From television to books and movies to podcasts, true crime has come a long way since penny dreadfuls horrified Victorian England and Truman Capote dazzled the world with In Cold Blood.So what do you do when you need your true crime fix? Following are five of my favorite true crime podcasts for well researched listening that goes far beyond Joe Exotic and Carole Baskin.
Morbid: A True Crime Podcast
A macabre, fascinating mix of odd deaths, serial killers, spooky myths and haunted history, Morbid has more than 170 episodes already available — more than enough to keep you awake at night well into 2021.
Jensen & Holes: The Murder Squad
A collaborative effort between retired cold case investigator Paul Holes, true crime journalist Billy Jensen and their listeners, The Murder Squad tackles a different missing persons case each week and encourages the general public to add their own theories and investigative work.
Up & Vanished
Another podcast that focuses on those who disappeared, Up & Vanished takes a deep dive into missing persons cases that may have gone cold. While each season focuses on a specific individual, the podcast is making the jump to television with five additional studies.
Casefile
Although considered Australia’s first true crime podcast, Casefile takes a look at sensational crimes from across the globe. During each episode, an anonymous host explores the darkest side of human nature and the consequences for those who survive.
Crime Junkie
Featuring two hosts who “can’t get enough true crime,” Crime Junkie tackles a wide range of case from the biggest headlines (Madeleine McCann, The Lonely Hearts Killers, The Dexter Killer) to the virtually unknown (Martha Moxley, Birna Brjánsdóttir and dozens more). It remains one of my favorite true crime podcasts.
Love a good murder? Be sure to take a stab at Thou Shalt Not Kilt, a traditional Southern whodunnit with Scottish flavor. For my latest news and updates, follow me on Instagram and TikTok. Sign up for Fatal Fiction, my monthly mystery newsletter, and you’ll get a free download of Masters of Murder, my concise guide to the authors of mystery’s Golden Age.
