Suave
True crime podcast review — 2026
Reviewed · Updated
"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
- ✓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
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". It scores 8/10 on binge factor. 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; Binge listeners who want something they can't stop at one episode.
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.
Where can I listen to Suave?
Suave is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify. Search for it by name on any of those apps.
What podcasts are similar to Suave?
If you enjoy Suave, you might also like: Crime Next Door: The Beast of Birkenhead, Serial, In the Dark, Bone Valley. 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
- Binge factor
- 8/10
- Country
- United States
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