Mather insists he is not responsible for the death of his friend Jimmy O’Connell. Journalist Mark Whittaker tracks him down to sit face-to-face with a man convicted of a brutal killing.
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    21 mins
    Free with 30-day trial
  • Ep. 3: Jimmy's Last Day

    Ep. 3: Jimmy's Last Day

     The Death of Jimmy O'Connell
    Aug 18 2019

    Two best mates who see each other every day suddenly start hurling abuse at each other in a supermarket - and then one of them goes missing. Could Jimmy O’Connell’s last day tell us anything about what happened to him?
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    22 mins
    Free with 30-day trial

What listeners say about Blood Territory

Average Customer Ratings
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  • 4.5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
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    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for PotsnPans

First Podcast...Success!

First time listening to a podcast but it was free and with what I've been spending on Audible lately thought it would kill some hours on the drive. First episode, first 5 mins and thought well I've tried it back to my next book. End of episode 1 and I was intrigued. So told myself just on the city part of my drive. By episode 5 I was sure he deserved it. By episode 6 I thought he was guilty. By episode 9 I was thinking the police got it wrong. Like a great page turned I couldn't switch it off and this is testament to the wonderful narration, very clever storytelling and I really loved the production elements throughout. It was like listening to a great soundtrack. Maybe this is what all podcasts are like - I look forward to finding out. A great murder mystery with lots of twists and turns to keep you hooked. Well done!

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36 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for Oliver

Recommended

Watch what you say up North. A "Deadly" good story about revenge. I found this a well produced investigation.

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4 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for Anonymous User

Great listen.

I enjoyed this podcast. It was honest and the story was told well. Very sad.

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1 person found this helpful

  • Overall
    4 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for Anonymous User

Compelling and Intriguing, until Episode 10

A compelling and entertaining true crime podcast, right up until Australian journalist Mark Whittaker drops the ball in Episode 10.
It is difficult to fathom why Mr. Whittaker - in the eleventh hour - decides to pick up the baton and play judge, jury and executioner.
It was a really disappointing ending to a tragic story that had already been well researched by the original journalist, Greg Mclean.
Unbelievable.
Stick to your day job Mark.

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Profile Image for Carol Welsh

Fascinating search for justice.

Really enjoyed this. Was well made and written. Makes me realise how difficult it is to investigate crimes... as all sorts of surprises keep worming out of the woodwork. Recommend! Thank you Audible.au

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Profile Image for Kindle Customer

Exceptional

Very engaging. Loved all the different voices and sound effects. I was drawn in and hooked. I have found a new favourite genre, author and narrator. Hoping one day a 2nd series with the truth comes out.

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Profile Image for Michael Sigley

Fascinating Journey

This podcast was a fascinating journey into the complexities of human relationships.
It shows very clearly how delicate the threads are that keep us all together.

So many lives have been permanently damaged through this tragic event.

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Profile Image for Alan Dunbar

Just wanted to keep listening till it was finished

really enjoyed listening to this podcast. narrative was so easy to listen to. compelling

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    3 out of 5 stars
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Profile Image for craig oliver

OK but anticlimactic, didn't live up the hype.

OK but anticlimactic, didn't really live up the hype. Still a few loose ends like the friend who didn't want to talk.

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Profile Image for Kindle Customer

An Eye Opener From A Different Perspective

I lived less than 5 minutes drive from the murder scene. There are some eerily accurate theories put forward by the author but quite a few pieces of information he missed. Not due to lack of investigation but more to do with talking with the right people at the right time.

Officer X is known to me. There are some very good reasons why he's no longer serving in the NT Police force. I'm not on friendly terms with him. Despite the author's conclusion that police were likely incapable of committing such acts, I wholeheartedly beg to differ.

Regardless, this series was a thoroughly enjoyable listen. Highly recommended. If the author wishes to reach out, I'm more than willing to talk anonymously.

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8 people found this helpful

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.