I have fallen victim to the crime bug. Not the committing crime bug, but the learning about crimes bug. What does this say about my penchant for voyeurism? Am I insensitive to victims of crimes and criminals themselves? Let’s not read too much into it. Below is a compilation of some true crime podcasts to get you as addicted as I am, with corresponding books, because you may as well go all in on this.
1) Podcast: Serial, Season One
Book: Adnan’s Story by Rabia Chaudry
– Let’s start with the basics—your ticket into any intellectual/pop-culture conversation back in 2014. Serial is a podcast produced by This American Life (podcast royalty) and hosted by Sarah Koenig. This season, she investigates the murder of Hae Min Lee, whose suspected murderer, Adnan Syed, was found guilty, put in jail, and was looking for a court to hear his appeal. This season covers the details of the murder and trial, including Adnan’s path to an appeal. It’s a deep dive into the criminal justice system, and spoiler – the American Justice System doesn’t come out completely innocent. Prepare to accidentally dedicate all of your mental space to the story and miss it when it’s over.
– As a friend of the Syed family, attorney, and advocate, Rabia Chaudry took an interest in Adnan’s case from the beginning. She compiled her experiences with Adnan into the podcast, Undisclosed, along with Colin Miller and Susan Simpson, to run simultaneous to Serial, and authored Adnan’s Story to continue the conversation. Naturally, it’s the perfect complement to your binge-listen of Serial.
2) Podcast: Accused, Season One
Book: Bind, Torture, Kill, The Inside Story of BTK, the Serial Killer Next Door by Roy Wenzl, Tim Potter, L. Kelly, and Hurst Laviana
– If you’re hooked on the idea of Serial but want to explore another murder story, Accused is the perfect next podcast. This nine-episode series explores the 1978 murder of Beth Andes, who was found dead days after her college graduation in her apartment in Oxford, Ohio. Police immediately turned to her boyfriend, Robert Young, as the top suspect, but juries did not convict him. Hosts, Amber Hunt and Amanda Rossmann’s relentless dedication to the case will quickly turn you to a devoted listener.
– When it comes to murder, Amber Hunt and Amanda Rossmann clearly know their stuff. Amber Hunt specifically cited Bind, Torture, Kill, as one of the best resources for their research, so if you want to get in the true crime reporter mindset, this book is a great first step.
3) Podcast: Stranglers, Season One
Book: The Boston Stranglers by Susan Kelly
– Let’s go bigger than a one-and-done crime story. Stranglers explores the nineteen-month period in Boston when thirteen vicious murders occurred. Although a man named Albert DeSalvo confessed and went to prison for the crimes, much doubt remains about the validity of his claims. This twelve-part series may give you nightmares and will definitely make you triple lock your doors.
– Susan Kelly is a frequent guest expert on the Stranglers podcast as the author of The Boston Stranglers, the only definitive book on the eeriest 19-month period in Boston’s history. If Stranglers leaves you wanting more, this book will satisfy those cravings.
4) Podcast: Crimetown, Season One
Book: The Last Good Heist: The Inside Story of The Biggest Single Payday in the Criminal History of the Northeast by Randall Richard, Tim White, and Wayne Worcester
– If murder sprees get your blood boiling, may I suggest ratcheting up to crime-ridden, corrupt cities? In Crimetown, produced by Gimlet and the creators of HBO’s The Jinx (so yeah, rest assured it’s pretty great), hosts Zac Stuart-Pontier and Marc Smerling explore the criminal culture of American cities. This season explores the crime embedded in Providence, Rhode Island. The first episode is mind-blowing, and you may start to wonder if every American city is corrupt. There’s only one way to find out…it’s listening to this season and the following seasons.
· – Without any spoilers, part of Crimetown season one includes a heist and this book delves into more detail about this historic moment in Providence’s history. Heists are a great way to take a break from realizing an entire city is corrupt, without straying from your interest in crimes.