-
The First Wife: John Meehan's Reign of Terror
- By: Tonia Bales, Laura Richards, AYR Media
- Narrated by: Rachel Louise Snyder
- Podcast
Failed to add items
Add to basket failed.
Add to wishlist failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
-
Summary
-
Jul 12 20211 min
Failed to add items
Sorry, we are unable to add the item because your shopping cart is already at capacity.Add to basket failed.
Please try again laterAdd to wishlist failed.
Please try again laterRemove from wishlist failed.
Please try again laterAdding to library failed
Please try againFollow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
-
Jul 22 202137 mins
Failed to add items
Sorry, we are unable to add the item because your shopping cart is already at capacity.Add to basket failed.
Please try again laterAdd to wishlist failed.
Please try again laterRemove from wishlist failed.
Please try again laterAdding to library failed
Please try againFollow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
-
Jul 22 202115 mins
Failed to add items
Sorry, we are unable to add the item because your shopping cart is already at capacity.Add to basket failed.
Please try again laterAdd to wishlist failed.
Please try again laterRemove from wishlist failed.
Please try again laterAdding to library failed
Please try againFollow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
What listeners say about The First Wife: John Meehan's Reign of Terror
Average customer ratingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- John bell
- 22-09-23
very insightful but the bonus content is annoying
it's really interesting and insightful into manipulation. but the bonus content is awful. I gave up with it after the second episode
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Moxy
- 15-08-23
Terrible sound and interference
Although the sound copy was terrible and full of interference,the true life story was too good to not listen to it all. Definitely recommend to any true crime life fans. So glad he died in the end. I binge listened all in the same day.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Richard H
- 14-11-22
Really superb!
I’d listened to “Dirty John” aeons ago and suspected this might be merely some sort of pale spin-off. Not a bit of it: in fact I think The First Wife surpasses Dirty John both in terms of content and delivery. The quality of this podcast is greatly enhanced by the articulate, measured way in which his first wife Tonia tells her sorry tale. Despite the years of torment and harassment from Meehan, often in fear for her own life and those of her two daughters, this woman emerges calm and strong and deserves a medal for bravery!
Sandwiched between the narrative episodes are other, shorter pieces where an ex Scotland Yard detective (now ploughing her furrow in the US as some sort of psychological crime consultant) discusses Tonia’s latest input.. This is an ingenious editorial device as, not only does it help the listener untangle the dense web of lies, spite, cruelty and deviousness we’ve just heard about, but also seems to enable Tonia herself (also on air during these pieces) to name and understand the outrages perpetrated against her. Without descending into psychobabble!
Meehan’s catalogue of evil beggars belief and the podcast makes clear how “relatively minor” infractions can escalate over time into full-blown psychopathy. With her dogged courage and insistence he be made accountable for his wrongs Tonia possibly put herself more than necessarily at risk, though her native intelligence did make sure she either escaped, hid or sought protection at critical moments. As she herself explains at one point, she was a nice middle-class Catholic girl from a loving family who, when she met that toe-rag, had scarcely heard certain words let alone witnessed certain behaviours, and it took her a while to get used to someone whose common currency was lies, deception, revenge and, basically, any other wicked human characteristic you care to throw into the mix. It’s totally plausible that her first reaction would have been disbelief and shock. The humans on her planet simply didn’t behave like that! Making the way she outmanoeuvred Meehan all the more to her credit. The triumph of intelligence and simple goodness over a seriously dangerous evil!
A gripping story - and a useful one if it gets people thinking how psychopaths evolve.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Lorraine Lynch
- 12-08-21
dirty John
The story mimics a lot of my life, and after 17 years of violent marriage, two daughters, 18 years divorced, 10 years through the courts to keep my youngest daughter safe as he wanted full custody, numerous protection orders all of which he broke. He is still trying to cause us pain and terror. There is something about the narcissistic psychopath that makes them try to inflict more terror . I really found this podcast very informative. Anyone listening should take note of the details of this type and if any of it rings a bell, then I implore you to seek refuge and advice. They do not change. I'm going to re listen as we are yet again being drawn into his focus.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
6 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- James
- 08-09-21
Shocking
An horrendous and mind blowing account of one mans behaviour on his own family and anyone who was susceptible to his behaviours. Tonia and her daughters are amazing to have been able to survive and recount his terror towards them and women in general. 10 out of 10 to Laura Richards. Again. Check out her other podcasts.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Kemi Woods
- 11-08-21
Tonia is such an amazing example!
I think this is a story that all women should read or listen to. Thank you Tonia for sharing your story!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
3 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Mrs B
- 30-08-21
Amazing story, amazing people
Fabulous real time telling of the notorious Mr Meehan by the people closest to him. What a twisted man. Absolutely fascinating and mesmerising retelling of the story by the amazing people who were part of his life and time. Loved it.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Brenda Clark
- 28-11-22
Insightful and interesting
This podcast is a must for all women and men who want to stand against domestic violence and coercive control. The brave women who stood up to this man to defend themselves and their children are impressive and we all should listen to their stories.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Rheanna Gibson
- 01-09-21
enjoyed it
found it very interesting along with the dirty John series. the bonus episodes were and great insight.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- KichiKichi
- 06-01-22
Educating about Coercive + Abusive Relationships!!
Stories like Dirty John are so outlandish and bizzare one can proudly assume they'd never be so stupid to fall for similar tricks, but unfortunately many do cause it starts off so subtlety.
I really applaud the inclusion of the Bonus episodes that accompanied each episode featuring the Criminal Behavioural Expert Laura analysing and explaining John's coercion and control of Tonia in each episode.
Laura's analysis bought everything close to home by using the story to highlight the traits of abusive partners , how they select and groom their victims (right from the first meeting!), why abusers do what they do and so much more.
Having been with someone with similarly antisocial qualities (but not to the same extent as John thankfully), this podcast was terrifying but strangely reaffirming in recognising the coercion, emotional abuse, lies, gaslighting and control I also experienced. It has taught me what behaviours to look out for to protect myself in the future.
Even if you don't listen to the main story, I recommend the Bonus Episodes to all survivors and those looking to help and protect 100%
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!