Foundling | Tortoise Investigates

122 episodes

Introducing... Foundling
17/03/2026 | 3 mins.
On 6th October 1987, a newborn baby is found on the verge of a remote country lane in Suffolk. Police comb the area for clues and appeal for witnesses, but the mother is never found. The baby, Jess, is adopted. Journalist Lucy Greenwell has never forgotten the day when Jess was discovered. She was a child and lived nearby. For decades Lucy has wondered; what happened to Jess, and what could have driven a mother to leave her child in such an isolated place? When Lucy tracks Jess down, she finds a woman already deep in her own search for the truth, and a story far more tangled than either of them expected. What unfolds is a tale of long-held secrets and unintended consequences that spirals out of Jess’s control.

Foundling is a six-part original series from Tortoise Investigates and The Observer

Episode 1 will be available to listen on Tuesday 24th March.
Subscribe to Observer+ on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to binge listen to all 6 episodes on Tuesday 24th March

To find out more and subscribe visit observer.co.uk/subscribe.

Reporter - Lucy Greenwell
Producer - Katie Gunning
Original theme music - Tom Kinsella
Sound design and additional music - Rowan Bishop
Podcast artwork - Blythe Walker Sibthorp
Narrative editor - Gary Marshall
Editor - Jasper Corbett
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Missing Book | The Walkers Ep7
17/02/2026 | 42 mins.
The Salt Path was the supposed bestseller debut book by Raynor Winn, selling millions worldwide. So when two more sequels came along with increasingly bold claims on reversing a terminal illness, why did the publisher Penguin not question it more? Chloe also goes on the hunt for Raynor Winn’s fourth book…her true debut written years before The Salt Path.

Credits:
Reporter - Chloe Hadjimatheou
Producer - Matt Russell
Artwork - Observer design with acknowledgements to Angela Harding
Music supervision - Karla Patella
Sound design - Tom Burchell
Executive Producer - Jasper Corbett
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bonus... subscriber exclusive Q&A
16/02/2026 | 0 mins.
If you’re enjoying the series but have burning questions that are still unanswered, then join our conversation on Tuesday 17th February. You can put your questions directly to Chloe Hadjimatheou, plus hear behind-the-scenes and find out what’s happened since the series aired.

This event is exclusively for our subscribers. This is going to be an event exclusively for our subscribers. If you’re already a subscriber, head here to book your place for the Q&A.

Don’t worry if you haven’t subscribed yet - you can subscribe now at observer.co.uk/subscribe.

By becoming a subscriber, you will get tickets to future events like the Q&A, The Observer app, our premium newsletters and exclusive partner offers. Find out more at observer.co.uk/welcome.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Letters | The Walkers Ep6
10/02/2026 | 47 mins.
At a motorway service station, Chloe meets someone close to Raynor Winn who’s nervous about coming forward. It turns out she’s another character from The Salt Path…and she’s Raynor Winn’s niece. And she’s not turned up empty handed…

Credits:
Reporter - Chloe Hadjimatheou
Producer - Matt Russell
Artwork - Observer design with acknowledgements to Angela Harding
Music supervision and sound design - Karla Patella
Executive Producer - Jasper Corbett
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The French Quarter | The Walkers Ep5
03/02/2026 | 27 mins.
In the aftermath of her initial investigation, Chloe hears from a close family member of Moth’s. The story is one of deep divides…and another theft. But it takes her one step closer to understanding who Moth and Raynor Winn really are.

Credits:

Reporter - Chloe Hadjimatheou
Producer - Matt Russell
Music supervision - Karla Patella
Sound design - Rowan Bishop
Executive Producer - Jasper Corbett

Subscribe to Observer+ on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to binge listen to the entire series.

To find out more about The Observer:

Subscribe to TheObserver+ on Apple Podcasts for early access and ad-free content

Head to our website observer.co.uk
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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About Foundling | Tortoise Investigates

On 6th October 1987, a newborn baby is found on the verge of a remote country lane in Suffolk. Police comb the area for clues and appeal for witnesses, but the mother is never found. The baby, Jess, is adopted. Journalist Lucy Greenwell has never forgotten the day when Jess was discovered. She was a child and lived nearby. For decades Lucy has wondered; what happened to Jess, and what could have driven a mother to leave her child in such an isolated place? When Lucy tracks Jess down, she finds a woman already deep in her own search for the truth, and a story far more tangled than either of them expected. What unfolds is a tale of long-held secrets and unintended consequences that spirals out of Jess’s control.Foundling is a six-part original series from Tortoise Investigates and The ObserverEpisode 1 will be available to listen on Tuesday 24th March.Subscribe to Observer+ on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to binge listen to all 6 episodes on Tuesday 24th March.Subscribe to The Observer today and get access to:Our podcasts before anyone elseA daily edition, curated by our editors 7 days a weekPuzzles from the inventors of the cryptic crosswordRecipes for every occasionFree tickets to join Observer events in our newsroom or onlineClick here to subscribe today for just £1 for your first month.Reporter - Lucy GreenwellProducer - Katie GunningOriginal theme music - Tom KinsellaSound design and additional music - Rowan BishopPodcast artwork - Blythe Walker SibthorpNarrative editor - Gary Marshall Editor - Jasper Corbett Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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