Strange But True Crime
BBC Local Radio's roundup of bizarre, brazen and little-known crimes from across England.
Podcasts Like Strange But True Crime
If you loved Strange But True Crime, here are the best podcasts to try next. Matched by case type, storytelling style, and community ratings from our database of Investigative, Historical Crime shows.
Why listeners love Strange But True Crime
Regional oddities most listeners will never have heard of — BBC Local Radio's back catalogue put to good use. Listeners rate its binge factor at 6/10.
Binge Factor
6/10
Community-rated compulsive listenability
Format
Episodic
New case with every episode
Style
Curious, wry, regional
Presentation approach
Episode Length
20-30 min
Typical episode duration
Host Style
Solo narrator
Presentation format
Verdict
Good if you want oddball regional English cases you won't find covered elsewhere
Our editorial rating
Recommendations
12 podcasts like Strange But True Crime
The Missing Cryptoqueen
BBC journalist Jamie Bartlett tracks down Dr Ruja Ignatova, who persuaded millions to invest in OneCoin before vanishing without a trace.
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.
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.
We Call Her Emma
Tortoise Investigates and The Observer trace how a high-achieving west London woman ended up at the centre of the Emma Caldwell case.
Murder Mile UK True Crime
London-focused true crime where the host physically walks the streets where each murder happened — seven-time award nominee.
Inside Murder Trial: Girl in the River
Journalist Jane MacSorley and advocate Thomas Ross KC unpack each day of the Caroline Glachan murder trial as it happens, live from BBC Radio Scotland.
Manhunt: Finding Kevin Parle
Ex-Flying Squad detective Peter Bleksley runs a live fugitive hunt for BBC Radio 5 Live, tracking a man wanted over two murders.
Someone's Hunting Us
NJ.com traces how serial killer Khalil Wheeler-Weaver preyed on Black women and girls in New Jersey in 2016, believing no one would look for them.
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.
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.
Death in Ice Valley
True crime fans who love cold case mysteries with an international dimension; people fascinated by forensic identification and the stories hidden in unidentified remains.
True Crime South Africa
South Africa's flagship true crime podcast, hosted by award-winning journalist Nicole Engelbrecht — the country's most popular true crime show even against international competition.
How they compare
| Podcast | Format | Country | Binge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strange But True Crime (original) | Episodic | United Kingdom | 6/10 |
| The Missing Cryptoqueen | Serialized | United Kingdom | 9/10 |
| The Trial of Erin Patterson | Serialized | United Kingdom | 9/10 |
| Pipeline | Serialized | United Kingdom | 9/10 |
| We Call Her Emma | Serialized | United Kingdom | 8/10 |
| Murder Mile UK True Crime | Episodic | United Kingdom | 8/10 |
| Inside Murder Trial: Girl in the River | Serialized | United Kingdom | 8/10 |
| Manhunt: Finding Kevin Parle | Serialized | United Kingdom | 8/10 |
| Someone's Hunting Us | Serialized | United States | 8/10 |
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 Strange But True Crime?
The best alternatives to Strange But True Crime are podcasts that share its Investigative, Historical Crime focus and episodic format. We've matched alternatives based on case types, storytelling format, and community ratings from our database.
Why do people love Strange But True Crime?
Strange But True Crime is known for its curious, wry, regional approach to Investigative and Historical Crime. It scores 6/10 on our binge factor rating, reflecting how compulsively listenable listeners find it.
How long are episodes of Strange But True Crime?
Episodes of Strange But True Crime are typically 20-30 min long. It follows an episodic format, with each episode covering a different case.
Where can I listen to Strange But True Crime?
Strange But True Crime is available on BBC Sounds, Apple Podcasts, Spotify. You can find it by searching the show name on any of those platforms.
What is the best episode of Strange But True Crime to start with?
New listeners are recommended to start with Episode 1. Episodes can generally be listened to in any order.