Valley of Shadows
True crime podcast review — 2026
Reviewed
"A missing-deputy case that opens into a much bigger story about corruption and drugs in the Mojave."
Who is this podcast for?
- ✓Listeners who enjoy following a single case from start to finish
- ✓Anyone fascinated by missing persons investigations
- ✓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
On June 11, 1998, a Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy vanished in Devil's Punchbowl. Valley of Shadows, from Pushkin Industries, follows how the search for him uncovered the Mojave Desert's meth epidemic, the outlaw bikers supplying it, and a police force more interested in covering it up than solving it.
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 Valley of Shadows
What is Valley of Shadows about?
On June 11, 1998, a Los Angeles County Sheriff's deputy vanished in Devil's Punchbowl. Valley of Shadows, from Pushkin Industries, follows how the search for him uncovered the Mojave Desert's meth epidemic, the outlaw bikers supplying it, and a police force more interested in covering it up than solving it.
Is Valley of Shadows worth listening to?
Our editorial verdict is "Must listen". It scores 8/10 on binge factor. Pushkin traces how the 1998 disappearance of a deputy sheriff exposed the Mojave Desert's meth epidemic and a corrupt police force covering it up.
Who is Valley of Shadows for?
Valley of Shadows is ideal for: Listeners who enjoy following a single case from start to finish; Anyone fascinated by missing persons investigations; Binge listeners who want something they can't stop at one episode.
What is the best episode of Valley of Shadows 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 Valley of Shadows?
Valley of Shadows is available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify. Search for it by name on any of those apps.
What podcasts are similar to Valley of Shadows?
If you enjoy Valley of Shadows, you might also like: The Teacher's Pet, Your Own Backyard, Bear Brook, Someone Knows Something. See our full "Podcasts Like Valley of Shadows" page for more recommendations.
Quick facts
- Format
- Serialized
- Host style
- Solo narrator
- Style
- Investigative, sobering, community-focused
- Episode length
- 35-45 min
- Episodes
- 9 episodes
- Binge factor
- 8/10
- Country
- United States
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