The Last Days of August
True crime podcast review — 2026
Reviewed · Updated
"Jon Ronson turns the death of an adult film actress into a profound examination of online mob violence — asking who is responsible when a Twitter storm drives someone to their death."
Who is this podcast for?
- ✓Listeners who enjoy following a single case from start to finish
- ✓Binge listeners who want something they can't stop at one episode
Pros & cons
- +Rated "Must Listen" by our editorial team — exceptional across all dimensions
- +High binge factor — listeners consistently come back for more
- +Serialized format builds a compelling, sustained narrative arc across episodes
- −Must listen in order — cannot dip in and out between episodes
About this podcast
Jon Ronson investigates the 2017 death of adult film actress August Ames — who died by suicide days after being targeted by a social media pile-on over a casting decision — asking where responsibility lies for online mob behaviour that drives real people to real deaths, and exploring the complex industry she inhabited.
Best episode to start with
Episode 1 — listen in order
Serialized format — listen from the beginning for the full experience
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Frequently Asked Questions about The Last Days of August
What is The Last Days of August about?
Jon Ronson investigates the 2017 death of adult film actress August Ames — who died by suicide days after being targeted by a social media pile-on over a casting decision — asking where responsibility lies for online mob behaviour that drives real people to real deaths, and exploring the complex industry she inhabited.
Is The Last Days of August worth listening to?
Our editorial verdict is "Must listen". It scores 8/10 on binge factor. True crime fans interested in online harassment, media ethics, and the intersection of sex work with public shaming; those who enjoyed Jon Ronson's book So You've Been Publicly Shamed.
Who is The Last Days of August for?
The Last Days of August is ideal for: Listeners who enjoy following a single case from start to finish; Binge listeners who want something they can't stop at one episode.
What is the best episode of The Last Days of August to start with?
We recommend starting with Episode 1 — listen in order. As a serialized show, it's best to listen from the beginning of a season.
Where can I listen to The Last Days of August?
The Last Days of August is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify. Search for it by name on any of those apps.
What podcasts are similar to The Last Days of August?
If you enjoy The Last Days of August, you might also like: Criminal, Running From Cops, Something Was Wrong, The Thing About Pam. See our full "Podcasts Like The Last Days of August" page for more recommendations.
Quick facts
- Format
- Serialized
- Host style
- Solo narrator
- Style
- Thoughtful, morally complex, intimate
- Episode length
- Multiple episodes; bingeable in one sitting
- Binge factor
- 8/10
- Country
- United States
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