True crime is kiiiiind of my guilty pleasure. I would much rather watch a crime documentary or show over a romantic comedy any day. I was obsessed with Serial, the OG true crime podcast. Actually, I don’t know if that’s true but it was definitely the podcast that taught people what podcasts even were. Serial paved the way for other (dare I say better?) crime-themed, investigative podcasts and I’ve been devouring them. Below are four podcasts that are perfect if you are wanting to fill the Serial void.

In The Dark

From the website: A podcast about a 27-year child abduction investigation that changed the nation.

This podcast is about the abduction and murder of Jacob Wetterling in rural Minnesota. I love the angle of this is one as a few high profile child abduction cases that really fueled the “stranger danger” panic of the ’80s.

Accused

From the website: When Elizabeth Andes was found murdered in her Ohio apartment in 1978, police and prosecutors decided within hours it was an open-and-shut case. Two juries disagreed.

If you like satisfying endings wrapped up for you in a little bow… this podcast is not for you. It’s an interesting story with a lot of twists but no real answers in the end. Still worth a listen.

Up and Vanished

From the website: An investigative podcast that explores the unsolved disappearance of Georgia beauty queen and high school teacher, Tara Grinstead, an 11-year-old cold case that is the largest case in Georgia’s history.

I’m obsessed with the narrator/investigator of this podcast: Payne Lindsey. He seems like a cool dude and at one point has his grandma on an episode which is freaking adorable. But, more than all that, I love that the podcast follows him (basically in real time) as he investigates Tara Grinstead’s disappearance in real time. Listen from the beginning, this one has a lot of twists and turns.

My Favorite Murder

From the website: Ready yourself for a murder adventure hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, two lifelong fans of true crime stories. Each episode the girls tell each other their favorite tales of murder, and hear hometown crime stories from friends and fans. Check your anxiety at the door, ’cause Karen & Georgia are dying to discuss death.

I SAVED MY FAVORITE FOR LAST. So, here’s the thing… this podcast is classified as a comedy. But they talk about murder. Georgia and Karen’s tagline is “stay sexy and don’t get murdered.” The set up took me a few episodes to get used to but now Karen and Georgia (and their sound guy, Steven!) feel like friends sitting in my living room discussing murder… as you do.

Listen to these podcasts by searching for them on iTunes. Or whatever you listen to your podcasts on. Worst sentence ever. 😉

What’s your favorite podcast? Let us know in the comments!