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The Trial of Patty Hearst: The Captive Mind
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Expected 17 Jul 2666 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 17, 2026
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May 31, 2026I received this audiobook through NetGalley.
The Trial of Patty Hearst: The Captive Mind is the third installment I’ve listened to in this quick true crime series, and I’m really enjoying the series.
This case was really interesting because both sides were compelling. Was Patty truly in it, or was there more going on? I kept going back and forth while listening, which made it even more engaging. It’s not a case that feels simple, and that is what makes it stand out.
I love documentaries, and the full cast narration gives this that same kind of courtroom-documentary feel. It really does make you feel like you’re sitting there listening to the testimony, trying to decide who you believe and where you stand.
The audio format works really well for this series. The full cast helps separate the different voices and perspectives, and the pacing keeps it simple and quick without feeling rushed.
Overall, this was another strong listen in the series. I’d recommend it to listeners who enjoy true crime, courtroom cases, historical trials, documentary-style storytelling, and full cast narration.
The Trial of Patty Hearst: The Captive Mind is the third installment I’ve listened to in this quick true crime series, and I’m really enjoying the series.
This case was really interesting because both sides were compelling. Was Patty truly in it, or was there more going on? I kept going back and forth while listening, which made it even more engaging. It’s not a case that feels simple, and that is what makes it stand out.
I love documentaries, and the full cast narration gives this that same kind of courtroom-documentary feel. It really does make you feel like you’re sitting there listening to the testimony, trying to decide who you believe and where you stand.
The audio format works really well for this series. The full cast helps separate the different voices and perspectives, and the pacing keeps it simple and quick without feeling rushed.
Overall, this was another strong listen in the series. I’d recommend it to listeners who enjoy true crime, courtroom cases, historical trials, documentary-style storytelling, and full cast narration.
May 30, 2026
Thank you Classic Crime and NetGalley for the audio ARC
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
As a true crime fan, I absolutely loved The Trial of Patty Hearst: The Captive Mind by Celine Fitzgerald. This audiobook is a dramatized version of the courtroom recordings from Patty Hearst’s trial, and it was such a fascinating listening experience.
The narration was excellent and really brought the courtroom proceedings to life. The dramatized format made it feel immersive and engaging, almost like I was sitting in the courtroom myself. Even though I was familiar with the case, hearing the testimony and arguments presented this way gave me a whole new perspective on the story.
If you’re interested in true crime, courtroom dramas, or historical cases that still spark debate today, I highly recommend this audiobook. It was informative, captivating, and one of those listens that stayed with me long after it ends.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
As a true crime fan, I absolutely loved The Trial of Patty Hearst: The Captive Mind by Celine Fitzgerald. This audiobook is a dramatized version of the courtroom recordings from Patty Hearst’s trial, and it was such a fascinating listening experience.
The narration was excellent and really brought the courtroom proceedings to life. The dramatized format made it feel immersive and engaging, almost like I was sitting in the courtroom myself. Even though I was familiar with the case, hearing the testimony and arguments presented this way gave me a whole new perspective on the story.
If you’re interested in true crime, courtroom dramas, or historical cases that still spark debate today, I highly recommend this audiobook. It was informative, captivating, and one of those listens that stayed with me long after it ends.
June 5, 2026
Thank you to NetGalley for an early listening copy of this audiobook. I have heard about the Party Hearst case growing up. This full cast audiobook felt like I was in the courtroom listening to the trial as it was happening in real time. I almost forgot that it was a dramatization of court transcripts from over 50 years ago.
June 3, 2026
Céline Fitzmaurice’s The Trial of Patty Hearst: The Captive Mind is a compelling and psychologically rich exploration of one of the most complex criminal cases in modern American history. As an audiobook, it adds an extra layer of immersion, drawing listeners into the courtroom drama and the unsettling questions surrounding coercion, identity, and free will.
I especially enjoy audiobooks with a full cast, and this one did not disappoint. It was incredibly engaging—more like a 90-minute production than a traditional audiobook, with the feel of a well-paced movie.
Fitzmaurice does an excellent job unpacking the legal strategies and cultural tensions that defined the trial, particularly the debate over whether Hearst was a willing participant or a victim of psychological manipulation. The narrative leans into the concept of “captivity” and how prolonged trauma can reshape perception and behavior, making it both thought-provoking and immersive.
The pacing works well for the format, though at times the legal depth can feel a bit dense. Still, the performance and structure keep it accessible and entertaining throughout.
I will definitely be looking up the rest of the stories in this series to enjoy. Overall, this is a solid 4-star listen that balances insight with entertainment.
Thank you to Classic Crime, Trials of the Century Audiobooks and NetGalley for for gifting me this ALC. As always, this review contains my candid thoughts and opinions.
I especially enjoy audiobooks with a full cast, and this one did not disappoint. It was incredibly engaging—more like a 90-minute production than a traditional audiobook, with the feel of a well-paced movie.
Fitzmaurice does an excellent job unpacking the legal strategies and cultural tensions that defined the trial, particularly the debate over whether Hearst was a willing participant or a victim of psychological manipulation. The narrative leans into the concept of “captivity” and how prolonged trauma can reshape perception and behavior, making it both thought-provoking and immersive.
The pacing works well for the format, though at times the legal depth can feel a bit dense. Still, the performance and structure keep it accessible and entertaining throughout.
I will definitely be looking up the rest of the stories in this series to enjoy. Overall, this is a solid 4-star listen that balances insight with entertainment.
Thank you to Classic Crime, Trials of the Century Audiobooks and NetGalley for for gifting me this ALC. As always, this review contains my candid thoughts and opinions.
May 31, 2026
Another true crime dramatized audio production - this one focusing on Patty Hearst — a 19 year old, Californian heiress, who is caught on camera robbing a bank alongside others in 1975. It might seem straight forward, but Patty was kidnapped from her house one evening in 1974 by a far left group known as the SLA. No one was able to track down who took her or where she was until months later when a video was released with Patty claiming she was part of this group. During the trial the prosecution is trying to prove Patty was fully aware of what she was doing and made choices reflecting this awareness, while the defence is trying to prove she was captured and coerced into these things.
- Would recommend for those who enjoy true crime, historical crime, full cast audiobooks, and short stories
- 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up
Thank you NetGalley and Classic Crime for the chance to listen and review.
- Would recommend for those who enjoy true crime, historical crime, full cast audiobooks, and short stories
- 3.5 ⭐️ rounded up
Thank you NetGalley and Classic Crime for the chance to listen and review.
June 9, 2026
Thank you, NetGalley for allowing me to read this arc. I did not know about Patty Hearst. I am a true crime junkie and this was right at my alley and I was so excited to read this
This audiobook had recordings from the trial and I thought that was so fascinating. I really enjoyed the feeling of being in that courtroom and learning more about this case which has sent me down a spiral. 😆 in a good way.
I truly do recommend this if you really like true life crime and no more about the case than what I did if you don’t know about the case it still is a really cool perspective to hear about it
This audiobook had recordings from the trial and I thought that was so fascinating. I really enjoyed the feeling of being in that courtroom and learning more about this case which has sent me down a spiral. 😆 in a good way.
I truly do recommend this if you really like true life crime and no more about the case than what I did if you don’t know about the case it still is a really cool perspective to hear about it
June 6, 2026
I haven’t heard of this case and experiencing the trial through a full cast audiobook was a great experience! The narration and sound effects felt very immersive as if you were sitting in that courtroom. Hearing this audiobook made me want to look into this case.
Thank you to NetGalley and Classic Crime for the advance audiobook!
Thank you to NetGalley and Classic Crime for the advance audiobook!
June 7, 2026
As a true crime fan, I have always been fascinated by the Patty Hearst story. So, when I saw this, I obviously had to list to it. This is a dramatized version of the courtroom proceedings and I was completely hooked all the way through. The story was told in such a way that I felt like I was in the courtroom witnessing everything as it happened. Even though it included a lot of information that has been presented before, it was done in a way that really made me think. If you enjoy history and true crime, this short read is perfect for you!
I received a copy of the audiobook for Netgalley. The content of my review was not affected in any way by this.
I received a copy of the audiobook for Netgalley. The content of my review was not affected in any way by this.
June 18, 2026
This is a simple and quick listen. We get most of the basic information in a dramatic way. The cast was good, and it was entertaining.
I’d like to learn more about this case based on what I heard here.
I received this audio ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
I’d like to learn more about this case based on what I heard here.
I received this audio ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Depending on what generation you were born in, if you heard the name Patty Hearst, you may think of a few different things. For one, her grandfather, William Randolph Hearst, was a super rich newspaper mogul, who also Orson Welles used as inspiration for his classic movie, Citizen Kane. Or maybe you may know Patty Hearst from her assent into crime, told in this very audiobook.
As for myself, a middle aged woman and history nerd, born at the tail end of Generation X, I know Patty Hearst from having the tiniest role in the John Waters 90's classic movie, Serial Mom. She had reminded us it's ok to where white shoes after Labor Day. Kathleen Turner's character vehemently disagreed.
To be completely honest, I wasn't familiar with Patty's story at all, and actually mistaken her for Sharon Tate, a true tragic tale. Yet, when I was given the opportunity to listen to the advanced listening copy of The Trial of Patty Hearst: The Captive Mind, Part 3 of The Trials of The Century Series, I was eager to listen to it! Remember, I'm a history nerd, but I suppose this was one of those stories that escaped my attention. Anyways, back to Tanya. I mean Patty.
So, as the story goes, in 1974, a female stranger knocked on her door and asked to use her phone but then this stranger and a man behind her, rushed into Patty's home and kept asking her where the safe was. Patty kept saying there wasn't one, so they thought it was a good idea to kidnap her! Unbeknownst to the 19 year old heiress, they were a part of the Symbionese Liberation Army.
Initially, they made her ask her family for a ransom to release her. Then time went by, and from my perspective, she got Stockholm Syndrome because she then joined their "gang". Now, an heiress involved in illegal activities? This definitely made the news, which is ironic because her grandfather, was probably rolling in his grave in embarrassment. He'd still probably try to cover things up. She's still a Hearst after all.
Or was she? Because by this point, she was considered a fugitive of the law. "Allegedly" Patty, who now went by Tanya, was a part of a bank robbery with the Symbionese Liberation Army. But she didn't actually participate in the robbery itself. She was just the driver. This would later on save her from a death sentence compare to her co-defendants.
Eventually, after almost 2 years, the FBI found and arrested her; despite her original disappearance and kidnapping. Kind of of topic but I personally think a 2 year search is pretty good because it's the FBI in the 70's. I can't even imagine the difference in resources they had then compared to now.
Now, while she was held in custody, there was talk before the trial that her family's money etc. would help her avoid prison time. Surprisingly, that didn't happen. What actually did happen to her? She got defense attorney F. Lee Bailey! His career was pretty famous by now. For example, he defended such men as the Boston Strangler, and was also the prosecutor for a case that loosely inspired the TV show and movie, The Fugitive. Later on, he defended O.J. Needless to say, his moral compass is kind of iffy.
At her trial, the prosecution suggested that Hearst had joined the Symbionese Liberation Army by her own volition. But later on, she changed her turn and testified that she had been raped and threatened with death while held captive. That didn't help her case at all because by 1976, she was convicted for the bank robbery and sentenced to 35 years in prison.
It was later reduced to seven yearsm. She already had 22 months of time served in Federal Prison. Eventually, her sentence was commuted by President Jimmy Carter, not sure what that means, and she was later pardoned by President Bill Clinton. She's the only person in America to have two Presidents to do so. Not to condone her actions, but that kinda makes her a baddie.
All in all, this audiobook was a pretty good little history lesson. Was it thee trial of the century? Does being pardoned make her less of an ex-con and reinstates her heiress title? Whether she's considered famous or infamous, everyone knows who Patty Hearst is. And now with this audiobook, we can all know what the true legacy of her life will be.
With all that said, I want to share my gratitude and appreciation to NetGalley, Classic Crime & Trials of The Century Audiobooks, for letting me listen to this advanced listen copy in reciprocity for my honest review. Again, I'm looking forward to the next book. I love a condensed history lesson! So much history, packed in such a short amount of time is sure to attract other true crime lovers and history nerds like myself.
As for myself, a middle aged woman and history nerd, born at the tail end of Generation X, I know Patty Hearst from having the tiniest role in the John Waters 90's classic movie, Serial Mom. She had reminded us it's ok to where white shoes after Labor Day. Kathleen Turner's character vehemently disagreed.
To be completely honest, I wasn't familiar with Patty's story at all, and actually mistaken her for Sharon Tate, a true tragic tale. Yet, when I was given the opportunity to listen to the advanced listening copy of The Trial of Patty Hearst: The Captive Mind, Part 3 of The Trials of The Century Series, I was eager to listen to it! Remember, I'm a history nerd, but I suppose this was one of those stories that escaped my attention. Anyways, back to Tanya. I mean Patty.
So, as the story goes, in 1974, a female stranger knocked on her door and asked to use her phone but then this stranger and a man behind her, rushed into Patty's home and kept asking her where the safe was. Patty kept saying there wasn't one, so they thought it was a good idea to kidnap her! Unbeknownst to the 19 year old heiress, they were a part of the Symbionese Liberation Army.
Initially, they made her ask her family for a ransom to release her. Then time went by, and from my perspective, she got Stockholm Syndrome because she then joined their "gang". Now, an heiress involved in illegal activities? This definitely made the news, which is ironic because her grandfather, was probably rolling in his grave in embarrassment. He'd still probably try to cover things up. She's still a Hearst after all.
Or was she? Because by this point, she was considered a fugitive of the law. "Allegedly" Patty, who now went by Tanya, was a part of a bank robbery with the Symbionese Liberation Army. But she didn't actually participate in the robbery itself. She was just the driver. This would later on save her from a death sentence compare to her co-defendants.
Eventually, after almost 2 years, the FBI found and arrested her; despite her original disappearance and kidnapping. Kind of of topic but I personally think a 2 year search is pretty good because it's the FBI in the 70's. I can't even imagine the difference in resources they had then compared to now.
Now, while she was held in custody, there was talk before the trial that her family's money etc. would help her avoid prison time. Surprisingly, that didn't happen. What actually did happen to her? She got defense attorney F. Lee Bailey! His career was pretty famous by now. For example, he defended such men as the Boston Strangler, and was also the prosecutor for a case that loosely inspired the TV show and movie, The Fugitive. Later on, he defended O.J. Needless to say, his moral compass is kind of iffy.
At her trial, the prosecution suggested that Hearst had joined the Symbionese Liberation Army by her own volition. But later on, she changed her turn and testified that she had been raped and threatened with death while held captive. That didn't help her case at all because by 1976, she was convicted for the bank robbery and sentenced to 35 years in prison.
It was later reduced to seven yearsm. She already had 22 months of time served in Federal Prison. Eventually, her sentence was commuted by President Jimmy Carter, not sure what that means, and she was later pardoned by President Bill Clinton. She's the only person in America to have two Presidents to do so. Not to condone her actions, but that kinda makes her a baddie.
All in all, this audiobook was a pretty good little history lesson. Was it thee trial of the century? Does being pardoned make her less of an ex-con and reinstates her heiress title? Whether she's considered famous or infamous, everyone knows who Patty Hearst is. And now with this audiobook, we can all know what the true legacy of her life will be.
With all that said, I want to share my gratitude and appreciation to NetGalley, Classic Crime & Trials of The Century Audiobooks, for letting me listen to this advanced listen copy in reciprocity for my honest review. Again, I'm looking forward to the next book. I love a condensed history lesson! So much history, packed in such a short amount of time is sure to attract other true crime lovers and history nerds like myself.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Fifty years later and I still found myself sitting in the courtroom holding my breath, trying to decide my own verdict about Patty Hearst! Final Score: 5
What This Book Did Well
I only knew bits and pieces of the Patty Hearst story going in, and now I can completely see why it became infamous! The story alone is gripping, but the full-cast narration had me captivated from start to finish.
Audiobook Experience
This is the third book in the Trials of the Century series and they are all audio-dramas, not narrated non-fiction. Think a crime-show re-enactment with a full cast, sound effect, the whole production. I have listened to all three and they have definitely nailed this format!
I have mentioned this in my other reviews from this series, but I avoid graphic audiobooks like the plague because they are too overwhelming for me. This series has made me consider giving some graphic audiobooks another shot because of how well these are done! In all three I have never felt overwhelmed, instead the audio-drama added to my enjoyment.
The additions are small but impactful. For example - when something gets said in the trial that we wouldn’t blink an eye at today, there’s a sound effect of the courtroom crowd gasping. It’s a tiny touch that keeps reminding you that you’re in a very different moment in history.
Where It May Fall Short
I’m sure there are flaws here - but honestly I was so captivated by the story and storytelling that I didn’t note any.
As a note - since I only came in with broad strokes of the real case, I can’t speak to how it stacks up against every historical detail, but I didn’t pick up on any reason to doubt the accuracy.
Final Thoughts, Opinions & Recommendations
I’m definitely a dedicated fan to this series now! I don’t do much true crime anymore, but this series is one of my few exceptions. If you like true crime, court dramas, or just interested in history, I think you might find a lot to love here. It’s short and very bingeable, but still feels meaty.
My thanks to NetGalley & Classic Crime for the advanced complimentary copy. Publication date: 8/26/2026. All opinions are my own.
TL;DR
Would I Recommend it? Yes.
Would I Reread it? Possibly - I honestly still haven’t made up my own mind on this case, so another listen might help me decide.
Would I Continue the Series? YES! The next one is about Lizzie Borden and I’m so excited for that one! Finally a case I actually know about and I’m excited to hear how they bring that trial to life!
Star Score Breakdown
Personal Enjoyment: 5
Overall Execution: 5
Craft & Writing Quality: 5
Final Score: 5
What This Book Did Well
I only knew bits and pieces of the Patty Hearst story going in, and now I can completely see why it became infamous! The story alone is gripping, but the full-cast narration had me captivated from start to finish.
Audiobook Experience
This is the third book in the Trials of the Century series and they are all audio-dramas, not narrated non-fiction. Think a crime-show re-enactment with a full cast, sound effect, the whole production. I have listened to all three and they have definitely nailed this format!
I have mentioned this in my other reviews from this series, but I avoid graphic audiobooks like the plague because they are too overwhelming for me. This series has made me consider giving some graphic audiobooks another shot because of how well these are done! In all three I have never felt overwhelmed, instead the audio-drama added to my enjoyment.
The additions are small but impactful. For example - when something gets said in the trial that we wouldn’t blink an eye at today, there’s a sound effect of the courtroom crowd gasping. It’s a tiny touch that keeps reminding you that you’re in a very different moment in history.
Where It May Fall Short
I’m sure there are flaws here - but honestly I was so captivated by the story and storytelling that I didn’t note any.
As a note - since I only came in with broad strokes of the real case, I can’t speak to how it stacks up against every historical detail, but I didn’t pick up on any reason to doubt the accuracy.
Final Thoughts, Opinions & Recommendations
I’m definitely a dedicated fan to this series now! I don’t do much true crime anymore, but this series is one of my few exceptions. If you like true crime, court dramas, or just interested in history, I think you might find a lot to love here. It’s short and very bingeable, but still feels meaty.
My thanks to NetGalley & Classic Crime for the advanced complimentary copy. Publication date: 8/26/2026. All opinions are my own.
TL;DR
Would I Recommend it? Yes.
Would I Reread it? Possibly - I honestly still haven’t made up my own mind on this case, so another listen might help me decide.
Would I Continue the Series? YES! The next one is about Lizzie Borden and I’m so excited for that one! Finally a case I actually know about and I’m excited to hear how they bring that trial to life!
Star Score Breakdown
Personal Enjoyment: 5
Overall Execution: 5
Craft & Writing Quality: 5
Final Score: 5
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was way more like listening to a podcast than an actual audio book. There’s nothing wrong with that, but it didn’t feel like listening to a book, or more like I just threw on some true crime podcast that YouTube recommended, so it makes reviewing this like a book a little weird.
It didn’t help that this is just way too short. That is my biggest problem right now with this.
I knew some information about the case prior, it’s been a while since I looked into it, but this really didn’t provide anything knew. If you’re unfamiliar with the case, then this is a good introduction, but there really wasn’t enough depth given. We don’t really get anything about Patty as a person prior to her kidnapping, so it makes it difficult to really get invested. The most we learn is that she was A-political, came from a rich family, went to college and that’s about it. During the trial, we get people talking about how her behavior and speech after/during the crimes were indications on rather or not she was a willing participant in these, but we don’t know anything about Patty to make that decision for ourselves.
And that also extends to the group that kidnapped her. The most we get was that they were Marxist who committed violence in the name of class warfare. But like, we don’t know anything other than a brief toss out of their names. This book is meant to focus on Patty, but these people played such an important part in her life, and this book doesn’t look very deep into their motives to kidnap her, and why they might have forced her to participate or tricked her or just befriended her. Part of the original ransom request was for Patty’s family to donate a large amount of money and to provide food relief (amounting to a monetary amount they did not have), and we move on with a whole “they did it to look good to the people” thing the attorneys said. These people were fascinating, and the time Patty spent with them open up so many questions, but this book doesn’t seem to really want to look that far into it.
I really liked the different voices bringing the court transcripts to life. It felt like I was there at some parts – even making me roll my eyes at some of the dialogue. But there just wasn’t enough in this, to make me feel like it was anything other than one of those true crime podcast I listen to all the time. It was like being given the spark notes of the court case.
It didn’t help that this is just way too short. That is my biggest problem right now with this.
I knew some information about the case prior, it’s been a while since I looked into it, but this really didn’t provide anything knew. If you’re unfamiliar with the case, then this is a good introduction, but there really wasn’t enough depth given. We don’t really get anything about Patty as a person prior to her kidnapping, so it makes it difficult to really get invested. The most we learn is that she was A-political, came from a rich family, went to college and that’s about it. During the trial, we get people talking about how her behavior and speech after/during the crimes were indications on rather or not she was a willing participant in these, but we don’t know anything about Patty to make that decision for ourselves.
And that also extends to the group that kidnapped her. The most we get was that they were Marxist who committed violence in the name of class warfare. But like, we don’t know anything other than a brief toss out of their names. This book is meant to focus on Patty, but these people played such an important part in her life, and this book doesn’t look very deep into their motives to kidnap her, and why they might have forced her to participate or tricked her or just befriended her. Part of the original ransom request was for Patty’s family to donate a large amount of money and to provide food relief (amounting to a monetary amount they did not have), and we move on with a whole “they did it to look good to the people” thing the attorneys said. These people were fascinating, and the time Patty spent with them open up so many questions, but this book doesn’t seem to really want to look that far into it.
I really liked the different voices bringing the court transcripts to life. It felt like I was there at some parts – even making me roll my eyes at some of the dialogue. But there just wasn’t enough in this, to make me feel like it was anything other than one of those true crime podcast I listen to all the time. It was like being given the spark notes of the court case.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐⭐⭐⭐ A Short but Strong Look at a Complicated Case
The Patty Hearst case has always been one of those 1970s crimes that felt both famous and confusing to me. The Trial of Patty Hearst: The Captive Mind by Céline Fitzmaurice gave me a clearer understanding of the case, especially the trial, the psychology, and the larger question of whether someone can truly consent after being kidnapped, held captive, and psychologically broken down. I received this audiobook from Goodreads, and as someone who is interested in true crime and the strange, chaotic crimes of the 1960s and 1970s, I was especially curious about the SLA and what exactly they were trying to do.
For such a short audiobook, this had a surprising amount of information. This is the third book in the Trials of the Century series, and I had already listened to the second one, which I also enjoyed. I liked the way this one explained the case clearly without making it feel overwhelming. The audiobook does a good job showing why the Patty Hearst trial was so complicated, especially when it came to trauma, captivity, brainwashing, public opinion, and media judgment. I was also fascinated by the psychological side of the case and the limits of psychological science at the time, especially in how it could or could not be used in court. The role of F. Lee Bailey also stood out because this was such a major case in his career.
My only real issue is that I wanted more. The audiobook is short, and while it works well for what it is, there is clearly so much more to learn about Patty Hearst, the SLA, the trial, and the time period. I also wish I had a physical copy to read along with while listening. Still, this was a short but very strong audiobook that made a complicated case easier to understand. I would absolutely encourage true-crime listeners, history readers, and anyone interested in famous trials to give this one a listen.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Celine Fitzmaurice, and Classic Crime Trials of the Century Audiobooks for an ADC in exchange for an honest review.
#TheTrialofPattyHearst #NetGalley
The Patty Hearst case has always been one of those 1970s crimes that felt both famous and confusing to me. The Trial of Patty Hearst: The Captive Mind by Céline Fitzmaurice gave me a clearer understanding of the case, especially the trial, the psychology, and the larger question of whether someone can truly consent after being kidnapped, held captive, and psychologically broken down. I received this audiobook from Goodreads, and as someone who is interested in true crime and the strange, chaotic crimes of the 1960s and 1970s, I was especially curious about the SLA and what exactly they were trying to do.
For such a short audiobook, this had a surprising amount of information. This is the third book in the Trials of the Century series, and I had already listened to the second one, which I also enjoyed. I liked the way this one explained the case clearly without making it feel overwhelming. The audiobook does a good job showing why the Patty Hearst trial was so complicated, especially when it came to trauma, captivity, brainwashing, public opinion, and media judgment. I was also fascinated by the psychological side of the case and the limits of psychological science at the time, especially in how it could or could not be used in court. The role of F. Lee Bailey also stood out because this was such a major case in his career.
My only real issue is that I wanted more. The audiobook is short, and while it works well for what it is, there is clearly so much more to learn about Patty Hearst, the SLA, the trial, and the time period. I also wish I had a physical copy to read along with while listening. Still, this was a short but very strong audiobook that made a complicated case easier to understand. I would absolutely encourage true-crime listeners, history readers, and anyone interested in famous trials to give this one a listen.
Thank you to NetGalley, author Celine Fitzmaurice, and Classic Crime Trials of the Century Audiobooks for an ADC in exchange for an honest review.
#TheTrialofPattyHearst #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you so much to Classic Crime for the advance review copy! As always all opinions shared here are 100% my own.
"The Trial of Patty Hearst: The Captive Mind" by Céline Fitzmaurice is yet another gripping entry in the Trials of the Century audiobooks series. For those unfamiliar with the series, these are 90-minute full-cast audiobooks in the style of radio plays or audiodramas covering interesting trials from the past century. Every entry is standalone so you can start in any order.
As with the others, this audiobook throws us right into the action. Newspaper heiress Patty Hearst, originally kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army, only to appear to join them in several violent crimes including an armed bank robbery. But was she actually an accomplice or a victim? That's what her defense and the state argued about in the trial.
Even though this was a more modern trial than the previous entries (this takes place in the 70s), it was still old enough for me to never have heard of it. I was supposed to be doing some chores while listening to it but ended up just sitting there next to the speaker because I was too mesmerized by it.
The voice acting was top notch. I especially appreciated the detailed sound design throughout the whole recording. You feel like you're actually in that courtroom.
I highly recommend giving this trial, as well as all the others, a listen! Believe me, you will enjoy every minute of it. I really cannot wait to see what the series will feature next (and from the little I've seen behind the scenes, we're in for some epic surprises!!)
You can also find me on: Instagram (MoonlightCocoa) and Instagram (MoonlightCupOfStories)
"The Trial of Patty Hearst: The Captive Mind" by Céline Fitzmaurice is yet another gripping entry in the Trials of the Century audiobooks series. For those unfamiliar with the series, these are 90-minute full-cast audiobooks in the style of radio plays or audiodramas covering interesting trials from the past century. Every entry is standalone so you can start in any order.
As with the others, this audiobook throws us right into the action. Newspaper heiress Patty Hearst, originally kidnapped by the Symbionese Liberation Army, only to appear to join them in several violent crimes including an armed bank robbery. But was she actually an accomplice or a victim? That's what her defense and the state argued about in the trial.
Even though this was a more modern trial than the previous entries (this takes place in the 70s), it was still old enough for me to never have heard of it. I was supposed to be doing some chores while listening to it but ended up just sitting there next to the speaker because I was too mesmerized by it.
The voice acting was top notch. I especially appreciated the detailed sound design throughout the whole recording. You feel like you're actually in that courtroom.
I highly recommend giving this trial, as well as all the others, a listen! Believe me, you will enjoy every minute of it. I really cannot wait to see what the series will feature next (and from the little I've seen behind the scenes, we're in for some epic surprises!!)
You can also find me on: Instagram (MoonlightCocoa) and Instagram (MoonlightCupOfStories)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Céline Fitzmaurice’s The Trial of Patty Hearst: The Captive Mind offers a thought-provoking look at one of America’s controversial criminal cases. As someone unfamiliar with the details of the case beforehand, I found the audiobook to be an accessible and engaging way to learn about the events surrounding Patty Hearst and the questions raised by her involvement.
Fitzmaurice presents the case in a balanced manner, exploring both the argument that Hearst was a victim of manipulation and coercion and the view that she knowingly participated in criminal activity. Having a full cast audiobook really immerses listeners into the trial experience and keeps to a good pace. The main narrator, Sandra Parsons, delivered clarity and energy to the material.
One of the audiobook’s greatest strengths is its examination of themes such as psychological influence, personal agency, and the lasting effects of trauma. It encourages listeners to consider how extreme circumstances can affect decision-making and perception.
My main criticism is that I would have liked more context about Patty Hearst’s life before the kidnapping, along with additional information about the organization involved. Greater background detail would have provided a stronger foundation for understanding the case and evaluating the plausibility of her actions and motivations.
Overall, this was an absorbing and well-executed listen that combines historical insight with compelling storytelling. I would rate it 4 stars.
Thank you to Classic Crime, Trials of the Century Audiobooks, and NetGalley for providing a complimentary ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Fitzmaurice presents the case in a balanced manner, exploring both the argument that Hearst was a victim of manipulation and coercion and the view that she knowingly participated in criminal activity. Having a full cast audiobook really immerses listeners into the trial experience and keeps to a good pace. The main narrator, Sandra Parsons, delivered clarity and energy to the material.
One of the audiobook’s greatest strengths is its examination of themes such as psychological influence, personal agency, and the lasting effects of trauma. It encourages listeners to consider how extreme circumstances can affect decision-making and perception.
My main criticism is that I would have liked more context about Patty Hearst’s life before the kidnapping, along with additional information about the organization involved. Greater background detail would have provided a stronger foundation for understanding the case and evaluating the plausibility of her actions and motivations.
Overall, this was an absorbing and well-executed listen that combines historical insight with compelling storytelling. I would rate it 4 stars.
Thank you to Classic Crime, Trials of the Century Audiobooks, and NetGalley for providing a complimentary ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
| ARC REVIEW | 🎧 ~ Audiobook
★ 4.5 stars ★
This was less of an "audiobook", and more of a "cinematic masterpiece".
Part of the Trials of the Century series, this courtroom drama focuses on Patty Hearst's history, prosecution, defence, and the underpinning psychological themes of the trial that rocked America in the 1970s, and still continues to spark debate within legal and psychological fields today.
Performed by a full cast of narrators, this audiobook was incredibly immersive and informative. The volume was a little inconsistent throughout, with some speakers being considerably quieter than others, but this didn't affect the listening experience too much.
Before starting this audiobook, I had never heard of this case before, but the level of detail and description ensured that it was easy to follow and utterly compelling. I particularly found the discussions of the trial's psychological perspectives such as Patty's potential brainwashing, derealisation, Stockholm syndrome, and also discussions of the Stanford Prison experiment, very interesting.
At only 90 minutes long, this can be easily devoured in one sitting. And honestly, if you enjoy true-crime podcasts and dramatised audio productions, you will very likely find this as gripping and hard to put down as I did.
Thank you to NetGalley, Céline Fitzmaurice, and Classic Crime | Trials of the Century Audiobooks for gifting this audiobook in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All opinions are my own.
★ 4.5 stars ★
This was less of an "audiobook", and more of a "cinematic masterpiece".
Part of the Trials of the Century series, this courtroom drama focuses on Patty Hearst's history, prosecution, defence, and the underpinning psychological themes of the trial that rocked America in the 1970s, and still continues to spark debate within legal and psychological fields today.
Performed by a full cast of narrators, this audiobook was incredibly immersive and informative. The volume was a little inconsistent throughout, with some speakers being considerably quieter than others, but this didn't affect the listening experience too much.
Before starting this audiobook, I had never heard of this case before, but the level of detail and description ensured that it was easy to follow and utterly compelling. I particularly found the discussions of the trial's psychological perspectives such as Patty's potential brainwashing, derealisation, Stockholm syndrome, and also discussions of the Stanford Prison experiment, very interesting.
At only 90 minutes long, this can be easily devoured in one sitting. And honestly, if you enjoy true-crime podcasts and dramatised audio productions, you will very likely find this as gripping and hard to put down as I did.
Thank you to NetGalley, Céline Fitzmaurice, and Classic Crime | Trials of the Century Audiobooks for gifting this audiobook in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Trial of Patty Hearst: The Captive Mind is an interesting concept that, unfortunately, didn’t fully work for me. This is a very short, full cast dramatization focused solely on the trial of Patty Hearst, which sounds compelling in theory, but in practice, the brevity really holds it back. By narrowing the scope so tightly, and keeping it so short by just focusing on pieces of the trial, it feels like too much context is missing to fully understand or engage with the author’s intended argument.
I went into this with vague knowledge of the case, and even I recognized most of the basic facts presented here. That’s kind of the problem, it doesn’t go deep enough. It needed to be longer and provide more substance if it wanted to make a meaningful impact or offer a new perspective. Céline Fitzmaurice clearly has a thesis she’s working toward, but I’m not convinced the selected transcripts actually support it in a meaningful way. Without more background or development, the narrative feels incomplete rather than focused.
The performances also didn’t help. A full cast can elevate an audiobook, but here it leaned into overacting more often than not, which pulled me out of the experience instead of immersing me in it. At times, it bordered on distracting. Overall, this felt like a project that needed more space, more context, more nuance, and a more restrained delivery to really land. As it stands, it’s an intriguing idea that doesn’t quite come together.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Céline Fitzmaurice, and Classic Crime for the Audio ARC. All opinions are my own
I went into this with vague knowledge of the case, and even I recognized most of the basic facts presented here. That’s kind of the problem, it doesn’t go deep enough. It needed to be longer and provide more substance if it wanted to make a meaningful impact or offer a new perspective. Céline Fitzmaurice clearly has a thesis she’s working toward, but I’m not convinced the selected transcripts actually support it in a meaningful way. Without more background or development, the narrative feels incomplete rather than focused.
The performances also didn’t help. A full cast can elevate an audiobook, but here it leaned into overacting more often than not, which pulled me out of the experience instead of immersing me in it. At times, it bordered on distracting. Overall, this felt like a project that needed more space, more context, more nuance, and a more restrained delivery to really land. As it stands, it’s an intriguing idea that doesn’t quite come together.
Many thanks to NetGalley, Céline Fitzmaurice, and Classic Crime for the Audio ARC. All opinions are my own
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is the third Trial of the Century, and the second I listened to. And it has improved itself on the first in every way.
There is context around what happened to cause this trial. The case isn't told in a vacuum, we are given info before and after. We also have little snippets from Patty's autobiography, giving us her thoughts and feelings many years after the trial.
At 90 minutes long, this was perfect for my commute, and an entertaining, informative listen. Do I think Patty Hearst was brainwashed? I couldn't say, I don't think we will ever get a clear answer. What is clear however, is that she didn't get a fair trial, sympathetic evidence is deemed inadmissible and like so many women, before and since, her personal life outside of the events are used to demonise her. So she had sex from a young age. So what. You wouldn't use that as a reason as to why a man was guilty of robbing a bank. And the way in which the prosecutions psychiatrist twists so much, reframes things, even at one point says she had sex with a captive because she believed she was in fear of her life, but still dismisses her... regardless of if she's innocent or not, it makes the blood boil.
By having a full cast recording, its easy to not only know which character is speaking but also to get fully immersed in the trial. All the narration was great.
Highly recommended for fans of true crime and if you have a free 90 mins.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
There is context around what happened to cause this trial. The case isn't told in a vacuum, we are given info before and after. We also have little snippets from Patty's autobiography, giving us her thoughts and feelings many years after the trial.
At 90 minutes long, this was perfect for my commute, and an entertaining, informative listen. Do I think Patty Hearst was brainwashed? I couldn't say, I don't think we will ever get a clear answer. What is clear however, is that she didn't get a fair trial, sympathetic evidence is deemed inadmissible and like so many women, before and since, her personal life outside of the events are used to demonise her. So she had sex from a young age. So what. You wouldn't use that as a reason as to why a man was guilty of robbing a bank. And the way in which the prosecutions psychiatrist twists so much, reframes things, even at one point says she had sex with a captive because she believed she was in fear of her life, but still dismisses her... regardless of if she's innocent or not, it makes the blood boil.
By having a full cast recording, its easy to not only know which character is speaking but also to get fully immersed in the trial. All the narration was great.
Highly recommended for fans of true crime and if you have a free 90 mins.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I have enjoyed all three of the audiobooks in this Trials of the Century/Classic Crime series. This is the first that occurred during my lifetime, although I was a young child at the time. I remember, however, hearing my parents talk about Patty Hearst, the kidnapping, the SLA. At the time, the notion of Stockholm Syndrome and a "captive mind" frightened me a bit, to be honest. Author Celine Fitzmaurice's in-depth, and skillful, exploration of the legal theories and issues of free will, identity, and coercion argued in this trial reminds me of why people were captivated by this case. Now, many decades later, and having seen how people influence other's thinking and actions, both intentionally and unintentionally, it's still a scary concept to consider.
I enjoyed the production of this courtroom drama, although not quite as much as I enjoyed the first two, which provided more of the background story along with the trial. My esteem for the renowned defense attorney F. Lee Bailey has been affected by the news about some of the more salacious aspects of Mr. Bailey's life and career, so I'd have liked a little more of Patty Hearst's experiences and less of Mr. Bailey's arguments during trial.
This is more of a 3.5 star read/listen for me but still absolutely worth the time to listen. I am appreciative of Classic Crime, Trials of the Century Audiobooks, and NetGalley for providing me an audio ARC of The Trial of Patty Hearst: The Captive Mind. All opinions expressed are fully my own. I look forward to more reads/listens in this compelling series.
I enjoyed the production of this courtroom drama, although not quite as much as I enjoyed the first two, which provided more of the background story along with the trial. My esteem for the renowned defense attorney F. Lee Bailey has been affected by the news about some of the more salacious aspects of Mr. Bailey's life and career, so I'd have liked a little more of Patty Hearst's experiences and less of Mr. Bailey's arguments during trial.
This is more of a 3.5 star read/listen for me but still absolutely worth the time to listen. I am appreciative of Classic Crime, Trials of the Century Audiobooks, and NetGalley for providing me an audio ARC of The Trial of Patty Hearst: The Captive Mind. All opinions expressed are fully my own. I look forward to more reads/listens in this compelling series.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a little less interesting than the other two in their series, a bit less engaging. Maybe because of the nature of the crime committed by the person we’re following in this one, which is among other things a bank robbery. And the other two followed murderers, so maybe the excitement was on a different level because of that.
I still really enjoyed my time in it especially because of the narration, which is the best part of these books.
One thing I will say, the first half of this book read a bit off to me. It seemed like some of the narrators were just reading their lines. Not even rehearsing them, just like they were reading them for the first time? I found their acting a bit lacking. I don’t even know which narrator in particular I’m talking about, as there were so many. But as for the rest of them and the rest of the book, everything worked fine.
I really enjoy the noises the people in the courtroom made, and how the voice of a narrator would be portrayed differently according to who they were, the news anchor woman is coming to mind for one.
I would really recommend this series as a whole, and while this book was probably the worst in the series it’s still around a 4 star and I would even recommend reading this one separately. Especially if you’re interested in this particular crime, and to be honest I knew really just nothing about it which is maybe why I didn’t enjoy it as much as the other two? But yeah, overall I highly recommend.
Audiobook notes: The full cast narration was great as usual, but I found myself less immersed in the events than I was with the other two books in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
I still really enjoyed my time in it especially because of the narration, which is the best part of these books.
One thing I will say, the first half of this book read a bit off to me. It seemed like some of the narrators were just reading their lines. Not even rehearsing them, just like they were reading them for the first time? I found their acting a bit lacking. I don’t even know which narrator in particular I’m talking about, as there were so many. But as for the rest of them and the rest of the book, everything worked fine.
I really enjoy the noises the people in the courtroom made, and how the voice of a narrator would be portrayed differently according to who they were, the news anchor woman is coming to mind for one.
I would really recommend this series as a whole, and while this book was probably the worst in the series it’s still around a 4 star and I would even recommend reading this one separately. Especially if you’re interested in this particular crime, and to be honest I knew really just nothing about it which is maybe why I didn’t enjoy it as much as the other two? But yeah, overall I highly recommend.
Audiobook notes: The full cast narration was great as usual, but I found myself less immersed in the events than I was with the other two books in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I'm back with the third book in the Trials Of The Century series and you may remember that back at the beginning of the year, I read the first two books - The Trial Of Leopold And Loeb - Dickie & Babe by Ben Devlin and then The Trial Of Dr Crippen - A Drop Of Poison
by Matt Richards.
This story was again one that I've not heard of before but again provided such a great quick read overview of the trial and what happened to Patty beyond the verdict.
As I said before, I absolutely love the idea of true crime programmes and podcasts, but just never seem to have (or make) the time to consume them and so this series has really filled a hole for me.
I love to listen to these audio productions whilst cleaning or getting on with some mum admin and at just over an hour long, they can be so easily devoured in one sitting.
This case was such an interesting one and without giving anything away, I found it quite the conundrum.
This was set not too long in the past - in fact, within my lifetime! - and so it's quite telling that trials were still so biased even back in the 70's.
The outcome and the actions that followed show that at least some things are changing for the better.
Once again, I loved the production of this, which makes it feel so authentic - as though we are right there in the courtroom with everyone.
Another great quick read and I can't wait to see what I'm going to learn from the next book!
by Matt Richards.
This story was again one that I've not heard of before but again provided such a great quick read overview of the trial and what happened to Patty beyond the verdict.
As I said before, I absolutely love the idea of true crime programmes and podcasts, but just never seem to have (or make) the time to consume them and so this series has really filled a hole for me.
I love to listen to these audio productions whilst cleaning or getting on with some mum admin and at just over an hour long, they can be so easily devoured in one sitting.
This case was such an interesting one and without giving anything away, I found it quite the conundrum.
This was set not too long in the past - in fact, within my lifetime! - and so it's quite telling that trials were still so biased even back in the 70's.
The outcome and the actions that followed show that at least some things are changing for the better.
Once again, I loved the production of this, which makes it feel so authentic - as though we are right there in the courtroom with everyone.
Another great quick read and I can't wait to see what I'm going to learn from the next book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is my second Crimes of the Century audiobook that I have listened to and I absolutely love this series! This audio book ran about an hour and half and it engaging from beginning to end! The length is fantastic for shorter trips or if you don't want to listen to hours upon hours of a book and it is preformed by a cast of readers which is so much fun to listen to. The cast is top notch! I would have thought it was the actual trial and not a cast of readers as they did such an amazing job!
I love the writing for this audio-book. They did a fantastic job of taking years worth of a story and writing and condensing it to a very manageable hour and a half. There was enough of an introduction so you knew exactly what had happened and then most of the book focused on the trial. Not only did you learn about the trial but it raised a lot of questions for me about how victims were treated in the past, how this trial was run and how far we have come in the last 50 years! They picked great parts to highlight the story and I had no issues getting vested in the story right away and staying intrigued the entire time. The writing it top notch!
This is a GREAT audiobook! If you like True Crime, History, and want a fantastic shorter read/audiobook, this is and excellent book and this series so far is amazing! I highly recommend this audiobook and this series!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Classic Crime for the ARC in order to review this audiobook.
I love the writing for this audio-book. They did a fantastic job of taking years worth of a story and writing and condensing it to a very manageable hour and a half. There was enough of an introduction so you knew exactly what had happened and then most of the book focused on the trial. Not only did you learn about the trial but it raised a lot of questions for me about how victims were treated in the past, how this trial was run and how far we have come in the last 50 years! They picked great parts to highlight the story and I had no issues getting vested in the story right away and staying intrigued the entire time. The writing it top notch!
This is a GREAT audiobook! If you like True Crime, History, and want a fantastic shorter read/audiobook, this is and excellent book and this series so far is amazing! I highly recommend this audiobook and this series!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Classic Crime for the ARC in order to review this audiobook.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
June 9, 2026As an attorney, I found this audiobook particularly interesting because it explored the legal and psychological questions surrounding Patty Hearst's involvement with the SLA. The discussion of coercion, duress, and public perception made me think about how complex criminal cases can become when the facts don't fit neatly into a single narrative. It was a quick listen that left me wanting to learn more about the case and the legal arguments presented at trial.
Rather than presenting Patty Hearst as simply a victim or a willing participant, the book examines the gray areas surrounding her kidnapping by the SLA and the legal arguments that emerged during her trial. The discussion of brainwashing, duress, and criminal responsibility raises questions that remain relevant today.
The narration kept the story engaging, and the relatively short format made it easy to listen to in a single sitting. At times I wished for even more detail about the trial strategy and courtroom proceedings, but overall it provided an informative and balanced overview of a case that continues to spark debate decades later.
Final Verdict: A worthwhile listen for anyone interested in true crime, criminal law, psychology, or famous trials. It serves as a reminder that some cases are far more complicated than they first appear.
Thank you Netgalley for the audio ARC.
Rather than presenting Patty Hearst as simply a victim or a willing participant, the book examines the gray areas surrounding her kidnapping by the SLA and the legal arguments that emerged during her trial. The discussion of brainwashing, duress, and criminal responsibility raises questions that remain relevant today.
The narration kept the story engaging, and the relatively short format made it easy to listen to in a single sitting. At times I wished for even more detail about the trial strategy and courtroom proceedings, but overall it provided an informative and balanced overview of a case that continues to spark debate decades later.
Final Verdict: A worthwhile listen for anyone interested in true crime, criminal law, psychology, or famous trials. It serves as a reminder that some cases are far more complicated than they first appear.
Thank you Netgalley for the audio ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Trials Of The Century – Book Three
THE TRIAL OF PATTY HEARST: The Captive Mind
‘In 1976, Patricia Hearst stood trial for armed robbery following her widely [publicized] kidnapping by the Symbionese Liberation Army. The evidence against her was bank surveillance footage of her carrying a rifle and her own recorded confessions.’
I have heard of the Patty Hearst trial over the years, but I have never delved into the case until now. I listened to the audiobook version, with its cast of narrators, which made for an interesting court case.
It is mentioned that the audiobook, in its entirety, encompasses the full trial; however, the narrative does leave out the repetitive responses to questions asked by the prosecutor, wherein Hearst answers by pleading the Fifth.
Normally, I am thankful for the exclusion of repetition in books, however, we are never told what nineteen questions she was asked.
Overall, an interesting case that has me on the fence regarding her innocence or guilt.
Recommend
Thank you, NetGalley and Classic Crime Publishing, for providing me with an Audiobook of THE TRIAL OF PATTY HEARST: The Captive Mind at the request of an honest review.
Audiobook Scheduled For Release – August 26, 2026 (Subject To Change)
THE TRIAL OF PATTY HEARST: The Captive Mind
‘In 1976, Patricia Hearst stood trial for armed robbery following her widely [publicized] kidnapping by the Symbionese Liberation Army. The evidence against her was bank surveillance footage of her carrying a rifle and her own recorded confessions.’
I have heard of the Patty Hearst trial over the years, but I have never delved into the case until now. I listened to the audiobook version, with its cast of narrators, which made for an interesting court case.
It is mentioned that the audiobook, in its entirety, encompasses the full trial; however, the narrative does leave out the repetitive responses to questions asked by the prosecutor, wherein Hearst answers by pleading the Fifth.
Normally, I am thankful for the exclusion of repetition in books, however, we are never told what nineteen questions she was asked.
Overall, an interesting case that has me on the fence regarding her innocence or guilt.
Recommend
Thank you, NetGalley and Classic Crime Publishing, for providing me with an Audiobook of THE TRIAL OF PATTY HEARST: The Captive Mind at the request of an honest review.
Audiobook Scheduled For Release – August 26, 2026 (Subject To Change)
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was surprised by just how much information and insight this audiobook packed into such a short runtime! At only 90 minutes long, it’s a quick listen, but it never felt rushed or lacking in detail.
Going into it, I wasn’t familiar with the case at all, which made the experience even more fascinating. The production does an excellent job of breaking down the events while also exploring the many psychological questions surrounding them. The discussions of brainwashing, Stockholm syndrome, coercion, and the Stanford Prison Experiment were especially thought-provoking and added depth beyond a straightforward retelling of the facts.
The full cast narration made the story feel dynamic and engaging, pulling me into the case from the very beginning. I found myself completely absorbed and would have happily listened to a much longer version.
If you’re a fan of true crime, investigative podcasts, or audio documentaries, this is an engrossing listen that is both informative and highly compelling!
** I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author and publisher! **
Going into it, I wasn’t familiar with the case at all, which made the experience even more fascinating. The production does an excellent job of breaking down the events while also exploring the many psychological questions surrounding them. The discussions of brainwashing, Stockholm syndrome, coercion, and the Stanford Prison Experiment were especially thought-provoking and added depth beyond a straightforward retelling of the facts.
The full cast narration made the story feel dynamic and engaging, pulling me into the case from the very beginning. I found myself completely absorbed and would have happily listened to a much longer version.
If you’re a fan of true crime, investigative podcasts, or audio documentaries, this is an engrossing listen that is both informative and highly compelling!
** I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thanks to the author and publisher! **
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I’d like to send a thank you to NetGalley and Classic Crime Ltd for this ARC!
The third installment of Trials of the Century is finally here and it’s the Patty Hearst trial, an heiress who was convicted of robbing a bank.
The question in this trial remains: is Patty guilty of committing this crime? Was she actually a victim? Similar to the two other books in this series, I was not familiar with this case. However, after listening to The Trial of Patty Hearst , I was able to learn a lot about this very compelling trial.
This book follows the same exact format as the other two. A full cast narration with sound effects really brings the case to life and brings you front and center to the trial. The story has a good pace, easy to follow, and just as gripping as the rest.
I loved this series from the first book and I cannot wait for the next one. As a true-crime junkie, this is the best documentary style book series I’ve read. If you’re into true-crime or legal thrillers, this story is for you!
Pub date. July 17th, 2026.
The third installment of Trials of the Century is finally here and it’s the Patty Hearst trial, an heiress who was convicted of robbing a bank.
The question in this trial remains: is Patty guilty of committing this crime? Was she actually a victim? Similar to the two other books in this series, I was not familiar with this case. However, after listening to The Trial of Patty Hearst , I was able to learn a lot about this very compelling trial.
This book follows the same exact format as the other two. A full cast narration with sound effects really brings the case to life and brings you front and center to the trial. The story has a good pace, easy to follow, and just as gripping as the rest.
I loved this series from the first book and I cannot wait for the next one. As a true-crime junkie, this is the best documentary style book series I’ve read. If you’re into true-crime or legal thrillers, this story is for you!
Pub date. July 17th, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⚖️ ALC Review 👩⚖️
Including audio from both the defense and prosecution, with Patty's own testimony, this audiobook's approach is balanced, presenting the case from arm's length.
I really like nonfiction audiobooks. These are my bread and butter when I'm doing chores. This one didn't fail me. It kept me interested the entire time - which actually, is only 90 minutes.
I really enjoyed the full cast setup for this audiobook. It really set the story from each perspective. With this full cast audio, some narrators moved along at my preferred speed while others were a bit slow.
Because there wasn't a solo narrator, I wasn't able to adjust the audio speed for optimal playback overall. ☹️ Nevertheless, I think the full cast audio was the way to go for this book.
I could've easily listened to a 6, 8, 10 hour version with all the details. 😆
If you like Framed by John Grisham, The Dangerous Wife by MJ Checketts (check this out if you haven't and are a true crime podcast enthusiast!), or you like true crime podcasts, you may like this book.
Triggers: References to: Violence, SA, Guns
Thanks NetGalley for providing me with this copy. The opinions are my own.
Including audio from both the defense and prosecution, with Patty's own testimony, this audiobook's approach is balanced, presenting the case from arm's length.
I really like nonfiction audiobooks. These are my bread and butter when I'm doing chores. This one didn't fail me. It kept me interested the entire time - which actually, is only 90 minutes.
I really enjoyed the full cast setup for this audiobook. It really set the story from each perspective. With this full cast audio, some narrators moved along at my preferred speed while others were a bit slow.
Because there wasn't a solo narrator, I wasn't able to adjust the audio speed for optimal playback overall. ☹️ Nevertheless, I think the full cast audio was the way to go for this book.
I could've easily listened to a 6, 8, 10 hour version with all the details. 😆
If you like Framed by John Grisham, The Dangerous Wife by MJ Checketts (check this out if you haven't and are a true crime podcast enthusiast!), or you like true crime podcasts, you may like this book.
Triggers: References to: Violence, SA, Guns
Thanks NetGalley for providing me with this copy. The opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Trial of Patty Hearst: The Captive Mind was a fascinating look at one of the most infamous and complicated criminal cases in modern American history. While I was familiar with the name Patty Hearst, I didn’t fully appreciate the details of the case or the psychological questions surrounding it until listening to this audiobook.
The book does an excellent job examining the events leading up to the trial, the legal arguments, and the broader questions of coercion, manipulation, and free will. Rather than presenting simple answers, it encourages the listener to consider the complexity of the case and the circumstances involved.
The audiobook narration was engaging and easy to follow, which is especially important given the amount of historical and legal information covered. The pacing kept me invested throughout, and I found myself wanting to learn more about the case even after finishing.
A compelling and thought-provoking listen that offers a deeper understanding of a story many people think they already know.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced listening copy for review.
The book does an excellent job examining the events leading up to the trial, the legal arguments, and the broader questions of coercion, manipulation, and free will. Rather than presenting simple answers, it encourages the listener to consider the complexity of the case and the circumstances involved.
The audiobook narration was engaging and easy to follow, which is especially important given the amount of historical and legal information covered. The pacing kept me invested throughout, and I found myself wanting to learn more about the case even after finishing.
A compelling and thought-provoking listen that offers a deeper understanding of a story many people think they already know.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an advanced listening copy for review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Fifty years ago, newspaper heiress Patty Hearst entered a San Francisco courtroom accused of armed bank robbery, two years after her dramatic kidnapping by the radical Symbionese Liberation Army. By then, America had already watched one of the strangest public transformations of the decade unfold: a young woman seized by political extremists who later appeared in bank security photographs carrying a rifle alongside them.
Another exciting full cast production of a historic true crime case from the past. The kidnapping of Patty Hearst was the biggest story of the decade in the 70's and it was fascinating on so many levels. The full cast audio brings back every moment of the news cast and the crime reports from that case as if it were happening now. This was a time before Court TV and social media so all we had was the nightly news reports and the daily papers to keep you informed.
This brought back the feelings of those times like going through a time machine.
Recommended expected publishing date August 26, 2026
Thanks to @netgalley and Classic Crime/Trials of the Century Audiobooks
for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Another exciting full cast production of a historic true crime case from the past. The kidnapping of Patty Hearst was the biggest story of the decade in the 70's and it was fascinating on so many levels. The full cast audio brings back every moment of the news cast and the crime reports from that case as if it were happening now. This was a time before Court TV and social media so all we had was the nightly news reports and the daily papers to keep you informed.
This brought back the feelings of those times like going through a time machine.
Recommended expected publishing date August 26, 2026
Thanks to @netgalley and Classic Crime/Trials of the Century Audiobooks
for the opportunity to read this eArc in exchange for my honest and unbiased opinion.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
*The Trial of Patty Hearst* is a captivating audiobook that brings one of America's most infamous criminal cases to life. The narration is engaging and keeps the listener invested from beginning to end, making a complex legal and historical story easy to follow.
What makes this audiobook particularly compelling is its balanced exploration of the events surrounding Patty Hearst's kidnapping, involvement with the Symbionese Liberation Army, and the highly publicized trial that followed. The author presents the facts, legal arguments, and public reactions in a way that allows listeners to form their own opinions about a case that continues to spark debate decades later. I am still undecided if she should have been put in jail.
The audiobook is rich in detail without feeling overwhelming, providing valuable insight into the social and political climate of the 1970s. Whether you're interested in true crime, legal history, or American culture, this is an engrossing listen that stays with you long after the final chapter.
Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys well-researched true crime stories and courtroom dramas.
What makes this audiobook particularly compelling is its balanced exploration of the events surrounding Patty Hearst's kidnapping, involvement with the Symbionese Liberation Army, and the highly publicized trial that followed. The author presents the facts, legal arguments, and public reactions in a way that allows listeners to form their own opinions about a case that continues to spark debate decades later. I am still undecided if she should have been put in jail.
The audiobook is rich in detail without feeling overwhelming, providing valuable insight into the social and political climate of the 1970s. Whether you're interested in true crime, legal history, or American culture, this is an engrossing listen that stays with you long after the final chapter.
Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys well-researched true crime stories and courtroom dramas.
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