“Mantawauk Caves” Follows Paranormal Mystery in Fictional Tennessee Town

Three boys entered a cave in Mantawauk County, Tennessee one night in 2007. Only one made it out alive.

Never heard of Mantawauk County? Yeah, me neither.

That is until I discovered a new-ish podcast called “The Mantawauk Caves.” Now I’m hooked. It’s a scripted fiction podcast (audio drama, radio play, TV for your ears…whatever you’d like to call it) that follows a young man as he returns to his fictional Tennessee mountain home to save his friend.

Before I go one word further, though, be warned. This podcast is a gritty tale that unveils a host of small-town secrets. If it were a movie, “The Mantawauk Caves” would definitely be rated R and listed on Netflix (probably) as supernatural horror/drama or psychological thriller. To say it plainly, the show uses plenty of cuss words, very gown-up situations, and a bit of horror. So, if that ain’t your thing, this ain’t your thing.

If you’re still reading, the show is set around the fictional Appalachian town of Pottsville, Tennessee. Julien Solas, an aspiring writer, returns there after years away because his friend, James Fincher, is set to be executed.

Fourteen years prior, Fincher was convicted of the gruesome murders of two well-to-do high school classmates. Julien believes his friend is innocent and works to absolve him before time runs out. But Julien must work through his own psychosis while he tries to uncover the twisty, paranormal mystery that surrounds the caves and the murders.        

From writer, director and producer, Dan Bush (”The Signal,” ”The Vault,” ”Tomorrow’s Monsters”), the 12-episode show debuted in March. It is from media powerhouse iHeartMedia and horror icon Blumhouse.

“Our listeners crave scripted series that take them into an entirely new universe and out of their day-to-day lives,” said Will Pearson, president of iHeartPodcasts. “‘The Mantawauk Caves’ storyline and listening experience with 3D audio will transport our listeners into a thrilling, and at times frightening, universe.”

Nailing accents — especially an East Tennessee accent — is tough. The show’s actors do their best, but for locals their attempts may fall short.

However, the characters are people you know and are written with a depth not often given to fictional Tennesseans in dramas (or comedies for that matter).

For this, the mystery, and the Tennessee setting…it’s enough for a recommendation (to those who like this kind of thing) from State & Beale.

Find “The Mantawauk Caves” any where you get your podcasts.