Debi Marshall Investigates: Frozen Lies

An interesting Australian crime story focusing on tragic events from the 1970's. Its told in a documentary format over 5 episodes. Hosted by Debi Marshall a journalist, who has suffered her own personal tragedy years earlier. Debi becomes a bit self indulgent at times, and takes the heat away from the main subject matter. If Debi goes on a fact finding trip, it seems its more about Debi going on a trip then the reason why. A few interviews it becomes more about Debi, than the interviewee. The actual story revolves around a young drifter who becomes friends with a prominent professional person. Their friendship leads to a significant crime event. Debi retells the the story from years gone by, and she try's to piece together what actually happened. Often Debi is confronted by conflicting statements and dodgy evidence. There are some shady characters for Debi to try and decipher. It slowly appears to be a crime story within a crime story.

The biggest problem with this documentary is it is done in 5 episodes. At times it seems to go over and over the same subject matter. It often builds up to a climax, then fizzes out. It would have been better if the documentary was done over 2 or possibly 3 episodes.

If this is journalism, we're doomed.

The only reason I watched until the end is due to the very many unwittingly funny moments the show provided and the countless unwarranted emotional reactions on display thanks to our Debi. She had me shouting at the telly. She's far too judgmental and self focused to make logical decisions about her own analysis not to mention the abject ignorance and homophobia throughout the entire sham of an 'investigation' which was even more unbelievable than the murder story itself.

It was like watching your aunty embarrassing herself by earnestly trying, and failing, to be Columbo.

Shocking. More so than the murder it's about.

Enjoyed this one from beginning to end. Debi's got the goods when it comes to trying to get to the truth, finally an unbiased delve into the 'whodunnit' genre.

Debi has uncovered (seemingly honestly and very thoroughly) the scum of the earth to get to what 'probably' really happened in this series.

Unlike many doc series, we see our investigator seeking truth, rather than paying 'experts' for advice and opinions that suit the outcome that the documentary makers receive millions to achieve.

I don't believe in spoilers - just reviews, it's all there for any google user to search in any case if you want to read about an outcome.

For any true crime junkie - especially Aussies - I suggest giving this one a red hot go. Easy to binge with a half day spare...don't expect all the bad guys to be named and shamed, nor locked up for life. Just enjoy the brutally horrific and very sad truth, and some hard line journalism.