Black Hands
True crime podcast review — 2026
Reviewed · Updated
"Black Hands is meticulous New Zealand investigative journalism built around an unsettling question: if David Bain didn't kill his family, who did — and if he did, how was he acquitted? One of the genre's best examples of evidence-first storytelling with no tidy ending."
Who is this podcast for?
- ✓Binge listeners who want something they can't stop at one episode
Pros & cons
- +Rated "Must Listen" by our editorial team — exceptional across all dimensions
- +High binge factor — listeners consistently come back for more
About this podcast
A Stuff podcast investigating the 1994 Bain family murders in Dunedin, New Zealand — in which five members of the same family were found shot dead, leaving only son David Bain alive. Convicted, imprisoned for 13 years, and then acquitted at retrial in 2009, David Bain's guilt or innocence remains one of New Zealand's most bitterly contested questions. Journalist Martin van Beynen examines the evidence on all sides.
Best episode to start with
Episode 1 — the case requires full context from the beginning
Episodic format — episodes can generally be enjoyed in any order
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Frequently Asked Questions about Black Hands
What is Black Hands about?
A Stuff podcast investigating the 1994 Bain family murders in Dunedin, New Zealand — in which five members of the same family were found shot dead, leaving only son David Bain alive. Convicted, imprisoned for 13 years, and then acquitted at retrial in 2009, David Bain's guilt or innocence remains one of New Zealand's most bitterly contested questions. Journalist Martin van Beynen examines the evidence on all sides.
Is Black Hands worth listening to?
Our editorial verdict is "Must listen". It scores 8/10 on binge factor. In 1994 five members of the Bain family were found shot dead in their Dunedin home — only their son survived. Was he guilty, or the sole innocent? The debate has never ended.
Who is Black Hands for?
Black Hands is ideal for: Binge listeners who want something they can't stop at one episode.
What is the best episode of Black Hands to start with?
We recommend starting with Episode 1 — the case requires full context from the beginning. Episodes can generally be enjoyed in any order.
Where can I listen to Black Hands?
Black Hands is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify. Search for it by name on any of those apps.
What podcasts are similar to Black Hands?
If you enjoy Black Hands, you might also like: Bear Brook, The Teacher's Pet, West Cork, In the Dark. See our full "Podcasts Like Black Hands" page for more recommendations.
Quick facts
- Format
- Serialised
- Host style
- Solo host
- Style
- Measured; evidence-focused; quietly urgent
- Episode length
- 30-50 min
- Episodes
- 10 episodes
- Binge factor
- 8/10
- Country
- New Zealand
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