12 Best Mystery Podcasts You Should Listen To Right Now

Mystery podcasts aren't just content; they're a way of life. If you're a devotee, you're familiar with this feeling. You've seen or listened to all the top-notch crime mystery documentaries, binged on the most popular true crime series, and listened to timeless true crime audio. If so, tuning into the best mystery podcasts is the next best place for you to satisfy your cravings.

Think of a podcast as a radio show on demand, a captivating audio program you can download or stream at your leisure. With topics ranging from the latest news to crime stories, lifestyle tips, and deep scientific discussions, podcasts have something for everyone.

When you're commuting, working out, or simply relaxing at home, podcasts provide a hands-free way of absorbing information and entertainment.

12 best mystery podcasts

This ranking of the best mystery podcasts is based on data sourced from Live Wire and What Pods. These podcasts provide a unique way of entertainment and excitement. Here is a list of podcasts out there waiting to catch your attention:

1. Down The Hill

• Host: Andrew Iden, Barbara MacDonald
• Genre: Crime
• Year released: 2020
• Seasons: 1
• Episodes: 11

Down The Hill puts the investigative powers of HLN to work on the case of two murdered girls. The main clue is a recording on one of the girl's phones of a man telling them to go "down the hill." The podcast builds to a big conclusion. This podcast is best for those who love it when a reopened case gains attraction.

2. Scamanda

• Host: Charlie Webster
• Genre: Documentary True Crime
• Year released: 2023
• Seasons: 14
• Episodes: 1

In Scamanda, there are fraudsters, and then there's a woman named Amanda Riley. She initiated a blog in 2012 documenting her fight against cancer.

As her blog gained popularity, so did the generosity of her readers, and Riley reportedly managed to collect donations supposedly to cover her medical costs. The twist? She didn't have cancer.

Scamada reveals this deceit through interviews with her relatives, friends, and community members. This podcast is among the best true crime podcasts for anyone who's ever been suspicious of an influencer's doubtful claim.

3. Sistas Who Kill

• Host: MaRah and Taz
• Genre: Documentary Crime
• Year released: 2021
• Seasons: 2
• Episodes: 158

Sistas Who Kill is a podcast centred on lifelong friends who get into the stories of black female murderers, examining how they're treated differently by the justice system compared to white female killers.

Its immense popularity has allowed podcast creators to make it their full-time job. It's the ideal podcast for crime enthusiasts who also have an interest in social justice.

4. Letters from Sing Sing

• Host: Dan Slepian
• Genre: True crime
• Year released: 2002
• Seasons: 1
• Episodes: 8

Letters from Sing Sing came about when Dan Slepian, a journalist, received a letter from a man serving a life sentence for murder. Jon-Adrian "JJ" Velazquez insisted on his innocence and challenged Slepian to prove his guilt.

Despite being convicted of the murder of a retired New York City police officer and having five eyewitnesses against him, Velazquez maintained his innocence. This podcast narrates the tale of a convicted murderer and a journalist whose lives were altered by a single letter.

5. Up and vanished

• Host: Payne Lindsey
• Genre: Investigative, True crime
• Year released: 2016-2018
• Seasons: 3
• Episodes: 37

Up and Vanished is a gripping podcast by Payne Lindsey that adopts a documentary-style to explore cold cases of missing persons. It revisits old clues, interviews witnesses and locals, and conducts on-site investigations, diving deep into mysteries. It is ranked among the best new mystery podcasts.

6. Morbid

• Host: Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley
• Genre: True crime
• Year released: 2018
• Seasons: 7
• Episodes: 558

Morbid offers a fun and unique perspective on murder. It's hosted by two sisters, one an autopsy technician and the other a hairdresser. They get into tales of murder, strange historical events, and all things creepy in their hour-long episodes.

Their genuine fascination with true crime and the unconventional shines through, and their engaging personalities, rather than groundbreaking insights, make this podcast worth listening to as it is one of the best true crime podcasts. If you enjoy discussing true crime with your buddies, this podcast is for you.

7. Crime Junkie

• Host: Ashlee Flowers, Britt Prawat
• Genre: True Crime
• Year released: 2017
• Seasons: 1
• Episodes: 179

Crime Junkie adopts a more relaxed approach to discussing weekly true crime stories. The podcast is structured around "whatever case Ashley is currently engrossed in."

Winning the 2024 iHeart Podcast Awards for best true mystery podcast, the relatable nature of the discussions, similar to chatting with friends, has hugely contributed to its popularity.

8. Tom Brown's Body

• Host: Skip Hollands
• Genre: Mystery
• Year released: 2020
• Seasons: 3
• Episodes: 21

Tom Brown's Body investigates the 2016 vanishing of high-school senior Tom Brown and the mishandled investigation into his death.

The podcast focuses on the crime and deeply examines the characters involved. This podcast is ideal for listeners who don't mind listening to unsolved mysteries podcasts.

9. Serial

• Host: Sarah Koenig, Dana Chivvis
• Genre: Investigative
• Year released: 2014
• Seasons: 4
• Episodes: 39

Serial is the groundbreaking podcast that sparked the true crime trend. It delves into the 1999 case of Hae Min Lee, an 18-year-old student from Woodlawn High School in Baltimore County, whose murder led to the conviction of Adnan Masud Syed, a decision that has since been questioned.

Despite varying quality in later seasons, the first season is considered near-flawless. This podcast is perfect for those new to true crime or anyone wanting to relive the early days of podcasting since it is one of the best murder mystery podcasts to listen to in your comfort zone.

10. Criminal

• Host: Phoebe Judge
• Genre: True crime
• Year released: 2014
• Seasons: 1
• Episodes: 20

The New Yorker described the Criminal podcast as "one of the most expansive and compassionate portraits of the lives of people caught up in crime." Each week, the podcast tells a different story about how crime impacts lives.

Every episode makes you think. This podcast is best for those who like thinking about the bigger picture related to true crime and its impact on society.

11. Homecoming

• Host: Catherine Keener, Oscar Isaac, and David Schwimmer
• Genre: Psychological thriller
• Year released: 2016
• Seasons: 2
• Episodes: 12

Homecoming is top-rated as one of the best mystery podcasts on Spotify. It revolves around a worker at an experimental facility, her ambitious boss, and a soldier keen to return to civilian life.

The story unfolds through a mysterious mix of phone calls, therapy sessions, and overheard conversations, creating an innovative, immersive audio experience across the first two seasons.

12. Spines

• Host: Wren Jones
• Genre: Sci-Fi
• Year released: 2018
• Seasons: 1
• Episodes: 24

Spines offer a blend of mystery, sci-fi horror, and a hearty dose of the bizarre. This radio drama from ZoomDoom Stories follows a woman who wakes up amidst what seems to be the aftermath of a cult ritual.

The initial episodes might be puzzling, but the unfolding mystery throughout 24 episodes makes for an unforgettable experience. If you want a more similar podcast, check out the follow-up series Mirrors from the same people.

Final word

The best mystery podcasts provide an ideal mix of thrill and, occasionally, a dash of optimism. Each podcast on this list will keep you gripped, eagerly lining up one episode after another in your pursuit of the truth.

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