A Rundown of Crime Podcasts
Crime podcasts, namely Serial, are why I first got into podcasts. Now I listen to them all the time for my news and entertainment (see my faves here)! There are tons of recommendations out there and I’ve listened to quite a few. As I mentioned in my favorite podcasts post, Serial season 3, Up and Vanished and Crime Junkie are my three favorite. So I decided to keep the true crime podcast train going this week and I’ve listed all the crime podcasts I’ve tried or listened to (good and bad) and gave them each a review. Hopefully this gives you an idea of podcasts you want to listen to! They aren’t listed in any particular order, just the order of how I remember them! I wish there was such a thing as an influencer for podcasts because I’d be one for sure *insert crying laughing face*
Crime Podcasts Reviews
Podcasts I’ve listened to + my rating
The Spectator: Who Killed Molly Zelko | Rating 4.5 of 5
HIGHLY RECOMMEND! Especially for my Illinois people! Molly Zelko was a journalist hot on the heels of the mob’s involvement in gambling and politics. She went missing in the 50’s and her killer, nor her, have ever been found. I had no idea how intertwined in Joliet the mob actually was. This was super interesting and with only eight episodes, I was hoping for more!
Serial | Rating: Season 1 (4.5 of 5 stars), Season 2 (2.5 of 5 stars), Season 3 (5 of 5 stars)
Season three is different than the first two seasons in that it doesn’t follow just one crime, but rather the Cleveland justice system as a whole. Season one follows the case of Adnan Sayed, the mother of all crime podcasts.
Crime Junkie | Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
Crime Junkie follows a new podcast every episode, but it’s still very engaging. I love the hosts and they tour the nation doing live shows as well!
Up and Vanished | Rating: Season 1 (5 of 5 stars), Season 2 (3.75 of 5 stars)
I was hooked on season one because something happens that makes it super unique compared to other crime podcast which was so cool to hear unfold. Season two didn't hook me in as much as the first season, but maybe I just didn’t pay enough attention? I found it a tad harder to follow along with.
True Crime All the Time | Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars
Very similar to Crime Junkie in that a new case is discussed each week. It’s much longer than Crime Junkie though and goes into a ton of detail for each case. I haven’t listened to this one in a little while, but I was on a True Crime All the Time kick for a while.
The Generation Why Podcast | Rating 2 of 5 stars
“Two friends, Aaron & Justin, break down theories and give their opinions on unsolved murders, controversies, mysteries and conspiracies.” - Wondery websiteI struggled to get into Generation Why, but I see it often when I’m looking for new crime podcasts recommendations so maybe it’s the one for you!
Over My Dead Body | Rating: 3 of 5 stars
I listened to the first season of Over My Dead body on a road trip. Each season investigates one crime over the entire season. The first season features a seemingly “perfect couple,” but their relationship ultimately ends with one of them murdered.
Crimetown | Rating 3 of 5 stars
Each season dives deep into the culture of crime in a certain city. Season one focuses on Providence, Rhode Island and season two features Detroit. I listened to most of season one so far and I’m intrigued, although there’s so many different players, sometimes it gets confusing.
In the Dark | Rating 2.5 of 5 stars
This podcasts follows a separate case throughout each season. The tone is a bit of accusatory and it’s supposed to be because it examines why and how the justice system has failed in each of these cases.
Hollywood Crime Scene | Rating 3 of 5 stars
I prefer the actual episodes of this podcasts (you’ll see what I mean when you get to the podcast), but another one that follows one case per episode. These girls bring more life and background into their podcasts and I’ve found myself laughing out loud at times.
Room 20 | Rating 2 of 5 stars
“The sign above his hospital bed called him Sixty-Six Garage. For more than 15 years, he would lay there unidentified and unconscious. Or so, everyone believed.” - WonderyI had so much hope just like the host, but it was actually very sad.
Culpable | Rating 2 of 5 stars
“Culpable explores unsettled cases where those deserving of blame have somehow eluded justice.” - CulpableFrom the creators of Up and Vanished so I had high hopes, it has a pretty accusatory tone, which was the point of the podcast. It took a couple episodes to get into it, but it is a look at justice and injustice.
True Crime Garage | Rating 3 of 5 stars
This series was recommended to me on Instagram after asking for some good podcasts. Each episode covers a new case, but they do really go in depth on each case and some of them are even broken into multiple episodes since they do get into so much detail. I listened to several episodes, but got sidetracked by trying other new podcasts and haven’t gotten back to it just yet.
The Dropout | Rating 4 of 5
I binged this podcast, I couldn’t help it. This story is so crazy how one person can lead so many people on to such an extreme. Elizabeth Holmes founded her company Theranos with what seemed like a good idea, but it never evolved beyond that despite her lies, investors and popularity.
Counterclock | Rating 4 of 5
This podcast was researched in real time while developments rolled in as more people listened to the actual podcast. Produced by the host of Crime Junkie, the subject was killed in her home which was then set on fire. Her killer has still never been found and this host delved into the case in search of answers.
In my queue to listen to
American Scandal
“Scandals have shaped America since its founding. From business and politics to sports and society, we look on aghast as corruption, deceit and ambition bring down heroes and celebrities, politicians and moguls. And when the dust finally settles, we’re left to wonder: how did this happen? Where did they trip up, and who is to blame?“ - Wondery
White Lies
“In 1965, Rev. James Reeb was murdered in Selma, Alabama. Three men were tried and acquitted, but no one was ever held to account. Fifty years later, two journalists from Alabama return to the city where it happened, expose the lies that kept the murder from being solved and uncover a story about guilt and memory that says as much about America today as it does about the past.“ - NPR
Unsolved
“More often than we’d like to believe, people get away with murder. As cases grow cold, cops retire. Witnesses die. Evidence disappears. Unsolved, a true crime podcast series from the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, guides listeners through these real-life mysteries, uncovering new clues along the way.” - Stitcher
Accused
“Season 3: In 1984, a father of three disappeared while working at a mysterious Cincinnati plant. It turned out he’d met a gruesome fate: Pieces of bone, his eyeglasses and walkie-talkie were uncovered inside a vat that reached 1350 degrees Fahrenheit. Two months later, the Fernald Feed Materials Production Center was revealed to have been processing uranium – and polluting the region. The dead man’s children believe their father was murdered because he intended to expose how the plant had been releasing millions of pounds of uranium dust into the atmosphere. We’re hoping to figure out: Did 39-year-old David Bocks kill himself, as Fernald officials alleged, or was he more likely killed?“ - Wondery
