Detective Trapp
True crime podcast review — 2026
"Detective Trapp is a short, finished six-episode series that follows one detective’s hunt for a serial killer — best for listeners who want the investigator’s side of the story."
Who is this podcast for?
- ✓Listeners who enjoy following a single case from start to finish
- ✓Those interested in the psychology of serial offenders
Pros
- +Serialized format builds a compelling, sustained narrative arc across episodes
About the host
Christopher Goffard
Host of Detective Trapp.
About this podcast
Anaheim homicide detective Julissa Trapp was the only woman on her squad when a young woman's body turned up at a recycling plant in 2014. Her investigation linked the death to the disappearances of other women in nearby Santa Ana and led her to two registered sex offenders whose GPS ankle monitors put them at the crime scenes. From Dirty John creator Christopher Goffard, this five-part series from the Los Angeles Times and Wondery follows Trapp's case work, including a nearly 13-hour interrogation of a suspected serial killer. It won a 2020 National Edward R. Murrow Award.
Best episode to start with
Episode 1 — it is a single story, so start from the beginning
Serialized format — listen from the beginning for the full experience
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Frequently Asked Questions about Detective Trapp
What is Detective Trapp about?
Anaheim homicide detective Julissa Trapp was the only woman on her squad when a young woman's body turned up at a recycling plant in 2014. Her investigation linked the death to the disappearances of other women in nearby Santa Ana and led her to two registered sex offenders whose GPS ankle monitors put them at the crime scenes. From Dirty John creator Christopher Goffard, this five-part series from the Los Angeles Times and Wondery follows Trapp's case work, including a nearly 13-hour interrogation of a suspected serial killer. It won a 2020 National Edward R. Murrow Award.
Is Detective Trapp worth listening to?
Our editorial verdict is "Good if police procedurals interest you". True crime fans who like police procedurals, interrogation and a finished serial-murder case told from the lead detective’s side.
Who is Detective Trapp for?
Detective Trapp is ideal for: Listeners who enjoy following a single case from start to finish; Those interested in the psychology of serial offenders.
What is the best episode of Detective Trapp to start with?
We recommend starting with Episode 1 — it is a single story, so start from the beginning. As a serialized show, it's best to listen from the beginning of a season.
Where can I listen to Detective Trapp?
Detective Trapp is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify.
What podcasts are similar to Detective Trapp?
If you enjoy Detective Trapp, you might also like: Dirty John, Over My Dead Body, Profiler: True Crime Africa, MURDERISH. See our full "Podcasts Like Detective Trapp" page for more recommendations.
Quick facts
- Format
- Serialized
- Episode length
- 6 episodes of about 35–45 min each; finished, about four hours in total
- Country
- United States
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