Shadow World: Stolen Years

Shadow World is BBC Radio 4's anthology of stories from Britain's criminal underworld — gangland figures, cover-ups, and the systems that fail to stop them. Previous seasons have followed London gangsters trying to escape the cycle of crime; Stolen Years turns to institutional failure and lives derailed by it.

Our editorial verdict is "Good if you want the darker, less-covered corners of the UK underworld". It scores 7/10 on binge factor. BBC Radio 4's underworld-focused strand — this season, Stolen Years, examines lives derailed by crime and the institutions meant to prevent it.

Shadow World: Stolen Years is ideal for: Listeners who enjoy following a single case from start to finish; Fans of original investigative journalism over retold news; Listeners interested in British cases and the UK criminal justice system.

We recommend starting with Stolen Years — Episode 1. As a serialized show, it's best to listen from the beginning of a season.

Shadow World: Stolen Years is available on BBC Sounds, Apple Podcasts, Spotify. Search for it by name on any of those apps.

If you enjoy Shadow World: Stolen Years, you might also like: Crime Next Door: The Beast of Birkenhead, You Didn't See Nothin, The Trial of Erin Patterson, S-Town. See our full "Podcasts Like Shadow World: Stolen Years" page for more recommendations.