When I'm not reading crime books, I'm listening to crime podcasts, watching crime TV shows, reading about crime in the news... you get the picture. I often get questions about my favorite non-bookish forms of crime entertainment, so just for fun, I thought I'd share a list of my current obsessions! Here you'll find the crime TV shows and crime podcasts I'm currently keeping up with.
Do you have any shows or podcasts you would add to these lists? I'd love to hear your recommendations!
Crime TV Shows:
- The Fall. This British crime drama is everything a psychological thriller TV program should be - and so much more. Gillian Anderson and Jamie Dornan star in this addictive, shocking, seriously dark show featuring a twisted criminal (Dornan) and an "ice queen" detective (Anderson). It's available on Netflix, and you can read more about it here.
- Black Mirror. One of my coworkers recommended this show to me, and I can't get enough! Each episode is a standalone story with a varying cast, and the episodes range from dark humor to bloody and violent to just plain heavy subject matter. My favorite episodes are "Nosedive," "The Entire History of You," and "Hated in the Nation." One recommendation: do not start with Episode 1 of the show... or if you do, I really did try to warn you. I apologize in advance. Netflix info here / read about the show here.
- Pretty Little Liars. Guys, bear with me for a second. I know PLL doesn't really fit with my typial recommendations, but PLL does so much right, I can't help but mention it here. The plot twists, the sustained suspense, the elaborate, jigsaw puzzle-like plot... there's so much to be loved in it. Not to mention the endearing characters! Pure fun. I started watching this show when I was in high school, and I'm still just as obsessed. Read about the show here.
- Containment. If you love TV shows that are "so bad they're good," you will love Containment. This show imagines an outbreak in Atlanta, resulting in the spread of an Ebola-like virus. When a section of Atlanta is cordoned off to halt the virus' spread, the rule of law quickly devolves. This show doesn't come close in gravitas to the heavy-hitting shows like The Fall and Black Mirror, but it's pretty darn entertaining - perfect binge-watching material. Read more here.
- American Horror Story. Okay, this one isn't exactly revolutionary. But I couldn't not mention AHS! Granted... I'm not the biggest fan of the newest season. But I'll re-watch Asylum infinite times and still love it just as much each time. Read about the show here.
Crime Podcasts: True Crime & Fiction
- Sword & Scale. This podcast will forever be at the top of my podcast-recommendation list. Sword and Scale is a true crime podcast that sets out to prove that "the worst monsters are real." Episodes range in length but typically land somewhere between 40 minutes - 1 hour; episodes are typically standalones, examining a different case in each episode. This podcast gives you background info, 911 call recordings, recordings of interviews, you name it - you'll get the full scope of a case, and be thoroughly disturbed. Read more here.
- In the Dark. Another true crime podcast, this one dealing with the disappearance of a young boy. In the Dark sets out to uncover police mishandling of a notorious child abduction case that's now 27 years old. This is a Serial-style podcast, aka each episode builds on the last and aims to unravel the truth behind the podcast's central crime. Read more here.
- The Black Tapes. This is another repeat-recommendation, because I'm still addicted to it! The Black Tapes is a fictional podcast dealing with investigations of the supernatural. It's a "mockumentary" style podcast, so I actually thought it was real when I first started listening to it! I promise it's fictional, but it's still totally addictive. Read more here.
- Up and Vanished. Another true crime podcast - I'm new to this one myself, but so far I'm really enjoying it. Up and Vanished investigates the disappearance of Tara Grinstead, a young woman who went missing in Georgia in 2005. Read more here.
Are you a true crime or crime fiction buff? I'd love to hear what TV shows, podcasts, movies, or websites you're currently loving!