Death, Lies & Cyanide
True crime podcast review — 2026
Reviewed · Updated
"A meticulously reported Spotify Original on one of India's most notorious family-poisoning cases."
Who is this podcast for?
- ✓Listeners who enjoy following a single case from start to finish
- ✓Fans of original investigative journalism over retold news
- ✓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
- +Serialized format builds a compelling, sustained narrative arc across episodes
- −Must listen in order — cannot dip in and out between episodes
- −Only available on Spotify — not accessible on all podcast apps
About this podcast
Death, Lies & Cyanide, a Spotify Original documentary podcast narrated by veteran journalist Sashi Kumar, chronicles the case of Jolly Joseph from Kozhikode, Kerala, accused of poisoning six members of her own family over 14 years before finally coming under suspicion in 2019. Across 10 episodes it reconstructs how she evaded suspicion for so long and how investigators finally built the case against her.
Best episode to start with
Episode 1
Serialized format — listen from the beginning for the full experience
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Frequently Asked Questions about Death, Lies & Cyanide
What is Death, Lies & Cyanide about?
Death, Lies & Cyanide, a Spotify Original documentary podcast narrated by veteran journalist Sashi Kumar, chronicles the case of Jolly Joseph from Kozhikode, Kerala, accused of poisoning six members of her own family over 14 years before finally coming under suspicion in 2019. Across 10 episodes it reconstructs how she evaded suspicion for so long and how investigators finally built the case against her.
Is Death, Lies & Cyanide worth listening to?
Our editorial verdict is "Must listen". It scores 8/10 on binge factor. A Spotify Original narrated by journalist Sashi Kumar, chronicling how Jolly Joseph allegedly poisoned six members of her own family over 14 years in Kerala.
Who is Death, Lies & Cyanide for?
Death, Lies & Cyanide is ideal for: Listeners who enjoy following a single case from start to finish; Fans of original investigative journalism over retold news; Binge listeners who want something they can't stop at one episode.
What is the best episode of Death, Lies & Cyanide to start with?
We recommend starting with Episode 1. As a serialized show, it's best to listen from the beginning of a season.
Where can I listen to Death, Lies & Cyanide?
Death, Lies & Cyanide is available on Spotify. Search for it by name on any of those apps.
What podcasts are similar to Death, Lies & Cyanide?
If you enjoy Death, Lies & Cyanide, you might also like: Crime Next Door: The Beast of Birkenhead, Foul Play: A Historical True Crime Podcast, In the Dark, Serial. See our full "Podcasts Like Death, Lies & Cyanide" page for more recommendations.
Quick facts
- Format
- Serialized
- Host style
- Solo narrator
- Style
- Journalistic; sombre; forensics-focused; historically grounded
- Episode length
- 30-40 min
- Episodes
- 10 episodes
- Binge factor
- 8/10
- Country
- India
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