New True Crime Podcasts To Get Hooked On

Last Updated on February 16, 2020

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This is a list of new true crime podcasts that I've been listening to lately. It includes both unsolved mystery podcasts and shows that wrap up everything with a satisfying conclusion.

I don't write about true crime podcasts a lot, even though I listen to plenty of them.

It's extremely difficult to keep up with the break-neck pace of the true crime genre. I could probably write one new true crime podcast post each week and still not be on the cutting edge of the industry.

I wrote about this back in 2017, in my post about the 5 true crime podcasts I subscribed to at the time.

Since then, I've started listening - and subscribing - to a lot more true crime, because the shows have gotten so much better.

Due to society's obsession with the genre, new true crime podcasts are being launched left and right. Shows are being made by independent podcasters, large podcast networks, and huge players from within the entertainment industry (think: Netflix and ABC).

All that competition means creators have to step up their game to bring us truly intriguing shows.

What I'm enjoying most is that each new podcast has to have a really good hook. It's not enough to say, "We're going to tell you the story of so-and-so's disappearance, as found in newspaper articles and public legal records".

To make a splash, new true crime podcasts need to have a unique twist, especially if the case has been reported on before by another podcast.

Listeners like you and me are looking for new evidence, first-time interviews, a famous host, or some other aspect that the other podcasts don't have. Something different to keep us coming back for more.

The list below includes the shows that I've recently been hooked on. Some are brand new, others are a little older (but have only recently drawn me in.) They all have something unique that stands out to me.

True Crime Podcasts With a Unique Angle

Who The Hell is Hamish?

This show from The Australian tells the story of a white collar conman. "Soft crime", you might say. It features interviews with people who were scammed out of crazy amounts of money (some of the amounts will make your head explode).

That this isn't a story of murder and violence is unique right there. I'm sure that this type of story is less tempting than others to podcast creators.

A couple other things that I think make this podcast unique: The story, and this conman, are completely new to me (seriously, who the hell IS Hamish?). It's refreshing to hear a story that I had zero knowledge of. I'm guessing that this is true for most people outside of Australia and Canada.

I also like how the podcast breaks down the different victims and cons. Hamish's crimes could probably fit into one or two categories, but they played out in numerous ways, and the podcast explores each one.

(Note: I can usually understand the Australian accent just fine, but I had to slow this podcast down to 1.1 speed [from my usual 1.3] to listen; anything faster than that, and it was difficult for me to follow!)

Listen to Who The Hell is Hamish?

Over My Dead Body

This story of small town murder comes from Wondery. It tells the story of a seemingly fairy tale love match that devolved into a bitter divorce and then...you guessed it: murder.

Over My Dead Body is one of the shows in Wondery's series of short-run true crime reporting podcasts (like Dirty John and Dr. Death).

In my opinion, Wondery hit a home run with this new approach to show development. This is the unique hook that keeps me coming back for each new title they launch. And although it's part of this series of shows, Over My Dead Body is just different enough from the others and stands on its own.

The high-level reporting is more of a bird's-eye view of the case, but there are interviews with people close to the families, and audio of secretly recorded conversations between suspects.

I wish there had been two or three more episodes of Over My Dead Body; it feels like there is more to report on this story - and I want it all!

Listen to Over My Dead Body

Case Closed

As the title implies, the premise of the Case Closed podcast is to present true crime with a resolution.

A lot of true crime cases are left unsolved, and that can be intriguing. But there are plenty of cases that have resolutions, and this podcast aims to satisfy the listener's need for closure.

Case Closed season 1 (available for free anywhere; season 2 is currently only on Stitcher Premium) tells the story of Erin Corwin, a young military wife who was murdered in 2014. The podcast is based on the book Secrets of a Marine’s Wife.

In addition to knowing that the cases have all been solved, another thing that makes Case Closed unique is that it's hosted by Charlie Spicer, an editor who has worked in the true crime genre for decades.

Listen to Case Closed

Crimes of Passion

If you subscribe to my newsletter, you know that I'm excited about this new podcast. Parcasts's new Crimes of Passion is about love stories that turn into crime stories.

Sure, a lot of true crime is related to love or obsession, but this show focuses only on these types of story. And that is exactly the type of unique idea that hooked me.

I'm always fascinated when romantic relationships goes from "normal" to "criminal". There's a certain psychology to these cases that I just can't wrap my head around, and I'm thrilled to have a podcast that goes down this road in every episode.

Listen to Crimes of Passion

Making a Mania

I'm taking a major liberty by including this podcast in this list. Episodes are from October through December 2018, and it's actually an analysis of the hype around Netflix's Making a Murderer show.

So the podcast is not "new", and it's more about a TV show about a case. But, my blog, my rules. I discovered this podcast last month and I think the concept is an important exploration of society's infatuation with true crime.

Making a Mania is subtitled, The Steven Avery Saga and Why We're Obsessed, and the first episodes dropped just before Netflix released Season 2 of Making a Murderer. The podcast includes interviews with key players from the Steven Avery story.

Listen to Making a Mania

The Truth About True Crime with Amanda Knox

I won't lie: I was struck by the fact that Amanda Knox is hosting a true crime podcast. Whatever you think about her and the murder case she's infamous for, did you think she'd actually choose to stay in the true crime genre? I didn't.

Honestly, seeing her name in big letters on the cover art was the hook that reeled me in.

In addition to the famous host, this podcast aims to explore well-known cases through a different lens. As Knox explains, she knows firsthand how stories, suspects, and victims can be sensationalized.

This podcast, although full of interviews with people, is slightly sterile in how it is presented. Somehow, this works to its advantage, since both seasons are about cults, which aren't warm and fuzzy to begin with.

One thing of note: The Truth About True Crime is created by Sundance TV and Sundance Now, and they do not miss an opportunity to mention this! Ignore it; the podcast itself is good.

Listen to The Truth About True Crime with Amanda Knox

Your Turn to Recommend

What are the latest true crime podcasts that have YOU hooked? Leave a comment below to add to the list of shows.

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