Dark Investigations
Bill Dunlap delivers deep-dive investigations into real murder cases, unsolved mysteries, cold cases, and serial killers, praised for its atmosphere.
Podcasts Like Dark Investigations
If you loved Dark Investigations, here are the best podcasts to try next. Matched by case type, storytelling style, and community ratings from our database of Murder, Cold Case, Serial Killer shows.
Why listeners love Dark Investigations
A 2026 standout specifically noted for its atmosphere β longer-form than most independent shows. With a binge factor of 8/10, it sits among the most compulsively listenable shows in the genre.
Binge Factor
8/10
Community-rated compulsive listenability
Format
Episodic
New case with every episode
Style
Deep-dive, atmospheric, thorough
Presentation approach
Episode Length
45-60 min
Typical episode duration
Host Style
Solo host
Presentation format
Verdict
Good if you want long-form deep dives rather than quick case summaries
Our editorial rating
Recommendations
12 podcasts like Dark Investigations

Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast
Foggy gaslit streets. A quiet courtroom. And crimes that history tried to bury. <
Crime Next Door: The Beast of Birkenhead
BBCβs Olivia Graham revisits the 1986 Diane Sindall murder and the 2025 quashing of Peter Sullivanβs conviction. Sullivan quashed 13 May 2025; killer unknown.
In the Dark
Listeners who want journalism-grade investigation into wrongful convictions, systemic racism, and institutional failures β more 60 Minutes than true crime thriller.
Serial
Anyone interested in journalism, legal procedure, and deep investigative dives into morally ambiguous cases with no easy answers.
Bear Brook
True crime fans fascinated by forensic science, DNA technology, and cold cases with a genuine scientific payoff.
CounterClock
Audiochuck's serialised investigative podcast working with law enforcement to bring cold cases to justice.
The Trial of Erin Patterson
The Crime Desk's courtroom coverage of the Erin Patterson 'mushroom murders' trial β one of the biggest cases of the decade.
Your Own Backyard
Listeners who want investigative true crime with real-world consequence and single-minded, passionate focus from a creator who refused to let a case die.
You Didn't See Nothin
Pulitzer Prize and Peabody Award-winning series in which Yohance Lacour revisits a violent Chicago incident from 25 years earlier that shaped his path into journalism.
Murdaugh Murders Podcast
Journalists Mandy Matney and Liz Farrell broke the Murdaugh family saga before it became a national story, and kept reporting it deeper than anyone else.
Bone Valley
True crime fans who care deeply about wrongful conviction, prosecutorial failure, and the fight to free innocent people; fans of In the Dark will find this essential.
The Teacher's Pet
True crime fans who like journalism-driven investigations with massive real-world impact; anyone fascinated by domestic crime and institutional failure.
How they compare
| Podcast | Format | Country | Binge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dark Investigations (original) | Episodic | United States | 8/10 |
| Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast | β | β | β |
| Crime Next Door: The Beast of Birkenhead | Serialized | United Kingdom | β |
| In the Dark | Serialized | United States | 10/10 |
| Serial | Serialized | United States | 10/10 |
| Bear Brook | Serialized | United States | 9/10 |
| CounterClock | Serialised | United States | 9/10 |
| The Trial of Erin Patterson | Serialized | United Kingdom | 9/10 |
| Your Own Backyard | Serialized | United States | 9/10 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What podcasts are similar to Dark Investigations?
The best alternatives to Dark Investigations are podcasts that share its Murder, Cold Case, Serial Killer focus and episodic format. We've matched alternatives based on case types, storytelling format, and community ratings from our database.
Why do people love Dark Investigations?
Dark Investigations is known for its deep-dive, atmospheric, thorough approach to Murder and Cold Case. It scores 8/10 on our binge factor rating, reflecting how compulsively listenable listeners find it.
How long are episodes of Dark Investigations?
Episodes of Dark Investigations are typically 45-60 min long. It follows an episodic format, with each episode covering a different case.
Where can I listen to Dark Investigations?
Dark Investigations is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify. You can find it by searching the show name on any of those platforms.
What is the best episode of Dark Investigations to start with?
New listeners are recommended to start with Episode 1. Episodes can generally be listened to in any order.
