Root of Evil
True crime podcast review — 2026
Reviewed · Updated
"Root of Evil is a uniquely personal true crime story — two women bravely investigate whether their own great-grandfather was America's most infamous unsolved killer."
Who is this podcast for?
- ✓Listeners who enjoy following a single case from start to finish
- ✓Cold case enthusiasts who love decades-old unsolved mysteries
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
About this podcast
Eight-part podcast in which sisters Rasha Pecoraro and Yvette Gentile — the great-granddaughters of suspected Black Dahlia killer Dr. George Hodel — investigate their own family's dark history and the 1947 unsolved murder of Elizabeth Short.
Best episode to start with
Episode 1 — start from beginning
Serialized format — listen from the beginning for the full experience
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Frequently Asked Questions about Root of Evil
What is Root of Evil about?
Eight-part podcast in which sisters Rasha Pecoraro and Yvette Gentile — the great-granddaughters of suspected Black Dahlia killer Dr. George Hodel — investigate their own family's dark history and the 1947 unsolved murder of Elizabeth Short.
Is Root of Evil worth listening to?
Our editorial verdict is "Must listen". It scores 7/10 on binge factor. True crime fans fascinated by generational trauma, unsolved cold cases, and the extraordinary experience of investigating your own family's potential crimes.
Who is Root of Evil for?
Root of Evil is ideal for: Listeners who enjoy following a single case from start to finish; Cold case enthusiasts who love decades-old unsolved mysteries.
What is the best episode of Root of Evil to start with?
We recommend starting with Episode 1 — start from beginning. As a serialized show, it's best to listen from the beginning of a season.
Where can I listen to Root of Evil?
Root of Evil is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify. Search for it by name on any of those apps.
What podcasts are similar to Root of Evil?
If you enjoy Root of Evil, you might also like: Bear Brook, Dirty John, In the Dark, Crime Next Door: The Beast of Birkenhead. See our full "Podcasts Like Root of Evil" page for more recommendations.
Quick facts
- Format
- Serialized
- Host style
- Co-hosted
- Style
- Reflective, investigative, personal
- Episode length
- 8 episodes; bingeable in a weekend
- Binge factor
- 7/10
- Country
- United States
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