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There Is No Ethan

How Three Women Caught America's Biggest Catfish

by Anna Akbari

Length 9 hours 57 minutes

Language English

Narrators Anna Akbari & Justin Price

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Bookseller recommendation

“These women were in their 30s and seeking a serious relationship with an interesting and intelligent man, and they each fell for Ethan; hard. They may have recognized red flags, but either consciously or unconsciously, chose to continue their relationships with him. The twisted, manipulative exploitation of these women is infuriating, but it’s nothing compared to the final twist.”
— Sherry • River Bend Bookshop

Bookseller recommendation

“As an avid true crime and reality T.V. consumer, There Is No Ethan scratched a very specific itch for me; a perfect combination of catfish horror story, true crime investigation, and vulnerable memoir. In 2011, three women were embroiled in intimate, fervent online relationships with Ethan Schuman. Each met on various online dating websites and were quickly entranced by his witticisms, charisma, and long, sprawling emails dedicated to furthering their relationship - not to mention his enthusiasm for getting to know them virtually. His refusal to meet them in person is explained away by overworking and snowstorms, but quickly escalates into a cancer diagnosis until all three women eventually reach their breaking point. There Is No Ethan reads like a Dateline episode with real conversations and messages included, making it all the more frustrating. Who is the real Ethan Schuman? The answer may blind you with rage.”
— Emma • Quail Ridge Books

Bookseller recommendation

“Wow! This is an amazing telling of true crime in the digital world. Similar vibe to Baby Reindeer (Netflix) and as compelling as your favorite true crime podcast. A great listen that you’ll be thinking about long after you finish it. ”
— Anne • Anderson's Bookshop

Bookseller recommendation

“Anybody can be vulnerable and fall victim to someone taking advantage of them. This true account was very compelling. Some disturbing actions are beyond the reach of the law.”
— Ellen • Banter Bookshop

Summary
About the author
About the narrator

#43 in Bestselling True Crime Audiobooks

Part memoir, part explosive window into the mind of a catfisher, a thrilling personal account of three women coming face-to-face with an internet predator and teaming up to expose them.

In 2011, three successful and highly educated women fell head over heels for the brilliant and charming Ethan Schuman. Unbeknownst to the others, each exchanged countless messages with Ethan, staying up late into the evenings to deepen their connections with this fascinating man. His detailed excuses about broken webcams and complicated international calling plans seemed believable, as did last minute trip cancellations. After all, why would he lie? Ethan wasn't after money — he never convinced his marks to shell out thousands of dollars for some imagined crisis. Rather, he ensnared these women in a web of intense emotional intimacy. After the trio independently began to question inconsistencies in their new flame's stories, they managed to find one another and uncover a greater deception than they could've ever imagined. As Anna Akbari and the women untangled their catfish’s web, they found other victims and realized that without a proper crime, there was no legal reason for “Ethan” to ever stop.

THERE IS NO ETHAN catalogues Akbari's experience as both victim and observer. By looking at the bigger picture of where these stories unfold — a world where technology mediates our relationships; where words and images are easily manipulated; and where truth, reality, and identity have become slippery terms — Akbari gives a page-turning and riveting examination of why stories like Ethan's matter for us all.

Biography & Memoir True Crime Nonfiction

Anna Akbari, PhD, is a sociologist and the author of multiple books, including collaborations with more than a dozen authors and public figures across multiple fields and industries. She is a former professor at New York University and Parsons School of Design. She speaks internationally, makes regular media appearances, and has written for or been featured by many top media outlets, including the New York Times, CNN, Forbes, the Atlantic,Time, the Financial Times, TED, Bulletproof Executive, Psychology Today, Google Talks, Sirius XM, and many more. She is the creator of the Substack “The Sociology of… Everything.” Learn more at annaakbari.com, and follow on Instagram / Threads: @annaakbari.