Sinister Summer Listening: True Crime Podcasts by Sarah E. Burr

I’m always listening to a true crime podcast. Whether I’m cooking, cleaning, doing laundry, driving, or walking the dog, I’m tuned into crime. It helps me with my writing, as I’ve learned so much about police procedures and the current technology out there helping law enforcement to solve crimes. To expand my horizons a bit more this summer, I’ve branched out beyond my usual Crime Junkie, Dateline, and Anatomy of Murder binges (although I very much still listen to them). I’ve been searching for different perspectives and presentations of true crime, and in doing so, I’ve come across some really interesting shows. I wanted to share them with you in case you want to explore the world of true crime.

Dateline True Crime Weekly: This is my new favorite podcast. True Crime Weekly keeps me up to date with the goings on in the world of true crime. Each Friday, host Andrea Canning syncs up with Dateline producers to talk about updates in current cases and trials happening across the country. Through this, I’ve followed Karen Read’s trial and other current events, like the Gilgo Beach Killer, Scott Peterson’s appeal with the Innocence Project, and “Mommy Doomsday.” It’s also very short, running about twenty minutes or less.

Drowning Creek: As an engaged true crime consumer, I feel conflicted whenever I listen to this podcast. The premise of Drowning Creek is that the disappearance of eighteen-year-old Justin Gaines is all but solved. The only reason there hasn’t been an arrest is because the police have a confession, yet no body. However, the person who confessed to Justin’s murder has since recanted his claim and said he was coerced. Now, I’ve listened to enough podcasts to know false confessions happen a shocking number of times. What gets me about this podcast is that the host (who isn’t new to the genre) finds the idea of someone giving a false confession ridiculous. He repeatedly comments along the lines of “Who does that?” Actually, a lot of people do. According to researcher Jerome Skolnick in Above the Law: Police and the Excessive Use of Force, more than six thousand false confessions occur annually in the United States. So, for this show’s host to dismiss the idea really gets under my skin and has made me listen to this limited series with my devil’s advocate hat on. It makes for a different listening experience, which is why I’m recommending it.

Park Predators: Host Delia D’Ambra highlights crimes committed in national parks worldwide. With all the outdoor activities summer brings, Park Predators is a sobering reminder that evil can strike in even the most scenic of places. Not only does Delia share insight into these outdoor crimes, but she also reminds listeners how they can protect themselves while enjoying these majestic landscapes. Through this podcast, I’ve gotten to “visit” some beautiful parks, too, which is an added benefit.

Under the Cover of Knight: This is such a unique podcast; it’s almost hard to describe. I’d say it’s a mix between true crime and slice-of-life. It's an odd combo, but it really works well. Under the Cover of Knight dives into the perplexing life and death of Susan Knight. Susan may have been just an ordinary individual living in a small Texas town…or she could have been a spy. With dozens of interviews with people who “knew Susan best,” the listener begins to wonder whether anyone really knew this woman at all. I have my own theory of what happened to her, which is completely overlooked by the investigative team because (in my opinion) they were too trusting of their sources. I highly recommend this story and would love to hear about your own conclusions!

Cold Blooded: Investigative journalist and host Scott Weinberger is one of my favorite podcasters out there in the industry. His background as a deputy sheriff and reporter provides a unique perspective to all his shows (he also cohosts Anatomy of Murder, my all-time favorite podcast). In this limited series, Scott and Detective Danny Smith (who should be given some type of accolade for being one of the best detectives I’ve come across in true crime) share their reinvestigation into the murder of Miami firefighter Billy Halpern. Cold Blooded listens like a movie happening in real time. It has everything from gangsters to car chases to drug rings to interrogations with felons. This will definitely get your heart pumping!

 

All of these shows are available wherever you get your podcasts. Do you have any recommendations for me?