The Cold and the Vicious: My Favorite True Crime Podcasts
Image credit: Joe Daly
In a world gone mad with sanitized news and plastic narratives, true crime podcasts stand as a final refuge to raw, unvarnished truth. They strip the paint off white picket fences, revealing the rot and the decay beneath, in exquisite detail. These audio channels of dark tourism reveal the bleak and bloody extremities of human nature – a solo patrol int society's underbelly, courtesy of great narration and kickass hedphones.
I’m not a big fan of chatty, loosely-structured podcasts where two or more bubbly hosts blather loudly over each other, beating lame jokes into lifeless submission and gleefully chasing tangents into neighboring time zones. I much prefer single-narrator productions where the host either reads from a tight, well-written script or adds extemporaneous insights as needed, without straying too far from the main subject. To that end, here are my favorite true crime podcasts:
A steely, disembodied voice from the anonymous host chronicles wild, blood-chilling tales with such vibrant psychological detail that one starts to question reality itself. This enormously well-produced Australian production plunges headfirst into vicious crime sprees that cross eras and continents It isn't just a podcast; it's a hellish joyride into the bleakest realms of human consciousness To probe and dissect humanity's most macabre tendencies without ever losing its grip on the ravaging effects on the victims is this podcast’s enduring strength.. One of two podcasts of such superlative quality that I support them on Patreon.
Must-hear episode: Silk Road (Parts 1—3)
Grab your bourbon and buckle in. Southern Fried paints the Deep South with vibrant hues of gore and retribution. I have yet to stumble over a bad episode. Each story plays out like a hyperviolent rollercoaster through bustling cities, iconic small towns and the endless hills and valleys in between, dripping with charm, malice and spiraling body counts. The host, Erica Kelley, is a narrative virtuoso, weaving tales with the grace of Faulkner and the bite of a copperhead. Every story, a lurid journey that captures the essence of gothic darkness and the searing truth that lies therein. Kelley’s not afraid to offer her two cents as she rolls along but it’s never from that dreary veil of self-importance found throughout so many lesser podcasts; quite the opposite, you feel like you’re both in this together. Beyond mere storytelling, it's an expose of raw human nature, fried in the sizzling oil of Southern culture.
Must-hear episode: The Bloody Bruces
Across the pond to the windblown shores of the Emerald Isle, Mens Rea dives into the grim alleys of Ireland and the UK, serving corrosive dread with a side of wit. This is the podcast that the Tourism Island doesn’t want you to hear. Sinead, the sonic shaman, delves deep into the caverns of the criminal psyche with precision, crafting narratives drenched in evocative detail. No mainstream fluff or sugar-coated tales here. Instead, a baptism by fire into the dark annals of Ireland’s murky criminal underworld. While some podcasts dangle bait, Mens Rea serves a full course with all of the bloody trimmings.
Must-hear episode: Karen Buckley
The Great North is not just hockey. Tim Horton’s and maple syrup. Canadian True Crime pierces Canada’s polite veneer, exposing the vast nation's haunting tales and horrifying crimes. Hosted with eloquence and precision by Kristi Lee, an Australian expat in Canada, it dives headlong into that country’s most perplexing criminal sagas, unraveling them with an authenticity absent in the majority of true crime productions. Noteworthy is the balance struck between respecting the victims and shedding light on the societal context surrounding the crime. A blend of riveting storytelling and meticulous research, Lee crafts an auditory tapestry that's both chilling and deeply human. It's not merely a recitation of events, but a masterclass in journalistic empathy and integrity.
Must-hear episode: Robert Pickton, Parts 1 -4
This is the other podcast that I support on Patreon. Britain's murky corners are illuminated in this grim pageantry of malevolence. This absorbing production stands out for its off-the-charts Britishness Unearthing both well-known and obscure episodes of the UK's vibrant criminal history, They Walk… is meticulously researched and astutely narrated. Its storytellers weave each chilling episode with a finesse that pays homage to the golden era of radio drama, often stitching in actual audio of emergency services calls or police interviews. Eschewing sensationalism, it strikes a canny balance between the stories’ human elements and cold, hard fact. It’s also nice that each episode ends with a “So where are we now?” segment that brings the case straight into the present day. Its richness in detail, combined with a uniquely atmospheric soundscape, makes it more than just a listening experience; it's an immersion.
Must-hear episode: Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway (S4, ep 27)
Criminal transcends the standard tropes of linear crime and investigatory reconstructions and instead offers thoughtful variations on crime and the many forms that it might take. With its eclectic subject matter and engrossing storytelling, host Phoebe Judge elevates the genre, delivering tales both chilling and poignant. Though episodes usually feature Judge and one or more guests, the interviews are tightly-controlled and thoroughly engrossing. But Criminal’s overarching strength is not merely in recounting crimes, but in its profound exploration of human nature and society. From whispered secrets to the loudest of transgressions, Judge manages to entertain, educate, and, on occasion, even elicit sympathy for its characters.
Must-hear episode: Bump In The Night
Another entry in the “Anonymous Host” category, the “Concerned Citizen” of Swindled delivers doggedly-fascinating tales of greed, scams, white collar crime and sprawling criminal enterprises that invariably blow up in spectacular fashion. While I tend to recommend this podcast with caveats regarding the host’s occasional forays into smug condescension, his meticulous research and concise storytelling stand tall among the competition. But it's the genuine commitment to shedding light on oft-overlooked injustices that truly sets Swindled apart. In an age of fleeting digital consumption, Swindled is a dance of devils, each more cunning than the last. It's a masterclass on the art of the scam and the victims left in its wake.
Must-hear episode: The Body Snatcher