The best podcasts for narrative-style true crime

I've been listening to Trace Evidence from the start. It's always been one of the most interesting, well researched, ethical, and factual shows around. Trace Evidence is incredibly respectful and sensitive to the subject matter - unsolved homicides and missing persons cases. Host Steven is the real deal: an expert true crime writer who genuinely cares as much about the victims and their families as he does about telling a top-notch story. And I mean top-notch; check out episode 200 for cold hard proof. I'm not just saying that because it's a Texas case.

I'm not sure what there is to say about Erica and SFTC that everyone doesn't already know. She's got a vast army of listeners that go to the trenches with her every week for a reason, as she tells some the most difficult stories out there in a way unlike anyone else ever has, IF they have. I am of course partial to southern accents and besides my wife's, there isn't one in the world I find more pleasing to listen to. SFTC is well written, well researched, and inimitably narrated by a caring, compassionate, and very often salty host who lays out the story and isn't afraid to tell you what she thinks. Mostly solved cases but you'll find some unsolved peppered in there.

Primarily solved cases, I fell in love with this podcast's writing within 30 seconds of hearing the first episode I listened to, season 2, episode 1, about Ahmaud Arbery. The three episodes on Ahmaud are stellar, and incredibly saddening and maddening, as are all the others. Writer James Hays artfully pulls the listener into the story's world without fail using a present-tense style. Sometimes the episodes feel like you're reading an old Detective Magazine, without the unnecessarily sensational and gratuitous bullsh*t. ASOC tells true crime stories about people of color, who are incredibly underrepresented in the true crime genre.

Another podcast I've listened to since the beginning. Expertly researched (even boots on the ground style) and written. Laura and Brooke have made an honest to god impact on the lives of so many. The Fall Line care deeply about these unsolved and missing persons cases, and not just by talking the talk; unlike so many others in the true crime genre, they give back to the cases they cover and maintain ties with victims' families. Without a doubt a moral compass for gone cold, I recommend anyone looking to get into the true crime podcasting world (or any other medium for that matter) to take their cues from these folks.

Unresolved was the first independent podcast I listened to as far as true crime goes, if I'm not mistaken, and still one of my top five. From the Zodiac Killer to Waco and the Branch Davidians, no one tells a mystery story quite like Micheal. The writing is intelligent, clever, often poignant, and always riveting. Micheal's got a voice and delivery that reminds me of my best friend telling me a story that they experienced themselves. Oh, and as if the name didn't give it away, these are all stories with no resolution. What's Unresolved about Waco, you ask? Just listen.