Devil in the Desert
ABC News follows the 2012 discovery of a bound woman in the Mojave Desert, which led to the exposure of a much larger, ongoing crime.
Podcasts Like Devil in the Desert
If you loved Devil in the Desert, here are the best podcasts to try next. Matched by case type, storytelling style, and community ratings from our database of Murder, Serial Killer, Investigative shows.
Why listeners love Devil in the Desert
A single desert discovery that opens into a much larger case — strong entry for desert/cold-case fans. With a binge factor of 8/10, it sits among the most compulsively listenable shows in the genre. It follows a serialized format — each season covers one case in depth, building suspense across episodes.
Binge Factor
8/10
Community-rated compulsive listenability
Format
Serialized
One story told across multiple episodes
Style
Dark, atmospheric, compelling
Presentation approach
Episode Length
35-45 min
Typical episode duration
Host Style
Solo narrator
Presentation format
Verdict
Good if California cold cases and unresolved disappearances interest you
Our editorial rating
Recommendations
12 podcasts like Devil in the Desert
Crime Next Door: The Beast of Birkenhead
BBC’s Olivia Graham revisits the 1986 Diane Sindall murder and the 2025 quashing of Peter Sullivan’s conviction. Sullivan quashed 13 May 2025; killer unknown.
Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast
Foggy gaslit streets. A quiet courtroom. And crimes that history tried to bury. <
Serial
Anyone interested in journalism, legal procedure, and deep investigative dives into morally ambiguous cases with no easy answers.
In the Dark
Listeners who want journalism-grade investigation into wrongful convictions, systemic racism, and institutional failures — more 60 Minutes than true crime thriller.
Bear Brook
True crime fans fascinated by forensic science, DNA technology, and cold cases with a genuine scientific payoff.
Pipeline
The Crime Desk's investigation into four professional divers sucked hundreds of feet into a Caribbean oil pipeline in 2022 — and the failing safety standards that put them there.
The Trial of Erin Patterson
The Crime Desk's courtroom coverage of the Erin Patterson 'mushroom murders' trial — one of the biggest cases of the decade.
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.
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.
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.
S-Town
From Serial Productions: a man convinced his Alabama town is covering up a murder pulls host Brian Reed into a story that becomes something else entirely.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Devil in the Desert (original) | Serialized | United States | 8/10 |
| Crime Next Door: The Beast of Birkenhead | Serialized | United Kingdom | — |
| Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast | — | — | — |
| Serial | Serialized | United States | 10/10 |
| In the Dark | Serialized | United States | 10/10 |
| Bear Brook | Serialized | United States | 9/10 |
| Pipeline | Serialized | United Kingdom | 9/10 |
| The Trial of Erin Patterson | Serialized | United Kingdom | 9/10 |
| Bone Valley | Serialized | United States | 9/10 |
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Frequently Asked Questions
What podcasts are similar to Devil in the Desert?
The best alternatives to Devil in the Desert are podcasts that share its Murder, Serial Killer, Investigative focus and serialized format. We've matched alternatives based on case types, storytelling format, and community ratings from our database.
Why do people love Devil in the Desert?
Devil in the Desert is known for its dark, atmospheric, compelling approach to Murder and Serial Killer. It scores 8/10 on our binge factor rating, reflecting how compulsively listenable listeners find it.
How long are episodes of Devil in the Desert?
Episodes of Devil in the Desert are typically 35-45 min long. It follows a serialized format, covering one story across multiple episodes.
Where can I listen to Devil in the Desert?
Devil in the Desert 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 Devil in the Desert to start with?
New listeners are recommended to start with Episode 1. As a serialized podcast, it's best to start from the beginning of a season.