I met Richie the day her move to Miami his Aunt and Grandmother lived around the corner from me next door and across the street from Tony Simmons. We use to ride bikes and watch TV holding hands at Tony Simmons house. His sister Lorraine and my sister Mary were best friends. I will never forget the day I got the news of what happened to him. I cried and cried. Went to his viewing with my sister I still have the old day pictures of him playing in the hose. I pray for Richie everyday. It was his sisters boyfriend at the time now husband who found Richie. Lorraine told us about Falco asking if he could come to the Funeral and Richie sister said if you show up at his Funeral I will put you in a little box like you did my brother. I will always remember the times we spent holding hands in the beanbag at Tony’s house watching TV riding our bikes etc. rest in peace always Richie

This podcast is hard to review because the first three episodes are SO rambling and go down so many pointless cul de sacs that should have been cut or condensed. I would have dropped it if a friend hadn't highly recommended the podcast to me. Yet once it becomes clear in episode four what the story is actually ABOUT and why we're listening to this guy going on about his neglected teenage years and his pot-head friends, it becomes riveting and devastating. To its credit, the podcast does take on a horror movie-like quality where what seemed like quirky kid behavior early on becomes evidence of something deeply sinister going on below the surface. But there's still multiple hours of rambling that does not need to be included and adds nothing to the story. It could have easily started with the "selling pills on the beach" story which is a much better hook than the boring "missed the bus" story that goes nowhere and serves no purpose. It's unfortunate because with a good editor, there could be a really poignant story here about piecing together fragments from childhood and discovering the predator that was in your midst, but it's a diamond in the rough. I'm glad the childhood girlfriend of Richie is involved as well to provide another POV even if she wasn't directly involved or victimized herself. Very sad that so many people involved in this story are dead or out of contact and can't provide their own experiences except through police records and court depositicons.

My father was good friends with Ritchie growing up but moved away from the neighborhood a little less than a year before this incident, which he learned about through his other friends. I always remember him telling me about his friend Ritchie and the booby trap story. Several years later I'm reflecting upon this story my father told me and decide to do some googling and see what came up. This podcast is really the only well developed archive of the booby trap incident and the narrator does a great job leading you into the story while also giving his own perspective as someone who hung out with Ritchie that summer. Thank you for making this podcast, it filled in a lot of blanks for my father and I.

Fantastic story telling!

Just came across this podcast & Im lovin it! -It centers around a young teen who broke into a neighbors home & was tragically killed by a ‘booby trapped’ shot gun. -The podcaster who was friends with the victim does a great job describing & setting up the scene from his own personal perspective. -Will binge the rest tonite. -Highly recommend!

Omg. I can’t believe Terry O’Reilly had anything to do with this. He shows are so well scripted and edited. The first two HOUR LONG episodes are all over the place. A bus ride to Hollywood, smoking hash, we talked to two cops. Tony, he was effeminate, a pathological liar - my friend. Richie was really smart, (wonder why he Flunked a grade?). Richard Clark? Spoiler alert - he lives. They used to call me “Hair”. Back when I’d smoke, I’d really just ramble on about things like the meaning of life and stuff. (I agree, things have not changed). I keep reading it gets better- - but these guys need a good editor.

After listening to the first episode I was certainly intrigued. Though it didn't grab me like some podcasts. Only two guys talking about one boy's crazy stories of growing up in in late 1970's Miami? Okay... but please you must be patient-by episode 3 you will be hooked. If anything the story goes in so many directions. The way it's simply told by Mike with host James interjecting (acting as us the listeners) works so well. Mike is an amazing storyteller. I could listen to his stories ad-nauseum. And as a lover of true crime it has that piece as well in the later episodes. I also enjoyed how all the puzzle pieces (Mike's strange memories of the 79 summer) actually start to fit together regarding the mystery of Richie's death and so much more. That's all I can say without spoiling this truly tragic but fascinating story.

Mike is an easy to listen to, likable guy that it doesn’t matter that he gives an over abundance of context at times or that I’m not even sure there’s a real mystery here. I couldn’t stop listening. My only criticism would be the intolerable musical interludes. Otherwise, this is incredibly intriguing and a lot of fun to dive into.

Mike has a great memory and wonderful story teller. I grew up in an environment very similar and have stories like this. Although nobody died or shot but interesting stories to tell. I really tried to drag this podcast out because I didn’t want it to end. Thanks for the great listen.

It would be a conservative estimate to say I have consumed about a bazillion hours worth of true crime podcasts. I've listened to them all. That being said, Booby Trap is simply one of the very best listens out there. Not just in the true crime genre, but within the entire world of storytelling. It should allbe lauded as a newcomer to podcast aristocracy alongside greats like S Town and Serial. The story itself, the (alleged) events that occurred, could have been ripped straight out of a Hollywood screenplay. The storytelling is compelling and perfectly paced. The first hand account given by the narrator has every bit of professional and entertaining delivery you would expect out of a seasoned veteran podcaster/broadcaster. The format has an originality that sets it apart from the endless and ever growing pool of true crime podcasts but still maintains enough familiarity in it's structure that long time podcast listeners won't be put off. And can we talk about the music?! I would never in a million years believe that a podcast using such a diverse array of music in each episode could maintain such a consistent tone for the entirety of the story despite the genre jumping gymnastics. But they f***ing NAILED IT. Slow clap for Booby Trap 👏 👏 👏 👏 👏👏👏👏!!

Intriguing story told by people who were there when it happened. I’ve got my friends hooked. Love the theme song 19 Floors by The Big Wheel but can’t find it anywhere!

An amazing story told perfectly. Highly recommended!

Love both hosts, good stuff

Related/Similar to S town

I love podcast prepared by newspapers. Just seems like the quality is so much better. This one is fascinating and well made

I’m sure most will agree with me that podcasts are just 21st century radio shows. That said, this one has captured my imagination in ways I’m sure some of the old pre-television radio shows captured audiences back when. My mind envisions every second and it feels as though I was helping Richie crawl through Chuck’s window or at the Tradewinds with Tony anxious to score pot and leave. Well done and I’m sure you’ll win many awards!

Edit; got Halfway through episode five and gave up. It seems more like a bunch of 50 somethings reminiscing about high school days then solving a crime. As a gen xer myself, I love the story and soundtrack although the latter is more 1969 than 1979 tbh. Mike does need to move on with his life, dude, this was 35 years ago ...

I am really enjoying this podcast. Very well told by a fellow Gen-Xer. I want to see pictures of you guys in your youth. Hopefully you can post some on the podcast website.

Super intriguing!!

I loved it! A perfect soundtrack to the story as told from the perspective of a 14 year old boy. A true coming of age story.

If you like stories like Stand By Me and are looking for true crime without the sensationalist elements, give this a listen. In this program, you really get to know the people involved and have sympathy for them all while learning a great deal about coming of age in Miami in the 70’s.

I am really enjoying this podcast. Not only is true crime my favorite subject in television and books, but now I’ve found a gem of a podcast. I listened to the first 3 episodes and the anticipation of each Wednesday is worth the wait.

Love these guys and this podcast. Total 70’s vibe and a compelling story. Gen Xers are going to love this one.

An incredibly layered, sprawling true crime story as well done as any podcast I’ve heard. But it’s also an amazing slice-of-70s-life that I found totally relatable.

This is a great true crime story and the podcast is so much more. Amazing attention to detail which is something that I really appreciate. People are fleshed out in a way that makes you feel like you knew them personally. I can’t wait for future episodes!

This is a fascinating story with an individual style. Good for true crime fans, 70s nostalgia fans, and fans of creepy goings-on in the suburbs.

This podcast is raising the bar. These guys aren't just telling a story. They're painting a picture. This podcast feels more like a netflix movie than a mere interview - highly recommended!

If you like true crime podcasts, you’ll love Boobytrap! Intriguing, well produced, and leaves you wanting more!

Juicy story, full of layers. Love the way they slowly unfold the details and let the listener really sink in to the experiences of those involved. Looking forward to the rest of the episodes for sure.

Easy listening and very intriguing. Love the conversational style.