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Criminal

Mantrap

Criminal

Vox Media Podcast Network

Society & Culture, True Crime

4.739.4K Ratings

🗓️ 22 May 2026

⏱️ 40 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Ed and Bertha Briney’s unoccupied farmhouse was reportedly broken into 50 times over 10 years. They put up “No Trespassing” signs, repeatedly complained to sheriffs in two different counties, nailed doors shut, and boarded up windows – but nothing worked. So they decided to try something else. This episode was originally released in 2022. Say hello on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Sign up for our occasional newsletter. Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts. Sign up for Criminal Plus to get behind-the-scenes bonus episodes of Criminal, ad-free listening of all of our shows, invitations to virtual events, special merch deals, and more. We also make This is Love and Phoebe Reads a Mystery. Artwork by Julienne Alexander. Check out our online shop. Episode transcripts are posted on our website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

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0:03.3

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0:28.9

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1:03.9

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1:18.1

Well, everyone knew everyone in this very small town called Eddyville, and everyone apparently knew the brineys.

1:28.3

In 1957, a couple named Ed and Bertha Briney inherited an old farmhouse from Bertha's parents in a rural part of Iowa. And they left it unoccupied for 10 years, and it was an uninhabited old farmhouse

1:36.3

and out in the middle of nowhere, basically.

1:40.3

But they kept items of value apparently in there.

1:45.6

Bertha Briney's grandparents and parents had lived in the house.

1:49.7

After her parents died, Bertha Briney had wanted to keep things as they were,

1:55.2

down to the plates and silverware on the kitchen table.

1:59.2

We're hearing about the brinees and their farmhouse from retired law

...

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