Spiral: Murder in Detroit
The Free Press investigates the 2023 stabbing death of Detroit community leader Samantha Woll, and the fraught questions the case raised about antisemitism and justice.
Podcasts Like Spiral: Murder in Detroit
If you loved Spiral: Murder in Detroit, here are the best podcasts to try next. Matched by case type, storytelling style, and community ratings from our database of Murder, Investigative, Political Crime shows.
Why listeners love Spiral: Murder in Detroit
A murder case that becomes a lens on antisemitism and justice — one of the more politically charged true crime releases this year. 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
Investigative, critical, revealing
Presentation approach
Episode Length
35-45 min
Typical episode duration
Host Style
Solo narrator
Presentation format
Verdict
Good if you want a case that gets more politically fraught the deeper it goes
Our editorial rating
Recommendations
12 podcasts like Spiral: Murder in Detroit
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.
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.
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.
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.
The Missing Cryptoqueen
BBC journalist Jamie Bartlett tracks down Dr Ruja Ignatova, who persuaded millions to invest in OneCoin before vanishing without a trace.
West Cork
True crime fans who love atmospheric investigative journalism, Anglo-Irish tensions, and cases that remain unresolved and fiercely contested decades later.
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.
Bear Brook
True crime fans fascinated by forensic science, DNA technology, and cold cases with a genuine scientific payoff.
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.
Murder Mile UK True Crime
London-focused true crime where the host physically walks the streets where each murder happened — seven-time award nominee.
Matched with a Predator
BBC Disclosure's investigation into a predator who used dating apps to target and abuse women — the 2026 Best Serialised Podcast winner.
How they compare
| Podcast | Format | Country | Binge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spiral: Murder in Detroit (original) | Serialized | United States | 8/10 |
| Serial | Serialized | United States | 10/10 |
| In the Dark | Serialized | United States | 10/10 |
| Pipeline | Serialized | United Kingdom | 9/10 |
| Bone Valley | Serialized | United States | 9/10 |
| Your Own Backyard | Serialized | United States | 9/10 |
| The Missing Cryptoqueen | Serialized | United Kingdom | 9/10 |
| West Cork | Serialized | Ireland | 9/10 |
| The Trial of Erin Patterson | Serialized | United Kingdom | 9/10 |
Newsletter
Get recommendations like this weekly
Curated picks, new reviews, and hidden gems. Find your next obsession.
Frequently Asked Questions
What podcasts are similar to Spiral: Murder in Detroit?
The best alternatives to Spiral: Murder in Detroit are podcasts that share its Murder, Investigative, Political Crime focus and serialized format. We've matched alternatives based on case types, storytelling format, and community ratings from our database.
Why do people love Spiral: Murder in Detroit?
Spiral: Murder in Detroit is known for its investigative, critical, revealing approach to Murder and Investigative. It scores 8/10 on our binge factor rating, reflecting how compulsively listenable listeners find it.
How long are episodes of Spiral: Murder in Detroit?
Episodes of Spiral: Murder in Detroit are typically 35-45 min long. It follows a serialized format, covering one story across multiple episodes.
Where can I listen to Spiral: Murder in Detroit?
Spiral: Murder in Detroit 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 Spiral: Murder in Detroit to start with?
New listeners are recommended to start with Episode 1 — One of 36 Angels. As a serialized podcast, it's best to start from the beginning of a season.