Retellings of real crime stories are in vogue. If you don’t like the American video productions on Netflix or if you need new material, you should listen to the German podcasts. TECHBOOK lists the most exciting podcasts on this topic.
The system of true crime podcasts works as follows: one or more narrators describe unusual criminal cases. These are extensively researched in advance. Depending on the podcast, the creators also provide background information and, in older cases, provide up-to-date information about the investigations. The cases often involve murder, but not exclusively.
The editors’ 6 favorite podcasts
The offer of Spotify and Apple Podcasts hardly differs in this area. The streaming service and the iOS app are the largest providers of podcasts in Germany. Across all platforms, we particularly like the following six true crime podcasts.
1.) Tatort Reise – The true crime podcast from TRAVELBOOK
(Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music and deezer)
“Tatort Reise” by our colleagues from TRAVELBOOK.de is Germany’s first true crime travel podcast. Released on March 31, 2021, the podcast is the newest on our list and comes out monthly. The current, fourth episode takes place in Germany. And in a now popular tourist attraction on the outskirts of Berlin – the Beelitz Heilstätten.
The first episode is about the exciting case of the “bikini killer” Charles Sobhraj. In the 1970s, he left a trail of murder on the “Hippie Trail”. Episode 2 follows up with Hollywood’s horror house, the Cecil Hotel. It was there that serial killers descended and an extremely mysterious murder occurred. In the third episode, the editors deal with an unsolved murder case from the small town of Villisca in the USA. An entire family was wiped out there with an ax. The theories about the crime are mysterious and partly paranormal. There is now continue.
2.) TRUE CRIME – The podcast from Bayern 3
(on Spotify and in the media library)
the True crime podcast from broadcaster Bayern 3 started in 2020. There are now five seasons. The cases are almost all new, even for die-hard True Crime fans. The podcast is particularly characterized by the fact that the seasons differ thematically. Season 1 called “Crime Language” is about language profiling. The cases deal with how crimes were solved using telephone calls or letters. Bayern 3 moderator Sebastian Winkler receives two experts who tell about the cases.
Season 2 is titled “Testimony vs. Testimony” and deals with more classic criminal cases. This time, criminal defense attorney Dr. Alexander Stevens as an expert on board, telling the presenter Jacqueline Belle about his most exciting cases. If you’re looking for new true crime fodder, this podcast is the place for you. The duration of the episodes varies between 20 and 40 minutes.
In season three, host Jacqueline Belle and attorney Dr. Alexander Stevens on a total of seven cases. These all deal with the topic of online dating. Ultimately, all stories ended up with the lawyer. As usual, Stevens gives a great insight into his cases.
The stalwart duo of Belle and Stevens return to talk about the attorney’s cases in seasons 4 and 5.
3.) Bloodlust the podcast
(on Spotify and online)
in the Bloodlust Podcast journalists Paulina Krasa and Laura Wohlers deal with one criminal case per episode. The well-researched cases are told in detail in an average of one hour and the two provide plenty of additional information. The nice thing about the podcast is the relaxed approach and the friendly voices of the two creators. Despite the serious and sometimes disturbing topics, Paulina and Laura keep their inexperience. Again and again small emotional outbursts and spontaneous reactions find space and loosen up the whole thing. To ensure this, the other never knows beforehand which case they will be told. They only exchange the initials of the perpetrators beforehand so as not to end up with the same case. The cases themselves either take place in Germany or have a strong connection to Germany. We particularly like that the cases are told in detail from start to finish. Almost all of them are very spectacular but still largely unknown criminal cases.
4.) True crimes. The Star Crime Podcast
The Audible-exclusive podcast from star (not to be confused with the podcast “Spurensuche”, which also comes from Stern) is particularly atmospheric. The narrator reports in a rough, somber voice about horrific murder cases. As in Mordlust, these are told from beginning to end without any confusing jumps in time. Since there is only one case per episode, some episodes only last a little over 20 minutes – perfect for in between. The quality of the cases is also brilliant. There are no duplications to other podcasts. The only downside: Only paying Audible customers (9.95 euros/month, first month free) can enjoy the podcast.
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5.) Time Crimes
A classic in our top list comes from “Zeit”. As is typical for podcasts, two people start here again. Firstly, the deputy editor-in-chief of Die Zeit and former police reporter Sabine Rückert. Andreas Sentker, managing editor of the weekly newspaper DIE ZEIT and publisher of the magazine Zeit Wissens, is also there as a sidekick. Sabine Rückert is an absolute expert in the field of crime and investigation and brings a lot of expertise to the podcast. She often researched or reported on the reported cases herself as a journalist. She has seen evidence and knows the background. She gives these insights to the audience. In terms of content, not all cases are told from start to finish. In known cases, the two jump a lot. Sentker is always involved with questions and gives the podcast a nice dynamic. Unless the cases are anonymous, there are additional photos of the cases on the Instagram page.
6.) “chasms.”
the podcast deals with real cases from Franconia, for example from the metropolis of Nuremberg and the surrounding area. These are by no means just for locals, however. “Abgrund” is published every other Friday and is researched and presented by editors, police reporters and court reporters. Available is “chasms.” on Spotify and Deezer.
More true crime podcasts
Since tastes differ and our selection is of course always subjective, here are other true crime podcasts that we also really like:
- rbb true crime – caro investigates
- Stern Crime – Search for clues
- True Crime Germany
- Crime Next Door: True Crime from the Neighborhood
- The diagnosis
- Drage – Dimensions of Disappearance
- Joe Bausch: Inside the Criminal’s Mind
- The trail of the perpetrators – The True Crime Podcast of the MDR
- Dirty deals
- dr death
- True Crime Podcast: True Crimes
- True Crime Germany
- On the trail of death
- The Signs of Death
- True Little Crime
- Smashed: True Crime Thriller