DexertoThink you’ve heard every great true crime podcasts? Think again. We’ve combed through the airwaves and put together a list of the best yet most underrated podcasts for every taste.
Each month, the biggest streaming services pump out a wealth of new documentaries for us to obsess over. In other words, we’re never short of small screen content to watch. But this is far from the only way to consume media.
YouTube is huge for true crime, and as a self-proclaimed specialist in this area (I spend my life in front of a screen and have a Vitamin D deficiency), podcasts have fast become a favorite way to deep dive into criminal cases.
If you’re with me, you likely frequent long-running series like Criminal, Serial, Rotten Mango, and That Chapter. But with so much dropping all the time, it’s easy to overlook some of the lesser known or shorter titles. So, here are 10 of the best true crime podcasts you might not have heard of (but definitely should listen to).
New Orleans Unsolved
New Orleans Unsolved- Release date: February 2020
- Where to listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podchaser
- Runtime: 2 seasons (53 episodes)
- Listen if you like: Bear Brook, To Live and Die in LA
What it’s about: Investigator/producer Anna Christie and veteran journalist Thanh Truong reopen cold cases in New Orleans and the Gulf Coast, uncovering hidden layers of crime and corruption.
Why it’s good: This isn’t your usual retelling of old cases; it’s fresh reporting, with Christie and Truong serving as relentless, talented investigators. The city of New Orleans itself feels like a character, filled with mystery, history, and unspoken truths. Just be warned: it doesn’t hold back on the disturbing details of the cases it covers.
Disclosed: The Children in the Pictures
LiSTNR- Release date: November 2022
- Where to listen: LiSTNR, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
- Runtime: 1 season (8 episodes)
- Listen if you like: Hunting Warhead, Darknet Diaries
What it’s about: A deep dive into the online child abuse endemic, and how Australian police unit Task Force Argos hunts down dark web predators.
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Why it’s good: Chilling, urgent, and impeccably researched, this one is tough but vital listening. It goes beyond shock value to show the tireless effort of those fighting against the worst corners of the internet.
DNA: ID
AbJack Entertainment- Release date: January 2021
- Where to listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music
- Runtime: 100+ episodes
- Listen if you like: Crime Junkie, Trace Evidence
What it’s about: Host Jessica Bettencourt unpacks cold cases solved through genetic genealogy.
Why it’s good: Okay, if you’re a true true crime podcast junkie, you’ve probably heard of this one. But it’s one of the most underrated long-running series out there. Bettencourt’s research and efforts put into each episode is unmatched, and her presenting skills are informative and balanced, making each chapter a fascinating deep dive into the cases it explores. Don’t sleep on this one!
The Mysterious Case of Fred the Head
The Mysterious Case of Fred the Head- Release date: February 2021
- Where to listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Podbean
- Runtime: 53 episodes
- Listen if you like: Someone Knows Something, Thin Air
What it’s about: In one of the UK’s most baffling unsolved crimes, this podcast focuses on the story of an unidentified body found in Staffordshire, England, in 1971.
Why it’s good: This isn’t a fast-paced, heart-thumping true crime podcast, but there’s something uniquely British about its meandering yet purposeful storytelling. Host Ken Davies is quirky yet respectful, leaving no stone unturned, making Fred the Head an immersive, almost meditative listen (despite the disturbing subject matter).
Sympathy Pains
iHeart- Release date: April 2022
- Where to listen: iHeart, Apple Podcasts, Spotify
- Runtime: 1 season (6 episodes)
- Listen if you like: Dr. Death, Scamanda
What it’s about: Hosted by Laura Beil of Dr. Death fame, this follows the jaw-dropping story of Sarah Delashmit, a woman who faked serious illnesses to manipulate others for decades.
Why it’s good: Although Beil’s other podcasts are well known, you might have missed out on Sympathy Pains. It’s well worth your time, telling a con artist story so wild, you’ll keep checking it’s not fiction. The psychological insights here are as fascinating as the crimes, making it a must-listen for fans of deception.
Vishal
BBC- Release date: April 2023
- Where to listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, BBC Sounds
- Runtime: 1 season (10 episodes)
- Listen if you like: The Teacher’s Pet, Serial
What it’s about: A deep investigation into the disappearance and death of Vishal Mehrotra, an eight-year-old boy who went missing in London in 1981.
Why it’s good: BBC Sounds rarely misses in this genre, and it proved this once again with this meticulously reported, deeply emotional, and politically charged podcast. Vishal is captivating, unravelling institutional failings and racial prejudices alongside a truly shocking mystery. This is true crime at its most thought-provoking.
Invisible Choir
Reach Freaks- Release date: June 2018
- Where to listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Audible
- Runtime: 150+ episodes
- Listen if you like: Sword and Scale, Casefile
What it’s about: Hosted by Michael Ojibway, Invisible Choir takes a raw, unfiltered look at the most heinous cases, often featuring first-person interviews with victims’ families and investigators.
Why it’s good: Despite its long run, Invisible Choir still flies under the radar compared to bigger names. Definitely not one for the faint-hearted, the series’ immersive storytelling provides a greater insight into the emotional and psychological weight of crime. It doesn’t sensationalize, but it also doesn’t hold back, making it one of the most gripping and haunting podcasts out there.
The Last Voyage of the Pong Su
The Age/Sydney Morning Herald- Release date: October 2019
- Where to listen: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music
- Runtime: 1 season (10 episodes)
- Listen if you like: The Outlaw Ocean, American Scandal
What it’s about: This podcast tells the wild true story of a drug-smuggling operation that saw $100 million worth of heroin hitting the shores of Australia – on a ship from the rogue state of North Korea.
Why it’s good: If you love high-stakes crime stories that feel almost cinematic, this is well worth a listen. An excellent release from the Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, It blends investigative journalism with gripping storytelling, bringing together espionage, international intrigue, and a plot that seems too unbelievable to be real – but it is.
Heinous – An Asian True Crime Podcast
Mediacorp/1 Up Media- Release date: April 2022
- Where to listen: Spotify, Apple Podcasts
- Runtime: 100+ episodes
- Listen if you like: Rotten Mango, That Chapter Podcast
What it’s about: A gripping anthology series that delves into some of Asia’s most shocking and underreported criminal cases, each episode explores a different incident, from high-profile murders to lesser-known horrors lurking beneath the surface of society.
Why it’s good: True crime podcasts often focus on western cases, but Heinous offers a chilling look into crimes from across Asia, bringing in cultural and historical context that adds depth to each story. The production is top-tier, and the storytelling is immersive – trust me, you’ll be hooked from the start.
Lucky Boy
TortoiseRelease date: February 2025
Where to listen: Tortoise, Spotify, Apple Podcasts
Listen if you like: Sweet Bobby, The Teacher’s Pet
Runtime: 1 season (4 episodes)
What it’s about: Hosted by Chloe Hadjimatheou, Gareth reflects on a relationship he had 35 years ago with a female teacher when he was just 14 years old. The story unpacks the complexities of victimhood and power dynamics, raising questions about how society perceives male victims of sexual abuse.
Why it’s good: There’s a reason you might not have heard of this one yet: it’s only just dropped. Tortoise’s podcasts are often compelling, well-researched, and thought-provoking, and Lucky Boy is no different. What sets it apart is its nuanced approach to the perpetrator-victim dynamic, forcing listeners to question assumptions rather than presenting a straightforward true crime narrative.
We hope you enjoyed that list, but that’s not all we’ve got for you. If you’re into true crime, read about the best serial killer documentaries, where Ruby Franke is now, and the biggest mistake in the Karen Read trial.
