'West Cork' & 11 Other True Crime Podcasts to Binge-Listen to Right Now
There are enough true crime podcasts out there these days to guarantee you'll find the one for your mood and taste on any given day. Looking for high-brow investigative journalism? Listen to The Dropout. In the mood for something a bit juicier? Try O.C Swingers.
But the latest true crime podcast that is proving to be a massive hit (more so than crowd favourite Serial!) is West Cork. Seriously, if you need a captivating podcast you won't wont to stop listening to, this might be it. Once you've binge-listened to the entire series, you'll want to dip your toes into all the best new true crime podcasts out there. Brace yourselves.
12 Best True Crime Podcasts of 2021
1. West Cork
What is it about?
It's the biggest talk of the moment, with critics labelling it a "masterpiece" and even claiming it's "the new Serial".
Based in West Cork, Ireland, the true crime podcast investigates the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier, whose broken body was discovered at the edge of her property just days before Christmas in 1996. Nothing else is known and the rest remains a mystery. It's through this podcast in which investigative journalist Sam Bungey, and documentarian Jennifer Forde, go on a real-life hunt for answers to this unsolved murder and unravel the tangled web behind the murder's questionable investigation.
Initially released as an Audible exclusive in 2018, the series has been re-released by Acast for distribution on almost any podcast platform. Binge-listen and thank us later.
Average episode duration: 35 minutes
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts and Acast
2. The Line
What is it about?
In 2018 when a group of Navy SEALS accused their chief Eddie Gallagher, of murder, they were all sucked into the biggest war crimes trial to date. Dan Taberski takes the listeners inside the courtroom and exposes the story that the media failed to cover.
Average episode duration: 40 minutes
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
3. O.C Swingers
What is it about?
This 10-part series follows the ongoing case against Newport Beach orthopedic surgeon (and Bravo reality star) Dr Grant Robicheaux, and his girlfriend Cerissa Riley, a substitute teacher. In 2018, the couple was accused of drugging, raping and recording the acts on their mobile phones. A search warrant resulted in the haul of unlawful guns, drugs, money and over 1000 videos to support the charges. However, in February 2020, Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer, dismissed all charges. Journalist and podcaster Justine Harman, investigates one of the biggest sex crime cases in Orange County history.
Average episode duration: 30 minutes
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
4. The Dropout
What is it about?
If you love tragedy, deception, romance and money, this one's for you. The Dropout follows the story of how fame and ambition ruined Elizabeth Holmes and her now-defunct health technology company Theranos. How did the world's youngest self-made billionaire manage to lose everything so quickly? How did she go from being the "next Steve Jobs" to facing criminal charges and up to 20 years in jail?
ABC News chief business, technology and economics correspondent Rebecca Jarvis, and producers Taylor Dunn and Victoria Thompson, take listeners on a three-year-long investigation. Filled to the brim with exclusive interviews and a never-before-aired deposition testimony of Holmes, this one will leave you at the edge of your seat.
Average episode duration: 40 minutes
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
5. Mapping Evil with Mike King
What is it about?
Mike King has been a criminal investigator for over 40 years, and during his time has broken open some of the world's most perplexing cold cases and hunted the most dangerous serial predators. In this podcast, King joins journalist Tory Shepherd, and takes the listeners on a journey into the minds of predators. It's jam-packed with chilling investigations and unexpected plot twists.
Average episode duration: 35 minutes
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
6. Conning the Con
What is it about?
One innocent swipe right on a dating app landed Emma into a nightmare come true. Andrew Thomson was charming, charismatic and successful - but as you guess it, he was too good to be true. He was a con. He had a plan and had been playing Emma for six months, but just when thought he was almost at checkmate, Emma discovers his real identity.
Average episode duration: 40 minutes
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
7. Serial
What is it about?
Ok, it's not a new podcast since the first season launched in 2014, but it makes this list because news has broken that season three is being adapted into a TV show.
The season, which debuted in 2018 and examined the Cleveland justice system, will be turned into a nine-part HBO series and will reportedly follow a young police officer and a man that he's accused of beating. According to Deadline, writer and Director Shola Amoo (The Last Tree) is involved, along with Serial host Sarah Koenig, NBA star LeBron James and former HBO miniseries chief Kary Antholis as executive producers.
Looks like it's time to re-listen to the season.
Average episode duration: 50 minutes
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
8. Dirty John
What is it about?
Now a hit anthology series on Netflix, Dirty John started in podcast-form with the LA Times reporting the story of Debra Newell and John Meehan. John ticks all the boxes - charming, caring, handsome and rich - but is he too good to be true? You know the answer is yes, but hearing the story unfold is no less shocking.
Average episode duration: 45 minutes
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
9. My Favorite Murder
What is it about?
Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark have cultivated an incredibly enthusiastic fan base with their podcast, My Favorite Murder. It's a podcast by true crime junkies, for true crime junkies, with each episode focussing on a single murder. One host tells the story, the other reacts.
Average episode duration: Varies between 30 minutes and 2 hours
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
10. Crime Junkie
What is it about?
Childhood friends Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat grew up reading Agatha Christie and Nancy Drew, Crime Junkie delves into a different murder, missing person or serial killer. Flowers does the research and tells the stories, while Prawat provides an inquisitive ear. One of the highlights of this podcast is its monthly segment in which Prawat tells stories about dogs who have been adopted.
Average episode duration: Varies between 30 minutes to 90 minutes
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
11. Man in the Window: The Golden State Killer
What is it about?
From the team behind Dirty John, this podcast series focusses on the man who would come to be known as the Golden State Killer—one of the most prolific serial killers in California history and the subject of Michelle McNamara's book I'll Be Gone In the Dark and the HBO series on which it is based. Not only does this podcast examine the case itself, it also asks questions about how to make sure such crimes never happen again.
Average episode duration: 45 minutes
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
12. Casefile True Crime
What is it about?
The host of Casefile remains anonymous, with all focus directed to the gritty details of real crimes—covering both closed and cold cases. The series is on hiatus right now, but there are nearly 200 episodes in the archives to get through until it returns.
Average episode duration: 90 minutes
Where to listen: Apple Podcasts and Spotify
