Criminal Plague

Choosing to Remember, Book 1

By: Makitia Thompson

Narrated by: Maureen Carroll

After her revealing and intense interview with Cole King in 2019, Michelle Hartmann decided to tell her story in her autobiography. In her book she desires to destroy rumours pertaining to her winning all of her criminal cases through fraud and her deep connections.

In her story she'll tell her side of the truth regarding how she got into law, revealing all of the unethical things she was willing to do in order to clear her family's business of lawsuits and secure herself a major win. Going into immense detail about the Cannister case, where she was able to keep a child killer free and help her to take more innocent lives.

Michelle Hartmann has kept murderers, thieves, degenerates, so many more terrible people free of consequence for more than 20 years. She went to great lengths to ensure a win, using blackmail, extortion, harassment and her unlimited wealth to remain one of New York's top attorneys. Until it all came crashing down on her and she was disbarred, sending her into an alcohol induced spiral.

Michelle Hartmann will be revealing the truth, but not without manipulation tactics and no accountability. Interviewing Ms. Hartmann touched the surface of her crimes and gave you a glimpse at the monster.

Criminal Plague deeply dives into who Michelle Hartmann is, what she's done, how it all happened and why she became the woman she is today. The story of an unapologetic, merciless, privileged and now disgraced lawyer.

©2025 Makitia Thompson (P)2025 Minds in Design

Chilling and Compelling

This audiobook pulled me in from the start. The story of Michelle Hartmann is disturbing, infuriating, and yet completely fascinating. She’s one of those characters you love to hate, so ruthless and unapologetic that I found myself wanting to hear more just to see what she’d do next. The way her past and her cases are laid out makes the story feel both shocking and real.

My only small critique is with the narration. While it was clear and well-paced, I sometimes wished the delivery carried more of Michelle’s sharp, manipulative edge. Even so, the content itself is strong enough that I stayed hooked until the end.

Narration pulled me in, the story kept me there

Criminal Plague is one of those audiobooks that sticks with you. The story itself is gripping and unsettling. I found myself pausing at times just to process what I’d heard. Michelle Hartmann’s voice as a character is cold, unapologetic, and disturbingly believable, which makes this book hit harder than most crime stories I’ve listened to.

The narration was solid and had a strong hook, though I wouldn’t say it was flawless. There were moments where I wanted a bit more range or emotion to match the intensity of what was being revealed. Still, it did enough to keep me engaged and carried the confessional style well.

But the story, that’s where this audiobook shines. It’s raw, dark, and unflinching in a way that feels both fascinating and deeply uncomfortable. It’s the kind of listen that doesn’t let you off easy, and that’s what made it unforgettable.

Chilling story and strong narration

Criminal Plague is one of those listens that gets under your skin. Michelle Hartmann’s story is unsettling in every sense, and the way it’s told makes it feel almost too real at times. The detail about her cases, especially the Cannister one, was disturbing and hard to shake off.

The narration pulled me in right away and fit the confessional tone well. If anything, I think a bit more emotional weight in certain moments would’ve added even more intensity to the experience, but overall it was solid and kept me hooked.

What makes this audiobook stand out is the story itself. It’s raw, unapologetic, and deeply uncomfortable in the way true crime should be. By the time it ended, I was left sitting in silence, processing everything I’d just heard.