Have you ever been stuck on the outside of a conversation because you have yet to listen to the true crime podcast everyone has already binged?
Don’t worry because we’re here to help you dive into this hugely popular trend.
True crime podcasts provide a listening experience like no other, throwing you right into a mystery packed with intriguing characters and unpredictable twists.
To help you decide where to start, The Courier has curated a list of the best true crime podcasts out there so you don’t have to waste anytime searching.
Best True Crime Podcasts
Vanished: The Arlene Fraser Murder
First on our list a true crime podcast from The Press and Journal and Impact Podcasts which delves into the mysterious disappearance of Arlene Fraser.
In 1998, Arlene, a 33-year-old mother of two, vanished suddenly from her home in Elgin, a town in the north-east of Scotland.
In this six-part series, you’ll hear from Arlene’s friends, the lead detective on the case and a lawyer – who all played a pivotal role in finding her killer.
Nat Fraser, Arlene’s husband, attempted to portray her departure as voluntary, but was he behind her disappearance?
Hunting Mr X
Another Scottish true crime podcast that fans of the Netflix show Narcos will absolutely love.
Across five episodes we take you inside Operation Klondyke – UK Customs and Excise’s plan to catch Blairgowrie man Julian Chisholm – aka Mr X – and stop £100million of cocaine from the Cali Cartel being smuggled through Scotland.
This is the inside story of Scotland’s biggest ever drug importation – and how the mastermind behind it managed to get away with it all.
Bear Brook
Stephen King himself said that this show was one of the best true crime podcast he has ever listened to.
Host Jason Moon investigates high profile and unsolved crimes in the state of New Hampshire in the US.
In season one, Jason Moon looks into a decades-long mystery that led to a serial killer that would change the way how murders are investigated across the world.
Season 2 follows the story of Jason Carroll, who is serving life in prison for a murder he says he didn’t commit.
Now more than 30 years after his arrest, Moon investigates the possible truth behind the case.
Call Bethel
This one is at times a difficult listen but a hugely important one.
Call Bethel is a hard-hitting investigative podcast from The Telegraph.
The podcast series documents a year-long investigation into the church of the Jehovah’s Witnesses and how the organisation dealt with allegations of child abuse.
The series includes stories from former members of the church who allege they were targeted and abused.
If you are a fan of the Oscar-winning film Spotlight you will love this true crime podcast.
Untold: The Daniel Morgan Murder
Untold: The Daniel Morgan Murder focuses on the unsolved murder of Daniel Morgan in 1987.
Daniel was found lying in the car park of a south London pub having been struck repeatedly in the head with an axe.
This true crime podcast is hosted by author Peter Jukes and Morgan’s brother, Alistair, as the two explore the police corruption that led to his murder.
Fans of Line Of Duty will enjoy this one.
Hoaxed
Hoaxed, from the audio-first news website Tortoise, takes the listener down the rabbit hole of a conspiracy theory like no other.
It’s a shocking tale about a community that is savaged by a conspiracy theory accusing them of being satanic child abusers.
The hoax has a tragic impact on the community as well as two children who are caught in the middle of it.
The true crime podcast focuses on tracking down the people behind this conspiracy theory and uncover what was motivating their actions.
Bone Valley
A true crime podcast that focuses on a case of miscarriage of justice.
Investigative journalist Gilbert King tells the story of the murder of Michelle Schofield.
Michelle was only 18-years-old when she was found with 26 stab wounds.
Her husband, Leo, was convicted of her murder three years later and jailed.
The podcast begins when Gilbert receives a tip off that Leo is innocent and has been wrongfully convicted.
Bone Valley is a thrilling story of a fight to clear an innocent man’s name.
The Missing Cryptoqueen
The Missing Cryptoqueen is a truly modern true crime story.
Tech reporter and host Jamie Bartlett hears about the rise of a suspicious new crypto-currency called One Coin.
He tracks down the woman who created the scheme. A woman called Dr Ruja Ignatova.
What Bartlett finds out next shocks him and kicks off this unbelievable podcast.
Dr Ruja Ignatova has gone missing.
The Missing Cryptoqueen is a story of greed and deceit, and include a mysterious plot to scam innocent people, international gangsters and a missing millionaire.
Stolen: Surviving St. Michael’s
Canadian investigative journalist Connie Walker and her late father had a difficult relationship.
In this podcast she attempts to uncover a dark secret that her father kept from her.
Her father was a victim of horrific child abuse at a residential school.
In this Pulitzer-winning podcast, Connie sets out to dig deep into her father’s past as well as the legacy of trauma that has affected her whole family.
A deeply personal true crime podcast that is worth a listen.
The Teacher’s Pet
The Teacher’s Pet is a 17-part investigative podcast that centres on the disappearance of Lynette Dawson.
A team of reporters from The Australian set out to uncover what happened to this mother and nurse after she disappeared in 1982.
The podcast uncovers an extramarital affair and claims of sexual misconduct all pointing towards Lynette’s husband Chris Dawson.
The podcast series has been downloaded 30million times since its release and made huge waves in the Australian legal system.
A true crime podcast worth sticking with.
Bible John: Creation of a Serial Killer
One of the biggest podcasts in the last few years set around one of the biggest unsolved cases in Scottish history – the case of the serial killer Bible John.
Bible John: Creation of a Serial Killer dives back into the mystery of who was Bible John.
Journalist Audrey Gillan takes a different approach to this classic case and investigates the lives of the three women killed by Bible John while also uncovering shocking new details and revelations.
It’s a deeply intimate and sensitive listening experience when we hear from those most hurt by the actions of this monster.
Serial
Last but certainly not least is Serial.
The hit podcast that is credited for kicking off the true crime podcast genre.
The first series follows the case of Adnan Syed who is convicted of the murder of his ex-girlfriend Hae Min Lee.
Host Sarah Koenig speaks to witnesses, uncovers new evidence and shines a light on the case for Adnan’s innocence.
Featuring first-class investigative work and engaging narration and interviews, you will understand why this became a worldwide sensation by the end of the first episode.
