Suave
True crime podcast review — 2026
"The only true crime podcast to win a Pulitzer Prize — genuinely unmissable if you haven't heard it."
Who is this podcast for?
- ✓Listeners who enjoy following a single case from start to finish
- ✓Legal procedure enthusiasts and wrongful conviction advocates
Pros
- +Rated "Must Listen" by our editorial team
- +Serialized format builds a compelling, sustained narrative arc across episodes
About this podcast
David Luis 'Suave' Gonzalez was sentenced to life without parole as a teenager, joining the largest population of juvenile lifers in the country — young men the justice system considered irredeemable. Journalist Maria Hinojosa met Suave 27 years ago in prison and stayed in touch through phone calls, letters and visits for decades. A Supreme Court ruling eventually changed the course of his life. Suave, from Futuro Studios, won the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Audio Reporting — the only true crime podcast to do so.
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 Suave
What is Suave about?
David Luis 'Suave' Gonzalez was sentenced to life without parole as a teenager, joining the largest population of juvenile lifers in the country — young men the justice system considered irredeemable. Journalist Maria Hinojosa met Suave 27 years ago in prison and stayed in touch through phone calls, letters and visits for decades. A Supreme Court ruling eventually changed the course of his life. Suave, from Futuro Studios, won the 2022 Pulitzer Prize for Audio Reporting — the only true crime podcast to do so.
Is Suave worth listening to?
Our editorial verdict is "Must listen". The only true crime podcast to win a Pulitzer Prize — journalist Maria Hinojosa's 27-year relationship with a man sentenced to life as a teenager.
Who is Suave for?
Suave is ideal for: Listeners who enjoy following a single case from start to finish; Legal procedure enthusiasts and wrongful conviction advocates.
What is the best episode of Suave to start with?
We recommend starting with Episode 1. As a serialized show, it's best to listen from the beginning of a season.
What podcasts are similar to Suave?
If you enjoy Suave, you might also like: A Million Other Choices, Crime Next Door: The Beast of Birkenhead, True North Crime, In the Dark. See our full "Podcasts Like Suave" page for more recommendations.
Quick facts
- Format
- Serialized
- Host style
- Solo narrator
- Style
- Personal, reflective, profound
- Episode length
- 35-50 min
- Episodes
- 8+ episodes, multi-season
- Country
- United States
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