The Big Lie

Jack Bergin #1

by John Mankiewicz

The Big Lie follows FBI special agent Jack Bergin (Jon Hamm), who is sent to investigate three blacklisted filmmakers - Academy Award-winning writer Michael Wilson, Academy Award-nominated producer Paul Jarrico, and director Herbert J. Biberman - who were inspired by a New Mexico labor strike to make a movie that dramatized their pro-labor, pro-feminist beliefs. Convinced the film is a recruitment tool for the Communist Party, Jack will do whatever is necessary to shut the production down.

The Big Lie is an explosive story of conspiracy, betrayal, and temptation that resonates with today’s divided America and reminds us all that fear spreads faster than the truth.

Audible: 4 hours 5 mins

Genres: Historical Fiction, Fiction, Audiobook, Mystery, Politics, Historical

Audible Audio

First published June 1, 2022

Reviews

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fantastic voice acting all around and high production quality but the story is fairly lackluster and predictable.

[sneha · Rating 2 out of 5]

the premises and starting was really fun but then it kept dragging on and the audio production felt very wonky (clearly this was a high budget production with the kind of people they got to perform). the mixing made certain parts vvv hard to hear. not super fun.

[Tania · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved the old fashioned radio drama format and noir tone.

[Mahoghani 23 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Just did not appeal to me. Some of the characters were more believable than others and the story dragged.

[Ericka · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story is placed around the 50’s with New Mexico and L.A. as the main stages, is about the great efforts made by the FBI to stop a movie produced by the communists, who were just trying to expose the real-life troubles in the country; the FBI argued that they were telling the “Big Lie” which that communism was better than democracy. Making the producers, directors, and however was involved drop into Hollywood’s blacklist. The movie ‘Salt of the Earth’ was preserved after all and is still out there
Great production, high quality! narrators were fantastic, it was like could actually see them acting live. The story was face paced, nothing complicated, it was pretty amenable. I liked it.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. Phenomenal cast and production and a fascinating story about a dark time in US history but it ended up being just a bit boring.¯\_(ツ)_/¯

[Martti · Rating 1 out of 5]

An example of Audible having clearly too much money, because they can hire Jon Hamm and Kate Mara for this boring depiction of when FBI had too much time on their hands and was investigating some commie sympathizer making a movie in Hollywood around 1950s. The characters of course don't have an interesting bone in their body, so straw-men default to alcoholism and adultery.

[Yavor Vlaskov · Rating 2 out of 5]

"A Jack Bergin Mystery". The only mystery is how they managed to botch both its premise and cast by making what is essentially the main plotpoint - a "bad movie". I was hoping for a noir experience with some sort of investigative case to solve, or something remotely similar, instead we have a poor man's spy thriller and a drama that tries to wear a set of overused drama pants that are too big for it.

The positives - the central storyline, with the "communist" movie and the sly ways governmental forces are trying to fight it, is very entertaining. It was obvious from the start where it was going to go, but I was actively interested in how it was going to get there. It isn't terribly original and is far from special or imaginative, but it is distinct enough and carries its own charisma. The cast is also delightful (as you'd expect), their voiceacting carrying any scene. The directing is absolutely isn't.
This is not a movie, it's an audiodrama, treat it like one. There were a lot of situations where you obviously were supposed to view the room like the director imagined it, but sound work alone definitely failed to do so. It *did* manage to hit the right spot in time, by minor ways characters were describing their surroundings in passing, so I have definitely heard worse from some originals, but every episode found something new to make me roll my eyes.
Additionally, what the hell is up with the episodic release in vague attempt for podcast-like popularity? What sort of overexaggerated ego had someone believe this is some sort of mindbreakingly special new drama that would have listeners on the edge of their seats, refreshing pages every week? If more than a dozen people did that, I'm willing to eat Jack's hat. Bro thinks he has an HBO drama in his hands, smh. It made it a lot more annoying to hear a year later when I had some interest in it, not to mention that it's harder to locate, because for a lot of us this is not a podcast platform, I only found it because someone had a sip of the reality juice and published the second story as a book, which grabbed my attention.

Anyway, the lusting after existing dramas seems to be the core of this particular story's issues. They cast Jon Hamm, and of course list Mad Men as his primary credential, as they want him to play the exact same character. I exaggerate, but not by a lot - he is still the "most talented expert" employee of an influential organization, still a man's man, and a ladies' dream, with ruggish good looks and some domestic drama and infidelity to spicy his character up. He is, in reality, an extremely dry character that just serves to move the plot forward, but due to Jon having a voice that can ASMR you to a coma just by reading a shopping list, it is not something a personal would terribly mind. We are supposed to feel empathetic towards him because of his domestic situation, but I'd really love to see some hands raised in the air by anyone remotely interested in what was going on with his wife- guys, stop trying to find piles of sand to dig your hands in, so that they can be further away from the air, I get the point. There is so much unnecessary Emmy baiting you'd think they were actually handing those around for audiodramas.

All and all, this is an extreme waste of potential, with lofty ambitions that someone should have checked (run it by someone when you throw a pile of money at people, Amazon), but there are glitters of gold in this particular pigsty and the second release being more regular makes me hopeful it will deliver something better from its spectacular cast.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Big Lie: A Jack Bergen Mystery was an engaging listen with strong production value that kept me interested from start to finish. While I didn’t really feel there was much of a mystery — and none of the twists truly surprised me — the pacing was solid and I found it easy to stay tuned in.

Jack Bergen stood out as a main character, especially because I recognized him as Jon Hamm, which made it easier to visualize the story and connect with him in the spy role. However, I struggled to connect with some of the supporting characters — particularly Honor and Lala, who didn’t resonate with me.

Since this was an Audible Original, there wasn’t traditional writing to judge, but the full cast and sound design made the story feel immersive. The setting and action scenes came to life thanks to the strong audio production, and I especially enjoyed the ending.

While I personally wouldn’t recommend this one widely — it didn’t quite deliver on the "mystery" aspect — it might appeal more to listeners who enjoy action-packed audio dramas with a cinematic feel.

[Kris · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Big Lie follows FBI special agent Jack Bergin (Jon Hamm), who is sent to investigate three blacklisted filmmakers - Academy Award-winning writer Michael Wilson, Academy Award-nominated producer Paul Jarrico, and director Herbert J. Biberman - who were inspired by a New Mexico labor strike to make a movie that dramatized their pro-labor, pro-feminist beliefs. Convinced the film is a recruitment tool for the Communist Party, Jack will do whatever is necessary to shut the production down.
The Big Lie is an explosive story of conspiracy, betrayal, and temptation that resonates with today’s divided America and reminds us all that fear spreads faster than the truth.

A different kind of audio book listen. I felt like I was listening to a radio drama that they used to have before TV. I actually really liked listening to all the sounds, cigarettes being lit, doors opening, typewriters being used, phones being dialed. I felt like I was there and the story was intriguing...glad that Jack saw the light!

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Big Lie is the first of the Jack Bergin stories. I read these out of order . I enjoyed this outing more than the second, but this is tough to read right now.

Jack is working for the FBI, fairly new to the LA field office, when he is assigned the task of stopping the production of a film which is seen as subversive by the current administration. He has to deal with the case, office politics, his growing appreciation for the subject of the film, and his wife who is spiraling into alcoholism. It’s a gritty look at McCarthy era investigations and readers may question the side which Jack is on. This is especially true in 2025.

Overall, a well made production, presented with multiple voice actors and sound effects. For the most part the f/x are presented with a better audio balance than in the second production, but be careful while driving and listening as there are horns and other material which may make you flinch in traffic. Hamm is once again a spectacular choice as a 50s era gumshoe. The case has plenty of twists and double-crosses which a fan of noir fiction will appreciate.

[Floyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm a sucker for noir and audio drama that is grounded and gritty. The Big Lie is a great entry into what I hope will be a series. The cast is great and the production value is incredible - the score, sound design (the sound of someone taking a long drag on a cigarette), and performances are immersive. The one flaw is the plot. It felt like the story was pushing the characters around a bit rather than the characters' choices driving the narrative. The thematic ground the story tries to cover is so far ranging that it unanchors the narrative - McCarthyism/red scare, racial tensions, post WWII gender role stuff, marital strife, office politics, all inside of a noir setting that lacks the one thing every noir story needs - a murder. I didn't realize The Big Lie is based on a true story, so it makes sense. The performances and production still make the story worth listening to.

[Marios · Rating 5 out of 5]

It delivers an exceptional historical drama that immerses the listener completely in its era, thanks to the pitch-perfect atmosphere and truly stellar full-cast performance. The narrative, centered on a tense period of fear and political conflict, explores timeless themes of censorship, truth, and loyalty, which you noted feel remarkably relevant to current affairs in the USA. Focusing on the high-stakes world of blacklisted filmmakers and the agent tasked with observing them, the podcast brilliantly captures the suspense and paranoia of the time without revealing crucial twists in Jack Bergin's investigation. Your experience highlights the success of this audio production, making it a compelling listen that resonates far beyond its 1950s setting.

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid performances from an all-star cast and perfectly accentuated by audio enhancements (sound effects that immerse you within this 1950s drama). Centered around the filming of "Salt of the Earth" (1954) in New Mexico and the FBI investigation into its creation. At the beginning, FBI Special Agent Jack Bergin (Jon Hamm) says: "The Big Lie. That their way is better. That communism is better than democracy." As the drama unfolds, it takes on more nuanced hues (for some characters) amidst the characters emotionally complicated lives. Seven episodes that average a half hour in length.

[Bill McDavitt · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazon did a good job producing this. There are some big name actors. Rather than one person narrate an entire book, Amazon hired several actors, one for each character. I find the format enjoyable.

The sound effects do a good job of setting the time and place. The story was somewhat interesting. Although if you know anything about Hoover and the FBI in the 50's, there's not a ton of stuff to learn.

I don't think I burned an Audible credit, so from that standpoint, I'd recommend listening to the story. I'm not sure I would recommend spending money to listen to the story.

[M.W. Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

I"m going to be brief on this one due to time.
I enjoyed it until suddenly I didn't. I'm not sure what happened that caused me to loose interests but just before I finished the next to last episode, I was like I don't really care that much.

It wasn't the acting (reading) because they were all fine. It wasn't the story because it was interesting. I don't know what it was.

Still after waiting for several days / weeks, I finished it.

Recommended: yes, sure. Overall its a good radio play.

[Bayneeta · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in the early 1950s when McCarthy was searching for communists everywhere, but especially in Hollywood. This is a fictional account of real events. A group of filmmakers who've been blacklisted, join together to make a movie (The Salt of the Earth) about a miners' strike and Hoover, ( J. Edgar) has the FBI working to shut down the production of this work of communist propaganda. John Hamm is the key FBI agent here.

[Patricia Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good. The presentation was excellent- great cast. It’s such an interesting time in our history I was hoping for a better story. Maybe it’s just me...

After finishing I did a little more reading about the movie this presentation is based on. You can find “The Salt Of the Earth” on Youtube.

[Tammy Pearson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The narration was amazing and it was a full cast production. That part is 5 stars!! Jon Hamm was excellent. The story was lacking in several parts and I wavered back and forth between 3 and 4 stars but went with 4 strictly because of performance. I am very interested in looking up more information about the banned movie ‘Salt of the Earth’ due to this book.

[Joycee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Education made entertaining. This dramatization is part of “what school didn’t teach you about history”.

It also helps the reader to keep in mind that key folks in history are just as human as he or she is - with marital and/or familial woes, alongside pressures of a job.

I see that the 1954 94-minute film “Salt of the Earth” is available on Amazon Prime. Maybe I’ll watch it. Someday. 😃

[Tom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this story takes place in 1953 during the House Unamerican Activities paranoia, so much of it sounds very contemporary! Especially the communist witch hunts, political violence based on conspiracy theories, and frightening substance abuse tearing apart marriages.

I only deducted one star because the extremely suspenseful buildup turned so anticlimactic.

[Dian Burns · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is how audio should be done, folks! Amazing performance by every member of the cast. One of those I wish I could forget and go back and listen to for the first time all over again. Personalizing the McCarthy Era and blacklisting in Hollywood in a way everyone can understand, I highly recommend this.

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook )
1950s communist witch hunt.
A play both enjoyable and important in it's content about the McCarthy era of political oppression with the House of Unamerican activities. The acting is excellent, the characters well developed. Looking forward to more episodes

[Jacob Faulkner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would work better as visual media there is a lot of audio cues that are important to know what's happening. I also think it would have been more impactful if I knew that it was based on a real movie which I didn't until I googled it after I finished. All the acting was good and the plot is not bad.

[Ksandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the feel of a radio play that this evokes. I also love that it was based on a story written by one of the actual blacklisted filmmakers that this story follows. Was it predictable at times? Sure, but it was still an enjoyable listen.

[Henry Ortiz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the big cast of readers

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

INTERESTING! Will be learning more about the making of the film "Salt of the Earth" in the early 50's and the plight of Mexican-Amwrican workers. [AND government spread lies.....hmmmmm]

[Penni · Rating 3 out of 5]

Would it have been the same without Jon Hamm and Kate Mara? Nah.

[Xenia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a great drama. Definitely worth a listen. It sounded very forties and it made me want to read more about the blacklists in Hollywood

[Georgia Kenney · Rating 3 out of 5]

I appreciate that story was based on a true story, however it had surprisingly bad voice acting.